And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

This introduces us to 3 Great Questions…

What do I want from life?

Why do I want it?

What am I willing to do to get it?

1: Start The Year With Passion To Receive God’s Word!

Proverbs 2:1… My son, if you receive my words…

“If” you receive… the very genesis of success, joy, victory and peace…

The Christian life is a steady stream of receiving & serving

2: Start The Year With Passion In Valuing God’s Word

Proverbs 2:1-5… My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,

The Christian life is focused on and values God’s Word above all earthly possessions, positions or relationships

Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you!

3: Start The Year With Passion As A Learner Of God’s Word

Proverbs 2:1-5… My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

TheChristian life is not just hearing… it is to incline or subordinate oneself to its truth…preferring it’s principles before our own desires

4: Start The Year With Passion In Attitude & Commitment Toward The Word

Proverbs 2:1-5… My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

First is the attitude…Method and means must serve the motive which is to fulfill God’s purpose as described in His Word!

Knowledge without the right attitude produces pride…

5: Start The Year With Passion To Discover & Declare The Word

Proverbs 2:1-5… My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,

Self discovery is a good start… but sharing the Gospel is the reason God reveals His wisdom to us

The passionate steward is continuously discovering and disseminating the treasure of God’s Word

6: Start The Year With Passion To Seek The Word Like Treasure

Proverbs 2:1-5… My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;

This revisits the motive… it declares your value system

Are you looking at life through the eyes of the world or the eyes of Christ?

7: Start The Year With Passion In Continuing To Grow

Proverbs 2:1-5… Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

No human being can contain the fullness of God… but we can be stretched as we gain Understanding and discover who, what, where, when and How our life can fit of God’s plan in the church!