Tuesday, November 24, 2015

TALMUDIM

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 13

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

 

The Trevi Fountain is in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Competitions had become the rage during the Baroque era to design buildings, fountains, and even the Spanish Steps. In 1730 Pope Clement XII organized a contest in which Nicola Salvi initially lost to Alessandro Galilei — but due to the outcry in Rome over the fact that a Florentine won, Salvi was awarded the commission. Work began in 1732, and the fountain was completed in 1762. It’s good to have an appreciation of past artistic creations, buildings, etc. We can do this for our children’s children (our key verse) by being creative in the inheritance we leave for them. It won’t be a Trevi fountain, but it can be a unique gift of some kind.

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

 

Key Verses: Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

 

Let’s back up to yesterday’s blog, Proverbs 12, for an observation. Here are principles which will help us reach our goals: (1) Be teachable! – 12:1a (2) Ask God for wisdom and be wise! -12:8a (3) Be industrious! – 12:11a (4) Be a listener! – 12:15b (5) Be prudent! – 12:16b. The word “prudent” means well judged, making good decisions, sensible, and well advised!

Today we continue to read a litany of the results of our behaviour. Proverbs 13:7 may have been in the mind of Jesus when He challenged the rich young ruler to sell everything, give to the poor, and come and be one of His disciples (students). Jesus promised this young man that he would have treasure in Heaven if he sacrificed worldly possessions. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all carry this story (check out Mark 10:17-22). Mark says that Jesus loved this young man. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps this young man was Mark, himself. We know that his family was wealthy as they owned the large upper room where Jesus celebrated the last Passover before His death and where the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 people gathered in that room. I like to think that this youth whom Jesus loved may have eventually done what Jesus told him to do. Our reading tells us, “One who makes himself poor, yet has great riches!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, it’s a joy to consider the inheritance I will leave behind me someday. I pray for wisdom in the choices I make. May my legacy be a strong influence for You and for good in the lives of those who come after me. I ask this in the Name of Jesus, the One with whom I am, according to Scripture, a joint-heir of God (Romans 8:14-17). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

This brings me to Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” My how things change! When I taught public school over 60 years ago, I was supplied with a regulation strap by the department of education of Ontario for the disciplining of my students. I understood that the word “discipline” comes from the word “disciple” (a learner “talmudim” in Hebrew), and I also knew that for learning to take place, an orderly learning atmosphere must be maintained. Yes, I used that strap once. I took the three boys (who had locked me out of the classroom for about 5 minutes) into the cloakroom, closed the door, and the other children (grades 5 & 6) could hear what was going on. I never had to use the strap again. I had asked my Dad for advice in discipline. He quoted Shakespeare, “Consistency, thou are a rare jewel.” I wanted more advice, and he said, “That’s enough. Just meditate on that statement.” The message came through clearly. Speak once, make sure you are heard and understood, and then act if your thoughtful and important instructions are disobeyed.

Yours for all of us being what the school children in Israel are called, “Talmudim.”

David

P.S. We were all “Talmudim” (learners) in our tour to Israel two years ago. It requires discipline to receive the most benefit from such a trip. The two photos below were taken at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem.

12 thoughts on “Tuesday, November 24, 2015

  1. Thank you, David, for the blog lifted me up, this morning. All the scriptures pointed to Jesus and my heart was restored. Oh, how we love You, Lord, amen! This song lifted me, too. Blessings, dearest saints.

    The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.** Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Pro 29:25; Psa 37:24 ESV

    I Will Worship You, Matthew Ward
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhJYN2Hk_FQ

    • Thank you so much, I have just listened to the hymn twice and have saved the link. I’m not proficient on U.tube, something I need to learn!!!

  2. Prayed with you this morning! to male wise choices!!
    To be teachable.
    Our first snowfall and colder weather is here today. But we have been blessed with a great Fall.
    Have a blessed day, Amen!!!

  3. Love the Proverbs. Thank you for sharing all your life-long experiences in this blog Rev. Mainse. I remember when our teacher had a strap and getting it a couple of times too. We were disciplined at home too but were still children. It certainly is difficult for teachers to discipline children nowadays and it must be so frustrating for them.
    Praying for Israel.
    https://youtu.be/ijytLs96yig
    Blessings.

  4. Good advice and I enjoy reading about your life experiences, David and fellow bloggers. Thanks for the songs as well everyone. A new family has moved into our community, originally from Ontario and has met you David. Had snow but now the sun is out, Praise God. Enjoy the photos too Reynold and David.

  5. Thankyou Rev. David for this morning’s blog touched me…
    And thank you for one of my faviorite hymn ” God will take care of you”….R…

    • The blood of Jesus wash over your shoulder, Catherine, to cleanse and heal you with the Mighty restorative Power of your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, King of all Kings, Jehovah Jirah, the great I Am, I Am. In His precious Name, we pray, amen, amen, and amen.

      • Thank you Beverlee for your uplifting words of encouragement and prayers. You are loved and I pray for your healing day by day. Blessings dear sister in-Christ. Catherine

  6. please pray for the missing chaperone from the Africian Children’s Choir,last seen in Burnaby,British Columbia Nov 13, 2015, no word from him yet.
    Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for a friend named Terry! The Lord spared her life by making sure her car went into a ditch full of snow instead of crashing into a big truck!
    Please pray for a young gal from 7/11 who was in an accident and broke her leg and foot! Pray that God will heal her completely. Thank you.

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