Proverbial Sunday- Wisdom Spoke 11-30-25

A week ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a church in Philadelphia where some of my family are members. The messenger’s delivery was from the book of Proverbs (the book of wisdom) and it was such a blessing to hear.

It was evident that he had put much studying into the message, which reminded me of what Paul encouraged Timothy to do: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Paul told Timothy to be instant in and out of season (with readiness) because Timothy knew the scriptures and had been learning and understanding them since he was a child (so has my nephew, Timothy).

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,  greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,  when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also (1 Timothy 1:3-5).

I find it so ironic that Paul’s Timothy and my nephew Timothy had similar experiences. When Paul wrote to Timothy about him had learning and understood from a youth; similarly, Tim's father was a pastor and his mother didn't spare the verbal rod. With that being said, fruit doesn't fall from the tree.

The reason my nephew was able to bring forth a message of exhortation and conviction is, he studied (searched out the scriptures) and the Holy Spirit was his guide. Studying is vitally important and not just coming forth with a Word off the top of one’s head. That is not a prepared message and the delivery is not effective; it could also cause one the blunder (speak clumsily).

My personal experience: Shortly after being licensed in the ministry, several preachers were at a church on what they considered “Good Friday” (night) with each on sharing the seven last words of Christ, which did not make sense to me; they were sentences. A word is singular and a sentence has more than on word.  I was called on at the last minute because on of the preachers didn’t show up. I was told that it was good, but to me it was embarrassing because I was not prepared; it was a blundered message.

·         Back to the message at hand; my nephew ministered grace to the hearer. Although he ministered from the Proverbs, what really stood out was this; he went to Ecclesiastes 4:9 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

What I took away from Tim’s message:

1)      The importance of being unified with other believers.

2)  Wisdom speaks! Tim is a wise counselor – The Lord him to counsel me and God was glorified.

Thank you nephew, for allowing the Lord to use you to be a blessing to so many, and especially me. I thank the Lord for edifying conversations that we have. I also enjoyed being in fellowship with your church family.

Aunt Betty