Archive for September 2022

Isaiah 11-13, Proverbs 20:16-30, Luke 21:29-38, Hebrews 3  Proverbs 20:16-30:  “Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners” (20:16). Soft-hearted is good; soft-brained is not. Lord, give us tender hearts and tough minds! Thick skin and gentle disposition. Being good and weak…

Isaiah 9-10, Proverbs 20:1-15, Luke 21:20-28, Hebrews 2:10-18  Proverbs 20:1-15: Be wise! “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (20:1). Christians have differences of conscience regarding whether total abstinence, teetotalism, or moderate drinking is the right approach. The Bible does tell us that wine makes glad the…

Isaiah 6-8, Proverbs 19:15-29, Luke 21:1-19, Hebrews 2:1-9  Proverbs 19:15-29: “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger” (19:15). We constantly need to fight against the sweet danger of laziness: yes, it can bring you deep sleep (relaxation, calm), but if not addressed, laziness can lead to real “hunger.” The solution to every…

Isaiah 3-5, Proverbs 19:1-14, Luke 20:41-47, Hebrews 1:10-41  Proverbs 19:1-14: More words of wisdom! “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool” (19:1). Better the poor whose way of life is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. We understandably fear poverty, but there…

Isaiah 1-2, Proverbs 18, Luke 20:27-40, Hebrews 1:1-9  Proverbs 18:  “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (18:1). Friendliness is much prized by many people and for good reason. For behind a belligerent unfriendliness is often a selfish goal, and that leads to quarrelling. How to be friendly? Pursue not selfish…