Sunday 1/4/12

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I believe God wants us to keep our tone soft & our word gracious even when we are mocked, lectured, or criticized. Harsh words will just add fuel to the fire. We should only pour our frustration & disappointment & anger to God, not to other people.

Friday 30/3/12

1 Thessalonians 2:10 ESV

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

I believe God wants to tell me I have nothing to fear if I act rightly and blamelessly in my conduct & in my thought. He will vindicate me should I'm right, or help me find forgiveness should I'm wrong.

Thursday 29/3/12

Proverbs 14:29 ESV

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,

but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

I believe God wants me to defuse my anger, control and hide my temper, do not let them be seen.

First sight of good understanding is a patient and calm temper. First sight of folly is a hasty and hot temper.

Wednesday 28/3/12

Proverbs 14:26 ESV

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge.

This verse assures us that God will take care of us and of our family if we stand for Him. Therefore we have nothing to fear when we are doing His will.

Tuesday 27/3/12

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

I believe God reminds me to doubt my own judgement. With our limited understanding. We cannot fully comprehend the dangers & pitfalls ahead in a seemingly right road. We need to ask God, ask many other mature & wise people we trust to make sure things will be fine in a long run.

Monday 26/3/12

Proverbs 14:9 ESV

Fools mock at the guilt offering,

but the upright enjoy acceptance.

Fools dislike confession their sin. They mock at repentance. In contrast, the upright are open to apologize, to confession, and they rejoice when their sin is forgiven and their apology is accepted.

Friday 23/3/12

1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

We can give thanks to God not just for ourselves, but also for others.

Thursday 22/3/12

Proverbs 13:20 ESV

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

I believe God stressed us to avoid being around fools and spend more time with the wise for our own good.

Wednesday 21/3/12

Proverbs 13:11 ESV

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,

but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

In this verse, God reminds us to be patient. The way of God is to gain little by little, not miraculous change. So we should work diligently and progress slowly, eventually we will get there.

Tuesday 20/3/12

Proverbs 13:4 ESV

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,

while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Do nothing = get nothing.

Do many things = get abundantly.

Whatever you sow, you will reap, in time

Monday 19/3/12

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

I believe God wants us to keep in mind that a Christian should be strong, optimistic & confident, not because he is strong but because God with him is strong.

Thursday 14/3/12

Proverbs 12:15-16 ESV

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.



The vexation of a fool is known at once,

but the prudent ignores an insult.

Just remember: quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Wednesday 14/3/12

Proverbs 12:11 ESV

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

In this verse God reminds us to focus on our land and work diligently, and refrain from worthless pursuits. Our land is our business, our company, our field where we earn our income. God gives us the land, and we have to tend it well, put consistent effort into it. Then we will have plenty of bread.

Additionally, we have to refrain from pursuing useless things which cost time & money without any benefits. They may be fun & pleasing, but eventually will harm us & distract us from our important work.

Tuesday 13/3/12

Proverbs 12:1 ESV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.

The verse is straightforward:

_ Hate reproof is stupid.

_ Love discipline is wise.

Monday 12/3/12

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

These verses remind us to make the best use of our time. God gives us every day 24 hours & energy to do things. We cannot store them. Like manna, what's left over to the next day is lost. We have to use them all, and use them effectively.

How to use them effectively? By knowing the will of the Lord. We percept His will for us by discerning the time & our providential circumstances to see where God is leading us & what He wants us to focus on. Praying, asking & listening to God are also important...

Thursday 8/3/12

Proverbs 11:12 ESV

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man of understanding remains silent.

This verse reminds us to be silent rather than to speak belittling words. If we feel annoyed, angry, tense, it is better to just keep silent and destress or look away. Speaking will just putting more fuel to the flame, in us and in them.

Wednesday 7/3/12

Proverbs 11:24 ESV

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

God is the provider of all, especially to his people. He gives us job, he blesses the result of our work, he gives us skills and ability to make wealth. Thus ultimately God decides how much we are to earn.

As a steward of his wealth, we are to spend as he wants us to. He wants is to be generous and to help other people. If we administrate his wealth wisely, he gives us more. Otherwise, our stored wealth just leaves us wanting. And they can vanish in a misfortune.

Tuesday 6/3/12

Proverbs 11:14 ESV

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

This verse stresses the importance of seeking & listening to advices & guidances from other people, especially the elders in the household of God

Friday 2/3/12

Ephesians 4:13-14 ESV

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

These verses stress the importance of getting mature in Christ, in faith and in knowledge of God. Being mature helps us remain focused, able to discern right from wrong, to stay stable in this world.

Without the knowledge of God, we are at the mercy of what people told us, and their words are shifting & only partially correct, easily misunderstood & being used by evil spirits to lead us astray. So regular Bible study is critical to strengthen our faith & guard  against deception.