Daily Challenges Archive

There is no way to predict or plan for all the curves life will throw at you. You can try, but you may end up very stressed and frustrated. You can also give up and live a very fatalistic life. The term “fatalistic” often relates to negative outco...

Bible Ref tells us that “the first purpose of this book is to present sound teaching”. That shouldn’t be too difficult. Yet it can be. Today, as throughout history, many people bring their personal wants and needs into their teachings. Often, they...

Theologians almost universally agree that the King Lemuel in this verse refers to Solomon. The title means “dedicated to God.” His mother would remind him that he was the blessing God sent her and David to recognize their repentance for their sin....

This has always been a check on my spirit when I speak or teach about the Bible. The older I become, the more cautious I am about making definitive statements regarding God’s thoughts and words on a situation or principle. The idea that I might ge...

Ever notice how the blind people Jesus healed were always poor? Obviously, they would have had a difficult time working and earning a living in His day. It was also often thought, erroneously, that they or someone in their lineage caused their bli...

When offered help, I’m usually not impressed with the person whose typical response is, “Nah, I can do it myself.” It’s kind of like the “Hold my beer” guy. They don’t come off as particularly brilliant. Self-confidence that finds its source in kn...

The very next verse starts with “wounds from a friend can be trusted.” Obviously, this doesn’t mean physical wounds, although they may be less painful. Having people in your life who can be trusted to speak hard truths is a great gift. It can be a...

One of the benefits of age, whether a little or a lot, is the perspective gained from a long view. I’ve seen the reputations of good men and women unfairly attacked by people with less-than-honorable intentions. Rather than fight the rumors or bla...

If you’ve been reading these daily devotions from the book of Proverbs for any length of time, you probably realize you’ve seen this verse before. It is one of my favorites. I love the picture of God giving us exciting mysteries to solve. As I men...

By all accounts, Paul was a squirrelly little nerd with bad eyesight. Peter seems to have been the opposite. While Peter was a rugged fisherman who spent his life on the seas battling the weather—at times under the brutal Middle Eastern sun haulin...

I once had an investment advisor tell me that when I thought something was a good idea to put some money in he ran from it as fast as possible. I chuckled. He didn’t. He then told me not only did he stay far from all my investment suggestions he i...

This verse is talking about a person with a “bountiful eye.” They actively look for opportunities to bless those in need. What a wonderful description to be known by. I know this person. She never asked about those in need, nor did she talk about ...