Tuesday, November 28, 2017

A FRIEND

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 18-19

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

David Citadel is part of the walls that surround Jerusalem. It is located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Built to strengthen a strategically weak point in the Old City’s defences, the citadel that stands today has ancient foundations which were constructed during the 2nd century BC. It was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt by, in succession, the Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, Mamluk, and Ottoman occupiers of Jerusalem. It contains important archaeological finds dating back 2,700 years. The Proverbs we are reading predate these efforts in stone and are devoted to building wisdom, rather than buildings which can be destroyed.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Proverbs 18:21a, 19:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

…There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel — that will stand.

Other verses in these chapters could and should be key to finding and exercising wisdom. For example, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). We can all think of a person or persons who are our true friends. Let’s call them today, and let’s call that greatest Friend of all in prayer! Speak life, not death! Bless others with our words! Never underestimate the power of the tongue for good or evil. James, the one known as the brother of Jesus, wrote on this. If he was writing today, he may have been a blogger! Read James 3:1-12 for healthy medicine, the main ingredient of which is wisdom.

For a commentary on our second key verse (19:21), let’s go to James again (James 4:13-15). Just imagine that James is your blogger today.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You Lord Jesus for being my Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Help me, I pray, to be Your true friend! There is a hymn, Father God, that I’m reminded of. It’s called “Friendship With Jesus.” Yesterday, Lord, I meditated on the hymn, “What a Friend we have in Jesus!” Today, I ask myself the question, “Am I a genuine friend of Jesus?” I pray for Your grace to be Your true friend. For this request, Lord God, I do as the Proverb in today’s reading says, I run into the “strong tower” of Your Name! (Proverbs 18:10). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I want to explain why I always use the New King James Version in my blog. It is because it’s one of several reliable modern translations from the original languages of the Bible, Hebrew and Greek. The NKJV in particular maintains the beauty of the 1611 translation in my opinion. The King James Version was first published at a time when the English language was at its best, as revealed in Shakespeare’s plays when thousands of ordinary, relatively uneducated people would stand for hours to watch and listen to magnificent words. Spoken languages are living organisms, and it is important to reflect the changing meanings of words. The Bible on which I was raised was an updated translation done in the mid-nineteenth century. For example, the word “prevent” meant “come before” back then. Now it means “to stop someone.” The new translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:15 translates the word as “precede” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Yours in honour of true friendships,

David

7 thoughts on “Tuesday, November 28, 2017”

Prov 18.24
Jesus is our closest friend
who walks by our side every day.
Songs -What a friend we have in Jesus
Friend ship with Jesus.

Reply ↓

Irene Ochotta on November 28, 2017 at 11:54 am said:

Amen, Carol! Jesus is our closest friend!!

Reply ↓

As so often happens,a poem jumps to mind that expresses better than my mere words can.This is another one,written after my surrender but before I was baptized.Many of my poems have notes attached,for expedience,in my files,as does this.This blog is a ‘lighthouse’.Many thanks to all and may God bless

The melody started in my head,repeatedly, followed by the first line of the chorus,then I had to get up and this is the result.I corrected two typos but this is as it was written.I firmly believe it was an inspired writing but at the time I felt too unworthy to believe this:
G W (Bill) Marshall

Salvation

Sweet Jesus I owe everything to you and to you alone,
You have shown me my home,you are my anchorstone,
You have saved me always when stormy winds have blown,
You have always been my rock,the truest friend I’ve known,
So why do you think me worthy as a seed you have sown
What can I ever do to earn all the love you’ve shown .

Ch:
Let me know sweet Jesus, let me know beyond my days
Let me know my savior,when I bow down to you in praise,
When my time here is drawing short and coming to a close,
As they carry me away after leading the life I chose,
I pray that I will leave not sorrow for those that I love,
But instead to know the joy that waits for us above.

I am not a wealthy man but I am very rich by far,
When I walk my journey you’re my guiding star
And you know that I am honest in all the things I do,
I have never born false witness,I only say what’s true,
You have strengthened my soul before I even knew
Of life’s losses with your love to see me through.

You have always had your hand placed within my soul,
You have shown me your light that has made me whole,
I have never known this love that comes from your grace,
Nor have I known compassion that shines from your face,
For I am still a sinner and you are the son of God
I can only meet you at the end of the road I’ve trod.
G W(Bill) Marshall (No copyright intended)

William Marshall Note:Couldn’t sleep after listening to ‘Salvation’ from Springhill.Got up at 3:30 AM and finished this at 4:16 AM.June 6/2011…I typed what I heard.