GOOD MEDICINE
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 16-17
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
These Israeli spices were once used for cooking and medicine. According to our key verse, not only does a merry heart spice up our lives, but it is the true health food!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.
In the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:16-30). This was Jesus’ mission statement as He began three years of public ministry. He declares that “The Spirit of the Lord…has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…”
When reading this book, it’s difficult to choose which proverb to highlight. These words are dripping with wisdom! Examples — “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established” (16:3) and “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (16:18). Consider this, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (16:25). Then there are prescriptions for maintaining good health, our key verse, as well as, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (16:24). All grandparents need to listen up, particularly grandfathers: “Children’s children are the crown of old men” (17:6a). Who are our true friends? “A friend loves at all times” (17:17a). This works both ways. Each one of us needs to ask ourself, “Am I a true friend?”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m not capable of carrying out the wisdom of the Proverbs on my own. I ask for Your daily grace. (I’m singing as I type, the old hymn written by Joseph Scrivens of Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!”…click here for a rendition of this classic song when Guy Penrod sang it on 100 Huntley Street). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My reaction to the Proverbs is “WOW!” and “OUCH!” I have learned a little wisdom (very little I think sometimes), and I am learning more as I read, mark, remember, and inwardly digest what I’m reading. For example, I need to do better in sticking to my goal of 100 words in each section of this blog. The last verse of Proverbs says, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips [keeps to 100 words in my case], he is considered perceptive.” That’s it! I’ll stop right now. My original idea in this blog was to be short, so busy people would find time to read the Scriptures daily and complete the entire Bible in two years.
Yours with the intention of dispensing the wisdom of the ages,
David
P.S. I found it hard to resist a few more words, given the topic of our key verse! Please check out this segment from 100 Huntley Street from a few of years ago, when we featured a DVD offer of our made-for-TV seniors’ series called, Really Good Medicine (click here). I’m not sure if any copies of the DVD are still available, but to find out you could call the Crossroads Order Line during business hours at 1-800-265-3100.
Good morning saints. It’s a beautiful day here in Florida. Thank you, Lord.
Really enjoyed today’s blog. Good words of wisdom. I enjoyed the video of Guy Penrod singing yet another one of my favourite hymns, Take it to the Lord in Prayer.
Praying for all who need prayers. God bless you all. Have a great day.
God bless you Nan, thank you for your prayers!
Nice to hear from you Nan, although I would enjoy the weather down there as it is raining and windy here today. I also enjoyed the reading today, I was thinking sometimes I talk too much and need to be still and listen.
I hope you can enjoy Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. We need toThank the Lord for His blessings everyday and His mercies every morning. Great is His Faithfulness.
Blessings to all this morning . Eleanor M.
Amen to today’s scripture, David’s message, prayer and song. Enjoy your time in Florida, Nan. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4 ESV
Alan Jackson What A Friend We have In Jesus lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV1OafTP9MI
Thank You, Lord God – You are worthy of all praise! Thank You for the wisdom, grace, and goodness You have bestowed on your people. Please help each one to live in ways that please You – by being honest, kind, humble, and forgiving. Please protect and strengthen all those You have put in leadership positions. They need your wisdom, guidance, and courage to do what is right. Please help all your church to grow closer to You, and share your loving Truth with others. I ask in Jesus’s name, amen
Pass It On, by Kurt Kaiser:
Verse 1
It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread His love to ev’ryone
You want to pass it on
Verse 2
What a wondrous time is spring
When all the trees are budding
The birds begin to sing
The flowers start their blooming
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You want to sing it’s fresh like spring
You want to pass it on
Verse 3
I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you’re bound
I’ll shout it from the mountain top
I want my world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on
A wonderful poem.,
…….thank you so much for sharing. Amen
Amen
Good morning dear fellow bloggers,
I agree with David. It’s difficult to choose which verses to highlight, in today’s reading. (My Bible is bright with yellow highlights). I need to heed the advice about few words. Sometimes I tend to talk more than is necessary.
Nan, I am happy that you are enjoying good weather in Florida. Like Eleanor, I have rain today where I am in Southern Ontario.
An Early Happy Thanksgiving to our friends in the USA. May you have grateful hearts and enjoy time with family and friends. ????
Dear Lusia; God bless you for your post; I also sometimes talk to much BUT I learned that people really don’t mind because I am excited to share the love of the Lord and I also desire to know how the people are feeling and I always wish them well and ask if they need anything, it always works out ok especially for some of the men,they seem not to talk as much or feel they can’t talk about certain issues and I always encourage anyone to talk, please talk, I am here to listen and I enjoy their tone of voice and I am very humbled when they share their stores….blessings to all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING and all God’s people said AMEN!
Yes, “A merry heart is like medicine for the soul . but a broken spirit dries up the bones”
I find David’s Personal Comments interesting and at times humerous
Our nice Fall weather has turned to winter, and very refreshing