主愛之家基督教會 The House of Christ's Love
講台回應及讀經分享 Reflection of the pulpit and bible reading sharing
主愛之家基督教會鼓勵會眾按照一年線上讀經計畫每日研讀聖經，並寫下心得．以下是會眾提供的每日心得分享．如果你有感動, 歡迎將你的分享寄給 hoclccc@gmail.com. The House of Christ's Love Chinese Christian Church encourages congregation members to study Bible verses daily according to the schedule of One Year Bible Online, and share their impressions. Listed below is a collection of daily Bible sharing from the congregation. You are welcome to submit your sharing to hoclccc@gmail.com.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 02/16/2014
- By George, 02/20/2014
亚伯拉罕全家对三个客旅无微不至的招待岂是临时形成的！必定是有过经验也有过操练才能做出那么有效率并合作无间的团队事奉。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 02/09/2014
- By George, 02/11/2014
神在我們對日常生活的瑣事的反應中試驗我們的信心和忠心。我們要在小事上就謹慎、忠心。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 02/02/2014
- By T.C. Lo, 02/02/2014
Today’s sermon touches a corner on parenting. I cannot disagree with the assertion that when parents are in disharmony, children will feel the pain and suffer insecurity. Inversely, can I agree that when parents are in perfect harmony in the eyes of the children, the children will be happy and secured? The answer is highly debatable. Let us hear what Billy Graham has to say on this subject: Reflecting on his family, Dr. Graham in his book “Just As I AM” writes (pages 173-174):
“One day one of our daughters, who was discovering how the little ripples of disagreement with her husband could swell into crashing waves of confrontation, said to Ruth, “Mother, I can’t remember ever hearing you and Daddy argue.
Ruth probably chuckled inside as some of our “discussions” flashed across her memory. But her reply revealed a principle we had followed: “We made it a point never to argue in front of you children.”
We thought that concealing our disagreements would spare them unnecessary pain and insecurity. Now I’m not so sure our approach was entirely correct. The girls have said that never seeing us argue left them wide open for surprise and disillusionment when inevitable conflicts flared between them and their husbands. When the harmony of their households was disrupted, they assumed that their marriages weren't normal. Well, if the television soap operas and sitcoms set the current standard for marital bliss, I much prefer the route Ruth and I chose, in spite of its possible shortcomings.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 01/26/2014
- By T.C. Lo, 01/27/2014
Story told by John Bunyan in his book, “The Pilgrim’s Progress”
After Obstinate rejected the sweet gospel and went home, Pliable was fascinated by the splendor of the Celestial City of God told by Christian and they walked together on their journey of pilgrimage. When
they drew nigh to a very miry slough that was in the midst of the plain: and they being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire. Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow, “Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of?”
Pliable struggled and managed to climb out of the blog. He walked home and Christian saw him no more.
Reflection:
As believers of Jesus Christ in our life long journey of sanctification, we often times backslide and become discouraged. Pliable gave up but Christian persistently and faithfully clung to God’s promises.
At one time, Winston Churchill was invited back to his childhood elementary school to give a speech. The auditorium was hushed as this great orator approached the podium. He grasped the lectern, thrust out his chin in bulldog ferocity, and said, “Never, never, never….give up.” Then he sat down (Ref.)
I believe this is the key to our ability not to stay in the spiritual valley.
Ref.: “Pleasing God” by R.C. Sproul; page 192.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 01/19/2014
- By George, 01/25/2014
神對我們更難的旨意和挑戰往往是當我們還在虧損、失敗、挫折中，而不是在順境中。只要認知擺在我們前面的喜樂，我們就能跟上神所為我們預備的道路。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 12/22/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 12/22/2013
Who is afraid of whom?
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 12/15/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 12/17/2013
Pastor Rob Smith mentioned three reasons why we should worship Christ:
The first reason points to our emotion, the second reason points to our mind, and the third reason points to our will.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, was right when he said, "Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness, nourishment of mind by His truth, purifying of imagination by His beauty, opening of the heart to His love, and submission of will to His purpose. All this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of all expressions of which we are capable."
This definition of worship is not just rhetoric, it is a Christ-centered mindset, and it is a life-style of what Christians should be.Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 12/8/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 12/10/2013
http://www.hocl.org/blogs/tincheelo/?p=1095
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 11/17/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 11/18/2013
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 11/10/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 11/10/2013
As I listened to Pastor Rob’s sermon, the lyrics of the “Man of La Mancha” came to my mind:
How to make what seem impossible possible? Through the story of David and Goliath in the sermon, the Bible teaches us this principle:
“We shouldn’t think about ourselves and how weak we are. Instead, we should think about God and how strong He is.”Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 10/13/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 10/14/2013
“What is your name?” asked Jesus. The man didn't answer but the demons that possessed in him reply, “My name is legion.”
Let us go back 2000 years before Jesus’ time. When Isaac was old he called out his oldest son but the younger son Jacob came to his presence. Old man was blind and said “What is your name?” Jacob didn't reply but the deceiving spirit in him said, “My name is Esau.”
After many years of lostness, Jacob returned home; on his way, he met an angel and wrestled with him. After the initial victory he was finally defeated. The angel asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “My name is Jacob.”
Ah! Once a person knows who he is, salvation comes to him. Do you know who you are?
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 10/06/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 10/07/2013
有追求的信徒在聽道後都想熱心行道. 但我們必須提到靠神賜能力的重要性, 因為這是與神學有關的, 那就是因為人对神最本能的反應, 是按照自己的力量去討悅神. 當人使用自己的方法時, 原本看似聖潔的行為[如愛鄰舍, 抑制 (mortify) 罪等], 其實只不过都是人靠肉体而來的努力. 有太多的應用都是以人為中心的勸勉, 鼓勵人要靠自己肉体的能力去做得更好. 在強調人的責任時, 講道者和信徒必须注意, 不要在實行應用時, 掉進一個自助性的福音裏去. 十誡第一條是以神為本. 如果我們忽略第一條而努力去行其餘九條, 我們就上了撒但最大的當. 但如果我們靠神賜的能力 (第一條), 其餘九條便成了輕省. 這裏就把基督教 (福音) 與其它宗教 (do-gooders) 的差異分别出來了.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 09/29/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 09/29/2013
我們可以在審判的日子坦然無懼, 全賴我們在因信稱義的地位上穿戴基督的義袍.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 09/22/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 09/22/2013
On forgiveness, there is another side of the same coin:
We should not infer from the story (2 Kings 5:1-8) of a slave girl forgiving her master that we should submit passively to oppression and injustice. The Bible’s call to forgive and to seek justice is not mutually exclusive but complementary. However, it is necessary to forgive oppressors in order to truly seek justice. If you cannot do the interior work of forgiveness, you will seek excessive personal revenge rather than true justice, and so, ironically, you will remained oppressed. You will be drawn into the endless cycle of violent repayments yourself.
I don’t know whether this nameless young Jewish woman had addressed this justice issue or not after Naaman had been healed. The Bible does not say. If she did, wonderful! If she didn't, don’t be disappointed because we have an ultimate example to look up to--- Jesus Christ. Our Lord addresses the issues of Love, Justice, and Forgiveness at the same time. These three elements that our hearts cry out for had been converges at the CROSS.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 09/15/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 09/16/201
There is not much to learn as positive example FROM Jonah. But there is a lot to learn in form of warnings THROUGH Jonah.
Yet Jesus compared Himself with Jonah. Why? Because there are some parallels (yet differences) which we can draw:
A pastor and Christian writer had penned these words (Note):
We don’t need to wonder whether Jonah repented and saw the light. He must have. How do we know? Well, how else would we know this story, unless Jonah told it to someone? And who would ever tell a story in which he is seen as an evil fool on every page, except a man in whom God’s grace had reached the center of his heart? (TC adds: Jonah’s repentance prayer within the belly of the fish was the added evidence.)
Why, though, are we not shown Jonah’s response in this book? (Refer to the book’s abrupt shocking ending.) It is as if God aimed an arrow of loving rebuke at Jonah’s heart, set it a-fly, and suddenly Jonah vanished, leaving us in its path.
Are we, like Jonah, willing to change? If we are, then we must look to the Ultimate Jonah, and to His sign, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Note: "Counterfeit Gods” by Timothy Keller; pp.133-15
- By CK, 09/15/2013
不經過事奉神，無法看到自己的罪，透過事奉，才能更認識自己， 才知自己的不足和罪性。不間斷的事奉和服事，才更能體會神的心意，做個討神喜悅的人！
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 09/08/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 09/09/2013
On the matter of Bible Infallibility, the Eleventh Article of the “Chicago Statement of Bible Inerrancy” states.
We affirm that Scripture, having been given by divine inspiration, is infalliable, so that, far from misleading us, it is true and reliable in all matters it addresses. We deny that it is possible for the Bible to be at the same time infallible and errant in its assertions. Infallibility and inerrancy may be distinguished, but not separated.
We believe that the Bible is true and reliable and that there is no contradiction in it. But it is not to say that there is no contrariety.
There is a big difference between a contrariety and a contradiction. According to the Random House Webster’s College Dictionary:
Jesus is God and man is a contrariety, so is the concept of Trinity. Predestination and free-will is another contrariety. God’s sovereignty v.s. human responsibility is yet another one, and the rest of it.
Pastor Rob Smith pointed out in his sermon that if we don’t “box” God in our human presupposition and hence reduce His divinity, and if we treat God as God, then many Bible difficulties can be dissolved, if not resolved. In short, our attitude toward the Bible determines our altitude from which we look at the Bible. The higher the altitude, the wider the context we can survey as demonstrated in our recent Sunday School lectures.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 08/04/2013
- By George, 08/09/2013
We are saved is not because we have done anything, it is only because we are forgiven.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 08/11/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 08/12/2013
One day, the evil men came to Jesus and tried to trap him with the thorny issue of taxation. Jesus asked one of them to bring a coin to him. Jesus then asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription is this?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
At this point, let me imagine---Jesus could have also asked, “Whose image is on you?” This could have been a life-defining question. If Jesus’ image is on you, then you ought to surrender your whole being to him.
Let us go back to the sermon. When the crippled man asked for alms, Peter (John was with him) said, “Look at us!” (Acts 3:4) Preacher George then asked the congregation a thought provoking question: What could the cripple beggar have gained by looking at these two ordinary unschooled men who had no money? The answer should be: Because they had the image of Jesus in them.
Today, if we are the image-bearer of Jesus, we have a lot to give, and give with authority and certainty. People will be blessed through us.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 07/28/2013
- By George, 08/01/2013
我們是需要被拯救，尤其需要從自我的驕傲中得釋放。自我的驕傲無時無刻的霸占並侵蝕著我們的生命。除非我們完全把生命掌權的寶座交給耶穌，我們是勝不過那隱藏的自我。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 07/21/2013
- By George, 07/23/2013
苦难的临到是神为祂儿女增加属灵肺活量的方法。
- By T.C. Lo, 07/22/2013
Atheists repeatedly ask: Since evil and suffering exists, how can a loving God exist?
The assumptions behind atheists’ question are:
Then the answer to their pointed question lies in this logical deduction:
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 07/14/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 07/14/2013
In tonight’s sermon, Pastor Rob mentioned that today’s churches in America are bombarded by four cultural forces which are detrimental to Christians’ spiritual well being. They are:
May I add one more: Relativism.
With this thought, the authority of the Bible is denied and same sex marriage is allowed. The sanctity of life is no longer respected and abortion is legalized in the name of the protection of human right without knowing what it means to be human.
The following story tells the danger of relative referencing:
On his way to work every day, a man walked past a clockmaker’s store. He would ritualistically stop outside and synchronize his watch with a clock that stood in the window of the clockmaker’s shop. Observing this routine, the clockmaker one day struck up a conversation with the man and asked him what kind of work he did. The man timidly confessed that he worked as the timekeeper at the nearby factory and that his malfunctioning watch necessitated daily readjustment. Since it was his job to ring the closing bell every day at 4:00 p.m., he synchronized his watch with the clock every morning to guarantee precision. The clockmaker, even more embarrassed than the timekeeper, said, “I hate to tell you this, but my clock doesn’t work very well either, and I have been adjusting it to the bell that I hear every afternoon from the factory at 4:00 p.m.!
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 07/07/2013
- By Fenlan, 07/09/2013
Brother Wai used Saul as an example to share with us what a man who's not after God's own heart is like. After Saul was appointed as the king of Israel, he cared more about numbers of his people than other things. He set his own timing above God's timing. He was afraid when he was facing the enemies as if God was not with him. He thought he could buy God's favor but the worst is that he would not acknowledge his own sins. All these seemed to begin with his impatience of waiting as recorded in 1Samuel 13:8-15.
As brother Wai has shared that when we are not resting in the Lord, we'll be in pain while waiting. Let's learn to rest in the Lord and trust in Him while we are waiting for the Lord's answers to our prayers
- By CM, 07/08/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 07/08/2013
作一個合神心意的人永遠是基督徙的最高價值觀.
掃羅王被神棄绝的原因, 歸根究底就是: 拜偶像.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 06/30/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 07/01/2013
As I prepared for the translation for Chunming’s sermon “Are You Ready for the Spiritual Warfare?” David Livingstone’s story inescapably came to my mind. As a young man, he studied diligently for the ministry. One day at dawn, he looked toward Africa and saw the haunting specter of the smoke rising from the poor African villages under the morning sun. This imagery burned within his heart. As prayer is the starting point for readiness, Livingston said the following famous prayer:
Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me
Lay any burden on me, only sustain me
Sever any ties but the ties that bind me to your service and to your heart
What a heartwarming mission statement! It binds our will and our actions as evangelists. May God bless our Short-Term Mission Team!
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 06/23/2013
- By George, 06/25/2013
神對世界無微不至的掌管和主權是一個奧秘。我們人似乎有自己完全的自由，但卻一切都在神計劃中。只有認識耶穌，從聖經裡找到『誰是耶穌』，才能讓我們逐步跟認識神的主權的奇妙。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 06/16/2013
- By George, 06/18/2013
Our children copy whatever we do. Have I set up a good example for my own children?
- By T. C. Lo, 06/16/2013
I came across a wonderful Father's Day message from Warren Wiesbe, former pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago. The Scripture is taken from Proverbs 3:1-18. I use his outline as my reflection in response to Pastor Randy Jeng's sermon.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 06/02/2013
- By George, 06/04/2013
恩典就是白白得到，得到的好處完全不是自己去贏得或賺取來的。不了解恩典的真諦及不知道已經領受到恩典，便失去時時感恩的美好生活體驗。
By CK, 06/03/2013
Tamlyn 牧師昨天跟會眾分享一個故事：一個年輕的少婦，面容憂愁，顯露疲憊，焦慮的坐在開刀室門外的椅子上。看不見也聽不到門後的情形，心想著，不知道手術進行的如何？不知道醫生能不能把她丈夫體內的悪性腫瘤顺利除掉？不知道她丈夫能不能參加他們的女兒2歳的生日慶生會？她跟神呼求說，神啊！情況糟糕，求求祢施恩典吧！她一直的禱告，一直的等待，直到破曉。終於，醫生出來了，她等到的答案，並不是很樂觀。28 年後，這位婦人，仍然繼續每天禱告，仍然繼續跟神祈求施恩典。她的丈夫就是 站在講台上的Tamlyn牧師。之後牧師分享了他最喜愛的聖經章節- 羅馬書15:13 但願使人有盼望的 神、因信、將諸般的喜樂平安、充滿你們的心、使你們藉著聖靈的能力、大有盼望。
- By T. C. Lo, 06/02/2013
In Pastor Keith’s sermon, one sentence sticks in my mind---“Grace is really God’s word in action.” Grace is not a theological abstract, it corresponds to reality. Although it is difficult to define, it is easily experienced. The beauty and poetry of Grace have been illustrated by literates and theologians throughout generations; one of the best definitions I like is this one:
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 05/26/2013
- By T. C. Lo 05/29/2013
- By CK, 05/27/2013
腓立比書 2：25 然而，我想必须打發以巴弗提到你們那裏去。他是我的兄弟，與我一同做工，一同當兵，是你們所差遣的，也是供給我需用的。
- By CM, 05/27/2013
勞牧師在上個主日中，以保羅與以巴弗提之間的忘年之交來勉勵我們。他要我們學習保羅如何看待保護年輕的以巴弗提，以及年輕的以巴弗提怎樣志願照顧年長有需要的保羅。他們之間的兄弟，同工，和一同當兵的三種關係正是在教會生活中最需要培養和建立的。勞牧師提醒我們：兄弟之間的關係需要彼此守望，看守與堅固，彼此給機會而不定罪。同工之間的關係則需要有同樣的目標，分享喜樂，覺得對方是絶對不可缺的。一同當兵是表示彼此是戰友，互相掩護，在與那惡者之間的爭戰更是需要如此。這些教訓對我自己有很大的提醒。
- By Fenlan, 05/27/2013
Pastor Lo's message on last Sunday was quite inspiring. He used the Scriptures from Philippians 2: 25-30 to encourage us of building up a three-fold relationship between brothers and sisters in order for us to build a church loved by our Lord, just as shown by our church's name. The three kinds of relationship we should build up are 1. Brotherhood - to watch over each other. 2. Co-worker - to share the same goal, burden and joy. 3. Fellow soldier - to cover and trust each other. May God help us to develop such beautiful relationship between brothers and sisters!
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 05/19/2013
- By CK, 05/21/2013
鹽是我們民生的必需品。除了可以用來調味和防腐，要维持人體的功能能正常的運行, 鹽是缺一不可的物貭。缺鹽將引起肌肉痙攣、頭痛、噁心、下痢、全身懶散等症狀，情況嚴重則會因心臟衰竭而導致死亡。它的妙用，根據統計有一萬多種。馬太福音第五章有提到，基督徒就好比是世上的鹽，他們和其他人相處的時候，能把他人的優點给彰顯出來，就像是加了鹽的雞湯，美味可口。他們也可以防止惡毒的謠言四處傳播，就像是食物的防腐劑，必免细箘滋生，可保食物的品貭。一個基督徒要能充分發揮鹽性，就要沈浸在主的話裏。如果對神的話語没有追求，失去了對神的信心，就會失去鹽性，不僅没法影響他人，還會被邪惡的世界給吞噬！
- By CM, 05/20/2013
『鹽』和『光』是人生命中不可或缺的東西，當我們認識到基督徒的本質『是鹽』和『是光』時，也表示別人想要從我們身上看到『鹽』和『光』的功能。George弟兄在上個主日再一次提醒我們，在這個以叢林法則為標準，自我中心和弱肉強食的世界裡，祇有基督徒的『鹽』和『光』才能再一次凸顯人性的『好』和穩定社會的方向不致於走向偏颇黑暗。願我們能堅定信心繼續『活在基督裏』，就不會像是失了味的鹽和擺在斗底下的燈光，毫無作用。
- By SC, 05/20/2013
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36
By T.C. Lo, 05/19/2013
The number one safety rule for jungle safari is “Must Stay in the Car” in order to avoid wild animals’ attack. In the same way, the rule for spiritual safari is “Must Stay in Christ” in order to avoid Satan’s attack. If we are in Christ, we are ensured a three-fold protection:
So even though we walked through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evils for they are but shadows.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 05/12/2013
The Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible in which the name of God has never been mentioned yet God was inescapably present. On the contrary, the book of Malachi fills with abundant references to God (53 times out of 55 verses) yet God was conspicuously absent in the people’s lives.
Lip service is no serve at all. To those who cry “Lord, Lord,” Jesus says, “I know you not."
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 05/05/2013
- By CK, 05/07/2013
耶稣要祂的門徒，不只是了解祂的思想，而是要門徒真正的認識祂. 捨去老我，身體力行，遵守神的教訓，把耶稣的生命、態度活出來！
做一個耶稣的門徒，所具備的品貭---
• 在祂的愛裏
• 聖潔
• 順服神的權柄
• 活在主的話中
• 啟發他人
• 做善工
• 無條件的愛人
• 傳福音
- By Fenlan, 05/06/2013
Pastor Rob encouraged us to allow God to do a great work in our lives this week in any area of being a disciple of Christ. The one that sticks out in my mind the most is surrendering to God's authority. It includes surrendering to the government authority, the spiritual authority, and even in the relational authority that oversees our lives. To me, the government authority or spiritual authority seems to be more distant. But the relational authority is the challenge I might face daily. It is hard for me to give up my own control and to surrender to the relational authority. But if I'm not surrendered to that authority that God places in my life, I'm not surrendered to God’s authority in my life. I pray that God will do a great work in my life in this area.
- By CM, 05/06/2013
從史密斯牧師的主日信息，我學到了作猶太拉比與作耶穌的門徒有很大的不同。史密斯牧師說，猶太拉比總是要將他的門徒束縛在身外的律法上，而主耶穌卻要祂的門徒連在自己的身上，因主耶穌自己就是一切學習的對象。這提醒我們，當我們甚麼時候願意完全捨棄自己的意志來跟隨主耶穌時，我們就可以成為他的門徒，雖然不是一件容易的事，卻是我們所應有的心志。願我們彼此互相勉勵。
What is the difference between being a disciple of Jesus and being a disciple of all other religious leaders? Pastor Rob gave an answer by quoting from Dr. George Ladd’s book, “A Theology of the New Testament”, as saying, “Discipleship to Jesus was not like discipleship to a Jewish rabbi. The rabbis bound themselves to the Torah; Jesus bound his disciples to himself. The rabbis offered something outside of themselves; Jesus offered himself….”
I think I may put it in a more general way: All world religious leaders (Buddha, Mohammad, and Jewish Rabbis, etc.) were, at best, way-pointers, truth pointers, and code makers---prescribing people how to live morally. But Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the embodiment of the truth which has a personhood.
RC Sproul spoke of religious leaders:
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 04/28/2013
Inspired by tonight’s sermon topic “Newton’s Laws of Christians,” I am intrigued to preach another one entitled, “Einstein’s Relativity of Genesis.” (Jokingly)
After hearing the sermon, two Bible verses come to my mind:
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 04/21/2013
- By CM, 04/23/2013
鍾牧師的信息讓我想到一首詩歌的歌詞『我們一生最大的事就是認識祢，愛祢』。其實信主的人能做的事就是將主在我們身上的作為見證出來。我們若有信心求主，靠著在我們心裏運行的大能大力，我們就能作主所作的事– 使罪人悔改– 而且能見到更大的果效，因這是主的應許。願我自己有信心能為主爭戰。
- By Fenlan, 04/22/2013
We all know the promise Jesus gave us in John 14:12 "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." But when we are asked if we believe that we can do the works Jesus had done and we will do even greater than those, we might not dare to answer promptly. Pastor Zhong told us during last Sunday's sermon that this response maybe due to our lack of faith, prayers, love to the Lord and our disobedience to God's words. Let's pray that God will build our faith, help us to pray more and give us love and strength to obey His Word so that we can be equipped to receive such promise.
- By CK, 04/22/2013
基督徒對神要有堅固的信心且不停的禱告，遵守祂的命令，神就能做我們隨時的幫助。籍由從神來的能力，幫助我們承受祂給我們的使命和異象，就可以做比那耶稣所做的還要偉大的事！ 因為凡從神生的，就勝了全世界！
- By T.C. Lo, 04/22/2013
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12).
So it is Spirit of Christ who enables his believers to fulfill his promise of being able to do greater things than Jesus had done.
Having understood this, the logical connection among “faith”, “doing greater things”, and “Jesus’ going to the Father” remains an intellectual challenge to me.
To provoke our thinking, Ravi Zacharias has penned these words: “God has disclosed himself in descriptive terms (the Incarnate Jesus) that give us enough information to be able to know who He is, and He has hidden (like Moses saw only God’s back but not His face) enough of Himself for us to learn the balance between faith and reason. No earthly relationship with an infinite, transcendent God can exist without maintaining these two aspects.” (Italic added by TC)
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 04/14/2013
- By CK, 04/15/2013
耶稣基督的大使命，是讓人認識祂。而我們的大使命，是把祂的故事，傳講出去！ 神看重的不是你是否有傳福音的恩賜，因傳福音是每個基督徒的責任，和恩賜無關； 神看重的不是我們的缺點，而是我們缺點後的潛能，和是否有隨時待命的態度和心意。神要我們傳講福音，當我們開始行動時，祂會幫助我們，讓我們得人如得魚。就從我們身邊的家人和朋友開始吧!
- By George, 04/15/2013
我们要把今生有限的时间和精力投资在捕获属天国的大鱼而不是属世的小鱼。神已经把捕鱼的潜力赐给我们了，现在只要我们愿意并发掘，神会借着我们有限的恩赐，把超乎我们想象的鱼量加添到天国中。
- By SC, 04/15/2013
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16: 15-16
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5: 14-15
- By CM, 04/15/2013
- By T.C. Lo, 04/15/2013
不久前我寫了一篇短文:
http://www.hocl.org/blogs/tincheelo/?p=622
在此blog文內, 有這樣一段末語:
"當我們與三一真神共舞時, 我們便不再要求別人圍着我們轉, 而是我們圍着神轉, 我們的生命就变得活潑有生氣了. 如果教會每一位弟兄姊妹都一起與神共舞, 個個都圍着神轉, 自然地, 我們就會圍着每個弟兄姊妹共轉, 沒有人是靜止的, 這樣的教會豈不是一個活躍而興旺又以神為中心的真情教會嗎?"
我想這個以神為中心亦以服事人為首位的“大共舞心態” (big-dance mindset) 定必能成為我们傳福音大使命和教會事奉的動力.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 04/07/2013
By T.C. Lo, 04/08/2013
Pastor Lee in his sermon told us stories about Bertrand Russell (an atheist) and Albert Einstein (a deist). Both disbelieved in the Christian God and hence, naturally, rejected the truth of the resurrection of Christ. Let me add another story:
Bertrand Russell with Einstein issued a joint statement, just two days before Einstein’s death, confessing that “those of us who know the most are gloomiest about the future.”
Gloominess? What a stark contrast to Christians’ glorious hope! Bertrand Russell affirmed that his life was built on the foundation of unyielding despair. The Bible is right when it declares, “those also who have fallen asleep (even) in Christ are lost” if resurrection is not true, let alone altogether those who reject Christ during their lifetimes (c.f. 1 Corinthians 15:18). But Lord Jesus has risen---that changes everything. Lostness means not knowing the destiny. Blessedly, believers are not without good news: “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him (Jesus) from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Both verses were quoted in the sermon.
Like Russell, with a commitment to matter (i.e., materialism and naturalism) as ultimate reality, “gloominess” is a very logical outcome.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 03/31/2013
By T.C. Lo, 03/31/2013
If the story of Jesus ended at Golgotha we would never have heard of him. He would have disappeared from historical memory as yet another first-century messianic pretender whose claims were shown in the end to be delusory. Yet we have all heard of Jesus. Something must have happened that continued his story. All the New Testament writers are clearly convinced that this “something” was the resurrection. The fact that George preached resurrection tonight---more than 2000 years after the event---is a most persuasive argument in favor of the authenticity of the empty tomb story.
By Fenlan, 03/31/2013
Easter is indeed a joyful day. It is the day that our Lord is resurrected and it testifies to us that HE overcomes death and His Word is true. All the disciples deserted Him and fled on the day Jesus was betrayed and handed to the high priest because they were afraid of suffering for Jesus. But after Jesus came and appeared to them on the resurrection day, they became His witnesses and suffered while preaching the gospel. To a point, they even died for the sake of the gospel. Such transformation on the life of the disciples is all due to the fact that they saw the resurrected Lord. Let's bravely proclaim that our Lord is alive and He is the Lord who gives life, hope and love!
Bible sharing by George, 03/28/2013
路加福音 8
18 所以，你們應當小心怎樣聽；因為凡有的，還要加給他；凡沒有的，連他自以為有的，也要奪去。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 03/24/2013
By CM, 03/25/13
在上個主日中,T.C.弟兄再一次提醒我們『重生』是見 神的國的必要條件。而且重生不是靠人的才幹，地位，或知識，而是憑信心來接受耶穌是神的兒子。當我看到尼哥底母不恥下問尋求真理的態度，我明白了為甚麼T.C.弟兄告訴我們『能得救是神的恩典，沒有能得救是人自己的責任』的道理。
By George, 03/25/13
No matter how good our eyesight is, if there no light, we are only as good as blind. This physical law applies to spiritual realm as well. Only from the illumination of the Holy Spirit can help us to see the spiritual truth in our own darkness. May I rely and trust the leading and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to know God and to understand myself.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 03/17/2013
By CK, 03/19/13
人需要認清自己的罪與惡，求神的憐憫與幫助，帶領我們走在有祂光照的恩典之路上。免得像那餓狼一般，用牠的舌頭舔舐冰刃上動物的血，因為嗜血的習性，無法自拔。殊不知, 最後吃的是自己的血，最後走向死亡之路！
By Fenlan, 03/19/13
發生在我們生活中的事，總是容易讓我們感同身受，為之感動。春明弟兄在主日的講道中與我們分享一對夫婦如何幫助他們的孩子認識主耶穌的故事。這對夫婦把孩子一週的行為都記錄在冊子上，到週末時，便與孩子檢討冊子上的行為。好行為的部份，父母給予褒獎；壞行為的部份，父母決定處罰。但到要處份的時候，父親卻把杖交給母親，讓母親按著孩子的壞行為一項一項的打在父親的手心上，直到父親的手心紅腫。這樣的情景，不止孩子看了難過哭泣，我想成人也會為之動容。然而世上卻還有許多人不知道一件記載在以賽亞書五十三章裡的事實：就是『我們都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路。耶和華使我們眾人的罪孽都歸在他（主耶穌）身上。』（賽53：6）；『耶和華卻定意將他（主耶穌）壓傷，使他受痛苦。耶和華以他為贖罪祭.....』。（賽53：10） 一個受恩於朋友卻不懂得回報的人，被稱之為忘恩負義的人。我們從主耶穌承受如此大的恩典，若不懂得回應，豈是『忘恩負義』所能形容？讓我們在受難節將臨之際，不單紀念主的受難，也思想我們可以怎樣回應主的恩典，並讓更多人認識主的恩典！
By George, 03/18/13
要走恩典之路之前，我們必須清楚自己現在的處境。如果不知道，我們不會有意願去接受這條道路。
Bible sharing by George, 03/17/2013
民數記26
9以利押的眾子是尼母利、大坍、亞比蘭。這大坍、亞比蘭，就是從會中選召的，與可拉一黨同向耶和華爭鬧的時候也向摩西、亞倫爭鬧； 10地便開口吞了他們，和可拉、可拉的黨類一同死亡。那時火燒滅了二百五十個人；他們就作了警戒。
Bible sharing by George, 03/14/2013
民 數 記 21
4他們從何珥山起行，往紅海那條路走，要繞過以東地。
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 03/10/2013
By George, 03/13/13
We Christians must have the concept of of an end-zone to experience a victorious life. Our end-zone is to know Christ and to be like Him.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
By CM, 03/12/13
要成為一個天天都得勝的基督徒畢竟是一項對你和我的挑戰，史密斯牧師勉勵我們要時常抱著要衝刺進入目標區的心態(end zone mindset)。這與保羅所講的『向著標竿直跑』有一樣的看見。但願你我都有這樣的心志！
By TC Lo, 03/12/13
Our worst enemy is death. And Jesus’ resurrection triumphed over death. Therefore, our possibility of leading a victorious life is all because Jesus’ resurrected life dwells in us. This possibility can be realized through our devotion to Him.
By Fenlan, 03/11/13
"How many of us want to have peace and life as a part of our lives?" is the question Pastor Rob asked us during his sermon on Sunday. I'm sure all of us want to have peace and life as a part of our lives. But often times we have conflicts, quarrels, arguments and illness...etc., but not peace and life in our lives because it is easy to live according to the flesh instead of the Spirit. Pastor Rob encouraged us to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit because the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6b). Let's watch and pray that we will be aware of and be responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 03/03/2013
By CK, 03/07/13
基督徒是聖靈生的，是從復活的基督長出來的，而且是要經過十字架上所完成的救恩。要持續擁有基督的屬性，就是要守主的道，背起十字架跟隨祂，並且以基督的愛來彼此相愛，以多結果子。當一個真的基督徒，走十字架這條路是艱難的，但我們並不孤獨，因為 「神是我们的避难所，是我们的力量，是我们在患难中随时的帮助。」（诗46:1）「耶稣看着他们说：“在人这是不能的，在神凡事都能！”」（太19：26）
By Fenlan, 03/04/13
We were saved and called to be the disciples of Jesus but how much characteristics of the true disciples can we have after we become Christians?
One of God's most known attributes is love and His love is unconditional, immutable and selfless....... but the love from our human nature tends to be conditional, mutable and selfish.......... However, we are not without hope. Jesus had promised us in Mark 10:27 that "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Thanks to our Lord that His words give us hope and prayers give us strength to go forward.
By CM, 03/04/13
當我必須時刻地被提醒：要常常遵守主的道，要彼此相愛，要多結果子，要背起自己的十字架來跟從主時，我就感到要成為一個『主基督耶穌的真門徒』的困難度和挑戰性。但當我想起主在十字架上為我所付出的，我就只能感嘆的說『我算什麼，祢竟顧念我？』。
By George, 03/04/13
I am no better than the adulterous woman in John chapter 8. The difference is she was caught and I am not. The word of Jesus "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more" is not only to the woman but indeed to me. I am accepted, forgiven and loved by Jesus. His love is the warmest and sweetest.
By T.C. Lo 03/04/13
張威弟兄這篇道, “作耶稣的真门徒” 條理分明, 看來顯淺, 却是深奧. 在此 “聽後感” 中, 我只分享一點, 因它縈繞於我心中, 就是基督那長闊高深的愛, 張弟兄解釋道:
神的愛是超越的 (The Love of God is transcendent)
神的愛是無條件的 (unconditional)
神的愛是有大能的 (powerful)
神的愛是不改變的 (immutable)
神的愛是不自私的 (selfless)
神的愛是不止息的 (everlasting)
神的愛是赤誠的 (most sincere)
神的愛是最溫馨的 (warmest and sweetest)
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 02/24/2013
By CM, 02/28/13
能夠有『智慧』的去應付所面對的各種人事物是所謂的『靈巧』的表現。願我們竭力去認識神，因祂是智慧的開端與來源。
By TC Lo, 02/27/13
Godly shrewdness (灵巧) and craftiness (狡猾) are separated by a fine line. The former comes from God and the latter originates from Satan. Though the line is fine but not ill-defined for Christians have guidelines to tell them apart:
Godly shrewdness (灵巧) is the balance, not compromise, of the three. So our actions are:
By George 02/25/13
Giving people some room to retreat and repent is much wiser than dominating them with the facts.
打破沙鍋問到底的態度只能滿足我們一時的好勝心和好奇心，
By CK, 02/25/201
馬太福音 10：16 我差你們去，如同羊進入狼群；所以你們要靈巧像蛇，馴良像鴿子。
當有人得罪你時，應退一步，給雙方一点空間和時間。要有仁慈和良善，和馴良像鴿子。讓對方有反省的機會，可以悔改，以保全大局！
Reflection on sermon of Sunday, 02/17/2013
SC, 02/20/2013
We should cheerfully and willingly serve the Lord as it is illustrated in Isaiah 6:8.
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)
CK, 02/18/2013
用我們的人生經歷來侍奉神. 我們應將神給我們的才能，智慧用在神國中。
George, 02/18/2013
We are created to do God's work.
We are also saved to do God's work.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Date: Sunday, 11/11/2012
By: George
希伯來書10
36你們必須忍耐，使你們行完了神的旨意，就可以得著所應許的。
Hebrews 10
36 You need to endure so that you can receive the promises after you do God’s will.
Sharing
行神的旨意絕非平坦輕鬆。希伯來書作者預先警示也鼓勵我們，當我們行神的旨意時，我們一定會遇到使我們受挫的人、事、物，我們『必須』忍耐，才能完成神給我們的旨意。我們因為信神的應許往前，這信心成為我們堅忍不懈的動力。
哥林多前書10:13
你們所遇見的試探，無非是人所能受的‧神是信實的，必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的‧在受試探的時候，總要給你們開一條出路，叫你們能忍受得住‧
Date: Friday, 9/28/2012
by: George
以賽亞書 55
1你們一切乾渴的都當就近水來；沒有銀錢的也可以來。你們都來，買了吃；不用銀錢，不用價值，也來買酒和奶。
2你們為何花錢（原文是平銀）買那不足為食物的？用勞碌得來的買那不使人飽足的呢？你們要留意聽我的話就能吃那美物，得享肥甘，心中喜樂。
3你們當就近我來；側耳而聽，就必得活。我必與你們立永約，就是應許大衛那可靠的恩典。
6當趁耶和華可尋找的時候尋找他，相近的時候求告他。
Isaiah 55
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Sharing
Often time, I labor on what does not satisfy and worry for things that do not last. I am a fool not to seek God while he can be found, because only God can provide lasting satisfaction for my soul.
多少時候我為不能給我真飽足的東西過分忙碌，為暫時的事物無謂煩惱。但耶和華可以賜我靈裡的真滿足。如果不在耶和華可尋找的時候尋找他，那就太傻了。
Date: Saturday, 09/09/2012
by George
以賽亞書3
1主─萬軍之耶和華從耶路撒冷和猶大，除掉眾人所倚靠的，所仗賴的，就是所倚靠的糧，所仗賴的水；
2除掉勇士和戰士，審判官和先知，占卜的和長老，
3五十夫長和尊貴人，謀士和有巧藝的，以及妙行法術的。
Isaiah 3
1 See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from
Jerusalem and Judah
both supply and support:
all supplies of food and all supplies of water,
2 the hero and warrior, the judge and prophet,
the soothsayer and elder,
3 the captain of fifty and man of rank,
the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
Sharing：
Pride and richness is a dangerous pair. Whenever we think we are
sufficient, we are capable, we are independent, we are able proceed
whatever we desire in God's house, God will intervene. God will
remove all of our dependencies to wake us up. God disciplines His
children and awaits their repentance.
当我们富足时，我们要谨慎了。富足往往带来骄傲。在神的家里，当我们自以为有能力、有财富、有权利进行并完成任何自我喜爱的目标时，神会介入。为了唤醒我们，使我们回转，神会挪去我们所有的依靠，管教并等待祂的孩子认错悔改。
Date: Tuesday, 09/04/2012
by George
歌林多後書 7
10因為依著神的意思憂愁，就生出沒有後悔的懊悔來。以致得救；但世俗的憂愁是叫人死。
2 Corinthians 7
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Date: Saturday, 08/18/2012
by: George
歌林多前書11
17我現今吩咐你們的話，不是稱讚你們；因為你們聚會不是受益，乃是招損。
18第一，我聽說，你們聚會的時候彼此分門別類，我也稍微的信這話。
1 Corinthians 11
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your
meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that
when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and
to some extent I believe it.
Sharing:
有一種聚會沒有還比有好。那就是聚會裡，人把『己』看得重，以至於結黨搞派系，玩政治遊戲。不認識教會是主的身體是一種罪。
When people start to elevate "self" in the midst of church gatherings, this church is no longer a church but a place for politics and self interest. Such gatherings will do more harm than good. Not recognizing church is the body of Christ is a serious sin.
Date: Wednesday, 08/15/2012
by: George
1 Corinthians 10
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our
hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of
them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and
got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual
immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand
of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and
were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did —and
were killed by the destroying angel.
歌 林 多 前 書 10
6這些事都是我們的鑑戒，叫我們不要貪戀惡事，像他們那樣貪戀的；
7也不要拜偶像，像他們有人拜的。如經上所記：百姓坐下吃喝，起來玩耍。
8我們也不要行姦淫，像他們有人行的，一天就倒斃了二萬三千人；
9也不要試探主（有古卷：基督），像他們有人試探的，就被蛇所滅。
10你們也不要發怨言，像他們有發怨言的，就被滅命的所滅。
Sharing:
保羅警告我們，不要濫用神的寬容與憐憫。舊約的以色列人是新約信徒的鑑戒。謹慎，我們要敬畏神!
Paul warned us that we should never abuse the compassion and forgiveness God granted to us. What happened to the Israelites in the Old Testament serves as an example to the New Testament believers. Fear the Lord, dear brothers, fear the Lord.
Date: Thursday, 08/09/2012
by: George
以斯拉记9
1这事做完了，众首领来见我，说：「以色列民和祭司并利未人，没有离绝迦南人、赫人、比利洗人、耶布斯人、亚扪人、摩押人、埃及人、亚摩利人，仍效法这些国的民，行可憎的事。
2因他们为自己和儿子娶了这些外邦女子为妻，以致圣洁的种类和这些国的民混杂；而且首领和官长在这事上为罪魁。 」
3我一听见这事，就撕裂衣服和外袍，拔了头发和胡须，惊惧忧闷而坐。
歌林多前书5
11但如今我写信给你们说，若有称为弟兄是行淫乱的，或贪婪的，或拜偶像的，或辱骂的，或醉酒的，或勒索的，这样的人不可与他相交，就是与他吃饭都不可。
Ezra 9
1 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. 2 They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” 3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.
1 Corinthians 5
11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
Sharing:
When it comes to bearing the same yoke, God's standard is high, no matter in Old Testament or the New Testament. May we remember we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation.
Date: Wednesday, 08/08/2012
by: George
歌林多前書4
1人應當以我們為基督的執事，為神奧祕事的管家。
2所求於管家的，是要他有忠心。
3我被你們論斷，或被別人論斷，我都以為極小的事；連我自己也不論斷自己。
4我雖不覺得自己有錯，卻也不能因此得以稱義；但判斷我的乃是主。
1 Corinthians 4
1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
Sharing:
做基督管家的只要對基督忠心，認定只有主是最終衡量斷定我們人生的那一位。這是何等大的警告也是安慰。
Being faithful to Christ should be the only focus of His servants (that is us). The Lord should be the only judge of our life. What a warning and what a comfort that is.
Date: Monday, 08/06/2012
by: George
以斯拉記4:1猶大和便雅憫的敵人聽說被擄歸回的人為耶和華─以色列的神建造殿宇， 2就去見所羅巴伯和以色列的族長，對他們說：「請容我們與你們一同建造；因為我們尋求你們的神，與你們一樣。自從亞述王以撒哈頓帶我們上這地以來，我們常祭祀神。」
詩篇28:3他們與鄰舍說和平話，心裡卻是奸惡。
歌林多前書3:15 屬靈的人能看透萬事，卻沒有一人能看透了他。
Ezra 4:1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
Psalm 28:3 who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
1 Corinthians 2:15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment
Sharing
Who can really tell one’s intention, even the ones with kind words? Whom can we really trust? Paul tells us a spiritual man can! He make a sound judgement! Our source of wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord and His word. We must be humble to submit the leading of the Holy Spirit. It will save our lives.
Date: Saturday, 08/04/2012
by: George
Psalm 27
4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
詩 篇 27
4 有 一 件 事 ， 我 曾 求 耶 和 華 ， 我 仍 要 尋 求 ： 就 是 一 生 一 世 住 在 耶 和 華 的 殿 中 ， 瞻 仰 他 的 榮 美 ， 在 他 的 殿 裡 求 問 。
Sharing：
大衛的盼望難能可貴也不可思議，更不可思議的是『以馬內利』已經真實的成就在我們生命中。我們的身體就是神的殿！我們有為此感恩與訝異嗎？
Date: Friday, 08/03/2012
by: George
歷 代 志 下 34
3他(約西亞)作王第八年，尚且年幼，就尋求他祖大衛的神。到了十二年才潔淨猶大和耶路撒冷，除掉邱壇、木偶、雕刻的像，和鑄造的像。
4眾人在他面前拆毀巴力的壇，砍斷壇上高高的日像，又把木偶和雕刻的像，並鑄造的像打碎成灰，撒在祭偶像人的墳上，
5將他們祭司的骸骨燒在壇上，潔淨了猶大和耶路撒冷；
6又在瑪拿西、以法蓮、西緬、拿弗他利各城，和四圍破壞之處，都這樣行；
2 Chronicles 34
3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he (Josiah) was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images. 4 Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles, the idols and the images. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5 He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and so he purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6 In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them, 7 he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel.
Sharing:
真是可敬佩的年輕君王。因著自潔，約西亞不但影響整個國家，甚至影響許多不在他管轄之地，使眾人回轉歸向神。我們是否學習過一個自潔並敬虔的生活，不但影響自己的家庭和教會，並影響眾多主內的團體全然歸主。
What a remarkable young king, through his disciplined piety life, Josiah not only influenced the entire Judea, but also the regions beyond his reign. He brought people back to God from their wicked ways. May we live a disciplined godly life so that not only our own family and church will be influenced but other groups in the Lord as well.
Date: Monday, 07/30/2012
by: George
歷 代 志 下 26
4烏西雅行耶和華眼中看為正的事，效法他父亞瑪謝一切所行的；
16他既強盛，就心高氣傲，以致行事邪僻，干犯耶和華─他的神，進耶和華的殿，要在香壇上燒香。
2 Chronicles 26
3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.
16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Sharing:
烏西雅是猶大國的好王，但卻因國家強盛後他做了越分的事。這對我們是多大的警惕！神給我們再大的祝福，使我們再有能力，我們在祂的國度裡還是有限制的。我們乃為神國肢體的一部分，我們要謹守本分，不能『過分』。
Uzziah was a good king, yet his pride led him to his downfall during the time when the country was wealthy and strong. The account serves as a severe warning to all of us. No matter how well the children of God are doing, the prosperities are the blessings from above, not from us. We are limited and we need one another in the kingdom of God. We have our own boundary in the body of Christ.
Date: Friday, 07/27/2012
by: Chunming
歷 代 志 下 19 (2 Chronicles 19)
1 猶 大 王 約 沙 法 平 平 安 安 地 回 耶 路 撒 冷 ， 到 宮 裡 去 了 。
2 先 見 哈 拿 尼 的 兒 子 耶 戶 出 來 迎 接 約 沙 法 王 ， 對 他 說 ： 你 豈 當 幫 助 惡 人 ， 愛 那 恨 惡 耶 和 華 的 人 呢 ？ 因 此 耶 和 華 的 忿 怒 臨 到 你 。
1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.
2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. (NKJV)
Sharing:
Jehoshaphat the king of Judah just returned from a battle against Ramoth Gilead where Ahab the king of Israel was killed. God quickly rendered a judgment against him, via Jehu’s mouth, because he has helped Ahab who hates the LORD. This lets me think of the lesson from Psalm 1:1-2, which teaches us the way of a true blessed man. This is a good reminder to me that I cannot stand in a gray area when it comes to God’s standard.
Date: Tuesday, 07/17/2012
By: Chunming
羅 馬 書 4 (Romans 4)
4 做 工 的 得 工 價 ， 不 算 恩 典 ， 乃 是 該 得 的 ；
5 惟 有 不 做 工 的 ， 只 信 稱 罪 人 為 義 的 神 ， 他 的 信 就 算 為 義 。
4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Sharing:
If you are working for a company, you may have to report your activity and contribution periodically to the company in order to justify your existence. This is wages (or compensation, in today’s term) that we deserved. However, it is a very different story in terms of God’s salvation – it is a grace without any extra work if we believe on Him. What a difference that apostle Paul pointed out to us!
Date: 7/7
By Yiheng
Acts: 25
9: 但 非 斯 都 要 讨 犹 太 人 的 喜 欢 ， 就 问 保 罗 说 ： 你 愿 意 上 耶 路 撒 冷 去 ， 在 那 里 听 我 审 断 这 事 麽 ？
Sharing: 讨谁的喜欢是我们每一个基督徒时刻要面对的一个问题.
Date: July 1, 2012
Shared by TC Lo
2Ki 19:30 猶大家所逃脫餘剩的，仍要往下扎根，向上結果。
分享: 這棵樹應該是倒向生的---如果我們的根植在天上, 吸取屬天的營養, 我們便能在地上結出美好的果子, 成為合神心意的見證人.
Date: 6/27
By Yiheng
9: 夜 间 ， 主 在 异 象 中 对 保 罗 说 ： 不 要 怕 ， 只 管 讲 ， 不 要 闭 口 ，
Sharing: 当我们和人分享福音时, 我们内心可能会有胆怯或者是害羞. 愿我们都能被神的话激励: " 不 要 怕 ， 只 管 讲 ， 不 要 闭 口"
Date: Wednesday, 06/27/2012
by: George
使 徒 行 傳 18
9 夜間，主在異象中對保羅說：不要怕，只管講，不要閉口，
10 有我與你同在，必沒有人下手害你，因為在這城裡我有許多的百姓。
11 保羅在那裡住了一年零六個月，將神的道教訓他們。
12 到迦流作亞該亞方伯的時候，猶太人同心起來攻擊保羅，拉他到公堂，
Acts 18
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court.
Sharing:
Even Paul was opposed and abused by many, God promised him that he won't get harmed. Taking this promise, Paul taught the word of God for 18 months with no fear. When a united attack came, Paul then realized it is the time for him to go. May we truly obey the inspiration of the Holy Spirit with courage and at the same time have the wisdom to interpret the circumstance.
Sharing by JW
June 26, 2012
Psalm 144
1 Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.
2 He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp.
10 For you grant victory to kings! You rescued your servant David from the fatal sword.
11 Save me! Rescue me from the power of my enemies. Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead.
12 May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace.
13 May our barns be filled with crops of every kind. May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands,
15 Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.
Proverbs 17
27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Sharing: Psalm 144 shares a profound secret for believer:
Praise before war and battle, because our Lord is our rock.
Sing a new song to our God to praise Him before victory and rescue, because He will grant us victory and rescue.
Be joyful in good times and in bad times, because our Lord is our God, and we can just live like this.
Look around, can you see peaceful believers around us, who lives joyfully and blamelessly? They must have God at their center.
They move as He moves, they fight as He fights, they rescue as He rescues, they keep quiet as He keeps quiet, they blame nobody as He blames no one,
and their sons and daughters flourish as He flourishes, and they praise Him with new songs as our Savior praises His Father in Heaven.
It's a joyful picture with God and Jesus in the center. What a beautiful picture. Thank you Lord for being my God, and thank you Jesus for being my Savior.
Here is a song that came to me (Sing, sing a song, sing it loud and sing it strong. Sing about good things not bad, sing about things that's happy not sad.
Sing, sing a song and make it simple……) When you sing this, please make sure we sing it with God at the center. It would bring more eternal being to this song
Date: Saturday, 06/23/2012
by: Chunming
列 王 紀 下 5 (2 Kings 5:10-11)
10-11 以 利 沙 打 發 一 個 使 者 ， 對 乃 縵 說 ： 你 去 在 約 但 河 中 沐 浴 七 回 ， 你 的 肉 就 必 復 原 ， 而 得 潔 淨 。乃 縵 卻 發 怒 走 了 ， 說 ： 我 想 他 必 定 出 來 見 我 ， 站 著 求 告 耶 和 華 ─ 他 神 的 名 ， 在 患 處 以 上 搖 手 ， 治 好 這 大 痲 瘋 。
10-11 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
Sharing:
Sometimes we have our own idea of how God should be doing in solving our problems. Naaman, a commander of the army of the king of Syria, showed us a good example when asking for healing of his leprosy from prophet Elisha. The root problem is pride and bias that we all have. I was reminded from these verses that I need to be humble before God listening to His instructions under all circumstances.
Date: June 21, 2012
Shared by T.C. Lo
經文:
2Ki 2:23 以利沙從那裡上伯特利去。正上去的時候，有些童子從城裡出來，戲笑他說：“禿頭的上去吧！禿頭的上去吧！”
2Ki 2:24 他回頭看見，就奉耶和華的名咒詛他們。於是有兩個母熊從林中出來，撕裂他們中間四十二個童子。
2Ki 2:25 以利沙從伯特利上迦密山 ，又從迦密山回到撒馬利亞。
第24節中的 “奉耶和華的名咒詛他們” 表示這事是神所允許的. 乍看起來, 神好似是既任性又善變, 與我們對祂的性情一向的領會大有出入, 慈愛的神怎能用兩雙母熊來撕裂一群天真頑皮的小孩呢? (下面數論點乃取材於 Ref.1)
筆者註: 舊約神與子民在 Covenant Relationship 內, 常用神蹟表達或神自己直接與人對話 (例: Burning bush), 在此期內, 上述這類事件是特殊的, 而非 universal 的. 今天我們有聖經的教導, 聖灵的指引, 教會的撫養, 特別事件便大致不需要了. 但神的灵訓是始終一致的.
生活應用: 舊約子民應聽先知的話, 同樣, 新約信徒應尊重神的忠僕. 請參看李牧師 (Ref.2) 給我們下列的指導方針, 在此只提綱挈領地述三大點, 供思考:
Ref.1: “The Case For Faith” by Lee Strobel; pp.122-124.
Ref.2: “新千年中的生活革新” by 李定武; pp.201-214
Date: 6/17
Yiheng
箴 言 17:12
12 宁 可 遇 见 丢 崽 子 的 母 熊 ， 不 可 遇 见 正 行 愚 妄 的 愚 昧 人 。
Sharing: 丢 崽 子 的 母 熊本是异常凶猛的, 可是正 行 愚 妄 的 愚 昧 却更加的可怕.
愿神给我们真正的智慧好叫我们不至于跌到 (也不使人跌到).
Date: Wednesday, 06/13/2012
by: Chunming
使 徒 行 傳 9 (Acts 9)
5 他 說 ： 主 阿 ！ 你 是 誰 ？ 主 說 ： 我 就 是 你 所 逼 迫 的 耶 穌 。
6 起 來 ！ 進 城 去 ， 你 所 當 做 的 事 ， 必 有 人 告 訴 你 。
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Sharing:
The conversion of Paul from Saul is an amazing story that has been repeatedly told in the book of Acts. It marked Saul’s conversion into Paul and it established the apostleship of Paul as a chosen vessel of God to bear witness before gentiles and kings. I like the question in the verse 5, “Who are you, Lord?” because it is a starting point of Saul to see the glory of God. Then, the command given by the Lord, “Now get up and go into the city….” in verse 6, is an action that Saul needs to follow in order to complete his conversion. The process is the same for each one of us – we met God first and then we respond by believing in Him, as our Lord.
Date: June 11, 2012
Pr 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
Pr 17:1 設筵滿屋，大家相爭，不如有塊乾餅，大家相安。
This verse teaches the importance of good relationship over material abundance. There may be no greater inner agony than the loss of a relationship we desperately want. For example, if your spouse condemns and criticizes you, and says she never wants to see you again, or if one of your parents does this to you when you’re still a child, the psychological damage is infinitely worse.
On the cross, Jesus' cry of dereliction---"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
We cannot fathom, however, what it would be like to lose not just spousal love or parental love that has lasted several years, but the infinite love of the Father that Jesus had from all eternity. Jesus’ suffering would have been eternally unbearable. But Jesus’ suffering gives us both (1) the peace and quiet in our soul because our sins have been forgiven, and (2) our right to live in our Father’s house full of feasting because we are forever His children.
基督之死使我們與父神和好, 不再相爭. 基督之復活, 使我們生命豐盛, 如同設筵滿屋
Date: Monday, 06/11/2012
by: George
箴 言 17:1 設 筵 滿 屋 ， 大 家 相 爭 ， 不 如 有 塊 乾 餅 ， 大 家 相 安 。
Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
Sharing:
So true. We should appreciate dry crust we have, it grants us peace which can not be measured.
Date: 6/7
By Yiheng
使 徒 行 傳
5: 29 彼 得 和 众 使 徒 回 答 说 ： 顺 从 神 ， 不 顺 从 人 ， 是 应 当 的
箴 言
6:25有 一 条 路 ， 人 以 为 正 ， 至 终 成 为 死 亡 之 路 。
Sharing: 把这两句话放在一起读我们就可以很清楚地明白为什么要顺 从 神 ， 而不 顺 从 人. 因为 顺 从
人可能会把我们带到一条成 为 死 亡 之 路, 尽管这条路看起来有多好
Date: Tuesday, 06/05/2012
by: Chunming
使 徒 行 傳 3 (Acts 3)
6 彼 得 說 ： 金 銀 我 都 沒 有 ， 只 把 我 所 有 的 給 你 ： 我 奉 拿 撒 勒 人 耶 穌 基 督 的 名 ， 叫 你 起 來 行 走 ！
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Sharing:
From this miracle, I was reminded one more time that only when one truly recognizes that he has “nothing” then can God’s power flows through him. Let us remember that the name of Jesus Christ is precious.
Date: Sunday, 06/03/2012
by: George
Acts 1
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
使徒行傳1
1提阿非羅阿，我已經作了前書，論到耶穌開頭一切所行所教訓的，
2直到他藉著聖靈吩咐所揀選的使徒，以後被接上升的日子為止。
3他受害之後，用許多的憑據將自己活活的顯給使徒看，四十天之久向他們顯現，講說神國的事。
Sharing：
To many a period of forty days after Jesus' resurrection and before his ascension is definitely one of the most important times in human history. Finally, Jesus can prove to the world that he is the son of God and he has conquered death with real evidence. However, in this period, Jesus focused his effort on teaching his disciples about the kingdom of God. Similar to the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to focus their mind on the kingdom of God as one of the priorities in their prayer. Are we mindful of the kingdom of God? Do we pursue the meaning of His kingdom with all of our heart? May we live on this earth with kingdom view.
耶穌復活以後四十天在我們看來是多麼重要的日子，耶穌終於可以對世人以事實證明他是神的兒子，他已經戰勝死亡。而耶穌在這四十天裡卻把重心放在對使徒講述神國的事。就有如主禱文，耶穌要門徒把禱告重心放在神國一般。原來神國的信息就是耶穌對他門徒的負擔。願我們竭力明白神國的意義，以神國的眼光來度今生的日子。
Date: Thursday, 05/31/2012
by: Chunming
約 翰 福 音 (John)
18:38 彼 拉 多 說 ： 真 理 是 甚 麼 呢 ？ 說 了 這 話 ， 又 出 來 到 猶 太 人 那 裡 ， 對 他 們 說 ： 我 查 不 出 他 有 甚 麼 罪 來 。
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
Sharing:
God is merciful, He gave the Jews three chances to repent – He used Pilate repeatedly said three times to them, “I find no fault in Him at all” (18:38, 19:4, 19:6). Sometimes, I am wondering myself whether I have acted like the Jews – went astray without notice. May God give me a tender heart to listen to His instruction and guidance attentively.
Date: Monday, 05/28/2012
By: George
箴言16:7
7人所行的，若蒙耶和華喜悅，耶和華也使他的仇敵與他和好。
Proverbs 16:7
7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Sharing:
沒有人喜歡樹立敵人，特別是在無意的情況下。可是人生在世，因著人的軟弱及罪性就是會出現敵人。這使人困擾焦慮，怎麼辦？箴言裡的智慧告訴我們，定睛於耶和華，行出神所喜悅的事，神就使我們的仇敵與我們和好。這簡單的原則使我們享受在世的平安。
Nobody likes to have enemies, especially in an unknown or unintentional situation. Yet due to the sinful nature of mankind, inevitably we do have enemies on this earth. The wisdom of Proverbs tells us, when we focus on God, do what is pleasing in His sight, God will make even our enemies to be at peace with us. This simple principle in life helps us to live in peace.
Date: Sunday, 05/27/2012
by: George
John 16 约翰福音16
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
33我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。
Sharing：
Jesus did not promise us a life of smooth sailing, on the contrary he said we will have trouble. For the disciples of Christ, we should not loss heart. For only under such circumstances we begin to experience that He has overcome all.
耶穌並沒有對我們應許我們生活一直幸福快樂一帆風順，反之他甚至預告祂的門徒說一定會有苦難。但做為主的門徒，我們不要喪膽，因為 在此情況下，我們才經歷和了解耶穌已經勝過一切。這種與主一起經歷得勝的過程，使我們靈命更成熟、更美，心境更輕鬆。
Date: Tuesday, 05/22/2012
by: Chunming
約 翰 福 音 12 (John 12)
46 我 到 世 上 來 ， 乃 是 光 ， 叫 凡 信 我 的 ， 不 住 在 黑 暗 裡 。
47 若 有 人 聽 見 我 的 話 不 遵 守 ， 我 不 審 判 他 。 我 來 本 不 是 要 審 判 世 界 ， 乃 是 要 拯 救 世 界 。
I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
Sharing:
It is really assuring to learn that Jesus is the light who will deliver us from darkness and He is not come to judge but to save, as long as we believe in Him.
Date: May 22, 2012
Shared by: T.C. Lo
那時，上來過節禮拜的人中，有幾個希臘人。他們來見加利利伯賽大的腓力，求他說：“先生，我們願意見耶穌。” 腓力去告訴安得烈，安得烈同腓力去告訴耶穌。(約12:20-22)
Sharing:
當我們遇到一些比我們博學的人或有名望地位的人, 我們常常不敢向他們傳福音. 但安得烈並不因自己的卑微 而猶豫, 他却勇敢地帶一位同伴去見這些有學問的希臘人, 把他們帶到耶穌的跟前.
其它有關安德烈的經文是: [約1:41-42; 約6:1-12]. 從安得烈的為人, 態度, 心態, 信心, 勇氣, 和行動, 我們可以歸納出一套實際可行的傳福音方法, 讓我們稱它為 “安得烈行動 Operation Andrew” 吧. 其內容包括五項:
1. Look Around (向周圍看) ---- 在家庭, 學校, 及工作單位, 注意福音的對象.
2. Look Up (向上看) ---- 就是為這些未信主的人禱告. 更為自己禱告, 因為如果我們離開神, 我們便不能作甚麽.
3. Look Out (向外看) ---- 就是找機會的意思. 自己平時的準備和個人的生活見證是可以令人另眼相看而因此製造了想不到的傳福音機會.
4. Look Forward (向前看) ---- 特別是當我們有特別聚會. 那就是開始請朋友的時候了.
5. Look After (照料新嬰孩) ---- 把剛信主的朋友帶到小組, 鼓勵他們事奉, 帶他們查經, 幫助他們在基督裡成長
Sharing by JW
Sharing: Today's reading of 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; and Proverbs 15:12-14 makes me realize that we are either on God's side or on devil's side. It also makes me see in a digital parallel, we are either a "one" or a "zero" where "one" has the implication of "won" and "zero" has the implication of being sucked in by the black hole and becoming an "eternal zero". In today passages, Saul and the self proclaimed "Abraham descendent" are a zero, and David, Jonathan (Saul's son), Michal (Saul's daughter and David's wife) and Samuel (he anointed Saul as king) and Jesus are all "one" or "won". Thank you Lord, my God, thank you Jesus Christ, my Savior and thank you Holy Spirit, my Daily Communicator of alerting me to be a "won" or else devil will consume me as a "zero". Psalm 112 and Proverbs 15 sum it up nicely of what a "won" and a "zero" would be like. May our Lord help us to be a "won" and always stay on God's side day by day until we see Him. Thank you
Date: Tuesday, 05/15/2012
by Chunming
箴 言 15 (Proverbs 15)
11 陰 間 和 滅 亡 尚 在 耶 和 華 眼 前 ， 何 況 世 人 的 心 呢 ？
Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart! (NLT)
Sharing:
This verse reminds me of the omnipresence of our God. He oversees everywhere even Death and Destruction. It also comforts me because He knows everything. No matter when we are sorrowful or joyful, in worry or in peace, He is always with us!
Date: May 12, 2012
Shared by TC Lo
1Sa 12:16 現在你們要站住，看耶和華在你們眼前要行一件大事。
1Sa 12:17 這不是割麥子的時候嗎？我求告耶和華，他必打雷降雨，使你們又知道又看出，你們求立王的事，是在耶和華面前犯大罪了。”
1Sa 12:18 於是，撒母耳求告耶和華，耶和華就在這日打雷降雨，眾民便甚懼怕耶和華和撒母耳。
1Sa 12:19 眾民對撒母耳說：“求你為僕人們禱告耶和華你的 神，免得我們死亡，因為我們求立王的事，正是罪上加罪了。”
1Sa 12:20 撒母耳對百姓說：“不要懼怕！你們雖然行了這惡，卻不要偏離耶和華，只要盡心事奉他。
1Sa 12:21 若偏離耶和華去順從那不能救人的虛神是無益的。
1Sa 12:22 耶和華既喜悅選你們作他的子民，就必因他的大名不撇棄你們。
1Sa 12:23 至於我，斷不停止為你們禱告，以致得罪耶和華。我必以善道正路指教你們。
1Sa 12:24 只要你們敬畏耶和華，誠誠實實地盡心事奉他，想念他向你們所行的事何等大。
1Sa 12:25 你們若仍然作惡，你們和你們的王必一同滅亡。”
在這裡, 我們看到恩典與公義親嘴, 代禱所產生的果效, 在絕望的窮巷中却有路可行. 這豈非是十字架的寫照麽?
神會否下降到我們如地獄般的處境? 對, 衪會. 在納粹黨的死亡集中營的深淵中, Corrie ten Boom寫道,
“不管我們的黑暗有多深, 衪 (的愛) 仍比 (深淵) 更深 (No matter how deep our darkness, there is no pit so deep the love of God is not deeper still).”
我們的主耶穌不但從死裏復活, 並且把死亡的意義更改了, 因此也改變了所有小的死亡----預期會導至大死亡的苦難----的意義也更改了. 衪在Auschwitz (奧許維次) 集中營被毒氣所薰. 衪在中國被人譏諷, 祂在北美洲被人嘲弄. 衪在中東被人奴役. 衪是社會人仕喜歡憎恨的人, 然而衪却選擇以愛對待我們. 我們每一滴的眼淚成為衪的眼淚. 衪可能依然不把它擦去, 但衪終必擦淨我們一切的眼淚.
Date: Tuesday, 05/08/2012
by: Chunming
撒 母 耳 記 上 4 (1 Samuel 4)
21 他 給 孩 子 起 名 叫 以 迦 博 ， 說 ： 榮 耀 離 開 以 色 列 了 ！ 這 是 因 神 的 約 櫃 被 擄 去 ， 又 因 他 公 公 和 丈 夫 都 死 了 。
Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
Sharing:
God warned against priest Eli concerning his sons’ improper behaviors and disrespect of God’s laws of offering in previous chapters. The warning was then fulfilled in chapter 4 when Israelites were defeated by the Philistines and the ark of God was captured, and Eli’s daughter-in-law gave birth of a son called Ichabod. The name of Ichabod is literally “inglorious”. Because of Eli’s negligence of his responsibility in rebuke and corrects his sons, the collateral consequence is God’s glory left the Israel. What a solemn warning to those who are in the leadership position.
May 6, 2012
Dear Lord, my God that you gave us Jesus Christ our Savior who had paid for ALL our debts in the past and in the future, only because you casted your eye on us like what you did for Ruth, Joseph, Jacob, Moses and Aaron and the son of the official,. May you give us the wisdom and courage to follow you like Ruth did to Naomi and Booz, and may you lead us to your bigger plan step by step, and generation by generation until your plan is done on earth as the same is done in Heaven. Thank you Lord of sharing these passages to me. I will follow you in fear and in confidence, because you are my refuge and my fountain of life
Date: May 2, 2012
Shared by: TC Lo
Ps 103:11 天離地何等的高，他的慈愛向敬畏他的人也是何等的大！
Ps 103:12 東離西有多遠，他叫我們的過犯離我們也有多遠！
Ps 103:13 父親怎樣憐恤他的兒女，耶和華也怎樣憐恤敬畏他的人！
Ps 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
Ps 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Ps 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
Sharing:
As Paul wrote to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制。這樣的事，沒有律法禁止。(Gal.5:22-23)
The total summation is freedom in Christ: We are no longer under the curse of the laws but are free from sins and free to approach the Father through Jesus Christ at the loving tug of the Holy Spirit
Date 5-1-2012 BY Eliza
詩篇 102 （困苦人发昏的时候，在耶和华面前吐露苦情的祷告。）耶和华啊，求你听我的祷告，容我的呼求达到你面前！2 我在急难的日子，求你向我侧耳；不要向我掩面！我呼求的日子，求你快快应允我！3 因为，我的年日如烟云消灭；我的骨头如火把烧着。4 我的心被伤，如草枯乾，甚至我忘记吃饭。5 因我唉哼的声音，我的肉紧贴骨头。16 因为耶和华建造了锡安，在他荣耀里显现。17 他垂听穷人的祷告，并不藐视他们的祈求。26 天地都要灭没，你却要长存；天地都要如外衣渐渐旧了。你要将天地如里衣更换，天地就改变了。
Psalm 102 A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord. 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you.2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. 3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. 4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. 5Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. 16 For the Lord will rebuild Zion
and appear in his glory. 17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.
Date: Tuesday, 05/01/2012
by Chunming
士 師 記 13 (Judges 13)
18耶和華的使者對他說，你何必問我的名，我名是奇妙的‧
And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”
Sharing:
The book of Judges chapter 13 gives us the story of the birth of Samson. It is a divine will that Israelites could therefore be freed from the oppression of Philistines because of Samson. The inquiry made by Samson’s father, Manoah, to the Angel of the LORD seems to be normal because of her wife’s longtime barrenness. The fact is from the response of the Angel of the LORD to Manoah, we learned that God’s name is “Wonderful” or “Beyond understanding”. It is an amazing proclamation and indeed, He did marvelous thing to each one of us – we become His children.