God’s Word For Today

Text: Prov 17:8-11 ESV 8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers. 9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. -Prov 17:8-11...

Text: Prov 17:5-7 ESV 5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. 7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. -Prov 17:5-7 ESV DO RESPECT THE UNDERPRIVILEGED Bullying today is prevalent, especially in cyberspace. This proverb...

Text: Proverbs 16:31-33 (ESV)   31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. 32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.   RULE YOUR SPIRIT   Having gray hair is a sign of aging and it is honorable state. Generally, a person is made wiser...

Text: Proverbs 16:28-30 (ESV)   28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. 29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. 30 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.   BEWARE OF THE EVIL MAN   An evil man is dishonest. He leverages on spreading lies. Lies can create a rift even be...

Text: Prov 16:25-27 ESV 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. 27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. -Prov 16:25-27 ESV HUNGER AND DILIGENCE Verse 25 is a repeat of Prov 14:12. When a truth is repeated it must be important, isn’t it? Man should not be fooled to tru...

Text: Prov 16:20-24 ESV 20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. 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. 23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 2...

Text: Proverbs 16:14-16 (ESV)   14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.   WISDOM IS MUCH BETTER THAN GOLD   More often than not, kings in ancient times had...

Text: Proverbs 16:11-13 (ESV)   11 A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work. 12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.   HONESTY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS   During the ancient days, weights and balances are connected to business...

Text: Prov 16:5-7 ESV 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. 10 An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. -Prov 16:8-10 ESV BETTER IS A LITTLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS All believers have access to great spiritual wealth (Matthew 5:3, 5). Paul declares, "For you know th...

Text: Prov 16:5-7 ESV 5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. -Prov 16:5-7 ESV THE STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD An unrege...

Text: Proverbs 15:31-33 (ESV)   31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.   HUMILITY COMES BEFORE HONOR   A humble person is a good listener to good advices. Thus, he is wise. These godl...

Text: Proverbs 15:28-30 (ESV)   28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.   THE HEART OF THE RIGHTEOUS   A righteous person’s stability is in his heart. This distinguishes him from...

Text: Proverbs 15:25-27 (ESV)   25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. 27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.   THE DESTRUCTION OF THE PROUD   The proud, arrogant, or self-righteous person is guaranteed...

Text: Proverbs 15:22-24 (ESV)   22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! 24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.   WITHOUT COUNSEL PLANS FAIL   The benefit of good advice should not be overlooked. Solomon has been emphasizing its importanc...

God’s Word for Today 19 Dec, 2024 20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. - Prov 15:20-21ESV A GLAD FATHER The children’s lives either honor or dishonor the parents. The obedient son is respectful of his parents. Thus, he honors the Lord, who commands, "Honor your father and...

God’s Word for Today 18 Dec, 2024 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. 19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. - Prov 15:18-19 ESV BE SLOW TO ANGER A strong person is self-controlled. He is able to contain the pressure of exploding or from outbursts. Whereas, a hot-tempered man gets quarrel...

Text: Proverbs 15:16-17 (ESV)   16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.   THE BETTER LIFE   Life can’t be perfect but be better. It is possible by having the right choices. Firstly, it’s the choice of worshipping God regardless of ones economic status. Living with le...

Text: Proverbs 15:13-15 (ESV)   13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.   A GLAD HEART   Joy is reflected in one’s face. But, people can "put on a happy face", prete...

Text: Prov 15:10-12 ESV 10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. 11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! 12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. - Prov 15:10-12 ESV A SEVERE DISCIPLINE A wayward person can expect only a severe discipline. Stepping away from the...

Text: Prov 15:6-9 ESV 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousn...

God’s Word for Today 12 Dec, 2024 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. - Prov 15:3-5 ESV THE EYES OF THE LORD The Lord is a Spirit. Hence, He has no physical eyes. God communicates to us about...

God’s Word for Today 11 Dec, 2024 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. - Prov 15:1-2 ESV THE STRENGTH OF SOFT WORDS It is a paradoxical statement to say “A soft answer is strong”, is it not? A soft or gentle answer can diffuse a potentially explosive situation of seething anger or wra...

Text: Proverbs 14:34-35 (ESV)   34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. 35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.   RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION   The strength of a nation might come from its military or economic power. But, the source of real strength is in the nation's moral character. Law and government wi...

Text: Proverbs 14:31-33 (ESV)   31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. 32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.   HELPING THE POOR IS HONORING GOD   Solomon was extremely rich...

Text: Prov 14:28-30 ESV 28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined. 29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. 30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. - Prov 14:28-30 ESV PEOPLE ARE BLESSINGS A title of a king or prince does mean nothing without people to rule, do...