Friday 31 August 2018

Oppression

Today's Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4 (KJV)


Ecclesiastes 4 (KJV)
1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Scripture Meaning


Miseries from oppression. (1-3) troubles from envy. (4-6) The folly of covetousness. (7,8) The advantages of mutual assistance. (9-12) the changes of royalty. (13-16)

Verses 1-3
It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right. Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and misery of mankind, who try to create trouble to themselves and to each other. Being thus hardly used, men are tempted to hate and despise life. But a good man, though badly off while in this world, cannot have cause to wish he had never been born, since he is glorifying the Lord, even in the fires, and will be happy at last, for ever happy.
Ungodly men have most cause to wish the continuance of life with all its vexations, as a far more miserable condition awaits them if they die in their sins. If human and worldly things were our chief good, not to exist would be preferable to life, considering the various oppressions here below.

Verses 4-6 
Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.

Verse 7-8
Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have; and on this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man cares for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he will scarcely allow necessary rest to himself, and the people he employs.
He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they bereave themselves, not only of the favour of God and eternal life, but of the pleasures of this life. The distant relations or strangers who inherit such a man's wealth, never thank him. Covetousness gathers strength by time and habit; men tottering on the brink of the grave, grow more grasping and griping. Alas, and how often do we see men professing to be followers of Him, who, "though he was rich, for our sakes became poor," anxiously scraping money together and holding it fast, excusing themselves by common-place talking about the necessity of care, and the danger of extravagance!

Verses 9-12
Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing his praises.
Then let us improve our opportunities of Christian fellowship. In these things all is not vanity, though there will be some alloy as long as we are under the sun. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord.

Verses 13-16
People are never long easy and satisfied; they are fond of changes. This is no new thing. Princes see themselves slighted by those they have studied to oblige; this is vanity and vexation of spirit. But the willing servants of the Lord Jesus, our King, rejoice in him alone, and they will love Him more and more to all eternity.

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 start the Book of Ecclesiastes with Chapter 4. In our text today we lookat the missery of oppression as we see the results of a life that is spent seeking its own pleasure.

In making application we see the the same cause and effect of seeking after worldly gain. We reap what we sow and a life spent seeking after wordly gain will gain this oppression that is spoken of by Solomon.  How about you? Do you see this oppression? Let us learn from our text today to see that seeking after worldly gain can lead to oppression.



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Praying for Discipleship Commitment

Day 25 (31 August 2018, Friday)


Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We are living in the days where we need God’s special grace for the call and mission He puts in our lives.  It is through Him and by Him that we are able to fulfil God’s purposes in our lives.  He is the only one who can complete he work.  He has started in our lives.  God has called us to make disciples of all nations.  He has a great plan.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28: 19 – 20)

Making disciples needs manpower who are committed for God.  We are in the time of need now.  The bondage of sin is holding the people of this nation in darkness.  Are we going to approach God’s throne of grace to ask God for His workers?  Let us cry out to the Lord for His mercy and grace.  May His people receive His grace for His mission.

We work as if everything depends on us and we pray as if everything depends on God.



Pray for the Church of Negeri Sembilan & Melaka


Seek the Lord & His Strength

1 Chronicles 16:8 – 13 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!  Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!  Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

Praying Communities that Support God’s Servants & Ministries

Ephesians 6:18 – 20 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I May declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.



Bible Reading:        Roman 6 - 10                    Isaiah 18 - 22



SOURCES





Thursday 30 August 2018

Prayer And The Word of God

Day 24 (30 August 2018, Thursday)


Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The culture of the first church in Acts was their devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, communion and prayers.  These are vital elements in the church life.  Do we miss out on any of these elements in our church life today?

Do we place a high priority on the teaching of the Word of God?  The teaching of the Word and Prayer were the priority of the disciples’ ministry.  The disciples gave their full attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Why did the disciples devote to prayer?  Because it was a spiritual battle to bring in the harvest.  The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy.

Paul shared in Ephesians on spiritual warfare.  To equip believers for the battle, Paul’s exhortation for them is, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18).  Therefore, we know that prayer is the ultimate weapon in this battle.

The Word keeps us focus on His will and our prayer shall be aligned with His living Word that we are indeed praying for the will of God to be fulfilled over our land.  Malaysia is ready for the harvest.  Let’s join our hearts in prayer for selfless workers of this harvest, for He did promise, “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14).



Pray for the Families of Negeri Sembilan & Melaka

Fatherly Leadership & Guidance

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Be Grateful for the Heritage from God

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!  He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.


Bible Reading:        Roman 1 - 5                    Isaiah 13 - 17



SOURCES





Wednesday 29 August 2018

Praying for Boldness to Declare the Word

Day 23 (29 August 2018, Wednesday)


Ephesians 6:18-20 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Jesus told us in Matthew 9:37 that the harvest is plentiful.  But the problem is, “the workers are few”.  Jesus was looking for workers who will bring in the harvest of souls.  How shall the harvest of souls come in if no one ever declares it to them the good news of God?  The gospel is a mystery to many people.  Christ’s workers need to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

Paul reminded us to pray at all times in the Spirit and to make supplications for all saints.  Our prayer for God’s workers must be daily and constant, and it should become our consistent way of living.

Paul here requested prayer support from the Ephesian Christians that words may be given to him in opening his mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

There is a need for Christ’s workers to boldly declare His gospel.  All God’s workers need the Holy Spirit to give them words to share.  The Holy Spirit will convict people of their sin, righteousness and judgment with His living Word.

Lord of the harvest, may You give Your workers the right word to declare.  May You send them out to boldly declare the mystery of the gospel.

Pray for the People of Negeri Sembilan & Melaka

Minority People Group: Temuan

Psalm 33:12 – 15 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!  The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

(Temuan: One of the main aboriginal tribes in Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.  Pray that they will overcome economic and social challenges.)

Unity among the Races

Ephesians 2:14,17 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility… And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.


Bible Reading:        Acts 26 - 28                    Isaiah 6 - 12



SOURCES





Tuesday 28 August 2018

Praying in One Accord

Day 22 (28 August 2018, Tuesday)


Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

In Acts 4, the disciples of Jesus Christ continued to pray after some of them were released from jail.

The disciples prayed that the Lord would consider their threats and enable them to speak His Word with great boldness.  They also asked God to stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of His holy servant Jesus.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Despite pressing threats hauled from their enemies, the disciples of Jesus Christ were not fearful.  They prayed to God.  The word “prayed” here is the same Greek word “deomai”.  After the disciples asked or begged, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and became courageous workers of Christ Jesus.

Today let us pray in one accord like how the disciples prayed in Acts 4:24 – 30.  As we unite in prayer, may the Lord of Harvest send forth His workers and they will speak His word boldly.  May the Lord stretch out His hand and perform signs and wonders through His mighty workers.

Let us pray for boldness to rise up in the spirit of God’s workers.  Let the workers of God declare His power with signs and wonders.


Pray for the Land of Negeri Sembilan & Melaka

Give Thanks to the Lord for What He has Made

Deuteronomy 8:7, 9 – 10 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, …a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing…And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given to you.


God’s Redemptive Plan to be Fulfilled

Romans 8:19 – 21 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it , in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bond age to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.


Bible Reading:        Acts 21 - 25                    Isaiah 1 - 5


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