Daily Encouragement

MAY 18, 2008 - Working With Others

Meditation on Proverbs 15:22, "Without consultation, plan are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." (NASB)

The wise man teaches us that we need to work with people in order to be successful at work or ministry. Often we find that it is difficult and inefficient to plan things with others. One rather does the planning by oneself and dictate others to follow one's own decision. It seems that this plan is not going to be supported with enthusiasms. Besides, one's own plan is not going to be the best because it lacks the view point from other angle which one may not thought of. Our co-workers can surely be our counselors.

This kind of advice is repeated quite a few times throughout Proverbs. If we want to be successful in what we do, we better get a lot of counselors, the more the better.

MAY 19, 2009 - God Is In Control

Proverbs 16:1-4, 9, 33: The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight but the LORD weights the motives. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.....The mind of a man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.....The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (NASB)

It is the wisdom of the sages to decide that 'Man proposes, but God disposes'. The Chinese has a similar proverb, 'Planning depends on human; success depends on Heaven.'

It is God and not man who has the intellectual and executive power to move the world. (William McKane)

We can expect our plans to be effective only if they follow what God has allowed. Therefore we should commit and roll over our work to the Lord's shoulder. Trusting in His will, we are willing to surrender anything which are in conflict with His desire. God has a purpose for everything. He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

May you have such understanding and peace today.

MAY 20, 2008 - Bringing Healing To Your Friend

Meditate on Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (NASB)

How do we bring good healing to others? God's Word tells us that it is a joyful heart. When we have a joyful heart, we then can speak pleasant words. And "pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24) Turn it around, pleasant words can bring about a joyful heart too.

The difficulty is how to say a most appropriate word to bring healing and joy to a friend who is in need? Let us pray like Isaiah, the great royal prophet: "The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word." (Isaiah 50:4)

May God give us the tongue of disciples today. There are those around you who need genuine healing, and encouraging words.

MAY 21, 2008 - Save From Laziness

Meditate on Proverbs 18:9-10; "He also who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe." (NASB)

Verse 9 tells us the fact of life. If one is lazy in his work, he is responsible for the failure. The work that is half done is not accomplished at all. This is a question of being responsible for one's job. Whether we are working for a company or for a church ministry, we should be diligent to get it done on time.

Verse 10 tells us the importance of trusting in the Lord. As we call on the name of Jesus, we shall be saved. (Acts 2:21) The name of Jesus is like the ancient high tower. We run into it and hide in it. We will be in the highest place. No enemy can reach us. That is why we call on His name and pray in His name. He can save us from the pass, in the present, and in the future. Praise His name!

These two verses do not seem to be related. But may I say that if you are trapped in the habit of laziness you need to run into Jesus and call on Him to deliver you from being a irresponsible person. He can help you and put you in a higher place.

MAY 22, 2008 - Make Loan To God

Proverbs 19:17, "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." (NIV)

There are numerous passages in the Bible concerning the poor. God is very much interested to help the poor. You and I are the means God uses. The poorest of the poor in U. S. is still in better shape than the poor in some parts of the world today. We need to be the Christ-like disciples that follow God's teaching to be kind to the poor in deed.

For example, the victims of the recent earthquake in Sichuan, China would desperately need our financial support to rebuild their lives. You may bring your special offering to our church this Sunday and designate it for such purpose.

God has promised that we will be repaid for what we do for the poor. You can bet that He will pay you back, and you can never out give God.

MAY 23, 2008 - Gossip

Proverbs 20:19, "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." (NIV)

Dr. Charles Stanley discusses the sin of gossip in his IN TOUCH daily devotion today. Let me copy his for your meditation. He shares from Romans 1:18-31.

God hates gossip. He wants our speech to be pleasing to Him. He certainly doesn't consider idle talk or mean-spirited words pleasant as stated in Colossians 3:8.

Sadly, gossip is practiced so freely that even some believers participate and try to justify their chatter. But hearsay has no place in a Christian's life. Romans 1 contains one of the Bible's longest lists of sins. The book's author, the apostle Paul, is reminding believers that God has revealed Himself to all mankind. Those who reject Him and chase after idols are turned over to their evil worship and the immoral practices that go with serving self.

Gossip appears in the middle of the list. God despises it because malicious talk destroys lives whether the stories are true or false. The person who is targeted by the rumor often loses the respect of those who listen to it. Hurt feelings may not be the only negative effect. A job or relationship could be lost as well.

Those spreading tales also face destructive consequences. People who refuse to control the tongue reveal evil motives or, at the very least, lack of discipline. As a result, believers and unbelievers will often avoid such untrustworthy individuals. For a Christian who spreads rumors, there's potential for even worse damage, in that such actions can harm fellowship with the Lord. Animosity toward another person and intimacy with God can't coexist in the same heart.

Gossip achieves no good in anyone's life, which is why the Lord warns against it. Instead, our words should build up, comfort, and encourage others.

Source: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/in_touch/11576123/

MAY 24, 2008 - Avoid Constant Contention

Meditate on Proverbs 21:19-20, "It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and vexing woman. There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise. But a foolish man swallows it up." (NASB)

When a person asks me as a pastor what to do when the spouse is very angry in an argument, my usual answer is that don't fight and try to win at that time. Calm down and wait for a better time to discuss the situation. When two persons are hot mad at the same time, you will not be able to resolve the issue but risk damaging the marital relationship.

One of the major arguments between husband and wife usually is money.

In order to avoid the problem of constant friction, the wise man gives us some advice on how to handle money.

In verse 20, there is an indication of the importance of saving and not reckless and selfish spending. But how to save is the good question? Well, in the management of the wise, there seems to be two kinds of saving. One kind is the precious treasure which means to me that this is something that will continue to be valuable and make money in the future. The other kind is oil which is very important for cooking in the old time. This implies food items. The idea is that we need to budget for food. Therefore both kinds of planning are important in a household. Calm and mutual planning will save argument in days ahead.