A SWINE’S SNOUT
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Modern day Izmir, Turkey, is a major port on the Aegean Sea, off of the Mediterranean. The remains of Smyrna can be seen here. Jesus said about the church in Smyrna, “I know your works, tribulation and poverty, but you are rich!” (Revelation 2:9a). Jesus may have been thinking of the words in today’s reading, our key verses! (Proverbs 11:24-25).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 11:24-25
There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
It’s difficult to pick some of the wisdom contained here when all of these words are of equal importance. Nevertheless, let’s consider four proverbs.
(1) Verse #1 – God is concerned about the butcher who weighs out meat with a thumb on the scale. “A just weight” is God’s standard.
(2) Verse #14 – Do we want to make good and safe major decisions? Then don’t just take the advice of one person. Listen to several people. One person may or may not be trying to manipulate you into doing what they want, and not what is best.
(3) Verse #22 – “A swine’s snout” is so descriptive, particularly for Solomon, a Jew. Pigs are not kosher. “Discretion” is covered in our blog of November 17 (click here).
(4) Verse #30b – It is a wise thing to win souls to the Lord! But be assured that without wisdom in our approach, our body language, and our words, we’ll do more harm than good to the eternal souls of people, all of whom are of infinite value. Therefore, it would be good to read from James 1:5-8. Let’s go ahead and ask God for wisdom, and then win souls!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Father God, there is much wisdom in the chorus which I pray now: “Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me. And may I ever do my part to win that soul to Thee.” In and through the Person and work of Jesus, I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In leading the ministry of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. for many years, I have valued highly the counsel of our Board of Directors and CCCI Executives. When I think of major decisions I’ve made, I must expand that to include others in the decision-making process, as Solomon wrote, “a multitude of counsellors.” That would include many of my fellow employees and many supporters in prayer and in the giving of financial offerings. Also, thinking of “a lovely woman,” I want to thank my wife, Norma-Jean, whose counsel has been wise, prayerful and loving. She has consistently shown “discretion.” My children and their spouses have given wise counsel. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! The leading of the Holy Spirit, the support of God’s people, and decisions made have brought CCCI to what it is today; I invite readers to check out the Crossroads website (click here).
Yours for reading the responses of a “Multitude of Counsellors” to this blog!!!
David
P.S. Jerusalem, Israel and some of our happy informed travellers. This picture is from two years ago when Norma-Jean and I organized a group of our friends for a two week visit to the land of the Bible. Jerusalem is the one city for which the Word of God instructs us to PRAY!! “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6).
Blessings on you Pastor David and Norma-Jean and all who have participated in bringing forth Crossroads Christian Communication, Inc. for all the souls that have been won through this ministry.
and for this blog ministry, the Wisdom and guidance it provides daily.
I will check back again tonight. Proverbs is so eye-opening and reading it opens my understanding more each time. Have a good day all. Thanks again.
Proverbs 11 is full of such wise counsel–amen! Thank you David! Blessings to all, today–it is my birthday and I am so grateful for the Lord’s blessings in my life, especially for better healing, this time around. I wrote a new poem, I will try to get it written out, to share.
“Do not rejoice over me, my enemy;
When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness,
The Lord will be a light to me.
He will bring me forth to the light;
I will see His righteousness.” Mic 7:8, 9
“God can ‘restore the years that the locust hath eaten’ (Joel 2:25); and He will do this when we put the whole situation and ourselves unreservedly and believingly into His hands. Not because of what we are but because of what He is. God forgives and heals and restores. He is ‘the God of all grace.’ Let us praise Him and trust Him. —Sunday School Times”
Streams in the Desert, Cowman, November 22
“Nothing is too hard for Jesus
No man can work like Him.”
“We have a God who delights in impossibilities.” Nothing too hard for Me. —Andrew Murray
To You, Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQzMiHY79b8
Have a happy, happy birthday Beverlee and what a lovely song/video you shared today! Thank you. May God bless you today and always.
Yes, Happy Birthday Beverlee, it is so great to read your blogs.
I was wondering how you are recovering, and your pain level now?
Yesterday was my late brother’s birth day, but it also was the date my husband had his major stroke, 9 years ago. It was a bleed, so not repairable in any way. Please pray for Ross, he is not doing as well, but has not had another stroke. We just don’t know what is happening yet.
I need to have my other hip replaced a.s.a.p. as both shoulders are quite painful, and nothing can be done to them until I can walk without a cane.
God has promised never to leave me, and is with me 24/7.
I know one day we will all be completely free from all pain, when we see Jesus face to face! What a day that will be.
I will pray for you and your husband, Mary. You put a song in my heart today: “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!”
Holding you and Ross up, Mary, to our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit. We pray for the precious and pure blood of Jesus to pour over and cover you, for complete healing, protection, strength, comfort and loving mercy. Amen, amen, and amen.
Thank you sister, Lynda!
Happy Birthday Beverlee!
Thank you for all the wonderful comments, prayers, and good stuff you share with us. I hope you don’t mind if I share some of it with others, because I think it’s better than gold! God bless you.
Happy Birthday !! 🙂
Yes, Happy Birthday Beverlee:)
Thank you Irene and Diane! 🙂
Ahhh, thanks Rob! God bless you, too!
Thank you Beverlee for the song!
I pray for a complete healing for you, in the Name of Jesus!!!
Thank you for your healing prayer, Irene!
Happy Birthday Beverlee and may God Bless you richly!!!
Thank you, Gisela!
Happy Birthday Beverlee. Also, give God praise that healing recovery continue. Psalm 121 NIV, five times God says he is ‘watching’ over us, over our lives, our coming and going. Blessings. SF
Thank you, Samuel!
How can I know if my eyes are blind
If I never learned to see,
For how can wisdom be brought to mind
If I never knew the truth of Thee.
(G W) Bill Marshall/22 Nov, 2015
This just popped into my head while reading today’s message.
Amen, Bill!
Happy Birthday Beverlee. So happy to hear you are healing better this time. I do appreciate all your prayers, poems, songs and writings over the years. You are a blessing to all of us. May God bless you on your special day and give you many more.-Ger
Thank you and God bless you, sister Ger!
Love the pics of all your friends Rev. Mainse. Thanks you.
A friend sent me this amazing video:
Repairing the lightning rods on Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janero
https://youtu.be/VxlKZereog0
Remarkable!
Yes you are ! Ablessing to me .And a happy birthday to you BEVERLEE
God bless you ….R…
Thank you and bless you, Rosemarie!
God bless you Beverlee and PRAISE AND THANK GOD for restoration of your health!
Your happiness shows in your blogs, and everytime you express your thankfulness to God for all He has done!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! May God grant you many more! HEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAIVOUR GOD TO THEE, HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART!!!!!!!
should read ‘THEN SINGS MY SOUL’
Amen! Thank you Sah!
Blessings fellow saints. Just returned from vacation to southern Caribbean, so all caught up now on my readings.
A Very Blessed and Happy Birthday Beverlee and so glad you are healing so much better this time. You are precious to all of us who are blessed by your postings.
Please I covet prayers for myself as I have a tear in my rotor cuff which is very painful and MRI to further investigate not until January 13/16. But I rest in the knowledge God knows all about it and so I wait Trusting in Him.
Blessings to all.
Lord Jesus I pray for an update for the MRI for Catherine. Thank you Jesus!
Thank you Catherine and welcome home from your trip! I agree in prayer with Irene for an immediate opening for your MRI and for the pain and swelling in your rotor cuff to dissipate and be healed in the mighty Name of Jesus!
I also have a tear in my rotor cuff. It happened back in March and yes it was very painful. I’ve been to physiotherapy and doing the exercises has really been of help. It won’t heal on it’s own without surgery but keeping active really does help. I still have pain but not nearly as bad as at the beginning. The only thing that would heal it other than surgery is a miracle from God. All things are possible with Him!!! I will pray for you, Catherine.
Blessings