Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. – Proverbs 14:29 I used to have a bad temper and “fly off the handle,” a lot. As a child, I was known to “pitch fits” and throw rocks, a great equalizer when your brother and cousin are twice your size! Perhaps,Continue reading “Get Over It”
Category Archives: Proverbs
Weighing Your Answers
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. – Proverbs 15:28 As a pastor, I was (at times) led by the Holy Spirit to lead in ways that were not well-received by individual members of the church. The result was that some the opportunity to “gush someContinue reading “Weighing Your Answers”
God’s Side
When YHWH takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them. – Proverbs 16:7 I’ve always heard, and experience has affirmed, that serving Christ is not a popularity contest. It isn’t. I’ve at times heard, and experience has also affirmed, the difficulty of ministry. Serving the Lord can be difficultContinue reading “God’s Side”
Down a Notch
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18 It was 1995 and the year God took me down a ministry “notch or two.” From the moment I had been called into God’s vocational service, I had wanted to be effective and completely sold out to all God had for me.Continue reading “Down a Notch”
Honor Follows Humility
Before a downfall, the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. – Proverbs 18:12 Most of us are familiar with the biblical proverb that warns, “pride goeth before destruction (KJV).” Here we see the “flip side” of that truth stated as, “humility comes before honor.” Both remind me of the old Mac Davis’ hit,Continue reading “Honor Follows Humility”
An Informed Zeal
Desire without knowledge is not good — how much more will hasty feet miss the way! – Proverbs 19:2 It is good to be zealous (passionate), but only if that zeal is rooted in and emerges out of biblical truth. For example, no one is more zealous than an Islamic Jihadist, but look at theContinue reading “An Informed Zeal”
Getting Out the Gravel
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. – Proverbs 20:17 As a trained accountant, I have been able to assist some churches, organizations, and networks by performing an informal review (audit) of their books and financial statements. During a much overdue review of one such entity,Continue reading “Getting Out the Gravel”
When Wronged
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. – Proverbs 20:22 I can think of some occasions in life when I have been “wronged” by another, but can’t we all? Typically, the first reaction when someone treats us unfairly is to be hurt andContinue reading “When Wronged”
From Where is Wisdom Gained
Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky. Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.” God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells, forContinue reading “From Where is Wisdom Gained”
Surviving the Slights
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22:1 Sometimes, as believers we find ourselves in situations that might require us to “crucify the flesh.” By this I mean put to death our earthly desires, expectations, and ambitions and act in a wayContinue reading “Surviving the Slights”