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Proverbs 22:17-24:34<\/strong><\/span> Proverbs<\/strong> \u2013 Proverbs 22 verses 17 through 19 today are a great reminder for why we read and study the Bible!\u00a0 \u201cListen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today\u2013yes, you\u2013so you will trust in the LORD.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Great stuff.\u00a0 I love the part that says it is good to keep these saying deep within yourself \u2013 in your heart!\u00a0 And to memorize these sayings with your mind so that they are always ready on your lips.\u00a0 Are you listening to the words of the Bible?\u00a0 Are you applying your heart to the Bible\u2019s instruction?\u00a0 Is studying the Bible enhancing your trust in God?\u00a0 Actually \u2013 if anyone out there memorizes Scripture, please post up in the Comments section below?\u00a0 I would love to know which verses you have found useful in your life?\u00a0 And \u2013 if anyone has advice on how to best go about memorizing Scripture, please post that up too.\u00a0 Are you memorizing Scripture on a regular basis?\u00a0 Are you bringing Scripture to mind when faced with temptation or sadness or whatever ails you?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 22 verses 20-21 today teach us: \u201cI have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. In this way, you may know the truth and bring an accurate report to those who sent you.\u201d<\/em> These two Proverbs verses today actually tie in quite nicely with Psalm 49 verses 1-3 above.\u00a0 Let us know the truth of God\u2019s Word and then report it accurately to others!\u00a0 Actually, this is probably a good point for me to ask you if you are participating in a Bible study at your church?\u00a0 If not, can I encourage you to consider starting up a One Year Bible study \/ small group at your church next year?\u00a0 Seriously.\u00a0 Please think and pray about this leadership opportunity.\u00a0 I do realize not everyone is called to something like this.\u00a0 But \u2013 I think many of us are \u2013 probably more of us than we think are.\u00a0 If you have been going through the One Year Bible with us this year, you have learned much!\u00a0 I think you are in a great position to lead a One Year Bible study \/ small group at your church next year.\u00a0 All you need is a One Year Bible, perhaps the One Year Bible Companion book with Q&A teachings for each day\u2019s readings, and a willingness to take this opportunity on. Will you think and pray about this?\u00a0 Will you talk to your pastor or the appropriate person at your church about this?\u00a0 You don\u2019t need to know the Bible backwards and forwards to lead a group!\u00a0 You just need to take the initiative to lead, and invite others to join you on the journey.\u00a0 You will be amazed by how God moves in a Bible study!\u00a0 It will bless you and those around you immensely!\u00a0 Will you lead someone (or a group of someone\u2019s) through the One Year Bible next year?<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs chapter 22 verses 22 & 23 teach us today: \u201cDo not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is a strong warning to not rob or exploit the poor.\u00a0 I think we would do well to think of this not only in terms of the materially poor, but the spiritually or emotionally poor too.\u00a0 Let us not rob them or exploit them.\u00a0 For the Lord is their defender!<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 22 verses 24 through 25 are a great reminder to pay attention to who our friends are: \u201cKeep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I\u2019ve read somewhere that a good way to determine the character of a person is to take a look at who their friends are.\u00a0 Now, this is a bit tricky I think because none of our friends will ever be perfect.\u00a0 We should not look for perfect friends.\u00a0 We won\u2019t be perfect friends to others either.\u00a0 Jesus is the only one true perfect friend for each of us.\u00a0 But, there are certainly some \u201cfriends\u201d who probably should not be people we spend a good deal of leisure time with.\u00a0 There may be friends who are into lying or pornography or who are angry or short-tempered (per this Proverb) that we need to be very cautious around, otherwise we may learn to be like them.\u00a0 Now, I do think we are called to be friends to people who may struggle with various things \u2013 including lying, pornography, being angry, etc. \u2013 but, we need to be very cautious and clear on our boundaries.\u00a0 This is a tricky one I know\u2026\u00a0 Overall, I will say this \u2013 there are friends of mine that I have had to let go because I knew that hanging around them was simply not good for me.\u00a0 How about you?\u00a0 Are there any friends in your life that you may simply need to let the friendship go?\u00a0 When might this be the appropriate thing to do?\u00a0 When might it be the inappropriate thing to do?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Seph Schlueter\u2019s song \u201cCounting my Blessings:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
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