Don’t be surprised if things don’t turn out the way you plan. Indeed, often it seems like they rarely do! But Proverbs 16:9 explains why that is often the case: “The mind of man plans his way, but YHWH directs his steps.”
We can (and should!) plan. It is a good and godly thing to do, as some other Continue reading
A church member was once overheard saying: “He’s a good minister, he’s just got a little pride problem.” But pride is not a “little” problem — for a minister or anyone else, as Proverbs 16:5 makes clear: “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to YHWH; assuredly he will not go unpunished.” Notice how powerfully this verse condemns what many consider a secondary sin: Continue reading
Proverbs 16:3 is a good word for any of us who make plans, whether personal, business, or in ministry: “Commit your works to YHWH and your plans will established.” The Hebrew here is literally “ROLL” your works to YHWH” — entrust them Continue reading
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
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.
shawnethomas 