Daily Encouragement

July 4, 2010 - Who Are You Close To?

Proverbs 14:6-7, "The mocker seeks wisdom and find none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge in his lips." (NIV)

The wise man says that a mocker or a scoffer can't get wisdom, thought he seeks it. A person's attitude manifested through his expression can tell you whether he will be a godly person or not. We are admonished to stay away from a person who mocks and thinks there is no God (Psalm 14:1). When we use discernment in choosing our close friends, we will get the result of learning more in life. Good knowledge will come easily through those who love the Lord and His Word.

That does not mean that we should not reach out to people and make friends for Christ's sake. But it does mean that we need to evaluate who are we closely associated with and for what purpose.

July 5, 2010 - God Is In Control

Meditation on Proverbs 16

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.

July 6, 2010 - Avoid Constant Contention

Meditation on Proverbs 21

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.

July 7, 2010 - Some Thought On Your Eating

Meditation on 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.

July 8, 2010 – Answering The Fool

Meditation on Proverbs 26

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. (Colossians 4:6) But when it comes to dealing with a fool in Scriptural sense, we want to learn from these proverbs.

July 9, 2010 - An Excellent Wife

Meditation on Proverbs 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. (v. 14-16) 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.

July 10, 2010 - Searching For Meaning In Life

Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1

This book was written by King Solomon who called us together to examine the meaning of life. He stated the theme from the beginning: "Vanity of vanities," says the preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." (NKJV)

Solomon summarized his searching from a scientific perspective, (v. 4-7), and found that nothing had changed; from a social perspective, (v. 8-11), and found that there was nothing new under the sun; from a wisdom and philosophy standpoint, and found that there was no solution. (v. 12-18)

From his experience, he could not find satisfaction in life. Everything is zero like a bubble. You work hard, but you finally realize that life is empty!

My recent reunion with my high school classmates impressed me with one thing: Many of them are preoccupied with the passing of friends who are dead.

What is the solution? One Christian Chinese scholar says, "Only faith can change grave to grace".