precious jewel

Prayer for January 20, (In the year of our LORD) 2021

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”  Proverbs 20:15
“And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God?’ ”  Mark 12:24

Father all glorious, powerful and Almighty; all praise belongs to You. There is no God like You; because there is no God but You. All others are the makings of the minds of wicked men and women.

The Psalmist wrote, Lord, “It is time for You, LORD, to work: for they have made void Your law”. You have empowered Your people to stand upon Your word by faith and through the grace given to us through the death, burial and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. We ask, O LORD, that You burden our hearts for a renewing of Your Spirit within our hearts, souls, mind and strength that we might more fully live for You and glorify Your Most High and holy name.

Give us, O LORD, a new hunger for the reading, the study, application and knowledge of Your holy word, the Bible. How can we serve You or know You more fully without that hunger for Your word? There is no knowing You or knowledge of You without Your word. Forgive us, Lord, for our willful ignorance of You, Your way and Your will for our lives because of our lack of interest, and lack of faith in the words of the Bible.

Send upon us, O LORD, a new burden for the hopeless, the helpless, the lost, the perishing, the weak, and the innocent; and may we with a renewed spirit of fire and zeal seek to bring them to Jesus our Lord and Savior. Also, Lord, that we who know You would live by faith a faithful life that honors and glorifies You holy and glorious name. Amen.

The Value of the Mind when Dealing with People and Things

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” Proverbs 20:12-17

Some thoughts on these verses from Proverbs 20…

Verse 12 – While verse twelve seems to stand alone by telling us who made the ear and the eye verses 13 – 17 deal with wealth. The ear allows us to hear and learn. The eye allows us to see, learn, and enjoy what we see.

One who loves sleep will never be wealthy; nor will they ever be a happy, satisfied individual (v. 13).

In order to get something at a lower price the buyer will make little of an article they desire; then after the purchase build up the item, and make much of the value, and his/her cheap purchase (v. 14).

There is value in rubies; there is “Precious” value in the “Lips of knowledge” (v. 15).

The use of collateral was a part of early systems of finance; even one’s garment. Receiving collateral is good advice if one secures a debt for another; especially if the other person is an immoral individual (v. 16). The wisest thing to do is to refuse to be a co-signer for someone, especially one you may see as foolish with their money.

Deceit may be “sweet” at the beginning but in the end it will be like “gravel” (v. 17).  Neither deceiving, or being deceived is pleasant; so let us be wise in being truthful.

When a man or woman is truthful with God, that is, trusting Him, believing Him, His Word and His Son; then we will be also with others.  We can trust the Lord. He has given us the greatest gift; and that is our redemption through the cross of Jesus.

Believe Jesus, and you can begin trusting God to have His way with you in this world.