Daily Encouragement

JUNE 1, 2008 - Revelation Of God

Meditation on Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law." (NASB)

This verse has been often quoted to apply to leadership. A leader needs to set some inspiring goal for the organization so the followers would have a direction and not falter, so they say.

But actually the "vision" here means revelatory vision and not man's own idea. The wise man is emphasizing the absolute importance of the word of God. Without seeing and adhering to the standard and principles of God, the society will cast off their restrain. But those who keep God's law will enjoy life.

Specially when we see those religious organizations that depart from following the teaching of the Word of God and misinterpret God's word whichever way they can to satisfy man's own appetite, they would manifest lawlessness and unruly behavior. In turn, the society will follow suit.

Let us pray that God will help us to stand up for His Revelation.

JUNE 2, 2008 - Small But Great

Meditation on Proverbs 30:24-28, "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces." (NIV)

These verses teach you and me to learn from the nature. The ants, such small creatures, yet they know how to plan ahead. Coneys though weak know how to choose a safe place to live. The locusts know how to organize and march together like military by instinct. A lizard (or a spider) can survive in a palace because of its persistence.

These creatures seem to be insignificant yet they are so wise as they hold on their own created ability to be achieving success.

Therefore, you can learn from each of their good examples mentioned and will achieve greatness in your lives. Also, ask yourselves what are the innate abilities God has given you. You have a lot more in you than you think.

JUNE 3, 2008 - An Excellent Wife

Meditation on Proverbs 31:10-31

The key to be an excellent wife is found in Proverbs 31:30, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." (NIV)

I have been a pastor for many years. I have an observation concerning the young people as they grow up in many churches. It is that those Christian girls who love and dedicate to the Lord are usually very popular among the boys. Physically they may not be as beautiful as the contestants of Miss Universe, somehow they posses a spiritual attraction that Christian young men would like.

These Christian girls have a godly standard they follow. They will become excellent wives. After they got married their husbands trust them. (v. 10-11) They always think for the good of their husbands. (v.12) They are happy to contribute to the provision of their families. (v.13) They are diligent, know how to bargain, and distribute works in the family. (v14-16) They are healthy and energetic. (v.17-19) They are benevolent. (v.20) They dress well and provide for the family to dress well to suit the occasion. (v.21-22) Their husbands gain good reputation through them and their resourcefulness. (v.23-24) They do not worry about the future. (v.25) They speak words of wisdom and kindness because of their internalization of God's Word. (v.26) They are always busy for their families. (v.27) Their children and husbands appreciate them privately and in front of others because of their fruitful deeds. (v.28-31)

Once again, the key is to practice dedication to the Lord and act upon His Word.

JUNE 4, 2008 - The Path Of Spiritual Growth

Meditation on Psalm 1:1-6, ¹"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scoffers! ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night. ³And he will be like a tree firmly planted by steams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. ⁴The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. ⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, not sinners in the assembly of the righteous. ⁶For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the ways of the wicked will perish." (NASB)

Psalm one is the introduction and summary of all Psalms. This Psalm points out the path of spiritual growth for all of us. Briefly there are seven principles involved for growing as a Christian:

1. You need to have a life of consecration. V.1

How do you avoid following the counsel of the wicked, or joining with sinners and mockers? You must first dedicate your life to live for the Lord Jesus then you will have His strength not to conform to the world and be renewed in your mind. (Rom 12:1-2)

2. Next you need to develop spiritual habits. V.2

When you decide to develop the habits of reading and praying through God's Word, you will have the joy to do so each day. There are other habits you want to develop too when you learn from the Scriptures. Then you will grow spiritually.

3. Spiritual growth demands commitment. V.3

A tree needs to be planted. That is commitment. You should make covenant before God with the church as witnesses. When you sign your name on the commitment you make before God, you may enforce yourself that you want to grow and serve God. (cf. Neh 9:38-10:1)

4. There are all kinds of manifestation of spiritual growth. V.3

You would bear fruits in season. You will have all sorts of improvements and character growth that do not wither. You will experience God's presence to prosper in every thing you do. (Like Joseph in Genesis.)

5. You need to examine yourself in the process of growth. V.4-5

Judging yourself is better than being judged by others. Growth is personal. See 2 Cor 13:5

6. Spiritual growth is relational. V.5

Usually you can't grow by yourself. You need a cell or study group. You need coaches, teachers, and counselors. You need to be accountable to someone. You need to be in an assembly of the righteous.

7. Spiritual growth comes through a step by step process. V.6

The "way" can be understood as "path". (Chinese Bible) You need to take one step at a time. It takes processes, plans and trainings. (2 Pet 1:6)

(The points above are taken from and inspired by Rick Warren's teaching in 2008 PDL Summit.)

JUNE 5, 2008 - Kiss The Son

Meditation on Psalm 2

This is the first Messianic Psalm. It was a song about the deity and universal reign of the Messiah who was to come.

The nations and many leaders today want to get rid of the rule and laws of the Anointed One- the Messiah, the Christ. (v. 1-3, Amplified Bible)

But God laughs. His is in control. He has set up His kingdom in Zion. He will come back and rule visibly one day. (v. 4-6)

The coming Kingdom will be ruled by His Son who has risen from the dead. (v. 7-9) "I will declare the decree of the Lord. He said to Me, You are My Son; this day (I declare) I have begotten You." (v. 7 Refer to Christ's resurrection. See Acts 13:33)

Therefore all of the nations are exhorted to worship, serve and pay homage to the Son. "Kiss the Son lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed-happy, fortunate and to be envied- are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!" (v. 12)

Can you detect the four voices in this psalm? They are the voices of the nations, the LORD, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

JUNE 6, 2008 - How To Face Mounting Problems

Please open your Bible and meditate on the third Psalm.

This is the first psalm of David in the book of Psalm. This giant of faith showed us how to survive during a period when he was experiencing the greatest danger and heartache in his life. It was a time when he was fleeing from His own son, Absalom who had plotted against him for years and now had a whole army to pursue David. (2 Sam 15:13-17:22)

Verse 1 tells us that his enemies were rising. Verse 2 says that people were saying behind David that God would not deliver him. We can understand what the Israelites were thinking about their king then who was being chased by his rebellious son!

What is amazing is how David had confidence in God and His answer to prayers in such a tough time. (v.3-4)

He was able to sleep in the sustaining grace of God. And he was not afraid of all the problems from every side. (v.5-6)

Sometimes as Christians we should arise like David to pray for God's strike against our enemies. (v.7)

What gave David such confidence that God was on his side? He knew that salvation could only come from God, and his ultimate motive was to gain blessings for God's people. (v.8)

JUNE 7, 2008 - Cure For Insomnia

Meditation on Psalm 4

We should read Psalm 4 at night. As we learn from King David's song before he went to sleep, we too shall be able to sleep in peace. Shall we open our Bible and reflect upon these Scriptures carefully.

Before we sleep, we want to pray to Jesus, who alone is our righteousness. (v.1) We can be relieved of our stress because of what He has done for us. (2 Cor 5:21)

"Sons of men" in verse 2 is referred to the leaders of men. (in Hebrew word) Sometimes these sophisticated folks may twist our glory to shame because they disagree with our value system.

Even though we are under unfair attack upon our character, we are inside of God's protective realm, for He has set us apart. God will hear our prayers for sure. (v.3)

It is good for us to express our anger and frustration so we can avoid restlessness. But don't sin so we can still meditate and hear God in our silence. Selah. (v.4)

Before we go to bed, the best is to sing praises before God as sacrifices and express our confidence in Him. (v.5 and Heb 13:15)

As we look around ourselves, we may not see any good things in the world, but we are satisfy that God can hear us and still smile upon us because we are His children of light. (v.6)

Therefore we can be happier than those who have gained materially. (v.7)

When we are sure of the presence of the living God, we are safe and we can sleep peacefully. (v.8)