Proverbs 3:1-4 — You don't make the rules...

READ THIS: Proverbs 3:1-4

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.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Think back to a Sunday morning game time. We explain the rules, put y'all into teams, and you are getting ready to carry out the best game plan ever created... But then there is that one group that comes up with their own rule but doesn't break a rule we explained earlier. That would leave you kind of frustrated, right? Well, in many ways, we do this exact same thing to God.

God provides wisdom and instructions on how to handle different situations. This means we can't find loopholes around what He says. Maybe God didn't say not to do something, but think about what He would do. Listening to the commands or instructions He says helps give us peace and clarity, we have to allow our hearts to remain faithful to what we are intended to do: trusting God and His commands. If we keep His commands in our heart, then we will be able to be faithful and follow God even in times when there's no clear rule!! We'd be able to follow the spirit of the game!!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What stops you from following God's instructions?

2. How could you redirect your focus so you can listen to God when you start to make your own rules?
 
TRY THIS:
 
Try to be an active listener this week! Active listening looks like full eye contact while listening to the speaker's every word! During game times, whether Sunday mornings or at home with family/friends, listen carefully to the game's rules! Follow those rules without making your own! 

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