Author Archives: John Strain
To Listen . . . Or Not . . .
Listen to advice and receive instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20 … Continue reading
Safety in a Name
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
Friends and Brothers
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
To Guard and Rule
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
Slow to Anger
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
Caution!
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
The Blessing of Reproof
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
Good Words
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
Sharing the Journey
“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
Congruence or Dissonance–That Is the Choice!
“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