Chinese Proverbs
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Posted:Feb 3, 2015 3:02 am
Last Updated:Feb 3, 2015 3:03 am 16318 Views
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Always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-6
Bible in a Year: Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:1-22
Chinese proverbs are common and often have stories behind them. The proverb pulling up a crop to help it grow is about an impatient man in the Song Dynasty. He was eager to see his rice seedlings grow quickly. So he thought of a solution. He would pull up each plant a few inches. After a day of tedious work, the man surveyed his paddy field. He was happy that his crop seemed to have grown taller. But his joy was short-lived. The next day, the plants had begun to wither because their roots were no longer deep.
In 2 Timothy 2:6, the apostle Paul compares the work of being a minister of the gospel to that of a farmer. He wrote to encourage Timothy that, like farming, making disciples can be continuous, hard labor. You plow, you sow, you wait, you pray. You desire to see the fruits of your labor quickly, but growth takes time. And as the Chinese proverb so aptly illustrates, any effort to hurry the process wont be helpful. Commentator William Hendriksen states: If Timothy . . . exerts himself to the full in the performance of his God-given spiritual task, he . . . will see in the lives of others . . . the beginnings of those glorious fruits that are mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23.
As we labor faithfully, we wait patiently on the Lord, who makes things grow 1 Cor. 3.7.
Dear Lord of the harvest, help us to work faithfully as
we wait patiently on You for the fruit. Encourage us
when we are discouraged and strengthen us when we
are weary. Help us to persevere, for You are faithful.
We sow the seed God produces the harvest.
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Battling Distractions
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Posted:Jan 28, 2015 12:06 pm
Last Updated:May 3, 2024 3:35 pm 16413 Views
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Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. —Luke 10:42
Read: Luke 10:38-42
Bible in a Year: Exodus 19-20; Matthew 18:21-35
Every day I drive the same highway to and from the office, and every day I see an alarming number of distracted drivers. Usually they’re talking on the phone or texting, but I have also seen people reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, and eating a bowl of cereal while trying to maneuver a car at 70+ miles per hour! In some circumstances, distractions are fleeting and harmless. In a moving vehicle, they can kill.
Sometimes distractions can be a problem in our relationship with God. In fact, that was the concern Jesus had for His friend Martha. She “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” for a meal
(Luke 10:40 niv). When she complained about her sister Mary’s lack of help (apparently due to her devotion to Christ and His teaching), Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (vv.41-42).
Martha’s distractions were well-intentioned. But she was missing the opportunity to listen to Jesus and enjoy His presence. He is deserving of our deepest devotion, and He alone can fully enable us to overcome any of life’s distractions.
Lord, I want a heart like Mary’s—that takes
time to sit at Your feet to learn from You and be
close to You. And I want a heart like Martha’s—
that takes time to serve You, the One I love.
If you want to be miserable, look within; distracted, look around; peaceful, look up.
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The Hand Of God
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Posted:Jan 27, 2015 1:49 am
Last Updated:Jan 27, 2015 1:50 am 16235 Views
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My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
—Psalm 63:8
Read: Psalm 63:1-8
Bible in a Year: Exodus 16-18; Matthew 18:1-20
When NASA began using a new kind of space telescope to capture different spectrums of light, researchers were surprised at one of the photos. It shows what looks like fingers, a thumb, and an open palm showered with spectacular colors of blue, purple, green, and gold. Some have called it “The Hand of God.”
The idea of God reaching out His hand to help us in our time of need is a central theme of Scripture. In Psalm 63 we read: “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” vv.7-8. The psalmist felt God’s divine help like a hand of support. Some Bible teachers believe that King David wrote this psalm in the wilderness of Judah during the terrible time of his Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom had conspired to dethrone his father, and David fled to the wilderness
2 Sam. 15–16. Even during this difficult time, God was present and David trusted in Him. He said, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You”
(Ps. 63:3).
Life can be painful at times, yet God offers His comforting hand in the midst of it. We are not beyond His reach.
Beneath His watchful eye
His saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard His well.
God bears the world’s weight on His shoulder, yet holds His in the palm of His hand.
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Strengthen My Hands
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Posted:Jan 26, 2015 2:18 am
Last Updated:Jan 27, 2015 1:51 am 16117 Views
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Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:9
Read: Nehemiah 6:1-9,15 |
Bible in a Year: Exodus 14-15; Matthew 17
Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, is the man credited with making Singapore what it is today. During his leadership, Singapore grew to be rich and prosperous and one of the most developed nations in Asia. Asked if he ever felt like giving up when he faced criticism and challenges during his many years of public service, he replied, This is a life-long commitment.
Nehemiah, who led in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, refused to give up. He faced insults and intimidation from the enemies all around him as well as injustices from his own people
Neh. 4-5. His enemies even insinuated that he had a personal agenda(6:6-7. He sought help from God while taking every defensive step he could.
Despite the challenges, the wall was completed in 52 days 6:15. But Nehemiah's work was not complete. He encouraged the Israelites to study the Scriptures, to worship, and to keep God's law. After completing 12 years as governor 5:14, he returned to make sure his reforms were continuing 13:6. Nehemiah had a life-long commitment to leading the people.
We all face challenges and difficulties in life. But as God helped Nehemiah, He will also strengthen our hands 6:9 for the rest of our lives in whatever tasks He gives to us.
Dear Lord, sometimes itâs easy to get discouraged
when faced with criticism or challenges. Help
me to persevere and grant me the strength to be
faithful to what You have called me to do.
Life's challenges are designed not to break us but to bend us toward God.
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When Others Won´t Forgive
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Posted:Jan 23, 2015 1:46 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2015 5:34 am 16073 Views
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Forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the goal. Philippians 3:13-14
Read: Philippians 3:12-16
Bible in a Year: Exodus 7-8; Matthew 15:1-20
I was having lunch with two men who had opened their lives to Christ while they were in prison. The younger man had been discouraged by the fact that the family from whom he had stolen would not forgive him.
My crime was violent, the older man said. It continues to haunt and affect the family to this day. They have not forgiven me, . . . the pain is just too great. At first, I found myself paralyzed by this longing for their forgiveness. He continued his story: Then one day I realized I was adding selfishness to my brokenness. It´s a lot to expect that the family forgive me. I was focused on what I felt I needed to heal from my past. It took some time to realize that their forgiveness of me was a matter between them and God.
How can you stand it? the younger man asked.
t do: He died for our sins, and He keeps His promise to move our sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103.12 and will not remember [our] sins Isa. 43.25.
In the face of such great love, we honor Him by accepting His forgiveness as sufficient. We must forget what lies behind and keep pressing forward Phil. 313-14.
Thank You, Father, for the work of Christ on the
cross. Help me to understand and accept what
it means for me, and to be a messenger of that
forgiveness to those I meet along the way.
The work of Christ is sufficient for every sin.
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A Wonderful Explosion
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Posted:Jan 22, 2015 1:46 am
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2015 5:34 am 16189 Views
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As I have loved you, . . . you also love one another. John 13:34
Read: John 13:31-35
Bible in a Year: Exodus 4-6; Matthew 14:22-36
In the book Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis recounts the joy of moving to Uganda and adopting several Ugandan girls. One day, one of her daughters asked, Mommy, if I let Jesus come into my heart, will I explode? At first, Katie said no. When Jesus enters our heart, it is a spiritual event.
However, after she thought more about the question, Katie explained that when we decide to give our lives and hearts to Jesus we will explode with love, with compassion, with hurt for those who are hurting, and with joy for those who rejoice. In essence, knowing Christ results in a deep care for the people in our world.
The Bible challenges us to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15. We can consistently display this loving response because of the Holy Spirit work in our hearts. When we receive Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. The apostle Paul described it this way, Having believed [in Christ,] you were sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13.
Caring for otherswith Godâs supernatural assistance shows the world that we are His followers (John 13:35). It also reminds us of His love for us. Jesus said, As I have loved you, . . . you also love one another (v.34).
Dear Jesus, help me to experience Your
love more deeply so that I can share it
with others. Empower me through Your
Holy Spirit so that I can glorify You.
Love given reflects love received.
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Pointing To God
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Posted:Jan 21, 2015 1:09 am
Last Updated:Jan 25, 2015 2:35 pm 16187 Views
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Remember now your Creator . . . before the difficult days come. Ecclesiastes 12:1
Read: Deuteronomy 8:11-18
Bible in a Year: Exodus 1-3;
Matthew 14.1-21
God bless our homeland, Ghana is the first line of Ghana´s national anthem. Other African anthems include: O Uganda, may God uphold thee,Lord, bless our nation (South Africa), and O God of creation, direct our noble cause (Nigeria). Using the anthems as prayers, founding fathers called on God to bless their land and its people. Many national anthems in Africa and others from around the world point to God as Creator and Provider. Other lines of anthems call for reconciliation, transformation, and hope for a people often divided along ethnic, political, and social lines.
Yet today, many national leaders and citizens tend to forget God and do not live by these statements especially when life is going well. But why wait until war, disease, storms, terrorist attacks, or election violence occurs before we remember to seek God? Moses warned the ancient Israelites not to forget God and not to stop following His ways when life was good Deut. 8.11. Ecclesiastes 12:1 urges us to remember now your Creator . . . before the difficult days come.
Getting close to God while we are strong and healthy prepares us to lean on Him for support and hope when those difficult days in life come.
Father, I always need You. Forgive me for
thinking I am sufficient in myself. Help me to
follow You and Your ways whether life is easy
or difficult. Thank You for caring for me.
Remembering our Creator can be our personal anthem
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When God Is Quiet
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Posted:Jan 20, 2015 4:38 am
Last Updated:Jan 20, 2015 4:43 am 16103 Views
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As [Elijah] lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.1 Kings 19:5
1 Kings 19:1-12 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 49-50; Matthew 13:31-58
I love to take pictures of sunsets at Lake Michigan. Some are subtle shades of pastel. Others are bold strokes of bright color. Sometimes the sun sinks quietly behind the lake. Other times it goes down in what looks like a fiery explosion.
In pictures and in person, I prefer the latter. But both show the handiwork of God. When it comes to Godâs work in the world, my preferences are the same. I would rather see dramatic answers to prayer than ordinary provisions of daily bread. But both are the work of God.
Elijah may have had similar preferences. He had grown accustomed to being the center of God´s grand displays of power. When he prayed, God showed up in dramatic ways first in a miraculous defeat against the prophets of Baal and then in the end to a long and devastating drought
1 Kings 18. But then Elijah felt afraid and started to run. God sent an angel to feed him to strengthen him for his journey. After 40 days he arrived in Horeb. God showed him that He was now communicating in a still small voice, not in flashy miracles 19:11-12.
If you´re discouraged because God hasnt shown up in a blaze of glory, perhaps He´s revealing Himself with His quiet presence.
Lord, may we see You today in the small
details of life in ways that we hadnât noticed
before. Thank You for the gift of Your quiet
presence, wherever we may find it today.
God is in the small things as well as the great.
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You Had To Act
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Posted:Jan 19, 2015 4:12 am
Last Updated:Jan 19, 2015 4:15 am 16208 Views
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No man ever spoke like this Man! John 7:46
Read: John 7:37-46 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 46-48; Matthew 13:1-30
A US congressman, John Lewis, was 23 years old when he participated in the historic 1963 civil rights March on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Half a century later, journalist Bill Moyers asked Lewis how he was affected by Dr. Kings I Have A Dream speech that day. Mr. Lewis replied, You couldn't leave after hearing him speak and go back to business as usual. You had to do something, you had to act. You had to move. You had to go out and spread the good news.
Many who encountered Jesus found it impossible to remain neutral about Him. John 7:25-46 records two different reactions to Jesus. While many of the people believed in Him (v.31), the religious leaders tried to silence Him by sending temple guards to arrest Him (v.32). The guards were likely present when Jesus said, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water vv.37-38. The guards returned without Jesus and were asked, Why have you not brought Him? (v.45). They answered, No man ever spoke like this Man! (v.46).
The words of Jesus compel us to act, and to move, beyond business as usual.
So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.
Jesus death forgave my past sins and inspires my present obedience.
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Leaving It Behind
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Posted:Jan 17, 2015 2:21 am
Last Updated:Jan 19, 2015 4:12 am 15861 Views
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The woman then left her waterpot [and said,] Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ? John 4:28-29
Read: John 4:9-14,27-29 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23
In the year or so after our teenage got his driverâs license and started carrying a wallet, we got several calls from people who had found it somewhere. We cautioned him to be more careful and not leave it behind.
Leaving things behind, though, is not always a bad thing. In John 4, we read about a woman who had come to draw water at a well. But after she encountered Jesus that day, her intent suddenly changed. Leaving her water jar behind, she hurried back to tell others what Jesus had said to her (vv.28-29). Even her physical need for water paled in comparison to telling others about the Man she had just met.
Peter and Andrew did something similar when Jesus called them. They left their fishing nets (which was the way they earned their living) to follow Jesus (Matt. 4:18-20). And James and John left their nets, boat, and even their father when Jesus called them (vv.21-22).
Our new life of following Jesus Christ may mean that we have to leave things behind, including those that donât bring lasting satisfaction. What we once craved cannot compare with the life and âliving waterâ that Jesus offers.
Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me;
Thereâs love and life and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee.
Christ showed His love by dying for us; we show ours by living for Him.
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