Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Matthew 6:33 states the following: 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you'. It does not say that these things shall be taken away from you but instead Added unto you. So whatever you desire like prosperity, health, good success will be added unto you as you seek out God's kingdom. And it does not say some things, a few things but ALL things. The Bible is very precise since God is the author. Hence we should pursue Godly things like worship, attending church service, reading the Bible, singing songs of praise, etc. We should never abandon our spiritual growth and pursuits as we work every day to put food to the table.

Delight Yourself in the Lord

Psalms 37:4 states "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart". From my personal experience, God has indeed answered my prayers for a job that I can handle and better still, I get to work from home! During my student years, I used to read the Bible very early in the morning before going to school and also while preparing for my exams. I also attend church, sing praises and to worship Him. This is one of my favourite verses that I can remember. When we spend time meditating on God's word and be transformed by the renewal of our minds each day, we will experience more blessings that will come along our way.

Inheritance

A wise man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. - Proverbs 13:22.

For parents with children, they should not think that leaving property or money for their kids is a waste where they should spend it on themselves. A pastor in another church even shared in his sermon that he won't leave any thing for his children. What lame excuse! Well then go read Proverbs 13:22 where it is clearly stated that a WISE man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. Two generations down the road. As parents you should not think that your kids will squander away your wealth. One parent lamented, "Why leave so much for the kids? Let them earn their own money!" This is the general opinion of most middle-class working parents.

Thank goodness, I have also seen some rich parents spending a huge chunk of their money to help their kids start up their own business. Instead of working outside for others, why not work for yourself and keep all the money? The best way to do this is to go into business venture and set up a company. I have seen 2 or 3 clients where the generous father pays to have futsal courts set up for their kids to run and manage. If your kids are poor, when you are old, who is going to take care of you? Think of it as a win-win basis when you leave some money for your kids to spend on as you age.

You are Crowned with Glory and Honor

Psalms 8 verse 5 - For Thou hast in Christ mercifully restored man to his primitive estate, wherein he was but one remove below the angels; from which he was fallen by sin. Crowned - Man, fallen and lost man: who is actually restored to glory and dominion in Christ his head and representative, who received this crown and dominion for man's good, and in his stead; which he will in due time communicate to his members. And so the two expositions of this place concerning mankind and concerning Christ, may be reconciled. For he speaks of that honourable estate conferred first upon Christ, and then by his hands upon mankind. But the words more literally rendered are, Thou madest him a little less than God. And hence some have inferred, that man in his original state was the highest of all creatures.

Some people fluctuate from superiority complex to inferiority complex because they do not know who they are in Christ. Folks, as a Christian, you are crowned with Glory and Honor after Jesus's resurrection. So don't take yourself lightly and feel itimidated by other people's comments about you. It is not what others think, but what the Lord thinks about you; that He willingly died on the cross on your behalf.

Proverbs 27

Here's my reading this morning for Proverbs 27.

Proverbs 27

1. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Verse 1 is poignant today...telling us not to show off or boast about tomorrow and the things that you have; for you never know what will happen next. There was this news that a particular foolish woman exclaimed so loud when she won the lottery that people around her heard it. The next thing that happened was that she was robbed of all her money... most probably from someone who heard her foolish exclamation. The moral of the story is if you have wealth, don't flaunt it and shut up!

Proverbs 11:29

This verse of Proverbs 11:29 strikes me today as I read the chapter.
It says, "He who troubles his household will inherit wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. "

There are some household that are full of disharmony and discord that even the neighbors listen and know every single dirty linen washed in public. This ought not to be. The more the foolish family wash their dirty linen in public, the more stupid they appear to their neighbors. Each household member should be united and siblings should not be fighting with each other or cahoot/collude with one another against the other. Only foolish parents bring up such kids and the home seems to be the battle ground. Some families are so utterly dysfunctional, that it is best to shift out and live elsewhere where there is more peace and quiet in the home. A home ought to be a santuary from the stresses of work, and life in general and not a World War 3 taking place!

Proverbs Chapter 6

Today is my reading this morning for Proverbs Chapter 6 by King Solomon.

6. Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7. Without having any chief, officer or ruler,
8. she prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in harvest.
9. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
10. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
11. and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want like an armed man.

The Bible teaches us to be diligent and not to be slothful and slumbering all the time. Otherwise poverty will come to us. God has mandated work and job even before Adam fell. As for me, as long as I live, I will intend to work while I am still able with my utmost capabilities.

I have a classmate who got the perfect score of 10 A1s in SPM exam or equivalent to O Levels. She managed to get a science degree from the National University of Singapore, but apparently due to some mental illness, she did not pass or graduate to become a teacher. And she keeps harping on past success but her present life is a failure. She could not hold on to a job and each time I contacted her in Johor, she is slumbering away almost the whole day and gaining weight. And she refuse to pick up my call. I have decided not to call or bother her anymore as she is beyond hope and help.

The Tongue has the Power of Life and Death

Proverbs 18:21 says, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue." A singer by the name of Patsy Klein sang the song, "I drop to pieces"....and she died in a plane crash. A few years later, another singer named Jim Reeves, sang the same song and he also died in a plane crash. Mrs Steve Ervin, the wife of the famous Crocodile Hunter star says that Steve kept saying he will die young. So folks, don't let the devil wiretrap you to keep saying things like "mati ar", or "Die, die." Even in American culture, instead of saying "I am dying to eat that piece of cake", why not say "I am living to eat that piece of cake." Is it as if in dying you can eat that piece for cake? Wake up folks. Use life giving words of power and grace and be careful of what you say.

Even God has to speak it out to see good. He said "Light be" and there was light. He also said, "Let there be birds of the air." And it was so and God saw it was good. God spoke it out before it happen and God saw it was good. Likewise, we were created in the image of God and we have the power of life and death, and that is in our tongue. It is like a small rudder of the ship. Use it aright and you have smooth sailing; use it awrong and you have ship wrecked. So use your tongue wisely and avoid death words!

Romans 12:14-21

Romans chapter 12, verses 14 - 21 states below:

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
17. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
18. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.
19. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
20. No, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."
21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is my reading daily from Romans to turn your enemies into friends if possible. God has my interest at heart, and if I just obey and humbly listen, I don't have to carry the poison anymore and let peace dwell in my heart. It is better to forgive and forget than to carry the hurt in the past. As you cannot change the past, why carry the burden in your heart and make it into poison that fester in your body? Many sickness and diseases are due to stress and unforgiveness that the person carries. The people who live the longest have this profile: they are the most forgiving, carefree and worry free. As a result, they live long happy fulfilled lives.

How to Be Happy

Proverbs 16:20 tells us, "Whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he." And Psalms 146:5 indicates that happiness comes to those who find their help and hope in God. It says "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help." The foundation for happiness is a proper relationship with the Lord. But to fully experience that happiness, we must build on that foundation in a practical way. Here are the 10 Rules for Happier Living:

1. Give something away.

2. Do a kindness.

3. Give thanks always.

4. Work with vim and vigor.

5. Visit the elderly and learn from their experience.

6. Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel.

7. Laugh often - it's life lubricant.

8. Pray to know God's way.

9. Plan as though you will live forever - you will.

10. Live as though today is your last day on earth.

- Richard De Haan

Happiness is to know the Saviour,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behaviour,
Happiness is the Lord. - Stanphill

Proverbs Chapter 7

Here is my reading this morning from RSV:

10. And lo, a woman meets him, dressed as a harlot, wily of heart.
11. She is loud and wayward, her feet do not stay at home;
12. now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait.
13. She seizes him and kisses him, and with impudent face she says to him:
14. "I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows;
15. so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. 16. I have decked my couch with coverings, colored spreads of Egyptian linen;
17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.
19. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;
20. he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home."
21. With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.
22. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast
23. till an arrow pierces its entrails; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24. And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths;
26. for many a victim has she laid low; yea, all her slain are a mighty host.
27. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

This whole chapter is about avoiding harlots and prostitutes. Therefore, let your wife satisfy you and not other women. Not only do you cheat on your spouse if you visit a brothel but you also lose money and integrity in the process. So, young men, control your raging hormones and don't waste a penny on hookers.