Proverbs 15:18 (NKJV) — 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
Stirring up or appeasing strife. Those who stir up strife, regardless of their self-justification, are people of wrath. Emotions may be hidden beneath a facade of concern or self-righteousness, but anger is beneath the surface. On the other hand, those who have their emotions under control demonstrate it by defusing strife.
Thanks to all who came by the Pentecostal Publishing House display at the 2021 UPCI general conference to check out my newest book, “The Holy Spirit: A Commentary.” It was a joy to visit with you and a privilege to sign copies. I hope you enjoy the book!
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Today from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. I will be at the PPH display to sign copies of my newest book, “The Holy Spirit: A Commentary.” This 300+ page book discusses nearly every reference to the Spirit from Genesis through Revelation. Hope to see you there!
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Proverbs 15:17 (NKJV) — 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
The relationship between possessions and the right attitude toward one another. It is love that creates a happy home, not luxury and riches. It is love that makes a dinner a joyous occasion, not the quantity or quality of food. (See Proverbs 17:1.)
The atmosphere around the table should be one of tranquility and love. Parents who use mealtime to correct their children or to bring up unpleasant subjects are making a mistake. Food cannot be properly digested when one is tense or angry. Parents should work at creating an atmosphere of peace for family meals.
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Proverbs 15:16 (NKJV) — 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.
The relationship between possessions and the right attitude toward God. A simple lesson, but one so rarely learned, is that the quality of life has nothing to do with the quantity of possessions. Those who serve God, though they have little, are in a much better situation than those who reject God and have immense material wealth. Those who do not serve God will discover that material wealth is no guarantee of peace. Indeed, they will experience as much trouble as those who are poor and reject God. They will not have more genuine peace or happiness than their neighbors. But those who serve God will have peace of heart and mind, though they may have little in the way of material wealth. (See Psalm 37:16.)
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Proverbs 15:15 (NKJV) — 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
Life as a banquet. This verse appears to be a companion to Proverbs 15:13. There, a merry heart is commended as the source of a cheerful countenance, while a sorrowful heart is said to break the spirit. Here, a merry heart is seen as causing one’s life to be like a continual feast. This verse does not mean that a merry heart will prevent all unpleasant events from occurring but that a merry heart will cause even these events to have a positive and nourishing effect in the long run. A person with a merry heart enjoys life, looking on the bright side, seeing the good rather than the bad. This outlook is good for a person physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. (See Proverbs 17:22.)
By contrast, those without a merry heart see all of life as evil. They see no point in affliction, no purpose in pain, no good in the world. The difference in the quality of life is not without, but within. The choice to have a merry heart puts a different perspective on all of life.
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Proverbs 15:14 (NKJV) — 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Feeding on knowledge or foolishness. It is a sign of understanding to seek after knowledge. Fools are content, however, to mouth empty foolishness, to carry on frothy, meaningless, unproductive conversations.
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Proverbs 15:13 (NKJV) — 13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
What the countenance reveals. It is often possible to discern the condition of someone’s heart by observing that person’s countenance. When the heart is merry, the countenance is cheerful. Cheerfulness is more than excitement; it includes peace, contentment, and joy. But the spirit is broken by a sorrowful heart, which is usually reflected on the countenance as well.
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Eight years ago today, on September 28, 2021, Susan and I were married at The Sanctuary UPC in Hazelwood, Missouri. We are deeply grateful to our Lord for His blessings and the peaceful and happy years we have enjoyed.
We said our wedding vows before three important spiritual leaders in our lives: Susan’s pastor, Garry Tracy; my pastor, Timothy Dugas; and the general superintendent for the United Pentecostal Church International, David K. Bernard. Scott Graham, now the general secretary of the United Pentecostal Church International, served as the master of ceremonies for our reception, and Terry Gunn, one of my best friends, provided excellent musical leadership.
We believe our steps have been ordered by the Lord from the beginning until today.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his step” (Proverbs 16:9).
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