April 15, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 15
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Following Scripture Verses

1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24. The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Today's Pathway:
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"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight." - Proverbs 15:8

Previously we spent some time looking at the first half of this verse. It tells us that even the religious activities of a wicked man are abominable before God. It is the second half of the verse that we want to notice today. This tells us that God delights in the prayer of the righteous man.

As a parent, did the constant requests of your young children ever bother you? Did their continual questioning, and their desire to talk to you about their elementary-age lives ever annoy you? Probably all of us could say that at one time or another we were so involved in out own lives that we did not want to take the time to listen and respond to our kids.

That statement can never be made of the Lord. He is delighted when we take the time to talk to Him and ask Him for things. We usually think that prayer is strictly for our benefit. We think that we are supposed to pray because we need to talk to God. That is true. However, it is equally true that God desires to have us talk to Him. Can you imagine that: the Supreme God of the Universe wants to hear my prayer. This is amazing. The President of the United States does not want to hear from me. The Governor and Mayor do not want to hear from me. Sometimes my family and friends may not want to hear from me. But God always does. It does not bother Him that my questions are trivial to Him and that my problems are insignificant compared to Him. He does not mind my repetition or my childishness. He is simply delighted that I want to talk to Him.

When was the last time you had a conversation with the Lord? He is looking forward to the next time.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery