Proverbs 9:15 (NKJV) — 15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:
Folly’s universal call. As people walk in the path of right and duty, folly tries to turn them aside. Those who walk the straight path are not immune from the seductive call of folly.
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Proverbs 9:14 (NKJV) — 14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,
The house of folly. Folly also has a house, but she does not need to send out maidens as wisdom does, because people are more easily tempted to sin than persuaded to righteousness. Her house is in the highest and most conspicuous part of the city, and she sits immodestly before her door, plying her immoral trade shamelessly.
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Seven years ago today, Susan and I were united in marriage! On September 28, 2013, Susan’s pastor, Gary Tracy, my pastor, Timothy Dugas, and our general superintendent, David Bernard, joined together to usher us into the blessings of this sacred relationship. Scott Graham, now our general secretary, was the master of ceremonies for our joyous reception.
At some point during our engagement, we learned from Brother Bernard that in the early days of the United Pentecostal Church, it was not unusual for newly married couples to celebrate their honeymoon at the general conference. Upholding that tradition, Susan and I attended the 2013 general conference beginning on October 1. As was noted during our most recent general conference in celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the merger of the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ, W. T. and Jet Witherspoon were married during the first conference of the United Pentecostal Church!
We are deeply grateful to our Lord Jesus for His faithful blessings, His protecting hand, and the steadfast joy He has given us each day of our marriage. We continue to marvel at the miraculous way He brought us together, and we pray that our marriage will demonstrate to all who know us what it means to live by faith and that it will model the relationship between Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:31–32 (NKJV) — 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
We extend our thanks to all who have congratulated us, loved us, and prayed for us!
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Pentecostal Publishing House
— Read on pentecostalpublishing.com/collections/books/products/the-holy-spirit
Proverbs 9:13 (NKJV) — 13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.
A difference between folly and wisdom. Wisdom is calm, dignified. Folly is clamorous, which means “turbulent, animated by passion.” The woman who follows the lead of wisdom, who studies to be quiet, will be admired and respected. The woman who follows folly and is loud-mouthed and boisterous will be disdained. In this case, the word “simple” indicates she is unable to resist temptation; she has no moral fiber. Moreover, she “knows nothing”: folly is naturally accompanied by ignorance.
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Proverbs 9:12 (NKJV) — 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
Personal responsibility. Wisdom is good for us; it is not just a vague intellectual pursuit. Scoffers are alone responsible for their sins. No one else can force someone to be a scoffer.
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Proverbs 9:11 (NKJV) — 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
The secret of a longer life. Following wisdom tends to increase the life span because it keeps us from doing foolish things that shorten life. Wisdom prompts us to do wise things that lengthen life.
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Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) — 10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Definitions of wisdom and knowledge. The starting point for wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Understanding is connected to the knowledge of the Holy One. The ways of God should not be a complete mystery to us. We should know not only His works or acts, but His ways, or the principles that guide His actions. Then we can begin to understand what God will do in a given situation.
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Proverbs 9:9 (NKJV) — 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Growing in wisdom. Wise and just persons do not resist learning new lessons in life. They look upon every situation, whether pleasant or unpleasant, as an opportunity to learn yet more wisdom, to put God’s principles to work.
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I deeply appreciate the response to the release of my latest book, The Holy Spirit: A Commentary. Amazon maintains a list of best sellers in the various categories of books, including Kindle downloads. The list is updated hourly.
As of this moment, The Holy Spirit: A Commentary is Number 17 in Christian commentaries in the Kindle Store.
As I mentioned in one of yesterday’s posts, here is a direct link to the book on Amazon. Using this link does not require you to buy the book, but it does give you an opportunity to read a portion of the book without charge.
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