ABOMINABLE
Today’s Reading: Proverbs 20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
An open market in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem. Today’s reading speaks to us of the dishonest use of weights and measures in doing business. These people establish the price by bartering. It seems they are disappointed if one does not haggle. Perhaps it’s their entertainment.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Proverbs 20:23
Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, and a false balance is not good.
Twice the word “abomination” appears in Proverbs 20. Synonyms could be “disgrace” or “obscenity.” The dictionary calls it “a thing that causes disgust.” It comes from a Latin word that means to “detest” or “loath.” God is obviously concerned with everyday life and the dishonesty that often accompanies our earthly existence. In this case, fraudulent scales are called an “abomination.”
The final verse in this chapter reads, “Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart.” Have we asked, “Why is this happening to me?” Chances are the answer is “Yes!” I have asked that question. As with all of the Proverbs, it will be helpful if we can find the time to pause in our reading and meditate on what we’ve just read. This is not mindless meditation on a meaningless word, sometimes called a mantra, but this calls for deep thought and a change of mind.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You show concern for the details of my life. I pray that Your Teacher, Holy Spirit, will explain to me the matters that are important to You and give me grace to change, so that I may become more like Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus! In His Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I confess that I avoid the shopping experience whenever possible. Norma-Jean and I have helped many people experience Jerusalem by organizing tours over the years. Norma-Jean has taken mainly women into the Old City of Jerusalem for a shopping experience. She loves bargaining. As a man I feel somewhat claustrophobic in those narrow aisles called streets (photo above).
I heard the story of two young boys on their way to two different Sunday Schools. One said to the other, “I go to a different abomination than you do.” Okay… it’s a joke. He meant to say, “denomination.”
Yours for good shopping this Christmas season, and for good television viewing. Here’s a link to Christmas productions from Crossroads called Journey to Christmas (click here to watch the trailer and here to rent it in a series of videos for streaming),
David
Thanks for that prayer, dear David, and great link to Journey to Christmas. Praying for blessings upon all saints in the Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Phil 4:4 ESV
You’re Gonna Be Ok (Lyric Video) // After All These Years // Brian and Jenn Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjF9IqvXDjY
yes indeed: so much is happening; such pushing by the devil;
I repeat Phil 4:40 very often;;;;if you have time please pray for a financial breakthrough for me….I am living on a line of credit….pray the Lord would bring a family who need child care from 4 p.m. unto 9-10 or so; would really like that kind of work;
I am a very old senior but I can do a few things also I have the room in the back….I have told the Lord that if HE will bring a room mate I would be ok with his choice…
I am hanging on the best I can, sleep disorder in a real UPSWING!
blessings to all and especially to you Beverlee Kay; your music is SO healing and just always seems to be exactly what I need to hear! GOD BLESS YOU! thank you Lord for this PP….in Jesus Name I Pray amen
God bless you, Sah. I am praying right now, that the Lord our God will bless you with a house mate to bring income in for you. I am sensing a male will be the right fit, Sah. A senior friend of mine has a younger male room mate and he is like a son to her and watches out for her, at the same time. In Jesus’ Name, I pray for you, all that is good and right. Amen!
TY Beverlee, this is somewhat of what I have dreamt also…..again, I pray the Lord will bring the right person…God bless you……
Agreeing in prayer with Beverlee for you Sah!!
Yes, prayed your prayer dear David. Watched Journey to Christmas already this year and will again if it appears. Love seeing the Holy Land again as well as the story. Bless all you saints today. Amen!
Heb 12.1b
Stripping away all the weights
that stop us from running the race.
Pray for my cousins as they plan
their mother’s funeral for next week.
Lord Jesus I pray for your comfort and peace to surround Carol’s cousins as they plan their mother’s funeral, and in particular as they say their last farewells. And Lord, if they do not know You, I pray they find you during this time of sorrow. Thank you Jesus, Amen!
Lord hear Carol’s prayer! TY Lord for ALL the blessings of this day! IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY!
God bless your cousins as they have lost their mom and are at that difficult place right now. May peace and calm fill them. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The older we get,the more funerals there are.If we had perfect faith,there would be no sorrow…if.
David’s prayer is a bull’s eye for me.Thanks Ron and Ann.
Who Truly Seek
The grace that I might change
Is all that I can ask;
To help my thoughts to rearrange,
That I can complete Your task.
Out of the blue You came
Into a heart so lost,
But since nothing has been the same,
And it’s You who still pays the cost.
Only You can win,
For we are much too weak,
But with You,even in our sin,
You save those who truly seek.
GW(Bill)Marshall/29 Nov,2017
Inspired by today’s prayer.
I should have looked more carefully for mistakes before posting.Here it is corrected:
Who Truly Seek
The grace that I might change
Is all that I can ask;
To help my thoughts to rearrange,
That I can complete Your task.
Out of the blue You came
Into a heart so lost,
But since nothing has been the same,
For it’s You who pays the cost.
Only Your might can win,
For we are much too weak,
But with You,even in our sin,
You save those who truly seek.
GW(Bill)Marshall/29 Nov,2017
Hi Ron, Is it O.K. to thank David directly now that he is With our Lord ? .l see some of the precious bloggers are doing this….l would like your input on this- l am forever thankful to our Lord for raising up a champion like your father…..Blessings to everyone.
I am also very thankful especially when I realize that Crossroads Communication goes around the world proclaiming the Gospel, Jesus Christ to the World! This gives me shivers! AND I need to remember that it is God who did all the work! He just asks us to share the Gospel with one another, He takes it around the world!
PRAISE THE LORD, THANK THE LORD, IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Thinking of and blessing all bloggers today
I especially pray for Norma-Jean and the family as they prepare for their first Christmas without Pastor David. May God comfort you and make is special.
Amen, Catherine. Praying for Norma-Jean and all the Mainse family, this upcoming Christmas. God bless you, Catherine.
Agreeing with David’s prayer…so right on!!
The photo reminds me of my time in Israel, and those marketing streets, so filled with shoppers. Too crowded, for me…I too was not too great at bargaining, as a result did not end up with a purchase.
Thank you David for sharing from your heart!!
Have a blessed day Ron and Ann and all you bloggers!
Saying Amen to all the prayers above.