D I L I G E N C E

 

Proverbs 6:6-9

[6] Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

[7] It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 

[8] yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 

[9] How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

[10] A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest---

[11] and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

The ant knows it, that every year there will always be a winter season. Hence, it spends its summer and harvest seasons gathering and storing up food. When winter time comes, it will just enjoy its provision in the comfort of its colony. 

This proverb teaches us to be wise in spending our provisions - to save so we are prepared in times of needs. 

Similarly, we are also expected to "gather" and "store up" as much God's words during times when we have chances to, so when time of testing comes, we are ready with our spiritual provisions from God. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Meanwhile, verses 10-11 is saying that there's no time to be relaxed, always be on guard, because with just a little sleep, you are giving the enemy a chance to come like a thief and an armed man. 

Proverbs 6:6-9

[6] Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

[7] It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 

[8] yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 

[9] How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

[10] A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest---

[11] and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

The ant knows it, that every year there will always be a winter season. Hence, it spends its summer and harvest seasons gathering and storing up food. When winter time comes, it will just enjoy its provision in the comfort of its colony. 

This proverb teaches us to be wise in spending our provisions - to save so we are prepared in times of needs. 

Similarly, we are also expected to "gather" and "store up" as much God's words during times when we have chances to, so when time of testing comes, we are ready with our spiritual provisions from God. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Meanwhile, verses 10-11 is saying that there's no time to be relaxed, always be on guard, because with just a little sleep, you are giving the enemy a chance to come like a thief and an armed man. 


So whenever you feel like giving up, and everything seems so hard and out of your control, think of the ant, and the coming winter, and know that the battle is not yours but God's.

S T A B I L I T Y

We have this series in our church which talks about moving forward in your journey with Jesus. I like it, I guess it's timely. 

Do you sometimes feel that you're stuck? 

Or maybe, lost? You don't know if you're moving in which direction? 

This series is for you. 

It gives you indicators for you to determine if you are moving forward in your relationship with Christ. 

Here's my key takeaway during the 4th installation of the series. 

 

INDICATOR #4: STABILITY 

2 Peter 3:17-18 

[17] You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. [18] But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 important things from this verse: 

1. Are you Stable in Your relationship with Jesus? 

2. How do you improve stability of that relationship? 

Are you stable in your relationship with Jesus? 

A docked ship, needs to be stable, so as not to be carried away by the current. And the job is done by an anchor, which make fast the boat to the bottom of the sea. 

Similarly, us, Christians, are easily carried away in this "wordly sea" if we don't have an anchor, if we are not STABLE. 

What causes us to lost our stability? 

- False Teaching around us

- Sin that we are still keeping in our hearts 

- Trials in life

So how do we improve our STABILITY? 

Peter has given us 2 tips in 2 Peter 3:17-18

"...But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."

First, GROW IN THE GRACE. 

Are you sure you have a correct understanding of Grace? 

Yes, grace is usually defined as unmerited favor. But look at these definition. 

James Ryle defines it as, "Grace is the empowering Presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do."

This expand the coverage of grace, not just with your salvation, but also during your SANCTIFICATION. 

"...enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do.." 

Similarly in Titus 2:11-12, 

"...For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..."

Notice that Grace doesn't just cause our salvation, but it also trains  us to say NO to sin, and to live a Godly lives. 

Now we have our first "anchor" to fasten us to God, this EMPOWERING GRACE, helping us not to be derailed from our spiritual track. What's the second anchor? 

Second, GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS. 

Like in any relationship, knowing each other is a must, and a delight, at the same time. 

The more you know about your girlfriend, or boyfriend, the more you enjoy the relationship. Easier to pick a gift for her, easier to resolve an issue, easier to make her feel loved, etc. 

Similarly, having a deeper understanding of Jesus, makes us easier to follow and improve our relationship with him. You know you can easily depend on Him in whatever situation you are in. You are assured that He is always with you, wherever, whenever, and you know it by heart! 

And in the process, communication is important. Pray and read the bible everyday! This is the primary way of deepening our understanding of Jesus. 

Joshua 1:7

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

And that's our two anchors that fasten us to God, making us stable, amidst this world of false teachings, sin, and challenges in life. 

GROW (1) in the grace and (2) in the understanding of Jesus. 

And as we grow bigger in our spiritual journey, remember that we can always anchor our lives to someone BIGGER and more STABLE than anything else, GOD. 

HE is ALWAYS BIGGER than us, than our sin, than our struggles, than our problems, than our enemies, than our insecurities, than everything in this world. 

Adulterous Heart

YOU WANT TO HEAL YOUR ADULTEROUS HEART?

Proverbs 4:20-22 

[20] My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.

 [22] For they are LIFE to those who find them, and HEALING to all their flesh.

***fill your hearts with the WORD of God

WHY LUST LOOKS SO SATISFYING?

Proverbs 5:3-4

[3] For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 

[4] but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

HOW DO YOU AVOID HER? 

1. DO NOT GO NEAR HER

Proverbs 5:8 

[8] Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,

2. DELIGHT IN YOUR OWN WIFE

Proverbs 5:15,18-19 

[15] Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.

[19] a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.

DISCIPLINE

Proverbs 5:23 

[23] He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

***keep that discipline, lest you die, leat you will be lead astray