“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Proverbs 11:3, ESV) I recently came across a small notebook in a drawer with Bible study and sermon notes from several years ago. Some are dated and include the speaker’s name while others do not…
“But test everything; hold fast what is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21, ESV) What is compromise? It is usually defined as “an accommodation in which both sides make concessions.” Is this a good thing, or is compromise something to avoid? In some instances, we may find compromise is a good thing.…
“I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Psalm 101:1-2 The Cambridge Dictionary describes integrity as the quality of…
“Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who…
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, ESV) Quiz: Who were Shiphrah and Puah? If you don’t know the answer, don’t feel bad.…
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm 105:19, NLT) When I recently did an online search for the meaning of character, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to define when one entry came up as the ”best 74 definitions of character.” The list included…
“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus…
“There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him. So even though wisdom is better…
“Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” (Daniel 6:3, New King James Version) Certain Bible stories have become so familiar that even young children can recite the basic details.…