John MacArthur on the recent protests and violence in Charlottesville

The Charlottesville protests and violence

During a Q&A on Sunday evening, August 20, 2017, John MacArthur was asked about the recent protests and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. His answer provided a biblical perspective that has been largely absent from the public discussion about Charlottesville, even in Christian circles. We trust you’ll be encouraged by what he had to say.





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The living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Day 19 (25 Aug 2017, Friday)

1 Peter 1:3b “…unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead sets Him apart from any other person to walk the face of this earth and who had claims of being divine.  Jesus claimed it, to be God, and it was proven by His resurrection from the dead.  Indeed it is His greatest miracle (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

This was the great source of our Living Hope.  Peter spoke not from his book learning or second-hand knowledge, but from his personal experience.  Something extra-ordinary had happened in his life.  He has been a miserable failure.  He denied knowing Jesus in the hours that He needed him most.  But later Peter became an eye witness to the resurrection of Jesus.  He experienced the power of resurrection of Jesus Christ in his life that dramatically transformed him.  He was changed from a coward and a weakling to a courageous leader for Christ.

Similarly, Paul’s one desire is expressed in Philippians 3:10, ‘That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection’.  That word is the good news which was preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, “that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the Scripture” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  The risen Christ is our living hope.

Pray for 8 Mountains of Influence :  Media

Celebrate the fact that God is the Author of all forms of communication and Jesus is the Truth.  Pray that God’s intended purpose for this realm, i.e. to communicate truth and life, will be redeemed and celebrated.

As traditional media is slowing down coupled with all kinds of alternative media channels quickly filling the void, pray for discernment in the body of Christ to distinguish between real and fake news. Instead of spreading lies and half-truths, we will know how to manage information and use it wisely.

Pray that parents will educate and raise their children on how to reject and resist wicked and malicious content online.

Pray that those who report, edit and distribute the news will do so without fear or favour.



Necf Malaysia

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This living hope through Jesus comes by the new birth

Day 18 (24 Aug 2017, Thursday)

1 Peter 1:3b - “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…”
“New birth” or “born again” is a popular way the New Testament talks about the experience of salvation.
Long ago, Jesus addressed a proud religious man named Nicodemus who came in the night inquiring about eternal life. Jesus said to him “You must be born again.” It’s not enough to be born physically and so become a member of human race.  You must be born again spiritually, and so become a member of the family of God (John 3).

When scripture says that “God has begotten us again”, this is recognised as “born again” or “rebirth”. There is no hope for eternal life, unless a person is born again by the Spirit of God. You must be regenerated and made into a new person.
If you have prayed to receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior, and you walked out with the same outlook on life, with absolutely no spiritual desire for Him then the question that must be asked is, were you truly saved?

When you are born again, you should have a desire to act differently and to talk differently.  This living hope comes by the new birth.  Jesus gives us a new start, but there is more to come.  He gives us a total new life.  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away behold, all things have become new” (1 Corinthians 5:17).

Pray for the 8 Mountains of Influence :  Government 

Pray for the revelation of God’s divine order of governance upon our government.  As absolute power corrupts, pray that there will be a true separation of power between the judicial, legislative and executive branches.

Pray for men and women appointed to the Malaysian cabinet to be wise and God-fearing.  Pray that they will safeguard justice and thus create a peaceful and safe environment within the nation.  Pray that they will be used as agents that will expose and remove every form of corruption, injustice and greed.

Pray for the bills and policies tabled in parliament in that the laws/policies will give great consideration to the poor, widowed and less privileged; that there will be no place for greed, self-interest and unmerited bias.



 Necf Malaysia

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Pastoring in the Age of Celebrity

How famous Bible teachers impact local Bible study

More than a decade ago, Thomas Friedman declared The World Is Flat in his bestselling book about how technology has collapsed the barriers between local and global. The American church has also experienced this “flattening,” as trends in media and ministry bring faraway leaders and national organizations into Christians’ everyday routines.

Believers can chat with Tim Keller in one of his Twitter Q&As, Facebook Live with Judah Smith, or play a Rick Warren podcast in their earbuds while they hit the gym. Though teachings from prominent theologians have spread across the church throughout its history, never have they been so immediate or intimate.

Plus, there’s the bigger, 21st-century scope: More Christian leaders are releasing “content” than ever before, giving evangelicals overwhelming opportunities to hear from nationally known figures alongside the leaders of their own congregations. “People are hungry for answers, even from a disconnected authority figure,” said Philip Nation, an author and pastor at First Baptist Church of Bradenton, Florida.

As with most things in the Christian life, the draw to outside teachers is not merely an issue of personal preference-it stems from and impacts involvement in the local body, as well. In some cases, Christians take interest in the kinds of leaders they don’t see in their own churches. As Christianity Today magazine reported last fall in “The Bigger Story Behind Jen Hatmaker,” this phenomenon has surged among women, with famous figures such as Jen Hatmaker and Ann Voskamp fetching mass followings through their popular blogs, books, and conference sessions at events like Catalyst and the IF:Gathering.

“When [local women leaders] are missing, the voices of women with national platforms can become too loud in the ears of younger women, in particular,” said Jen Wilkin, minister at the Village Church in Texas. “National women leaders should be a reference point, but not a replacement for female leadership at the local church level.” Bestselling authors and biblical scholars contribute to Christians’ spiritual development and scriptural savvy, as pastors and churchgoers alike can attest. However, the work of Bible application is-by necessity-personal and incarnational, as well. It’s studying in community that allows Christians to disciple one another to live out gospel truths.

Are You My Pastor?

John Mulholland, associate pastor at Worthington Christian Church in Minnesota, wrote on his blog:
The pastor in your church will never out-preach Francis Chan, John Piper, Matt Chandler, Alistair Begg, Beth Moore, Andy Stanley, or any other pastor that you listen to through podcasting.
As much as I enjoy listening to Matt Chandler, he is not my pastor. I belong to a local body of believers that I am called into to be an active member. The attention around a popular Bible teacher and their work can make any given Bible study or sermon series from a local leader seem lacking in comparison. So Christians have fretted the influence of celebrity pastors.

“When a Christian author writes a book, it takes months or years. The work is unintentionally held up as a standard [that] local pastors must meet,” said Nation, who has written several small-group studies and books on discipleship. “We are trying to deliver biblically sound and soul-stirring messages on a weekly basis while also leading, counseling, and the like. It sets up a pastor to feel completely inadequate as a communicator of eternal truth.”

Jenny Rae Armstrong, teaching pastor at Darrow Road Wesleyan Church in Wisconsin, agreed. At smaller, rural congregations like hers, pastors “have to do everything from hospital visits to organizing music to serving on boards in the local community to making sure someone’s coming to pump out the holding tank.”

“I can’t compete with Bill Hybels or Lysa TerKeurst with a schedule like that,” she said, noting that Baby Boomers in her congregation typically follow some leaders they know from Christian TV, while younger congregants aren’t as interested in Christian celebrities. “Small church pastors are generally more focused on the pastoral aspect of their work than on polishing their presentation skills. The goal for teaching is ‘solid,’ not ‘spectacular.’”

The Best of Both Worlds

But churches can also benefit from exposure to different styles and perspectives on biblical teaching. Christians have always encouraged gifted teachers to use their skills to serve the body as a whole. Back in 2 Corinthians, readers find what might be the first reference to a celebrity pastor, though he remains notably nameless: “With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel” (8:18, ESV). Bringing in other leaders or referencing their scholarship, whether or not they are famous, can give congregants a more robust understanding than a single preacher could.

“A pastor can’t be expected to address every specific need of every Christian in their congregation through their preaching,” said Trevin Wax, Bible and reference publisher at LifeWay. “Good pastors seize the opportunity to resource their people with likeminded, trusted Christian leaders who may be especially strong in certain areas or speaking on certain subjects.”
For smaller congregations, the proliferation of well-known Bible teachers can be somewhat of a double-edged sword, according to Jeff Breeding, pastor of Midtown Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.

“On the one hand, it allows church members to take advantage of many more resources than our small church can offer,” said Breeding. For instance, the church does not have a formal counseling ministry, but members can access resources on the topic from teachers such as Paul David Tripp, the author and pastor who teaches on Christian living, parenting, marriage, and suffering. “On the other hand, the prevalence of Bible teachers also seems to have dulled some people’s discernment,” Breeding added. “If a person has a podcast or is featured at a conference, then he or she is assumed to be solid. Sadly, as you know, that’s not the case. Overall this current situation calls for pastors to be much more in-tune with what church members are listening to and reading.”

At Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, pastors preach expository sermons from the Bible, design small-group curricula around those messages, teach the Bible through classes and seminars, and encourage members to read the Bible regularly. The church also opens up to the wisdom of those outside their staff and congregation, featuring authors like Keller and Voskamp.

“Hosting well-known writers for speaking events, quoting them in sermons, and relating to them on social media are other ways to signal to our people and our community who our thought leader friends are,” said lead pastor Scott Sauls. “Having a public friendship with and/or affinity for well-known writers and authors also gives a certain credibility to our church for those who know the work of the authors well, but are still getting to know us.”

Such networking also helps the preachers themselves. Regardless of location, denominational support, or congregation size, they can access the surplus of Bible resources now available-a chance for them to find inspiration and new insights years after seminary is over.

“The proliferation of teachers available through podcasts, books, and conferences also gives the local pastor the opportunity to grow in the skill of preaching,” said Wax. “Yes, it raises the standard of excellence, but at the same time, it offers pastors the possibility of improving their craft as they benefit from prominent pastors they respect.”

Over Influenced?

Taylor Turkington, co-director of Western Seminary’s Verity Fellowship, describes the difficulty in analyzing how Christian women are influenced by the leaders they find online.

“Following someone on social media doesn’t mean they have become your dominant spiritual influence; neither does reading their book,” she wrote. “While it is hard to measure the quantitative impact of many of the online teachers, it’s not hard to find the devotees in our churches.
“Their books become part of Bible study; they are quoted from memory. The women speak of their beliefs as settled on an issue because of what they read in a blog post, and they presuppose others should follow suit.”

On the web, readers can find and follow compelling, gifted teachers without assessing where their theological affiliations or beliefs fall in comparison to their own. And at times, a leader’s popularity, presence on a certain book list, or spot on a speaker lineup might be enough for churches to share or endorse that leader.

Mulholland urged pastors not to let name recognition and amenability substitute for theological examination. He suggested they review all materials used in a leader’s ministries, asking, “Is it biblical? Do we agree with the doctrine being taught? Ask ‘Why this?’ and ‘Why now?’ and ‘How does this fit with the rest of what we are doing?’”

Of course, Christians need not limit their reading to teachers whose positions line up exactly with their own. But discerning readers know how to engage various teachers in relation to their own beliefs and the beliefs of their tradition.


According to Sauls, emerging conflicts can sometimes lead Christians to doubt their own pastors’ teachings or position them to choose which they see as more authoritative: their church or the blog in their browser bookmarks. But rather than continually creating a crisis of faith, exposure to outside teachers is, largely, helpful. It prompts curious, engaged Christians to ask deeper questions and learn more in their church context.

“These sorts of differences almost always lead to fruitful conversations between church leaders and members who are reading conflicting material from this author or that author,” Sauls said. “It also forces us to sharpen the ‘why’ of the things we say we believe.” These conversations are only going to become more common in small groups, Bible studies, and church offices as Christians continue to supplement their spiritual lives-like everything else-with what they find on social media and Google searches.

Michelle Van Loon, a writer on spiritual formation, recalled the warning from Ecclesiastes: “Of making many books there is no end” (12:12). These days, we could add Facebook debates, trending topics, blog controversies, and hashtags to the unending issues vying for our attention. Local church leaders find themselves at the point of convergence, helping to equip their congregations to process teachings from both inside and outside their church and inside and outside their belief system. Put simply: It all comes back to them.

The context keeps shifting, but fortunately the truth does not. Sauls stated:

The role of the local pastor is to affirm that which is true and beautiful according to Scripture, and to challenge that which is not true and beautiful according to Scripture, especially with the flock under said pastor’s spiritual oversight and care. This applies not only to well-known authors, but also to politicians and secular writers and philosophers and such. In every school of thought, there are things to affirm and, perhaps, things to also critique. But the measuring stick for the pastor should always be, “What does Scripture say about this?”






By Kate Shellnuttis online associate editor of Christianity Today. Follow her on Twitter @kateshellnutt.

This living hope starts with God’s great mercy

Day 17 (23 Aug 2017, Wednesday)

1 Peter 1:3b - According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

In our hopeless situation, God looks at us and what does He feel? Many people perceive that God is looking at the mess we have made of our lives and He is thinking, “well, I told you so. You’re a mess and you deserve it.  Suffer now.”  But that is not what the Bible says about God’s sentiment toward us.
In our hopeless situation, God looks at us and He feels mercy.  He is moved with compassion for us.  He feels pity for us in our predicament and He moves to do something about it.

The basis for our hope lies not in our own perfection or righteousness.  We are just too sinful, and God is too perfect.
The only hope we do have is that God will have mercy on us. Mercy means that God withholds His judgment, and He provides a way for us to be saved.  It is a good thing that we do not need to depend on our own perfection and righteousness, for we all are sinners in God’s sight (Romans 3:23).  Even as Christians, we find ourselves sometimes guilty before God (1 John 1:8, 10).  Mercy is bestowed unto us upon the condition of our faith, repentance, and baptism (Acts 2:36-38).

Pray for the 8 Mountains of Influence :  Economics and Business

Pray for revelation and redemption of the economic realm, for God’s intended purpose of stewardship to be practiced in all sectors, that it will be handled well for the creation and distribution of wealth in a manner that glorifies Him.

Pray that businesses which exploit people, including migrant workers, or manufacture harmful products, will be exposed and rooted out completely.

Pray that believers will seek to obey God and not to compromise with ungodly systems.  Pray that God will give wisdom and inspiration to Christian entrepreneurs to initiate and develop businesses that create jobs and uplift the society.
Pray for Christian business owners to treat their employees fairly and establish business practices that are in obedience to God’s commandments, values and principles.



 Necf Malaysia

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Changing a Nation

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 21 (KJV)

Proverbs 21 (KJV)
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

Scripture Meaning

Verses 
1: The believer, perceiving that the Lord rules every heart as he sees fit, like the husbandman who turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, seeks to have his own heart, and the hearts of others, directed in his faith, fear, and love.
(2). We are partial in judging ourselves and our actions.
(3). Many deceive themselves with a conceit that outward devotions will excuse unrighteousness.
(4). Sin is the pride, the ambition, the glory, the joy, and the business of wicked men.
(5). The really diligent employ foresight as well as labour.
(6). While men seek wealth by unlawful practices, they seek death.
(7). Injustice will return upon the sinner, and will destroy him here and for ever.
(8). The way of mankind by nature is froward and strange.
(9). It is best to shun bitter contention by pouring out the heart before God. For by prudence and patience, with constant prayer, the cross may be removed.
(10). The evil desires of a wicked man's heart, lead to baseness in his conduct.
(11). The simple may be made wise by punishments on the wicked, and by instructions to those who are willing to be taught.
(12). Good men envy not the prosperity of evil-doers; they see there is a curse on them.
(13). Such as oppress the poor by beating down wages, such as will not relieve according to their ability those in distress, and those in authority who neglect to do justice, stop their ears at the cry of the poor. But doubtless care is to be used in the exercise of charity.
(14). If money can conquer the fury of the passions, shall reason, the fear of God, and the command of Christ, be too weak to bridle them?
(15). There is true pleasure only in the practice of religion.
(16). Of all wanderers in the ways of sin, those are in the most dangerous condition who turn aside into the ways of darkness. Yet there is hope even for them in the all-sufficient Saviour; but let them flee to him without delay.
(17). A life of worldly pleasure brings ruin on men.
(18). The righteous is often delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead, and so seems as a ransom for him.
(19). Unbridled passions spoil the comfort of all relations.
(20). The plenty obtained by prudence, industry, and frugality, is desirable. But the foolish misspend what they have upon their lusts.
(21). True repentance and faith will lead him that relies on the mercy of God in Christ, to follow after righteousness and mercy in his own conduct.
(22). Those that have wisdom, often do great things, even against those confident of their strength. (23). It is our great concern to keep our souls from being entangled and disquieted.
(24). Pride and haughtiness make men passionate; such continually deal in wrath, as if it were their trade to be angry.
(25,26). Here is the misery of the slothful; their hands refuse to labour in an honest calling, by which they might get an honest livelihood; yet their hearts cease not to covet riches, pleasures, and honours, which cannot be obtained without labour. But the righteous and industrious have their desires satisfied.
(27). When holiness is pretended, but wickedness intended, that especially is an abomination.
(28). The doom of a false witness is certain.
(29). A wicked man bids defiance to the terrors of the law and the rebukes of Providence. But a good man asks, What does God require of me?
(30,31). Means are to be used, but, after all, our safety and salvation are only of the Lord. In our spiritual warfare we must arm ourselves with the whole armour of God; but our strength must be in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

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 21. In our text today we continue in words of wisdom from the Lord.

What catches my eye is how the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord. Even the Bible that you read today is in your hands today due the Lord changing the heart of a wicked King. In making application we see that our country and others have leaders that are ungodly. Knowing this it is hard to work under the authority of these leaders but the Bible instructs us to pray and seek God to have an ungodly Kings heart changed.
Today our leaders approve of sins that are an abomination from abortion to homosexuality but even so, the heart of King is in the Lord's Hand. If we humble ourselves, pray, and seek the Lords face - then will the ungodly will be convicted, having their heart changed - to lead our land in a Godly direction.
How about you? Do your pray for your leaders? Let us learn from our text today to remember that the Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord so we must pray and seek His face to change the course of a nation.

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

Jonathan Ugiagbe | For God's wisdom and understanding, favour and strength.

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, BLESSED IS TO BE ABOVE GROUND! HELP OUR WORLD COME TO PEACE!.......SELAH

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

Kumaresh Natarajan | 1) Very severe problems from evil men like M.Karunanidhi and his siblings. 2) Lack of peace, health and strength and any great word. 3) Mind full of suicide tendencies. 4) Food poisoning.

The hope that is ever ready

Day 16 (22 Aug 2017, Tuesday) 

Many people today are asking the question, “Is there hope?”
My heart goes to the believers of Jesus Christ in Iraq and Syria at this time.  The church is being severely persecuted for being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Not only do they need to know that they are held secure by God in their day to day lives no matter how bad life can be, but they also need to know that there is hope for them.

This is great news too for us today, that we remember, as His children, we are held secure in His hand, and there is a hope ever ready for our appropriation.

The Apostle Peter in this passage speaks of the great hope of all believers.  Hope is the vision that things will change for the better.  The hope that we have in Jesus Christ is a living hope, and that is significant because a living hope means that it is not a dead or lifeless hope.  It is not the kind of hope that gets us to think positively for the moment but does nothing for us beyond the grave.

But this hope that is in Christ Jesus is what keeps us going, this hope which says I know that things are bad now, but one day they will be better.  Hope says I know my life is racked with sin, sickness, problems and insecurities, but one day none of these will plague me anymore.

Pray for the Federal Territories of Malaysia  :  Labuan

Declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the purposes of His Kingdom shall stand in Labuan (Isaiah 46:10), that the different cultures and people groups will be celebrated, and where pre-believers can find rest and hope in Jesus.

Pray that as an offshore financial centre, Labuan will be home to the spirit of integrity, righteousness, and good governance.  Pray that the authorities who are in charge of tourism will use the RM120 million budget wisely.

Pray for revival and spiritual awakening in the body of Christ, that believers will be deeply rooted in His Word and prayer.  Pray that they will be filled with His compassion for their neighbours and friends.



 Necf Malaysia

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A Hope that shall be fulfilled in future

Day 15 (21 Aug 2017, Monday)                                                    

Daniel’s prayer of repentance and petition in Daniel 9:4-19 was in response to the prophecy given by Jeremiah, his Jewish predecessor.  The Word of God never goes forth in vain and His Work will never fail.  All He needs is a man who will take His Word seriously and who keeps watch over His moves and who co-operates with Him in the right timing with the right approach.

The Word of God will surely be fulfilled when the time of exile comes to its fullness.  Through Jeremiah, the Lord spoke to his people, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

God gave three simple instructions to the Israelites:  To lead their common lives responsibly; to seek the Lord with all their hearts by calling out and praying to Him; and to wait patiently and expectantly for the fullness of their time for deliverance.
Shall we also respond to this call as we wait upon the Lord for the transformation or our nation?  To love and to diligently build our nation; to seek the Lord fervently; and to wait for His deeds in His time in order to see the things we hope for come to pass.

Pray for the Federal Territories of Malaysia  :  Putra Jaya

Putrajaya is the federal administrative centre of Malaysia.  Decree an alignment of God’s will in all its administrative works.  Pray for His Kingdom and sovereign rule over the land, nullifying the works of darkness.

Putra means prince or son.  Pray that the Son of Righteousness will reign unceasingly over Putrajaya. Pray for His angelic host to guard over every gate of influence, denying the evil schemes and unrighteous influences from gaining access.

Pray for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers, that they will be people of truth, integrity and justice; despising all forms of evil, and upholding righteousness.  Pray for godly men and women to be salt and light in their jobs.



 Necf Malaysia

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Wisdom on Finances

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 20 (KJV)

Proverbs 20 (KJV)
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.

13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.

24 Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?

25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.

30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Scripture Meaning

Verses
1: A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank.
(2). What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet.
(3). Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God.
(4). Here we may see how strong is men's love of money.
(5). Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness.
(6). We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty.
(7). Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty.
(8). Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom.
(9). Lying is a damning, destroying sin.
(10). A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men.
(11). He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good.
(12). Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew.
(13). It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort.
(14). A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches.
(15). A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come.
(16). If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. (17). God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom.
(18). When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves.
(19). The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath.
(20). Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young.
(21). What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will?
(22). It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it.
(23). Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. (24). Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves.
(25). A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding.
(26). The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace.
(27). It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind.
(28). Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin.
(29). The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

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 20.
In our text today we continue in wisdom with many practical applications from being balanced to being diligent. What catches my eye is verse 1 which explains the sin of the recreational drinking alcohol. In making application we see that God gave us alcohol as a medicine as other drugs but those who misuse this item are not wise and are deceived.

Today we are bombarded with beer and alcohol commercials with the world saying it is o.k. to recreationally drink alcohol, but the Bible is clear on the use of alcohol. Those who want to justify alcohol bring up how Jesus turned water into wine but it was a "fruit of the vine" or a fresh grape juice not a fermented alcoholic beverage.
Today verse gives us more insight on this deception. How about you? Do you believe that the recreational drinking of alcohol is o.k.? Let us learn from our text today to shed light on this issue that has many deceived.