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 Date Feb 12, 2010 Previous | Next By Jenny and Dan Oliver At the end of 2009 my husband, Dan, was having his private devotions one day when an idea took hold, and another 'new way' of having personal devotions occurred to him. He had been reading a chapter of Proverbs daily for months, always synchronizing it with the day of the month. Now, to harness thoughts from his devotions, Dan began a journey that has had a ripple effect on others around him.
Let's take a TRIP! Armed with his Bible and computer, Dan begins each morning with prayer for the Holy Spirit to lead him in understanding the messages he is to learn that day. He then opens his Bible and reads the entire chapter in Proverbs for the day, noting any verses that stand out, and choosing one or a small passage upon which to concentrate. Amazingly, though he has read this book countless times before, there are always new treasures to find.
Then Dan begins a thoughtful session with his computer. He deciphers the text in the following way. For each of the letters in the word TRIP, he applied a task. However, prior to taking the first trip, he removed the "I" and replaced it with "C" for CHOICE ~ and I like to think of it as replaced with "C" for CHRIST.
I asked Dan to share some of his devotionals with me, and this is the first one he gave:
Read Proverbs chapter 9
Text for Consideration: verse 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” NRSV
Reflection: The wise and foolish women alike have homes and have set a feast. They both call out in the high places of the city. Their invitations are each directed to “you who are simple.” But their messages differ. Wisdom instructs the partaker of her feast to “lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” The foolish woman whispers about the pleasure of stolen sweets and secret treats. If you were an ad agency—if you were designing a television sales campaign, which to you think would be easier to sell? Immaturity can be funny and appear fun. Sweets and secrets would be easy to promote. But what lies behind the façade? Wisdom offers a lengthening of days; in fact, “years will be added to your life.” On the other hand, the warning is clear that guests of the foolish woman are all but among the dead. And yet the simple who choose to enter there “know it not.” I guess that part wasn’t advertised.
Choice: Today I choose to sit at the table of the wise, to enter her abode. I seek insight, which is revealed to be the knowing of God.
Prayer: God of all knowledge, Keeper of Wisdom, Essence of Insight, to you I come with an empty bowl. I hunger to know more of your presence. I thirst for a deeper experience with Jesus. Please draw me near by your Holy Spirit to that banquet-eating table where the banner over me is love. As I drink of the cup you have prepared, let the blood of Jesus flow through every fiber of my being and cleanse every stain. As I partake of your bread-of-life, cause to grow up in me the heart of a new man. May I become one who knows and cherishes the fellowship of my Creator as Adam once did. Begin in me now the process of complete restoration so I will be fit for the Garden when Eden is once again restored. And in the name of Jesus I pray that that work be done quickly. Amen.
I encourage you to find your own way of coming daily to the Lord, seeking Him constantly. He tells us to seek wisdom and understanding ~ what better place than at the feet of our precious Creator! Whether you journal your devotions or talk to Him while you walk in His nature, whisper to Him in your prayer closet, or praise Him in the morning shower, do spend that time with Him. He's waiting!
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