Welcome back to chapter 16 on Build Your Bible Habit. Every chapter of Proverbs includes life instructions that help us to handle matters wisely (Prov. 16:20). The Word of God is sufficient to guide us in every aspect of our lives, but we need to know what it says in order to follow the guidance.

Do you trust God so much with your life that you pray for direction and then only want His will? "Thy will be done" is an essential part of the prayer pattern that Christ left us in Matthew 6:9-13. Proverbs 16:3 is another way of saying, "Thy will be done." When we commit our works to the Lord, He makes us stable, secure, and steadfast. 

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Building your Bible habit with a daily Proverb will increase your wisdom and understanding as you yield your plans to God and apply His Word to your life. 

Book Club Selections in the Shop

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

What Do I Have to Lose?-Book 2 Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear some of the most popular episodes from previous seasons.

I blame the beauty queen in the waiting room. She prompted this podcast. We were talking about things in general when she suddenly inserted that she was a former beauty queen. It was such an odd insert that it confused me at first, but as I continued to listen, I heard the voice of insecurity in the background.

I don't remember inviting insecurity into our conversation.

Insecurity is a creepy beast that preys on our vulnerabilities. Whether we're frequently putting ourselves down or elevating ourselves on pedestals, insecurity is the driving force behind the self-absorption.

There are ways we can overcome this unhelpful habit. Let's consider five suggestions in this episode.

Book Club Selections in the Shop

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?-Book 2 Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs in about five minutes. What we gain in this daily habit is priceless!

Whenever we mishandle a situation, it is due to either a lack of wisdom or the failure to apply wise principles. Wisdom helps us to make better choices and decisions.

God wants to help us to become wiser, but we have to turn away from our own self-directed living and trade it for God's direction. Here's a great reminder verse for the week from Proverbs 1:23: "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."

Book Club Selections in the Shop

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?-Book 2 Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Have you ever felt like a person or a people group deserve punishment, but you don’t? There was a man in scripture like that. His name was Jonah, and he lacked mercy but expected to receive it. Are we like Jonah?

Sometimes I think we're more like the bad actors in the Bible than the good ones.

A careful study of the book of Jonah reveals several common problems. It’s easy to point out Jonah’s faults, but he really was a lot like us. We want people to forgive us when we’re wrong, but we may not be so willing to show them the same kind of mercy. Let’s study four lessons from the book of Jonah.

Book Club Selections in the Shop

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Vitamins for the Soul: A Study on Maintaining Spiritual Health by Kathy Ashley

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit! The next five minutes in Proverbs chapter 17 will increase your wisdom and strength, if you apply what you learn. Daily Proverbs are to the soul what powerful nutrients are to the physical body: life-changing.

Here's a verse for your week:

"The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." (Proverbs 17:14)

Practice it:

The next time you sense a conversation is turning into an argument, "leave off contention." You don't have to argue, and the discussion can continue when both sides have cooled off. Learn to recognize "the beginning of strife" and don't keep talking past that point. Pause.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

Vitamins for the Soul: A Study on Maintaining Spiritual Health by Kathy Ashley

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Welcome to Replay Wednesday, where you'll hear the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, "Did God Answer Your Prayer?" was downloaded thousands of times. Many people wonder why God supposedly "didn't answer," but is that accurate?

If the answer to our prayers is according to God's will, things may turn out differently than how we prayed. If we really mean it when we pray, "Thy will be done," then we must accept that God's will may or may not match our prayer request. 

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

NEW! Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

NEW! From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?--Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs to grow in wisdom and knowledge. One of the most popular passages from Proverbs 3 is found in verses 5-6:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

It's one thing to know this passage. It's a lot harder to live it. As you're listening to Proverbs 3, carefully consider each verse and ask yourself this question: "Do I live by this, or just listen to it?"

Bible application can be summed up in two words: live it.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

NEW! Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

NEW! From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?--Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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It is May 2025 and I am in a sling, recovering from rotator cuff repair surgery. This episode was recorded two days post-op, so my voice may be a little slurred at times as I tried to speak into a microphone while under the influence of strong pain medications! 

Why didn't I record before surgery? Because I was in conference season, which is the same as saying that I was living in airplanes and sleeping in hotels. But I wanted to provide an episode that would share some lessons that I have learned and continue to learn every time I face a new challenge--medical or otherwise.

Are you going through a medical challenge? This episode is for you. Are you going through some other challenge? This episode will still be helpful. Things may be tough now, but you've been through tough things before and experienced the blessing of God turning trials into blessings. 

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

SALVATION: You Need to Know About Eternal Life

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

NEW! Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

NEW! From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?--Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a chapter of Proverbs and learn practical truths for daily living. Proverbs 24 is a collection of application treasures. The practicality of Proverbs makes it possible for us to understand what we're learning. When we understand it, we can apply it.

Make a commitment to read a chapter of Proverbs daily for the next 90 days without missing a day. Pay extra attention to verses that are relevant to your circumstances, and ask God to help you to grow in your ability to handle matters wisely.

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." (Proverbs 24:10)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

NEW! Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

NEW! From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?--Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit! Proverbs chapter 13 is a study of contrasts: "live like this, not like that." The practicality of these verses will sharpen and equip you to walk in greater wisdom.

Here's an example:

"Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard." (Proverbs 13:15)

When we know what is right, but we choose to do the wrong thing anyway, Proverbs 13:15 clearly warns us that our way will be "hard." It's not easy to live biblically, but the alternative is harder. We do get to choose.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

NEW! Herbs for the Heart: A Study of James by Kathy Ashley

NEW! From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

What Do I Have to Lose?--Devotional by Janice Wolfe

Ponder the Path: A 31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook