Here are a few posts I’m currently working on for the blog:

• 15 Temptations for Pastors
• What Does ‘Trusting God’ (a la Prov. 3:5) Actually Look Like?
• What Purpose Should God’s Law Serve in Our Lives?
• A Few Truths on the Practice of Giving and Serving in the Church

I’m curious whether anyone out there has input, or advice, or could point me towards resources (preferably free) to make these posts as biblical, relevant, and helpful as they can be?

So…anyone?

One of the most recognizable passages of Scripture in many Christian bookstores is Prov. 3:5-6.  There are untold thousands of promotional/inspirational products boasting these verses.

From posters, to coffee mugs, to calendars, to pens, to t-shirts, to mouse pads, and really to anything that a) can be printed on and b) people will actually buy, there is no shortage of contemporary Christian merchandise that feature these verses.  (Want proof?  Click here and here.)

If you’re unable to recall from memory what this couplet of verses actually says, or perhaps are but just don’t remember the reference, here it is in the Amplified Bible’s rendering:

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

I preached on this passage last night at my church.  My goal was to challenge the status quo of modern church culture which often only gives these verses value of an inspirational nature—that is, that it should inspire us or encourage us.

Instead, I made the point that the writer confronts us in no uncertain terms to consider our lives and to know that we have a very present and pressing choice to make: either we will place our trust in God (”trust in the Lord with all your heart”), or will we place our trust in ourselves (”rely…on our own understanding.”)

I listed several reasons why we should place our trust in God and several reasons why we should not place it in ourselves.

Why God?

• God is all-knowing.
• God is all-powerful.
• God is all-present.
• God is all-loving.
• And in all of these things…God is completely faithful and trustworthy.

Why Not Ourselves?

• We’re not all-knowing.
• We’re not all-powerful.
• We’re not all-present.
• We’re not all-loving.
• We’re not completely faithful and trustworthy.

It’s easy to see the difference:

• God is such that He is perfectly suited to be trusted in.

• We are such that we are perfectly suited to place our trust elsewhere other than ourselves.

We’ll continue this study later by addressing the following mindset which should follow from what we’ve learned already:

“Okay, so you’ve convinced me.  I agree that my trust should be in God, not myself.  So what?  What does that look like?  How do I do that?“

I’m interested  to hear other perspectives addressing this question.  Why should we trust in God?  What do you say?

Three thoughts from Proverb 18.

1. Destruction has at least two friends in this world—laziness is it’s brother (Prov. 18:9) and pride it’s closest ally (Prov. 18:12).
2. Isn’t it ironic that in terms of knowledge the rich keep getting richer (Prov. 18:15) and the poor keep getting poorer (Prov. 18:2)?
3. Our tongues plant the seeds of what we say into the soils of our lives (Prov. 18:20).  The fruit produced therein has both the potential to provide our sustenance or poison our souls (Prov. 18:21).

P. S.  Scripture will pop up if you hover your mouse over any of the verse references on this site.  Try it. (Note: it doesn’t work with references to an entire chapter.  For those you’ll need to click the link if you want to read it.)

P. S. S.  Well would you look at this—I blogged about Prov. 18 last month on the 18th!  Read that here.

P. S. S. S.  Any thoughts from Prov. 18 that strike you?  I’d be interested to hear.

Proverb #23

• Prov. 23:4-5 You ever seen a little kid work and toil for hours to build a sandcastle, only to have it washed away with the tide? That’s kind of how we are with our money.
• Prov. 23:9 Ever tried to give a good piece of advice to a fool? It’s like trying to kiss your elbow. (Go ahead, try it.)
• Prov. 23:12 Wisdom is not a puddle we fall into. It’s an ocean found only by those who look for it.
• Prov. 23:13-14 To the troubled parent: you know, the problem might be that your kid needs a good spanking.
• Prov. 23:20-21 Moderation is most certainly one of wisdom’s greatest allies.
• Prov. 23:29-35 Drunkenness is extremely unwise.  We, on the other hand, are commanded to be wise.  You do the math.

Proverb #19

• Prov. 19:1 It’s better to be poor than to cheat and “get ahead.”
• Prov. 19:2 Matter of fact, usually the slow way is better. As they say, “Fools Rush In.”
• Prov. 19:8 Need a little “me” time? Then don’t be foolish, get some good “sense” and “understanding.”
• Prov. 19:11 It is utterly glorious to overlook an offense. So be patient and forgiving, and thereby, show the world your glory.
• Prov. 19:14 God’s gift to man: a prudent wife.
• Prov. 19:20 Keep yours ears big and open. Wisdom may come in.
• Prov. 19:21 Okay, are you ready for this one? It’s a keeper. God is in control. Not you. Or anything else for that matter.
• Prov. 19:23 The fear of the LORD—best night’s sleep you’ve ever had.
• Prov. 19:25 Can you take correction? It’s a gift with prudence and knowledge inside, you know.
• Prov. 19:27 “Know-it-all’s” are dummies. Don’t be a dummy.

Proverb 18 (click for entire chapter)

• Prov. 18:2 Have you ever met one of those people that aren’t really concerned with whether they’re right or wrong, they just want you to hear what they have to say?  Yeah, don’t be one of those.
• Prov. 18:6 Or how about those individuals that will argue with a brick wall?  Hah, again, don’t be one of those.
• Prov. 18:9 Also—and this one’s profound—don’t be a lazy bum.
• Prov. 18:10 Your safety, your peace, your comfort, your rest—what it is that helps you sleep soundly at night and walk with confidence and purpose during the day—may it be found in the Lord and in Him alone.
• Prov. 18:13 Don’t be stupid.  Really do listen to what others have to say.
• Prov. 18:20-21 Our little tongues are so incredibly versatile.  On the one hand, they can be as nuclear weapons, set both for death and destruction.  But on the other hand, they can so perform as to yield abundant fruits of satisfaction for our lives as well the lives of others.  Which will yours be?
• Prov. 18:22 Marriage is really good.  God even says so.  In fact, it’s described quite literally as, “Favor from the LORD.”  Amen to that!

Proverb #16

• Vv. 1, 2, and 9—We’re such little children.  Far too often it is that we mistakenly think that we’re in control.
• Vs. 3—Wanna do something right?  Do it for God (period)
• Vs.16—Wisdom: the ultimate bling.
• Vs. 17—The righteousness with which we lead our lives is as a guard and preserver to our souls. So be safe—live righteously.
• Vs. 18—Wanna fall?  Be prideful.
• Vs. 20—Wisdom means being a thinker and a truster.  So think before you act and trust God in everything.
• Vs. 32—Wisdom’s patience is a superpower.
• Vs. 33—Oh yeah…God really is in control.

Proverb 14

• Vs. 4 Want everything to run smoothly and go perfectly according to plan? Then don’t do
• or try anything.
• Vs. 10 Our hearts, like our fingerprints, are altogether unique. Only we can fully know the depths of joy or bitterness that reside within them.
• Vs. 14 We really do reap what we sow. So, what are you sowing?
• Vs. 15 Living haphazardly is for fools. Don’t be a fool. Give thought to your steps.
• Vs. 23 Don’t be one of those people who always and only talk about doing cool stuff. DO STUFF!
• Vs. 26 Living for God is heroic.
• Vs. 29 Patience really is a virtue. Be virtuous, then.
• Vs. 30 Contentment is good for your health. Discontentment, on the other hand, is like a double-dose of junk food and laziness all rolled into one.

Proverb 13:

• Vs. 1 Wisdom has big ears.
• Vs. 3 Pretend your mean-spirited words are convicted terrorists and your mouth is Guantanamo Bay.
• Vs. 8 Our wealth can hold us captive in many ways.
• Vs. 11 Many a great tree has fallen with small, steady chops repeated over and over again.
• Vs. 20 Wisdom is as a fire; play often with those who are wise and be forged in knowledge and truth.
• Vs. 21 Sinners play tag with disaster, but they are never “It.”
• Vs. 25 Righteousness yields satisfaction; wickedness only desire.

• Vs. 5 Good advice comes from those living rightly.  So seek out and listen to those who fall into this category.
• Vs. 10 Treat animals well.
• Vs. 11 What is the difference between “working your land” and “following worthless pursuits?”  Find out and avoid the latter.
• Vs. 14 The significance of what we say and do—like a boomerang, they both come back to us.
• Vs. 16 Oh, the value of “ignoring an insult.”
• Vs. 18 Wisdom speaks words that heal.  So be wise and speak accordingly.
• Vs. 25 Worry makes our lives fat.  So be skinny with trust in our great God.
• Vs. 27 Diligence is a wealth all its own.  Work hard, then, and be rich.