Last week we started our study in the Book of 1 John by discovering the pathway to real joy. While many search for happiness their search ends with disappointment because happiness is based on circumstances. It’s temporary and leaves you hungering for more. But real joy lasts. It quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger.
As we continue our study in the Book of Proverbs, today we take a look at the dangers associated with the tongue. The Bible says that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, and it needs to be controlled.
One of the traits of a wise person is the ability to receive instruction and correction. Get your Bibles ready as we’ll be looking at several passages in the book of Proverbs.
All other types of learning are worthless unless built upon a knowledge of the Lord. In today’s teaching we’ll jump around in the book of Proverbs looking at the wisdom of fearing the Lord.
A young man said to his Father, “I lost my temper.” His Father replied, “You didn’t lose your temper, you found it.” The Bible says that “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Wise words indeed.
All of us have experienced situations where we’ve felt that no one could possibly understand what we were going through. It is true that each of us processes pain, loss, and disappointment differently. Even though you and I have experienced similar circumstances, I can’t really know how you feel- but God can, and He does.
Estimates are that the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions every day, ranging from minor choices like what to wear or eat to more significant ones, averaging about one decision every two seconds. This vast number includes everything from crossing the street to choosing how to spend one’s time. Some of our choices may seem to have little impact on our daily lives or our future, but in reality, one bad choice can be like a falling domino that effects not only our lives but the lives of others well into the future.
King Solomon, was one of the wisest persons who ever lived. He built the First Temple in Jerusalem. He amassed great wealth, a powerful military, and lived in a magnificent royal palace, reigning over a unified Israel at its peak. But in the Book of Ecclesiastes, he laments about the vanity and emptiness of life. We all have plans, desires and things we want to accomplish in our lives, and today’s teaching with Dr. Tony Hart reminds us that if our plans and goals don’t line up with God’s, they are destined to be cut down.
As Dr. Tony Hart continues his teaching in the Book of Daniel, we are confronted today with some startling and sometimes frightening imagery. As Christians we maintain hope during turbulent times because our faith is rooted in God’s Word, which transcends our circumstances. Central to us is the conviction that God is sovereign and loving, offering strength, guidance and comfort even in times of uncertainty. We draw our strength from scriptural promises of peace, redemption, and a purposeful future, believing that adversity can lead to growth and deeper trust in God.
We can all quote the line from the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples that says, “Lead us not into temptation.” Today’s teaching shows us that when we do our part in staying away from evil blessings will follow.
In the year 1624 author John Donne’s book “Devotions upon Emergent Occasions” reflected on sickness, pain, and the human condition. The book contains a very famous line: “No Man Is An Island.” It emphasized a connectivity that each of us needs in our lives. Unfortunately, not everyone is available, able or willing to be there when we need them. Thankfully we serve a God that is always there- especially when we need Him most.
