Proverbs 29 contains many good proverbs but I am stuck on the first one: One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. It seems as though there are some whom we meet that appear to almost desire being in trouble. They seem to seek out ways to get us angry and upset. Most of the words we speak to them are criticism, critique or rebuke. Could it be that in our effort to continually correct their behavior, especially when they do not seem to respond to the correction, we are in fact hurting them. If we spend all of our time noticing what they do wrong and rarely if ever praise them for what they do right we may in fact be breaking them beyond healing. Their self-image may become so negative that they cannot see themselves as having any worth or being capable of doing and being good. Discipline is not simply punishing bad behavior. It is recognizing good behavior and praising it as well.

Proverbs 30 speaks of receiving only what one needs, not too much nor too little. If either extreme is offered there will be trouble but when we are given the right amount we are satisfied. The writer also notes things in the world that impress him in one way or the other.

In 2 Thessalonians 1 Paul continues to speak well of the Thessalonians. They are growing in faith and act with integrity. Paul knows that they are suffering under persecution and encouraging them by saying that in the end they will get what they deserve from the Lord. In the meantime Paul prays that God will give them the Thessalonians the ability to persevere.