Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth had just given birth to their son John (John the Baptist). Zechariah then named his son “John,” as God had directed. And then Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,for he has visited and redeemed his peopleand has raised up a horn of salvation … Continue reading That We Might Serve Christ

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,but a just weight is his delight.When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with the humble is wisdom.The integrity of the upright guides them,but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,but righteousness delivers from death.The righteousness of the blameless keeps … Continue reading With the Humble is Wisdom

“My son, keep my wordsand treasure up my commandments with you;keep my commandments and live;keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;bind them on your fingers;write them on the tablet of your heart.Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’and call insight your intimate friend,to keep you from the forbidden woman,from the adulteress with her … Continue reading As the Apple of Our Eye

“A worthless person, a wicked man,goes about with crooked speech,winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,points with his finger,with perverted heart devises evil,continually sowing discord;therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.” (Proverbs 6:12-15 ESV) Who is a worthless person? A person who thinks only of himself … Continue reading The Things That God Hates

“Go to the ant, O sluggard;consider her ways, and be wise.Without having any chief,officer, or ruler,she prepares her bread in summerand gathers her food in harvest.How long will you lie there, O sluggard?When will you arise from your sleep?A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest,and poverty will come upon … Continue reading How Long Will You Lie There?

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom;incline your ear to my understanding,that you may keep discretion,and your lips may guard knowledge.For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,and her speech is smoother than oil,but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,sharp as a two-edged sword.Her feet go down to death;her steps follow the … Continue reading The Lips of a Forbidden Woman

Mary was a young woman, a virgin, who feared the Lord God and who worshipped him with her whole heart. And one day she was visited by an angel of God who came to her with a message from God. He told her not to be afraid, for she had found favor with God. And … Continue reading According to Your Word, O Lord

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;guard her, for she is your life.Do not enter the path of the wicked,and do not walk in the way of the evil.Avoid it; do not go on it;turn away from it and pass on.For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;they are robbed of sleep unless … Continue reading Turn Your Feet Away from Evil

Proverbs 3:1-8 ESV “My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments,for length of days and years of lifeand peace they will add to you.Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;bind them around your neck;write them on the tablet of your heart.So you will find favor and good successin the … Continue reading Not Leaning on Our Own Understanding

Proverbs 2:1-15 ESV “My son, if you receive my wordsand treasure up my commandments with you,2 making your ear attentive to wisdomand inclining your heart to understanding;3 yes, if you call out for insightand raise your voice for understanding,4 if you seek it like silverand search for it as for hidden treasures,5 then you will … Continue reading What Real Faith Looks Like