THE GOOD AND THE BAD
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 9-10
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The beautiful view looking from the balcony of the Beit Bracha guest house in Migdal (the hometown of Mary Magdalene), next to the Sea of Galilee. This Christian ministry house is run by CMJ (www.cmj-israel.org). Looking down on this restful garden the proclamation is clear. Every believer has the responsibility to share his or her faith, in person and in support of ministries who do share the faith!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 9:8-9
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
In Proverbs 9 wisdom is personified as a woman who invites a guest into her house. Foolishness, similarly personified, does likewise. Wisdom and foolishness both presume the necessity of choice. Both invitations are heard and it is clear that the listener cannot have both! A choice must be made! The most urgent and pressing business in life: MAKING A CHOICE!!!
The second section of Proverbs begins with chapter 10. There are 375 proverbs to come. In the Hebrew language letters have numerical value. It’s interesting that the letters in Solomon’s name add up to 375. In this chapter the list of the rewards of the two people are opposites. The wise person receives many blessings; the unwise one reaps a harvest of sorrow and death.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You give such great blessings to those who live in Your wisdom! I pray that You will put a watch over my mouth so that, with Your Word and Your Spirit, I will communicate only that which will bring encouragement, life, love, knowledge, good food for the soul, strength, and wisdom. I come to You, Lord, in and through the Person who does all this and much much more, the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just turned in my Bible to Hebrews 4:9-13 where I read about the Word of God being living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. In Nazareth Village there is a Roman two-edged sword from 2,000 years ago. I don’t think that any symbol does an adequate job of describing the power of God’s Word. I experienced that power as a boy in our family devotions. For example, I can’t begin to count the number of times I heard my father quote Proverbs 10:22. “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Never once did I think that Dad was talking about material possessions. He served for four years in a country circuit with two congregations, one in Haley’s Station and the other in Admaston, Ontario. We had a big garden with lots of vegetables and farmers would often bless us with a gift of meat. It seemed that we only needed money for gas for the car, and that cost about 20 cents a gallon. I knew we were “blessed” and “rich” in the things that were really important in life. Dad read the Scriptures out loud to us at breakfast and at supper. I got the message!!!
Yours for all God has for us,
David
P.S. I chose the key verses because giving “Instruction,” “Teaching,” which will result in “An increase in learning” is a primary purpose for this blog! Here are some of our fellow learners atop the famous mountain in Israel called Masada. The cable car that carried us up the mountain is behind us.
The Fortress of Masada rises from 1,300 feet below sea level to 100 feet above sea level. You can see the cable car wires on the left.
The cable car ride up Masada!
Amazingly, there are 375 Proverbs and Solomon’s name is the same number! I don’t understand the “mixing of wine”. Is that with water? A beautiful start to a beautiful Sunday here in S Ontario. Blessings all.
From a commentary, Doreen:
“She hath mingled her wine — With spices, to make it cheering, invigorating, and delightful, this mixed wine being represented as the best, Proverbs 23:29-30; or, with water, as they used to do in those hot countries, both for refreshment and wholesomeness: whereby may be intimated to us, that wisdom teaches us temperance in the use of our comforts. She hath also furnished her table — With all necessaries, and now waits for guests.”
Thanks Beverlee, I’m not familiar with wines. Good to know.
Amen to all the prayers for those that have lost loved ones in the B.C. landslides, and for those in need of prayer for health issues.
I pray God’s hand on all of them. We don’t understand why these things happen, but faith will carry us through.
25 years ago, my daughter lost her husband, and the father of her 15 month old child in accident. She said it gives a whole new meaning to “in the twinkling of an eye”
That would have been very difficult for your daughter and family. Someday we will understand. We had tragedy that affected our family too. Blessings
Thank You, Father, for the caring of Your people. I agree with all the prayers from yesterday for Blessed’s granddaughter. Help her to find new life in You.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (from Solomon’s Proverbs)
Lord God, the founders of Canada were very conscious of our place in creation – they carved Bible verses into the foundations of our country. I’m sure this was done with prayers for future citizens. Please, Father, don’t let these foundations be destroyed; turn our nation back to You, Lord. Raise up godly people to lead us, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen to above prayers and comments.
Nice church service this morning at our park clubhouse. Had a student going through for a pastor preach this morning.
May God bless you all with a good nights sleep tonight. Amen.
Praying Heavenly Father, for the release of the remaining 15 missionaries in Haiti, as 2 have been set free. Please Lord, bring the breath of the Holy Spirit upon the kidnappers to let all these fine children, women and men return home. Have Your hand upon them for their safety and protection, dear Lord. Bring love and peace and an overwhelming sense of well being to this horrific situation, God. In Jesus’ all mighty and powerful Name, we pray. Amen, amen and amen.
Amen Beverllee agreeing with you in prayer for the rest of those. Missionaries.
I just heard in the news that two have been released.
Be merciful to them dear Lord. Amen.
Eleanor M.