John 6:5-6 Expecting the unexpected_

Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. John‬ ‭6:5-6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Did Phillip pass the test? He had a front row…

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John 6:1-3 Crowds and signs_

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. John‬ ‭6:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is amazing on so…

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Proverbs 11:31 Our reward_

If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner! Proverbs‬ ‭11:31‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬ Rotherham is more literal: Lo! the righteous… “Lo” is a Hebrew interjection, sometimes expressing surprise. Often translated as behold! or lo! It draws attention to what follows. “Will be rewarded” or “Shall be recompensed” is…

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Proverbs 11:30 A tree of life_

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls. Proverbs‬ ‭11:30‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ A tree produces fruit. And fruit produces a tree. Of the many types of trees on earth, Jesus said you will know it’s type by its fruit. Identity is borne out in this vibrant cycle…

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Proverbs 11:29 Family troubles_

He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs‬ ‭11:29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬ Every person alive has lessons to learn in life, and one way or another we will find ourselves in that classroom. The Hebrew word for wind is the same used for…

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Proverbs 11:28 Trust and growth_

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ Rotherham translates: “He that trusts in his riches, the same will fall (fade, whither away). But like the leaf shall the righteous break forth (bud, sprout, shoot). Trust is a powerful word and a deep…

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Proverbs 11:27 Seeking good_

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. Proverbs‬ ‭11:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ “Whoever seeks” is taken from a Hebrew word meaning “to look for dawn,” carrying the implication that one is awake, ardently waiting for the morning to come. After a long night with darkness obscuring your view, you wait…

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Proverbs 11:26 Good for me, or good for all?_

He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. Proverbs‬ ‭11:26‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬ The obvious application of this proverb is to those that have control over commodities upon which people’s lives and livelihoods depend. A businessperson would naturally want to save the grain he…

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Proverbs 11:25 A generous person_

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs‬ ‭11:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Another translations says: The liberal soul will be made fat. The word prosper, according to Strong, is from a root meaning to be fat or to fatten; to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy. Today, for those of us are health-conscious, at first…

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Proverbs 11:24 Scattering or withholding_

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ This verse erupts in richness in the different translations: There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.…

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