August 7, 2011

Proverbs 4:10-27 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 13:22-30, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Ezra 7

Journal Entry

Scripture

20 My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
23Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

Observation

So much of proverbs is about seeking wisdom which makes sense - the book is called Proverbs. Even that context causes me to reflect on how much I am asking the Father for HIS wisdom and understanding. At the same time this proverb also talks about the importance of avoiding the ways of the wicked and evil. It is likely that most of us do not consider ourselves evil and wicked. We reserve those categories for mass murders and dictators. Yet, I do not want to be so quick to carelessly overlook the areas of my life where I do not reflect God's image to every single person I encounter today.

I am strengthened by the Spirit when I read God's word to pay attention to God's life giving word. Even though it is my true desire to hear God speak to me through his word, my attention drifts. This proverb is full of practical wisdom to keep my attention to what the Father has to say.

Application

Today I will take a portion of this passage and turn it into a biblically based breath prayer. Today my breath prayer will be,

"be attentive to my words....22For they are life to those who find them."

I will meditate on that through breath prayers throughout the entire day allowing God's word to take deeper root in my soul. And, when I come across a situation that I'm not sure how to respond I will permit God's word to give me wisdom and life. I will do this by searching the scriptures and ask God's help in finding passages that pertain to the issue at hand.

If you aren't familiar with breath prayers here is a simple article about them.
http://www.soulshepherding.org/articles/spiritual-disciplines/breath-prayers/

Prayer

Father, Son and Spirit, you are good to us in revealing your wisdom in the proverbs. I know how my attention can so easily wander to my interests. Help me to keep my attention on your words. To not allow them to escape my sight and to keep them within my heart. I give you permission to do what you need to do to guide me and correct me. I do this because I trust you care about me more than I can care for myself. Increase my faith in the power of your love and your word to shape the course of my life. I love you because you first loved me. Amen.

--John Loppnow