Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” What is the real difference between a friend and a brother?  According to Solomon a friend is a spiritual relationship based on a choice whereas a brotherly relationship is a physical relationship based on obligation.  Solomon gives…

Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Did you know that God’s wisdom about a cheerful heart being “good medicine” has actually been proven true in the medical world?  For example, “one recent study polled healthy first-year law students at the beginning of the school year…

Proverbs 18:2, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” Have you ever been in a disagreement with someone and heard him or her say something like this?  “Well, I don’t care what you think, I still believe I’m right!”  Or, “I don’t need to listen to what you’re saying…

Proverbs 18:24, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Friends can either bring you down or lift you up.  What kind of friends do you want?  Do you want the kind of friends that are only looking out for themselves and when…

Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Have you ever wondered how God works with man’s free will choices and still remains in control of everything?  Meaning, if God knows our end from the beginning how does He actually allow us to make our…

Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” The saddest day of my life thus far was when I lost my sister to drinking and driving.  She hit a pole driving over 70mph, split the car in two, and flew through the roof.  The…

Proverbs 20:6, “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” As a pastor for the last 16 years I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of people as they’ve come and joined our church.  Some of the people I’ve had the honor to serve are very faithful and sincerely dedicated…

Proverbs 20:7, “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, “But no nobody is perfect,” I’d be a rich man by now!  The Bible is crystal clear from front to back that the children of God are to live blameless…

Proverbs 20:25, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider ones vows.” America has a big rash problem… a rash behavior problem that is.  From the White House to your house and from Wall Street to Main Street people too often commit to things they don’t follow through with.  Whether…