Love God, love neighbor, make disciples. doug@pastordougolson.com
Our scripture today is Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 (NIV). The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” While this may not seem like a very hopeful opening for a book of spiritual instruction, Ecclesiastes teaches us that without a connection to God, everything is …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 27:17 (NIV). As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. “Wisdom comes through interaction with others” according to the Filament Study Bible. When we gather with other believers to study and worship, we encourage one another in faith. This “sharpens” our discipleship as we go back into the world …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 22:6 (NIV). Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. From the beginning, God intended that we “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28). Later in Genesis God promises Abraham “Look up at the sky and …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 21:2 (NIV). A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. When I was a computer programmer years ago, we had an acronym – GIGO – which stood for garbage in, garbage out. We are much the same in that what we put into …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 19:11 (NIV). A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. I sometimes think to myself “it is good that the wise are patient with those of us who are neither patient or wise”. I know it is easy to become angry and my rationale …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 18:10 (NIV). The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The Bible Knowledge Commentary titles this proverb and the one following “true and false security”. Counting on money, connections or earthly control is very definitely false security. None of this can …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 15:1 (NIV). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. I need to put this proverb at the top of my list, along with prayers for patience. I’d like to think I don’t say harsh things online or in person, but I’m also certain I …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. While all proverbs have a lesson for us, this one is fairly specific in its guidance: Trust God! He …
Our scripture today is Proverbs 1:7 (NIV). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs is a collection of guidance for a healthy relationship with God and each other. Here we find more logic and less emotion. While the psalms speak to our hearts and then …
Our scripture today is Psalms 150:6 (NIV). Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. The opening of Psalms reminds us that God’s people are those “whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:2). While we have read psalms that …