Archives: Pastors' Corner

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 […]

Let’s read Proverbs 11:24-31.  Today we will emphasize verses 24-25: There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.  25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.  26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.  27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil. 28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.  29 He who troubles his own house […]

What do you wish for?  What do you hope for?  What would you like to see happen in your life?  The answer to that question might depend on Who you worship.  Let’s read Proverbs 11:23: The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. This verse is another proverbial contrast.  God is saying that the desires of those who follow Him, those who are made righteous by faith in Him, are only good.  Yet, the expectation of the wicked is wrath.  I would assume that this applies to something beyond eternity.  The Bible also […]

Just one verse this morning…a very interesting and relative one for American culture.  We just went through the Oscar ceremonies last week and what seems to have become the most popular part of the Oscars is the walk on the red carpet and the dresses that the women wear who attend the Oscars.  Unfortunately, there were some who probably had not read Proverbs 11:12 any time recently.  Let’s read it now: As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. What does this mean?  I think the meaning is relatively clear.  A gold […]

Proverbs marches on with its presentation of contrasts between two different ways; God’s way and the way of the world.  Let’s read Proverbs 11:16-21  A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches. 17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.  18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.  19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.  20  Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are […]

Let’s read Proverbs 11:12-15: He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.  13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.  14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates being surety is secure. I’d like to focus in on verse 14.  The entire Bible is full of exhortation and encouragement for us to be involved with “one another”.  There are over 50 specific commands to pray for […]