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 10
Reflect:
Proverbs 10:8
8 A wise heart accepts commands,
but foolish lips will be destroyed.
Derek Kidner describes this verse as, “The obedient and the opinionated.” He says, “Even in human fields of learning, it is the second-rater who tends to talk big.” The fool talks a big game, and in the end are trodden down. They can’t stop ranting long enough to learn anything. They’ve determined in their own minds that they are the “wise ones.” They don’t need to listen to anyone –they’ve got life figured out, or so they think!
As I sit here, several people come to mind who talked-the-talk but didn’t walk-the-walk, and in the end, their lives have been wrecked. Their hubris led to their own self-reliance and detriment. They didn’t think it wise to listen to others, let alone listen to God. They were driven by their desires and wants. Rather than listen to God’s Word, they wanted to determine what was right in their own eyes.
To approach life in this manner is a foolish mistake we can’t afford to make! The wise person heeds the call of Proverbs.
Think back to Proverbs 2 where wisdom’s worth is driven home. It calls us to accept, store up, listen closely, to seek wisdom like silver, to search for it like hidden treasure—and if we do this, then we will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. You see, a wise person is teachable and willing to become wise. They are humble. They know the limitations of their own wisdom. They understand that when they’re doing all the talking, they’re not learning! They are willing to listen. Why? Because they understand that wisdom is gained by listening to commands and instructions, accepting them, and acting on them. The truth is, a wise person never stops learning and reaping the benefits of being teachable. That’s the idea behind the wise heart accepting commands.
Respond:
Thank God for His Word and the wisdom he has made available for you today. Thank Him for fellow believers who are willing to speak into your life. Humbly determine to walk today in wisdom—the path of life!
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 30:5
Every word of God is flawless;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.