This daily meetup is a great way to start or end your day, in the Word of God. Short, daily devotionals designed to set you on the correct course for your life. Wisdom for YOUR day, Everyday!
S2 E92 · Wed, April 02, 2025
Send us a text The road to Jerusalem marks a pivotal turning point in Jesus's ministry - the moment when he clearly tells his disciples about the suffering and death that await him. Drawing from Mark 8:31-38, this episode explores Peter's shocking reaction to this news and Christ's powerful response that continues to challenge believers today. When Peter pulled Jesus aside to reprimand him for predicting his own death, Jesus didn't mince words: "Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." This exchange reveals the profound gap between our natural thinking and God's redemptive plan. How often do we, like Peter, resist God's path because it doesn't match our expectations? At the heart of this passage lies Jesus's radical definition of discipleship: "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross and follow me." As we approach the Easter season, these words invite us to examine what we truly value. Christ's penetrating question - "What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" - calls us to weigh temporal success against eternal significance. The journey to Jerusalem wasn't just Jesus's path - it's the pattern for authentic faith. Following Christ might bring challenges, but it leads to the ultimate victory we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday. Take time this week to reflect on Christ's sacrifice and ask yourself: Will you trust and follow him today, even when the road ahead seems uncertain? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E91 · Tue, April 01, 2025
Send us a text "Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing." Albert Schweitzer's profound words frame today's powerful meditation on Christian leadership and authentic faith. We delve into the critical difference between merely speaking about faith and truly living it out. Taking cues from 2 Timothy 1:13, we explore how Paul didn't just teach Timothy doctrine but invited him to observe his entire life—struggles and victories alike. This mentorship model reveals how transparency and vulnerability create space for genuine spiritual growth and leadership development. The episode draws compelling parallels between biblical examples and practical leadership principles. When patience wears thin, Job's endurance offers strength. When love feels distant, John's writings recenter our hearts. When spiritual silence descends, David's psalms reawaken our souls. Each biblical figure pulls us forward through their example, demonstrating faith lived authentically. General Eisenhower's simple but brilliant rope demonstration perfectly illustrates why pushing others toward faith rarely works, while pulling them forward through example creates lasting transformation. The lesson is clear: we inspire others not by force or mere instruction but by living out our convictions visibly and authentically. Join me daily for these spiritual refreshments that connect ancient wisdom with everyday challenges. Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for more insights that will strengthen your faith and help you lead by example in your own sphere of influence. Have you found that your actions speak more powerfully than your words? Share your experience! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E90 · Mon, March 31, 2025
Send us a text What happens when grace crashes into a hardened heart? Day 90 of our spiritual journey takes us deep into the transformative power described in 2 Timothy 1:9-10, where we discover grace revealed through Jesus Christ with enough power to completely reshape our lives. The story of Jean Valjean from Les Misérables serves as our perfect illustration. When the bitter ex-prisoner steals from the very bishop who offered him shelter, he receives not punishment but more silver and a second chance. This extravagant, unexpected grace shatters his defenses and leads him to dedicate his life to others. As theologian E. Stanley Jones reminds us, "Grace binds you with a far stronger cord than the cords of duty or obligation"—a truth that resonates through every genuine spiritual transformation. My own moment of grace came during a Promise Keepers Conference, where 65,000 men erupted in a 10-minute ovation for pastors and youth pastors. Overwhelmed by this display of affirmation and support, I fell to my knees and promised God my very best. These moments of grace—whether through a silver candlestick or a stadium experience—reveal how God has been working before time began and continues working through eternity. Let His extravagant grace overwhelm and transform you today as you listen to this meditation on divine mercy that calls us deeper into relationship and service. Ready to feel inspired? Join me for just four minutes of spiritual refreshment that might change your entire perspective on grace. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E89 · Sun, March 30, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by life, wondering where God is in your chaos? Lauren takes us deep into one of the Bible's most powerful stories of divine peace—Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:39-40. Through personal vulnerability, Lauren shares her recent experience of feeling crushed under mounting pressures and questioning God's presence. This relatable confession sets the stage for unpacking the profound truth hidden within the familiar biblical account: Jesus was in the boat the entire time. While the disciples panicked as waves crashed and water filled their vessel, the Master slept peacefully, demonstrating a calm that defied their circumstances. The heart of this message isn't about avoiding storms but recognizing we never face them alone. "Sometimes Jesus calms the storm around us. Other times he calms the storm inside of us," Lauren observes, offering a perspective that applies to every listener's unique situation. Whether you're battling health concerns, relationship difficulties, work stress, or emotional turmoil, the invitation remains the same—to trust the presence of the One who commands even the wind and waves. Lauren concludes with a simple yet powerful practice for stormy seasons: pausing to whisper "peace be still"—the very words Jesus spoke to silence the tempest. Try it today when anxiety rises, and remember that the Prince of Peace journeys with you through every storm. Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for more encouraging insights, and visit wisdomforthedayorg to catch up on previous episodes. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E88 · Sat, March 29, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever felt completely invisible despite your best efforts? That sinking feeling when your hard work, kindness, and faithfulness seem to go entirely unnoticed by those around you? Today we dive into Matthew 6:4, where Jesus offers a profound perspective shift for anyone struggling with feeling unseen. "Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." These words cut straight through our culture's obsession with public recognition and validation. We explore how God's economy of attention works differently than social media's - rewarding what's done in secret rather than what's performed for applause. The truth is, God notices everything. The late-night prayers whispered when no one's around. The integrity maintained when compromise would be easier. The kindness extended with no possibility of recognition. These moments matter deeply to Him. While we naturally crave acknowledgment for our efforts, there's something beautifully liberating about living for an "audience of one" - finding fulfillment not in others' approval but in knowing we're fully seen by the Creator who designed us. Whether you're in a season of prominence or obscurity, this message reminds us that our value isn't determined by visibility. God sees you, delights in you, and affirms your worth regardless of whether anyone else notices. Join us for this heartfelt exploration of finding peace in being known by the One who matters most, and consider our daily challenge: performing one act of kindness that remains between you and God alone. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E87 · Fri, March 28, 2025
Send us a text Ever wondered about the unseen hands that shaped your faith journey? Today we explore the profound wisdom found in 2 Timothy 1:5, where Paul reminds Timothy of the sincere faith first lived in his grandmother before being passed down to him. This episode uncovers the beautiful truth that none of us stand alone in our spiritual walk. Behind every believer are those who quietly but crucially enabled their growth – mentors, family members, and friends who provided encouragement, wisdom, and support at critical moments. Just as Paul reminded Timothy of his spiritual heritage and God-given strengths, we too need to recognize those who've helped shape our faith. What's truly powerful about this passage is how it shifts our focus from weakness to strength. "God gives us a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). This affirmation reveals how we should approach both our own spiritual journey and our support of others – highlighting potential rather than limitations, possibilities rather than shortcomings. The ripple effect of spiritual support extends far beyond what we can see. Your encouragement today might empower someone to step into their divine calling tomorrow, touching countless lives through an expanding circle of influence. By recognizing those who've supported us and intentionally becoming that support for others, we participate in God's transformative work in extraordinary ways. How has someone supported your faith journey? And more importantly, whose potential might flourish with your encouragement today? Listen now and discover how simple acts of support can create lasting impact for the Kingdom of God. Share your thoughts with us and become part of our growing community of believers committed to lifting each other up! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E86 · Thu, March 27, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever considered the life-changing power of encouragement? The right words at the right time can literally alter the course of history. Today we explore 2 Timothy 1:3, where Paul writes, "I thank God as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." This simple expression of care demonstrates how intentional encouragement serves as the foundation of spiritual mentorship. Paul's relationship with Timothy wasn't just about theological instruction – it combined spiritual truth with deep personal investment, creating a powerful model for us today. We then delve into the remarkable historical parallel between Paul's encouragement and John Wesley's final letter to William Wilberforce. When Wilberforce was ready to abandon his fight against slavery in Great Britain, Wesley's deathbed message arrived at the perfect moment. "Oh, be not weary of well-doing," Wesley wrote with a trembling hand, just days before his own death. These words sustained Wilberforce through 45 more years of advocacy, until slavery was finally abolished in Britain – remarkably, just three days before Wilberforce himself died in 1833. This powerful convergence of biblical wisdom and historical example reveals that encouragement isn't merely a pleasant gesture – it's spiritual fuel that empowers people to persevere through seemingly impossible challenges. Your words might be the very thing that keeps someone going in their darkest hour. Who will you encourage today? Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for more daily spiritual refreshment that transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for extraordinary faith. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E85 · Wed, March 26, 2025
Send us a text What if the key to spiritual growth isn't found in comfort, but in discipline? Against the current of our instant-gratification culture, today's meditation invites you into the transformative power of spiritual training. Drawing from Paul's athletic metaphor in 1 Corinthians 9:25, we explore how discipline has become almost taboo in our pleasure-seeking world. Yet without it, our spiritual lives drift into chaos – just as bodies without exercise gradually weaken. The ancient wisdom that "no life ever grows great until it's focused, dedicated and disciplined" challenges us to reconsider what truly leads to lasting impact. Like a violin that produces beautiful music only when its strings are properly stretched and tuned, our souls create harmony when properly disciplined through prayer, study, solitude, and other spiritual practices. These disciplines don't earn God's favor but position us to receive and respond to His grace more fully. They create sacred space in our cluttered lives for divine encounter. The word "gymnasium" comes from the Greek word for discipline, reminding us that both physical and spiritual strength require intentional training. What spiritual exercise program might God be calling you to commit to today? What entangling sins need to be cut away? Join us as we pursue not the fading crowns of momentary pleasure, but the lasting crown that comes through faithful spiritual discipline. Ready to strengthen your spiritual muscles? Listen now, and discover how discipline leads to the lasting fruit Jesus promised – fruit that remains long after fleeting pleasures have faded away. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E84 · Tue, March 25, 2025
Send us a text What does it truly mean to be spiritually alive? This question frames our exploration of one of Christianity's most profound mysteries: Christ living within believers. The journey begins with a surprising conversation between a spiritual seeker and a veteran pastor of nearly five decades. When asked about the essence of spirituality, the pastor offered a seemingly contradictory response: "Just be yourself... just be Jesus." This paradoxical wisdom initially frustrated the questioner. How could someone simultaneously be themselves—with all their flaws and selfish tendencies—and also be like Jesus? The answer lies in Colossians 1:27, which describes "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This mystery reveals that transformation doesn't come through our striving to become divine (an impossible task), but through surrendering to Christ's Spirit dwelling within us. God isn't merely observing us from a distance; through Christ, He makes His home in our hearts. This indwelling presence changes everything about how we approach spiritual growth. Rather than focusing exclusively on external behaviors or religious performance, we recognize that true transformation happens from the inside out. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, we are new creations in Christ—not by our own achievement, but through the gracious work of the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced the difference between trying to transform yourself versus allowing Christ to transform you from within? Join our community as we discover what it means to live from this place of "Christ in us" and reflect His presence in our daily lives. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E83 · Mon, March 24, 2025
Send us a text "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." These powerful words from Matthew 7:14 set the foundation for a profound meditation on spiritual transformation. What separates those who find this narrow path from those who miss it entirely? The answer might surprise you. Today we explore G.K. Chesterton's brilliantly humble response when asked what was wrong with the world. His simple reply—"I am"—cuts through our natural tendency to blame others while avoiding self-reflection. This exemplifies the first crucial step toward genuine transformation: recognizing our own faults and facing our sins honestly. Unlike our culture's obsession with external fixes and pointing fingers, true change begins within. The journey along God's narrow path requires vigilance against tempting detours. Materialism whispers that possessions will fulfill us. Pride convinces us our way is superior. Worldly pleasures offer immediate but temporary satisfaction. Each represents a side road that can subtly lead us away from the straight path Christ describes. Yet even when we falter, God's grace guides us back. As reflected in the hymn inspired by Psalm 23, "The Lord revives my failing strength... In the right paths for his name's sake, he guides my faltering feet." Ready to embrace transformation through humility? Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for daily spiritual insights that will help you navigate life's challenges with faith and purpose. Visit wisdomfortheday.org for past episodes and consider becoming a community member to support this ministry. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E82 · Sun, March 23, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself desperately wishing for a divine roadmap when life gets foggy? You're not alone. In this heartfelt episode, we explore the profound wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6 – a scripture that serves as an anchor when uncertainty threatens to overwhelm us. I open up about my personal struggle with wanting to control everything, knowing all the answers, and having a clear plan laid out. Sound familiar? This tension between our desire for certainty and God's invitation to trust creates a powerful space for spiritual growth. We dive deep into what it really means to "trust in the Lord with all your heart" when life's path seems unclear. Rather than seeing God's step-by-step guidance as insufficient, we discover the beauty in receiving just enough light for the next move. There's profound freedom in releasing our grip on self-sufficiency and embracing divine wisdom that sees far beyond our limited perspective. Whether you're standing at a crossroads, waiting for answers, or simply feeling anxious about what tomorrow holds, this episode offers both comfort and practical wisdom. Try this simple practice: when uncertainty creeps in, pause and pray, "Lord, I don't know what's next, but I trust that you do." Join our community as we learn together that God isn't silent in our waiting – He's working behind the scenes, orchestrating circumstances we can't yet see. Visit wisdomfortheday.org for more episodes and resources to strengthen your faith journey! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E81 · Sat, March 22, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever noticed how our culture celebrates strength and self-sufficiency while treating weakness as something to overcome or hide? Today, we're diving into a radical paradox from Scripture that completely flips this perspective on its head. Through the powerful words of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, we explore how God's strength actually manifests most powerfully in our moments of weakness. Rather than pushing you to "fake it till you make it," this episode offers a refreshing invitation to embrace vulnerability as the very place where divine power shows up most profoundly. We all experience seasons when life feels overwhelming—when relationships strain, responsibilities mount, and our inner resources seem depleted. These are precisely the moments when the spiritual principle "when I am weak, then I am strong" becomes not just a nice saying but a lifeline. Together, we'll unpack how admitting "I can't do this alone" creates the perfect conditions for experiencing grace at its fullest. This counter-cultural wisdom transforms how we approach our limitations, struggles, and imperfections. Instead of seeing them as failures, we can recognize them as opportunities for something greater than ourselves to work through us. The simple prayer "God, I can't, but you can" becomes a powerful declaration that shifts our perspective from striving to surrendering. Join us for this intimate exploration of weakness as a spiritual strength. Whether you're feeling strong today or barely holding it together, this message offers wisdom for navigating life with authenticity and faith. Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for more spiritual insights that meet you exactly where you are. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E80 · Fri, March 21, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever wondered why so many self-improvement efforts ultimately fall short? Today's profound meditation on 2 Peter 1:4 reveals the transformative difference between secular self-help and divine mentorship. We explore the powerful concept that true character transformation doesn't come through human ingenuity alone but through "participating in the divine nature." This journey unfolds as a beautifully structured three-tiered pyramid of virtues. At its foundation lie faith, morality, and knowledge—the bedrock upon which all spiritual growth depends. The middle tier features self-control and perseverance, those essential qualities that sustain our spiritual journey through life's inevitable challenges. Finally, we reach the crowning glory: godliness, kindness, and love, which represent the fullest expression of Christ-like character in our lives. This episode challenges the modern obsession with quick-fix solutions by presenting a holistic path to transformation. As we allow ourselves to be mentored by the Master, Jesus Christ, His thoughts begin to shape our own, and His character becomes increasingly reflected in our daily interactions. The message is both challenging and hopeful—we're called to more than behavioral modification; we're invited into a relationship that fundamentally changes who we are from the inside out. Join us as we discover how being mentored by Christ leads to genuine transformation that secular approaches simply cannot produce. Listen, reflect, and consider: which tier of this divine pyramid are you currently developing in your spiritual journey? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E79 · Thu, March 20, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever felt like your spiritual growth has stalled? Today's meditation on 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 offers a remarkable parallel between our faith journey and the extraordinary growth pattern of the bamboo plant. For four years, bamboo appears dormant – invisibly developing an extensive root system underground. Then suddenly, in year five, it rockets upward 90 feet in just 60 days. This natural wonder perfectly illustrates the Christian life. Those seasons where growth feels imperceptible aren't wasted time; they're foundation-building periods preparing you for explosive spiritual advancement. When Christ Jesus is our foundation, we're capable of building spiritual skyscrapers. The devotional emphasizes how early biblical convictions create the conditions for later harvests of righteousness. While immediate results might be scarce, God is steadily working beneath the surface. The scripture reminds us to build with materials that endure – gold, silver, and precious stones representing values that honor God – rather than temporary pleasures that won't survive eternity's test. Don't be discouraged by slow progress. Like bamboo, your growth comes in God's perfect timing. The foundation you're establishing today through faith, hope, and love will produce abundant spiritual fruit when the season is right. Trust the process, knowing that anything genuinely rooted in Christ will withstand every trial. Your breakthrough isn't canceled – it's being prepared. Ready to build a faith that lasts? Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for daily spiritual encouragement that helps you construct a life of enduring value on Christ's unshakable foundation. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E78 · Wed, March 19, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever wondered why spiritual growth feels so uncomfortable at times? The answer might be found in a garden. Today we explore the profound metaphor of God as the Master Gardener, working diligently in the soil of our hearts to produce a bountiful harvest. Drawing from John 15:4, "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine," we unpack the essential connection between our spiritual productivity and our relationship with Christ. Transformation begins when God disrupts the hardened ground of our hearts - a process that can feel painful yet creates the perfect environment for new growth. We examine how the Holy Spirit waters these newly planted seeds of truth, while God's Word provides the necessary light for maturation. Perhaps most challenging is the pruning process, where God lovingly removes what hinders our development. Though often misinterpreted as punishment, pruning redirects our energy toward what truly matters. The beautiful result? A life that bears abundant fruit - not just for our benefit, but as spiritual nourishment for everyone around us. This cultivation isn't instantaneous but follows natural growth patterns that require patience and consistent connection to our source. Whether you're experiencing the discomfort of soil-turning, the refreshment of spiritual watering, or the pain of divine pruning, this episode offers perspective and encouragement for your journey. Join us in embracing God's cultivation process, knowing that the final harvest will be nothing short of astonishing. How might you cooperate with the Gardener's work in your life today? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E77 · Tue, March 18, 2025
Send us a text What happens when we trade the comfort of being spiritual spectators for the adventure of climbing life's mountains? Drawing from Habakkuk 3:19, today's powerful meditation explores how God "makes my feet like the feet of a deer" and "enables me to go on the heights" – a divine promise of supernatural ability to scale challenges that would otherwise seem impossible. Many believers have settled for lodge-side Christianity, content to hear testimonies and sermons about transformation while never leaving their comfortable positions. We admire the mountains from afar, listen to others' summit stories, and imagine the view without taking a single step upward. But as today's wisdom reminds us, "transformation doesn't happen from the comfort of the lodge." There's a world of difference between hearing about someone else's spiritual high and experiencing your own. God calls us to stop being armchair Christians and start climbing in His strength. The journey upward brings rewards unavailable to spectators: endurance that builds unshakable character, the beauty of helping fellow climbers across difficult passages, and the incomparable joy of reaching the summit together. When we finally stand at the peak, experiencing God's presence and perspective, we understand why no second-hand account could ever substitute for the climb itself. Are you ready to trade spiritual couch-potato status for the adventure of transformation climbing? God promises the sure-footed confidence you need for even the steepest terrain. Set your sights on the summit today, and discover the view of God's goodness that can only be seen from the heights. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E76 · Mon, March 17, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever considered how useless a rubber band is unless it's stretched? Today's spiritual reflection explores this powerful metaphor for personal growth and faith development. Drawing from Philippians 3:14, we explore what it means to "press on toward the goal" by allowing God to stretch us beyond our comfort zones. The journey of faith requires courage to step from security into the unknown – much like a trapeze artist in that heart-stopping moment of being suspended in midair, having released one bar before securing the next. Christian psychiatrist Paul Tournier's insights add depth to our understanding of transformation, highlighting how genuine growth happens when we're willing to take leaps of faith. The Apostle Paul modeled this stretching mindset perfectly, focusing forward rather than dwelling on past failures or achievements. The stretching process requires us to relinquish our fears, embrace uncertainty, and trust God's plans even when immediate results aren't visible. Just as elastic gains purpose through extension, we discover our greatest usefulness when permitting God to stretch us beyond what we believed possible. Through this spiritual elasticity, we become instruments God can use to fulfill His work in the world. Ready to discover what happens when you allow yourself to be stretched? Join us as we explore how to press forward, forget what lies behind, and strain toward what's ahead. Listen now and embrace the transformative power of spiritual stretching that leads to purposeful living and deeper faith. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E75 · Sun, March 16, 2025
Send us a text Ever felt so overwhelmed that hiding under the covers seems like your only option? In this soul-nourishing episode, we dive deep into Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus extends a radical invitation to those carrying life's heavy burdens. The world offers temporary escapes from our overwhelm—vacations, distractions, or pushing through the exhaustion. But Jesus offers something fundamentally different: rest for our souls. This isn't merely physical relaxation but a profound peace that remains steady even when circumstances stay challenging. What makes this invitation so remarkable is its timing—Jesus doesn't ask us to get ourselves together first. He simply says, "Come to me" right in the middle of our mess. We explore the powerful metaphor of the yoke—an ancient farming tool that connected two oxen to work in harmony. Jesus isn't promising a burden-free existence; He's inviting us into partnership. "Take my yoke upon you," He says, offering to walk alongside us, carrying the weight together. This changes everything about how we face decisions, worries, and responsibilities. We're no longer struggling alone. Through practical application and a simple prayer exercise, this episode guides you in identifying specific burdens you can surrender today. What worry could you hand over? What decision has been keeping you awake? Jesus stands ready to carry it with you. Subscribe to Wisdom for the Day for more spiritual refreshment, and visit wisdomfortheday.org to catch any episodes you've missed. What burden will you trade for His lighter yoke today? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E74 · Sat, March 15, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything seems to collapse at once? The car breaks down, work becomes unbearable, relationships get messy, and you're just completely done with it all. In this heartfelt episode, Lauren tackles the challenging concept of choosing joy even when life feels impossibly difficult. Drawing from James 1:2-4, Lauren unpacks what genuine joy looks like during trials. This isn't about plastering on a fake smile or denying your struggles. Rather, it's about discovering a deeper kind of joy that exists alongside your pain—one rooted in the understanding that God uses even our most difficult seasons for growth and transformation. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, Lauren illustrates how our spiritual journeys mirror physical exercise: the discomfort builds endurance, and the struggle produces strength. The episode offers a refreshing perspective on gratitude as a pathway to joy. Lauren challenges listeners to find one thing each day to be thankful for, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. Whether it's appreciating a kind message from a friend, savoring a beautiful sunset, or simply recognizing God's new mercies each morning, these small moments of gratitude can transform our outlook. This spiritual practice doesn't dismiss our legitimate struggles, but it does provide an anchor when life's storms threaten to overwhelm us. Join Lauren for this encouraging reminder that choosing joy is possible, even when taking the hard way through life's messes. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E73 · Fri, March 14, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever wondered why so many talented people never reach their potential? In our exploration of 1 Peter 1:13, we discover the crucial missing ingredient: effort. While we rightly celebrate the abilities of star athletes and brilliant scholars, these gifts remain dormant without the disciplined application of effort. Drawing from Peter's powerful instruction to "prepare your minds for action," we unpack the paradoxical nature of Christian transformation. It's simultaneously 100% God's divine work and 100% our human participation. Much like authors who rise early to write, inventors who persist through failures, and athletes who practice relentlessly, spiritual growth requires our active engagement. Peter's imagery of gathering one's robes in preparation for work vividly illustrates that transformation demands our mental powers, willpower, and physical effort. The most encouraging revelation? Even our ability to put forth effort is a gift from God. As we actively participate in our transformation, we can recognize God working both in and through us. This partnership transforms spiritual growth from a burdensome obligation into a grateful cooperation with divine grace. Whether you're feeling stuck in your spiritual journey or eager to deepen your faith, this meditation offers practical wisdom for engaging with God's transformative power. Remember: positive change doesn't just happen—it requires both God's power and our willing participation. What small step of faithful effort will you take today? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E72 · Thu, March 13, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever noticed how your spiritual growth seems to stall after reaching a certain point? Day 72 of Wisdom for the Day tackles the critical connection between education and spiritual transformation that many believers overlook. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:10, where prophets "searched intently and with the greatest care," we explore why continuous learning is essential for spiritual development. The sobering reality is that many Christians abandon educational pursuits once they reach adulthood. This parallels a troubling statistic from the National Commission on Excellence: the average college graduate doesn't read a single serious book all year. We've become a religiously illiterate society, content with surface-level understanding while being lulled into complacency by passive entertainment. This shallow approach to faith inevitably leads to spiritual immaturity. But there's hope for transformation. By cultivating a genuine love for Scripture and committing to lifelong spiritual learning, we position ourselves for continuous growth. The prophets of old demonstrate the power of searching God's Word with intention and care. Their example challenges us to move beyond casual engagement with Scripture toward dedicated study that shapes our character. When we nurture this hunger for spiritual knowledge, we ensure we're continually molded into Christ's image, growing deeper in faith and stronger in wisdom with each passing day. Listen now to discover how you can reignite your spiritual education journey and experience the transformation that comes through intentional, continuous learning. Visit wisdomfortheday.org for more episodes that will help you embrace each day with renewed faith and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E71 · Wed, March 12, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever wondered if your struggles might actually be the birthplace of your greatest purpose? Today we explore the profound connection between suffering and spiritual transformation through the lens of 1 Peter 1:6-7. At the heart of this episode lies the remarkable story of nine-year-old Louis Braille in 19th century France. Following a tragic accident with a hole puncher that eventually led to complete blindness, Louis's life seemed permanently derailed. Yet from this immense personal struggle emerged an innovation that would change millions of lives. The moment young Louis sat in his family's yard, sensitively feeling the textured layers of a pine cone with his fingers, sparked the idea for the Braille system – an alphabet of raised dots that would open up reading to those without sight. This powerful narrative illustrates a spiritual truth many of us struggle to embrace: our deepest pain often contains the seeds of our greatest contribution. When facing trials, we as believers can approach them with the confidence that "God has brought me here. He will keep me in His love and He will somehow make this trial a blessing." The refinement process isn't comfortable—involving pressure, heat, and tribulation—but produces genuine faith that honors God and develops unique strengths within us. Join me in discovering how God transforms our struggles into strengths, our wounds into wisdom, and our pain into purpose. Listen to past episodes at wisdomfortheday.org and consider supporting our ministry by becoming a community member at buymeacoffee.com/renewedmindsets. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E70 · Tue, March 11, 2025
Send us a text Are you feeling stuck or empty inside, despite your efforts to improve your life? Join us in this enlightening episode where we dive into the heart of transformation through the resurrection power of Christ. We reflect on the teachings from 1 Peter, which promise a new birth into an inheritance that cannot perish, spoil, or fade. This episode emphasizes that true change doesn't come from self-help strategies, but rather from embracing God's gift of empowerment through the Holy Spirit. We reflect on powerful stories and analogies that highlight our human struggles without the divine inner strength that Christ offers. Learn how to cultivate a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit and discover the imperishable treasure that comes from within. This experience can lead to authentic spiritual growth and a truly transformed life. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your understanding of transformation. Tune in for valuable insights that may just change your life! Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support our community. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E69 · Mon, March 10, 2025
Send us a text Change is often perceived as straightforward, but true transformation runs much deeper. In this engaging episode, we dive into the spiritual lessons from 1 Samuel 10, focusing on the powerful narrative of Saul, Israel's first king. Saul's story serves as a cautionary tale about the nature of transformation—initial change may spark hope, but without consistent growth, it can easily fade. As we reflect on the importance of nurturing our faith, this episode encourages listeners to contemplate the need for ongoing personal and spiritual development. We explore the idea that real transformation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey filled with continual growth and deeper connections to our faith. Do we seek change superficially or are we committed to deeper, consistent personal growth? Join us as we dissect these themes, drawing from biblical teachings that inspire ongoing transformation in our lives. Together, let's embrace the daily opportunities to grow in faith and love. If you find value in our discussions, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support our mission of spiritual encouragement. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E68 · Sun, March 09, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever felt the unbearable weight of spiritual dryness? You’re not alone. In this episode, we delve into the feeling of emptiness that many experience in their spiritual journey. Drawing inspiration from John 7:37-38, we uncover the beautiful invitation that Jesus extends to those who thirst for something deeper in their lives. This conversation centers around the idea that it's okay to be spiritually thirsty and that Jesus welcomes us to come, just as we are—flawed and weary. We explore how His promise of living water can rejuvenate our weary souls and provide a gentle refreshment that we often seek in vain from other sources. By acknowledging our hunger for spiritual nourishment, we can learn to lean on God's presence during the dry spells. We discuss practical ways to approach God humbly and openly while assuring you that He is never far from you, especially in your moments of need. As we reflect on how to be honest with ourselves and our spiritual needs, we encourage you to find strength in community and connection along this journey. Let yourself be reminded that you do not have to have it all together to approach Him. Join us as we offer solace, prayers, and encouragement for those walking through spiritually arid seasons. Don’t hesitate to reach out and engage with us through our social platforms, sharing your thoughts and stories. Let’s navigate this wilderness together, as we reach toward the living water that Jesus so freely gives. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to continue the conversation! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E67 · Sat, March 08, 2025
Send us a text Are you often left wondering about your true worth in a world that seems to constantly dictate who you should be? It’s time to challenge those narratives! In this episode, we explore the transformative truth found in Ephesians 2:10, where we learn that we are not mere accidents of creation—we are God’s masterpieces. Our conversation reveals how societal pressures can mislead us into thinking our worth is tied to our looks or achievements. We dive deep into the heart of what it means to recognize our value and embrace our identity as defined by God. By looking at Ephesians, we not only find clarity but also a sense of belonging and purpose. This episode is loaded with insights that encourage you to let go of the exhausting hustle for validation and instead root your self-worth in God’s unchanging love. As we share practical tips to help you affirm this truth daily, you'll start seeing yourself through a lens of grace and acceptance. So, whether you’re struggling with feelings of inadequacy or simply seeking to understand your identity better, this episode promises to inspire and uplift you. Join us, and let’s walk together on this journey of discovering that you are indeed enough—just as you are. Don’t forget to subscribe, and share this powerful message with those who may need it! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E66 · Fri, March 07, 2025
Send us a text Transformation is not just about changing your surroundings; it's a profound journey of the heart and mind. In this compelling episode, we delve into the essence of embracing change and understanding its divine significance. With insights drawn from spiritual teachings, we explore how the Holy Spirit can guide us through life's inevitable shifts, revealing opportunities for growth even amidst discomfort. Hear stories of resistance to change from history and how they mirror our own struggles today. Through engaging discussions, we invite listeners to reflect on what changes God may be calling them to embrace. This episode challenges us to consider our fears around change and encourages us to let go of the familiar paths we've clung to for comfort. With powerful reminders that every transformation opens doors to new opportunities, we illuminate the path toward becoming instruments of change in our communities. Listen in and discover how leaning into moments of transformation can lead to renewal and growth. Are you ready to let the winds of the Holy Spirit guide you? Join us on this journey of exploration and reflection. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to support our mission of spreading spiritual wisdom! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E65 · Thu, March 06, 2025
Send us a text Dive deep into the heart of transformation and reformation in our latest podcast episode, where we explore how suffering acts as a catalyst for perseverance and character building. Drawing insights from Romans 5:3-4, we unpack the profound truth that life’s challenges can ultimately nurture hope. As we delve into the critical components of a meaningful transformation, we highlight how these changes must extend well beyond the individual, emphasizing the societal need for reformation. Through the lens of historical context, we reflect on the Protestant Reformation sparked by Martin Luther, showcasing how one heart can instigate massive societal change. Today, signs of brokenness in our streets and institutions call for urgent reformation. We embrace the transformative power that God brings to every aspect of life, challenging our listeners to consider how their faith can inspire change in their own communities. Join us on this graceful journey and learn how you can contribute to a reformed world reflecting God's glory. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and engage with us on social media! Your thoughts and insights are invaluable to creating a community dedicated to spiritual growth and societal transformation. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E64 · Wed, March 05, 2025
Send us a text Prepare for an inspiring journey where faith meets action. In today’s episode, we explore how your life can be transformed into a beautiful symphony when you allow God to play your instrument. Through the profound teachings from Philippians 2:13, we discuss God's role in empowering us to fulfill His purpose. We recount the touching story from Myra Brooks Welch's poem, "The Touch of the Master's Hand," where a worn violin finds its true value through the skilled touch of a master musician—a reminder that our lives can hold incredible worth when guided by the Divine. This narrative challenges listeners to embrace their life’s potential instead of settling for mere existence. We also tackle the significant contrast between merely believing in faith versus taking action. As we unpack these themes, we emphasize that the smallest action can often yield the largest impact, especially when it aligns with our faith. The call to live out our beliefs resonates throughout the episode, pushing us all toward meaningful engagement with our spirituality. Join us and discover how, as part of God’s orchestra, our unique contributions create a harmonious world that reflects His glory. Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and leave a review—let's continue this transformative conversation together! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E63 · Tue, March 04, 2025
Send us a text Step away from the pressures of conformity and dive into the profound wisdom of renewal in today’s discussion. Inspired by Romans 12:2, we explore the critical need to transform our minds and reject the negative influences surrounding us. With a fresh perspective, Rick highlights how our thoughts often mirror societal expectations, and urges listeners to examine what they consume mentally. This episode invites you to contemplate your influences, drawing a striking parallel between harmful beliefs and drinking from a polluted cup. We continue by reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s urging to allow Christ's character to shine in our actions and thoughts. Highlighting the joys that come from this transformation, we seek to inspire listeners to take courageous steps towards a more authentic existence. Join us for a prayer that seeks divine help in renewing our minds, fostering actions rooted in love, peace, and hope. Whether you seek spiritual guidance, mental clarity, or inspiration for daily living, this episode is sure to illuminate your path. Hit subscribe, share your thoughts, and consider helping us foster this community of renewal together! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E62 · Mon, March 03, 2025
Send us a text Are you navigating a spiritual dryness or feeling stuck in your faith journey? In this episode, we explore the enriching metaphor of God as the potter and us as the clay, drawn from Jeremiah 18:6. This vivid imagery encapsulates the continual shaping process we undergo as we grow spiritually. We unpack how God’s divine touch molds our character and purpose, inviting us to actively participate in our transformation. Join us as we reflect on the stages of spiritual formation, from moments of gentle encouragement to those requiring significant personal upheaval. How do we recognize when God is gently breaking down our hardened hearts? We discuss practical signs of transformation, such as renewed understanding of scripture, healing of past emotional wounds, and a calling to serve in new ways. These changes can inspire us by showing the hand of God at work in our lives. Our transformative journey is not merely personal but also communal; as we are reshaped, we contribute to the renewal of the world around us. Tune in to discover how the potter is molding you, and how your willingness to be shaped can lead to impactful changes in your life and others. Let’s engage with the divine shaping process and commit to being vessels for God's purpose. Don't forget to subscribe, share this episode, and join our growing community! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E61 · Sun, March 02, 2025
Send us a text Are you stuck in a waiting season, feeling the impatience that comes from a world of instant results? In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the often-uncomfortable experience of waiting in faith. By examining Ecclesiastes 3:11, we uncover profound insights about trusting God’s timing, understanding that while we may not see immediate results, He is crafting something beautiful behind the scenes. We explore the emotional turmoil waiting can bring and offer encouragement in the form of personal stories and spiritual wisdom. Expect to learn how this process of waiting isn’t just passive—it's an opportunity for growth and transformation. We challenge listeners to embrace their waiting periods, equip them with practical steps to identify and acknowledge their struggles, and ultimately reinforce their reliance on God’s perfect plan. Throughout our conversation, you’ll find moments of solace, reminders of faith, and a call to action to write down what you’ve been waiting for—accompanied by the reminder that it's all in His timing. Join us as we reflect on the power of waiting as part of our spiritual journey. Your faith is crucial, and through this episode, you will find the motivation to persist with patience and trust in God’s divine design. Engage with the community and share your waiting stories today! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E60 · Sat, March 01, 2025
Send us a text In a world filled with uncertainties and constant demands, finding genuine peace can feel like an uphill battle. This episode focuses on the profound insights found in Philippians 4, reminding us of the powerful invitation to turn our worries into prayers. We emphasize that true peace doesn't hinge on perfect circumstances but rather on a deep trust in God. Listeners are guided through the steps of laying down their burdens, understanding that anxiety often creeps in when we least expect it. The conversation draws attention to the importance of gratitude in unlocking God's peace, creating a protective shield against fear and overwhelm. With practical exercises and heartfelt insights, we challenge you to embrace stillness amidst chaos and connect with God through prayer. Join us in this journey of seeking spiritual refreshment, learn how to combat anxiety with faith, and experience unshakable peace today. Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and take a moment for gratitude! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E59 · Fri, February 28, 2025
Send us a text Are you feeling weary on your faith journey? You're not alone, and finding the strength to keep going is a challenge many face. In this episode, we dive deep into the powerful imagery presented in Hebrews 12:1, where the Christian life is framed as a race that requires endurance and a focused vision. We discuss how the spiritual path is not just about personal perseverance but also about running in front of a supportive community that encourages and uplifts one another. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we remind ourselves of the source of our strength and purpose. His example helps us navigate through life's hardships, reinforcing our resolve to move forward. Through this exploration, listeners will discover the profound support of the "great cloud of witnesses" that surrounds us, inspiring us to continue our journey despite the struggles encountered along the way. We also share insights on the importance of maintaining a spiritual focus, leaning on God's promises, and cultivating a resilient spirit. Join us for an inspiring conversation that not only offers guidance for those feeling tired but also provides actionable insights for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with God. Be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others find this encouraging message! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E58 · Thu, February 27, 2025
Send us a text How do you navigate life's complexities? In our latest episode, we dive deep into the theme of purposeful living, emphasizing the importance of having a clear spiritual destination. By comparing life's journey to following a roadmap, we highlight how many traverse their paths without a defined goal, leading to exhaustion and confusion. We illustrate this concept through biblical references, particularly Revelation 21, which paints a picture of the promised new Jerusalem, a place free of pain and sorrow. As we explore the grand narrative from garden to city, we invite listeners to embrace life’s journey with intentionality, remembering that our ultimate destination is to be united with God, experiencing eternal joy. Listeners will gain insights on focusing their travels in faith and understanding the transformative power of intentional decision-making. Join us as we encourage you to pray for guidance, remain anchored in faith, and experience heaven’s joys even now. Subscribe to our podcast for more spiritual insights and share your thoughts with us on your journey. What does purposeful living look like for you? We’d love to hear your perspective! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E57 · Wed, February 26, 2025
Send us a text Join us as we dive deep into a subject that often stirs curiosity and confusion: the significance of our physical bodies in Christian belief regarding resurrection. Featuring insights from 1 Corinthians 15, we tackle the misconception that spiritual resurrection overshadows our physical existence. The discussion reveals how our bodies are not just vessels on Earth but essential components of our spiritual journey with God. Ever wondered how the early church misunderstood resurrection? We explore the teachings that circulated among the Corinthians, confronting the belief that physical resurrection was unnecessary or already fulfilled. Rick passionately underscores the vital link between body and soul and offers a refreshing outlook on how faith engages with our physical well-being. Amidst the struggles that followers face, this episode provides hope and encouragement, especially for those grappling with grief and loss. Discover the promise found in Christ’s resurrection—one that assures not just spiritual fulfillment but a future where body and soul are restored. With moments of reflection, heartfelt prayer, and valuable insights, this episode aims to ignite hope and inspire transformation. Don’t miss this engaging conversation—subscribe, share, and leave us a review. What are your beliefs about resurrection? Join the conversation today! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E56 · Tue, February 25, 2025
Send us a text Are you ready for an unexpected visit? This episode of Wisdom for the Day invites you to reflect on the significance of Christ's return and what it means for your daily life. With an engaging blend of personal stories and spiritual insights, we dive into the challenges and joys of living in anticipation. Drawing from powerful passages, we explore the parable of the unprepared bridesmaids and how it teaches us the necessity of being spiritually prepared at all times. Through heartfelt storytelling and thought-provoking questions, we drive home the importance of prioritizing our faith as we navigate life's distractions. What would shift in your life if you knew Jesus was returning today? Discover how preparing our hearts and minds for His arrival can illuminate our spiritual journeys, inviting deeper love and connection with our faith community. Join us as we unpack these themes and offer encouragement to embrace each day with hope and readiness. Whether you're wrestling with doubt, seeking guidance, or simply looking to deepen your relationship with Christ, this episode has something valuable for you. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the ongoing mission of spreading wisdom and faith. Your journey of preparation begins now! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E55 · Mon, February 24, 2025
Send us a text Picture walking through a shadow-filled valley, each step heavy with uncertainty. Today, we explore the profound comfort found in Psalm 23:4, a passage that has been a beacon of hope for many in their darkest times. I recount a deeply moving experience visiting a church member in hospice, where Psalm 23 became a source of peace and strength. This episode invites you to reflect on the timeless promise of the Good Shepherd's constant presence, even as we navigate life's most challenging moments. Whether you're facing illness, grieving a loss, or simply feeling the weight of life's trials, this reflection is for you. We discuss how the Good Shepherd not only leads us to places of peace but also supports and sustains us through the valleys, offering nourishment and guidance along the way. Join me in prayer, seeking divine lessons that enrich our spiritual journey, and let today's message reassure you of unwavering love and care, no matter how dark the path may seem. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E54 · Sun, February 23, 2025
Send us a text Unlock the transformative power of the gospel, as we uncover the profound impact of Apostle Paul's bold move to appeal to Caesar—not for personal gain, but for a higher mission. Journey with us as we explore how Paul's unwavering faith and courage brought the message of Christ to the most powerful leaders of his time. Reflect on how the gospel's wisdom transcends cultural and governmental barriers, and empowers us to boldly share our faith wherever we are, be it small towns or grand halls of power. With a touch of humor and heart, we draw inspiration from the story of Fred Tuttle, the fictional farmer whose wisdom captivated many. This episode is a rallying cry for Christians to embrace their calling with confidence and conviction, ensuring our faith influences and shapes a culture that honors God. Join us for a prayerful reflection and a chance to renew your faith and wisdom, as we guide you through life's challenges with the strength and clarity that come from belief. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E53 · Sat, February 22, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever wondered if you're resisting the path meant for you, causing more struggle than necessary? Join us on Wisdom for the Day, where Lauren in her segment "Weekends with Lauren," explores this profound theme through the transformative story of Saul. Once a fierce persecutor of Christians, Saul's unexpected encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus serves as a poignant illustration of how resisting God's plans can lead to unnecessary pain. Lauren also opens up about her own journey from a career in science to embracing her calling in ministry, finding peace only after abandoning resistance and aligning with divine purpose. As we navigate through scripture, specifically reflecting on Matthew 11:29, this episode invites you to examine the crossroads of your life. We encourage you to trust in God's guidance, even when His plans seem daunting. Experience how God's challenging yet intentional designs can lead to true peace once you stop fighting against them. Let this episode inspire you to embrace your faith and harness the wisdom needed to conquer life's challenges with grace and courage. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E52 · Fri, February 21, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself on a quest for something new, only to realize that what you truly longed for was right in front of you all along? Join me, Rick, as we explore the concept of "coming home" through the lens of the Gospel of Luke and a captivating tale of an English sailor who thought he'd discovered a new land. Together, we'll uncover the profound messages embedded in the parable of the prodigal son, where adventures in distant lands pale in comparison to the extravagant love waiting at home. It's a heartfelt reminder that no matter how far we've wandered, the embrace of unconditional love is always within reach. Feeling spiritually distant? You're not alone. Many of us sail away from the shores of grace, only to be reminded of the unwavering patience and love that beckons us back. Through prayer and reflection, we recognize that the path home is illuminated by the divine lights of forgiveness and acceptance. Be encouraged as we celebrate the joy of returning to God's family, where every journey back is a celebration of grace. Listen today for spiritual insights and inspiration, and let’s rekindle our spirits in the warmth of God's loving presence. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E51 · Thu, February 20, 2025
Send us a text Standing at the brink of a monumental decision, what would it take for you to make a leap of faith? Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day as we draw inspiration from one of history's boldest moves—Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon—and connect it to our own spiritual journeys. Today, we explore how the decisive act of embracing Christ can radically transform our lives, much like Caesar's decision changed the course of history. We'll reflect on John 5:24, which reminds us that eternal life begins the moment we choose faith, not just in the distant future but right here and now. Let's step beyond the uncertainties that hold us back and cross into a new life filled with eternal hope and promise. Together, we'll gather strength from a heartfelt prayer for divine guidance, encouraging us to fully commit to our spiritual path. Whether you're contemplating your own Rubicon or have already embarked on your faith journey, today's message aims to inspire you to embrace the abundant life that Christ offers. Don't forget to check out more episodes and join our community for a deeper connection as we continue to explore the transformative power of God's Word. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E50 · Wed, February 19, 2025
Send us a text Experience the transformative power of mission as we explore how stepping beyond the comfort of our church pews can invigorate our spiritual journey. What if the true essence of evangelism isn't just about welcoming others in but actively going out to spread the good news? Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day, as we draw inspiration from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19, and unpack Jesus' compelling command to "go and make disciples of all nations." This episode challenges the conventional centripetal view of mission and encourages a bold, centrifugal approach that compels us to reach out to our neighbors and venture to distant lands. Reflect with us on the courage it takes to fulfill Christ's mission, as we honor the sacrifices made by missionaries who leave behind familiar comforts to serve in diverse and challenging environments. Through prayer and reflection, we seek forgiveness for moments of spiritual cowardice and ask for strength to share the gospel's transformative message. Be inspired to carry the light of faith into the world, recognizing that the gospel's power lies not only in gathering but also in sending us forth to impact lives everywhere. Embrace your calling to participate in Christ's mission, and be encouraged to let the world know about the discipleship that reaches every nation. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E49 · Tue, February 18, 2025
Send us a text What if the kingdom of justice and peace is not just a future promise, but an unfolding reality right now? Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day, as we explore the profound declaration of Psalm 96:10, "The Lord reigns," and its implications for our lives today. Together, we'll witness the disciples' awe as Jesus ascends to heaven and discover the hopeful assurance given by angels about his return. Inspired by the unshakeable faith of black South Africans during apartheid, we'll uncover how their songs of liberation embodied a deep understanding of God's active kingdom, one not confined to distant horizons but advancing here and now. As we navigate through life's challenges, let's consider how this divine reign shapes our daily walk. We'll reflect on the certainty of God's victory, an assurance that empowers us to live in hope and faith, confident that Jesus is making all things new. As we embrace this truth, let's pray for strength and guidance in our journey, knowing that the kingdom of the world is indeed becoming the kingdom of our Lord. Join me for spiritual nourishment and let’s continue to walk this path of wisdom and faith together. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E48 · Mon, February 17, 2025
Send us a text Imagine standing in the Jerusalem cemetery on resurrection morning, surrounded by confusion and excitement—such is the scene we explore today in Wisdom for the Day. Join me, Rick, as we unravel the transformative encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Jesus from the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, Verse 14. This moment is more than a mere historical event; it's a profound narrative that reshaped Mary's life and has the power to inspire us today. With Jesus’ physical resurrection, we witness a triumphant victory over evil and death, offering a beacon of hope in our often tumultuous lives. As Mary's joyous proclamation, "I’ve seen the Lord," continues to ripple through generations, we find ourselves called to share in this incredible news. Each day becomes an opportunity to embrace faith and gather strength from God's Word, allowing us to witness boldly in our daily interactions. Come, let us journey together in this spiritual exploration, drawing inspiration from an eternal message of hope and resurrection. Remember, you're never alone in this endeavor—I'm here, sharing love and light, as we seek wisdom and courage through prayer and reflection. Don't forget to join me tomorrow for more insights and reflections from Scripture. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E47 · Sun, February 16, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever paused to consider the immense cost of grace? This episode of Wisdom for the Day takes you on a spiritual journey to reflect on the profound sacrifice of Christ as recounted in Matthew 27:46. As I reminisce about a pivotal conversation with my pastor from my youth minister days, we confront the stark reality of what it means when we ask for forgiveness. This isn't a simple transaction; rather, it’s a call to remember the depth of Jesus’s love and his journey through unimaginable suffering for our sakes. Today, we grapple with the gravity of these truths and their impact on our lives. Together, we acknowledge that through faith, hell is not our future. Instead, we are invited to live in the loving embrace of our Savior. Join me in a heartfelt prayer for gratitude and inspiration, as we seek to honor the immeasurable love and sacrifice of Jesus in our daily lives. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the true price of grace and the strength we draw from understanding it. I invite you to tune in for more spiritual insights and to continue our journey together tomorrow. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E46 · Sat, February 15, 2025
Send us a text Could abandoning your current path lead to a life of deeper purpose and fulfillment? Join me, Rick, as we explore a transformative moment from the book of Matthew, where a tax collector named Matthew makes the bold decision to follow Jesus, despite the lucrative allure of his profession. This episode of Wisdom for the Day encourages us to reflect on our own life choices, particularly when they clash with our spiritual convictions. Discover the immense sacrifices that following Christ may demand, and why these sacrifices lead to a return far greater than any earthly reward could offer. As we journey through these spiritual insights, we'll seek strength and courage through prayer, aiming for moral and spiritual renewal. Let this episode be a source of inspiration, reminding us of the promise of eternal life that awaits those who choose to walk faithfully. Tune in for an enlightening conversation about the cost of obedience and the extraordinary fulfillment that comes with living a life in alignment with our faith. Join me tomorrow for more wisdom and guidance, as we continue our path of spiritual growth and inspiration together. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E45 · Fri, February 14, 2025
Send us a text Imagine standing atop the Empire State Building, gazing at the sprawling city below—a landscape of power and influence. Now picture Jesus, faced with the ultimate temptation, standing firm against the allure of worldly clout. What can we learn from his unwavering resolve? Join me, Rick, as I guide you through a reflective journey inspired by Luke 4:8, where we contemplate the ethical challenges we face today and the timeless strength we can draw from scriptures to overcome them. In this episode of Wisdom for the Day, we navigate the temptations that tug at our moral compass, much like the seductive pull of Wall Street or the United Nations might. Discover how Jesus' steadfast reliance on God's truth offers a powerful blueprint for resisting shortcuts and staying true to our values. As we explore these spiritual insights, let's pray together for the strength to remain honest and grounded in our daily lives. Don't miss this opportunity for spiritual refreshment, and remember—I'll be back tomorrow with more wisdom and guidance. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E44 · Thu, February 13, 2025
Send us a text Uncover the incredible power behind Jesus' life and ministry, and learn how it can transform your own journey of faith. What if the Spirit's descent upon Jesus during His baptism was not just a moment of divine affirmation but a profound preparation for suffering and sacrifice? Join me, Rick, as we explore this pivotal moment in Matthew 3:16, where the Spirit of God descends like a dove, equipping Jesus for his sacred mission. This episode promises insights into the deep connection between identity and mission, and how the Spirit's presence calls us to faithful obedience, even through life's toughest challenges. Reflecting on the powerful declaration from the Father and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies, we examine how Jesus' journey was marked by both glory and the burden of sacrifice. Together, we'll seek the courage to embrace our own callings with grace and resilience, drawing inspiration from Jesus' example. As we pray for the Spirit's empowerment in our lives, let's find strength in knowing we are not alone on this path. Don't miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of the Spirit's role in guiding us through trials and inspiring us to faithful service. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E43 · Wed, February 12, 2025
Send us a text What if the greatest journey of all time wasn't about covering miles but about bridging the divine with the human? Today, we unravel the profound truth of John 1:14 and witness how the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, became flesh to dwell among us. Imagine a stormy night where a determined foreman braves the elements to restore power to a neighborhood—this gripping tale mirrors the divine incarnation, as Jesus entered our world, bringing light and hope into our darkness. Discover the incredible depth of this act of love and how it illuminates the path from despair to salvation. Join me on Wisdom for the Day as we explore God's transformative dwelling among us. Reflect on the essence of the incarnation and its implications for our lives. By understanding this unfathomable sacrifice, you can let the gospel's light reach the shadowy corners of your life, guiding you through challenges with renewed faith. As we seek His presence in our prayers, may the certainty of His companionship empower us to face each day with hope and purpose. Tune in for your daily dose of spiritual refreshment and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E42 · Tue, February 11, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever felt suspended in midair, like a trapeze artist, unsure of where life will lead next? We explore how memories, especially those reflecting God's grace, can provide the courage and hope needed to navigate such moments of uncertainty. Drawing from Psalm 135:5 and the poetic wisdom of Wendell Berry, we reflect on the transition from having abundant time with few memories in our youth to being rich with memories as we age. These memories, akin to the Israelites’ practice of recalling God’s past interventions, become our compass in times of doubt. Join us as we uncover the power of sharing our personal stories of God's faithfulness, stories that serve as anchors in our spiritual journey and inspiration for the future. Through heartfelt reflection and prayer, we discuss the importance of cherishing these grace-filled moments and embracing the future with unwavering faith. Whether you find yourself in a season of uncertainty or simply wish to celebrate the stories of God’s goodness in your life, this episode is an invitation to remember, share, and find strength in those memories. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E41 · Mon, February 10, 2025
Send us a text Cycling across North America is not just about the physical journey; it's a metaphor for the spiritual endurance we cultivate in our faith walk. Today on Wisdom for the Day, we explore this theme through the story of a couple who embarked on this monumental ride, drawing parallels to the Israelites' desert journey as depicted in Exodus 16:4. Just as these cyclists build their stamina over time, the Israelites learned that escaping Egypt was merely the beginning of their endurance test. We discuss how God's provision of manna in the wilderness serves as a powerful reminder of His unwavering care and how Jesus, our "true bread from heaven," sustains us through life's challenges. Join us as we reflect on how faith in Jesus solidifies our spiritual muscles, helping us to face life's demands with greater trust in God. We'll consider how staying faithful diminishes our complaints and enables us to perceive God's presence with us at every juncture. Tune in for an engaging conversation about spiritual growth, as we pray for the wisdom to be faithful apprentices in God's teachings, preparing our hearts for the lessons He imparts. Don’t miss tomorrow’s episode, where we continue to embrace each day with renewed faith and insights. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E40 · Sun, February 09, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever felt like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, with life's pressures closing in from all sides? On today's episode of Wisdom for the Day, Rick takes us on a heartfelt journey through Exodus 14:13-14, a passage that offers profound reassurance in times of overwhelming stress. Drawing parallels between the struggles faced by the Israelites and our modern-day challenges, Rick invites listeners to embrace the promise that the Lord will fight for us, and the only thing we need to do is to be still. It's not merely a religious mantra but a call to trust and find strength in the divine battle being waged on our behalf. Our faith is often tested by financial stress, health issues, and relationship woes, yet there's solace in knowing the battle is not ours to fight alone. Rick reminds us of the victory already secured at Calvary and encourages us to stand firm in the knowledge that God is actively working for our good. As despair looms, he extends an invitation to pray for divine grace and victory over the struggles that threaten our faith. Tune in for a message of hope and renewal and let the wisdom of scripture guide you to a place of peace and courage in facing life's trials. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E39 · Sat, February 08, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever thought, "Who am I to take on this task?" That's exactly what Moses felt when God called him to confront Pharaoh. Join me as we explore Exodus 3:11 and relate to Moses' hesitation through personal experiences, like that time I disastrously tried my hand at plumbing. In moments of solitude and self-reflection, just as Moses faced his wilderness doubts, we too can encounter a transformative call that pushes us beyond our perceived limits. Together, let's recognize the power of having a higher presence with us, guiding us through moments of doubt and leading us into our true purpose. As we gather strength from this story, let's pray for the courage to move past our self-doubt and trust in the divine plans set for us. We'll explore how God's unwavering presence can empower us to embrace life's challenges with newfound faith. Through prayer and reflection, we can shake off self-pity and open ourselves to the roles we are destined to fulfill. Don't forget to revisit previous episodes for more spiritual encouragement and remember, this journey is one we're on together. Until next time, I'm Rick, thankful for the opportunity to walk this path with you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E38 · Fri, February 07, 2025
Send us a text What if, even in the midst of our greatest mistakes, there was a promise waiting for us? Join me as we explore the transformative journey of Jacob, who, while on the run for his life, encountered a divine vision that changed everything. From the desolate wilderness with nothing but a rock for a pillow, to receiving a promise of hope and future from God, Jacob's story is a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering grace. We'll reflect on this pivotal moment in Genesis 28:15 and draw parallels to our own lives, discovering how Jesus, our bridge to heaven, offers us a path back to grace and hope, no matter how far we've strayed. In today's episode of Wisdom for the Day, we confront the uncomfortable truth that even when we're running from our past, God's love reaches us. As we unpack Jacob's story, I'll guide you through the significance of Bethel, the house of God, and how it symbolizes a place of divine encounter and promise in our own lives. We'll discuss how Jesus, described as the fulfillment of Jacob's ladder, is the gateway to heaven and how through Him, we can find grace and a future filled with hope. Together, let's embrace the truth that God is with us, always ready to guide us back to His presence and promises, even when we feel lost. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E37 · Thu, February 06, 2025
Send us a text What if your life's carefully laid plans were suddenly turned on their head? Join me, Rick, as we explore the transformative power of faith through the journey of Abram from Genesis 12:1. Often, just as we settle into the perfect career, home, and lifestyle, God has other plans for us. Abram experienced this firsthand when he was called to leave his prosperous life in Haran for an uncertain future. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, his obedience led him to blessings beyond his imagination. Discover how embracing this level of faith, much like Abram, can lead you to extraordinary paths and opportunities, even when they seem daunting or unreasonable. Through prayer and reflection, we find strength to overcome our doubts and embrace the new directions that God lays out for us. This episode encourages you to trust in God's wisdom and journey, not just for personal growth, but as a way to bless those around you. Abram's story is a testament to the incredible impact of faith and obedience, revealing that the path God leads us on is far greater than anything we could design ourselves. Tune in to be inspired to approach each day with renewed faith and wisdom, knowing that God's plans are filled with unimaginable possibilities and blessings. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E36 · Wed, February 05, 2025
Send us a text What drives us to seek recognition and legacy, sometimes even at great personal risk? Inspired by the story of Captain Edward J. Smith of the Titanic, we explore the age-old human ambition to "make a name" for oneself and how this pursuit can lead to unforeseen consequences. Drawing parallels with the biblical tale of the Tower of Babel, we examine how pride and the desire for personal glory can cause division and downfall. In contrast, we reflect on the unity and redemption portrayed at Pentecost, where diversity comes together under a divine purpose, reminding us of the true significance that lies not in self-promotion, but in being part of a greater story. Join me, Rick, as we journey through these profound narratives to uncover the timeless truths about pride, ambition, and unity. Through prayer and reflection, we seek to replace our own name-building desires with a humble commitment to bearing the name of Christ. This episode promises to inspire and uplift, offering spiritual insights that encourage us to live out our faith with clarity and strength. Whether you're familiar with these stories or encountering them for the first time, prepare to be challenged and encouraged in your daily walk of faith. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E35 · Tue, February 04, 2025
Send us a text What if the luxury and comfort we strive to achieve are actually masking a deeper sense of longing? Today on Wisdom for the Day, we confront the enigma of misery and its roots in Genesis 3:24, where we are reminded of the profound homesickness that lingers in the human soul. This episode challenges the notion that worldly pleasures provide true fulfillment, instead prompting us to consider our exile from the divine sanctuary of Eden. Join me, Rick, as we explore how being "east of Eden" reflects our spiritual displacement and the yearning to return to our true home with God. With Christ as our guide, we navigate the tumultuous terrain of life's thorns and thistles, understanding that only through Him can we find the path back to our spiritual abode. Together, we'll engage in prayer and reflection to strengthen our commitment to becoming citizens of God's kingdom. Revisit these insights anytime by accessing past episodes and be part of our growing community seeking daily spiritual enrichment. Let the light of Christ guide you, and may today's wisdom inspire you to walk each day in peace and joy. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E34 · Mon, February 03, 2025
Send us a text After experiencing a profound sense of peace during a stroll in a local park, I was inspired to explore the spiritual journey of walking with God as illustrated in Genesis 3:8. This episode of Wisdom for the Day invites you to rediscover the serenity and divine companionship that comes from embracing God's presence in everyday life. Through the beauty of nature, we find reflections of God's intentions for the world and our unique ability to connect with His heart. Despite the vulnerability and brokenness we often feel, there is a promise of grace through Christ's righteousness that allows us to walk alongside God as partners on this journey. Reflecting on the hesitations and fears that can create distance between us and God, we discuss how clothing ourselves in Christ, as beautifully depicted in Galatians 3:27, can help us overcome these barriers. Together, we engage in a prayer seeking forgiveness and the courage to step boldly into His grace-filled presence. Tune in to receive insights and encouragement to face each day with renewed faith and wisdom, and join us tomorrow as we continue to draw inspiration and comfort from God's Word. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E33 · Sun, February 02, 2025
Send us a text Ever wondered how the Spirit of God can transform chaos into order and beauty? Today on Wisdom for the Day, we unravel the profound imagery of Genesis 1:2, where God's Spirit hovers over the waters, initiating the world's first divine journey. Join me, Rick, as we explore how this powerful presence not only shaped the world but continues to nurture and guide us through life's daunting challenges. This episode uncovers the timeless truth that, while we often struggle to manage life's chaos on our own, it is through God's power that we find true clarity and strength. Reflect with me on the Spirit's nurturing role, much like a bird protecting its young, as mentioned in Psalm 104:30. Let's seek divine order in our daily lives through prayer and faithful obedience, trusting in God's creative presence to prepare us for whatever lies ahead. As we invite the Spirit to spread its wings over our lives, we gain the strength to embrace each day with renewed faith and purpose. Tune in again tomorrow for more spiritual insights and the Wisdom of God's Word, and let's continue this journey together. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E32 · Sat, February 01, 2025
Send us a text Embark on a transformative journey where spiritual growth transcends physical boundaries. Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be a follower of "the way"? Today, we unravel the timeless wisdom found in Acts 24:14, taking inspiration from the tale of Serap Topton, a 4th-century desert farmer whose encounter with a reclusive Christian woman in Rome holds a powerful lesson about the spiritual path. Join me, Rick, as we reflect on how our journey with Christ is a continuous, evolving adventure, guiding us to stretch beyond life's challenges with renewed faith and purpose. Together, we explore the notion of believers as eternal wayfarers, a concept rooted in early Christian teachings. While our daily lives may feel stagnant, spiritually, we are always progressing, pressing forward towards eternal destinations. Through stories from Scripture, we seek to learn from the journeys of God's people, exploring how to overcome spiritual stagnation and embrace discipleship with vigor. Let this episode serve as your spiritual compass, offering insights to invigorate your faith and inspire you to walk with Jesus each day. Join us for an episode packed with wisdom, reflection, and a call to action for your own spiritual expedition. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E31 · Fri, January 31, 2025
Send us a text Imagine a world where chaos, pain, and sorrow are no more, and eternal joy reigns in a vibrant new creation. This promise of a universal renewal is not just a distant hope but a transformative reality that can begin in your life today. Revelation 21:5 holds the key to this divine transformation, and together, we explore what it truly means for God to make all things new. Throughout the episode, we dive into the profound narrative of redemption, from the struggles introduced by sin to the hope offered through Christ’s salvation. Let's reflect on the promise of a future where heaven and earth unite, and God Himself dwells among us, erasing all traces of suffering and death. Let your spirit be uplifted as we journey through the remarkable aspects of God's new creation. This is not simply about heavenly reunions but a call to live in the anticipation of our ultimate fulfillment in the presence of the Creator. As we pray together, ask the God of creation to fill your heart with the excitement of being made new in Christ. This episode is your invitation to live joyfully as part of God's incredible transformation plan. Tune in to find clarity, strength, and spiritual guidance for life's challenges, and embrace the renewal promised in His Word. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E30 · Thu, January 30, 2025
Send us a text Embark on a spiritual journey as Rick takes us through the scriptures, exploring the promise of a new creation in Isaiah 65:17. Reflect on how God is actively renewing our world and our lives amidst the challenges we face. Discover the origins of our journey with God, from creation to the mission of Jesus, and find strength and clarity in the message of hope that the kingdom of God is becoming a reality. Marvel at the signs of renewal around us, from the care for creation to the protection of the vulnerable, and rejoice in the complete work of Christ's salvation. Join Rick in prayer as we seek God's guidance in recognizing His renewing work in our world and within ourselves. Tomorrow's episode promises more spiritual insights to inspire and guide you on your journey of faith and wisdom. Take a moment to join Rick on Wisdom for the Day as he explores the promise of a new creation in Isaiah 65:17. Uncover God's ongoing work of renewal in our world and our lives, from the beauty of creation to the peace and transformation found in the kingdom of God. Find inspiration in the harmonious images of the wolf and the lamb feeding together, symbolizing the profound peace that comes from God's renewing work. As you continue your journey with God this year, open your eyes to the signs of renewal around you and rejoice in the complete work of Christ's salvation. Tune in tomorrow for more spiritual insights and start each day with faith and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E29 · Wed, January 29, 2025
Send us a text Imagine the power of music to transcend memory and illuminate the soul. Through a heartfelt personal story about my father’s journey with dementia, I invite you to explore how songs can connect us to our past, offer solace, and ignite joy in our hearts. Join me as we reflect on Revelation chapters 5 and 9 from the New Living Translation, where the triumphant ‘new song’ celebrates Jesus the Lamb. This episode uncovers the profound role music plays not only in our personal lives but also within the tapestry of faith, providing strength and inspiration even in the face of life’s greatest challenges. Today marks day 29 of our spiritual journey together on Wisdom for the Day, where we delve into the biblical richness of music and praise. Discover the significance of the ‘new song’ in Revelation, a symbol of God's fulfilled plan for salvation and history. As we pray for the words to join in this divine chorus, we find renewed hope in the promise that songs of praise will outlast even our fading memories. Embrace this opportunity to reconnect with the divine and celebrate the resurrection and renewal brought forth by Jesus, empowering us to face each day with faith and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E28 · Tue, January 28, 2025
Send us a text What if our daily struggles and pains weren't just remnants of a broken world but signs of a deeper transformation? Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day as we uncover the profound implications of Romans 8:23 for our lives. We face a world marred by sin, where groans echo through the challenges of work, school, relationships, and health. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, these groans can be transformed into songs of praise. We'll explore how our struggles signify the renewal process God has initiated in us, extending beyond the redemption of our souls to our bodies and the entire creation. This episode invites you on a journey where complaints are turned into praise, and the Spirit empowers us to see every challenge as an opportunity for divine growth. Whether facing difficult marriages, arguing classmates, or natural disasters, the gospel offers a hopeful perspective. We'll pray together for transformation and embrace each day with renewed faith and wisdom. Tune in and experience a refreshing spiritual journey that encourages you to recognize Christ's life being revealed in you right now. Don't forget to visit wisdomfortheday.org for more insights and past episodes that will inspire and uplift your daily walk. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E27 · Mon, January 27, 2025
Send us a text What if embracing a new name could transform your spiritual journey? Explore the profound impact of a fresh identity inspired by Isaiah 62:2, as we reflect on the spiritual significance of marriage and the bond between Christ and His people. Whether you're navigating the joys and challenges of marriage or walking a single path, discover how God delights in us and offers us a new name and purpose through His grace. Our conversation also highlights the beauty of shared identity, emphasizing how both married couples and individuals can find deep spiritual truths in God's love and promise of eternal life. Join us as we ponder how these themes can enrich your life and relationships, encouraging you to rest in God's work and become an object of His praise. Let's pray together, seeking guidance to embrace the joy of our new identity in Christ. Remember, you're precious to Him. For more inspiration, visit wisdomfortheday.org for past episodes and resources. Don't miss out as we continue to explore transformative insights from God's Word, offering clarity and strength for the journey ahead. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E26 · Sun, January 26, 2025
Send us a text What if the endless cycles of negativity and self-doubt could be transformed by one profound truth? Join me, Rick, as we explore how Jesus is always enough, inspired by Colossians 1:15. Together, we'll unravel the story of a high school girl facing harsh judgments and a businessman drowning in financial worry, and discover how the gospel provides a foundation of unwavering worth and purpose. With the wisdom of scripture, let's navigate life's hurdles, reaffirming our priorities with the message that, no matter the empire or challenge, Jesus remains supreme. In this episode of Wisdom for the Day, our focus is on letting the story of redemption and the triumph of Jesus Christ fill our hearts and reshape our lives. Through prayer and faith, we are invited to embrace a life free from accusations and filled with grace. As we journey through these spiritual insights, you'll be encouraged to re-center your life, finding clarity and renewed strength in God's Word. Let the awesome grace of connecting with Him inspire you to face each day prioritizing what truly matters. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E25 · Sat, January 25, 2025
Send us a text What if your true worth isn't determined by your skills or competencies, but by something far greater? Join me, Rick, on today's Wisdom for the Day, as we explore the profound message from 2 Corinthians 3:6. We'll unravel the liberating truth of being ministers of Christ's competence rather than our own. Reflect on how the Apostle Paul discovered his identity in the transformative power of Christ, and learn how to embrace your own inadequacies with confidence, knowing that God equips us with everything we need to share His hope and power with the world. In our journey together, we’ll challenge the notion of self-worth based on personal skills and unravel how Christ’s victory over sin and death redefines our value. Let's face life's challenges with prayer and a renewed mindset, relying on our Savior's capabilities to meet the needs and struggles of those around us. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted as we navigate through spiritual insights that prepare us to engage with the world through faith and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E24 · Fri, January 24, 2025
Send us a text What if embracing a new life in Christ could transcend the fleeting nature of New Year's resolutions? Join me, Rick, on today's episode of "Wisdom for the Day," where we explore the transformative journey as depicted in Ephesians 4:22-24. Discover how the profound change in Christ doesn't lean on our own willpower but on God's active, renewing work within us. Unlike typical resolutions that often crumble under the weight of old habits, stepping into a new, God-driven self offers a lasting transformation, shifting our hearts and minds closer to Christ's likeness. Let's reflect on how our old ways, burdened by lust and deception, can be shed through spiritual renewal. Through thoughtful prayer and reflection, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to reveal your new self and experience God's ongoing renewal daily. It's about more than surface-level self-improvement—it's about a deep, spiritual refreshment that aligns you more closely with Christ. Tune in and let the wisdom of God's Word offer clarity and inspiration in your life's journey, and remember, I'll be back tomorrow with more insights to enrich your spiritual walk. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E23 · Thu, January 23, 2025
Send us a text Can we truly become new creations, leaving our old selves behind? Join me, Rick, as we explore this transformative concept inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:17. Today's session of Wisdom for the Day offers a profound reflection on how faith in Christ not only forgives our past mistakes but renews us, providing a fresh start. We'll delve into those moments of regret and longing for a second chance, discovering the liberating truth that God offers us something greater than a simple do-over. Through His grace, we receive redemption and a new identity, calling us to live as ambassadors of His love and grace. In this heartfelt episode, we share a powerful prayer, asking for a deepened trust in Jesus to live purposefully and spread His message. We'll draw strength and clarity from God's Word, equipping ourselves to face life's challenges with faith and wisdom. Don't miss the opportunity to be inspired by the incredible gift of redemption and renewal. And remember, I'll be back tomorrow with more insights and spiritual guidance to enrich your journey. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E22 · Wed, January 22, 2025
Send us a text Standing at the grave of a loved one, the weight of death can feel insurmountable. Yet, what if I told you that even in the shadow of the grave, there is a promise of hope and new beginnings? Today, we confront the profound reality of death and the transformative power of a life in Christ. Reflecting on Romans 6:4, we explore how Jesus's resurrection separates us from sin and ushers in a promise of eternal life, encouraging us to live for God right now. Baptism is not just a ritual but a powerful symbol of our transition from death to a life filled with God's glory. Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day, as we engage in a heartfelt conversation about loss, resurrection, and liberation from the grip of sin and death. Together, we'll seek strength and hope through prayer, allowing God's Word to guide us through life's challenges with faith and wisdom. With every episode, including today's Day 22, we aim to inspire you to embrace each day with renewed purpose. Let this be a time of spiritual refreshment, anchoring your soul in the hope and freedom that faith provides. Remember to tune in tomorrow as we continue to uncover the beauty of a new life in Christ. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E21 · Tue, January 21, 2025
Send us a text Join me, Rick, as we uncover the divine symphony of Psalms 40:3 and embrace the transformative power of the "new song" that God instills in our hearts. What if the melodies of creation, often overshadowed by life's chaos, could lead us to salvation and grace? Today, we journey through the spiritual landscapes to realize that our life's story is far from over. God offers redemption through a harmonious song of grace, urging us to rise from the mire and stand on solid ground. Tune into this enlightening episode to find out how this divine symphony can lift you from despair and fill your heart with renewed hope. Tap into the power of music as a divine tool for inspiration and strength. We'll journey through how this new song can transform our spiritual narrative, providing clarity and encouragement in times of struggle. God eagerly supports those who turn to Him, and through prayer, we express gratitude for the salvation song placed in our mouths. Let this spiritual journey prepare you to face each day with courage and wisdom, sharing the precious gift of this new song with others. As we explore these divine harmonies, you'll be inspired to embrace life with renewed faith and grace. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E20 · Mon, January 20, 2025
Send us a text What if the past is holding you back from the future God has planned for you? Discover how embracing new beginnings can transform your life in this episode of Wisdom for the Day. Join me, Rick, as we explore the profound messages from Isaiah 43:18-19 and Philippians 3:13-14, which urge us to release old burdens and open our hearts to the fresh start that Christ offers. Whether you're nostalgic for "the good old days" or wrestling with past mistakes, this episode promises to guide you towards a future filled with joy and hope. Together, we'll unpack how adults, much like kids, can find excitement in new experiences, and how faith invites us to look forward with anticipation. Reflect on the joys of newness that we so often cherish, like the thrill of new clothes or the scent of a new car, and apply that same joy to your spiritual journey. Let God’s promise of transformation inspire you to let go of what no longer serves you, and embrace the new life He offers. As we pray together, let’s thank God for the opportunities to live joyfully and purposefully through His grace. Don’t miss out on the chance to renew your mindset and become part of our vibrant community at wisdomfortheday.org. Join me tomorrow for more insights from God's Word, and remember, each day is a new beginning. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E19 · Sun, January 19, 2025
Send us a text Imagine a life where every setback is just a stepping stone to discovering your true strength. On today’s Wisdom for the Day, I, Rick, invite you to explore the profound lesson of finding power in our weaknesses, inspired by the Apostle Paul's extraordinary journey in 2 Corinthians 12:7. Despite facing an unspecified 'thorn in the flesh', Paul reveals the secret to embracing life's challenges with grace and resilience. We ponder over why God allows obstacles, whether they're business upheavals or sudden health issues, and how these experiences can lead us closer to divine strength. Hear how Paul's revelation that Christ's power is perfected in weakness can transform your perspective, encouraging you to find strength amid adversity. Together, let's pray for guidance and the ability to spread love to those facing struggles similar to our own. Life’s hurdles are not just personal battles but opportunities for growth and deeper faith. Join me as we unpack this spiritual wisdom and find encouragement in knowing that we are never alone on our journey. Tune in for a daily dose of inspiration and spiritual insight, and remember, with God's strength and grace, any obstacle can be overcome. Don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more uplifting content, and join the Wisdom for the Day community for ongoing support and connection. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E18 · Sat, January 18, 2025
Send us a text Feeling overwhelmed by life's battles, like unemployment, illness, or family strife? Discover how these trials can be transformed into triumphs through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This episode of Wisdom for the Day, hosted by Rick, promises to guide you towards a vibrant, eternal hope. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:3, we reflect on how Jesus' victory over death provides us with a living hope that transcends temporary solutions and material gains. Rick shares his personal insights, encouraging us to embrace a mindset that isn't confined by past hardships but continually renewed by faith in Christ's strength. Join us as we explore how the power of Jesus' resurrection empowers believers to rise above present struggles. Through heartfelt prayer and reflection, Rick reminds us that we are never alone in our spiritual journey. This session is designed to inspire confidence and instill a sense of hope that is alive and active, even amid adversity. Whether facing daily challenges or searching for spiritual encouragement, tune into this uplifting episode and let the risen Christ fill your life with courage and inspiration. Remember to check out past episodes for more spiritual guidance and become part of our community for ongoing support. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E17 · Fri, January 17, 2025
Send us a text Ever wondered how the promise of resurrection can transform your daily life? Discover the profound impact of Jesus' resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:20 and how it infuses our earthly journey with hope and purpose. I, Rick, invite you to join me on this episode of Wisdom for the Day as we explore the assurance of eternal life and the new meaning it brings to our actions here and now. With Christ's Spirit dwelling within us, learn how our imperfect efforts can lead to goodness and lasting transformation. Be inspired by the victory over death that Jesus offers, which extends healing and restoration to all who believe. Despite our human weaknesses and sins, we hold fast to the promise that our souls will live with Him, and our bodies will be raised on the final day. Through repentance and faith, experience the joy of a true transformation and the strength to live each day with purpose. Let's pray together, thanking God for this victory, and seeking His guidance as we navigate life's challenges with renewed hope. Tune in tomorrow for more reflections on God's Word and continue this spiritual journey with us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E16 · Thu, January 16, 2025
Send us a text What if the simple act of sharing a meal could transform your spiritual life? Today, we're unraveling the profound significance of the Lord's Supper as described in 1 Corinthians 11:25. This episode of Wisdom for the Day invites you to explore how this sacred tradition is a powerful reminder of the hope and grace we find in Christ. It's more than just remembering Jesus' sacrifice; it's about experiencing its ongoing power in our lives. Like a nourishing meal, this remembrance sustains us, empowering us to serve and worship with renewed strength and commitment. We're also delving into the promise of the new covenant from Jeremiah 31:31-34, which assures us of God's presence and support. As we step into a new year, consider how these reflections can inspire and fortify your faith journey. Join us in prayer as we reaffirm our belief in Christ's life-giving sacrifice and seek renewal in our lives. Don't forget, you can catch up on past episodes anytime, and we look forward to continuing this journey of faith with you tomorrow. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E15 · Wed, January 15, 2025
Send us a text Discover a transformative perspective on love that transcends the fleeting emotions we're accustomed to. What if the love we share could endure beyond all human imperfections? Join me, Rick, as we explore this profound concept through the teachings of the Gospel of John, chapter 13, verse 34. Together, we’ll uncover the essence of a love that never fades, as exemplified by Jesus in his selfless act of washing the feet of his disciples. This episode challenges you to reflect on how God's unwavering love can empower us to nurture our relationships with resilience and compassion. Experience a spiritual uplift as we contemplate the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the cleansing power of divine love. We'll pause for a moment of gratitude, acknowledging the depth of love shown to us and offering prayers for the wisdom to emulate that love in our own lives. Whether you're facing struggles in your relationships or seeking inspiration for daily living, this episode promises to refresh your faith and inspire you to embody a love that mirrors the strength and endurance of God's love. Join our community, embrace this transformative journey, and be inspired to live each day with renewed purpose and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E14 · Tue, January 14, 2025
Send us a text Unlock a new perspective on joy and redemption in this special episode of Wisdom for the Day. Discover how Jesus' first miracle at Cana of Galilee is more than a historical event—it's a symbol of the abundant joy and life-transforming power available to us through faith. While happiness often fluctuates with our circumstances, true joy is a profound gift from God that endures. As we reflect on how Jesus liberates believers from the weight of sin, both personally and globally, you'll gain insights into experiencing God's character and blessings in your everyday life. Join me, Rick, as we explore the invitation to embrace the joy that comes with Jesus' presence, allowing it to fill your heart and transform your journey. Through this powerful message, you'll be encouraged to strengthen your faith, recognize God's glory, and find peace in the new life offered through Christ. Let's walk together on this path of spiritual renewal and witness the incredible impact of God's love. Don't forget to revisit previous episodes for more insights into spiritual growth and transformation. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E13 · Mon, January 13, 2025
Send us a text How would your life change if you truly submitted to a higher authority rather than just being amazed by it? Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day, where we uncover the profound impact of Jesus' authority as depicted in Mark 1:27. This episode asks you to examine spiritual challenges beneath life's tangible struggles, inviting a shift in perspective that goes beyond admiration to a conscious choice of submission. Jesus' teachings were revolutionary, and I challenge you to consider how His authority can transform your life when you allow it into your heart, rather than merely marveling at it. As we journey together, we'll reflect on the Apostle Paul's insights about battles that transcend the physical, highlighting the spiritual forces we contend with daily. This episode encourages you to welcome Jesus' authority into your life, offering solace through prayer and reflection. Embrace a renewed mindset and explore the potential for spiritual growth within our community. Let us guide you in harnessing the transformative power of faith, and remember, you are loved. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E12 · Sun, January 12, 2025
Send us a text Can flipping a calendar page truly transform your life? Join me, Rick, as I tackle this intriguing question and uncover the profound truth behind genuine transformation. In this episode of Wisdom for the Day, we explore the depths of God's promise in Jeremiah 31:31, where a new covenant beckons us towards a heart renewed by faith. As we usher in a new year, we often anticipate change, yet the real battle lies within our hearts. Through the teachings of Jesus, we find the path to a life of divine alignment and purpose. Discover the fulfillment of God's promise as I guide you through the significance of welcoming Christ's hope into our daily lives. This episode is more than just a reflection; it's an invitation to embrace a spiritual renewal that transcends mere resolutions. With heartfelt prayer, we seek a transformed heart, ready to serve God wholeheartedly. Remember, past episodes await you on our website, and we warmly invite you to join our community. Thank you for sharing this spiritual journey with me. Until tomorrow, stay blessed and inspired. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
Sat, January 11, 2025
Send us a text Ever felt weary and wondered if there's a source of strength that can uplift you? Join me, Rick, as we navigate through the profound message of Isaiah 40:29, where we discover how divine power replenishes the weak. This episode of Wisdom for the Day invites you to explore the timeless assurance of God’s faithfulness, especially during trials that test our spirit. Together, we reflect on the realities of sin and the pervasive sense of hopelessness that can cloud our lives, while finding solace in the promise that renewed strength is just a prayer away. Amidst life’s uncertainties, the Christian faith offers more than just acknowledgment of our weariness—it’s a beacon of hope. As we delve into Isaiah’s comforting words, we’re encouraged to trust that God’s strength is both personal and accessible, designed to uplift us in our moments of need. Let us conclude with a prayer for renewed hope and an unwavering trust in the eternal faithfulness of our Creator. Join our community in this spiritual journey, and embrace each day with a faith that empowers and wisdom that guides. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E10 · Fri, January 10, 2025
Send us a text Can life truly offer something new, or are we destined to repeat the same cycles of disappointment and despair? Today on Wisdom for the Day, we explore this profound question, reflecting on the timeless wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 1:10. I'm Rick, and together we’ll confront the feelings of hopelessness that can accompany daily struggles like a faltering marriage or an unfulfilling career. We’ll dive into the heart of human brokenness as depicted in Ecclesiastes and discover how recognizing the limits of our own efforts can lead us to a place of true hope and transformation that only God's word can provide. We also turn to the Gospel of John, unveiling how these scriptures present a pathway to break free from life's vicious cycles of meaninglessness. Through prayer and reflection, we'll seek the renewal and change that only a divine intervention can bring. Join me as we embrace this spiritual journey, finding daily strength and clarity in the scriptures. Don't forget to explore our past episodes and become a part of our growing community, where you can continue to find inspiration and guidance. Until tomorrow, may you walk with renewed faith and hope. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E9 · Thu, January 09, 2025
Send us a text Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of modern life? Discover how the timeless compassion of Jesus can bring clarity and purpose to our busy days. Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day as we reflect on Matthew 9:36, where Jesus sees the crowd as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. From the demands of work to the constant distractions that pull us in countless directions, we're all too familiar with this struggle—but you're not alone. Together, we'll explore how Jesus offers comfort and guidance, reminding us of God's restorative purpose for our lives and calling us to share this transformative message with others. Each day is a new opportunity to refocus and connect with God's love, and I'm here to guide you through it with faith and wisdom. We'll pray for those who will carry forth the message of salvation and embrace the adventure of living a life filled with purpose. Tune in to refresh your spirit and prepare for tomorrow with a renewed mindset. Thank you for being an essential part of our community, and I'm excited to continue this journey with you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E8 · Wed, January 08, 2025
Send us a text Ever wondered why poverty persists despite our best efforts? Join me, Rick, on Wisdom for the Day as we untangle the complexities of "Needful Struggle" through the lens of Matthew 26:11. We'll confront head-on the reality of poverty as a lingering challenge to our societies, urging a reevaluation of blame and responsibility. Jesus' teachings remind us that our response to the poor is a profound reflection of our service to Him, offering both a challenge and an opportunity for compassionate action. As we prepare to embark on a new year, let’s take inspiration from Jesus' dedication to the weak and oppressed, using His example to guide our hearts toward those in need. This episode encourages us to consider how we might better embody our love for Jesus by supporting and uplifting those facing hardships. Together, let us pray for the strength to step into the struggles of others, serving them with the riches of the gospel. Make sure to catch tomorrow's episode for more insights and inspirations from God's Word. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E7 · Tue, January 07, 2025
Send us a text Loneliness touches us all, but what happens when it feels like even your achievements lead to emptiness? Imagine working tirelessly, accumulating wealth, yet finding yourself isolated, asking if any of it truly matters. Join me, Rick, as we explore Ecclesiastes 4:8 and its powerful message about the void that material pursuits can leave in their wake. We'll journey through the story of a man who finds himself questioning the purpose of it all. This passage isn't just an ancient reflection; it's a mirror to our modern struggles with solitude and superficial success. In today's episode of Wisdom for the Day, we confront the reality of loneliness in a world of broken relationships and fleeting pleasures. By examining the original harmony God intended for us and how sin disrupted it, we uncover how our Creator’s faithfulness provides the companionship we crave. We'll discuss how seeking a deeper relationship with God can fill the voids that wealth and power cannot, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from divine connection. Join the conversation and discover how embracing God's presence can transform our understanding of purpose and guide us through life's challenges with newfound faith and wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E6 · Mon, January 06, 2025
Send us a text When was the last time something "new" truly transformed your life for the better? Today on Wisdom for the Day, I delve into the unsettling reality that change doesn't always equate to improvement. Drawing from Jeremiah 2:11, we explore the sobering truth of how easily we exchange God's glory for empty idols, whether that's a new job, a new home, or even a new stage in life like marriage or retirement. These transitions, filled with hope and promise, often reveal unforeseen challenges, leaving us feeling unfulfilled and yearning for more. With relatable examples from everyday life, we discuss the human tendency to seek satisfaction in transient things that ultimately don't hold the water of fulfillment. Join me, Rick, as we take a reflective journey through the spiritual narrative laid out in the Bible, from the pristine beauty of creation to the painful fall from grace. Jeremiah's teachings remind us that not everything new is beneficial, especially when it leads us away from God's enduring goodness. Together, let's take a moment to identify the "broken cisterns" in our lives—those ineffective sources of satisfaction—and invite God to replace them with His everlasting love and glory. Tune in to be inspired, receive spiritual guidance, and embrace today with a renewed mindset and faith. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E5 · Sun, January 05, 2025
Send us a text Ever felt the weight of doubt and temptation pressing down on you, much like a shadow that refuses to leave? On Wisdom for the Day, we grapple with this profound struggle by revisiting the pivotal moment in Genesis 3:10, where Adam and Eve's encounter with a deceptive voice forever altered their divine connection. Through our exploration, we uncover how these ancient themes resonate with our modern lives, revealing the false allure of temptations that promise much but deliver little. God’s voice cuts through this chaos, offering redemption and the joy of a renewed life through Jesus, standing firm against the tempter’s whispers. Join me, Rick, as we journey through personal reflections and biblical insights, aiming to find strength and clarity in God's Word amid life's relentless challenges. We confront the harsh reality of sin's curse while celebrating the hope of restored fellowship with our Creator. Ending with a heartfelt prayer, this episode encourages embracing each day with unwavering faith and wisdom. Stay connected for more spiritual refreshment as we delve deeper into scripture and its relevance to our daily lives. See you tomorrow for another episode of Wisdom for the Day. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E4 · Sat, January 04, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever wondered about the profound beginnings of our world and the voice that has been speaking since creation's dawn? Join me, Rick, as I explore the timeless words from the Gospel of John that shed light on the eternal presence of the Word and invite us into a deeper understanding of creation's untouched beauty. Together, we reflect on the joy and harmony that filled the world when God walked among His creatures, offering them the fullness of life. As we connect with Jesus, the Word, we not only witness the wonder of creation but hear the Creator's voice, inviting us to live with grace and truth. Today's journey is about opening our hearts to God's voice, a voice that has spoken with love and wisdom since the beginning and continues to surround us. Feel the comfort and encouragement of His presence as you embrace each day with renewed faith. Listen today and find clarity and strength in God's Word, and let this reflection empower your journey. Thank you for being part of this community, and remember, you are loved. Tune in tomorrow for more insights into living a faith-filled life, and until then, cherish the beauty of His creation. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E3 · Fri, January 03, 2025
Send us a text Unlock the timeless wisdom of Psalm 19:1 with us today on Wisdom for the Day. Ever wondered how creation continues to proclaim the glory of God even amidst the urban chaos of modern life? Join Rick as he explores this profound question, reflecting on the untouched beauty of the world at the dawn of creation contrasted with today's challenged landscapes. Despite the smog and city lights that obscure the stars, the natural world still whispers of God's greatness. Dive into the significance of God's law, which offers peace and guidance, setting boundaries that lead to our ultimate good. As we journey through these reflections, you'll discover how His Word provides forgiveness and a path to renewal amidst the brokenness of our world. Embrace this opportunity to align your thoughts and actions with divine wisdom through prayer and reflection. Rick invites you to gather inspiration from the beauty around us and the deeper guidance found in God's Word. Through prayer, we seek for His Word to resonate within us, guiding us to live in alignment with His will. Let this episode encourage you to approach each day with renewed faith and wisdom, and don't forget to visit wisdomfortheday.org for past episodes and more rich resources to support your spiritual journey. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E2 · Thu, January 02, 2025
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself so caught up in the routines of life that the beauty around you becomes invisible? Rick here, and today we're exploring how Psalms 33:5 can inspire us to rediscover the wonders and new beginnings that fill our world. From the joy in a newlywed couple's eyes to the excitement of moving into a new home, these moments are testaments to God's unwavering love and faithfulness. As we kick off this new year together, let’s make it a point to notice the signs of divine creativity in everyday moments—whether it's the serene beauty of a sunset or the simple joy of a fresh snowfall. Join me on this reflective journey as we learn to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and how these glimpses of God's creation can fuel our gratitude and faith. Through prayer and contemplation, I hope we can open our hearts to the vibrancy of life, much like the stars and the seas that naturally declare His goodness. Together, we're not just seeking inspiration but are actively participating in a community that celebrates God's love every day. Remember, you're never alone on this journey; let's find wisdom and strength for each new beginning. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S2 E1 · Wed, January 01, 2025
Send us a text What if your daily routine could be transformed through a deeper understanding of the divine creation? As we step into a new year filled with aspirations and resolutions, join us on "Wisdom for the Day" as we journey back to the very beginning—Genesis 1:1. Discover the profound impact of the Creator's intention and beauty, even amidst the chaos and brokenness that life can present. We explore how God's creation, inherently good and diverse, reflects His character and offers us a renewed perspective on hope and renewal. As excitement wanes and challenges arise, let's keep our eyes open to the magnificence around us, trusting in God's power to restore order and beauty. We'll remind ourselves that despite life's imperfections, God remains in control, bringing goodness out of chaos. Together, let's embrace each day as a gift, and rest in His care and love. Tune in as we reflect on these timeless truths, and may His Word guide your steps with peace and hope throughout the year. Join us for more daily insights as we continue our spiritual journey, walking in light and love. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E364 · Tue, December 31, 2024
Send us a text End Of A Journey Over the past year, you’ve been on a journey through the Book of Proverbs by listening to this podcast, and I’m sure you’ve felt its impact in your life. Proverbs is more than just ancient wisdom—it’s a guide for everyday living, and through this podcast, you’ve probably noticed how its teachings have helped you navigate your decisions, relationships, and challenges with greater clarity and purpose. By diving into these timeless truths, you’ve likely found that Proverbs speaks directly to the things you deal with daily. Whether it’s making better choices, approaching work with integrity, or improving your relationships, the wisdom from Proverbs should become a reliable foundation for how you live your life. This podcast has helped bring those principles into focus, encouraging you to reflect on your own actions and how they align with God’s wisdom. What’s been amazing is how this journey has led you to deeper self-reflection. Proverbs isn’t just about telling you what’s right and wrong—it’s about helping you think critically about why you do what you do. You’ve found yourself considering how you can apply this wisdom to your life in a meaningful way, bringing more purpose and alignment with your values. Ultimately, this year of studying Proverbs has probably strengthened your spiritual growth. You’ve been reminded that true wisdom comes from God, and by applying the teachings from this podcast, you’re more connected to a life filled with integrity, purpose, and fulfillment. The way you’ve embraced this wisdom is shaping the way you live—and that’s something truly transformative. Producing a daily podcast on the Book of Proverbs has been a transformative experience for me. Studying and sharing the wisdom of Proverbs every day has deepened my understanding of life, faith, and the practical ways God’s Word applies to everything we do. Proverbs isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about how to live wisely, and by immersing myself in it, I’ve seen changes in my own approach to decision-making, relationships, and faith. But it’s not just the daily discipline of studying Proverbs that’s impacted me—your questions, feedback, and encouragement as listeners have been a huge part of this journey. Each time you reach out, whether to ask something insightful or to share how a particular episode touched you, it reminds me that we’re all on this journey of wisdom together. Your engagement has motivated me to dig deeper and look at these teachings in fresh, meaningful ways. I’ve been so encouraged by the way you’ve embraced the wisdom of Proverbs and allowed it to shape your lives. That, in turn, has inspired me to keep pushing forward, learning alongside you, and striving to produce content that truly speaks to the heart. This podcast has become more than just something I produc
S1 E363 · Mon, December 30, 2024
Send us a text Reward Her 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. The ideal woman in Proverbs reveres Yahweh deeply. While she may not be the most physically beautiful, her love for God radiates through everything she does, making her stand out. People who live their lives centered on the Scriptures deserve to be recognized for their faithful example. Think about this: Who is the most Godly woman you know? Have you ever taken the time to thank her for her witness and example? Maybe now is the perfect moment to publicly acknowledge and praise her works within your community. And let’s not forget the men. Who is the most Godly man you know? Have you expressed your gratitude for his example of faith? Perhaps it’s time to honor him in the same way, acknowledging his works in the congregation of the righteous. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E362 · Sun, December 29, 2024
Send us a text A Good One 26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. 27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. 28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” What makes the ideal woman of Proverbs ideal is that she is living life to the fullest. Since she loves and fears God, her words are full of wisdom and understanding. She has studied Scriptures so that she can teach her children and others. The ideal woman in Proverbs is not only admired for her wisdom and abilities but is also deeply loved by her husband and children. Paul, in his famous "Love Chapter" (1 Corinthians 13), reminds us that no matter how skilled or successful someone may be, whether in business, efficiency, or wealth, it all means nothing without love. The true ideal isn’t just about accomplishments; it's about living with a heart full of love. The ideal woman, man, mother, father, or child knows Yahweh’s unconditional love and allows that love to flow through them, touching everyone in their life. Think about this: How can you let God’s unconditional love flow through you to touch others with that kind of agape love? Surrender yourself to God’s love, and as you do, it will naturally overflow into the lives of those around you, showing them the same love that He has shown to you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E361 · Sat, December 28, 2024
Send us a text Fancy Belts 24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. The Proverbs' ideal woman once again demonstrates herself to be a wise businesswoman, which was quite countercultural in the male-dominated Jewish society of that time. Not only is she capable in all she does, but she also looks forward to the future with eager anticipation, trusting in Yahweh’s blessings. Think about this: Scripture affirms that women are capable of anything men can do. For instance, the Book of Judges features female military leaders, like Deborah, alongside male leaders. However, Proverbs isn’t about creating a "Battle of the Sexes." The ideal woman was essential because the society was dominated by men, and even today, despite progress, our society still tends to be male-dominated. Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28 remind us that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female—we are all one in Him. While some Christians and churches have failed to live up to this, Christianity at its core calls for equality and non-discrimination, recognizing the value and potential of every individual, regardless of gender. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E360 · Fri, December 27, 2024
Send us a text Lottery Wife 20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. 21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. 22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. The Proverbs' ideal woman is both generous and practical. My buddy asked me why scarlet clothes were mentioned. I had to admit I didn’t know for sure. However, I do know that dyes for purple and scarlet were very expensive, so it could imply that the family was wealthy and well-prepared with plenty of warm clothes for the cold. Another translation suggests the phrase "household are double-clothed," meaning they wore regular, natural-colored clothes with a scarlet cloak, like Joseph’s coat of many colors, worn over the top for all to see. This would be a practical way of dressing in layers, showing both wealth and preparedness. Israel does see snow, especially in the mountains. It gets cold there. It’s a reminder of how this ideal woman was diligent in ensuring her household was well cared for, both in practicality and generosity. The Proverbs' ideal woman is highly skilled in weaving and sewing. Her abilities in managing both business ventures and domestic tasks bring great respect to her husband. She embodies the modern saying, "Behind every successful man is a woman." However, in Proverbs, it’s not just any woman behind a successful man—it’s specifically his wife. Her partnership, wisdom, and skill contribute significantly to her husband's success, making her an essential part of their household’s strength and reputation. This highlights the deep bond and mutual support that makes their relationship truly prosperous. Think about this: You’ve heard the phrase, but… it is not just a woman behind a successful man, but a particular woman; namely, his wife. And conversely Behind every successful wife is her husband. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E359 · Thu, December 26, 2024
Send us a text Working Gal 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. The ideal woman in Proverbs could indeed be seen as a workaholic. She works long and hard as an equal partner in her marriage, always striving for the well-being of her household. I’m reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who also embodies many qualities of the Proverbs woman. She humbly accepted God’s will for her and for her son, yet didn’t passively wait for God to handle everything. Mary likely had to work hard, especially when she became a widow during much of Jesus' adult life, as many scholars believe. Mary’s strength and faith were tested, especially after Jesus was crucified. It’s heartbreaking to imagine how she must have felt on each of His birthdays, remembering her son’s life and sacrifice. Think about this: When you face despair, discouragement, or depression, do you have Hope? Hope’s name is Jesus. If you are seeking Hope and don’t know where to find it, I’m here to help. Feel free to contact me at rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E358 · Wed, December 25, 2024
Send us a text Mrs. Farmer 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. The ideal woman in Proverbs is portrayed as a shrewd businesswoman, not someone waiting in submission. She recognizes a good opportunity, invests household resources, and works hard to turn the property into a productive vineyard. She is active, capable, and empowered. Think about this: According to the Gospel of Luke and tradition, tonight a multitude of angels proclaimed that Yahweh became incarnate as the baby Jesus, bringing hope to the world. "All Yahweh’s works will speak of the glory of His kingdom and will make known to all people His mighty acts." This is how Creation is meant to work. Now, reflect on your life: Are you speaking to those around you about the glory of God’s kingdom? Are you sharing the stories of God’s mighty acts with others? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E357 · Tue, December 24, 2024
Send us a text Ship Chef 14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. The ideal woman described in Proverbs is someone who is exceptionally skilled at overseeing activities and organizing complex tasks, whether for a large household or a business. Not every husband is naturally good at organizing and coordinating, and in such cases, the ideal wife complements those weaknesses, making the marriage stronger. Likewise, the husband also completes his wife, balancing the partnership. Think about this: A good marriage is not always easy. Jesus said that a husband and wife will become "one flesh." This kind of unity requires deep commitment. It’s not just about “me and mine,” but about growing together as “us and ours.” It takes work, trust, and dedication for two people to merge their lives into one harmonious union. Do you see this kind of commitment in marriages you admire? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E356 · Mon, December 23, 2024
Send us a text New Sweaters 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. When the Good Woman proverbs were written, it was understood that a man’s role was to seek prosperity for his household. His identity was tied to how large and successful his household was. But here we see that in a balanced family, the wife is an equal partner, contributing in everyday ways to strengthen the family and household. For women who may feel overwhelmed by the ideal woman in these verses, don’t be discouraged. Almost no one can live up to an ideal perfectly, but the goal is to aim for it, growing in those qualities over time. And for men who might feel proud reading these verses, remember that the qualities of an ideal woman should also apply to an ideal man. What stands out to me is how little bias there is in Proverbs, considering how male-dominated society was back then. Think about this: Men and women are physically different, so they can’t be equal in every way. But for a marriage to thrive, both husband and wife must hold each other in equal respect. Do you know an example of a good marriage? If both partners know and love God, their marriage will be in harmony with His creation, leading to a deeper, lasting bond. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E355 · Sun, December 22, 2024
Send us a text Super Woman 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order. Starting today and through the end of Proverbs, we’re introduced to a remarkable woman often referred to as the "Proverbs 31 Woman" or "Super Woman." Even in a male-dominated society, her qualities go far beyond the traditional roles. Today’s passage emphasizes that her husband trusts her, and because of this mutual trust and partnership, both he and their marriage flourish. Think about this: The passage describes a healthy marriage where neither partner lords over the other. Instead, there’s a bond of trust flowing in both directions, and that trust is what allows the marriage to prosper. Have you known a marriage like this? How does mutual trust impact the strength of a relationship? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E354 · Sat, December 21, 2024
Send us a text Speak Up 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. In this passage from Proverbs, we see again that God cares deeply for those who cannot help themselves. Those with power—whether kings or anyone with influence or wealth—are given a divine duty to speak up for the poor, needy, and helpless, ensuring they receive justice. Think about this: Do you use your voice to stand up for those who have none? Do you speak out for the desolate, for those in need of justice, and for the poor and needy around you? Micah 6:8 reminds us: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" It's a call to live out God’s heart for justice, mercy, and humility in our own lives. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E353 · Fri, December 20, 2024
Send us a text Drunk 6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. 7 Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. Verses 6 and 7 can be tricky to interpret. One common understanding is that strong drink might be permissible to help those who are terminally ill cope with pain, much like how we use certain medications today. Psalm 104 also reflects a more nuanced view of alcohol, stating that God provides wine to "make the heart of man glad." Verse 7 of the proverb suggests that those who are bitter in soul—whether worn down by poverty or hard work—might benefit from wine to relax and find some joy. However, this is not permission to get drunk. In Jewish society, the idea that Proverbs promotes drunkenness would be shocking. It’s more about using wine in moderation to find relief, not to indulge in excess. The balance here is important: there’s a place for things like wine to ease burdens, but always within reason and never to the point of drunkenness. Listen: No matter what you hear, you know the world is against Gods Word. Alcohol.. IS BAD! It ruins lives and separates you from God. Just don’t! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E352 · Thu, December 19, 2024
Send us a text Drink Drank 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. 5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. All leaders, from kings to those in smaller roles, have a special responsibility to ensure justice for all their followers. Anything that impairs a leader’s judgment—whether it's alcohol, drugs, or even extreme fatigue—is condemned in Proverbs because it affects their ability to lead fairly. I’ve observed over the years that many leaders, such as those in businesses and schools, have been forced to resign after being caught for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), highlighting the importance of a clear mind in leadership. James 3:1 warns us, "Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment." This applies to all leaders, not just teachers. Leaders are judged for their own actions, but they are also held accountable for the actions and well-being of those they lead. It’s a sobering reminder of the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. Think about this: Have you ever gotten drunk—really sloshy drunk? While you may not be a prince or king, you are still called to lead others toward Yahweh’s unconditional love. If you get drunk, the people you lead will likely follow you into that same behavior, not toward God’s presence. Your example matters. As a leader, even in small ways, your actions either guide others toward a deeper relationship with God or steer them away. It’s important to reflect on the kind of influence you want to have on those around you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E351 · Wed, December 18, 2024
Send us a text Women? 1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. 2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. This proverb isn’t telling young men to avoid all women. Instead, it’s a warning against relationships with multiple women and against lustful or promiscuous behavior. It’s a call for monogamy, not a rejection of love or marriage. Proverbs often warns against falling into the trap of lust, which can lead to harmful choices. Jesus takes this even further, making it clear that it’s not just about physical actions. In Matthew 5:28, He says, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This shows how serious even our thoughts are when it comes to purity. Think about this: Our society often promotes the idea that if you love—or more accurately, lust for—someone, then sex is acceptable. Additionally, pornography, among men and women, is widely accessed. Both are sinful according to Scripture. Do you struggle with these issues? If so, it’s important to address them and seek God’s help in overcoming these temptations. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E350 · Tue, December 17, 2024
Send us a text Nose Butter 32 If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame. 33 As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels. I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating: check out the Book of James, Chapter 3. It talks about how hard it is to control what we say. When I’m tempted to respond with a sharp word, I pray that God will help me keep my lips shut. On the occasions when I forget to ask for that help, I often regret what I’ve said. Proverbs makes it clear: sometimes the best thing to do is to put your hand over your mouth. Despite what pop psychology may say, venting your anger isn’t cathartic or healthy. Verse 33 reminds us that stirring up your anger only leads to more anger, which becomes stronger and harder to control. Let me ask you: What steps do you need to take to control your tongue and avoid saying things you’ll later regret? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E349 · Mon, December 16, 2024
Send us a text Three Other Things 29 There are three things that walk with stately stride— no, four that strut about: 30 the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything, 31 the strutting rooster, the male goat, a king as he leads his army. This proverb puzzled me too. Usually, when it says "there are three things… four which are stately," you expect four things to be listed, but there are only three mentioned in a lot of the major translations. It turns out that the original Hebrew text is unclear. The New Living Translation, which I use here, adds "a rooster when it struts,” back into the removed text.. which fits the context of things that appear stately. The editors of those other translations left out the rooster, but the overall message is still clear: kings, dictators, and other leaders can create impressive displays of pageantry, even though the proverb doesn’t say this is good—just that power allows them to do so. Note: My cat might ask, "Lions? What about me?" Let me ask you: Does your sense of self-worth depend on putting on a façade to impress others, like those in power often do to maintain their image? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E348 · Sun, December 15, 2024
Send us a text Wise Critters 24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: 25 Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. 26 Hyraxes—they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. 27 Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. 28 Lizards—they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces. The proverb highlights the small but wise creatures in nature. Ants, though tiny, thrive even in a desert by gathering food when moisture is available, ensuring they survive through the long dry periods. Conies, or rabbits, in barren landscapes make their homes in the cracks of rocks, safe from fierce predators like bears, which can’t reach or dislodge them. In the South, before air conditioning, we could add the mosquito, small and weak but always able to find its way through even the best-maintained screens. These creatures remind us of the incredible complexity of God’s Creation and how each one is uniquely designed to thrive in its environment. Think about this: How do you fit into God’s Creation? What unique role or purpose has He designed for you to fulfill in the world He has so intricately formed? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E347 · Sat, December 14, 2024
Send us a text Dictators 21 There are three things that make the earth tremble— no, four it cannot endure: 22 a slave who becomes a king, an overbearing fool who prospers, 23 a bitter woman who finally gets a husband, a servant girl who supplants her mistress. Hitler is perhaps the most infamous example of a servant-turned-ruler who became unbearable for the world. Another was Idi Amin, who rose from being a simple foot soldier to the brutal dictator of Uganda. Like Hitler, Amin’s rule was marked by cruelty and brutality, a history we must never forget, much like the Holocaust and the Killing Fields of Cambodia. It’s also tragic when a person, whether a man or a woman, is unloved in marriage, and a servant becoming heir to her mistress would have been a great upheaval in the social order of the time. Think about this: Why is a fool who is full of food so unbearable? Remember, Proverbs equates a fool with someone who mocks God, disregards Scripture, and rebels against the natural laws of creation. Such a person, full of resources but lacking wisdom and humility, becomes arrogant and even more difficult to bear. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E346 · Fri, December 13, 2024
Send us a text Eww, Gross 20 An adulterous woman consumes a man, then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?” The proverb reminds us that we are capable of rationalizing our actions. Somehow we all are able to justify doing things that are blatantly and obviously wicked. Let me ask you: An earlier proverb spoke of how two true friends serve to sharpen each other. True friends will tell you when you are rationalizing your actions, not just what you want to hear. Do you have such a true friend? Are you a true friend to someone else? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E345 · Thu, December 12, 2024
Send us a text A.I. Love 18 There are three things that amaze me— no, four things that I don’t understand: 19 how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman. Last week, I heard two AI experts mention that while AI can mimic how people talk when they’re in love, it’s only rearranging words based on syntax—it doesn’t truly understand what it’s expressing. The complexity of a man’s feelings for a woman, for example, is far beyond a computer’s comprehension. I can barely put into words, the love of MY life. I certainly wouldn’t trust a computers definition. Think about this: When an AI mimics love, it’s really just reflecting what the programmer defines as love. The hardest kind of love to replicate is “Agape Love”—the selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus showed for all of God’s creatures. This form of love goes beyond feelings and actions; it’s rooted in a deep, unconditional care that’s hard for any machine to grasp. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E344 · Wed, December 11, 2024
Send us a text Never Satisfied There are three things that are never satisfied— no, four that never say, “Enough!”: 16 the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing fire. 17 The eye that mocks a father and despises a mother’s instructions will be plucked out by ravens of the valley and eaten by vultures. Agur offers riddles about things that are never satisfied: the grave (Sheol), which will always accept more as long as people live; a woman longing for a child, who won't feel content until she has one; and wildfires, like those in California, that consume more and more even when efforts are made to stop them. He also mentions how in arid regions, flash floods happen because the hard, dry ground can't absorb the rare rains. The Ten Commandments instruct us to honor our parents, but Agur reminds us of the serious consequences of not doing so. Think about this: God didn’t include "Honor your parents" in the Ten Commandments as just a suggestion. Respect for parents is key to the strength and health of families. Unfortunately, modern media often undermines this. Movies and sitcoms that portray fathers as bumbling fools or parents as clueless targets for ridicule may seem funny, but they harm family dynamics. Teen movies that highlight rebellion or depict parents as "too out of touch" make teenage angst and moodiness seem normal, encouraging disrespect rather than fostering healthy relationships. Honoring our parents is essential for families and society to thrive. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E343 · Tue, December 10, 2024
Send us a text Vampires and Leeches 13 They look proudly around, casting disdainful glances. 14 They have teeth like swords and fangs like knives. They devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity. 15 The leech has two suckers that cry out, “More, more!” Yesterday, Agur spoke of two types of depraved people: those who harm slaves and those who dishonor and harm their parents. Today, he describes two more: proud, arrogant individuals who are consumed by their own desires, and oppressors who prey on the poor, draining the life out of the needy like vampires. Think about this: Sometimes these "devouring jaws" come with a veil of respectability, such as certain laws or policies that manipulate or oppress the poor and needy. It's important to recognize how seemingly respectable systems can still cause harm. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E342 · Mon, December 09, 2024
Send us a text Slander-less 10 Never slander a worker to the employer, or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it. 11 Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother. 12 They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed. The first proverb warns against slandering a servant and abusing him verbally. It's important to consider his powerless position. If, because of your lies, his master punishes or even kills him, the servant will curse you, and God will hear that curse and hold you accountable for the slander. Verses 11 and 12 remind us of the time of the Book of Judges, when everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes, which often led to dishonoring parents and breaking the Ten Commandments. Sadly, this same attitude can be seen today—people sometimes justify doing wrong by saying, "It seemed okay to me." Think about this: No matter how we justify breaking God's laws, it doesn’t make those actions right. For example, maybe you think that God didn’t really mean for tithing to be 10%, as long as you give something when you can. But breaking the laws found in Scripture is never justified, even if it feels right to us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E341 · Sun, December 08, 2024
Send us a text No Genie 7 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Agur asks for two things from God. First, he prays that God would help him avoid lying, which is understandable since Scripture teaches that God sees lying as a serious sin. His second prayer is for moderation. While many people pray for blessings with the hope of becoming rich, Agur doesn’t want wealth. He understands that riches often cause people to rely on their money instead of on God. On the other hand, he also doesn’t want to experience poverty, because it might lead him to steal in order to survive. Agur’s desire for balance between wealth and poverty reflects his wisdom and trust in God. Let me ask you: If God granted you only two wishes, would you ask for the same things as Agur, or would you choose something else? What two wishes would you ask for? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E340 · Sat, December 07, 2024
Send us a text Don't Add 5 Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. 6 Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. Agur praises God for His word, which offers protection to those who trust in Him. But we can only rely on God's word if we truly know what it says. There’s a warning against altering God’s word. If we change it, God will see us as liars—and He despises lies. One common misquote today is, "God helps those who help themselves." In reality, Scripture teaches that God helps those who cannot help themselves. Think about this: How well do you know God’s Word? We’ve almost finished studying Proverbs, but this is just one part of God’s revelation. There’s a parable from India about three blind men encountering an elephant for the first time. Each man feels a different part of the elephant—tusk, trunk, and leg—and describes the elephant based on their limited experience. Likewise, people sometimes base their view of God on a small portion of Scripture they’ve encountered. While God is certainly present in Proverbs, He is so much more than that. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E339 · Fri, December 06, 2024
Send us a text Basic Homeboy 4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know! Yesterday, Agur, a simple and humble man, admitted he wasn’t well-versed in wisdom. But today, he asks some straightforward yet profound questions that make us realize we’re not as wise as we might think. The answer to all his questions is God—except for that last one: “What is His son’s name?” This question was asked nearly 1,000 years before Jesus was born. Makes you wonder if Agur wasn’t as simple as he let on. Think about this: It’s one thing to know that Jesus is God’s son—Satan knows that too. But the real question is: Do you trust God’s son with your life? More specifically… Are you truly, BORN AGAIN? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E338 · Thu, December 05, 2024
Send us a text Rick Son of Richard 1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message. I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. 2 I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. Chapter Thirty of Proverbs introduces Agur as the narrator. While we don’t know much about him, his words suggest that he speaks with great humility, making his style particularly enjoyable. I really do enjoy his styled a lot of times..it could be ME as narrator. Think about this: Is it always prideful to claim to be the most humble person, or could it sometimes be a genuine statement? While such a claim might sound boastful, there may be rare cases where someone could honestly recognize their humility, especially if it’s said with a heart of true self-awareness and not for self-praise. The key lies in the intention behind the words. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E337 · Wed, December 04, 2024
Send us a text Fear and Unjust 25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord. 27 The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. The first proverb shows that the opposite of faith isn’t doubt, but fear. Reflecting on today’s politics, Verse 26 is a reminder that despite the chaos, God is still in control, and we should trust Him to bring justice in His own time. As a Christian, you may sometimes wonder why someone dislikes you, even when you’ve treated them with kindness and integrity. Verse 27 explains that dishonesty and righteousness are naturally opposed, and this tension can lead to conflict. Think about this: Do you agree with the statement that a person with no faith fears that God is not really in control? Without faith, it’s easy to feel uncertain or fearful about the future, whereas faith allows us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when things seem unclear. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E336 · Tue, December 03, 2024
Send us a text Angry Thief 22 An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. 23 Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. 24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify. The first proverb is a Duh! Verse 23 can be paraphrased by Jesus’ Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Verse 24 points out that God wasn’t kidding when he told us not to bear false witness. Let me ask you: Our society often equates meekness with weakness. In particular, meek people certainly won’t gain power over the earth. Was Jesus wrong? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E335 · Mon, December 02, 2024
Send us a text Pampered Servant 19 Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. 20 There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. 21 A servant pampered from childhood will become a rebel. The first proverb speaks about a servant who obeys only out of fear. This is the attitude of a reluctant servant, one who doesn’t have a real connection to their master. In Romans 8:15, Paul compares a slave and a son: "You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children, and now we call Him, 'Abba, Father.'" Verse 20 warns that speaking before thinking can lead to serious trouble. In ancient times, some trusted slaves could even become heirs to their master’s property. However, this proverb warns against over-indulging a servant, as it could lead them to forget their place, just as overly pampered servants could become bossy or demanding. Think about this: Are you known for offering thoughtful, wise comments, or are your remarks often rash and controversial? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E334 · Sun, December 01, 2024
Send us a text Wicked Sin 16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. 17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. 18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. The first proverb reminds us that while it may seem like evil wins at times, righteousness will ultimately prevail in the end. Verse 17 teaches that children appreciate parents who care enough to correct them. When parents guide and discipline their children, it shows love and concern for their well-being. Verse 18 highlights that God's laws are meant to be a blessing. In the Old Testament, judges rose up when the people forgot God’s commandments, and evil spread. When people lose sight of God's guidance, they start doing whatever seems right to them, leading to chaos. Think about this: Do you usually act based on what seems right in your own eyes, or do you check your sense of righteousness against God’s Scriptures? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E333 · Sat, November 30, 2024
Send us a text Lord’s Sight 13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common— the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. 14 If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever. 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. The first proverb reflects what Jesus said: "God sends the rain to fall on the just and the unjust." This reminds us that there are certain blessings, like sight, that God gives to everyone, regardless of whether they are good or bad. David was a king who, for the most part, judged the poor fairly. Sadly, the kings who came after him were not just, and within two generations, the kingdom split. Verse 15 doesn’t mean to physically punish children, but it emphasizes the need for children to understand that their parents are in charge. Parents aren’t supposed to be equals or best friends, as some modern views suggest. Children need guidance and direction, not total freedom. Think about this: Can you name some of the "just and unjust blessings" that God gives to everyone? Things like sunlight, air, and the beauty of nature are available to all, no matter who they are. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E332 · Fri, November 29, 2024
Send us a text Fools Vent 10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them. 11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. 12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked. The first proverb teaches that truly evil people seek to destroy those who are honest and upright. Verse 11 challenges the modern idea that venting anger is helpful or healing. Instead, venting anger can lead to destructive outcomes, like road rage or even violent acts. Verse 12 reminds us not to be surprised by the corruption in our leaders, especially in times filled with misinformation and fake news. Think about this: We need to pray for truth to prevail in our country so that the divisions and constant partisan bickering can be healed. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E331 · Thu, November 28, 2024
Send us a text Godly Care 7 The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. 8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger. 9 If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. We've encountered these three proverbs earlier in the Book of Proverbs, showing their importance. In Hebrews 5:12, the writer tells Christians: "You need milk, not solid food. Those who live on milk are like children, unskilled in righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, those who have learned to discern good from evil through practice." When proverbs are repeated, it emphasizes their significance and the need to follow them. As the Book of James says, "Faith without works is dead." Think about this: Are you still relying on the spiritual "milk" you had when you first accepted Jesus, or have you moved on to the "solid food" of a mature Christian? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E330 · Wed, November 27, 2024
Send us a text Kings and Friends 4 A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it. 5 To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet. 6 Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. Verse 4 explains how bribes are completely against God's design. They lead to injustice by giving power to the rich and strong while hurting the weak and poor. I initially misunderstood Verse 5 by thinking the "his" referred to the flatterer. But here's a clearer version: When someone flatters their neighbor, they are setting a trap. If the neighbor starts to believe the flattery and thinks they’re better than they really are, they’ll likely fail. Verse 6 shows that sin traps the sinner. Even though sinners may think they have control, their sin pulls them in deeper and deeper. Think about this: Bribes can destroy a country. In today's context, super PACs and lobbyists can have a similar negative effect. We should pray for justice in our country. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E329 · Tue, November 26, 2024
Send us a text Stubborn Critic 1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. 2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. The first proverb explains that if someone is corrected many times but refuses to listen or change (by being stubborn), they will eventually face the consequences of their bad decisions. Verse 2 is pretty clear. Verse 3 highlights that every parent feels proud when their child makes wise choices. But foolish choices, like spending money on a prostitute, not only waste the child's resources but also bring shame and embarrassment to the family. Think about this: No one really enjoys being criticized. How do you react when someone you care about corrects you? What about when it comes from someone you don’t like? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E328 · Mon, November 25, 2024
Send us a text Hidey Hole 27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. 28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish. The first proverb shows God's deep concern for those who are destitute and helpless. Verse 28 is straightforward: when wicked people are in power, others hide in fear. But when that evil regime falls, people turn to the righteous for leadership and help. Let me ask you: What do you do when you see someone homeless with a sign asking for help? Do you offer assistance, or do you turn away? It's true that not everyone begging truly needs help, but we can still choose to act with compassion. One approach, something Ive seen in the past, is to create "Blessing Bags." These bags contain essentials like socks, protein bars, water, and hand sanitizer. We keep a few in our cars, so when we encounter someone in need, we offer them a blessing bag. It’s a simple, practical way to help. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E327 · Sun, November 24, 2024
Send us a text Daddy’s Money 24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer. 25 Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. 26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. Verse 24 echoes one of the Ten Commandments, reminding us of its timeless importance. Verse 25 emphasizes that greed leads to conflict and violence, while trusting in God brings true life and peace. Verse 26 points out that a self-made man, trusting only in himself, is a fool. True wisdom comes from recognizing that God is in control of both the world and our individual lives. Think about this: Trusting solely in yourself is just another form of Pride, one of the seven deadly sins. Yes, God may have blessed you with many talents, but there will come a time when your own strength won’t be enough to handle life’s challenges. At that point, you will either break or learn to fully trust in the Lord with all your heart. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E326 · Sat, November 23, 2024
Send us a text Dr. Seuss? 21 Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. 22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. 23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. A friend recently told me that we shouldn’t dwell on bad things that have happened to us in the past. Rather, we should look at the present and recognize those things God has done for us for which we can be thankful. We know we should not show partiality nor take a bribe. However, once we take a bribe, even a very small bribe, our integrity and our soul has been damaged so that it will be easier in the future to take another bribe. Chasing after money always has bad result. We need to chase after God’s purpose for our lives. Flattery only wins you points with a gullible person. You will be respected if you “meant what you said and said what you meant (an elephant is truthful, 100%).” from Horton Hatches a Who by Dr. Seuss. Let me ask you: Do you try to influence others by telling them what they need to hear or what they want to hear? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E325 · Fri, November 22, 2024
Send us a text Crooked Food 18 The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. 19 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. 20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. Walking blamelessly is the right path, but straying from it leads to consequences. Verse 19, written long before modern welfare systems, emphasizes a simple principle: if you work, you eat; if you don’t, you won’t. Verse 20 explains that a rich person can be blessed, though not necessarily with material wealth. If you make getting rich the focus of your life, you will face consequences because your true purpose is to worship God, not money. Think about this: Having money isn’t sinful, but loving it, worshiping it, or being greedy for it is. How much do you desire money? Are you able to keep it in its proper place, or does it control you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E324 · Thu, November 21, 2024
Send us a text Lions and Bears, Oh My! 15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. 16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. 17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! Proverbs isn’t against rulers and kings in general, but it strongly opposes wicked rulers and tyrants. Verse 16 assures us that if we resist the temptation to gain wealth through sinful means, we will live longer and more fulfilling lives. Verse 18 emphasizes that God’s people should never support or justify someone who commits murder. Think about this: Does Verse 18 mean there is no hope for a murderer? Not at all. Even the most hardened criminals are not beyond hope. The Good News is that if they truly confess their sins, repent, and are genuinely sorry—not just for getting caught but for their wrongs—God will forgive them. However, this doesn’t mean they escape the consequences of their actions. God’s forgiveness isn’t a "Get-out-of-Jail-Free" card. They may be forgiven spiritually and receive eternal life, but they still have to face the earthly consequences of their sins. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E323 · Wed, November 20, 2024
Send us a text Take Charge 12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. 13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. 14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. The first proverb teaches that when good people are rewarded, there is peace in all of creation, but when evil prevails, everything seems to fall apart, like trying to survive by eating sand. 1 John 1 builds on the message of Verse 13, saying that if we claim to be without sin, we are only deceiving ourselves. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all wrongdoing. Verse 14 can be paraphrased as: If we remember that we are God's creation, not the Creator, we will find peace. But if we try to take the role of the Creator, we are bound to fail and be unhappy. Think about this: To receive forgiveness for the wrong things we do, we need to confess our sins instead of hiding them out of shame. By turning away from our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness, we are given grace. That is the Good News! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E322 · Tue, November 19, 2024
Send us a text The Law 9 God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. 10 Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. 11 Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. In Verse 9, we learn that if a person turns away from God's commandments, even a beautifully spoken prayer will be rejected by God. Jesus echoed the message of Verse 10 when He said, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea." Verse 11 reminds us that while a rich person may think money gives them importance, a poor person often understands that true value doesn’t come from wealth. Think about this: Some people find their sense of importance in their wealth, their job, or their education. But our real self-worth comes from the fact that God loves us—not because of what we do, but because we are His creation. Whether rich or poor, no matter our skin color, education, or power, God loves us all equally! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E321 · Mon, November 18, 2024
Send us a text Poor and Honest 6 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. 7 Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. 8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. If you have to choose between money and integrity, always choose integrity. Once lost, integrity is extremely difficult to regain. What does following the law have to do with gluttony? God’s law sees gluttony as a sin, and it’s one of the seven deadly sins. Why? Because gluttony wastes resources that could be used to help those in need. Loan sharking is also forbidden, and even if someone engages in it, God will ultimately make sure that the money ends up back with the poor. Think about this: Besides wasting God’s resources, why else do you think gluttony is considered a sin? Perhaps it reflects an unhealthy focus on indulging oneself rather than caring for others or honoring God’s provision. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E320 · Sun, November 17, 2024
Send us a text Poor Completely 3 A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. 4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. 5 Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely. Today's proverbs are pretty straightforward. You might wonder why it's considered worse for a needy man to oppress the poor than for a rich man. The reason is that a needy man, having experienced hardship, should have empathy for those he’s mistreating. It's bad for a rich man to oppress the poor, but even worse for someone who knows what it's like to struggle. Verse 4 explains that lawbreakers often praise wicked people because they reject the very laws that are rooted in Scripture. In contrast, those who respect the law stand against lawbreakers. Verse 5 points out that evil people don’t understand justice because true justice comes from God's wisdom. Those who seek God will find wisdom and, with it, a true sense of justice. Think about this: Are you aware of any instances where the poor are being oppressed in your community? If so, what are you doing to address it? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E319 · Sat, November 16, 2024
Send us a text Run or Rot 1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. 2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. Wicked people often live in fear, constantly afraid of losing their power. Take Stalin, for example—he ruled Russia with absolute power and had 20 million people killed because he feared others might take control. Yet, despite all his power, it only lasted about 30 years. On the other hand, Jesus, known as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, was bold and fearless, even in the face of death. He rose from the dead and conquered death, giving Christians the courage to be bold like lions, knowing they are on the side of righteousness. While some may die for their faith, they are confident in eternal life. Verse 2 notes that in times of rebellion and civil unrest, many people vie for power. But when a country is at peace, it's because it is led by someone with wisdom and understanding. Think about this: Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus, the Lion of Judah? If not, you can meet Him through Scripture. If you're not familiar with the Bible, a great place to start is the Book of John. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E318 · Fri, November 15, 2024
Send us a text Hey Goat! 25 After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears and the mountain grasses are gathered in, 26 your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will provide the price of a field. 27 And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, your family, and your servant girls. Today's three verses remind us that God's creation is meant to provide enough nourishment for all living things, including people. However, the sad truth is that many people in the world still go hungry. There is plenty of food for everyone, but despots, tyrants, and even bureaucracies often control its distribution and use it as a weapon. It’s important that we stand against those who misuse power in this way. Think about this: Before each meal, do you take a moment to thank God for His blessings? Do you say grace, even when you're with friends in public? If your friends start eating without praying, do you pause for a silent prayer of thanks? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E317 · Thu, November 14, 2024
Send us a text Flocks and Riches 23 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, 24 for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation. If someone owns many sheep but doesn’t take care of them, many could die from sickness or starvation. Verse 23 is often applied to pastors. If a pastor only focuses on the number of people attending church but ignores their spiritual needs or doesn’t teach them from God’s Word, the church will eventually fall apart. Verse 24 reminds us that wealth doesn’t last forever. We might remember who was rich in 1950, but not in 1650 or 1750. Riches fade away, but God’s Word has stood the test of time for thousands of years. Think about this: Wealth won’t help us after we die. Instead, focus your heart on things that have lasting, eternal value. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E316 · Wed, November 13, 2024
Send us a text If 20 Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. 21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. 22 You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle. Verse 22 presents us with a humorous example of how deep-rooted foolishness is. Praise and flattery can easily distort ones view of oneself. Verse 21 is beautifully described in the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling. In high school I read the poem, and it has affected my life-view. If you aren’t acquainted with the poem, it has deep meaning and has Wisdom like that found in Proverbs. Let me ask you: What do you think of the following poem? If … by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at<a href='%20https://ww
S1 E315 · Tue, November 12, 2024
Send us a text Iron Sharpens Iron 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. 18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. 19 As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. True friends are honest with each other and don’t use flattery. Sometimes friends will disagree, but the tough conversations help strengthen the relationship rather than weaken it. Verse 18 teaches that persistence and hard work will eventually pay off, while verse 19 reminds us that a person’s true character is revealed by their actions, not just their words. What’s in a person’s heart is shown by how they live. Think about this: Do you have a friend with whom you can be completely honest without worrying about losing the friendship? If so, you’re truly blessed. If not, it’s worth seeking out such a friendship, remembering that to build that kind of trust, you need to allow yourself to be vulnerable. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E314 · Mon, November 11, 2024
Send us a text Deposit Slip Up 13 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. 14 A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse! 15 A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day. 16 Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands. Verse 13 warns against making foolish decisions, like putting up collateral for a stranger. If someone is careless enough to do that, you should hold them accountable to their word, even if it was a foolish promise. Similarly, investing in an unreliable person, like a wayward woman, is also unwise, but they too should be held to their vows. God values keeping promises and doesn’t approve of breaking your word. Verse 14 points out that not everyone is a morning person, so don’t try to force them into being one—it won’t go well! Verses 15 and 16 compare a nagging, argumentative spouse to a form of torture, like water dripping endlessly, making life miserable. Think about this: Are you someone who nags or constantly argues over things? Being contentious and nagging often become habits. You can break this pattern by developing the habit of truly listening to others www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E313 · Sun, November 10, 2024
Send us a text Neighbors and Brothers | 10 Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. 11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics. 12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Verse 10 suggests that while a distant family member might have an obligation to help you in a time of crisis, it’s often better to have close friends who will step up out of genuine friendship rather than duty. Verse 11 emphasizes that a wise son brings joy and relief to his father. Since wisdom comes from God, a father can feel confident that his son is trusting in God’s guidance. Verse 12 brings to mind how Jesus wept over Jerusalem, foreseeing the destruction that would come from the Jewish leaders' political rebellion against Rome. About 35 years after Jesus' prophecy, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem completely, fulfilling His warning. Think about this: Today, we see a growing divide between the very rich and the very poor. Is there something a wise and prudent person can do to help ease this divide? Could this disparity lead to societal collapse or even civil war? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E312 · Sat, November 09, 2024
Send us a text Birds Nests 8 A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest. 9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Verse 8 can be interpreted in a few ways: One possibility is that it’s about wandering away from a faith community, where we find mutual support. Without that community, a person might become lonely or more vulnerable to temptation without the help of fellow believers. Another interpretation is comparing it to a bird leaving its nest, exposing its eggs to danger and becoming prey to hawks or humans. Similarly, when a person leaves the safety and comfort of their home, they may become vulnerable to the evils and dangers of the world. A third possibility is that it highlights the contrast between a bird sitting on a nest, which is grounded, and a bird soaring through the sky, enjoying a freedom that no other animal has. This might symbolize how traveling or exploring new places can free a person from narrow-mindedness or provincial thinking. Verse 9 tells us that a true friend’s advice is valuable because it comes from someone who genuinely cares about us, even when the advice is hard to hear. How would you interpret Verse 8? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E311 · Fri, November 08, 2024
Send us a text Bitter Honey 4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous. 5 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. 7 A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry. Verse 4 highlights how destructive anger, wrath, and jealousy can be. Verse 5 reminds us that if we truly love someone, we should show it through both our words and actions. Verse 6 explains that a true friend will tell us the hard truth, even if it’s not what we want to hear. On the other hand, an enemy may tell us what we want to hear, but not the truth. Verse 7 brings to mind a mission trip I took with some teenagers to the Gulf Coast, after a hurricane. Some of the kids were upset because they didn’t have their latest electronic games, and they were even more frustrated when they couldn’t use them without electricity. Meanwhile, the local kids were content playing simple games like tossing stones in puddles or rolling an old tire down the road. Even with very little left after a disaster, they found joy in simple, non-commercial toys. Think about this: Is your soul truly content and grateful for all the blessings in your life? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E310 · Thu, November 07, 2024
Send us a text Heavy Stone 1 Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. 2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier. Jesus called a rich man a fool for planning to build bigger barns, knowing he would die before those plans could happen. This reminds us that no one, not even the rich or powerful, can control the future—only God can. Verse 2 teaches that it's better to have someone else praise you rather than bragging about yourself. Verse 3 describes how frustrating it is to deal with a fool. It’s compared to trying to dig in sand—no matter how much you move, it keeps filling back in, or hitting a huge, heavy stone that’s impossible to move. Dealing with a fool is even harder than that. Think about this: I’ve known college athletes who had big dreams of going pro in football, soccer, or baseball. When they got injured, they felt lost and didn’t know what to do next. Do you plan your life months in advance? It may not be wise, because there are so many things beyond your control. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E309 · Wed, November 06, 2024
Send us a text Spiders Web 27 If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. 28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin. These two proverbs are captured well by Sir Walter Scott’s famous quote: "O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." Think about this: The goal of flattery is to manipulate someone by exaggerating or outright lying. We often excuse flattery by saying it’s harmless, thinking it just makes the person feel good. But in reality, it can make them feel better about themselves than they should. Flattery is dishonest and a form of false testimony. It’s a sin. Do you use flattery to get what you want? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E308 · Tue, November 05, 2024
Send us a text Rico Suave’ 23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. 24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. 25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils. 26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. This proverb warns against hypocrisy. Jesus put it this way: "You hypocrites are like whitewashed tombs—nice-looking on the outside but full of decay and filth on the inside." Think about this: An evil-minded hypocrite might say, "Don’t judge me, you hypocrite!" as a way to distract others from their own bad intentions. Verse 25 tells us not to trust a wicked person. God doesn't want us to be blind to what's really going on or to fall into traps set by bad people. Instead, we should rely on the Holy Spirit to help us see whether someone’s words come from a good or bad place. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E307 · Mon, November 04, 2024
Send us a text Can’t Stand the Heat 20 Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. 21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. 22 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. Today's message from Proverbs is pretty obvious: without gossip, arguments will die down. But a quarrelsome person keeps things going, like adding fuel to a fire, just because they like stirring up trouble. Why does gossip hang around? It’s just human nature. Many people hold onto juicy gossip, keeping it tucked away until they get a chance to share it with someone else. Think about this: Do you help keep controversy alive by gossiping? If someone at your church does something scandalous, do you spread the news? What should you do instead? In Matthew 18, there's a clear process for dealing with sin in the church. Rather than gossiping or ignoring the issue, you should follow this process, which aims to restore the person to God and the church. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E306 · Sun, November 03, 2024
Send us a text Lazy AND Crazy 16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors. 17 Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears. 18 Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon 19 is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.” The lazy person's self-importance is foolish. Jumping into other people's arguments is as risky as trying to break up a dog fight—you’re likely to get hurt. Just like someone who fakes being angry to cause trouble, a person who harms their neighbor and then says, "Just kidding!" is not to be trusted. Think about this: In our society, verse 17 might make it seem like we should never get involved in other people's problems. But if someone is being abused—whether it's a wife, child, or even a husband—we must stand up for those who are weak and vulnerable. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E305 · Sat, November 02, 2024
Send us a text Lazy Bones 13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!” 14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. 15 Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. Today's three verses highlight the problem of laziness, which is also one of the seven deadly sins. The verses even include some humor—like the image of someone running around, shouting about lions in the streets, which is similar to Chicken Little running around, saying the sky is falling. It also talks about how lazy a person can be if they grab food but don’t even bother to eat it! Take a moment to think: Do you know anyone who avoids doing important things just to spend time on Facebook or Twitter? What about you? Is your phone always in your hand so you don’t miss out? Do you post prayers for a sick friend online instead of stopping by the store to grab something they actually need? Do you take funny selfies instead of visiting a friend who might be feeling lonely? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E304 · Fri, November 01, 2024
Send us a text Dog Puke 10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random. 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. 12 There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. Verse 10 of Proverbs has been tricky for translators, with various interpretations that don't always match up. But the message seems clear: if you hire a fool, their poor decisions will hurt many people. Likewise, if you hire someone without proper qualifications (just anyone who happens to come along), it can lead to harm as well. Verse 11 is blunt and vivid, comparing a fool’s behavior to insanity—doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results, like Einstein’s famous definition. Even when something doesn’t work, a fool keeps repeating it, hoping for a better outcome. Jesus may have had Verse 12 in mind when addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees. People who think they know everything about an infinite God have closed their minds to the idea that they might be wrong. Think about this: Do you keep trying to fix broken relationships using only your own wisdom? That’s a sign of foolishness. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E303 · Thu, October 31, 2024
Send us a text My Dog Bob 7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. 8 Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. 9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk. Some people can't tell a joke because they don't get the humor behind it. Similarly, verse 7 says that a fool can't explain a parable because they don't grasp the deeper meaning or truth it's meant to convey. Verse 8 compares honoring a fool to tying a stone to a sling—it misses the point entirely, just like a sling is useless with a stone that can't be thrown. Verse 9 warns that a fool's parable, like a drunk person not noticing a thorn bush, can cause harm. If someone believes the twisted message in a fool's parable, it can mislead or hurt them. Let me ask you: Are you good at telling jokes? Have you ever considered trying to share wisdom through parables? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E302 · Wed, October 30, 2024
Send us a text Foolish Fools 4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. 5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. 6 Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison! Proverbs teaches that fools hate wisdom (1:7, 1:22, 10:21, 23:9) and don't care about gaining understanding (18:2). In Proverbs 26:4-5, we find two verses that seem to contradict each other, but actually complement each other. The first warns us not to lower ourselves to a fool's level by engaging in their kind of argument, which often involves deceit, mockery, or anger. If we do, we end up looking just as foolish. However, verse 5 tells us that there are times when we should challenge a fool. To answer "according to his folly" means we need to point out the foolishness of their words, so they and others can see how ridiculous their argument is. In short, ignore a fool if their foolishness isn't causing harm, but speak up if their words could lead to a bad outcome. And remember, verse 7 advises against using a fool to deliver important messages. As Plato once said, “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they just want to talk.” Let me ask you: Do you have something meaningful to say? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E301 · Tue, October 29, 2024
Send us a text Sparrows and Horses 1 Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest. 2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. 3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back! Honor isn't meant for a fool. In Proverbs, a fool isn't someone with low intelligence, but someone who disobeys God's commandments and makes fun of His laws. Verse 2 is encouraging because it reminds us that when we follow God's will, some people may try to stop us or criticize our efforts, but their words won't have any lasting impact. Verse 3 uses humor, but it's a warning: if I don’t want to be punished, I need to avoid rebelling or mocking God's commandments. This means I must carefully study the Bible to understand what God wants. Not knowing God's commandments isn't an excuse for disobeying them. Think about it: ignoring or mocking God's laws is unwise and, according to the Scriptures, makes a person a fool. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E300 · Mon, October 28, 2024
Send us a text Muddy Waters 26 If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring. 27 It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself. 28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. The first proverb tells us to stand up for what’s right when it’s being challenged by evil. If a good person gives in to evil, it’s like a pure spring being stirred up and becoming dirty—their goodness is tainted. Verse 27 is hard to translate, and there might be some words missing. Here’s my take on it—though feel free to disagree. Honey tastes great when eaten in moderation, just like thinking about what’s honorable is good, as long as you don’t get stuck overthinking. Verse 28 can be paraphrased as: If you have no control over your emotions or actions, you leave yourself vulnerable to any and every temptation. Think about this: Have you ever felt overwhelmed by one temptation after another? When this happens, ask God’s Holy Spirit to fill your heart and mind with peace. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E299 · Sun, October 27, 2024
Send us a text North Winds 23 As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! 24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. 25 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. Verse 23 explains that negative, bitter words only cause anger and division, much like how a cold winter wind can chap your face. Verse 24 advises staying away from a nagging or argumentative person, whether it’s a woman or a man. Both nagging and being argumentative are habits that can spread. Verse 25 reminds me of when phone calls were expensive and often brought bad news. Once, my Uncle Dan called just to wish my dad a happy birthday, and my parents were so relieved it wasn’t bad news. That call felt like refreshing cold water to a thirsty soul, just as the proverb says. Think about this: What’s the best way to deal with a negative, argumentative person? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E298 · Sat, October 26, 2024
Send us a text Singing and Shame 20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.[a] 21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you. Scholars disagree on what Verse 20 means, but I like the interpretation that says it’s unwise to sing happy songs to someone who is grieving. Instead of helping, it can make them feel worse, like taking away a coat from someone in cold weather. The vinegar and soda reference is familiar to anyone who made a volcano in school. The mixture fizzes and bubbles, but eventually settles into quiet nothingness. Jesus’ command to love your enemies is echoed in Verse 21. Verse 22 continues this idea by saying that if you treat someone who has wronged you with kindness, it can cause them guilt and shame, like burning coals on their head. Think about this: If someone does something terrible to you and you hold onto anger and bitterness, you’re only hurting yourself, not them. Forgiveness brings you peace. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E297 · Fri, October 25, 2024
Send us a text Lame Foot 17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. 18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. 19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. The proverbs are straightforward and don’t need much explanation, but they are worth thinking about. Think about this: Are you mindful not to overstay your welcome when visiting someone? Do you ever give false witness about someone? This could even be gossip that turns out to be untrue. And do you have the integrity to stand by your friends, even when things get difficult for them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E296 · Thu, October 24, 2024
Send us a text Broken Bones 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. 16 Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! In Verse 14, people in hot, dry lands know the disappointment of seeing clouds but not getting any rain. It's the same kind of disappointment when someone promises something but doesn’t follow through. Children especially get excited about gifts and feel extra let down when they don’t receive them. Verse 15 tells us that confronting someone angrily isn’t the best way to change their mind. Wise, thoughtful words are more likely to have a positive outcome. Verse 16 encourages moderation. Can you have too much of a good thing? Absolutely. Too much honey can make you sick. Too much attention can make someone feel smothered. Too much power can make you lose sight of others’ needs. Think about this: When you make promises to children, do you always follow through? To God, promises made to children are just as important as promises made to adults. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E295 · Wed, October 23, 2024
Send us a text Timely Criticism 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. These three verses praise a well-timed and thoughtful word. Even if it’s something hard to hear, like a correction, if it’s spoken after prayer and with God’s wisdom, it will be welcomed. Think about this: Have you ever felt you had a helpful correction for someone but didn’t say it because you don’t like conflict? How will the person know they’ve done something wrong if no one tells them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E294 · Tue, October 22, 2024
Send us a text Neighbor Gossip 8 don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. This proverb is fitting for today’s society, where people can be sued for even the smallest things. For example, a thief once got stuck trying to slide down a store’s chimney and then sued the store for not having a safety grate to prevent it. I remember when a friend of mine got hurt in a car accident while riding with his brother. The insurance agent suggested that he should sue him to cover his medical bills. His parents told the agent he didn’t understand what family really means. Ralph Ketner, the founder of Food Lion, put it simply when asked why his company didn’t sue a TV show for falsely portraying them. He said, "No matter how right you are, if you wrestle with a skunk, you’ll end up smelling bad." Think about this: If a friend suggested that someone should sue for “pain and suffering” when they weren’t really hurt, what would you do? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E293 · Mon, October 21, 2024
Send us a text Sterling Audience 4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something, Verses 4 and 5 say that if you remove all the evil people around the king, the king’s government will be righteous. Politicians today try to follow this advice, but the problem is that when one party gets rid of wicked people, the other party often replaces them with their own. Jesus used Verses 6 and 7 to teach about humility. Don’t take the place of honor because you might be asked to give it up for someone else. Instead, choose a humble seat so that you can be invited to a higher position. Think about this: Do you think you need any lessons in humility? No? Are you proud of your humility? Give it some thought. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E292 · Sun, October 20, 2024
Send us a text God and King 1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind! The glory of kings is to seek out God's wisdom. Solomon was considered the wisest and most glorious king, though Solomon himself said that. Politically, he might have been wise—his 1,000 wives and concubines were alliances with other kingdoms. But he wasn’t wise enough to resist being influenced by his wives to worship their gods. History also shows that Solomon wasn’t a wise father, possibly because his own father, David, wasn’t either. This is one of the reasons I find the Bible believable—it presents us with imperfect people, flaws and all, except for Jesus. Think about this: God’s creation is incredibly complex, and some scientists uncover its secrets. But what happens if we discover these secrets without a moral guide? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E291 · Sat, October 19, 2024
Send us a text Sleepy Bandit 32 Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: 33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. In Proverbs 6:9-10, the lazy person was told to learn from the hardworking ant. Here, in Verses 32-34, we’re reminded that if we waste our lives being lazy when we should be working, our possessions will disappear, just like if a thief stole them. Laziness is clearly discouraged. Think about this: TV ads constantly tell us to pamper ourselves. They suggest we buy expensive chocolates, costly cell phones, or luxury shampoos because "we’re worth it." They encourage us to buy big SUVs for comfort or take unnecessary bubble baths. But these luxuries can drain our money—money we could instead use to help widows, orphans, and the poor. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E290 · Fri, October 18, 2024
Send us a text Payback 29 And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!” 30 I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. 31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. The first proverb is like the Golden Rule but in reverse. Instead of “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” it says, “Do not do to others as they have done to you.” Both are wise pieces of advice, even though they’re worded differently. Verses 30 and 31 warn against being lazy. Unlike the fatalistic thinking that says “What will be, will be,” Proverbs encourages people to work and actively participate in God’s creation. Think about this: What if someone hurt you deeply? Shouldn’t you get revenge? No, another proverb reminds us that vengeance belongs to God, not us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E289 · Thu, October 17, 2024
Send us a text Kiss Don’t Tell 26 An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship. 27 Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. 28 Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. Verse 27 is practical advice: Take care of the basics before pursuing comforts. Get a stable job before buying a house or expensive items. Make sure you have a reliable source of income before committing to costly projects. Verse 28 repeats one of the Ten Commandments: "Do not bear false witness." Think about this: Do you agree with the idea that necessities should come before comforts? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E288 · Wed, October 16, 2024
Send us a text Innocent Guilty 23 Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment. 24 A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. 25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them. Verse 23 tells us that showing favoritism, especially against the poor and powerless, is offensive to God. Verse 24 warns that calling evil people good causes division, which is something we see happening with some politicians today. Verse 25 promises that those who convict the guilty without favoritism toward the rich or powerful will receive God’s blessings. Think about this: You might feel like these verses don’t apply to you since you're not a judge, but you can still support fair and honest judges, and speak out against dishonest ones. Recently, a biased judge was removed because of public outcry. Honest citizens can make a real difference. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E287 · Tue, October 15, 2024
Send us a text Future Rebels | 20 For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. 21 My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels, 22 for disaster will hit them suddenly. Who knows what punishment will come from the Lord and the king? Verse 20 continues from the lesson from just a few days ago, where we learned that wisdom brings hope. This verse reminds us that the wicked have no such reward—evil people ultimately have no hope. Verse 21 encourages us to revere God, as that’s the start of wisdom and understanding. In contrast, Verse 22 warns that rejecting God leads to destruction. Verse 21 also tells us to respect the king. Since we don’t have a king, it makes sense to apply this to our political leaders: the president, senators, representatives, and local leaders like mayors. Think about this: You might feel frustrated or disgusted with the behavior of some political leaders. How can you respect them? One thing you can do is pray for them, asking that they come to know God personally. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E286 · Mon, October 14, 2024
Send us a text Don’t Fret 17 Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. 18 For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. 19 Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. All three verses today form one proverb. Verse 17 tells us not to be happy when our enemy fails. Even though it’s not mentioned here, we also shouldn’t feel bad when someone else gets a blessing we don’t. Jesus taught that God blesses people as He chooses, not based on our opinions. Remember, your enemy is still a person loved by God. While God may not approve of their actions, He still loves them. One of the Ten Commandments warns us not to covet, and that includes being jealous of others' good fortune. Verse 19 encourages us not to worry about evildoers, even when they seem to succeed. It’s not our job to manage wicked people—that’s God’s job. He’s in control and will handle wickedness. Think about this: Do you worry when you see wicked people prospering? This passage tells us to let go of that worry—God is still in control. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E285 · Sun, October 13, 2024
Send us a text My Honeycomb 13 My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. 14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. 15 Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live. 16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Verses 13 and 14 talk about the reward of gaining wisdom. We know that wisdom begins with a respect for God, and we’re told that gaining wisdom is as sweet to the soul as honey is to the tongue. The reward of wisdom isn’t fame, wealth, or power—it’s that you don’t lose hope. In a chaotic world, without wisdom, it’s easy to lose hope, even if you have success. Verses 15 and 16 remind us that moral actions matter. Proverbs doesn’t say that good people will never face problems, but it does promise that righteous people can survive hardships that would ruin the wicked. Think about this: The Bible tells us to be ready to share the hope we have. Do you still have hope, or have you lost it? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E284 · Sat, October 12, 2024
Send us a text I Didn’t Know 11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. 12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. Wisdom and understanding are not the same as education and cleverness. You can go to college for many years and still be a fool. Education and cleverness can’t replace the moral foundation that wisdom and understanding provide. During World War II, there were brave people who resisted the killing of Jews. Sadly, many others claimed, “We didn’t know this was happening.” But God judged their hearts. Think about this: Today, many terrible things are happening in the world. And in America, some people avoid thinking about human rights issues. Won’t God judge each of us based on our actions? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E283 · Fri, October 11, 2024
Send us a text Evil Failures 8 A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker. 9 The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker. 10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. Verses 8 and 9 compare the plans of a fool, a rebel, and a mocker. Proverbs has already made it clear that all these plans are sinful and deserve punishment. Verse 10 suggests that if you give up at the first sign of trouble, your faith is very weak. Think about this: When troubles come your way (and they will), do you rely only on yourself, or do you turn to God for help? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E282 · Thu, October 10, 2024
Send us a text War Advisor 5 The wise are mightier than the strong,[a] and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. 6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. 7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. The first proverb praises a man of wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom gives him power, and knowledge gives him strength. There are two kinds of wisdom: one comes from God’s Word, and the other comes from human effort. Power based on Scripture helps all people, while power based on human effort is selfish and harms others. Verse 6 seems to go against the saying "Too many cooks spoil the broth." In reality, "Victory is in many advisors" works when the advisors aren’t driven by ego or competition. Wise advice focuses on the best outcome, not personal gain. Think about this: Verse 7 says that a fool doesn’t know how to respond when faced with Scriptural wisdom. That makes sense, because a fool only relies on their own understanding, while Scriptural wisdom has been revealed over centuries. When you make decisions, do you rely on your own knowledge or wisdom revealed by God? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E281 · Wed, October 09, 2024
Send us a text Envy The Wise 1 Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. 2 For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble. 3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. 4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. Verses 1 and 2 warn us not to be jealous of evil people. Why would anyone envy them? Because sometimes it seems like wicked people are successful. The proverb doesn’t say it directly, but it implies that in the end, God will punish wickedness. Verses 3 and 4 highlight how much understanding, wisdom, and knowledge from God can achieve. While evil might win for a moment, God’s wisdom builds things that are beautiful, useful, and long-lasting. Think about this: Not too long ago, some car engineers figured out how to cheat emissions tests to save money on design costs. Management found out but didn’t report it because they were making a lot of money. This went on for years until independent tests exposed the cheating. The people involved wanted quick success in a corrupt company, but in the end, the company paid billions in recalls and fines, and the cheaters lost their jobs. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E280 · Tue, October 08, 2024
Send us a text Drunk Sailor 34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. 35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?” Verse 34 When the drinker drinks too much alcohol, he feels like someone on a ship. The drinker cannot walk in a straight line. He might shake. He might fall. He might be sick. Verse 35 Now the drinker hurts himself. But he might not feel the pain. The next day, he might feel terrible pains. These pains are called a ‘hangover’. But the drunk does not learn from his error. He will make the same mistake again, many times. This is because alcohol confuses the brain. The drunk does not realize that he must refuse alcohol. He thinks that he needs more alcohol. He supposes that alcohol will cure his problems. Really, alcohol causes all his problems. Think about this: Alcohol can have a strong hold on people. My father was an alcoholic. He got dementia later in life that was cause from abusing alcohol. That disease took a vibrant smart man and turned him into a vegetable, almost overnight. Do you know an alcoholic? Do you know what you can do to help? It can be tricky because you want to support them without enabling their behavior. One thing you can always do is pray for God to heal them. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E279 · Mon, October 07, 2024
Send us a text Wine Viper 31 Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. 32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. 33 You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. Not a whole lot of explaining to do with these verses. People who get drunk regularly may experience DT’s (Delirium Tremens) when they stop drinking. DT’s cause people to see strange things and get confused, just as the proverb warns. This is a strong warning against drunkenness. Think about this: Have you ever known someone who had DT’s? It’s a frightening experience. I saw it in the Navy… not fun. Now I know that drinking is an open door to demonic oppression. THAT and seeing someone with the D.T.s has made me decide to never drink. I won’t get drunk again. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E278 · Sun, October 06, 2024
Send us a text Avoid Hussies 28 She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful. 29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. In the first proverb, "she" refers to a prostitute or a wayward wife. The next two verses warn against getting drunk, but they don’t prohibit drinking wine. The focus is on staying sober. Even today, Jewish tradition emphasizes the importance of being sober at all times. Let me ask you: I have been around young people my whole life and have seen many many students get drunk. They didn’t do it to enjoy wine with a nice meal—they did it because they were away from their parents, wanted to rebel, or were trying to fit in like they saw in movies. After that first experience, some quit drinking, some drank in moderation, and others kept getting drunk (and often failed out of college). What about you? Have you ever been drunk? If so, do you still get drunk? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E277 · Sat, October 05, 2024
Send us a text Happy Parents 25 So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy. 26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. 27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well. Verses 25-26 The son must be careful about sex. Some women sell sex. They are like a deep hole that a hunter uses as a trap for animals. And some married women tempt other men. They are like a narrow well that a man cannot escape from (Jeremiah 38:6-8). Wells and holes are dangerous whether they are deep or narrow. And sex is dangerous, unless you are with your husband or wife. Sex can cause many troubles. Let me ask you: Did your parents have a strong and honorable marriage? If they did, you are blessed. If not, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed. God doesn’t judge you based on your parents’ actions. While not having a stable example can make it harder to navigate your own marriage, you can find guidance in the Scriptures and from godly friends to help you do and say the right things. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E276 · Fri, October 04, 2024
Send us a text Truth Bomb 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. 23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. 24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. Verses 22 If the son loves his parents, then he should listen to them. He should obey their instructions. And he should learn to be wise. Then his parents will be glad. They will have great joy, because their son will be a wise man. So, the son should choose the best things in life. He should not choose money or possessions. He should choose the truth. And he should choose wisdom, discipline and understanding. These qualities will cause the son to become a great man. A wise son is better than a rich son. A wise son is better than a famous son. And a wise son is much better than a foolish son. Verse 22 reminds us about God’s command in Exodus 20:12. Children should respect their parents. In verse 23, we cannot buy and sell truth with money. But truth and wisdom cost much in effort to obtain. So do wisdom and understanding. Think about this: Today, there are people who sell "truth." If you pay them, they can use the Internet to make a lot of people believe whatever they publish. But what they’re selling isn’t the real truth—it’s a way to influence votes, spread conspiracy theories, or justify racism or anti-Semitism. Do you ever fact-check the emails you receive or the social media posts you read? You should, so you don’t end up supporting something that’s already been proven false. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E275 · Thu, October 03, 2024
Send us a text Wise and Sober 19 My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. 20 Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, 21 for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags. Verses 19-21 The father warns his son. The son must not be greedy for food. And he must not be a drunk. This is because greedy people and drunks become lazy. They want only to eat and to drink. They do not want to work. Their expensive habits will waste all their money. This is how they become poor. Let me ask you: Have you ever been completely , flat out, blasted drunk? If so, have you asked God for forgiveness? If not, now is a good time to do so. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E274 · Wed, October 02, 2024
Send us a text Childs Reward 15 My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! 16 Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right. 17 Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. 18 You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed. Verses 15-16 But you will be glad if your child learns to be wise. You will be especially glad if you had to punish your child. You must teach your child to be wise. You must teach the child to respect God. And if you do the right things, your child will copy your behavior. And your child will also teach other people to be wise. Verses 17-18 Perhaps you are jealous because some evil people are wealthy. Or they are famous, or important (Psalm 73:3-5). But you must desire the right things. So do not be jealous when you see evil people. Instead, think about God. Remember that God loves you. Remember the things that God wants you to do. And God will reward you. Think about this: Who in your life are you giving advice to? You don’t need to be a professional counselor to share your love and joy in knowing God. You can tell anyone about your faith. Maybe they’ll listen, maybe they won’t, or it might take years for them to respond. Your job is to share, and let God take care of the rest. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E273 · Tue, October 01, 2024
Send us a text Spare and Spoil 13 Don’t fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won’t kill them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death Sometimes you need to punish a child with a smack. A smack will not kill your child. But a smack will teach him the right way to behave. And your child will learn how to live wisely. Your punishment now may save your child from a much worse punishment later in life. You could even save him from the evil behaviour that might cause his death. Perhaps you do not need to hurt your child in order to teach that child. The law in some countries may not allow you to hit your child. But you must teach your child. And you must stop your child when that child’s behaviour is wrong. Then the child will learn to do the right things. Think about this: Do you know someone who physically or verbally abuses a child? If so, you need to step in to protect the child. We’ve seen many times that God defends widows, children, the poor, and the helpless. You might make excuses like, “I’ll be told it’s none of my business,” or “He’s just toughening his son up.” But that’s no reason to stay silent. If you’re worried about your own safety, you don’t have to get involved directly. You can tell the child’s teacher or a pastor. By law, they must report any abuse to Social Services. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E272 · Mon, September 30, 2024
Send us a text Strong Knowledge 10 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans. 11 For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you. 12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. We’ve come across the first proverb before: Don’t move the boundary marker. God expects us to act with integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching. We’ve also seen Verse 11, which reminds us that God is the protector of orphans, widows, and the powerless. Don’t try to take advantage of them. Verse 12 encourages us to seek instruction and knowledge. But when we study, we need to discern whether the knowledge aligns with God’s wisdom or the world’s knowledge. Think about this: Many people believe the saying “The Lord helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible. It’s not! While Proverbs teaches that God expects us to work and not be lazy, the main message of the Bible is that God helps those who cannot help themselves—like the poor, widows, immigrants, and orphans. If God loves the helpless, so should we. Have you done anything to help the powerless in the last month? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E271 · Sun, September 29, 2024
Send us a text Stingy Peeps 6 Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. 7 They are always thinking about how much it costs.[a] “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it. 8 You will throw up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will be wasted. 9 Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice. Verses 6-8 Some people pretend to be our friends. But they do not care about us. They might say the right words. They might invite us to their homes. But they do not want to share their possessions with us. Instead, they want to keep their things for themselves. This is not a good attitude. We should not copy it. The first Christians were very generous. They shared their possessions (Acts 4:32-37). They did this because they loved each other. We might not copy their actions today. But we should still be generous. We should still invite people to our homes. And we should be glad to share our food with our guests (Hebrews 13:2). Verse 9 Solomon uses the word ‘fool’ to describe an evil person. This person hates God. So this person hates wisdom. This person does not want wise advice, because that advice would tell him to stop his evil behavior. He will not obey your wise words. See Matthew 7:6. Think about this: You can share advice from Scripture, but you can’t force anyone to accept the wisdom in it. Don’t stress about it. I heard this once, “Where most of us are, there’s no real knowing, but the hell-bent get where they are going.” In other words, some people are determined to follow their own path, no matter what advice they’re given. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E270 · Sat, September 28, 2024
Send us a text Blink Twice 4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Verses 4-5 The Book of Proverbs encourages us to work hard. But some people work too hard, because they want to become wealthy. These people suffer because they use all their energy in their work. Their families suffer too. We ought to be sensible. We can lose our money quickly. When we die, we cannot take our money with us (Luke 12:16-21; 1 Timothy 6:7). Many things matter more than money. Love is more important than money. Wisdom is more important than money. And God is more important than money or anything else. Think about this: Greed can be sneaky and cloud our judgment. I’ve received many emails from an African Prince offering millions of dollars if I help them smuggle money. They promise me 25%, 33%, or even 40% of the total—if I just give them my bank account details. Greed makes me want to believe it, but if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E269 · Fri, September 27, 2024
Send us a text Fat Cakes 1 While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. 2 If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; 3 don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you. Verses 1-3 A ruler does not invite you so that you can taste his fine food. He invites you because he wants to discuss serious matters with you. You should not think much about his food or his wine. But you must think about your words. Your advice must be good. You need to speak wise words. Solomon uses humor in verse 2. Normally you place your knife near your plate. But Solomon jokes that your knife should be near your neck. In your imagination, hold your knife there to warn you. Then you will remember that your life is short. You will remember not to be greedy. And you will remember to advise the ruler wisely. Solomon continues his advice in verse 3. Be careful if an important person invites you to a special meal. He could want you to do something for him. Nehemiah 2 explains this lesson. Nehemiah was the king’s servant. The king expected Nehemiah to be happy in the royal service. But Nehemiah had received sad news. So Nehemiah prayed to God. And he spoke carefully to the king. God answered Nehemiah’s prayer. And the king gave to Nehemiah the things that Nehemiah requested. Think about this: This proverb doesn’t seem to apply to me much since I don’t often dine with kings or the super-rich. However, I have been to dinners where get-rich-quick schemes or discounted vacation homes are offered. If the deals sound too good to be true, they probably are. These offers are like "deceitful food." Don’t risk your life savings on a plan that only works because of a tricky tax loophole the host discovered. As Verse 3 warns, if you indulge too eagerly, you may regret it later. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E268 · Thu, September 26, 2024
Send us a text Cheat the King 28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations. 29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people. The first proverb warns against moving boundary markers. Moving a marker would cheat someone out of their land, which is like stealing—a violation of the Ten Commandments. Since markers were often far out and rarely checked, moving one might not be noticed for years. By then, it could cause serious disputes and even conflict. The location of these markers was considered sacred. Verse 29 King Solomon built many great buildings. His workmen built palaces. And they built the magnificent Temple (house of God) in Jerusalem. Solomon respected a skilled workman. He knew that skills are important. He knew that a skilled workman deserves honor. As the king, Solomon selected the best workmen to work for him. We should learn skills. And we should learn them well. We should try to be experts at our work. When we work well, we honor God with our work. ‘In every kind of work, work hard! You are working for God. You are not really working for men. And you will receive God’s reward, because you are serving Christ. Think about this: Today, GPS makes boundary markers less important, but people can still cheat others in land deals. God still expects us to act with integrity in business. Slum landlords, for example, shouldn’t expect mercy from God if they exploit others. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E267 · Wed, September 25, 2024
Send us a text For A Hamburger Today 24 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. 26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. 27 If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. Verses 24 - 25 Anger causes many problems. Anger can cause fights and arguments. It can even cause wars. Avoid the company of people who have a bad temper. You will get into trouble. And, bad habits of friends, like anger, rub off. Verses 26 and 27 are common sense (that isn’t all that common). In particular, don’t agree to co-sign a loan. Also, don’t borrow using collateral you cannot afford to lose. Let me ask you: Do you have a friend who gets angry easily, losing their temper over small things? What does Verse 24 suggest you should do in this situation? Can you distance yourself from this friend without causing harm? And, do you actually want to distance yourself from them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E266 · Tue, September 24, 2024
Send us a text Rob or Defend 22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. 23 For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. The two verses in Proverbs combine into one clear message: Don’t take advantage of the weak and powerless. While the poor are mentioned specifically, this also includes widows, orphans, and immigrants. Verse 23 warns that God will defend them, and you don’t want to face a just and righteous God in a courtroom! Think about this: Do you know anyone who is really poor or powerless? For example, do you know any families that were driven from their homes by wildfires or floods and lost everything? Have you done anything to help them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E265 · Mon, September 23, 2024
Send us a text Hey You- Yes, YOU! 19 I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the Lord. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 21 In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. Verses 19-21 Wise lessons are valuable. And they are important. We need to study these lessons. We should learn them. These lessons teach us how we should live. And they will teach us how to answer other people’s questions. These verses teach us to trust in God and understand the truth so we can give good answers when people ask. To me, now..It feels like a shift from one type of proverb to another. There are 30 wise lessons in Proverbs 22:17 to Proverbs 24:22. The number ‘30’ was important to Solomon. It meant that there were many lessons. And they were great lessons. Other ancient books from different nations also contain 30 wise lessons. The people from these nations believed that their own books contained great lessons too. But the Bible is a special book. God provided the Bible to teach us how we should live. He helped the authors of the Bible to write the right things. And God guides us by the Bible today. Accurate Report? A report of hope.. Because I have hope within me, and I need to be ready to explain it when someone asks. I shouldn’t just refer them to my pastor, an expert, or the internet. I should seek wisdom so I can personally give a good answer. Since I’ve made the effort to be ready, I’ve been surprised at how many people have asked me about my hope. Let me ask you: Do you have a hope worth sharing? And are you ready to explain that hope when someone asks? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E264 · Sun, September 22, 2024
Send us a text Oppressive Lips 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. 17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. Verse 16 reminds us that God cares for the poor and powerless, and He will stand against anyone who tries to take advantage of them. We are starting, right here, The last major section of the Book of Proverbs. The section includes several different parts. There are: ·††† short proverbs (wise words); ·††† longer lessons; ·††† puzzles; ·††† and a poem. Verses 17 and 18 encourage us to memorize Scriptures. Doing so not only makes us wiser but also helps us find joy and pleasure in learning God's words. Let me ask you: Have you ever memorized Scripture? A fun and easy way to do this is by learning it as a song. Try searching for a verse online followed by the word "song" (for example, “Proverbs 3:5 song”), and you’ll likely find it set to music. Almost any verse can be found in song form! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E263 · Sat, September 21, 2024
Send us a text Lions and Women 13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it. 15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away. Verse 13 When Solomon writes about the lazy man, he usually uses humor. This lazy man has an excuse for everything. He cannot even leave his house. The lazy man tells us that there is a lion outside. We look, but we cannot see any lion. He tells us that a murderer is outside. We cannot see any murderer, either. The truth is that the man just wants an excuse to be lazy. God needs people to work for him (Matthew 9:37-38). God wants us to teach his good news. God wants people to hear about the Bible. God wants to forgive people. We must work for God. We must not be lazy. Sometimes there will be dangers. Sometimes these dangers are real (Matthew 10:34-38). We must be wise and careful. (Matthew 10:16-17). But if we suffer, God will reward us (Matthew 10:39). So we should not be afraid (Matthew 10:26). Read Matthew 10. Verse 14 A deep well is very dangerous. If you fall in, then you cannot easily climb out. Perhaps nobody will hear your cries. Perhaps nobody can rescue you. Perhaps you will die. Evil deeds are dangerous. If evil things tempt you, these things are dangerous. These things can cause many troubles. Perhaps sex tempts you. Or perhaps money tempts you. Or, other things might tempt you. You should refuse. Then God will protect you (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9). God is angry with evil people (Deuteronomy 1:26, 34). If a person does evil things, then he will suffer many troubles. But, if he asks God to forgive him, then God will forgive (Psalm 51:17). Verse 15 By ‘foolish’, Solomon means ‘evil’. We all do evil things (Romans 7:19). This is because men and women refused to obey God (Genesis 3). Even a child does wrong things. But the child can learn to do the right things. And we can all learn to obey God. First, we must ask God to forgive us. We must trust in God. Then God will teach his wisdom to us. We should teach our children. We should explain how they should behave. We should encourage them to respect God. When they can understand this, they should ask God to forgive their evil behavior. Our children are not Christians merely because we believe. They themselves must trust in God. Sometimes we must punish our children. We do not punish them because we are angry. We punish them because we love them. A smack does not always need to hurt. Often a smack should be gentle. It is like a lesson. It teaches the chil
S1 E262 · Fri, September 20, 2024
Send us a text Mock and Quarrel 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. 11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. 12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous. Verse 10 People who cause trouble by their evil words do not deserve a welcome. Such people may lie or gossip. Or they may insult other people. We should send away these evil people (Matthew 18:17). The troubles will end when they leave. And perhaps our actions will warn them that their behavior was evil (1 Timothy 1:20). Verse 11 Because Solomon was a king, his decisions affected many people. His friends needed to advise him and to inform him. He needed to choose the right friends. Solomon needed honest friends who would speak the truth. He needed friends who spoke kind words. He did not want angry friends or dangerous friends. He did not want friends who told lies. It did not matter whether his friends were rich or poor. He needed wise friends. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had the wrong friends. They were rich, and they loved luxuries. They were not kind. They were cruel. They gave bad advice. Because of their bad advice, there was a revolution. Rehoboam lost most of his country (1 Kings 12:10-16). Everybody needs good friends. We need friends to encourage and to advise us. We want friends who will pray for us. We need to meet with other Christians. We should go to a church that believes the Bible. See Hebrews 10:25. Verse 12 People may fail, but God’s word will never fail. God preserves his truth. Nobody can successfully oppose God. God will not allow anyone to destroy the truth. ‘Knowledge’ here means knowledge about God, and about what he requires. In Jeremiah 36:27-28, an evil king tried to destroy the words that God gave to the prophet (holy man) Jeremiah. The king threw Jeremiah’s book into the fire. The book burned, but God protected the knowledge about his truth. After the book burned, God told Jeremiah to write the book again. So the king’s plan to destroy the prophet’s words failed. Let me ask you: The first proverb can be challenging. It says to drive a mocker away, but what if the mocker works with you? In that case, after each negative or quarrelsome comment, you could respond with something like, "Let’s focus on the positive," "No need to stir up trouble," or "It’s not as bad as it seems." www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.c
S1 E261 · Thu, September 19, 2024
Send us a text Poor Planting 7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. 9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Verse 7 Solomon collected 3000 wise lessons (proverbs) (1 Kings 4:32). This section contains over 400 proverbs (Proverbs 10-22). Here, Solomon is almost at the end of his list. As he finishes his work, he repeats the main principles. Wealthy people are powerful, because of their money. They should use their power wisely. They should be generous. They should not cause poor people to suffer. A wealthy man should care about his servants. It is not good to owe a debt (Proverbs 6:1). We should work hard and save money. We should spend our money wisely. We should not waste it on luxuries. Then we may perhaps avoid the need for a loan. Verse 8 Evil actions are like seeds. If a man sows seeds, then he will receive a harvest. If a man does evil things, then he will suffer trouble. Other people might suffer from his evil actions. But the man himself will also suffer. God knows that the man is evil. God will punish him (Hosea 8:7). Sometimes evil people are strong and powerful. An evil king might rule a country with his large army. We might think that nobody could defeat him. But God is more powerful than any king or ruler (Ephesians 1:20-21). In God’s time, the rule of evil people over this world will end. But God’s words will not end. God’s power will not end. God will always be the only God. (Mark 13:31; Hebrews 12:26-28) Verse 9 God wants us to be generous. He wants us to share the wealth that he has given to us (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). God cares about poor people. If we help other people, then we are doing God’s work (Luke 6:38). So, God will reward us (Mark 10:29-30). Think about this: Do you want to receive God’s blessings? Don’t just give money to the poor. Take a widow shopping and pay for her groceries. Take a struggling family to a restaurant and cover their meal. Become a mentor to a child in need. When you do these things, God will bless you with a heart full of love and warmth. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E260 · Wed, September 18, 2024
Send us a text Humble or Corrupt 4 True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. 5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. 6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Verse 4 God is greater than we are. Therefore, we must be humble. The wise person respects God (Proverbs 1:7). God protects him and helps him. Some wise people are not wealthy (Proverbs 19:1). But their wisdom is more valuable than money (Proverbs 8:10-11). Really, they are wealthy, because God will give great wealth to them in heaven. (See Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 21:18-21 and Isaiah 55:2. See also Mark 10:29-20.) Similarly, other people might not give honor to wise people (Matthew 5:11-12). But God gives honor to them (John 12:26). Verse 5 In this book, Solomon warns us about many dangers. Wicked people suffer from all these dangers, because they refuse to learn wisdom (Proverbs 4:19). They even suffer from their own evil actions. They are like a stupid hunter, who falls into his own trap (Proverbs 5:22-23). But we can be safe from these dangers. If we are wise, then we shall not be wicked. We shall obey Solomon’s advice. We shall learn about dangers and avoid them. (Proverbs 5:8). In a nutshell, if you want to avoid the traps of a wicked life, you need to stay away from evil people. Verse 6 This verse is a lesson for teachers to learn. It is also good advice for parents. We should teach even the youngest children. We should teach them about wisdom. We should teach them to obey God’s commands. And we should encourage them to trust in Jesus. Science, languages and maths are good subjects. Art and music can teach us many skills. But these things are not the same as wisdom. The first lesson about wisdom is that we must respect God. When our children grow older, they will remember our lessons. Lessons about God will always be valuable to our children. God’s wisdom can guide our entire lives. This wisdom can protect us from danger. Also, wisdom teaches us to trust in God. So God’s wisdom will teach us the way to heaven. This proverb offers great comfort to parents. Even if children stray from God after being taught about Him, many return to their faith later in life, often after they become parents themselves. This brings relief and joy to their own parents. Let me ask you: Have you ever drifted away from your relationship with God and then come back? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfort
S1 E259 · Tue, September 17, 2024
Send us a text Rich and Poor 1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. 3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Verse 1 Wisdom is more valuable than wealth (Proverbs 8:10). Other people should be able to trust us. Christians should be responsible people, who are always careful and sensible and having integrity and a good reputation is more valuable than wealth, especially after we die. Verse 2 God made everybody. So we are all responsible to him. God made rich people. He gave wealth to them, so that they could help poor people (Proverbs 14:31). God also made poor people. He cares about them (Isaiah 61:1). He will punish rich people who refuse to help poor people (Proverbs 17:5). Everyone is created in God's image, so we shouldn’t look down on people who are poor or powerless. Verse 3 A simple person has not learned to be wise. He does not watch for dangers. He does not go to a safe place. (See Psalm 46:1-2.) He suffers, because he is not wise. It might seem obvious, but this verse reminds us that even after we come to faith in God, we should still use wisdom and understanding in our daily lives Let me ask you: What is your integrity worth? Would you trade your good name to get a good grade without studying? To get a promotion when someone else is more qualified? To avoid paying taxes? It doesn’t take much to lose your integrity, and once it’s gone, it’s very hard to get it back. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E258 · Mon, September 16, 2024
Send us a text Mariah Coble 30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord. 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Verse 30 Some people think that selfish ambitions are wise (James 3:14-15). This is not really wisdom, and it cannot defeat God. Some people think that they are clever. They think that there is no God. The Bible calls them ‘fools’ (Psalm 14:1). Their intelligence cannot defeat God. Their knowledge cannot defeat God. The devil plots against us. He wants to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8). But his plans cannot defeat God. In the end, God will destroy the devil (Revelation 20:10). Evil people might think that they are strong. They might insult God. They might even think that they are stronger than God. But God is in heaven. When he hears this, he laughs at them. Their insults cannot bother God. (Psalm 2:1-4) Verse 31 For Solomon, his horses were like today’s tanks. (Tanks are strong, powerful, army vehicles.) A horse was strong and fast in a battle. It could pull a chariot (vehicle) or carry a soldier. The enemy was afraid of the horses. Horses need food, water and exercise. Soldiers trained the horses for the battle. But the strength of the horses could not win the battle. A large, powerful army does not always win the war, even today. God decides who wins. See 1 Samuel 14:6-15, Joshua 5:13-6:25 and 1 Samuel 17. Think About This : If you would like to accomplish something really meaningful in life, I would suggest that you look for something that will uplift the poor, widows, orphans or something that will bring peace. Don’t worry about having enough resources. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit if the project is something that God wants accomplished. If it is, go for it and let God supply your needs. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E257 · Sun, September 15, 2024
Send us a text Ashton McAlpin 28 A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. 29 The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. Verse 28 God punishes people who lie. Lies are evil (Deuteronomy 5:20, Mark 10:19). But a good listener will say helpful things. Such a person learns from what he hears. So his words will not suggest a wicked scheme. The first proverb says that a false witness will come to ruin, which makes sense because lying breaks one of the Ten Commandments. In contrast, a person who listens to the truth and speaks it will have lasting words that endure. Verse 29 When people see this wicked man, he seems bold. Really, he is not bold, but he is stupid. An honest man would think about his actions. An honest man would be much more careful. Verse 29 explains that a wicked person pretends to be strong, but a righteous person doesn’t need to fake power. Their actions are solid because they are based on doing what is right. Think about this: Do you try to appear in control when others are watching? Many people do, even in church. But that’s not what God wants. God knows you aren’t self-made because He created you. He wants us to be honest, humble, and righteous, so He can use us to fulfill His plans for the world. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E256 · Sat, September 14, 2024
Send us a text Cassie McClellan 25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. 26 Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! 27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. The first proverb was especially true in the past, when the proverb was written. Back then, if someone was too lazy to work, there was no safety net.. no social programs… they could end up starving. Verse 26 compares greed with righteousness. Righteous people are generous, while greedy people only want more for themselves. Verse 27 reminds us that our motivation matters. For example, the Bible tells us to give 10% of our income (a tithe), but if we do it with a bad attitude or just to impress others, it doesn’t please God. Giving grudgingly doesn’t earn us any favor with Him. Think about this: Is giving 10% of your income cheerfully too hard? How about 5%? Or even 1%? If that’s still too much, maybe start with giving your spare change cheerfully. Remember though, that is an offering. God requires the tithe and to not tithe, is the same as stealing from God. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E255 · Fri, September 13, 2024
Send us a text Alayna Steedley 22 The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. 23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. 24 Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. Verse 22 warns powerful people not to rely on their own strength. God's wisdom will always win in the end. As the Bible says, "Some trust in horses, some trust in chariots, but I will trust in the Name of the Lord." Verse 23 reminds us that it’s easy to say something wrong and sin. Psalm 141:3 asks God to guard our words: "Set a watch, God, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips." Verse 24 connects pride with being a scoffer, someone who mocks or rejects God’s ways. Proverbs often says that people who scoff at God's teachings are rebels and fools. Pride is a dangerous sin! Contemplate: My problem with my tongue is more that I like to gossip, especially if I can point out how much more clever I am than the person I’m talking about. As above, often I need to pray Psalm 141:3 Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E254 · Thu, September 12, 2024
Send us a text Rhianna Coble 19 It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. 20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. The first proverb is similar to the one recently. I mentioned that "woman" could be replaced with "spouse." Here's the key point: if the person you're thinking about marrying is always argumentative, that’s a warning sign. Bad habits, like being argumentative, probably won’t change after the wedding. Verse 20 says that wise people know wealth shouldn’t come between them and God. Wise people can enjoy wealth without it becoming their main focus. Greedy people, however, always want more and waste their lives chasing after money. Verse 21 tells us that if people pursue goodness and kindness, they’ll live a life filled with honor and righteousness. Think about this: How much do you have in financial assets? Is it enough, or do you find yourself wanting more? If so, how much more? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E253 · Wed, September 11, 2024
Send us a text Tianna Coble 16 The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. 17 Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. 18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. Verse 16 warns that if people stray from wisdom and understanding, they risk facing serious consequences, even death. Verse 17 advises against living a life focused only on seeking pleasure. If you do, you may end up wasting your money and falling into poverty. Verse 18 is a bit harder to grasp, but it seems to say that any trouble meant for a good person will instead come upon the wicked. Those who plot evil against righteous people will face the consequences of their own actions. In Esther chapters 5-7, an evil man (Haman) suffered the punishment that Haman plotted against a good man (Mordecai). Another example is Exodus 12:35-36. Think about this: What if you had enough money to enjoy every pleasure imaginable? How might that lead to poverty? Even if you don’t lose all your money, your life could still be empty. Focusing only on pleasure means you won’t have time to invest in things like family, marriage, or helping others. Raising children, for example, takes a lot of work and sacrifice. A life spent seeking only pleasure won’t leave room for these deeper, more meaningful relationships. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E252 · Tue, September 10, 2024
Send us a text Ava Belcher 13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. 14 A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. 15 Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. Verse 13 God cares about poor people. We also should care about them, and try to help them. If we do this, then God will help us. When we have problems, we can cry out to God. God will hear our prayers. See Psalm 40:1. Verse 14 Solomon does not want us to give bribes (secret gifts). He teaches that bribes are evil. See Proverbs 15:27. A man might seem to be very angry. Perhaps the man really is angry. Or perhaps he just wants money. Perhaps he is like the buyer in Proverbs 20:14. So this angry man is bargaining for more money. If someone goes to court, then he might be very angry. Or he might pretend to be angry, so that he can win more money. Verse 15 We want judges to be fair. We want them to make the right decisions. We want them to refuse bribes (secret gifts). An evil person does not think this. A fair judge will punish evil people as they deserve. A good judge will send evil people to prison. A good judge will not allow them to cheat other people. He will refuse bribes (secret gifts). He will oppose the plans of evil people. Let me ask you: Do you ignore the cries of the poor? Do you listen to immigrants when they seek justice? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E251 · Mon, September 09, 2024
Send us a text Liam Baker 10 Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. 11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. 12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them. Verse 10 This man is wicked. He does not want to do the right things. He wants to do evil things. This is why he is unfriendly. He hates his neighbor. A wicked person does not want to help his neighbor or anyone else. Verse 11 The man who insults might not learn from his punishment. But other people can learn. Simple people have not learned to be wise. So simple people do evil things. But the simple people will see the punishment of the man who insults. So the simple people will be able to learn from that man’s error. A wise man does not need a punishment. He will learn his lessons. Teach him, and he will become even wiser. a mocker is seen as a fool and someone who rebels against God's commandments. Seeing such a person punished can help a naive person become wise. Wise people always want to learn more about God's creation and how He wants His people to behave. Verse 12 God sees evil people. He watches their evil actions. He knows their evil thoughts. God will punish them. Let me ask you: What do you need to do to control your tongue? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E250 · Sun, September 08, 2024
Send us a text Wicked Guilty 7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. 8 The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. 9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. Verse 7 Many evil people love to be cruel. They use cruelty to get money. They use cruelty to control other people. But evil people will also suffer in the end. Evil people will receive a severe punishment. Verse 8 Life is like a journey. A guilty person is like a traveller who chooses the wrong path. A guilty person’s actions may cause his death. His actions may take him to hell. So he needs to confess his evil deeds to God. But an innocent person is like a traveller who chooses the right path. This innocent person has chosen to live his life in God’s way. And God will guide him. See Psalm 1. Verse 9 The corner of a roof is not a comfortable place to live. But it is better than a big house, if the man’s wife argues. This man escapes to his roof. This Verse remains true if you replace "woman" with "spouse." If the person you’re thinking of marrying is argumentative, consider it a serious warning. Bad habits, like being argumentative, are unlikely to change after marriage. Think about this: Being argumentative, spiteful, negative, and mean can easily become habits. Not being a “morning person” is no excuse for being rude and disagreeable. Ask the Holy Spirit for joy, peace, and love, so that when you talk to others, they can see God’s goodness shining through you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E249 · Sat, September 07, 2024
Send us a text Poverty and Prosperity 4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. 5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 6 Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. Verse 4 Evil people are proud. They think that they are more important than other people. And evil people think that they do not need God. Evil people are proud when they look at other people. When they see other people, they hate those people. The desires and actions of evil people are all wicked. Verse 5 A businessman must think hard when he makes his plans. Then his business will succeed. He must think carefully, before he makes each decision. This is true about all our plans. We should not make plans in a hurry. We must use intelligence, and make our plans carefully. If we follow our emotions, then our plans will fail. Verse 6 This person cheats and steals to get money. He refuses to work to earn his money. God will punish him, even if judges do not punish him. Suddenly he will lose all his money. See Luke 12:20-21. Let me ask you: Sometimes we need to make decisions quickly. How do you avoid making bad choices? First, study the Bible regularly, not just when there's a crisis. If you have time, talk over your options with a wise and trusted friend (which means you should already have wise friends before a crisis happens). And always seek guidance from the Holy Spirit before you act. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E248 · Fri, September 06, 2024
Send us a text God’s Measure 1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. 2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. 3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. Verse 1 God directs both good and evil kings. God directed King Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem. This was a punishment because the people in Jerusalem were very evil (2 Chronicles 36:15-17; Daniel 1:2). Later, God gave a dream to Nebuchadnezzar. This dream was about the future (Daniel 2:28). Later, when Nebuchadnezzar became proud, God made him humble (Daniel 4:28-34). Afterwards, Nebuchadnezzar wrote, ‘God is always king. He always rules in heaven.’ (Daniel 4:34). Nebuchadnezzar was an evil king who had served false gods (Daniel 3:5-6). But in the end, he praised the real God (Daniel 4:37). Verse 2 We might think that we are always right. But God knows our real intentions. Verse 3 Two men, called Cain and Abel, gave gifts to God. God did not accept Cain’s gift, so Cain was angry. God warned Cain, ‘Do the things that are right! Then I (God) will accept you. But if you do wrong things, then your evil attitudes will control you.’ Cain did not obey God’s advice. Instead, Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4:3-8). Think about this: We all need to understand what a "check" from the Holy Spirit feels like. The Holy Spirit gives us gentle warnings when we're about to do something unwise. If we are willing to listen and pay attention, recognizing these warnings can help us avoid making big mistakes, even when what we were about to do seemed right to us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E247 · Thu, September 05, 2024
Send us a text Silver Foxes 29 The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. 30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart. Verse 29 We respect a youth’s strength. We call young people ‘champions’ and ‘heroes’ when they win in sports. We must also respect old people. Their grey hair reminds us about their long lives. Often old people have great wisdom. They are too old to be champions in sport. But they can still be our champions and heroes, because of their wisdom. Verse 30 Nobody likes pain. But a wound often heals, whilst it hurts. The body removes the bad part of the wound, and this hurts. In Solomon’s country, judges might punish a guilty man with the whip. The second line means, ‘Punishment removes a man’s evil behaviour.’ No punishment is pleasant. But the intention is to teach good behaviour. If we smack a child, then the child learns to behave. When a judge punishes a thief, the thief should learn not to steal. God sometimes punishes Christians. He does this because he loves us. He wants us to learn how to be holy. See Hebrews 12:5-11. This verse also reminds us about Jesus. Before Jesus died, the soldiers whipped his back. They made him suffer greatly, although he had done nothing wrong. Then they placed nails through his hands and feet. The nails fixed him to the wooden cross where he died. Jesus suffered the punishment that we deserve for our evil deeds. He suffered because God loves us. God forgives us because Jesus suffered. We need simply to confess our evil deeds and to trust God. Because Jesus suffered our punishment, God removes our evil behavior. And because Jesus suffered our punishment, we can be friends of God. See 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:5. Let me ask you: Young people take pride in their strength, and older people in their gray hair and wisdom. What about middle-aged people? What do they take pride in? Regardless, everyone should appreciate and be grateful for each day of life that God gives them. What physical trait has God given you that you take pride in? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E246 · Wed, September 04, 2024
Send us a text Light and Love 27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. 28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. Verse 27 God even knows our thoughts. He knows whether our plans are good or evil. Other people might think that we are good and honest. But God knows the truth. Really, it tells us that our spirit acts as God’s lamp, allowing us to explore our innermost thoughts and feelings. We can use it to examine our motivations and ambitions and even question whether our plans align with God's will. Verse 28 Some rulers think that they should be cruel. Solomon’s own son, Rehoboam, thought this (1 Kings 12:13-14). He was wrong. Cruelty does not make a king safe. If a ruler is cruel, then the people hate him. They want a revolution and a new government. Love protects a king. A ruler should love the people. He should look after them and protect them. Then the people will love him. See 1 John 3:7-12. Let me ask you: God's Holy Spirit can guide us to use our own spirit to examine our deepest motivations. Do you ever take the time to honestly search within yourself, or do you fear what you might discover? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E245 · Tue, September 03, 2024
Send us a text Traps and Threshers 25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. 26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them. Verse 25 Judges 11:30-40 explains this. Jephthah promised to kill and to give to God, whatever greeted him first. He expected an animal to greet him. However, his daughter greeted him. We should be careful about gifts and promises. It is better not to carry out a promise, than to do something evil. But you should not make a promise that you cannot carry out. See also Matthew 5:33-37. Verse 26 A farmer drives a wheel over the wheat, to separate the grain from the straw. Then he scatters the grain, so that the wind blows away the straw. A king attacks evil men. The king must protect his country, so his army fights against the evil men. This is like the farmer, who drives a wheel over the wheat to separate the straw from the grain. (Compare this verse with Amos 1:3.) If the king does not kill the evil men, then he scatters them. If many evil men work together, then they are strong and dangerous. After the king scatters them, they are alone and weak. God also does this. He punishes evil people and he scatters them (Psalm 2). God does this, so that God’s people are safe. I've known people who, when facing serious health issues like cancer, make promises to God, such as attending church every Sunday or donating money to the church, if He helps them. However, if their situation improves and they forget their promises, it's better not to have made them at all. God expects all vows to be kept, and failing to do so makes someone a liar—a serious issue, since God detests lying. Consider this: In times of great danger, like soldiers in foxholes, people often make urgent prayers to God for safety, known as “foxhole prayers.” There's a saying that there are no atheists in foxholes. The first proverb reminds us that God expects all promises made in such situations to be fulfilled. Have you ever made such a promise? Did you keep it? Can you still fulfill it? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E244 · Mon, September 02, 2024
Send us a text Lilly Anderson 22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. 23 The Lord detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. 24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Verse 22 Sometimes we want to punish people who hurt us. This is not a good attitude. We should forgive people (Romans 12:17-21). We should even love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). But God will punish evil people, if they do not ask God to forgive them. (See Deuteronomy 32:35.) Seeking revenge doesn't undo the wrong that was done; it only adds more harm. God doesn't excuse evil behavior just because you've been wronged. If you leave justice to God, He will ultimately bring something good out of the situation for you. Verse 23 This is similar to verse 10. Many people think that small lies do not matter. Solomon does not agree with this idea. Solomon repeats the lesson, because it is important. God hates all lies. Verse 24 We try to understand our own lives. We try to understand our experiences. Often we do not know why things happen. But God knows. He directs our lives. And he guides us. He is like a farmer who looks after his sheep (Psalm 23; John 10:1-11). We might try to follow our own plans, but ultimately, we have to accept that God is in control. Consider this: If we trust God to handle revenge, we won't end up hurting innocent people in the process. In the heat of seeking vengeance, it's often the innocent who get caught in the crossfire. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E243 · Sun, September 01, 2024
Send us a text Gossip and Insults 19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers. 20 If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. 21 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. Verse 19 You cannot trust this man. He gossips, so he will tell your secrets to everyone. I mean, really.. verse 19 is a no-brainer: it's not smart to spend time around someone who can't keep their mouth shut. We should not gossip. See James 4:11-12. Verse 20 We must respect our parents. God orders us to do this. See Deuteronomy 5:16, and Matthew 15:4-6. The second line of verse 20 means that this man deserves death. A man who insults his parents deserves a terrible punishment (Exodus 21:17). Verse 20 reinforces the Fourth Commandment but takes it even further. It warns that cursing your parents is a serious offense—so serious that it says if you do, you deserve to die. Verse 21 There are many ways to get money quickly. You might steal money. You might cheat other people. You might make an evil plan. These methods are all evil. If you do these things, then you will suffer punishments and troubles. You should earn money from your work. This is slower than if you steal. But God will be pleased with you because you are honest. This verse really cautions that if you receive an inheritance too quickly, it may not be a blessing. The person inheriting might not be mature enough to handle it wisely. This is similar to what happens when people win the lottery; it's rare that they truly benefit because they aren't prepared for sudden wealth. Think about this: In our society, revealing a secret might not seem like a big deal, but it is to God. When you tell a secret, you're breaking a vow, and God commands us never to break our vows. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E242 · Sat, August 31, 2024
Send us a text Rocky Bread 16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. 17 Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. 18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice. Verse 16 You cannot trust this man’s promise. He has promised on behalf of a foreigner. Perhaps the man is hiding an evil secret. Therefore, you must keep his coat, until he pays. See also Exodus 22:26-27. Earlier in Proverbs, we were told not to take a coat from a poor person as a pledge, since they might suffer from the cold without it. But here, it's considered acceptable to take a garment as a pledge from someone who offers collateral for a stranger. Why? Because anyone willing to put up collateral for a stranger is acting foolishly and lacks common sense. Verse 17 A man eats a meal. His food tastes good and sweet. He enjoys the meal. But suddenly, something is wrong. The meal tastes awful. He breaks his teeth. His mouth is full of stones! Evil actions are like this. Evil behavior may tempt us and attract us. We might feel happy when we do an evil action. But soon it will feel terrible. In the end, we feel shame. The man in verse 17 stole his food. Or perhaps he cheated someone else to get the meal. In the end, he receives his punishment…something gained through fraud might bring temporary pleasure, but in the end, the deceit will ruin the joy. Verse 18 Be careful when you make an important decision! When a king goes to war, people will die. He must not decide to go to war while he is angry. He must think carefully. He must obtain good advice, from honest advisers… for any plan to succeed, it needs more than just the person making the plan—it also requires at least one wise advisor to provide guidance. See Luke 14:31-33. Let me ask you: When you make plans, are you hesitant to listen to others who might offer different advice? If so, is it because you don't trust their wisdom, or are you afraid they might be right? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E241 · Fri, August 30, 2024
Send us a text Bed Without Supper 13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! 14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain! 15 Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. Verse 13 This is similar to Proverbs 19:15. Sleep is good, but it is not good to be lazy. The lazy man becomes poor, because he refuses to work. The worker earns his wages, so that he has plenty of food. This is God's expectation that we should work for our food and not be lazy. Verse 14 This buyer bargains for a cheap price. Perhaps he even cheats the seller. The buyer says that the seller is selling something bad. But later, he tells the opposite to his friends. He has bought something good at a cheap price. This is how things often work in the real world, not necessarily how they should. People do not always mean the things that they say. And many people try to make a profit unfairly. We should be honest (Matthew 5:37). Verse 15 Gold and precious stones seem valuable. They are beautiful and expensive. But many people own them. And these things are not very useful. Knowledge is useful. Knowledge is more valuable than gold or precious stones. Knowledge is also rare. See Matthew 7:14. Verse 15 teaches that the most valuable thing in life isn't wealth or gold, but understanding—specifically, knowing how God designed the world to work for the best outcomes. Consider this: On cruises, in port, bargaining is a cultural norm. If you accept the first price offered, the seller might feel insulted. Even though I dislike bargaining, I found a way to do it subtly. For example, if a shirt was $9, I would negotiate to get two for $16, and then push further to get three for $30. The seller thought they outsmarted me, but I felt satisfied because in the U.S., one shirt could cost $40 or $50. When you bargain, do you try to get every last penny out of the seller? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E240 · Thu, August 29, 2024
Send us a text Ears and Eyes 11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. 12 Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord. Verse 11 A good child behaves well. A bad child behaves badly. We test children by their actions. God tests everybody by their actions. We all must do the things that please God. (Matthew 7:20) Verse 12 God made our eyes and ears. Therefore, he knows how to see and to hear. God sees our actions. God hears our words. He knows the things that we have done. He is a fair judge. We cannot lie to God. Verse 12 expresses wonder at the complexity of our eyes and ears. The author didn’t know about Darwinian Theory, but would likely have been amazed that some people believe such intricate organs could come from random mutations. Think about this: Verse 11 reminds us that regardless of our upbringing, whether we were raised in wealth or poverty, each of us is ultimately responsible for our own actions. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E239 · Wed, August 28, 2024
Send us a text I Am Free 9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? 10 False weights and unequal measures— the Lord detests double standards of every kind. Verse 9 We cannot say this. Only Jesus can truly say this. However, if we trust in God, then God forgives our evil actions. We are God’s children. We do not continue to do evil things (1 John 3:9). But if we do evil things, then we should tell the truth to God. We should confess our evil action to God. We should tell him about our errors (1 John 1:9). Then God will forgive us, because of Jesus (1 John 2:1). Contrary to what Verse 9 suggests, I’ve met people who claimed to be pure and without sin. The issue was that they didn’t truly have a relationship with a pure, holy, and sinless God. Their idea of being sinless was simply living a better life than those around them, not realizing that they still needed a Savior. Verse 10 Shops use scales and measurements. If these are false, then the shopkeeper is cheating the customer. Solomon says that the shopkeeper has lied. God hates all lies. Verse 10 tells us that God hates it when people cheat, lie, and take advantage of others. This is something we should be concerned about for our country, as the daily news shows that many people engage in dishonesty and exploitation. Consider this: As we start each day, it would be wise to recite or reflect on Psalm 51:10-12. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E238 · Tue, August 27, 2024
Send us a text Godly Walks and Sits 7 The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. 8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good. Verse 7 The children benefit if their father is honest. If we are honest and good, then God will help our children. The first proverb reminds us that righteous people live with integrity, and by following God's ways, their children are likely to be blessed. However, this isn’t a guaranteed outcome. Even the children of righteous parents can choose to rebel, as God gives everyone free will. But only Jesus was really honest. Jesus is God (Colossians 2:9, John 10:30). If we trust God, then we are God’s children (Isaiah 53:10). So God is kind to us (1 John 3:1). Verse 8 In Solomon’s time, the king was also a judge. God is also a king and judge (Revelation 19:16; 20:11-12). God gives authority to human judges (John 19:10-11). So we must respect them. A human judge is God’s servant (Romans 13:1-5). A human judge does not allow lies in his court. He does not allow any evil behavior in his court. In the same way, God punishes all our evil actions (Revelation 20:13-15). Nobody can lie to God. He knows everything (1 John 3:20). Sadly, when people have nearly unlimited power, they often become corrupt. This was true thousands of years ago, and it remains true today. Think about this: When the children of wicked parents go astray, the parents often don’t worry much because they expect their kids to follow in their footsteps. But when the children of righteous parents go wrong, the parents are heartbroken, questioning where they might have failed. Have you ever seen good children come from bad parents or bad children from good parents? Sometimes, it’s more about the choices the children make than the way they were raised. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E237 · Mon, August 26, 2024
Send us a text Understanding Friends 5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out. 6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Verse 5 Sometimes it is difficult to help a friend. Often a friend does not want to talk. He does not want to explain his problems. A wise person will speak gently to his friend. The wise person will encourage his friend to explain the problem. The wise man must be slow and patient. He acts like a man who takes water from a deep well. After a long time, he will succeed. Then the wise man will understand his friend’s problem. So the wise man can help his friend. Basically, God's wisdom is present in everyone's heart, but only a wise person can truly access and understand it. Verse 6 People often say that they are loyal to their friends. Troubles will test whether their words were true. Anyone can say such words. But when problems come, many people do not try to help their friends. In verses 6 and 9, Solomon tries to find an honest man. Many people seem honest. They say the right words. But when Solomon inquires further, these people disappoint Solomon. Everybody does wrong things. See Psalm 53:3, Isaiah 53:6, and Romans 3:23. Jesus was always honest and he always spoke the truth. John lived with Jesus for 3 years (1 John 1:1-3). John tells us that Jesus did nothing evil (1 John 3:5). This is why Jesus could take the punishment for our evil actions. Jesus did this when he died for us (1 Peter 3:18). This is how God forgives our evil actions. If you haven’t figured it out yet, verse 6 speaks about the challenges of marriage. Before getting married, everyone promises unwavering love, but it's hard to know who will actually stay faithful over the years. It's sad to think about friends who seemed perfect for each other when they got married, only to separate and divorce not long after their wedding. Consider this: If you're seeking a counselor or therapist, Verse 5 advises that you should look beyond their academic qualifications. The therapist should turn to Scripture for a deeper, Godly understanding. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E236 · Sun, August 25, 2024
Send us a text Lazy Fights 3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. 4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest. Verse 3 A wise man tries not to argue. He is polite - see Acts 26:2-3. Sometimes he says nothing, to avoid an argument - see Mark 14:61. But sometimes he must speak, although other people will be angry (Mark 14:62-65). His wisdom will guide him to know what to say. A fool is evil and he hates wisdom. He loves arguments, because he loves his evil behavior. In American society, we're often encouraged to stand up for our rights, but this can lead to conflicts when our rights clash with someone else's. The first proverb suggests that instead of arguing over who's right or wrong, it's better to show love. Remember, foolish actions lead to destruction. Verse 4 Solomon uses humor here. The farmer in verse 4 was too lazy to plough his land. When the harvest is due, he gets a bad surprise. There is no food. Even a stupid farmer knows that he must plough the ground. This farmer was lazy, so he will be hungry. If we work hard, then we shall have enough food. Work is good. We should not be lazy. Verse 4 emphasizes that laziness is a sin, practically speaking. If you don't work, you won't have anything to eat when it's time to harvest. Humans weren't made to sit around doing nothing! Proverbs repeats this message multiple times, which shows how important it is to God. Let me ask you: Fighting isn't the best way to prove you're right. If you win, you've only shown that you're stronger, not necessarily more correct. If you lose, the other person just sees you as weak. Do you often get into arguments about religion, politics, or family issues? That's not a wise way to resolve differences. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E235 · Sat, August 24, 2024
Send us a text Drunk Lions 1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. 2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. Verse 1 A drunk might say that alcohol is like a friend to him. Solomon does not agree. A friend would not insult you. But wine and beer do this. Alcohol insults your mind and confuses your thoughts. It can hurt your body and put you in danger. It causes divorces and upsets families. A wise person should not allow wine and beer to tempt him. Verse 2 This verse is similar to Proverbs 19:12. Do not make a king angry! He might order your death. See also the prayer in Acts 4:24-20. Sometimes people (and even kings) will oppose us, because we are Christians. We might not be familiar with the idea of a king who can have someone killed for no reason, but Proverbs 20:2 suggests that it's foolish to provoke such a person if you can avoid it. Let me tell you: It's an understatement to say that getting drunk is unwise. If you struggle with drinking, it's smart to seek help right away. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E234 · Fri, August 23, 2024
Send us a text Corrupt Mocker 28 A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. 29 Punishment is made for mockers, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten. Verse 28 The first line is like James 2:10. If a witness lies, then the judge might make the wrong decision. Because of this, the law will be unfair. A guilty man might go free. An innocent man might suffer punishment. Lies are always evil, but especially in court. The second line is like Proverbs 4:17. This line means that the evil man loves his evil behavior. An evil man always wants to do more evil things. This proverb highlights how important truthfulness is to God. Mockers are considered fools, and only a fool would distort justice. It's unwise to mock the Scriptures. Verse 29 The man who lies, in verse 28, insults the law itself. He deserves his punishment. Fools hate wisdom, and love to do evil things. Like the man that lies, fools also deserve severe punishments. The punishments are ready. Sometimes evil people avoid punishment in this world. But they cannot escape from God. So they must change their lives before it is too late. They must ask God to forgive them. They must do this without delay - because the punishments are ready. This verse reinforces that scoffers and fools are the same. Punishments are not for those who simply struggle with understanding. Instead, they are for those who reject and mock God's plans. Think about this : The proverbs make it clear: Those who mock or scoff at God's laws will face consequences. It's foolish to disregard the Creator of the Universe. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E233 · Thu, August 22, 2024
Send us a text Listen or Mock 25 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser. 26 Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace. 27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge. Verse 25 The man who insults other people might not learn from his punishment. In English, we say that this man has a ‘closed mind’. This means that he refuses to learn from anyone else. But other people can learn when they see this man’s punishment. Simple people do wrong things, because they have not learned to be wise. Simple people will learn when the evil man receives his punishment. They will see the punishment. So they will realize that the man is evil. They will learn that the man’s actions were wrong. So they themselves will begin to learn wisdom. In English, we say that simple people have an ‘empty mind’. This means that they have learned little yet. But they might learn if they get a shock. If a wise man does something wrong, then you should correct him. Because he is wise, he will learn from the correction. He will become even wiser. In English, we say that such a man has an ‘open mind’. That is, he wants to learn, even if the truth is painful. This proverb points out that a scoffer (a rebel or fool) and a simple person (someone with little wisdom) are not the same. If you punish a scoffer, they might just become more defiant. But someone open to learning might understand and stop resisting God’s wisdom. Verse 26 This son does not just do one evil thing. He does many evil things. His parents cannot control him. They must avoid him. They can only pray to God for their son. The son will suffer for his own evil actions. This verse describes a child who causes trouble by stealing from one parent and pushing the other away, bringing shame and disgrace. Verse 27 This is the only verse in Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16 where Solomon speaks to his own son. These chapters form a very long lesson. Perhaps Solomon’s son is tired. Perhaps the son wants to do something else. But he must not walk away. He needs to listen to this lesson. He needs to learn this knowledge. He must be patient and learn more. This verse warns that if you stop listening to wise guidance, you will stray from God's ways and not understand His laws. Let me ask you : Do you need to be whipped to gain wisdom and understanding? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at htt
S1 E232 · Wed, August 21, 2024
Send us a text Lords Protection 23 Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. 24 Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. Verse 23 We must respect God - see Proverbs 1:7. If we respect God, then God will help us. When troubles come, he will protect us. See Psalm 46:1. This proverb tells us that having respect and awe for God is the start of wisdom that leads to a fulfilling life. When we truly fear God, we won't be plagued by anxiety or worry. If you’re feeling unsettled, focus on the qualities of God to find peace. Verse 24 Solomon uses humor here. This is a very lazy man. He is too lazy, even to eat. This means the same as verse 15. A lazy man refuses to work, so he will earn nothing. Because he earns nothing, he will be hungry. Solomon’s story in verse 24 explains this as a joke or as an exaggeration to make a point. It's unlikely that anyone is so lazy that they can’t even feed themselves. God created us to work, and lazy people who can’t even provide for themselves will struggle. Let me ask you : Do you experience the peace and contentment that comes from following God's laws and commandments? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E231 · Tue, August 20, 2024
Send us a text Proper Planning 20 Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. 21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. 22 Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. Verse 20 Everyone needs to learn to be wise. Nobody is born wise. You, too, can learn to be wise. You must listen to your lessons. Your lessons are the advice that you receive. You must obey the instructions. This requires effort. It takes time. But, in the end, you will be wise. Verse 21 We make our plans. But we cannot control even our own lives. See James 4:13-15. If we trust God, then God will guide us. See my notes on Proverbs 16:1. See Acts 16:6-10. Paul had many plans, but these were not God’s plans. Paul needed to pray, so that he would know God’s plans. We might make many plans (Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, and so on), but God's plans will always prevail. It makes sense to try to align our plans with what we know of God's plans. A b c d e f g h Verse 22 A loyal friend is the best type of friend. Such a friend is always sincere. He does not try to gain by lies, because he is loyal. He does not even care if he becomes poor because of his friendship. The second line is similar to Proverbs 19:1 as it praises kindness in a person. It surprises us by saying a poor man is better than a liar, instead of a rich man. This shows that being a liar is seen as very bad, even worse than being poor Let me ask you : When you make plans, do you include God? Do you ask God what He wants you to do and plan accordingly, or do you make your plans first and then ask God to bless them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E230 · Mon, August 19, 2024
Send us a text Gimme a Switch 17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! 18 Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. 19 Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again. Verse 17 God cares about poor people. He wants us to help them. See Matthew 25:31-46. Don't think of this proverb as a way to get rich quickly by giving money to the poor in hopes that God will reward you with more money. Verse 18 Perhaps you have an evil son. As he becomes older, his behavior may become worse. Perhaps he will die when a judge punishes him. But we know that God will punish that son. Perhaps you can still rescue your son. Perhaps if you punish him, he will change his behavior. Perhaps your son will pray to God. Perhaps your son will ask God to forgive him. Do not be afraid to punish your son! You may save him from a much worse punishment. This goes against worldly advice, these days. I've seen many children grow into troubled adults because their parents wanted to be their friend instead of disciplining them when needed. Verse 19 Discipline is not just for young people. Adults should also learn to have discipline. In other words, they should teach themselves to behave well. But some people easily become angry. You might work hard to rescue such a man from his punishment. But if he becomes angry again, then you must rescue him again. This is important as more people get angry over small things. Don't try to lessen the consequences when a friend loses their temper. They need to face the results of their actions, which might help them think before getting angry next time. to teach this person not to be angry. He should learn to be patient. An angry person has many troubles, because of his anger. Let me ask you : Have you ever helped calm things down after a friend lost their temper? Next time, will you still help them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E229 · Sun, August 18, 2024
Send us a text Lazy Wives 14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. 15 Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry. 16 Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. Verse 14 This man has a wise wife and careful parents. His parents have saved money to provide for him. His wife is the gift of God. This man has a good life, because of his wise wife and wise parents. Parents can provide houses and wealth. But only God can give a wise wife to the man. Material things like houses and money can be inherited, but only God can provide a wise spouse. Sadly, most couples rely on their emotions to choose a partner instead of asking God Verse 15 This man is too lazy. He is still asleep. He must awake and work. Otherwise, he will be hungry. See Proverbs 6:6-11. This verse warns against laziness. God made us to work, not to be idle. But don't confuse exhaustion with laziness. Sometimes we try to do too much and end up worn out. Our bodies have limits. Verse 16 This verse briefly explains Deuteronomy 28. If we obey God’s law, then God will help us. If we do not obey, then we shall suffer. However, everyone does evil things. (See Romans 3:23.) So we must ask God to forgive us (Acts 17:30-31). God forgives us, because Jesus suffered our punishment (Acts 3:18). This verse warns us not to ignore or look down on God's commands. Doing so leads to our own ruin. Instead, study the Scriptures to learn how God wants us to live. Let me ask you : Are you always tired? Do you stay up late watching TV? Our bodies need rest. Are you doing too many things to try to win God's approval? Do you have to work extra because you spend too much on things like alcohol, cigarettes, or the lottery? Do you spend too much to impress others? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E228 · Sat, August 17, 2024
Send us a text Lions Faucet 12 The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping. Verse 12 When a king is angry, he is dangerous, like a lion. Stay away from him! But a king can be calm and quiet. Then it is good to be with him. This is like dew (water) on the grass, when it is cool in the early morning. This proverb compares a king's anger to a roaring lion. Kings once had the power to decide life or death, even on a whim. People who work with powerful leaders have reasons to fear them, especially when they are angry. But when the leader is happy, everyone is happy, and the leader's aides can get things done. slow to anger is a virtue. This has been mentioned before in Proverbs, because it's important. Verse 13 This man has a foolish son, and a wife who argues. He has many troubles. His son is evil and hates wisdom. The man suffers because his son is evil. The wife who argues always upsets her husband. Water is precious. If there is a leak, then this wastes the precious water. The wife who argues is like a leaky faucet. She wastes her husband’s strength. He is weak, because of the arguments. One form of water torture involves a slow, constant drip on a prisoner's head. Similarly, nagging, whether by a wife or a husband, can drive a couple to divorce. Let me ask you : Nagging usually isn't about big things; it's a negative habit that focuses on small things repeatedly. Do you tend to nag? If so, pray to break the habit. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E227 · Fri, August 16, 2024
Send us a text Yachts Rock Anger 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed. 10 It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes! 11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Verse 9 This is similar to verse 5. Here, at verse 9, it contrasts with verse 8. We have a choice. The wise man loves wisdom, so he succeeds. The foolish man lies, so he will die. His death is the punishment for his evil words. We saw this proverb before: Liars will be punished. God repeats important truths to make sure we understand. Verse 10 In the first line, the fool is someone who hates wisdom. He should suffer for his evil actions, but this fool does not suffer. Instead, he lives in luxury. Solomon thinks that this is terrible. In the second line, a prince rules a country. However, the prince is unhappy, because he has a secret. The prince is afraid of his slave. The slave controls the prince. Solomon says that this is even worse. Solomon was a king. Perhaps he knew this prince and his slave. We do not know who they were. But Solomon seems to write about them again in Ecclesiastes 6:1-3 and Ecclesiastes 10:5-7. Luxurious living isn't suitable for fools because they won't share their blessings. God wants everyone to share their blessings (See Genesis 12:3). Also, servants shouldn't rule over princes. History shows that people who rise from low positions to absolute power, like Hitler and Idi Amin, often misuse it. Verse 11 A wise man forgives the mistakes of other people. This shows that the wise man is a great man. See Matthew 6:14-15. Let me ask you : Is lying a problem for you? Do you share your blessings with others? Can you control your anger? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E226 · Thu, August 15, 2024
Send us a text Love is Wisdom 7 The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone. 8 To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. Verse 7 God loves poor people (Luke 4:18). As Christians, we must be the friends of poor people. Greedy people will not help poor people. But Christians can show poor people that God loves poor people too. People often avoid the poor because they feel guilty for not helping them. They might say the poor are just lazy, but usually, the poor are stuck in poverty through no fault of their own. Verse 8 Wisdom is a good thing. If you are wise, then you will benefit from your wisdom. Wisdom improves your whole life. Learn to be wise! Wisdom is better than wealth or fame. Nothing is better than wisdom, because wisdom teaches us to respect God. If you want good things in life, focus on understanding God's Creation. Let me ask you : There are some people who beg professionally and take advantage of others' kindness. When someone asks you for money for food, they might use it for alcohol instead. One way to find out is to invite them to a restaurant. Would you ever dare to do that? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E225 · Wed, August 14, 2024
Send us a text Punished or Favored 4 Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape. 6 Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts! Verse 4 Many people prefer wealthy friends, and dislike poor people. Such behavior is wrong. See James 2:1-4, Proverbs 18:24, and Luke 14:12-14. Wealth attracts many "friends," but most of them are just there for the money. On the other hand, people often avoid the poor because they can't offer anything in return. This isn't how things should be. Verse 5 If a man lies, then he deserves punishment. This verse is important for politicians. They often lie to protect a party member involved in a scandal or to attack the person who reported it. Even though this is common, it’s wrong. God does not approve of lying. Verse 6 The people praise the ruler, because they want his help. These people are not praising the ruler because he is a good ruler. In fact, these people may think that he is a bad ruler. They are praising the ruler, but only because they want him to support them. This is called ‘flattery’. The people praise the ruler, but their words are not honest. The ruler might think that he has many friends. He is wrong. These people only want his money. If the ruler becomes poor, then he will have no friends. See Proverbs 18:24. Many people pretend to be friends with powerful or generous people to benefit from them. This shows greed and is not how things should work. Let me ask you : Do you make friends to get things? Do you ignore the poor because they can't do anything for you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E224 · Tue, August 13, 2024
Send us a text Set Your Priorities 1 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. 2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. 3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. Verse 1 A fool hates wisdom, so his words are lies. He tries to give a false impression. He should not speak these evil words. He should be honest. It would be better if this man were poor, but honest. Verse 2 Solomon describes a man who is in a hurry. But the man acts without sufficient knowledge. He will cause troubles and problems. All his actions will be wrong actions. All his decisions will be wrong decisions. He is like a runner who is going down the wrong road. Such a runner will not arrive at the right place. And a man without sufficient knowledge will not make the right decisions. We too will make many mistakes, if we do not learn knowledge and wisdom. Verse 3 A foolish man hates wisdom and he hates God. This man causes his own problems. But he is not sorry about his evil actions. Instead, he blames God for his troubles. Now the man hates God even more. These three verses help you set your priorities. Verse 1 : Focus on being honest and having integrity instead of just chasing money. It's okay to make money, but don't let it lead you away from honesty and following God's rules. With all the TV and Internet ads, be careful not to fall into greed. Verse 2 : Aimless enthusiasm is bad. Being passionate about God's will is good. Think of a runner going fast in the wrong direction—they end up far from where they wanted to be. Also, remember that a zealous but misguided person can do a lot of harm. Verse 3 tells us what the result of not prioritizing Gods Wisdom will do: If someone ignores God's priorities, they're A FOOL and they are missing out on the wonderful things God has planned for them. Let me ask you : What are your priorities? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E223 · Mon, August 12, 2024
Send us a text Rich and Poor 23 The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults. 24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Verse 23 This is terrible. The rich man is greedy. He does not think that God cares about the poor man. The rich man does not use his wealth to help the poor man. Instead, the rich man wastes his money on luxury. God will punish him. This first proverb describes not how God wants the world to work, but how it often does. The rich have power, and the poor can only plead for mercy. Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to show mercy to the poor, widows, and orphans. If you think you're too poor to help others, remember there are many people who are in worse situations than you. Verse 24 The friends ought to help the first man. But when he needs help, they all avoid him. This often happens. Many friends are not loyal. When troubles come, such friends leave. The second man has only one friend. But this friend is a different type of friend. There is real love in this friendship. When troubles come, this friend is like a brother. This friend really cares. Jesus is like this friend. He cares for us, even if nobody else cares. He even died for us, so that God would forgive us. Jesus said, ‘Nobody loves more than the man who dies for his friends. You are my friends, if you obey me.’ (John 15:13-14) This proverb tells us that while you might have many casual friends, having even one true friend is rare and valuable. The number of Facebook friends you have doesn't reflect the number of real, genuine friends you have. Let me ask you: Don’t get discouraged if you have only a few true friends. Jesus, who died and rose again over two thousand years ago, wants to be your true friend. Check out Chapter 3 of the book of John. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E222 · Sun, August 11, 2024
Send us a text Kimmy’s Song 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. 22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. Verse 21 When a judge makes his judgement, he can punish a man with death. When a thief makes an evil plan, his words can plot a man’s death. Our words also bring results. We can tell people how to become Christians. We can advise people wisely. We can help people with our words. Words are powerful. This proverb teaches us that those who speak wicked things bring death upon themselves, while those who speak of God’s goodness bring life. The choice is up to each individual. Choose wisely. Verse 22 See Proverbs 31:10-21. When a man marries a woman, this is good. See Genesis 2:20-24. God has been good to them, so they love each other. They should look after each other. They should encourage and help each other. They must try to be a good husband and a good wife. God has been kind to them, so they should try to be kind to each other. Many people today avoid commitment and marriage, opting to simply live together. They miss out on the unique favor and blessings that God bestows on married couples. Some people feel hopeless about finding a committed spouse. My advice is not to marry just for the sake of being married, as this often leads to heartbreak and divorce. The right person comes along eventually, quit trying to make it happen. Think about this: Do you know someone who has gone through a messy divorce? Show them that they are valuable to God. He wants to heal their wounds. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E221 · Sat, August 10, 2024
Send us a text Eat Your Words 19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. 20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. Verse 19 Family arguments can be serious problems. Relatives can struggle to solve an argument, if you upset them. It is hard to persuade your brother to forgive you. If you have hurt him, then he might refuse to accept you. When the relationship is close, it can be much harder to solve such problems. We should avoid arguments. If we have done something wrong, then we should confess our error. We should say that we are sorry. If someone else makes a mistake, we should forgive that person. We should care about other people. So we should try not to upset them. This proverb highlights how difficult it is to resolve personal offenses, especially when the offended parties are close. It's particularly hard to forgive when the person who hurt you is a close friend, as the hurt feels more intense. Sometimes, in close relationships, you might have to do something that keeps your conscience clear, even if it hurts your friend. In these situations, it’s important to understand that restoring the friendship and trust won’t be easy. The cost of maintaining your integrity might be losing a close relationship. However, if your friend can’t eventually see that your actions were driven by integrity and honor, they might not have been a true friend. Verse 20 Our words make us what we are. Bad food makes a man weak. Bad words will also make a man weak. Bad words are, for example, lies or evil plans. Good food makes a man strong. Good words will also make him strong. Good words are, for example, true words or words that encourage. Good words bring many benefits. This is why good words are like the harvest. Let me ask you: Have you ever had to choose between doing the right thing and "betraying" a friend? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E220 · Fri, August 09, 2024
Send us a text Not Judge Judy 17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. 18 Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. Verse 17 A judge must listen to both opposing sides. Everyone believes the first person to speak. The lawyers must ask hard questions. Then they will discover whether this person’s words are true. We should not believe everyone who speaks about God. The speaker might seem right. But we must ask questions, to discover whether the speaker really believes the Bible. In a nutshell. It reminds us that we often suffer from tunnel vision. We might think we've thoroughly considered something, but a fresh perspective can reveal important details we missed. Verse 18 If strong men oppose each other, then they might want to fight. The argument could cause great pain and trouble. This problem seems impossible to solve. However, a very simple solution might be possible. The two men might settle their argument by Drawing straws or flipping a coin. People in the Bible often used lots to make decisions. They trusted God to make the decision when they used lots. God is wiser than any human judge is. So the people respected God’s decision and settled their arguments. See Proverbs 16:33. We do not need to do that, flipping a coin, because God has given his Holy Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit will guide us to make the right decisions. Let me ask you: In football, how else could you fairly decide which team kicks off without flipping a coin? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E219 · Thu, August 08, 2024
Send us a text Smart Ears 15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. 16 Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! Verse 15 This verse is a little bit of DUH! The wise man’s mind loves wisdom. So he studies to be even wiser. The wise man always listens with his ears. He listens so that he will hear more knowledge. Then his mind can learn it, and the man will become wiser. In particular, a judge needs to listen carefully. Then he will know the truth in a matter. Verse 16 is a bit more complex. At first, it might seem to support offering bribes, but we know that God hates bribes. Instead, there are examples in the Old Testament where gifts were given to prevent rash actions. When Jacob returned to face Esau, he sent gifts to prevent Esau from killing him for stealing his birthright. Similarly, when Nabal refused to give food to David’s army, Nabal's wife, Abigail, sent food and wine to David, preventing him from destroying Nabal's household. David was grateful and later married Abigail after Nabal died. Let me ask you: Have you ever seen a spontaneous act of generosity that stopped someone from making a bad mistake? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E218 · Wed, August 07, 2024
Send us a text Sick Body or Spirit 13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. 14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? Verse 13 A wise man listens carefully before he advises anyone. A fool (that is, an evil man) does not need to listen. He already has plenty of foolish ideas to tell you. The fool thinks that he knows everything. Really, he knows nothing. He is wrong, because he hates wisdom. So he has never learned anything. Verse 14 Your spirit needs to be strong. Your spirit can help you when your body is weak. If your spirit is weak, then you will struggle. Our spirits will become strong, if we trust God. Like our bodies, our spirits need exercise. We should study the Bible and pray to God. We should go to church and meet other Christians. We should look after and encourage other people. All these activities will help us. If we do these things, God will make our spirits stronger. See 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Hebrews 13:1-10 and Philippians 4:13. And remember, this proverbs tells us that a positive attitude can aid in healing. But sometimes, an illness can last a long time, leading to depression. In such cases, friends need to support and encourage the sick person, not blame them like Job’s “friends” did. Let me ask you: Do you often make up your mind about relationships without really knowing the people involved? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E217 · Tue, August 06, 2024
Send us a text Destroy The Walls 11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. 12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. In Verse 11. A rich man trusts in a strong building. He thinks that his money is safe in his castle. He trusts his castle. He does not trust God. This rich man thinks that thieves cannot enter the castle’s high walls. He is wrong. He is not safe. Wealth is like a fortress that a rich man imagines to be indestructible. Today, instead of trusting in God, many people put their trust in large bank accounts, IRAs, bonds, stocks, Bitcoin, and offshore accounts. Verse12 The Bible teaches that a truly great man is a humble man. See Mark 9:33-35. You might have heard Verse 12 as "Pride goes before a fall." When we are proud of our self-sufficiency, we are setting ourselves up for a downfall. The second half of the proverb is often overlooked. True honor comes after a person has shown humility and meekness—qualities not often admired in our aggressive society. Let me ask you: It's good to plan for your retirement and have some investments, but how much is enough? I've known people who amassed large investment accounts but died before or shortly after retiring. How much do you have in your retirement accounts? Are you trusting in those accounts or in God? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E216 · Mon, August 05, 2024
Send us a text Don’t Be Lazy 9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. Verse 9 If you are lazy, then this may cause trouble for other people. To be lazy is almost the same thing as to be dangerous. Verse 10 Think of a fortress as a castle. A castle was a strong building, which would be safe, even during a war. A good man trusts in God. He can relax, because God will keep him safe. Verse 10 also shows that the writer of Proverbs believes the name of God, Yahweh, offers protection. However, this protection doesn't come just from knowing God's name. It's not magic. The protection comes when you call out to Him in trust and belief. Let me ask you: Do you know God well enough to cry out to Him when you need a "Safe Place"? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E215 · Sun, August 04, 2024
Send us a text Zip it Up 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. 8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. Going Back to Verse 6 and now 7 A fool hates wisdom. A wise man thinks carefully about his words. But a fool does not think before he speaks. So the fool’s words cause arguments. His words cause trouble. And the fool deserves punishment for his evil words. Verse 7 is a reminder that fools, mockers, and rebels can't control their mouths, which will eventually lead to their downfall. Verse 8 This verse is the same as Proverbs 26:22. People listen, when someone gossips. They enjoy the stories. They even believe that the stories are true. This is dangerous. These stories are like food, because of how they affect us. The stories enter the mind, even as food enters the stomach. These stories can cause troubles, even as bad food causes illness. And such stories can even make friends into enemies. Mature people know to keep gossip to themselves, understanding that spreading it can hurt others. However, many people aren't mature and can't wait to share the gossip, even adding more details, regardless of the harm it might cause. You should be careful about the words that we hear. We should not encourage people to gossip. Let me ask you: Do you pass on “dainty morsels” of gossip? Do you enjoy being shocked by some of the news from Washington, so you quickly pass the news to your friends so they can be shocked? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E214 · Sat, August 03, 2024
Send us a text God Ain’t Wapner 5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. 6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. Verse 5 We should be fair to everyone, especially in court. An evil person does not deserve honor. He should not benefit from his evil actions. If he is guilty, he deserves punishment. We should respect an innocent person. He should not receive punishment. Be fair to him! I mean, it seems obvious, but today we often see favoritism toward bad people who can afford good lawyers, which denies justice to the innocent. Verse 6 reminds us of those who don’t know when to stop talking badly about others. If they keep it up, they might get into serious trouble. Let me ask you: Do you like sharing stories about the foolish things people say at work or school? If you do, you should read Verse 6 again. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E213 · Fri, August 02, 2024
Send us a text Wet Talking 3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. Verse 3 Often, an evil person hates other people. He hates, because he is evil. He is evil, because he hates. This person will receive both shame and punishment. He will feel shame, when he receives his punishment. In other words, doing evil leads to contempt, which then leads to shame and disgrace. Some people think they can have fun by sinning before turning to God, but this proverb teaches that sinning brings shame, not happiness. Verse 4 A man’s words may be hard to understand. The man may try to hide his real thoughts. It is difficult for a swimmer to dive down to the deep water. Wisdom is easy to understand. It is easy to distinguish good things from evil things. It is easy to distinguish right things from wrong things. Wisdom is like a flowing stream. Anyone can easily collect water from a flowing stream. Anyone can easily learn to be wise. It’s easy, this proverbs reminds us that our words can have a big impact, either good or bad. Wise words can be life-giving and come from the Spirit within us. However, unwise words can cause pain, depression, confusion, and despair. To avoid hurting others with our words, we need wisdom. Let me ask you: Where do we find wise words? In Gods Users’ Manual – the Bible. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E212 · Thu, August 01, 2024
Send us a text Fools Say Too Much 1 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. 2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Verse 1 Look after people that you do not know! Sometimes angels (God’s servants from heaven) are our guests. (Hebrews 13:2) A sensible person should be friendly. If someone is not friendly, then he is selfish. He cares about himself, but he does not care about other people. And he refuses to consider their opinions. This verse tells us that chasing after selfish goals is foolish. So, what should we aim for instead? We should aim for goals that we share with others, which means being part of a community. For Christians, this means belonging to the church, the body of Christ. Some people say they can love God without going to church, but Proverbs suggests that this goes against good judgment. Verse 2 A fool hates wisdom. He really knows nothing, but he loves his own ideas. He thinks that his thoughts are more important than the truth. We should not behave like this. Instead, we should listen to other people. Then we shall learn to be wise. You know, I have some strong opinions about verse 2, and it is obvious that I should reveal them. … well, no, maybe this is not the best time for that. Let me ask you: Proverbs describes a loner as an unfriendly and selfish person. A loner wants to keep their faith private. But if someone has truly encountered God, they will want to share that experience with others. Have you shared your faith with others, or are you keeping it to yourself? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E211 · Wed, July 31, 2024
Send us a text Fools Be Talkin 27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. Verse 27 A wise man thinks carefully. He does not suddenly become angry. Other people might think that he is slow. They are wrong, because it might take a long time to make a good decision. Verse 28 This verse is good advice for a fool. Solomon is using humor here, because a fool hates wisdom and good advice. Actually, Solomon is pretending that he is advising a fool. He does this because he has a good lesson to teach us all. A fool’s words are all evil and foolish. So he should be silent. Then he can say nothing that is evil. Then everybody will think that he is a wise man. The lesson for everyone is this. We should not speak too much. We should be careful about our words. We should think before we speak. Then we shall be able to use wise words. The first proverb advises us to avoid talking too much. When people get angry, they often say things they later regret. A wise person stays calm and doesn't say hurtful things they might regret later. There is a debate about who originally said, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." Another version of this saying is, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt." These sayings are often attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain. Both Lincoln and Twain were familiar with the Bible and had a knack for rephrasing ideas cleverly. It's likely that one of them took inspiration from a Bible verse, added the idea of removing doubt, and created the famous sayings. Let me ask you:Are there things that you really wish you hadn’t said? You cannot unsay things that you said. However, for protection in the future, maybe you should memorize verse 28. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E210 · Tue, July 30, 2024
Send us a text Bad Kids 25 Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth. 26 It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest. Verse 25 This son refuses to learn to be wise. So, the son acts foolishly. He upsets his parents. And they suffer because of him. Verse 26 This verse is good advice for any person who has authority. When there is bad news, many people would blame innocent people. Many rulers do not want to hear about troubles. Sometimes people hate an honest adviser. (See 1 Kings 22.) However, someone with authority needs to know the truth, even if the truth is bad news. He needs honest advisers. He should not blame innocent people. Ordinary people also need to know the truth. We should ask honest people for advice. We cannot trust the advice of someone who is not honest. Proverbs says that a fool is a rebel and a mocker. Mockers are too proud and self-sufficient to believe they need God's rules for their lives. Any parent who is not a fool would be deeply troubled by a child who mocks God. To avoid being a fool, you must love God with an undivided heart and be completely focused on Him. The First Commandment in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) states: "You shall have no other gods before me." This means having no other loyalties or backup plans—only God. Verse 26 is clear: we should not punish righteous people who have integrity. Unfortunately, today, political leaders often do this publicly, and God's people often watch without protesting. Let me ask you: Is God first in your life? Is he really? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E209 · Mon, July 29, 2024
Send us a text Bribing Fool 23 The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice. 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Verse 23 The people might not know why a judge makes a wrong decision. They might think that he made a mistake. The truth is often that someone is evil. Perhaps a policeman, or a lawyer, or the judge himself, received a bribe (secret gift). Bribes are evil, because they cause the law to be unfair. See also verse 15. Verse 24 Life is like a journey. The wise man is like a traveller who chooses the right route. This is because the wise man is aiming to get to heaven. So the wise man is careful to choose the correct path. He thinks carefully about his decisions, because he is wise. The fool hates wisdom. He does not think carefully about what he should aim at. So, he stares into the distance. He is like a stupid traveller who does not even want to find the right path. The Old Testament has more than twenty warnings against taking bribes. Bribes distort justice and benefit the rich. The Bible teaches that God supports those who can't help themselves, so taking bribes is clearly wrong. Verse 24 says that fearing the Lord is the start of wisdom. For humble people, wisdom leads to understanding. Fools, rebels, and arrogant people can't focus on wisdom. Let me ask you: Before you interact with others (including your family), do you ask God for wisdom and understanding, or do you let your mind wander and say whatever comes to mind? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E208 · Sun, July 28, 2024
Send us a text Broken Fools 21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel. 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Verse 21 A fool hates God, and hates wisdom. By ‘fool’, Solomon means someone who is evil. Because the son is evil, the father suffers. The father might suffer, because the son makes evil plans against his father. Or the father might be sad because he sees his son’s evil actions. People might become wealthy, if they do evil things. Their evil deeds might make them famous or important. But, in the end, an evil person will suffer because of his evil actions. And other people will suffer too. Verse 22 Happiness is like a medicine for our spirits and for our bodies. We feel stronger and healthier, when we are content. Our emotions are powerful, so we should try to control them. We can be content even when we are poor. This is because God has forgiven us. If we have God’s gift of wisdom, then our troubles will not upset us. Instead, we shall trust God to help us. See Philippians 4:11-12, Hebrews 13:5, and 1 Timothy 6:6-8. The first proverb reminds us that a fool, who mocks and disobeys God's instructions, brings trouble. If a parent has a foolish child, it would be hard for them to stay positive unless they are also foolish. Verse 22 is illustrated with three stories: A man asks God, "God, how long is a million years?" God replies, "To me, it's about a minute." The man asks, "God, how much is a million dollars?" God says, "To me, it's a penny." The man then asks, "God, may I have a penny?" God answers, "Wait a minute." A Sunday school teacher asks her children, "Why do we need to be quiet in church?" A little girl responds, "Because people are sleeping." A drunk man enters a Catholic Church and sits in a confessional booth but says nothing. The priest coughs to get his attention, but the drunk man doesn't respond. Finally, the priest knocks on the wall three times. The drunk mumbles, "No use knocking, there's no paper on this side either!" Let me ask you: Did you laugh out loud at something yesterday? Will you look for something to laugh at tomorrow? Did these three stories at least make you smile? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E207 · Sat, July 27, 2024
Send us a text Quarrelsome and Crooked 19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster. 20 The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble. Verse 19 There will be results from our actions. Some people like to argue. These people will cause problems. They will cause hate and anger. A proud man might build a high gate to protect himself from other people. Or, he might build the gate to show that he is important. God hates proud people (Proverbs 16:5). He wants us to be humble. Solomon uses humor here. The proud man’s gate is too high. It is not safe. Perhaps it trembles, when the proud man opens it. It is too heavy. It will fall down. This gate is like the proud man himself. He will fail. He will lose everything. God will make him humble. (Proverbs 16:18) Verse 20 The first man has an evil heart. This means that his desires are evil. He cannot be successful, because God will punish him. The second man tells lies. And he will suffer because of his lies. They will cause many troubles for him. Verse 19 connects disobedience and conflict. There are two ways to look at it. Some people disobey unfair laws because they want to change them. They believe justice will eventually win, but they must accept any punishment for their disobedience until then. Others disobey simply because they dislike the rules. They also have to accept the consequences of their actions. The idea of a high gate leading to destruction suggests that people who flaunt their wealth with fancy gates might attract thieves and greedy individuals who want to rob them. Verse 20 says people with dishonest hearts and those who lie cannot be trusted. Because they can't be trusted, they are more likely to get into trouble and less likely to find people willing to support their plans, so they don't succeed. Let me ask you: Have you ever disobeyed an unjust situation? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E206 · Fri, July 26, 2024
Send us a text Loyal Debtor 17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. 18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend. Verse 17 A real friend does not forget you, if you become poor. He helps you when you have troubles. A brother or sister should be a true friend. Solomon uses humor here. He says that your brother was born to help you. Even his birth was God’s plan. God knew that you would need help one day. Verse 18 The unwise man agrees to pay money that his neighbor owes. He is unwise, because he cannot trust his neighbor. If the neighbor refuses to pay, then the unwise man will suffer. See Proverbs 6:1-5. The first proverb describes what it means to be a true friend. True friends support each other not just when things are going well, but also during tough times when everything seems to be falling apart. Verse 18 warns against agreeing to be collateral for someone else’s loan (like shaking hands on a deal today). It says this is foolish because if the other person wastes the loaned money, you’ll have to pay it back. This means giving someone else control over your money, which isn’t wise. Let me ask you: Do you have a close friend who will stick with you through hard times? If you do, you’re very fortunate. Thank God for your blessings. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E205 · Thu, July 25, 2024
Send us a text Fairness School 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the Lord. 16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning. Verse 15 Judges should make fair decisions. We all must be honest. A judge should not accept a bribe (secret gift). He should not follow his own feelings and emotions. He should listen to the evidence. He should try to make the right decision. A judge is evil if he does not punish guilty men. A judge is evil if he punishes innocent men. This is always true, even if the judge has reasons for his unfair actions. Verse 16 Solomon uses humor here. By ‘fool’, he means a person who hates wisdom. The fool wastes his money. He might buy ordinary things, or even sensible things. However, Solomon says that the fool wastes his money. The fool did not get the one thing that he needed. Wisdom is the only thing that a fool really needs. A fool wastes everything until he gets wisdom. Wisdom is precious. It is worth more than gold (Proverbs 8:10). We cannot buy wisdom, but we can learn to be wise. Many people justify the wicked and condemn the righteous, calling it "Politics as Usual." We've become numb to this behavior and forgotten that it’s an abomination to God. As a nation, this puts us in serious trouble. In Verse 16, a fool is equated with someone who rebels against God. Such a person can never gain wisdom because true wisdom begins with respecting God. Let me ask you: Do you think it’s okay for a politician to lie if they plan to do something good for the country? What do you think God would say about that? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E204 · Wed, July 24, 2024
Send us a text Evil Dispute 13 If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. 14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. Verse 13 It is evil to hurt people who help you. But some evil people do this. As we help other people, we should realize this. The people that we help may not be honest. They might be cruel or unfair. As Christians, we serve God, rather than other people. We help them, because we love God. God rewards us. If we are in difficulties, then we should obtain advice and help. We should not remain in a situation that is too difficult for us. Verse 14 When people argue, they might become angry. If they become angry, then they might fight. If they fight, then they will hate each other. A simple argument might cause serious troubles. It is easier to stop an argument when it begins. Later, this might be impossible. We should not allow our arguments to become serious problems. The first proverb tells us that if someone is so twisted that they respond to good deeds with evil, they will keep doing bad things. This doesn’t mean God has given up on them, but rather that their moral sense is so messed up they don't even realize they’re doing wrong and won't seek forgiveness. Verse 14 reminds me of the Navy’s maintenance program, summed up by the phrase "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance." Basically, you don't wait for a turbine to break down before you maintain it; you check and fill the oil regularly to prevent damage. Similarly, the Army Corps of Engineers checks dams across the U.S. to ensure there are no small leaks. In the same way, if God's people want to keep peace, they need to address small disagreements before they turn into big arguments. Let me ask you: Are you someone who helps make peace? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E203 · Tue, July 23, 2024
Send us a text Skunks and Bears 11 Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished. 12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness. Verse 11 This evil man refuses to change his behavior. Even punishment will not stop his evil behavior. A ruler will send an official to put the evil man in prison. Verse 12 Bears are very dangerous animals. Even when a bear is content, you are in danger. This bear is a very angry bear, which you must avoid. The bear could kill you. A fool is someone who hates wisdom. He loves evil things and he hates God. A ‘foolish fool’ is even worse. You must avoid him. It is safer to meet the angry bear. There are some people, whom nobody can control. They are very evil people. We should realize this. We can pray for them. But we might be in danger if we try to help them. God can change their hearts - but we cannot do this. The first proverb teaches that if someone tries to overthrow a powerful king, they will face execution. On a deeper level, it means that people who mock or rebel against God are foolish and will face death. Rebelling against God is wrong. Sometimes, tourists in National Parks try to pet bear cubs, often with deadly results. Proverbs 12 says it’s safer to meet the cub’s mother than to listen to fools. Fools are proud of their foolishness and ignore wise advice. Nowadays, many fools defend their foolish ideas by saying they found them on the Internet. Let me ask you: if someone is set on doing something foolish, they will reject anyone who tries to reason with them. It might be wiser to let them face the consequences of their actions. You can’t wrestle with a skunk without getting stinky yourself. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E202 · Mon, July 22, 2024
Send us a text Love That Rebuke 9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. 10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. Verse 9 Sometimes we do not need to point out a mistake. We should forgive other people, and help them not to repeat their errors. See Matthew 18:21-22. Verse 10 By ‘fool’, Solomon means someone who hates wisdom. Because of his attitude, he will not learn from a punishment. You could whip the fool 100 times, and he would still do evil things. A wise man does not need a punishment, when he makes a mistake. A few words are enough to correct a wise man. This is because a wise man always wants to do the right thing. Verse 9 says that when someone tries to make amends and repair a relationship after a mistake, it promotes love. However, if the same mistake is repeated, it can destroy the relationship. The saying goes: "Offended once – shame on you. Offended twice – shame on me for not recognizing the insincerity of the friendship." Verse 10 tells us that you can punish a fool all day long, and they still won't understand what they did wrong. If a person is sensitive to God's Spirit, just one rebuke will deeply affect them. Why don't fools recognize they've done something wrong even after being corrected? Fools mock the Scriptures and rebel against God's guidance. They believe they don't need God's direction to live a meaningful life. Because they don't want help from God, they are self-reliant and stubborn. Their pride blinds them to their faults. Let me ask you: When you are rebuked, does it make you reflect on your actions to see what you did wrong? Or are you like a fool who gets angry that anyone would dare correct them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E201 · Sun, July 21, 2024
Send us a text Jive Talkin’ 7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. 8 A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper! Verse 7 Solomon uses humor here. A fool (an evil person) should be careful about his words. His words will cause trouble. Instead, he should say nothing. Certainly, he should not try to speak in a clever way. (Of course, a fool would not obey Solomon’s advice.) However, some things are much worse than a fool who tries to impress people with his proud words. For example, people will not respect a ruler who lies. Verse 8 Again, Solomon uses humor. He does not want us to give bribes (secret gifts). Solomon teaches that bribes are terrible. Bribes encourage people to do evil things. See Proverbs 15:27. A bribe (secret gift) is like magic, because it changes people. Suddenly, people forget to do the right thing. Instead, they do something else, because of the bribe. We should always do the right thing. So we should never give bribes. And we should refuse to accept bribes. Arrogant speech and pride are not suitable for anyone, especially a fool. God condemns rulers who lie because it means they are not helping the weak, the poor, the fatherless, the oppressed, and the needy. Verse 8 talks about how bribes usually work—the person giving the bribe often benefits. This is not how God intended the world to work. In the Old Testament, God condemns bribery at least 22 times. This verse doesn't support bribery but acknowledges that, in reality, bribes often achieve their intended effect. Let me ask you: Many people struggle with pride. Do you? If you think you're the most humble person you know, there's an irony there, as true humility wouldn't claim that. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E200 · Sat, July 20, 2024
Send us a text Pop-Pops Pride 5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished. 6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents[a] are the pride of their children. Verse 5 See Proverbs 14:31. God cares about poor people. He does not want them to suffer. He wants us to help them. Verse 6 This is how God wants families to behave. Grandparents should be proud of their grandchildren. Children should be proud of their parents. However, evil behavior prevents this. See Proverbs 10:1. If we are evil, then we bring troubles to our families. The first proverb tells us how much God, our Creator, loves the poor, the helpless, and those without status or wealth. Verse 6 explains how God intended families to work. Sadly, many children today look up to people who are drunkards, adulterers, or irresponsible gamblers. Sometimes, parents face the pain of having a child addicted to drugs. Our world is broken, and we all need a Savior. Let me ask you: Are you lucky enough to live in a family where children love their parents and grandparents, and parents take pride in their children? If so, thank God for your blessings and find ways to make your family even stronger. If not, pray for your family to be healed. Also, seek support from a caring Christian Church community. God wants to be a loving Father to you. When the Church functions as it should, its members become like sisters and brothers to each other. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E199 · Fri, July 19, 2024
Send us a text Fiery Gossip 3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. Verse 3 The hottest fire cleans gold and silver. The fire burns waste materials. This is how the gold and silver become pure. In the same way, God tests our hearts. He wants us to be free from evil thoughts and desires. See Isaiah 6:6-7 and Malachi 3:2-4. Verse 4 Some people do not like honest words. They want to listen to evil plans. Then they copy the evil plans, and they do evil things themselves. The furnaces used to refine gold and silver are extremely hot and remove impurities. In a similar way, God’s testing of our hearts is even more intense and purifying. Verse 4 teaches us that rumors, gossip, and complaining are harmful. But even worse are those who listen to gossip and then spread it further. Lies and gossip are especially damaging to wicked people because they are more likely to believe and spread them than righteous people. Let me ask you: Do you gossip? Do you listen to gossip? Do you lie? Do you listen to lies? Do you watch news channels where political commentators spread gossip and lies? If so, you might need to change your habits and focus on listening to things that are pure, true, worthy, and lovely instead. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E198 · Thu, July 18, 2024
Send us a text Crusty Servant 1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. 2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children. Verse 1 Dry bread is not a good meal. We might prefer the rich food at a party. But a quiet place is better than a place where people argue. A party can be noisy and unpleasant. Any arguments will upset people and spoil the meal. The man would be happier if he stayed at home. For this man, dry bread is better than special food at a party. If possible, we should not argue. Verse 2 An evil son deserves to be a servant. A wise servant deserves to be a son. If the evil son does not change his ways, he will lose his inheritance. (An inheritance is the family’s money and possessions. Normally, a child receives an inheritance when his parents die.) The wise servant will receive a share of the inheritance instead of the evil son. See John 8:39, Acts 13:42-46, and Galatians 3:26-29. A member of Abraham’s family ought to be a child of God. Each person who is a member of Abraham’s family deserves this. It is like that person’s inheritance. But if that person refuses to follow Jesus, then that person loses his inheritance. Instead, everyone who is not from this family can become a child of God. Everyone who follows Jesus is a child of God. In the first proverb, the Creator emphasizes the importance of harmonious relationships. It's better to live in peace with your family, even without much wealth, than to be wealthy but estranged from them. In modern terms, Verse 2 could be interpreted as: an honest and hardworking employee might end up running the family business instead of the owner's irresponsible son. Let me ask you Enjoying a quiet, peaceful meal with friends can be rejuvenating. If your meals are often filled with anger and conflict, it may be beneficial to reconsider who you share your meals with. Do you need to change your dining companions? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E197 · Wed, July 17, 2024
Send us a text Deadheads Touch 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. 32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. 33 We may throw the dice,[a] but the Lord determines how they fall. Verse 31 This person is an old man, who respects God. The man’s grey hair looks like a crown. This old man deserves a real crown, because he is wise. We should respect God and do good things. Then, we too shall deserve honour, like the old man. This man is not like the man in verse 30. The man in verse 30 caused trouble for other people. But the man in verse 31 did good things. He spoke wise words. And the result was that other people benefited. So the man in verse 31 deserves great honor. Verse 32 The last man in this passage is a patient man. He is not angry. He does not fight. He achieves results, because he works slowly and carefully. He can achieve more than a man who wins a war. v33 Men think that things happen by chance. But God controls everything. Verse 33 In the Bible, people sometimes made decisions by lot (that is, by a game of chance). Jesus had 12 disciples (special students). One of these was Judas, who helped to arrest Jesus. Then Judas killed himself. Afterwards, the Christians decided to appoint a new disciple (a special student of Jesus). They asked God to guide them. Then they chose Matthias by lot (Acts 1:21-25). We do not need to use lots like this today, because God has given his Holy Spirit to guide us. (John 16:13). However, often we cannot explain some events in our lives. Things happen, and we do not always know why. Some people might say, ‘This happened by chance’ (that is, by accident). But we know that God is guiding us by his Holy Spirit. We know that God controls these events. The first proverb reminds us to respect the knowledge of older people, which is unusual in today's youth-obsessed society. At 56 I have very little hair that hasn’t turned gray. I wear it as a badge to remind me of this verse.. to live a Godly life. AND as a bonus, Kimmy likes it a lot. Verse 32 emphasizes God's desire for His creation to be humble. Verse 33 reassures us that God is still in control, even in a chaotic world. Let me ask you: When you hear about all the evil and destruction on the news, do you sometimes doubt that God is still in control? Maybe you should watch less news. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ren
S1 E196 · Tue, July 16, 2024
Send us a text Violence and Mischief 29 Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. 30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. Verse 29 A cruel man will try to make other people behave like him. He will try to frighten them with a loud voice. He will even use force. The cruel man’s neighbor should be very careful. He cannot trust the cruel man. Verse 30 This man hardly says anything. But he has an evil plan. See Proverbs 6:12-15. The movements of his face are signals. You might be able to recognize his character if you watch his face. When this man is ready, he will take action. Then everyone will suffer from his cruelty. Today's proverbs talk about the actions of wicked people. Specifically, they highlight how evil people enjoy leading others into sin. Instead of repenting, they make their sins worse by causing others pain. In Verse 30, why do people wink at others when they talk? Usually, the person winking is signaling that they are not telling the truth. This draws the other person into a conspiracy of lies, as they are now complicit in the falsehood. Let me ask you: Do you ever cross your fingers or wink to try to soften a lie you're telling? This probably makes the sin of lying even more serious. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E195 · Mon, July 15, 2024
Send us a text Scoundrels and Gossips 27 Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. 28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Verse 27 This evil man makes evil plans. He is dangerous. It is even dangerous to listen to this man. If you listen to his words, they are like a fire. His plans will destroy you. Do not even go near him! Verse 28 Here is another evil man. This evil man gossips. He starts arguments. He will turn your friends into enemies. When this evil man has spoken, your best friend will hate you.Today's proverbs focus on what evil people do rather than contrasting good and evil. Evil people like to create conflict and damage relationships. They spread their unhappiness, making everyone around them unhappy too. We tend to rank sins, thinking of murder, rape, and stealing as big sins, while considering lying and gossip as small sins. However, during their time in the wilderness, the Hebrew people frequently murmured against Moses and God. God clearly condemned gossip and murmuring. Let me ask you: People often gripe, complain, and murmur about their jobs; in fact, it's sometimes expected. But today's proverbs tell us that wicked people are the ones who complain. How much complaining do you do about your job? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E194 · Sun, July 14, 2024
Send us a text Hunger Drives 25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 26 It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.26 Verse 25 In our lives, there are many dangers. People might trust in false religions. They might follow evil leaders. Or they might drink too much alcohol. There are many other dangers also. Like the road, these things might seem good. The truth is that they are dangerous. They are dangerous for our bodies and for our spirits. We need to ask God for wisdom to avoid these dangers. Verse 26 People should not be lazy. See Proverbs 6:6-11. They should work to earn what they need. This is a natural way to behave. Our hunger reminds us that we should work. See 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10.We've seen the first proverb in a similar form before. It highlights how humans can easily justify wrong actions. When we pray, we should ask God to guide our actions instead of just asking Him to bless what we've already decided to do. Regarding Verse 26, We’ve all seem video of some of the poorest countries in the world, and it's rare to see people just sitting around. In these very poor countries, there is no social safety net. If people don't earn enough to eat, they simply don't eat. In the Book of Acts, we learn about the first social net created to feed widows and orphans. But not long after, the Scriptures mention that some lazy people started taking advantage of the free food. It got so bad that the Apostle Paul had to say that if a person who is able to work refuses to work, they shouldn't eat. Let me ask you: Do you know anyone who is cheating today's social services system to get food, housing, or money they don't deserve? Should you get involved? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E193 · Sat, July 13, 2024
Send us a text Honey Sweet 23 From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. 24 Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Verse 23 Another translation of the second line is, ‘So his words persuade people.’ A wise man’s words are honest. He does not think one thing, but say something else. He does not lie. People trust the words of a wise person, because they know him. They know that he speaks the truth. So he can persuade them to do the right things. Verse 24 Honey was a food for Solomon. It has a beautiful smell and a good flavor. Solomon also used it as a medicine. Pleasant words are like honey. Both are good for the body. Both bring pleasure. Both can help you.Today's proverbs are not about showing differences but about supporting each other. Wise people are happy to share their wisdom because they believe it comes from Yahweh (God) and not from themselves. Since God has freely given His wisdom to wise people, they want to pass it on to others. Verse 24 talks about how wise people appreciate the life-giving words found in the Scriptures. They share these words because they bring peace to souls and healing to those who are hurting. In our daily lives, we know that positive words of hope make us feel better. Let me ask you: Have you shared words of joy and hope with the people you've met this week? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E192 · Fri, July 12, 2024
Send us a text Wise Talkin’ 21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. Verse 21 Another translation of the second line is, ‘Pleasant words persuade people.’ A wise person is sensible, because he is careful. He thinks about his actions, and obtains advice. People like to listen to pleasant words. They can learn from nice words. If we are careful, we can use pleasant words to teach the Christian message. See Matthew 10:16. Verse 22 Solomon does not only mean the life of our bodies. Rather, he means the life, or energy, of our spirits. Knowledge helps us to respect God. Our spirits are more important than our bodies, because our bodies will die. (See Luke 12:4-5.) However, if we trust in God, our spirits will continue to live, in heaven. In the first proverb, wise-hearted people are called prudent, meaning they think ahead practically. Wise people follow God's guidance on how to live in His creation, and it's smart to meet the Creator's expectations. It's obvious that students learn better from a kind teacher than a mean one. Verse 22 says wisdom brings understanding, which leads to a good life. But a fool brings foolishness, leading to rebellion, punishment, and death. Let me ask you: society often doesn't link religion to wisdom. For non-believers, religion seems irrational and impractical. But what's more practical than seeking a rich life now and after death? The alternative is looking for meaning in scientific ideas that say life is just random events in chaos. Which would you choose www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E191 · Thu, July 11, 2024
Send us a text Joyfully Poor 19 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Verse 19 A man who is rich and proud is selfish. He will want to keep his possessions to himself. Humble but poor people are much more likely to share what they have. Verse 20 A wise person obeys instructions. He learns more, and so he becomes even more wise. We must trust in God. People may trust many different things. They may trust in money, or governments. But the wise person trusts God, so God helps him. Today's first saying, like yesterday's, warns against pride. It's better to be poor than to be arrogant and take advantage of others. Verse 20 is often misunderstood. Some people use it to try to force God to make them rich, thinking that because it's in God's Word, He has to give them prosperity. But this is a greedy misinterpretation, similar to why people play the lottery. We can't make God do anything; we are His creations, not His controllers. Let me ask you: Do you play the lottery? Do you only play when the jackpot is really high? Why? Isn't playing the lottery driven by greed? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E190 · Wed, July 10, 2024
Send us a text Pride Fall 17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Verse 17 Life is like a journey. The honest man is like a traveller who chooses the high road. It might be a difficult road, because a high road goes over mountains. However, the traveller chooses this road because it is safe. The honest man has a guard for his journey. God is his guard. God will protect you, if you are honest. Verse 18 To be proud is especially evil. The proud man thinks that he is better than anyone else. He thinks that he deserves every luxury. God does not approve of this. God wants people to be humble, so that they can learn wisdom. God will punish the proud person. A proud man will fall down with a crash. God will force the man to be humble. The first saying reminds us that we have choices in life. We can choose to be around bad people and situations or leave them behind. If we stay, we might get involved in their bad behavior. The second saying is about pride. Pride makes us rely on ourselves instead of God, leading to rebellion and ultimately, death. In movies, it's satisfying to see a proud hypocrite get what they deserve. But in real life, we shouldn't enjoy seeing proud people fail. Instead, we should pray that they learn from their mistakes and seek God's forgiveness with humility. Let me ask you: Do you feel happy when someone gets what they deserve? Next time, will you remember to pray for the proud person instead? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E189 · Tue, July 09, 2024
Send us a text Super Happy King 15 When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! Verse 15 The wise servant wants the king to be happy. The king should not be angry. Events should not upset the king. Then the king will make good decisions. He will care about his people. He will serve God and act fairly. Verse 16 Gold, silver and money are not really valuable. If we only want to earn money, then we are wasting our lives. Wisdom and knowledge are really valuable. Especially, we should learn how to respect God. Today, Verse 15 might be paraphrased: When the boss is happy, everybody is happy. In Israel, life depended on spring rain, so clouds forecasting rain were always a welcome sight. Verse 16 states that wisdom is better than gold, but that goes against today's culture. A good friend's suggestion for Verse 16 is: How much better it is to get wisdom than to play video games! He added, “Many people worship technology, and that is very sad. Most everyone I know does not have a clue about what true wisdom is.” Someone once defined God as being what you think about most of the time. If you think about money all the time, money is your God. If you think about your image most of the time, then being positively perceived is your God. Let me ask you: What do you think about most of the time? What is your God? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E188 · Mon, July 08, 2024
Send us a text Happy King 13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. 14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. Verse 13 If a servant is honest, then the king should reward him. The servant might bring bad news. His honest words might upset the king. But the king needs honest servants to speak wise words of advice. If the adviser is not honest, then he cannot help the king. Compare the advisers in 1 Kings 12:6-16. Verse 14 An angry king is very dangerous. Many people may suffer if the king is unhappy (Matthew 2:16). When the king is angry, his servants must call a wise man. The wise man will know what to say to the king. Then the king will make a wise decision, instead of an angry decision. Why do kings value people who tell the truth? Because with the truth, kings can make informed decisions. However, rulers don’t always like the truth. In the past, kings could kill anyone who made them mad, so people would often lie to stay alive. Today, angry leaders might fire people for telling the truth, so people often lie to keep their jobs. Wise, truthful people might keep their jobs by telling the truth and then calming down their angry leaders. In the real world, not all wise and truthful people can keep their jobs if their leaders get mad enough. However, truthful people with integrity are always valued. Let me ask you: Many laws in America protect people from losing their jobs because their bosses didn’t like being told the truth. These laws encourage integrity, which is good. Today is a good day for soul-searching. Do you always tell the truth when you feel threatened? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E187 · Sun, July 07, 2024
Send us a text Watch that Thumb 11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. 12 A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. Verse 11 Honest attitudes are important to God. We must not cheat people. Everybody must respect other people’s possessions. Even a king must not cheat people. Verse 12 If a king is evil, his nation will suffer. A king should not behave in an evil way. A good king wants his people to do good things. He encourages the people to be honest. He makes fair laws. Then the people will respect the law and do right things. God will be pleased with the king and the people. The first proverb talks about honest weights belonging to God. This means that God approves of businesses treating their customers fairly and individuals treating each other fairly. When a merchant weighs something, his scales are a promise to be honest. Keeping promises was fundamental to the Jews and is still fundamental to Christians today. If we replace "kings" with "leaders" in Verse 12, we see that many of our politicians are in trouble with God. Let me ask you: Are you a person of your word? Do you ever have to say, "To be completely honest with you, ..."? Shouldn't you be completely honest with people all the time? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E186 · Sat, July 06, 2024
Send us a text Plan Wisely 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. Verse 9 We all make plans for the future, but we cannot control everything. Events that we do not expect will happen. There will be problems. We might need to change our plans. We might not understand the reasons. In all these changing circumstances, God is directing us. God will show us where we should go. He will teach us what we should do. See Acts 16:6-10. Verse 10 Solomon was a king. In verses 10-15, he explains how kings and other rulers behave. God has given authority to kings. Their decisions are important and affect many people. So a king must always be responsible. At the time of King Solomon, the king was also a judge (see 1 Kings 3:16-28). This is why the king makes a ‘judgement’. God rules the whole world, but a king rules a country. We must pray for kings and rulers (1 Timothy 2:2). Has God provided for you in the past, yet you still hoard money and stocks far beyond what you need? In the first proverb, God gives us free will to plan our lives. However, just like with the people of Israel, God wants us to trust Him and seek His guidance. Pause and consider this: Do you decide what you're going to do and then ask God to bless your actions, or do you first ask God what you should do and then try to follow His directions? If you first ask God what you should do and follow His directions, you don’t need to pray for God’s blessings. If you are doing God’s will, God will naturally bless your actions. Verse 10 describes how God created the world to work: rulers should make inspired judgments. Unfortunately, our politicians often don’t make inspired judgments, and the country suffers because of it. Think about this: Each day can be exciting when you plan your day by seeking God’s approval from the start. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E185 · Fri, July 05, 2024
Send us a text Please God 7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. Verse 7 Our lives should please God. We should do the things that are right. We should respect God. God can cause our enemies to become our friends. This does not always happen immediately. First, we ourselves must become friends of God. God accepts us because Jesus died for us. See Ephesians 2:13-14 and John 14:27. Verse 8 Most Christians are not wealthy. See 1 Corinthians 1:26. We may have few possessions. However, we should earn our money fairly. God helps the poor man who is honest. God will punish the rich man who is not honest. The first proverb assures us that if we try to obey God’s commandments, He will watch out for us and protect us from those who want to cause us harm. Verse 8 tells us that money isn’t everything. It doesn’t say that having a lot of money is bad, but getting money through unjust means is wrong. In other words, when making money, if you have the choice between making a lot through bad means or making a little through just means, always choose the just way. Let me ask you: What should you do if you work for a company that operates immorally, even if it is legal? For example, some banks charge extra fees that aren’t required, and some pharmaceutical companies charge outrageous prices for essential drugs or try to turn teenagers into drug addicts. Should you report the company and risk losing your job? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E184 · Thu, July 04, 2024
Send us a text Avoid Evil 5 The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished. 6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. Verse 5 A proud person refuses to listen to God or to other people. He has his own ideas. He thinks that he is better than everyone else. God will punish proud people. God wants us to be humble. Verse 6 God does not want to punish us. God loves us. We must trust in him. Jesus died to suffer the punishment for our evil deeds. God wants to forgive our evil actions. We respect God, so we should not do evil things. However, sometimes we still make mistakes. If we ask God, then he will forgive us, because of Jesus. See 1 John 2:1. The first proverb can be summarized: Pride is one of the deadliest sins! We've talked about this in earlier devotions and will revisit it in later ones. We always need to guard ourselves against pride. Verse 6 tells us how to make amends for sins we may have committed: Respond truthfully and with mercy, and approach God with reverence and fear. This is the beginning of wisdom, so you will know how to better atone for your sins. Let me ask you: Are there people who are hurting because of something you did? Verse 6 tells you how to atone, and the fact that it came up today is a good indication that you need to make amends for your actions. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E183 · Wed, July 03, 2024
Send us a text Commit to God 3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. 4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. Verse 3 When we pray, we should give our plans to God. We ask God to bring about the best result. We cannot control our own plans. We do not even know what will happen tomorrow. See James 4:13. Verse 4 A man’s plan may succeed, or it may fail. God’s plans will always succeed. God can use an animal (Numbers 22:21-28). Or God can use a stone (Luke 3:8). Or God can even use a foreign king (Ezra 1:1). God can use evil people to punish other evil people. God used King Nebuchadnezzar to punish the nation of Judah (Daniel 1:1-2). Today's first proverb repeats the message from yesterday's verse in a slightly different way. If you commit your plans to God and let God guide you, your plans will succeed. Verse 4 tells us that even though we may not understand why God allows bad things to happen, we can still trust that God is in control. We might not see everything clearly, but we have seen God's actions in the past, so we trust Him. Let me ask you: Whenever you plan your day, even if you expect it to be uneventful, pray that your plans align with God's plans. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E182 · Tue, July 02, 2024
Send us a text God Knows All 1 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Verse 1 We should ask God to help us to speak the right words. The ‘plans of our hearts’ are our thoughts and ideas. We do not know everything. God knows the things that we do not know. We need his help to say the right words. See Mark 13:11. Verse 2 Even an evil man thinks that he is right. He even persuades himself. Other people might believe him. But God knows the truth about that man. The first proverb reminds us that while we may make plans to solve a problem, the actual solution comes from God. Our plans succeed when they align with God's plans and fail when they go against them. It is wise to try to discern God's will when making plans. One way to do this is by studying Proverbs. Verse 2 talks about our ability to justify almost any evil action. Because we can deceive ourselves, it’s important to seek advice from wise people who won't just tell us what we want to hear. My sister once mentioned that someone who interviewed many terrorists found that they all thought of themselves as "reasonable." We should not only ask for advice but also be willing to take it, even if it hurts our pride. Let me ask you: Do you have a wise confidant who will tell you when you are choosing the wrong path? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E181 · Mon, July 01, 2024
Send us a text Wise With Honor 31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. 32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. 33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Verse 31 If someone learns from words of correction, then that person will become wiser. We all make mistakes. A wise person learns not to repeat his mistakes. He knows that correction is valuable. Verse 32 When other people correct us, we become wiser. And we become more responsible. Correction is a good thing. But someone who refuses to obey instructions will suffer as a result. This is as if he hates himself. We should learn discipline. And we should learn to be wise. Verse 33 Especially, we shall learn to be wise, if we respect God. Wisdom is God’s gift to us. We must respect God. This is the first and most important lesson in wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). People want to receive honor. But many people do not want to be humble. We need to be humble, because we need to learn from God. We also need to learn from other people. If we are humble, then God will be pleased with us. God gives honor to humble people. If we are humble, then the result is honor. We have seen these proverbs in a slightly different form before. Someone might refuse to admit they are wrong because it would hurt their pride. However, those who listen to correction gain understanding and wisdom. Fear, reverence, and awe of Yahweh teach wisdom, and wisdom brings life. Pride does not bring honor—humility does. Let me ask you: I am very familiar with the sin of Pride—I struggle with it. Pride can be hidden by false humility so others don’t see the hypocrisy. Pride can also cause Envy and Anger, which can also be hidden. Do you struggle with Envy or Anger? Maybe you need to address the underlying issue of Pride. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E180 · Sun, June 30, 2024
Send us a text God Hears 29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. 30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Verse 29 ‘God is not deaf or weak. The result of your evil actions is that you have moved far away from God.’ (Isaiah 59:1-2) However, God is close to a good person. God even knows a good person’s silent prayers. See Matthew 6:6-8. Verse 30 Even our smiling faces can cheer other people! People are glad, if we smile. Our words can achieve more than our happy faces. The Christian message is good news. God can change people’s lives. He will forgive them, if they trust him. This good news will make people strong. The first proverb says that God is good and never does anything wrong. God supports and protects good people. Another translation on verse 30 says, . “the light of the eyes”? When I have trouble understanding a verse, I look it up in different translations. I looked through a dozen translations for the second proverb. The one that made the most sense to me was from The Message: "A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle." Think about this: Do you know someone who has a twinkle in their eye and shares that joy with others? Do you ever share a twinkle in your eye with others? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E179 · Sat, June 29, 2024
Send us a text Bribes are Wicked 27 Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. 28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Verse 27 People give bribes (secret gifts) so that other people will do wrong things. For example, if a judge accepts a bribe, then he might punish an innocent man. If a government official accepts a bribe, then he might allow the giver to meet the king. The Bible teaches that we should not give bribes (secret gifts). The Bible also teaches that we should not accept bribes. We should not do evil things to get more money. This behavior will only bring trouble to us and to our families. Instead, we should refuse bribes. If we refuse bribes, then God will help us to have good lives. Verse 28 Jesus answered questions in Mark 11:27-33 and Mark 12:13-40. Jesus studied the Bible. His answers were wise. Jesus thought about what the Bible says. And he knew the right answers. We too need to think about problems. Especially, we must discover what the Bible says. Then we shall learn God’s wisdom. An evil man hates God. The evil man does not think about what is right. Instead, he answers quickly. If an evil man does think about his answers, then he makes an evil plan. If he does not think about his answer, his plans are still evil. Almost everyone knows that it's illegal to bribe a judge or court officer. However, not everyone knows that laws against bribery come from the Bible. God hates injustice, and bribes let rich people get away with crimes that poor people can't. Wealth and power should never corrupt justice. I recently read about a politician who is removing traffic cameras from outside schools in his district. These cameras have significantly reduced accidents and injuries. Why remove them? Because the politician has been caught speeding by these cameras ten times and has the power to get rid of them. The Scriptures clearly condemn this abuse of power. Verse 28 can be summarized by the saying: Think before you leap. Let me ask you: Do you sometimes try to get things done by asking someone you know instead of going through the normal process? Do the Proverbs think this is a good idea? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E178 · Fri, June 28, 2024
Send us a text Proud and Evil 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows. 26 The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. Verse 25 Everything that God does is right. Some people will praise a proud man. Some people think that proud people are very great. God does not think this. In the end, God will punish proud people. Some people do not care about widows. They might say, ‘That old woman has no husband to protect her. We can steal her wealth.’ But God will protect the widow. He does not only protect her house. He protects her land, too. He even guards her fences. See Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 10:18; Isaiah 54:4-5; Mark 12:38-44; 1 Timothy 5:3. Verse 26 God knows our thoughts, and he hears our words. The evil person thinks about evil plans. He might plot against other people. He might try to steal from them. God knows these thoughts, and he hates these plans. An honest person speaks the truth. God loves the truth, so God loves the words of honest people. The first proverb warns against the sin of pride and praises those who are poor and humble. Proud and self-reliant people don’t ask God for help. Instead, God helps those who are powerless and defenseless, like widows and orphans. Verse 26 tells us how we can please God: by focusing our thoughts on pure things. This is closely related to Philippians 4:8, which says: "Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things." Let me ask you: How much television do you watch each day? Do you mostly see and hear good and pure things on TV? Do you have a Facebook account or watch a lot of YouTube? Do you focus on true, good, and virtuous things? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E177 · Thu, June 27, 2024
Send us a text I Shoulda Said That 23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! 24 The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. Verse 23 An adviser should always try to give correct advice. He thinks and he prays about his words. He considers the probable results of his advice. He wants to say the right words, at the right time. He wants to help, because his advice can bring success to his friend’s plan. An adviser is glad when he gives good advice. Verse 24 Solomon uses humor. Life is like a journey. When we live wisely, we are going towards heaven. This is like a journey where we are going upwards. So we are traveling away from the graves and from hell. Solomon imagines that the wise man is walking up a hill. Sometimes, it is hard to walk up a hill. However, the wise man needs always to travel upwards. He cannot travel downwards (opposite of upwards), because that way leads to death, the grave and hell. I can relate to the first proverb. There have been many times when I thought of the perfect thing to say thirty minutes too late. But sometimes, I’ve experienced the joy of saying the right thing at the right time. With today's advanced technology, we might think that people in Bible times had primitive thoughts. However, reading the Scriptures shows that they thought deeply about important issues, just like we do today. In fact, they might have thought even more deeply because they had fewer distractions. For example, an engineer from MIT can recite thousands of scientific facts. But many engineers might not know how to answer the question, "How do you live wisely so that you won't go to hell?" Many scientists rely only on scientific principles and don’t consider how to live in relation to the Creator of life. Let me ask you: Are you sure your life is following the wise path leading upward? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E176 · Wed, June 26, 2024
Send us a text Foolish Plans 21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. 22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. Verse 21 If someone is not wise, then foolish (evil) things attract him. This is like a traveller who chooses the wrong route for a journey. Some people love to do evil things. They gladly choose to do evil things. A wise person does not make this mistake. He is careful to do the right things. He is like a traveller whose path is straight and direct. Evil things do not attract a wise person. A traveller on a straight road does not want to wander onto the wrong path. And a wise person never wants to do anything that is evil. Verse 22 Many people do not like to receive advice. Perhaps they are proud and so they do not like to hear other people’s ideas. If you do not obtain advice, then your plans will often fail. We should not make this mistake. If we are wise, then we shall ask many people for advice. Some of the advice that we receive will be bad advice. For this reason, we should have many advisers. We should obtain the best advice. Those who ignore God's wisdom in the Scriptures are being foolish. Understanding how God designed the world helps a person overcome many challenges. Verse 22 explains that acting without thinking and ignoring wise advice leads to failure. But when we seek guidance from many wise people, our plans are more likely to succeed. Problems arise when we avoid getting advice from those who might disagree with us. If we only listen to people who always agree, our plans are likely to fail. Let me ask you: When you face a problem or an important decision, do you seek advice from people who might disagree with you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E175 · Tue, June 25, 2024
Send us a text Mom’s Briar Patch 19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway. 20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. Verse 19 A slow man can be very slow. He has lots of excuses. Solomon uses humor here. Nobody could be so slow that plants grew on his path. The truth is that the man was very lazy. The good man is like someone who travels along a good, clear road. A good person is patient (verse 18). But, at the right time, a good person acts very quickly. He is not lazy! He will achieve the things that he desires. Verse 20 This is like Proverbs 10:1, but the second line is different. ‘A foolish son causes pain to his mother.’ (Proverbs 10:1). ‘A foolish son hates his mother.’ (Proverbs 15:20) The foolish (or evil) son might not think that he hates his mother. However, his evil actions prove that he hates her. He causes trouble and pain for her, because he does evil things. Why is the way of the lazy person like a thorny patch? I think I have an idea. When I was young, I used to walk everywhere barefoot. Walking through the woods, the thing that would slow me down the most was a patch of briars. With briars, you have to move very carefully. You inch your feet along to avoid the briars on the ground and move even slower to avoid getting snagged by the ones higher up. Thorns slow you down. Similarly, laziness slows you down. The upright are not slowed by fear of being caught by lies or by simply being lazy. Verse 30 is not about gender. Wise children honor their parents, while foolish children disappoint and dishonor them. Let me ask you: In your life, which is harder for you—honoring your parents or avoiding procrastination? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E174 · Mon, June 24, 2024
Send us a text Eat Your Vegetables 17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. 18 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. Verse 17 Many people want the best meat, instead of a few vegetables. But love is better than hate. We want to eat in a place where people love us. Sometimes it is better to be poor than to be rich. Some things matter more than money or wealth. Love matters more than wealth. Especially, the love of God matters more than wealth. This is why the poor man in verse 16 has a good life. Verse 18 We should be patient. A patient man can even help enemies to become friends. This might take many years. But a patient person can often achieve success in the end. Sometimes, it takes many years to help someone to trust God. This may be especially difficult if, at first, the person hates God. We must be patient. We should show God’s love to the person, when we get an opportunity. The first proverb isn't about healthy eating. Nowadays, herbs are seen as healthier than rich veal, but back when Proverbs was written, the tastiest meal you could have was a fattened calf. The meaning of the proverb is that it's better to have a simple meal with people who love each other than a fancy meal with people who don't get along. Verse 18 reminds us that a gentle answer can calm anger, while harsh words can cause arguments. Let me ask you: Do you often enjoy meals with friends? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E173 · Sun, June 23, 2024
Send us a text Turmul Tummoy Toomoil 15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. 16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. Verses 15-16 A Christian may be poor. But he has every reason to be cheerful. See Philippians 4:4, 1 Peter 1:8 and Psalm 96:11-13. God’s love is like a party. See Psalm 23:5, Isaiah 55:1-2, and Luke 14:15-23. For other people, their lives can be difficult. They might be rich or poor, but they all need God’s help. And we, too, should try to help them. The first proverb reminds me of the book The Power of Positive Thinking . It says that people with bad attitudes are usually unhappy, while those with positive attitudes are generally happy. However, I think the book misses the point by suggesting that the main goal in life is to have a positive attitude. While it's great to be positive, our main purpose should be to follow God's will for our lives. In the musical Mame , the character Mame says that "Life is a banquet, and most people are starving." She believes we should live life to the fullest. Mame understood the Holy Spirit's promise that following Jesus brings life in all its abundance. Verse 16 warns us that money can trick us into trusting in the power of material things. Instead, we should trust in God's love and protection. Let me ask you: How much money would you need in your bank account before you could trust in God? Guest Reader… Robin King. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E172 · Sat, June 22, 2024
Send us a text Don’t Be Mad..Be Glad 13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. 14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. Verse 13 Your thoughts and emotions control your whole body. We smile when we are glad. We are sad if our experiences upset us. If we pray, God will comfort us (James 5:13). Verse 14 Both a fool and a wise man have important desires. The wise man wants more knowledge. The fool wants foolish things. By ‘fool’, Solomon means someone who hates wisdom. For a fool, this is like his need for food. He is hungry, not for food, but to do an evil action. See Proverbs 4:16-17. The first proverb is sometimes misunderstood. While a happy person can lift the spirits of those around them, there are times, like when someone you love has died, when grief is important and necessary. During such times, it's not right to try to force someone to be happy. On the other hand, bitter and unhappy people tend to bring others down and break their spirits. Today's Verse 14 could be put like this: A wise person seeks knowledge, but fools waste their time on conspiracy theories on the Internet. Let me ask you: Do you generally have a positive attitude towards life? Do you help others see the good things and blessings in their lives? Guest Reader… Katie Ann McPherson. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E171 · Fri, June 21, 2024
Send us a text Mocking Death 11 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart! 12 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise Verse 11 Some people think that God does not know their thoughts and actions. They are wrong. God even sees beyond the grave into hell. God knows all our thoughts, and all our actions. We cannot escape from God. Even when we die, God will be our judge. Verse 12 This person insults other people, because he is proud. Nobody can correct him. He always thinks that he himself is right. He will not ask for advice. He does not respect a wise person. The first proverb is pretty obvious. If God knows what's in the hearts of dead people, then of course he knows what's in the hearts of living people too. For Verse 12, keep in mind that a scoffer is the same as a rebel, a mocker, or a fool. Fools don't like being corrected. So, if a fool wants advice, they'll go to someone who agrees with them rather than someone wise who might correct them. Let me ask you: When you have tough decisions to make, do you ask people you like who will probably agree with you? Or do you ask people you respect for their wisdom, who will carefully consider your options and tell you if they think you're wrong? Guest Reader… Alexis Sanders. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E170 · Thu, June 20, 2024
Send us a text Wicked or Godly 9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness. 10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. Verses 9 Our behavior shows what sort of people we are. God hates the actions of wicked people. God hates their evil thoughts and plans. We should do the right things. We should trust God. We should obey his instructions. God will help us to do the right things. He loves us. Verse 10 Solomon explains about people who start to do evil things. God will correct them. Sometimes, as a father smacks his child, this correction will be bitter. God corrects the person so that the person will return to God. See John 15:2. If a person does not accept God’s correction, then that person will suffer. See 1 Timothy 4:14. That person’s punishment will be severe. See John 15:6, Hebrews 3:7-13 and 1 Corinthians 11:27-30. But we must encourage that person to return to God. God forgives even very evil people, if they confess their bad behavior to him. In Verse 9, we learn that the Creator loves when His creations follow good but hates wickedness. God doesn't hate the person who sins, but because He is completely holy, He cannot tolerate wickedness. Since all of creation has fallen and we all sin, God cannot tolerate us as we are. That's why Jesus had to die—through His death, we can be reconciled to God. We all need a Savior. Verse 10 speaks about stern discipline, saying that those who hate correction will face severe consequences, even death. Why do people dislike correction? It's often due to pride, which is frequently called the deadliest sin. Think about this: Every day, we need to examine our attitude about receiving correction. Some people believe that our actions don't matter because Jesus will save us regardless. That's an example of cheap grace. Our actions and motivations do matter, and true repentance—being genuinely sorry for our sins—is necessary! Guest Reader Ashton McAlpin. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E169 · Wed, June 19, 2024
Send us a text Lips and Hearts 7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. 8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. Verse 7 The wise man teaches the things that he knows. Other people hear and they benefit from his advice. If we are wise, then we can help many people. The fool’s heart does not benefit anyone. A fool hates God, and hates wisdom. Solomon does not mean the fool’s physical heart. Solomon means the fool’s emotions, thoughts and spirit. There is no wisdom there, because the fool’s thoughts are all evil. Verse 8 The people of Israel sacrificed (killed) animals as a gift to God (Leviticus chapters 1 to 7). If an evil person did this, God would not accept the gift. God wants us to be holy. He wants us to ask him to forgive us. He wants us to trust in him. No gift can forgive us. Only God, who loves us, can forgive us. See Psalm 51:16-17 and Luke 18:10-14. When you read the first proverb, ask yourself: When talking with friends, do you only discuss the weather and sports, or do you also talk about wise and meaningful things? God wants those who know Him to share wisdom and understanding. Verse 8 teaches us that outward religious rituals are meaningless if our motivations aren't pure. God knows what's in everyone's heart. Hypocrisy doesn't impress God and won't earn anyone a place in heaven. Hypocrisy is lying, and lies are an abomination to the Lord. Let me ask you: When you talk with others, do you use the opportunity to share and spread God’s wisdom and understanding? Guest Reader Cassie McClellan. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E168 · Tue, June 18, 2024
Send us a text Parent's Treasure 5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. Verse 5 If someone hates wisdom, then he hates instructions. He is angry if someone corrects him. A wise person learns from correction. He wants to know if he is wrong. Because he learns from correction, a wise person becomes even wiser. Verse 6 A good man has precious possessions. He cannot buy these possessions with money, and he cannot sell them. They are not physical objects, but they are real. They are things like wisdom and knowledge. These things are really valuable. An evil man also earns things. He might earn money, but he also earns something else. He earns trouble. He will suffer trouble because his actions are evil. Why would a fool reject his father’s correction? One major reason is pride. Fools believe they don’t need help from others and think they can handle everything on their own. Verse 6 is another twist on expectations. While the righteous have much treasure, we might assume the wicked have little. However, sometimes wicked people accumulate a lot of wealth. We know that wicked people harm others, so it’s not surprising that their wealth often brings trouble—those they've hurt may seek revenge. On the other hand, righteous people don’t harm others maliciously, so their earnings are not contested. Let me ask you: Are you wise enough to accept correction and benefit from it, rather than rejecting it? Guest Reader Jelena McClellan. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E167 · Mon, June 17, 2024
Send us a text Somebody's Watching Me 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. 4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Verse 3 God knows everything (1 John 3:21). He knows what the result of our actions will be. He watches good people so that he can protect them. He watches evil people so that he can punish their evil actions. Verse 4 Our words can comfort other people. Words can help people, and they can encourage people. Lies never achieve these good things. Lies hurt other people. Lies upset people and cause great problems. The first proverb assures us that God takes note of all our actions, whether good or bad. We don’t need to tell on someone who did something wrong because God already knows. Verse 4 tells us that a soft answer can turn away anger, and a gentle tongue is like a tree of life. When tempted to argue with someone over their political views, consider whether your words will bring life or strife. Let me ask you: Is God more concerned with you winning a political argument, or with your words bringing life and not strife? Guest Reader Alayna Steedley. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E166 · Sun, June 16, 2024
Send us a text Check your Tongue 1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Verse 1 If we choose our words carefully, then we will get a good reaction. When we tell people about God, we should be polite. We should not use angry words. These will upset people. However, sometimes, we must warn people. Jesus did this in John 2:13-16. Verse 2 We love to listen to wise people. Their words teach us and encourage us. We do not benefit from the words of a foolish person, who hates wisdom. A fool will say many things. However, everything that he says is foolish. Unfortunately, Solomon became obsessed with power and wealth and neglected to ensure justice for the poor. While he was generous to those in his court, many poor people suffered as he built grand palaces for his 300 wives and 700 concubines and stables for his numerous horses and chariots. Solomon needed to practice what he preached. Despite Solomon's failures as a king, his proverbs still hold valuable wisdom. With all the anger on news networks and social media, our society could benefit from using gentle words to diffuse anger. The same person who wrote the Book of Proverbs also commanded the enslavement of Hebrews and allowed the worship of foreign gods in Jerusalem. This shows that we can be both wise and foolish, not necessarily in our words but in our actions. Let me ask you: We need wise friends who will call us out when we're being foolish. Do you have a friend who keeps you accountable? Guest Reader Kimmy Shirley. If you are interested in being a guest reader.. send an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E165 · Sat, June 15, 2024
Send us a text Wise and Happy Kings 33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools. 34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35 A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him. Verse 33 Another translation of the second line is, ‘Even fools can hear wisdom.’ The wise person does not only think about wisdom occasionally. He is always thinking about wisdom. He is always learning new things. He loves wisdom. Wisdom is always in his heart and in his mind. A foolish person hates wisdom. He might hear wise words (Proverbs 8:5, Proverbs 1:20-27). However, a fool will not obey these wise words. A fool does not understand wisdom. He only knows his own foolish ideas. Verse 34 Solomon was a king. He wanted his nation to become a great nation. If his people were evil, then God would punish their nation. He wanted his people to serve God. And he wanted them to do the right things. Then their nation would be a great nation. Verse 35 A king needs servants and advisers. Solomon knew this, because he was the king of Israel. God is our king (Revelation 17:14). As Christians, we are God’s servants. God does not need advisers, but he wants wise servants. Verse 33 says that wise people clearly show their understanding. Even fools have some wisdom, but they never use it. Verse 34 says that righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin brings disgrace to any people. If you are part of a group, you share some responsibility for the actions and sins of others in that group. This applies to us living in the United States. We should actively oppose bigotry, racism, demagoguery, hypocrisy, sexual abuse, and other wrongs because, as members of our society, we share in the responsibility. Verse 35 says that leaders appreciate and reward the wise actions of their servants but punish those who act foolishly and bring shame. Let me ask you: Since you are part of your country, do you pray for forgiveness for the sins committed by others in your country? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E164 · Fri, June 14, 2024
Send us a text Refuge for the Poor 31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. 32 The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die. Verse 31 Solomon tells us to help poor people, because God made them. When we love poor people, we love God. See Matthew 25:34-45. Verse 32 Evil people have no protection when troubles come. God will protect good people who trust in him. When they die, they will go to heaven. See verse 26. The first saying is alarming. Many people in America have forgotten what it means to be poor and don't realize that by doing so, they are disrespecting God, their Creator. In the play "Fiddler on the Roof," a character says, “It’s no shame to be poor – but it’s no great honor either.” The problem is that with all our blessings from God, we often develop a sense of entitlement that disrespects billions of poor people around the world. Verse 32 of Proverbs reminds us that wickedness leads to death, but righteousness leads to salvation. Let me ask you: Have you ever gone three days without food because there was none available? If you have, you’ve experienced some of the hunger that half of the world’s population feels. If you haven’t, consider fasting for three days. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E163 · Thu, June 13, 2024
Send us a text Anger and Peace 29 People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. 30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Verse 29 Patience is good. ‘Everyone should be quick to listen. Everyone should be slow to speak. Everyone should be slow to become angry.’ (James 1:19) A patient person will learn many things. This is how he becomes intelligent. See James 5:7-11. Verse 30 Our emotions are powerful. Anger (verse 29) and jealous attitudes can even affect our health. So can good attitudes, like happiness. Paul wrote, ‘I have learned how to be content in every situation. I am content whether I am hungry or full. I am content whether I have plenty, or nothing.’ (Philippians 4:12) In the first proverb, being "slow to anger" is the same as having "great understanding," which is also linked to "long life." On the other hand, having a "quick temper" is associated with "foolishness," which is also linked to "death." Some people claim that God made them quick-tempered, and it's unfair for God to expect them to change. However, we live in a flawed world. The good news is that these persistent sins, like a quick temper, can be forgiven. People can change if they repent, confess their sins, trust in God (through Jesus), and strive to improve. Verse 30 explains that envy "rots the bones," meaning that envy destroys people's appreciation for the blessings God has given them. Think about this: Road rage is on the rise in America. People are getting shot for making negative comments about celebrities. Psychologists say it's healthy to vent your rage, but that's nonsense! Todays Wisdom for the Day Wise Guest Reader was Lauren King. If you are interested in reading the days Proverbs on a future episode, send me an email to Rick@renewedmindsets.com www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E162 · Wed, June 12, 2024
Send us a text Fear and Glory 27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. 28 A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing. Verse 27 God protects people who respect him. Even their families can benefit. See Psalm 46 and 2 Timothy 1:5. Verse 28 Solomon was a king. If there were many people in a country, then there would be a large army. The country could win wars. Or the country could be at peace, because nobody would attack it. Solomon wanted peace for his country. Besides being wisdom and a secure fortress, the fear of God is a fountain of life. Earlier, I talked about the song, “I’ve got a river of Life flowing out of me.” Do you have that fountain of life flowing out from you to help others? Verse 28 says that having many subjects is the glory of a ruler. However, if a ruler loses the loyalty of many of his subjects through unwise rule, his realm will be destroyed. Let me ask you: People who don’t know God can come to know Him through people who are fountains of Life. Do you have a river of Life flowing through you? Today's Wisdom for the Day Wise Guest Reader was Robin King. If you are interested in reading the days Proverbs on a future episode, send me an email to rick@renewedmindsets.com. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E161 · Tue, June 11, 2024
Send us a text Wise Security 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor. 26 Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Verse 25 An honest man speaks the truth. He can rescue people from death, because he is honest. He will tell people if their actions are wrong. He will show them what is right and good. A man who speaks lies causes great troubles. His lies can ruin other people’s lives. People suffer because of his lies. Verse 26 God protects people who respect him. Even their families can benefit. The first saying means that an honest witness helps save lives. It's clear that telling the truth can save someone who is wrongly accused. But it's also true that by being honest, people save their own lives too. On the other hand, lying witnesses don’t save lives; they lose their own. This shows a contrast between saving lives through honesty and the consequences of deceit. God sees lying as a serious offense, and we've learned that dishonesty leads to destruction. Earlier, we learned that the fear of God is the start of wisdom. Here, it is also described as a safe haven. Fear here is better understood as "awe," "respect," or "amazement." Who are God’s children? Those who fear Him! Let me ask you: Are you fortunate, or have you been blessed by God? How truthful have you been in showing God’s goodness? Have you witnessed any lives being saved? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E160 · Mon, June 10, 2024
Send us a text More Work, Less Talk 23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! 24 Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. Verse 23 In the end, even the best plan is only words. Words without work cannot earn money. Words alone do not achieve results. Only work can bring success. See James 2:14-17. Verse 24 A wise person deserves wealth and honor. However, many wise people are not wealthy. This may be because, for a wise person, wisdom is more important than money. A wise person works hard, but he does not work merely to get money. He works hard to get more wisdom. A fool hates wisdom. He might work to get money, but he is stupid. He can only earn foolish things. He should work to get wisdom. The first proverb can be summed up with the modern saying: "If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk." In the Book of James, it says that faith without actions is pointless. Verse 24 describes fools. Proverbs compares fools to mockers and rebels who prefer to do things their own way instead of following God's way. In the end, fools will be left with only their cynicism, mockery, and rebellious thoughts. In contrast, wise people will look back on a life filled with meaningful achievements. Let me ask you: After making plans, do you follow through with them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E159 · Sun, June 09, 2024
Send us a text Best Laid Plans 21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor. 22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. Verse 21 In verse 20, the neighbor tried to avoid the poor man. In verse 21, Solomon explains that this attitude is evil. God is pleased with the generous person. God is kind to the person who is kind to poor people. Verse 22 Life is like a journey. A person who plots evil deeds is like a traveller on the wrong road. The traveller’s road might lead to danger. And the evil man’s life will cause his death. And his evil life will take him to hell. His evil plans might bring him money, but he will lose everything. A person who makes a good plan is like a traveller on the right road. His plan will achieve good things, for example, love and truth. The first proverb advises us not to despise our neighbor. In today's world, many of us don't even know our neighbors, making it easy to ignore or even dislike them without understanding who they are. It’s ironic that it can be easier to dislike someone we don’t know than to love them. The second verse clarifies that it's not about being blessed to be poor. Money itself isn't evil, but the love of money is. Extreme poverty is hard for many of us to understand, making it difficult to feel genuine pity for those in such dire situations. Short-term foreign missions can be eye-opening experiences for those who haven't grasped what it means to live in desperate poverty. Verse 22 is straightforward: plotting evil is bad, while love and faithfulness are good. Let me ask you: When you drop your spare change into the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas, are you truly showing the compassion for the poor that Verse 21 calls for? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E158 · Sat, June 08, 2024
Send us a text James Knows 19 Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly. 20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.” Verse 19 This is not our experience today. Solomon is describing what should happen. Really, a good man is important. He is even more important than a famous person, or a king. People should respect him. Verse 20 This is terrible! People love a rich man, because they want to benefit from his money. People hate a poor man, because he has nothing to give to them. Christians must not behave like this. See James 2:1-7. Verse 19 describes how creation should work rather than how it actually works. Verse 20 describes how creation actually works, not how it should work. Listen to this: Listen how James describes how the differences between rich and poor should be handled in Chapter Two. My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. 2For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; 3and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, “Sit here in a good place”; and you tell the poor man, “Stand there,” or “Sit by my footstool”; 4haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts? 7Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? 8However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. 9But if you show partiality, you commit sin. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E157 · Fri, June 07, 2024
Send us a text Why So Angry? 17 Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. 18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Verse 17 Solomon contrasts two different types of people. The first person is quick. In a moment, he becomes very angry. He has a terrible temper. He does not think about his actions. He does evil things so quickly that he cannot think first. The second person is slow. He takes a long time to make his plans. He thinks about them carefully. Verse 18 If a simple man learns to do evil deeds, then he becomes a fool. When he is simple, he does not choose to be evil. He does evil things because he is not wise. He does evil things by mistake. When he becomes a fool, the same person hates God. Now, the man loves to do evil actions. He refuses to learn good things. We should help simple people to believe in God. Then they can become wise. Then their reward will be knowledge. As a king receives a crown, so they will receive knowledge. Other people will see their knowledge and respect them. The first proverb is like saying, "Haste makes waste." The problem isn't having to act quickly—sometimes that's necessary. The real issue is reacting without thinking. The second part of the proverb talks about sly people. If someone is secretive and doesn't share why they do things, even if their reasons are good, others might resent them. Verse 18 says that people who stay uninformed or ignorant without trying to learn are simple. But prudent people seek knowledge and wisdom. A simple person might start with biases against certain groups but can become wise by seeking understanding. Let me ask you: Are there areas in your life where you are uninformed and content to stay that way? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E156 · Thu, June 06, 2024
Send us a text What I Said? 15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. 16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Verse 15 Solomon compares a wise person and a simple person. Unlike a fool, a simple person does not hate God. You can teach a simple person. He can learn to do good things. Or he can learn to do evil things. He believes anything that you tell him. You can teach a wise person too. However, you cannot teach him to do evil deeds, because he is sensible. He thinks carefully about your words. He works out whether you are correct. Verse 16 In this verse, Solomon compares a wise person and a fool. A wise person respects God, but a fool hates God. The fool thinks that he himself is always right. A fool will not learn from anyone else. He is angry if someone tries to correct him. He loves to do evil actions. The first proverb reminds us not to accept everything we hear without thinking about how it fits with Scripture. This is especially important today when lies are often presented as "alternative facts." To do this well, you really need to know what the Scriptures actually say. Sometimes people quote verses inaccurately to justify wrong actions. Verse 16 emphasizes that evil can hurt you, so it's best to avoid it whenever possible. When you can't avoid it, be sure to act thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. Evil exists to undermine God's creation, especially humans. Let me ask you: Where do you get your information about the world? Do you take what you hear on TV or read on the Internet as fact? Do you listen more to digital assistants like Siri or to the Scriptures? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E155 · Wed, June 05, 2024
Send us a text Sad Clowns 13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. 14 Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. Verse 13 When we laugh, sometimes we are sad. Other people do not know this. They think that we are happy if we laugh. God knows our real feelings. He cares about us. Verse 14 Here, Solomon compares a good man with a man who turns away from God. A good man receives good things, because he deserves good things. An evil man receives evil things, because he deserves evil things. The man who turns away from God used to be a good man. He turned back to do evil deeds. He too will receive what he deserves. See 2 Timothy 4:14, Jude 5-6, and Hebrews 10:26-31. ‘But we are not the people that turn back. God will not destroy us. We are the people who believe in God. Therefore, God will protect us.’ (Hebrews 10:39) The first proverb reminds me of the saying, "Sometimes I'm laughing on the outside but crying on the inside." Often, we put on a brave face so others won't know how we're really feeling. Many people at church might seem like they have it all together, but their lives might actually be a mess, and they could be hurting more than you could ever imagine. Verse 14 touches on a familiar theme: if someone is disloyal and deceitful, they will eventually experience disloyalty and deceit themselves. On the other hand, if someone is honest and good, they will eventually be rewarded with good things. Let me ask you: When you meet someone, even if you've met them many times before, do you try to look beyond the surface to see if there are signs of depression or hurt that you can help with? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E154 · Tue, June 04, 2024
Send us a text WHERE DO YOU LIVE? 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. 12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Verse 11 The wicked man might be rich. He might live in a wealthy house. The good man might be poor. He might only live in a poor tent. Other people might think that a wicked man is really good. They might see his wealth. They might even suppose that God is pleased with that man. God knows the truth. When God acts as judge, God will not care about a man’s wealth. God will still punish a wicked man. The wicked man might not even know who destroyed his house. He might not realise why he lost his wealth. God has punished this wicked man. Verse 12 Different people have many ideas and many theories. In this verse, Solomon describes our lives, and not just our journeys. On a journey, if a man chooses the wrong road, he might be in danger. Thieves might attack him. They could kill him. In the same way, if we choose to live evil lives, in the end God will punish us. We have our own ideas and theories, but these do not matter. The only way to God is to follow Jesus (John 14:6). Proverbs often emphasizes that the achievements of wicked people don't last. The families of evil individuals tend to implode or explode. For example, Stalin is remembered for causing the deaths of 20 million people, with no positive accomplishments associated with his name. Verse 12 is particularly powerful. Throughout history, the Jews would sometimes follow God faithfully and do what was right. But other times, they would do evil in God's sight, and scriptures would say that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. This attitude of doing what seems right to oneself but leads to death is essentially rebellion—choosing personal judgment over God's guidance. I once knew someone who was committing adultery and justified it by saying, "I'm doing this for love. Love that feels this good cannot be wrong." It seemed right to him at the time, but it ultimately destroyed his family and his ministry. He should have known that real love never contradicts God's Scriptures. LET ME ASK YOU: Are there things in your life that you want to believe are right, but which go against Scripture? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E153 · Mon, June 03, 2024
Send us a text If it Aint Joy? 9 Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. 10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Verse 9 When someone becomes a Christian, he will receive a welcome from other Christians. See Luke 15. However, some people will laugh at a new Christian. Solomon calls these people, ‘fools’. By ‘fools’, he means people that do not respect God. They hate God, and they hate Christians too. They laugh at the new Christian because he has confessed his evil deeds. This is because they love to do evil things. If someone trusts in God, then this person seems stupid to them. Verse 10 We try to sympathize with other people. We try to share their joys and sorrows (sad feelings). Our efforts are kind and good, but we cannot really understand their feelings. Only God really knows the true feelings of a person’s heart. In Proverbs, fools are often seen as mockers and rebels. How can someone mock the idea of making up for their sins? What kind of value system teaches that people shouldn't try to fix the wrong things they've done? Verse 10 tells us that before you can share your faith with someone, you should first know them as a friend. People shouldn't be treated as just another target for conversion. Let me ask you: How important is making up for your sins? Sure, God will forgive your sins, no matter how bad, but true repentance means more than just feeling sorry. It means turning away from that sin. If you truly feel bad about something you’ve done, you’ll want to fix the damage. If you don’t want to repair or make up for a sin, then you don’t really feel bad about it. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E152 · Sun, June 02, 2024
Send us a text Foolish Fools 7 Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. 8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. Verse 7 A fool is someone who hates God’s wisdom. You cannot learn from this man, because he himself has learned nothing from God. Verse 8 A sensible person is cautious. He uses his knowledge to make good plans. He thinks carefully and he obtains advice. His decisions are good. A fool thinks that his decisions are right. However, a fool hates God, so his decisions are evil. The fool does wrong things, because he does evil things instead of good things. His evil thoughts are lies. He trusts in his own lies, and suffers as a result. The first proverb is similar to the saying, "You are shaped by the company you keep." We are all heavily influenced by the people we spend time with. If our friends lie and mock God, we become more accepting of liars and fools. Verse 8 is like the saying, "By their fruits you shall know them." People are either wise or deceitful. You trust the advice of someone who has been wise in the past. You don't trust the advice of someone who has been divisive and deceitful before. Let me ask you: How God-fearing are your friends, and how God-fearing are you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E151 · Sat, June 01, 2024
Send us a text A Lie is a Lie 5 An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. 6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. Verse 5 You must make your choice. A person might say nice things. He might be very clever. Many people might want to hear his words. However, if his words are lies, then he cannot help us. An honest person might seem to be unfriendly. He might be anxious. He might even be angry. Perhaps nobody wants to hear his words. However, he is telling the truth. Like the oxen (strong farm animals) in verse 4, we may not like his character. However, his honest words can really help us. Verse 6 Knowledge is not difficult to find. It is everywhere. Honest people will tell their knowledge to us (as in verse 5). The Bible will teach God’s knowledge to us. Many other books will teach human knowledge to us. However, if someone insults other people, he will not learn knowledge or wisdom. Perhaps he insults honest people, so he cannot hear the honest words. Perhaps he insults everyone, and only listens to his own ideas. It's true that honest people don't lie and false witnesses do. However, modern philosophers claim there's no absolute truth, only relative truth—what I believe is true for me. But God’s Scriptures tell us that truth is absolute and unchanging—yesterday, today, and forever. Proverbs teaches us that a scoffer or cynic won't find wisdom. Sometimes cynics can dress up their negativity with clever words. When I was younger, I often quoted Mark Twain, who said, "No sane man can be happy, for he sees life as the truly frightful thing it is. Only the mad can be happy—and not many of them." That seems like a sophisticated view of life. But now I see it's actually quite hopeless. If someone really believed that, they've missed the wisdom of the abundant life God wants us to have. Let me ask you?: Does God ignore little lies? Does God only hold us accountable for big lies and not harmless fake news? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E150 · Fri, May 31, 2024
Send us a text Fools and Oxen 3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. 4 Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. Verse 3 A fool’s pride makes him talk too much. His many words will lead him into trouble. A wise man speaks with care. His words will save him from many dangers. Verse 4 The wise farmer knows that he needs oxen (strong farm animals) to plough his fields. Without them, he cannot produce crops. Oxen can be difficult animals for a farmer. They need plenty of food. The farmer must work hard to look after them. However, oxen used to be essential animals on the farm. Solomon’s farmers used oxen like tractors, to pull the plough. Without oxen, the harvest would be poor. Some church members are easy to look after. They are polite and friendly, and everyone likes them. However, they do few things for God’s work. Other church members act like the oxen. Such church members may ask difficult questions. They have many problems. Sometimes, they make serious errors. They are difficult to look after. However, we must learn to appreciate these members too. Sometimes, they will achieve great things for God. Peter was like this - see Mark 8:31-33, Matthew 26:74 and Galatians 2:11-14. We might not choose these church members, but God chose them for his work. When I read the first proverb, I thought of people who could use a good lesson, but God reminded me not to be flippant. God doesn't need enforcers; fools will bring punishment on themselves. Verse 4 reminds us to focus on what truly matters. My father, a librarian, used to tell a story about someone asking how the library was doing. The librarian replied, "Great. Only one book is checked out, and I'm on the way to get it now." Sure, the books were all accounted for, but the library wasn't serving its real purpose. We humans like everything neat and tidy with clear explanations: What did Jesus look like? What does death feel like? Who will be in heaven? Will we have best friends in heaven? But Jesus said the Holy Spirit is like the wind—unseen and uncontrollable, yet powerful. Let me ask you: Do you truly know the Holy Spirit and its power? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E149 · Thu, May 30, 2024
Send us a text Funny Woman 1 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. 2 Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. Verse 1 This is a little story that uses humor. We walk along the street and we see two women. Both women are working on their homes. The first woman is wise. She carefully builds her house. Skillfully, she makes a beautiful home for her family. We expect that the other woman is doing the same. However, we are wrong. In fact, the second woman is pulling down her own home. The story means this. A wise woman loves her family. She looks after them. She works hard to help them. A wise woman is a woman who serves God. A foolish woman hates God and loves evil things. She might think that she loves her family. However, her evil actions do not help her family. Instead, her evil actions hurt her family. Verse 2 We should respect God. So we should do the things that please him. See the instructions in Hebrews 13. Some people hate God. They might not realise that they hate God. But their actions prove this. They refuse to obey God. Instead, they do evil things. Jesus said, ‘If you love me, you will obey my commands.’ (John 14:15). Even though the first proverb seems obvious, many people don't follow it. Both women and men often criticize and undermine their spouses. When someone constantly complains about their spouse, they might not realize they're destroying their home from within. Hurtful words can damage a home more effectively than any wrecking ball. Verse 2 points out that when people openly sin, regardless of what they claim, they show they don't love God because they're not doing what He wants. On the other hand, those who try to do what God wants because they respect Him are the ones who truly "fear" God. Let me ask you: If you have a family, do you work to build it up or tear it apart? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E148 · Wed, May 29, 2024
Send us a text EIEIO 23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away. 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. 25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry. Verse 23 Evil people can destroy many good things. This is one reason why today many people are poor. God has given great wealth to the people of the world. God gave land, which can produce plentiful supplies of food. But often, evil men prevent the supply of food to poor people. As Christians, we must be fair and generous. Especially, poor people need our help. Verse 24 A good parent should sometimes punish his child. The parent does not hate the child. Instead, the parent loves the child. This is why the parent punishes the child. This punishment will teach the child to have discipline. Verse 25 This verse is not only about food. It is about satisfaction. An evil person always wants more things. He wants more food. He wants more money. He wants more possessions. He wants to be famous and successful. Even if he is already famous, then he wants to become more famous. A good person does not need these things. He is content with the things that God gives to him. The world doesn't have a food problem because of its large population. It's more about how food is distributed, which the first proverb points out. Some leaders might use food as a weapon against their enemies. In the United States, some groups argue against immigration by saying we're already full, but the data show we actually need more workers. In today's world, where spanking is often seen as child abuse, Verse 24 might seem outdated. Sadly, some people who didn't truly care for children have used this verse to justify severe punishment. However, that doesn't mean it can't be used appropriately. For example, if a young child tries to run across a busy street, simply reasoning with them might not be enough—you might need to physically stop them. Verse 25's message is repeated throughout Proverbs: righteousness leads to life, while wickedness leads to death. Let me ask you: Looking back on your own childhood, do you feel like the discipline you received was ever too harsh? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E147 · Tue, May 28, 2024
Send us a text Sinners Wealth 21 Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous. 22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly. Verse 21 Trouble is like an enemy who follows an evil man. The enemy will catch the evil man and attack him. This means that an evil person will suffer his punishment. He cannot avoid it. But success is like a friend who follows a good man. The good man will succeed. God will make sure of this. Verse 22 A good man’s success helps other people. He will be able to help his children. He will even be able to help his grandchildren. An evil man tries to copy this. He stores his money. He thinks that he is very wealthy. But he cannot benefit from his great wealth. When he dies, he will lose it all. In the end, everything belongs to God. See Luke 12:16-21. Both proverbs draw a clear contrast between the bad things that happen to sinners and the good things that happen to righteous people. While we can find exceptions, these proverbs generally describe how Creation works. Motivation is important, too. People should strive to be righteous because they love Yahweh, not because they think it will make God reward them with prosperity. God is the Creator and we are His creations. We can't force God to do anything He doesn't want to do, and we can't fully understand His ways. Scriptures give us some insight, but we can't grasp all the ways God works. Let me ask you: Most of us have tried to make deals with God at some point, like saying, "God, if you heal my mother, I'll attend church regularly for the rest of my life." How did that work out for you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E146 · Mon, May 27, 2024
Send us a text What Dreams May Come 19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Verse 19 When God gives good things to somebody, then that person is glad. The person is even happier if he has had to wait for these things. A fool is someone who refuses to respect God. He does not think to ask God for good things, because a fool hates God. The fool refuses to turn from his evil behaviour, because he loves evil things. A fool will not wait for good things. Instead, a fool wants evil things, now. Verse 20 Choose your friends carefully! A person who is a friend of wise people listens to them. Then, he learns from them, and he himself becomes wiser. In the same way, a friend of fools can suffer their troubles. If your friends do not love God, then think about this. You need to bring God’s message to your friends. You must refuse to do evil things, if they test you. You should also have wise, Christian friends. They will help you to become a strong Christian. When you've wanted something for a long time and finally get it, there are two possible outcomes. It might satisfy you and bring joy, or it might leave you feeling empty and frustrated. Fools experience this emptiness because they often desire things that are evil and go against God's good creation—things that can never truly satisfy. For example, sex outside of marriage may seem appealing, but it never brings lasting fulfillment. There's a saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it." Make sure your desires are for wise and good things. Let me ask you: Has there ever been something you really wanted, but when you got it, you felt a letdown? Looking back, why didn’t it satisfy you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E145 · Sun, May 26, 2024
Send us a text PaperBoy Blues 17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing. 18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored Verse 17 If we are Christians, then we carry a message from God to the people in the world. This message is very important. We must always tell the truth. We must not keep God’s message as a secret. Our message, as Christians, is a good message. This message cures the spirits of men and women. This message will help people to know God. This message will protect them from evil plots. This message will teach the way to heaven. God loves the people from every country. He will forgive them, if they trust in him. These are all good things. Verse 18 We are like soldiers in God’s army. We should learn discipline. Sometimes we make mistakes. God shows us that we are wrong. We must not refuse God’s correction. If we gladly accept God’s correction, then God will give honour to us. The first proverb is about the integrity of a messenger, which is even more important today. Think about the messengers or pundits delivering news on broadcasts—do they have integrity, or are they just saying things for shock value? Verse 18 addresses pride. If someone thinks they don't need discipline because they believe they are better than the person offering it, they are setting themselves up for failure. However, if someone is humble enough to accept correction, they will benefit from it. Let me ask you: How do you handle receiving correction? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E144 · Sat, May 25, 2024
Send us a text Aint Got Good Sense 15 A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.[b] 16 Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness. Verse 15 We should listen to other people. We should try to help them with their problems. If we are wise, then people will appreciate this. People will ask for our advice and they will respect us. They will love us, because of our wisdom. If we learn from God, then we shall become wiser. God will love us, because we respect him. But nobody respects the person that lies. This person does not deserve love from anyone. Verse 16 A wise person does not waste his knowledge. He loves knowledge, and he uses it well. He uses his knowledge to help other people. He uses his knowledge to stay safe. The wise man’s knowledge is like a workman’s tools. A fool has no understanding, so he makes the wrong decisions. Everyone can see this. Everyone realises that this man is stupid. Good understanding brings favor, but a lack of understanding, which often means unfaithfulness, leads to trouble because those with poor understanding don’t grasp how God’s creation works. Fools naturally show their foolishness. What’s interesting is that while a fool's folly is clear to everyone else, the fool doesn’t see it. Someone once said: "The best way to trick a fool is to let the fool think he is tricking you." Let me ask you: Do you feel sorry for fools who show their folly? Should you feel sorry for them? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E143 · Fri, May 24, 2024
Send us a text Ask Me Tell Me 13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed. 14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death. Verse 13 People write books of instructions to help us. We should read and obey the instructions. Then, we shall be safer. A foolish person refuses to read instructions. He thinks that he knows what to do. God gave his commands to us in order to help us. We should obey his commands. And we should live in the right way. Then we shall receive God’s reward. Verse 14 Our church leaders and teachers need wisdom. They should respect God. Their lives should please God. Then when they teach, the people will benefit from their words. Ordinary wisdom can save a person from natural dangers and death. God’s wisdom can save a person from the danger of hell. God’s wisdom will bring that person to heaven. The first proverb doesn’t exactly compare apples to apples. An instruction isn’t always the same as a command. Still, the message holds true: if someone ignores all instruction, especially wise advice, they will suffer for it. On the other hand, if someone is humble enough to listen to wise guidance, they will be rewarded. In the arid Middle East, water was precious, and good wells were often fought over. Verse 14 tells us that we should have the same desire for wise teachings. Think about it: Can you recall a time when you were a source of wisdom and support for someone, like a River of Life? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E142 · Thu, May 23, 2024
Send us a text Pyramid Scheme 11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Verse 11 An evil person does not spend his money wisely. Often he does not save it for the future. He wastes it. Perhaps he spends it on beer and wine. Perhaps he places bets. Perhaps he takes risks. Sometimes thieves steal the money from him. If a wise person has money, he spends it carefully. He saves the money that he does not need today. He is generous and he helps other people. Money is worth more, when a wise person owns it. Verse 12 We do not receive everything immediately. Sometimes, we must wait. This can be difficult. We may not see quick results from our prayers. We should wait for God’s time. God will answer our prayers, if we ask for the right things. Jesus told a story about an unfair judge. The judge refused to help a widow. She appealed to him many times. Finally, the judge agreed to help (Luke 18:1-8). God is better and kinder than an unfair judge. God will help us, when we pray. When people steal money, they don't understand how much hard work it takes for honest people to earn that same amount, so they often waste their stolen money without a second thought. On the other hand, an honest person works hard for their money and is careful not to waste it. Verse 12 comes to mind whenever I hear about a child who is excited about doing something, only to be disappointed when a parent has to cancel. Each disappointment makes the child sadder. Parents need to keep their promises to children just as they do to other adults. Let me ask you: Is a promise to an adult more important than a promise to a child? To God, a vow is a vow. If you told your children you would take them to a ballgame and then your boss asks you to work overtime, do you automatically agree to work? If you make a promise, you need to keep it, so be careful about what you promise. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E141 · Wed, May 22, 2024
Send us a text Light and Joy 9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. 10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. Verse 9 Light is better than darkness. On a journey at night, the wise man carries a bright light. He is safe, because of his light. He knows the right way, because of his light. He will arrive home safely. On the same journey, the evil man has only a candle, but its light is weak. He cannot see the right path. He will lose his way. He is in great danger. ‘God’s word is like a lamp for my feet. God’s word is like a light for my path.’ (Psalm 119:106) God’s word is the Bible. The Bible is like a light, because it guides us. The Bible teaches us how to live. Verse 10 Proud people argue because they speak their own thoughts. A proud person always thinks that he is right. He will not listen to anyone else. A wise person behaves differently. Although a wise person is wise, he is willing to hear the advice of other people. A wise person has great understanding, because he listens to other people. When someone is good and does the right things, people are naturally drawn to them. When such a person dies, they are deeply mourned and memorials are set up in their honor. On the other hand, when someone who is sly, wicked, cruel, and cunning dies, people often celebrate their death and quickly forget about them. Proverbs has nothing good to say about pride, and it's easy to see why pride is one of the seven deadly sins. God doesn’t come to help those who think they can do everything on their own. Proud, self-sufficient people don’t think they need God. Instead, God helps those who know they need His help. In the second chapter of Mark, Jesus says: "Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor, but those who are sick do. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Let me ask you Are you humble enough to admit that you need a Savior? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E140 · Tue, May 21, 2024
Send us a text Better Off Dead 7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. 8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. Verse 7 is similar to Proverbs 12:9. There is an interesting connection between verses 7 and 8. A man, who pretends to be wealthy, places himself in danger. Unlike a rich man, however, he cannot use money to save himself. It is safer to pretend that you are poor! In verse 8, a rich man has many benefits. He can use his money to save himself. However, the poor man escapes this danger. The thieves do not want to steal from a poor man. The thieves know that a poor man has nothing for them to steal. Some benefits of wealth are not real. Some people want to appear rich so badly that they pretend to have wealth they don't actually possess. Imagine how empty that kind of life must be. I recently watched a movie about J. Paul Getty, who was once the richest man in the world. His grandson was kidnapped, but Getty didn't want to pay the ransom because he cared more about his money and art than other people's lives. Spoiler alert: Getty eventually paid the ransom, but only after his grandson lost an ear. Verse 8 makes a good point. I don't worry about any of my family being kidnapped because I don't have enough money to make it worthwhile. Think about this: Which of the following sounds best to you? Having so much money that you can buy anything you want, but needing bodyguards all the time. Being so poor that no one wants what you have, but being hungry. Having enough money for your needs but not your wants. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E139 · Mon, May 20, 2024
Send us a text Wicked Lies 5 The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace. 6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin. Verse 5 A good man hates lies, but an evil man loves to tell lies. This is why the evil man causes shame. Verse 6 We cannot make ourselves perfect. We must ask God to forgive us. He loves us. He even sent Jesus to suffer our punishment. Only God can make us perfect. Only God can forgive us for our evil deeds. Today's first proverb tells us that a good person hates lies, while a bad person loves them. But wait, there's a twist! Wickedness actually brings shame and disgrace. Verse 5 highlights a big problem in the United States today. Fewer and fewer people value honesty and hate lies. Instead, many of us are getting caught up in the constant flow of lies in the media. We're almost entertained by the next big scandalous lie. This weakens our integrity. We need to return to basics, valuing truth and rejecting lies! Verse 6 reminds us that righteousness protects our integrity. But where can we learn to be righteous? Proverbs is a great place to start! Lemme ask you: Do you hate lies, or do you look forward to the next shocking bit of fake news? Either way, it's important to keep studying the Scriptures and take each proverb to heart! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E138 · Sun, May 19, 2024
Send us a text Bite Your Tongue 3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. 4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. Verse 3 Our words can place us in danger. Or our words can protect us. Our words can make evil plans. Or our words can encourage and help other people. We have a choice. Verse 4 Everybody desires good things. A person should work and earn money. Then he can buy the things that he desires. In Chapter 3 of the Book of James we read: 5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. 7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. 8But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. 10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. In Psalm 141 is this wise prayer that I often (but not always often enough) pray: 3Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. Verse 4 reminds us that we were not created to sit around and have everything handed to us on a silver platter. You don’t fulfill your dreams by simply day dreaming. Let me ask you: What do you need to do to control your tongue? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E137 · Sat, May 18, 2024
Send us a text Love the Whip 1 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a] a mocker refuses to listen to correction. 2 Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. Verse 1 When we teach people about God, some people will listen. Other people refuse to listen. This is not our fault. Some people are ready to hear us, but other people are not. We should pray for them all. Sometimes, someone who refused our message will later accept it. See Mark 4:1-20. Sometimes, many people must teach the Bible, before people believe it. Paul compared this to a plant, in the field. He wrote, ‘I sowed the seed. Another man called Apollos gave water to it. God made the seed grow. The person who sows is not important. The person who gives water is not important. Only God is important, because only God makes plants grow.’ (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Verse 2 As a tree has fruit, so good words have a good effect. Such words inform and help other people. An evil man’s words have a bad effect on himself and other people. A smart son listens to his dad's advice. But does that mean smart daughters don't have to listen? No, it doesn't. Jesus challenged the norms of a society that favored men and showed that women are just as valuable. Following Jesus' example, let me rephrase the saying: Smart children listen to their parents' advice, while fools ignore it. The second verse is a bit poetic and might make you wonder what it really means. Here's what I think: When people speak kindly and uplifting words, they create a positive environment. But if people speak mean, foolish, or wicked words, they can expect negativity and conflict. You can change your life for the better today by being mindful of what you say. Let me ask you: If no one has recently praised your speech, you might need to work on controlling your tongue. What can you do to improve? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E136 · Fri, May 17, 2024
Send us a text Lazy Hunters Don’t Eat 27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find. 28 The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. Verse 27 The lazy man wasted his food. A wise person would cook his food and enjoy it. A lazy person wastes his life. He achieves nothing, because he refuses to work. A wise person achieves many things by his hard work. Verse 28 Life is like a journey. On our journey, we should follow good people. We should copy their behaviour. And we should learn to do the right things. Especially, we should follow Jesus (John 8:12). Then God will give a place in heaven to us. God has prepared a home for us in heaven (John 14:2-3). Proverbs often throws us for a loop with its surprising contrasts. For instance, it describes a lazy person as someone so lazy they won't even cook their own food. On the other hand, it says a diligent person is someone who takes good care of everything – their food, belongings, and family – ensuring all are highly valued. By the way, by the time we wrap this up, you'll have a new fourteen-letter word in your vocabulary. If you need a refresher, check back to April 11 to remember what a paraprosdokian is. Let's think about Verse 28. We all know that tough times hit everyone, whether they're Christians or not. The difference is in how Christians handle these challenges compared to non-Christians. Christians don't lose hope during difficult times. Instead, they trust that God has a fulfilling life planned for them and keep pushing forward. Let me ask you: Do you have a faith that helps you get through tough times? If not, where might you find such faith? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E135 · Thu, May 16, 2024
Send us a text Don’t Worry Be Godly 25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. 26 The godly give good advice to their friends;[a] the wicked lead them astray. Verse 25 This verse expresses sympathy. A person who worries is sad. Life can be hard. People fear many things. As Christians, we should look after other people. We should speak words of kindness and sympathy. We should speak words that encourage. We should tell people to trust God. Then we shall bring joy into people’s lives. Verse 26 Other people benefit when someone respects God. People can learn from us. Our lives can teach people about God. This is like a man who leads his friend on a journey. Life is like a journey. But an evil man is like a traveller who has no guide. This traveller must guide himself on his journey. He does not know the correct route, so he will go the wrong way. So the evil man will do the wrong things. He will suffer because his actions are evil. So, there are a lot of anxious folks out there, right? Well, Proverbs gives us a simple solution: just say something nice. Seriously, a kind word can turn someone's anxiety into happiness. Think about it: Have you made the world a little less anxious today with your words? Now, here's another nugget of wisdom from Proverbs: A good person is careful about who they hang out with and how they influence them. But wicked folks? They lead their friends down the wrong path. Remember what your mom always said? "Choose your friends wisely. They can either lift you up or bring you down." Now, here's a challenge for you: Try to say something nice to at least five people every day. At the end of the day, reflect on whether you hit your goal. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E134 · Wed, May 15, 2024
Send us a text Humble Wisdom 23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness. 24 Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. Verse 23 A wise man is still wise, even if he does not speak. When Jesus was in court, he remained silent (Matthew 26:63). Isaiah wrote, ‘A sheep is silent before the farmer cuts its wool. So he (Jesus) remained silent.’ (Isaiah 53:7). Some people are always speaking. They want everyone to hear their ideas. If a fool talks constantly, all his words will be foolish. He needs to be silent, and to listen. Then a wise man can speak and teach wisdom to the fool. Verse 24 Employers watch their workers. The employer wants to know which workers are working hard. He also wants to know who is lazy. A good worker will receive more responsibility. A lazy worker might lose his job. In the end, the lazy worker could even become a slave. I had a friend once who struggled with alcoholism, but he had this knack for spotting it in others. He was also really wise. Now, imagine if someone who wasn't so wise had his ability to spot alcoholism. They might blurt it out the moment they met someone struggling with it, and that could shut down any chance of helping that person. But my friend was different. He kept his observations to himself and focused on reaching out and helping instead. Now, Proverbs is pretty clear about something: God expects us to put in the work. If we think we're entitled to government help without giving anything back, we might find ourselves in a bind, just like Verse 24 warns. Lemme ask you: Let's say you find out a close friend is dealing with some serious issues like addiction to drugs, alcohol, or something else harmful. What would Proverbs suggest a wise person do in that situation? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E133 · Tue, May 14, 2024
Send us a text Lord Loves Godly 21 No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. Verse 21 God protects good people. He does not protect evil people. See Psalm 91. Verse 22 Sometimes, we need to remember simple facts. Some wise words are complex, like a puzzle. Other wise words are very easy to understand. Even a little child can understand this verse. So, does bad stuff ever happen to good folks? Well, sometimes it does. But what the first proverb is getting at is that, generally, trouble tends to skip over the good guys and land on the bad ones. Sure, there might be exceptions where good people face trouble or bad people seem to get off scot-free. But it's smarter to plan your life based on the general rule rather than those rare exceptions. I heard this interesting story in a mystery audiobook once. The detective cracked a case using a clue from Proverbs 12:22. He remembered it because his dad, who was a minister, taught him Bible verses when he was young. It's fiction, sure, but it's true that things we learn as kids tend to stick with us. Lemme ask you, think about your own upbringing. Did your parents teach you any Scripture verses that helped you through tough times? Nowadays, with all the fake news out there, people's attitudes towards lying have shifted. But God still sees lying as a big no-no. What about you? Where do you stand on lies and deceit? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E132 · Mon, May 13, 2024
Send us a text Time for Wisdom 19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. 20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! Verse 19 The truth does not change. If something is true now, then it will always be true. This is like wisdom (Proverbs 8:22-31). This is also like Jesus, because Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Lies do change. When someone lies, he is always changing his story. ‘Many witnesses spoke lies against Jesus. However, their accounts were all different from each other.’ (Mark 14:56) Verse 20 You cannot see a person’s heart or mind. However, you can understand their thoughts, if you look at their behaviour. Jesus explained this in Matthew 7:15-20. So, it's kind of a no-brainer, right? Politicians, especially, should take note of the first proverb because a lying tongue might work for a moment, but it won't last. Now, usually, we think of evil as the opposite of righteousness. But Verse 20 throws a twist by contrasting deceit with joy, just like how evil is contrasted with peace. Here's the deal: Honest folks don't want anything to do with evil stuff. So, those who plan evil schemes do it sneakily, tricking others into joining them. But when someone promotes peace, it's like spreading joy. We all crave peace, and whenever there's a glimmer of hope for it, it brings happiness. Lemme ask you, think about our society. We've got all these divisions—political, generational, spiritual—you name it. At gatherings, people often say, "Don't talk about politics or religion." But here's the thing: If we avoid those topics, how can we promote peace instead of deceit? It's something worth pondering. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E131 · Sun, May 12, 2024
Send us a text Witness Wisdom 17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. 18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Verse 17 If you want to know the truth, then ask an honest person. You cannot trust a person who lies. Verse 18 Words can hurt, and words can heal. An evil man’s words can cause much damage. He might upset or insult people. He might use words to make an evil plan. For example, an evil lawyer can use clever words to write an unfair contract. Words might not hurt in a physical way, but they can cause real trouble. Words do not heal in a physical way either. However, they can bring help and comfort. So, the first proverb is pretty straightforward, right? It's like saying, "Duh! Honest folks tell the truth, and liars tell lies." Nothing surprising there. But Verse 18 goes a bit deeper. It's warning us about the consequences of speaking without really thinking things through. See, rushing into things can often lead to pain and regret. Wise words, on the other hand, should bring comfort and healing. I came across this interesting article in Christianity Today that talked about how parents should bring humor into their homes but avoid using satire, especially when talking to their kids. Satire, by its nature, has a target or victim, and that's not what parents should be aiming for. Instead, their words should always bring healing, especially when talking to their children. Now, here's the thing: Some folks use the truth as a weapon to hurt others. You might have heard someone say, "I'm just telling you the truth in Christian love," only to then tear the other person down. Proverbs tells us that speaking the truth isn't enough; it has to come from a place of love and healing. Lemme ask you, think about when kids ask, "Why do I have to do this?" Adults sometimes react defensively and say things hastily, even when there's no real reason for it. So, ask yourself: Do your words bring healing, or do they cause harm? And when you realize you've spoken rashly, are you willing to apologize and make things right? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E130 · Sat, May 11, 2024
Send us a text A Fool's a Fool 15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. 16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Verse 15 Some people always think that they are right. On a journey, they never ask for directions. When they are ill, they do not go to a doctor. Even if they do go to a doctor, they do not obey his advice. They are proud, and Solomon calls them ‘fools’. A wise man behaves differently. He is humble. He listens to advice. Verse 16 As Christians, we try not to insult other people. But sometimes other people will insult us. And we must learn how to behave in this situation. A fool is a person that hates wisdom. He wants to do evil things. A fool is proud, so he hates an insult. An insult upsets him, so he is angry. If we are wise, then insults will not bother us. Many people insulted Jesus. They said that Jesus had a devil (Mark 3:22). Jesus’ family thought that Jesus was mad (Mark 3:21). Even when Jesus was dying, people insulted him (Mark 15:29). This did not upset Jesus. He even prayed for them (Luke 23:34). He taught us to do the same (Matthew 5:11-12). People may insult us because we belong to Jesus. But God will help us if people insult us. You know how it says that a fool doesn't listen to advice? Well, it's not like fools never listen at all. Sometimes they do, but here's the catch: they only listen to the advice that agrees with what they already think. But wise people? They're different. They don't just seek out advice that confirms what they already believe. Instead, they look for people who will give them the best solutions, even if it means admitting they were wrong. Now, about Verse 16, think about social media, especially platforms like Facebook. It's become a place where people can vent their frustrations almost instantly. And sometimes, they say things in the heat of the moment that can really come back to bite them. I mean, I've heard stories of folks losing their jobs because of something they posted online without really thinking it through. Lemme ask you, here's something to think about: It's easy for any of us to justify our own bad behavior. But having someone close to us, like a spouse or a trusted friend, who can call us out on it is really valuable. That's what Verse 15 is getting at—we all need someone who will give us honest advice, not just tell us what we want to hear. So, who's that person for you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/renewedmind
S1 E129 · Fri, May 10, 2024
Send us a text Traps and Rewards 13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. 14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. Verse 13 An evil man’s words are like a hunter’s trap. He is like a stupid hunter who falls into his own trap. Verse 14 This verse encourages us to think about our words. Verses 11-13 remind us that work is important. We receive wages for our efforts. It matters to God, whether our work is good or evil. But our words are also important. Our words can encourage people. They can show kindness. They can advise. They can teach and correct. They can lead people to God. God will reward us for our words. We shall get what we deserve. So, you know the story of King David from the Bible, right? Well, there were times when his enemies tried to set traps for him. But guess what? Instead of David falling into those traps, his enemies fell into them themselves. Talk about backfiring! David always seemed to come out of those situations without a scratch. It's like that saying goes: "The righteous always find a way out of trouble." Now, verse 14 isn't just about good versus evil. It's saying that being good pays off in the long run. If you do good things, you'll reap the benefits. It's like a reward for your hard work. And it's not just about feeling good about yourself; you actually get something tangible out of it. Lemme ask you: You have to know that what you're doing is good. If you're doing something that you know deep down isn't helping anyone, you can't expect good things to come your way. Makes sense, right? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E128 · Thu, May 09, 2024
Send us a text Work Hard for your Money 11 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. 12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. Verse 11 A farmer deserves his harvest. He has worked hard. He has looked after his animals. He has ploughed his land and he has sowed his seeds. He has protected his crops from the weather. He has rescued the plants from animals and insects. His reward is the harvest. The person who merely imagines is lazy. He may make plans, but he does no work. He would be a very poor farmer. His imagination cannot help his plants and animals to grow. If the lazy man refuses to work, his plans will achieve nothing. Verse 12 Different people have different ideas about work. Some people work with their hands. Managers use their intelligence as they work. An evil person thinks that he is working. He uses his hands to steal from other people. He uses his intelligence to make evil plans. He thinks that he deserves to be wealthy. An evil person does not behave in the proper way. He does not obey God’s law. An evil man might seem impressive. He might be wealthy. He might seem clever. However, he is like a tree without roots. The part of his life that you see might seem good. The part that you do not see is terrible. His thoughts are terrible because they are evil. A good man is like a tree that grows properly from its roots. He is strong (verse 3) because he trusts in God. So, the first saying basically tells us to get real about making money. Instead of daydreaming about striking it rich overnight, it's better to put in the work. You know, those "get rich quick" schemes and hoping for a lottery win? They're just lazy wishes. It's like chasing rainbows for a pot of gold that doesn't exist. Now, that Hebrew verse? It's a bit fuzzy. But in simpler terms, it's like saying bad guys who build up a fortress eventually see it crumble, while good folks who stay true to themselves stand strong. What's the deal with Verse 11 then? Does it mean we shouldn't dream at all? Nah. It's cool to dream big, but don't forget to hustle while you dream. That's the real deal. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E127 · Wed, May 08, 2024
Send us a text Pride Unwise 9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. 10 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. Verse 9 This is a puzzle. A famous person can be very poor. An unimportant person can be wealthy. Often, we do not understand why a person should be poor or wealthy. Some people pretend that they are wealthy. Or, perhaps, they pretend to be poor. We see these people, and we do not always understand their behaviour. It does not matter whether someone is important or not. It does not matter what people pretend. It does not matter whether a person is famous or not. It does matter whether a person has food or not. We must try to understand the things that really matter. Verse 10 A good man is never cruel. He is not cruel to people, and he is not cruel to animals. Every action of a good man is kind. Proverbs doesn't hold back when it comes to Pride, considering it one of the seven deadly sins according to the Church. It's seen as particularly dangerous because it's easy to hide. Once it's hidden away, it can grow and eventually bring down even the proudest person. The first proverb takes a practical view of pride. It's smarter to be honest about what you can afford rather than pretending to be wealthy when you're not. After all, you can't eat an image of wealth. Another thing Proverbs points out is how troubled and messed up people can be when they lack empathy and are cruel to pets and other animals. It's like Proverbs knew this way before psychologists did. Now, think about this: Society often looks down on being poor. But if someone's poor because they're lazy, maybe that's understandable. However, most of the time, it's not that simple. There just aren't enough jobs available. Proverbs reminds us not to be prideful by pretending to be rich when we're not. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E126 · Tue, May 07, 2024
Send us a text Godly and Sensible 7 The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm. 8 A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised. Verse 7 This reminds us of verse 3. An evil man is never strong. When the evil man is in trouble, he may lose everything. He will not ask God to help him. His life is in danger. A good man is never weak. Verse 7 speaks about his ‘house’. This word also means his family. A good man and his family are safe, even when troubles come. The man who trusts God is not afraid. Even if the good man loses everything, God will help him. Verse 8 Some people praise wealthy people, or famous people. Other people follow kings and rulers. As Christians, we should respect wise people. A wise person, who serves God, deserves honor. We often see wicked people who appear to be doing great and thriving. But Proverbs tells us that eventually, the success gained through evil ways will crumble and be wiped out. On the flip side, take Martin Luther King, Jr. for example. He was tragically killed, but the goodness he stood for didn't die with him. His righteous Dream still lives on today. Now, let's talk about warped minds today. Pedophilia is universally condemned, but there are other issues too. #MeToo is shedding light on the warped mindset behind nonconsensual sex. However, it's tough to change the mindset of the Free Love Movement of the 60s and 70s. But there's hope that society will start to recognize and condemn sex predators more openly. Just to be clear, I'm not bashing #MeToo here. My point is that unfortunately, there are still too many people who don't see nonconsensual sex as a seriously twisted mindset. Too many folks, mainly men, still brush off harmful behavior with the excuse "Boys will be boys." Now, here's something to think about: Sex isn't the only thing that messes with people's heads. Greed and pride can warp minds too. So, what are some other things that you think can mess with people's heads? Greed and pride are just a couple of examples. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E125 · Mon, May 06, 2024
Send us a text Plan Wisely 5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. 6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. Verse 5 A good man does not plot evil plans. His plans respect God. The good man tries to help other people by his plans. For example, someone might open a shop that sells food. If the shopkeeper is a good person, then he wants to sell good food at a fair price. But an evil shopkeeper might want to sell poor food at an expensive price. The second part of this verse is about advice. You cannot trust an evil man’s advice. When he is advising you, he is plotting an evil plan. You do not know his plan. An evil man will not give sound advice. His advice is a lie. He wants to cheat you. Verse 6 The evil man is like a hunter. His plans are like a hunter’s traps. The evil man wants to steal from other people. He even wants to kill them. A simple person is in danger. If someone does not know about a hunter’s trap, that person could fall into the trap. The good man is safe. He speaks the right words. These words are better than the evil man’s plans. The good man’s words will protect him. You probably wouldn't label a student as evil or wicked just because they cheated on a writing assignment. But technically, they did break the whole "Thou shalt not steal" thing from the Commandments. Nowadays, it seems like the big deal isn't so much about cheating being wrong, but more about not getting caught. But if we think about it, most students would agree that cheating is shady rather than fair play. According to Proverbs, that puts cheaters in the wicked category. I recently heard about a senior who won't be graduating because they got caught cheating on an essay. And get this: it wasn't the first time! The student had been busted twice before and warned that a third time would mean flunking. Yet they still turned in someone else's work from a previous year, name and all. It's pretty clear that this student doesn't have much of a moral compass. But despite that, their wickedness means they won't be moving on to graduation. Now, here's something to think about: I've heard plenty of folks cheat on their taxes, but if it's just under a hundred bucks, does that still count as wicked? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E124 · Sun, May 05, 2024
Send us a text Stable Crown 3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. 4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. Verse 3 This verse is not about the strength of a man’s body. It is about our whole lives. The good man has a strong belief in God. The good man uses his knowledge to make decisions. His emotions do not control him. When troubles come, he is confident. This verse reminds us of Jesus’ story in Matthew 7:24-27. A strong house is safe, when a storm comes. A weak house is in danger, and it will fall down. God will protect us if we trust in him. But an evil man is weak. Troubles will destroy him. Verse 4 A wife should be honest, fair and kind. If so, then her husband will be proud of her. She is valuable and precious to him, like a crown. He is glad that she is with him. A bad wife hurts her husband. If the wife is evil, then the husband will suffer. He will even feel weak. A husband and wife should look after each other. They should love each other. Both should trust in God. God will teach them to be good partners. About 200 years back, Edward Mote penned a hymn that goes like this: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ, my righteousness..." He talks about standing firm on Jesus, who's like a rock, while everything else is just shaky ground. Maybe he was thinking about this proverb that says the good folks won't get knocked around. In Verse 4, it's clear that husbands take a lot of pride in their accomplished wives, and vice versa. And when one does something shameful, it's a real blow to the other. Same goes for parents and kids. When one messes up, it affects the whole fam. So, here's the thing to mull over: Are you a good spouse or child? And if you've ever disappointed your folks or your partner, have you tried to make things right? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E123 · Sat, May 04, 2024
Send us a text Disciplined Wisdom 1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. 2 The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. Verse 1 We can benefit when someone shows our mistakes to us. When we see our mistakes, we can learn to do better. Nobody is perfect. Everybody has something to learn. Many people fear correction. They do not want other people to know about their mistakes. They try to hide their errors. As Christians, we should be humble. We should appreciate people who correct us. Verse 2 There is a real difference between good behaviour and evil behaviour. God cares about a good man. God is kind to that man. And God will help that man. If we make evil plans, then we refuse to obey God’s commands. God will punish the evil man. We all need a bit of correction now and then. The real question is: How do we handle being corrected? Proverbs lays it out pretty plainly. If we can't stand being corrected, well, that's just plain foolish. But if we're open to it, it shows that we're hungry for knowledge that'll actually make our lives better. As I've said before, it's all about making the right choices! Verse 2 gives us two big signs of a decent person. First off, they've got the Big Guy's approval. And second, they're not just avoiding shady stuff themselves, they're calling it out when they see it. They're not afraid to stand up against anything that's not right. So, here's something to chew on: Are you secretly a good person? Like, do you try to do what's right, but you're too afraid to call out others when they're messing up because you don't want to rock the boat? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E122 · Fri, May 03, 2024
Send us a text Growth in Wisdom 30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.[a] 31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners? Verse 30 We can bring God’s life to other people. Our wisdom can show other people the way to God. This is another reason to learn God’s wisdom. Verse 31 God is fair with everybody. The good man will receive good things. God will provide for him. God is also fair with evil people. They will receive a fair punishment. You've probably heard the saying: Life is about the choices we make. So, choose wisely. Proverbs tells us that if we make smart choices, we'll win over people. But before we can win others over, we've gotta make sure we're in a good place ourselves. Take King David for example. He poured his heart out to God, asking for help and thanking Him for being awesome. He knew what it meant to really seek help from a higher power. Verse 31 basically says that if you're living right, good things will come your way. But if you're up to no good, you're in for a rough ride. So, here's something to think about: If you keep on living the way you are now, will you end up with good stuff coming your way, or will it be more trouble than it's worth? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E121 · Thu, May 02, 2024
Send us a text Fools and Trouble 27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! 28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. 29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. Verse 27 There is a good reward for the person who does the right thing. There is a severe punishment for the person who does evil things. Verse 28 Wealth does not matter. If we are wealthy, we must not trust in wealth. Once a wealthy young man wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus told him to give everything to poor people. Jesus loved the young man, but the young man refused. The young man trusted his wealth more than he trusted God. (Mark 10:17-23) Verse 29 A person might expect to receive money from his parents. If he upsets them, then he will get nothing. He will become poor. Perhaps he will have to be someone’s poor servant. He must suffer, because he is foolish. The Proverbs passage is all about being smart with what you chase after, what you hope for, and who you put your trust in. If you're chasing after good things, you'll get props from people who help you out. But if you're chasing after bad stuff, you'll find trouble pretty easily. Trusting in money might seem like a good move, but there will be times when cash won't save you. However, if you're trusting in doing what's right, you'll come out on top. If you're constantly looking for drama, you're not going to find anything good. Like, if you're hooked on watching adult content, your life is going to feel pretty empty in the end. And if you're dissing on God's teachings, you're just setting yourself up to be the punchline because, eventually, you'll have to answer for it. So, take a minute to think: Are you too focused on getting ahead, even if it means stepping on others? And hey, are you keeping some shady secrets, like watching porn on the down-low? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E120 · Wed, May 01, 2024
Send us a text Prosper or Cursed 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need. Verse 25 There are many generous people who have great wealth. God has provided for them, so they provide for other people by their money. Then God provides the giver with more wealth, so that they can give even more. Verse 26 This verse is about greedy people. In business, we are generous, if we are fair. When poor people are hungry, some shopkeepers might refuse to sell food for a reasonable price. Then hungry people would have to pay a higher price or remain hungry. The fair shopkeeper sells at a fair price. "Liberal" is a pretty loaded word in the US nowadays. But in Proverbs, it's about folks who aren't all about hoarding wealth; they trust that God's got their backs. In some places, calling someone "fat" isn't an insult—it's a compliment! Like in Cambodia, where orphans might pat your belly and say you're looking good. I've been through my fair share of storms and disasters. And you know what? Some people take advantage of chaos to make a quick buck. They hike up prices for stuff like water, and it's infuriating. But in those tough times, we see who the real heroes are. It's the ones who don't exploit others' misfortune, who keep prices fair even when everyone's desperate. Think about it: Are you there for your family when they need you? And do you extend that same kindness to folks who aren't related to you? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E119 · Tue, April 30, 2024
Send us a text Rewards and Loss 23 The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment. 24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. Verse 23 A good man wants good things, and he will receive good things. An evil man wants evil things. God will punish this man, because the man’s actions are evil. Verse 24 ‘One man gives, and his wealth increases. Another man does not give to anybody, and he becomes poor.’ This is a puzzle. When a man gives, he loses money. When a man does not give, he saves his money. This verse says the opposite. Solomon has not made a mistake. When someone is generous, God is kind to this person. Sometimes God gives more money to this person. (Luke 6:38) The first proverb plays with words, suggesting that while righteous individuals seek goodness, we often anticipate wicked ones to crave only evil. Yet, surprisingly, the wicked desire wrath, relishing uncontrolled anger and road rage, even eagerly sharing their fury on social media. In Verse 24, the concept shifts to generosity: those who generously share their resources tend to receive abundance in return, contrasting with those who hoard and never find satisfaction. This dynamic isn't a strict rule but a common observation of life. Some may give with the expectation of receiving double in return, motivated by greed rather than genuine generosity. Instead, our giving should stem from gratitude for God's love and the ability He grants us to give. It's about acknowledging the blessings we've received and sharing them with others without expecting personal gain. Take a moment to reflect: Do you tithe, giving 10% of your income to your church as an expression of gratitude toward God? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E118 · Mon, April 29, 2024
Send us a text Oinky Jewelry 21 Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free. 22 A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. God wants us to live good lives, but we are all evil. God hates our evil actions. God will punish evil people. If we want to be good, then God will help us. He wants to forgive us. He sent Jesus. We deserve punishment for our evil actions, but we do not need to suffer this punishment. When Jesus died, he received our punishment. If we ask God, then he will forgive us. We can be free from the evil things that are in our lives. Then, when we die, we shall go to heaven. God loves good people. When we trust in him, God will change us. As we learn God’s wisdom, God will make us into his people. ‘God called you from the darkness. He called you into his wonderful light. Before this you were not a nation. Now you are God’s people.’ (1 Peter 2:9-10) Verse 22 Solomon uses humour in this verse. Solomon and his nation hated pigs. Everybody in Israel believed that pigs were unholy animals. The people never ate pig meat (Leviticus 11:7). An ugly pig does not become beautiful, even if it has a gold ring! In the same way, a foolish woman is never really beautiful! (By ‘foolish’, Solomon means a person who refuses God’s wisdom.) A beautiful woman should be kind and generous. The woman’s face might be ugly or pretty. But she is really beautiful if she does good things! (1 Peter 3:3-4) It's reassuring to know that those who do wrong will face consequences, even if it's not immediate. Despite hating sin, God doesn't despise wicked individuals and offers them the opportunity to repent. This reminds me of an experience during my time in the Navy. When Miss America visited with the USO to entertain troops, I was shocked to hear her cussing on stage . It was unexpected, much like finding a gold ring in a pig's snout. Let me ask you; what other analogies can you think of like the gold ring? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E117 · Sun, April 28, 2024
Send us a text Death and Life 19 Godly people find life; evil people find death. 20 The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. Verse 19 Nobody is ‘really good’, except God (Luke 18:19). Nobody deserves to live with God in heaven. Heaven is God’s gift to us, but we must trust in him. Verse 20-21 These verses explain simple principles. These principles explain many things. God wants us to live good lives, but we are all evil. God hates our evil actions. God will punish evil people. If we want to be good, then God will help us. He wants to forgive us. He sent Jesus. We deserve punishment for our evil actions, but we do not need to suffer this punishment. When Jesus died, he received our punishment. If we ask God, then he will forgive us. We can be free from the evil things that are in our lives. Then, when we die, we shall go to heaven. God loves good people. When we trust in him, God will change us. As we learn God’s wisdom, God will make us into his people. ‘God called you from the darkness. He called you into his wonderful light. Before this you were not a nation. Now you are God’s people.’ (1 Peter 2:9-10) Proverbs emphasizes that sin creates a rift between us and God, leading ultimately to death, while adhering to God's precepts brings joy in His presence and eternal life. This wisdom finds resonance in the teachings of the Apostle Paul in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Regarding Verse 20, many may assert, perhaps internally, "My heart isn't that corrupted, so I'm not an abomination to God." However, Romans 3:23 unequivocally states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," underscoring the universal reality of human fallibility. Thus, no one can claim innocence before God. Consequently, we all rely on Jesus Christ, the Savior, who transforms us from abominable to beloved in God's eyes. Reflect: Do you subscribe to the "I'm OK/You're OK" philosophy, or do you acknowledge your need for a savior? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E116 · Sat, April 27, 2024
Send us a text Cruel to be Kind 17 Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. 18 Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. Many people ask about the benefits that a Christian receives. These verses compare kind people with cruel people. Kindness brings a real reward (verse 18). People respect the kind person (verse 16). This is a real benefit for a kind person (verse 17). A cruel man causes himself pain (verse 17). He receives money as his benefit (verse 16). However, this is not a real benefit (verse 18). He cannot take his money with him when he dies (verse 19). Proverbs grasped the concept of "psychosomatic" millennia before psychologists acknowledged that internal strife, stress, and malevolence can manifest as physical ailments. The most effective remedy for psychosomatic afflictions arising from inner turmoil is practicing mercy. Forgiving others enables self-forgiveness, even when it's unconscious. Why do the gains of wicked individuals prove illusory? Their deceitful practices stem from a lack of reverence for fairness in their work ethic. Conversely, the righteous uphold integrity, offering honest labor and earning recognition and rewards accordingly. Reflect: As Colossians 3 urges, do you approach your work as if serving the Lord? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E115 · Fri, April 26, 2024
Send us a text Pay Your Bills 15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt. 16 A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Verse 15 We should make a promise only if we can carry out our promise. See also Proverbs 6:1-5. Verses 16 Many people ask about the benefits that a Christian receives. These verses compare kind people with cruel people. People respect the kind person (verse 16) Proverbs does not explicitly endorse using collateral for loans, but it warns against doing so for unfamiliar individuals, as it often leads to personal detriment when the borrower defaults. Defaulting on a loan is considered a breach of faith, constituting a sinful act. In contemporary, post-Christian societies, loan defaults and bankruptcy are not necessarily deemed immoral and are sometimes seen as savvy financial strategies. However, the repercussions of extensive collateralization, particularly in the realm of defaulted student loans, are now manifesting as a burden on American society. Verse 16 presents an unexpected twist, contrasting the honor accorded to a gracious woman with the wealth attained by violent men. While the proverb seems to imply that violent men amass riches, it reflects the pragmatic reality rather than divine approval. Although individuals possess free will, they remain accountable for their actions, and even if violent individuals amass wealth, they will ultimately face the just judgment of a higher authority. Reflect: Are you burdened by significant debt? If so, do you have a plan to repay it? Do you prioritize the repayment of student loans as highly as mortgage or credit card debt? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E114 · Thu, April 25, 2024
Send us a text Advising Gossip 13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. Verse 13 This verse is also about silence. We must think before we speak. Christian leaders often hear other people’s secrets. People should be able to trust their church leaders. The church leader should not tell someone’s secret to another person. Verse 14 Ordinary people need advice. Church leaders need advice. The leaders of cities need advice (verses 10-11). Even entire nations need advice. Good and bad words affect the lives of ordinary people. But good and bad words can also affect whole nations. The wise person is not afraid to ask for advice. Sometimes, we need to ask many advisers before we receive the best advice. Gossip is often dismissed as innocuous, yet it entails betraying confidences, an act deemed sinful by divine standards. Such breaches disrupt the harmony of Creation. Proverbs extols the virtue of trustworthiness and discretion. Both individually and collectively, our success hinges on decision-making guided by sagacious counsel rather than demagoguery. While fabricated narratives may captivate, genuine achievement requires the guidance of wise advisors. Upright and righteous individuals must vocally oppose the pervasive dissemination of salacious distortions on the internet. Let me ask you: Are you a person of integrity, preserving confidences, or do you succumb to gossip? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E113 · Wed, April 24, 2024
Send us a text City Planning 101 11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. 12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. Verse 11 explains the reaction of the people in verse 10. In verse 11, when evil men talk about a city, they plot to destroy it. Perhaps their plan is to steal from the people. Perhaps the evil men want the people in the city to be their slaves. Words can be terrible. The words of evil men can destroy a city. The words of good men also achieve great things. Because of their words, the city becomes great. They pray, and God helps the city. They speak about God, and people trust in God. Verse 12 Words are powerful. It is better to say nothing, than to speak evil words. When leaders uphold righteousness and integrity, their governance becomes a boon to their populace, elevating their cities, states, and nations as beacons of virtue. Conversely, when the reins of power fall into the hands of the wicked, corruption threatens the very foundation of governance through underhanded dealings. This cautionary tale should resonate within America's political landscape. Disdain for one's neighbors reflects a lack of wisdom, veering individuals toward folly. The prudent eschew hate speech and outbursts of anger, exercising restraint even in the face of provocation. In a society marked by anger and division, there looms the peril of descending into collective foolishness. Let me ask you: How can we diminish the currents of disdain and animosity within our society? Prayer is one avenue, but what other actions can we take to foster harmony and understanding? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E112 · Tue, April 23, 2024
Send us a text Righteous and Wicked 9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. 10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die. Verse 9 explains how a good man can avoid trouble. He is wise, because he has studied many things. His knowledge protects him. He is safer than someone who knows nothing. However, an evil man, who does not know God, can be dangerous. Even his neighbour can suffer. An evil man’s words destroy his neighbour (verse 9). In verse 10, everyone suffers because of the evil man. Perhaps the evil man ruled the city. Perhaps he was very cruel. The evil man’s death means that the people will be free. This is why they shout for joy. This is why they want good men to succeed. Those without faith may defame and smear others, deriving pleasure from causing harm or seeking personal gain. Conversely, individuals of integrity are shielded by their honorable reputations. Their endeavors are driven by a desire to aid others, and their success is shared joyously by all. Conversely, the malevolent inflict harm in their actions, prompting celebrations and expressions of relief when they face downfall. Let me ask you: Do you align with the virtuous or the faithless? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E111 · Mon, April 22, 2024
Send us a text Hope in Wisdom 7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength. 8 The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. Verse 7 Death is terrible for an evil man. He will lose all of his money. He will lose all of his possessions. He will lose everything that he achieved in life. He will discover that he was wrong. But then it will be too late. The true Christian will have a different experience. Paul wrote, ‘While I live, Jesus comes first. When I die, I shall benefit… I want to go to be with Jesus. Heaven will be much better than this world. However, I must live longer, because I need to help you.’ (Philippians 1:21, 23-24) Verses 8 God cares about a good man. But an evil man will suffer. Wickedness goes against the natural order of Creation. Therefore, the aspirations of evil individuals will not be fulfilled beyond their lifetimes. However, this doesn't imply that the memory of evil deeds will vanish. For instance, Herod, who ordered the massacre of infants in an attempt to kill Jesus, is still remembered. Yet, Herod's plan failed, and Jesus went on to become the Savior of the world. Hitler harbored ambitions of global dominance, which ended with his death. Verse 8 assures that eventually, righteous individuals will be rescued from their trials. It's important to note that this doesn't mean righteous people won't face challenges; rather, it promises deliverance. Moreover, those who caused trouble for the righteous will eventually face similar hardships. Reflect: What kind of authority do the power-hungry seek? Absolute authority. They aspire to be like God, which is an impossibility. God is the Creator, and even those consumed by power are mere creations www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E110 · Sun, April 21, 2024
Send us a text Honesty Ain’t Heavy 5 The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 6 The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them. Verse 5 Solomon compares life to a journey. We must be honest. Then we will be like travellers who walk along good paths. We shall take the correct route to heaven. This is a good, straight path. It does not bend into dangerous places. We shall not lose our way. Verse 6 We have a simple choice. We can choose to do good things. Or we can choose to do evil things. We can choose to do the right things. Or we can choose to do the wrong things. We can choose freedom, or prison. The decision to obey God is also a simple choice. A wise person invites God into his life. This person loves God, and God looks after him. But a foolish person will not listen to God’s wisdom. If individuals are righteous, they are following God's statutes. To adhere to God's laws, the righteous must have familiarized themselves with them. Delving into God's laws invariably leads to Wisdom, illuminating God's path for people. Conversely, engaging in wickedness doesn't require much study. God cannot be mocked, and wickedness leads to ruin. God promises salvation to the righteous. However, if individuals are unfaithful to God and disregard His commandments, their unfaithfulness may lead to their downfall. Reflect: Why would a benevolent God permit individuals to face ruin—to go to hell? Yet, God's love for us is such that He grants us freedom of choice, rather than reducing us to mere automatons. However, if we persist in our obstinacy and depravity, God allows us to bear the consequences of our decisions. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E109 · Sat, April 20, 2024
Send us a text Honestly Right 3 Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. 4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. Verse 3 An honest man is a good man. He loves the truth. His decisions will be right. Jesus met a man called Nathanael. Jesus said, ‘This man is a genuine member of the nation of Israel. This man is totally honest.’ (John 1:47) Nathanael had the right attitudes, and these attitudes helped him to find Jesus. An evil man is not honest. He will suffer because of his lies. Verse 4 A judge in court does not ask whether a man is wealthy. If a man is guilty, then the judge will punish him. The judge does not care whether the guilty man is rich or poor. God will be the judge of everybody. We have all done evil things, so we all deserve punishment. Our money cannot save us from God’s punishment. We must trust in God. God can forgive us. He will teach us to do the right things. If individuals are righteous, they strive to follow God's commandments. These directives lead them toward Wisdom, and Wisdom, in turn, illuminates the path of God. Contrarily, deceitful and perverse individuals disregard God's statutes, and defiance against His laws results in peril and ruin. Material wealth and possessions cannot shield one from the wrath of an enraged individual, for they will seek retribution for any wrongdoing or malice in their fervor. Harmonious and pleasant relationships are built upon righteousness, rather than material abundance. Regardless of the aspirations of certain scientists, neither wealth nor technology can forestall the inevitability of human mortality. Reflect upon this: Imagine you unearthed the Holy Grail, and you alone possessed the ability to live indefinitely. Would you desire eternal life if you were the sole recipient of such a gift? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E108 · Fri, April 19, 2024
Send us a text Watch That Scale 1 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Verse 1 Our actions, like our words, are important to God. At work, we should not cheat other people. We must be fair. In a shop, a kilo or pound weight should be accurate. If we use false measurements, we lie to our customers. We should be honest. Verse 2 Humble people know that God is great. God likes humble people. God likes humble people because they look after other people. A humble person considers that other people are important. A proud person thinks only about himself. The purpose of false scales is to cheat people, to lie by saying they are purchasing more than they really are. That is the same as stealing from the purchaser, and we know that is wrong from the Ten Commandments. On the other hand, if a person uses an honest balance, then they are treating their fellow human properly, and God is pleased. If people are proud and self-reliant, they lose their sense of needing God since they are able to handle life’s obstacles on their own. But none of us are God, so there come times when the proud lose control of their lives – and so they are ashamed. However, humble people know they can’t meet all of life’s demands, so they need to rely on Yahweh. They study the Scriptures to find out what God wants them to do. And Scriptures always lead readers to Wisdom and to a way to be forgiven for their sins and shortcomings. Contemplate: Pride is perhaps the deadliest of sins, for it blinds people from their need for God. Do you need God? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E107 · Thu, April 18, 2024
Send us a text Watch That Tongue 31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. 32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. Verses 31-32 Verse 32 encourages us. Many people worry that they will say the wrong thing. A good man always says the right thing. If we trust in God, then God will help us. If we study the Bible, then we shall speak God’s words. If we pray, then God will guide us. We do not need to worry. We need to be humble. If we serve God, then we shall not speak evil words. We shall not even know how to speak evil words! When we speak, other people will benefit. Righteous people respect and try to obey the rules, commandments, statutes and laws of Yahweh. When righteous people speak, they are informed by Scriptures and therefore they speak with Wisdom and Understanding. Perverse people rebel against the constraints of Scriptures that are there to protect them. It follows that they will fail since they don’t have a clue about Creation’s rules. Righteous people know what is acceptable because they know the Scriptures. Either wicked people don’t know Scriptures or deliberately disobey Scriptures. Either way they are perverse. Righteousness doesn’t depend upon education. I’ve known many PhD’s who are considered Wise by the world but who are so proud of their intellect that they miss the whole point of Scriptures that every human is tainted by sin and needs a Savior. Let Me Ask You: Are you really conscious that you are in desperate need of a Savior? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E106 · Wed, April 17, 2024
Send us a text Destroy the Wicked 29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. 30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land. Verse 29 Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’ (John 14:6) Our lives are like journeys. We must live God’s way. God will take us to the place where we belong. This is good news for Christians. We belong in heaven. This is bad news for evil people. The Bible says that they will go to hell. They should change their lives and trust in God. God will forgive them, if they turn to him. Verse 30 See my notes on ‘the land’, under Proverbs 2:20-22. In verse 30, Solomon compares a good man to a tree. Both belong in the place where God has planted them. Even when trouble comes, they can stand firm. ‘A storm passes. And wicked people cannot last. But good people are always safe’ (verse 25). Good people are safe. We have security when we trust God. God has promised to protect and keep all people who truly call on Him and try to follow His commandments. God is in charge of this world, and His people are those who willingly accept His authority. On the other hand, if people want to control their own lives without God's help, they bring upon their own destruction. Similarly, those who willingly submit themselves to God as the ruler of their lives will receive His protection and be saved. Conversely, those who disrespect God and try to assert their independence will eventually realize their limitations and be lost. Let Me Ask You: What about the Holocaust? It is evident that the good are not always protected. This is because sin has corrupted creation. Creation was intended for the good to always be safeguarded, but unfortunately, evil individuals sometimes prevail. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E105 · Tue, April 16, 2024
Send us a text Years of Life and Nothing 27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. Verses 27-28 The good man respects God. He will have a long life. He will be happy. The evil man refuses God’s wisdom. The evil man will die soon. His plans will fail. He will achieve nothing. These verses are rather general. Some good people die young. Some evil people live long. Solomon is explaining simple principles. More complex explanations are elsewhere in the Bible. We must learn simple principles before we can understand complex explanations. This is the principle. A good person has a good life. An evil person has a bad life. This principle is enough, for now. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. However, fear referred to here is not abject hopeless horror. Rather, fear of Yahweh is awe, reverence, fear of doing wrong when wanting to do right. It is how a creature approaches its Creator. It is to be expected that such a creature who tries to obey the statutes that were laid down for the creature’s good will live longer than the wicked who disobey the Creator’s commandments. Being in harmony with Creation gives righteous people joy. Wicked people don’t follow the Creator God and therefore have no hope for a meaningful life. Theirs is a hopeless existence. They are in disharmony with Creation, disobeying God’s rules and perishing as a result. Contemplate: Do you think of yourself as a righteous www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E104 · Mon, April 15, 2024
Send us a text Thunder and Vinegar 25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. 26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes. Verse 25 A storm will sweep away wicked people because they have no firm security. But God will keep safe the person who trusts in him. See Matthew 7:24-27. Verse 26 There is humour in this verse. If you send a lazy man with a message, your message may never arrive. Instead, send a wise man with the message. It will soon arrive. Vinegar does set people’s teeth on edge and smoke stings the eyes and makes it hard to see – both unpleasant experiences. Equally unpleasant and frustrating is the experience of sending someone to do a job when that person hates to do any work. Contemplate: Do good guys come out on top more than bad guys? Forgetting money, after a disaster, do good guys have a more meaningful life than bad guys? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E103 · Sun, April 14, 2024
Send us a text Looking Forward 23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. 24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. Verse 23 In this verse, Solomon asks us what we love. A wise person loves wisdom. We might think that wisdom is good. This is not enough. We might think that wisdom is powerful. Many people think these things, and some of them are fools. ‘You believe in one God. This is not good enough! Even the devils believe in one God. They are afraid of him.’ (James 2:19) We should love wisdom; and we should love God. Verse 24 If you desire the right things, then God will give them to you. If you desire wisdom, then God will give wisdom to you. In the same way, a wicked person will suffer the troubles that worry him. He is afraid of death and hell. His wicked behaviour will bring him to death and hell. He will lose everything. Who is considered a fool by Proverbs? A fool is someone who mock’s Yahweh’s Scriptures, who disobeys God’s Commandments, who rebels against Yahweh’s authority or who doesn’t even believe in God. Whatever pleasure a fool does is therefore wicked. However, if a person has an understanding of how and why Yahweh created the world and all humans, that person will naturally love God’s Wisdom. Wicked people have only their own resources to try to succeed in this Creation. It isn’t surprising, when confronted with the vastness of Creation, wicked people are overwhelmed by their fears. Righteous people understand their Creator’s love for them, so it is natural that righteous people’s desires are granted them. Contemplate: How fearful are you? Are there times when your fears almost overwhelm you? What can be done? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E102 · Sat, April 13, 2024
Send us a text Godly and Foolish Money 21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. 22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Verse 21 The words of a good person are valuable to other people. This may be like a mother, whose own food feeds her baby. In some countries, a mother will take food from her own mouth. Then, she will give this food to her child. In the same way, a good man’s words are like food. His words feed other people’s minds and spirits. Other people become stronger, because of the wise man’s words. Verse 22 If God gives wealth to a good person, then this is good news for everyone. By his kindness, God is good to the rich man, and his friends and neighbours. Everyone benefits, because the man will use his wealth wisely. He is generous. This rich man does not worry, because he trusts God to protect him. An evil man’s wealth brings troubles. Everyone suffers because he uses the money for his evil purposes. A paraproskodian is a figure of speech that surprises with an unexpected twist in the latter part of the sentence. Many proverbs use this technique. The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish (we expect) can feed no one. (but we get) die from lack of understanding. Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, (we expect) Yahweh’s curse brings poverty, (but we get) and he adds no trouble to it. We typically don't expect wealth to bring trouble, but this implies that if we gain wealth without God's blessing, it may lead to trouble. Consider this: Winning a large sum in a lottery often brings troubles along. Relationships may break as greed tempts people to claim a share of the winnings. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E101 · Fri, April 12, 2024
Send us a text Say Less 19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. 20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless Verse 19 Solomon is not saying that we should not speak. However, some people speak too much. If we want to help people, then we should listen to them. We should try to understand their problems. Then, maybe, we can help them. We can pray for them. Perhaps we can advise them. Perhaps we can take them to someone else who can help. If, for example, someone has died, many people are afraid to speak to the family. We should care, and we should sympathise. We should talk to the family. However we should not talk too much. Sometimes, we can care with our words. Sometimes, we can care by our actions. Best of all, we can be with the sad person. Verse 20 If we serve God, then our words will help other people. Our words are valuable, so we should use them wisely. We should use them: ·††† to encourage other people ·††† to sympathise ·††† to help people. An evil man wants evil things. He makes evil plans. He tries to destroy other people. This is why his desires are worth nothing. You know how they say, if someone starts telling you a long, complicated story to answer a simple question, they're probably trying to cover something up? Yeah, usually the simplest explanation is the real deal. If you're a good person, people trust what you say without you having to swear by it. Your reputation isn't something you can buy—it's built on honesty. But if you're shady, your word means squat because nobody believes you anyway. Do you find yourself saying, "Honestly..." before you spill something to make people trust you? Or can you just say what you mean and have folks believe you? LET ME ASK YOU: Are you straight up with others? And with yourself? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E100 · Thu, April 11, 2024
Send us a text Life and Hatred 17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. 18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Verse 17 A wise person accepts correction. He wants advice. Other people will benefit from this. They will copy the wise man’s actions. The wise person leads other people. He shows them the right way to live. A church leader must be careful. Other people will copy his actions. ‘God will be a strict judge with us because we teach other people.’ (James 3:1) When a person refuses correction, other people will suffer. Other people will make the same mistake. Nobody will learn. Verse 18 We should forgive other people. Even when someone hurts us, we should not hate that person. Instead we should pray for them. Many people secretly hate someone else. The first line says that this is like a lie. Other people talk about the person whom they hate. Perhaps they actually tell lies about that person. This happens in the second line of this verse. This verse teaches that both of these are wrong. We should not hate someone silently. We should not talk about a person whom we hate. Instead we should forgive such a person. The message from Proverbs rings clear: Listening to advice leads to a fulfilling life, while disregarding it leads to a path of sin and eventual destruction. When it comes to our speech, there are a couple of major pitfalls: lying and slander. These are actions that can wreak havoc not just on others but also on ourselves. Emotions can sometimes get the better of us, and it's natural to feel hate towards someone or something at times. It's not inherently sinful; in fact, there are things we're told to hate, as they go against what's right. However, when we deny or conceal our feelings of hate, that's when we cross into sinful territory. Slandering, spreading false information about others, is always wrong. It directly violates the commandment against bearing false witness. Think about this: Emotions are part of being human, and they can be intense and unpredictable. But we do have control over how we respond to them, especially when it comes to what we say. To rein in our tongues, we might need to practice mindfulness, think before speaking, and strive to speak with honesty and kindness, even when emotions run high. It's about exercising self-control and considering the impact of our words before letting them loose. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org <
S1 E99 · Wed, April 10, 2024
Send us a text Wealth of the Poor 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction. 16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. Verse 15 This is true, but it is not good. A rich man can use his money to protect himself. A poor person cannot do this. When there is danger, the poor man suffers first. As Christians, we should care about poor people. We should give money to help them. See Ephesians 2:10. Verse 16 Wealth brings some good things, but wealth cannot give a good life. Solomon does not write, ‘a rich man earns a good life’. He writes, ‘a good man earns a good life’. We can be confident of this. This is like wages for a job. However, we cannot earn heaven. This is because we cannot make ourselves good. We have all done evil things. We all deserve punishment. Only God can forgive us. We must trust in God. God can make us good. Jesus died to suffer our punishment. Proverbs lays it out straight, no sugarcoating. In the real world, it says wealth is like a fortress for the rich, while poverty is like a wrecking ball for the poor. It doesn't care whether you ended up poor because you were lazy or because life dealt you a bad hand. Either way, being poor puts you at the mercy of the wealthy, and let's face it, they're not usually lining up to help out. Now, here's the twist: You'd think doing good stuff would lead to a good outcome, right? But Proverbs throws a curveball. It says the work of righteous people leads to life, while the work of the wicked leads to sin. But hang on, isn't sin supposed to lead to death? Well, yeah, later on, Proverbs does say that. And in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul doubles down on this idea, saying that the payment for sin is death, but thanks to Jesus, we get the gift of eternal life. So, let me ask you. Are you rich? Maybe you don't see yourself that way, but compared to a lot of folks in the world, chances are you're sitting pretty well off. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E98 · Tue, April 09, 2024
Send us a text Lips of a Fool 13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod. 14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster. Verses 13-14 A wise person studies. He wants to learn more knowledge. A person who refuses God’s wisdom is a fool. A fool hates God. God will punish him for his evil deeds. However, the fool will also punish himself. His words cause trouble, both for himself and for other people. In these Proverbs , there's a twist: It says wisdom comes from the smart folks, not where you'd expect it, right? Usually, you'd think they'd say foolishness comes from the clueless. But nope, they're saying if you don't get what God wants, you deserve a good talking-to. Then there's this sci-fi book by Robert Heinlein where he's like, "Stupidity can't be fixed. It's like the ultimate crime, and the punishment is death, no questions asked." But hey, at least being clueless can be fixed by reading the Bible. Now, about Heinlein's quote, you might be thinking of some people who fit the bill for being dumb enough to deserve the punishment he talks about. But hold up! Remember the Lord's Prayer? We ask for forgiveness based on how we forgive others. So, let's not rush to judge, alright? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E97 · Mon, April 08, 2024
Send us a text Fountains and Quarrels 11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. 12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. Verse 11 When a good man speaks, we should listen. His words bring life to us. They are like water that pours from a fountain. His words, like the water, are plentiful and good. And his words bless everyone who listens to him. When an evil man speaks, do not listen! His words always cause trouble for everyone. Verse 12 ‘Love covers everything that is wrong.’ This is a beautiful line. When we love someone, we try not to think about their mistakes. Our love covers their mistakes, so that we do not think about their errors. God loves us. He sent Jesus. When Jesus died, he suffered our punishment. Because of this, God forgives us. God does not simply cover our evil deeds. ‘God has taken our evil deeds away. God has moved our evil deeds far, far away from us.’ (Psalm 103:12) The two verses of Proverbs are reversed parallels, with love and righteousness being paired to cover sins and bring life. This concept is also echoed in 1 Peter 4:8, where it emphasizes the importance of sincere love among individuals, as love has the ability to cover a multitude of sins. On the other hand, wickedness and hatred are paired as they contribute to violence and conflict. Let me ask you. Who is it that you need to love and forgive for their sins? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E96 · Sun, April 07, 2024
Send us a text Wisdoms Integrity 9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. 10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace. Verse 9 Life is like a journey. If we follow God’s commands, then we choose the right way to live. God will protect us. If we refuse God’s wisdom, then we are in danger. This is like a traveller who wanders in the wrong direction. Our wrong actions will lead us to death and hell. Verse 10 ‘Look out for the evil man! Look out for the thief! His mouth is speaking false words. Look out for his signals! He shuts his eyes. He moves his feet. He taps his fingers. He is plotting evil plans in his heart. He starts arguments. His punishment will be sudden. There will be no remedy for him.’ (Proverbs 6:12-15). In this passage, an evil man said few words, but plotted an evil plan. His tiny movements showed that he had an evil plan. In the first line of verse 10, the man is silent. In the second line, the man talks loudly to himself. Both men are evil. Both men have evil plans. A person who quietly makes evil plans causes trouble. He is responsible for his plans. Whether an evil man is silent or noisy, God will punish him. God knows all our plans, and God will punish our evil actions. The first proverbs may be paraphrased as follows: If someone lies, they will eventually be discovered because their lies will catch up to them. On the other hand, if someone always tells the truth, they don't have to worry about keeping their stories consistent. Telling a small lie once can lead to trouble, but a habitual liar will ultimately fail because nobody will trust them. Fibs are essentially lies, but we use the term fibs to downplay the seriousness of the lie. What about pornography? Do you watch it on your personal computer? Is there no harm in that? How will you explain what happened when a virus or worm from a pornographic website crashes your computer and sends explicit images to all your contacts? Let me ask you. Can fibs ever be harmless? Is pornography truly harmless? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E95 · Sat, April 06, 2024
Send us a text Wise Memory 7 We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. 8 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. Verse 7 Good things happen when we are with good people. Evil things happen when we are with evil people. We do not even need to meet them. When we remember them, this is enough. A memory about a good person makes us happy. But we try to forget evil men. We prefer not to remember them. We ourselves should do good things, not evil things. God can help us to do this. Then, we shall be helping our families (verse 1) and also our towns. Verse 8 A wise man obeys instructions. He tries to learn from other people. If you give instructions to a fool, he does not listen. By ‘fool’, Solomon means a person who refuses to obey God. A fool only thinks his own thoughts. He only hears his own words. He only does what he wants to do. A fool is proud. He thinks that he is wiser than other people. He thinks that he knows better than God. He trusts only in himself. Proverbs demonstrates the workings of life and reveals an important aspect. When a righteous individual passes away, their memory is cherished and regarded as a blessing by those who were acquainted with them. Conversely, when a wicked person dies, people make an effort to forget about them and move forward, mentioning them as little as possible. Wise individuals understand that God's commandments were crafted for their benefit, and therefore, they happily endeavor to abide by them. In contrast, foolish chatters neglect God's instructions, which are meant to benefit them, and consequently, they stumble and fail. It's crucial to remember that Proverbs deems those who mock Yahweh's Word as fools. Let me ask you. Would people hold onto your name and remember your good deeds when you depart from this world? If the answer is "Good Riddance!" do not lose hope. Instead, make a conscious effort each day to apply the principles and commandments of Yahweh to everyone you encounter. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E94 · Fri, April 05, 2024
Send us a text Wisdoms Worker 5 A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. 6 The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. Verses 5 A wise person is not lazy. He is not afraid to work hard. He does not steal to make himself rich. He does not expect other people to give money to him. A wise man learns from his studies. But a wise man can also learn when he works. Verse 6 God gives good things to the good man. God helps the man. God gives honour to the man. Other people respect the good man, because God is pleased with that man. The evil man is not like this. He hates God’s wisdom. He loves cruelty. Evil things surround him. Even his words cause trouble. Proverbs teaches us that we should work in order to be rewarded, as laziness is considered disgraceful. Work not only gives us a sense of accomplishment, but it is important to note that not all work is the same. Yahweh, our Creator, has endowed each of us with unique abilities. We experience that feeling of accomplishment when we heed the call from our Creator and engage in work that aligns with our strengths, bringing glory to God. In the proverb that compares righteousness to wickedness, we anticipate blessings to be juxtaposed with curses. However, we are informed that wicked individuals bear a specific curse: their lives are permeated with violence. So, let me ask you. when you wake up to begin your workday, do you exclaim, "Good God! It's Morning" or "Good Morning, God!"? Are you engaged in a job where you believe God intends to use you, or do you work solely because it's a job? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E93 · Thu, April 04, 2024
Send us a text Wise Eating 3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. 4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. Verse 3 A good person is someone who trusts God. A good person always tries to respect God. This person may make many mistakes, but he loves God. God looks after the good person. An evil person loves cruelty. He plots to destroy other people. God opposes the evil person. God will ruin this person’s plans. Verses 4 A wise person is not lazy. He is not afraid to work hard. Note that in the first proverb, it is emphasized that God ensures that the soul of the righteous does not go hungry. It does not imply that a righteous individual will never experience physical hunger. Instead, it signifies that a righteous person's soul will not suffer when they choose to do what is right. For instance, Nelson Mandela emerged from years of imprisonment with his spirit intact due to his integrity. Do you ever get emails from a royal prince in Africa or a soldier in Afghanistan who are seeking an honest person to covertly transfer millions of dollars from the United States into their respective countries. In return, I would be able to keep 40% of the funds for utilizing my bank account to facilitate the transaction. It astounds me how many people fall victim to such schemes. Unfortunately, there is a prevailing spirit in our society that seeks to obtain something for nothing. This same spirit is what contributes to the immense popularity of the lottery. However, Proverbs advises us that we must work hard to earn our livelihood. Only one in a million might strike it rich through the lottery, leaving the remaining 999,999 people with nothing in return for their money spent on lottery tickets. Consider this: Do you regularly participate in the lottery? When the chances of winning are incredibly slim, what motivates people to play? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E92 · Wed, April 03, 2024
Send us a text Wise Child A wise child[a] brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. 2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. Verse 1 Several words in this verse contrast with other words. ‘Wise’ contrasts with ‘foolish’. ‘Father’ contrasts with ‘mother’. ‘Joy’ contrasts with ‘pain.’ It does not matter whether you are young or old. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman. It does matter whether you are wise or foolish. If you are wise, then you respect God. ‘Respect God! This is the first lesson in wisdom. Know God! This is intelligence.’ (Proverbs 9:10) Your wisdom will help other people. For example, this verse says that wisdom will bring joy to a father. If you are foolish, then you live for your own pleasure. If you do this, then you refuse God’s wisdom. Other people will suffer because you are a fool. For example, this verse says that a fool will cause pain to his mother. Verse 2 ‘If you steal money, then it has no value.’ You could argue that this is not true. If someone steals money, then he can still spend it. He can buy many things. A thief can become wealthy. But Solomon argues that this wealth is worth nothing. Wisdom is better than money, because wisdom can save your life. So if a poor man is wise, then he is richer than a foolish king. In Psalm 14, we are reminded that the fool declares in his heart, "There is no God." Proverbs often employs a literary device called parallelism. It is not just the case that wise sons bring pleasure only to their fathers, nor do foolish sons solely cause grief to their mothers. While the word "parents" could be used as a substitute for both "father" and "mother," this avoids unnecessary repetition in the proverbs. Verse 2 emphasizes the significance of how one earns their money. If you lead others into dishonest transactions, you are inviting calamity, whereas engaging in fair and legitimate deals results in an abundant and purposeful life. Reflect upon this: Are you a wise or foolish child? Do your actions bring pride to your parents? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
Tue, April 02, 2024
Send us a text The sad story of Solomon and his son The Book of Proverbs hides a sad story. Solomon was a wise king for most of his life. When he became old, Solomon forgot his wisdom. He had many wives. His wives tempted him to serve false gods. He did not remember God, who gave wisdom to him. He served false gods. The real God was angry with Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-10). Solomon wrote Proverbs 1:1 to Proverbs 9:18 for his son. He wanted his son to learn wisdom. Solomon tried to teach his son. Solomon’s son was called Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the king when Solomon died. Rehoboam never followed wisdom. When he became king, his first decision was to refuse wisdom. He refused to obey the advice of Solomon’s wise advisers. Instead, he chose advisers who knew nothing (1 Kings 12:1-19). Rehoboam’s first decision was a terrible decision. Most of the people refused to serve Rehoboam. There was a revolution and a war. The nation split in two. Solomon led a great nation. His nation was always at peace. His son, Rehoboam, led a small nation. Rehoboam was always at war (1 Kings 14:30). The Proverbs (wise words) of Solomon (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16) The second major section in the Book of Proverbs is Proverbs 10:1, to Proverbs 22:16. This section contains 375 short poems. Most poems have two lines, and each poem is one verse long. Each poem is called a ‘proverb’. The structure of this section is unusual. Solomon did not separate the proverbs into groups. The proverbs change from one subject to another. However, their order does matter. Solomon uses an ‘organic’ (that is, ‘natural’) order. This order is similar to a conversation. For example, one proverb might explain the previous one. Another proverb might contrast with the previous one. Together, these proverbs are like a conversation. Imagine that a group of wise people are talking about wisdom. Each person in the group speaks briefly. They all listen to each other. Then, each person tells his thoughts or ideas to the other people. The conversation would be similar to this section of the Book of Proverbs. Because of this structure, you cannot split these proverbs into smaller sections. Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16 belong together. To help us to understand their meaning, I have separated the proverbs into smaller groups. (The chapter numbers are not part of the original book. Sometimes, they are in the wrong positions. Proverbs 22:17 should really start a new chapter.) The proverbs describe our lives. Often, they describe good things in our lives, for example, wisdom. Sometimes they describe bad things. They do not always explain whether something is good or bad. You need to use your own wisdom to decide. For example, Proverbs 10:15 says, ‘Great wealth protects a rich man. Lack of wealth ruins a poor
Mon, April 01, 2024
Send us a text Literally Bruh OMG, listen up, peeps! Lemme lay down some truth bombs from Solomon, ya know? So, like, when you're a wise son, your dad is like the happiest dude in the world! He's all like, "YAAAS, my kid rocks!" But if you're a dumb son, doin too much, brace yourself, cuz your mom is gonna be shook . She's gonna be all like, "Ugh, why did I even have you?" Oh, and don't even get me started on wickedness! It's legit worthless, y'all! It literally won't get you nothin'! But righteousness, my squad, that's the real deal. It's gonna save your booty from the jaws of death, ya feel me? So, ditch the wickedness ASAP and embrace righteousness like it's your only ticket outta the dark side. Peace out! 🙌✌️ * April Fools Day! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E91 · Sun, March 31, 2024
Send us a text She'll Chew You Up 17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave. Verse 17 The Foolish Woman also offers a meal to her guests. However, her meal does not belong to her. She stole the water. She must eat in secret. ‘Water’ reminds us of Proverbs 5:15-18. In that passage, ‘water’ refers to love and sex. So, the Foolish Woman offers sex. She ‘stole’ sex, so this is not sex between a husband and wife. This is the same invitation as Proverbs 7:18-20. This is why the meal is secret. So the meal also gives the idea of sex. The woman tempts the simple man with evil ideas. Solomon is thinking about all evil things, not just sex. If we are foolish, then we shall choose to do evil things. If we refuse to be wise, then we also refuse to follow God. Evil actions might feel ‘good’. Evil actions might feel ‘wonderful’. These are only feelings; they are not reality. The reality is that evil behaviour is always wrong. The reality is that evil behaviour will destroy us. The reality is that God hates all evil things. Verse 18 ‘Death is like a wage for the person who does evil things. But God gives us life that will last always, through Jesus.’ (Romans 6:23) Death and hell are the punishments for our evil actions. So we must not do evil things. Instead, we should serve God. And we should ask God to forgive us. God wants us to trust him. God’s love is like a free gift. God offers real life. We shall not die. We shall live always with him, in heaven. This is the best invitation. We must make our choice. We can be wise, or we can be foolish. Make the right decision! God wants us all to learn to be wise. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E90 · Sat, March 30, 2024
Send us a text Maneater 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, Verse 15 The people walk straight ahead. Solomon compares life to a journey. We should walk straight ahead. See Proverbs 4:25-26. We must not allow evil things to attract us. The Foolish Woman calls to people. She wants to tempt them away from the straight path. She wants to take them on the path to her house. She will lead them away from God. In the end she will destroy them. Verse 16 We heard this invitation earlier, in verse 4. The Foolish Woman gives the same words of invitation as the woman called Wisdom. The Foolish Woman also calls ‘simple’ people. Evil people have decided already to be foolish. The simple people have not yet decided. The Foolish Woman tries to persuade them. She wants to tempt them. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E89 · Fri, March 29, 2024
Send us a text The Foolish Woman 13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. Verse 13 The second woman is called ‘The Foolish Woman’. People who accept her invitation are foolish. This is why she has this name. Wisdom, the woman, says that knowledge is valuable (Proverbs 8:10). The Foolish Woman does not think so. She thinks that knowledge has no value. She knows nothing. Verse 14 The woman called Wisdom prepared a fine meal for her guests. Wisdom even built a splendid house for them. But the Foolish Woman is lazy. The Foolish Woman did none of these things. She does not even stand to invite her guests. She sits down. The messages of the two women both come from the highest place in the city. So everyone will hear both messages. Nobody will miss them. Everyone will receive both invitations. We cannot accept both invitations. We must choose. Either we follow wisdom, or we are foolish. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E88 · Thu, March 28, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Benefits 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. Verse 11 Wisdom, like a woman, cares for us. She is like a mother. If a child does not listen to his mother, then he is in danger. If a child learns from his mother, her instructions will keep him safe. Verse 12 Wisdom offers a real reward. Wisdom will benefit our whole lives. If you refuse to be wise, then you will suffer. The woman called Wisdom finishes her speech. This is her final speech in the Book of Proverbs. The poem is also approaching its end. But then we see another woman. This second woman is also shouting out. She also has an invitation. She too offers a meal. If you are simple, then you might confuse this other woman with Wisdom. If you are simple, then you might make a terrible mistake. Some people drive recklessly, caring little for others. They tend to lead shorter, less fulfilling lives. Others dedicate everything to their work. While some rise to the top, others fail, sacrificing meaningful connections and ending up alone. Living wisely leads to meaningful relationships, which often correlates with a longer life. In Proverbs, you're presented with a choice: embrace wisdom and its rewards or mock God and face the consequences alone. Choose wisely! Consider this: Some justify spending minimal time with loved ones by claiming it's quality over quantity. Yet, both are important. Are you neglecting your relationships? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E87 · Wed, March 27, 2024
Send us a text Wise Righteousness 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. 10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Verse 9 A Christian should always want to learn. The verse speaks about a ‘wise man’ and a ‘good man’. A Christian should want to be both ‘wise’ and ‘good’. At church, he should learn from the preacher (that is, the speaker). At home, he should learn from his family. At work, he should learn to be fair and honest. When he is alone, he should pray. He should read the Bible and learn from God. If he does this, he will become wiser. He will learn more. He will know God more and more. Verse 10 A wise person is not always intelligent or clever. He might know only a few things. Maybe, he has only learnt his first lesson. This is the first lesson: ‘Respect God!’ God must be first in our lives. God is more important than our businesses. God is more important than our friends. God is even more important than our families. When we make a decision, we must first think about God. We must ask whether our plans are good or evil. We must decide whether our plans give honour to God. This is only the first lesson. But it is a great lesson. This lesson will teach us to be wise. If we respect God, then evil ideas will not attract us. If we respect God, then we shall try to be fair and honest with other people. If we respect God, then money will not control our lives. If we respect God, then we shall want to learn from God. Today's passage emphasizes that God desires individuals who are open-minded and recognize that they don't have all the answers to life. Life is always changing, and God wants people who are willing to learn and adapt to new experiences and knowledge. Understanding the vastness and power of God is the starting point of wisdom. Recognizing that we can never fully comprehend everything as God does helps us acknowledge our place as creations and God as the Creator. Pride often leads us to believe that science and technology alone can solve every problem, making us feel like we can play God ourselves. However, humility reminds us that advancements like splitting the atom have brought more challenges than solutions. We require God's wisdom to navigate the knowledge we acquire. Let me ask you. Do you possess the beginning of wisdom. What does it mean to you to "fear God"? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Supp
S1 E86 · Tue, March 26, 2024
Send us a text Don't Bother 7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. Verse 7 Some people will never listen to you. They refuse to follow advice. They refuse all correction. Verse 8 Perhaps, you think that you are wise. Here is a test for you. A wise man loves the person who corrects him. A wise man learns from the person who sees his (the wise man’s) errors. If you love such a person then you are really wise. Proverbs states facts about human nature. If people think only of themselves, they will hate any criticism, even if the criticism is deserved. If people are wise, they can listen to and profit from correction. They want mistakes to be pointed out so the mistakes can be corrected. If a person is evil, is a mocker, is a scoffer then that person will hate even helpful criticism and correction. Contemplate: How well do you take criticism? Does it make you mad, or are you grateful to learn from it? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E85 · Mon, March 25, 2024
Send us a text WISDOMS INVITATION 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.” Verse 3 The servants of Wisdom (the woman) go to fetch the guests. Wisdom herself has invited the guests. Everyone can hear her message because everyone must choose whether to learn to be wise. In Luke 14:15-24, Jesus told a story about a meal. A man invited all his friends to a great meal, but they all refused. The man was very angry. If his friends would not come, then other people must enjoy his great meal. He invited poor people and ill people. He invited blind people. He invited people who could not walk. Everybody was welcome. Jesus’ story means that we should invite everyone to become Christians. If our friends refuse, we must invite other people. We can invite poor people and ill people. We can invite people that we do not like. We can even invite our enemies. God wants us to do this. In heaven, God is preparing a great meal. God’s house must be full of people. If our friends refuse, they will not be at God’s great meal. Other people will take their place. Verse 4 Wisdom, the woman, chooses her guests carefully. They are not the guests whom we might select. She does not choose only clever people, whose conversation will be good. She does not choose only famous people, so that other people will respect her. She does not even select wealthy people. Wisdom’s guests are ‘simple’ people. They are people who do not know about good and evil behaviour. They are people who do many wrong things. These people have not yet learned to be wise. Wisdom, the woman, wants to teach them. She wants to show the right way to them. She wants to lead them to God. Jesus said, ‘When you make a meal, do not invite your friends! Do not invite your brothers or your relatives! Do not invite your rich neighbours! If you do, they might invite you back. You wanted to give a gift, but they will repay you. When you make a great meal, invite poor people! Invite ill people! Invite blind people! Invite people who cannot walk. Then God will be kind to you. These people cannot invite you back. Instead, God will reward you in heaven.’ (Luke 14:12-14) Verse 6 A person must do two things to become a Christian: ·††† He must turn from evil behaviour. The woman called Wisdom, says, ‘Leave your simple ways, and live!’ ·††† He must trust in God. The woman called Wisdom says, ‘Live wisely!’ Peter explained this in
S1 E84 · Sun, March 24, 2024
Send us a text Wisdoms Party 1Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. Solomon’s last, great lesson to his son is almost complete. Perhaps Solomon paused here. Maybe he thought about whether he had taught enough. His young son needed the full facts. The son needed to decide between wise behaviour and evil behaviour. His decision would guide his entire life. In the future, the son would be king, like his father Solomon. Then, the son would become powerful. Solomon wanted the son to choose wisdom. Solomon decided to add a final, great poem. This poem would explain wisdom to his son, but it would also explain the opposite of wisdom. Then, at last, the son would know enough. Then, the son could make his own decision. The son must choose whether he wanted to be wise. If not, the son would be a fool, and the whole nation would suffer. Verse 1 The woman, called Wisdom, has worked hard. She has decided to invite guests. She has even built a special house to give them a special welcome. The house has 7 columns, so it is large. It is complete, and it is perfect. The number 7 may refer to the 7 instructions in verses 6-12. Verse 2 Everything is ready. The woman, Wisdom, has made a great meal for her guests. Her guests will not remain hungry. Wisdom has prepared everything that they need. God provides the things that we need. Paul wrote, ‘My God will provide everything that you need. He will do this from the riches that are in Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:19) Jesus said, ‘Look at the birds! They do not grow their own food. However, God feeds them. You are more valuable than the birds.’ (Matthew 6:26) The Bible compares heaven with an invitation to a meal. ‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let everyone who hears repeat, “Come!” If you need to drink, then come! Take the free gift of the water of life!’ (Revelation 22:17) ‘Come, if you need to drink! Come to the water! If you have no money, then still come! Without any money, you can buy and you can eat! Buy wine and milk! You do not need money, because there is no cost.’ (Isaiah 55:1) In Proverbs, Wisdom speaks of preparations for a celebration banquet so that God can share His Wisdom with all humans in a building constructed around seven pillars. Why seven? The number 7 appears in the Bible 735 times (including sevenfold and seventh 860 times). Seven symbolizes completeness and perfection, both in the physical and spiritual realms. It derives its meaning from being directly tied to God's creation of all things. Let me ask you What do you believe the seven pillars of Wisdom represent in your life? Do you perceive any significance linked to the number seven
S1 E83 · Sat, March 23, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Has Consequences 34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. 36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.” Verses 34-35 If a man listens to wisdom, then he will benefit. This man does not just listen to one lesson, and then walk away. Every day, he wants more wisdom. He is like a child who is waiting at his mother’s door. The child waits for mother to wake, so that she will teach him! We should always want to learn more wisdom. God will be kind to us, if we do this. Verse 36 If a man refuses wisdom, then he will suffer. His punishment is severe. A man who hates wisdom will die. In Proverbs, Wisdom points out that those who follow God's Wisdom and Understanding find life and those who reject God’s rules for creation find death instead. In Romans 6. Paul concluded the same thing: 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Joshua 24, Joshua gives the Hebrew people a choice: 15If it seems evil to you to serve God, choose today whom you will serve, … but as for me and my house, we will serve God.” We are all encourage to think carefully and choose wisely. Think about this: Before these devotions did you realize that all the laws, statutes, commandments, instructions and rules are in the Bible not to punish us, but to help us live abundant lives to the fullest? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E82 · Fri, March 22, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Urges 32 “And so, my children,[b] listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. The woman, Wisdom, asks us to listen to her. She will bless us. She will teach us to be wise. We must not refuse her advice or ignore it In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom urges us to listen to instruction and not reject it. Wisdom played a pivotal role in the creation of the world, infusing it with divine insight. It's crucial for us to discern and adhere to the paths of wisdom as defined by God. This wisdom isn't exclusive; it's accessible to all. Those who opt to follow God's guidance, embracing Wisdom, are promised blessings. God affirms that wisdom lies in aligning with Wisdom itself. Let me ask you: we possess the freedom to decline the wisdom offered by Yahweh and attempt to construct a better world solely through our intellect, ingenuity, and ambition. However, history attests that such endeavors often falter. The choice is ours to make, and it's imperative that we choose wisely. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E81 · Thu, March 21, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Helps 27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. 29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, 30 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 31 And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! The poem described how God made the world. God worked carefully. He loves people. So he prepared a beautiful home for us. Compare this with Genesis 1. The poem talks about the ‘birth’ of wisdom. This is poetry. The poet is not saying that one day, wisdom was born. He does not think that before this, there was no wisdom. God was wise, even before ancient times. God was wise, even before he made the world. God has always been wise. Verses 30-31 God worked with Wisdom. (Solomon continues to compare wisdom with a woman.) Together, God and Wisdom were glad to see the world. Together, they were happy about God’s work. Especially, they were glad to see the people. God made people to be in his image (Genesis 1:26). This means that people should behave like him. People should use wisdom. When people make things, they should be wise. When they lead other people, they should be wise. These verses are also sad. They describe what God wanted. God’s plan was that he would live with us. But the people refused God’s love (Genesis 3:9-13). They refused wisdom. Jesus died to bring us back to God. We should trust in God. We should greatly desire God’s wisdom. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E80 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Send us a text Wise Creation 24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 25 Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born— 26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. The poem described how God made the world. God worked carefully. He loves people. So he prepared a beautiful home for us. Compare this with Genesis 1. The poem talks about the ‘birth’ of wisdom. This is poetry. The poet is not saying that one day, wisdom was born. He does not think that before this, there was no wisdom. God was wise, even before ancient times. God was wise, even before he made the world. God has always been wise. God loves justice, and a righteous person speaks justice. In our intricate world, how does one determine what is just? The law of God resides within their heart. Currently, in the United States, there is extensive deliberation regarding the appropriate handling of refugees and immigrants. What is the just path to take in dealing with them? Do not rely on the Democrats or Republicans to discern what is just. Do not accept my words as the words of God. Consult the Bible instead. What does the Bible say about the treatment of foreigners in unfamiliar territory? If you have knowledge of God's law, it may alter some of your perspectives on refugees and immigrants. Proverbs informs us that God's Wisdom has existed since the formation of the earth. God's Wisdom permeates all of Creation. To live a fulfilling and purposeful life, one must become acquainted with God's Wisdom. Let me ask you? Is there a friend who needs to be introduced to God's Wisdom? How will you convey this message to your friend? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E79 · Tue, March 19, 2024
Send us a text Wisdoms Witness 22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. The woman called Wisdom continues her speech. She explains how God made the world. Verse 22 We all need wisdom. Even God used his wisdom to make the world. In the beginning, before ancient times, wisdom was there. Verse 23 Wisdom is like God’s word. God’s word existed in the beginning. And God’s word created the world, when God the Father gave his command. (John 1:1) The ‘word’ is another name for Jesus. Jesus always existed with God in heaven. Jesus is the Son of God. There is only one God, but Jesus is God. This is difficult to understand. We cannot understand everything about God. We must trust God about the things that we do not understand. Many individuals in present-day society support the idea of moral relativism, which suggests that there are no absolute truths. However, Proverbs emphasizes the concept of moral absolutism without any hesitation. This is because Wisdom has been present since before the creation of the earth. Moral relativism is merely a passing trend in our self-centered society and will fade away when our society collapses. The Scriptures mention four beings who existed prior to the formation of the world: the Creator God, God’s Spirit that moved over the deep, God’s Wisdom as described in Proverbs, and God’s Son Jesus. It may be questioned, wasn't Jesus only born 2000 years ago? Indeed, that is true. Nonetheless, Jesus willingly relinquished his heavenly position to take the form of a human being. In John 8:58, Jesus firmly stated, "Truly, I assure you, before Abraham was born, I AM." Let me ask you: Can you recall any evidence or possess knowledge that demonstrates the integration of divine Wisdom into the creation of our physical and spiritual worlds? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E78 · Mon, March 18, 2024
Send us a text Wisdoms Gifts 19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! 20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. 21 Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. The best wealth is not money or gold. Rich people can lose their money. But wisdom is not like money. When we learn wisdom, it will benefit our whole lives. Verse 21 The woman called Wisdom is generous. She gives true wealth. We can love many things. Some people love wine. But too much wine will kill them. Some people love money. But they can lose everything in a single day. If we love wisdom, then God will look after us. He cares about us. Jesus said, ‘Love God, with all your heart, spirit and mind! This is the first and greatest law.’ (Matthew 22:37-38) I can definitely sell Proverbs now. God's Wisdom is eagerly waiting to bestow wealth upon those who genuinely love her. However, there is a catch. You must prioritize your love for God's Wisdom and Understanding above material wealth. There are certain valuable aspects of life that money cannot buy or acquire. The love of family, loyal friends, and good health are some examples of these blessings that lead to a joyful and fulfilled life. This cannot be utilized as a quick solution for becoming rich overnight. If you are disappointed that Yahweh does not promise to automatically fill your treasuries, then you are not devoted enough in your pursuit of Wisdom. Steve Jobs had billions of dollars, yet he passed away at the age of 56 due to pancreatic cancer. Let me ask you: Would you prefer a short but wealthy life or a long life with good health and modest means? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E77 · Sun, March 17, 2024
Send us a text Kings Ransom 16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.[a] 17 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. 18 I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. Solomon, who wrote the Book of Proverbs, was a king. He knew that he was responsible for many people. When he was young, he wanted to be a good king. He studied wisdom so that he would rule wisely. All rulers and leaders can learn from him. A king should not use his power to steal money from other people. His people should not suffer so that he can have fun. He should care about the people. He should rule them fairly. His laws should be fair. He should use his power carefully. Everyone who has responsibility for other people should think about this. Employers, rulers and judges need God’s wisdom. Church leaders also need God’s wisdom. Verses 18-19 The best wealth is not money or gold. Rich people can lose their money. But wisdom is not like money. When we learn wisdom, it will benefit our whole lives. In Proverbs there is the promise that if you seek God’s Wisdom and Understanding then you will find them. Jesus studied all the Old Testament scriptures diligently. This Proverbs passage may well have inspired Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7) to declare: 7Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. Does Jesus mean that Yahweh is a great big Santa Claus who will give us anything that we can think of when we look over Amazon’s website? Probably not. Rather Proverbs says that you need to seek God diligently - and that means that you ask for what Wisdom and Understanding have revealed to you. Contemplate: Is there something that you want? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E76 · Sun, March 17, 2024
Send us a text The Good King 14 Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. 15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Solomon, who wrote the Book of Proverbs, was a king. He knew that he was responsible for many people. When he was young, he wanted to be a good king. He studied wisdom so that he would rule wisely. All rulers and leaders can learn from him. A king should not use his power to steal money from other people. His people should not suffer so that he can have fun. He should care about the people. He should rule them fairly. His laws should be fair. He should use his power carefully. Everyone who has responsibility for other people should think about this. Employers, rulers and judges need God’s wisdom. Church leaders also need God’s wisdom. Proverbs states that God created governments so that the rulers will decree justice for the people. There was a time when America’s political leaders would selflessly try to live up to being God’s agents for the good of the people. The Creator can handle power since he has sound knowledge and understanding. Power has a particular corrupting power on humans. Unfortunately, today many of our political leaders are selfish and greedy, and try to amass personal power and money instead of being God’s agents for good. Pray for our political leaders, that they will receive Godly counsel and will have to courage to act upon that counsel. Contemplate: Do you pray that God will zap politicians of the other party, or do you pray God will reveal himself to “those politicians” that they may come to know and do what is right? Which way would Wisdom recommend you pray? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E75 · Fri, March 15, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Hates What 12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. 13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Verse 12 If you are wise, then you will also be skilful. Your wisdom will help you to make the right decisions. Verse 13 The first lesson in wisdom is that we must respect God. Wisdom hates these things: ·††† Evil deeds. When we serve God, we should not do evil actions. God will teach us to do the right things. If we do wrong things, then we must ask God to forgive us. ·††† Proud people. A proud person trusts in himself. He will not listen to God. He will not listen to other people. ·††† Greedy people. God wants us to be generous. ·††† Lies. God loves the truth. In today’s Proverbs passage, the fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. In the next chapter of Proverbs, the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of Wisdom. We are wise to hate what God hates. Pride, arrogance, the evil way and the perverse mouth is not an inclusive list of what Yahweh hates. However, pride and arrogance are often listed. It is not surprising that Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. More young people I know can list the seven deadly sins than the Ten Commandments. Both were featured in the movies. But it’s much more graphic to see people tortured and killed individually for greed and sloth and anger and pride than to see a bunch of people killed for disobeying generic commands of God. Contemplate: A song brags Through it all, I did it my way! Wouldn’t it have been better to do it God’s way? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E74 · Thu, March 14, 2024
Send us a text Silver and Gold 10 Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. Verses 10-11 Money is not really valuable. Silver and gold are beautiful, but they cannot give a good life to you. Wisdom is valuable. Wisdom is better than money, silver or gold. The Bible is also better than these things. ‘I love God’s commands more than the purest gold.’ (Psalm 119:127) Verses 10-11 are similar to Proverbs 3:14-15. In Proverbs 3, Solomon is speaking to his son about the woman called Wisdom. ‘She is worth more than silver. She is even more valuable than gold. She is more valuable than precious stones. No valuable things compare with her.’ Now, in verses 10-11, Wisdom herself agrees that this is true. In Proverbs Wisdom tells us that knowledge and understanding are the most precious things available to man. After all, riches and money don’t guarantee you will have a meaningful life. Knowing how the Creator of Life designed life to be lived is the way to a life worth living. Here Wisdom is telling us that we cannot worship money and the Creator at the same time. That’s the same thing Jesus said. Contemplate: Our money says: In God We Trust. Do you trust in God, or do you trust in God after you have a solid savings account and a substantial IRA and pension? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E73 · Wed, March 13, 2024
Send us a text Wholesomeness 8 My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. 9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. The woman called Wisdom speaks good words. Her words are always true (verse 6). They are fair (verse 7). She does not speak wrong words (verse 7). Everything that she says is perfect (verse 9). In Proverbs, God’s Wisdom says that words of righteousness aren’t fancy – they are just common sense. The trouble is that (as someone has said) Common Sense ain’t all that common. Again, wisdom and understanding are available to each of God’s creatures. However, the creatures need to listen for and to heed Wisdom when she speaks (or reveals herself through wise advisors). In the Book of Numbers it is written: God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent. We can trust God’s Wisdom. Contemplate: Is Proverbs really true? Are the words of Proverbs plain? Can we find truth and righteousness as we daily study Wisdom? Do you really believe that Yahweh does not lie? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E72 · Tue, March 12, 2024
Send us a text Simple and Foolish 5 You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. 6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, 7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. Verse 5 Solomon uses special meanings for the words ‘simple’ and ‘foolish’. The ‘fool’ is proud and lazy. He does not want to serve God. He hates wisdom. He prefers to do evil things. If you try to teach a fool, he will hate you. He will only learn if God changes him. The ‘simple’ person does not know what is right or wrong. He has not learned to be wise. He chooses to do evil things, because ‘everybody does it’. But you can teach a simple person. A simple person can learn to be wise. Verses 6-7 The woman called Wisdom speaks good words. Her words are always true (verse 6). They are fair (verse 7). She does not speak wrong words (verse 7). Proverbs reminds us that the ends never justify the means; we should never use wicked means since wickedness is an abomination to Yahweh. God tells us that there are absolute right and wrong things in Creation, unlike what we are teaching in our public schools and on Sesame Street. There we are told that, There are no universal right and wrong actions. What is right for me may not be right for you. It is up to each of us to decide which view is the truth. As for me, I will choose that the Creator is absolutely truthful and is absolutely unchanging. And I will find what is right and what is wrong by reading Scriptures. Contemplate: What do you believe? Is truth relative, depending on circumstances? Is truth absolute? Or is there middle ground? Murder is absolutely sinful, but sex outside marriage may not always be sinful? www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E71 · Mon, March 11, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Calls Out 1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! 2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. 3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, 4 “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. Verse 1 This is the second of Solomon’s three great poems. Wisdom, like a woman, gives a speech to all the people. In verse 1, there are not two women. Wisdom is one woman, but she has two names. Her names are Wisdom and Intelligence. This is because wisdom is the same thing as intelligence. Right decisions and accurate knowledge are also the same thing as wisdom. All these things will be ours when we trust in God. They do not come immediately. We need to learn to be wise. This is a slow process. Each day, we should learn new lessons. God teaches us in different ways. Sometimes he teaches us from the Bible. Sometimes he uses other people to teach us. Sometimes he uses nature or other methods to teach us. If we are teachers, then we must be patient. It takes many years to learn law or medicine. In the same way, many people are slow to learn wisdom. Even for true Christians, some lessons can take years to learn. A church leader is a type of teacher. He teaches the people that he serves. Often, he must repeat the same lessons several times. The teacher must try to be a model for his people. He cares for them. He tries to advise them about the Bible. He prays for them. The teacher himself also needs to learn more. He knows that he is not perfect. Verses 2-3 The evil woman (in Proverbs 7:12) went everywhere. Wisdom is also everywhere. Wherever people are, Wisdom is there. (Wisdom is like a woman.) She is waiting to advise them. She wants to help them. She will guide them to make right decisions. She will show them good ways. She will help them to trust in God. Many people do not listen to Wisdom. They do not want her advice. She still calls out, because her message is important to everyone. Verse 4 This is a message to everyone. Wisdom (the woman) speaks to the people in every nation. You may be rich or poor. You may be a ruler, or an ordinary person. You may be a man or a woman. You may be young or old. Everyone needs to be wise. Proverbs now returns to the personification of God’s Wisdom. Yahweh wants everyone to receive His Wisdom and Understanding. Wisdom does cry out in warning, but those people who intend to live life on their own terms will not listen to Wisdom’s cry. The Bible has a name for such people. They are stiff-necked and proud. If people are determined to control their lives, t
S1 E70 · Sun, March 10, 2024
Send us a text The Lesson 24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. [ d ] Her bedroom is the den of death. Once again, Solomon urges his sons to hear and heed his teachings. Merely being exposed to Scripture, through our eyes and ears, is not sufficient defense against temptation; we must also heed it. Applying what we are taught, and taking it seriously, are necessary for those lessons to have an impact. Jesus told the story of two builders. One builder constructed his house on a rock. When a violent storm struck that house, it stood firm. The other builder built his house on sand. When a violent storm struck the house, it fell flat. Jesus compared the first builder to whoever hears His words and obeys them. The second builder, He said, is like whoever receives His words and does not obey them (see Matthew 7:24–27 ). James warns us not to be simply hearers of God's Word. He tells us to be doers of it. He writes: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" ( James 1:22 ). Solomon used the tried and true principle of repetition in educating his sons to obey his teachings. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E69 · Sat, March 09, 2024
Send us a text The Cost 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,[ c ] 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. The foolish young man ( Proverbs 7:7 ) may have had second thoughts about committing adultery. Although he had taken the street that led to the immoral woman's house ( Proverbs 7:8–9 ), he may have hesitated. Despite her surprise, alluring clothes, and attractive offers ( Proverbs 7:10–20 ), he may have experienced a moment of conscience. Therefore, the predatory woman uses even more seductive talk to persuade him to engage in sexual relations with her. She does so as a smooth talker, and finally compels him to commit adultery with her ( Proverbs 7:22 ). The Devil is a master of persuasion. He knew exactly what to say to Eve to entice her into eating the forbidden fruit. He often persuades a believer to believe there is no harm in sinning. "It's just part of human nature to do it," he may say. Or he may whisper, "You can't help it; you were born that way." He may persuade a Christian to sow his or her wild oats by saying, "You have been a Christian since you were a child. You need to find out what life is like on the other side of the fence." As one of the Devil's followers, the woman in Solomon's story knew what to say to spring the trap. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E68 · Fri, March 08, 2024
Send us a text Successful Seduction 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month. The promiscuous wife ( Proverbs 7:19 ) of Solomon's lesson about adultery ( Proverbs 7:6–12 ) invites the foolish young man to accompany her, with the promise of a night filled with pleasure. She has already tempted him with seductive clothing ( Proverbs 7:10 ), surprise ( Proverbs 7:13 ), flattery ( Proverbs 7:15 ), and the promise of a prepared boudoir ( Proverbs 7:16–17 ). Using these elements in his tale is one way for Solomon to remind his son ( Proverbs 7:1 ) of the tactics wicked people will use to tempt others to join in their sin. As such, these are dangers which just as easily apply to women as they do to men, and just as easily to other forms of sin as to adultery. This predatory woman assures her victim the experience will be delightful. The love she promises is not divinely sanctioned love, but shallow lust. In John 3:16 we read about true love, the highest form of love, in connection with the Father's gift of His Son as our Savior. He "so loved the world, that he gave his only Son." The word for "love" in John 3:16 is derived from agape , meaning self-sacrificing love. The same word appears in Romans 5:8 , where we read, "But God shows his love [ agape ] for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It appears in Ephesians 5:25 , where husbands are commanded to love [ agape ] their wives. Agape love puts others' interests ahead of one's own interest. It always gives and never takes. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org <a href='https://www.buyme
S1 E67 · Thu, March 07, 2024
Send us a text Seductive Promises 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. 15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Solomon has been depicting the way careless youth fall prey to adultery, describing a senseless person taken in by a predatory seductress ( Proverbs 7:10–12 ). The adulterous woman grabs the foolish young man and kisses him. Then she speaks to him with a brazen face. Thus, she springs the trap. While the moral guidelines given here are meant for both sexes, men—especially young men—can be particularly vulnerable to sudden temptations such as these. Such an approach is a deliberate strategy to ensnare victims. When a tempting situation arises, it is wise to recognize the danger and escape—even to flee. A famous example of aggressive seduction happened to the patriarch Joseph. In Egypt, he was sexually assaulted by his employer's wife. She continually enticed Joseph to lie with her, and he consistently refused. Then, like the prostitute Solomon describes, Potiphar's wife caught Joseph by his garment and urged him to have relations with her. But Joseph was committed to the Lord and responded decisively to his master's wife by leaving his garment in her hand and fleeing from the house ( Genesis 39:7–13 ). Joseph's steadfast resistance to temptation infuriated Potiphar's wife. She lied about him to Potiphar, who promptly cast Joseph into prison. However, the Lord honors those who refuse temptation, and He honored Joseph. In time, Joseph was freed from prison and elevated to second in command over the entire nation ( Genesis 41:39–45 ). www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E66 · Wed, March 06, 2024
Send us a text Hook Up 10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. In the prior passage, Solomon spoke of things he had observed, which led to his wise advice. One thing he has seen is the reckless actions of youth who don't follow godly advice ( Proverbs 7:6–9 ). In this case, Solomon depicts a young man who willingly puts himself in the path of temptation from a predatory woman. Dressed in deliberately suggestive clothes, she sees the foolish young man drawing near her house, and eager for sin, she runs to meet him. She may have painted her eyes and adorned her head, with the intent of making herself attractive to a victim, as wicked Jezebel did ( 2 Kings 9:30 ). The woman in this example is married but unfaithful ( Proverbs 7:18–20 ). She is also crafty and knows how to seduce her victim. God categorically condemns all forms of sexual sin. Ephesians 5:5 states: "For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." It is significant that Babylon, the evil world system of the end times, is referred to as sexually immoral. It is said that the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her (see Revelation 18:1–3 ). Like Jezebel of old, Babylon will experience a fatal fall. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E65 · Tue, March 05, 2024
Send us a text Seduction 6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, 7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. Part of Solomon's teaching for his sons ( Proverbs 7:1–5 ) is a reminder that he speaks from experience. The lessons he passes along come from things he has seen, heard, and done. Symbolizing that personal view, Solomon says he "looked out his window" and saw certain things. As Israel's king and magistrate, he was responsible for ruling well and deciding court cases. He was observant as well as wise. He observed life even from his window. Believers gain wisdom not only from studying God's Word but also from observing the world. Although we should not be busybodies who spy on our neighbors ( 1 Timothy 5:13 ), neither should we refuse to face what is happening in the world ( John 17:15–20 ; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11 ). In His prayer to the Father in John chapter 17, Jesus did not pray that the Father would take us out of the world, but that the Father would keep us from the Devil ( John 17:15 ). He told his Father: "As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" ( John 17:18 ). He has commissioned us as His ambassadors ( 2 Corinthians 5:20 ) to the lost people of the world. Just as an ambassador needs to understand the culture of the people to whom his government has sent him, so we need to know the culture and thinking of the evil world system ( Colossians 2:8 ; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 ). As part of explaining how his wisdom comes from experience, Solomon has been using the metaphor of looking out his window to observe the world ( Proverbs 7:6 ). Among those observations are gullible youths, and especially those who lack good sense. This image of a reckless young man will be the basis of another warning about adultery, coming soon in this chapter (<a href=
S1 E64 · Mon, March 04, 2024
Send us a text Wisdom Like Family 4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. 5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. A theme of these early chapters in Proverbs is the value one ought to place on godly wisdom. In this passage, Solomon continues to extol the importance of wisdom, here comparing it to one's trusted family and friends. These are the kinds of people who can be trusted to understand what a person is experiencing. They can empathize with him in times of trouble and counsel him when he faces decisions. Wisdom and discretion enable a person to persevere in trials, knowing God's purpose is to prove our faith and make us spiritually mature. James invites us to ask God for wisdom when we encounter "trials of various kinds" ( James 1:2–5 ). He also promises the crown of life to those who, by faith, endure trials ( James 1:12 ). Romans 8:28–29 assures us that God uses the sufferings of this present time to work for our good so that we will become like Jesus. According to Colossians 1:9 god-driven wisdom and knowledge enable believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" ( Colossians 1:10 ). Solomon credits wisdom and insight ( Proverbs 7:4 ) with demonstrating their value in avoiding temptation, and the consequences which come with it. This forms an interesting contrast to the prior statement. There, wisdom was portrayed as a woman, specifically a sister, or as a close friend. Here, sin and temptation—as well as literal sexual sin—are mentioned in the form of a tempting adulteress. A sister and a close friend would counsel a young man to stay clear of a tempting situation that might lead to an adulterous affair. And like them, wisdom and insight persuade whoever possesses those qualities to avoid the evil woman and the seductive adulteress. Letting one's lust lead him into adultery is foolish, and it results in personal calamity. An adulterer loses self-respect and others' respect. Adultery results in many personal wounds and possibly disease and death. Giving God's Word a good reception enables us to see the folly of sin and therefore set up a good defense against falling victim to temptation. <a href='https://www.bibleref.com/Psal
S1 E63 · Sun, March 03, 2024
Send us a text Pay Attention 1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. 2 Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.[ a ] 3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. The last, and greatest, of Solomon’s lessons, begins here. Since chapter 1, we have read the words that Solomon taught to his son. Now, in chapters 7-9, Solomon teaches his final lesson to his son. (Solomon’s lessons end in chapter 9. From chapter 10, the Book of Proverbs lists short proverbs (wise words).) In these chapters, Solomon writes three great poems. · The first great poem is in chapter 7. This poem is about a woman who tempts a simple man. This man behaves like a fool, because he trusts her. He does not realise what will happen to him. Previously, Solomon told us to learn to be wise (Proverbs 2:2). Now, he tells us to keep wisdom in our hearts. Previously, Solomon told us to accept wisdom (Proverbs 2:1). Now he tells us that Wisdom is like our sister. (He is comparing wisdom to a woman.) Solomon’s lesson is a very personal lesson. Wisdom must be close to us. Wisdom must become part of us. Wisdom must be part of our lives. Wisdom must guide every decision. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E62 · Sat, March 02, 2024
Send us a text Husbands Revenge 34 For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35 He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size. The Bible says that God can be angry. He is angry about our evil behaviour. He is angry when our actions are unfair. He is angry with us, if we turn against him. A man’s anger may be terrible. God’s anger is much worse. ‘God’s anger comes from heaven. He hates people’s wicked actions. Men hide the truth when they do wrong things.’ (Romans 1:18) ‘God’s anger is against the people who do not obey God.’ (Ephesians 5:6) God is angry, but he also loves us. Micah prays this to God: ‘There is no other god like you. You forgive the evil things that your people have done. You are not always angry. You want to love us. You will care for us again. You will forgive our wrong actions. You will forgive completely. You will act as if you threw the records of our evil deeds into the sea.’ (Micah 7:18-19) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E61 · Fri, March 01, 2024
Send us a text Disgraced Fool 32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. 33 He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. The thief (in verse 30) suffered a severe punishment. The man (in verse 32) will have a worse punishment. This man had sex with another man’s wife. The husband will punish him. There is a double punishment for the man who had sex with the wife. He receives punishment because his actions were evil. He also receives punishment from the angry husband. The Bible says that God can be angry. He is angry about our evil behaviour. He is angry when our actions are unfair. He is angry with us, if we turn against him. A man’s anger may be terrible. God’s anger is much worse. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E60 · Thu, February 29, 2024
Send us a text Double Whammy 29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. 30 Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house. Verses 30-31 This thief is hungry. He has no food. His family also have no food. So, this thief steals, because he needs food. We can sympathise with him. However, the law will punish him. The law does not forgive. The law does not ask if he needed food. His punishment is severe. Some people do wrong actions, because they hate God. Other people sincerely want to do good things, but they still do evil things. Everyone must trust in God, because everyone does wrong actions. ‘If you obey one law, but not another, then you are still guilty. Your actions are against the whole law, not just one part.’ (James 2:10-11) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E59 · Wed, February 28, 2024
Send us a text God's Duh! 27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? 28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? Verses 27-28 Fire is dangerous. It can burn you. Use fire carefully! Sex is also dangerous. You should only have sex with your husband or wife. Otherwise, it is dangerous. Be careful! Our evil actions are dangerous. These actions can send us to hell. Escape from evil things! Trust in God! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E58 · Tue, February 27, 2024
Send us a text The Seducer 25 Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you. 26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. In Proverbs 6:25-29, Solomon explains about punishment. A husband will punish the man that sleeps with the husband’s wife. In the same way, our evil behaviour leads to punishment. God will always punish our evil behaviour. There are punishments in this world, for example, prison. The Bible teaches us about heaven and hell after we die. Everyone has done evil things, so everyone must turn to God. We all must trust God, because only God can forgive us. When Jesus died, he suffered our punishment. Verse 26 If a man has sex with a woman, she might use him for her advantage. She might ask for money. She might put him in danger. He might even die. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E57 · Mon, February 26, 2024
Send us a text Wisdoms Light 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. 23 For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life. 24 It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman. Verse 22 Life is like a journey. Wisdom will guide us each day. Wisdom will help us to make the right decisions. At night when we sleep, our wise decisions will protect us. As we wake, we can think about wisdom. The relationship between us and God must be like this. God will guide us to make good decisions every day. The Bible will teach us the right way. At night, God watches over us. He protects us. As we wake, we should think about God’s word. Verse 23 This is similar to Psalm 119:105. ‘God’s word is like a lamp for my feet. God’s word is like a light for my path.’ Verse 24 Solomon is writing about sex, but he is also writing about other evil actions. Sometimes an idea about an evil action attracts us. Sometimes we want to do evil things. But we should refuse to do evil things. Solomon has taught this lesson to us before. See Proverbs 2:16-19, and Proverbs 5. He will also explain the same lesson in Proverbs 7. He repeats the lesson because this is important. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E56 · Sun, February 25, 2024
Send us a text Gods Protecting Word Verses 20-21 We should love wisdom. Wisdom should be in our hearts and in our minds. We cannot physically keep wisdom in our hearts. We might not physically carry wise words about our necks. But we can live in a wise manner. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E55 · Sat, February 24, 2024
Send us a text Seven Things The Lord Hates Verse 16 Verses 16-19 use a different style of poetry. The poet writes a list of things that God opposes. This style is also in Proverbs 30 and in the Book of Amos. The numbers in these lists are not important. However, the subjects are important. Here the poet tells us that God hates these evil actions. Verse 17 ‘Proud eyes’. The poet is describing someone who is proud. He mentions ‘eyes’, because we see other people with our eyes. The evil man thinks that he is greater than other people. Perhaps he even thinks that he is greater than God. God opposes proud people. God wants us to be humble. ‘Lies’ and ‘murder’ are in the 10 commands. God gave this law to Moses. See Deuteronomy 4. Verse 18 Today we might say ‘mind’ instead of ‘heart’. God knows our thoughts. He knows our secret plans. Verse 19 Contrast this verse with Psalm 133:1. ‘It is good when brothers live together calmly.’ The evil man wants to start an argument, or even a war. ‘Brothers’ does not only mean family members here. It can also mean neighbours and friends. It could even mean nations. Peace is good - it is God’s gift. Sometimes a war might be right, if, for example, one side does a terribly evil deed. However, even in war, we must look after people and try to work for peace. We should always pray for peace. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E54 · Fri, February 23, 2024
Send us a text Destiny of Wicked Men Verses 12-15 Sometimes, an evil person is easy to identify. At other times, we must be careful. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 mentions a ‘secret’ evil power. The evil man in verses 12-15 is dangerous because his evil plan is secret. His signals are small, but these signals might help us to identify him. Matthew 7:15-20 explains how to identify evil people. We must look for the results of these people’s actions. ‘A good tree cannot have bad fruit. A bad tree cannot have good fruit.’ (Matthew 7:18) If we see a poisonous tree, its fruit is poisonous. If we see a good tree (for example, an apple tree), its fruit is good. Consider the actions of the man in Proverbs 6:12-15. In verse 12, he speaks false words. Such behaviour is not good. It warns us about the man’s true character. In verse 14, he starts arguments. This man’s behaviour is evil. We should not trust him. We cannot see that the man is plotting an evil plan in his heart (verse 14). However, we can already hear his arguments. And we can hear his false words. The results of his actions are wrong. He is like the bad tree in Matthew 7:18. The man’s actions are evil, so his plan will also be evil. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E53 · Thu, February 22, 2024
Send us a text Warning Lazy People Verses 9-11 Solomon emphasises that we must not be lazy. When it is time to work, we must not sleep. In verse 9, Solomon asks the sleeper how long he will sleep. In verse 10, we hear what the sleeper thinks. He does not want to get up. However, he must wake. It is time to work. It is as if a thief is at the door. The sleeper must act quickly. Otherwise, he is in great trouble. He might lose everything. 1 Thessalonians 5 discusses this idea. However, the situation in 1 Thessalonians is different. The Bible says that, one day, Jesus will return to this world. That day will come suddenly, like the arrival of a thief. Some people will not be ready. ‘We must not sleep. We must stay awake. We must be ready. Sleepers sleep at night. Drunks drink alcohol at night. But we belong to the day.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8). www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E52 · Wed, February 21, 2024
Send us a text Ants Verses 6-8 As Christians, we should work. We might have a job. We might look after people, for example our families. We might do God’s work, perhaps as a church leader. We might do various tasks. Whatever we do, we should not be lazy. Solomon writes about insects. Ants are a common type of insect. Ants work together, in groups. They are wise because they store food. They do not waste their time. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, some Christians refused to work. The church gave food to them. Paul told the church not to do this. ‘If a man will not work, then he shall not eat.’ He added, ‘Do not get too tired to do the right things.’ (2 Thessalonians 3:13) Paul obeyed this lesson himself. Daily, he spoke about God to the people. However, the church did not provide Paul’s wages. Paul deserved money, because he worked for God. Paul deserved money, but he did not accept money from the church. Instead, he decided to work. He made tents. He earned enough money for himself, and also for other Christian workers. He worked very hard. Paul did this, because Jesus taught, ‘God makes the giver even more glad than the person who receives.’ (Acts 20:35) We also must work to help other people. ‘Belief is good, only if you do good things. Perhaps someone has no food and no clothes. You might tell him, “Go away! I hope that you will be warm. I hope that you get a meal.” But then you do nothing to help. This is not good. Belief achieves nothing unless you help people.’ (James 2:14-17) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E51 · Tue, February 20, 2024
Send us a text Debt Options Verse 4 If we want freedom, then we must not be lazy. We must not delay until tomorrow. If we delay, then we might never take action. God calls us to trust him now. Do not be like King Agrippa. Paul spoke to the king about Jesus. Agrippa answered, ‘You cannot persuade me so quickly to become a Christian.’ He was not ready to trust God. Perhaps he was never ready to trust God. (Acts 26:28) Earlier, Paul spoke to a ruler called Felix. Felix said, ‘I will speak to you at a convenient time.’ Felix never trusted God. He waited. Although he spoke again to Paul, Felix never found the ‘convenient time’ to trust in God. (Acts 24:25) Verse 5 We should act quickly, like an animal that runs to escape from a hunter. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E50 · Mon, February 19, 2024
Send us a text Foolish Debt Verses 1-2 In this poem, Solomon compares our mistakes to a hunter’s trap. When a hunter works, he may build traps. He hides his traps so that animals will not see them. He hopes that the animals will fall into his traps. Then he can kill and eat the animals. In our lives, our mistakes can be like traps. Perhaps we want to do the right thing. Perhaps our plans are good. But our best plans could fail. Then, like a trap, our plans can destroy us. In verse 1, Solomon’s son had good intentions. He wanted to help his neighbour. The son trusted the neighbour. The son tried to do the right thing, but the neighbour would not do the right thing. If his neighbour could not pay, Solomon’s son promised to pay instead. Now, his neighbour has failed to pay. The lender expects Solomon’s son to pay. The son’s plan failed and now he is in danger. Sometimes we place ourselves in danger. Our own choices can become like traps. Many people suffer from alcohol or from dangerous drugs. Originally, they just wanted to enjoy themselves. When they tried to stop, they failed. Now they must ask God to help them. They must remember that God is greater than them. A doctor could also help them. We all do wrong things against God. This behaviour is also like a trap. We cannot free ourselves. Paul wrote, ‘When I want to do good things, evil thoughts attract me. My spirit loves God’s law. But my body fights against my mind. I am like someone in prison. This is because evil behaviour controls my body.’ (Romans 7:21-23) But there is an answer to this problem. God can free us. If we ask God, then he will forgive us. And he will help us to control our behaviour. He will teach discipline to us. Paul continued, ‘Thank-you, God. God frees me through Jesus Christ.’ (Romans 7:25) Verse 3 Be humble! The Bible warns us not to be proud. Jesus said, ‘If you are humble, like a little child, then you will be great in heaven.’ (Matthew 18:7) James wrote, ‘Be humble. Then God will give you honour.’ (James 4:10) If Solomon’s son was proud, he could not escape. He is like an animal in a trap. He cannot free himself. He must ask for freedom. He must ask for help. We have all done wrong things, against God. We must be humble. We must ask God to forgive us. Only God can do this. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E49 · Sun, February 18, 2024
Send us a text Adultery Trap Verses 22-23 The evil man is foolish. He thinks that he is free. But his evil behaviour will make him into a slave. He can hide his actions from other people. But he cannot hide from God (Numbers 32:23). This man’s evil behaviour will destroy him. This man should invite God into his life. This man needs to ask God to forgive him. God will save the evil man, but only if the man trusts God. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E48 · Sat, February 17, 2024
Send us a text Mans Ruin Perhaps, like David, we do some wrong things in secret (2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12). A woman might tempt a man. They might think that nobody knows. They are wrong because God knows. He sees our secret actions. He knows everything that we do in private. Like David, if we have done wrong things, we should turn to God. David’s prayer in Psalm 51 will help us to understand why we must ask God to forgive us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E47 · Fri, February 16, 2024
Send us a text Marriage Provision Marriage is God’s gift. A husband and wife should give themselves to each other. They should enjoy their marriage. They should love each other. They attract each other, and this is good. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E46 · Thu, February 15, 2024
Send us a text Marriage Gift Verses 15-16 Here, Solomon talks about water. In dry countries, water is valuable. Clean water is very precious. You should not waste water. It should not flow into the streets. It should not pour out, into the town. Your family and your animals should drink it. You should water your crops. Use it wisely! Think about your own life in the same way. You should use your strength wisely. If you follow your emotions, you will waste your energy. You should have sex with your husband or wife, and not with anyone else. Our lives belong to God. God has shown us how we should live. He will be kind to us when we obey his instructions. As your own taps belong to you (verse 15), so a husband and wife belong together. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E45 · Wed, February 14, 2024
Send us a text Adultery Consequences Verses 13-14 These verses teach us the result, if we live for our desires. In the end our wrong desires will ruin us. They will bring us to despair. Solomon warns his son. He explains what will happen to a foolish son. The son will become an old man one day. Then the son will ask himself what his life achieved. He will see that he achieved nothing. He ruined his life, because he did not serve God. Instead, the foolish son served his emotions and desires. He wasted his energy on cruel people (verse 9). His strength brought wealth to another man’s home (verse 10). We should think about our lives. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 7:24-27. A wise man built a house on rock. When the storms came, the house was strong. A fool built his house on sand. When the storms came, the house fell down. We should be like the wise man in Jesus’ story. We should build our lives on a strong base. That base should be God. When problems come, God will protect us. And he will help us. If we build a house on something weak, the house will fall down (Matthew 7:26-27). In the same way, our lives need a strong base. Our emotions are not a strong base for our lives. If we trust our emotions, we shall become very weak. Let us build our lives in God’s way. Paul wrote about sex in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. He said, ‘Your body does not belong to you. Jesus bought your body, for a price.’ (Paul means the price of Jesus’ death for us. We belong to God.) ‘Therefore, use your body to give honour to God.’ (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20) Few experiences are as typical for mankind as looking back, with regret, on good advice we failed to take. Especially when judgment falls, sinners wish they had listened to godly wisdom. It is not the instructors' fault that students go astray, it is the fault of those who fail to accept the instruction. Few people who fall into deep sin can say, with any truth, that they were never warned about the consequences they would face. This verse continues the mourning of someone shattered by sin, who realizes exactly how they came to their fate ( Proverbs 5:11–12 ). Without a doubt Jesus was the best teacher in history. He spoke the truth, and His words were authoritative and life giving. However, not everyone who heard Jesus' instruction accepted it ( John 5:39–40 ). The scribes and Pharisees rejected it, and at one point masses of people turned away and no longer followed Him ( John 6:66 ). Jesus taught that God's Word, like scattered seed, doesn't fall only on good ground. Sometimes it falls on stony ground or among weeds and is unproductive (<a href='https://www.bibleref.co
S1 E44 · Tue, February 13, 2024
Send us a text The Ruin of Adultery Solomon advises that his son should not even meet the married woman. Solomon’s son must be very careful. He should not enter her house. He should not even walk near her door. If the son walks near her door, then he might enter. If he enters, he might listen to her. Her speech is attractive (verse 3). She will tempt him. If he listens to her, he might want to have sex with her. Solomon’s father, David, had a similar experience (2 Samuel 11-12). From a distance, he saw a beautiful woman. She was having a bath, naked. David did not look away. If he had looked away, he would have avoided many troubles, avoided the ruin of adultery. Instead, David watched the woman. He sent a servant to call her. She was a married woman, but she came to David. David talked with her. They had sex. They even had a baby together. David tried to hide his actions. He even caused the woman’s husband to die in battle. Then David married the woman. God knew what David had done. David’s older sons fought David, because of his evil deed. The baby, who was David’s youngest son, died. God did not kill David for his evil deed. This was because David turned to God. David asked God to forgive him. His prayer is in Psalm 51. Later, David and the same woman had another son. This second son was Solomon, who wrote the Book of Proverbs. Verses 9-10 A young man should not waste his strength with another man’s wife. He should use his strength wisely. When he marries, perhaps he will have his own family. We must all be careful with our strength. We should use our strength for good things, not for evil things. Our energy is precious. Our time is valuable. Verses 11-12 These verses teach us the result, if we live for our desires. In the end our wrong desires will ruin us. They will bring us to the ruin of adultery. Solomon warns his son. He explains what will happen to a foolish son. The son will become an old man one day. Then the son will ask himself what his life achieved. He will see that he achieved nothing. He ruined his life, because he did not serve God. Instead, the foolish son served his emotions and desires. He wasted his energy on cruel people (verse 9). His strength brought wealth to another man’s home (verse 10). We should think about our lives. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 7:24-27. A wise man built a house on rock. When the storms came, the house was strong. A fool built his house on sand. When the storms came, the house fell down. We should be like the wise man in Jesus’ story. We should build our lives on a strong base. That base should be God. When problems come, God will protect us. And he will help us. If we build a house on something weak, the house will fall down (Matthew 7:26-27). In the same way, our lives need a stro
S1 E43 · Mon, February 12, 2024
Send us a text Verse 5 If our behaviour is evil, then the result, in the end, is death. Solomon’s son might die if he follows the married woman. Solomon does not say how his son could die. The woman’s angry husband may kill the young man. The woman herself might be a murderer. Or the whole town might punish the son for his evil actions. Occasionally, evil actions lead straight to death. Usually, the process is slower, step by step. Every evil action brings death nearer, because our evil behaviour takes us away from God. We can only receive true life, if we trust God. When the Bible speaks about death, often this does not mean the death of our bodies. Often the Bible means the death of our spirits. If your spirit is dead, then you will go to hell. If your spirit is alive, you will go to heaven. ‘Jesus became alive again after he died, by the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit lives in you, then your bodies will also live again.’ (Romans 8:11) The result of our evil actions is death. But God brings life to our bodies and spirits by his Holy Spirit. Verse 6 Again, the verse compares life to a journey. Sometimes a person, like this woman, refuses to hear God’s law. The woman lives in the way that she chooses. She does not care about what is right or good. She lives by her emotions. She has forgotten God. She does not know where her life will lead. She does not even know that her actions are wrong. We have heard God’s law. We know what is wise. We must trust God. We must not copy people like this woman. Solomon advises that his son should not even meet the married woman. Solomon’s son must be very careful. He should not enter her house. He should not even walk near her door. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E42 · Sun, February 11, 2024
Send us a text Verse 3 Evil ideas, a married woman attracts a young man. She seems so beautiful. When he kisses her, her lips seem to taste like honey. When he listens to her, her words are so attractive. He does not think about the woman’s husband. He does not think about God’s law. He does not even think about the results of his actions. He only thinks about her. Sometimes evil ideas attract us. These ideas might seem sweet and pleasant. Sometimes it seems easy to do the wrong thing, and it seems hard to do the right thing. We should not do evil things. We should say, ‘This offends God. It might hurt other people. It could place me in danger.’ The devil offered bread to Jesus when Jesus was hungry. (Matthew 4:1-4) Jesus refused. He said, ‘Man does not live by bread alone. A man must live by God’s instructions.’ (Deuteronomy 8:3). We also must refuse to do evil things. Verse 4 Evil ideas may seem attractive, but they are really terrible. When the man kissed the woman, even her lips tasted sweet. Later the taste in his mouth will be bitter. Later he will know the results of his actions. At first, the woman’s speech was attractive. Later she will be like a sword. She will attack him and hurt him. Evil things are often like this. Evil behaviour always causes pain and trouble. The devil uses evil ideas to try to destroy us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E41 · Sat, February 10, 2024
Send us a text Chapter 5 is a poem. The poem has two subjects: 1. A married woman tempts a man who is not her husband. 2. Evil things are like this woman, because sometimes these things attract us. But evil things offend God. We must obey God, and refuse to do evil things. Solomon discusses both subjects at the same time. This is similar to Proverbs 2:16-19. The actions of the woman show us how evil ideas can attract us Verses 1-2 Solomon begins his lesson in the usual way. He reminds us why we need wisdom and knowledge. With wisdom and knowledge, we can avoid danger. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E40 · Fri, February 09, 2024
Send us a text Verses 26-27 Again, this compares life to a journey. We will live ‘the best life’ if we obey God. This is like the best route for a journey. If we serve God, then we will help other people. We will be like a postman who brings good news. ‘On the mountains, the postman takes a good message. He has good news about peace and rescue. He says to Jerusalem, “God is king.” ’ (Isaiah 52:7) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E39 · Thu, February 08, 2024
Send us a text Verse 23 We should be careful about our thoughts. We should love good things and hate evil things. Verse 24 James 3:1-12 explains this verse. James compares our tongues to a fire. Our words can be powerful. We can use words to say good things. But we can use words to say evil things, too. Our mouths can praise God, but they can curse other people. We must be careful about our words. Verse 25 We look forward, when we follow God. We should not look away from him. Jesus warned about this in Luke 17:31-32. ‘Jesus said, “Do not begin the work, then look back! If you look back, you cannot serve God.” ’ (Luke 9:62) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E38 · Wed, February 07, 2024
Send us a text Wise words are like medicine. They benefit every part of our bodies. Verses 20-22 These verses show us the subject of this passage. Each chapter of Proverbs 1-7 begins in a similar style. Here the subject is health. Wisdom is like a medicine, because wisdom improves our lives. Unlike a medicine, wisdom does not heal our bodies. Wisdom heals our spirits. Wisdom leads us to God. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E37 · Tue, February 06, 2024
Send us a text Verses 18-19 This is a beautiful short poem. It contrasts a good man and an evil man. Sometimes people think that everyone is the same. Some people say that everyone is good. The Bible does not say this. The Bible says that we all have turned from God. We must turn back to him. Only God can make us good. The good man has a good life. He does not yet know everything that God wants to teach him. He has not yet received all the gifts that God will give to him. His life is like a man who walks at dawn. At dawn, there is only a little light. But the light will soon become brighter. And soon the good man will know God better. Paul writes about this in 1 Corinthians 13:12. ‘Now, we see an image in a poor mirror. In heaven, we shall see clearly. Now, I only know a little. One day, I shall know completely, as God knows me completely.’ Paul is writing about the time when he will see God in heaven. The evil man has the opposite fate. He is like a man who walks on a dark path. A journey at midnight is dangerous. A traveller cannot see in the darkness. Without any lights, the traveller will trip and fall. In the same way, the evil man is in great danger. He will suffer because of his evil behaviour. God will punish him. Many people, who are not Christians, want God in their lives. They know that they are in danger. They are like someone who travels at night. Christians should speak to them. We should share what God has given to us. God will help those who ask him. When these people first trust God, they will know little about God. In time, they will know more, as they live God’s way. In heaven, they will know God fully. A path becomes brighter as the day begins. And they will know more, as they trust God more. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E36 · Mon, February 05, 2024
Send us a text We must not do the same things that evil people do. Their behaviour is never wise. If we copy their actions, then we are in great danger. Verse 16 As Solomon emphasises the lesson, he uses humour. He tells us to imagine the evil man. This man is a very evil man. So, he cannot even sleep until he has done an evil action. At midnight he gets up. He has still not done his evil action. He struggles to think an evil thought. The time is very late, but this man must act now. He cannot even sleep until he has completed his evil task. The story shows us that evil things are powerful. Evil things will control us, like dangerous drugs or alcohol. We can become like slaves, to our own evil actions. God can set us free, but we must turn to him. Verse 17 Solomon continues his joke. The evil man has woken. He is eating a meal. We are looking at his food. We expect to find bread or meat or vegetables. The evil man is eating none of these. This man does not want food. Instead, he chooses evil behaviour. He does not think that food will make him strong. Instead, he thinks that his evil actions will make him strong. He wants to do evil things, more than he desires his food. He thinks that evil things are essential for his life. This evil man does not think that he needs milk or water or wine. He supposes that he can manage without these things. He does not want something to drink. Instead he thinks that cruelty is essential for his life. He wants cruelty, more than he wants a drink. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E35 · Sun, February 04, 2024
Send us a text Verse 13 We must guard the good things that God has given to us. Sometimes evil things might seem attractive. We might remember our behaviour before we knew God. We might see an evil action and we might want to do the same. ‘Stay awake! Pray! Do not allow evil things to tempt you!’ Jesus told this to his followers in Mark 14:38. Paul wrote, ‘Stand firm in freedom, because Christ has freed us!’ (Galatians 5:1) Verses 14-15 Solomon emphasises his words. We should not behave like evil people. We should not listen to their advice. Their advice is never wise. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E34 · Sat, February 03, 2024
Send us a text Verse 11 We shall not walk alone. Wisdom will be our guide and our guard. Remember that this whole book is about God’s wisdom! God protects us, when we live our lives in his way. Jesus said, ‘Do not worry about clothes. Look at the flowers in the fields. The flowers do not work or make clothes. But even the wealthy king Solomon did not dress as well as the flowers. God dresses the grasses in the field beautifully, although tomorrow they will burn in the fire. He will provide your clothes also, although you hardly believe.’ (Matthew 6:28-30) Jesus explained that the same was true about food and drink. God cares for us. He will provide what we need for each day. He will lead us to our home in heaven. Verse 12 ‘The people who trust in God will become stronger. They will be so strong, that they will be like the eagle (a large, strong bird). They will run, but they will not become tired. They will walk, but they will not become weak.’ (Isaiah 40:31) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E33 · Fri, February 02, 2024
Send us a text Verse 9 At the end of this poem, the royal family speaks about a crown. This crown is not a gold crown or a silver crown. It is a crown for a king, but a poor person can wear a crown, too. Wisdom gives honour to us. This gift is like a beautiful crown. In the introduction to this poem, we saw that it was about every family. This poem was not just about Israel’s royal family. Every family can teach wisdom. Every person can trust God and learn to be wise. We can all wear wisdom’s crown. Jesus said, ‘God will give honour to anyone who serves me.’ (John 12:26) This passage returns to the idea that life is like a journey. Verse 10 If we plan our journeys wisely, then we are safer. We can avoid many dangers. In the same way, if we are wise, then our lives will be safer. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E32 · Thu, February 01, 2024
Send us a text Verse 7 Wisdom is better than everything else. It is better than money. It is better than beauty. It is better than health. Wisdom is worth more than everything that you own. Remember that these words come from Israel’s royal family. They had great wealth. But wisdom is more important than wealth. Verse 8 As in verse 6, the poet compares wisdom to a woman. In verse 6, the poet tells us to love Wisdom. In verse 8, he tells us to hug her. We should get closer and closer to Wisdom. We shall benefit if we do so. Wisdom will lift us higher and give honour to us. Like a woman, Wisdom looks after those who love her. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E31 · Wed, January 31, 2024
Send us a text Verses 5-6 At last, we hear the advice. This is the lesson that grandfather taught. We must learn to be wise. As in earlier chapters, he compares wisdom to a woman. Wisdom, like a woman, deserves our love. Like a woman, she will protect you, if you love her. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E30 · Tue, January 30, 2024
Send us a text Verse 3 The advice did not begin with the father, who is writing the poem. The father learned this lesson from his own father. The lesson is good, because it is ancient. Grandfather followed this advice. And he saw that it was good advice. This is why he taught it to the boy’s father. The father has lived by this advice too. So now he teaches it to his own sons. The words of verse 3 speak about the father’s childhood. These words suggest a loving home. The father was grandmother’s only child, so he was close to her. Grandfather taught his lessons with love to his little child. Verse 4 The grandfather began his lessons in the same way as the poet. The grandfather also emphasised that the lesson was important. Today, many people say that things are important. A salesman will say that his advice is important. This is because the salesman wants us to buy his products. We can doubt salesmen and politicians. But we must not doubt God’s word. The Book of Proverbs repeats its advice, because wisdom really is important. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E29 · Mon, January 29, 2024
Send us a text Verses 1-9 This poem is not just about Solomon’s family. It is about all families. It tells us that a father should teach his son. When he grows older, the son should teach his own children. Solomon’s family was Israel’s royal family. In the poem, the father does not teach about being a king. He does not speak about wealth and money. He does not explain how to lead the nation. For this father, only one thing matters. His son must learn wisdom. We can teach our children about many things. We must not forget to teach them wisdom. This is the most important lesson of all. Verses 1-2 The poem begins with commands to listen. The father will teach a valuable lesson to his sons. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E28 · Sun, January 28, 2024
Send us a text Verses 33-35 God deals with different people differently. Verse 33 God will do good things for us if we obey him. He is kind to us, and he is kind to our homes too. The word ‘home’ shows that God will help our families also. Contrast this with the evil man. God curses both the evil man, and those who live in the evil man’s house. The evil man’s family suffer, because of his evil actions. Since Jesus died, this has changed. Each person must trust God for himself or herself. ‘Then these words will become untrue: “The fathers ate sour fruit, and the children have a sour taste in their mouths!” Instead, everyone will die because of his own wrong actions. Whoever eats sour fruit will taste it for himself.’ (Jeremiah 31:29-30) Verse 34 The time for judgement is coming. God will be our judge. We should serve God, and we should be humble. We must not be proud. When God is our judge, he will show us kindness and love. Some people are proud. They insult other people. They must turn from their evil behaviour. Then God will forgive them. If they refuse God’s love, God will punish them. God loves us, although we do not deserve his love. He offers his kindness to everyone. We must be humble to receive it. If we trust in ourselves, we cannot receive his love. Nobody will go to heaven because they deserve it. We have all done wrong things. We all deserve God’s punishment. This is why God sent Jesus. Jesus did not deserve God’s punishment. Jesus suffered the punishment that we deserve. If we turn to God, he will forgive us. He saves us, because he is kind. This verse, Proverbs 3:34, is an important Bible verse. Both James and Peter used this verse in their own books. See James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:6. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E27 · Sat, January 27, 2024
Send us a text Verse 31 People like to follow a leader. They might copy a film star. They might act like their teacher. They could behave like their ruler. We must be careful if we choose a model. If we copy an evil person, then we shall become evil. Even a holy person makes mistakes and could lead us in the wrong way. Verse 32 God has both friends and enemies. If we are evil, God hates us as enemies. This is because he hates our evil actions. However, God wants evil people to change their lives. God has great love, even for his enemies. This is why he sent Jesus. ‘Remember this! “Jesus came into the world to save evil people.” I was the worst!’ (1 Timothy 1:15. Paul wrote this passage.) Honest people are God’s friends. We can all become honest. First, we must trust in Jesus. Jesus’ death takes away the punishment for our evil actions. Then God forgives us. He makes us his friends. Now we must learn more. God will teach us. He will use the Bible to teach us. He will also use other people. We should live God’s way. We should try to be honest. God will help us. Formerly, we opposed God. We were his enemies. But when we trusted God, God forgave us. We became God’s friends. We are now God’s own people. See Ephesians 3:11-22. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E26 · Fri, January 26, 2024
Send us a text v29 Your neighbour trusts you. Do not plot against him! Do not hurt him! v30 Do not accuse an innocent man. He is not guilty, and he has not hurt you. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E25 · Thu, January 25, 2024
Send us a text Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself!’ (Mark 12:31) In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). A Samaritan was a person from a nation that the people from Jerusalem disliked (John 4:9). Jesus told his story to explain the word ‘neighbour’. In the story, a Samaritan rescued a man from Jerusalem. The Samaritan cared, because this man needed help. So, Jesus argued, this other man was the Samaritan’s neighbour. We should do the same. We should care about everyone whom God sends to us. Jesus discussed this subject again in Matthew 5:43-48. ‘You have heard the words: “Love your neighbour. Hate your enemy.” I am telling you to love your enemies. Pray for anyone who attacks you.’ (Matthew 5:43-44) The people in Jesus’ time thought that they should hate their enemies. But the Bible does not tell us to hate our enemies. In fact, Jesus said that we should love our enemies. Jesus even prayed for the people who killed him. ‘Father, forgive them! They do not know what they are doing.’ (Luke 23:34) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E24 · Wed, January 24, 2024
Send us a text v25 Do not fear sudden dangers! An evil man will lose everything. v26 But God will protect you. He will save you from dangers. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E23 · Tue, January 23, 2024
Send us a text This is another passage that compares life with a journey. This passage teaches us that God will protect us. We have nothing to fear. Many Psalms teach a similar lesson. See Psalm 121, Psalm 46:1, and Psalm 62:2. Verse 24 gives us special comfort. We cannot protect ourselves at night. In the dark, there are many dangers. Many people struggle to sleep. We should trust in God. He can keep us safe. He can protect us. ‘You do not benefit if you wake early. You do not need to work at night for your food. God gives sleep to the people whom he loves.’ (Psalm 127:2) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E22 · Mon, January 22, 2024
Send us a text Verse 22 reminds us of verse 3. Verse 3 tells us to wear love about our necks. In many countries, women display their beautiful objects. They wear gold, silver and precious stones on chains about their necks. Verse 22 encourages us. There are plenty of beautiful things for us. Right decisions, love and wisdom are all beautiful things. They are better than any precious stone. Gold and silver may be beautiful. Wisdom is more beautiful than any valuable objects. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E21 · Sun, January 21, 2024
Send us a text We all need wisdom. Even God used his wisdom to make the world. This paragraph is similar to John 1:1-3. ‘In the beginning was the word. The word was with God. The word was God. He was with God in the beginning. God made everything by his word. He made nothing without the word.’ John explains that ‘the word’ means Jesus. Jesus was always with God, because Jesus is God. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E20 · Sat, January 20, 2024
Send us a text The happiness that wisdom brings is not just an emotion. This is the same happiness that Jesus describes in Matthew 5:3-12. When God forgives our evil actions, we receive his joy in our spirits. Sometimes our lives will still be difficult. Sometimes, we shall be very sad. Even then, God will comfort us. He will look after us. Although we are sad, God’s joy will still be in our hearts. And we will have good lives, because God will help us. David wrote, ‘Even when death is near, you (God) are with me. So, I am not afraid. You guide and comfort me’ (Psalm 23:4). David was not happy when he was in danger. But he knew that God’s joy was in his spirit. So he was not afraid of the dangers that surrounded him. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E19 · Fri, January 19, 2024
Send us a text You can put your money in a bank. The bank will pay you an income. However, the bank is not as good as Wisdom. If you give your life to Wisdom, she will pay more than any bank. No bank can make your life longer. But Wisdom can give a long life. No bank can promise you a place in heaven. But wisdom can promise this. No bank can make you right with God. Wisdom can do this. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E18 · Thu, January 18, 2024
Send us a text In Proverbs 1:20-33, Solomon describes wisdom as a woman. This happens again in Proverbs 3:13-18. There is a difference. In Proverbs 1, Wisdom is angry with evil people. They have refused her advice. In Proverbs 3, we read about the people who love Wisdom. Wisdom brings good things to them; long life, wealth and honour (verse 16). When we walk with Wisdom, our life is pleasant and beautiful (verse 17). These verses compare Wisdom to valuable objects. She is worth more than precious stones. Her value is more than silver or gold. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E17 · Wed, January 17, 2024
Send us a text Many people do not want to learn how to behave well. They want to choose how they will live their lives. God is our father. A father teaches his son. Sometimes, the father must correct or punish his son. In the same way, God corrects us. God does not correct us because he is angry. God corrects us because he loves us. A human father should not punish his child because the father is angry. Rather, the father corrects the child because the father loves his child. If God corrects us, then we should be glad. His correction teaches us to do the right things. His correction will save us from troubles. Jesus spoke about this in John 15:1-8. He compares God to a gardener. We are like a vine (fruit tree). ‘If a branch has no fruit, God cuts it shorter. He does this so that the branch will have more fruit.’ (John 15:2) God does not forget about us. He watches us. He sees our errors. In love, he corrects us. He might correct us by some word that we read in the Bible. He might use the advice of other people, for example, a minister or friend. He might even use someone who is not a Christian. ‘If you hear God’s voice today, do not refuse him!’ (Hebrews 3:15) There is a different, ancient translation of verse 12. Hebrews 12:6 copies this translation. It says, ‘God punishes everyone whom he receives as a son.’ Hebrews 12:7-11 explains these words. God corrects us, because we are his children. If he did not correct us, we should not be his children. We respect our natural fathers who correct us. In the same way, we must respect God. Sometimes correction includes punishment. ‘Punishment is not pleasant at the time. Punishment seems painful. Later, however, it produces something good. We learn peace, and we learn right actions.’ (Hebrews 12:11) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E16 · Tue, January 16, 2024
Send us a text There is a wrong type of wisdom. Verse 7 mentions ‘your own wisdom’. There is also a wrong type of intelligence. Verse 5 mentions ‘your own intelligence’. There is a difference between our own wisdom and God’s wisdom. Also, there is a difference between our own intelligence and God’s intelligence. God is wiser than we are. And God is more intelligent than any person is. See Isaiah 55:8-9. We must not be proud. All true wisdom comes from God. Our own ideas may be good. But they are never better than God’s wisdom. God teaches his wisdom to us. It is God’s gift to us. Do not confuse your own ideas with God’s wisdom! Verse 8 Sometimes our wrong ideas cause illnesses. For example, excess alcohol will make us ill. But God’s wisdom does not hurt us. God is kind to us and he helps us. He cares about our bodies. He also cares about our spirits. Nobody will be ill in heaven (Revelation 21:4). The wisdom that we need is God’s wisdom. v9 Use your wealth to give honour to God. Give him the first part of your harvest. v10 Then your harvest will be vast. Your new wine will be plentiful. Verses 9-10 In Malachi 3:6-12, Malachi accuses the people. He says that they have stolen from God. This is because they have not given their gifts for God’s work. The truth is that all our possessions belong to God. He made the world. So he made everything that we have. Our own lives belong to him. As Christians, we should be generous. We should give for God’s work. We should also give to help poor people. People may say, ‘If I give, then I shall not have enough for myself.’ We should be sensible, but we must also trust God. God says, ‘I do not need your animals. Every animal in the forest is mine. I own the cows on 1000 hills.’ (Psalm 50:9-10) If we give our money for God’s work, then God will provide for us. Jesus said, ‘If you give to God, then he will give to you. He will provide plenty of food for you. If you are generous, then God will be generous with you.’ (Luke 6:38). God does not need our wealth. However, he chooses to work with us. We should be glad to give to God. ‘God loves a joyful giver.’ (2 Corinthians 9:7) As we give to other people, God gives good things to us. ‘… I will open heaven. I will give good things to you. You will receive so many good things, that you cannot find space for them.’ (Malachi 3:10) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E15 · Mon, January 15, 2024
Send us a text Love and Trust Love and trust should not be just ideas. We must not remember them today, and then forget them tomorrow. They must be part of our lives. They should guide every decision. Verses 5 and 6 are very important. It is a good idea to learn them. They will help us if we worry about the future. ‘Trust in God.’ People trust many things. Some trust money. Some trust governments. Other people trust luck or fate. You might trust your family or your church. Sometimes all these things will fail. But God never fails. ‘God is like a castle. We are safe with him, because he is strong. He is always with us. He protects us whenever there are troubles.’ (Psalm 46:1) ‘Your whole heart.’ Perhaps you trust God sometimes, but not at other times. Some people become Christians, but do not trust God with their whole hearts. God is part of their lives, but only part. Maybe they want God at home, but not at work. God wants our whole hearts. We should always desire his wisdom. He wants us to live as Christians at work and at home. We must trust God, even when our lives are difficult. God encourages us to trust him in everything. ‘Do not depend on your own intelligence!’ God is wiser than we are. We may know many things, but God knows everything. We must not be proud. We must not imagine that we are wiser than God. Verse 6 The future is unknown to us. But God knows the future. He is able to lead us. He can guide us. We should trust him, and not our own ideas. So we should pray to God about our lives. We should ask him to help us and to guide us. ‘Wherever you go, think about God.’ These words remind us that life is like a journey. We shall have many experiences. Some experiences will be good. Other experiences will be bad. Wherever we are, we should think about God. We should remember God’s place in our lives. If life is like a journey, then we must follow God. He knows the right path. His way is the right way. ‘He will clear the path for you to follow.’ Another translation is: ‘He will show the right path to you.’ We can trust God to guide us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E14 · Sun, January 14, 2024
Send us a text Verse 1 Chapter 3 begins, as usual, with advice for Solomon’s son. Solomon encourages his son to remember his commands. The son must remember the words. But he should also aim for a deeper experience. Wisdom should enter his heart. Wisdom should guide his thoughts. Wisdom should control his emotions and desires. Verse 2 The son will benefit from wisdom. Solomon mentions health and wealth. Wisdom brings health, because wisdom teaches safe actions. A wise person eats good food and takes care of his body. Wisdom brings wealth, because the wise person is careful. The wise person works hard and he does not waste money. Do not think that health and wealth show wisdom. A thief can become wealthy, because he steals. An evil person can take money from other people. Sometimes God gives health and wealth to a person, but not always. ‘Remember God! He makes you able to get wealth…’ (Deuteronomy 8:18) True health is not only the health of the body. Your relationship with God must also be healthy. In fact, your relationship with God is more important than your body. See Matthew 5:29-30. Solomon was very wealthy. But he knew that true wealth is not money. See Proverbs 3:14-15. Wisdom is worth more than silver or gold. Wisdom is worth more than all our money. Verse 3 Love and trust should always be with us. As Solomon writes this, he is thinking about Deuteronomy 6:7-9. ‘Teach God’s law to your children. Talk about God’s law at home! Talk about it, when you travel! Talk about it, when you lie down! Talk about it, when you wake! Tie the words of God’s law on your hands! Tie the words about your head! Write God’s law at the side of your doors and gates!’ ‘Wear them about your neck.’ You cannot really wear love and trust. But you can show your love and trust to other people. Everybody will know your attitudes when they see your behaviour. ‘Write them on your heart.’ You cannot really write ‘love and trust’ on your heart. But love and trust should direct your whole life, even in private. Love and trust should direct your thoughts, plans and attitudes. Love and trust should always be in your heart and mind. Love and trust should not be just ideas. We must not remember them today, and then forget them tomorrow. They must be part of our lives. They should guide every decision. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E13 · Sat, January 13, 2024
Send us a text The land God gave land to the nation of Israel. He warned them to follow his commands. If the nation turned away from God, then they would lose their land. (Deuteronomy 28) Solomon knew that God had warned them. After Solomon, the people served false gods. Some kings were good, but most were evil. God did not punish that nation immediately. God told the people to return to him. They did not return. After a war, they lost their land. As Christians, our land is not this world. We are only visitors, because we belong elsewhere. Our real home is in heaven (Hebrews 11:13-16). We must follow God. He will lead us to heaven. He has prepared a place for us in heaven (John 14:1-4). www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E12 · Fri, January 12, 2024
Send us a text Verses 16-19 In these verses, a woman tries to tempt a man. Deuteronomy 5 lists 10 commands that God gave. One command was, ‘Do not have sex with someone else's wife or husband.’ (Deuteronomy 5:18) The woman in the Book of Proverbs refuses to follow this command. A man who goes to her is in danger. Solomon is teaching us about other wrong actions. Sometimes wrong actions are attractive. Sometimes evil thoughts tempt us. Sometimes we might think that God’s law is not fair. Perhaps the man likes the woman. However, he must not go to her. We must not do wrong actions, when evil thoughts test us. The devil even tested Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). But Jesus did nothing that was wrong against God. God gives his wisdom to us. His Bible teaches us how we should live. If we turn from God, this is like leaving your husband or wife. When you became a Christian, you promised to follow God. Evil thoughts may still tempt you. Other religions may tempt you. Sex may tempt you. Do not break your promise to God! Jesus said, ‘I am the way. The only way to the father (God) is through me.’ (John 14:6) Even Solomon, who wrote the Book of Proverbs, turned away from God in the end. He had many wives. Some followed other religions. With his wives, Solomon prayed to other gods. The Bible says that Solomon’s actions were evil. (1 Kings 11:1-13) We should learn from Solomon’s mistake. God gave great wisdom to Solomon. Solomon taught wisdom. His Book of Proverbs still teaches wisdom to us today. We must follow God. We must desire God’s wisdom. We must not be like Solomon when he turned from God. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E11 · Thu, January 11, 2024
Send us a text The Book of Proverbs also tells us about two ways. In verse 13, evil men walk in dark paths. They hide from the light, because light would show up their evil behaviour. In verse 15, Solomon says that evil men choose the wrong paths. It is easy to choose the wrong path in the dark! This wrong path is like their evil behaviour. Their behaviour is like a road that leads to death and hell (verse 18). If we follow God’s wisdom, then our paths are good (verse 9). We are like travellers who choose the right way. We know where we are going. We act fairly. Our decisions are good. This is the right road for life’s journey. It leads to heaven (verse 19). www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E10 · Wed, January 10, 2024
Send us a text The journey of life The Bible often compares life to a journey. Abraham’s whole life was a journey. He travelled from Ur to Haran, and then to Canaan. ‘He searched for the city that God built.’ (Hebrews 11:10) He did not find this place on earth. ‘These people wanted a better place, in heaven. God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them.’ (Hebrews 11:16) Jesus compared life to a journey. ‘Enter by the narrow gate! Do not choose the wide gate or the easy road! Many people go that way. The easy road leads to death. Look for the small gate and the narrow road. Only a few people find it, but it leads to life.’ (Matthew 7:13-14) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E9 · Tue, January 09, 2024
Send us a text If we respect God, then we shall become wise. God gives his wisdom to us. We are his people, and he guards us. He defends us, and he protects us. Psalm 23 compares God to a man who owns sheep. The farmer looks after his sheep. He provides their food and water. He cares about them. In the same way, God looks after us. When we are in danger, God protects us. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E8 · Mon, January 08, 2024
Send us a text The search for wisdom We must greatly desire wisdom. We must listen to it. We must desire it. We must ask questions, so that we can learn more. We must hunt for wisdom, like someone who searches for gold. Psalm 42:1 is similar. ‘My spirit needs God like a deer (wild animal) needs the streams of water.’ The animal searches for water. We also must search for wisdom. Also see Job 28. A man digs deep into the earth. He breaks through the rock. He enters places that no animal has seen. He finds gold and silver. He discovers many things. However, he cannot find wisdom there. Wisdom is not in the deep sea. You cannot buy wisdom - not even with gold. ‘Respect God! This is true wisdom. Refuse to do evil things! This is true intelligence.’ (Job 28:28) Verses 5-8 The reward of wisdom If we respect God, then we shall become wise. God gives his wisdom to us. We are his people, and he guards us. He defends us, and he protects us www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E7 · Sun, January 07, 2024
Send us a text The woman called Wisdom In his second story, Solomon tells us about a woman. This woman’s name is Wisdom. The woman is upset, and she is angry. This is why she shouts. Her children are not obeying her. They refuse her advice. She walks through the streets and she complains to everyone. She even goes to the city gate. In ancient times, judges were at the city gate. She wants to obtain a judgement against her children. They are simple, evil and foolish (verse 22). They deserve punishment (verse 26). Verses 27-33 She obtains judgement. Their punishment is severe. This is because they refused wisdom. They did evil things. Now they will suffer a terrible punishment. Their punishment is sudden, like a storm. It is powerful, like the wind. (Verse 27) We are all like Wisdom’s children. We can learn to be wise. Or we can refuse to listen to wise words. Wisdom begins when we respect God (verse 7). If we respect God, then God will reward us. But if we do evil things, then we shall suffer a terrible punishment. Everybody does evil things. So we must turn to God. We must be sincere. Then God will forgive us and teach us his wisdom. He sent Jesus to take away our punishment. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E6 · Sat, January 06, 2024
Send us a text Everybody does evil things. So we must turn to God. We must be sincere. Then God will forgive us and teach us his wisdom. He sent Jesus to take away our punishment. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E5 · Fri, January 05, 2024
Send us a text The Woman Called Wisdom: She obtains judgement. Their punishment is severe. This is because they refused wisdom. They did evil things. Now they will suffer a terrible punishment. Their punishment is sudden, like a storm. It is powerful, like the wind. (Verse 27) www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E4 · Thu, January 04, 2024
Send us a text The woman called Wisdom In his second story, Solomon tells us about a woman. This woman’s name is Wisdom. The woman is upset, and she is angry. This is why she shouts. Her children are not obeying her. They refuse her advice. She walks through the streets and she complains to everyone. She even goes to the city gate. In ancient times, judges were at the city gate. She wants to obtain a judgement against her children. They are simple, evil and foolish (verse 22). www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E3 · Wed, January 03, 2024
Send us a text Some people imagine that they know a quicker way to improve their lives. Solomon warns about such people in verses 10-19. They offer friendship (verse 14). But their friendship cannot last because their plan is evil. They offer rich rewards (verse 13). But really they will suffer a terrible fate (verse 19). Wisdom is much better than any evil plan. Verses 10-16 The thieves’ plan In Solomon’s story, a band of thieves have a cruel plan. The thieves ask a young man to join them. Together, they will attack someone else. They will steal from him, and murder him. The young man and the thieves soon will become wealthy. The young man does not realise the true plot. Verses 17-19 The truth is this. The thieves also intend to kill the young man. This means that the thieves will keep all the money. Solomon’s story teaches us about evil behaviour. An evil life is not fun. It is dangerous. The evil person risks a terrible end. The young man in the story thought that he would become wealthy. In reality, he lost everything. Solomon warns us not to make the same mistake. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E2 · Tue, January 02, 2024
Send us a text Verses 8-9 In Solomon’s time, both parents educated their children. It is good when children can learn from both parents. We should listen to wisdom. Wisdom is beautiful, and it is valuable. To possess it is like a crown on the head. Or, it is like a gold chain round the neck. To obtain wisdom, we must study. And we need discipline. We cannot become wise quickly. But wisdom will improve our lives. www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
S1 E1 · Mon, January 01, 2024
Send us a text Verse 1 Solomon wrote both proverbs (wise words) and songs. In all, he collected 3000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:29-34). The Book of Proverbs contains many of them. This book teaches us how we should live. It explains the way of wisdom. It warns us about being foolish. Verses 2-3 The wise person honours God, and God protects him. A foolish person refuses to obey God. There are many dangers for such a person. The Book of Proverbs explains these dangers. Solomon tells us about four types of person. Each will benefit from Solomon’s wise words. Verse 4 The simple person Today, we should not call someone ‘simple’. We might offend him. He would think that we supposed him to be stupid. In the Book of Proverbs, a simple person is someone who is not wise. By the word ‘simple’, Solomon means more than this. A simple person has not learned to be wise. So he is in danger. Evil people can easily lead simple people to do evil actions. But nobody is really good. ‘Everyone does evil things. Everyone fails when you use God’s standards’ (Romans 3:23). We are all simple people by God’s standards. God wants the simple person to learn his wisdom. This begins when we invite God into our lives. Then God will help us to become wise. We must grow in wisdom, and we must grow in our knowledge of God. Young people The Book of Proverbs is poetry. Some poems are very short and other poems are longer. The style of the poems may seem unusual. Sometimes, one line has the same meaning as the next. Sometimes lines contrast with each other. In other places, the meaning develops from line to line. Watch out for these different styles. These poems help us to remember the proverbs. The people believed that they should remember proverbs (wise words). Fathers taught proverbs to their sons. Mothers taught them to their daughters. Grandchildren learned them from their grandparents. Children had to use their memories. The adults tested the children’s memories. In this way, children learned to be wise. In the future, when problems came, they would know the right thing to do. For the same reason, we should learn Bible verses today. We should teach them to our children. In this way, we shall learn true wisdom. Many things in the world change. There are new inventions, for example television. There are new illnesses, for example AIDS. There are revolutions and new governments. Wisdom does not change. Solomon gave advice that is still good. He wrote wise words and they are still wise today. Today’s young people will grow old. Wisdom that we teach them now will remain with them. Verses 5-6 The wise person A wise person loves wisdom. ‘He loves God’s law. He is always thinking about it.’ (Psalm 1:2). He always wants to learn more.
Trailer · Fri, December 29, 2023
Send us a text Solomon wrote both proverbs (wise words) and songs. In all, he collected 3000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:29-34). The Book of Proverbs contains many of them. This book teaches us how we should live. It explains the way of wisdom. It warns us about being foolish.. The daily show will begin with episode #1, starting January 1, 2024... at Midnight! www.godslovingsacrifice.com Support the show Website at https://www.wisdomfortheday.org Support the show and Community Membership I Love You! See Ya!
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