Man Talk

Have you ever met someone who just won’t stop talking—but the more they speak, the worse it gets? Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 10:12-15: The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him? The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. — Ecclesiastes 10:12-15 The Difference Between Words of Wisdom and Foolishness Words aren’t just sounds—they shape our lives and relationships. Solomon draws a clear line between the wise and the foolish, showing us how our words can work for or against us. Three Wise Lessons About Words Words have power. They can build up or tear down. The wise gain favor because they choose their words carefully. The fool? H

Shout out today to Earl Estep in Elk Grove, California. I am excited to be with you and your men at the Men of Honor Conference this weekend. I will see you soon. This devotional is for you today. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 10:8-11: He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. — Ecclesiastes 10:8-11 Pitfalls & Poor Planning Ever seen someone sabotage themselves? Self-sabotage, you've done it—cut corners, ignored wisdom, and ultimately paid the price. Solomon warns us here: Dig a pit recklessly? You might fall in. Tear down a wall carelessly? You might get bitten. Sho

Fools are in charge. The wise are ignored. The lazy get ahead. The hardworking are overlooked. Ever feel like the world is completely upside down? You’re not imagining it—Solomon saw it, too. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 10:5-7: There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. — Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 Solomon calls out a harsh reality—leadership often fails. The wrong people rise to power, while those with wisdom and integrity are pushed aside. Those who should be leading walk on foot, while those unworthy ride high. Sound familiar? We see it everywhere. Corruption, incompetence, and arrogance seem to win. Loud voices drown out truth. Hard work and wisdom take a backseat to shortcuts and self-promotion. But shoul

Some command respect. Others create chaos. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 10:2-4: A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. — Ecclesiastes 10:2-4 Every person’s heart leans in a direction. Wisdom pulls toward righteousness, while folly drifts toward destruction. The way we walk, the choices we make, and even how we respond to authority reveal what governs our hearts. A fool stumbles through life, making their lack of sense obvious to everyone. They react instead of thinking, speak without listening, and let emotions lead. But a wise person walks with purpose and self-control, steady even in moments of crisis. When tension rises—whether at work, in relatio

Shout out to Earl Estep. This weekend, I will be at the Men of Honor Conference in Sacramento, CA. I am excited to be with you and your men. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 10:1: Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. — Ecclesiastes 10:1 The Little Things Matter Imagine a master perfumer crafting a bottle of the finest fragrance. Every ingredient is carefully measured, blended with skill, and designed to create something valuable. But then—just one small fly falls in. It decays, contaminates the entire mixture, and what was once desirable now stinks. That’s the picture Solomon gives us. A little foolishness can destroy a lifetime of wisdom and honor. It doesn’t take much—a careless word, a moment of compromise, a lapse in judgment—and suddenly, the fragrance of a godly reputation is tainted. A Little Folly, A Big Cost History is full o

Ever notice how the loudest voices get the most attention? Social media. Politics. Everyday life. It’s a world where volume often drowns out value. But Ecclesiastes flips that idea on its head. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:17-18: The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. — Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 Wisdom doesn’t need to shout. It doesn’t force its way in. It simply speaks—and those who are listening find life. But here’s the tension: just as wisdom quietly builds, foolishness can loudly destroy. One careless word. One reckless decision. One moment of pride. And suddenly, years of wisdom can be undone. We’ve all seen it—leaders who fail, families that fracture, friendships that fall apart. Not because wisdom was missing, but because folly was allowed in. So, what’s the challenge? T

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:13-16: I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. — Ecclesiastes 9:13-16 We love stories where the underdog wins. A small, outmatched city, a powerful enemy, and a poor man with nothing but wisdom—yet he saves the day. Sounds like the setup for a hero’s celebration, right? But here’s the twist: no one remembers him. No statues, no parades, no honor. That stings. Solomon is exposing a hard truth about life—wisdom is greater than raw power, but the world doesn’t always

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:12: For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. — Ecclesiastes 9:12 We live like we’ve got all the time in the world. Making plans. Setting goals. Acting like tomorrow’s guaranteed. But then—life happens. A diagnosis. A job loss. A phone call that changes everything. This text reminds us of a hard truth: we don’t know our time. Just like a fish caught in a net or a bird trapped in a snare—life’s trials come suddenly. No warning. No time to prepare. That’s a sobering thought. But it’s also an invitation. An invitation to live ready. Not in fear—but in faith. Jesus said, “Be watchful” (Matthew 24:42) because none of us know when our final day will come. But being ready isn’t about paranoia—it’s about priorities. Ar

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:11: Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. — Ecclesiastes 9:11 We like to think life is predictable. That hard work guarantees success. That wisdom leads to wealth. That strength always wins the battle. But this verse? It flips that thinking upside down. Solomon points out a frustrating reality—life doesn’t always go the way we expect. The fastest runner doesn’t always cross the finish line first. The strongest warrior can still lose the fight. The wisest man might struggle just to make ends meet. Why? Because time and chance happen to them all. Life is unpredictable. We can do everything right and still face setbacks. Plans fall apart. Opportunities slip through our fingers. Life isn’t a

If today was your last day, would you regret how you lived it? Too many people sleepwalk through life—grinding through work, missing out on joy, and taking their relationships for granted. Solomon warns us—we don’t have endless time. So how do we make the most of today? Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:7-10: Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. — Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 So—how do we live each day with purpose? One | Enjoy the G

Today's shout-out goes to Mark DuVal and his recent battle with cancer. Mark, thanks for sharing this struggle with me, and I hope today's devotional captures the heart behind a lesson you learned. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:4-6: But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun. — Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 This text draws a sharp contrast between the living and the dead. The dead are cut off from everything in this world—their emotions, ambitions, and opportunities come to an end. But the living? They still have time. Solomon’s comparison is blunt. A living dog, a despised creature in ancien

Today's shout-out goes to Nathan & Christine Beck, who hosted us at their home last week. Thanks for your friendship. It has been fun getting to know you. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 9:1-3: But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. — Ecclesiastes 9:1-

We chase understanding. We study, analyze, and even lose sleep trying to make sense of everything. But no matter how much we seek, we will never fully grasp God's work. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:16-17: When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. — Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 That’s frustrating, isn’t it? We want answers. We want clarity. We want to connect all the dots. But wisdom has its limits. Even the greatest minds can’t unravel all of God’s mysteries. And maybe that’s the point. If we could fully grasp everything, we wouldn’t need faith. If we could explain every detail, we wouldn’t nee

Life is hard. Work piles up. Responsibilities never end. And if we’re not careful, we slip into survival mode—just grinding through, waiting for the next break. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:15: And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. — Ecclesiastes 8:15 He says, “I commend joy.” That’s strong language. He’s not just suggesting joy as a nice option—he’s urging it. Why? Because in this broken world, we don’t control much. Work will always be work. Life will have struggles. But joy? That’s something we can choose. Solomon reminds us that eating, drinking, and enjoying life aren’t just distractions—they’re gifts from God. They fuel us through the toil. They remind us that even in the hard grind of life, God has given us good things. So today

We’ve all looked around and thought, This just isn’t fair. Good men suffer while corrupt men thrive. The hardworking get passed over, while the dishonest get promoted. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:14: There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. — Ecclesiastes 8:14 Here’s the truth: This world is broken. Sin has corrupted everything—twisting justice, flipping right and wrong upside down. And no matter how hard we try to fix it, we can’t—because the problem isn’t just out there. It’s in us. We’re all sinners. And that sin separates us from a just and holy God. But if we jump forward from Solomon’s time to Jesus’s time, we see that God, in His mercy, made a way. He sent His Son, Jesus—the on

Ever look around and wonder—why do wicked people seem to get away with everything? Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:10-13: Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. — Ecclesiastes 8:10-13 Why does injustice seem to thrive? Because judgment doesn’t come instantly. When consequences are delayed, people double down on sin. They assume there’s no reckoning. But here’s the truth—just because ju

No matter how much you schedule, stress, or strive, you're still at the mercy of forces beyond your control. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:6-9: For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. — Ecclesiastes 8:6-9 Three reminders when life feels out of control Reminder One | The Burden of the Unknown Verse 6 reminds us that there’s a time and a way for everything, yet we struggle under the burden of not knowing what’s ahead. We worry about the big things—our careers, families, health—but no man knows what tomorrow

Frustrated with leadership? Maybe a boss, a pastor, or even a political leader? It’s easy to question authority, especially when decisions seem unclear or even unfair. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:2-5: I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him. Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. — Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 Solomon’s not saying obey blindly—he’s saying recognize that authority comes from God (Romans 13:1). Leadership isn’t always perfect, but rebelling against it can put us in a dangerous position. He warns, “Don’t be hasty to leave the king’s presence.” In other words—don’t walk away too quickly. Frustration with lea

Have you ever met someone whose presence radiates wisdom? They don’t have to say much, but you can see it in their face. That’s the power of wisdom. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 8:1: Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. — Ecclesiastes 8:1 Solomon asks two questions: Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? True wisdom isn’t just knowledge—it’s the ability to interpret life through God’s lens. It’s seeing beyond the surface, discerning the deeper meaning behind trials, blessings, and everything in between. Then Solomon gives us a striking image: A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. Wisdom isn’t just an internal trait—it shows. It softens the rough edges, replaces anxiety with assurance, and turns weariness into peace. Think of

Ever felt like if you just searched hard enough, you’d finally figure life out? Solomon thought so too. But the more he chased wisdom, the more it slipped through his fingers. Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 7:23-29: All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things— which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand