Saturday, November 28, 2015

A FRIEND

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 18-19

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

 

David Citadel is part of the walls that surround Jerusalem. It is located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Built to strengthen a strategically weak point in the Old City’s defences, the citadel that stands today has ancient foundations which were constructed during the 2nd century BC. It was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt by, in succession, the Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, Mamluk, and Ottoman occupiers of Jerusalem. It contains important archaeological finds dating back 2,700 years. The Proverbs we are reading predate these efforts in stone and are devoted to building wisdom, rather than buildings which can be destroyed.

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

 

Key Verses: Proverbs 18:21a, 19:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

…There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel — that will stand.

 

Other verses in these chapters could and should be key to finding and exercising wisdom. For example, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). We can all think of a person or persons who are our true friends. Let’s call them today, and let’s call that greatest Friend of all in prayer! Speak life, not death! Bless others with our words! Never underestimate the power of the tongue for good or evil. James, the one known as the brother of Jesus, wrote on this. If he was writing today, he may have been a blogger! Read James 3:1-12 for healthy medicine, the main ingredient of which is wisdom.

For a commentary on our second key verse (19:21), let’s go to James again (James 4:13-15). Just imagine that James is your blogger today.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Thank You Lord Jesus for being my Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Help me, I pray, to be Your true friend! There is a hymn, Father God, that I’m reminded of. It’s called “Friendship With Jesus.” Yesterday, Lord, I meditated on the hymn, “What a Friend we have in Jesus!” Today, I ask myself the question, “Am I a genuine friend of Jesus?” I pray for Your grace to be Your true friend. For this request, Lord God, I do as the Proverb in today’s reading says, I run into the “strong tower” of Your Name! (Proverbs 18:10). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I want to explain why I always use the New King James Version in my blog. It is because it’s one of several reliable modern translations from the original languages of the Bible, Hebrew and Greek. The NKJV in particular maintains the beauty of the 1611 translation in my opinion. The King James Version was first published at a time when the English language was at its best, as revealed in Shakespeare’s plays when thousands of ordinary, relatively uneducated people would stand for hours to watch and listen to magnificent words. Spoken languages are living organisms, and it is important to reflect the changing meanings of words. The Bible on which I was raised was an updated translation done in the mid-nineteenth century. For example, the word “prevent” meant “come before” back then. Now it means “to stop someone.” The new translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:15 translates the word as “precede” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Yours in honour of true friendships,

David

12 thoughts on “Saturday, November 28, 2015

  1. This was REALLY Rehma for me this morning.
    Jesus my FRIEND. You too brother – thank you!
    Translation clarification is not too shabby either.
    I need a pre-flight check list every day for Holy Spirit directions.

  2. I think we should go through Proverbs much more slowly. There is so much to read, understand, and digest. “High Tower” has come up over and over in my recent days, both in song (2 of which I have recently sung) and, also in hearing different preachers lately! I believe the strong towers were built into wall around the city and anyone being hunted down by an enemy could run into it and be safe. The tower had provisions also for a person’s needs.

  3. Thank you Sah for responding to my question yesterday. I agree it is unwise to hold unforgiveness in your heart for a lifetime and something we all have to work at from time to time. Also, I agree with you Doreen that there is a lot to digest in Proverbs. Thanks David for your explanations.

  4. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Yes, we are comforted by the coming of Christ, amen! Thank you for your friendship, David, and fellow saints! God’s continued blessings to all, today!

    “In the holy hush of the early dawn, I hear a Voice–
    ‘I am with you all the day, Rejoice! Rejoice!'”

    Friendship With Jesus, The Grace Thrillers
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjamn1hzawY

  5. Wow–I was just at a very low moment of the day and put on the last episode of 100 Huntley Street. I was so uplifted by the whole program. John Hull spoke about repetition in scripture, and needing to pay attention to that. Psalms 111, 112 and 113; each begin with three words: Praise the Lord. He suggested saying Lord, I praise You for…. each and everything, good and bad. Lord, I praise You for waking up to a new day. Lord, I praise You for the early morning walk I took. Lord, I praise You for keeping me warm, today. Lord, I praise You for my pain. Lord, I praise You being in control. The following song came to mind and I found this wonderful link:

    Judy Jacobs, I Will Worship You (I Exalt Thee)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVM7cwqGTTU

  6. I am sure everyone will chuckle and that is a good thing!
    Praise the Lord when the kidneys and bowels work good! Praise the Lord for good eye sight, good glasses, good hearing, for a heart that still melts when we think about falling in love, for a heart that is compassionate, for eyes that can shed tears, for a good sense of humour, for hands we can fold in prayer, for fingernails and toe nails that we need to get trimmed, for a heart that recognizes melodies, for a sense of music to be able to sing hymns, for a throat that allows us to hum a tune, for memories we look back on, for being able to swallow,
    Lord thank You we love You; we praise You, we anticipate Your coming but willing to live and share God’s blessings with others, we thank You Lord AMEN

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