"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye." Proverbs 7:1-2(NIV)
Constantly churning and aching, the pain in my daughter's stomach just wouldn't go away. From the time she was small she complained, but her doctor didn't seem to have a permanent solution.
After years of discomfort and searching for answers, we finally found a doctor who was able to pinpoint the problem: my daughter's body was sensitive to the foods she was eating. Even though her friends could eat anything, she couldn't correctly process common, everyday items. Sadly, what she was taking in and storing in her system was working against her, instead of working for her.
Based on the doctor's advice, my daughter completely changed the foods she eats. But that wasn't enough to maintain a pain-free body. She also was prescribed supplements to her diet daily. These build up a storehouse of helpful nutrients that keep my daughter's body healthy and whole. She's a new girl!
Like the daily supplements my daughter takes to build her up on the inside, the Bible tells us to do the same with God's Word. Proverbs 7:1 instructs us to "... keep my words and store up my commands within you."
One of the meanings for the word "commands" in the original Hebrew language is "prescription." My daughter needed a prescription of supplements; often we need one as well. Our hearts and minds have messages and thoughts coursing through them that have the potential to harm. These untrue messages are working against us, and we need God's Word as the healing prescription.
Here are just a few of His prescriptions that bring healing to me:
For low self-worth: Take Psalm 45:11, You are enthralling to Me!
For rejection: You are Mine, two times a day (Song of Solomon 6:3).
A messy life: You are perfect to Me, at breakfast, lunch and dinner (Song of Solomon 4:7).
When we store up God's commands and truths within us, we can access them quickly to take and combat ailments. He encourages us to not simply apply them like a quick ointment to a wound, but to "keep" His words. Cling to them and be secured by them.
Proverbs 7:2 contains the benefit to keeping God's words and storing up His commands within us. "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye." God promises that as we cling to and are secured by His Word, we will live. He will make us alive - preserve, refresh and rebuild our soul. I love how one of my study Bibles puts it: "Man gains life from God's words. Life is completely related to the Word of God" (Old Testament Lexical Aid Hebrew-Greek Bible).
Not only does God's Word heal today, it can prevent future ailments. His truth is our daily supplement, building us up so we can stand strong against those things that come to attack our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Whether you need healing or preventive measures, be intentional today to take God's Word as your prescription and store it deep within your heart.
Dear Lord, I am making a choice today to take Your prescription; giving my heart and body exactly what I need for my well-being today. Amen.
Related Resources:
Help a teen girl in your life learn to keep and store up God's Word every day with Lynn Cowell's book Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Love for You.
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-Day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help her begin the pattern of time in God's Word each day.
Visit Lynn's website for the list of prescription verses every woman should know. She is also giving away a copy of Proverbs 31 Ministries' new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women.
Reflect and Respond:
What ailment is your heart struggling with today?
You can use BibleGateway to help you find a verse for your prescription. Let's say you are struggling with trust. Once you get to the website, type in the word you are looking for in the search box. When "trust" was entered, Proverbs 3:5-6 came up: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Power Verses:
Proverbs 4:20-21, "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart." (NIV)
Proverbs 2:1, 5, "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you ... then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." (NIV)
Lynn Cowell
Lynn Cowell is a wife to Greg, mom to three precious teens, and a Proverbs 31 Ministries author, speaker and writer. Her heartbeat is to empower women of all ages with confidence leading to wise decisions. This confidence is the result of a deep understanding of the passionate love of Jesus. Wise women...wiser daughters.
Aftering mentoring teen girls for over ten years, she has written "His Revolutionary Love; Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You." Through her book and her "Revolutionary Love" conferences, Lynn helps teen girls and women
Aftering mentoring teen girls for over ten years, she has written "His Revolutionary Love; Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You." Through her book and her "Revolutionary Love" conferences, Lynn helps teen girls and women
Lynn's topics can be adjusted to meet your individual ministry needs. She is also willing to develop a topic specific your own passion or which meets the needs of your group. Each topic can stand alone for one session or, if preferred, several topics can be woven together for conferences and retreats. For more information on booking Lynn for your next event, please contact (704) 849-2270 or (877) P31-HOME.
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What Others are Saying about Lynn
I was truly amazed and literally blown away at God's goodness through Lynn's gifting and her ability to impart His word and His heart for His beloved. I also heard resounding feedback from seasoned Christians that felt awakened and empowered through her teaching as well, and testified of complete breakthroughs that they had experienced. ~ Monica Wilson, Conference Organizer, Steele Creek Church of Charlotte
Lynn Cowell is Proverbs 31 Ministries hidden gem and best kept secret. Lynn has a God given gift to connect with and relate to teen girls and moms when she talks about Jesus’ radical love for us, purity, friendships, guys, and all the other sacred and messy stuff in between. Lynn is making a huge impact in churches across the nation. Of all the conferences I’ve attended including nationally offered conferences, Lynn’s messages by far packed the biggest punch. Her words are God’s truth woven with her experiences from the wellspring of her love for Jesus and are conveyed in such a way the audience is left hungry for more and inspired to implement what they’ve learned. ~ Erin Bishop, founder of The Whatever Girls, Spokane, Washington
Lynn is my sister in Christ, and I have the privilege of calling her friend. She has a contagious and passionate love for next generation girls. She speaks their language, understands their thinking, and knows how to minister to their hearts. Lynn will speak and teach with transparent truth. She will inspire your youth to want more of Jesus. ~ Wendy Pope, Author and Speaker, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lynn speaks about what she lives in the same passionate and engaging manner as she does in a one on one conversation. Her messages come across in a very personal way. Lynn is able to capture and hold the attention of her audience through various mediums, but I think she is effective because she is real, passionate and transparent. That is what people respond to...She is one of the most engaging and effective speakers I have had the privilege of listening to. ~ Loretta Tuttle, Conference Organizer, Central Church of God
Lynn has always displayed a tender heart for young women of faith and the issues facing them in today's complex society. I have been encouraged to hear her wisdom and insight. ~ Kurt Warner, NFL Quarterback, First Things First Foundation
If you are looking for a passionate, spirit-filled speaker to share with your teens, Lynn Cowell is your girl. You will not be disappointed! Her amazing heart for teens is evident and you can count on her to direct each and every teen to our sweet Jesus and walk away changed. - Shari Braendel, Modesty Expert and Author ofGood Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad
Our speaker was amazing!! She spoke right from her heart, and was pertinent with our theme. She also deeply connected with much of our group. She is sensitive and caring and everything was wonderful. Thank you for your direction in helping us find her, and Proverbs 31 Ministries of course will be in our future again. I can't say enough positives about you guys!!! Calandra Schanzenbach, Placerville, CA
Our experience with Lynn such a blessing. As though she was sitting in a Starbuck's over coffee, Lynn spoke to the girls in my daughter's middle school candidly with the truth on their desire to be wanted and the one who could fill it. Having them laughing on one hand, then seriously considering their future in the other, she challenged the crowd of girls to be radical in their schools by finding Jesus to be the filler of their "love gap" as she calls it. It really impacted my daughter & her friends; I hope to have her back soon! Lisa Hedaria – Reno, NV
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