Archives for April 2020

The Bible is the word of God in written form, meant for our instruction and correction. It's both a sword and a shield. It cuts through and defends against falsehood, so it must speak. Independent from any help, that fact remains "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a li...

Servants born in the home are not sons born into the family. Employees are not successors. Wisdom keeps appropriate emotional distance, because "Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir" (Proverbs 29:21). A wise man knows where to draw the line...

Flattery is attention without criticism. Rebuke is the currency we trade in truly profitable relationships. This is why "Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue" (Proverbs 28:23). Only a real friend corrects you to make you better. Only a loving mentor insists that you are actually moving, and ready to be guided, before he ...

Long before the trendy use of fragrant oils (essential or otherwise), was the necessity of oils. Without them you would quite literally dry out in the arid climates of the east. The writer says in Proverbs 27:9 "Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his counsel", and that should get our attention. Give and receive the deep gladness o...

Dinner with a winner can be beneficial, but Proverbs 23:1-3 reminds us, "When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food". Powerful, prosperous, or popular people are also persuasive. It's flattering to be invited into their pr...

Good morning Men of Tri City, I pray that everyone is doing well and staying healthy. I also pray that everyone using the technology that we have been blessed with and taking advantage of the opportunities that are available either through Vimeo or ZOOM. The Pastor has posted PODCASTS on the Thessalonians series (you can find these by looking under sermons then sort by se...

Remember that way of making sure the split is fair? What if that applied to worship? What if we asked God to choose between loving our neighbor, and formal worship? Proverbs 21:3 says, "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice". The first is literally "Yahweh's choice", and if the Spirit fills us, we offer both....

The only thing worse than forced isolation is voluntary isolation. One makes the heart yearn for fellowship, the other reveals a heart yearning for a place to hide. Proverbs 18:1 picks up on both the risk and rebellion of isolation, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement." If we withdraw from honest people who love us enou...

Evil people come into your life a reason. They always serve a purpose. On the one hand they make you stronger, wiser, and more skilled and spotting such folks in the future. But more importantly, they exist because God brings them along to demonstrate his justice. Proverbs 16:4 says, "Yahwehhas made everything for His purposeeven the wicked for the day of disaster."Instead...

Look at all the people walking around your neighborhood. Then look at how they pair up. Same pace. Same direction. Same stamina. Same style, or lack of style. Proverbs 13:20 says, "Whoever walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."Our literal walking companions are affected by physical limitations. Our spiritual walking partners can...

Presently, construction workers are considered essential workers. This fact came to mind while reading Proverbs 14:1 "The wisest of women builds her house; but folly with her own hands tears it down". The greatest construction workers are women, wives, and mothers. The ones who consistently, and joyfully serve the Lord by managing the home (and the people who live it), do ...

We hate ourselves, when we reject the Word, and those who faithfully give it to us. Proverbs 15:32 couldn't be more clear,"Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence."To ignore the wisdom of the Word is to run full speed in a dark room filled with sharp objects. Love yourself enough to walk in the light, and enjoy the pea...

It's always a pain dealing with wicked people, especially liars. But worse still are the gullible ones who believe them. The Bible considers this a moral failing equal to the sin of the slanderer. Proverbs 17:4 says, "A wicked man listens to evil lips;a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue." Essentially it takes one to believe one. Liars believe liars, and destructive pe...