CONTENTIOUS
Suggested Reading: Proverbs 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This stone bridge is located in eastern Turkey at the entrance to Tarsus, home of the Apostle Paul, on the Ankara - Adana Road. This bridge, with three arches, was restored in 1978 and continued to handle all of the traffic until very recently. Because goods to be sold were taxed when crossing this bridge, it was given the name "Bac" (tax) bridge. With Christmas shopping underway, our governments will take in huge amounts in taxes on the goods we purchase. It's great to give of our own free will to meet human need and, in our country, receive a charitable receipt which can help lower the amount of taxes we pay.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Today’s reading contains instruction for the proper use of wealth. God does not condemn the possession of riches as long as they are procured in a legitimate manner and used in a God-honouring way. Our key verse makes it clear that one of the proper uses of wealth is to help people in need. Failure to do this is so serious a matter that the person who does not help when it is in their power to do so will cry someday and not be heard in their day of trouble. This same thought is presented to us by the Apostle John in 1 John 3:16-18. If we are blessed with this world’s goods and fail to share them, we do not know the love of God!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear God, I pray for a greater measure of Your love so that I may love others as Jesus loves me! John wrote that You loved us so much that YOU GAVE Your only begotten Son for my salvation! THANK YOU!!! I ask for the grace of giving sacrificially. In the Name of the One who gave His all, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was deeply moved this week to see and hear on the 100 Huntley Street telecast a lovely young lady whose roots are in the Philippines, where that most destructive typhoon hit a few days ago. Her name is Melinda Estabrooks. She is loved and known widely by many, particularly as a result of her regular appearances on the Full Circle telecast carried on CTS, the Crossroads Television System. Click here for Melinda’s short statement. My wife Norma-Jean and I have just returned from two weeks in Israel and have yet to send in our support for this cause to the Crossroads Emergency Relief and Development Fund. Our Global CEO, Dr. John Hull, who knows the Philippines well, has personally taken the lead in raising as much money as possible for this cause. Click here for information on how to, as our key verse says, respond to “the cry of the poor.” Norma-Jean and I will do this as soon as the business office at Crossroads is open. The Canadian government has promised to match all giving to this relief effort.
Yours for opening our hearts to the needs of others,
David
P.S. As promised, click here for the second half of my Sam Moore interview from 1981. As I stated earlier this week, he is one of the main reasons I use the New King James translation of the Bible in this blog and in my personal devotions, as well as in preaching and teaching. In the light of today’s key verse, let me say that Sam is a giver to others. I hope to tell just one story about Sam’s loving and giving heart in tomorrow’s blog.
“The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright (Proverbs 21:18).” In a way, Jesus made it work in reverse. Jesus, as scripture said, made Himself a ransom for us. However, the wrath of God remains for those who never repent from their rejection of Him. Solomon’s and David ‘s descriptions of the wicked and foolish in Proverbs and Psalms are still proven very accurate.
As Christmas approaches you hear the bell calling GIVE TO THE POOR
What a privilege it is to share
As we hear the cry of the poor
Open up our hearts and our wallets
And give generously
God loves a cheerful giver
Thank you Lord for many opportunities togive
In Jesus name Amen
Thank you Lord for keeping David Maines strong
Bless everyone on this blog
Happy weekend everybody?
??????Love you all:)!!!!!
I am praying the same prayer as you did/ do David
amen Brenda
Fascinating interview with Sam Moore, shedding a new light on the NKJV ! Found it amazing how driven Sam was in his education, vision, ability to motivate and his passion for our Lord. Wondering if he is alive today. Also, a very sincere and thoughtful message by Melinda Estabrooks! Thank you. Have a great day, to all!
I was riveted by the lovely Sam Moore. The world needs more Godly business men like him. Thank you for making him known to me. I have been reading the New King James translation for 20 years and so it was a blessing to learn of the roots of this work.
Yes, thank you for introducing us to Sam Moore. He reminds me of the the verse, “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility.”(Proverbs 15:33). The NKJV is also the one I read but I like to memorize from the KJV. Have a good day!
F.Y.I. The Canadian Government will only match donations for the Philippines until December 8th. Thank you David for the reminder and for the Daily Blog which feeds my soul!
Actually the government extended the matching fund program until December 23 2013.
Dear Lord God, we pray for the people of the Philippines and their subsequent recovery from this recent tragedy for which they have endured. Be with those who are on the ground working diligently to provide care, food and medical supplies to those in need. We pray that You bless the funds provided for this relief effort, that it may be used to the best of it’s potential in that land. Also be on the minds and hearts of all, particularly during this time of ‘giving’, that we might continue to pray and to give as You lay it on the hearts and minds of Your people. We pray this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.