**Special Note** Devotionals in 2020 will go out every day. You are encouraged to read the chapter from Proverbs that corresponds with the date. Today we are reading Proverbs chapter 8. There is a link for you to read the Proverbs chapter online or you can read the chapter in your Bible. The devotionals will not follow the Sunday sermons.
Proverbs Devo 1.8.20
I. Prayer to enter the Lord’s presence:
Be still for a moment. “Lord, I give the day that is now past to you. It is yours. I give the day that is to come to you; help me to see where you are working and to join you there. Speak to me during these moments. I commit them and myself to you.”
II. Prayer of Confession:
“Lord, you are faithful to forgive me and cleanse me of my sin when I confess it to you. I confess my sin(s) of ______________. Thank you for forgiveness.” (1 John 1:9)
III. Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Choose to be thankful, speak out loud of what God has done.
“Thank you, Father, for _________________. Fill my heart and my mouth with gratitude throughout this day.”
IV. Scripture Reflection
Read: Proverbs Chapter 8
Reflection:
Proverbs 8:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
In the opening lines of Proverbs, the author makes his purpose clear to us—the book is for learning wisdom, discipline, understanding, prudence, righteousness, justice, and integrity. These teachings were essential for effective living. They were not intended to be some feel-good slogans painted on a canvas in the latest calligraphy trends. They were meant to be lived out, to be fully embraced, to be part of a person’s character. All the sayings in the book were intended to call a person to action. We cannot gain this kind of wisdom on our own. Honestly, we are incapable of attaining this wisdom on our own. But thanks be to God! There is a way—It begins with the fear of the LORD! Proverbs is clear from the very onset; God is the foundation for knowledge. He alone is the source of all knowledge and wisdom; everything begins with Him.
Respond:
It is easy to breeze right over the prologue (verses 1-7) without giving any thought to our own lives. Let me challenge you to not do that! Stop where you are, and reflect on these areas of potential growth. Have you been trying to grow in learning wisdom, discipline, understanding, prudence, righteousness, justice, or integrity by your own power? It’s not going to work. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge… period. Understand that godly wisdom will only come as we acknowledge God first. Know that everything is created and sustained by God, and that “everything” includes knowledge. He is the one who imparts knowledge through revelation, experience, observation, and reason. Start with Him, choose to walk in wisdom.
V. Prayer for others:
Pray specifically for the concerns of your life and the lives of others.
VI. Prayer of commitment:
“Lord God, I commit to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself. Empower me today to love you and others with everything that I am.” (Luke 10:27)
This Week’s Scripture Memory:
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.