Proverbs... geesh.

Proverbs 28:9
"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."

Ever wonder why it seems like God isn't listening or isn't there. Feel like your prayers are just bouncing off of the ceiling and raining back down on you. God does not listen to our prayers if we intend to go back to our sin as soon as we get off our knees. If we want to beat that sin and follow Him, He willingly listens. (No matter how bad our sin was. Isn't that a relief!) What closes God's ears to our prayer isn't the sin, but our secret intention to go and do it again. He knows our hearts.

Proverbs 28:13
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

Trying to justify your sins. Struggling to compare yourself to the "other guy" and telling yourself that you "aren't as bad as you used to be." If you are failing to recognize your sin for the ugly thing that it is, you will not beat it. It is hard to learn from a mistake you don't acknowledge making. And what good is a mistake if you don't learn from it. (thanks Mom) To learn from it...
1. Admit it! (For real, put it right there and see it for what it is.)
2. Analyze it! (What is it? How did it happen? What caused it? When do you fall into it's trap?)
3. Adjust! (Change! Hello! Make some plans to prevent this thing from happening again. Don't get on the computer! Don't go to the bar! Don't underestimate the power of reading your Bible and praying.)

Everybody makes mistakes, but only fools repeat them. Something in each of us strongly resists admitting we are wrong. That is why we admire people who openly and graciously admit their mistakes. These people have a strong self-image. They do not always have to be right. (Yep, I am getting my toes stepped on right there...)

Proverbs gave me a smack in the face today. Also, Proverbs 28: 20, 26, and 27. But I figured that this post would go on for days if I kept on. I pray that God will use His words to bring joy to your life and glory to His name today.