My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we do not forget biblical teaching (3:1)
- that our hearts remember to obey God's commandments (3:1)
- that we establish kindness and truth as part of our essence (3:3)
- that we do not rely on our own understanding (3:5)
- that we do not think we ourselves are wise (3:7)
- that we trust in the Lord for everything (3:5)
- that we acknowledge God all the time (3:6)
- that we fear the Lord (3:7)
- that we honor the Lord with our income (3:9)
- that we do not forget to tithe (3:9)
- that we turn away from evil (3:7)
- that we do not hate or reject the Lord's discipline and reproof (3:11)
Today's prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, how You love us so much that You do not withhold discipline and correction - because You understand that we will still sin, and You understand exactly what we do need - because You want the best for us.
Help me recognize it when I do sin so that I can turn away from doing evil and turn away from evil influences - and embrace Your truth and Your ways of wisdom and understanding.
Help me honor and glorify You with everything that I am, and with everything that I do, and with everything You have given me. Thank You so much that You bless us when we tithe and remain obedient in all things - in ways that I do not or should not expect. Even if it is not financial blessings, You have always faithfully provided for our needs. And Your blessings go beyond what the world considers valuable. You are such a loving and generous Father, and I love, respect and appreciate everything that You are. Amen.
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