Proverbs 1 Challenge to Change: Journey to Success

Challenge to Change: Journey to Success 

#Proverbs1 , #Journeytosuccess #challengetochange #success 

Wisdom Shared: Today I was inspired by a young man in my daily life to walk through the Proverbs as a daily devotion.  The wisdom of the Proverbs are invaluable tools for living a life long empowerment. There are 31 Proverbs in the Book of Proverbs, a Proverb for each day.  When I was young in the faith, my Mother shared this idea to read through the Proverbs as a devotion and it proved to have excellent effects in my life journey.  I am praying for all of you that you will take the challenge to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Writing these words on our hearts, mind and spirit will give us the daily effectiveness to be equipped for every good work we are called to via divine purposes of God.

Please share your testimonials ... it is a great encouragement to all!  

For there is a purpose, a season and reason for everything we experience.  The transformation occurs when we seek the Lord and draw near to him.  Nothing is impossible for God.  To the young man, who inspired me to share this I am praying for you.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance,

In Christ Love

Jennifer Pettiford 

Love-Excellently~

Proverbs 1

Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
    knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
    the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)

7 The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

8 Listen, my son,(M) to your father’s(N) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(O)
9 They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(P)

10 My son, if sinful men entice(Q) you,
    do not give in(R) to them.(S)
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait(T) for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow(U) them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;(V)
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot(W)”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot(X) on their paths;(Y)
16 for their feet rush into evil,(Z)
    they are swift to shed blood.(AA)
17 How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait(AB) for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!(AC)
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.(AD)

Wisdom’s Rebuke

20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,(AE)
    she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
    at the city gate she makes her speech:

22 “How long will you who are simple(AF) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate(AG) knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse(AH) to listen when I call(AI)
    and no one pays attention(AJ) when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
    and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh(AK) when disaster(AL) strikes you;
    I will mock(AM) when calamity overtakes you(AN)—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
    when disaster(AO) sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
    when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;(AP)
    they will look for me but will not find me,(AQ)
29 since they hated knowledge
    and did not choose to fear the Lord.(AR)
30 Since they would not accept my advice
    and spurned my rebuke,(AS)
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
    and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.(AT)
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them;(AU)
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety(AV)

    and be at ease, without fear of harm.”(AW)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We will shout for joy to you LORD, for all the earth to hear. We will worship you LORD with gladness; we will come before you with joyful songs of thanksgiving.  We know that you LORD are our God. We will seek your word that is filled with wisdom and direction for a successful life through Christ.  It is you that made us, and we are your people, the sheep of  your pasture.  We will honor you and love your commands…We thank you for your forgiveness, that your sons and daughters will forgive others that would sin against us. Your sons and daughters will listen, to their heavenly father’s instruction and do not forsake your teaching. They will be a garland to grace to our heads and a chain to adorn our neck.  Your sons and daughters will not be enticed by sinners and will not give in to them.  If they say, “Come along with us;  let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul; We will not join or participate in waiting for someone’s blood, so that it would create harm. We will not go along with them, we will not set foot on their paths; Thank you Lord, for your presence in our lives.  Thank you for the victories you give.  Thank you for providing your strength, your wisdom and grace on us. Thank you for answers to our prayers…In Jesus name we pray…Amen!

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance,
In Christ Love,
Jennifer Pettiford

Things to Consider:

Be Fearless!

• Be at ease without fear
• Do not let sinners entice you
• Do not cause harm to a harmless soul