Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can listen to a daily chapter of Proverbs in about five minutes. The seventh chapter of Proverbs is a hard one. If you've developed the habit of reading or listening to a daily Proverb, you already know what's coming: the chapter about "the strange woman." The word "strange" in this context refers to a prostitute or a harlot. It also carries the meaning "to commit adultery." The "strange woman" is immoral and enticing.

This chapter should be read slowly, and yet it may be painful reading. Have you ever wondered how the "strange woman" ended up on that path of humiliation and destruction? And what about the man who accepted the invitation? They were both selfish. Taking advantage of people to satisfy the flesh never ends well.

Here's how chapter seven closes:

"For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death." (Proverbs 7:26-27) That's not a happy ending, it's a dark warning.

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

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

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Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week’s episode, “Escaping the Envy Trap” received thousands of downloads when we first aired it in 2021 and it made me wonder: How many people are stuck in this trap of studying other people’s lives and wanting to be where they are, or to have what they have, or to look like they look?

A hyperfocus on other people's lives is a shortcut to envy, and envy is rotten for the soul. This episode will give you several things to consider, as well as pointing the way out of this consuming trap. 

"A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." (Proverbs 14:30)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART FOR BOOKS, BIBLE STUDIES & MORE!

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

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit. This is something you can do. In less than five minutes, you will have listened to a chapter of Proverbs, gaining valuable wisdom for the day. If you've been struggling to develop a daily Bible reading habit, the simple change of a daily Proverb will end the struggle.

The daily Proverb system has worked for decades, leading people into a closer relationship with God and a deeper study of His Word. By starting small with Proverbs, you will expand your habit over time. Soon, you are reading the entire Bible repeatedly, finding new treasures while applying what you're learning.

Here's a great verse for the week, reminding us to live what we're learning from Scripture:

"Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 23:12)

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS AT KEEP THE HEART

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

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

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Did you know that a leading cause of drowning is exhaustion? This happens when a swimmer gets too far from shore and they are unable to make it safely back. Walking away from God is like drifting away from the safety of the shoreline.

When a person drifts too far for too long, they soon find themselves so far away that they give up trying to turn back. Soon, they are drowning in a sea of rebellion, believing lies, and rejecting the truth.

How can a person find their way back to God? This episode offers four suggestions, and then you can spend some time in prayer after this episode, asking God for even greater direction. This is just a starter list. By the way, if you know someone who has drifted away from God, do not assume that they will want to listen to this episode. Ask their permission first before sharing. 

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS AT KEEP THE HEART

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

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit! If you are new to these episodes, set a goal to listen for the next three months without missing a chapter. By the end of three months, you will have a habit that helps you to handle the daily issues of life wisely.

A chapter of Proverbs takes about 4-5 minutes to read, but gives us so much more in life instructions and guidance. Chapter nine includes this classic verse: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) There is a direct connection between the fear of the Lord and wisdom. 

Do you have a healthy fear of God? The way you live answers that question. 

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS AT KEEP THE HEART

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

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

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Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where we play the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, "Developing a Daily Bible Study Habit" is for anyone who has been struggling to simply read your Bible daily. 

Trying to live the Christian life without the Bible is a bad habit worth changing. Listen to this episode, and then accept the challenge to read your Bible daily for the next three months. At the end of three months, your relationship with God will be deeper than ever, and your wisdom and understanding will increase by the day. You can do this, and it will take you less than 10 minutes per day. Isn't God worth more than that?

Bible reading is the introduction to Bible study. Once you begin reading, you can move into studying and applying what you learn.

"Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 23:12)

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS AT KEEP THE HEART

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

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

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Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, where you can gain valuable wisdom for daily living. Each chapter has life applications that are like having the answers to a pop quiz!

Here's an example: Two people are in a quarrel that has nothing to do with you, but you make the mistake of deciding you will be the referee. The Bible has simple advice for this: DON'T.

"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." (Proverbs 26:17)

Here's what Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote about Proverbs 26:17: "He that has got a dog by the ears, if he lets him go he flies at him, if he keeps his hold, he has his hands full, and can do nothing else." (So it's better not to take the dog by the ears!)

Take five. Build your Bible habit.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

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I can vividly remember the day of my Norman’s surgery. They were removing the kidney that had a large, cancerous tumor on it. The surgeon asked my husband this question: “Are you ready to meet your maker?”

The question, “Are you ready to meet your maker”? caused my husband to ask the surgeon a question: “Do you know my Maker?” They both smiled, and the surgeon said, “I sure do.” The grateful look on the surgeon’s face was matched by the recognition of a brother in Christ on my Norman’s face. They chatted a bit more and then Norman was taken to surgery.

That question brought me to tears as I realized that this was yet another indicator of how seriously ill my husband was.

As I sat in the waiting room crying quietly, a nurse walked in. She asked me what was wrong, and I told her about my Norman’s cancer prognosis and how this was all so sudden and hard. That’s when she made a statement that I have never forgotten:

“Oh honey, she said, “We are ALL terminally ill.”

She hit me with the truth. We know our birthdays, but only God knows the day of our death.

My Norman had renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma, both stage 4. He was diagnosed in April 2017, and passed on Sept 15, 2017.

When a loved one is terminally ill, there are many things to face. In this brief episode, I’ll provide suggestions for walking through this challenging time. These are not in-depth solutions. In fact, if this is not the first time you’ve had a loved one who was terminally ill, you could add to this short list easily. These are just some things I wish someone had shared with me when I was walking this road.

Workplace Protections for Individuals Impacted by Cancer (mentioned in the episode)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART

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

FOR COUPLES: Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome back to Build Your Bible Habit, your audio Proverbs library! The wisdom and understanding that can be gained from Proverbs is priceless. This book of the Bible provides practical direction, instruction, and correction. It's not just a book of hearing; it's a book of doing.

Here's your Proverb for the week:

"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." (Proverbs 12:25)

Do you know someone who has been going through a really tough time? They could use a "good word," which is something pleasant, encouraging, and agreeable. We all take turns facing hard times, and we also take turns being the encouragers.

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

START YOUR BOOK CLUB! Apply: Living What We Learn--31-Day Devotional by Francie Taylor

GREAT FOR COUPLES! Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

START YOUR BIBLE STUDY GROUP! ICU: In Christ Unconditionally-Heart Conditions

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Follow Keep the Heart on Instagram

Like Keep the Heart on Facebook

Welcome to Teachback Tuesday, where you'll hear some of the most popular episodes from previous seasons. This week's episode, "When An Adult Child is Struggling" was recorded during a thunderstorm. As the storm was raging outside in the background, I could imagine the storms raging in the hearts and minds of parents who are painfully navigating difficult events with their adult children.

This episode is brief, and was not designed to cover every issue that could come up in the lives of adult children. It's a four-point list of things to consider if you are walking through a hard season with your adult child. Take some time after listening to this episode to pray for direction for your situation. Psalm 143:8 makes an excellent prayer pattern:

"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee." (Psalm 143:8)

VISIT THE SHOP AT KEEP THE HEART!

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

What Do I Have to Lose: A 50-Day Devotional (Book Two) by Janice Wolfe

From Overwhelmed to Overcomer by Natalie Raynes Blanton

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

Rough Patches: Temporary Marital Tensions by Francie Taylor

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Like Keep the Heart on Facebook