Podcast appearances and mentions of guthrie chamberlain

Welcome to Day 2126 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 8 – Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/24/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James.  Last week we focused on “Control Your Tongue” or “zip your lips” in today's vernacular. So much knowledge today is increasing exponentially, but it seems wisdom is sorely lacking.  So today, we will look at persons who are Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise.  So join me on page 1884 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. As most of you know, I consider myself quite a lumberjack with my huge chainsaw.  An old proverb says, “A tree is best measured when it's down.” The actual size and quality of a tree's lumber can best be determined after the tree has been cut down. So, accurately measuring a person's accomplishments can also be seen at the end of their life. This proverb is especially true of the life of Solomon, son of David. During Solomon's reign over Israel, he thrived as an author, diplomat, poet, politician, philanthropist, architect, and engineer. At his apex, Solomon was a man unparalleled by any other. How was Solomon able to accomplish so much during his lifetime? Second, Chronicles 1 provides the answer. When Solomon inherited the kingdom from his father, David, God appeared to him in a vision in 2 Chronicles 1:7. That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Can you imagine that offer? What would you ask for if the Lord of heaven and earth offered anything you asked? Solomon reveals his true character when he answers in 2 Chronicles 1:10, “Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?”  In essence, he said, “I've inherited an overwhelming task! More than anything else, I need wisdom! I need practical insight into the subtleties of life so I can govern Your people well.  I ask and nothing more.” Now that's a response of humility! With open hands, he turned to God to give him what he needed to accomplish what he needed to do. About a thousand years after Solomon asked for wisdom from God to accomplish his calling, another descendent of David named James wrote 1:5, If you need wisdom, ask...

Welcome to Day 2125 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 7 – Controlling Your Tongue – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/17/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Controlling Your Tongue We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we focused on Faith and Works, and how they must go together like hand in glove.  As part of the Faith and Works life, we must learn to “Control Your Tongue” or “zip your lips” in today's vernacular. So join me on page 1883 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 3:1-12 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. In last week's message, James 2:14-26, the half-brother of our Lord, zoomed in on his central message—real faith produces genuine works. Throughout the letter from James, a probing question holds his whole theme together: “If you say you believe as you should, why do you behave like you shouldn't?” In 3:1-12, James develops this general theme in a very specific direction: controlling the tongue. No other section of the Bible speaks with greater clarity and impact on the potential destructive power of our words. We might summarize this powerful passage as a question: “If you say you believe as you should, why do you say things you shouldn't?” 3:1-2 James begins his indictment against the tongue with a surprising introduction. At first glance, it looks as though he's...

Welcome to Day 2124 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 6 – Faith and Works – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/10/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Faith and Works We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we focused on how our Christian lives cannot contain Partiality and Prejudice any more than oil and water can mix.  Our focus today is on Fatih and Works.  Join me on page 1882 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 2:14-26 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” [e] and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.   I believe most of us have sung the song “If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.”  In some church settings, they also added the verse, “If you're saved, and you know it, shout Amen!”   And then it continues, “If you're saved, and you know it, then your life will surely show it.” As I was thinking about that phrase, this week gave me pause.  I thought, “Lord, does my life really show the faith I profess?” What about all the things I'm called to do daily as a believer in Christ, as a citizen of God's kingdom? What about all those things that cut crosswise against cultural norms and society's expectations? So I

Welcome to Day 2123 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 5 – Partiality and Prejudice – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/03/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Partiality and Prejudice We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we focused on Listening and Doing Good. Today we will cover some hot topics in our society, but they are even more important within the church.  Our focus is on Partiality and Prejudice.  Join me on page 1882 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 2:1-13 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.   In many of our Christian lives, we wrestle against a form of Christianity obsessed with externals. Too many believers draw quick conclusions about people based merely on their first impressions— almost as if they had forgotten what we are told in 1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but...

Welcome to Day 2122 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 4 – Listening and Doing – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 09/26/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Listening and Doing We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we discovered why we should not be misled by sin because we are God's Prized Possessions. Today our focus is on Listening and Doing.  Join me on page 1882 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 1:19-27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. A debilitating disease is crippling the body of Christ—a syndrome so common that it seems to affect every believer with either a mild or an acute case. This insidious condition neutralizes the church's impact and nullifies its testimony. It can diminish effectiveness and paralyze production. The problem? A divorce between confession and deed, theology and action, listening and doing. As a result, God's Word fails to make it from the head to the heart for too many Christians. God's Word gets lodged between the heart and the hands for many more. In developing his overarching lesson that real faith produces genuine works, James has already dealt with the Christian's perseverance through trials, which proves our faith (1:1-12), and the believer's victory over temptation, demonstrating our character (1:13-18). As our theme for this series states, Wisdom is Faith in Action.  In this final section of chapter 1, James zooms in on the believer's appropriate response to God's Word. The break in the relationship between belief and behavior may be pandemic among Christians, but James reminds us that the two estranged partners of the Christian walk can be reconciled. -1:19-20 — James begins with a reminder: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this” Unquestionably, he's writing to believers, brothers, and sisters in Christ. And he begins by acknowledging that they should already know what he's about to say.  In the NLT, James

Welcome to Day 2121 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 3 – God's Prized Possession – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 09/19/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – God's Prized Possession We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we started mining the rich wisdom that makes this letter a treasure trove of practical advice we can use daily. Today we will discover why we should not be misled by sin because we are God's Prized Possessions.  Join me on page 1881 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 1:13-18 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;  but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Let me read verse 18 also from the NLT, as I feel it gives a better intent of how God views us: He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. So hold that thought. In last week's message, James dealt with the kind of “trials” of life that test a person's endurance—the ability to keep the faith under extreme pressure to give in (1-12). Next, James explores the other meaning of that Greek word for trials: a test of moral endurance (13-18). (Bulletin Insert) In six short verses, he presents the truth about temptation in a straightforward manner. Rather than skimming the surface of temptation, as many preachers and teachers tend to do, James probes deeply below the surface to reveal the inner workings of temptation. But less like a psychologist and more like a physician, James begins with certain facts that describe temptation (13-16), then moves to a focus that determines victory for overcoming temptation (17-18). Verse 13 James wants his fellow believers to understand at least four things about temptation. First, temptation is always present, and nobody is exempt from temptation. Once again, James says, “when,” not “if.” Like trials in the form of tests of faith, trials in the form of temptations are inevitable. There is no “spiritual vaccine,” no “get out of temptation free” card, and no alternate route to avoid the traps along the trail. Not a person here is immune or innocent. The aging monk in the monastery is no safer from temptation than the young person in the inner city. The lowly saint in prayer wrestles with temptation just as much as the executive in his Porsche. Second, God never prompts temptation verse 13 in the NLT says, And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. God doesn't whisper evil thoughts into our minds or create an alluring mental image. God isn't even indirectly involved...

Welcome to Day 2120 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 2 – Trials of Life – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 09/12/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Trials of Life We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we were introduced to James, the half-brother of Jesus, and learned a lot about his life and leadership within the first church of Jerusalem.  This week we start mining the rich wisdom that makes this letter a treasure trove of practical advice we can use daily.  Join me on page 1880 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 1:2-12. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.  But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wildflower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. You don't have to live long or experience much life, especially as an adult, before realizing that life is complicated and unfair. Instead, there seems to be a mountain of hurts, heartaches, pain, problems, disappointments, discouragements, sicknesses, suffering, disease, and death that sometimes overshadow life's sweet songs. As a result, we could become discouraged unless we understand the purpose. This letter from James helps us to gain that understanding. Let's focus on verses 1-4 As we discovered last week in the introduction to James, the recipients of this letter were people enduring adversity. Having been “scattered abroad,” they were disoriented, disillusioned, and probably downright depressed. In addition, they were bearing the brunt of the criticism, brutality, and unjust treatment. James greets these beleaguered believers with a single word in verse 1: “Greetings.” Though this was a common form of official greeting at that time, it meant “to rejoice,” as in Romans 12:15—“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This contrast between his readers' harried situation and James's exhortation to “consider it pure joy” in the following line sets the tone for his letter. So, without hesitating, James leaps headfirst into his most pressing issue, trials, which appears a second time in verse 12. The word...

Welcome to Day 2119 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 1 – Who is James – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 09/05/2021 JAMES: WISDOM IS FAITH IN ACTION – WHO IS JAMES? As mentioned last week, we are beginning a new series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James. This letter is chocked full of practical wisdom on how to live the life of a radical disciple, which we focused on during August. Today I want to provide a background of who James is, and why he is so uniquely fit to author the first book written in the New Testament. Since most of the lesson today sets the stage for our study through James, which may take many weeks to complete, we will only cover one verse today, James 1:1. Thus, this lesson will be somewhat academic in nature before we explore the depths of the wisdom found in James. James 1:1 (NIV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. James 1:1 (NLT) This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. We live in a world where politics rules the day. In this world, a person's public reputation too often drowns out the private reality. Who you know usually trumps what you know. Name-dropping often gets you farther than talent or skill. These cynical sayings not only apply to the political realm, where quid pro quo is the status quo. Unfortunately, the “good of boy” system also tends to corrupt most areas of business, academia, entertainment—and, yes, even the church. This is why the opening words of the book of James are so refreshing. Like a cool spring breeze blowing through a musty room, the unassuming nature of these first few words drives out arrogance, ego, and presumption. Written by a man who could have dropped the Name above all names, this simple, straightforward greeting sets the tone for a letter that assaults our natural human tendencies toward sin and selfishness with a radical message of authenticity and humility. That begs the question, which is today's message titled ‘Who is James?' From the very first phrase, the name “James,” this short letter presents us with a problem: Which “James” wrote this letter? Unfortunately, his humble self-identification as “a bond-servant (or slave) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:1) doesn't get us far. So, unless we were among those first recipients of the letter, we are left to some old-fashioned sleuthing to determine which James penned these words. If you run through the New Testament, you'll come across four men with this name. It's relatively easy to rule out a couple of these. First, James, the father of Judas (not Iscariot), never appears in the New Testament except in Luke 6:16. James, the son of Alphaeus, is probably the same as “James the Less.” Although he is one of the Twelve, he disappears from the biblical account after the upper room experience on Pentecost (Acts 1:13). So these two can be safely dismissed as unlikely candidates for authorship. This leaves James, the son of Zebedee and brother of the apostle John, or James, the half-brother of Jesus. Though the first James, a “Son of Thunder,” played a significant leadership role in the infant church as one of Christ's inner three (Peter, James, and John), he was the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom under Herod Agrippa I. That occurred around ad 44 in persecution that resulted in further scattered the Jewish Christians throughout the Roman world (Acts 12:2). Shortly after this...

Welcome to Day 2118 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 5 – Dependence and Death – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 08/29/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple – Dependence and Death My purpose in this series is to consider eight character traits of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and deserve to be taken seriously. In the past four weeks, we have explored Nonconformity, Christlikeness Maturity, Creation Care, and Living a Simple and Balanced Life. This week we look at the final two character traits of dependence and death. Let's first explore the following: Dependence I must admit that I continually struggle with one area of life: dependence on others. But I know in my heart that a radical disciple must depend on others to live a rich and satisfying life. As I reflect on the past 65 years of life, as an adult, there are four significant times when there was no choice but to depend on others. The first significant time was when, after nearly 18 years of running a successful computer business that we had expanded to three locations and had over 50 employees, we were forced to close and lost most of our finances. I indeed take responsibility, and we made some unwise choices of growing too fast by acquiring two other computer businesses. We did not realize that the values and worldviews of the other owners were not as closely aligned with ours as we had thought. As a result, we did not do enough due diligence and did not have the financial strength required. The dot com boom of the day went bust shortly after those acquisitions, resulting in the financial markets drying up for technology businesses, and we went bust with the markets. During that time, we realized how valuable dependence on family, friends, and even Putnam church, allowing us to work with the youth provided the foundation to get back on our feet again. We had to work hard to overcome the failure, but I learned some valuable lessons. The second time was when Hazel was diagnosed with Leukemia, and there was nothing we could do. But, again, dependence on God, family, and many friends, helped our family through those difficult days. The third was when I made the unwise choice to combine a very large chain saw with an extension ladder. As a result, a not-so-huge branch snapped back and kicked me off onto the cement sidewalk below, fracturing my left femur right below the hip joint. It could have been so much worse, and I praise God that it was not. Right after the fall, I dependent on my nephew was required, who had to prop up my back, so I wouldn't move my leg, which stuck out at an odd angle. Again, dependence on Paula, my brother, the ambulance, the entire medical staff, and the surgeon were all needed. I was once again reminded that we all are dependent on others. The final story is more recent, and happened the same night I started speaking full-time at Putnam on May 16th. My Dad died that night, and the primary responsibility for all the funeral arrangements was mine, the oldest son living in Marietta. If it were not for my brother Jack, several other siblings, our kids, and, very importantly, our church family, there would have been no way to handle it. Being dependent on many people that week allowed us to have a beautiful church, graveside service, and family celebration afterward. It also allowed me time to prepare a message for the...

Welcome to Day 2117 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 4 – Living a Simple and Balanced Life – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 08/22/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple – Living A Simple and Balanced Life My purpose in this series is to consider eight character traits of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and deserve to be taken seriously.  In the past three weeks, we have explored Nonconformity, Christlikeness Maturity, and Creation Care. Living a Simple Life I suggest that the fifth characteristic of radical disciples is simplicity, especially regarding money and possessions.  As Christians, citizens of God's kingdom, we claim to have received a new life from Jesus Christ. What lifestyle, then, is appropriate for us?  In particular, how are our lives to be distinguished from the lifestyle of those who make no Christian profession?  How should our lifestyle reflect the challenges of the present-day world? Much of the world is alienated from God.  Most people, especially in affluent countries, view the earth's resources differently, as if they own them. That is not the truth, for God has created the world for the enjoyment of all. We live in a country where it is a dog-eat-dog world. We buy things we don't need to show off to people we don't like.  The old saying goes, ‘we have to keep up with the Joneses.' So our garages or attics overflow with stuff we rarely use, and then we have to spend more on storage units for the overflow. Then, when we die, we leave it all to our children and grandchildren, so they have to sort through it all and give most of it away, or worse, have to throw it out because it is no longer useful, if it ever was. All of us should be shocked by the poverty of millions and disturbed by the injustices. The country of Haiti is a perfect example, as are many emerging nations.  Yet, most of the time, we feel somewhat helpless about how to help effectively. Yet few of us desire to give up anything substantial to help. There is nothing wrong with, nor should we ever envy, a person who, as a believer, has abundant resources by God's grace. It boils down to that familiar verse we also covered in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-21 “Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. As citizens of a kingdom, we have a higher calling.  Those who live in affluent circumstances, including most Western cultures, must accept our responsibility to develop a more simplistic lifestyle and contribute generously to relief and evangelism. Of course, living a simple life requires prayerful wisdom, insight, and understanding.  God expects us to be prudent with the resources he has given us to manage.  God permits a few people to be abundantly wealthy, but their treasures must be stored up in heaven so they can effectively help others in need. Since we are only managers of all God has given us, our purpose today is to consider our responsibility in becoming a radical disciple and how that is connected to living a simple and balanced life. Of course, there are many advantages to living a simple life, but let's look at some essential aspects. ...

Welcome to Day 2116 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 3 – Maturity and Creation Care – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 08/15/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple – Maturity and Creation Care My purpose in this series is to consider eight character traits of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and deserve to be taken seriously.  In the past two weeks, we have explored Nonconformity and Christlikeness.  Today our focus will be on Maturity and Creation Care. Maturity What would be your answer if I were to ask you to summarize the Christian scene in the world today?  While it is somewhat difficult to know with certainty, I would sum it up in just three words, namely ‘growth without depth.' There is no doubt of the church's phenomenal growth in many parts of the world, including the western cultures. The statistics of church growth are tremendous.  Unfortunately, the news media, even many Christian ministries, focus on the negative aspects.  ‘Explosion' is not too dramatic a word to describe it. It is an exciting time to be alive as a citizen of God's kingdom.  For example, the church in China and India has grown at least one hundredfold since the middle of the twentieth century. More Christian believers now worship God every Sunday in China than in all the churches of Western Europe.  Many churches have been forced underground, but persecution has grown and strengthened God's kingdom throughout the ages. Bible.com and Biblegateway.com have experienced tremendous growth as more people are connected online. Never before have there been so many Biblical resources available today, especially on the internet, where many are either free or very inexpensive.  For many years, the top category for podcasts worldwide has been Religion and Spirituality, with Christianity being the majority.  A 2021 American Bible Society survey showed that 71% of Americans read the Bible regularly. To make a long story short, the kingdom of God is expanding rapidly, and when Christ returns a second time, it will be to establish His kingdom in a worldwide Eden.  With all the negative news out today, this is the Good News that we can rally behind. While this is good news, we have to keep in perspective this is not an indication that many of these people desire to become radical disciples, for it is numeric growth without depth. Therefore, the third character trait of a radical disciple is Maturity.  A lack of maturity is an issue in western culture and the church worldwide.  Church leaders throughout the world indicate that this is an issue. There are superficial disciples everywhere; as we see, there is a massive problem with a lack of godliness and integrity.  The church universal lacks a solid biblical or theological foundation of its own.  This rapid growth results in an increasing number of immature disciples because few mature, knowledgeable Shepards are available to train the sheep.  This fact is one of our calls to radical discipleship. The lack of radical discipleship is not new; the church's rapid growth fuels it.  We can say this because the apostles whose letters we find in the New Testament rebuke their readers for their immaturity and urge them to grow up. Consider, for example, Paul's critique of the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this...

Welcome to Day 2115 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 2 – Christlikeness – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 08/08/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple – Christlikeness As mentioned last week, my purpose in this series is to consider eight character traits of Christian discipleship that are often neglected and deserve to be taken seriously. In addition, last week, we considered four major secular trends threatening to engulf the Christian community. In the face of these, we are all called, not to feeble-minded conformity, but to radical nonconformity. As we face the challenge of pluralism, we are to be a community of truth, standing up for the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. As we face the challenge of materialism, we are to be a community of simplicity and pilgrimage. As we face the challenge of relativism, we must be a community of obedience to God's precepts. Finally, as we face the challenge of narcissism, we must be a community of love. Today we will consider Christlikeness. Throughout our lives, we ask ourselves, what is our purpose during our pilgrimage while we remain here on earth? It is this: God created us to be his imagers, and as such, God wants his people to become like Christ, who is the perfect imager. For Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God. Therefore, as citizens of God's kingdom and imagers of God, we should imitate the only perfect imager, which is Christ. In today's message, we will consider three steps in our process to Christlikeness.  First, to lay down the biblical foundation for the call to Christlikeness; second, to give some New Testament examples; and third, to draw some practical conclusions. The Biblical Foundation of the Call to Christlikeness This foundation is not a single text, for the foundation is more substantial than can be summed up in one text. Instead, the foundation consists of three texts connecting us from the past to the present and giving us a glimpse of the future: Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, and 1 John 3:2. The first text is Romans 8:29: For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. The second text is 2 Corinthians 3:18: So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Before I read the third text, we need to understand that the perspective has changed from the past to the present, from God's eternal foreknowledge to his present transformation of us by the Holy Spirit.  From God's eternal purpose to make us like Christ, to his historical work by his Spirit to transform us into an imager like Christ. The third text is 1 John 3:2: Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. Since God is working to this end, it is no wonder he calls us to cooperate with him. ‘Follow me,' he says. ‘Imitate me.' So, returning now to 1 John 3:2, we don't know in any detail what we shall be, but we know that we will be like Christ. Therefore, there's no...

Welcome to Day 2114 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Becoming A Radical Disciple 1 – Nonconformity – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 08/01/2021 Becoming A Radical Disciple – Nonconformity Over the past couple of weeks, we moved from radical choices, to a radical teacher, and now the title of this new series, ‘Becoming a Radical Disciple.' Thinking of yourself as radical may make you uncomfortable.  For others, it may be empowering. So let's say I have a radical element in me, but I suspect that most of you also do in some area of life. First, why am I using the term ‘Disciple' instead of ‘Christian?'  It surprises many people to discover that the followers of Jesus Christ are called ‘Christian' only three times in the New Testament. Luke's comment in Acts 11:26 was that it was in the Syrian Antioch church where Jesus' disciples were first called ‘Christians.'  This is significant because Antioch was known to be an international community. Consequently, its church was an international community too. Therefore, it was appropriate that its members were called ‘Christians' to indicate that their common allegiance to Christ overcame their ethnic differences. However, as a matter of trivia, the term Christian means ‘Little Christ' and was used by outsiders in more of a derogative manner. The other two occurrences of the word ‘Christian' prove that it was beginning to be more commonly used. When Paul was on trial before King Agrippa and challenged him directly in Acts 26:27, Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Then the apostle Peter, whose first letter was written against the background of growing persecution, found it necessary to distinguish between those who suffered ‘as a criminal' and those who suffered ‘as a Christian' in 1 Peter 4:16, But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! Both words (Christian and disciple) imply a relationship with Jesus, although perhaps ‘disciple' is the stronger of the two because it inevitably means the relationship of the pupil to teacher. During his three years of public ministry, the Twelve were disciples before they were apostles. As disciples, they were under the direct instruction of their teacher and lord. In some ways, it would be better if the word ‘disciple' had continued into the following centuries so that Christians were self-consciously disciples of Jesus and took seriously their responsibility to be ‘under discipline,' which means continuing to learn. My concern is that we who claim to be disciples are not serious enough in our commitment to the Lord Jesus, which will provoke him to say again:  “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say? (Luke 6:46). For genuine discipleship is passionate discipleship; this is where my next word comes in. So, secondly, why ‘radical'? Since this is the adjective I am using to describe our discipleship, it is crucial to indicate the sense in which I am using it.  The English word ‘radical' is derived from the Latin root word radix. Initially, it seems to have been applied as a political label to people with liberal and reformist views....

Welcome to Day 2113 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 11 – A Christian's Amazement: Who Is This Radical Teacher – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/25/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Amazement: Who is This Radical Teacher? Matthew 7:28-29 Today's Scripture is found on page 1507 of the pew Bible. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.   Many secular and religious people are prepared to accept the Sermon on the Mount as containing self-evident truth. They know it includes such sayings as ‘God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.' ‘Love your enemies,' ‘No one can serve two masters,' ‘Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. ' and ‘Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.' They say, in these passages, Jesus of Nazareth is the moral teacher at his most straightforward and best. As we have learned these past 11 weeks, Matthew 5-7 is much more than that. It is the Manifesto of Christ to the citizens of God's kingdom.  It is our marching orders.  His teachings and sketch of the Christian counter-culture are his commands for radical discipleship.  What remains for us now is to consider the uniqueness of the teacher himself. We shall find it impossible to drive a wedge between the Jesus of the Sermon on the Mount and the Jesus of the rest of the New Testament. Instead, the teacher of the Sermon on the Mount is the same supernatural, dogmatic, divine Jesus to be found everywhere else. So the main question the Sermon forces upon us is not so much ‘What do you make of this teaching?' as ‘Who on earth is this radical teacher?'  The reaction of those who heard the Sermon is they were amazed at the authority of his teaching. The teacher's great authority struck the first hearers of the Sermon (the crowds, as well as his disciples, 5:1). He did not hum and haw, or hesitate as I do when I speak. He was neither tentative nor apologetic. Nor again, on the other hand, was he ever bombastic or flamboyant. Instead, with quiet and unassuming assurance, he laid down the manifesto for the citizens of God's kingdom. By the end of Jesus's teaching, the crowds were amazed, for the Greek verb is strong; it means ‘dumbfounded.'   You know, the look of someone who is dumbfounded. In fact, I look that way quite often.  Mouth open, glazed look in the eyes because it is difficult to take it all in. Let us analyze this authority of Jesus, as exposed in the Sermon. On what was it grounded? What was Jesus's self-awareness which led him to speak in this way? What clues does the Sermon itself give of how he understood his identity and mission? We do not have far to seek to find answers to these questions.  Today we will explore the seven attributes of this radical teacher. Jesus' authority as the teacher The crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with absolute authority. Yes, Jesus presented himself first and foremost as a teacher, and he amazed his listeners with the substance, the quality, and the manner of his instruction. But, of course, there had been thousands of other teachers throughout the area and in the temple. Many were his contemporaries. What, then, was so special about Jesus? He...

Welcome to Day 2112 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 10 – A Christian Commitment: The Radical Choices – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/18/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Commitment: The Radical Choices Matthew 7:13-27 Today's Scripture is found on page 1506 of the pew Bible. The Narrow and Wide Gates “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. True and False Prophets  “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them. True and False Disciples  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?'  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' The Wise and Foolish Builders “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”   As mentioned last week, Matthew 7 consists of several self-contained paragraphs. However loosely, the connecting thread which runs through chapter 7 is that of relationships. It would seem quite logical that having described a Christian's character, influence, righteousness, holiness, and ambition, Jesus should concentrate finally on our relationships.  Today we will explore how those relationships are tied to our commitments as Christ-followers.  As citizens of God's kingdom, will we support that kingdom and build it up, or will we destroy it from within by making wrong choices? All choices have consequences, and our choices can be seen in the analogy of those citizens of our great country who take advantage of the benefits of a free society but then destroy the very foundation on which these benefits are built. Ponder this analogy today as we explore the truths discovered in the last half of Matthew chapter 7. Christ emphasizes here even more strongly than before the necessity of choice. We have learned about...

Welcome to Day 2111 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 9 – A Christian's Relationships: Judging Others and Effective Prayer – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/11/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Relationships: Judging Others and Effective Prayer Matthew 7:1-12 Today's Scripture is found on page 1505 of the pew Bible. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.   “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.    “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!    So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7 consists of several self-contained paragraphs. Their link with each other is not apparent. Nor does the chapter as a whole follow on from the previous chapter with any precise sequence of thought. However, the connecting thread which runs through chapter 7, however loosely, is that of relationships. It would seem quite logical that having described a Christian's character, influence, righteousness, holiness, and ambition, Jesus should concentrate finally on our relationships. The Christian counter-culture is not individualistic but a community event. Relations within the community between the citizens of God's kingdom and those who are not yet citizens are of overriding importance. Matthew 7 deals with the network of 7 relationships into which we are drawn as the followers of Jesus. We will focus on the first four this week, and the remainder over the next week or two. The seven relationships include: To our fellow citizens of God's Kingdom (1–5). To a group startlingly designated ‘dogs' and ‘pigs.' (6). To our heavenly Father (7–11). To everybody in general: the Golden Rule (12). To our fellow citizens of God's kingdom (13, 14). To false prophets (15–20). To Jesus our Lord (21–27). Our attitude to our fellow citizens of God's kingdom (1–5) Jesus does not anticipate that the Christian community will be perfect. The Christian is not to be a judge (1, 2) Jesus' words, Do not judge others, and you will not be judged, are well-known but often misunderstood....

Welcome to Day 2110 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 8 – A Christian's Ambition: Not Material Security, But God's Rule – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/04/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Ambition: Biblical Priorities Result in Freedom From Worry Matthew 6:19-34 Today's Scripture is found on page 1505 of the pew Bible.   Teaching about Money, Possessions, and Worry  “Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.  But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!  “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.  “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  “So don't worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  “So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.   In the first half of Matthew 6 (1–18), Jesus describes the Christian's private life ‘in the secret place' (giving, praying, fasting); in the second half (19–34), he is concerned with our public business in the world (questions of money, possessions, food, drink, clothing and ambition). The same contrast could be expressed regarding our ‘religious' and ‘secular' responsibilities. This distinction is false, because we cannot separate these into water-tight compartments. Indeed, the separation of the sacred from the secular in church history has been disastrous. If we are Christians, citizens of God's kingdom, then everything we do is holy because it is done in...

Welcome to Day 2109 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 7 – A Christian's Prayer: Not Mechanical, But Thoughtful – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/27/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Prayer: Not Mechanical, But Thoughtful Matthew 6:7-15  Today's Scripture is found on page 1504 of the pew Bible. I am displaying two versions of this passage on the overhead.  Read along with me in your pew Bible or on the right-hand column from the overhead. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,[a] but deliver us from the evil one.[b]' 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Hypocrisy is not the only sin to avoid in prayer, so is endless babbling like pagans (Non-Jews).  For they think they will be heard because of their many words. Hypocrisy is the folly of the Pharisees, and repetitive babbling is the folly of the pagans. Hypocrisy is a misuse of the purpose of prayer (diverting it from the glory of God to the glory of self); babbling on is a misuse of the very nature of prayer (degrading it from a real and personal approach to God into a mere repeating of words with no substantive meaning). Again, we see that the method of Jesus is to paint a vivid contrast between two alternatives to indicate his way more plainly. First, regarding the practice of piety in general, he has contrasted the pharisaic way (flamboyant and selfish) with the Christian way (secret and godly). In particular, now regarding the practice of prayer, he contrasts the pagan way of empty babbling with the Christian way of meaningful communion with God. Jesus is always calling his followers to something higher than the attainments of those around them, whether religious people or secular people. He emphasizes that Christian right living is more excellent (because it's inward), Christian love broader (because it's inclusive of enemies), and Christian prayer more profound (because it's sincere and thoughtful) than anything to be found in the non-Christian community.  Last week we learned about the Pharisee's way of prayer and its issues. Today let us consider the following: The pagan way of prayer I am displaying both versions on the overhead as an example of how your Bible study can be more effective.  Comparing...

Welcome to Day 2108 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 6 – A Christian's Religion: Real or Hypocritical – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/20/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Religion: Real or Hypocritical? Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 We are on the sixth week of our series on the Sermon on the Mount. I pray you are learning and enjoying it as much as I am.  We won't complete this series in eight weeks, but that is ok.  Looking back over the past five weeks, we see that Jesus began his instruction on the mount by revealing the essential elements of Christian character in the beatitudes. Jesus then incorporated those character traits into the metaphors of salt and light, which is the influence for good that Christians will exert in the community if they exhibit this character. Further, He then described the Christian righteousness or right living, which must exceed the right living of scribes and Pharisees. Right living is accomplished by accepting the full implications of God's law without dodging anything or setting artificial limits or a list of rules. It is the heart attitude or obedience rather than sacrifice. Christian righteousness is right living, unlimited. These teachings must penetrate our hearts, minds, and motives beyond our actions and words. It must master us even in those hidden, secret places.  So today, as we transition from describing our Christian Character, Chrisitan Influence, and Christian Righteousness through good deeds, which we taught in the seven lessons of Matthew 5, we move to our motive when we perform good deeds. Let's read  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, which is found on page 1502 in the pew Bible Giving to the Needy “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Prayer  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Fasting “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. When we think we may be getting an understanding of right living,...

Welcome to Day 2107 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 5 – A Christian's Righteousness Part 2: The Spirit of the Law – Daily Wisdom Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2106 of our trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today we continue with our ongoing series of messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years. This first series of messages will cover the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5-7. I pray that it will be a conduit for learning and encouragement. Putnam Church Message – 06/13/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Righteousness Part 2: The Spirit of the Law Matthew 5:31-48 We are continuing this week on the subject of right living, or a Christian's righteousness.  If you remember, this is part of Matthew 5-7, commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is considered the closest to a manifesto in all Christ's teachings. As citizens in God's kingdom, our proclamation is to build that kingdom.  If we were in the army, this would be our marching orders.  That is an excellent analogy for these teachings because ‘We Are in the Lord's Army' as the old children's song goes. But, instead of violence, our weapons are the character traits in the beatitudes and are applied through us being salt and light. Not to beat a dead horse, although I understand that it is safer to do so than a live horse, let us not forget what we learned in previous weeks.  Christ came to establish a Christian counter-culture, which turns our modern culture upside down.  Or better to say, it turns an upside-down world, right-side up! (Flip the globe right-side up) So far, Jesus has spoken of a Christian's character in the beatitudes and how if we take on those character traits, we can influence modern culture as we become the salt of the earth and the light of the world.   This salt and light are manifested through right living, which is ‘good deeds.' Last week we covered Matthew 5:17-30, the first three of seven teachings covering the remainder of chapter 5. This week our focus will be on Matthew 5:31-48. The entire passage is broken down into seven lessons to learn.  Those seven lessons once again are: Teaching about the Law Teaching about Anger Teaching about Adultery (Lust) Teaching about Divorce Teaching about Promises Teaching about Revenge Teaching about Love for Enemies If you missed last week, please go to putnamchurch.org, where you can watch the message.  It is also on the church's FaceBook page. With that said, let's move on to our fourth teaching, which is: Teaching About Divorce (Matthew 5:31–32) 31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.'[m] 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. The fourth...

Welcome to Day 2106 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 4 – A Christian's Righteousness Part 1: The Spirit of the Law – Daily Wisdom Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2106 of our trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today we continue with our ongoing series of messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years. This first series of messages will cover the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5-7. I pray that it will be a conduit for learning and encouragement. Putnam Church Message – 06/06/2021 Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Righteousness Part 1: The Spirit of the Law Matthew 5:17-30 So far, Jesus has spoken of a Christian's character and the influence we will have in the world if we exhibit this character and if our character bears fruit in ‘good deeds.' He now proceeds to define further this character and these good works in terms of righteousness, or as I like to call it, right living. Jesus explains that the right living He has mentioned twice, is a character trait we, as his disciples, should hunger after. (6) We may even suffer as we conform to God's moral law. (10)  In our passage for today, we learn that our good deeds, which we will call righteousness or right living, must be better than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (20). The ‘good deeds' are deeds of obedience. Jesus began his Sermon with beatitudes in the third person (‘Blessed are the poor in spirit'). He continued in the second person (‘You are the salt of the earth,' and You are the light of the world). In today's verses, he changes to the authoritative first person and uses for the first time his unique and dogmatic formulas I tell you the truth (18), and I warn you (20). In verses 17-20, this first section teaches about the bridge of God's old covenant, focused primarily on the nation of Israel and His new covenant, which is establishing His worldwide kingdom.  It contrasts the New Testament and the Old Testament, between the good news and the law.  I had initially planned to cover the entire passage listed in the bulletin, but unless you want me to speak for an hour, I thought it would be best to split it in half and finish the remainder next week. Therefore, we will cover Matthew 5:17-30 today.  The entire passage is broken down into seven lessons to learn.  We will cover lessons 1-3 today and the remainder next week. Teaching about the Law Teaching about Anger Teaching about Adultery (Lust) Teaching about Divorce Teaching about Promises Teaching about Revenge Teaching about Love for Enemies Teaching about the Law (Matthew 5:17-20) 17 “Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven....

Welcome to Day 2105 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 3 – A Christian's Influence: Salt and Light – Daily Wisdom Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2105 of our trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today we continue with our ongoing series of messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years. This first series of messages will cover the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5-7. I pray that it will be a conduit for learning and encouragement. Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Influence: Salt and Light Matthew 5:13-16 Last week we learned that the beatitudes describe the essential character of the disciples of Jesus, including us. As we continue with the verses today, the salt and light metaphors indicate their influence for good in the world, even today. Yet, the notion that we, as citizens of God's kingdom, can exert a beneficial influence in the world should cause us to pause and consider if this is true. What possible influence could the character traits described in the beatitudes exert in this challenging, harsh world? What lasting good can the poor and the meek do, the mourners and the merciful, and those who try to make peace, not war? Would we not simply be overwhelmed by the floodtide of evil? What can we accomplish if our passion is an appetite for righteousness and our weapon is a pure heart? Are we too feeble to achieve anything, especially if we are a small minority in the world?  Consider, though, how vast the army of citizens of God's kingdom grows each day. More than we can imagine. It is evident that Jesus did not share our skepticism. When God became human in Jesus Christ, it was to continue His plan to establish His kingdom on earth, which began in Eden. It was only delayed because of sin.  We read last week in verses 10-12 that the world will undoubtedly persecute the church, yet it is the church's calling to serve this persecuting world with good deeds. To define the nature of our influence, Jesus used two domestic and everyday elements as metaphors. At the time of Christ's life on earth, every home, however poor, used, and we still use both salt and light. During his boyhood, Jesus must often have watched his mother use salt in the kitchen and light the lamps when the sun went down. Salt and light are indispensable household commodities.  Nothing is more useful than ‘salt and sunshine'  The need for light is evident. Salt, on the other hand, had a variety of uses. It was both a condiment and a preservative. It seems to have been recognized from time immemorial as an essential component of the human diet and seasoning of food.  In particular, refrigeration was used to keep meat wholesome and prevent decay in the centuries before refrigeration was invented. Indeed it still is.  If properly cured, meat can keep nearly indefinitely.  Can you imagine a slab of bacon or ham without salt?  It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. (hold up bacon) The fundamental truth behind these metaphors, common to them, is that the church and our modern culture are distinct communities.  Further, the metaphors tell us something about both communities. The world without Christ is a dark place, with little or no light since an external light is needed to illuminate it. True, the world's elite are always talking about how enlightened they are, but...

Welcome to Day 2104 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 2 – The Christian Character - The Beatitudes – Daily Wisdom Sermon on the Mount – A Christian's Character: The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-12 Everybody who has ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth, and knows anything at all of his teachings, is probably familiar with the beatitudes with which the Sermon on the Mount begins. Their simplicity of words and clarity of thought has attracted each new generation of Christians, and many others. The more we explore their implications, the more it remains unexplored. Their wealth is inexhaustible. We cannot plumb their depths.   I will read each verse today as we go through the Beatitudes, so if you want to keep your Bibles open, starting in Matthew 5:3 Let us consider the beatitudes in detail. The first four beatitudes describe the Christian's relation to God, and the last four the Christian's relations and duties to their fellow humans. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (3) The Old Testament supplies the necessary background against which to interpret this beatitude. At first, to be ‘poor' meant to be in literal, material need. But gradually, because the needy had no refuge but God, ‘poverty' came to have spiritual overtones and be identified with humble dependence on God.  Thus, to be ‘poor in spirit' means acknowledging our spiritual poverty, indeed our spiritual bankruptcy, before God. For we are sinners, under God's holy wrath, deserving nothing but God's judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy the favor of heaven. To the poor, in spirit, the kingdom of God is given. God's rule, which brings salvation, is a gift as absolutely free as it is utterly undeserved. It has to be received with the dependent humility of a little child. At the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contradicted all human judgments and all nationalistic expectations of the kingdom of God. The kingdom is given to the poor, not the rich; the feeble, not the mighty; to little children humble enough to accept it, not to soldiers who boast that they can obtain it by their skill. In Jesus's ministry on earth, it was not the Pharisees who entered the kingdom. They thought they were rich, so rich in merit that they thanked God for their attainments.  The Zealots did not dream of establishing the kingdom by blood and sword.  The publicans, prostitutes, and the rejects of human society, who knew they were so poor, could offer nothing and achieve nothing. They could only cry to God for mercy, and he heard their cry.  Still today, the indispensable condition of receiving the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our spiritual poverty. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (4) One might almost translate this second beatitude, ‘Happy are the unhappy,' to draw attention to the startling paradox it contains. What kind of sorrow can bring the joy of Christ's blessing to those who feel it? The comfort is offered not primarily for those who mourn the loss of a loved one but also for those who mourn the loss of their innocence, righteousness, and self-respect. It is not the sorrow of grief to which Christ refers, but the sorrow of repentance. Mourning and comfort are the second stages of spiritual blessing. It is one thing to be spiritually poor and acknowledge it; it is another to grieve and...

Welcome to Day 2103 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Sermon on the Mount 1 - The Upside-Down Culture – Daily Wisdom Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2103 of our trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Beginning today, I will share the messages I delivered at Putnam Congregational Church over the past couple of years. This first series of messages will cover the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5-7. I pray that it will be a conduit for learning and encouragement. Putnam Church Message – 05/16/2021 Sermon on the Mount – The Upside-Down Culture Matthew 5:1-2 The Sermon on the Mount covering Matthew 5-7 is Matthew's version of the good news.  It is probably the best-known part of the teaching of Jesus, though possibly it is the least understood, and indeed, it is the least obeyed. Nevertheless, it is the nearest thing to a manifesto that Jesus ever uttered, for it is his description of what he wanted his followers to be and to do. In my mind, no two words better summarize its intention or indicate its challenge to the modern world more clearly than the expression ‘Christian counter-culture.'  You might say it is an upside-down culture. Let me tell you why. I realize that King Solomon tells us there is nothing new ‘under the sun.' Still, with our ever-advancing technology and ability to communicate instantly to the entire world at once, it appears that a Christian counter-culture is more necessary than ever before when we take to heart the manifesto that Christ preached in The Sermon on the Mount. We have seen through the past several decades a spirit of disillusion. Each rising generation is disillusioned with the world it has inherited. Sometimes the reaction has been naive, though that is not to say it has been insincere. For example, there were times of unrest in the recent past coming out of the Vietnam War.  There were riots and bombings in our country and many other places worldwide. But, unfortunately, we tend to forget those events quickly. The pandemic of the past 18 months has brought to the forefront what has been brewing under the surface for several decades.  The events and philosophies have been put into overdrive.  When you consider the Violent Uprisings, Riots, BLM, Critical Race Theory, Wokeness, Cancel Culture, Entitlement Mentality, and many other movements that we read about nearly every day, it seems like the wheels have fallen off the bus called common sense.  It looks like someone has been passing out crazy pills.  It is not just young adults anymore; adults of all ages have been influenced. Of course, with 24/7 always-on opinion newscasts, the talking heads constantly push an agenda.  Add to that instant online social media; anyone can have their bully pulpit to spew their doctrine anywhere. When we begin to despair, we have to remind ourselves again. Although the noise may be louder today, there is nothing new under the sun. In a way, Christians should find this disturbing alternative reality prevalent in our culture one of the most hopeful, even exciting, signs of the times. For we recognize in it the activity of God's Spirit within us who before he was our comforter was our disturber.  We know for our current society to find true peace and comfort, it will only find it through the Spirit of Peace. Those pressing so hard against this Christian counter-culture are...

Welcome to Day 2102 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 31 – Daily Wisdom   Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2102 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2102 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 31. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 31 The Sayings of King Lemuel 31 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message,[a] which his mother taught him. 2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. 5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. 6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. 7 Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character 10 [b]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 14 She is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls. 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the...

Welcome to Day 2101 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 30 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2101 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2101 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 30. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 30 The Sayings of Agur 30 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.[a] I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God.[b] 2 I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. 4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son's name? Tell me if you know! 5 Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. 6 Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. 7 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name. 10 Never slander a worker to the employer, or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it. 11 Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother. 12 They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed. 13 They look proudly around, casting disdainful glances. 14 They have teeth like swords and fangs like knives. They devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity. 15 The leech has two suckers that cry out, “More,...

Welcome to Day 2100 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 29 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2100 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2100 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 29. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 29 29 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. 2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. 4 A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it. 5 To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet. 6 Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. 7 The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don't care at all. 8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger. 9 If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. 10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them.[a] 11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. 12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked. 13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common— the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. 14 If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever. 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. 16 When the wicked...

Welcome to Day 2099 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 28 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2098 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2098 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 27. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2099 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2099 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 28. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 28 28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. 2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. 3 A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. 4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. 5 Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely. 6 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. 7 Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a] 8 Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. 9 God detests the prayers of a person who...

Welcome to Day 2098 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 27 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2098 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2098 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 27. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 27 27 Don't brag about tomorrow, since you don't know what the day will bring. 2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier. 4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous. 5 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. 7 A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry. 8 A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest. 9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. 10 Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance. It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. 11 Be wise, my child,[a] and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics. 12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 13 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger's debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.[b] 14...

Welcome to Day 2097 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 26 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2097 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2097 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 26. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 26 26 Honor is no more associated with fools than snow with summer or rain with harvest. 2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. 3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back! 4 Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. 5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. 6 Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison! 7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. 8 Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. 9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk. 10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random. 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. 12 There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. 13 The lazy person claims, “There's a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!” 14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. 15 Lazy people take food in their hand but don't even lift it to their mouth. 16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors. 17 Interfering in someone else's argument is as...

Welcome to Day 2096 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 25 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2096 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2096 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 25. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 25 More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them. 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind! 4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king's court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you've seen something, 8     don't be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? 9 When arguing with your neighbor, don't betray another person's secret. 10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. 11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. 16 Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick! 17 Don't...

Welcome to Day 2095 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 24 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2095 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2095 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 24. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 24 24 Don't envy evil people or desire their company. 2 For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble. 3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. 4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. 5 The wise are mightier than the strong,[a] and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. 6 So don't go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. 7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. 8 A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker. 9 The schemes of a fool are sinful; everyone detests a mocker. 10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. 11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. 12 Don't excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn't know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve. 13 My child,[b] eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. 14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. 15 Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don't raid the house where the godly live. 16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to...

Welcome to Day 2094 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 23 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2094 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2094 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 23. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 23 23 While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. 2 If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; 3 don't desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you. 4 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. 6 Don't eat with people who are stingy; don't desire their delicacies. 7 They are always thinking about how much it costs.[a] “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don't mean it. 8 You will throw up what little you've eaten, and your compliments will be wasted. 9 Don't waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice. 10 Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don't take the land of defenseless orphans. 11 For their Redeemer[b] is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you. 12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. 13 Don't fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won't kill them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.[c] 15 My child,[

Welcome to Day 2093 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 22 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2093 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2093 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 22. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 22 22 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. 3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 4 True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. 5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. 6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.[a] 9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. 11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. 12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous. 13 The lazy person claims, “There's a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it. 15 A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far...

Welcome to Day 2092 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 21 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2092 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2092 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 21. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 21 21 The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. 2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. 3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. 4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. 5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. 6 Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.[a] 7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. 8 The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. 9 It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. 10 Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. 11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. 12 The Righteous One[b] knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them. 13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. 14 A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies...

Welcome to Day 2091 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 20 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2091 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2091 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 20 The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 20 20 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. 2 The king's fury is like a lion's roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life. 3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. 4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest. 5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out. 6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? 7 The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. 8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good. 9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? 10 False weights and unequal measures[a]— the Lord detests double standards of every kind. 11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. 12 Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord. 13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! 14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It's worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain! 15 Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

Welcome to Day 2090 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 19 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2090 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2090 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 19. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 19 19 Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. 2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. 3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. 4 Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape. 6 Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts! 7 The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone. 8 To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed. 10 It isn't right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes! 11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. 12 The king's anger is like a lion's roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish child[a] is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping. 14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. 15 Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry. 16...

Welcome to Day 2089 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 18 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2089 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2089 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 18. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 18 18 Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. 2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. 3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt. 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. 5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. 6 Fools' words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. 8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart. 9 A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. 11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. 12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. 13 Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. 14 The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? 15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. 16 Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! 17 The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. 18 Flipping a...

Welcome to Day 2088 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 17 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2088 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2088 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 17. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 17  17 Better a dry crust eaten in peace     than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. 2 A wise servant will rule over the master's disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master's children. 3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. 5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished. 6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents[a] are the pride of their children. 7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler. 8 A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper! 9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. 10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. 11 Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished. 12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness. 13 If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. 14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are...

Welcome to Day 2087 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 16 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2087 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2087 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 16. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 16  16 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. 3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. 4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. 5 The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished. 6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. 7 When people's lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. 11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. 12 A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. 13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. 14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. 15 When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! 17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. 18 Pride goes before...

Welcome to Day 2086 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 15 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2086 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2086 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 15. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 15  15 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. 4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 5 Only a fool despises a parent's[a] discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. 7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. 8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. 9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness. 10 Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. 11 Even Death and Destruction[b] hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart! 12 Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise. 13 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. 14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash....

Welcome to Day 2085 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 14 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2085 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2085 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 14. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 14  14 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. 2 Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. 3 A fool's proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. 4 Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. 5 An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. 6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. 7 Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips. 8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. 9 Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. 10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. 12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. 13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. 14 Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward. 15 Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. 16 The wise are cautious[

Welcome to Day 2084 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 13 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2084 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2084 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 13. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 13  13 1 A wise child accepts a parent's discipline;[a] a mocker refuses to listen to correction. 2 Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. 3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. 4 Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. 5 The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace. 6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin. 7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. 8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won't even get threatened. 9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. 10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. 11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed. 14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death. 15 A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.[

Welcome to Day 2083 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 12 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2083 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2083 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 12. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 12  12 1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. 2 The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. 3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. 4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. 5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. 6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. 7 The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm. 8 A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised. 9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. 10 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. 11 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. 12 Thieves are jealous of each other's loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. 13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. 14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. 15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. 16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. 17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.

Welcome to Day 2082 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 11 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2082 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2082 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 11. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 11  11 1 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. 4 Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. 5 The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 6 The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them. 7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength. 8 The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. 9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. 10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die. 11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. 12 It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. 13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. 15 There's danger in putting up security for a stranger's debt; it's safer not to guarantee another person's debt. 16 A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. 17...

Welcome to Day 2081 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 10 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2081 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2081 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 10. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 10 The Proverbs of Solomon 10 1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child[a] brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. 2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. 3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. 4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. 5 A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. 6 The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. 7 We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. 8 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces. 9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. 10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.[b] 11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. 12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. 13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those...

Welcome to Day 2080 of  Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Book of Proverbs – Chapter 9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2080 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2080 of our Trek. Establishing good habits is imperative for living a Godly life and one habit I have practiced nearly every day for the past 45+ years of my adult life is to read the chapter in the book of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. This single habit has been the catalyst for gaining wisdom and creating a living legacy. Adopting this habit can do the same for your life. The realization that God's Wisdom is the only true wisdom drives me to seek God's wisdom each day, and there is no better way to do this than to meditate on God's book of Wisdom. Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. So we are on a daily trek to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Today I will read Proverbs 9. The Book of Proverbs - Chapter 9 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.” 7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don't bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. 10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. Folly Calls for a Hearing 13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn't know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.[a] Today, as you ponder Proverbs 9, please encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a...