Author: Stephen Ricker

Amazing is the fact that one sentence, phrase, and even a word can stay with the recipient for hours, days, and a lifetime. A kind word can yield all kinds of good. An encouraging compliment will develop into an enjoyable and profitable career. The first “I love you” can be the seed of a home […]

Jesus had a lot to say about fathers, especially His Father. Jesus had no human father. Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus. The Holy Spirit of God came down upon her, and the power of the Most High God overshadowed her. So, Jesus, the holy one is the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) […]

Immortality and life in paradise are desired by all. But how to cheat death? Here is a promise of God, “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.” Paul wrote the same, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, God will give eternal life.” […]

The philosophy that everyone shares everything counters basic human nature concerning being diligent and lazy. Some people tend to be lazy while others tend to be diligent. Forcing the diligent to give the rewards of their efforts to the lazy turns the diligent into demoralized sluggards and the lazy into bitter complainers. People that are […]

Several ways to translate this seemingly disjunct proverb into English exist according to five different references I have. The NIV presents two translations to the first half; “A righteous man is cautious in friendship,” and “a righteous man is a guide to his neighbor.” The translator’s dilemma is in the last two of three Hebrew […]

Anxiety is the result of a lack of faith in Jesus and his Father. Anxiety is trusting in myself instead of trusting in God. Anxiety is mentally playing out all the possible wrongs no matter how improbable. Anxiety is a matter of the mind more than reality (Psalm 139:23). A sure result of fear caused […]

Ever since Adam and Eve sinned any occupation has had thorns and thistles. That is to say, there are setbacks, unforeseen mishaps, and many other circumstances that cause me to want to give up. Even diligent hands become sore, cut, and form calluses. Self-motivation such as will, persistence, and hope is needed to keep working […]

What do I treasure? What is of importance to me? That which I consider valuable, precious, and worth hoarding depends on my soul’s vault; my thought and my emotional safe. Jesus taught, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34) Solomon wrote, “A prudent man keeps (conceals) knowledge […]

Is there such a thing as a clean lie or a white lie? Can I say something that is not factual and yet be truthful? This is to say, can I out of kindness not tell someone the truth when I speak to them? These have been a long-term personal debate. I do not refer […]

Jesus, on the night he was betrayed told his Apostles, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Yet Solomon wrote, “No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill […]

   Peace making is in the realm of the work of God. Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) The blessing of joy falls on the peace making children of God. “Those who promote peace have joy.”    How can I live as a peacemaker? I […]

Forever is the reality. The reality of forever depends on a confession of the heart. A true confession that Jesus is the forgiving and loving Lord of my life moves Lord Jesus to arrange for me forever with him in Paradise. “Truthful lips endure forever…”   A confession that Jesus was just a man, perhaps a […]

Solomon’s proverb here is such an obvious truth that it seems more like two definitions than a proverb. Of course: a truthful witness gives honest testimony, whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, and the person who will speak the truth will reveal righteousness. This is learned at a very early age. The second […]

Self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (16, 29:11; Galatians 5:22-23) Self-control pertains to my emotions. Emotions are a vital part of human existence. They reflect the nature of God. God has self-control. When I exercise self-control I am reflecting the image of God created in me through the Spirit. Controlling my […]

How do I know if the choices I make are correct? How do I know if the way I chose to go is the best? I am not thinking about the everyday choices though choices are sure to be made today. I am thinking about big life choices: should I get more education, where should […]

My ancestors were farmers until the day that they died with the exception of my father who was a foreman in a factory. I visited both my grandfather’s farms many times. I knew where my great-grandfather’s and his father’s farms were located. The farmer’s lives my ancestors lived consisted of hard work with their hands. […]

“Sinful talk” as defined elsewhere in the Bible is slander, gossip, lies, false testimony, and vulgar language, “Sinful talk” does not involve love, compassion, and grace. The more a person lies, the harder they have to work to keep up the lie. Eventually, so many lies are created to cover other lies that a house […]

“The root of the righteous flourishes” is a better translation from Hebrew than most English translations because “fruit” does not appear in the Hebrew text “shoresh saddiq natan (a transliteration)”. The translators consider the widely used and defined “natan” to refer to yielding something, yet the text does not say what. So they add fruit […]

Proverbs 12:11 and 28:19 are very similar. The first half is identical. “He who works his land will have abundant food”. The second half is slightly different and thus adds to my understanding. “He who chases fantasies lacks judgment” and “The one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” Most of the world’s […]

Care, compassion, and knowing the life of animals are part of the heart of the righteous. When God created man one of the activities God and man shared was a parade of all the animals that the Lord had created. On that day man named the animals for the Lord had given mankind the responsibility […]

The fallen nature of mankind contains a desire to be somebody important. Sadly, most are concerned more with appearances rather than substance, often to their detriment. What drives this unhealthy and unhelpful practice? All have a good desire to be accepted and loved by our peers and neighbors. Usually, our peers and neighbors do not […]

The words I say and don’t say reveals my character. While there is truth in the understanding that a person’s perspective warps their judgment, the judgment of several cannot be discounted. When Jesus spoke he opened the truth and people were amazed at his wisdom and praised God. (8; Matthew 13:54, 15:31; Mark 1:22, 27, […]

“Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.” The theme of this comparative proverb has already been declared in 10:25. Solomon is the author of these proverbs. As an absolute authority monarch anointed by God’s prophet and sanctioned by his father King David, Solomon had to have […]

“Naughty or nice?” asked the question not far but nigh. “Know not now?” considering the question not far but nigh. “Plans and advice!” check thy heart not far but nigh. “Righteous or wicked?” considering the heart not far but nigh. “Answer thyself whether naughty or nice. For the plans of the righteous are just. The […]

The union between a man and a woman as husband and wife by means of the Spirit of God is sacred and wonderful. Conjugal symbiosis is in all aspects of human life; soul, body, spirit, social, and economic. The interaction is dependent on unconditional mutual surrender. What one does affects the other; whether it be […]

  This thing called life is full of unexpected events as much as a watermelon is full of seeds. The next moment could have many seeds that need to be dealt with. Today may have have many juicy tastes or be rotten smells that must be lived.   The person who is well established will handle […]

Do good or scheme; two choices for me to make. What do these mean to me? Doing good in the Bible is defined by two commandments; love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength and love my neighbor. 3:3 states, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write […]

Discipline and correction are one of the themes of Proverbs. The theme is first recited in 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (instruction).” Discipline is cited as a source of knowledge, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge…”   Why does the Lord God teach with disciple? […]

God is alive and active on earth. The principles that God set at the creation of the world are still in place. This is why there are consequences for decisions made and actions taken. It does matter if a person is righteous or ungodly and the sinner; ramifications exist and natural processes flow to their […]