The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
I adapted this blog post from the first of a four-part Growth Seminar. I taught this class on parenting at Living Way Church on Sunday, February 4, 2024. You can listen to the audio by clicking HERE. What is the goal of parenting? Just like anything else in life, you need to understand the goal.... Continue Reading →
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten,... Continue Reading →
The father's heart for your sexuality is joy. Maybe you need to read that again. God created sex to be enjoyed by a husband and wife. Sex is not just for procreation or for satisfying a biological drive. God desires that the husband and wife be "intoxicated" with the love they share for one another. In other words, heterosexual marriage is the only context where the goodness and power of sex can come together to create a life-giving, joy-filled, and soul-satisfying sexual relationship. This is where the two become one in a way that glorifies God (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:8; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Ephesians 5:31).
The father here in these verses of Proverbs is imparting perspective to the generations that follow him. In particular, he is continuing his teaching on the dangers of adultery and forbidden sexual relationships. He is telling his sons (all of his posterity) to listen to the perspective of an older man. They will lose so much life if they look for sexual fulfillment outside of marriage. Whatever pleasure they think they might gain will ultimately end in regret.
This is the kind of talk every parent should have with their child about sex. In Proverbs 5, the father makes it clear that sex is both powerful and good by design.
Be careful not to be fooled by gifts of service, by strong personalities, by unusual talents, or by false saviors. Real leaders in God's church are defined by the word, confirmed by the Spirit, and proven by their lives. Don't hurt your church with counterfeits but bless them with the gift of godly leadership.
Your life in Christ is a dawning light right now. There is a brightness and fullness of the light and life of God that is waiting for you when Christ returns that will make the sun’s light seem dim. Just keep walking and trusting. One day you will see Jesus as he is, and you will be like him (1 John 3:2-3). The beauty of Christ’s light dawning on that new creation will be beyond anything you can hope or imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9)!
Very few people will ever receive a crown of a kingdom in this life. In truth, I'd say there's basically no chance that you or I will. (I'm just guessing there are no kings or queens reading this!) Yet, there is a way for you to receive a crown, and it's a crown that lasts eternally. Eventually, King Charles' crown will no longer be on his head, and he will stand before God as a man, just like you and me. His only hope as he stands before the throne of God will be the righteousness of Jesus.
What kind of person does the Lord bring into his confidence? This is the person the Lord considers his friend, and there is no greater honor than being a friend of the Lord.