A Moment of Hope

by David Chadwick "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22 Today's proverb is found in Proverbs 18:22. It says finding a good wife finds favor from the Lord. First, take note how God calls marriage "a good thing" in his Word! As the Creator of the universe, God has intentionally woven his goodness throughout all of creation, marriage being one of those things. Secondly, in today's verse, notice that it's one man who finds "a wife." One wife. It does not say multiple wives. Do you think Solomon may have learned his lesson on how hard it was to have multiple wives? This verse certainly makes you wonder. The emphasis on "one wife" refers back to the beauty of Genesis 2:24 and God's original intent. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Since the beginning of time, God's design for marriage has been two people in a long-term, committed, forever, heterosexual union. Not only is this God's will, but when marriage is done his way, it becomes something over which God rejoices. And is beautiful beyond words. This kind of lasting marriage brings God's favor. It brings his blessing. It invokes miracles. It is a union in which God's power and presence reside. Now, after almost 50 years of faithful marriage to one woman, I see this truth more than ever. I can look back over my life with Marilynn and see God's presence and providence in so many different areas. I see where his guiding hand blessed us in so many different ways because of our faithfulness to him and to one another. We chose to forgive when we were angry. We kept moving forward in our callings when we wanted to give up. We have seen his divine power flow to and through us as we have sought to reach a broken world with the gospel of Jesus. Our marriage truly is a "good thing." If you are married, I pray that your marriage experiences the goodness of God and shows his goodness to others for generations to come.

by David Chadwick "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones." Proverbs 12:4 Excellent is defined as "something possessing outstanding quality, superior merit, or being remarkably good." Shame, on the other hand, is "a painful emotion driven by the belief that you are fundamentally flawed or unworthy." In this verse, God lays out two options of the kind of wife someone can find. Almost like a fork in the road, this verse clearly shows what happens if you go one direction versus another. One direction leads to honor. The other leads to death. If he chooses poorly, a shameful wife brings rot to a man's bones. This woman is not just shameful with her words, but also her actions. She does not think before she speaks or acts. She lives solely for herself and makes decisions for her own benefit. A shameful wife makes decisions through the lens of selfishness and sin. On the other hand, however, think about what a crown represents. Royalty. Glory. Honor. Prestige. Influence. So a man who marries an excellent wife will be marked by her excellence. A wife of good character will make her husband feel like a king. She will not only lift him up and make him feel important both to her and the home, but she also has good character herself, which means she will represent him and the family well in the public eye. All of this brings tremendous honor to his name. An excellent wife doesn't bring shame to her husband in any way, especially with her words. She also knows how her words can bring him down and deeply hurt their relationship and therefore uses words of affirmation to build up her husband. The same principle holds true for a husband's words to his wife! Words themselves either encourage excellence or shame. This is what the Bible calls an "excellent wife." She is beyond reproach. The kind of wife a husband is so proud to be married to. I have such a wife and am indeed a very blessed man.

by David Chadwick "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:18 This week, as we continue to look at some of the many proverbs that teach us how to live a righteous, godly, and successful life, we are going to focus specifically on some of the qualities of a godly wife. Proverbs 5:18 says, "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth." There seem to be two major directives here. Let's take a look at them together. First, "Let your fountain be blessed." This implies that the love that a husband has for his wife is worthy of blessing. There is an overwhelming, almost intoxicating love that a husband is to have for a godly wife. It can also imply the fountain of love that produces children is a large blessing as well. There is nothing better than a home where deep love exists between husband and wife, one that increases year to year. This kind of love produces an environment of grace, which allows kids to grow up in a healthy home and be raised as Christ followers. If a man's life is a fountain, finding a Godly wife makes that fountain blessed and fruitful in every possible way. Secondly, this verse seems to imply that husbands should regularly rejoice in the wife of their youth. This immediately speaks to the gift of a long-term marriage! One that lasts for decades. Where in old age, a man can reflect and rejoice in the wife of his youth. Where memories are shared and make each other laugh. Where love only grows with each passing year. I most certainly have such a wife. I have such a marriage. And I celebrate with her an almost half-decade-long marriage, with a "fountain" of three kids and 12 grandkids; I am truly a blessed man. I am so thankful to be married to this kind of woman! For you women out there, seek to be this kind of wife. And for you men out there, seek to be the kind of man who finds a wife in whom you can rejoice. Study God's Word and follow along with me this week as we learn about five attributes of a godly wife found in the book of Proverbs.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Who can find a woman of valor..." Proverbs 31:10 OJB "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor." Judges 6:12 ESV In this series, we caught a glimpse into the heart of the Queen Mother (Proverbs 31:1-9) as she fervently prayed for her son who would one day be king. We saw this same heart displayed by Queen Margaret of Scotland as she prayed for and trained her own children, some who also became kings during the 11th century. But here's a startling truth: If we believe in Jesus, we are sons and daughters who are a royal priesthood. Royalty is no longer reserved for priests and kings or those born into royal lineage. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are part of God's royal family. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9 NIV). Yes, we are God's royal priesthood. Citizens of a kingdom not of this world—a kingdom that dwells in our heart. As we live in that newness of life, our good works bring glory to God. "Dear friends, I urge you… Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God..." (1 Peter 2:11,12). God sees within each of us the courage and strength he put there. Let's look at how the Bible portrays a man named Gideon. The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12 ESV). God called Gideon to save all of Israel during one of the darkest times in their history. And yet, Gideon felt afraid and utterly without strength.  His own family was a mess. "How can I save Israel?" he cried out to God. "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." God replied, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" (Judges 6:14,15 NIV). Maybe you struggle with inadequacy and fear like Gideon did. Perhaps God is whispering to you right at this moment as he whispered to Gideon: "The Lord is with you mighty warrior, man or woman of valor. And because I am with you, you will have strength to prevail!" God's words to us are the same words he spoke to Gideon. "Because I am with you, you will defeat your enemies." Let's dare to learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs courageous men and women of valor who are willing to boldly carry God's love into a broken world. There is a place—a household and a community somewhere—that desperately needs your love.  There is a cause that has your name on it.  Our greatest mission is to reach the world for Christ. Let us become men and women of valor who dare to do something courageous for God.  Perhaps we'll discover unexpected courage as we step out in faith to give life to others. <p

by Marilynn Chadwick "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9 NIV Continued from yesterday… Just as the Queen Mother in Proverbs 31 diligently instructed and prayed for her son that would be king, Queen Margaret of Scotland taught her own sons in 11th century Scotland. So respected was Margaret for her wisdom that King Malcolm placed her in charge of all Scotland's domestic affairs. She was often consulted on other state matters as well. Malcolm could neither read nor write, so Margaret read him stories from the Bible. Her example had an impact on Malcolm's entire reign, helping him become known as the "just ruler." Together they prayed, fed the hungry, and served the needy. Margaret had a heart for Scotland's poor, showing special kindness to orphans. She fed the hungry every morning in the castle, even before she had her own breakfast. She was also known for her deep life of prayer, rising early for prayer and reading the Bible with King Malcom. Margaret worked to strengthen the church in Scotland and helped change areas that needed reform. She also encouraged ordinary Scottish people to live as faithful Christians, emphasizing prayer and a holy lifestyle. Margaret helped bring a more refined culture to the somewhat barbaric Scotland of the 11th century. She promoted the arts and education and encouraged traders from other lands to bring beautiful articles of clothing and furniture to the people. She even introduced the tartan plaids, the distinctive costume for which the Scots are known. Biographers depict Queen Margaret as a strong, pure, noble character, who had great influence over her husband, and through him over Scottish history, especially in the area of reforming the church. Some called her "The Pearl of Scotland." In 1250, Pope Innocent IV canonized Margaret as a Saint, acknowledging her life of holiness and extraordinary virtue. When we consider Queen Margaret's vast service to Scotland, we should also notice the impact she had on her eight children. Besides educating them, she instilled a strength of faith and character that set the foundation for three of her six sons to become Scottish kings during what was known as Scotland's "Golden Era." As she did with King Malcolm, she is said to have influenced her sons to become just and holy rulers. Queen Margaret was born into royalty—not what you would call an ordinary woman. But she shows what can happen when a woman of great influence chooses to use her position to accomplish God's purposes. Strong in faith, kind to the poor, wise in matters of culture and trade, devoted to her family, Queen Margaret of Scotland gives us an example of true

by Marilynn Chadwick In Proverbs 31, we catch a glimpse into the heart of the Queen Mother who had prayed for her son and devoted him to the Lord. Clearly the Queen Mother saw the potential dangers of royalty even more clearly than her son. She also knew she was raising a world changer. Let's continue our look into the teachings that were foremost in her mind as she trained the son who would be king: "The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. 'It is not for kings, Lemuel—it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights'." Proverbs 31:4,5 NIV A long time ago there lived a real princess who actually did change the world. Her name was Margaret. She married a Scottish King and thus became Queen Margaret, one of the most beloved nobles in the history of Scotland. I became captivated by her story years ago when traveling with our family through the Scottish Highlands. It was easy to be mesmerized by the land of castles, kings, kilts, and battlefields. Years later, while writing the Woman of Valor, memories of Queen Margaret came flooding back to my mind. Perhaps you'll agree with me that Margaret embodies much of what we have seen in the Proverbs 31 Woman of Valor. Her story takes us back to the Middle Ages. Margaret of Wessex was an English princess born in Hungary to Princess Agatha of Hungary and English Prince Edward the Exile around 1045. Her parents fled as exiles to Hungary after the Danes took over England. When Margaret was ten years old, she and her family returned to England, where her father suddenly died before he could assume the throne. Several years later, Margaret and her mother, along with her two siblings, were forced to flee, once again, for their lives when William the Conqueror stormed his way through England. While sailing north, Margaret and her family were caught in a storm and shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland. They were aided by King Malcolm and put under his protection. Before long, Malcolm fell deeply in love with the beautiful and kind princess. Margaret and Malcolm married in 1070 at the castle in Edinburgh. We've been learning about the strong influence a Woman of Valor can have on her own family. We see such an example in Margaret, a deeply committed Christian whose faith influenced the rather uncouth Malcolm. He turned his heart to God, largely because of his wife. The couple had six sons and two daughters and raised all to become strong followers of Christ who transformed 11th Century Scotland.   To be continued tomorrow… Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Clic

by Marilynn Chadwick Proverbs 31:1-9 was technically recorded by the unknown King Lemuel, but it is explicitly identified as an oracle, or "inspired message," taught to him by his mother. Therefore, the content and wisdom within these verses are traditionally believed by many scholars to be Bathsheba teaching her son, Solomon. We catch a glimpse into the heart of this mother who had prayed for her son and devoted him to the Lord. Let's look closer at the teachings that were foremost in her mind as she trained the son who would be king: The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. 2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! 3 Do not spend your strength on women,    your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—    it is not for kings to drink wine,    not for rulers to crave beer, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,    wine for those who are in anguish! 7 Let them drink and forget their poverty    and remember their misery no more. 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,    for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:1-9 NIV). The Queen Mother's words are instructions about the kind of king he should be. Like any good mother, she warned him about the dangers of immoral women and over-indulgence in alcohol. But her cautions appear to have had more to do with his calling as king rather than just mere morality. She challenges her son to use his power to help the broken, "speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves," and "defending the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:3, 5, 8, 9). If King Lemuel's mother prayed for this son before he was born and during his lifetime, surely, she also prayed for his wife. So, the description of the Woman of Valor in Proverbs 31:10-31 could easily reflect her heart's desire for her son's future wife. And isn't this the prayer for every mother of sons? I'd like to think these verses also represent a mother's specific hopes and dreams for the kind of Woman of Valor that her daughters would one day become.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!" Proverbs 31:2 NIV For centuries, people have been fascinated by royalty. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women of noble birth whose lives had eternal impact. While we are exploring the world of kings and queens, let's go back and take another look at Proverbs 31. We have been discussing the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman, also known as the "Woman of Valor." To learn more about this incredible woman, read Proverbs 31:10-31, or check out our previous blog series by clicking here. In the first portion of Proverbs 31, verses 1-9, we find a set of instructions from an unnamed Queen Mother to her son who would be king. These words are the teaching of his mother to King Lemuel. Bible scholars are divided about the identity of King Lemuel. Many think Lemuel, which means "devoted to God," was another name for Solomon. Others believe it was a name for King Hezekiah. Some have concluded that King Lemuel is the fictitious representation of the ideal king. Whoever it was, he had a wise mother. Her words are regarded as prophetic words of Scripture, "an inspired utterance his mother taught him" (Proverbs 31:1 NIV). The Hebrew word massa, has a variety of translations in English Bibles. The word is rendered "prophecy" in the King James and Revised Geneva Translations. Massa is translated "vision" in the Wycliffe Bible, the first English translation hand printed in the 14th century. This same Hebrew word, massa, is translated "declaration" in Young's Literal Translation in the 19th century. Proverbs 31:1-9 is one of the few Bible passages that clearly attributes its content to a woman's teaching and explicitly records it as Scripture. The word in this verse translated as "taught" implies much more than mere verbal instruction. It can mean "to chasten, reprove, discipline, correct, or instruct." This kind of training implies continual reinforcement. It doesn't happen quickly and best occurs within the context of a close relationship, such as a mother with her children. King Lemuel's mother begins her prophecy by referring to her son as the "answer to my prayers" (verse 2). In the verses that follow, she teaches him important life lessons about how to behave in a kingly manner. The passage serves as a sober admonition to parents to guard our children against the very same vices the Queen Mother knew would destroy a leader's character and reign. It's also a reminder for moms and dads to take seriously our responsibility to not only train, but to pray for our child and grandchildren, as well as the generations to come! Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gav

by David Chadwick "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30 Do you know what the word "righteous" means? It is defined as "someone acting in accordance with divine or moral law, free from guilt or sin; being morally justified, upright, or virtuous." When a righteous person lives righteously, the fruit of that person is a tree of life. Not only for themselves, but also for all those around them. Others will want to be righteous as well. And like the tree of life in the garden of Eden, the fruit of the righteous man or woman gives life forever. A righteous life multiples righteousness for generations to come. Our God is a righteous God (Psalm 11:7, Psalm 119:137, Ezra 9:15). His character is perfect righteousness. In fact, Psalm 145:7 says that God is righteous in ALL of his ways. As you may have heard me say, "I looked up 'ALL' in the dictionary. Guess what it means? ALL!" Hebrews 12:28 says, "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." When those of us who are righteous in Christ live righteously, we are advancing an unshakeable, eternal kingdom that never fails. What is the most righteous act that people who follow Jesus can do? The capturing of eternal souls! After all, there is nothing we can take with us into eternity except our eternal souls. And when we arrive in heaven, we will spend eternity with those who we helped come to know Jesus. Those whose eternal souls have been redeemed forever. And they will forever thank us for helping them get to heaven. Make sure you keep first things first: the salvation of people's eternal souls. Pray today for the harvest. Luke 10:2 says that the harvest is plentiful - the souls are many - but the laborers are few. May we pray EARNESTLY for the Lord to send out laborers into his harvest!

by David Chadwick "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:24-25 Our verses from Proverbs today perfectly describe the spiritual law of reciprocity: whatever you give out, you get back. Much like the physical law of gravity, this law is immutably woven into the universe. If you jump off a building, you will fall to the ground. Nothing in the universe, except God sovereignly intervening on your behalf, can keep this from happening. This universal principle applies to money as well as other possessions (verse 24). When you practice generosity, you will experience generosity in return. None of us should give in order to get something in return, but inevitably, when you give generously just because you love Jesus, God will end up giving back to you. But it also includes giving out time, talents, love, grace, mercy, and compassion. This truth can also apply to relationships. As my mom used to say, "If you want to have friends, be a friend!" It really is true. Whatever you give out relationally, monetarily, or emotionally will be returned to you as well. In Luke 6:38, Jesus himself said to "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." I love it when the principles of the Old Testament are reinforced by Jesus in the New Testament, showing us that all of Scripture is woven together to lead us and guide us in all truth. Today, give this principle a try. Freely give a blessing to another person. Give a moment of hope. Then watch as your life becomes more enriched because of your obedience.

by David Chadwick "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion." Proverbs 11:22 For a moment, can you picture a gold ring in a pig's snout? It's a sight that looks and sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Well, that's because it is! In Proverbs 11:22, Solomon says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion." What a dramatic illustration! But it's true. Solomon makes the comparison of a beautiful woman without discretion and without personal character to a pig with a nose ring. Do you know what discretion is? It's wisdom, shrewdness, care, and prudence. It's a woman who has caution and tact, who thinks before she acts. Someone who considers the impact of decisions and brings thoughtful contributions to the table. It's a woman who is modest and doesn't flaunt herself in vain to the world. But in the world's eyes and especially in American culture, what is the main emphasis for women? Outward beauty. Our society focuses on image. Physical appearance. Success. Fame. Money. There is not a high value for integrity, honesty, and inward character. My dad used to always tell me, "Marry a beautiful person more than a beautiful woman." Fortunately, in my humble opinion, I got both. But the inner beauty is of far greater value in the kingdom than external beauty. No matter how much plastic surgery or how many collagen injections a woman may receive, outward beauty will always fade. Only the inward, godly, Jesus-filled character of a woman is what lasts forever. To further this point, another proverb in Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." With each passing day, the inward attributes of this kind of woman become more and more beautiful. If you are a man, pursue a woman of discretion. And for you women out there, seek to be a woman of discretion. Instead of trying to find the right person, become the right person!

by David Chadwick Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered." Proverbs 11:21 "Be assured…" is how today's proverb starts out. Let's take a look at it together. "Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered" (Proverbs 11:21). According to these words, we should be absolutely assured of the truths in this Scripture. So what is it of which we should be assured? That no evil person will go unpunished! How many of you have ever been wrongly hurt by an evildoer? Betrayed by a close friend? Used by a boss for his or her own benefit? Abused by a spouse? Lied about? Slandered? And then seemingly gotten away with their evil acts? Does any of this sound familiar? Of course! We have all had people wrongly hurt us. It's an unfortunate part of living in a broken world. But according to God's Word, no evil person will go unpunished. Every evil person who has ever lived must face the judgment seat of God. They will be judged for their wrongdoing and will face consequences. God's judgment will be a perfect judgment. Romans 12:19 says, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"  Alexander the Coppersmith did the apostle Paul "great harm." Paul simply said, "the Lord will repay him for his deeds" (2 Timothy 4:14). What a powerful reminder for us all! We must leave vengeance to the Lord. Only he can and will judge all things perfectly. We can't match his righteous ability to bring about justice in our sinful state. Our flawed human hearts, minds, and perspectives are always skewed. Nonetheless, rest assured: God will judge all evil and wrongdoing. In light of that, don't be vengeful. Don't become an evil person in your pain caused by evil people. Remember, bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. So, release your offenders. Forgive. Let God be God. And enjoy the rest of your life knowing he will ultimately bring about true justice.

by David Chadwick "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Proverbs 11:4 When God pours out his wrath, and that day will surely come, your wealth will mean nothing. When it comes to eternal salvation, the amount of money you have accumulated will not impress God at all. When you die and face the One who owns all the world and everything in it, he is not going to say, "Wow, your wealth is really impressive!" I have often asked people this question, "Have you ever seen a hearse with a U-Haul attached to it?" Of course, the answer is a resounding, "No!" In fact, Rockefeller's financial overseer was purportedly asked, after Rockefeller died, how much he left behind. Candidly, the financial overseer supposedly responded, "He left it all." King Solomon himself was a man of riches. He excelled not just himself but also "all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom" (1 Kings 10:23). As someone who experienced great wealth Solomon still knew this truth: "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death" (Proverbs 11:4). Don't miss the very important second part of this proverb: On the day of God's wrath, it is righteousness, not riches, that delivers us from death. God's righteousness is found solely in Jesus. Accepting him gives us forgiveness so that when God looks at our souls, he sees the righteousness of God in Jesus. "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). One day, God's wrath will come. In that moment, there will only be two options: Either you have Jesus's righteousness or you don't. Please, my dear friends, make sure you are covered in the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), as it truly is life's most precious possession!

by Marilynn Chadwick "She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." Proverbs 31:17 ESV The two Hebrew words describing the Proverbs 31 woman, eshet chayil, are translated "woman of valor" (Proverbs 31:10 OJB). From the beginning, God created the woman to be part nurturer and part warrior. Valor means showing courage in the face of danger. So naturally, valor requires a measure of mental toughness. But the Proverbs 31 woman of valor also had to be physically strong: she "works with eager hands…gets up while it is still dark," provides food and tasks for her family and servants, "buys a field… plants a vineyard"… and "sets about her work vigorously" (Proverbs 31:13-16). Even her arms, we're told, "are strong for her tasks" (Proverbs 31:17 NIV). Another version reads: "She makes her arms strong" (Proverbs 31:17 ESV). I have to smile when I think about her "strong arms" because it reminds me of my friend Beth. We both loved being mothers and now grandmothers. But we agree—when raising our own children, we were used to the constant physical demands that came with lifting, dressing, and bathing little ones. Our arms grew strong. But lifting grandchildren is a little harder. So Beth started doing 100 pushups a day. "I want to be able to lift all those grandbabies," she laughed. She does her first set during her normal exercise time—then she drops to the floor for a few more throughout the day. "It's amazing how they add up," she said. Beth—and her 100 daily pushups—give us a good mental picture of what it looks like to make our arms strong. The Amplified Bible describes the Proverbs 31 woman's strength in more detail: "She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong" (Proverbs 31:17 AMP). Why not begin now to reflect on how to strengthen yourself—spiritually, mentally, and physically? Who knows? Maybe you'll even want to try Beth's 100 push-ups challenge! Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 AMPC Education should be a delight, not drudgery. It's the same with spiritual training. Children learn differently. Research has shown that some of what were previously thought to be learning disabilities are often just different ways of processing information. The Lord of the Universe seems never to tire of creating unique humans. At birth, every person is "wired" differently from the nearly eight billion people on the planet—and from every other person who has ever lived! Astounding, isn't it? So as parents, it makes sense that in addition to discovering our child's unique beauty, we should experiment to see how they best learn. What makes them tick. The kindest way to raise our children is "in keeping with their gift or bent" (Proverbs 22:6 AMPC). Our best clues come simply from watching what they naturally love to do. Our three now-grown children were all very different. Bethany was multitalented and loved to learn. She played volleyball and basketball, but she was also passionate about languages. In third grade, she chose to attend a French Immersion magnet school where English wasn't even spoken. She learned everything from grammar to long division in French. It's easy to see why she now loves educating her children at home. David, our older son, was shooting wads of trash through lampshades at age two. It's no surprise basketball grabbed his heart at an early age. Basketball scholarships paid for both his undergraduate and master's degrees in college. We've watched basketball, along with his good math mind and strategic business acumen, open up doors to his career path in the sports world. Our youngest, Michael, was talented in a variety of sports but gravitated to swimming. He carved his own unique trail as a standout collegiate swimmer and eventually a professional swimmer and world record holder. Our determined Michael used to say, "Swimming found me!" His athletic gifts and work ethic, combined with his high "EQ," or emotional intelligence, have made him an effective leader who now expresses his gifts through a ministry calling. David and I tried to "grow" our three children "with their grain." By God's grace, as they've gotten older, they've not left the foundation of that training. More importantly, they've held tightly to their faith in Jesus. Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "Who can find a woman of valor?" Proverbs 31:10a OJB A woman of valor is a warrior at heart. She fights for her faith, her family, and her community. But sometimes, her toughest battles are for her God-given dreams. I wonder if some wars are harder than others because the enemy knows the stakes are so high. I think back to our long years of infertility and my fierce fight to have a baby. I couldn't have known it at the time, but I was waging a battle not just for our firstborn daughter, but also for our next baby, a son. Then another son. And now, twelve grandchildren and counting. Our daughter once said something to me which made me pause: "Mama, you didn't know when you were going through all those years of infertility that you were also fighting for all these little people to be born," pointing to our grandchildren. Perhaps my fight was so fierce because the enemy wanted what I had—the promise of children and grandchildren who would glorify God. And ultimately, generations beyond those. But I had something else the enemy wanted. And so do you. He wanted to steal my testimony. He wanted to make it impossible for me to tell the miraculous story of God's healing that enabled me to have those babies. He wanted to rob me of the chance to encourage others who are waiting for answers to their own prayers. Quite simply, the devil wants to steal the story God is weaving through your dream. Or through this trial you're enduring so bravely. He wants to steal your testimony. In the end, he wants to steal God's glory. Dear friend, don't give up. God is faithful. One day you will have a story to tell. A story that will cause others to yearn to know this wonderful God Who is the Giver of Dreams. Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "A woman of valor, who can find? Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:10, 28 JPS The Proverbs 31 "woman of valor" must have had some warrior in her. After all, the Hebrew term chayil, translated "valor," is a military term. I once asked my husband how he saw me as a fighter. David thought for a minute and said: "You have fought so hard for our children's dreams." It's true. I fought harder to help our kids reach their dreams than I ever fought for my own. This quote says it best: "Reaching your own dreams is fulfilling—helping someone else reach their dreams is sublime." And when that "someone else" happens to be your own children, it's joy on steroids. I wonder if the Proverbs 31 woman of valor discovered this same joy in seeing her children succeed. We're told, "her children rise up and call her blessed," (Proverbs 31:28 ESV). The Hebrew word, qum, translated "rise up" is very strong. It means, "to accomplish, to build, to establish, to strengthen, to succeed." I'd like to think her children were now grown, happy, and fulfilled. They had reached their dreams, in part, because of their mother's impact. She had taught them. Nurtured, clothed, and cared for them. Perhaps they saw their mom in prayer, seeking the Lord and fighting for their dreams. The Proverbs 31 woman poured her life into her children, so I can imagine her satisfaction as she watched them flourish. Nothing makes me happier than when my children, and now grandchildren, "rise up" and succeed. To love our children well calls for self-sacrifice and courage. What are some ways you can encourage your children to dream big? Or is there another child, not your own, who desperately needs your encouragement? "Tread lightly around the dreams of a child," Mother Teresa once said. "You may be treading on the dreams of God." As women of valor, let's dare to fight for the dreams of the next generation. Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "Who can find a woman of valor?" Proverbs 31:10 OJB I agree with Indiana Jones: "I hate snakes!' Or maybe I don't actually hate them…I'm just not thrilled about having them near our home. Some time ago, I saw a very large snake trying to get into the crawl space under our house. A short time earlier, our older son had found a copperhead while cleaning out our garage. My first thought with this snake was, "Yikes!" My next was, "Go get him!" Like any good soldier, I ran toward the danger. I went after that snake with a vengeance and sent him into the next life. Why? Because he was trying to get into my house, a threat to my home and my family! I'm scared of snakes, but my love for my family made me brave. Maybe you can relate. Is there a time when you did something that scared you to protect someone you loved? If so, you were showing valor. I'm captivated by the Hebrew word chayil, translated "valor," used to describe the Proverbs 31 woman. "Who can find a woman of valor?" (Proverbs 31:10 OJB). God created woman to be a nurturer. But he also made her brave. Simply put, valor is personal bravery in the face of danger, especially in battle. In its nearly 100 uses in the Old Testament, the word for "valor," chayil depicts warriors, like King David's "mighty men." Other times, chayil describes God as a warrior for his people. It's the same word used for heaven's angel armies. I find the term "woman of valor" both compelling and poetic. My daughter, a young wife and mother, likes this expression because it makes her think of courage and strength. Valor is courage. But the woman of valor also embodies honor, strength of character, virtue, and so much more. I believe we need to become women of valor as we face our own battles today. Unlike the woman of Proverbs 31, we enjoy breakthroughs in medicine, science, and travel. But consider the enemies we face in our world: Addiction, divorce, domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, unemployment, pornography, human trafficking, joblessness, homelessness.  Daily, we're bombarded by news of terror attacks somewhere in the world. If this isn't war, my friend, I don't know what is. The woman of valor is essentially a warrior, a fighter at heart. She fights not only for her personal world, but also for the world around her. As I listen to conversations with women of all ages, stages, and walks of life, I'm hearing a recurring theme—their heart's desire to be strong for their families and communities. In short, they long to be courageous women God can use to change their world. Is God calling you to become a woman of valor? Remember, it's love that makes you brave. -Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by David Chadwick "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 What great truths are found in Proverbs 17:22! Let's take a look at them today. The first truth is that a joyful heart is good medicine. Other translations say a cheerful heart is good medicine. What is the primary lesson here? Choose joy! Seek to focus on what is positive. Raise your faith. Focus on God's goodness. Remember all God's benefits to you! Choose to believe that everything will work out for good. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Philippians 4:8 says we are to fix our eyes on, to think about, and to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. There is a reason why God tells us to do these things! Because there is a clear correlation between what we focus on with our minds and how it consumes our hearts, and thus affects our entire being. The second truth is that if you have a crushed spirit, it can actually dry up the bones and cause poor health. Secular studies even show this truth. We are body, soul, and spirit. If your spirit is crushed, it can affect your physical health. If your body is struggling, your mind can be affected. And so on, and so forth. We are interdependent beings. So, how do you deal with a crushed spirit? The best way is to count your blessings. Each day. If necessary, write them down. Meditate on Psalm 103:3-5. Don't forget all of the benefits of salvation. Give thanks in all things. This helps you to choose joy and experience the good medicine that comes from it. As a result, your spirit will not just survive but thrive, and your physical health–your bones–won't ever dry up. For more encouragement, check out the song Choose Joy by Parker Robinson as mentioned in today's podcast! To listen on Spotify, click here. To listen on Apple Music, click here.

by David Chadwick "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 God has a high value for strong, biblical, refining relationships all throughout Scripture. Look at the many times God commands what has been referred to by many pastors as "the one anothers." James 5:16 says to confess to and pray for one another. John 13:34 says to love one another. Galatians 5:13 says to serve one another. Galatians 6:2 said we should carry one another's burdens. Ephesians 4:32 says to be kind and compassionate with another. The list goes on and on and on. The heart's cry of every person is to have good, loyal, and true friends. People with whom we can live out "the one anothers." In a world full of selfish ambition, personal agendas, and performance-based love, friendships that carry this depth of loyalty are so rare. More than loyalty, what is even rarer is a friend born for adversity. A true friend will walk with you through both joys AND trials. He or she is not just there for the good times, the chuckles, and the fun moments. While it is wonderful to share great memories, the mark of real relational depth and strength is found when life is not perfect. When sins are revealed. When you step on each other's toes. When you let each other down. When you're broken and have nothing to give. A true friend is always there, in both the good times and the bad, but especially during the fires. That friend is a forever kind of friend. It's the most wonderful gift when this person is your spouse, the one to whom you have a covenant for all your life! Also, when they are your kids who have moved from children to close friends through the years. Do you have any friends like this in your life? Those who will stand by you no matter what? Those who are there for you no matter what? If so, count your blessings and take a moment today to reach out to them and thank them for being a true friend and brother or sister. You truly have one of life's greatest joys!

by David Chadwick "Those who justify the wicked and condemn the righteous are an abomination of the Lord." Proverbs 17:15 The standard of truth and righteousness are obvious in God's eyes. The lines are not blurred. And his ways must always be kept apart from the ways of the world. People and cultures, over time, have moved away more and more from God and his truth. This has happened throughout the ages, since the beginning of time. It will continue to happen with greater frequency and intensity until Jesus returns. Go back to the Old Testament and read what the prophets constantly warned against. Isaiah 5:20, for instance, shows us some of what was going on in those times. Isaiah said, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Do you see the parallels from back then to today? The sin patterns in the Old Testament are the same sin patterns we are facing now. The condition of the human heart has not changed. And you can see them everywhere you turn, right before your eyes. It's an all-out war against truth, justice, and righteousness. The laws of God that he reveals in nature and the foundational truths of his Word are being jettisoned, discarded, and abandoned frivolously! We are watching wickedness be justified and righteousness be condemned. No nation can stand when it goes down this path. We must be people of prayer. We must be discerning so that we, too, don't call evil good and good evil. So that we don't mix up wickedness and righteousness. Until Jesus returns for his bride, our job is to pray earnestly and to call people to return to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." One day, the healing that Jesus brings will be eternal. Until that day, may we all seek to contend for glimpses of healing and righteousness as we wait for the soon and coming victory of King Jesus!

by David Chadwick "The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out." Proverbs 17:14 Strife is powerfully destructive and like a forceful burst of water, able to bust through the strongest of dams. Like water building up behind a barrier, when strife is set free, it's awfully hard to stop it. And it's terribly destructive. Today, we will address the problem of strife that is frequently addressed in the Bible. Solomon repeatedly addresses strife throughout the Proverbs.  Strife apparently comes on the scene when jealousy, selfish ambition, and other sin patterns abound! James 3:16 says, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." Strife invites things like division, resentment, retaliation, and so many other evil actions. As born-again, Bible-believing Christians, we must stop strife, and, in turn, we will stop further evil from happening. Let's take a look at James 3:13 for a New Testament perspective on this topic. "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." Do you see the correlation? A person of wisdom has good conduct. He or she behaves appropriately and displays meekness, which in so many ways is the opposite of strife. A gentle spirit. A calm demeanor. A resolved purity. Therefore, when it comes to strife, as my mom used to say, "Nip it in the bud." Stop it before it starts. Seek to never be a source of strife in your relationships. If it comes your way, walk the other way. Quit before the quarrel breaks out. The best way to handle strife is to never allow it in the first place! Live out Psalm 34:14 and 1 Peter 3:11. Turn from evil. Seek peace. And pursue it!

by David Chadwick "If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." Proverbs 17:13 My kids used to listen to a Scripture memory song from Romans 12:21 when they were younger that said, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Do not be overcome by evil. With good. With good. Overcome evil with good." Hearing them singing this verse will be forever etched in my mind. Evil is everywhere. Our world is broken, and until Jesus returns, evil is an unfortunate reality we all must endure. As followers of Jesus, how should we navigate a world full of evil? Do not return evil with evil! Why not? Because when you return evil with evil, the person to whom you returned the evil will only enlarge his or her response to you. Responding to evil with evil will only escalate the evil. Proverbs 17:13 says, "If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." In other words, you become a house for evil when you repay someone's goodness with evil. This same command is repeated in the New Testament in Romans 12:19. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" It's called "lex talionis," the law of retaliation. This Latin principle was what famously became known as "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." The punishment must fit the crime in full! This principle was rooted in vengeance and justice. But Gandhi was correct when he said that this teaching carried out will leave the world blind and toothless. The only thing that can break this law of retaliation is grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The Bible says to forgive 70 times 7. Over and over again. Repeatedly. This is both for your benefit, for the benefit of the others, and for the health of society. The key to you being able to forgive is to know Jesus's forgiveness of you on the cross. He forgave you a $1 billion debt, one that you could never forgive. Therefore, you should easily be able to forgive the $10 debt someone may owe us. Forgiveness sets you free! It is for your benefit. It stops the endless cycle of revenge. And it's for God's glory.

by Marilynn Chadwick "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 NIV Proverbs 11:2 warns us about the destructive nature of pride. The Message paraphrase provides a commonsense twist, "The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm." Let's face it. Boasting is practically a national pastime. It's as American as apple pie. Our athletes swagger. Our celebrities strut. Bumper stickers flaunt our favorite teams, our super kids, and our alma maters. Our talents, treasures, and triumphs win us bragging rights. At times, we all like to toot our own horn. I grew up in the deep South where we had an expression for the ultimate boast: "No brag. Just fact." What's so bad about a little dose of healthy pride? After all, it can be satisfying to look at our accomplishments. The dictionary defines "boast" this way: "To talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities." A healthy sense of pride is not altogether wrong. But when does pride cross into the danger zone? When does pride separate us from God? The Bible warns us we are on shaky ground when we begin to trust our human strength instead of depending on God. The antidote, according to Scripture, is to seek humility. The book of James, often called the "Proverbs of the New Testament," takes this same warning a step further. He challenges not just our pride of accomplishment, but also our presumptuous plans: "Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]. But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong." James 4:13,15-16 AMP Boasting is unbecoming for the believer in Jesus. As James reminds us, we're not in control of our lives. God is God and we are not. If we could gain control of our world for even one minute, we would be shocked at our inadequacy to "run the world." No wonder Adam and Eve hid in shame after they presumed to become "like God" (Genesis 3:7-10). We can be thankful when the Lord reminds us of our humanity. He is God, and we are not, and most trouble in life comes when we get those two things mixed up. We can rest in the promises of God's sovereign control of every aspect of our lives. So today, let's choose to "humble ourselves before the Lord." We may find in due time that he will "lift us up" (James 4:10) in his way and in his time as we trust in him and not in our own strength.

by Marilynn Chadwick "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24 NIV I remember the time our children's school observed that a growing number of students were experiencing symptoms of sleep deprivation. They sent out an email reminding parents of the importance of ensuring our kids got enough sleep—especially those in high school. Today's world, it would seem, is suffering from a sleep crisis. We are bombarded by the number of supplements and medications promising to help us sleep. Sleepless nights often go hand in hand with the alarming increase in anxiety. This sharp rise in extreme worry, reported among all age groups, has become a mental health crisis. God's Word has much to say about the importance of sound sleep. It also exhorts us to care for our minds. When we walk in wisdom, as Proverbs teaches, we will be careful to guard our minds from anxious thinking. This, in turn, helps us sleep better. "You will rest without a worry and sleep soundly" (Proverbs 3:24b CEV). According to Proverbs, part of the secret to a good night's rest is to avoid overwork and excessive labor to gain wealth. We are warned about the dangers of relentless drudgery. "Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; be smart enough to stop" (Proverbs 23:4 CEB). In its place, the Bible mandates a Sabbath rhythm that both respects our need for rest and honors God (Exodus 20:98-10). Rest is a vital gift for human well-being. The Bible emphasizes a beautiful balance that stresses diligence and hard work while avoiding the anxiety-producing frenzy we see all around us. "Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV). I like how the Message Bible's paraphrase of Proverbs 3:21 reminds us of the ways wisdom benefits our body, soul, and Spirit. And especially how trusting God is the real secret to a good night's sleep and anxiety-free living: "Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry; you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound" (Proverbs 3:21-26 MSG).

by Marilynn Chadwick "The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong." Proverbs 10:8 AMPC In the Hebrew language, the words "listen" and "obey" are represented by the word "shema." This means to hear, pay attention, and act upon what is heard. It embodies the concept that true listening includes obedience. In Hebrew and Greek, the original languages of the Old and New Testaments, there is no distinct word for "obey." Listening and doing are considered two sides of one action. We see this sentiment expressed in James, often called the Proverbs of the New Testament. "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22 NIV). Another word for translating ideas into actions is "execute." For any business, the ability to execute is critical to the bottom line. In spiritual matters, we execute when we live out the truths we've learned in Scripture—we put feet on our faith. Proverbs and James exhort believers to execute—to be doers as well as hearers of God's Word. "Faith without works is dead," James challenges (James 2:26 NKJV). God's Word calls us to dig deep. Do we really believe our beliefs, or do we merely hold an intellectual assent to the faith? "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:23, 24). Do we truly believe that Jesus' death and resurrection covered our sin? If so, that belief should propel us into a life of action and good deeds. Have we found practical ways to be both a hearer and a doer of God's commands and his calling? Mother eagles are known to be quite nurturing. Yet their method for teaching their young ones to fly is a swift push out of the nest. They swoop down and catch the baby eaglets as they falter, repeating the flight lesson again and again until the little ones are soaring like... well, eagles! Just like a mama eagle, God sometimes pushes us out of our cozy nest of faith with a call to action. We may hear the Holy Spirit whisper, "Go there, to that one who needs the Father's love. Serve this broken one over here. Share your living water with this thirsty one." Our heart begins to beat faster in response to the Holy Spirit's promptings. We step out...take a risk...and find that our faith takes wings. We become doers, not just hearers of the Word. Our trust grows, and before you know it, we are soaring like an eagle!

by Marilynn Chadwick "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding." Proverbs 3:13 NIV People talk a lot about profitable investments and especially the ROI, or "return on investment." According to Proverbs, there are very few investments in life as profitable as the gaining of wisdom. Threaded throughout Proverbs are admonitions to seek wisdom. The gain from wisdom is "better than gain from silver, and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her" (Proverbs 3:14,15 ESV). Do you want to be wise? King Solomon sure did. And God blessed him mightily for his prayer (1 Kings 3:5-15). If we lack wisdom, we, too, should ask God. It's a prayer he loves to answer (James 1:5). But James warns us about the dangers of mere "earthly wisdom." He calls this kind of wisdom "unspiritual and demonic" (James 3:15 NIV). He contrasts earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17,18). Earthly wisdom has a swagger about it. It is power-hungry. Commanding. In control. "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (James 3:16). Eve found earthly wisdom irresistible. And tragically sometimes, so do we. James reminds us that true wisdom from heaven produces humility: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom" (James 3:13). But make no mistake. This wisdom is anything but weak. It comes with its own reward. The Greek word "praus," translated as "humility," implies bridled power. Praus is the very same word Jesus used when he said, "I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). It's the only instance in the New Testament where he described himself. Think about it. Jesus, the all-powerful king of the universe, described himself as humble. In his presence, the sick were healed. The dead were raised. Demons trembled. Jesus was true wisdom from God in human form. That's the most powerful and the most profitable kind of wisdom on earth—the wisdom that comes from above.

by Marilynn Chadwick "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 Can practicing thankfulness actually improve your health? Some think so. I read about a study in which participants were asked to list the things for which they were thankful. They were instructed to write their gratitude list and sustain this exercise for exactly five minutes. The results of the study showed that those who practiced gratitude for five minutes experienced a sharp rise in their disease fighting antibodies. These antibodies remained elevated for several hours! Being thankful can improve our mental health as well. The Bible teaches us that a thankful heart is a joyful heart. And as Proverbs 17:22 points out, a joyful or cheerful heart is "good medicine." I like this paraphrase from the Message Bible: "A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired" (Proverbs 17:22 MSG). The Bible promises joy when we spend time with Jesus: "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence" (Acts 2:28 NIV). The Greek word for "joy," euphrosune, comes from two words that mean "well" and "mind." Said another way, a sound mind. Joy springs from a sound or healthy mind when we're connected to Jesus. Just spending time in his presence can be healing. That's good news! When we practice being thankful, we become more aware of Jesus and all his blessings. This naturally (and supernaturally) increases our joy. And who doesn't want more joy? Joy is a language anyone can understand. The story is told of missionaries who went to a tiny village in a faraway place. Even before the missionaries became fluent in the village's native language, some villagers approached them wanting to hear more about "this Jesus" after hearing the sounds of joyful laughter coming from the missionaries' tent. So today, let's exercise our "thank you muscles."  A thankful, joyful attitude promotes physical and emotional health. This, in turn, will help us be filled with more joy. We can pray that thirsty people—especially those who may not even know what they're thirsty for—will be drawn to our joy. Above all, let's pray they are drawn to our Jesus who gives us this joy!

by David Chadwick "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." Proverbs 15:17 Better is dinner with herbs, a meager meal, where there is love, laughter, and joy, than a dinner with feasting and luxurious food where there is hatred. I don't know about you, but some of my best memories with my family of origin were around the dinner table. My dad, mom, brother, and sister all together sharing memories and conversations. My mom would fix great meals, but it was the laughter and great conversation that have had such an impact on my life. Along with my wife, Marilynn, we created those same kinds of memories with our three kids. And today, our three kids are extending the same blessing to our now 12 grandchildren. Now, for just a moment, imagine sitting around this kind of dinner table with people you hate. Even if the food is great, the enjoyment of the moment will fizzle away quickly. How does this apply to all of us today? First, think about your own personal family. Have you put more of a focus on your career, money, and success and, as a result, forgotten to cultivate love? None of these things are inherently evil. But without love, they are meaningless. Are you spending more time on things that will fade away than on the things that remain: faith, hope, and love, the greatest of which is love (1 Corinthians 13:13)? Secondly, think about the local church in which you take part. Are you prioritizing love? Do you have a high value for the bride of Christ? Do you desire the nourishment that comes from a life that follows Jesus? Or are you constantly pursuing things that may fill your flesh in the moment, but leave you lacking spiritually? Celebrate the beautiful moments around a dinner table. But most importantly, feast on love. Seek to be in unified communion with one another. This is God's heart for his church.

by David Chadwick "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of those in old age. And the glory of children is their fathers. This proverb has two great insights. Let's take a look at them together. First, grandkids are a crown for faithful parents. Marilynn and I now have 12 grandchildren. Yet we vividly remember the years when we were told by doctors that we would never have children. From a barren womb came three children and now 12 grandchildren. In the midst of our brokenness, God was faithful. Now to have 12 grandkids is like wearing a crown! A "well done" from the Lord and a display of his faithfulness in our lives. Our grandchildren make us feel like royalty! And help us see why we were placed on this planet. Second, this proverb states the importance of a father's relationships with his kids. Dads aren't add-ons to God's plan for the world. They are not superfluous. They are a crucial and integral part of family unity and God's original intent. In fact, I've often stated through the years that I can't think of one time where I have met a dysfunctional adult who had a great, present, and invested dad. A Godly dad who persistently pursued Jesus in his own life, I am sure there may be some examples, but I've not personally seen or experienced it. If you're a father, teach your children God's Word. Pray with them and for them. Memorize Scripture with them. Imitate Jesus to them. Always remember that kids spell love T-I-M-E. Spend time with them. Be present. Hug them often. Tell them you love them. That you are proud of them. The Father in heaven did this with his Son, Jesus, at his baptism. If Jesus, who was perfect, benefited from his Father's blessing and affirmation, how much more do our earthly kids need them from us! And our grandkids!

by David Chadwick "An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue." Proverbs 17:4 Evildoers listen to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. I don't think any healthy individual would desire to be called an evildoer or a liar. Who has wicked lips? I actually think many could fall into this category. Those who seek to slander and essentially kill someone with their words. Those who spread rumors and lies with evil intent. Those who seek to intimidate and bully others. Those who manipulate you for selfish gain. Those who seduce people into sinful behavior. The list could go on and on. Don't get near wicked lips! According to God's Word, evildoers are those who listen to these kinds of wicked and twisted lips. In the same way, you must be careful not to give an ear to mischievous tongues! What are some examples of this? Those who spread folly and seek to disturb peace. Those who aim to be sneaky and devious. Those who enjoy crude joking, filthy language, and foolish talk (Ephesians 5:3-5). An evildoer and a liar both take two people to accomplish a mission. The one doing the evil slandering and lying and the one listening to the slander and lies. If no one listens, the person slandering gets shut down. This is such an important truth to remember. You can squash evil like this dead in its tracks by simply refusing to listen! I will always remember a friend who, when hearing gossip or slander, would quietly say, "I'm not going to be a part of this" and simply walk away. It spoke volumes to the person slandering and quieted his tongue. That is the essence of what this proverb is trying to say. And it's what my friend modeled. The Bible is explicitly clear in this proverb that in order to not be an evildoer or a liar, we must be vigilant in what we take in through our ears.

by David Chadwick "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts." Proverbs 17:3 Silver is refined in the crucible, as is gold in the furnace. Similarly, our hearts and lives must be tested, purified, and refined by the Lord in whatever ways he sees fit. Titus 2:14 says that Jesus "gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Jesus sacrificed his life to pave the way for humanity to be reunited with the Father. He died to redeem us and to purify us! Jesus loves us all so much, and at times, he may test our faith to make us more pure. God tested Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. It's part of his nature and character to discipline his children. Hebrews 12:7 says, "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" Every good father who really cares about his children desires for them to be trained up, equipped, and walking in maturity. This is partly why we are to rejoice when trials come our way (Romans 5:3-5). When we walk through trials and are tested, we are given the invitation to grow and mature. Hard times, when handled righteously, produce patience, and patience produces character, and proven character gives us hope, which does not disappoint. How else can God know if our faith is real if he doesn't test it? Is it only through mere words? No! Words can be cheap. Daniel was proven worthy in the lion's den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Abraham and Sarah as they waited for Isaac. Fire always burns off selfish and sinful dross. It purifies the things that are hindering your faith from growing and advancing–that which is keeping you from being pure like silver and gold. Let me challenge you to look at your tests of faith as positive things. Thank God for them! Every time, God is giving you a pop quiz. Be ready WHEN they occur. And pass them well. As you do, feel God's delight in you.

by David Chadwick "Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife." Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry, crusty morsel of bread in a peaceful home than a house with delicious food and delicacies that is full of strife. Strife. Defined as "conflict or an angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues," strife ruins relationships. It hinders momentum and stops the Gospel from moving forward. Biblically, in James 3:16, strife is also called "selfish ambition." If pride is the root of all evil, I would argue strife is one of the most wicked fruits that comes from pride. In fact, Marilynn and I know of a pastor who has only one firing offense: causing strife. James 3:16 says, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." This verse should cause all of us to pause the next time we feel tempted to stir up a problem. Strife invites chaos, disorder, dissension, division, and dark, demonic activity. Strife is like an open door to the devil that says, "Come on in and do your dirty work in my life. You can destroy my family, my workspace, my friends, everything!" As followers of Jesus, we must resist strife and selfish ambition with every ounce of our being. It must be avoided at all costs. But how, you might ask? First, guard your words. Don't respond in anger when someone speaks against you. Do not gossip or slander another person. Secondly, pursue the fruit of the Spirit. Choose to love. Find joy. Seek peace. Be patient and kind. Do good. Be faithful and gentle. Develop self-control! Third, choose to forgive. Living in bitterness and unforgiveness leaves you vulnerable to initiating and tolerating strife. Finally, walk every day in Jesus's perfect peace. After all, he is the Prince of Peace. Seek his kingdom and experience the benefits of his rulership!

by Marilynn Chadwick "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 6:10-11 NIV I am not a naturally self-disciplined person. But I discovered early on that it was impossible for me to take the kids beyond where I had gone myself. If I was undisciplined, it was hard to discipline the children. If my schedule was inconsistent, it was hard to help them follow a schedule. If I quit before I reached the finish line, it was hard to teach our children to persevere. When an airplane loses cabin pressure, we're told to administer oxygen to ourselves before we give it to our child. There are some lessons we have to "administer to ourselves" before we can teach them to our children. Hard work is one of those. We encouraged our children to see all work as honorable—whether it was waiting on tables, doing weekly chores, or even folding laundry. Sometimes I would point out those who appeared to be "working with all their heart," like the guy who loaded up our groceries with an especially cheerful attitude. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man" (Col. 3:23). Hard work is vastly underrated in today's culture. I'm all for talking about the importance of big dreams. I love dreaming big, and I was passionate about helping our children reach their dreams. But without plenty of hard work, they remain just dreams. I once heard a quote that still is with me. "Insights are beautiful castles, but you can't live in them." Proverbs 14:23 puts it this way: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." God's Word is immensely practical as well as spiritual. These verses in Proverbs highlight the necessity of action over merely words. Disciplined effort results in gain, while constantly dreaming, and even talking, about our plans—without executing them—results in unfulfilled potential and a lackluster life.

by Marilynn Chadwick "My child, sinners will try to lead you into sin. But do not follow them." Proverbs 1:10 ICB Proverbs warns about the danger of bad companions. We were careful with our children and who they chose as friends. We made the decision to send our children to secular schools, knowing they would be surrounded by a variety of kids. But a troubled kid was always welcome in our home. Sometimes, even a problem child, when surrounded by a healthy home environment, could make great progress. The phrase "Bad company corrupts good character" is a famous quote from 1 Corinthians 15:33. It warns that close association with foolish peers can negatively influence one's own morals and behavior. However, there was one category of friend that caused us to provide more boundaries of protection. These I would call the "dream killers." David and I have been more intentional about protecting our children from dream killers than we have from more obvious misbehavior. Children can be taught to recognize the dangers of drinking or drugs. But they may not always see the subtlety of a dream killer. Dream killers can come in the form of peers or even adults at times. This is sometimes called "the crab pot syndrome." This means when one crab tries to crawl out of a pot, the others will pull him back down. We've seen this syndrome play out time and again. Not everyone sees our child's dream or supports that dream. That's why we prayed fervently for God to guard our children's friendships. We prayed the Lord would use those friends to encourage each other to draw our children close to him and then to open doors for their calling to make an impact for Christ on this broken and hurting world. Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24 AMP). Every dreamer needs a team. Consider ways to build a good team around your child. Bring teachers, grandparents, coaches, and church leaders into your circle of friends. They can be some of your biggest allies in helping your children reach their dreams. I supported our children's teachers and coaches and volunteered whenever possible. Coming from a family of educators, I deeply admired the many adults who poured their lives into our children. I prayed for them, encouraged them, even befriended them. But there were times when I had to go to bat for our children. On a couple of occasions, I asked a teacher or coach to consider giving a second chance or a harder challenge to one of our children. In each case, I knew the child was ready. And in each case, the teacher or coach agreed, so I was glad I spoke up. Prayer partners are also key, along with the parents of your children's friends. It really does take a village.

by Marilynn Chadwick "My son do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV Children are generally asking two questions: "Do you love me?" and "Can I have my own way?" They seem to thrive on love and limits. So as parents we would say, "Yes, I love you, and "No, you can't always have your own way." Focused attention, eye contact, lots of snuggles, a listening ear. There are many ways to say I love you. Unconditional love is a vital ingredient of a healthy home. But limits are important too. Limits provide a sense of security. Here's a little secret: If it's necessary to correct your children, give them consequences that are actually beneficial to them. For example, an early bedtime, cleaning the bathroom, finishing a book instead of watching television, doing 50 jumping jacks to get the wiggles out. You get the point. I also learned as the kids reached middle school to go easier on eye contact. Don't bear down too hard in serious conversations. That's probably why our best talks—especially the hard ones—happened while driving in the car. They'd tell me most anything I wanted to know if I didn't intrude. Conversations in the van often turned into spiritual life lessons—I dubbed our drive time "e-van-gelism." Faith is both caught and taught. I encouraged our kids to be on the lookout for signs of God at work—in big ways and small ones. We dared our kids to dream big and trust God with the results. But mostly, I wanted them to be able to hear God for themselves—to discern his voice from all the others. They didn't know it, but I continually watched to see if they were shaping their views according to what they were learning at home or what the world was telling them. It really doesn't matter where I travel. It's the same in any culture—rich or poor. We can never underestimate the power of a strong and loving home. Home is where humans thrive and grow best. It's where children should be nurtured. Instructed. Protected. It's where they catch the faith. And where they're free to dream. Especially when the home is built on the solid rock of faith in Jesus Christ. When a home is filled with the grace of unconditional love and the framework of strong limits, and when parents seek the Lord with all their whole heart, a home can produce children who are likely to change the world.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28 Wealth tricks us, tempts us, and promises what it can't deliver. So, we humans buy the lie and exhaust ourselves—chasing after that which fades. Riches. Achievements. Beauty.  All are satisfying at first. But they don't last. Anyone who has watched a loved one age and die knows that the joys we experience on this earth are fleeting. Faded jeans. Faded furniture. Faded memories—mental images grow dim over time. Let's be honest. Life here on earth fades. The book of James is filled with practical wisdom. That's why some call it "The Proverbs of the New Testament." We find this same warning about the fleeting nature of wealth. James beckons us to turn our eyes toward eternity, reminding us how "the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements" (James 1:11b NLT). Let's look at the complete passage from The Message, a stirring paraphrase: "Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the 'prosperous life.' At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing" (James 1:9-11 MSG). Several proverbs speak about greed, warning us that chasing wealth brings trouble, destroys families, and ultimately steals the life of the greedy person. They emphasize that greedy pursuits lead to ruin, whereas contentment is a source of security and wisdom. "He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household" (Proverbs 15:27a ESV). "A greedy man stirs up strife" (Proverbs 28:25a). Overwork and greed are modern-day idols. So it's wise to be aware that when we set our minds to guard against idolatry, we step into an intense spiritual battle. I believe materialism is the chief rival god of our age. That's why victory over the bondage to material things and pulling down the stronghold of busyness requires a fierce fight. It's also why, at its core, our real battle is to believe and take our place in prayer. God wants us to freely enjoy this life. But it's wise to sit lightly on the world's fleeting pleasures. We are to build our foundation on the eternal life given to us only in Christ.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness." Proverbs 23:4 It's been said that Americans are the only people who worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. Maybe that's why keeping Sabbath is so hard. Many of us enjoy feeling productive, and taking a day off seems to slow us down. The word "Sabbath," or sabat in Hebrew, simply means "to cease, desist, rest." Put another way, Sabbath means "stop." The very first use of sabat, translated "rest," in the Bible is in Genesis: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done" (Genesis 2:2-3 NIV). Proverbs 23:4 warns us to avoid the exhaustion that comes from overwork—the opposite of a Sabbath-keeping lifestyle. Other versions express the same caution in different words: "Don't exhaust yourself in pursuit of wealth; be smart enough to desist" (Proverbs 23:4 CJB). "Do not work so hard to become rich that you make yourself ill. Be wise and rest when you need to" (Proverbs 23:4 EASY English Bible). Maybe you spend a lot of your waking hours caring for those you love and scrambling to finish your to-do list. But who is telling you to guard your soul and to tend to your spiritual life? You might be surprised at how often the Bible reminds us to care for our soul. God looks at rest as an important part of daily life. He even ordained a weekly day of rest as one the Ten Commandments. He said, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…" (Exodus 20:8-11 NIV). The Bible includes more instructions about how to keep the Sabbath than all the other nine commandments. Rest is a command. It impacts our worship, our prayer life, and our family. We need to guard our Sabbath rest. Keeping the Sabbath is a good way to protect our marriages. Sabbath makes space for nurturing our families, our church, and our communities. Sabbath-keeping helps us care for our souls in an age when many are desperately thirsty for inner peace. Rest from our work is also a theological theme woven throughout the Bible. It describes the liberating life of grace for the believer who has found true rest in Christ's salvation. Perhaps St. Augustine could have been hinting at our need for Sabbath rest when he made this famous statement in his Confessions: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

by David Chadwick "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:33 Traditionally, casting lots has been a way to make a decision without bias and outside influence. In biblical history, there are even some cases where the casting of lots was used to determine the Lord's will, most notably in Acts 1:26. After Judas died, Peter, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, cast lots to determine who the twelfth disciple needed to be. And Matthias was chosen. This proverb reminds us that even the random practice of casting lots is under God's providential governance. Does this mean that we should regularly throw dice, or cast lots, to determine God's will? No! But it does mean that everything, ALL things, are under God's control when done in faith by people who really love God. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." There is not one situation that he is not using for our good and his glory. We should find enormous peace in this truth as we learn to trust God in all things and in every area of our lives. Is there a tough decision you are facing right now? If so, this truth is for you. You need not fear. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Very present. Available. Aware. Accessible. All of these words describe our great God! He is not distant. And keeps all of his promises to his children. The Holy Spirit has been left as a helper to anyone who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ. John 14:26 says that his job is to teach us and bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said to us. He guides us into all truth, which is one of his major jobs (John 16:13). There is no safer place to be than following Jesus and seeking him with our whole heart. Whatever comes your way, always remember the ultimate decision comes from the Lord!

by David Chadwick "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory and is gained by a righteous life. Some perspectives and insights only come through a righteous life. Often the only way that you can learn how to make wise decisions is by making wrong ones. And the only way you can learn from wrong decisions is to live long enough to learn from them! I sometimes joke, as I look at the increasing number of gray hairs on my head, that I've earned every one of them. They have come through years of joys and sorrows, trials and victories, leading to many learned lessons. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to go to "gray hairs" when needing counsel and advice. Especially those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and whose desire is to love and obey God wholeheartedly. Those people who have sought to abide in Jesus, know God's Word, and live by it. These are the ones who usually have insights that younger people do not have. For those of you who have gray hair, I would also urge you to seek after the passion of the young. Joel 2 describes the last days, when God pours out his Spirit on all people, as being a time when old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions. "The wisdom of the old and the passion of the young" is a powerful combination. It creates insight in motion. Wisdom in action. These qualities bring powerful momentum to carry the Gospel forward. And one final thought: if you are beginning to see a few gray hairs appear on your scalp, don't despair! See each one as a new jewel in your crown of glory from God. Who knows? Maybe in heaven, everyone's hair will be gray! A sign of a life marked by wisdom, closeness, and devotion to God.

by David Chadwick "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right at the moment, but the end result is really destructive. This principle speaks to the blessing of being aware of long-term consequences over short-term urges. How do you make decisions? Do you surrender to an authority greater than yourself to lead and guide you? Or do you follow whichever whim or fancy you feel? If your answer is the latter, I would urge you to pause today and meditate on this teaching. There is great danger in relying on feelings. An overemphasis on what seems right, what feels right, and what the world thinks is right can lead to deception. Instant gratification is a dangerous motivation. And so is a life that seeks to gain applause and immediate notoriety. If something is not God's will, if it's not right, if it's not good for you in the long run, yet you give in to the short-sighted fleshly desires, you will regret it. These are devilish traps that can ruin people's lives later on. The broad path leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Dear friends, we must immerse ourselves in God's Word. We must live for the future more than the moment, seeking to do what is right at every moment and always trusting that over time God will work things out for our good and his glory. As followers of Jesus, we must always live for eternity, not for this temporary world. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Today, my prayer is that each of you will seek after an eternal perspective. Allow that mindset to be your driving force as you await our soon-coming King.

by David Chadwick "Pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18 One of the most powerful and well-known verses in all of Proverbs says that pride comes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. Pride is the chief of all sins. It is what caused the devil to become the devil. He became the author of destruction by claiming to know more and know better than God. He wanted Jesus's position in heaven, and even though he was not the Creator, he hungered for personal worship. Yes, as a mere creature. To think we always know better than God is what will send us to hell. The failure to acknowledge our sin and great need for a Savior is the greatest downfall. Pride is the impardonable sin. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, at its very core, is pride. Humility, on the other hand, is the opposite of pride. It promotes dependency, reliance, and a heart bent on leaning on someone bigger than yourself. Someone with a childlike faith displays all of these characteristics toward the One who created us. Do a heart check today. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" Ask yourself if you see any evidence of pride in your life? Lack of prayer? Disdain toward worship? No care for spiritual and eternal things? Do you always think you're right and remain unwilling to be corrected? If so, humble yourself TODAY before the Lord and confess your sins. He will forgive you and purify you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). And will lift you up, closer to him than you've ever been before.

by David Chadwick "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3 We are continuing our study through some of the proverbs found in God's Word. God is highly majestic, the creator of the universe, all-powerful, and all-consuming, yet he provides instructions for his followers that are very practical. Did you know that God's eyes are everywhere? He sees everything, keeping watch over both good and evil. Why is this so important for our lives? Two answers come to mind. First, it should encourage right and godly behavior. If God sees everything, that means nothing gets by him. He sees our private sins and our private joys. No slanderous words go unseen. Matthew 12 says that we are all held accountable for every idle word we speak. This includes words of gossip, slander, deceit, or anger. Additionally, no private devotion goes unnoticed. If we really believe this is true, we would aim to behave righteously. We would live with a high standard, fully aware that we are ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven. Secondly, knowing that God's eyes are everywhere should create deep security in our souls. God not only sees everything, but he is also in control of everything. He is over everything. All of the surrounding chaos is in God's purview. Is there an area of your life where you feel like something is out of your control? Don't ever worry! Turn your fear into faith. God's got this! Today's proverb should give all of us the assurance that our faith in God is not in vain. He is always working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). And always remember, God sees everything, and his eyes are everywhere!

by Marilynn Chadwick "A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger quiets contention." Proverbs 15:18 Be slow to anger. The book of Proverbs has lots to say about the problem of anger. Over fifteen different verses warn of the dangers of an unbridled temper. Anger is described as foolish and destructive. Being slow to anger is a sign of moral strength. So dangerous is anger that we're warned to steer clear of close friendships with hot-tempered people to avoid letting them influence our behavior. "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared" (Proverbs 22:24, 25 NIV). Several verses in Proverbs give us a tutorial on how to avoid the anger trap. We're encouraged to replace anger with a virtue, such as patience: Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly (Proverbs 14:29). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12). Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10). A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11). Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin (Proverbs 17:19). That last tip in Proverbs 17:19 gives me pause. I confess I've been known to enjoy "verbal jousting" at times. And friendly debates are not all bad. But it's good to remember that debates can become quarrels. I don't want to "love a quarrel," which this verse calls "loving sin." Ancient Jewish rabbis were so aware of the potentially destructive nature of anger that they elevated the virtue of love even above the highly prized virtue of truth. Anger can be bad for our health, cause us to make rash and unwise decisions, and even lose at war. Someone once advised soldiers to "never enter a sword fight angry." Proverbs 16:32 teaches that true strength is found in controlling one's spirit rather than winning an argument and a patient person is "stronger than a warrior." Let's remember that God hates strife, especially in families and the family of God (Malachi 2:10). I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that love covers a "multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

by Marilynn Chadwick "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears." Proverbs 26:17 My husband, David, recently addressed Proverbs 26:17, but I find it so important that I want to expound upon it again today. Proverbs 26:11 says that if someone repeats their folly, they are fools. So, in an effort to walk in wisdom, let's look at this concept again. It is the danger of meddling in another's affairs, sometimes referring to the sin of being a "busybody." This kind of intrusion includes entering into someone else's argument. It doesn't take much imagination to see how grabbing a "stray dog by the ears," as described in Proverbs 26:17, will cause us certain pain in the end. Just as a dog will snap at you if you grab its ears, people in a fight will sometimes turn their anger on the person who meddles in their quarrel. The word "busybody" seems a bit old-fashioned. I've always thought of a busybody as a term for the frivolous but rather harmless gossip caricatured in a comedy. But the Bible paints a more serious picture. Scripture warns that being a meddler or busybody comes with its own form of danger, even suffering. "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters" (1 Peter 4:15 NKJV). Did you catch that? Being a busybody, or meddler, causes suffering. Let's look at a different version of this verse in its context: "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:15-16 NIV). Life is messy, and sin causes pain. But if we suffer, it shouldn't be as a murderer or thief. Or even as a busybody. The New Testament term for "busybody" is defined as "one who oversees that which belongs to another." Also described as "factious," the busybody, or meddler, causes trouble for himself or herself and spreads trouble and division to others. That's why it's not a minor offense. Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes the wisdom of avoiding the temptation to stir up strife. It warns that "fools constantly meddle and bring trouble on themselves" (Proverbs 20:3). Bottom line? Mind your own business! And when you're tempted to take charge of something that's not your own, remember the Bible's warning to avoid the suffering that's sure to follow. Next time I'm tempted to meddle, I'll think back to that image of a dog snapping at me and try to resist the temptation to "fix everybody and everything."

by Marilynn Chadwick "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:8 NIV The Bible mentions gossip and its related behaviors, such as slander, backbiting, and whispering, over 150 times. The sin of gossip is often mentioned alongside more seemingly serious sins, like theft or murder. "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy" (Romans 1:29-32 NIV). Gossip is pretty serious stuff. The book of Proverbs paints a picture of the dire consequences of gossip and gives ample warnings to avoid its sting: "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret" (Proverbs 11:13 NIV). At its core, gossip is simply another lust of the flesh. And like any lust, gossip can seem temporarily satisfying. "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" (Proverbs 18:8). The New Testament strongly warns us about the dangers of gossip. It's as if gossip is an appetite all its own. "But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5:15 NKJV). This passage is addressed to Christ followers and warns against destructive conflict, gossip, and strife within the church. The solution is found in Galatians 5:16: "Walk in the Spirit and you will not obey the lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 NIV). When we follow Jesus, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Living by the Holy Spirit's guidance, or "walking in the Spirit," enables us to overcome sinful, fleshly desires, like the temptation to gossip, rather than giving in to them. This requires continual abiding in Christ and trusting his power within us, rather than simply fighting the temptation through sheer willpower. Remember, the flesh and spirit continually war against one another (Galatians 5:16-17). When it comes to the sin of gossip, it pays to be alert. To realize temptation can come disguised as a "prayer request" or "verbal processing" with a friend. Walk in the Spirit daily. Keep up your guard. Be alert to the devil's methods. Don't use your freedom to "indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love" (Galatians 5:14). Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Replace gossip with something stronger. Pray. Try fasting from gossip. Take it to the cross. Find accountability with a fellow believer. And remember, love covers a multitude of sins.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Strength and honor are her clothing." Proverbs 31:25 CSB The woman of valor in Proverbs 31:10 (CJB) is also described as a woman of "honor" (v. 25). Throughout the Bible, valor and honor go hand in hand. David's Mighty Men of Valor were an elite group of roughly 37 warriors in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 23, 1 Chronicles 11). They were renowned for exceptional loyalty, strength, valor, and honor. To honor someone is to treat them with admiration or respect. Honor conveys dignity, honesty, and integrity. Years ago, I wrote an editorial in our local newspaper honoring my husband's legendary basketball coach, Dean Smith, at his passing. Along with great basketball, Coach Smith taught David about honor. Responses to my article, some from well-known leaders in our community, caused me to wonder if our culture is thirsty for honor. Perhaps it's because honor is sorely lacking in many of our homes. Marriages are breaking up at an alarming rate. Sadly, the percentage of wives leaving their husbands has risen significantly. Over the years, I've discovered that honoring my husband in today's culture requires something of a fight. It helps to realize that we have an enemy. Not just of our soul, but also of our marriages. In addition to waging a war with the devil, our battle for a strong marriage is also against our own selfish tendencies. Honoring our husband or wife sometimes goes against the grain of our flesh. If we truly want to honor our spouse, we'll find ourselves resisting a world that degrades and disrespects marriage. I've learned I can best fight for my husband and honor our marriage most powerfully by interceding for him in prayer. The tone we set in our homes when we honor our husband or wife inspires our children to honor their parents and each other. It feels good to get respect. To be honored. But it also feels incredibly good to honor someone else. We find that as we give honor, we get it back. But giving honor, especially in a world that has largely forgotten this concept, doesn't come easy. It takes practice. David and I have written companion books exploring ways this lost art of honor can be reclaimed in our marriages, our families, and our culture. I believe our world today is thirsty for honor. Honor requires self-sacrifice and humility. I've learned that home can be a wonderful laboratory for cultivating honor. My hope is that the culture of honor we create will spill over into the culture around us. Click here to download a free copy of 8 Great Ways to Honor your Wife by David Chawick and 8 Great Ways to Honor Husband by Marilynn Chadwick.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Every word of God is flawless." Proverbs 30:5a NIV I was around fifteen when I concluded God did not exist. I was not angry or rebellious. I simply no longer believed God was real. I had grown up in the church, attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. I was "confirmed" as a twelve-year-old. I even went on a couple of high school retreats. But over the years, I gradually stopped believing, and by college, I had stopped going to church altogether. I would occasionally attend our family's church out of respect for my parents when I was home from college. Out of curiosity one day, I picked up the Bible to try and read a few words. Nothing made sense. From then on, I saw the Bible as nothing more than a "dead book." I had a dramatic encounter with Jesus as a 21-year-old college student while reading C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. I accepted him as my Savior and have never looked back. Suddenly, when I began to read the Bible, it was as if words jumped off the page. They were true, and they were speaking directly to me. This book is alive! I began to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, engaging in Bible studies and learning from Christian mentors. One thing became clear: God's Word is the truth and every word in the Bible is true. Or as Proverbs 30:5 puts it, "Every word of God is flawless." Other versions say "tried," "tested," or "pure." A friend wisely encouraged me. You can't believe one part of Scripture but throw out the parts you don't like. If you do that, you'll never be able to confidently stand on God's promises when you need them. I began to lead a group of young wives in a Bible study, all recent college graduates like me. They knew even less about the Bible than I did but were eager to learn. "Hey girls," I said, "it says we are supposed to tithe, so let's do it!" Or "the Bible tells us to respect our husbands as spiritual leaders of our home." "Well, if the Bible says it," they chimed in, "let's do it." Thus began a life-changing Bible journey. I've learned firsthand Paul got it right when he instructed young Timothy: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Friend, it takes time to become "fluent" in Scripture. But let's remember, once we accept Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit as our indwelling teacher who promises to make all things clear (1 John 2:27).

by David Chadwick "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but if you walk with fools, you will become foolish. 1 Corinthians 15:33 has a similar teaching, which says, "Bad company ruins good morals." If you have never heard this principle before, hear it today: who you choose to work with, spend time with, marry, and be influenced by really, really matters. Once again, I have to give a nod back to my dad, who said it this way, "Your friends are like elevators; they will either take you up or bring you down." What a profound truth this is! It is so important to be discerning and careful as you choose companions. The book of Proverbs is so clear. One option will make you wiser, and the other brings destruction and harm. The people you keep company with will either propel you toward greatness or tear you down. Your friends and your companions will either make you foolish or wise. There really is not an in-between, lukewarm option to this principle. For those of you who are parents, you should seek to implement this truth with your kids and teens. Peer pressure is real, and you, as parents, have every right and responsibility to guide your children in choosing their friends. Intervene when necessary! Talk to them. Be honest with them about what you notice in other people. Use Proverbs 13:20 as a guide to help teach your children this very important life lesson so that they can lead lives of wisdom. Too often, parents hesitate to interfere with their children's decision-making because they don't know how it will be received. But healthy stewardship of the children God has given you is not control. Remember you have been called to lead your children in the wisdom and instruction of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:19). No matter what age you are, walk with wise people. Avoid fools. And encourage others to do the same. This principle will keep all of us safe and growing in wisdom.

by David Chadwick "Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin." Proverbs 13:15 Common sense is severely lacking in our current culture. One of the most dangerous parts of our modern society is that everyone is a self-proclaimed expert, but many lack common sense. There are lots of opinions, little wisdom. Many voices, few sages. If you spend 5 minutes on social media of any kind, you quickly see that there is no shortage of thoughts circulating. In fact, so many that I think many people are always internalizing, never applying. The practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs is imperative to learn and implement; one of those truths being that it is highly valuable to know the right thing to do simply because it's obvious. Good sense, or common sense, is not just a good skill; it's a biblical skill. Treachery, on the other hand, is a destructive habit, full of deception with an aim to betray. Where common sense wins favor and grants advancement, treachery eventually brings ruin. One of my favorite quotes says, "Time and truth travel together." With enough patience and time, deception will be revealed. The truth always wins! And good sense is one of the best ways to see truth come to light. I'm once again reminded of some of my dad's wise words when he said that he often thought that great prayer was really just good old common sense. Knowing what makes sense in a situation and partnering with God to pray it into reality. I can see why he said this. When you have good common sense, you know what to pray for, and will see God's mighty answers. Therefore, see common sense. Seek to understand what the obvious right thing to do is. Then pray for that. And watch God work. After all, good sense wins favor and, I think, the blessing of God.