Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

Proverbs 22:17-24

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. Proverbs 22:17-18

I continue with my study of Proverbs, and today I to week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24.  This morning my focus is on 22:17-21 where there are explicit expectations regarding our knowledge of the Word and God's wisdom (which has been the main focus of Proverbs - see Proverbs 1:7). We are not only to pursue God's wisdom, but we are also to apply this wisdom so that they are ready on our lips, and so that we "know what is right and true, that we may give a true answer to those who sent [us]" (Proverbs 22:21).  This is a recipe for us to demonstrate "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) and for us to be a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). 

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father - Jesus - You are an awesome God and You provide for all of my needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Thank You Jesus for everything...thank You for Your Word and Your Wisdom.  It feeds, it sustains, it sanctifies, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.

Titus 1

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. v16

James also speaks of the danger of hypocrisy:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.  James 1:22-25

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion. You know that I often do not do what the Word says, yet You forgive me when I request it and You love me no less than the day I was born.  You are a truly a great God full of love and compassion for me even though I am not deserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my hypocrisy, for my lust, my selfishness, etc.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me do what the Word says.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.