Monday, November 18, 2019

THE BLESSED WATERS

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 4-5

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

 

Hierapolis, the “Sacred City,” is located in present-day Pamukkale in south-central Turkey. In the first century it was part of the tri-city area of Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis. This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:13). Before AD 70, Phillip (either the apostle or the evangelist) moved to Hierapolis, where he was believed to have been martyred. The sun sets behind a tomb surrounded by a travertine hot spring fountain. Today’s reading speaks to us of “running water” “streams” and “fountains.” It’s about keeping clean!!!

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

 

Key Verse: Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

In Proverbs 4 Solomon details the influence of his father, King David. David’s words were indeed retained in Solomon’s heart (4:4). When God asked Solomon what he wanted, he remembered his father’s words and asked for wisdom rather than riches, power, fame, etc. (1 Kings 4:29-30). We are in the midst of reading the proof that God gave Solomon his request…the “Book of Proverbs.” David had illustrated this gift of wisdom to his son by referring to the ancient practice in the marriage ceremony when the bride would put a wreath (crown of glory) upon the bridegroom’s head.

Proverbs 5 teaches divine wisdom in marriage faithfulness. Here is a strong warning to stay far from, and not even consider, sexual immorality. With an illustration of a fountain of water, Solomon shows that it is absolutely essential to remain faithful to one’s spouse. Lasting satisfaction and God’s blessing will come from honouring the marriage covenant. For a New Testament meditation see Matthew 15:15-20.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord God, I pray that my heart will be filled with Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I realize that whatever I put in my heart will affect every area of my life. May my heart be so full of You that there will be no room left for that which is not of You. I pray in the Name of the One “In Whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9)…Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As I sit at my laptop computer typing these words, I’m thinking of the modern proverb that arrived with the computer age, “garbage in – garbage out.” A former co-host on 100 Huntley Street television used to ask people if they had put their garbage out so that God could pick it up and dispose of it. He had practised as a clinical psychologist at one time in Toronto, so he knew, as a professional, the importance of getting the bad stuff out. The morning after I first heard him say this, I was driving at about 4:30 a.m., north on Jarvis Street, toward our studios at 100 Huntley Street. There, in front of me, stopping every few feet, was Toronto garbage truck #100!! I got the message loudly and clearly from God, “David, get the garbage out! Furthermore, live in such a way that you don’t put garbage into your heart in the first place.” Amen!!! Amen!!!

Yours, knowing that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [garbage]” (1 John 1:9),

David

P.S. Here’s a photo of the Jordan River and some brothers and sisters in Christ who were baptized in recognition of the fact that Jesus was baptized in this river by John the Baptist. Some were baptized for the first time in their lives and some were reconfirming their original baptism. What a happy time!!! Rev. Ron Mainse did the baptizing assisted by his son-in-law, Rev. Jason Patterson.

This is my granddaughter Elena and her husband Justin Gilmore.

11 thoughts on “Monday, November 18, 2019

  1. Father, thank You for your instructions and for your Spirit. Please help us today to choose your ways in all we do. And please help those who come after us choose You also. In Jesus’s name, amen

  2. Amen, to your prayer, Rob.

    We have friends down here in the south that just came back from the Holy Land. They were so blessed and would love to return again someday. She showed me pictures of them being baptized in the Jordan River. Gave me goosebumps. David’s pictures made me automatically think of my friends.

    May God shower you all in blessings today.

  3. Amen also to your prayer, Rob, which I also prayed!

    Dear brothers & sisters in Christ, I am asking you to pray once again for my family. My cousin Gunther is having a biopsy on the prostate today. Please pray for a positive outcome with NO cancer.

    My other cousin & Gunther’s sister is having a complete hysterectomy tomorrow due to uterine cancer. Please pray for a positive outcome & for all cancer cells to be removed from her body.

    Thank you all in advance for your prayers!

  4. Today’s picture is wonderful ,Reynold; today’s scriptures are filled with instructions for a healthy life, stay away from the tempter; I watch “Better Us” on TV sometimes, although its too late for me; thanks for the baptism pictures, reminds me of my two son’s baptism in the Jordan River(ages 12 and 9)
    I remember the miraculous adoption of Ellen, David and Norma-Jean Mainse grand-daughter ; Remembering Rev Father Bob MacDougal; how true “Garbage in Garbage out’.

    Keeping clean of all temptations is the way of life

    Have a blessed day you saints

    • yes Irene; your right; keep clean of all temptations…….I am so thankful I have a God who understands my weaknesses, and forgives me daily, Thank you Lord in Jesus Name I Pray
      Blessings to everyone on this blog…..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.