Growing Deeper in the Scriptures

[Saturday] I stressed the value of memorizing God’s Word and talked about how doing so has benefited me in practical ways throughout the years. Memorization, however, is only one of many ways to interact with Scripture. First, we can hear Scripture. This is the simplest, least difficult method of learning the precepts and principles of the Bible.

Where to Hide the Bible

Few things are more obvious and alarming in our times than biblical illiteracy. Even though the human mind can absorb an enormous amount of information, mental laziness remains a scandalous and undeniable trend in popular culture and even within the church. Fewer people than ever know the most basic contents of the Bible, and that was not the case until roughly fifty years ago.

The Straight Way

God has established a paradigm to help us escape the trap of worry. This cause-and-effect principle is as much a part of creation as the law of gravity. He directs three commands to the child of God. They are our responsibility: “Trust . . . do not lean . . . acknowledge. . . .” The fourth verb—make straight—is part of a simple declaration of God’s promise, His part of the covenant.

Intimacy with the Almighty

As we discovered [Monday], “trusting in the Lord with all your heart” begins with the decision to “not lean on your own understanding.” The second choice calls for us to “acknowledge Him in all our ways.” Acknowledge comes from a simple Hebrew term meaning “to know.” This kind of knowledge is personal and experiential. In fact, Hebrew writers used this term as a euphemism for sexual relations between a husband and wife.

How to Trust God

As we continue our study of Solomon’s advice concerning worry, note that the second two lines expand on the main idea to trust in the Lord. “Trusting with all your heart” involves two actions: one negative, the other positive. Today we examine the negative command: “Do not lean on your own understanding” (v. 5). The term understanding is so important that, in the Hebrew text

Straight Talk about Trust

In his fatherly advice about worry, Solomon turned from the horizontal dimension to consider the vertical (vv. 5–6), our relationship with God. There are four verbs in these two verses, four action words that are of special interest to all who want to live beyond the daily grind of worry. 1) trust 2) lean 3) acknowledge 4) make straight

The Physics of Tranquility

Worry is one of our more acceptable character faults, right alongside gluttony and perfectionism. After all, everybody worries, and no one quite knows how to stop. Furthermore, the primary victim of worry is the worrier, so it seems harmless enough. But worry is serious business. It not only causes a number of significant physical ailments, but worry can also trigger serious emotional problems

The Supernatural Benefits of Wisdom

Obviously, behaving wisely or sensibly prepares us to respond constructively to difficulties and conflicts. Consider again the examples of Harper Lee and Truman Capote. I don’t know if either of them professed belief in Christ. Regardless, we see how the presence or the absence of wisdom led them to experience life very differently.

The Benefits of Wisdom

Wisdom is its own reward. Even so, Solomon predicted that the person seeking divine wisdom will enjoy significant advantages. Today we will consider the benefits of wisdom from within. [Tuesday], the benefits of wisdom from above. 1. Benefits of wisdom from within: further wisdom plus knowledge and understanding For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (v. 6)

How to Seek Wisdom

If you genuinely desire God’s wisdom, rest assured He has promised not to withhold it. He declares, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me” (Proverbs 8:17). Here are two additional disciplines that will put you in touch with God’s insight, knowledge, and understanding. 3. The discipline of prevailing prayer. “Cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding” (v. 3).

Tag Archives: Proverbs