Integrity Is Always Big

Posted on 2015/03/20 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 11:1 proclaims: “A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but a just weight is His delight.” This verse reminds us that God is concerned with more than just our “religious” life. He wants us to be honest in everything we do — even in the business world. Continue reading →

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Which Kind of Person Are YOU?

Posted on 2015/03/19 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 9:7-8 warns us: “He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself … do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” These verses teach us that there is a kind of person who is not open to being instructed, so we should not waste our time with them. Rather, we should save our teaching for wise people, who will love us for it. This is a good word for all of us who might teach others — but it can also serve as a point of personal evaluation as well! Continue reading →

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Repentance & Faith

Posted on 2015/03/18 by Shawn Thomas

In Proverbs 9:6 we find the two indispensable elements of conversion and holiness. These basic ingredients have not changed since Old Testament times: “Forsake your folly and live; and proceed in the way of understanding.” Here we find these two vital actions: Continue reading →

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Are You Willing To Watch & Wait?

Posted on 2015/03/17 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 8:34 promises a great blessing, but it is also very specific regarding the conditions for that blessing: “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts.”

God promises blessing for the person who seeks Him every day by listening to Him (we do that in His word) and by watching and waiting before Him.

But think for a moment about these words in the verse:   Continue reading →

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What God Is Testing In You

Posted on 2015/03/16 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 26:2 David prays, “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart.” In this prayer He asks God to search his inward life. The word “mind” here is actually “kidneys” in Hebrew, a cultural reference to “the most sensitive and vital part” of the inner man (BDB). And he asks Him to “examine” him — a word used elsewhere in scripture to describe how one tests gold. David’s concern with his inner man is appropriate. That’s where God’s focus is, and where ours should be as well. Continue reading →

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A Reflection of God

Posted on 2015/03/13 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 8:6-8 describes the words which Wisdom utters: “Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.”

It is GOD who is the author of this wisdom. Verse :23 says “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old”; some even believe it is the Lord Jesus speaking.

At minimum wisdom comes from God and reflects His character. So these verses describe the words of God: everything in His word is noble; whatever it says is right and true, and “there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.” God’s words are “refined seven times as in a furnace” as the scripture says elsewhere. They are totally true and trustworthy.

And our words should be too! In fact, these verses can be read from another perspective: Continue reading →

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“A little” can add up to a lot!

Posted on 2015/03/12 by Shawn Thomas

A famous saying in Proverbs 6:10-11 warns us that what we think of as a “little” thing, multiplied many times over, can actually add up to more than we think. The verses read: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man.” Here, the Proverb warns, “a little … a little … a little …” sleep and laziness, compounded, brings in great poverty. But the principle has all kinds of other applications as well: Continue reading →

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Consider The Ant

Posted on 2015/03/11 by Shawn Thomas

A little creature can give us a big lesson! Proverbs 6:6 admonishes: “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise.” Here we are reminded that God has much to teach us from observing His creation. What is it that we are specifically to learn from the ant? The next verses give us two lessons: Continue reading →

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What’s Your Attitude?

Posted on 2015/03/10 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 4 contains several admonitions for us to listen to God’s wisdom:

— :1 “Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father …”

— :10 “Hear, my son, and accept my sayings …”

— :20 “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.”

These repeated admonitions to listen to our Father speak to us about our attitude. Continue reading →

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Sons of the Father

Posted on 2015/03/09 by Shawn Thomas

Proverbs 4:1 pleads: “Hear, O sons, the instructions of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding.”  God reminds us here that a father cares enough to give his child instruction; he loves them, and wants the best for them, hence the admonition. If He didn’t care, he wouldn’t instruct — as many delinquents can testify! Continue reading →

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