The Proverbs 2011 Challenge ~Day One

Dearest Readers,

In my school Bible class, we are going through a basic study over the book of Proverbs, yet my teacher has encouraged us to deeply study the book of Proverbs on our own. This year, it is one of my resolutions to maintain a daily Bible study, of searching the Scriptures and reading Beautiful Girlhood.Then I thought what a wonderful and encouraging idea it would be if my dear blogging sisters could join me as we study the full book of Proverbs. 
 Of course, there are thirty-one chapters in the book of Proverbs total, and there are thirty-one days in the month of January. Each day, we will set aside a time to read a chapter during the day, whether in the morning or afternoon or at eventide. Then on our blog we shall post the verses that stood out to us most, and why. {You can even join if you skipped a few days, and go over and reread a few of the chapters you missed} 
At the end of this event {on January 31st}, the young ladies who participated will be entered into a drawing for a handmade bookmark {made by me} with their favourite verse from Proverbs written on it.    <center><a href="http://gracesgardenwalk.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/u0zfX.jpg"/></a></center>
~Basic Instructions~
Join me and read one chapter of Proverbs per day throughout the entire month. 
Post on your blog {including the button I made} that same day, including verses that stood out to you the most and what it means to you or how we can apply it to our lives.
Link up your post to my linky. 
On January 31st, the participants {who have been participating for at least two weeks to make it fair} shall be entered into a drawing for a handmade bookmark with their favorite verse from Proverbs written on it!
If you miss a few chapters, you can still join us! Just go back, and read the chapters you missed, and compile them into one post. Skipped too much? Well, you may read two or three chapters at a time instead. 
Remember participants who have been participating in my challenge for two weeks minimum will be entered in my bookmark drawing. 
I do so hope you shall be joining me! Such an encouragement it shall be, and I hope that this challenge blesses your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ! 
~Day 1~
Proverbs 1:1~33
Well, to-day we read the introduction to Proverbs. The verse that really stood out to me was this:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom.   Yes, it is quite humbling to ask of the Lord for wisdom, yet that is an essential measure to avoid mistakes and follies of your future. My history teacher put it like this:
What's the difference between knowledge and wisdom? 
What is the difference? A person can be very knowledgeable, can store many important facts into his mind, yet can be the most unwise person in the whole universe because he lacks the Divine Wisdom that comes from the Lord and Him alone. 
The Lord came to Solomon and said that he could have anything that his heart desired, and it would be given unto him. Solomon did not choose wealth, a kingly life, respect {one HUGE thing men desire}, honor, riches and land; no, he choose WISDOM. Would you choose that over that fancy new dress machine you have been  drooling over, or that camera, or that computer, or that *fill in the blank*? I do wonder how many of us {including me} would think of wisdom to be the first thing that would pop into our heads if God came to us and said, "I will give anything you wish." 
Second thing that caught my eye was this:
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 
God commanded:Honor thy father and MotherFive simple words...words individually set aside, might not hold that great a meaning as the commandment"Thou shalt not kill," or "Thou shalt not steal," or "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife." Yet, the Lord wrote those five words with His own finger on that rough stone in front of Moses on Mt. Sinai, because this commandment was important; I mean, this commandment comes before the rest!
Wisdom starts with your elders; parents especially. When I was younger, I could not picture my parents being my age...I mean, come on! They are like ancient {to me when I was younger they were ancient; now, they're...*nervous smile* hi, Mom! Love you!:D}No, but really...learn from their experiences. They have been there, and messed up, and do not want you to make the same decisions they once did so long ago. The pain and hurt that they for such a long time throughout their life from decisions and bad choices they once made; they love you, so they do not want that ever to happen to you...EVER!!!
Divine Wisdom comes from above...one of the greatest gifts of mankind!
Hope all of you are enjoying the New Year!Love in Christ,GraceWhy the book of Proverbs?My school Bible teacher encouraged that all of his students do a deep study of this book, because it it basically a book of wisdom for young people. I thought it would be such an encouragement to see other young ladies taking the challenge too! I hope you are blessed by this challenge, my dear friends!
 Why January?Because, there are 31 books all together in Proverbs and 31 complete days in Jan. Besides, what a wonderful thing to start the New Year, by being challenged into studying God's Word.
Why 2011?
I have been greatly putting this aside far too long. Thank the Lord that He has given us a new year, and so I want to strengthen my walk with Him, as I have not studied the Scriptures as I ought to have done in the past few years. Well, now it's time, and I am starting with Proverbs because it is the book of wisdom! I hope this year is different, and I hope that you shall join me in my Proverbs challenge!
Please, if any of my writings you disagree with you, tell me in a pleasant and polite way your views and opinions. I respect them, as I hope you respect mine. I only hope that this challenge encourages and uplifts you, and strengthens your walk with Christ. May the Lord bless you!