“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

The conclusion lies in the fear of the Lord.

In you Lord I find life, A reverent respect of who you are and who I am.  You are the founation of real life.  Lord, in you is protection and security.  Your ways are certian; your ways are firm; your ways keep me safe from the attacks of this world.  Lord, in you is life, true life; not the life promised by this world which will end, but a life in relationship with you.Lord, thank you for continually bringing me back to what is truely important; the right relationship with you.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

Lord, I wonder how many people use the first half of this verse to justify the demand to obtain or get whatever things are desired within the mind, body, and soul of each person?  In keeping withour world, everything is centered around “self” and everyone deserves to have whatever they desire to make themselves happy and content.  What more does “satisfying oneself” do that to foster one’s own pride; the very thing that the Lord hates.

Yes, not getting the things we hope for or desire can make us discouraged or disappointed.  But to God’s point, our hope has been misplaced if that is the case.  The Lord calls us to place our hope in him; a hope that will not disappoint.  Our hope in the life of Christ is certain.  It is all that we can rely on.  That hope in Christ goes beyond a phsyical desire for this or that; it is a longing for a true and lasting relationship with the one true God.  It is a longing fulfilled; to be in realtionship with the one true God.  Lord, you are the source of all hope an life.

“The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.  When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:1-2)

“A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” (Proverbs 11:18)

 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” (Proverbs 11:30)

No double standards for you Lord.  You have made your way known to me.  Who am I in my pride to try to bargain with you.  Your ways are right and infinitely fair.  You have given life to all those who ask for it.

Lord, I pray that my life may demonstrate my acceptance of you as my Lord and Savior.  Thanks you Lord for the righteousness you have made available to me.

“The fear of the LORD adds length to life…”

“The prospect of the righteous is joy…”

“The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless…”

“The righteous will never be uprooted…”

“From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom…”

“The lips of the righteous know what finds favor…”

(Proverbs 10:27-32 partial)

Lord, what wonderful things are in store for those who are held righteous in your eyes.  How gracious you are to those who trust in you.  As much as I might try, it is your graciousness that is given with certianty because of who you are, not because of what I might do.

How much is revealed and given to those who have a reverent respect for you.  You are a refuge, a firm footing that cannot be moved, the source of all goodness and understanding, the source of all joy, the certianty of life.

All good things are from you, Lord God.  In you shal I place my trust.  May I have confidence in one thing and one thing only; the Lord my God.

“Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.  They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” (Psalm 22:30-31)

“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Proverbs 9:9)”

Lord, all your peoples will serve you

All your peoples will honor you.

You have done it Lord.

You have saved all your people from your sin.  You have saved me from my sin.  Through your sacrifice you have given me new hope.  A hope that does not disappoint.  It is a certain thing; in which I can have full confidence and faith.  You have done it.  In that I can trust.

Lord, may I remain open and learn from your instrcution and guidance for me.  I pray that my  heart may not be hardened to your presence and action in my life.  I pray that my heart may remain softened and receptive to your presence.

“Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.  Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:11-12)

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.  With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.  My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.”  (Proverbs 8, 17-19)

Lord, may my service to you, my reltionship with you, be with reverential respect.  Without fear of you, I am nothing.  When I do not have fear of you, I value myself (my pride) too much.  I end up leaving no room for you in my life.  Lord, may I have a healthy fear of you so that I may know exactly who I am in relation to you.

“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.” (Proverbs 7:1)

“Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:3)

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.” (Proverbs 7:24)

Lord, I pray that I may always be open to your instruction in my life.  As difficult as some of those instructions may be, I pray that I may remain openn to your guidance.  I pray that you will always help me to see and understand your instruction.  May I not cast aside your word and guidance in my life.

“Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.” (Proverbs 6:4)

“When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.” (Proverbs 6:22)

Lord, I pray that I may not become complacent in pouring into my realtionship with you.  In the midst of all the peaks and valleys, it is my prayer that my relationship and dialog with you will always be active and vibrant.  I pray that my life may be centered on my relationship with you through your word and prayer.

“For your ways are in full view of the LORD,    and he examines all your paths.  The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” (Proverbs 5:21-23)

Lord, all my deeds and all my ways are evil.  Who am I to say that I am good or what I do is good?  It is my deeds that entrap me.  Lord, it is your deeds that have an continue to free me from my own devices.

Lord, take control of my life.  Take all that I am, take all of me for who I am and re-work, re-shape, re-mold me into the person you want me to be.

Youe deeds have freed me and I thank you for that, but may I never lose sight of the knowledge and understanding of who I was without you.  Without you Lord, I am nothing.  Withyou I am everything.

Thank you Lord Jesus for everything you have done for me.  Thanks  you for all you are doing for me now.  Thank you for all you are doing for me tomorrow.  Amen.

“The LORD has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (1 Kings 8:20)

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.  (Proverbs 4:11-14)

Yes, Lord, you are faithful and you will guide.  That is certain.  Your instruction may not be simple or easy, but it is the path of truth for me and my life.  May I always hold fast to your instruction and guidance.  Lord, please help me to protect it and not allow it to be torn apart by others or the world.  Your word and instruction for me is my life.  May I come to know and appreciate what your instruction is for me.  May I not resist your guidance and correction.