About Daniel M. Klem
I am a product of the '80's (meaning I was born in that decade) and married to the most beautiful woman I know since 2009 (beautiful in appearance and as a woman of God). I graduated in the spring of 2013 from Grand Canyon University with a Christian Leadership major and in 2016 with a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Math, and now I am a student at Grand Canyon Theological Seminary. Also, most importantly, Jesus saved me ... and you.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Proverbs 25:3, KJV
There are three ways to understand this verse, I think:
- Very few throughout all of history can understand the pressures, stresses, and rewards of leading a people as ruler or even elected official. Some of us may get an inkling of some idea, but without doing it we will never have a full understanding. (Consider the presidents and prime ministers who enter office with dark hair that turns gray during one term.)
- God, the Creator of all of space and the Earth as well as our Eternal King, can never be fully understood. How can finite creatures understand that much power and majesty or that this God would want to save people who willfully rebel against Him? It will never happen.
- As I mentioned the other day, Christians are are a royal priesthood following our King of kings and High Priest. Unbelievers will try to understand all of space and our Earth, but they may never understand how we can believe in the One who made it all. They will barely if at all attempt to search out our heart for our King.
Most of us will never understand leading a nation, and none of us will ever comprehend the fullness of God.
If we are wise, we will seek out God and contemplate His truths and all He has done for us. We may not understand all He has done, but diving into those unsearchable truths will only bring us closer to and more like that God.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Cosmos, Creator, Earth, God, God's kingdom, Heart, King, Kingdoms, Knowledge, Leaders, leadership, President, Prime Minister, relationships, Searching, Universe, Unsearchable | posted in Knowledge, Relationships
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. -Proverbs 25:2, KJV
We are wise to remember that Jesus is the Son of God, and therefore He is God.
Jesus spoke in parables so that those who are willing to listen and see can find the truth, but those who are unwilling to listen and see the truth will ignore and even hate truth. (Matthew 13:10-17)
We are co-heirs with Christ, our King. (Romans 8:17) We are called priests – servants of God – but even a royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2)
As Audio Adrenaline put it, “boys become kings, girls will be queens,” so we are tasked with the honor of searching out the truths of God as revealed through Scripture.
Do not neglect your royal priestly duties as a Christian. Study the Word of God for yourself. Rely on those saints on whom we have the labors of faithful study that divulge the deep truths of the Bible. Go to church and be fed by your local shepherd and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Do not merely say a prayer and attend a church. Make your Christianity your own, and seek Christ with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
And then love your neighbor by sharing that truth. (Matthew 28:18-20)
1 Comment | tags: Bible study, Body of Christ, Book of Proverbs, Christ, Co-heirs, Conceal, Disciple, discipline, Faithful Witness, Faithfulness, God's Word, Great Commision, Greatest Commandment, King, kings, queens, Reveal, Secret, Seek, Share, truth | posted in discipline, Faithfulness, Truth, Word of the Lord
Yesterday, Anthony talked about the craziness of politics as of late.
Consider this a sequel! (Just like other sequels, a lot of people may be upset!)
My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? -Proverbs 24:21-22, KJV
What I mean is that we have been seeing a decade of change. Leaders throughout the Western world have been calling for change based on who has been in power.
This was most clearly seen with both Barack Obama and then Donald Trump. (Did you notice that both talked about making America respectable to some group, only in different ways?)
As Anthony demonstrated, the different sides have made a habit of vilifying each other, and whoever’s side is not in power looks for any reason to change that status, especially by removal of the the big leader (in our case, the president).
Scripture shows us, though, that we should strive to help our leaders be and do the best (within God’s moral decrees, of course.)
If all you do is cry out for change and rarely if ever actually do anything, you are not helping. This is similar to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1: you are like a clanging cymbal (like the neighbor who practices his drums at 3:00 AM.)
You can disagree with them. You can do things to help the situation.
But if all you do is complain about who is (or was) in power and cause further division, you are part of the problem and dishonoring God. (This a great time on the true meaning of using the Lord’s name in vain.)
Remember: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:1-2)
But we are also reminded to fear God. He is the unchanging One who has established what is right and true, and He is always in control.
2 Comments | tags: Book of Proverbs, change, Division, Fear, Fear the Lord, Leaders, Politics, President, Prime Minister | posted in Fear of the Lord, Warnings
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: -Proverbs 24:13, KJV
I can not help but wonder if Solomon was thinking of his father’s friend Jonathan, when Saul was king and made the vow that no one in the army would eat until the Philistines were defeated lest that person be cursed. But Jonathan had not heard this vow and, being hungry after he and his armor bearer had just spent the day beating a garrison of Philistines, ate some honey. (1 Samuel 14)
Jonathan (and Solomon) could see how utterly foolish it was to not eat when doing something so physically challenging. The army even challenged King Saul on this when Saul would not get an answer from God about continuing the fight and then found out it was because of this little bit of honey.
That shows what the next verse means:
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
Proverbs 24:14, KJV
Saul had not used wisdom in his decisions, and he was willing to kill his son over his foolishness.
Jonathan, however, was spared, for he had sought to know God’s wisdom throughout the day and be strengthened.
What about you?
Do you desire the sweetness of God’s wisdom? Do seek His revitalizing wisdom throughout the day?
Or, like Saul, do you try to get through the day on your own, rarely if ever seeking God’s wisdom?
Do you get frustrated by minor problems, especially by others and then lashing out?
Or do you take time throughout the day to keep the Lord involved in your decisions?
It only takes a moment to stop and seek His help. It is not weakness. It is finding the sweetness in God’s strength.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, honey, Strength, Sweet, Sweetness, Trust the Lord, Wisdom | posted in Trust the Lord, Wisdom
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. –Proverbs 24:27, KJV
Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. –Proverbs 24:27, ESV
Are you a member of your church?
Do you even attend a church?
If you do not have a legitimate physical reason for not going, why? (Disabilities or a work schedule can be good reasons.)
Not liking the decorations or the music are not good reasons (unless, maybe, because the music is theologically horrible! That usually happens in churches teaching the same fluff.)
If you claim that you are not being fed, there is good reason to believe that – sorry to be the bearer of bad news – you are the problem.
If you find yourself saying things like “The message just doesn’t resonate with me” (unless it is for the reason mentioned earlier) or “I have not found something to plug in to,” this is not good enough.
Perhaps the issue is that you keep looking for all of your needs to be met. That is not the purpose of Church.
Church is not all about you.
Maybe you need to start meeting the needs of others, start a Bible study (and, based on your approach thus far, ask a pastor, elder, or someone who is spiritually mature to help), or start asking your pastor questions about the lessons and messages.
If you refuse to actively work the ground of your faith, you may never “feel it” in any church – at least not for long. The most surefire way to “feel it” is to build up the church, to make those around you better by pointing them to Christ.
Then you will find that you have also been building up your house for worship.
Church is not about you. It is about letting Christ use you for His Church, to work the field of souls and build up His Temple of saints.
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Church, fields, Get over yourself, housebuilding, instruction, relationships, Work | posted in Instruction, Relationships, Work
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. –Proverbs 23:9, KJV
Have you known that person who knows everything?
Even when it is obvious there is a lacking in knowledge?
Perhaps she has been friends with a lot of famous people.
Maybe he knows all about everyone around.
It could be they have done everything and been everywhere.
And then you pull them aside and quietly point out a small error in their story or correct a “fact” they shared.
But there is always an excuse or a way to brush off what you’ve said.
You may even find you have a new enemy (or at least less of a friend).
Or maybe you are that person.
Can you take simple correction? Can you admit you may be wrong? Or do you always have an excuse or ignore those who disagree?
Be wise.
Do not stretch the truth or make up facts. And if someone corrects you, listen and, if needed, admit you’re wrong and change.
Leave a comment | tags: advice, Book of Proverbs, correction, Ear, Listen, Wisdom | posted in advice
For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:18, KJV
Surely there is a future [and a reward], And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:18 AMP
One of the most misappropriated verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11,
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
The reason thos verse is so misapplied to lives is that many people tend to think God will never let them suffer but only prosper.
The full context of this verse is that God is sending Israel into exile as punishment for breaking His covenant! He orchestrated suffering!
But it was for a future glory!
Using the two different translations today was for showing how rich today’s verse is.
We need the reminder that there is a tomorrow. Today’s struggles are temporary, because the future is coming.
That future may have problems. In fact, God also told us that a great time of suffering will happen before the Lord’s return.
But the temporal future has an end, when Jesus returns!
Just as Jeremiah reminded us, there will be suffering, but God has a plan! Yes, things will get bad, but remember that He holds the future. This gives us hope!
Trust in Jesus, and the future holds our reward of eternal friendship and peace.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, End of the World, Eternal life, Eternity, future, hope, Jeremiah, Plan, Reward, struggles | posted in hope, Trust the Lord
Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. -Proverbs 23:12, KJV
People wonder why our Western culture is slipping deeper into chaos and hatred.
The short answer is that we largely have given up on listening to instruction and seeking knowledge. We have promoted an individualistic approach to life, that we are each special and can make our own truth. If we just look I side ourselves, they say, we can find real truth.
It has even infiltrated the Church.
In truth, God’s Word tells us that we are all sinners in need of repentance (changing our way of living and thinking), and we need a Savior to help us … according to His standard, not our own.
If you do not have knowledge of the Savior, seek out a friend (like a pastor or another devout Christian) who can show you Christ.
If you do not follow the instructions laid out in the Bible for godly living, you need to repent.
If you are unsure of what the instructions mean – or even what they are – start by going to church. We learn to listen to others without injecting our own truth and to interact with others meaningfully.
In fact, go to church. Knowledge grows in community. And God is all about community.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Church, Community, instruction, Knowledge, relationships | posted in Instruction, Knowledge, Relationships
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. -Proverbs 22:14 KJV
This will be slightly longer today, and dark.
A strange woman can be an adulterous, a prostitute, or simply a deceitful woman. I also think God will let sinful people, male and female, to fall into “strange people” – Male and female.
The most common rebuttal to this verse is “God doesn’t abhor (hate) people!”
Paul gave a rebuttal to this rebuttal:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1:21-32, KJV
If you choose to hate God (go against His Word) by following strange teachings, He will let you follow them into the deep pit you walk into.
Trust in God. Believe His Word and follow His statutes and thus be saved from the pit.
2 Comments | tags: Book of Proverbs, Deep pit, Hard heart, Hate, Pit, Strange men, Strange woman, Strange Women, Strangers, Warning, Warnings | posted in Warnings
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. –Proverbs 22:6, KJV
Too many people understand this verse to be saying, “If you raise your child a certain way, he (or she) will follow that same path forever.”
First, we must remember that proverbs typically are generalized sayings, not prescriptive rules that are always 100% true.
This leads to the second point, that the truth in this passage is more subtle but still believed by most people today.
Maybe you have heard someone (including yourself!) say “I became my mom (or dad)!” Allthis means is that we find ourselves doing what our parents did, sometimes saying when we were younger “I’m never gonna do that!”
Thankfully, though my parents were far from perfect, I can take some pride in saying “I’ve become my dad.” Sometimes it is from doing some mannerism the same way he did. Many times I have stumbled across the wisdom of why he did certain things because I have to do them more regularly.
More often than not, this is what the verse is taking about, passing life’s wisdom on to the next generation.
Are we exactly like our parents in every way?
No. But we learn from them how we might live, which affects what we believe and how we act.
Sadly, it does not mean if we raise children to be Christains they will remain so. But I do have friends who have left the church, but they believe that Christian morality is good.
In this sense, they have “not depart[ed] from it.”
Remember, we are not responsible for the salvation of others, merely for guiding them to truth and godly living.
3 Comments | tags: advice, Book of Proverbs, Child, children, father and child, parenting, Path of Life, paths of life | posted in advice, Parenting
Caitlin Klem
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Proverbial Thought 