Proverbs 2 - 8.12.26

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1 - 5

1 My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,

2 turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding—

3 indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.

Observation

Do you ever read something in the Bible and think - THIS! Today I read Acts 15 and then Leviticus 20. Then I got to Proverbs 2 and these verses jumped right off the page. I absolutely love that regardless of how many times we might have read a portion of scripture before, God will speak a new fresh word to us - exactly what we need to hear in that moment in our life.

Application

Last week I was sharing with someone that sometimes I struggle with anxiety. When that happens, I will write out Bible verses on sticky notes and place them on the bathroom mirror, my refrigerator, or my monitor at work - God’s promises comfort and calm me. But I know God wants more from me. I need to store up his commands inside me, meditate on them, and allow them to change me.

I want more of God’s wisdom. I want to understand the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. If I want more of Him, I need to apply myself to truly seeking after Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Prayer

God, thank you for your promise to reveal yourself when we truly seek you. Forgive me for my sometimes half-hearted attempts. Nudge me and remind me of all you have in store for me if I would dedicate myself to seeking more of You. Thank you for this word to me today. May I honor you with my obedience.

- Debbie Dunn

Proverbs 1 - 8.11.26

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 1:7-10 

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

9 They are a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,

do not give in to them.

OBSERVATION

The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon for wisdom, instruction and practical living that both Believers and non-believers can greatly benefit from. King Solomon instructs that knowledge starts from fearing God and adhering to His commandments. This passage speaks of positive and negative influences that can greatly impact one’s walk. Even Paul warns the Corinthian church to not be misled by bad company which corrupts good character (1 Cor 15:33).

APPLICATION

James 1:5 says that God gives wisdom freely to anyone who asks Him. Along with His word, God also places people in our lives that will give His instructions such as parents. This can also be applied to pastors, teachers, spiritual elders etc. The instructions of the godly are a sign of grace and an answer to prayer when wisdom was requested to God. Those who are foolish will despise God’s word, godly counsel and follow the world, and Solomon warns of those who will bring someone down a dark path.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I thank You for placing godly people in my life to give me guidance, wisdom and instruction. I pray that I can adhere to the guidance that you have blessed me with. Please guard my heart from the lure of this world and negative influences. I pray for wisdom as James instructs us to do to be pleasing to You. I pray for our families, our children, our friends and loved ones to hear from You. I pray that You can use me to also give godly counsel to those who may need it to ultimately glorify You! Amen

- Darrence Hamilton

Psalm 150 - 8.10.26

• Scripture

  Psalm 150:6

  “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”

  Observation

  This is the last chapter in the book of Psalms. The word “Praise” is mentioned 13 times in this 6-verse Psalm. This Psalm also opens AND closes with the words “Praise the Lord.”

  This Psalm describes the places to worship, reasons for worship and instruments used to worship and praise the Lord!

  -Praise God in His sanctuary. (Verse 1)

  -Praise Him in His mighty heavens. (Verse 1)

  -Praise Him for His acts of power (Verse 2)

  -Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. (Verse 2)

  The instruments that the Psalmist says to use to praise the Lord with include:

  Trumpet, Harp, Lyre (which is a small U-shaped harp), timbrel (similar to a tambourine), strings, pipe, clash of cymbals, and with our breath/voices! 

  Verse 4 even says to praise Him with our bodies, with dancing!

  Something I also observed was that the 2 reasons to praise Him had to do with HIM, not us. It had to do with HIS greatness and HIS power. It had nothing to do with us or our circumstances. 

  Application

  Turn on some worship music and just praise Jesus today! 

  The Lord delights in the praise of His people. Praising God must be a part of every Believer’s life.

  It doesn’t matter if we’re in our car commuting to work or school, running errands, working on a project for our job, or cleaning our homes. We can praise Jesus wherever we are at! Music worship is not just limited to our church building. 

  Here is a worship song to get you started. It’s called “Praise.” https://youtu.be/raFnjGVkHe8?is=s7-Nw7OufMAFD0Ew

  Prayer

  Dear Jesus,

  I have so much to praise You for. You are so good, You are powerful, You are loving and have been so faithful in my life. May a song of praise always be on my lips through the good and bad times. Even in times of grief when it’s hard for me to worship, help me to worship You through the pain. Help me to declare truth from Your Word and to fill my mind with songs that point me back to You Jesus. Amen. 

  -Michelle Gaddi