Archives: Pastors' Corner

How many of you like Snickers candy bars?  Snickers are in my top three favorite candy bars.  One of their recent advertisement claims is that “Snickers Satisfies”.  If you are hungry or want a snack, a Snickers will satisfy that craving.  Snickers may satisfy but the feeling doesn’t last very long.  In this section of Proverbs we read about something that really does satisfy.  Let’s read Proverbs 13:21-25  Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.  22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.  23 Much […]

Let’s read Proverbs 13:15-20: Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.  16  Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.  17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health.  18  Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.  19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.  20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed. We are all to an extent known […]

Some of you know that this year I am reading one proverb each day.  Since there are 31 proverbs and 30 or 31 days in each month (except for February of course), it is possible to read through the book of Proverbs each month.  So, I’m two and one half months through the year and I am reminded of how much I am reminded of the simple truths of God.  Once again, I read something that I’ve already read several times:  From Proverbs 13:12-14:  Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. […]

People say that when they eat Chinese food, or at least what in America passes for Chinese food, they get really full but in just a little while they are hungry again.  According to a quick internet search, this is either because of the MSG which is used or the fact that much of the food is rice and/or noodles which are high in carbohydrates but which don’t leave you with a lasting “full” feeling.  (No, this blog did not turn into a food blog!).  I don’t know if Chinese food really is not filling but I do know that […]

We’ve all heard the phrase, “open mouth…insert foot”.  This phrase simply means that we have said something that has caused embarrassment or shame to us…I couldn’t really find a good explanation for the origin of the phrase.  But Proverbs 13:3 seems to take this idea a little bit further.  Let’s read verses 1-6: A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.  2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.  3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips […]

Let’s read Proverbs 12:23-28:  A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.  24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.  25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.  26  The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.  27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.  28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death. I would like to focus on verse 26.  Who […]

We’ve all heard it:  “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me”.  I have just one word for that phrase….NO!  That phrase is catchy but it couldn’t be more wrong.  Most of us have never had bones broken with sticks or stones but we’ve all had things “broken” by words.  Words tend to hurt far more than sticks and stones.  In the next section of Proverbs chapter 12, we see some of the damage done by words: He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.  18 There is one who speaks like the piercings […]

There is a well known phrase, “Seeing is Believing” which means that when we see something with our eyes we will believe it.  It is a “show me” mentality.   But one of the verses in today’s reading got me thinking about turning that phrase around a little.  Let’s read Proverbs 12:12-16: The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.  13  The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble.  14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the recompense of a […]

Most of the ice cream stores in the area are starting to open.  This presents a problem for many of us.  The “problem” is something like this:  Do I choose teaberry or peanut butter or vanilla or black raspberry or….   Do I go with small, medium or large?  The decisions are not very clear cut.  Granted, these decisions are not very important in the grand scheme of things…you can’t really go wrong with an ice cream flavor….unless you pick “coffee” which, in my opinion, is a waste of ice cream, but I digress. Proverbs is a book of choices.  It […]

Most of us are familiar with the phrase “might makes right”.  By the way, this phrase is definitely not true and you will not find it in the book of Proverbs.  Being mighty or powerful doesn’t make you right; it just gives you the ability to force your way on someone.  That phrase popped into my head as I read Proverbs 12:1-3 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.  2  A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.  3 A man is not established by wickedness,
But the root of […]