Author Archives: John Strain

Listen to advice and receive instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.                                                 Proverbs 19:20 … Continue reading →

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.                                                                                                                           Proverbs 18:10 (ESV) The name of the LORD is a recurring theme in the Old Testament.  Israel’s armies went out to … Continue reading →

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.   Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) This line of wisdom from Proverbs 17 tells us something about people and about life.  It tells us something about relationships and why they … Continue reading →

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.  (Proverbs 16:17, ESV)  Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.  … Continue reading →

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.                                                                                                                         (Proverbs 15:18, ESV) Several verses in this chapter speak to the issue of anger, strife, and the way we use words.  Having wasted far … Continue reading →

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.                                                                                                                         (Proverbs 14:16, ESV) One advantage of age is perspective.  I came to Christ in a church that practiced a rigid kind … Continue reading →

Poverty and disgrace will come to him who ignores correction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.  (Proverbs 13:18, ESV) The themes of correction, reproof. and instruction run throughout Proverbs.  It is as though the wisdom writers knew how resistant we … Continue reading →

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 We all know the old saying, Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.  We also know it’s … Continue reading →

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in the abundance of counselors there is safety.”  (Proverbs 11:14, ESV) God didn’t design us for isolation.  Those who journey with Jesus ought always to travel with others; it’s a shared … Continue reading →

“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.   (Proverbs 10:9, ESV) Proverbs takes a different direction in chapter 10.  The first nine chapters each have a traceable theme.  Beginning in … Continue reading →