“My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings. 21Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh.” 

Proverbs 4:20-22 AMP

Following the warnings of Solomon, he now gives us a key to the successful life! We are encouraged to shun the occasions of sin and study the ways of life. The first key is to “pay attention” to his words. The word here is the Hebrew word that means to “accept information as true and respond to it.” This is an area where many of us fall short. We read the Word as if it full of good thoughts and saying when reality it is the way of life. If I gave you a list of 10 things to and said if you complete those things, I will give you one million dollars, what would be your next action? Of course, you would be working on accomplishing the list as quickly as possible to receive your reward! Why then do we not pursue the rewards of God when we read His Word? Look at the importance of “doing” what we know is right.

“Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed [is better] than the fat of rams.”

1 Samuel 15:22 AMP

Notice that the verse couples hearing His words and “being willing to learn.” Me must be willing to attentively hear the Words of the Lord and respond to their call. We should not be like the man in the book of James.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]”

James 1:22 AMP

Interestingly is the implication here that it isn’t Satan that keeps us from the benefits of God’s word but rather ourselves! James warns us that it is our “unsound reasoning contrary to the truth” that causes us to reject the Word of God! Again, Solomon gives us a key to success, “keep them in the center of your heart.” Jesus told His disciples,

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Luke 12:34 AMP

Nothing could truer than that statement. Whatever you consider valuable, you will peruse. People pay insane amounts of money to sit in the freezing cold weather to watch a group of people play a game. Why? They have an emotional attachment to the team and find their identity in the communal atmosphere. If the team scores you would think that they themselves made the play!  If we can have that kind of commitment to a fading crown of glory, why can’t we have the same level of commitment to the Lord? It is simple, most people have only a friendship relationship with the Lord and have not yet fallen in love with their creator! If a fried is in the hospital and needs financial assistance, I may pass a small amount to them to help with the costs. But if my wife or child were in the hospital, I would move heaven and hell and sacrifice everything to see that they have whatever they need to get the care required. 

My friends, mankind is in the intensive care unit and in desperate need of resuscitation! Jesus told us that “we” are His hands and feet which means the responsibility falls to us to complete the task. Make it a point this year to sacrifice some of the “fading crown” activities and invest in the Kingdom of God! He will not disappoint you!

Have a day falling in love with God! Pastor Ken