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
Father God, thank You for being our refuge, our shelter in the storm, and as David said, our source of Truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Lord, please help the people of Canada, especially our leaders, to value the freedoms of speech, the press, assembly, and religion bequeathed to us by those who came before us. They recognized these rights as coming from You. Help people today to also recognize this.
Please give the members of the Senate wisdom as they vote on the conversion therapy bill before them.
Thank You, Father God, that no matter what, You are in control. This world belongs to You, and we pray that You will truly have dominion over this land, in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen… my prayer also, so beautifully phrased. God gave us a wonderful earth..let’s praise him and attempt to serve him.
Amen…Oh Lord I join in prayer for our leaders, may they hunger for your truth and justice, and may they have the courage and conviction to do your will.
What a wonderful example David’s parents were, faithfully opening and reading the Bible!
Oh Lord may we do the same, may your word live and grow in all of our hearts.
Amen and Amen.
Lord, I also join the prayers for our leaders and especially for the senate as they debate this controversial bill. Yes, please give the Senate wisdom as they vote on this bill. May Your will be done.
Agreeing with others in prayer for the decision of the Senate regarding this very important Bill regarding this Conversion Therapy Bill.
Your uncompromising Word is your will for this decision.
Praying that You Lord would raise up God fearing leaders over our wonderful Nation of Canada.
May the smile of your approval be on all of your Saints this day.
Blessings!
Praying for “unity in diversity;”
In agreement with these Prayers…..
May Love abound over all.
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in Western Canada.
Enjoy Song:
https://youtu.be/wnvzwAPqniU
I’m really enjoying the book of Proverbs because it’s all about wisdom knowledge and understanding and we all need that
So my brothers and sisters in Christ have a blessed day 🙏❤️
Amen to the prayer and the comments above
I have a prayer request but it’s not for me I don’t know if you are familiar with Daystar but the president and founder of Daystar Marcus lamb went to be with the Lord on Tuesday November the 30th 2021 he had contracted covid he and his wife and family were totally against the vaccination so Joni and her family really need our prayers at this time their son Jonathan believes that because they were very outspoken to about the vaccine and their son believes that because he was so outspoken that his father contracting covid was a spiritual attack of the enemy so please remember his wife Joni they’re adult children Jonathan his spouse Rebecca her spouse Rachel her spouse and the grandkids and everybody at Daystar the funeral is on Monday so I would really ask for your prayers that God would give them strength in this time of loss 🙏❤️
Agreeing with you, Marilyn. Continued prayer for Day Star and the family. I pray Father, in Jesus Name, that You will provide help and comfort during this time and also for the wisdom needed to continue the amazing ministry that they have. Being the only Christian station in Israel is an amazing answer to the prayer of Jesus. He commanded us to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and, at my church, we do. Blessings on all the Lamb family (especially the little grandchildren who loved their “Papa”). We asked for continued blessings on Day Star and the provision of Your choice people to advise and help. Amen and amen.
Thank you Doreen for responding to my prayer request it’s greatly appreciated God bless you ❤️
I love the Proverbs. So much incredible, helpful, wise, advice. Thank You Lord.