📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 13–14 | Galatians 2 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 13 God’s Mercy in the Midst of Decline 2 Kings 13 unfolds during a period of continued spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jehoahaz follows the sinful pattern established by Jeroboam, leading the nation away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As a result, God allows Syria to oppress Israel, demonstrating once again that persistent disobedience brings painful consequences. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through. When Jehoahaz humbles himself and seeks the Lord, God hears his prayer and provides deliverance. Although the nation has repeatedly turned from Him, the Lord responds because of His covenant compassion. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and refuses to abandon His people completely. The chapter reveals that God's discipline is never intended simply to punish but to bring His people back to Himself. His mercy continues reaching toward them despite their repeated failures. The narrative then shifts to the final days of Elisha. As the prophet prepares to leave this world, King Joash visits him seeking guidance. Elisha gives him a symbolic act involving arrows, demonstrating that God is willing to grant victory over Syria. However, when Joash strikes the ground only a few times instead of fully obeying the prophet's instruction, he limits the extent of the victory God intended to give. This moment illustrates that faith often determines the measure of our experience of God's blessings. The Lord was willing to grant complete victory, but the king's halfhearted response reflected limited confidence in God's promise. Even after Elisha's death, God's power continues to be displayed. A man is restored to life after coming into contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating that the Lord's power did not end with His servant's earthly ministry. God remains alive and active even after His faithful servants have finished their work. Theologically, 2 Kings 13 reveals God's persistent mercy toward undeserving people. It also teaches that God invites wholehearted faith rather than hesitant obedience. The chapter reminds us that God's power never depends upon human personalities but upon His own sovereign presence. This chapter points to Christ, whose resurrection power brings eternal life. Unlike Elisha, whose ministry eventually ended, Jesus lives forever. His resurrection power continues transforming lives, offering complete victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him. For believers today, 2 Kings 13 reminds us that God remains merciful even when we fail. He invites us to seek Him with wholehearted faith and trust His promises completely. In Christ, we are called to pursue Him without reservation, believing that His power is sufficient for every battle and His grace is greater than every failure. 2 Kings 14 The Blessing and Danger of Success 2 Kings 14 records the reigns of Amaziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, revealing both the blessings of obedience and the dangers that often accompany success. Amaziah begins his reign by doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, though not with complete devotion like David. His early obedience brings stability and military success as God grants him victory over his enemies. However, success gradually gives way to pride. Rather than remaining humble and dependent upon the Lord, Amaziah begins to overestimate his own strength. After experiencing victory, he challenges the northern kingdom to battle. His actions are driven by self-confidence rather than God's direction. The king of Israel wisely warns Amaziah against unnecessary conflict, using a parable to expose the danger of pride. Amaziah ignores the warning, proceeds into battle, and suffers a humiliating defeat. Jerusalem is plundered, its walls are broken down, and the king's confidence is shattered. The chapter reminds us that pride often follows success when gratitude and dependence upon God are neglected. The narrative then shifts to Jeroboam II, whose reign brings territorial expansion and prosperity to Israel. Surprisingly, God grants these blessings despite the nation's continued spiritual rebellion. His kindness reflects His compassion for a suffering people rather than approval of their sinful practices. The Lord delays judgment because of His mercy, giving the nation additional opportunity to repent. Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty is evident. He raises kingdoms, grants victories, and allows defeats according to His purposes. Human success is never independent of His hand, and earthly prosperity should never be mistaken for spiritual health. Theologically, 2 Kings 14 teaches that success becomes dangerous when it produces pride instead of gratitude. It also reveals God's patience and mercy, demonstrating that He often shows kindness even to those who do not deserve it. Yet His blessings should lead people toward repentance rather than greater self-reliance. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly modeled humility despite possessing all authority. Unlike Amaziah, Jesus never allowed success or power to produce pride. Instead, He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. His kingdom is established not through self-exaltation but through perfect submission to the Father's will. For believers today, 2 Kings 14 reminds us to remain humble during seasons of blessing and success. Every victory we experience comes from God's gracious hand and should deepen our dependence upon Him rather than increase our confidence in ourselves. In Christ, we are called to walk in humility, giving Him glory for every blessing while continually seeking His wisdom and direction. True greatness is found not in self-exaltation but in faithful obedience to our Lord and King. Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith in the Christ Alone Galatians chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of the true gospel by showing that the message he preached was fully affirmed by the other apostles and centered completely on the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter confronts one of the greatest dangers facing the early church—the temptation to add human works to the finished work of the Christ. Through both personal testimony and direct confrontation, Paul demonstrates that God's redemptive plan has always been based upon grace received through faith rather than human effort. The chapter begins with Paul describing a meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Rather than discovering disagreement, they recognized that the same gospel had been entrusted to all of them. The unity they shared was not built upon personal preference or tradition but upon the truth of the Christ. This reminds believers that genuine unity is always centered on the Son of God and His gospel. Christian living flourishes where believers are united around the truth rather than divided by human opinions. A significant issue arises concerning attempts to require additional religious practices as necessary for salvation. Paul firmly refuses to compromise because doing so would undermine the freedom believers have received through the Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be improved by human effort. The Son of God has already accomplished everything necessary for salvation through His death and resurrection. To add requirements to His finished work is to diminish the sufficiency of His grace. The chapter then records a public confrontation between Paul and Peter. Peter had been living consistently with the truth of the gospel but later withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers because of fear of criticism. Paul recognized that this behavior communicated a false message about the gospel itself. Christian living requires consistency between what we believe and how we live. The Christ calls His followers to stand for truth even when doing so is difficult. This confrontation was never about personal rivalry but about protecting the purity of the gospel. The redemptive plan unites believers from every background into one family through the Son of God. Any behavior that rebuilds barriers which the Christ has removed contradicts the very message of salvation. The theological center of the chapter is the declaration that people are justified by faith in the Christ and not by works of the Law. This truth forms the foundation of the Christian life. The Law reveals humanity's need for salvation, but it cannot produce righteousness. Only the Son of God can declare sinners righteous because He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly and bore its penalty on behalf of humanity. Christian living begins with this unshakable foundation of grace. Paul then explains that believers have been united with the Christ in His death and now live through His life. The old life centered on self has been crucified, and a new life has begun through faith in the Son of God. This is one of the clearest descriptions of the believer's new identity. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but creates an entirely new way of living through the power of the Christ. The chapter concludes by affirming that if righteousness could be achieved through human effort, the death of the Christ would have been unnecessary. But because salvation comes entirely through God's grace, the cross stands as the complete and sufficient work of the Son of God. Every believer rests securely in what He has accomplished rather than in personal performance. Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the center of everything. He is the source of justification, the foundation of unity, the giver of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The gospel neither begins with grace and continues through works nor mixes divine grace with human achievement. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Son of God. For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly upon the truth of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in faith, not performance; in grace, not legalism; and in the finished work of the Christ, not our own efforts. We are reminded that our identity is found entirely in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we live by faith in Him, we experience the freedom, unity, and transformation that His redemptive plan was designed to produce. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

🕊️ Wisdom knows how to control emotions instead of being controlled by them. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to practice self-control. #Proverbs2911 #SelfControl #GodlyWisdom #ControlYourEmotions #RespondDontReact #ChooseWisdom #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #WalkByFaith #Lordsbook

🕊️ Wisdom knows when to speak and when to remain silent. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to respond with wisdom. #Proverbs1727 #GodlyWisdom #SpeakWithWisdom #SelfControl #CalmSpirit #ChoosePeace #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #WalkByFaith #Lordsbook

Leadership Essentials Much grace We have good news this week. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 2 Timothy 4:15 NKJV Paul’s warning reminds us that opposition is not necessarily evidence that we are doing something wrong. When leaders faithfully proclaim the Word of God, there will always be people who resist, reject, or challenge the truth. Valuable lessons for leaders: The truth of God’s Word will not always be welcomed. Leaders should expect resistance rather than be surprised or discouraged by it. A leader must remain faithful to Scripture even when people disagree. Our responsibility is to proclaim the truth, not to make everyone comfortable. The success of ministry is not measured by the absence of opposition. Faithfulness means continuing to preach, teach, and live according to God’s Word even when people resist it. Opposition will come when we faithfully proclaim the Gospel. Do not allow resistance to silence you, compromise your message, or distract you from your God-given assignment. Stand firmly on the Word, respond with wisdom, and remain faithful to the end. Have a blessed week. Mathew and Ethel Koeberg

📘 Daily Devotion — August 18 | Acts 19:6 (NKJV) 💯 Living in the Power of God's Spirit In Acts 19, Paul arrived in Ephesus and met a group of disciples who had not yet fully understood the work of the Holy Spirit. After teaching them about Jesus Christ and baptizing them in His name, Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. This event demonstrated God's presence and confirmed His work among these believers as the gospel continued to spread. The central truth of this passage is not the outward signs themselves but the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's people. From the beginning of the church, the Holy Spirit empowered believers to live boldly, faithfully, and effectively for Christ. For believers today, every follower of Jesus is called to live in daily dependence on the Holy Spirit. He gives wisdom, strength, comfort, and power to obey God's Word and to be faithful witnesses for Christ. Rather than relying on our own abilities, we can trust the Spirit to guide and equip us each day. Reflection Questions 1. Am I depending on the Holy Spirit in my daily walk with God? 2. In what areas do I need God's strength instead of my own? 3. How can I be more sensitive to the Spirit's leading? Prayer Lord God, thank You for giving Your Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen Your people. Help me to depend on You each day instead of my own understanding. Fill my life with Your wisdom, power, and love so that I may faithfully serve You and glorify Your name. In Jesus name Amen. Practical Application ● Begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to guide you. ● Trust God's strength when facing difficult situations. ● Look for opportunities to serve others through the Spirit's leading. Takeaway Thought A life surrendered to the Holy Spirit is a life empowered to glorify Christ. #LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August18 #Acts196 #HolySpirit #SpiritEmpowered #PowerOfGod #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

OBEY THE PROTOCOLS OF LIFE Obedience • Wisdom • Protection ANCHOR SCRIPTURE Proverbs 19:16 (KJV) “He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” 1. OBEDIENCE PROTECTS YOU Many troubles come from ignoring instructions. Don't break the rules and blame the consequences. 2. RESPECT THE PROTOCOL Every area of life has rules and procedures—family, marriage, church, work, business and society. Following the right process can save you: Time • Money • Relationships • Reputation 3. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT Proverbs 18:13 (KJV) “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Listen → Understand → Follow instructions → Act wisely. 4. RESPECT LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY Respecting authority brings order. But don't follow blindly. When human instructions conflict with God's Word: Obey God first. 5. FOLLOW GOD'S PROTOCOL Deuteronomy 10:12 (KJV) “...what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways...” God's Word should guide your decisions. KEY LESSON 1. Listen carefully. 2. Follow instructions. 3. Respect boundaries. 4. Honour legitimate authority. 5. Think before acting. 6. Learn from correction. 7. Put God first. FINAL CHARGE Life has protocols. Obedience is not weakness; it is wisdom in action. Respect the protocol. Follow the instruction. Avoid unnecessary trouble. SHORT PRAYER Father, give me wisdom to understand and obey Your instructions. Help me respect legitimate authority, follow wise counsel and avoid unnecessary trouble. Give me humility to accept correction and discipline to do what is right. In Jesus' name, Amen. Prepared by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo +233544295158

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 18) 1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 5. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6. A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 9. He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. 10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. 11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. 12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. 13. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? 15. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16. A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. 17. The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 18. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. 19. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 22. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. 23. The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. 24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

THE MONEY’S MIND The Economic Way of the Lord By Omodolapo Ogunye What if the way out of an economic wilderness is not first a financial instrument, but a Person? We often approach economic difficulty through the language of money: capital, debt, investment, employment, markets, policy and opportunity. But the revelation of the Body of the Word gives us another starting point. The Body of the Word is the way of the Lord. Revelation 1 describes the feet of the Son of God as being “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” The imagery speaks of something firm, refined and established—a way. Isaiah 40:4 declares: “The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.” The Word is therefore not merely something to believe. The Word is a way to walk. And this way has an economic and financial dimension. THE MONEY IS THE WORD Song of Solomon 5:11 gives us another dimension of the Body of the Word: “His head is purest gold.” Gold is a language of value, wealth and monetary significance. Yet Scripture uses gold to describe the Person of the Beloved—the Word. This is the foundation of The Money’s Mind: The Money is a Person. The Money is the Word. The Money has a Mind. The economic question therefore becomes larger than how to acquire money. What is the economic way of the Word? How does the Word navigate an economy? How does the Word respond to economic difficulty? How does the Word create a way where there appears to be no way? THE WAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS Isaiah 43:19 records the declaration: “I am making a way in the desert.” A desert represents an environment in which productivity appears constrained—a place where resources seem scarce, opportunities seem limited and progress becomes difficult. There can be financial deserts. There can be economic deserts. There can be national economic wildernesses. But the revelation is that a desert does not have to be the final destination. God says, “I am making a way in the desert.” A way in the desert becomes a way out of the desert. This is where the economic way of the Lord becomes significant. The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is presented as the pathway through economic environments—even environments marked by difficulty, uncertainty and apparent impossibility. The answer is not simply to escape the economy. It is to discover the way of God within it. THE WAY IS ALSO A VOICE Isaiah 30:21 provides another dimension: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” The economic way of the Lord is therefore not merely a path. It is a voice. This is crucial because economic environments require judgment. There are multiple opportunities. Multiple markets. Multiple investments. Multiple business models. Multiple directions. The challenge is not always finding an opportunity. Sometimes the challenge is knowing which way to walk. The Word becomes a lamp. Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The economic implication is profound: You need economic sight before you need economic movement. And the quality of your movement depends upon what you are capable of hearing. WHAT YOU CRAVE, YOU LEARN TO HEAR There is a principle embedded in this revelation: craving affects hearing. What you continually desire begins to shape what you recognise. If your deepest hunger is merely for money, you may become increasingly sensitive to opportunities for money while remaining insensitive to the wisdom required to carry it. But if your hunger is for the Body of the Word, your capacity to recognise the voice of the Word begins to develop. This changes the meaning of financial intelligence. Financial intelligence is not merely knowing how money works. It is knowing which way to walk with money. It is knowing what to build. What to avoid. What to pursue. What to preserve. What to multiply. What to abandon. And, ultimately, what voice to follow. THE ECONOMIC WAY OF THE LORD The Body of the Word is described as burnished bronze. The Body of the Word is described through blazing fire. The Body of the Word is described in economic language through gold, riches, honor and enduring wealth. When these revelations are brought together, a larger proposition emerges: The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is the economic and financial way of the Lord. This way is relevant to the individual, the enterprise and the nation. It speaks to economic environments. It speaks to financial decisions. It speaks to productivity. It speaks to wealth creation. It speaks to the movement of the Father within the economies of nations. And it speaks particularly to those seasons when the economy looks like a desert. The desert may be real. The difficulty may be real. The financial pressure may be real. But the absence of an obvious path does not mean there is no path. The Word is the Way. THE MONEY’S MIND This is why The Money’s Mind is not simply about making money. It is about discovering the Mind behind the Money. The Money is the Word. The Word has a Mind. And the Mind of the Word reveals a way of seeing, thinking, creating, stewarding and navigating economic life. So when you encounter an economic wilderness, the first question should not simply be: “How do I get out?” Ask: “What is the way of the Lord here?” And then: “What is the voice saying: This is the way; walk in it?” Because a way is being made. Even in the desert. The Body of the Word is the economic and financial way of the Lord. The Money is the Word. The Money has a Mind. And the Mind of the Word knows the way. Omodolapo Ogunye THE MONEY’S MIND The Body of the Word as Finance & Economics The Kitchen shows.acast.com/the-kitchen

Daily Bible Lesson. THE HIDDEN POWER OF SALT IN THE BIBLE: WHY GOD USED SALT SO OFTEN Have you ever wondered why salt appears over and over again in the Bible? It was never just a seasoning. From Genesis to the New Testament, salt carried deep spiritual meaning. It represented purity, preservation, faithfulness, covenant, wisdom, and even judgment. Let's explore what God was teaching through salt. 1. ELISHA USED SALT TO HEAL THE WATERS OF JERICHO 📖 2 Kings 2:19–22 After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha arrived in Jericho. The people said: «"The city is pleasant, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive."» God instructed Elisha: «"Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it."» Elisha threw the salt into the spring and declared: «"Thus says the LORD, 'I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from them.'" (2 Kings 2:21)» Immediately the waters became pure. Notice something important. The miracle was not in the salt. The salt was simply an act of obedience through which God demonstrated His power. Spiritual meaning: God can cleanse what sin has poisoned. He can restore what seemed permanently ruined. When God speaks, even bitter waters become life-giving. 2. EVERY GRAIN OFFERING HAD TO INCLUDE SALT 📖 Leviticus 2:13 God commanded Israel: «"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."» Why? Because salt preserves. It resists corruption. It symbolized that Israel's worship should never become spiritually corrupt. Spiritual meaning: God desires worship that remains pure, faithful, and sincere. Our devotion should not spoil with compromise. 3. GOD ESTABLISHED A "COVENANT OF SALT" 📖 Numbers 18:19 God told Aaron: «"It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD."» Again in: 📖 2 Chronicles 13:5 God declared that He gave David the kingdom by a covenant of salt forever. In the ancient world, salt was valuable and enduring. A covenant sealed with salt symbolized permanence, loyalty, and faithfulness. Spiritual meaning: God does not abandon His promises. What He establishes, He is faithful to keep. 4. JESUS CALLED BELIEVERS "THE SALT OF THE EARTH" 📖 Matthew 5:13 Jesus said: «"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"» Salt preserves food from decay. Likewise, believers are called to preserve truth in a corrupt world. We are meant to influence the world—not be influenced by it. Spiritual meaning: Christians should slow the spread of moral decay by living holy lives, speaking truth, and reflecting Christ's character. 5. JESUS SAID TO HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES 📖 Mark 9:50 Jesus taught: «"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness... Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another."» This points to inward spiritual character. Spiritual meaning: God desires hearts marked by wisdom, humility, holiness, and peace. 6. PAUL COMPARED OUR WORDS TO SALT 📖 Colossians 4:6 Paul wrote: «"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."» Our words should preserve life, bring wisdom, and point people toward Christ. Instead of spreading bitterness, believers should speak words that heal, encourage, and build others up. 7. SALT WAS ALSO A SIGN OF JUDGMENT The Bible also uses salt to represent desolation when people reject God. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: 📖 Genesis 19:26 Lot's wife looked back in disobedience and became a pillar of salt. Her story stands as a warning against longing for the sinful life God has called us to leave behind. Later, Scripture describes lands under God's judgment as barren and covered with salt. 📖 Deuteronomy 29:23 📖 Judges 9:45 These passages show that the same symbol could represent either blessing or judgment, depending on humanity's response to God. WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN THE BIBLE? Salt symbolizes: • Purity • Preservation • Faithfulness • God's everlasting covenant • Holiness • Wisdom • Gracious speech • Healing through God's power • A warning against corruption and disobedience THE GREATEST LESSON Salt itself has no supernatural power. The Bible never teaches that salt possesses mystical or magical abilities. Whenever God used salt, it was because He chose it as a symbol or as part of an act of obedience. The power was always God's—not the salt. Today, God still heals bitter lives. He restores broken families. He renews weary hearts. He preserves those who remain faithful to Him. The same God who healed the waters of Jericho is still able to transform what seems impossible.

Amazing Facts Daily Devotionals A Taste for Something Good. August 18th, 2026 Humans have about 10,000 taste buds on their tongues, yet insects have the most highly developed sense of taste—using their feet and antennae. Have you ever taken a bite of some food and suddenly tasted something bitter? (At one potluck, I put some peanut butter on my desert only to discover it was actually vegan cheese spread. Not pretty!) Your first response is to spit it out. Of the five senses of the tongue, bitterness is the most sensitive at picking up something that tastes disagreeable. Perhaps that was God’s intention, as many toxic plants have naturally bitter compounds. The taste threshold of bitterness is measured in relationship to quinine, which is given a reference index of 1. In 1958, scientists discovered a chemical called denatonium, the bitterest substance ever found. It has a threshold of 1,000! This aversive agent is added to poisonous matter to prevent people from accidentally swallowing something that might harm them. Researchers have also discovered a couple of substances that are extremely bitter to some people but are virtually tasteless to others. Evidently, the genes of some people make them “supertasters” when it comes to identifying certain bitter compounds. Solomon gives strong medicine to his son in Proverbs 5, urging him to shun immorality at all costs. He speaks from personal experience. It’s odd that the wisest man who ever lived made some of the most foolish choices in the area of lust. To all men he warns that what might seem sweet in the beginning ends up being bitter in the end. He illustrates the remorse and disastrous consequences of breaking the seventh commandment with a perennial plant that grows in the temperate parts of Northern Africa called artemesia. The shrub was used as an ingredient in flavoring some alcoholic drinks and in some spices, but the strong bitter juice of the plant is unfit to eat in your typical lunch salad. God wants us to be supertasters at sensing the poisonous temptations of Satan. Through Solomon’s example, the Lord calls to us to “pay attention!” We can learn from Solomon’s experiences and be saved from a taste of bitter grief. Lord, I make a promise to keep my eyes on you today and to keep my thoughts pure. I choose to turn from every polluted pathway. Additional reading: Proverbs 5:1–14 Key Bible Texts My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: (Proverbs 5:1 KJV)