11 words about the Word that will change your Life.

Read Proverbs 22.

(v.17)
1. Incline: My Granddad was hard of hearing.  So, when someone spoke to him, he would place his right hand to his ear, bend the flap, and lean forward.  It was a sign that he was intent on what was being said.
2. Hear: The Hebrew word has to do with giving one's full attention.
3. Apply: It is one thing to listen to knowledge, it is quite another to put it into practice.  Until we implement what we heard, we really have not learned.

(v.18)
4. Pleasant: When one sees the benefits and embraces the truth it is a delight to the soul.
5. Kept within: This involves memorizing verses and/or principles.  Reviewing them for accuracy and meditating on them for wisdom will cause them to stick in our thinking.
6. Ready: When the opportunity arises we have something to say.  Not an opinion, but God's timeless perspective that will be helpful to others now and for eternity.

(v.19)
7. Trust: God's goal is that through knowing and applying the Scriptures our faith and reliance on Him will keep on increasing.

(v.20-21)
8. Written: Though Solomon was specific here, the entirety of Scripture is written down for us.
9. Know: We may have absolute confidence in God's Word about what is right and wrong, true and false.
10. Give: The purpose knowing God’s word is never for personal arrogance or to be used against others.  Sharing Scripture is our greatest resource in serving the true needs of those around us.
11. Sent: We who have committed our lives to Jesus are on a mission to tell the world of God's wonderful message to them.
1 Peter 3:15-16a, "But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."