Monday, December 2, 2019

TRANSMITTING TRUTH

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 23

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

 

This is the facade of St. Catherine’s Church, with statues of Jerome and the Virgin Mary out front. Midnight Mass, carried around the world on TV Christmas Eve, originates from this church. Jerome translated the Holy Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin, the language of the Roman Empire, in a large cave located under this church. It is located next to the cave which we are told served as the stable where Jesus was born. Jerome’s cave stretches under the Church of the Nativity and is adjacent to the stable cave. This church is connected, wall to wall, to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Like Elijah’s statue on Mt. Carmel, Jerome’s statue is depicted as trampling on death. The last enemy, death, is defeated!

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

 

Key Verse: Proverbs 23:23

Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

 

Jerome (347-420 AD), who is depicted in the statue above, invested most of his life in producing the first complete translation into Latin from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. His work became the official translation of the Bible for the lands of the Roman Empire. In a very real sense, Jerome bought the truth with an investment of 20 years of his life. He gave “truth,” “wisdom,” “instruction,” and “understanding” to the whole world. Other translations were made into other languages from Jerome’s amazing work.

Today’s reading may contain the longest section on any one topic in all of the book of Proverbs. Verses 20 and 21 refer to “winebibbers” and “the drunkard.” Then verses 29 to 35 are all about those “who linger long at the wine.” It’s a most serious warning which wise people will take to heart.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for (1) truth, which is manifested in the gifts of (2) wisdom, (3) instruction and (4) understanding, to be constantly active in my life. I ask for Your protection against the temptation of too much alcohol with its mind-muddling effects and any other substances or activities that work against these four gifts. I pray this in the Name of the One who always demonstrated these qualities, Jesus Christ, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Recently I stood in front of Jerome’s statue in Bethlehem as I was videotaping a Christmas show (click here and scroll to 29:00 near the end of the program). As I thought about Jerome, I thought about the great price paid by him and many others to give us our precious Bibles. My earliest memories of the Bible were of my mother opening her Bible each day at breakfast and at dinner while my Dad was overseas (1938-1944) reading lovingly and carefully. I had no doubt that this was the most important thing we did as a family. When my Dad arrived home in time for Christmas, he took upon himself the task of leading our family devotions. These influences are probably the main reason why I’m doing this daily blog!

Yours for publishing, reading, and learning the “Word of God,”

David

4 thoughts on “Monday, December 2, 2019

  1. Father God, thank You for your Word. Thank You for instructing us, for guiding us, for loving us! May all your children be strengthened, encouraged, and built up in You today. Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil… Please give us boldness in speaking Truth – your Word is true! Please be with all your people; show each one You are the Good Shepherd, and bring many more to You today. Please use each one of us as instruments of righteousness; help us all to use the gifts You have given us wisely and well. In Jesus’s great name, amen

  2. How blessed are we to have had parents who raised us to be Christians.
    Thanks to all dear saints who answered my call to pray for ‘Joseph’ (God knows who Joseph is).
    On overindulging in alcohol, I used to do that as a young person just to feel like I was fitting in….no confidence, very shy and a colossal introvert. But, since being filled with the holy spirit, and not all that long ago, wisdom and knowledge have walked with me. God is great!! May God be your best friend forever dear saints as He truly is the answer; only took me 60 years to realize that!

  3. Thank God you realized it Lynda D. and you are enjoying the good life now. Yes, Rob thank God for His Word and we are to “earnestly contend for the faith..”(Jude 3b). and thank you for your prayers. Amen!

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