When Jesus cast demons out of people in Mark 1, :34 says: “He did not allow them to speak, because they knew Him.” There are a couple of important lessons in this verse:
One is that the demons have a better understanding of spiritual things than most people do: Continue reading
Psalm 27:10 is a comforting verse regarding God’s commitment to his children: “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me up.” David had just prayed in the previous verse, “Do not abandon nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.” He uses the same Hebrew word for “forsaken” here in :10. He knows that God will NOT do that, but will “take him up” — a word that means “gather”, and implies protection (BDB). One of the most significant things about this verse, however, is how PERSONAL it is: Continue reading
Proverbs 14:23 admonishes us: “In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” This is a good reminder to us that just talking about something rarely accomplishes anything. It must be backed up by actions. Continue reading
After Jesus and His disciples had concluded an exciting episode in the synagogue with the demon-afflicted man, Mark 1 tells us that they went to Simon’s house. Then :30 says: “But the mother-in-law of Simon was lying sick with a fever, and immediately they spoke to Him about her.”
Simon’s mother-in-law was sick — there was no indication that it was a “tragic” sickness; just that she had a fever and was in bed. But significantly it says, “they spoke to (Jesus) about her.” Continue reading
Not all fear is bad. Proverbs 14:16 says: “A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless.” The word “cautious” in this verse is literally “fears” in Hebrew. A wise man “fears” — and turns away from evil. What does he fear? Continue reading
Though surrounded by difficulties and trouble in Psalm 27, David said there was ONE most important thing to him — and it had nothing to do with his problems: “One thing have I asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to meditate in His temple.” The first word of this verse tells us how important this is to him — and should be to us as well: Continue reading
Proverbs 13 opens: “A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” We need to understand that these words apply to more than just young children: Continue reading
Proverbs 12:26 declares: “The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” This verse speaks of the infuence that one has on those around him. Those who righteous “guide” their neighbors (implied is that this guiding is in a good and healthy direction). But those who are wicked “lead them astray” — they influence them in an ungodly direction.
This verse should cause each of us to evaluate what kind of influence we are on those around us. Continue reading
Proverbs 12:5 declares: “The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” Like many Proverbs, this verse gives a striking parallel between the righteous and the wicked. Most of us would undoubtedly tend to think of ourselves in the former category: “the righteous.” But are we? Look at what the verse teaches us about “the righteous”: Continue reading
I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
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