Proverbs 18:3 (NLT)“When the wicked arrive, contempt, shame, and disgrace are sure to follow.” The Company You Keep Think about this for a moment: When you arrive, who shows up with you? In Psalm 23, David declares that when the Lord is your Shepherd, “goodness and mercy” follow you all the days of your life.…

Proverbs 17:3 (NLT)“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” The Management of the Fire Untested faith cannot be relied upon or trusted as genuine. Every believer’s heart will be subjected to the “heat” of life. Solomon compares this process to the intense fire used to purify precious metals.…

Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)“Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.” The Alignment of Intent This is one of the most frequently misunderstood verses in the Bible. Many read this and think it’s a magic formula: “If I tell God what I’m planning and slap ‘In Jesus’ Name’ on it, He is…

Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” The Myth of “Harmless” Words It is often said that sticks and stones may break bones, but words can never hurt. That is a lie. In fact, words are some of the most powerful weapons on the planet. When we want…

Proverbs 14:4 (NLT)“An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.” Productivity vs. Perfection A farmer with no oxen keeps a clean stable, but he should also expect no food and no income. We have to realize that mess comes with success. It is only when there is work in the…

Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.” Beyond the Wish It is not enough to simply hope that things work out. Hope is a beautiful starting point, but it is a terrible finish line. To see the vision manifest, you have to put…

Proverbs 12:3 (NLT)“Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots.” The Failure of the Shortcut Sit down somewhere and be still! This “being still” isn’t just about physical rest; it is about your spirit sitting in the center of God’s will. It is a state of being at peace with His plan.Hear this:…

 Proverbs 10:3 (NLT)“The LORD will not let the godly starve to death, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.” The Divine Guarantee Somebody ought to shout right here! Get this into your spirit: The Lord will not let the godly starve. It might be tight right now. Things may not be falling…

Proverbs 11:4 (NLT)“Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living is a safeguard against death.” The Limit of Legal Tender Money can’t buy love, it can’t buy peace of mind, and it certainly won’t buy your salvation. While money is a necessary tool in this world—and is not inherently evil—it must never…

Proverbs 9:4-5 (NLT)“‘Come home with me,’ she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, ‘Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.’” The Resistance of “Later.” What is the resistance? What is actually stopping you from moving forward? Is it the weight of your past experiences? Is it the…