His Best for Our Life

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 16 (KJV)

1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Scripture Meaning

Verses
1: The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good.
(2). Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct.
(3). Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.
(4). God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last.
(5). Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. (6). By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken.
(7). He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him.
(8). A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten.
(9). If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God.
(11). To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment.
(12). The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security.
(13). Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose.
(14,15). Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour.
(16). There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom.
(17). A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ.
(18). When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves.
(19). Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good.
(21). The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents.
(22). As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours.
(23). The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others.
(24). The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls.
(25). This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls.
(26). We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.
(27,28). Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character!
(29,30). Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result.
(31). Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness.
(32). To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy.
(33). All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

Scripture Application

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 16.

In our text today we see more wisdom for daily living as our text advises us to put the Lord first in all we do. In making application we see how pride cometh before a fall and when we put ourselves before the Lord we are is really performing self worship which ends in failure. How about you? Do you put yourself before the Lord? Let us learn from our test today to remember to put the Lord first so we will experience His best for our Lives.

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

Amanda | Help. Finding. A. Good. Paying. Job. Financial. Blessings. Health. For. Entire. Family

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, LIFE HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER, AND I WOULD BECOME A MORE SUBSTANCIAL PERSON DOING SOMETHING TO HELP OTHERS AND MYSELF AS WELL! SHOW ME WHAT I NEED TO DO, AND OPEN A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ME! YOUR GUIDANCE IS SO NEEDED!.......SELAH

Michelle | My son has a drug promblem with meth and needs prayers for the chains of bondage to  be released

vijay aggarwal | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

mariam | PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SICKNESS SINCE I AM CANCER STAGE 2,MY HUSBAND WHO IS SICK ALSO OF TB,MY FAMA
ILY.,MY FINANCIAL AND MY FRIENDS..

Trust, the Basis of Our Hope

Day 7 (13 Aug 2017, Sunday) 

To believe is to trust

It’s as simple as that. We practice trust all the time, without thinking much of it, hardly ever
questioning. An example is when you order a Big Mac to eat, you are in effect saying by your action, that you trust the food you are consuming is what it claims to be. You don’t have a second thought on whether it is made of kangaroo meat instead of beef! That’s
trust!

Every time you get on a plane, you are expressing trust that the plane is airworthy, and though you have never grilled the pilots in an interview, you trust that they are qualified to fly the plane. You are, in effect, placing your very life into the hands of the captain and the co-pilot!

Now the question is this: if we live our everyday lives with such a trust, why is it so difficult to trust God and take Him at His Word? There is a serious inconsistency at work in our lives without us realising it!

And so, this is the right time, as we pray, to remove all our fears of truly trusting in God. The writer of Hebrews wrote of the necessity of faith. If we are to please God, we must trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6). The heart of the king is in God’s hand. It happened with Pharaoh
during Moses’ time. It was so with Nebuchadnezzar during Daniel’s time. And it can
certainly be so during our time.
God bless Malaysia! And yes, we can trust our God! Pray!

Pray for the States of Malaysia : Pahang

Pahang is the state which has a large majority of Peninsular Malaysia’s aboriginal peoples residing in. Declare the blessings of God to be upon Pahang’s population, from the jungle tribes to the villagers and to the town residents. Pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal source of hope and strength.

Pray for the relevant authorities to fervently impose and enforce stricter regulations curbing the extensive bauxite mining which has caused severe pollution and detriment to the environment.

Pray for the welfare of aboriginal tribes in Pahang (Semai,Jakun, Semoq Beri, Semelai,Jahut, Bateq, Temuan, Che Wong and Temoq) that they will be provided with the necessary aid and infrastructure for improved living conditions.



Sources : Necf Malaysia

Download 2017 NECF Malaysia  40Days Fast & Prayer (Prayer Booklet)

‘God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong-Un’ says Rev. Robert Jeffress

 Texas pastor: ‘God has given Trump authority to take out Kim Jong-Un’

God has given President Trump the “authority to take out Kim Jong-Un,” according to Rev. Robert Jeffress, one of the president’s key evangelical Christian advisers.
Jeffress’ statement on Tuesday (Aug. 8) followed the president’s warning earlier in the day that North Korea would “be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen” if its leader continues to threaten the United States.

The Texas preacher, who leads a congregation of more than 10,000 people at First Baptist Church in Dallas, has been an outspoken Trump supporter since early in the presidential campaign. He is one of dozens of conservative evangelical leaders who has enjoyed what one described as “unprecedented access” to this president who, they say, seeks their views on policy.

Jeffress released his statement early Tuesday evening as tensions between the two nuclear powers have escalated, and as Democrats and some Republicans criticized Trump’s remarks as reckless.

For the first time last month, North Korea successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach California, according to The New York Times. And The Washington Post reported this week that North Korea may have miniaturized a warhead that could fit inside such a missile.

In his statement, Jeffress said he believed the Bible makes clear that “God has endowed rulers full power to use whatever means necessary - including war - to stop evil.” The senior pastor praised Trump for not tolerating North Korea’s threats while panning previous administrations’ “sheepish stance toward dictators and oppressors.”

“When President Trump draws a red line, he will not erase it, move it, or back away from it,” he said. “Thank God for a President who is serious about protecting our country.”

In an interview with The Washington Post, Jeffress cited biblical verses from Romans 13, saying it “gives the government to the authority to do whatever, whether it’s assassination, capital punishment or evil punishment to quell the actions of evildoers like Kim Jong Un.”

Jeffress was a member of Trump’s evangelical advisory committee during the 2016 presidential election and since has attended several meetings of prominent evangelicals at the White House. That includes a dinner ahead of the National Day of Prayer, at which he assured, “Mr. President, we’re going to be your most loyal friends.”

Jeffress also recently hosted a Fourth of July concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where the president pledged his support to the military and to people of faith. First Baptist’s choir and orchestra premiered a musical arrangement of Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

Trump, who identifies as Presbyterian, has gone out of his way to embrace evangelical Christians. White evangelicals gave him 81 percent of their votes in November, a higher percentage than any other religious group.





Religion News Service

Clergy preach peace during Kenyan elections

Clergy preach peace during Kenyan national elections

NAIROBI, Kenya - Peaceful voting and an impressive turnout are buoying this East African country’s clergy, who made a energetic effort to quell the often fatal violence that Kenyans fear on election days.

In the weeks before Tuesday’s election (Aug. 8), ethnic tensions ran high, prompting religious leaders - Christian and Muslim - to preach for peace. Memories of the 2007 election in particular, which sparked violence that resulted in at least 1,300 deaths, are still fresh.

Clergy seemed almost to will a better outcome this year.
“We are confident peace will prevail. We still call for peaceful voting,” said Bishop Julius Kalu of Mombasa, who noted the strong turnout in his region. “There is a lot of work that has been done to sensitize the people on the importance of maintaining peace.”

Lines formed early morning across the country, with thousands braving morning drizzle in Nairobi to cast their ballots. The voters came despite the weather and fears of violence. Kalu attributed the strong turnout to voter education, carried out by churches and other religious and secular groups.

On Sunday, thousands had camped in churches to pray for a peaceful election. Pastors and priests had stressed in sermons that it was the people’s right to vote, and urged them to choose leaders who would please God.

“Go vote leaders of integrity, who are faithful and trustworthy. It is sin for you not to vote. You shall be accountable how you vote before God,” the Rev. Joseph Ndebe, an African Inland Church pastor in Nairobi, told his followers.

Sheikh Yusuf Murigu, deputy chairman of the National Muslim Leaders Forum, said during an interfaith service in Nairobi on July 27: “We all one people. I don’t see why brother should turn against brother. Islam is a religion of peace and we Muslims join in the call for peaceful elections.”
Kenya is about 80 percent Christian and 10 percent Muslim.

Bishop Julius Kalu

Pastors and imams got some help before the election from former U.S. President Obama, whose father was Kenyan.

“I urge Kenyan leaders to reject violence and incitement, respect the will of the people,” Obama said in a statement quoted by the Daily Nation, a Kenyan newspaper. “I urge Kenyans to work for an election - and aftermath - that is peaceful and credible - reinforcing confidence of your constitution and the future of your country.”

The election pits President Uhuru Kenyatta, 55, against opposition party leader Raila Odinga, 72. Opinion polls weeks before the election showed that the two were running neck and neck.

Adding to anxiety were a flurry of fake news reports disparaging candidates and the killing of a high-ranking election official last week.

“We are the ones to determine the future. That is why we cannot let anyone decide for us, and lead us on the path of 2007. We must be heralds of hope, warriors for peace, and rebels resisting any war cry! We bear in our hands the future of our lives, and that of our children,” said Roman Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri in a statement he sent to news outlets.

Ethnic rivalries, the perceived dominance of certain tribes in politics and widespread corruption has fueled much of the violence in this country of 48 million.

“I think the people are looking back at 2007 when a similar situation caused a lot of violence. The same appears to be true (today). … There are perceptions that the election will be stolen,” said Kalu, who added that Kenya’s ethnic diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than weakness.

Exacerbating tensions, al-Shabab, the Somalia-based al-Qaida affiliate in East Africa, threatened to disrupt the election in the coastal county of Lamu. The group is widely suspected of bombing a power plant in the region recently and an attack on a vehicle, which injured two people.





Religion News Service

Churches must improve treatment of singles

Churches must improve treatment of singles or risk losing them, author says

Gina Dalfonzo

It’s high time churches wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to the single adults in their pews - and for the even bigger number of singles who aren’t there.

That’s a message book One by One: Welcoming the Singles in Your Church, is busily and urgently sharing with media outlets, pastors, laypeople and anyone else who will listen.
Gina Dalfonzo, author of the 2017

Just look at the numbers provided in recent surveys, she says. The Pew Research Center found that the number of married Americans is at its lowest point - about 50 percent - since 1920. Meanwhile the Barna Group reported that 23 percent of active churchgoers are single.
Yet, church-going singles consistently report feeling like second-class citizens in their own sanctuaries.

“The question is what are churches going to do about that?” said Dalfonzo, editor of BreakPoint, a project of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Congregations should be paying attention to the fact that demographics are trending away from marriage, and adjust their programs appropriately for the settings, she said. Failure to do so risks sending them out to join the growing ranks of the nones and dones.

Baptist News Global interviewed Dalfonzo about her observations. Here is some of what she had to say.

Did this trend with singles emerge with the rise of the Millennials?

I think it was before that. I am Gen-X myself… I was just noticing a lot of it going on among my generation. There was such a disconnect with marriage and relationships…. For a lot of us, it just wasn’t happening. Not only were we not getting married, we weren’t going on dates.

You write in Christianity Today about evangelical churches struggling with this issue. Are there other groups getting it right?

It’s hard for me to say. I went to a non-denominational evangelical church for about 30 years and now am attending an Anglican church. From what I see and what I hear, there are problems all over the denominations. The book and the message seem to be meeting with a pretty good response, which gives me some hope the time is right for this message and people are going to listen to this message.

How big of a problem is loneliness for singles - and how is it expressed?

It’s just a pattern that seems to emerge when you talk to people. I interviewed a number of single people for the book, via questionnaire, about their experiences… and loneliness is one of those factors that emerge. What is unfortunate is that the church is exacerbating that loneness when it should be the one rushing in to fill the gap.

What does it mean to take more seriously the stories of single people?

This is part of human nature. Our tendency, if someone says they are lonely or unhappy or bored, is to rush in and say “I’m just as lonely as you.” I think that’s a large cause of a lot of the trouble. Singles are still a minority point of view in the church, so single people are used to hearing the stories of married people. Married people are not usually used to hearing single people’s stories…. One story came from a single man who said he has often had the experience of families getting together after church and forgetting to invite him along.

Is this what you mean when writing that single people are often ‘outside the system’ at church?

Married people are the mainstream and their experiences shape the teaching, how we see things, who gets to be in leadership, our social activities and all kinds of things. It is centered on families and married people because that is the norm. In my book I cite a New York Times article on why single pastors don’t get hired. It’s just such a foreign thing in the church.

What kind of ministries can address these issues?

I think ministries can help. I think this is something churches can do on a case by case basis. Demographics are different and situations are different. They need to listen to their single people.

How can individuals make a difference?

Of course, listening to the stories is a very big part of it. But it comes down to our theology and our willingness to absorb it and live it out, especially if we really believe everyone is equally made by God and redeemed by Christ regardless of marital status…. We need to revisit and refocus on what we say we believe and be willing to look around and see the single people in the  church and not just look past them…. I do believe single people have a lot to teach married people in the church. We are living counter culturally in the world and the church is always saying we need to do that.

Do you have any evidence that singles are leaving the church over these issues?

I have heard a lot of single people who say they are done or are leaving or have left, but I don’t have a lot of numbers on that. The mere fact that only 23 percent of church goers are single is telling because the rate outside the church is so much higher. Why aren’t we getting more singles in the door?

What can singles do to contribute to a better situation in the church?

It’s not easy but I think we need patience and persistence and to just share what we can every chance we get.

How have your book and its message been received?

I have been really encouraged by the response. People have been saying this really opened their eyes and they are thinking about singles differently now. My favorite response came from a woman who… said she never invited single people over to dinner outside of her family, and that she was going to start doing that. That’s such a positive, practical thing to do.

Have you experienced what it’s like to be single in the church?

I’ve never been married and I guess it was just an idea that came to me and stayed with me over the years because I was hearing people say things about singles in the church that were not really true, that were tactless and thoughtless. And and you think, how can you say that? It’s because they are not seeing us for who we are….

What are some of those stereotypes?

With a single woman they might say she didn’t put herself out there enough - or she up herself out there too much. There are so many things that just leave you feeling like you can’t do anything right. Because you are single you must be selfish or you must be immature. And some pastors will say that marriage is what makes you into a mature Christian, with the implication being that if you’re not married, you’re not mature.




This article was first published at Baptist News

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

VERA BANKSTON-JONES |  FATHER GOD, YOU PUT ME WHERE I NEEDED TO BE FOR MY PPLz AND I THANK YOU! A TRUE BLESSING ALL THE WAY AROUND. YOU ARE

SOO AMAZING!.......SELAH

Angelina Trevino | Please pray for my dad Antonio Jr. Trevino he just got bonded out of jail. It was all a misunderstanding. He was recently baptized and we're Christians. I just feel like the enemy is trying to attack our family. I would really appreciate anyone's prayers. Thank you and God bless.

frances concepcion | I have been admitted in the hospital last night August 9, 2017, cause of my Multiple Soclrosise disease and I pray that God will heal me but I guess I deserve this but it is me killing myself cause of my Immune system that is attacking my nerves in my brain and I am getting tired, my family is just getting anoid cause I say I'm sorry, please pray for me that God looks on me and have Mercy on me cause I believe in his Holy Son Jesus Christ....amen

 Precious | Praying for help in my marriage and that God steps in and fights the battles with my enemies

"vijay aggarwal  | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

Archp Dr Marina R Mendez | Please pray for a divine healing from chronic headaches (migraine) and chronic acid reflux (Gerds) Thanks and God bless you

Our Conversation

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 15 (KJV)

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Scripture Meaning

Verses
1: A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.
(2). He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.
(3). Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.
(4). A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.
(5). If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.
(6). The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing.
(7). We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good.
(8,9). The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased.
(10). He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.
(11). There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts.
(12). A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart.
(13). A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.
(14). A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.
(15). Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling.
(16,17). Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.
(18). He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled.
(19). Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty.
(20). Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly.
(21). Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy.
(22). If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass. (23). Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions.
(24). A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither.
(25). Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support.
(26). The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart.
(27). The covetous man lets none of his family have rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain often tempts to projects that bring ruin.
(28). A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well.
(29). God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance.
(30). How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ!
(31). Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life.
(32). Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body.
(33). The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.

Scripture Application

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 15. In our text today we see a continuing of practical wisdom. What catches my eye are the many references in controlling our tongue or what we say.

In making application I am reminded of how a ship is controlled by a tiny rudder, we are controlled and directed by our tongue. Our conversation will direct our life just as a rudder directs a ship. How about you? Do you see the power of your conversation? Let us learn from our text today to realize the power of our tongue and then to submit our words as instructed by the Lord.

Surviving an Affair

God can bring blossoms of joy out of the dirt of your despair

On August 12, 1988, my husband, Patrick, confessed he'd committed adultery.

His revelation was as unbelievable as if someone had told me the moon had fallen from the sky. The man who told me he'd lived a secret life of sexual sin seemed so different from the man to whom I'd been married for nine years.

But as the months went by, Pat found the strength to change, and our marriage was slowly, painfully restored. I discovered I needed God's grace as much as Pat did. And I had to choose-with God's help to remember that if God could forgive Pat's wrongs, I could, too. Today, almost 11 years after Pat's confession, thanks to God's love and power, our life together is better than ever before.

As I share my story of hurt and hope, women often reveal the terrible traumas their husbands have gone through infidelity, bankruptcy, depression, rebellion against God. But you can't "fix" your husband; you can only pray for him. When you come to the end of yourself, God will come through.

I've learned that, as a Christian, forgiveness isn't optional. But I don't think we ever forget the pain. Suffering teaches us deep truths about God's grace and love.

A few years ago, Pat surprised me by planting tulip bulbs in our flower beds. For many months-before beautiful tulips bloomed everywhere-all I saw was dirt pelted by rain. That's just like life. Sometimes all we see is the dirt watered by our tears. But God promises to bring back our joy (Isaiah 61:1-3). If you or your husband are hurting right now, trust God to bring blossoms of joy out of the dirt of your despair. He brought joy and laughter back into our lives; he can do it for you, too.




cred-Connie Neal as told to Jane Johnson Struck

The is article first appear on Todays Christian Woman

God, the Source of Our Hope

Day 6 (12 Aug 2017, Saturday)

It is very tempting for Christians to forget that our hope is in God alone.  Along the way, we get depressed and discouraged by whatever goes on around us.  When political turmoil increases, our distress increases.  When our currency fluctuates, our sanity fluctuates.  When things get gloomy, we become gloomy ourselves.

If God is our source of hope for salvation and eternal life, and this we attest to one another, then why is it we find so difficult going when our health or wealth goes down?  Why is it we become so easily affected by the negative words of people which is to the detriment of our spiritual and emotional well-being?

All these speaks that we must return to our true source of hope, and that is God Himself.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).  This was Paul’s prayer for the believers in Rome.  And because of the applicability of the living Word, this is also Paul’s prayer for every believer today.

In this season of praying for our church in Malaysia and for our beloved nation, let us look forward and upward to our God of hope.  Let our prayers be filled with an undiminished and unshakeable hope in God who loves us and gave His beloved Son.  The world may change, but God’s love never changes.  It is truly in God that we have hope, because our God is the God of hope.

Pray for the States of Malaysia  :  Terengganu

Pray against various social vices in the state, e.g.  teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, sexual immorality, etc., which are prevalent among the local fishermen communities in Marang, Kuala Besut and Kemaman.

Pray for the tribes of Semoq Beri and Bateq in the state, in that their plight of being an underprivileged social-economic group will be heard, resulting in the prompt distribution of relevant aid to them.

Pray for more workers of the Lord to be sent to this harvest field, due to the fact that there are many churches in Terengganu that do not have permanent pastors and leaders that are able to nurture and shepherd the body of believers.  Pray that the young Christians who leave the state to pursue their studies or careers will continue to keep the faith.



Sources : Necf Malaysia

Download 2017 NECF Malaysia  40Days Fast & Prayer (Prayer Booklet)