A NEW HABIT THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! HOW TO DO IT! (DAY 1)

A HABIT THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! 

IT'S . . .


Reading one chapter of Proverbs everyday. Really? Is it that simple? Can reading Proverbs daily change our life? Yes, indeed.

This is not about a study of Proverbs--it's about a lifestyle.

This is not about doing good works--it's about opening a communication conduit between us and the Creator of the Universe.

It's not about memorization--it's about a tool to live wisely for the rest of your life.

Try it for 91 days--that's how long it takes to develop a good habit. One that you can keep and treasure the rest of your life!

HOW TO TAKE THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT TRAINING CHALLENGE:


Imagine for today that it's the 1st of the month. Then you would begin reading chapter one of Proverbs. But, if today is the 16th, then begin with the 16th. The subsequent blogs will follow the cycle with the 1st, but you can catch up next month--just begin today with whatever day it is for you. 

When February 1st (or the next month) rolls around, begin again at chapter one. By the time you're at the end of March, you will have read Proverbs 3 times and not even have begun to scratch the surface of all GOD has for you. And, even more importantly your brain has become wired to read that Proverbs chapter each day!

Remember, this is not a study of Proverbs. There is no way we could ever study all that GOD has tucked into this book of the Bible. It would take a lifetime--and that's the point.

HOW TO READ PROVERBS:


[NOTE: It helps to have a journal, but it's not imperative. I find that as I write, the Holy Spirit will unpack the nugget in ways I didn't anticipate. I can also write my insights into how He might be showing me how to change an unhealthy behavior. The daily Proverbs devotionals I post on Facebook are taken from my journal writings.]

  • Begin by praying that the LORD will show you what He wants to give you for today. By reading the chapter each day we open the window of opportunity for Him to speak to us.
  • Next read through the whole chapter. If something catches your heart, make a note but continue until the end of that chapter.
  • Then, go back to the verse or verses that caused you to pause. Inquire of the LORD to show you why. Sometimes I see a picture or a scene or someone's face. If someone comes to mind, the LORD may want you to share the passage with them. Or, He may simply be giving you direction in how to pray for them.
  • The Proverb meant for you--especially if it stings--means that the Holy Spirit is hard at work. Jot down in your journal what your Abba (Daddy) is showing you. Then ask for His direction. What are you to do next? Repent? Forgive? Change a habit?
  • Know that we are on a journey. A journey of faith and wisdom. One step at a time. Change doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen as we pursue GOD's wisdom.

What NOT to do:


  • When I first began reading a chapter of Proverbs each day, I tried to apply every verse in that chapter to my life that day! YIKES! It was overwhelming! And not how GOD intended us to learn. He is giving us bite-sized morsels to savor and digest. Take a bite and chew on it. See what and how He is speaking to us.
  • Or, I'd read over a verse that didn't make sense to me. Reading it over and over for days and sometimes never understanding what it meant. Very discouraging and again, not how He designed Proverbs to work.


The marvelous thing is, WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT IN ONE DAY! We simply have to listen to what He's telling us for THIS day. 

Leave tomorrow to Him. A verse in chapter 29 may not be relative to us for years. And that's okay. Leave tomorrow to GOD. Leave what's confusing to Him. Take today's lesson and treasure it.

I hope you'll take up the challenge to live the book of Proverbs. After decades of reading a chapter a day, I can truly say, I still learn something new and relative EVERY SINGLE DAY. More than even that, I love how my Heavenly Father takes the time each day to speak to me--just me. He longs to do the same with you. 


May we take the challenge and begin wisdom's journey, my friends.

Together with you on this journey,
Terri

Proverbs 1:1-6--The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 to acquire wisdom and discipline,
to understand the words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise behavior,
righteousness, justice and fairness,
4 to give discernment to the naïve,
knowledge and discretion to the youth
5 (let the wise listen and increase learning
and the discerning obtain wise counsel)
6 to understand a proverb and a puzzle,
the sayings of the wise and their riddles. 

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