Collected or prepared by Pastor Wilfred Chung

May 4 - May 10, 2008

MAY 4, 2008 - Do You Miss Your Mother?

Proverbs 1:8-9: Hear, my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck. (NASB)

Mother's Day is coming this Sunday. What are you planning to give to her as a token of your love, appreciation and respect? For those whose mother is not around, do you miss her?

As you grow older, you will discover that you still miss your mother and you wish that she is around. Once a while you will think about her.

When you remember her, will you think of her instruction for your life? Mother's practical teaching for you will make your life beautiful and help you to receive honor in front of others. Review them and you will be successful in many aspects of your interaction.

Some of them may have to do with the content of this book of the Proverbs. Let us meditate this whole chapter one today. Listen to wise words. Avoid unruly company. Do it now before it is too late.

MAY 5, 2008 - How To Make Wise Choices In Life

Please meditate Proverbs 2:1-22

The book of Proverbs was written under the supervision of the wisest person ever lived on earth: Solomon. His word is gold.

In the passages of Proverbs, we are instructed to seek wisdom in life. True wisdom can only come from God's Word.

What are the characteristics of God's Word?

How does wisdom from God protect you?

What kind of persons you should avoid?

What would guarantee you to live successfully?

Following the advices in this proverbs are utmost important in our lives. We need to remind ourselves daily those principles.

MAY 6, 2008 - Guidance For A Safe And Prosperous Life

Meditation on Proverbs 3

This chapter of proverbs is full of good and practical promises for life. It deserves your going over again and again in your mind the whole day long whenever you have a moment.

At the beginning you need to understand what it means to trust in the LORD. Verse five and six say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”

Once we rely on Him totally, we will seek His Words of wisdom and follow his guidance. We will live our lives with love and faithfulness. (v.3)

We will honor the Lord with our finance as a priority. (v.9)  We will acknowledge his discipline in our lives when we go wrong. (v.12)  We believe in creationism. (v.19-20)  We maintain sound judgment and discernment constantly. (v.21)  We will help the needy without undue delay. (v.27-28)  We will have peaceful relationship with our neighbor and avoid violence toward anyone. (v.29)

Look at the great results and promises of God:

You will win favor and have a good name. (v.4)

You will have health and nourishment to your bones. (v.8)

You will have saving. (v.10)

You will have long life. (v.16)

You will have safety and sleep well without fear. (v.23-24)

God will keep you from being trapped. (v.26)

He will bless your home and give you grace and honor. (v.33-35)

Let us believe that with all our hearts.

MAY 7, 2008 - Sunshine And Springs

Meditation on Proverbs 4

There are two often quoted verses from Proverbs 4. They are the following:

Proverbs 4:18: But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. (NASB)

Proverbs 4:23: Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (NASB)

The Word of God tells us that a Christian's walk will have increasing impact around him. Since you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your personal savior, your life has been cleansed by the blood of Christ and you are counted as righteous before God. Now you need to walk righteously. And your life will shine as the rising sun. Your way will become brighter and brighter before you so that even others can see it and follow you. What a blessing!

But you must watch over your soul with care constantly. Your thinking, emotion, and will should be all on the right path. These functions of your heart will become the source of your life. And they can become the springs of life for others also.

Walking with God produces sunlight and springs for life. Rejoice!

MAY 8, 2008 - Drink Water From Your Own Well

Meditation on Proverbs 5

The main message in these words of the wise man is to encourage faithfulness between husband and wife. In my counseling experiences, I have painfully learned that the temptation of leaving one's own spouse emotionally and attaching to another person does not just fall on men only but also happen to women. But I also thank God that whether it is a man or a woman who is truly a God fearer with loyalty to God's Word will eventually come back to the original lover. But it will take effort and counseling.

However, if a person does not take heed to the serious warning from these proverbs, he or she will have tragic consequences. Someone may say that the breaking down of marriages is a common culture of this country today. Why should I worry about my marital pledge?

Read this passage again. God's word will not return to Him void.

Therefore, "Drink water from you own cistern, and running water from your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:15-18 (NKJV)

MAY 9, 2008 - Watch Out For Jealousy

Proverbs 6:32: Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband's fury; therefore he will not spare in the days of vengeance. He will accept no recompense, nor will he appeased though you give many gifts. (NKJV)

Matthew 5:27: You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jealousy is a powerful thing. We sense that even among those who claim to be servants of God. This is true especially when it comes to the relationship between man and woman. When a person is closer or more intimate to an opposite sex than it should be, his or her spouse will first sense it. In younger days before marriage, one may get close to another boy or girl other than the one he or she really likes in order to stir up jealousy. But after a couple is married, he or she should not do it any more.

We need to watch our distance with an opposite sex. If you are too close and too often in a lonely situation with someone who is not your spouse. Whether our spouse says it or not, he or she would be very aware of it. No one wants to admit jealousy, but the feeling that harbors in will not go away.

A word to the wise!

MAY 10, 2008 - Avoid The Path Of Sin

Meditation on Proverbs 7 (NKJV)

The immoral woman in this chapter can represent sin. A simple man can easily be led into the path of sin. Beginning from verse 6, we see the description of how a young man starts his journey into sin at night. Sin is loud and rebellious. Sin was lurking at every corner. Sin is so nice to him. Sin can use religious terms and appears to be so thoughtful. Sin can happen in a beautiful environment full of perfume. Sin usually occurs while our loved one is away. Sin sounds so good and deceives a person easily. The result is that sin causes self destruction. Eventually sin leads a person to hell.

How do we avoid sin? Proverbs 7:1-5 offers the answer: Keep God's Words; Internalize them in our hearts; Love the Scriptures and memorize them. You will then have sound and moral wisdom to avoid sins.