Glendale Baptist Church

06/04/2026

What Does It Really Mean to Trust God?

As most churches do, Glendale meets every Wednesday to come together and pray over prayer requests and have Bible study. This week's discussion in Proverbs got me thinking about something we often say as Christians:
"Just trust God."

It's good advice, but sometimes we unintentionally treat trust like a formula. If we trust God enough, we'll get the outcome we want. If things don't work out, then perhaps our faith wasn't strong enough.

Scripture doesn’t actually promise that trusting God means He’ll take away the hardship. Trust is about having confidence that God will stay faithful through it. When Proverbs 16 says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established,” and “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps,” it’s not telling us that God will give us exactly what we ask for. Rather, it’s a call to make plans, seek wisdom, walk faithfully, and then trust God with the outcome, knowing He sees what we cannot.

There was also some discussion about the challenges we face. Many people deal with conditions we can’t see. We often judge based on appearances. Be careful about suggesting someone’s struggle exists because they lack trust in God.

Sometimes our suffering comes from poor choices.
Sometimes it’s tied to living in a broken world.
Sometimes it’s simply a burden we carry.

A disorder or disease isn’t usually cured by more faith any more than nearsightedness is. Could God heal it? Absolutely. But if He doesn’t, it doesn’t automatically mean someone’s trust is lacking.

We need to meet people where they are.

One person might be asking questions to understand, another carrying the weight of physical struggles, and someone whose choices we disagree with may be wrestling with their beliefs and trying to work it out with God. It’s tempting to look at someone’s situation and assume what God is doing in their life, but the harder, and often more biblical, approach is to love them while pointing them toward the truth.

Before viewing someone as a theological issue, remember they’re a person in your class, at your job, or standing beside you in line at a restaurant. Jesus often encountered people well before they fully understood or accepted the truth.

Trusting God isn’t about believing He’ll always do what we want, but about knowing He’s good, wise, and faithful even when things don’t go our way.

Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He changes us in it. Sometimes He does both.

Faith isn’t about outcome, it’s about living our life fully aware that God is leading it.

06/04/2026

June 4 —Day 154
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Proverbs 22:17-29, 23-24
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

One of the strongest themes is the danger of being consumed by wealth and the pursuit of more. Solomon doesn't condemn riches themselves, but he warns against making them our source of security. Wealth can disappear overnight, but wisdom, character, and a relationship with God endure. How often do we spend our energy chasing temporary things while neglecting what lasts forever?

These chapters also speak about discipline and correction. No one enjoys being corrected, yet Solomon repeatedly teaches that a teachable heart is one of the greatest marks of wisdom. Pride resists instruction because it assumes it already knows enough. Wisdom remains humble enough to learn.

Solomon emphasized the importance of guarding our hearts.
Proverbs 23:17
"Do not let your heart envy sinners."

It's a reminder not to envy those who seem to thrive in wrongdoing, which can be tough in today's world, where success is often judged by looks, status, or wealth. God's view is very different—what seems impressive now may have no lasting worth in the future.

Proverbs 23:26
"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways."

God desires our hearts. He is not simply looking for outward obedience or religious activity. He wants a relationship with us. When our hearts belong to Him, our choices, attitudes, and priorities begin to align with His wisdom.

The final chapters in this section also point out patience and perseverance. Building a life of wisdom doesn't happen overnight. Just as a farmer patiently tends a field before enjoying the harvest, we must remain faithful in the daily work of following God, trusting that He is producing fruit even when we cannot yet see it.

My Takeaway:
A wise life is built one decision at a time. It is shaped by humility, a willingness to learn, patience in the process, and a heart surrendered to God. The world constantly encourages us to chase what is immediate and visible, but God's wisdom calls us to invest in what is eternal.

Don't let temporary success distract you from lasting truth. Give God your heart, remain teachable, and trust Him to produce a harvest in His perfect timing.

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

June 3 — Day 153
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Proverbs 20-22:1-16
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

Solomon spends very little time talking about wealth and success in the way our culture usually defines them. Instead, he focuses on something he believes is more valuable: character.

He contrasts what people see on the outside with what God sees on the inside. A person may appear successful, powerful, or prosperous, but wisdom asks a deeper question: What kind of person are they becoming?

These chapters touch on honesty, integrity, diligence, humility, self-control, and the importance of wise choices. Solomon warns against laziness, deception, and the temptation to pursue quick gain at the expense of what is right. He reminds us that shortcuts often lead to trouble, while a life built on integrity creates a foundation that lasts.

Proverbs 20:7:
"The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him."

Our choices affect more than just ourselves. They impact our families, our friends, and even future generations. The legacy we leave behind often comes from the small, everyday decisions we make, rather than big, dramatic achievements.

Solomon also speaks often about humility. In a world where people compete for recognition and status, God values a humble heart that is willing to listen, learn, and trust Him. Pride convinces us we have all the answers. Wisdom reminds us that we still have much to learn.

Proverbs 22:1
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold."

Wealth can be gained and lost. Possessions come and go. But a reputation built on honesty, kindness, faithfulness, and integrity is worth more than anything money can buy.

My Takeaway:
The world often measures success by what we have. God measures it by who we are becoming. Long after money is spent and accomplishments are forgotten, our character remains our greatest testimony.

Choose integrity when it would be easier to compromise. Choose humility when pride wants to take control. Choose wisdom over shortcuts.

When we face challenges or wrestle with our deepest feelings, daily prayer to God can help. It might not bring instant results, and we may sometimes doubt He hears us, but prayer can shift our perspective and change how we respond—if we bring it to the One in control.

We’re recognized by how we act, how we treat others, and how we live our lives.

In the end, a good name and godly character are treasures that never lose their worth.

06/02/2026

June 2 —Day 152
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Proverbs 17-19
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

Solomon points beyond our actions and directly to our hearts. We tend to focus on what people do, but God is concerned with why they do it.

These chapters touch on relationships, speech, discipline, wealth, integrity, anger, and wisdom, but they all seem connected by a common thread where the condition of the heart eventually reveals itself in the way we live.

Wisdom is not found in having the right words at the right moment. It is found in developing a heart that seeks God and values His ways. A wise person learns from correction, exercises self-control, and chooses patience over pride. A foolish person, on the other hand, resists instruction and continues down a path that leads to unnecessary trouble.

Proverbs 17:3:
"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart."
Gold becomes pure through fire, and in much the same way, God often uses life's difficulties to reveal what is truly inside us.

Challenges expose our fears, our priorities, our faith, and sometimes even the areas where we still need God's refining work.

Another theme running through these chapters is the power of our words. Solomon repeatedly shows that wise people are careful with their speech because they understand that words have the ability to heal or hurt, encourage or destroy. Listening well is often a greater sign of wisdom than speaking often.

Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
This scripture should humble each of us but also give us comfort. We are not in control of everything. God is.

My Takeaway:
God is far more interested in transforming our hearts than simply modifying our behavior. When our hearts are surrendered to Him, our words, attitudes, decisions, and relationships begin to change as well.

Allow God to do His refining work. Listen to correction. Choose wisdom over pride. And trust that even when life doesn't unfold according to your plans, God's purpose is still moving forward.

Come to Christ first. Worry not about who you are now, but in who you can become. It is never too late.

06/02/2026

Pray for growth, that our congregation, no matter age or status knows they are loved. Whatever you can think of where you want to see God move. Pray for our pastor and deacon. Pray for as long as you feel led. Put Glendale Baptist into God's hand.

06/01/2026

June 1 —Day 151
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Proverbs 14-16
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

There is a difference between what seems right to us and what is right in God's eyes. We all make plans. We set goals, make decisions, and chart the course we believe our lives should take. Sometimes those plans work out exactly as we hoped. Other times, life takes an unexpected turn, leaving us wondering why things didn't unfold the way we intended.

Our perspective is limited, but God's is not.
Proverbs 14:12
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."

It reminds us that feelings, opinions, and even good intentions are not always reliable guides. What looks right from where we stand may lead us far from where God wants us to be.

Solomon contrasts pride with humility, anger with patience, and foolishness with wisdom. He shows us that wisdom isn't revealed in dramatic moments as much as it is in our everyday choices. It is found in how we treat people, how we respond to correction, how we use our words, and whether we trust God enough to surrender our own understanding.

Proverbs 16:9:
"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

That verse doesn't tell us not to make plans. It simply reminds us who guides the journey. God is not surprised by detours, delays, or closed doors. Even when we cannot see what lies ahead, He is already there.

My Takeaway:
Life becomes much lighter when we stop trying to control every outcome and start trusting God with the details. We can make our plans, pursue our goals, and work faithfully, but ultimately our peace comes from knowing God, and knowing he is directing our steps.

God's direction is always better than our assumptions.

06/01/2026

May 30-31 —Day 149-150
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Proverbs 8-13
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

In Proverbs 8, wisdom is portrayed almost like a person standing in the open, calling out to anyone willing to hear. She isn't hiding. She isn't difficult to find. The challenge is whether we are willing to stop long enough to listen.

What makes wisdom so valuable is that it sees beyond today. While we tend to focus on what feels right in the moment, wisdom sees where our choices will eventually lead. Solomon reminds us that wisdom was present from the beginning, woven into God's creation itself. To seek wisdom is to seek the heart of God.

As these chapters continue, the contrast between wisdom and foolishness becomes increasingly clear. One path leads to life, peace, integrity, and lasting joy. The other often appears attractive at first but ultimately leads to trouble. Solomon repeatedly shows that our words, attitudes, relationships, work ethic, and decisions all reveal which path we are following.

Proverbs 12:15
"The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

Most of us naturally believe we're right. Wisdom, however, requires humility. It recognizes that God may be teaching us through Scripture, through prayer, or even through the counsel of other people.

Solomon also emphasizes that our words have the power to heal or wound, encourage or destroy, build up or tear down. They reveal what is happening in our hearts long before our actions do.

Wisdom is not about knowing everything. It is about living each day in a way that honors God. Wisdom shapes our character long before it shapes our circumstances.

My Takeaway:
Wisdom is not reserved for kings, scholars, or spiritual giants. God offers it freely to anyone who seeks Him. But are we listening after we have asked?

In a world filled with opinions, noise, and distractions, our first step each day is to make sure we put God first and make room for what He puts into our hearts. When we choose His way over our own understanding, we may not always take the easiest path, but we will walk the one that leads to life.

06/01/2026

May 28-29 —Day 146=147
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Proverbs 1-7
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

Solomon asked God for wisdom, and he was filled with it. People traveled from far and wide just to speak with him. The book of Proverbs is packed with his wisdom, whether drawn from personal experience or given by the Lord.

Solomon writes these chapters like a father speaking to someone he loves, pleading with them to listen before making choices that cannot easily be undone. He contrasts the path of wisdom with the path of foolishness, reminding us that every decision we make moves us a little farther down one road or the other.

Solomon’s wisdom is not simply about intelligence. It is not measured by education, success, or how much we know. True wisdom begins with our relationship with God. Proverbs tells us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Wisdom starts when we recognize that God sees what we cannot and knows what we do not.

Solomon warns about the danger of being led by temptation, pride, and our own understanding. Many of the choices that lead us away from God do not appear dangerous at first. They often look appealing, reasonable, or harmless. Yet Solomon repeatedly urges us to look beyond the moment and consider where the path ultimately leads.

At the same time, Proverbs paints a picture of what happens when we seek God's wisdom. It guides our decisions, protects our hearts, and keeps our feet from wandering into places that bring regret.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Faith is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting the One who does.

My Takeaway:
Every day, countless voices compete for our attention. The world tells us to follow our feelings, trust ourselves, and do whatever seems right in the moment. God offers a different invitation. He asks us to trust Him, seek His wisdom, and follow His direction even when we cannot see the entire road ahead.

Trust, alongside obedience, is one of the central messages of Scripture. When we trust God enough to follow His wisdom, we discover that He was never trying to limit our lives. He was guiding us toward the very life we were created to live.

05/27/2026

May 27 —Day 146
Reading Through the Bible in a Year
1 Kings 4; Psalms 72, 127
Comments/Summary by Barbara Warner

There’s something fascinating about stories of Solomon’s kingdom, portrayed as a land of peace, abundance, order, and prosperity. People lived securely, the land flourished, and leaders carried out their duties faithfully. Solomon’s wisdom was so legendary that nations journeyed from afar just to hear him speak. Beyond the famous judgment involving two women and a baby, where the true mother surrendered her child to save its life, Solomon possessed genuine wisdom and intelligence.

Psalms 127 provides a reminder we should keep close to our heart:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Most of us spend our lives building something: a career, a family, a business, a ministry, a reputation, a future. We plan, hustle, stress, and do our best to keep it all from falling apart. Success without God at the center eventually becomes exhausting. We can build endlessly and still feel empty if the foundation is wrong.

Psalm 72 portrays the kind of king Solomon was meant to be. Powerful, but also righteous. A leader who defended the poor, upheld justice, and ruled with compassion. True blessing for a kingdom didn’t come from wealth, but from wisdom guided by God.

My Takeaway:
You can spend your entire life building and still feel weary if God is not at the center. God never asked us to go through life alone. He doesn’t expect our lives to be perfect. He asked us to build it with him. Slow down. The strongest foundations are the ones God is part of from the beginning.

Trust. Alongside obedience, it’s one of the core messages of the Bible. Trust God to guide you, to protect you, to provide for you, and to save you. Trust Him with every step you take on your journey. Because without trusting God, what’s left?