Archives: Pastors' Corner

If you are over 40 you probably remember a commercial for “Sure” brand deodorant which had a jingle which went something like this:  “Confident, confident, dry and secure…raise your hand, raise your hand…if you’re sure”.  I guess the idea was that if you used Sure brand deodorant you could be confident to raise your hands in the air without having to fear embarrassing underarm stains. Confidence is an important quality to have.  It makes life a lot easier to live.  Let’s read Proverbs 14:25-27:  25 A true witness delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.  26 In the fear of the Lord […]

If you are new to this blog let me mention that I have been walking through the book of Proverbs each day, commenting on a section or even one verse.  One of the things we talked about early on is that the book of Proverbs contains general principles, things that are often true but not necessarily true in every case.  The section below, Proverbs 14:20-24 is an example of that. The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But the rich has many friends. 21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22  […]

Let’s read Proverbs 14:13-19: Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And the end of mirth may be grief.  14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied from above.  15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.  16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.  17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.  18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The Rolling […]

Let’s begin by reading Proverbs 14:5-12 A faithful witness does not lie,
But a false witness will utter lies.  6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands. 7  Go from the presence of a foolish man,
When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.   8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.  9 Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is favor.  10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.  11  The house of the wicked will be […]

The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.  2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.  3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
But the lips of the wise will preserve them.  4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. My focus this morning is on one of my favorite proverbs, verse 4.  Though this verse speaks of oxen the parable applies to people.  If you don’t have an ox, then you […]

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 […]