Daily Encouragement

MAY 25, 2008 - How To Train A Child

Meditation on Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." (NASB)

This is an often quoted and popular verse in the Proverbs. The usual interpretation of this verse is that the parent(s) should train the child in the right way. Some parents and teachers would think that the child should be taught what the elder considers is right and that is it. But the correct understanding is that the child should be instructed in God's way. This is the way the child should go

There is another interpretation of this verse we should ponder. According to the literal meaning of the Hebrew, "in the way he should go" should rather be "according to his way" (See NASB margin) In the light of this understanding, one should look for the proper method of training a child effectively. Every child in your school or home is different. For example, a boy's reaction to teaching may be entirely different from that of a girl. A little quiet child needs to be taught in a different manner from a child who is tough and aggressive. The teacher or parents must learn and adjust to the characteristic and personality of the child in order to help him accept the teaching readily. That is training up a child according to the entrance of his way.

Ephesians 6:4 summarizes the way we should teach our children- "Father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (NASB) Teaching a child according to his way would avoid hurting the motivation and chances of a child's learning.

MAY 26, 2008 - Some Thought On Your Eating From Proverbs 23

You should consider who are you eating with.- Proverbs 23:1-3, "When you are invited to eat with a king, use your best manners. Don't do and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat, don't be greedy for all of that fancy food! It may not be so tasty." (CEV)

I once eat with a leader of churches in a restaurant; he shared with me that he and another leader would look at the finger nails of fellow workers. If their nails are dirty and black, they would think that the workers are not very good. That woke me up on how my manner should be before some important leaders. If my body and attire is not clean or if I order too expansive a dish, they may look down upon me in some way. Whether you like it or not, Solomon's words are not to be overlooked.

Proverbs 23:6-8, "Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will have wasted your compliments." (NIV)

For the sake of making friends, we need to eat with others. But the best is to pay your own food if you don't know the person too well. He may turn around and give you a hard time.

Proverbs 23:19-21, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags" (NIV)

Don't develop the habits like those who are over-eating and over-drinking. Otherwise laziness and poverty may come your way.

MAY 27, 2008 - Building Your Home

Proverbs 24:3-4, "It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; it takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies." (Message)

Jesus said that the wise man builds his house upon the rock. When the rain, flood or tornado hits, it will stand. How do you do that? You listen to My Word and acts upon them, Jesus said.

The wise man also has knowledge to fill his home with all precious and pleasant riches. Earthly substances would not last forever. But they can be invested into godly treasurers that will last in heaven. I have recently seen and heard testimonies from quite a few very successful businessmen in a conference. Some have led their famous companies to tremendous financial position in America. They are dedicated Christians and give their lives to help the poor nations in the world. Each of them has built their house upon a firm foundation!

Proverbs 24:27, "Prepare your work outside, and make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward, then build your house." (NASB)

In the same chapter of Proverbs 24 gives us the priority in building a home. Before a person get married and build a family, he should get a job and prepare himself financially first. It is not good to depend on your parents or the governments in living. You must build your own home. That does not mean you should not try to get married as soon as possible. It does mean that you should work hard to find a job right away so you can support your own family.

MAY 28, 2008 - A Top Leader's Job

Meditation on Proverbs 25:2-5, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith; Take away the wicked from before the king and his throne will be established in righteousness." (NASB)

God's way is mysterious. He alone knows the full wisdom and judgment of everything He created. Therefore we must be dependent on Him for wisdom and understanding.

But the good leaders need to search out every facts of the matter before their judgment. It is the duty of a top leader to find out the truth and the details of what is going on in his administration. An organization must root out dirt and evil practices. God's concern is for righteousness to be established before Him.

We can see quite plainly the problems of leadership in businesses and politics before our eyes. When unfair practices, corruption or lack of response appears, the top leader of any organization or governing entity must be responsible. We hope all of us would learn such lesson and begin to improve forthwith.

MAY 29, 2008 – Answering The Fool

Meditation on Proverbs 26:4-5. "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes." (NASB)

What a contradiction in these two verses; should we answer a fool or not? A Christian does need the Holy Spirit to guide him or her.

From our own experiences, to answer a fool is a waste of time because it would lead to a long and unnecessary debate. And it may even trap the wise to be speaking like a fool.

On the other hand, there are times that we may answer the fool just like the foolish way he expresses himself. Hopefully he may be awakening to his own foolishness. As some commentators think that, in this way, the fool may be forced to face the reality of his foolishness. Also it does a favor to everyone.

We don't deal with everyone this way. The Apostle Paul taught us that our speech needed to be always being gracious and seasoned with salt. (Col 4:6) But when it comes to dealing with a fool in Scriptural sense, we want to learn from these proverbs.

May 30, 2008 - Praising A Man

Meditation on Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." (NASB)

God's wisdom for us is that a person should not praise himself, rather let others praise him. He can even accept the praise of a stranger, but he avoids the impression of bragging on his own. If he has to prove his ability and character, it would be better to show someone else testimony about him. A Christian should be happy about himself because God loves him and His grace is sufficient for him. Yet he avoids being boastful.

Proverbs 27:14, "He who blesses his friends with a loud voice in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him." (NASB)

Excessive flattery is considered a curse because it reveals a selfish motive. Early in the morning is a time to bless God and offer Him quiet praise. It should not be a time to please our neighbors with loud wishes.

Proverbs 27:21, "The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is tested by the praise accorded him." (NASB)

Others' praises can be a test of your character. Are you flattered by them or become proud because of them? Sometimes, they may expose the best or the worst about you.

MAY 31, 2008 - Law And Wickedness

Meditation on Proverbs 28:4, 13, and 28

I like the translation of these verses by the Living Bible. They are accurate interpretation according to the original, I believe. Here they are as the following:

"To complain about the law is to praise wickedness. To obey the law is to fight evil."

Consider the implication of this saying of the wise man. When you and I complain about the law of God and His moral code, we are lending support to the sinners. Instead when we follow the law, we are fighting evil force in our society.

"A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance."

What a revelation to our culture today! True standard of success can only come to those who admit mistakes and are willing to change. The word, "confesses" here is the only appearance in the book of Proverbs. It is very significant.

When we confess sins and forsake them, we will find mercy (original Hebrew word).

"When the wicked prosper, good men go away; when the wicked meet disaster, good men return."

Both citizens as well as government have the responsibility to deal with wickedness. As criminals and immoral leaders are dealt with, we will have capable leaders in the future.