Prioritizing Teaching in the Church

Day 26 (1 September 2018, Saturday)

Matthew 9:36 “…teaching in their synagogues…”

There were three essential things Jesus did throughout his earthly ministry – teaching, preaching and healing.  His preaching and healing were usually done whenever He met people in ordinary places, like marketplace, fields, streets in the towns and villages, or roads in the countryside that connected to the cities, or even in homes, wherever and whenever he was welcomed.  He did his teaching whenever an opportunity arose.

But there was one place where the people of God would come to worship and learn from God’s holy Word on the Sabbath at least – the synagogues.  The synagogue served as a template for our Sunday church services.

Since the earliest days of the church, Christians have gathered together to worship the Lord and to study the Word.  It is important to give primary importance to the teaching ministry in the life of the church.  Each week, we come together to worship and to listen to the preaching and teaching of the Word.  Pastors, leaders, elders who preach and teach regularly must follow the example of Jesus, who taught faithfully the whole counsel of God.  This involves prayerful preparation and careful study of the Word themselves.  The preaching and teaching is a holy ministry, through which a minister offers the bread of life, not his opinions, thoughts, or even the vision for his church.

Christians, it is our privilege to come to the Sunday service to hear the Word – in effect to hear Jesus teach.

Pray for the Heads & Governments of Selangor & Federal Territories

Tongues that Lift Up the Nation

Psalm 37:30 – 31 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.  The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

Flee from Greed and Be Contented in Everything

1 Timothy 6:6-9 But godliness with contentment is a great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.


Bible Reading:        Roman 11 - 16                    Isaiah 23 - 26



SOURCES

Necf  Malaysia

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Faith that Proclaims (the Whole Counsel of God)

Preface for Day 26 – 30: Harvest and the Word

The Lord of the harvest is building His Bride who will take root in the Word of God

1.  Focusing on West Coast  (Selangor & Federal Territories)

Selangor: 5,041,321 (Malay:  55.8%; Chinese: 28.6%; Indian: 13.6%; Others: 2%.  Selangor is the most developed and populated state in Malaysia.  The sub-districts (mukim) in Petaling, which include Bandar Petaling Jaya, Damansara, Petaling, and Sungai Buloh, has a population of 1.66 million people.  It is the most urbanized and commercial city in Malaysia, Shah Alam, the state capital of Selangor, a well-planned modern Islamic city, is located here.

Gombak which is located in the north of Kuala Lumpur is the home to an aboriginal Orang Asli settlement and Batu Caves, a popular tourist attraction during Thaipusam, is the temple cave.  It has erected an enormous golden statue of Muruga, to whom the cave is dedicated to the deities.


Federal Territories (Wilayah Persekutuan):  Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan are the three territories governed by the Federal Government of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of Malaysia, Putrajaya is the administrative capital and Labuan is an offshore international financial centre.  The population of Kuala Lumpur is 1.674,621, comprising of 44.7% of Malay, 43% of Chinese, 10.3% of Indians, and 2% of others.

It was established in 1857 and began as a trading post of the tin industry, during which the Chinese miners and traders made up most of the major population, governed by a Kapitan China, Kapitan Yap Ah Loy was the contributor for the KL’s early growth.  In 1896, KL became the capital of Federated Malay States, and the multiracial population began to settle here till today.  On 31 August 1957, Tunku Abdul Rahman declared Malaya as an independent country in Dataran Merdeka, KL.  The darkest hour came on 13 May 1969, when race riots – mainly between Malays and Chinese, claimed hundreds of lives.  In 1974, KL became a Federal Territory.  In 1999, Putrajaya became the new administrative capital, but KL remains as the country’s financial and commercial center.

2.    Focusing on Prayer Altar Covenant to know God.

       A covenant made is a sacred agreement between God and you to fulfil His Plan.  To what
       extent will you offer your time and commitment to know God better through the Bible
       Reading Challenge?

SOURCES

Necf  Malaysia

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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

Necf  Malaysia

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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

Necf  Malaysia

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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

Necf  Malaysia

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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

SOURCES

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Related Article: The Acts of the Apostles

Seeing & Asking

Day 21 (27 August 2018, Monday)

Matthew 9:38, therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.

When Jesus saw the crowd,  He didn’t just see a crowd of people approaching.  He saw the crowd harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus saw them differently and He felt compassion for them.

May the compassion of Jesus fill our hearts today as we read this verse.  Let us pray that we will see people the way Jesus saw.  We will see the great need of the lost in our nation.  Let His compassion stir our hearts to pray and to intercede fervently for His visitation over the needy.

The Greek word for “ask” is deomai”, which means to ask, beg, desire or long for (with a sense of pressing need because of our lack).  When our spiritual eyes are opened, we will be passionate to pray, to ask, to beg and long for more workers of His harvest field.

May we not merely see the great need of our nation but also the great harvest of the lost souls.  Let us obey Jesus’ instruction to pray earnestly for more workers to be sent to the field.

Do you see what Jesus sees today and ask accordingly to His Heart-felt cry?

Pray for the Heads & Governments of Negeri Sembilan & Melaka

Honest & Capable Leaders

Exodus 18:21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of the fifties, and of tens.

Good Stewardship in Handling All the Resources

Proverbs 27:23 – 27 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?  When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.  There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.


Bible Reading:    Acts 16 - 20             Jeremiah 48 – 52


SOURCES

Necf  Malaysia

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Following Jesus’ Model of Ministry

Day 20 (26 August 2018, Sunday)

Matthew 4:23 – 24 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.

Jesus showed a clear ministry model when He first started serving. His model is to teach Word of
God, to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, to heal the sick and to deliver the possessed. But before
He started His ministry. He called to Himself His disciples, and He brought them wherever He went.
They went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the
kingdom and healing every affliction among the people.

It seems like Jesus put His priority in ministry, but in actual fact, He chose His disciples in the first
place. Disciple-making is the very first thing of Jesus’ service to God. When He called His disciples
to Himself, He demonstrated for them His model of ministry, in the hope that they would learn from
Him as He prepared His departure in a near future. In time to come, the disciples were to do what
Jesus had been doing, and even greater things would they do in His name. This model was effective
as Jesus healed everyone who came before Him.

And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and
from beyond the Jordan. (v25)

Jesus’ ministry model attracted many to follow Him. They came from all places like Jerusalem, Judea and other countries. All of them experienced healing and deliverance, and all their needs are met.

Therefore, we have to start learning the model of Jesus’ ministry from this day onwards.

Pray for the Church Of Pahang & Johor

 Anointed with the Spirit of God

Isaiah 6:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me to
bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty
to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

 Empowerment with the Heavenly Authority

Mark 16:17 – 18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will
cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands;
and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick,
and they will recover.”


Bible Reading:        Acts 11- 15                        Jeremiah 43 – 47


SOURCES

Necf  Malaysia

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A Sharp Axe

Today's Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10 (KJV)

Ecclesiastes 10 (KJV)
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Scripture Meaning

To preserve a character for wisdom. (1-3) Respecting subjects and rulers. (4-10) Of foolish talk. (11-15) Duties of rulers and subjects. (16-20)

Verses 1-3
Those especially who make a profession of religion, should keep from all appearances of evil. A wise man has great advantage over a fool, who is always at a loss when he has anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly.

Verses 4-10 
Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yielding pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences.
The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another.

Verses 11-15 
There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose.
They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into a great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city, that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall not err, (Isa 25:8). But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness.

Verses 16-20
The happiness of a land depends on the character of its rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish, and lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is of ill consequence both to private and public affairs. Money, of itself, will neither feed nor clothe, though it answers the occasions of this present life, as what is to be had, may generally be had for money. But the soul, as it is not redeemed, so it is not maintained with corruptible things, as silver and gold.
God sees what men do, and hears what they say in secret; and, when he pleases, brings it to light by strange and unsuspected ways. If there be hazard in secret thoughts and whispers against earthly rulers, what must be the peril from every deed, word, or thought of rebellion against the King of kings, and Lord of lords! He seeth in secret.
His ear is ever open. Sinner! curse not THIS KING in thy inmost thought. Your curses cannot affect Him; but his curse, coming down upon you, will sink you to the lowest hell.

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 in the Book of Ecclesiastes with Chapter 10.
In our text today we see we are to behave wisely but if we are unprepared or unskilled we will have little or no impact on our situations.

In making application we see the importance of studying the Word of God to be a workman in our lost world. Just as an sharp ax will be more effective so will a laborer for the Lord who understands the doctrines of the Bible. How about you? Do you have a knowledge of the doctrines of the Bible? Let us learn from out text today to remember that just as a sharp ax is more effective as a tool - so is a Christian who understands and applies the doctrines of the Bible.




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