The word of the day is “trust.” Our society values self-reliance. We teach that maturity means that we no longer depend on others for direction or support. When we are fully grown, we should take our own path in life. However, our reading of Proverbs 3:1-18 teaches us the opposite. The wise teacher of Proverbs says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight” (OAB vs. 5). Today we will consider what it means to trust the Lord for wisdom. We will also find that reliance on God’s wisdom should apply to everything we do. Our key verse (vs. 5) is a favorite of many. It is worth memorizing so that we keep it in mind…
The word of the day is “parallel.”  In our reading of James 4:7-5:9, we find more gems of the “wisdom from above,” wisdom that is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (OSB James 3:17). Our passage is like a string of pearls. Each saying holds a perfect, complete, and thoughtful insight into living by and in the grace of God (James 4:6). However, we may have difficulty grasping the depth of wisdom in these pearls of divine truth because we are unfamiliar with their literary form. The teachings are not narratives, sermons, letters, or lectures. They are aphorisms or short, pithy sayings after the model of the…
The word of the day is “trust.” Our society values self-reliance. We teach that maturity means that we no longer depend on others for direction or support. When we are fully grown, we should take our own path in life. However, our reading of Proverbs 3:1-18 teaches us the opposite. The wise teacher of Proverbs says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight” (OAB vs. 5). Today we will consider what it means to trust the Lord for wisdom. We will also find that reliance on God’s wisdom should apply to everything we do. Our key verse (vs. 5) is a favorite of many. It is worth memorizing so that we keep…
The word of the day is “parallel.”  In our reading of James 4:7-5:9, we find more gems of the “wisdom from above,” a wisdom that is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (OSB James 3:17). Our passage is like a string of pearls, each one giving a perfect, complete, and thoughtful insight into living by and in the grace of God (James 4:6). However, we may have difficulty grasping the depth of wisdom in these nuggets of divine truth because we are unfamiliar with their literary form. The teachings are not narratives, sermons, letters, or lectures. They are aphorisms or short pithy sayings after the model of…
The word of the day is “peace.” Strife and contention are predominant in human society. But in contrast to this way of the world, the Lord said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God (Matt.5:9). Our reading of James 3:11-4:6 speaks about the work of peacemakers saying, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18). Today’s commentary will sketch a profile of the peacemaker based on the apostle’s analysis of the source of human discord. The Source of Human Discord To outline the characteristics of peacemakers, we begin with the apostle’s question, “Where do wars and fights come from among you?” (4:1). The Orthodox Study Bible translates “wars”…
The word of the day is “trust .” Our society values self-reliance. We teach that maturity means that we no longer depend on others for direction or support. When we are fully grown, we should take our own  path in life.  However, our reading of Proverbs 3:1-18 teaches us the opposite. The wise teacher of Proverbs says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight (OAB vs. 5). Today we will consider what it means to trust the Lord for wisdom.  We will also find that reliance on God’s wisdom should apply to everything we do. Our key verse (vs. 5) is a favorite of many. It is  worth memorizing so that we…
The word of the day is “peace.” Strife and contention are predominant in human society. But in contrast to this way of the world, the Lord said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children on God (Matt.5:9). Our reading of James  3:11-4:6 speaks about the work of peacemakers saying, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18).  Today’s commentary will sketch a profile of the peacemaker based on the apostle’s analysis of the source of human discord. The Source of Human Discord To outline the characteristics of peacemakers, we begin with the apostle’s question, “Where do wars and fights come from among you” (4:1)?  The Orthodox Study Bible translates “wars”…