Verse of the Day 7/9

Verse of the Day 7/9

Proverbs 4:20-21

New International Version

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;

    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;

I read today's verses in my devotions this morning,  Each morning I read from the Psalms and from Solomon's "Wisdom Literature" which includes Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.  I used to read full chapters each day but in doing so, I found myself reading through it, more or less "skimming it".  Now I slow down and read a smaller portion but take a closer look at it.  Today's passage is a good example of why it is good to do so.

The passage begins with a call to "be attentive" to his words; incline your ears - lean into it as you do when trying to hear your child or grandchild speak so that you don't miss what is being said.  Keep them in your sight, before you; keep them in your heart - memorize them.

The writer goes on challenge us to keep them with vigilance - diligence;  put away crooked speech - deceptive and deceitful words; let your eyes look ahead - as Paul wrote in Ephesians "walk circumspectly" with your eyes wide open to what is going on around you; ponder - think about what you are doing and where it will lead you.  Do these things and your ways, your paths will be secure.  You'll notice that our whole person is involved - what we see, hear; say and do.

Following are a couple of statements that I have in my eBible pertaining to today's verses.  I apologize for not having the references.

"Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today. (Count blessings. Memorize Bible verses. Pray. Sing hymns. Spend time with encouraging people.) Do you want to guarantee tomorrow's misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today. (Assume the worst. Beat yourself up. Rehearse your regrets. Complain to complainers.) Thoughts have consequences."

"Healing from anxiety requires healthy thinking. Your challenge is not your challenge. Your challenge is the way you think about your challenge. Your problem is not your problem; it is the way you look at it."

Sewing the seeds takes time.  I'll close with the old hymn "Take Time to be Holy".  Set apart time with God and His Word.

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
   Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
   Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
   Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
   Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
   By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
   Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
   And run not before Him, whatever betide.
   In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
   And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
   Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
   Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
   Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Proverbs 4:20-26

New International Version

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;

    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.