King’s Church, St Paul’s Cray, Orpington

Daniel successfully served under at least four significant rulers. The result of his consistent godly service was that God was glorified. E.g. Daniel 6:25-28. Daniel was a great example and leader from a young age. He experienced amazing revelations from God, even about things that are still in our future. He was assured of the favour he had with God and his future reward.

Genuine faith must be accompanied by the evidence of godly action. Rahab was an example of a woman who would be written off and condemned by people but was highly commended in the Bible because of her obedient faith. Rahab was willing to risk everything by her obedience to God, and because of it, she received a great reward.

Relationships are very important.  Our spiritual, mental and emotional well-being depend on how well we relate to God and to people. Wise words of advice for different types of relationships are found in the book of Proverbs.  These include relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, friends etc. 

Some people live by the principle that the more they accumulate through being mean to others or through exploiting others, the richer and more secure they will become. That is foolishness according to the word of God, because it will eventually prove to have the opposite result. God's way is to be generous. God will see to it that those who are truly generous - not because they are compelled to gi...

Pleasing God directly relates to our pursuit of holiness. When we say no to sin, and yes to righteousness we please God. It is those who please God that will hear "Well done, enter the joy of the Lord". When the Bible tells us that God hates anything - we'd better take note and draw on all the resources He has provided to avoid doing those things and focus on bringing pleasure to Him through our o...

Integrity is an inner quality. Honesty is the outward expression. A person of integrity faces the truth about himself or herself, with the correctly interpreted teachings in the Bible as standard. Such a person knows what it really means to repent. Their growth in godliness is deep and genuine. Sadly there is much evidence that many who claim to be believers do not really know how to repent. Hones...

Wise words can be used to build people up, and malicious words can be used to bring them down. Wise words can be used to bring correction and help wiling people to grow. Self-serving and ill-considered words can damage and destroy people and relationships. Gossip and slander will destroy communities. It is a sign of godliness to be intentional about speaking the truth with love for God and love fo...

Parents have a huge responsibility to raise their children in a godly manner, by example and with wise teaching/counsel, accompanied by evident integrity in the way they live. If not, they will merely exasperate their children when they try to correct and discipline them. They may even end up turning them away from the Lord. Wise children will obey and honour their parents. It is noteworthy that t...

There are two dimensions of love and faithfulness –towards God and also towards people. Of primary importance is the fact that they bring us favour with God. Love of God means obedience to Him in everything. Faithfulness to God shapes the way we live. These result in loyalty in our relationships and the ability to truly love others. We become ‘safe people’. Everybody appreciates safe people. Unsaf...

Our Lord Jesus taught that it is those who are pure in heart that will see God. Everything we say or do comes from the heart.  If the heart is pure, with undivided devotion and submission to God, the person’s life will be pure, if the heart is impure, the person’s life will be impure.  What you allow in your heart determines the course of your life. It is therefore of primary importance to guard o...

Discipline is the process of using punishment, which is usually an unpleasant experience, to correct and train someone. It is motivated by love for the person. It is in fact a demonstration of “hate” to leave someone’s bad behaviour to continue unchecked. God disciplines His children, and they should see this as proof of God’s love. It is dangerous to be left to our own devices without correction...

People generally have a tendency to be "wise in their own eyes" even from a very young age. This has been the problem right from the first humans Adam and Eve. Being "wise in one's own eyes" always leads to trouble sooner or later. Putting our whole trust in the Lord and in all His ways is the way to avoid disaster in this world and hereafter.

Wisdom does not come automatically to anyone. we will be intentional about pursuing wisdom if we understand and appreciate the necessity and benefits of gaining godly wisdom. God wants to grant wisdom to those who ask Him in faith. James 1:5-8

First talk on a series based on excerpts from the book of Proverbs.