The day I got saved I was standing by myself, on the West Coast of Scotland, in a remote location, looking out over the ocean towards America. Tears were running down my face, as I battled with the pain of life and the feeling of being lost and alone. From somewhere deep inside me came a cry that I had not heard before and a name that I had not said since early childhood. With head bowed, eyes clenched and lips pursed I heard myself say “oh help me Jesus”.
It was instant. A warmth flowed through me, and peace wrapped around me, and I somehow knew that right there and then the years of addictions were gone. For those moments I felt like Jesus was standing right over me. I smiled. The world had changed, or perhaps actually I had been changed. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I would never be the same. I had received the Word, recognised it as a great treasure and decided there and then that the rest of my life would be shaped by this moment.
Text – Proverbs 2:1 “my son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you”
KNOWLEDGE
God calls to us intimately, kindly, with patience and a longing for us to be open to what he is imparting to us – not just to listen, but to hear, to value, to treasure and hold in the highest regard everything, every single word the God has for us. We are to be fully engaged, all our senses, all our emotions, all our skills, all our intellect and all our strength – to do everything within our power, each minute of each day to be intentional about learning God’s ways.
This all consuming passion has to come from within us, understanding what treasure this is from our hearts. This is not something we work at from the outside, but rather we surrender to from the inside, so there is longevity and sustainability. We create an internal storeroom in our lives that is bursting at the seams with priceless treasure, for us and others to enjoy and benefit from.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word son appears 49 times in Proverbs [ESV], the original word in the Jewish language is “ben”, which is mentioned over 4700 times in the bible. The main English translations of “ben” are “son” or “children”. In Scotland the prefix “Mac” means “son of”, so MacDonald is – Son of Donald. In proverbs 2:1, the writer is inspired to call all his readers “My son”. The word “My” is an added translation to the original text. The writer wants us to understand there is a significant ongoing relationship at work here. This is not a leader instructing followers, but rather a father loving his only child. You are that child, and this is your father’s love letter to you.
WISDOM: what is inside your storeroom in your heart today?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Command – you know the steps from chaos to calm – remember to take others with you.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [my dearest child, will you have the audacity to spend time with me at my place? We can have the best time together, and I will tell you about hidden things that you will cherish and will change your world forever]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to gather and treasure every word you speak. Thank you.
Hi Allan. Thank you so much for sharing your work and life with us. So much gold in this series but I think for me what I have loved most each day is your stories and wisdom applied, insights gained and learnings articulated. Your perspective broadens mine and I love that. Thank you.
Thank you Ps Allan. I appreciate you very much. Have absolutely loved the past 34 days, I’ve really connected with so many of your stories, they’ve really helped remind me of gods faithfulness and allowed me to reflect on many of my life experiences, you’ve truly inspired me to see and seek God and his word in new and deeper ways, and also inspired me to do as you’ve done for us. This is true discipleship and we need more of it. Thankyou for being the real deal and being a Godly man that walks the talk. Would definitely be keen on continuing these in the future. Much love to you and God bless 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
Thanks Ps Allan. Loved your unauthorised version, the simplicity is that intamacy with Jesus is the key. The bi product then as a result as we hunger and thirst for him is we become more like jesus and can see the world and every situation we face through his eyes.
To be called “my child” is indeed something special. I’m being chosen, claimed by none other than God and in that I can only be in awe. Allan, the stories I’ve read over these 34 days of some of your life experiences has just opened my eyes to the many times God has his hand on us, even before we choose to be His disciples. Gods hand has been evident in all of your stories and I love that. He truly is always with us and nothing we face and experience is in vein!
Being careful that one’s directness doesn’t offend. That’s a great way of phrasing the quandary I often find myself within. Pithy principles like that one are what I’ve mainly gained from this series. Well done, Allan, please do give us a yell for the Proverbs series.
I have walked away from these last few weeks reminded of how God has it and I can trust him and that trust (fear) is the beginning of wisdom! And how important it is to draw on Gods wisdom in every day
Dear Pastor Allan. I’ve so enjoyed your life stories and God’s impact on your life. The last 34 days has been a blessing and encouraging in so may ways as you helped me to stay focussed on God’s wisdom as imparted in Proverbs. I am encouraged because I know life is a lot harder without God’s love. What’s the one thing I’ve learnt and take with me? That God will never foresake me if I put Him first in everything He is my anchor and life line.
How wonderful and caring is our God that He warns us so many time of the consequences and then He reveals to us His Love and tell us to keep Him In our hearts and that means so much He wants to be in my heart and make us better wiser a bit more like Him and all I can say is AMEN.
What a great word on this chapter and what a way to close it up with Jesus in our Hearts.
Thank You Ps Allan thank you for bringing to us what God has put in your heart.
So grateful to learn a bit more and can’t wait for the next part.
Blessings
God continue to draw us close to him in a way a father calls out to his “child”to listen and treasure His commands .
Pastor Allan thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to study these proverbs ,to have a revelation about each scripture and to try to apply them to our present life situations ,
I truly learnt alot from your life experiences you shared ,they were eye openers for me at times .
Thank you once again taking such interest to invest your time to the lives of others ,
I would love to continue on to proverbs 2,when you start .
Best wishes Pastor Allan !
Allan Thank you For sharing your wisdom and that of our Heavenly Father with me. I’ve grown in this short season , I’ve soaked up all you’ve shared so that I can be a better version of myself as His disciple .
I am greatful for your testimonies through the proverbs. They are wonderful insights into the word also. You’ve challenged me to think differently, to consider how I approach topics with people and the need for me to rest in the wait for others to work out their relationship with Jesus .
Your perspective helped me open up my thoughts about people and behaviours I previously was very narrow minded I guess about. I’m challenged also to keep seeking wisdom outside of my life and for the betterment of others
Thank you I’m so grateful to have been on the journey . God has blessed you and now me through this time.
THANK YOU Pastor Allan for an insight into your young life & for being so transparent yet always pointing me to Father God in all His greatness & majesty. I am so thankful & grateful for Him saving a wretch like me…. His amazing grace has touched my life also in a most profound way & I in turn have a responsibility to pass it on to others less fortunate. Your journey through Proverbs 1 has reminded & inspired me to realize how important it is to ask God for wisdom in all I do & say!! What an amazing gift that I can ask for & it is given so freely & liberally from the Holy Spirit . Your wise writings have helped to challenge my thinking & provoke me in developing my character which is a never ending journey. May God bless you abundantly Allan for all the time & effort you have put in to bless me personally & many others.
Hi Allan, I am so grateful that every morning you pray for me and call me by name!The Prayer and Bible verse you send are awakening my soul and brings smile from inside out being Thankful to God for you and the wisdom you share whole heartedly!
Would love to receive more of Proverbs and teaching!
Allan would I be able to
add my friends and family to access this ? Example my sons!
Thank you so much and CONGRATULATIONS on your consistencies and sacrifices!
God bless you abundantly!
Shalom!
Of course Mary – send over their names and numbers and we will add them for Ch 2
Thank you Ps Allan. I appreciate you very much. Have absolutely loved the past 34 days, I’ve really connected with so many of your stories, they’ve really helped remind me of gods faithfulness and allowed me to reflect on many of my life experiences, you’ve truly inspired me to see and seek God and his word in new and deeper ways, and also inspired me to do as you’ve done for us. This is true discipleship and we need more of it. Thankyou for being the real deal and being a Godly man that walks the talk. Would definitely be keen on continuing these in the future. Much love to you and God bless 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
Thank you Allan for the words of wisdom you have shared in these verses. God indeed is a loving father who wants nothing but the very best for us. He has gone what he can now it’s up to us. I found the part in V 31 I think it was where I felt very challenged about my priorities in life, to work out what was important to me, and indeed the next verse which made me think about what was really in my heart that was glowing out for others. So much gold for the picking . I’d love you to let me know when you release the next chapter . God bless you Allan for all the wisdom from God that you are so willingly passing on.
Thankyou Allan for your time and insight into the first chapter of Proverbs ! Your personal testimonies, understanding and knowledge you have imparted have had a significant impact on me.
I have taken away many things over the last month but if I was to pick one it would be my dependency on God. I’ve realised how much I rely on Him day to day and how hopeless my life would be without Him in my life to guide me.
If you will receive (to be given a gift we can hold onto , because it is for our benefit and longevity ) and store up the treasure of his commandments (obviously different treasure from the treasures of this world that are worthless to our existence and into eternity ) His treasure is life giving
He has put eternity on our hearts and living in a very selfish focused world we can be blindsided as to what is necessary to acquire in life . But His word we cannot get enough of. To seek him in His word is truely the fulfilment he knows will satisfy us. It’s the treasure of his commandments to lead us out of temptations into His will . I do find it difficult to not be swept up by lovely things in my life . I want to meditate on these words ; my dearest child, will you have the audacity to spend time with me at my place? We can have the best time together, and I will tell you about hidden things that you will cherish and will change your world forever] AMEN
Hi Hi Hi
Thank you so very much Pastor Allan for your life experiences, your honesty and vulnerability. The experiences, wisdom and life changing encounters and God encounters through those experiences you shared were very encouraging and helpful.
Thank you for the prayers you prayed for me daily and encouragement. Very much appreciated.
Thank you that doing this study has been helpful for me in examining my life and looking out for blind spots.
This has help me learn to study the Bible from a different perspective to what I have been doing before this. It has broaden my outlook and breakdown scriptures and meanings relating to the verses.
Thanks for the work that has gone into this. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to read the scriptures and relate them to their personal lives and work in areas that need changing.
Lessons learnt will be used in my ongoing studies. Thank you for this and God bless and continue to favour you in all you do.
I learnt so much about myself.
Much love always
Allan, I have loved reading about your personal experiences and how you linked these to the scripture. I have used these as daily prompts in my morning routine. I think you need to write a book!
What a beautifully powerful testimony you have Pastor Allan. To look at your life today and see where you are and how you impact the lives you of so many around you, one would never expect you have walked through what you have in life. Only Jesus could do that. Only Jesus.
Beautiful truth for today! I love the thought that “ We create an internal storeroom in our lives that is bursting at the seems with priceless treasure, for us and others to enjoy and benefit from.”
Praying that I always stay Open, hungry and obedient to every word the Lord speaks, to gather and treasure them with my life.
Thank you again Pastor Allan. I cannot tell you how timely these devotionals have been to my life. What a blessing. I’ve gained godly wisdom knowledge and insight surrounding some of my top strengths that I’ve already been able to put in to Practice in the team I lead and have seen good fruit as a result. So thank you so much!
Very much looking forward to proverbs 2! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your powerful words of wisdom.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement every morning.
God is indeed a good father who cares for me and loves me so much .
Dear Ps Allan
Thank you for pour out your knowledge and wisdom with proverbs and sharing your life experiences with me for last 34 days. I take way two words and apply to every part of my life. Be intentional and Treasure His (Gods) words. I also learn to communicate effectively to benefit others. I certainly looking forward to part 2 to learn and grow in wisdom and understanding of Gods word!
Blessings
I absolutely love this reading! What a beautiful and moving salvation testimony you have. I love and completely agree with the Knowledge section. Over my time in Hillsong college, I’ve found an ever-growing passion in my heart for God and His words. I see the Bible as full of gold to discover and I wholeheartedly treasure every revelation the Holy Spirit has imparted into my heart.
This reading reminded me of a great Hillsong song “Say The Word” the lyrics: “All that I am with all creation, hanging on every word that You’ve spoken. It will not be shaken. Clinging for life to all Your promise… My soul will hang on every word You say”
What I will take away from the past 34 days is that every day matters in staying close to God and hearing from Him for living life the best way. Asking high quality questions is valuable for reflection and growth. And taking a closer look at God’s word is worth the time and effort.
Thanks very much Ps Allan for these invaluable revelations on the Proverbs 🙂
Love hearing your stories Allan. And I know I’m going to learn a lot from this blog. Thanks for adding me on
Beautiful truth gained in re-reading this devotional! “each minute of each day to be intentional about learning God’s ways.”
My heart and mind are set on making sure the storeroom of my heart is filled with Priceless eternal treasures.
Thank you Pastor Allan! I’m very grateful to be apart of the Proverbs 2 devotional!
Great beauty verse!
God wants us to know we are His
The best part is that we are accepted, loved and we belong the second part is obedience, respect, honor to the Father that it ya actually Loving God back, trusting His word by following His steps and He guides us with His commandments.
Love Jesus!
Thank you Ps Allan for sharing this word and continue to bring us God’s revelations!
Looking forward to embarking on another new exciting adventure through Proverbs 2 – thank you Pastor Allan for sharing your life’s journey so candidly with us & all you have learnt. I love to hear your story & hear of the amazing saving grace of our precious Lord Jesus!
This endearing & personal address to me as Father God’s child is exhorting me to draw near to Him be attentive & listen to His Word always being eager to obey & know it is deep treasure & so worth investing my time & effort in.
Thank you, Pastor Allan, for your message and prayers , most of all, for your own personal experiences which helped me enormously.
Proverbs chapter one, over 33 days was a real eye opener for me. And the short break in between Proverbs 1 and2 gave me time to read again and reflect on God’s strength and wisdom as He guides us through each day.
Proverbs2:1 is a beautiful verse full of comfort, knowing that each one of us is His special, much-loved child. I am precious to Him just the way I am.
I will receive His wisdom, store it and learn to impart it to others.
“My son “
If we’re to find the treasure of God’s wisdom, then we must have the mind of a child. We must come before the Father and hear him call us “ My child”
How amazing and comforting is this inclusion and adoption and acceptance!!!
Thank you for sharing such wisdom!
“not just to listen, but to hear, to value, to treasure and hold in the highest regard everything, every single word God has for us. “ … what a beautiful goal outlined in this first verse.
Hi Ps Allan, thank you so much for sharing your personal experiences in life. Your testimonies are powerful and so encouraging.
Thank you for praying for me every morning. God bless you and keep you 🙏
Thank you Ps Allan for sharing this space with me. It is s huge blessing to be surrounded with people like you who passionately love the Lord.
I, too, desire to live this life with all that was entrusted to me be poured out back to prolification of His kingdom here on earth, as it is in Heaven. Jesus knows that I need Him more than anything. I only run to Him.
Knowing about your testimony is a true encouragement. God bless you.
So powerful hearing your salvation story. My take home: being fully and wholly engaged with God’s word, a treasure to keep in our heart, and as we keep doing this our heart enlarges to the capacity of this treasure that we bring in. Great word.
How fortunate blessed humbled are we to hear the voice of our one true living God, as we seek him diligently for guidance in all areas of our lives we can see fruit of the Holy Spirit in all we do. An open heart to hear and receive correction from our loving father .. to me shows just how much he loves and cares for us wanting to Be apart of everything we do big and small !!!
Hi Allan,
really enjoyed this verse as its telling us there’s light at the end of tunnel if we are obedient. At times we forget that will always get a better outcome with his instruction. Thank you father for the treasures you have showed me.
Su blog es un éxito, muy completo. Ahhh cuando la pasión está ahí, todo es 🙂
Muchos Gracias
Buen artículo! Gracias.. Merrielle Beltran Zebulon
Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to know so much approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something. I feel that you just could do with a few percent to power the message home a little bit, but other than that, that is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. Ill certainly be back. Trisha Hebert Demetri
A magnificent testimony Allan. GOD is so very merciful.
Yes – praise God for His words! Like the encouragement to truly be passionate in treasuring and applying the Word in our lives, what can truly make a difference by His grace.