"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips." -- Proverbs 22:17-18

A new school year has begun and students range from prekindergarten to graduate school. Lessons will be taught this year that will prepare these young people for further education and a future career. Some will become skilled in their knowledge and others will pass the time, learning just enough to graduate. Those who pay attention and apply their heart will succeed.

Spiritual growth is no different. A survey released yesterday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, aimed at testing religious knowledge within the churched community, revealed a major lack of Biblical understanding. This should not be a shock. Even among true believers, some make every effort to be skilled in their Bible knowledge and others just skate along, learning just enough to warm their hearts or ease their pain. Those who pay attention and apply their heart will grow.

What about you my friend? What do you know and understand from the Scriptures? Have you been studious enough this last year to experience a marked spiritual growth? Have you added to your Biblical insight in such a way that you are ready to share with others? Remember, those who pay attention and apply their heart will grow.