THE BLESSED WATERS
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 4-5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Hierapolis, the “Sacred City,” is located in present-day Pamukkale in south-central Turkey. In the first century it was part of the tri-city area of Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis. This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:13). Before AD 70, Phillip (either the apostle or the evangelist) moved to Hierapolis, where he was believed to have been martyred. The sun sets behind a tomb surrounded by a travertine hot spring fountain. Today’s reading speaks to us of “running water” “streams” and “fountains.” It’s about keeping clean!!!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
In Proverbs 4 Solomon details the influence of his father, King David. David’s words were indeed retained in Solomon’s heart (4:4). When God asked Solomon what he wanted, he remembered his father’s words and asked for wisdom rather than riches, power, fame, etc. (1 Kings 4:29-30). We are in the midst of reading the proof that God gave Solomon his request, the “Book of Proverbs.” David had illustrated this gift of wisdom to his son by referring to the ancient practice in the marriage ceremony when the bride would put a wreath (crown of glory) upon the bridegroom’s head.
Proverbs 5 teaches divine wisdom in marriage faithfulness. Here is a strong warning to stay far from, and not even consider, sexual immorality. With an illustration of a fountain of water, Solomon shows that it is absolutely essential to remain faithful to one’s spouse. Lasting satisfaction and God’s blessing will come from honouring the marriage covenant. For a New Testament meditation see Matthew 15:15-20.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, I pray that my heart will be filled with Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I realize that whatever I put in my heart will affect every area of my life. May my heart be so full of You that there will be no room left for that which is not of You. I pray in the Name of the One “In Whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9)…Jesus. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As I sit at my laptop computer typing these words, I’m thinking of the modern proverb that arrived with the computer age, “garbage in – garbage out.” A former co-host on 100 Huntley Street television used to ask people if they had put their garbage out so that God could pick it up and dispose of it. He had practised as a clinical psychologist at one time in Toronto, so he knew, as a professional, the importance of getting the bad stuff out. The morning after I first heard him say this, I was driving at about 4:30 a.m., north on Jarvis Street, toward our studios at 100 Huntley Street. There, in front of me, stopping every few feet, was Toronto garbage truck #100!! I got the message loudly and clearly from God, “David, get the garbage out! Furthermore, live in such a way that you don’t put garbage into your heart in the first place.” Amen!!! Amen!!!
Yours, knowing that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [garbage]” (1 John 1:9),
David
P.S. Here’s a photo of the Jordan River and some brothers and sisters in Christ who were baptized in recognition of the fact that Jesus was baptized in this river by John the Baptist. Some were baptized for the first time in their lives and some were reconfirming their original baptism. What a happy time!!! Rev. Ron Mainse did the baptizing assisted by his son-in-law, Rev. Jason Patterson.
This is my granddaughter Elena and her husband Justin Gilmore.
I read the comments in yesterday’s blog ( I read the day before’s blog as I am away to work just after 6 AM when today’s gets posted) anyway, I am reminded that all these terrible deeds are done by people who don’t yet know our lord and are blinded by Satan’s influence in these last days. Pray for them that they find the Christ before they have to kneel before him on the very last day.
Also remember that IS’s stated goal is to force the coming of Armageddon to end the world. We are doing the same thing by trying to make it that every one on earth has heard the call to salvation.
So Satan hastens the end with hate; we with love.
So well said, Floyd, amen!
Amen!!
Thank GOD ALMIGHTY for his Words and HIS Instructions contained in the bible because there is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even our best conniving on our best day is death and will come to naught. We are privileged and blessed to have the word of GOD to ‘digest” and “eat” as Jeremiah said- :Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the Joy and rejoicing of my heart for I am called by thy name O’ LORD God of hosts. And what a privilege we have to share this precious life giving word to 25000 refugees who (they say) will be arriving before Dec. 31 of this year. I am ready dear ones ; are you ready to show them love and give them the living word. Never mind that you disagree with the governments decision to bring these people in to our country. These precious ones are fleeing their homeland because their homeland have rejected the Word of God that is able to save their souls so we must pick up the slack and “feed” them everlasting spiritual food- THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD. i AM READY; are you ready?
Rev. Terry FELVUS
Lord, bring in the ones of Your choosing. You know what lies ahead for them. Prepare their hearts and minds to receive seed in good soil. Amen.
Amen, Pastor Terry, amen!
Let us live by love, not fear. Let us show our grace, not hate. Let us bless one another, with words and thoughts of encouragement. Let us be centered on Jesus. Wishing all saints, a blessed day, in our Lord and Saviour.
“Blessed is he whose faith is not offended,
When all around his way
The power of God is working out deliverance
For others day by day;
Though in some prison drear his own soul languish,
Till life itself be spent,
Yet still can trust his Father’s love and purpose,
And rest therein content.
Blessed is he, who through long years of suffering,
Cut off from active toil,
Still shares by prayer and praise the work of others,
And thus “divides the spoil.”
Blessed are thou, O child of God, who sufferest,
And canst not understand
The reason for thy pain, yet gladly leavest
Thy life in His blest Hand.
Yea, blessed art thou whose faith is “not offended”
By trials unexplained,
By mysteries unsolved, past understanding,
Until the goal is gained.”
—Freda Hanbury Allen
With all I AM, Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0AyxEMFRbI
Thanks Beverlee, lovely song. Hope you are feeling well and getting stronger.
Blessings to all. This is the day that the Lotd has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Thanks for all the postings today. Blessings saints!
I Love the song Beverlee thank you very much and amen to all above
Lianne Hogg
Lord give us Your Wisdom and dicernment as these refugees come into Canada to show and share the Love of God by this they know we are Christians if I die I will gain Heaven with my Lord Amen
Great pics. today Rev. Mainse. Thank you so much for caring for our salvation.
Blessings.
Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You:
https://youtu.be/wHRbAQCgjsA
Thankyou all for those songs this morning I’ve been blessed by them…
Lynda And your lovely poem Beverlee Kay .. Keep it up ….
I feel uncomfortable bringing all these people in to B.C. Van. Is.
pacifily .Tell me I’m wrong….R….
I know how u feel about the situation Rosemarie. I just finished reading a good book called “Trusting God” by Jerry Bridges. It really helps us to understand why God does what He does. We just have to trust Him in certain situations. Knowledge is power. Hope this helps and may God bless u.
there will be big time problems! Until everyone in Canada has a place to live, and all the tent cities are gone, I don’t agree with bringing others into this country……
the Criminal checks don’t even happen anymore……
it is upsetting for many,
Amen! Lynda. Dear Lord, thankyou for this blog.
Thankyou Lynda I will dwell on your words ,I know God is in control
His will be done , As a christian I should have it all together, But at
times I feel like I’m not ….R….
Hi Bloggers. Regarding the refugees. I think everyone around the world are raising red flags since the Paris killings where evil displays it’s worst. So the struggle and conflict is between “Sympathy” – the caring heart that wants to do what Canada (and what Compassionate Christians want to do) has always done by taking in refugees – and exercising “caution” making sure that individuals intent on causing destruction in our country does not slip in under the guise of need. Remembering the bridge-building period between the USA and Russia. Reagan wanted to “trust” but he said something along the lines, “trust BUT VERIFY”! We have been reading in Proverbs about “Wisdom” and “Understanding” – we definitely need to beseech God for wisdom and understanding. Whatever Proverbs is – it is a practical guide to daily living where issues are faced dead on. I think we all have a duty to pray about the situation. Obviously, people need help and Canada can help but there are also threats and we need to take every precaution. Fortunately, I believe Canada is taking the refugees approved by the UN and not from the influx of refugees that have flooded into Europe. Canada has had its warning last year when guns were blazing at Parliament Hill. So, as a Christian, I am not wrong if I want to help people and extend compassion but, on the other hand, I am not wrong, if I say we must take every precaution. On the final analysis, the scripture does say -throughout the scriptures of both the OT and NT, to care for “the fatherless (orphans), widows and the alien (foreigner or refugee)” “The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked” ( Psalm 146:9)
“Lord, give us wisdom and with all our getting, help us to get understanding” as we find the balance between “sympathy & compassion” and “exercising caution to the endth degree”. This is just my opinion as the subject arose from bloggers today. Like it or not, we need to be praying for those in New Government today with so many challenges and decisions that face them. Samuel.
Amen!
Thankyou Samuel good councelling , And a good word for sure…
I have been praying , It’s just been really scary .. Need to keep our eyes
on Jesus..Thank you >…..r….
just my opinion……in my small town we have 7 homeless youth! The next town 18 youth homeless! In that town (several thousands) there are 185 adults, men, women, children homeless and this is the same story in very many communities in British Columbia, Canada,
(Has anyone seen the tent city in Vancouver Parks?)
there are hundreds of people requiring mental health services, many need a place to live where they can be safe and get help for addictions,
In British Columbia many of these rehab centres were closed down, so, the people have been roaming the streets for many years! I pray that those who live in this Province be taken care of, when that is done, in my opinion, others can come in and receive help!
my opinion only, the security checks need to be in place HOWEVER that is not the case, and again my opinion, if a person wants to be a Canadian Citizen that is just fine but become a Canadian and not accept Canada to confirm to their habits! Become a Citizen, you adopt the Canadian ways and their laws. Sometimes it seems to me, that Canada has to adjust to the cultures of others! That I do not agree!
I pray daily for our Leaders! I have prayed for the Lord to bless my finances greatly because I have a dream to pay my debts off and help family/friends and form a committee whereby a house could be bought and a family move in who could take in 4 boarders, people who need help, give them a family environment, help them to get their life back on track. I see this as a faith based home, trained people, get the boarders busy with planning their lives, learn to grow food, raise sheep, goats, it needs to be a working home and when people get involved in helping it is amazing how they can turn their lives around BUT it takes money, trained people, and this is not an impossible task for the Lord to bring about!
Once again Lord God I thank You for this blog! We are all very concerned about the health and welfare of all Your people Lord. Nothing seems to make sense now, BUT, You Lord have a Plan We love You Lord Thank You in Jesus Name we Pray AMEN
TY Lord for this day! I had a good day! I completed another hour of a Driver’s Refresher course, did very well.
Met a very old friend and her son, haven’t seen in 15 years, saw them once in a store, I bought some things, left the store, drove a few blocks decided to go back and return 3 things, get a different color, then met this friend AGAIN, walked to the car, shared the Gospel and got new phone number. It was all meant to be! I love days like that when God is in control!
We spoke of forgiveness, the young son now 20, shared his testimony about forgiving family! It was a pure Holy Spirit moment!
I FORGIVE YOU! very powerful 3 words, we prayed for our leaders right there in the parking lot! I JUST LOVE THOSE KIND OF DAYS! Thank you Lord, thank you!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above Ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen!1
Amen and Amen for His faithfulness and Love for us.
Praise God for this blog and all the concerns and prayers, Thank You Jesus.
What a great picture, thank you Reynold. Thank you Pastor David for your input wisdom, and love and concern extended to us through your words, sharing life stories of encouragement and guidance.