IN YOUR HEART

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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This is the beginning of a short series of devotionals focused on the wisdom found in chapter three of the book of Proverbs. While the whole of Proverbs speaks to the principles that help us exhibit more of God’s wisdom in our lives, this chapter has always spoken to me in a powerful way. 

Below, you will find the opening lines of this chapter, and in those lines, more wisdom than we can grasp in one day. But, let’s give it a try. 

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 

(Proverbs 3:1-4 NIV11)

Voice

Good scholarship requires that in this message we acknowledge the voice of the great king of Israel known as Solomon. 

But as this is a devotional and not an academic paper, I choose to focus on the fact that when I hear this teaching, I hear it as though it were give directly from the Lord God of Israel, straight to me. When the fatherly voice of Proverbs speaks, I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, working through his servants to shed light on my path. 

Keep

In verse one, we are instructed (by the Lord) to hold the teachings and commands of God close to our hearts. We are instructed to keep the truth of God’s word, shared through the work of the Christian Bible, in our hearts and minds as we live out this life. 

If we will choose to become life-long students of the Bible, seeking out its wisdom, and meditating on its application into our daily lives, we will receive a reward. That reward is that our attitudes, choices, words, and actions will be guided by the Lord. 

If we will allow God’s word into our minds and into our hearts daily, we will be aligned with God’s heart and God’s values, thus bringing us the gifts of God’s peace and prosperity.

Tightly 

In verse three, the Lord calls to us and challenges us to hold tightly to his love and his example of faithfulness. As we are in the message of God’s word, we will over and over encounter the clear and resounding message of God’s love for us. 

The more that we encounter the love of God in the message of the Bible, the more we will find that message being written into our own hearts. To have this truth in your heart is to have something infused with your very soul, your entire being. You live and breathe knowing that the Lord God loves you more than you can even understand. 

And what will be the result of being so wrapped up in the truth of God’s love for you?

Overflow

As you accept the biblical message of God’s amazing love for you, this truth will so fill your heart and so overwhelm your thoughts that it will change you. 

As you embrace the love of God, one of the many effects of this love is that you will desire to share his love with others. The more that you embrace God’s love for you (FOR YOU), the more that you will seek to live in such a way that his love comes out of you. 

Name

As you begin to be changed by the love of God in this way, others will notice. They will see the love of God in you and you will take on the reputation as being one who has been touched by grace. 

•   Your words will be different. 
•   Your habits will change. 
•   Your attitude will exhibit grace and mercy. 
•   Your whole countenance will reflect that of the Lord.

As this miracle takes place in you, you will grow in your Christ-like reputation. Others will see and others will take note. 

Reflection

As you face your day today, consider the teaching of Jesus Christ who gave the following commands to those who would like to honor the Lord with the way that they show God’s love to others.  

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

(Mark 12:29-31)

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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