Category Archives: discipleship

full story

Micah 5 When the Messiah comes, his rescued people will no longer need battle preparations, but will live in peace in their own land.  They will also participate in his dominion of the nations.  This Messiah will be born in … Continue reading

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neck exercise

Proverbs 29 A stiff neck is one that refuses to move, even when there is cause for it.  This is how the sages described a person who was rebuked many times for engaging in destructive behavior, yet never changed.  Perhaps … Continue reading

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sharpening friends

Proverbs 27-28 One of the tests of real friendship is the courage to rebuke when your friend needs it.  We are all fallible, and the LORD sometimes calls on us to point out the rough spots in the lives of … Continue reading

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unequipped

Proverbs 25-26 Several of these proverbs explain that wise sayings are useless to an unwise person.  It is as if these are warnings and instructions for those who might stumble upon some truth, and attempt to utilize it without having … Continue reading

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into darkness

Amos 5 The inhabitants of Israel were on their way to destruction, singing and celebrating all their way.  The LORD told them through Amos that he hated their feasts and “worship.”  It did not matter how religious they were , … Continue reading

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stupidity 101

Proverbs 13-14 Stupidity comes naturally for humans.  We do not have to work at it.  But if we want further training, here are some helpful hints: Train your ears not to listen to rebuke (13:1), to despise the word (13:13), … Continue reading

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abusing freedom

Amos 2:6-16 Israel’s downfall began with forgetfulness—not the kind that misplaces a detail, but the kind that erases gratitude. They forgot the LORD who broke Egypt’s chains, split seas, and crushed enemies far stronger than they were. In their pride, … Continue reading

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old school

Proverbs 8 Occasionally, you will hear someone talk about “old school.”  It refers to the old way of doing things, which, depending on who uses the term, may be a good thing or not.  Solomon says that wisdom is old … Continue reading

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altars for sinning

Hosea 8 The political alliances made by Israel were “sowing the wind” and God promises that they will reap the whirlwind.  The religious practices were simply an outward show designed to hide their corruption. God called them altars for sinning.  … Continue reading

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driving lessons

Proverbs 4 My youngest daughter is learning to drive.  Some of the advice she is getting sounds very much like Solomon’s wisdom for his sons.  She needs to turn the headlights on when it gets dark, so that she can … Continue reading

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