Daily Challenges Archive

In the ESV, the word behavior is translated as dealings. In 1987, a New York real estate developer wrote a book. The Art of the Deal was that person’s memoir and business advice. Around 3,000 years earlier, Solomon wrote a book filled with the rea...

I went to the gym this morning. Besides just needing to say that to brag a little bit, I did think about it when I read this verse. You see, I spent about 25 minutes at the gym and hated every minute of it, but when I’m done, I need about a three-...

There is false humility, and there is genuine humility. Theologians sometimes refer to this as radical humility. When we recognize God and the depth of His wisdom—a wisdom we can only begin to glimpse—it is accompanied by a humility that can only ...

I’m not entirely sure which theologian’s version of “destroyed without remedy” is ultimately correct, but I’m certain none of us would want any of them. There have been a lot of new shows, movies, and messages about King David in the last few year...

This is not a political post. I have never been a strong proponent of the death penalty for lots of reasons. However, Solomon makes it clear in this verse that guilt is certain. Wherever you stand on the issue, Solomon firmly believes that the per...

Not surprisingly, Solomon reminds us that wealth and power do not provide the security that is sometimes expected. In this chapter, and throughout both Proverbs and the rest of God’s Word, we see that “active resource management, hard work, and in...

Lions were definitely a part of Solomon’s kingdom and thinking. Although lions were dangerous in his day, his kingdom was known for its peace and safety. Solomon actually took great pride in the fact that he kept the people in his kingdom safe. He...

For years, I hired staff to work in ministry with me. It was youth ministry. I was great at hiring. I was awful at hiring well. Too often, I would notify the board about a new hire. After extolling how great they were as people, the questions woul...

This is a particularly large group. Jesus actually said they far outnumber those of us who aren’t being led to death or moving toward slaughter. The truly sad thing is that they are basically unaware of their situation and what is to come. But we ...

This is a challenging verse. Knowing who we should and shouldn’t talk to, and when, calls for real discernment. The older I’ve become, the more I’ve realized just how few people truly have discernment. It is interesting how many people with great ...

We have discussed the fear of the Lord before. A reminder is always beneficial since the word fear often carries a very heavy and profound meaning. The word used by Solomon in this verse, as well as in most other biblical passages, means “a deep, ...

At lunch yesterday, a friend was talking about a friend of his who received a pig valve for a heart problem. He next told us that the friend said it worked great except it made their heart race whenever they went by a barbecue restaurant. Pretty c...