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“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
John 6:33

Today’s Bible Reading

The returned Judeans begin rebuilding the altar of the Lord so that they may resume offering sacrifices. The Judeans lay the foundation of the new temple. The people shout for joy, but many of the older Judeans weep loudly, remembering the grandeur of the first temple.

BibleGateway: Ezra 3 ESV Text: Ezra 3 Ezra 3 (Listen) Rebuilding the Altar 3:1 When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen,… 

Proverbs offers more than guidance for daily life. In several places it teaches that the Word of God gives eternal life. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” (13:14 ESV) As Peter once said of Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 13:1-25 ESV Text: Proverbs 13:1-25 Proverbs 13 (Listen) 13:1   A wise son hears his father’s instruction,    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2   From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,    but… 

There is a sharp contrast between how the godly ( the believer in Christ) and the wicked (the unbeliever) communicate. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword. But the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (12:18) The Gospel of Christ ,above all else, gives health to our sin stricken souls.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 12:1-28 ESV Text: Proverbs 12:1-28 Proverbs 12 (Listen) 12:1   Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,    but he who hates reproof is stupid.2   A good man obtains favor from the LORD,    but a man of evil devices he condemns.3   No… 

Many blessings flow from a godly life. Some examples: “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (11:2)) A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. (11:16) Yes, blessing flow from a godly life. Yet we remember sinners are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 11:1-20 ESV Text: Proverbs 11:1-20 Proverbs 11:1–20 (Listen) 11:1   A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,    but a just weight is his delight.2   When pride comes, then comes disgrace,    but with the humble is wisdom.3   The… 

We come back to the core message of Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (9:10) True wisdom is found only in the Lord. (Again, the pinnacle of all wisdom is Christ crucified.) Sadly, most choose folly over wisdom. Only by God’s grace can we cling in faith to wisdom.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 9:1-18 ESV Text: Proverbs 9:1-18 Proverbs 9 (Listen) The Way of Wisdom 9:1   Wisdom has built her house;    she has hewn her seven pillars.2   She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;    she has also… 

Wisdom speaks of herself as “from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” (8:23) This is referring to Jesus Christ, Who, at creation, stood by God the Father as a master craftsman. Jesus is the everlasting God, and our Savior. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 8:22-36 ESV Text: Proverbs 8:22-36 Proverbs 8:22–36 (Listen) 22   “The LORD possessed1 me at the beginning of his work,2    the first of his acts of old.23   Ages ago I was set up,    at the first, before the… 

Unlike evil lurking in the shadows, wisdom shouts its message in public for all to hear. Where the paths meet (at the crossroads of life), we are often faced with difficult decisions, wisdom is there to guide us. This is not any kind of wisdom, but the wisdom of Christ and His perfect Word.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 8:1-21 ESV Text: Proverbs 8:1-21 Proverbs 8:1–21 (Listen) The Blessings of Wisdom 8:1   Does not wisdom call?    Does not understanding raise her voice?2   On the heights beside the way,    at the crossroads she takes her stand;3   beside the… 

The consequences of sexual immorality are devastating. Godly parents will faithfully teach their children the blessings of chastity. Our bodies were bought at a high price, and are also the temples of the Holy Spirit. Let us, therefore, honor God with our bodies.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 6:20-35 ESV Text: Proverbs 6:20-35 Proverbs 6:20–35 (Listen) Warnings Against Adultery 20   My son, keep your father’s commandment,    and forsake not your mother’s teaching.21   Bind them on your heart always;    tie them around your neck.22   When you walk,… 

Laziness is something to guard against, especially in doing the Lord’s work. Solomon points to the ant as an example of industriousness. Ants have initiative, not needing someone to prod them to keep working. Let’s learn the lesson of the ant, and thank Jesus for not being a slacker when it came to saving us.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 6:1-19 ESV Text: Proverbs 6:1-19 Proverbs 6:1–19 (Listen) Practical Warnings 6:1   My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,    have given your pledge for a stranger,2   if you are snared in the words… 

The longer one walks the path of wisdom in Christ, the brighter that path becomes. One day believers will walk in the brightness of that perfect day, in the very presence of He Who is Light itself. So always “let your eyes look straight ahead” (4:25) to Christ and life to come.

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 4:10-27 ESV Text: Proverbs 4:10-27 Proverbs 4:10–27 (Listen) 10   Hear, my son, and accept my words,    that the years of your life may be many.11   I have taught you the way of wisdom;    I have led you… 

Man has a sinful propensity to trust in himself, to be wise in his own heart. But wisdom calls us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (3:5)

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BibleGateway: Proverbs 3:1-20 ESV Text: Proverbs 3:1-20 Proverbs 3:1–20 (Listen) Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart 3:1   My son, do not forget my teaching,    but let your heart keep my commandments,2   for length of days and…