Thursday, November 28, 2019

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

12 thoughts on “Thursday, November 28, 2019

  1. Dear Lord God, thank You for all the good people in my life. Please draw each one of them to You. Thank You for our many neighbours who are focusing on being thankful today. Please help them to truly be grateful for all the great blessings of life, and turn their minds and hearts to You, Lord, the One from whom all blessings ultimately flow.
    Father, we again lift up our leaders to You. They need wisdom, strength, and courage to perform the tasks You have given them. Help each one to find their refuge in You, and please put your armour on all your people, so they will be able to stand for what is right. In Jesus’s name, amen

  2. Please pray for my brother Joey, sister in law Pina.
    Samantha is their daughter and she is going though mental issues.
    She says she see angels and demons and wants to save the world.

    Thank you

  3. Amen Rob. Prayers for you brother Joey’s family Teresa! God and His Word is the answer as the Word, “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.”(Proverbs 16:3). God’s Word is powerful! Amen!

  4. Happy Thanksgiving to our friends in the USA. Prayers for Samantha, dear Luisa. May she receive the help she needs and God’s Hand upon her. Ruach, Spirit, breath of God, flow through Samantha and bring her healing, comfort, sleep and peace. Bring calm and strength for her parents, Joey and Pina. In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.

    Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV

    Praise Your Name (Lyrics) ~ Corey Voss & Madison Street Worship
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esrkrNQ4d40

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