Here’s a Proverbs fact for you: Chapter 16 uses the word LORD more than any other chapter of the book, except for one—the previous chapter. In Proverbs 16, the LORD is mentioned 10 times in 33 verses. This tells us something. While the work and wisdom of the Lord is obviously clear throughout the entire book, these two chapters together signal to us that we should pause to consider our highest Authority with extra care and attention.

“Follow me” is still a command for believers to obey today. Every Christian is to be a disciple. It is easy to suspect that it means we are all to permanently leave behind our proverbial nets and pursue full time gospel ministry. Before we draw conclusions, however, let us consider what the four men understood Jesus was commanding them to do.

Robert Westman was a Minnesota resident and a proud member of the LGBTQ community. He grew up with both of his parents in the home, who were active supporters of his transgender feelings.

Proverbs uses another word like this: conceit. The idea behind “conceit” is “eyes.” It describes how you see yourself. Today, we usually use “conceit” to refer to a sinful, self-aggrandizing way of seeing ourselves

Spiritual swagger is good, and all Christians should have it. If you regularly listen to Strength for Life content or NorthStone Baptist Church sermons, you have heard the term “spiritual swagger” as a synonym for God-confidence. The redeemed should be confident enough to confront civil authorities, like John the Baptist did when he confronted Herod about his adultery. “It is not lawful for thee to have her,” he told the civil magistrate in Matthew 14:4.

The question of free will is no joke. Philosophers have filled hundreds of pages debating whether humans can make free choices. Then again philosophers also debate things like what makes a cow different from a table when both have four legs. Free will is not merely a philosophy question. Theologians have debated free will as well, and here the average church goer takes more interest. “Does Calvinism require that God override a person’s free will to save him?” Christians take