“The Slow Drift” No one wakes up one day and decides to completely walk away from God. It’s usually much quieter than that. A soft voice of compromise. A small sin brushed aside. A moment of silence when we should’ve spoken. Apathy where conviction once burned. That’s how it happens—a slow drift. That’s the story of Israel in 1 Kings 16. Reading this chapter feels like watching a slow-motion car crash. You want to look away, but you can’t. Each king is worse than the one before. One murders his way to the throne, another leads the people into idolatry, and the one after him repeats the same sin “Jeroboam had committed”—words that appear like a broken record throughout the chapter. Then comes Ahab. He doesn’t just continue the evil of his predecessors; he exceeds it. Boldly. Publicly. Without shame.  Read More

Reflection: While reading a commentary on 1 Kings 15, I came across this striking statement: “Occasionally you find truth in strange places.” The author referenced The Simpsons, where in one episode the main character comments about the Bible: “All these people in the Bible are a mess… except this one guy.” It’s a surprisingly honest takeaway—and profoundly accurate.  Read More

Rehoboam was one of the Kings selected by Israel to rule. As the son of King Solomon, it was a natural selection. Israel had high hopes. As Rehoboam was selected, in 2 Chronicles 10:6, he appeared to do the right thing in seeking counsel “6Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?”.  Read More

In these 3 chapters of 1 Kings, we notice that after Solomon’s death, the northern tribes revolt, forming two separate nations. Each nation experiences disastrous consequences from having evil kings. Elijah appears on the scene, confronting these kings for their sins. God deals with sin in powerful ways. Although judgment may appear to be slow, God will judge evil harshly.  Read More

In a world overflowing with opinions, noise, and self-promotion, Proverbs 30 offers a refreshingly humble voice. Written by Agur son of Jakeh, this chapter stands out not for its grand declarations but for its honest confession of human limitation and reverence for divine truth. Agur doesn’t present himself as a wise man—he confesses his lack of wisdom and understanding, pointing us instead to the majesty and perfection of God’s Word. Lets look at verses 1-9.  Read More

2 Chronicles Chapter brings out that the queen of Sheba had heard about Solomon’s wisdom, but she was overwhelmed when she saw for herself the fruits of that wisdom. Although Solomon had married Pharaoh’s daughter, he still sincerely tried to follow God at this stage in his life. When people get to know you and ask hard questions, will your responses reflect God? Your life can be a powerful witness; let others see God at work in you.  Read More

Ecclesiastes 7 is a call to sober reflection, embracing the realities of life, both good and bad, with wisdom and a God-centered perspective. It challenges us to build a good reputation, learn from sorrow, exercise patience, avoid extremes, and acknowledge our own imperfections, ultimately recognizing that true meaning and peace are found in fearing God. We will walk through verses 15-22.  Read More

Getting older brings perspective into life. When Kyle and I first met, married, began having children and were just trying to keep our heads above water- I did not see life like I see it now. Truth be told, I felt that I was doing all I could do just to pay the bills, raise the kids and keep our marriage healthy. With age, I have begun to understand the world in a different way because I have (so far) 56 years of perspective. In Ecclesiastes chapters 1-6 “The Preacher”, believed to be Solomon, writes about the perspective he has obtained. These truths are universal and cross-cultural, financial, religious and gender lines. Life is fleeting and feels meaningless at times. The struggles we face, people have always faced. There is nothing new under the sun. The things of earth do not and cannot satisfy. We all have a “God shaped hole” in our spirits that only a relationship with Christ can perfectly fit and fill.   Read More

Proverbs 27:2 – Humility and Recognition: This verse teaches the importance of humility. Instead of self-praise, it is better to let others recognize and commend our efforts. Please do not ask them to praise you either. True honor comes from external validation rather than self-promotion or manipulated praise.   Read More

The book of Proverbs offers insightful wisdom scenarios that we can learn from and easily apply to our lives. When we examine Chapter 26 in our reading for today, we see a detailed description of what a fool looks like. I want us to go to verses 11 and 12 of this chapter. There is a harsh image comparing a fool to a dog that returns to his vomit. Though it’s harsh, it’s true. The writer is trying to make a point that going back to things that are not good for us is just foolish; however, it seems that we do that more often than we think.  Read More

I Kings 9 and 2 Chronicles 8 highlight Solomon’s accomplishments over a 20-year period of time. These chapters discuss his completion of the temple, completion of the palace for his Egyptian wife, the wall in Jerusalem, his stables, his ships, and other cities and building projects in Israel.  Read More

These 6 Psalms have a few commonalities: blessing or praising the Lord. The word PRAISE is mentioned 47 times in chapters 146-150. Have you ever stopped to think about what praising God really looks like? What does it really mean to praise HIM? How does HE want us to praise HIM?  Read More

Psalm 150 is a divine command to celebrate. It is a call to look up at the heavens and within our own communities, to remember God's power and greatness, to utilize all of our creativity and passion, and to join with every living thing in the eternal song of praise. It is a fitting and glorious conclusion to a book that has traversed the depths of human emotion, from lament to thanksgiving, ultimately resolving in pure, unadulterated adoration.  Read More

Psalm 136 is a litany of praise and thanks to God for all of his many wonders. From the creation of the world to the freeing of the Jewish people from the Egyptians and to the aid he gave them in overcoming their enemies as they traveled into the promised land. Verse 26, the last verse, sums it up.  Read More

We just were in 1 Kings 8 which was a pivotal chapter. The dedication of the temple. Solomon's prayer for us to be in a relationship with God and prayerful with God at all times in all aspects of our lives. Now in 2nd Chronicles 5. It's the placing of the ark in the temple. The ark was a symbol of God's rule and authority. And God's glory filled the Temple as a cloud showing His acceptance.  Read More

1 Kings 7 goes into detail for Solomon's house. I'm sure it is more majestic and luxurious than we can imagine. Everyone was probably gawking or rubbernecking as the windows and the pillars were placed.    There is a striking contrast that is presented at the very beginning of the chapter: Solomon spent seven years building the Temple for God (as noted in the previous chapter), but thirteen years ...  Read More

In 2nd Chronicles chapters 2 and 3, we see King Solomon preparing, beginning, and completing the temple of God. King David had wanted to build the temple, but God told him that he could not because he had too much blood on his hands. However, God told King David that he could prepare the materials and that his son, Solomon, could build the temple. King David had an alliance with King Huram, Who provided the materials and Craftsman for King David's Palace, and now would provide the same to Solomon for the temple of God.  Read More

Did you know there are thirty wise precepts in Proverbs 22-24? Today’s reading emphasizes the importance of a good reputation, the value of wisdom and guidance, and the dangers of associating with the wicked. It advises avoiding anger and envy, seeking counsel, and maintaining a virtuous life. In essence, these chapters promote ethical behavior, positive relationships, and the pursuit of a life that honors God.  Read More

Proverbs 20:1-19 is not a collection of gentle suggestions; it is a divine blueprint for a life of unyielding conviction and power. It commands us and challenges us to forge a character that is disciplined, just, and wise.  Read More

Proverbs 18 emphasizes the power of words and the importance of wisdom in speech and relationships. It warns that fools speak without understanding and stir up conflict, while wise individuals listen and speak with care. The chapter highlights that words can bring life or death, making thoughtful communication essential. It also stresses the value of seeking knowledge, being fair in judgment, and avoiding arrogance. True strength and security are found in trusting God, and deep, loyal friendships are more valuable than many superficial connections. Overall, the chapter encourages humility, discernment, and reliance on God and wise counsel.  Read More

Our youngest is at camp this week and the rest will go in a couple weeks. We love Church Camp! We always tell our kids to listen to what God has in store for them, build on the friendships they bring with them, enjoy making new ones, be kind, include everyone and find the joy in all situations. Most importantly, thank God for what He taught you while you were there and how He wants you to use it when you get home. What was it that He put on your heart? Was it to grow your faith, share the gospel, reach out to someone, surround yourself with Christ loving people and get rid of things that keep you from doing what is good? At camp, the love of Christ shines in everyone. Some will leave it, but others will treasure it and bring it home. Don’t leave it at camp, bring it home! I picked out a few verses in Proverbs Ch 13-15 that no matter if you are young going to camp or an adult way past camp days, hopefully it will remind you how to live wisely and follow God’s path. Proverbs 13:20 “Walk with the wise and become wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.” Keep choosing people in your life that helps you grow closer to Jesus. Surround yourself with people that will cheer you on when you do something good and picks you up when you fall. Be the person that others want to be around because they see something different in you. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.” Psalm 1:1  Read More

If you have ever walked down a dirt road after a rain, you know there is two ways to go, the high road or the muddy road. Proverbs chapters 10 through 12 are just like that—two paths laid out: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. One leads to life and blessing. The other? Trouble and destruction. Solomon lays it out plain. The righteous speak truth, bring peace, and walk in integrity. The wicked lie, stir up trouble, and follow foolishness. And in the middle of it all is Proverbs 10:12—a verse that hits the heart of it: “hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs”.  Read More

Proverbs 8 is a powerful chapter that personifies wisdom as a woman calling out to humanity, urging us to embrace understanding and righteousness. Here are some key principles and reflections:  Read More

Stop for just one moment and think about what the world around us considers wisdom. High IQ’s, College Degrees, Great Philosophers, Scientists. And yet, nowhere, outside of a community of believers, does wisdom have any consideration of knowledge of God’s Word! It is a sad state to be in folks, and yet here we are. What is worse, you say? Maybe it is the fact that many believers fail to spend time in God’s Word, praying, asking for knowledge, and then consuming what He has clearly inspired to be written down for us through generations! In our study of Proverbs for today, we clearly see how the wisdom God wants us to have is tasked to be passed from father to children, how we are to lead our families in the wisdom taught to us in the Bible, and the true consequences of falling short of God’s expectations.  Read More