CONTENTIOUS
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This stone bridge is located in eastern Turkey at the entrance to Tarsus, home of the Apostle Paul, on the Ankara – Adana Road. This bridge, with three arches, was restored in 1978 and continued to handle all of the traffic until very recently. Because goods to be sold were taxed when crossing this bridge, it was given the name “Bac” (tax) bridge. With Christmas shopping underway, our governments will take in huge amounts in taxes on the goods we purchase. It’s great to give of our own free will to meet human need and, in our country, receive a charitable receipt which can help lower the amount of taxes we pay.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Today’s reading contains instruction for the proper use of wealth. God does not condemn the possession of riches as long as they are procured in a legitimate manner and used in a God-honouring way. Our key verse makes it clear that one of the proper uses of wealth is to help people in need. Failure to do this is so serious a matter that the person who does not help when it is in their power to do so will cry someday and not be heard in their day of trouble. This same thought is presented to us by the Apostle John in 1 John 3:16-18. If we are blessed with this world’s goods and fail to share them, we do not know the love of God!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear God, I pray for a greater measure of Your love so that I may love others as Jesus loves me! John wrote that You loved us so much that YOU GAVE Your only begotten Son for my salvation! THANK YOU!!! I ask for the grace of giving sacrificially. In the Name of the One who gave His all, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I am deeply moved by the recent refugee crisis. Mary, Joseph and Jesus were refugees from the violence of King Herod. They travelled into Egypt where the gifts from the wise men probably cared for their needs. Now there are refugees coming into Canada. As our key verse says, respond to “the cry of the poor.” Norma-Jean and I have looked for ways to help the refugees arriving from Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey. May the Lord protect from any terrorists who may try to spread their evil by posing as refugees.
Yours for opening our hearts to the needs of others,
David
“The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.” -Proverbs 21:3
And 1 John 3:18:
”Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
Dear Lord God, thank You for Your faithfulness – as You said, You will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to truly make You Lord of our lives by following You, listening to You, and obeying You. Help all Your children to be people whose actions show their love for You and for others. We have a long way to go in this, but please help us with this, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen!!
Amen to your prayer Rob.
Amen.
May Love abound in us and through us- to ALL.
Amen
Amen,Rob.
What Do We Take
What do we take when we go
And leave this nursery here below,
Do we take a bank account
To what would that amount?
We take happiness and love,
For that is all there is above
There will be no pain or hate
When we’re through Heaven’s gate.
There wll be not one single tear,
Nor any danger or evil to fear,
And envy’s lies will not be near,
Nor sorrows cries will we hear.
All our hopes and dreams stay
With the things we give away,
For once we leave this place
We’ll gaze upon His holy face.
G W (Bill) Marshall /17.10.2011
Amen Bill, well said.
Agree- thank you.
Thank you for your beautiful poems William……they always lift my spirits!
Amen
Amen!
Amen to your prayer Rob and to your poem William! A blessed day to all bloggers!
The book of Proverbs is so amazing. I like verse 23 “keep your mouth shut and stay out of trouble”! Good one. Love the poem, William. Blessings all on this “Giving Tuesday “!! (how appropriate for our reading today).