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*  基督徒每天該做的事 (new)

*  慶祝復活節 

*  耶穌受難日  Good Friday

*  討我們的主耶穌基督的喜悅

*  老年人的生活品質

*  從研究喬納森·愛德華茲的一些講道中學到的一些教訓

*  珍惜

* 基本解決方案
* 什麼是基督徒
* 主的靈在哪裡，哪裡就有自由
* 社會正能量的泉源
* 學會感恩讚美我們的神
* 脫水
..以及許多其他文章

 

Welcome to the Website of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is free to all.
The following articles are for your peruse and encouragement. Please email me any suggestions for improvement. Thank you!

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Christians should do each day 基督徒每天該做的事

The sources of our daily conflicts comes from our real enemies devil and his demons. We first need to pray diligently each day to our God for our protection, provision, and providence to do good work. Secondly, we need to study the Bible each day so that we are equipped with holy armor to defend and protect ourselves.
我們日常衝突的根源來自我們真正的敵人魔鬼和他的惡魔。 我們首先需要每天勤奮地向上帝祈禱，祈求祂保護我們、供應我們，並幫助我們做善事。 其次，我們需要每天學習聖經，以便裝備神聖的盔甲來防禦和保護自己。

We need to be sensitive to all the deception related with temptations. To keep frequently washing our hands will reduce our bodily contaminations so we need also  cleanse our minds from all kind of worldly dirtiness.
我們需要對所有與誘惑有關的欺騙保持敏感。 經常洗手會減少我們身體的污染，所以我們也需要淨化我們的心靈，清除一切世俗的污垢。

 

We are living in chaotic end days so the chaotic evil and lust situations are to be expected. The issue is to make sure that we live by faith and live in Christ to serve Him and love our christian fellow workers. Be courageous and confident because our Lord Jesus Christ is with us always. May we praise our heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ our Lord each day through our faithful services to Him.
我們生活在混亂的末日，因此混亂的邪惡和慾望的情況是可以預料的。 問題是確保我們憑信心生活，活在基督裡，事奉他，愛我們的基督徒同工。 要勇敢和自信，因為我們的主耶穌基督永遠與我們同在。 願我們每天透過我們的主耶穌基督，忠心地事奉他，讚美我們的天父。

 

 

 

 

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慶祝復活節   Celebrate Easter

 

It is indeed a great blessing for a Christian to meditate the implication of Christ’s bodily resurrection to his/her life on this earth. This is what the word of God teaches us:

1.  Who are we before becoming a believer of Jesus Christ?

We were just like anybody who is chasing the world just like Ephesians 2:1- 3, “2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”

 

基督徒沉思基督身體復活對他/她今世生命的影響，確實是一個極大的祝福。 這就是上帝的道教導我們的：

1. 在成為耶穌基督的信徒之前，我們是誰？

我們就像以弗所書2：1-3一樣追逐世界的任何人. “1 你們死在過犯罪惡之中，他叫你們活過來。 2 那時你們在其中行事為人，隨從今世的風俗，順服空中掌權者的首領，就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。 3 我們從前也都在他們中間，放縱肉體的私慾，隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行，本為可怒之子，和別人一樣。

 

2. Do you know that we became Christians because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Ephesians 2:4-10, “4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

2.您知道我們是因為耶穌基督的復活而成為基督徒的嗎？

以弗所書2：4-10, “4 然而，神既有豐富的憐憫，因他愛我們的大愛， 5 當我們死在過犯中的時候，便叫我們與基督一同活過來。你們得救是本乎恩。 6 他又叫我們與基督耶穌一同復活，一同坐在天上， 7 要將他極豐富的恩典，就是他在基督耶穌裡向我們所施的恩慈，顯明給後來的世代看。 8 你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信。這並不是出於自己，乃是神所賜的； 9 也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇。 10 我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是神所預備叫我們行的。”

 

3. Do you know the key contents of your faith? You do not have faith unless you confessed to the Jesus Christ ’s resurrection. Romans 10: 9-10, “9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

3.您知道信仰的關鍵內容嗎？ 除非您承認耶穌基督的復活，否則您將沒有信心。

羅馬書 10:9-10, “9 你若口裡認耶穌為主，心裡信神叫他從死裡復活，就必得救。 10 因為人心裡相信就可以稱義，口裡承認就可以得救。”

 

4. The Christ’s resurrection is the centrality of the Gospel. Listen to Apostle Peter, Acts 10:36-43, “36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

4.基督的復活是福音的中心。 聽使徒彼得，使徒行傳10：36-43，”36 神藉著耶穌基督——他是萬有的主——傳和平的福音，將這道賜給以色列人。 37 這話在約翰宣傳洗禮以後，從加利利起，傳遍了猶太。 38 神怎樣以聖靈和能力膏拿撒勒人耶穌，這都是你們知道的。他周流四方，行善事，醫好凡被魔鬼壓制的人，因為神與他同在。 39 他在猶太人之地並耶路撒冷所行的一切事，有我們作見證。他們竟把他掛在木頭上殺了！ 40 第三日，神叫他復活，顯現出來， 41 不是顯現給眾人看，乃是顯現給神預先所揀選為他作見證的人看，就是我們這些在他從死裡復活以後和他同吃同喝的人。 42 他吩咐我們傳道給眾人，證明他是神所立定的，要做審判活人、死人的主。 43 眾先知也為他作見證說：『凡信他的人，必因他的名得蒙赦罪。』”

 

5. Preaching the power of Christ’s resurrection has been the central message of the Gospel. Romans 8:9-11, “9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

 5.傳講基督復活的能力一直是福音的中心信息。

羅馬書 8:9-11, “9 如果神的靈住在你們心裡，你們就不屬肉體，乃屬聖靈了。人若沒有基督的靈，就不是屬基督的。 10 基督若在你們心裡，身體就因罪而死，心靈卻因義而活。 11 然而叫耶穌從死裡復活者的靈若住在你們心裡，那叫基督耶穌從死裡復活的，也必藉著住在你們心裡的聖靈，使你們必死的身體又活過來。”

 

Thus, as we celebrate the Easter today, let us live as a person who has the in-dwelling Holy Spirit who will empower us and guide us daily  to live like a true children of God. Just remember always a child of God is to glorify the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives on this earth. May all of us celebrate  this Easter with a renewed conviction to be a true light and true salt in this darkened and decaying world! May we remember the power of resurrection of our Lord each and every day!

因此，當我們今天慶祝復活節時，讓我們順服住​在內心深處的聖靈，他會賦予我們力量並引導我們每天過上像真神的孩子一樣的生活。永遠記住，上帝的孩子將榮耀我們主耶穌基督的寶貴名字。願我們所有人以新的信念來慶祝這個復活節，在這個黑暗和衰敗的世界中成為真正的光和鹽！願我們每天記住我們主復活的無與倫比的力量！

 

 

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耶穌受難日  Good Friday

 

Today is Good Friday. As Christians, we keep remembrance of Good Friday because it was on Friday more than 2000 years ago that our Lord Jesus Christ carried out the salvation plan by offering Himself to die for all sinners including us who became His faithful followers.

It is indeed blessed to remember such an unfathomable love that our Lord was willingly to go to the cross to die to redeem us. We truly need to cherish Him and love Him and carry out His commands.

May our Precious Lord strengthen us each day while we are on this earth to spread His Good News to all that come in contact with us. May His Name be praised forever and ever, Amen!

 

今天是耶穌受難日。 作為基督徒，我們謹記耶穌受難日，因為在2000多年前的星期五，我們的主耶穌基督，為包括我們忠實的追隨者在內的所有罪人獻身，執行了救贖計劃。

我們的主耶穌基督願意死在十字架上，以贖回我們，記住如此深不可測的愛確實是很蒙上帝祝福的。 我們確實需要珍惜他，愛他，執行他的命令。

願我們珍貴的主，每天加強我們，向與我們接觸的所有人傳播他的好消息。 願他的名字被永遠讚美，阿們！

 

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討我們的主耶穌基督的喜悅

 

我們都知道，頭腦裡的知識是沒有用的，除非我們把一些原則記在心裡，作為我們日常生活中遵守的基本規則！ 所以我要遵循以下幾點: 

A. 深知我們的根本問題是在日常生活中不斷忘記神。

B. 相信我們的主耶穌基督並遵循聖靈的引導。 我們或許會問，我怎麼知道聖靈的引導呢？ 如果我們不去追求世界的情慾，例如眼目的情慾、肉體的情慾和今生的驕傲，我們就會與內住的聖靈有喜樂的相交。

C. 詩篇 1:1-3 教導：1. 不從惡人的計謀，不站罪人的道路，不坐褻慢人的座位，2  唯喜愛耶和華的律法，晝夜思想，這人便為有福！

3  他要像一棵樹，栽在溪水旁，按時候結果子，葉子也不枯乾，凡他所做的，盡都順利。

D. 努力在日常生活中討神的心意，並留意聖靈與肉體總是在我們裡面互相爭鬥。

E. 請記住，聖靈在我們這個時代的主要事工是： 1. 叫世人為罪、為義、為審判，自己責備自己； 2. 保守真理，抑制邪惡。

F.  是我們的主耶穌基督將我們從罪惡的束縛中釋放出來。 所以，做一個自由的人，不要表現得像罪的奴隸。

G. 聖靈被差派到我們身邊，是透過我們對耶穌基督的信仰，而不是透過我們自以為義的行為。

 

To Please our Lord Jesus Christ
 

We all know that knowledge in the head is useless unless we put a few principles in the heart as our basic rules that we keep and follow in our daily living! So here are a few things for me to keep:
A. Know keenly that our basic problem is that we keep forgetting God in our daily living. 
B. Trust our Lord Jesus Christ and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We may ask how do I know the guidance of the Holy Spirit? If we do not gun hold in pursuing the world such as lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, we shall have joyful fellowship with the indwelling Holy Spirit.
C. Psalm 1:1-3 teaches that :
    1. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
    2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
    3  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
D. Try to please the heart of God in our daily living and be sensitive that The Holy Spirit and the flesh is always fighting each other in conflicts in us.
E. Remember that main ministries of the Holy Spirit in our age are:  1. Convict the world the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: and 2 Preservation of the truth and restrain the evil.
F.  It is our Lord Jesus Christ the set us free from grips of sin. So be a free person and do not act like a slave of sin.
G. The Holy Spirit was sent to us by our faith in Jesus Christ and not by our self righteous acts.

 

 

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老年人的生活品質 

 

隨著社會老化程度不斷加深，解決老年人的生活品質問題變得尤為重要。
需要牢記幾個事實；
1. 老年人的健康狀況正在惡化，可能會喪失一些身體機能。
2. 老年人可能需要幫助才能四處走動。
3. 他們也可能存在認知和記憶喪失問題。

 

重要的是，老年人首先要努力保持自己的健康。 這應該包括以下內容：
A. 保持運動計劃，例如每日散步、攝取充足的水、健康飲食（包括蔬菜和水果）以及一雙好鞋。
B. 放慢速度，改善居住環境，防止跌倒，尤其是上樓梯時要抓住欄桿。
C. 每天進行祈禱和閱讀聖經章節，最好每天冥想幾節經文。
D. 與其他朋友保持團契。
E. 保持積極的生活態度。

 

盡量保持腿部/關節健康，讓老年人盡可能長時間地健康行走。 這確實是尤為重要！ 定期步行，但不要進行令人筋疲力盡的長距離步行。 這想法是為了保持良好的行走功能！

祝福老年人安享美好的晚年生活！

 

 

 

Quality of Life of Senior Citizens (New)

 

As a society gets toward a large senior population, it is important to address the quality of life for seniors.

 

Several facts need to be kept in mind;

1. Seniors’ health may be deteriorating and may lose some bodily functions.

2. Seniors may need help to get around.

3. They may also have cognitive  and memory loss issues.

 

It is important that seniors shall try to upkeep their health themselves first. This should include the following:

A. Maintain an exercise program such as daily walks, adequate water intake, healthy diet including vegetables and fruits, and a good pair of shoes.

B. Slow down and improve living setting to prevent falls, particularly need to hold on to rail in using stairs.

C. Exercise prayers and read a bible chapter a day, hopefully meditate a few verses a day.

D. Maintain fellowship with other friends.

E. Maintain a positive attitude towards life.

 

Try to maintain leg/joint health so that a senior can walk healthily as long as possible. This is indeed a life saver! Do walk regularly but not to an exhausting long distance. The idea is to maintain a good walking function!

May seniors have a good quality of life in their senior years!

 

 

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從研究喬納森·愛德華茲的一些講道中學到的一些教訓

 

這篇文章是為了分享我從閱讀喬納森·愛德華茲的幾篇講道中學到的東西。
1. 首先，愛德華茲是一位偉大的傳教士，並且有著偉大的頭腦。 閱讀他的講道確實很難，因為它們非常詳細，有時沒有目錄來幫助讀者了解其大綱。 然而，經過閱讀他的講道的掙扎，他的講道實際上非常尖銳，有助於我們理解自己的罪孽，並衷心感謝我們的主耶穌基督為拯救我們並將我們從地獄的毀滅中拯救出來而付出的偉大的愛和代價。
2. 愛德華茲的訊息是直接的、尖銳的、批判性的、沒有廢話的。 例如，在《憤怒之神手中的罪人》講道中，他明確指出：
* 我們罪人仍缺乏順從勸告，對勸告沒有理解。
* 我們罪人一定會走向地獄的滅亡。
* 我們罪人正站在滑坡上行走，面對著突然而意外的墜落毀滅。
* 我們罪人被指控有罪，完全應該在地獄裡遭受毀滅。
* 上帝並不缺乏毀滅罪人的能力。
* 上帝沒有義務讓任何人暫時脫離地獄。
* 現在平靜，是因為神對罪人悔改的憐憫和恩典。

3. 確實，最重要的是，我們清楚地看到並理解神因我們在世上不悔改的生活方式，而向我們發出極大的憤怒。

4. 清楚地認識到我們自己的行為是墮落的，我們是無助的，這將為理解唯一的救贖之路是透過耶穌基督的寶貴寶血，來救贖我們的緊迫性奠定基礎。

 

我們真誠地希望我們所有人都應該仔細閱讀愛德華茲的講道，並確信我們的罪惡墮落以及我們迫切需要耶穌基督作為我們個人的救世主。如果我們中的任何一個人還沒有這樣做的話，現在就做，因為時間至關重要，明天可能不屬於我們。

 

A Few Lessons learned from studying a few sermons from Jonathan Edwards

 

This article is to share what I learned from reading a few Jonathan Edwards' sermons.
 

1. First of all, Edwards was a great preacher and had a great mind. It is indeed hard to read his sermons as they are very detailed and sometimes without table of contents to help readers to see their outlines. However, after struggles thru his sermons, his sermons are in fact very pointed and useful in understanding our own sins and in heartfelt appreciation of the great love and price that our Lord Jesus Christ paid in procuring us and ransoming us from our hell-bound destruction.
 

2. Edwards messages are direct, pointed, critical, and no nonsense. For example, in the sermon "Sinners in the hands of An Angry God", he indicated clearly the following:-
* we sinners remained void of counsels, having no understanding in them.
* we sinners are surely heading for destruction in hell.
* we sinners are standing and walking on a slippery slope and are facing sudden and unexpected fall to destruction.
* we sinners are guilty as charged and fully deserve the destruction in hell.
* No lack of God's power to do the destruction of a sinner.
* God has no obligation to keep any man out of hell one moment.
* Calm now because of God's mercies and grace for sinners' repentance.
 

3. It is indeed of uttermost importance that we see and understanding clearly  great anger of God on us due to our unrepentant life styles in the world.
 

4. A clear conviction of our depravity and our helpless by our own deeds will set the stage for understanding the urgency of seeking the only way of salvation through Jesus Christ’s tremendously precious blood to redeem us.

 

We sincerely hope that all of us should take a close look at Edwards’ sermons and get a conviction of our sinful depravity and our urgent need of Jesus Christ as our individual personal Savior. If any of us  has not done so, do it now because time is of essence and tomorrow may not belong to us.

 

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Christ is all in all
基督頌

Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [a]principalities or [b]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
歌羅西書 1:15-20, 愛子是不能看見之神的像
15 愛子是那不能看見之神的像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先。 16 因為萬有都是靠他造的，無論是天上的、地上的，能看見的、不能看見的，或是有位的、主治的、執政的、掌權的，一概都是藉著他造的，又是為他造的。 17 他在萬有之先，萬有也靠他而立。 18 他也是教會全體之首。他是元始，是從死裡首先復生的，使他可以在凡事上居首位， 19 因為父喜歡叫一切的豐盛在他裡面居住。 20 既然藉著他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，便藉著他叫萬有，無論是地上的、天上的，都與自己和好了。

This is the great revelation of superiority of Christ in the  holy Scripture about His unique relation with God, His essence, His preeminence, His relation to creation and maintenance of the universe, His richness, His salvation work, His position in church, His resurrection, His sovereignty in all in all.
這是聖經中基督優越性的偉大啟示，關於祂與神的獨特關係、祂的本質、祂的卓越、祂與創造和維持宇宙的關係、祂的豐富、祂的救恩工作、祂在教會中的地位、祂的復活，以及祂對一切的主權。

Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Lord and our life and our trust and our refuge and our hope and our peace and our joy and our everything.
耶穌基督是我們的救主，我們的主，我們的生命，我們的信任，我們的避難所，我們的盼望，我們的平安，我們的喜樂，以及我們的一切。

Therefore, we shall praise Him constantly and trust Him every moment, and love Him forever and ever. It is impossible to describe His glory. He is to be first in the universe which was created by Him and for Him. His riches is beyond description. His love is so immense as beyond understanding! 
因此，我們要時時讚美他，時時刻刻信靠他，永遠愛他。 祂的榮耀是無法描述的。 他在由他創造並為他創造的宇宙中居首位。 他的財富是無法形容的。 祂的愛是如此偉大，難以理解！

What a Savior of Jesus Christ! What a Lord of all lords! What a King of all kings! He is truly worthy of our praises, admirations, and worship! That is why we is sincerely hoping for His return in every moment of our life! Praise Him always and constantly, and serve Him with gladness, Amen!
耶穌基督是何等的救主啊！ 何等萬主之主啊！ 真是萬王之王啊！ 祂確實值得我們讚美、敬佩、敬拜！ 這就是為什麼我們在生命的每時每刻都真誠地期盼祂的再來！ 永遠不斷讚美他，以及​樂意事奉耶和華, 阿門！

 

 

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2024 New Year Resolution No. 1

 

Since most of us tend to be dehydrated, suggest one cup of warm water after getting up; one cup of warm water during the day, and one cup after dinner. Associate each cup  of warm water drinking with meditation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Think about what sort of people who do not think of the possibility of our Lord’s return today and why they think this way? More importantly, honestly self examine  to see “Am I part of this rebellion group?”

 

2024 年新年決志第 1 號

 

由於我們大多數人都容易脫水，建議起床後一杯溫水； 白天一杯溫水 ; 晚餐後一杯溫水。 將每杯溫水的飲用與對主耶穌基督再來的冥想連結起來。 想想那些人不認為我們的主今天將會回來的可能性，以及為什麼他們會這樣想？ 更重要的是，誠實地自我審察: “我是這個叛逆組織的一員嗎？”

 

 

 

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2024 年新年決心

2024 年似乎是重要的一年。 2024年1月，日本發生大地震，日本機場發生飛機相撞事件，造成人員傷亡等惡劣事件。 由此可見，2024年天災人禍似乎將與我們並肩而行。
 

重要的是要提醒我們自己，正如聖經馬太福音 28:18-20 所揭示的那樣，我們的主耶穌基督始終掌管一切。馬太福音 28:18-20,
18 耶穌進前來，對他們說：「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。 19 所以你們要去，使萬民做我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗， 20 凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守。我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」

因此，正確的觀點是「我們對主耶穌基督的信心有多少」。 如果我們完全信任 祂，我們會發現 祂完全值得信賴，有能力保護我們，讓我們充滿信心地度過 2024 年的每一天。事實上，人類歷史有充分的證據證明神主宰歷史。 世界上存在著魔鬼引起的精神衝突。 人類的衝突是由我們的罪性所引起的。 然而我們的神總是掌管一切。

因此，新年的決志就是增強我們的信心並越來越信任祂。 我們越相信祂，就越能獲得平安和喜樂。 確實，祂是全能的！ 我們要愛祂，並在 2024 年的每一天都生活在祂裡面。 我們要學會天天以感恩的心禱告、讚美神。 祂確實是我們的道路、我們的真理、我們的生命。 2024 年的每一天，試著透過信任祂來享受我們的生活！

 

 

A New Year Resolution in 2024

2024 appears to be a significant year. There were several bad events in 01/24 including big earthquake in Japan and a plane collision in  a Japanese airport which caused casualties. Thus, natural calamities and man-made disasters seem to be with us in 2024. 
 

It is important to remind ourselves that our Lord Jesus Christ is in control always as revealed in the Holy Scripture Matthew 28:18-20. “ 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
 

Thus, the right perspective is “how much is our faith in Lord Jesus Christ”. If we trust Him fully, we will find Him fully trustworthy and capable of protecting us and providing us with confident in living each day of 2024. In fact, the human history has ample evidences to demonstrate that God controls history.

 

There are spiritual conflicts in the world caused by the devil. There are human’s conflicts caused by our sinful nature. Yet our God is always in control.
 

Thus, a new year’s resolution is to enhance our faith and trust Him more and more. The more we trust Him, the more we will receive peace and joy . Indeed He is almighty! We shall love Him and live each day in 2024 in Him. We shall learn to pray and to praise Him day in and day out with a thanksgiving heart. He is indeed our Way, our Truth and our Life. Try to enjoy our life by trusting Him each day in 2024!

 

 

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Merry Christmas and A Happy New 2024 Year to You All.

 

As we approach the end of 2023, we are grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for His cares, protection, and blessing throughout this year. Today is Christmas day, the world celebrates Christmas season as a means of family reunion, gifts giving, and much needed rest period in a stressful living. As  believers of Jesus Christ our Savior, we celebrate His birth and joy to the world for the hope that He brings to all. This is the gospel that is proclaimed so gloriously in John 1: 1-14.

 

祝大家聖誕快樂，2024 年新年快樂。

2023 年即將結束，我們感謝主耶穌基督這一年的關懷、保護和祝福。 今天是聖誕節，全世界都在慶祝聖誕節，作為家庭團聚，也是緊張生活中急需的休息時間。 作為我們救世主耶穌基督的信徒，我們慶祝祂的誕生並為世界帶來歡樂，因為祂給所有人帶來了希望。 這就是約翰福音 1 章 1-14 節中如此榮耀地宣揚的福音。

 

The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
約翰福音 1:1-14
1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 2 這道太初與神同在。 3 萬物是藉著他造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他造的。 4 生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光。 5 光照在黑暗裡，黑暗卻不接受光。 6 有一個人，是從神那裡差來的，名叫約翰。 7 這人來，為要作見證，就是為光作見證，叫眾人因他可以信。 8 他不是那光，乃是要為光作見證。 9 那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。 10 他在世界，世界也是藉著他造的，世界卻不認識他。 11 他到自己的地方來，自己的人倒不接待他。 12 凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄做神的兒女。 13 這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從神生的。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。

 

To our readers, the only way to God the Father is through our belief in Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus Christ declared to His followers in His first advent on this earth. 
對我們的讀者來說，通往天父上帝的唯一途徑是透過我們對耶穌基督的信仰。 這是耶穌基督第一次降臨在地球上時向祂的跟隨者宣告的。
Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
約翰福音 14:5-7
5 多馬對他說：「主啊，我們不知道你往哪裡去，怎麼知道那條路呢？」
主為道路真理生命
6 耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。 7 你們若認識我，也就認識我的父。從今以後，你們認識他，並且已經看見他。」

 

He also promises to all His believers that He is currently preparing dwelling places in heaven for all His believers and will come to visit us again and receives us in His second advent to this earth.
祂也向所有信徒承諾，祂目前正在為所有信徒預備天上的居所，並將再次拜訪我們，並在第二次降臨地球時接待我們。
John 14:1,  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
約翰福音 14:1-3, 安慰門徒的心
14:1 「你們心裡不要憂愁，你們信神，也當信我。 2 在我父的家裡有許多住處，若是沒有，我就早已告訴你們了，我去原是為你們預備地方去。 3 我若去為你們預備了地方，就必再來接你們到我那裡去，我在哪裡，叫你們也在哪裡。

 

In the meantime, He also blesses all His believers the indwelling of Holy Spirit and promises to be with us and have His joy and peace. Furthermore, He promises us His eternal life to all His believers. “Because I live, you also will live.” 

We have a mission as well, that is to do His commandment of loving brothers and sisters in faith and spreading gospel to others to believe in Him to receive His peace, joy, and blessing of eternal life. 
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. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 

同時，祂也祝福所有信徒聖靈的內住，並應許與我們同在，並賜下祂的喜樂與平安。 此外，祂向所有信徒應許了祂的永生。 “因為我活著，你也會活著。”
我們也有一個使命，就是遵行祂的誡命，愛弟兄姊妹，傳播福音，讓其他人相信他，接受祂的平安、喜樂和永生的祝福。
約翰福音 14:12 我實實在在地告訴你們：我所做的事，信我的人也要做，並且要做比這更大的事，因為我往父那裡去。 13 你們奉我的名無論求什麼，我必成就，叫父因兒子得榮耀。 14 你們若奉我名求告什麼，我必成就。 15 你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令。

 

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最棒的聖誕禮物

隨著 2023 年聖誕節假期的臨近，人們正在為親人和朋友購買聖誕禮物。 聖誕節是為了慶祝耶穌基督的誕生。 事實上，耶穌基督的誕生是人類歷史上的偉大事件。 耶穌基督來為那些相信祂的人提供偉大的救恩。

我們所有人都生活在這個世界上。 我們非常清楚，我們並不是永生的，因為我們的壽命是有限的。 耶穌基督向那些相信祂的人提供了永生的最大禮物。 這確實是最偉大的禮物。 對我們相信祂的人來說，我們的主耶穌基督為我們提供了永生。 這表示我們將與祂一起平安喜樂地度過永生。 這永生的禮物伴隨著祂在十字架上最大的愛和犧牲，將我們從罪的刑罰（即死亡）中救贖出來。

你有沒有想過，這份永生的禮物是多麼珍貴？ 我們每個工作日都努力工作以謀生。 永生是無價的，是無法賺取的。 因此，我們每天都會非常感謝我們的主耶穌基督為我們提供了這樣的禮物。 但在我們欣賞永生的禮物之前，我們必須先知道耶穌基督是誰，因為只有祂才能給我們這份禮物。 你可能會說上帝怎麼樣？ 事實上，祂是神格的一部分. 帶領我們到天父上帝的面前。 沒有祂，沒有人能夠接近天父上帝。

聖經在約翰福音 1:1-4 告訴我們: “1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 2 這道太初與神同在。 3 萬物是藉著他造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他造的。 4 生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光。”

生命在他裡面，透過他，永生賜給那些相信他的人。 我們都需要這個生命，這樣我們才能活在光明中，而不是活在黑暗中。 確實是無價的禮物，確實是無限的愛。 讚美我們的主耶穌基督「祂是誰」和「祂在十字架上為我們所做的一切」。 願我們在生命中的每一天都深深地愛他，並學會用我們的心、思想和力量服從他的愛，並每天盡我們所能地事奉他，阿們。

 

 

Greatest Christmas Gift

 

As we approach 2023 Christmas holidays, people are buying Christmas gifts for loved ones and friends. Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the birth of Jesus Christ was a great event in the human history. Jesus Christ came to provide a great salvation for those who believe in Him.

 

All of us live in this world. We know very well that we are not immortal because our lifespan is limited. Jesus Christ offers  the greatest gift of eternal life to those who believe in Him. This is indeed the greatest gift. For us who believe in Him, our Lord Jesus Christ offers us the eternal life. This means that we will spend eternal life with Him in peace and joy. This eternal life’s gift came with His greatest love and sacrifice at the cross to redeem us from the penalty of sin which is death.

 

Do you ever meditate how precious is this gift of eternal life? We go to work hard every workday to earn a living. Eternal life is priceless and cannot be earned. Thus, we shall be very grateful  each day to our Lord Jesus Christ who has made such a gift available to us.

 

But before we can appreciate the gift of eternal life, we must  first know who Jesus Christ is because only Him can give us the gift. You may say how about God. Indeed, He is part of the God head who leads us to  God the Father. Without Him, no one can access the God the Father.

 

The Bible tells us in John 1:1-4, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

 

In Him was life and it is through Him that eternal life is offered to those who believe in Him. We all need this life so that we can live in light and not in darkness. What a priceless gift indeed and what is infinite love indeed. Praises be to our Lord Jesus Christ for “Who He is” and “What He did for us at the cross”. May we love Him dearly each day of our life and learn to obey His love with our heart, mind, and strength and to serve Him the best we could everyday, Amen.

 

 

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2023 Thanksgiving Holidays / 2023感恩節假期

 

Thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus Christ :
* Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The only way to God the Father.

* Who is the Creator: All creation was made by Him and for Him

* Life is in Him and The life is the light of mankind.
* Who is the source of all abundance.
* Who is the source of all power and authority because all authority in heaven and in earth has been given to Him by God.
* Who is our salvation and redeemer.
* Who is our righteousness,  our resurrection, and our eternal life.

* Who is our Savior and our Lord.

May all of us live our days on this earth to love Him, to serve Him and to glorify Him to the best we can with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Amen.

 

 

感謝我們的主耶穌基督：

* 祂是道路、真理、生命。 通往天父上帝的唯一道路。

* 祂是造物主：一切創造物都是由祂創造並為祂創造的。

* 生命在祂裡面，這生命就是人的光。

* 祂是一切豐富的泉源。

* 祂是一切能力和權柄的源頭，因為天上地下所有的權柄都已賜給祂了。

* 祂是我們的救恩和救贖主。

* 祂是我們的義、我們的復活、我們的永生。

* 祂是我們的救主和主。

願我們眾人在世上的日子裡，在內住的聖靈的幫助下，愛祂，事奉祂，並盡我們所能地榮耀祂，阿門。

 

In 1620 a small ship called the MayFlower carrying pilgrims left Plymouth, England for “the New World” in the North American colony seeking religion freedom and prosperity. They landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They went through a brutal winter and only half  of the original passengers and crew  of the Mayflower lived to see the New England spring.  In 1621, the Plymouth colonists shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. Thus, Thanksgiving holidays in United States are traditionally celebrated in the autumn, usually in the 4th Thursday of November, for the reunion of family to express their thanks to God for the year.

1620 年，一艘名為五月花號的小船載著朝聖者離開英國普利茅斯，前往北美殖民地的“新世界”，尋求宗教自由和繁榮。 他們抵達在馬薩諸塞州的科德角。 他們經歷了一個嚴冬，五月花號上只有一半的乘客和船員活著看到了新英格蘭的春天。 1621 年，普利茅斯的殖民者共享了一場秋收盛宴，今天被公認為是殖民地最早的感恩節慶祝活動之一。 因此，美國的感恩節傳統上在秋季慶祝，通常在 11 月的第 4 個星期四，讓家人團聚以表達他們對上帝一年的感謝。

 

At the Thanksgiving of 2023,  we have even more to be thankful because the world is in a chaotic situations such as Hamas terror acts  and subsequence Israel’s military actions as well as inflations around the globe.  Many of Christians are bothered by the current trends of the world. As we approach the end time, it appears that the world becomes darker each day. In the era of degeneration, there are no lack of opinions. Indeed, the world lacks people who are thankful. People may ask: “Thankful for what?”. Come to think of it: this is indeed the central issue! 
2023年感恩節，我們有更多值得感恩的事情，因為世界正處於哈馬斯恐怖行動、以色列隨後的軍事行動以及全球通貨膨脹等混亂局面。。許多基督徒對世界的當前趨勢感到困擾。 當我們接近末日時，世界似乎一天比一天黑暗。 在墮落的時代裡，不乏人的意見。 的確，這個世界缺少感恩的人。 人們可能會問：“感謝什麼？”。 想一想：缺乏感恩確實是人的中心問題！

 

Listed below are a few examples to reminder us.
1. If you are not thankful for your children as the gifts of God to you, you will not cherish your kids.
2. If you are not thankful for your marriage, you will not cherish your spouse which in turn causes unhappiness in home.
3. If you are not thankful for your life which flows from God, you will not be truly happy in the world and joyful in the Lord despite afflictions.
下面列出了一些提醒我們的例子。
1. 如果你不感謝你的孩子是上帝給你的禮物，你就不會珍惜你的孩子。
2. 如果你不感恩你的婚姻，你就不會珍惜你的配偶，從而導致家庭不快樂。
3. 如果你不感謝你從神而來的生命，你就不會在世界上真正快樂，儘管有苦難，你也不會在主裡真正快樂。

 

Actually, the Bible clearly teaches that unthankfulness turns people to  become self arrogant and sinful because they do not respect God, let alone thankfulness to God.
Romans 1:  18-23
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
事實上，聖經清楚地教導說，不感恩會使人變得自負和犯罪，因為他們不尊重上帝，更不用說感謝上帝了。
羅馬書 1:18-23
18 原來，神的憤怒從天上顯明在一切不虔不義的人身上，就是那些行不義阻擋真理的人。 19 神的事情人所能知道的，原顯明在人心裡，因為神已經給他們顯明。 20 自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。 21 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。 22 自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙， 23 將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。

 

Thus, let each of us do our part to be thankful for God and thankful for each other, now and evermore! Then, individually  we will have a joyful living and collectively a better world!
因此，讓我們每個人都儘自己的一份力量隨時隨地來感謝上帝，也感謝彼此！ 然後，我們個人將擁有 快樂的生活，也共同擁有一個更美好的世界！

 

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* Cherish

* The Fundamental Solution
* What is a Christian
* Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
* A Source of Societal Positive Energy
* Learn to be grateful and to praise our God
* Dehydrated
.. and many other articles

 

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Cherish

In a world of conflicts and suffering, all of us should strive to maintain a sense of calm in our hearts in order to live peacefully. It is indeed difficult to maintain a sense of calm when our world is in such a chaotic situation. Nevertheless, it is very important that we should have a few things to cherish in our hearts each day to maintain a healthy life perspective.

You may ask what to cherish. First of all, our days in this life are limited. It is essential that we should cherish each day of our lives because tomorrow may not belong to us. What does it means to cherish each day. It simply says that our time should be spent on those that improve the quality of our lives. A simple way is to start from our immediate environment. Do we cherish our relationships with our loved ones: spouse, children, family members,  and close friends. Then, how about improve our living environment by cleaning and making neat. How about improving our health by exercises and avoid junk food.

In order to cherish life, we need to have a healthy view of life and death. There are basically two views: religion or non-religion views. The non-religion approach rejects gods and advocate self-reliance. There are two approaches in the religion approaches:  The first one advocates that we should seek gods  by doing good to accumulate our merits towards gods. The second approach advocates that God seeks us and provides a path towards eternal life by faith. I personally take the faith in Jesus Christ who was sent by His heavenly Father to earth to save those that believe in Him without regarding our genders, race, cultural background, and our societal standing such as position, wealth, and capacity. Thus, I do cherish the work and sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross to pay the penalties of all my sins and transgressions. In other words, I cherish Jesus Christ because of His love for me even to die for me.

So, let us start to cherish a bit on all things that may improve our mind, heart, and our relationships with other folks. May today be a day of joy and peace to each of us as you live through the day!

 

珍惜

在這個充滿衝突和苦難的世界裡，我們每個人都應該努力保持內心的平靜，才能和平地生活。 當我們的世界處於如此混亂的局面時，確實很難保持平靜。 儘管如此，每天我們還是應該珍惜一些事情，以保持健康的生活觀，這一點非常重要。

你可能會問什麼值得珍惜。 首先，我們這一生的日子是有限的。 我們應該珍惜生命中的每一天，因為明天可能不屬於我們。 珍惜每一天是什麼意思。 它只是說我們的時間應該花在那些改善我們生活品質的事情上。 一個簡單的方法是從我們周圍的環境開始。 我們是否珍惜與所愛之人的關係：配偶、孩子、家人和親密朋友。 那麼，如何透過清潔和管理來改善我們的生活環境呢？ 如透過運動並避免吃垃圾食物，來改善我們的健康。

為了珍惜生命，我們需要有健康的生死觀。 基本上有兩種觀點：宗教觀點或非宗教觀點。 非宗教觀點是拒絕神明，主張自立。 宗教觀點有兩種：第一種是我們尋求神; 主張行善求神，累積對神的功德。 第二種方法是上帝尋找我們，並透過信仰提供一條通往永生的道路。 我個人信仰耶穌基督，相信祂被天父派遣到地上來拯救那些相信祂的人，耶穌基督的救恩;不考慮我們的性別、種族、文化背景和我們的社會地位，如權力和地位、財富和能力。 因此，我確實珍惜耶穌基督在十字架上的工作和犧牲，以償還我所有罪惡和過犯的懲罰。 換句話說，我珍惜耶穌基督，因為祂愛我，甚至為我而死。

因此，讓我們開始珍惜所有可以改善我們的思想、心靈以及我們與他人的關係的事物。 願今天對我們每個人來說，都是歡樂與平安的度過了這一天！

 

 

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The Fundamental Solution

 

Lately, the world is in enormous chaos inundated by news  ranging from the Hamas viciously attacks of Israelis settlements and subsequently bombing Gaza and cutting off supplies to Gaza by Israelis revenges. Furthermore, Soviet and Ukraine war is still going on and on. It may appear that there are no solutions to any human conflicts because of the involved parties all having their own excuses which are mutually exclusives of any common solutions.

 

It appears that there will be conflicts in human beings ranging from self conflicts to family conflicts to societal fights. Thus, the problems are not external but rather the depraved human nature so vividly describe in the Scripture: we are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1); we are "sold under sin" (Romans 7:14); we are in "captivity to the law of sin" (Romans 7:23); and "by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). The deprivation is due to our nature being corrupted by its deceitful desires ( Ephesians 4:22). Thus, the world problems will continue unless drastically changes of human nature. Solutions are not reformation such as improvement or reeducation, but in regeneration. In other word, we must be born-again to have an uncorrupted new nature.

 

This is why the following Jesus’ teaching is so eternally important:

John 3:5-8,

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

 

Since the topic is so important, we would like to recommend a great book on this subject  to you: “Finally Alive” by John Piper.

 

基本解決方案

 

最近一段時間，世界陷入巨大混亂，新聞充斥著哈馬斯對以色列定居點的惡毒襲擊，以及隨後因以色列報復轟炸加薩和切斷加薩供應的消息。 此外，蘇聯和烏克蘭的戰爭仍在繼續。 似乎任何人類衝突都沒有解決方案，因為有關各方都有自己的藉口，而這些藉口與任何共同的解決方案相互排斥。

 

看來人類會存在衝突，從自我衝突到家庭衝突再到社會鬥爭。 因此，問題不是外在的，而是聖經中生動描述的墮落的人性：我們「死在過犯罪惡之中」（弗2:1）； 我們「被賣在罪之下」（羅7:14）； 我們「被罪的律所擄」（羅 7:23）； 和「本為可怒之子」（弗2：3）。這墮落是由於我們的本性被其欺騙性的慾望所敗壞（以弗所書4：22）。因此，除非人性發生巨大改變，否則世界問題將繼續存在。解決方案是不是改良或再教育之類的改革，而是重生。換句話說，我們必須重生，擁有未受腐蝕的新本性。

 

這就是為什麼耶穌的以下教導如此永恆重要：

約翰福音 3:5-8

5 耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你：人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進神的國。 6 從肉身生的就是肉身，從靈生的就是靈。 7 我說你們必須重生，你不要以為稀奇。 8 風隨著意思吹，你聽見風的響聲，卻不曉得從哪裡來，往哪裡去。凡從聖靈生的，也是如此。」

 

由於這個主題如此重要，我們想向您推薦一本關於這個主題的好書：約翰·派博（John Piper）的《終於活著》(“Finally Alive”)。

 

 

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以下是一篇文章，鼓勵您沉思為什麼基督徒是重生的人

 

什麼是基督徒？

 

1.0 需要重生

*  約翰福音 3:3

   3 耶穌回答說：「我實實在在地告訴你：人若不重生，就不能見神的國。」

*  約翰福音 3:5-7

    5 耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你：人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進神的國。 6 從肉身生的就是肉身，從靈生的就是靈。 7 我說你們必須重生，你不要以為稀奇。

 

2.0 為什麼需要重生

2.1 因為在重生之前, 我們在靈性上已經死亡

*   以弗所書 2:1-3

    2 你們死在過犯罪惡之中，他叫你們活過來。 2 那時你們在其中行事為人，隨從今世的風俗，順服空中掌權者的首領，就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。 3 我們從前也都在他們中間，放縱肉體的私慾，隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行，本為可怒之子，和別人一樣。

 

3.0 如何重生

3.1 被神重生，為神的恩賜

*  以弗所書 2:4-5

   4 然而，神既有豐富的憐憫，因他愛我們的大愛， 5 當我們死在過犯中的時候，便叫我們與基督一同活過來。你們得救是本乎恩。

 

4.0 重生的效果（你生命中有哪些跡象顯示神讓你重生了？）

4.1 與神的關係

    * 從神生的人，遵守祂的誡命

    * 從神生的人，像基督一樣行走

    * 從神生的人，承認神的兒子並接受祂

    * 從神生的人，擁有神的靈

    * 從神生的人，相信耶穌是基督

4.2 他們的日常生活

    * 從神生的人，不恨別人，但愛他們

    * 從神生的人，不愛這個世界

    * 從神生的人，行義

    * 從神生的人，不繼續犯罪

    * 從神生的人，順服地聆聽使徒的話

 

5.0 呼召的目的（成為基督徒的目的為何？）

5.1 要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德

5.2 因為我們是上帝的傑作，在基督耶穌裡創造的，為的是要我們行善，這是上帝預先為我們準備的

5.3 行公義，行一切善事

 

Following is an article to encourage you to meditate why christian is the one born again

What is  a Christian?

 

1.0 Need to be born again

* John 3:3:  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 

* John 3:5-7: 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

2.0 Why need to be born again 

2.1 Because we are spiritually dead before born again

Ephesians 2:1-3: 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

 

3.0 How to be born again 

3.1 By God as the gift of God

* Ephesians 2:4-5: 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:8-9: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

4.0  Effect of Born Again (What are the signs in your life that God has caused you to be born again?)

4.1 Relationship with God

Those who are born of God keep His commandments

Those who are born of God walk as Christ walked

Those who are born of God confess the Son and receive Him

Those who are born of God possess the Spirit of God

Those who are born of God believe that Jesus is the Christ

4.2 Their daily living

Those who are born of God don’t hate others but love them

Those who are born of God don’t love the world

Those who are born of God practice righteousness

Those who are born of God don’t make a practice of sinning

Those who are born of God listen submissively to the apostolic Word

Those who are born of God overcome the world

5.0  Purposes of the call (What are the purposes of being a christian?)

5.1  That you may proclaim the excellence of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

5.2  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do 

5.3  To practice righteousness and to do all good work

 

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主的靈在哪裡，哪裡就得以自由

 

哥林多後書 3:17

17 主就是那靈，主的靈在哪裡，哪裡就得以自由。

在當今腐敗的世界中，存在著大量的奴隸制陷阱和成癮行為。 下面列出了一些供您考慮的觀察結果：

*  慾望與色情

*  種族歧視

*  習俗和社會偏見

*  網絡閒言

*  電子遊戲

 自傲

主的靈在哪裡，哪裡就會從敗壞和奴役中被拯救出來。 我們都應該記住，所有基督徒都蒙受內住的聖靈的祝福。 因此，基督徒不應陷入上述自我造成的世俗陷阱。

聖經是為基督徒提供日常清理世界腐敗工作的來源。 一個人如何知道自己是否被困？ 只要考察一下一個人在哪些地方、花費了多少時間和精力你就會知道了。

以下是需要採取的一些行動：

*  越來越愛耶穌基督，因為他獻出自己的生命來洗淨我們並祝福我們與他的永恆關係

*  每天都有一段安靜的時間進行冥想。

*  一天多次祈禱，通過主的幫助來恢復我們的力量。

*  依靠主來幫助自己，也幫助別人。

*  閱讀聖經並研究神的話。

 

 

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty

 

2 Corinthians 3:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

In the current corrupt world, there are plenty of slavery traps and addictions. Listed below are a few observations for your consideration:

Lust and Pornography

Racial Discrimination

Customs and Societal Biases

Internet Gossips

Electronic Games

Self Arrogant 

…

 

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there will be delivery from the corruptions and slaveries. We shall all remember that all Christians are blessed with indwelling Holy Spirit. Thus, Christians are not to be trapped in the above-mentioned self inflicted worldly traps.

The Holy Bible is the source that is provided for christians to do their daily cleaning job from the world corruptions. How does a person know if one is trapped. Just examine where and how much a person spend time and effort in them. 

The following are a few actions that are needed:

 Love Jesus Christ more and more as He gave His life to wash us clean and blesses us eternal relationship with Him

 Have a quiet time each day for meditation.

 Pray many times in a day to renew our strength through help of the Lord.

 Rely on the Lord to help ourselves and to help others.

 Read the Bible and study God word.

 

 

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A Source of Societal Positive Energy

A positive societal energy holds a society together instead of tearing it apart. If we are watchful in our daily living, we should be able to see many examples of positive or negative energy events right in front of our eyes. A key source of the societal positive energy is the love among family members. I was quite moved by caring of a mother towards her very young daughter in a supermarket the other day. It is due to this love that has helped to hold societies together since the beginning of the human race. Amazing indeed!

In today’s fast-paced society, negative energy events are prevalent because of self center and inconsideration. Road rages are quite common. In order to live better, each of us should contribute to participation of positive energy events and avoid being a source of negative energy events. So we should all support family, friendship, and kindness toward each other. People with sharp tongues are sources of negative energy because they tend to create conflicts and not contribute to harmony. 

May we all cherish what we have! To cherish means to show kindness, patience, and tolerance toward others. As we all know, things are sometimes quite fragile and easily broken. Once gone, it is no more…what a loss! Thus, we all should learn to speak kindly to others  with a soft tongue and not a sharp tongue!

Just remember that everyone without exception has a round soft tongue from our Creator!

社會正能量的源泉

積極的社會能量將社會和藹凝聚在一起，而不是分裂社會。 如果我們在日常生活中保持警惕，我們應該能夠看到許多正面或負面能量事件的例子。 社會正能量的重要來源是家庭成員之間的愛。 前幾天在超市裡，一位母親對她年幼的女兒的關懷讓我很感動。 正是由於這種愛，自人類誕生以來就幫助社會團結在一起。 確實令人驚奇！

在當今快節奏的社會，由於急躁和自我中心，負能量事件盛行。 路怒症很常見。 為了生活得更好，我們每個人都應該參與正能量的事件，避免成為負能量事件的來源。 因此，我們都應該支持家庭、友誼和彼此的善意。尖刻舌頭的人是負能量的來源，因為他們容易製造衝突，而不利於和諧。

願我們都珍惜我們所擁有的！ 珍惜意味著對他人表現出仁慈、耐心和寬容。 眾所周知，事物有時是相當脆弱的，很容易破碎。 一旦消失，就不再存在了……真是一種損失！所以，我們都應該學習，以和藹可親地用溫柔的舌頭而不是尖刻的舌頭對別人說話！

請記住，來自我們造物主的，每個人無一例外都有圓潤柔軟的舌頭！

 

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Learn to be grateful and to praise our God

 

Lately, there have been a few large disasters such as Maui fires, and Canadian wildfires. Many people in a day time lost their lives and homes. Indeed, we have so much uncertainties in life that we really need to pray for protection and guidance.

Also there is a severe heavy rain and flooding warning in Southern California due to the forthcoming tropical storm Hilary. Thus, in life we need to be watchful and do the preparation for emergencies as we can.

Come to thunk of it. We Christians need to be close to our Lord Jesus Christ every day and night. It is indeed grace upon grace to each of us during many trials of ours as each of us can testify this amazing grace to each of us.

Thus, we shall not be so arrogant about our own capacity that we lost ourselves in the sinful pursuits of “the lusts of eyes, the lusts of flesh, and the pride of this life”. It has been our heavenly Father’s compassion and mercies that we are brought back time and again to the glorious kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore, may we learn to be grateful and to praise our God each and every time  that we think of His amazing love to us. In Jesus precious name, we pray, Amen!

 

學會感恩和讚美上帝

最近，毛威火災、加拿大山火等幾起重大災害。 許多人在一天之內失去了生命和家園。 事實上，我們的生活有如此多的不確定性，我們確實需要祈禱保護和指導。

由於即將到來的熱帶風暴希拉里，南加州還發布了嚴重暴雨和洪水警告。 因此，在生活中我們需要提高警惕，做好應對突發事件的準備。

確實如此， 我們基督徒需要日日夜夜親近我們的主耶穌基督。 這確實是我們每個人在許多考驗中的恩上加恩，因為我們每個人都可以向人見證這種奇妙的恩典。

因此，我們不應該對自己的能力如此傲慢，以至於迷失在“眼目的情慾、肉體的情慾、今生的驕傲”的罪惡追求中。 正是我們天父的憐憫和慈悲，才讓我們一次又一次地回到他兒子我們主耶穌基督的榮耀國度。

因此，願我們每次想到神對我們奇妙的愛時，都學會感恩和讚美他。 奉耶穌寶貴的名禱告，阿門！

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Dehydrated

 

In a hot weather, people are usually drinking enough liquid to prevent dehydrated. Although people are generally aware of the necessity of water to sustain all living things, not many really understand the devastated effects of dehydration to a living thing.

The human body is a complicated system in that it has built-in self preservation warning signals such as thirsty/dry mouth to warn the need of liquid. This will help our physical health. However, we do not have a similar warning signal for our spiritual health. Why?

This is because God has built into our system the function of the free will which allows free choices. This means that you can choose to follow god or you can choose to follow the trends of the world or you can choose to follow no one other than yourself. 

Thus, it is indeed of critical importance that we do not have a dehydrated spirit. A spirit is a living thing that need spiritual water as well. You may ask what is the spiritual water? This is indeed a great question? The following few teaching from the Bible will help us greatly!

Jeremiah 2:13, 13 “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 17:13, 13 Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame.Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.

John 4:10, 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

John 7:37-39, 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Thus, it is clear that we need to receive the living water by believing in Jesus Christ to be the only begotten Son of God who was sent by the Father to be the only Savior of the world.

Jesus Christ will receive anyone, poor or rich, down out and forsaken, old and young. In fact, He said “whoever believes in me”.

So please believe in Jesus Christ and do not be dehydrated in your spiritual life. Praise our Lord for His mercy and grace for giving His believers rivers of living water will flow from within them! Praise our Lord forever and ever, Amen!

 

脫水

 

在炎熱的天氣裡，人們通常會喝足夠的液體以防止脫水。 儘管人們普遍意識到水對於維持所有生物的必要性，但很少有人真正了解脫水對生物的破壞性影響。

人體是一個複雜的系統，它有內置的自我保護警告信號，例如口渴/口乾來警告需要液體。 這將有助於我們的身體健康。 然而，我們的精神健康卻沒有類似的警告信號。 為什麼？

這是因為上帝在我們的系統中內置了自由意志的功能，允許自由選擇。 這意味著你可以選擇跟隨上帝，或者你可以選擇跟隨世界的趨勢，或者你可以選擇跟隨你自己。

因此，我們的靈不脫水確實是至關重要的。 精神是有生命的東西，也需要精神水。 你可能會問什麼是靈水？ 這確實是一個很好的問題？ 下面的幾條聖經教導對我們有很大的幫助！

耶利米書 2:13, 13 「因為我的百姓做了兩件惡事，就是離棄我這活水的泉源，為自己鑿出池子，是破裂不能存水的池子。

耶利米書 17:13, 13 耶和華以色列的盼望啊，凡離棄你的，必致蒙羞。耶和華說：「離開我的，他們的名字必寫在土裡，因為他們離棄我這活水的泉源。」

約翰福音 4:10, 10 耶穌回答說：「你若知道神的恩賜和對你說『給我水喝』的是誰，你必早求他，他也必早給了你活水。

約翰福音 7:37-39, 渴者當來就耶穌, 37 節期的末日，就是最大之日，耶穌站著高聲說：「人若渴了，可以到我這裡來喝！ 38 信我的人就如經上所說，從他腹中要流出活水的江河來。」 39 耶穌這話是指著信他之人要受聖靈說的。那時還沒有賜下聖靈來，因為耶穌尚未得著榮耀。

因此，很明顯，我們需要通過相信”耶穌基督是神的獨生子，是天父差遣來成為世界唯一的救主”來接受活水。

耶穌基督會接納任何人，無論貧窮或富有、落魄或被遺棄、年老或年輕。 事實上，他說“凡信我的人”。

所以請相信耶穌基督，不要讓你的靈命脫水。 讚美我們的主，因他的憐憫和恩典賜給他的信徒，活水的江河要從他們裡面湧流出來！ 讚美我們的主直到永永遠遠，阿門！

 

 

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反思2022年

 

我們正在快速接近2023新年。 在反思2022年，大多數人會同意，對人類來說2022並不是一個好年頭。

首先，讓我們反思消極方面：

1. 世界各地仍能感受到這種 Covid-19 大流行的影響，並有了該病毒的新變種毒株。 關於這病毒的可怕影響，已經三年多了。

2. 通貨膨脹侵蝕了美元的購買

3. 烏克蘭戰爭仍在繼續。這個世界上缺乏正義的現象充分展現在我們面前。

4. 無法無天的現象迅速增加，尤其是在城市裡面。

5. 暴風雪和惡劣的天氣條件影響了無數航班的取消/延誤，影響了成千上萬人的假期家庭團聚。

 

從積極的方面來說，我們有以下幾點：
1. Covid 疫苗和增強劑已開發並可用。 看起來也許在這個冬天之後，我們可能最終能夠將大流行病拋在腦後。

2. 汽油價格終於降下來了，這樣人們就不會對汽油價格感到吃驚了。

3. 經濟復甦，充滿希望。

4. 大多數人在 Covid 19 條件下仍能盡其所能。

5. 大多數人仍然有基本的是非分明。

 

可以說，現在的人們比過去幾年更努力地尋求平安。 有人會問你在說什麼樣的平安？ 讓我們看看聖經告訴我們的平安。
A. 什麼樣的平安
約翰福音14:27，27 「我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。我所賜的不像世人所賜的，你們心裡不要憂愁，也不要膽怯」。這節經文的上下文背景是：主耶穌在被釘十字架之前的晚上在頂樓傳道中安慰了他的門徒。 因此，我們所有人需要的和平是耶穌的平安，而不是世界的和平。 世界的和平是屬於地的，是暫時的，是人為的； 我們的主所賜的平安是屬天的，有效而持久。

B. 如何獲得這種平安
世界和平基於力量，賄賂，威脅和欺騙的談判。 世界的和平充其量只是暫時的，而不是真正的和平。 證明：只要看看人類的歷史就會知道。
然而，我們主的平安是在他裡面。 主耶穌要把他的平安給他喜悅的人。 就像天使向牧羊人宣告他的出生的好消息一樣，路加福音2:14，14「在至高之處榮耀歸於神！在地上平安歸於他所喜悅的人！」。對於基督徒來說，我們的主在他頂樓傳道的話語安慰了我們：約翰福音16:33，33「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」。要獲得他的平安，就必須在他裡面。
C. 不要被欺騙
除非我們與上帝和好，否則我們將永遠不會有和平。 耶穌基督在十字架上的犧牲使上帝與那些相信的人和解。 因此，不要相信精英可以為這個世界上的任何事物帶來任何和平解決方案。 證明：只看世界歷史上所有國王，州長，哲學家，革命主義者和所謂的精英們在 解決人類的問題上的徹底失敗。
因此，只有相信耶穌基督，我們才能擁有真正的平安!

 

 

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在節日期間: 幾家歡樂幾家愁
How many families are happy and how many families are worry in the holiday season

 

In a complicated world, each family faces a lot of challenges in each day. During the holiday season from the Thanksgiving through Christmas to New Year Celebration, some families are  in happy situation but some are in worrying situation. A sizable portion of the population face more stresses during the holiday season. Some face more stress because of extra money for gifts and trips to visit family members during the holiday season. Other feel more lonely during holiday celebration. Most issues lie at the root cause of not having a relationship with God.
在複雜的世界中，每個家庭每天都面臨著許多挑戰。 在從感恩節到聖誕節再到新年慶典的假期裡，一些家庭過得很開心，但有些家庭卻很擔心。 相當一部分人在假期期間面臨更多壓力。 一些人面臨更多壓力，因為在節日期間要花額外的錢買禮物和探親。 其他人在節日慶祝活動中感到更加孤獨。 大多數問題的根本原因在於沒有與上帝建立關係。

 

Holiday celebrations raise relationship with God to view. Without a good vertical relationship with God, it is harder to appreciate the horizontal relationship among loved ones. Some people live  without recognition of God and can suppress their feelings in busy day-to-day hustles. However, it is harder to do that during holiday season.This is particularly evident during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
節日慶祝活動提醒了與上帝的關係。 與上帝沒有良好的縱向關係，就很難享受親人之間的橫向關係。 有些人在生活中不認識上帝，可以在忙碌的日常喧囂中壓抑自己的感情。然而，在節日期間很難做到這一點。這一點在感恩節和聖誕節假期尤為明顯。

 

So, for the lucky and blessed ones that are happy and joyful, they should have even more compassion towards people who are stressed up. They should show Christ’s love towards others who are down and out. For those that are “worry” or “ stressed up”, they should reflect a bit and perhaps should go with a friend to a Christian church to be nurtured to find out God’s prompting to return to God.
所以，幸福快樂的幸運兒，更應該對壓力大的人多一些慈悲關懷心。 他們應該向落魄的人表現出基督的愛。 對於那些“憂慮”或“壓力大”的人，他們應該反思一下，或許應該和朋友一起去基督教會接受培養，尋找神的催促回歸神。

 

It is interesting to note that the birth of Christ was announced by the angel to be glory to God and good will towards men. It is to all people.
Luke 2:10-14,
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
有趣的是，天使宣布基督的誕生是為了榮耀上帝和善待人類。是關乎萬民的。

路加福音 2:10-14, 10 那天使對他們說：「不要懼怕，我報給你們大喜的信息，是關乎萬民的。 11 因今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督。 12 你們要看見一個嬰孩，包著布，臥在馬槽裡，那就是記號了。」 13 忽然有一大隊天兵，同那天使讚美神說： 14 「在至高之處榮耀歸於神！在地上平安歸於他所喜悅的人！」

 

Secondly, the birth of Christ was not to judge but to offer eternal life to those willing to believe in Him.
John 3:16-17, 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
其次，基督的誕生不是為了審判，而是為願意相信他的人提供永生。
約翰福音 3:16-17, 神愛世人, 16 「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。 17 因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。

 

Furthermore, the purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ it to destroy the deeds of the devil so that people can be waked up from the deceptive traps of the devil to return to God for grace upon grace and blessing upon blessing.
1 John 3:7-8, 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
此外，耶穌基督降生的目的是要摧毀魔鬼的作為，使人們能夠從魔鬼的欺騙陷阱中醒來，回到上帝面前，恩上加恩，福上加福。
約翰一書 3:7-8, 神的兒子要除滅魔鬼所行的事, 7 小子們哪，不要被人誘惑。行義的才是義人，正如主是義的一樣。 8 犯罪的是屬魔鬼，因為魔鬼從起初就犯罪。神的兒子顯現出來，為要除滅魔鬼的作為。

 

During this holiday season, may we all look to our merciful Lord to free us from the devil’s deceptive traps and to look to our God for His loving kindness and compassion to bring us into the glorious  Kingdom of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ! A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
在這個節日期間，願我們都仰望我們仁慈的主將我們從魔鬼的欺騙陷阱中釋放出來，並仰望我們的上帝以他的慈愛和憐憫將我們帶入他兒子我們主耶穌基督榮耀的國度！ 祝大家聖誕快樂，新年快樂！

 

 

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Christmas Greeting 聖誕快樂!

After more than 30 months of  the Covid 19 pandemic attack, most people began to feel the release that the Covid is finally over and we can return to the norm again. Although we are in the flu season, by and large we are returning to new sort of norm again.  Inflation is still high but gasoline price is dropping. As we approaching this year’s Christmas, people are really looking for security, peace, and prosperity. 
在經歷了 30 多個月的 Covid 19 大流行襲擊之後，大多數人開始感到 Covid 終於結束了，我們可以再次回到常態。 儘管我們正處於流感季節，但總的來說，我們又回到了一種新的常態。 通貨膨脹率仍然很高，但汽油價格正在下降。 隨著今年聖誕節的臨近，人們真正在尋求安全、和平與繁榮。
Against this background, it is indeed particularly hopeful to welcome the peaceful night of the born of the Savior of this world, Jesus Christ our Lord. The nativity scenes decorated in many places bring us hope and peace. We all know through the Biblical teaching that all evil/conflicts/sins came from corruptions of our human nature via the deception of the devil to our fore parents Eve and Adam. 
在這樣的背景下，迎接這個世界的救主我們的主耶穌基督誕生的平安夜，確實是特別有希望的。 許多地方裝飾的耶穌誕生場景給我們帶來了希望與和平。 我們都知道通過聖經教導，通過魔鬼對我們的祖先夏娃和亞當的欺騙，所有的邪惡/衝突/罪惡都來自我們人性的敗壞。
 

Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 羅馬書 5:12, 罪由亞當而來恩由基督而得
12 這就如罪是從一人入了世界，死又是從罪來的，於是死就臨到眾人，因為眾人都犯了罪。
 
Corruption and death are the penalties we experienced everywhere in this world including all living systems. We can not get rid of it as we can not be born again anew by ourselves. Thus, the only hope is through faith in Jesus Christ who died for us at the cross to pay for our penalty of sin. This is indeed our only way offered by God’s grace through our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
腐敗和死亡是我們在這個世界上任何地方都經歷過的懲罰，包括所有生命系統。 我們無法擺脫它，因為我們無法自己重新出生。 因此，唯一的希望是通過對耶穌基督的信心，他在十字架上為我們而死，為我們的罪付出了代價。這確實是上帝恩典通過我們對主耶穌基督的信心所提供的唯一途徑。

 

Romans 5:18-21
18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
羅馬書 5:18-21
18 如此說來，因一次的過犯，眾人都被定罪；照樣，因一次的義行，眾人也就被稱義得生命了。 19 因一人的悖逆，眾人成為罪人；照樣，因一人的順從，眾人也成為義了。 20 律法本是外添的，叫過犯顯多；只是罪在哪裡顯多，恩典就更顯多了。 21 就如罪做王叫人死，照樣，恩典也藉著義做王，叫人因我們的主耶穌基督得永生。
 
Through my life, I am particularly encouraged by the Lord’s promise of resurrection that we shall be changed in a twinkle of a second from corruption to purity and from mortality to immortality. What a blessing indeed!
Best Wishes to you and your love ones for a blessed hope of Christmas and the hope of such blessed changes in the future!
在我的一生中，主對複活的應許使我特別受到鼓舞，即我們將在一瞬間從腐敗變為純潔，從必死變為不朽。 真是何等的福分！
祝福你和你的愛人聖誕快樂和如此幸福未來瞬間的改變！

 

 

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混亂的世代

 

在這些日子裡，許多人感到沮喪。 顯然，個人可能會因不同的事情而感到沮喪。 許多人認為一個社會應該處於某種常態，即使一個社會的個別成員可能處於混亂狀態。 但是，在過去的一百年中，情況可能並非如此，因為整個世界總是在某個地方發生衝突，並且從未完全和平。
 

在我們日常的混亂和挫折中，所有人都應該學會以理智的方式生活，這一點非常重要。 為什麼？ 因為對於我們的身心健康至關重要的是，我們學會不被社會事件完全淹沒。
 

以下一些觀察應該會有所幫助：
1. 社會的政治制度和經濟狀況將對我們的生活產生重大影響。 選舉有其後果，領導人有其權力。
2. 沒有人比你自己更了解你的問題。 沒有人能比你自己更有效地幫助你。
3. 每個人都只有非常有限的資源，所以我們只能影響自己的生活，但對我們的社會問題改變的力量很有限。儘管如此，我們仍然需要大聲反對這個時代的邪惡，特別是針對孤兒寡婦和少數群體的邪惡。
4. 挫折有很多方面，包括但不限於：政治、工作、情感、健康問題、性、金錢和權力等。

 

由於我們相信所有人都是由無限的上帝創造的，除非我們與我們的造物主建立健康的關係，否則人類無法與自己，和與他人和平相處。 你可能會問為什麼會這樣！ 因為所有的混亂都與兩個主要問題有關：生活問題和生命問題。 生活的問題受到人和環境的影響，如衣食住行等。生命的問題與死亡和永生有關。 因此，世界上的大多數問題在根本上，都與社會對造物主的全面拒絕及其後果有關。

 

因此，以下來自聖經的指導會有所幫助：

儘管您有時可能對包括您自己在內的許多事情產生懷疑，但上帝始終在在管控一切，包括歷史在內。 就像太陽每天都會升起一樣，即使我們可能因為天氣或挫折而看不到它。

 

* 應當一無掛慮: 腓立比書 4:4-7, 4 你們要靠主常常喜樂，我再說，你們要喜樂！ 5 當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。主已經近了。 6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。 7 神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。
* 不要為明天憂慮: 馬太福音 6:31-34, 31 所以，不要憂慮說吃什麼、喝什麼、穿什麼。 32 這都是外邦人所求的。你們需用的這一切東西，你們的天父是知道的。 33 你們要先求他的國和他的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 34 所以，不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮。一天的難處一天當就夠了。
* 愛惜光陰: 以弗所書 5:15-18, 15 你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。 16 要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。 17 不要做糊塗人，要明白主的旨意如何。 18 不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩；乃要被聖靈充滿。
* 不要信靠我們自己。 寧可信靠我們的主耶穌基督，我們信心的創始成終者: 提摩太後書 1:12, 12 為這緣故，我也受這些苦難，然而我不以為恥，因為知道我所信的是誰，也深信他能保全我所交付他的，直到那日。

 

 

The Age in Chaos

 

Many people are frustrated in these days. Obviously, individuals may be frustrated by different things. Many people regard that a society should be in some sort of normalcy even individual members of a society may be in chaos. However, this may not be the case in the age of the last hundred years because the whole world is always in conflicts somewhere and has never completely in peace.

 

It is very important that all should learn to live in a sane manner among our daily chaos and frustrations. Why? because it is crucial to our physical and spiritual well-beings that we learn not to be totally overwhelmed by the events in our society. 

 

The following  few observations should be helpful:
1. Political system and economical situation in our individual society will have major impacts to our lives. Election has its consequences and leaders have their ways.
2. No one knows your problems better than yourself. No one can be more effective to help you than yourself.
3. Each of us has only  very limited resources so we can only influence our own lives but has  very limited power to our societal problems. Nevertheless, we must speak out against all evils particularly towards orphans, widows, and minorities.
4. Frustrations have many aspects including but not limited to:  political, work, emotional, health issues, sex, money, and power etc.

 

Since we believe that all human beings are created by the infinite God, mankind cannot be in peace with oneself and with others unless we have a healthy relationship with our Creator. You may ask why so! Because all chaos are related to two main issues: the issues of living and the issues of life. Issues of living are influenced by people and environment such as food, clothing, and living conditions, etc. Issues of life are related to death and eternal life. Thus, most of the problems of the world are in a foundational manner  related to the wholesale societal rejection of the Creator and its consequences.

 

So the following guidance from the Bible shall help:

Although you may sometimes have doubts on many things including yourself, God is always in control including history. Just like the sun rises every day even though we may not see it because of the weather or our frustrations. 

 

* Do not be anxious about anything; Philippians 4:4-7, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
* Do not worry about tomorrow: Matthew 6:31-34, 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
* Wisely use your time: Ephesians 5:15-18, 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
* Do not trust ourselves. Rather trust our Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. 2 Timothy 1:12, 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

 

 

 

 

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蒙福之道
登山訓眾論福
5 耶穌看見這許多的人，就上了山，既已坐下，門徒到他跟前來， 2 他就開口教訓他們，說： 3 「虛心的人有福了！因為天國是他們的。 4 哀慟的人有福了！因為他們必得安慰。 5 溫柔的人有福了！因為他們必承受地土。 6 飢渴慕義的人有福了！因為他們必得飽足。 7 憐恤人的人有福了！因為他們必蒙憐恤。 8 清心的人有福了！因為他們必得見神。 9 使人和睦的人有福了！因為他們必稱為神的兒子。 10 為義受逼迫的人有福了！因為天國是他們的。 11 人若因我辱罵你們，逼迫你們，捏造各樣壞話毀謗你們，你們就有福了。 12 應當歡喜快樂，因為你們在天上的賞賜是大的。在你們以前的先知，人也是這樣逼迫他們。

沉思什麼的例子？
誰是精神上的窮人？
誰是哀悼者，他們哀悼什麼？
誰是溫順的？
什麼是正義？
什麼是純潔的心？
和平締造者和妥協者有什麼區別？

 

The Way to a Blessed Living
The Beatitudes
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the [a]earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Example of what to meditate?
Who are the poor in spirit?
Who are those who mourn and what are they mourn about?
Who are the meek?
What are righteousness?
What is on the pure heart?
What is the difference between peacemaker and compromiser?

 

 

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A Timely Reminder from Our Lord Jesus Christ                               來自我們主耶穌基督的及時提醒

 

Matthew 6:31-34
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
馬太福音 6:31-34
31 所以，不要憂慮說吃什麼、喝什麼、穿什麼。 32 這都是外邦人所求的。你們需用的這一切東西，你們的天父是知道的。 33 你們要先求他的國和他的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 34 所以，不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮。一天的難處一天當就夠了。

 

In the 21th Century,  daily living pace is rush, rush, and rush. We also live in the era of evil and wickedness. All Christians should learn this reminder well and should place our trust on our Lord and not on ourselves.
在這21世紀，日常生活節奏是匆忙，匆忙，再匆忙。 我們也生活在邪惡的時代。 所有基督徒都應該好好學習這個提醒，應該依靠我們的主，而不是我們自己。

 

We should learn from the Bible. the following are a few examples:
我們應該學習聖經。 以下是幾個例子：

 

* Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
腓立比書 4:4-7
門徒當在主裡喜樂
4 你們要靠主常常喜樂，我再說，你們要喜樂！ 5 當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。主已經近了。 6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。 7 神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。

 

* Matthew 4:4
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
馬太福音 4:4
4 耶穌卻回答說：「經上記著說：『人活著不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裡所出的一切話。』」

 

* 1 Thessalonians 5:15-24
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:15-24

毋以惡報惡
15 你們要謹慎，無論是誰都不可以惡報惡。或是彼此相待，或是待眾人，常要追求良善。 16 要常常喜樂， 17 不住地禱告， 18 凡事謝恩，因為這是神在基督耶穌裡向你們所定的旨意。 19 不要消滅聖靈的感動， 20 不要藐視先知的講論。 21 但要凡事察驗，善美的要持守， 22 各樣的惡事要禁戒不做。
23 願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖！又願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我們主耶穌基督降臨的時候完全無可指摘！ 24 那召你們的本是信實的，他必成就這事。

 

* Galatians 5:19-26
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
加拉太書 5:19-26
19 情慾的事都是顯而易見的，就如姦淫、汙穢、邪蕩、 20 拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、 21 嫉妒、醉酒、荒宴等類。我從前告訴你們，現在又告訴你們：行這樣事的人必不能承受神的國。 22 聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、 23 溫柔、節制；這樣的事沒有律法禁止。 24 凡屬基督耶穌的人，是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾同釘在十字架上了。25 我們若是靠聖靈得生，就當靠聖靈行事。 26 不要貪圖虛名，彼此惹氣，互相嫉妒。

 

* 1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
提摩太前書 6:17-19
勸人在好事上富足
17 你要囑咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠無定的錢財，只要倚靠那厚賜百物給我們享受的神。 18 又要囑咐他們行善，在好事上富足，甘心施捨，樂意供給人， 19 為自己積成美好的根基，預備將來，叫他們持定那真正的生命。

 

 

 

 

 

 

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馬太福音 10:32

32 凡在人面前認我的，我在我天上的父面前也必認他；

 

約翰福音 14:19
19 還有不多的時候，世人不再看見我，你們卻看見我，因為我活著，你們也要活著。

 

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論成長

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論成長

 

   如果有人嘗試種植一些植物，他/她很快就會發現照顧植物需要付出很多努力，例如澆水、施肥、適當的陽光照射、疾病預防等。僅以澆水為例: 水過多或過少都會阻礙植物的生長。 至於澆水的時間、方式以及正確的頻率，也是根據具體情況而定。 換句話說，照顧需要時間、努力和知識。 不僅如此，成長的動力最終還是來自於造物主。 我們很容易因管理不善而殺死植物，但植物的健康成長還需要神力。 因此，植物的生長開花結果確實是一種神聖的祝福。

 

   同樣，人類成長的各個方面也取決於神聖的祝福。 這包括與他人的關係，甚至我們如何看待自己。 如果你窮困潦倒，卻還有人關心你，你就會知道這是多麼幸福的事。 如你所知，上帝不喜歡任何傲慢的人。 上帝創造了人類，他比我們更了解我們自己。 因此，正如聖經所教導的那樣，傲慢來自腐朽的世界。 約翰一書 2:16，“16 因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。”.

 

   因此，基督徒的關鍵品質之一就是真正相信生命之源耶穌基督。 沒有他，一切都不會生長，一切都會變得混亂。 我們所有的祝福都來自天父，通過主耶穌基督賜給我們。 願我們在這個腐敗世界的旅程中的每一個日子都受到聖靈的引導，追求我們主耶穌基督的樣式，他昨日、今日、一直到永遠，是一樣的。 讚美主對我們的恩慈、憐憫和恩典，直到永永遠遠，阿門！

 

 

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 On Growth

    If any one ever tries to grow some plants, he/she will quickly learn that it takes lots of effort to take care of plants such as watering, fertilizing, proper sun exposure, disease prevention, etc. Just using watering as an example, too much or too little water will hamper the growth of a plant. It is also case by case as to when and how and the right frequency of watering. In other words, caring needs time, effort, and knowledge. Not only that, the driving force of growth eventually come from the Creator.  It is easy for us to kill a plant by mismanagement but a healthy growth of a plant also depends on the divine power. Thus, it is indeed a divine blessing for the growth of a plant to flower and to produce fruits.

   Similarly, all aspects of human growth depend upon divine blessing as well. This includes relationship with others and even how we see ourselves. If you were down and out, yet still have someone caring about you, you can realize how a blessing that is. As you know, God dislikes anyone who is arrogant. God made men and He knows us infinitely  better than we know ourselves. Thus, arrogance came from a decaying world just as instructed in the Bible. 1 John 2:16, “16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world”.

  Therefore, one of key attributes of christians is to truly trust Jesus Christ, the source of life. Without Him, nothing grows and everything turns to chaos. All our blessings come from our heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ to us. May each of journey days through this corrupted world be guided by the Holy Spirit in our pursuit of the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Praise the Lord for His kindness, mercies,  and grace toward us forever and ever, Amen!

 

 

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隨機善意的舉動

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隨機善意的舉動

最近，我們經常聽到“正能量”這個詞。 它指的是對我們所生活的社會有益的一切態度、事件或行為。 顯然，負能量是黑暗和邪惡事物的驅動力。

 

一個簡單的問題是作為一個人如何每天釋放一點正能量？ 我的建議是，我們對陌生人表現出一點善意，以表明我們是每天生活中正能量的一部分。 什麼是隨意的善意？ 它可以是一個微笑、一個善意的舉動、一隻援助之手，或者是一個幫助他人需要的積極行為。 此外，隨機可能意味著任何時間即興或隨機應用於任何人。

 

有趣的是，如果我們所有人都隨機地善意地對待周圍的其他人，世界將變得更加美好。 在快節奏的世界中尤其如此，人們壓力很大，總是以自己的方式向人們展示負能量。

因此，今天讓我們向他人展示我們的光芒，而不是我們的雷聲，作為對我們周圍任何人的隨機善意。
 

加拉太書 6:7-9
7 不要自欺，神是輕慢不得的。人種的是什麼，收的也是什麼。 8 順著情慾撒種的，必從情慾收敗壞；順著聖靈撒種的，必從聖靈收永生。 9 我們行善不可喪志，若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。

 

A Random Kindness

Lately, we frequently heard the use of the  term of positive energy. It refers to all kind of attitude, event, or actions which are good to the society we live. Obviously, negative energy is the driving force for the darkness and evil things.

 

A simple question is, as an individual, how to release a bit of positive energy each day? My suggestion is that we exercise a bit of random kindness to strangers to show that we are part of the positive energy in each day’s living. What is a random kindness? It can be a smile, a kind gesture, a helping hand, or a positive deed to help the needs of others.  Also, random could means impromptu any time or randomly applied to anyone.

 

It is interesting to note if all of us give random kindness to other folks around us, the world will be a better place to live. This is particularly true in a fast-paced world where people are so stressed up as to always showing negative energy to people in their ways.

So let us show our light not our thunder to other today as a random kindness to others surrounding us. 

 

Galatians 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

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活在靈裡 Life in the Spirit

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活在靈裡

 

第一件有福的事是，靠著聖靈禱告：以弗所書 6:18，“18 靠著聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求，並要在此警醒不倦，為眾聖徒祈求；”。 也請為我們福音網站的事工禱告。 特別是，我們要奉主耶穌基督的聖名向天父祈求，求聖靈堅固我們的內心。 以弗所書 3:16-17, “ 16 求他按著他豐盛的榮耀，藉著他的靈，叫你們心裡的力量剛強起來， 17 使基督因你們的信住在你們心裡，叫你們的愛心有根有基”.

 

 

第二件有福的事是，我們的生活受聖靈的引導。 這就是說，我們的生命不能像“舊人”的生命，而是”新人”的生命。 以弗所書 4:22-24,” 以弗所書 4:22-24,” 22 就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人，這舊人是因私慾的迷惑漸漸變壞的； 23 又要將你們的心志改換一新， 24 並且穿上新人，這新人是照著神的形象造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔”。

 

第三件有福的事是，我們每天追求身體的聖潔，並按照羅馬書12:1-2生活。 “12 所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當做活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的，你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。 2 不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意”.

 

第四件有福的事是，在與人打交道時作為良善、仁慈和正義的一部分而生活。 加拉太書 6:9-10, ”9 我們行善不可喪志，若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。 10 所以，有了機會就當向眾人行善，向信徒一家的人更當這樣"。這意味著我們需要有勇氣幫助人們對抗惡人的惡行。

 

第五件有福的事是，每天以感謝主恩的心來生活。 這意味著讚美我們的主。 我們對的生活充滿信心，因為我們的主會帶領我們在他榮耀的國度裡度過這一生。 也讚美與我們的主永遠相交的祝福！

 

……請添加您更好有福的清單...

 

Life in the Spirit

 

The first blessed thing is to pray in the Spirit: Ephesians 6:18, “18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Please also pray for us for the ministry of  the gospel website. Particularly, we shall pray to our heavenly Father through the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that our inner being be strengthen by the Spirit. Ephesians 3:16, ”I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

 

 

The second blessed thing is that our lives be guided by the Spirit. This means that our lives cannot be like the “old self” life but be of the renewed life. Ephesians 4:22-24,”Ephesians 4:22-24, 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”.  This means that we will not rely on ourselves but rely upon our Lord  teachings. This also means that we need to study the Bible to learn what the teachings of our Lord are!

 

The third blessed thing is that each day we seek holiness in our body and live by Romans 12:1-2. “12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”.

 

The fourth blessed thing is to live as a part of the Good, Kind, and Righteous in our dealing with the people. Galatians 6:9-10,”

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” This means that we need to have courage to help people in confronting against evil deeds by evil people.

 

The fifth blessed thing is to live each day by a thankful heart to our Lord. This means praise our Lord for His blessings to us always. Be confident in our lives knowing that our Lord will carry us through this life in His glorious kingdom. Praise the blessing of ever fellowship with our Lord!

 

…..Please add your better  blessed list...

 

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辨別邪惡 Discern Evils

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辨別邪惡

作為基督徒，我們需要對邪惡有敏銳的辨別力。 我們需要祈求我們的主會通過住在我們裡面的聖靈的引導，賜給我們對邪惡的敏銳辨別力。首先，魔鬼被稱為邪惡者。 他甚至敢試探創造他的主耶穌基督。 這就是為什麼魔鬼是邪惡中的邪惡。
邪惡包括人和事。 以下是一些幫助我們學習這種明辨技巧的要點：
1. Covid-19 是純粹的邪惡。這種病毒通過高燒、喉嚨痛、無休止的咳嗽、肺炎等惡性症狀給數以百萬計的人帶來難以言喻的痛苦。製造這種病毒的人也是邪惡的。 大多數人沒有認識到：這場流行病對人類的危害有多大。 尤其是對體弱者和老年人來說，這種病毒會耗盡他們的精力，破壞他們的器官，甚至殺死他們。 因此，在今天的環境中，Covid 19 在邪惡領域中排名靠前的。
2. 褻瀆的商業化是另一大罪惡。 地方或物體越神聖，商業化就越褻瀆。 例如，所有與我們主在地上事工有關的聖地都在商業化中被深深褻瀆，包括導遊、成噸的紀念品。 事實上，它就像新約時代聖殿中的貨幣兌換商一樣成為一項褻瀆的業務。
3. 假基督徒也很邪惡。 假基督徒是在教會中運作的冒充基督徒的惡人。 有幾種類型可以辨別。 第一個是他們試圖抓住天真的基督徒進行商業活動。 他們試圖賣給你一些東西！ 另一種更難檢測。 這種假基督徒尋求自己的義和自己的國。 他們試圖成為中心人物，並試圖在教會中受歡迎，並剝奪主的榮耀以成為他們生命中的驕傲。 假基督徒很容易辨別，因為他們缺乏八福中所教導的主的門徒訓練。
 

所有真正的基督徒都應該大聲疾呼反對邪惡。 當我們每天努力追求聖潔時，因為我們的神是聖潔的。 我們將辨別邪惡，並在邪惡的世界中成為光和鹽。 光是要在黑暗中照耀。 鹽是防止腐敗去邪的。 所以讓我們祈求我們的主賜予我們力量，作光作鹽來抵擋邪惡！

 

Discern Evils

As christians, we need to have a keen discernment on evil. We need to pray that our Lord will grant us keen discernment on evil through our in-dwelling Holy Spirit’s guidance.
First of all, the devil is called the Evil One. He even dared to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ who created him. That is why the devil is the evil of evils. 
 

Evil includes people and things. The following are a few pointers to help us learn the skill of this discernment:
1. Covid-19 is a pure evil.This virus causes untold sufferings of millions of millions of people through vicious symptoms such as high fevers, sore throat, and endless coughs, pneumonia, etc. Whoever created this virus is evil as well. Most people do not recognize : how evil this epidemic has been to the mankind. Especially, to the weak and the old, this virus will deplete their energy, damage their organs, and even kill them. So in today environments, Covid 19 ranks high in the evil domain.
2. Commercialization of the sacred is another great evil. More sacred the place or the object is, the more profane the commercialization will be. For example, all the sacred places related to our Lord’s earthly ministry have been deeply profaned in commercialization including guided tours, tons of mementos, and souvenirs. Indeed, it became a great business just like the money changers in the Temple in the New Testament time.
3. Fake christians are very evil as well. Fake christians are the evil people pretended to be christians operated in the church. There are several types which can be discerned. The first one is that they try to catch naive christians for commercial business. They try to sell you something! Another kind is harder to detect. This kind of false christians seek heir own righteousness and their own kingdom. They try to be center and try to be popular in church and rob the glory of the Lord to their own pride of the life. It is easy to discern fake christians because they lack the discipleship of the Lord as taught in the Beatitudes.
 

All genuine christians shall speak up with our voices against evil. As we try hard each day to seek after holiness because our God is holy. We shall discern evil and be light and salt in the evil world. Light is to shine in darkness. Salt is to prevent corruption to evil. So let pray that our Lord will give us strength to be light and salt against evils!

 

 

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Need to Purify Ourselves Daily From the Corruptions of the World

需要天天潔淨自己脫離世界的敗壞

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Need to Purify Ourselves Daily From the Corruptions of the World

需要天天潔淨自己脫離世界的敗壞

 

We are still in the recovery phase from the Covid-19 rampage. Many would say that we are in a chaotic world. Inflation is making daily purchases harder. Too many mass shootings worry people as well. How to live a devoted and “normal” life is no longer  a given condition and we need to struggle to make it happen.
我們仍處於從 Covid-19 狂暴中恢復的階段。 許多人會說我們處在一個混亂的世界中。 通貨膨脹使日常購買變得更加困難。 太多的大規模槍擊事件也讓人們感到擔憂。 如何過上敬虔和“正常”的生活不再是既定條件，我們需要努力實現它。

Come to think of it. The world as it is with all its problems basically came from its people. Many would say that we leave God’s ways  for a long time now. The manifestations of a people without respecting God reflect  what the world is today. Also, we have enough of talk show hosts and hence we are not lacking any opinions at all. In fact, we are in an information overload situation. Opinions are many and talks are cheap. Thus, each of us needs to examine where we stand in relation to God.
想一想。 這個世界的所有問題基本上都來自於它的人民。 許多人會說我們離開神的道路已經很久了。 不尊重上帝的民族的表現反映了當今世界的情況。 另外，我們的脫口秀主持人已經夠多了，所以不缺意見。 事實上，我們正處於信息過載的境地。 意見很多，言多必雜。 因此，我們每個人都需要審視自己與上帝的關係。

 

The following are a few pointers to encourage each other:

以下幾點，互相勉勵：

1. When all seem bleak and chaotic, we need to calm down and return to our Creator. You may ask how do I know there is a Creator. Actually, your heart does know that. Because God says that whatever we need to know, God already revealed in our hearts. If you still not believe, then look at the magnificent creation products around us such as how immense the universe is; how numerous the stars are: how beautiful a flower is; and how magnificent a human body is made to function so well. 當一切都顯得暗淡和混亂時，我們需要冷靜下來，回到我們的造物主身邊。 你可能會問我怎麼知道有造物主。 事實上，你的心知道這一點。 因為神說，無論我們應該知道的，神都已經在我們心裡顯明了。 如果你還不相信，那麼看看我們身邊的浩瀚造化產物，比如宇宙浩瀚無限； 數不盡的星星：一朵花有多美； 以及人體器官是多麼偉大地、如此出色地發揮作用。
2. Do you know even with our 21 century civilization and medical advances, we cannot create a simple life. Thus, for us, best way is to return to God.  Indeed, it is to our own benefits to return to the Bible. Why? Because the Scripture reveals God’s ways. More importantly, God reveals Himself  in the Bible: His attributes, His wills, and His love towards all mankind and His creation. 你知道嗎，即使我們21世紀的文明和醫學進步，我們也無法創造簡單的生命。 因此，對我們來說，最好的方法就是回歸上帝。 的確，回到聖經對我們自己有好處。 為什麼？ 因為聖經揭示了上帝的道路。 更重要的是，上帝在聖經中揭示了祂自己​：祂的屬性、祂的旨意、以及祂對全人類和祂的創造物的愛。
3. God reveals that there are still a remnant of His people who still love God even in this world. There are indeed true love, true compassion, and true faithfulness among people in this world if you willingly open your eyes to observe them. Let return to the Bible to learn from the Word who is Jesus Christ the son of man who reveals God the Father to all who will listen to Him. 上帝啟示，即使在這個世界上，仍然有祂子民的餘數仍然愛上帝。 世間人與人之間: 真的有真愛、真憐憫和真信實，只要你肯睜眼去觀察。 讓我們回到聖經，從聖經中學習誰是人子耶穌基督，祂向所有願意聽從祂的人啟示了父神。

May we all not lose our faith, love, and hope! Take up our own cross and follow our Lord Jesus Christ who is faithful and cannot lie, and who has promised to all His believers that He will be with us all the days in our lives until we meet Him in His glorious kingdom. Just as the Scripture instructs us.

“3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) 
Let us encourage each other and purify ourselves from the corruptions of this world each day. In Jesus Christ name. we pray,  Amen!
願我們都不要失去信心、愛心和希望！ 背起自己的十字架，跟從那信實不說謊的我們主耶穌基督，祂向所有信徒應許，祂將在我們生命中的每一天與我們同在，直到我們在祂榮耀的國度裡與祂相遇。 正如聖經教導我們的那樣。 “3 凡向他有這指望的，就潔淨自己，像他潔淨一樣。” （約翰一書 3:3）
讓我們互相鼓勵，每天從這個世界的腐敗中淨化自己。 奉耶穌基督的名。 我們祈禱，阿門！

 

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 慶祝 2023 年復活節

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 慶祝 2023 年復活節

 

人類歷史上一直在討論”生命”議題。 精英們對此不乏理論和哲學。 在歷史上，許多宗教源於對生命的各種解釋。 然而，可悲的事實是，全人類都會死亡，而且無法阻止死亡。 因此，從人類的不同角度來探討生命問題的價值是有限的。 
 

因此，重要的是，我們應該知道世界的創造者對生命的啟示。

 

約翰福音 1:1-5
1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 2 這道太初與神同在。 3 萬物是藉著他造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他造的。 4 生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光。 5 光照在黑暗裡，黑暗卻不接受光。
 

我一直被這部分經文所吸引，尤其是第 4 節。在我看來，聖經教導說生命的源頭在”道”中。 因此，包括人類生命在內的所有“生命”都來自上帝。 我一次又一次地沉思第 4 節，並對以下內容著迷：
 

A. 生命在他裡頭- 為什麼用過去式“在”而不是用現在式“在”？ "在他裡頭"是否意味著一個人沒有他就不能有“永生”？
B. 生命是全人類的光是什麼意思？ 為什麼要確定生命是一種特殊的光。

 

在一個充滿不確定性的混亂世界中，生命的問題顯得更加緊迫。 我發現一件事很有價值，那就是我們都應該珍惜我們周圍的所有生命，尤其是我們所愛的人，因為生命是上帝的禮物，而我們在世間的日子是很有限的。 

 

希望你能在世間的紛擾和喧囂中，有時間去思考人生。 我也希望人們應該回歸生命之源上帝，以實現每個人生命的目的。

 

既然生命在神裡面，你可能會問我們如何從神那裡得著生命呢？ 甚至有人會問，我們怎麼知道神會賜給我們呢？ 這些問題只有上帝才能有效回答的！ 事實上，救恩的全部應許取決於神的計劃，即通過他的獨生子耶穌基督在十字架上的犧牲，救贖我們脫離死亡，將生命賜給我們。
 

我們知道罪的工價就是死。 正如羅馬書 5:12 清楚地揭示的那樣，“12 這就如罪是從一人入了世界，死又是從罪來的，於是死就臨到眾人，因為眾人都犯了罪。” 
沒有人能從上帝那裡得到永生，直到 一個人的罪是用死來償還的。 這就是為什麼我們迫切需要耶穌基督的寶血來救贖我們，因為他在十字架上為他的每個信徒而死。
 

約翰福音 3:16, 神愛世人, 16 「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。
 

當我們臨近 2023 年復活節時，記住聖彼得在彼得前書 1:17-21 中如此熱烈地表達是恰當的, “17 你們既稱那不偏待人、按各人行為審判人的主為父，就當存敬畏的心度你們在世寄居的日子， 18 知道你們得贖，脫去你們祖宗所傳流虛妄的行為，不是憑著能壞的金銀等物， 19 乃是憑著基督的寶血，如同無瑕疵、無玷汙的羔羊之血。 20 基督在創世以前是預先被神知道的，卻在這末世才為你們顯現。 21 你們也因著他，信那叫他從死裡復活，又給他榮耀的神，叫你們的信心和盼望都在於神。”
 

因此，當我們慶祝這 2023 年復活節，讓我們再次提醒我們，羅馬書 6:3-5 的指示，與我們的主耶穌基督聯合的絕對重要性: “3 豈不知我們這受洗歸入基督耶穌的人，是受洗歸入他的死嗎？ 4 所以，我們藉著洗禮歸入死，和他一同埋葬，原是叫我們一舉一動有新生的樣式，像基督藉著父的榮耀從死裡復活一樣。 5 我們若在他死的形狀上與他聯合，也要在他復活的形狀上與他聯合。”
 

因此，正如聖保羅在哥林多後書 5:14-15 中所告誡的那樣，耶穌基督的所有信徒都應該為他的榮耀而服侍我們的主耶穌基督: “原來基督的愛激勵我們，因我們想：一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了； 並且他替眾人死，是叫那些活著的人不再為自己活，乃為替他們死而復活的主活。”
 

願我們都用心聆聽我們的主在約翰福音 11 章 25 至 27 節中告訴馬大關於她的兄弟拉撒路和他所有信徒復活的事: “25 耶穌對她說：「復活在我，生命也在我。信我的人，雖然死了，也必復活； 26 凡活著信我的人必永遠不死。你信這話嗎？」 27 馬大說：「主啊，是的，我信你是基督，是神的兒子，就是那要臨到世界的。」”
 

願我們都活著榮耀我們的主耶穌基督，在今生和在來世復活的生命中為祂而活，阿們！​

 

  Celebration of the 2023 Easter

The issue of life has been discussed throughout the human history. There are no short of theories and philosophies from elites about it. As a matter of historical records, many religions came from various interpretation of life. However, the sad fact is that all mankind dies and cannot prevent death. It is, therefore, of limited value to investigate the issue of life from various human perspectives.

Hence, It is important to know what the Creator of the world reveals about life.

John 1: 1-5, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

I have always be attracted to this portion of the Scripture, particularly the verse 4. It appears to me that the Bible teaches “the source of life is in the Word”. So all “life’’ including human life is from God. I have meditated upon Verse 4 times and times again and have been fascinated on the following:

1. In him was life- Why use “was” not “is”? Does " In Him" means that an individual cannot have eternal life without him?
2. What does it means to say that life was the light of all mankind? Why identify at all that life is a particular light.

The issue of life takes more urgency in a chaotic world with so much uncertainties concerning life. One thing that I found is of value is that we shall all cherish all lives around us particularly our loved ones. Life is a gift from God and our days in this world are certainly limited.

Hope that you would take up “life” in your mediations despite the husting and bustling of the world. I also hope that people should return to God, the source of life, to fulfill the purpose of life in each human being.

Since life is in God, you may ask that how do we receive life from God? Some may even ask how do we know that God will give it to us? These are the valid questions that only God can answer! Indeed the whole promise of salvation depends upon the God’s plan of conveying life to us through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ at the cross to redeem us from death.
 

We know that the wage of sin is death. As Romans 5:12 clearly reveals, “12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—“, no one can receive eternal life from God until one’s sin was paid by one’s death. That is why we desperately need the blood of Jesus Christ to redeem us because He died for each of His believers at the cross. 
 

John 3:16, ’’16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
 

As we approach the 2023 Easter, it is fitting to remember what St. Peter so passionately put in 1 Peter 1:17-21, “17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
 

Thus, as we celebrate this Easter, let us remind us once again the centrality of union with our Lord Jesus Christ as instructed in Romans 6:3-5, “3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
 

Therefore, all believers of Jesus Christ should live to serve our Lord Jesus Christ for His glory as admonished by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
 

May we all listen in our hearts what our Lord told Martha  concerning resurrection of her brother Lazarus and all His believers in John 11:25-27, “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
 

May we all live to honor our Lord Jesus Christ and to live for Him in this life and in the resurrected life to come, Amen!

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依靠我們的主耶穌基督

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依靠我們的主耶穌基督  

在充滿不確定性和逆境的世界中，基督徒保持對上帝保護我們的信心非常重要。

以下是上帝對確據和安慰的一些應許。

A. 詩篇 34:17, “17 義人呼求，耶和華聽見了，便救他們脫離一切患難”。 

B. 上帝也會派他的天使來保護他自己的人。 詩篇 34:7, “7 耶和華的使者在敬畏他的人四圍安營，搭救他們”。

C. 確保死後的生命是極其重要的。 這將極大地幫助我們面對死亡。

1. 哥林多後書 5:1-10, 憑信心不憑眼見,  “1 我們原知道，我們這地上的帳篷若拆毀了，必得神所造，不是人手所造、在天上永存的房屋。 2 我們在這帳篷裡嘆息，深想得那從天上來的房屋，好像穿上衣服。 3 倘若穿上，被遇見的時候就不至於赤身了。 4 我們在這帳篷裡嘆息勞苦，並非願意脫下這個，乃是願意穿上那個，好叫這必死的被生命吞滅了。 5 為此培植我們的就是神，他又賜給我們聖靈做憑據。 6 所以，我們時常坦然無懼，並且曉得我們住在身內，便與主相離； 7 因我們行事為人是憑著信心，不是憑著眼見。 8 我們坦然無懼，是更願意離開身體與主同住。 9 所以，無論是住在身內、離開身外，我們立了志向，要得主的喜悅。 10 因為我們眾人必要在基督臺前顯露出來，叫各人按著本身所行的，或善或惡受報”。
2. 當信徒死去時，他/她將由天使護送與主同在。 見路加福音 16:22, “22 後來那討飯的死了，被天使帶去放在亞伯拉罕的懷裡。財主也死了，並且埋葬了。”

D. 聖靈的內住是神在這個新約時代賜給信徒的最有福的應許之一。

1. 使徒行傳 2:36-39, “36 故此，以色列全家當確實地知道：你們釘在十字架上的這位耶穌，神已經立他為主、為基督了。」37 眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說：「弟兄們，我們當怎樣行？」 38 彼得說：「你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。 39 因為這應許是給你們和你們的兒女，並一切在遠方的人，就是主我們神所召來的。」”
2. 我們會被聖靈賦予能力來事奉主。 使徒行傳 1:8，”8 但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力，並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地和撒馬利亞，直到地極，作我的見證。”
3. 我們有內住的聖靈不斷幫助我們。 羅馬書 8:26，愛神者萬事得益, “26 況且，我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助。我們本不曉得當怎樣禱告，只是聖靈親自用說不出來的嘆息替我們禱告。”
4. 我們裡面的聖靈比敵基督的靈更大，會幫助所有神的兒女戰勝它們。 約翰一書 4:4, “4 小子們哪，你們是屬神的，並且勝了他們；因為那在你們裡面的，比那在世界上的更大。”

 

 

Rely on our Lord Jesus Christ

 

In a world of uncertainties and adversities, it is very important for us as Christians to keep faith in God to protect us. Here are a few God’s promises for assurance and comforts.
A. Psalm 34:17, 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
B. God will send His angels to protect His own as well. Psalm 34:7, 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,    and he delivers them.
C. It is extreme important to be assured about life after death. This will help us tremendously in facing death. 

1. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Awaiting the New Body, 1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2. When a believer died, he/she will be escorted by angels to be with the Lord. See Luke 16:22, At Lazarus’ death, he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side, who was with the Lord.

 

D. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is one of the most blessed promises God has bestowed on believers in this New Covenant age.

1. Acts 2:36-39, 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
2. We would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord. Acts 1:8, 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
3. We have the in-dwelling Holy Spirit who constantly help us. Romans 8:26, “ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
4. The Holy Spirit in us is bigger than the spirit of anti-Christ and will help all God’s children to overcome them. 1 John 4:4, “ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

 

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回歸常態

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回歸常態

我們都經歷過 Covid-19 大流行的破壞。 這種流行病影響了我們日常生活的許多重要方面，從採購、教育、社交距離到宗教活動等。政府、企業、社會福利、醫院和其他組織也受到這種 Covid-19 病毒的影響。 世界集體和個人都遭受著巨大的痛苦。

 

盡快恢復正常非常重要。 經過如此多的干擾之後，我們可能不再記得什麼是常態。但我們應該記住的一件事是，我們的主耶穌基督確實警告過我們這個腐敗世界的生活本質。

 

約翰福音 16:33
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。」

 

值得注意的是，在整個人類歷史上，一旦社會/國家忘記了上帝而偏行己路，人們就會陷入困境和痛苦。 腐敗來自罪惡，而罪惡來自不服從上帝的誡命。

 

羅馬書 3:10-12, 
10 就如經上所記：「沒有義人，連一個也沒有。 11 沒有明白的，沒有尋求神的。 12 都是偏離正路，一同變為無用；沒有行善的，連一個也沒有。

 

因此，常態是按照上帝的方式生活。 上帝的道路是啟示在聖經中。 所以我們不能聲稱我們的無知就像羅馬書 1:18-20 中明確指出的那樣。
羅馬書 1:18-20, 
18 原來，神的憤怒從天上顯明在一切不虔不義的人身上，就是那些行不義阻擋真理的人。 19 神的事情人所能知道的，原顯明在人心裡，因為神已經給他們顯明。 20 自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。

 

人們真的很無知，以為不服從上帝是沒有後果的。 這在聖經中也有清楚的教導。 忘記上帝的一大災難是我們的思想變得混亂和無用。 當心羅馬書 1:21-28 中三個“神任憑他們”的教導：

羅馬書 1:21-28
21 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。 22 自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙， 23 將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。
24 所以，神任憑他們逞著心裡的情慾行汙穢的事，以致彼此玷辱自己的身體。 25 他們將神的真實變為虛謊，去敬拜侍奉受造之物，不敬奉那造物的主——主乃是可稱頌的，直到永遠！阿們。
外邦種種罪惡
26 因此，神任憑他們放縱可羞恥的情慾。他們的女人把順性的用處變為逆性的用處。 27 男人也是如此，棄了女人順性的用處，慾火攻心，彼此貪戀，男和男行可羞恥的事，就在自己身上受這妄為當得的報應。
28 他們既然故意不認識神，神就任憑他們存邪僻的心，行那些不合理的事：

 

憑心而論。 上述經文生動描述了當今世界發生的事情！

那麼如何與自己平安相處，如何在當今邪惡的世界中蒙受祝福！
我們應該聆聽上帝慈愛的呼喚，回到祂身邊。

 

1. 神已經指出了回歸神的正確途徑
約翰福音 3:16, 神愛世人
16 「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的不致滅亡，反得永生。

 

2. 神吩咐我們聽他獨生子的話
路加福音 9:35, 
35 有聲音從雲彩裡出來，說：「這是我的兒子，我所揀選的，你們要聽他！」

 

3. 神命令我們跟隨我們的主耶穌基督
約翰福音 14:6, 主為道路真理生命
6 耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。

 

作為宇宙的創造者，上帝按照他的旨意，給了我們選擇的自由。 願我們成為被主耶穌基督揀選的少數餘民教會中的一員，成為他的新婦，蒙福得見他的榮耀，直到永永遠遠，阿們！

 

Return to the Norm

 

We all experienced the disruptions of Covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic has affected many important aspects of our daily lives from procurement, education, social distancing, to religious activities, etc. Government, business, social welfare, hospitals, and other organizations are also impacted by this Covid-19 viruses. The world suffers greatly, collectively and individually.

 

After more than two years of this pandemic, we finally begin to see the end of the tunnel.

It is important to return to the norm as soon as possible. After so much disruptions, we may not remember what is the norm again. But one thing we should remember is that our Lord Jesus Christ did warn us about the nature of the life in this corrupted world.

 

John 16:33,
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.”

It is of great interest to observe that throughout the human history, men will get into troubles and suffering once the society/nation forgets God and turn to their own ways. Corruption came from sins and sins came from disobedience of God’s commandments.

 

Romans 3:10-12
10 As it is written:“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

 

Thus, the Norm is to live according to the way of God. The way of God is revealed in the Bible. So we cannot claim our ignorance just as it is clearly stated in Romans 1:18-20. God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity, 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

 

People is truly ignorant to think that there are no consequences of disobeying God. This is also clearly taught in the Scripture. One of the great disasters of forgetting God is that our mind became confusing and futile. Watch out of the teaching of  the three “God gave them over “ in Romans 1:21-32:  
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

 

Comes to think of it. The above-mentioned verses are a vivid description of what happens in our world today!

 

So how to live in peace with yourself and how to be blessed in a wicked world today!
We shall listen to the loving call of God to return to Him.

1. God has already pointed out the right way of returning to Him
John 3:16, 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. God commands us to listen to His only begotten Son
Luke 9:35, 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
3. God commands us to follow Jesus Christ our Lord
John 14:6, 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

As the  Creator of the Universe, God, by His will, gave us our freedom of choice. May we be part of  the few remnants as the church chosen by our Lord Jesus Christ to be His Bride to be blessed to see His glory forever and ever, Amen!

 

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Message for the New Year 新年寄語

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Message for the New Year 新年寄語

We all hope that Year 2023 will be a good year. But it appears that the Covid 19 pandemic will last at least for a few months more. As we reflect on the year end and pondering on the new year, it is important that we should look at  (1) where we are in the God’s program for the world and (2) a few remarks on our new year’s resolutions.
我們都希望 2023年是美好的一年。 但似乎 Covid 19 大流行至少還會持續幾個月。 當我們反思年末，思考新的一年時，重要的是我們應該看看 (1) 我們處在上帝對世界計劃中的位置 和 (2)關於我們新年計劃的一些建議。

(1) Where We Are in the God’s Program for the World
As you know, we are currently in the church age. As you may know that our Lord Jesus Christ Mission on this earth contains Past, Present, and Future aspects. The past aspect of His Mission happened in His first advent to this earth which happened more than 2000 years ago including His Birth, His Baptism by John the baptist, His 3.5 years of gospel preaching and healing ministry, and His Death at the Cross to redeem His Church, and His Resurrection, and His Ascension. With the advent of the Holy Spirit, we are in the current church age to spread the gospel to the end of the world. As a believer, we shall not be ignorant on the future aspect of His Mission which includes the Rapture, the Tribulation period, and His second coming to judge the world, and to establish the Millennium Kingdom on this earth. His Future aspect also include the White Throne judgement and the creation of New heaven and New Earth to house the heavenly  Jerusalem for the eternal state.
(1) 我們處在上帝對世界計劃中的位置
如你所知，我們目前處於教會時代。 您可能知道，我們的主耶穌基督在地球上的使命包含過去、現在和未來的各個方面。 祂使命的過去發生在祂第一次降臨世間時，這發生在 2000 多年前，包括祂的出生、施洗約翰對 祂的洗禮、祂 3.5 年的福音傳道和醫治事工，以及祂在十字架上為救贖他的教會而死、他的複活和他的升天。 隨著聖靈的降臨，我們正處於當前的教會時代，要將福音傳到世界的盡頭。 作為信徒，我們不會對他使命的未來方面一無所知，包括教會被提、災難時期和他的第二次降臨審判世界，並在地球上建立千禧王國。 他的未來方面還包括白色寶座的審判和新天新地的創造，以及天上耶路撒冷降臨的永恆狀態。

Without knowing the God’s program for the world, we will be confused and frustrated to the situations of the world. For example, the Scripture tells us clearly that the situation of the world will become worse and worse in evils and apostasy. As a believer, we should know that the next coming event is our Lord’s returning in the air to gather His church, (i.e., the rapture of the church) and after that  we will be judged at the seat of Christ for rewards and following that, the consummation of the Lamb’s wedding in heavens. Thus, it is very important, each of us prior to the Rapture, that we each faithfully build our own houses on the foundation of Christ which will stand the test of fire. This means that we should urgently and faithfully spread the gospel each day to honor our Lord and to love our brothers and sisters per our Lord’s commandment to us.
不知道上帝對世界的計劃，我們會對世界的情況感到困惑和沮喪。 例如，聖經清楚地告訴我們，在邪惡和背道中，世界的情況會越來越糟。 作為信徒，我們應該知道接下來的事件是我們的主在空中再來聚集他的教會（即教會被提)，之後我們將在基督的座位上接受審判以獲得獎賞，並隨之而來 ，羔羊在天上的婚宴的完成。 因此，非常重要的是，我們每個人在被提之前，都要在基督的基礎上忠實地自己建造經得起火考驗的房屋。 這意味著我們應該每天緊急而忠實地傳播福音，以榮耀我們的主，並按照我們的主對我們的誡命來並愛我們的兄弟姐妹。

(2) A Few Remarks on our New Year’s Resolutions.
From individual personal side, all of us should set a few new year’s resolutions. Listed below are a few examples for considerations:
* Maintain a regular prayer life as a key ingredient in communing with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our Lord. Always be honest and true with our Lord even in our failures.
* Forming healthy habits including eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water to maintain good physical health. Similarly pursue holiness and reading the Bible rather than wasting life in internet junks to avoid corruption of our souls.
* Use your tongue as a tool of grace and watch your language not to “cut” people
* Be  salt and  light in this world. Just remember salt is used to prevent corruption and light is used to show the road to prevent falls.
* Always do good as a good citizen in our community.
* Trust the Lord and praise Him always for His faithfulness and blessings in each day of 2023. 
* Enjoy our life as a gift from God and do not waste our time in internet chatters.
(2)關於我們新年計劃的一些建議
從個人的角度來看，我們所有人都應該制定一些新年的決議。 下面列出了一些考慮因素的例子：
* 保持規律的禱告生活是通過我們的主耶穌基督與天父相交的關鍵要素。 即使在我們的失敗中，也要始終對我們的主誠心和真實。
* 養成健康的習慣: 包括吃健康的食物和多喝水，以保持身體健康。 同樣追求聖潔和閱讀聖經，而不是在互聯網垃圾中浪費生命，以避免我們靈魂的腐敗。
* 用你的舌頭作為恩典的工具，注意你的語言不要“傷害”別人
* 在這個世界上做鹽和光。 請記住，鹽是用來防止腐敗的，而光是用來指明道路的，以防止跌倒。
* 作為我們社區的好公民，始終做好事。
* 享受我們的生活，因為生命是上帝的禮物，不要浪費我們的時間在網上聊天。
* 在 2023 年的每一天，相信主並永遠讚美祂的信實和祝福。

We all need to follow Apostle Paul’s encouragement of running a race for the goal’s reward. As a disciple of our Lord, we must spread the gospel, preach the bible, and do the good work to serve the needed. Forgetting our failures in 2022, we will run harder and faster forward toward the goal in 2023.
我們都需要遵循使徒保羅的鼓勵，為目標的獎賞而賽跑。 作為我們主的門徒，我們必須傳播福音，傳講聖經，並做好事為有需要的人服務。 忘記2022年的失敗，我們將朝著2023年的目標更努力、更快地奔跑。

Ephesians 5:15-20, Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

以弗所書 5:15-20 , 愛惜光陰
15 你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。 16 要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。 17 不要做糊塗人，要明白主的旨意如何。 18 不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩；乃要被聖靈充滿。 19 當用詩章、頌詞、靈歌彼此對說，口唱心和地讚美主。 20 凡事要奉我們主耶穌基督的名常常感謝父神。

All of us are under great stress due to on-going Covid pandemic plus high inflations of gasoline, food and daily need commodities. Furthermore, violence and evil deeds reflect that the world is rapidly deteriorating towards  lawless living conditions.
由於持續的 Covid 大流行以及汽油、食品和日常所需商品的高通脹，我們所有人都承受著巨大的壓力。 此外，暴力和惡行反映了世界正在迅速惡化為無法無天的生活條件。

 

What to live and How to live are indeed becoming a huge concern of many people.

Ephesians 5:15-20 gives us a practical guidance. We may ask why watch where and how to use our limited time is so important in an evil time. 
1. News Information available  is being biased and controlled.
2. Surfing on Internet is indeed a waste of time mostly.
3. We truly need our minds renewed each day by the Holy Spirit to be able to know what is true or deception. We may ask how does our minds are renewed? Pray a lot and get close to our Lord on our knees are a must.
4. We definitely need the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to ask our heavenly Father for the wisdom in Christ to live peacefully and joyful in this age.
5. Learn to practice loving our Mighty God with all of hearts, minds, and strength. And obey our Lord’s commands to love our brothers and sisters and do good to people.

怎麼活，怎樣活，確實成為了很多人非常關心的問題。以弗所書 5:15-20 給了我們一個實際的指導。 我們可能會問，為什麼在一個邪惡的時代，注意在哪里以及如何使用我們有限的時間如此重要。
1. 新聞 可用信息受到偏見和控制。
2. 花時間在互聯網上確實是浪費時間。
3. 我們真的需要每天被聖靈更新我們的思想，才能知道什麼是真實的或欺騙的。 我們可能會問，我們的心思如何更新？ 多多禱告，跪下親近我們的主是必須的。
4. 我們絕對需要主耶穌基督的平安。 我們需要向我們的天父祈求基督的智慧，讓我們在這個時代平安快樂地生活。
5. 學習練習全心全意地愛我們全能的上帝。 並遵守我們主的命令，愛我們的兄弟姐妹，為人做好事。
 

Do practice Philippians 4:6-7, “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
實踐腓立比書 4:6-7，“6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神； 7 神所賜出人意外的平安，必藉著基督耶穌保守你們的心懷意念。”

If we center at us: We will be worry, miserable, and stressed up. However, If we looks at our Lord Jesus Christ who is of infinitely worthy and of infinitely glory and who loves us infinitely even to die for you and me. We will be renewed to praise Him always and rejoice in Him always, Amen!
如果我們以自己為中心：我們會擔心、痛苦和壓力大。 然而，如果我們仰望我們的主耶穌基督，他是無限配稱、無限榮耀、無限愛我們，甚至為你我而死。 我們將得到更新，永遠讚美祂，永遠以祂為樂，阿門！

我們日用的飲食，今日賜給我們。
 

馬太福音 6:9-13, 主訓人的禱告
9 「所以，你們禱告要這樣說：『我們在天上的父，願人都尊你的名為聖， 10 願你的國降臨，願你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。 11 我們日用的飲食，今日賜給我們。 12 免我們的債，如同我們免了人的債。 13 不叫我們遇見試探，救我們脫離凶惡。因為國度、權柄、榮耀，全是你的，直到永遠。阿們。』

 

作為神的兒女，我們需要每天吃天父所提供的食物，才能長成基督的樣式。 我們的主在馬太福音 4 章 4 節中教導說，“4 耶穌回答說：“經上記著：‘人活著，不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裡所出的一切話。’”因此，我們每天的食物不僅 有物質的麵包，也有屬靈的米飯，就是聖經中神的話。

 

我們都知道，我們生活在一個腐敗邪惡的世界裡，我們每天都在這個世界上很容易被污染。 我們還記得，在約翰福音第 17 章，大祭司的禱告中，我們的主向天父祈求：“17 用真理使他們成聖； 你的話就是真理”。 因此，很明顯，每天默想神的話是我們日常飲食的關鍵成分。

 

鑑於這個教導，我們建議每天至少要有一節或多節經文和一些要點在我們的心裡默想。 例如，

 

示例 1 :  約翰福音 1:1-5
1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 2 這道太初與神同在。 3 萬物是藉著祂造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著祂造的。 4 生命在祂裡頭，這生命就是人的光。 5 光照在黑暗裡，黑暗卻不接受光。

I.A. 白天心裡默想/反思的要點
1. 聖經上記著的"道"，是一個充滿智慧和生命的人。 與西方的哲學智慧或東方的道有很大的不同，東方的道是所有智慧的知識。
2. 這個世界是由祂、為祂創造的，並由祂維持。 我總是對維持宇宙所需的力量感到驚訝並不斷感到驚訝。
3. 第 4 節需要大量安靜的反思。 全人類都需要在祂裡面的生命，沒有那生命，人就會在黑暗中：這是多麼準確地描繪當前世界形勢的方式。
4. — — —

 

示例 2:  羅馬書 12:1-2, 獻己於主當做活祭
12 所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們，將身體獻上，當做活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的，你們如此侍奉乃是理所當然的。 2 不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。

II.A. 白天心裡默想/反思的要點
1. 為什麼要獻上我們的身體作為活祭？ 請閱讀羅馬書 7 和 8 章。特別是 7:18、7:24-25、8:5-6、8:12-13。
2. 不要效法這個世界，世界的格局是什麼？ 見約翰一書 2:15-17。 權力、金錢、性和謊言是世界的模式。 當心互聯網色情的致命腐敗！
3. 更新我們的心思的主要方法是什麼？ 藉著聖靈開啟神的話在我們心裡的啟迪。。
4. 上帝對我們每個人的旨意是什麼？
5. — — — —
願我們每一個人，作為神的兒女，都有分於神的性情，得到慈愛的神每日賜給我們的食物的滋養，成為我們主的公義工具，榮耀祂！

 

 

Give us today our daily bread

 

Matthew 6:9-13

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: 
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from the evil one.’

 

As children of God, we need to eat our daily bread provided by our heavenly Father to grow in Christ’s likeness. Our Lord taught that in Matthew 4:4, “4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Thus, our daily bread not only has material bread but also has spiritual bread which is God’s words in the bible.

 

We all know that we are living in a corrupt and evil world and we are easily contaminated each day in this world. We also remember that in John 17, the High Priestly prayer, our Lord asked the Father “17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth”. Thus, it is clear that daily meditation of God’s words is a key ingredient of our daily bread.

 

In view of this teaching, we would like to suggest that each day we should have at least a bible verse or verses and a few points to meditate in our heart.  Two examples follow:

 

EXAMPLE I -  John 1:1-5, The Word Became Flesh, 
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

 

I.A  Key points to meditate/reflect during the day
1. The Word is a person embodied with all wisdom and life. There is a great difference from the western philosophical wisdom or eastern Tao which is the knowledge of all wisdom.
2. This world was created by Him, for Him, and is being maintained by Him. I was always amazed and continuously amazed by the power required to maintain the universe.
3. Verse 4 required lots of quiet reflection. All mankind need the life in Him and with that life, men will be in darkness: what an accurate way of portraying the current world situation.
4. ———

 

EXAMPLE II -  Romans 12:1-2. Romans 12:1-2, A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

II.A  Key points to meditate/reflect during the day
1. Why offer our bodies as living sacrifice? Please read Romans 7 and 8. Particularly, 7:18, 24-25, 8: 5-6, 8:12-13.
2. What are the patterns of the world? See 1 John 2:15-17. Power, money, sex, and lies are the patterns of the world. Watch out for the deadly corruptions of the pornography in the internet! 
3. What are the main ways of renewing our mind? By the enlightenment of God’s words  in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
4. What are the God’s wills for each of us?
— — — 

May all of us, as children of God, partake divine nature and are nourished by the daily bread provided to us by our merciful God, so that we can be a tool of righteousness used by our Lord for His glory!

我們的屬靈成長

 

我們基督徒的屬靈成長取決於“我們如何接受我們的主耶穌基督？”。 換句話說，耶穌基督在我們的日常生活中是如何重要！ 以下是我們可以檢查自己的一些事情。

1. 今天我想到耶穌基督是我的主嗎？
2. 或者這些天我太忙了，以至於我在日常交往中很少想到耶穌基督。
3. 我每天或每週或每月或偶爾學習或冥想聖經經文嗎？

 

如果我們離主這麼遠，我們應該認真地質疑自己是否真正的信主和真正的悔改。 我們可能會進一步問自己，是什麼事情/人/罪阻礙了我們與主的真正幸福。

我的主對我來說是最寶貴的嗎？ 主耶穌是我生命的中心嗎？

 

馬太福音 7:21-23
21 凡稱呼我『主啊，主啊』的人不能都進天國，唯獨遵行我天父旨意的人才能進去。 22 當那日，必有許多人對我說：『主啊，主啊，我們不是奉你的名傳道，奉你的名趕鬼，奉你的名行許多異能嗎？』 23 我就明明地告訴他們說：『我從來不認識你們。你們這些作惡的人，離開我去吧！』

 

作為基督徒，我們要堅信上帝永遠愛我們。 此外，我們的主愛我們到底。 因此，我們應該要盡心, 盡性、盡力來愛他。 我們要提醒自己，我們的力量確實微乎其微。 因此，我們應該一直祈禱，祈求上帝賜給我們智慧，讓我們完全依靠我們的主，而不是我們自己。

在我們的日常活動中，讓我們定睛在我們信心創始成終的主身上。

 

希伯來書 12:1-4, 主所愛的他必管教
12:1 我們既有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍著我們，就當放下各樣的重擔，脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程， 2 仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌。他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。 3 那忍受罪人這樣頂撞的，你們要思想，免得疲倦灰心。 4 你們與罪惡相爭，還沒有抵擋到流血的地步。

 

為了我們的屬靈成長，我們只需要愛我們的主並每天跟隨他！

 

 

Our Spiritual Growth

 

Our Christian spiritual growth depends upon “how we receive our Lord Jesus Christ?”. In other words, how important is Jesus Christ in our daily life! Here are a few things that we can examine ourselves. 

1. Do I think of Jesus Christ as my Lord today? 
2. Or I was so busy these days that I seldom think of Jesus Christ in my daily dealings.
3. Do I study or meditate the Bible verses daily or weekly or monthly or occasionally?

 

If we are wandering so far away from the Lord, we should seriously question ourselves about genuine of our faith and true repentance. We may further ask ourselves what things/persons/sins which causes this hindrance to our true happiness with our Lord.

 

Is my Lord most precious to me? Is my Lord the center of my life? 

Matthew 7:21-23, True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

 

As a Christian, we shall firmly believe that God loves us always. Furthermore, our Lord loves us to the end. Thus, we should love Him with our heart, mind, and strength. We shall remind ourselves that we are indeed with little strength. Thus we should pray all the time asking God to give us wisdom to fully rely upon our Lord and not ourselves.

 

In our daily activities, let us fix our eyes on our Lord who is the  author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-4, The Race of Faith
12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

For our spiritual growth, we just need to love our Lord and follow Him daily!

 

 

True and False Believer (Part 2) 
真假信徒（第 2 部分）

In the earlier article on the same subject (True and False Believer (Part 1) , we indicated that it is not what you said, but what you did that shows what you are. Here we want to warn ourselves that any faithful behavior and our holiness are not due to our will or effort but on God’s mercy. (See Roman 9:16)
在之前關於同一主題的文章中(真假信徒 (第 1 部分））, 我們指出不是你說了什麼，而是你做了什麼，這表明了你是什麼。 在這裡，我們要警告自己，任何忠誠的行為和我們的聖潔都不是出於我們的意志或努力，而是出於上帝的憐憫。 （見羅馬書 9:16）

 

Furthermore, the Scripture clear teaches in Ephesians 2:8-9, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. “
此外，聖經在以弗所書 2:8-9 清楚地教導 “8 你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信。這並不是出於自己，乃是神所賜的； 9 也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇。”

 

In this regard, John Wesley expounded this truth plainly. “By that faith in His life, death, and intercession for us, renewed from moment to moment, we are every whit clean. “ By the same faith, we feel the power of Christ every moment resting upon us, by which alone we are what we are. By this alone, we are enabled to continue in spiritual life.”
對此，約翰衛斯理清楚地闡述了這個道理。 “憑著對祂的生、死和為我們代求的信心，時時刻刻都在更新，我們變得一塵不染”。 “憑著同樣的信仰，我們每時每刻都感受到基督的力量臨到我們身上，唯有靠著這一點，我們才是真正的信徒。 僅憑這一點，我們就能繼續精神生活。”

 

Finally, we shall always remember the following:

* Fix our mind and heart on our Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith:
Hebrew 12:1-2,”12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 

* It is By God’s grace always

1 Corinthians 1:29-30, "29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

 

* We need to carry out the will of our God for us in Christ
 1 Thesolonians 5:16- 20,   "16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

最後，我們將永遠記住以下幾點：

* 將我們的思想和心靈集中在我們的主耶穌基督-[我們信仰的創始者和完成者]：希伯來書 12:1-2, “12 我們既有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍著我們，就當放下各樣的重擔，脫去容易纏累我們的罪，存心忍耐，奔那擺在我們前頭的路程， 2 仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌。他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。”
* 永遠是上帝的恩典：哥林多前書 1:29-30, “29 使一切有血氣的，在神面前一個也不能自誇。 30 但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖。”
* 我們需要執行神在基督里對我們的旨意:帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-20, “16 要常常喜樂， 17 不住地禱告， 18 凡事謝恩，因為這是神在基督耶穌裡向你們所定的旨意。 19 不要消滅聖靈的感動， 20 不要藐視先知的講論。”

 

 

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True and False Believer (Part 1) 

It is not what you said but what you did that shows what you are.

Matthew 7:21, True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
In the end time, many fake news, false religion, fake church leaders, and anti-Christs claim all kinds of truth. So our Lord teaches us so clearly that it is the truth faith in your heart, not the self deceptive pride in your mind that demonstrates true discipleship. 

真假信徒 (第 1 部分）
不是你說了什麼，而是你做了什麼，這表明了你是什麼人。

馬太福音 7:21
21 凡稱呼我『主啊，主啊』的人不能都進天國，唯獨遵行我天父旨意的人才能進去。

在末世，許多假新聞、假宗教、假教會領袖、反基督者聲稱各種真理。 所以我們的主如此清楚地教導我們，是你心中的真理信仰，而不是你頭腦中的自欺欺人的驕傲，來表明了真正的門徒身份。

 

Psalm 51:16-17, 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 

All Christians need to seek God early and alert as Ps 5:3 reminds us, “ 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.”

詩篇 51:16-17, 16 你本不喜愛祭物，若喜愛，我就獻上，燔祭你也不喜悅。
17 神所要的祭就是憂傷的靈，神啊，憂傷痛悔的心，你必不輕看。

正如詩篇 5:3 提醒我們的那樣，所有基督徒都需要及早和警覺地尋求上帝，
“ 3 耶和華啊，早晨你必聽我的聲音；早晨我必向你陳明我的心意，並要警醒”。

 

Let us listen to our Lord’s teaching in John 14:21, John 14:21, “21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” . 
Let our love to our Lord is demonstrated through our relationship with Him and our devotion to keep His commandments.
讓我們聽主在約翰福音 14:21的教導，愛主的必遵守主道
21 「有了我的命令又遵守的，這人就是愛我的。愛我的必蒙我父愛他，我也要愛他，並且要向他顯現。」
讓我們對主的愛，通過我們與他的關係和遵守他的誡命的忠誠來表現出來。

 

Finally, in all circumstances we shall always remember that our Lord love us to the end. He will preserve us to the end just as his promise in John 6:37-40, “37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
最後，在任何情況下，我們都將永遠記住我們的主愛我們到底。 正如他在約翰福音 6:37-40 中的應許，他會保守我們到底:
約翰福音 6:37-40
37 凡父所賜給我的人，必到我這裡來；到我這裡來的，我總不丟棄他。 38 因為我從天上降下來，不是要按自己的意思行，乃是要按那差我來者的意思行。 39 差我來者的意思就是：他所賜給我的，叫我一個也不失落，在末日卻叫他復活。 40 因為我父的意思是叫一切見子而信的人得永生，並且在末日我要叫他復活。」

 

That is why that we shall not be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6, “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” 

He is our Helper and Our Sustainer and our Mighty Lord just as Ps 103:1-5, “ 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
這就是為什麼我們不會為任何事情憂慮的原因。腓立比書 4:6
6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。
正如詩篇 103:1-5 一樣，他是我們的幫助者、支持者和全能的主。
詩篇 103:1-5, 頌美耶和華之恩惠慈愛, 1 我的心哪，你要稱頌耶和華；凡在我裡面的，也要稱頌他的聖名！ 2 我的心哪，你要稱頌耶和華，不可忘記他的一切恩惠。3 他赦免你的一切罪孽，醫治你的一切疾病。4 他救贖你的命脫離死亡，以仁愛和慈悲為你的冠冕。5 他用美物使你所願的得以知足，以致你如鷹返老還童。

 

Therefore, let us follow the example of Apostle Paul running singly toward our goal as taught in 2 Timothy 1:12, “12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day”.

May all of us do the deeds reflecting our faith and our love of our precious Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
因此，讓我們效法使徒保羅的榜樣，直朝著我們的目標奔跑，正如 提摩太後書 1:12 中所教導的:
提摩太後書 1:12, “12 為這緣故，我也受這些苦難，然而我不以為恥，因為知道我所信的是誰，也深信他能保全我所交付他的，直到那日”。

願我們所有人的行為，都能反映出我們對我們寶貴的主耶穌基督的信心和愛，阿們。

On the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ (Revised Version)

關於我們主耶穌基督的洗禮 (修訂版）

 

The scriptural revelations of our Lord’s baptism shall teach all professed Christians a great deal about our own identification with Jesus Christ our Lord. The following are a few reminders to share. 

我們主的洗禮的聖經啟示，將教導所有自稱基督徒的人，很多關於我們自己與我們的主耶穌基督的認同。 以下是一些提醒，與大家分享。

 

I. His Baptism Represents His willingness to Identify with His People.  

 

We should look at this topic from the divine prospective. Our Lord was tasked by His Father before the foundation of the world to come to save His people from sin.

 

1 Peter 1:18-20, “18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”

 

I. 祂的洗禮是祂願意認同祂的子民 

我們應該從神的角度來看這個話題。 在創世之前，我們的主被祂的父所委託，要來拯救祂的子民脫離罪惡。

彼得前書 1:18-20, 18 知道你們得贖，脫去你們祖宗所傳流虛妄的行為，不是憑著能壞的金銀等物， 19 乃是憑著基督的寶血，如同無瑕疵、無玷汙的羔羊之血。 20 基督在創世以前是預先被神知道的，卻在這末世才為你們顯現。

 

You might ask what does it means to identify with His people. Since the Fall of Adam and Eve, the mankind has been subjected to the consequences of sin. So, you might have another question about the consequences of sin. This was clearly taught in the scripture, among them are:

 

I.A - Romans 1:19-23, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

 

I.B - Ephesians 2:1-3, 2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

 

你可能會問，認同祂的子民是什麼意思。 自從亞當和夏娃墮落以來，人類就一直承受著罪惡的後果。 所以，你可能會問一個問題，關於罪的後果是什麼。 這在聖經中有明確的教導，其中包括：

 

I.A.  羅馬書 1:19-23, “19 神的事情人所能知道的，原顯明在人心裡，因為神已經給他們顯明。 20 自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。 21 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。 22 自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙， 23 將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。”

 

I.B. 以弗所書 2:1-3, “2 你們死在過犯罪惡之中，他叫你們活過來。 2 那時你們在其中行事為人，隨從今世的風俗，順服空中掌權者的首領，就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。 3 我們從前也都在他們中間，放縱肉體的私慾，隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行，本為可怒之子，和別人一樣。”

 

Thus, to identify with His people means  that Jesus is identifying Himself completely with sinful mankind.  In other words, He willingly gave up His heavenly glory and the Word became flesh on this earth to save His people. He humbled Himself and identified with His people, “ 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-“ (See  Philippians 2:6-8) . 

 

We are unable even to begin comprehending this sacrificing love unless we fully appreciate that He knew no sin. Just like 2 Corinthians 5:21, 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This was prophesied in Old Testament in Isaiah 53:12, “12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

 

因此，認同祂的子民意味著耶穌完全認同有罪的人類。 換句話說，祂甘願放棄他屬天的榮耀，道成肉身在地上拯救祂的子民。 祂謙卑自己，認同祂的子民，” 6 他本有神的形象，不以自己與神同等為強奪的， 7 反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形象，成為人的樣式； 8 既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服以至於死，且死在十字架上。” (腓立比書 2:6-8). 

 

除非我們完全明白祂不知道任何罪，否則我們甚至無法開始理解這種刻骨銘心的愛。 就像 哥林多後書 5:21, "21 神使那無罪的替我們成為罪，好叫我們在他裡面成為神的義”。這是舊約以賽亞書 53:12 中的預言，”12 所以我要使他與位大的同分，與強盛的均分擄物。因為他將命傾倒以至於死，他也被列在罪犯之中，他卻擔當多人的罪，又為罪犯代求。”.

 

II. His Baptism Means His Death. 

 

As He submerged into water in His baptism, He identified with His people and died to take upon the penalties of the sin of His people. In Him, He is always sinless. Death is the penalty of sin. He took on all our sins onto Himself, not in Him, and “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us” and  as a consequence physically  He was numbered with the transgressors and died at the cross to pay the penalty of sin. Matthew 20:28, 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

II. 祂的洗禮就是代表祂的死 

當祂在洗禮中浸入水中時，祂認同他的子民並為承擔祂子民的罪孽而死。 在祂裡面，祂永遠是無罪的。 死亡是罪的刑罰。神將我們所有的罪都轉嫁到祂自己身上，而不是在祂裡面，就是“神使那無罪的為我們成為罪”，因此，祂在肉體上與犯罪者同列，並死在十字架上以償還罪的刑罰 . 馬太福音 20:28, “28 正如人子來不是要受人的服侍，乃是要服侍人，並且要捨命做多人的贖價。”

 

 III. His Baptism Means His Resurrection: Always Lives to Intercede for Us, and Able to save completely those who come to God through Him

 

The believers of Jesus Christ not only identify with the Lord’s baptism with His death, but also identify with His baptism representing His resurrection as He emerged out of water. The righteousness of God is bestowed onto us through our “born again” by the Holy Spirit to participate with the resurrection of our Lord. 

 

III.A. He can save to the uttermost because He lives forever Just as Hebrews 7:24-25  teaches us, “24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them”. 

 

III.B. Because Christ Jesus is faithful

We shall confidently draw near to our heavenly Father with love and praises as ”22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. “(See Hebrews 10:19-23).  Praise God. What an amazing grace of our merciful God indeed!

 

III. 祂的洗禮也代表祂的復活：永遠活著為我們代求，能完全拯救那些靠著祂來到神的面前 

耶穌基督的信徒不僅認同主的受洗與祂的死，也認同祂的洗禮，祂從水里出來時所代表的復活。 上帝的公義是通過我們被聖靈“重生”賦予我們的，以參與我們主的復活。 

 

III.A. 祂都能拯救到底，因為祂是長遠活著

正如希伯來書 7:24-25 教導我們的那樣，”24 這位既是永遠常存的，他祭司的職任就長久不更換。 25 凡靠著他進到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底，因為他是長遠活著，替他們祈求”。 

 

III.B. 因為基督耶穌是信實的

我們將滿懷信心地以愛和讚美親近我們的天父，因為 “22 並我們心中天良的虧欠已經灑去，身體用清水洗淨了，就當存著誠心和充足的信心來到神面前。 23 也要堅守我們所承認的指望，不致搖動，因為那應許我們的是信實的”（見希伯來書 10：19-23)

感謝我們仁慈的上帝，這真是何等奇妙的恩典 !

 

III.C. Keep the Commandments of the Lord, Take up your cross and follow Him

We shall willingly take up our own crosses and follow Him. It should be clearly understood that I can not even die at my cross to save myself because my redemption needs   “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” to pay the penalty of my sin. So I take on my cross to follow Him is to identify with Him as my Savior and my Lord.

 

Just as 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 proclaims: 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

 

III.D. In this world, we identify with the Lord per His righteousness

We all shall hearken and obey our Lord’s Matthew 10:28-32 teaching on this important subject. “ 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven”.

 

III.C. 要遵守主的誡命，背起自己的十字架，跟隨祂

這意味著我們要遵守主的誡命，背起自己的十字架，跟隨祂。 應該清楚地知道，甚至我死在十字架上也不可能自己拯救自己，因為救贖需要“基督的寶血，無瑕疵的羔羊”來償還我的罪孽。所以，我背上十字架跟隨祂，就是認同祂是我的救主和我的主。

 

正如哥林多前書 1:30-31 所說：30 但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖。 31 如經上所記：「誇口的，當指著主誇口。」

 

III.D. 在這個世界上，我們認同主，是本乎祂的公義

我們都應聆聽並順服我們的主在這個重要主題上的教導。 馬太福音 10:28-32, “28 那殺身體不能殺靈魂的，不要怕他們；唯有能把身體和靈魂都滅在地獄裡的，正要怕他。 29 兩個麻雀不是賣一分銀子嗎？若是你們的父不許，一個也不能掉在地上。 30 就是你們的頭髮，也都被數過了。 31 所以，不要懼怕，你們比許多麻雀還貴重。 32 凡在人面前認我的，我在我天上的父面前也必認他”.

 

It is indeed our joy and our blessing to identify  ourselves with our Lord in this world even in situations of being afflicted by the devil because it is per His righteousness to do so, just as we are instructed in Hebrews 13:12-16: “12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

 

即使在被魔鬼折磨的情況下，在這個世界上，認同我們的主是我們的喜樂和祝福，因為這樣做是和乎祂的公義的，正如我們在希伯來書 13:12-16中得到的教導一樣: 希伯來書 13:12-16, 12 所以，耶穌要用自己的血叫百姓成聖，也就在城門外受苦。 13 這樣，我們也當出到營外，就了他去，忍受他所受的凌辱。 14 我們在這裡本沒有常存的城，乃是尋求那將來的城。 15 我們應當靠著耶穌，常常以頌讚為祭獻給神，這就是那承認主名之人嘴唇的果子。 16 只是不可忘記行善和捐輸的事，因為這樣的祭是神所喜悅的。

 

May all of us in all our daily living identify with our precious Lord Jesus our Savior and our Lord to honor Him in our lives, Amen!

 

願我們所有人在日常生活中，認同我們寶貴的主耶穌我們的救主和我們的主，在我們的生活中榮耀祂，阿們！

 

A Crazy World around Us 我們周圍的瘋狂世界

Many people are concerned about the world around us: crimes, covid 19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, and others such as inflation in our daily life. etc. Lately, mass shootings rampage in our world including racial hatred massacres and indiscriminate murdering of elementary school children and teachers. Many people are anxious and fearful about the evil trend of this world.  Many have asked in their hearts what are going on in this crazy world. Indeed, it appears that the world is getting crazier and darker everyday!

許多人關心我們周圍的世界：犯罪、covid 19 大流行、烏克蘭戰爭，以及我們日常生活中的通貨膨脹等其他問題等等。最近，大規模槍擊事件在我們的世界中肆虐，包括種族仇恨大屠殺和不分青紅皂白地謀殺小學兒童和教師。 許多人對這個世界的邪惡趨勢感到焦慮和恐懼。 很多人心裡都在問，這個瘋狂的世界到底是怎麼回事。 確實，世界似乎每天都變得越來越瘋狂和黑暗！

 

The late Dr.D.M. Lyoyd-Jones remarked in 1978: “Our world is in a state of utter confusion, and, alas, the same is true of the Christian Church and of many individual Christians”. Since the world abandoned God, we have had great difficulties in peace among nations, the problem of racism, relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and among people, homelessness, and on and on.

已故的 Dr.D.M. Lyoyd-Jones 在 1978 年評論說：“我們的世界處於完全混亂的狀態，唉，基督教會和許多基督徒個體也是如此”。 自從世界拋棄了上帝以後，我們在種種方面遇到了很大的困難:比如國家之間的和平、種族主義問題、夫妻、父母和孩子之間的關係、人與人之間、無家可歸等等。

 

Suggested below are a few to consider to maintain a positive mind set of “ in the world but not of the world”:

1. Let return to the Bible to see our true relationship to Him.
2. Let always keep in our hearts that God  does love mankind always.  Do not fall into the devil’s lie that God hates you. (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9)
3. We shall be convicted that God is sovereign and He is in control and mandates the final ending of this world. (See Rev 21 and Rev 22)
4. We should first see all things through the perspectives of God as revealed  in the Bible and we should not be egocentric and self absorbed in our opinions and interests.
5. God’s purposes in the human history are to bring all things above, in the earth, and below the earth into one under Christ Jesus and in Him. (Eph 1:10)
6. Know what to be and to live as Christians. Pray to God to enlighten the eyes of our understanding of the Church and the world.
7. Live to give glory to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

下面建議考慮一些以保持“在世界上但不屬於世界”的積極心態

1. 讓我們回到聖經，看看我們與上帝的真實關係。
2. 讓我們永遠銘記上帝永遠愛人類。 不要陷入上帝恨你的魔鬼謊言。 （約翰福音 3:16，彼得後書 3:9）
3. 我們將確信上帝是至高無上的，他掌管著這個世界，並規定了這個世界的最終結局。(啟示錄 21-22)
4. 我們首先應該以聖經所啟示的上帝視角看待一切，不應該以自我為中心，專心於自己的觀點和興趣。
5. 神在人類歷史上的目的是要使天上、地上和地下的萬有在基督耶穌之下並在祂裡面合而為一.(以弗所書1:10)
6. 知道如何成為基督徒，如何生活。 祈求天主啟迪我們對教會和世界的理解。
7. 藉著我們的主耶穌基督活出榮耀歸給神。

 

Please meditate on Ephesians 1:17-23.

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

 

請默想以弗所書1:17-23。
17 求我們主耶穌基督的神、榮耀的父，將那賜人智慧和啟示的靈賞給你們，使你們真知道他。 18 並且照明你們心中的眼睛，使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望，他在聖徒中得的基業有何等豐盛的榮耀； 19 並知道他向我們這信的人所顯的能力是何等浩大， 20 就是照他在基督身上所運行的大能大力，使他從死裡復活，叫他在天上坐在自己的右邊， 21 遠超過一切執政的、掌權的、有能的、主治的和一切有名的，不但是今世的，連來世的也都超過了； 22 又將萬有服在他的腳下，使他為教會做萬有之首。 23 教會是他的身體，是那充滿萬有者所充滿的。​

 

 

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Reality and Virtual Metaverse Reality 現實與元宇宙虛擬現實

 

Due to technology advances, artificial intelligent can create all kinds of images and dynamic interactions to provide a framework for artificial games and/or metaverse worlds. When people are frustrated with issues of daily life, they can be tricked and addicted to games and visual reality metaverse frameworks.

It will become harder and harder to discern truth meaning of human existence mostly because of the world’s rejection of our Creator God. It is important to look at the night sky once awhile to remind us the true reality. Just look at the sparkling stars and various arrangement of starry constellations from our earthly viewing perspective. The universe is indeed so big that it may be even beyond our own  current observational technology to “see” the far side of the universe. 

由於技術的進步，人工智能可以創建各種圖像和動態交互，為人工遊戲和虛擬現實元宇宙提供框架。 當人們對日常生活問題感到沮喪時，他們可能會被遊戲和元宇宙視覺虛擬現實框架所欺騙和沈迷。

主要是因為世界拒絕我們的造物主上帝，將越來越難以辨別人類存在的真理意義。 偶爾看看夜空來提醒我們真現實是很重要的。 只需從我們地球的視角看閃閃發光的星星和各種排列的星座。 宇宙確實如此之大，以至於甚至可能超出我們目前的觀測技術才能“看到”宇宙的另一面。

There are a few observations that we can be assured of:

1. Our sky shows existence of other planets, stars, nebulae, and star dusts. In other words, there are trillions of galaxies beyond our MilkyWay galaxy. Genesis1:16-18, “16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good”.Psalms 96:5,”For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens.”; Ps 97:6,“ The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory.”; and Ps 8:1,3.“ Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth,You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have set in place;”

我們可以確信以下幾點：

1. 我們的天空顯示了其他行星、恆星、星雲和星塵的存在。 換句話說，在我們的銀河系之外還有數百萬億個星系。創世記 1:16-18, “16 於是神造了兩個大光，大的管晝，小的管夜，又造眾星。 17 就把這些光擺列在天空，普照在地上， 18 管理晝夜，分別明暗。神看著是好的 ”; 詩篇 96:5

“5 外邦的神都屬虛無，唯獨耶和華創造諸天”; 詩篇 97:6, “6 諸天表明他的公義，萬民看見他的榮耀”; 詩篇 8:1, 3 “1 耶和華我們的主啊，你的名在全地何其美，你將你的榮耀彰顯於天！ 3 我觀看你指頭所造的天，並你所陳設的月亮星宿”。

2. Looking at what we know about the environmental conditions of other planets, our earth is indeed endowed with rare livable settings such as temperature, air, ocean currents, and fresh water, etc. In other word, all human beings do enjoy this universal blessing from our Creator. Genesis 1:5-10, “5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning, one day. 6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and separated the waters that were below the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “heaven.” And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. 9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of the waters He called “seas”; and God saw that it was good.”

2. 看看我們對其他星球的環境狀況的了解，我們的地球確實擁有難得的宜居環境，如溫度、空氣、洋流、淡水等。也就是說，全人類都享受著來自我們的創造主的普世恩惠。創世記 1:5-10, ”5 神稱光為晝，稱暗為夜。有晚上，有早晨，這是頭一日。6 神說：「諸水之間要有空氣，將水分為上下。」 7 神就造出空氣，將空氣以下的水、空氣以上的水分開了。事就這樣成了。 8 神稱空氣為天。有晚上，有早晨，是第二日。9 神說：「天下的水要聚在一處，使旱地露出來。」事就這樣成了。 10 神稱旱地為地，稱水的聚處為海。神看著是好的”。

3. By observing the creation of animal and plants, they are indeed following their design functions such as propagation through their own seeds. Genesis 1:11, 20-24,”11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kind with seed in them”; and it was so.”, ”20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21 And God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kind: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according to their kind”; and it was so”.

3. 通過觀察動物和植物的創造，它們確實遵循了它們的設計功能，例如通過自己的種子繁殖。創世記 1:11, 20-24,  “11 神說：「地要發生青草和結種子的菜蔬，並結果子的樹木，各從其類，果子都包著核。」事就這樣成了。20 神說：「水要多多滋生有生命的物，要有雀鳥飛在地面以上、天空之中。」 21 神就造出大魚和水中所滋生各樣有生命的動物，各從其類；又造出各樣飛鳥，各從其類。神看著是好的。 22 神就賜福給這一切，說：「滋生繁多，充滿海中的水，雀鳥也要多生在地上。」 23 有晚上，有早晨，是第五日。24 神說：「地要生出活物來，各從其類；牲畜、昆蟲、野獸，各從其類。」事就這樣成了”。
4. A human being is indeed quite unique from other creatures. Our ancestors have languages, invented tools, and moral values which are far more advanced than other animal species. Genesis 1:27-30, “ 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.”

4. 人類確實與其他生物完全不同。 我們的祖先擁有比其他動物物種先進得多的語言、發明的工具和道德價值觀。創世記 1:27-30,”27 神就照著自己的形象造人，乃是照著他的形象，造男造女。 28 神就賜福給他們，又對他們說：「要生養眾多，遍滿地面，治理這地，也要管理海裡的魚、空中的鳥和地上各樣行動的活物。」 29 神說：「看哪，我將遍地上一切結種子的菜蔬和一切樹上所結有核的果子，全賜給你們做食物。 30 至於地上的走獸和空中的飛鳥，並各樣爬在地上有生命的物，我將青草賜給牠們做食物。」事就這樣成了”。

Thus, what we see are quite consistent with the teachings of the Bible concerning the Creation. It seems to me that unless human beings truly repent and return to the blessings of our Creator, we will be blinded by the devil who is the usurper of the world. In other words, each individual should make individual decision if he/she should return to the special blessings of God of receiving eternal life through his/her faith in Jesus Christ’s redemptive work at the Cross.

總的來說，我們所看到的與聖經關於創造的教義非常一致。
在我看來，除非人類真正悔改並回歸造物主的祝福，否則我們將被篡奪世界的魔鬼所蒙蔽。 換句話說，每個人都應該做出個人決定，他/她是否應該通過個人對耶穌基督在十字架上的救贖工作的信仰回到上帝的特殊祝福中獲得永生。

Through chaos of the world including wars, disasters, and evils, each of us are indeed longing for peace and stability of our living environment. We have long lost our basic expectations toward our leaders to stump out evils  in our societies. Thus, it is about time that we shall all urgently forsake the evil ways of our own destruction and return to our Creator to beg His forgiveness on our vicious rebellion against Him. May our merciful God have mercies on us all!

經歷了世界的混亂，包括戰爭、災難和邪惡，我們每個人都渴望生活環境的和平與穩定。 我們早已失去了對我們的領導人在我們的社會中剷除邪惡的基本期望。 因此，正是時候了，我們都應該迫切地放棄自我毀滅的邪惡方式，回到我們的造物主面前，請求他原諒我們對他的惡毒悖逆。 願我們仁慈的上帝憐憫我們所有人！

 

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耶穌基督說：”....是要叫你們在我裡面有平安 ....”

 

自 2019 年末/ 2020 年初以來，世界一直處於 Covid 19 的大流行狀態。在對人類造成一年半多的可怕後果之後，我們現在看到 Covid 19 病例通過其變種激增，尤其是更易傳播 Delta變種。 隨心而言，大多數人都對這種流行病感到厭煩，但對控制這種可怕疾病的進展非常緩慢感到沮喪。 作為基督徒，我們更深切關注社會正在走向的發展方向，例如許多大城市犯罪活動的猖獗，以及摒棄法律秩序、家庭、婚姻等傳統社會價值觀的”覺醒文化”(woke culture)趨勢。

在互聯網和社交媒體的時代，少數的人只要有聲有色大言不慚，就可以製造虛假的敘述來支配沉默的大多數。 然而，這種隱藏的欺騙策略已經開始喚醒許多保守派人士。 正如聖經清楚地指出，世界變得混亂是因為所謂精英的頭腦昏暗，誤入歧途和徒勞無功。

羅馬書 1:20-21
20 自從造天地以來，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉。 21 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。

因此，除非我們的社會悔改歸向上帝，否則隨著我們臨近末日，我們的社會將變得越來越糟。

個人能做什麼！ 作為基督徒，我們相信上帝完全掌管一切。 為什麼？ 因為聖經是這麼說的。

啟示錄 1:8
8 主神說：「我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛，是昔在、今在、以後永在的全能者。」

以賽亞書 46:10
10 我從起初指明末後的事，從古時言明未成的事，說：『我的籌算必立定，凡我所喜悅的，我必成就。』

因此，我們相信上帝愛我們，他會祝福那些愛他的獨生子，我們主耶穌基督的人。 我們的主深愛著我們，並且告訴我們：

約翰福音 16:33
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。」

此外，我們依賴上帝的應許，包括但不限於以下聖經經文；

羅馬書 8:26-28, 愛神者萬事得益

26 況且，我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助。我們本不曉得當怎樣禱告，只是聖靈親自用說不出來的嘆息替我們禱告。 27 鑒察人心的，曉得聖靈的意思，因為聖靈照著神的旨意替聖徒祈求。 28 我們曉得萬事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處，就是按他旨意被召的人。

 

 

Jesus Christ says : “ in Me you may have peace …“

The world has been in an epidemic of Covid 19 since late 2019/early 2020. After more than a year and a half of dire consequences to the human race, we now see the up surges of Covid 19 cases through its variants, particularly more transmissible Delta variant. It is fair to say that most people are sick of this epidemic, yet is frustrated about the very slow progress of controlling this dreadful disease. As christians, we are further deeply concerned about the direction that our societies are heading such as the rampage of crimes in many big cities and a trend of woke culture in abandoning traditional societal values including law and order, family, and marriage.

As part of the internet and social media era, just a few people who are vocal and active can create a false narrative to dominate a silent majority. However, this hidden deceptive strategy has begun to wake up many conservative people. As the Bible clearly states that the world get haywire because the minds of so-called elites  were darken and  got astray and futile.

Romans 1:20-21
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

So unless our society repents and return to God, our society will get worse and worse as we approach the end time.

What can individual do ! As christians, we are confident that God is in full control. Why? Because the Bible says so.

Revelation 1:8
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Isaiah 46:10
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Thus, we are confident that God loves us and He will bless those who loves His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. And our Lord loves us dearly and fore tell us:

John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Furthermore, we depend upon God’s promises including but not limited to;

Romans 8:26-28
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

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隨時隨地傳播耶穌基督的福音

根據馬太福音28：18-20，所有基督徒都有傳播依靠耶穌基督得救贖的任務。
馬太福音 28:18-20
18 耶穌進前來，對他們說：「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。 19 所以你們要去，使萬民做我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗， 20 凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守。我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」
至關重要的是，我們所有人都必須遵循這一命令，來傳播福音給今天與我們會面的人們。提醒自己這個莊嚴的職責非常重要。對我們來說，我們可以很容易地接觸到一些人來傳福音（例如接近我們的父母、配偶或孩子)，與他們談論通過我們主耶穌基督得永生的好消息。由於我們不知道誰將成為上帝的兒女，我們只是盡我們的職責將福音傳播給他們。
因此，讓我們今天按照我們的呼召，做一些有永恆價值的事情，把好消息傳給來到我們周圍的人！ 如果您是我們的主內兄弟姐妹，並且願意免費分享一篇關於您傳播福音經驗的文章，我們將很榮幸在此發布您的文章。
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Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ Anytime, Anywhere
 

According to Matthew 28:18-20, all Christians have the privilege duty of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation to people around them.  Matthew 28:18-20,
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It is essential that all of us must follow this command to spread the gospel to the people who meet with us today. It is very important to remind ourselves of this solemn duty. For us, we can easily access some people (such as our parents, spouses or children) for talking  the good news to them about receiving eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Since we don't know who will be the children of God, we just do our part to spread the gospel to them.
Therefore, let us do something of eternal value today according to our calls, and spread the good news to those around us! If you are a brother or sister in faith and would like to share freely an article about your experience in spreading the gospel, we will be honored to publish your article herein.

 

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誰是基督的仇敵 
被魔鬼控制的世界是反對我們的主耶穌基督。如果可以，這樣的世界也會折磨傷害教會。我們的主在約翰福音 15:18-20 中非常清楚地警告我們，
“18 「世人若恨你們，你們要知道，他們在恨你們以前已經恨我了。 19 你們若屬世界，世界會愛屬自己的；只因你們不屬世界，而是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。 20 你們要記得我對你們說過的話：『僕人不大於主人。』他們若迫害了我，也會迫害你們，他們若遵守了我的話，也會遵守你們的話”。
現在我們可能會問，誰是恨基督的人，誰是恨基督徒的人？
既然起訴折磨教會的人有權這樣做，那麼我們可以說恨基督的世界就是那些被恨基督的人控制的政府。從歷史上看，這一類敵人是各種帝國，其國王將自己崇拜為神。在現代，這將包括違背聖經中關於生命和婚姻的價值觀的政府。
“誰是基督的仇敵”這個話題應該是教會聖經學習小組的一個重要話題。

一個不知道“誰是教會的敵人”的基督徒，是不會，也是沒有準備好捍衛自己信仰的人。因此無法成為一個有效的信徒，在這個世界上做主的工作。
示例 1：作為基督徒，你怎麼能支持無神論者等基督的敵人？
示例 2：作為基督徒，你怎麼能支持一個反對聖經教導的政客的政策，比如墮胎殺死無辜的嬰兒!

 

Who Are Enemies of Christ 
The world controlled by the devil is against Jesus Christ our Lord. Such a world will also prosecute the churches if it can. Our Lord warns us very clearly in John 15:18-20,
“18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
Now we may ask who are those who hate Christ and who are those who hate Christians?
Since those who prosecute churches would have the power to do that, so we can say the world who hates Christ are those governments controlled by people who hate Christ. Historically, this category of enemies are various empires whose kings worship themselves as gods. In modern time, this will include governments which are against the biblical values of life and marriage.
The topic of “who are enemies of Christ” should be a great topic for the Bible study groups in churches.

A Christian who is ignorant of “who are the church’s enemy”, is ill-prepared to defend his/her own faith and hence cannot be an effective believer in carrying out actions of faith in this world. 
Example 1: Being a Christian, how can you support  an enemy of Christ such as atheists? Example 2: Being a Christian, how can you support policies of a politician who is against the biblical teaching such as prohibition of the abortion to kill innocent babies.

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所有基督徒都必須警醒！
如您所知，我們處於末日時代。 末日之時，邪惡橫行。 無法無天。 通過個人社交媒體，互聯網上出現了各種虛假預言，試圖欺騙或浪費您的時間。 同樣，假新聞或虛假信息出現在各種搜索引擎中，通過他們的隱藏議程向您提供他們希望您擁有的信息。

為什麼我們必須警醒？ 簡單的說。 我們正受到來自四面八方的攻擊：通過偏見媒體、通過隨機暴力、通過教育系統中的自由和社會主義者議程、通過 Covid-19 病毒流行以及通過教會內外許多腐敗的領導人。 如果您知道這一點，您應該知道該怎麼做。

要注意什麼？ 下面列出了一些相互鼓勵的提醒:
 * 保護您的心免受腐敗。
*  保護您的家人。
 * 向邪惡發聲。
 * 確保您有幾個基督徒朋友互相支持。
 * 每天選擇幾節聖經經文來默想聖經經文。
 * 每天禱告數次，信賴我們慈悲的主。
 * 做好扶貧工作。
 * 如果您是教會的領袖，請確保捍衛聖經價值觀，並應非常關心您所照顧的教會兄弟姐妹的靈性成長。

 

All Christians Must Wake Up and Watch Out!

 

As you know, we are in the end time. At the end time, evils rampage. Lawless prevails. There are all kind of false prophecies appearing in the internet through the individual social media trying to deceive or waste your time. Similarly, fake news or false information appear in various search engines feeding you the information they want you to have through their hidden agenda.

 

Why we must wake up? Simply put. We are being attacked from all sides: through bias media, through random violence, through liberal agenda in educational system, through Covid-19 virus epidemic, and through many leaders who are corrupt inside and outside churches. If you know this, you should know what to do. 

 

What to watch out? Listed below are a few reminders to encourage each other:
 * Protect your heart from corruption.
 * Protect your family.
 * Speak out against evils.
 * Make sure that you have a few Christian friends to mutually supporting each other.
 * Select a few Bible verses to meditate on the Bible verses each day.
 * Pray several times a day to trust our merciful Lord.
 * Do good work to help needy.
 * If you are leader of a church, make sure that you shall defend the biblical values and  should very concern about the spiritual growth of your church  brothers and sisters under your care.

 

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基督徒不應該對邪惡保持沉默
你知道為什麼這麼多基督徒被世界欺騙嗎？ 你可能會問這是什麼意思？ 許多所謂的基督徒對這個世界非常自在。 他們屬於世界是因為他們忘記了正在進行的屬靈爭戰？ 你知道嗎。 許多教會成員對世界體系非常滿意。 他們不覺得與世界有任何衝突，因為他們是世界的一部分。 這些所謂的基督徒不學習聖經，而是出於交朋友原因去教堂。

讓我問你一個問題。 為什麼世界會恨耶穌基督？ 你可能會問為什麼這麼說？ 如果您甚至無法回答這個問題，很可能你離聖經真理太遠了，以至於你確實被這個世界危險地欺騙了。
我再問你一個問題。 為什麼使徒保羅說，就他而言，他把世界釘在十字架上，同樣地，世界也把使徒保羅釘在十字架上。你知道世界釘死每個基督徒的意思嗎？
 

事實上，你可以很容易地分辨出這些所謂的基督徒是誰，因為他們對世界上的一切都很好。 他們想取悅所有人，想當好好先生，不想與任何人發生衝突。 他們願意或默認地冒犯耶穌而不是世界。 他們實際上是惡魔的代理人，即披著羊皮的狼或偽裝成天使的惡魔。
 

如果你是基督徒，那就捍衛你的信仰吧！ 這意味著在邪惡面前不要沉默。 捍衛聖經價值觀，站在你的主耶穌基督一邊！

 

Christians should not maintain silence at evils

Do you know why so many christians are deceived by the world? You may ask what do you mean by that? Many so called Christians are very comfortable with the world. They are of the world because they forget that there is a spiritual war going on? You know what. Many church members are very comfortable with the world system. They do not feel any conflicts with the world because they are part of the world. These so-called Christians do not study the Bible and they go to church for social gathering reasons. 

 

Let me ask you a question. Why would the world hate Jesus Christ? You may ask why do you say that? If you cannot even answer this question, most likely you are wandering so far away from the biblical truth that you are indeed dangerously deceived by the world.

Let me ask you another question. Why Apostle Paul said that as far as he was concerned, he crucified the world and similarly the world crucified Apostle Paul as well. Do you know the world crucifies every christian mean?

 

Actually, you can tell who are these so-called Christians very easily because they are OK with everything going in the world. They want to please everybody and they do not want any conflicts with anybody. They are willingly or tacitly to offend Jesus instead of the world. They are actually the agents of the the devil, i.e., the wolf in the sheep skin or the demon pretending to be angels.

 

If you are a Christian, then defend what you believe! This means do not be silent in the face of evils. Defend the biblical values and stand on the side of Jesus Christ your Lord!

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忠實的基督徒
有許多基督徒忠心地生活在這個變態的世界中。 您可能會問“忠心”是什麼意思。 “忠心”是指按照主耶穌基督的教導生活。
以下是幾個例子來彼此共勉。

 * 您知道為什麼神呼召我們成為祂的信徒嗎？ 讓我們回憶一下，我們的主在這方面的教導。 約翰福音 15:16, “16 不是你們揀選了我，是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，叫你們的果子常存，使你們奉我的名無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。” 因此，作為基督徒，我們最重要的目的之一就是去結果子。 這意味著邀請人們相信耶穌基督是他們個人的主和救主。 傳播福音並將我們的救主介紹給我們認識或遇到的人，是我們在這個世界上日常工作的關鍵。

 * 在“頂樓傳道”中，我們的主清楚地教導他的門徒為他作見證。 約翰福音 15:26-27, “26 但我要從父那裡差保惠師來，就是從父出來真理的聖靈；他來了，就要為我作見證。 27 你們也要作見證，因為你從起頭就與我同在” 。因此，我們也應該為祂作見證。

 * 所有基督徒都應該記住，我們在這個世界上的衝突是屬靈的。 以弗所書 6:12, “12 因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰，乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰”。因此，我們必須依靠聖靈的能力和在基督耶穌裡結果子。 我們不能自高自大，以為單靠自己的力量就能作神的工作。 約翰福音 15:5, “5 我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做什麼”。

 

Faithful Christians

There are many Christians living faithfully in this perverted world. You might ask what do you mean by “faithfully”. “Faithfully” means living accordance with the Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings.

The following are a few examples for our mutual benefits.

* Do you know why God called out to be His believer? Let us recall what are our Lord’s teachings in this area. John 15:16, “16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Thus, one of our most important purposes as Christians is to go and bear fruit. This means to invite people to believe in Jesus Christ as their individual Lord and Savior. To spread the Gospel and to introduce our Savior to the people we know or we met are our key day-to-day work in this world.

 * In the “Upper Room Discourse”, our Lord clearly taught His disciples to bear witness of Him. John 15:26-27, “26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” Thus, we should also bear witness of Him.

 * All Christians should remember that our conflicts in this world are of  spiritual nature. Ephesians 6:12, “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Thus, we must rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit and in Christ Jesus to bear fruits. We cannot be arrogant and think that we can do God’s work by our own strength alone. John 15:5, “5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

 

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什麼是基督徒！

 

聖經中有一個非常有趣和重要的教導。 它出現在帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:6-7, “6 現在你們也知道那攔阻他的是什麼，是叫他到了的時候才可以顯露。 7 因為那不法的隱意已經發動；只是現在有一個攔阻的，等到那攔阻的被除去”。這基本上表明在末日將至時，除非限制攔阻者被移除，否則敵基督邪惡者不會完全出現。 雖然對於這個限制是誰或什麼，有各種各樣的猜測。 我們認為以下解釋最符合聖經的教導。 上帝的聖靈是攔阻邪惡者。 從歷史上看，聖靈通過信徒作工， 一直是攔阻墮落的世界無法無天的全面暴行的一部分。

 

我們都知道，在末日將至時，許多教會的成員都屬於世界。 所有真正的基督徒都應該清楚地了解“屬於世界”的含義。 “屬於世界”的意思是“成為腐敗世界體系的一部分”。 換句話說，“世界教會”是以世界為他們的主。 他們可能有外表基督教儀式，但他們堅持世界的價值觀。 直接說，他們的行動或不行動清楚地表明他們不服從耶穌基督為他們的主，儘管他們可能會有不同的說法！

 

作為基督徒，重要的是要問：“我是邪惡系統的一部分，還是通過內住的聖靈抑制無法無天的一部分？“。 如果我是邪惡系統的一部分，我會通過沉默，來維護政治正確地同流合污。 或者，如果我是邪惡抑制者的一部分，那麼我必須通過反對邪惡來儘自己的一份力量，來表達基督徒的本性。 可悲的是，這個世界上早已失去“鹽與光”的所謂基督徒太多了！

 

所以，如果我們是基督徒，讓我們表現得像我們的主耶穌基督的真正追隨者！

 

What is a Christian!

 

There is a very interesting and important teaching in the Bible. It appears in 2 Thessalonians 2: 6-7, “6 And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed.”  It basically indicates that the Anti- Christ (the Evil One) will not show up fully until the restrainer was removed in the end time. While there are various speculations on who or what is this restrainer. We regard the following interpretation fitting the Bible teaching the best. The Holy Spirit of God is the restrainer. Historically, the Spirit working through believers has always been part of what holds the perverted world back from the full rampage of lawlessness.

 

We all know that at the end time approaches, many members of the churches are of the world. All genuine christians shall have a clear understanding on the implication of the  “of the world” means.  The “of the world” means “be part of the corrupt world system”. In other words, the “ of the world churches” are taking the world as its lord. They may have the symbols or rites but they are adhering to the values of the world. To speak directly, their actions or lack of actions clearly show that they do not obey Jesus Christ as their Lord although they may say differently!

 

As a Christian, it is important to ask “am I part of the evil system or am I through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit part of the restrainer of the lawlessness? “.  If I part of the evil system, I maintain political correctness through silence. Or if I am part of the restrainer, then I must do my part by speaking out against evils. Sadly, there are too many so-called christians who have long lost their “salt and light” in this world!

 

So if we are christians, let us behave like a true follower of Christ Jesus our Lord !

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自我檢查
我們都知道，時不時地自我檢查一下我們在靈性成長中的位置是非常好的。 一有效的方法是檢查我們把時間花在哪裡。
以下是好的時間花費項目例子：
* 學習/閱讀聖經
* 祈禱並感謝上帝
* 與家庭成員在一起，尤其是配偶和孩子
* 工作養家糊口
* 改善您的健康
* 清理你自己和你的環境
* 傳播福音和培養門徒訓練
* 安慰和幫助有需要的人

* 放鬆和冥想
- - - 

以下是不良時間花費項目例子:
* 在無休止的網絡聊天中
* 自我放縱的物品，如色情和電子遊戲
* 時間花在假新聞

* 恐懼和恐慌

一些關於如何生活的簡單計劃確實很有用。 實際上，您在一個月內計劃的活動或義務的日曆也很有幫助。 最有效的利用時間的方法就是養成早起早睡的日常習慣。

最重要的是，確保你在基督裡，並與你所愛的人保持良好的關係!!

 

Self Check

We all know that from time to time, it is very good to do a self check about where we are in our spiritual growth. One practice way is to examine where we spent our time.

 

The following is a list of good time spent items:

 *  to study/read the Bible
 *  to pray and thank God
 *  to be with the family members, particularly, spouse and children
 *  to make a decent living to support family
 *  to improve your health
 *  to cleanup yourself and your environment
 *  to comfort and help people in needs
 *  to spread gospel and nurture discipleship

 *  to relax and maditate

The following is a list of bad  time spent items

 *  on endless internet chats
 *  on self indulgence items such as porno, and video game
 *  on fake news

 *  on fear and panic

 

Some simple plan of how to live a day is indeed useful. Actually, a calendar of your planned activities or obligations in a month is also quite helpful. Most effective means of utilizing time is to have a habit of daily routine of getting up and go to bed early.

 

Most importantly, make sure you are in Christ and that you maitain great relationship with your loved ones!!

 

在我們穿越這個世界的朝聖之旅中，祈禱是必不可少的  (新)

 

作為基督徒，我們都從聖經的教導中知道，我們現在的朝聖之旅正處於一場激烈的屬靈爭戰中。並且，我們的敵人不是血肉之軀。以弗所書 6:12, “12 因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰，乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。 我們的敵人不是血肉之軀”。因此，基督徒被教導要做好充分的準備 “11 要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝，就能抵擋魔鬼的詭計。” ( 以弗所書 6:11)

 

作為基督徒，我們也知道我們自己的力量和資源非常有限。 因此，使徒保羅警告我們要為萬事隨時禱告，祈求我們全能的上帝的力量來幫助我們。以弗所書 6:18, 當隨時警醒禱告, “18 靠著聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求，並要在此警醒不倦，為眾聖徒祈求；”

 

每一天，我們都需要穿上神的全副軍裝，我們需要為自己和所有聖徒祈禱、祈禱、再祈禱。 的確，我們需要在生活中的隨處、每時每刻都信靠我們的主。 我們越早學會練習穿上神的全副軍裝，並在我們的膝蓋上有一個充滿活力的祈禱生活，我們就會享受更好和有效的基督徒生活。

 

禱告是蒙福的特權和責任。 永遠不要忘記，我們是向上帝祈禱，我們的創造主是開始和結束。 我們的禱告應該包括讚美我們的上帝、承認我們的罪、感恩和祈求。 我們是在聖靈裡，並藉著我們主耶穌基督寶貴的名，向我們的天父禱告。 永遠記住，我們需要住在基督裡才能結果子，正如我們的主在約翰福音 15:5 清楚地教導我們，”5 我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子。常在我裡面的，我也常在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能做什麼。”

 

願我們每天都遵循馬太福音 22:37-39 行走前往天家的朝聖之旅！”37 耶穌對他說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡意愛主你的神。 38 這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。 39 其次也相仿，就是要愛人如己。”

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Prayers are essential in our pilgrimage through this world (NEW)

 

As christians, we all know by the Bible teaching that we are in a severe spiritual warfare in our pilgrim journey right now. And our enemies are not flesh and blood. Ephesians 6:12, “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Thus, Christians are taught to be well prepared by “11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

 

As christians, we also know that we are quite limited in our own strength and resources. Hence, Apostle Paul warned us to pray at all time for all things and for requesting the strength of our mighty God to help us. “ 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18)

 

In each day, we need to put on the whole armor of God and we need to pray and pray and pray for ourselves, and for all  the saints. Indeed, we need to trust our Lord everywhere and every moments and for all things in our lives. The sooner we learn to practice putting on the whole armor of God and to have a vibrant prayer life on our knees the better and effective christian lives we will enjoy. 

 

Praying is a blessed privilege and duty. Never forget that we pray to God ,our Creator, who is  the beginning and the end. Our prayers should include praising our God, confessing our sins, thanksgiving, and supplication. Our prayers are to our heavenly Father, in the Spirit, and  through the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Always remember that we need to abide in Christ to bear fruits as our Lord clearly teaches us in John 15:5, 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

 

May we all follow Matthew 22:37-39 everyday in our pilgrim journey towards our heavenly home!

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

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真正的基督徒不應失去我們的鹽味在這個世界上，也不會避免在人前閃耀著我們主榮耀福音的光芒！
 

從聖經的教導可以清楚地看出，要成為真正的基督徒，我們需要重生。哥林多後書 5:17, “17 若有人在基督裡，他就是新造的人，舊事已過，都變成新的了。”  一個真正的基督徒是新人，新人是按照上帝的形象造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。（見以弗所書 4:24）。 因此，任何真正基督徒的主要特徵都包括真正的公義和真正的聖潔。
 

我們的主耶穌基督清楚地教導了什麼是祂門徒的主要特徵。馬太福音 5:13-16, 門徒為光為鹽, 
“13 「你們是世上的鹽。鹽若失了味，怎能叫它再鹹呢？以後無用，不過丟在外面，被人踐踏了。 14 你們是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隱藏的。 15 人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈臺上，就照亮一家的人。 16 你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父” 。我們都知道鹽是一種很好的物質，可以防止食物變質腐爛。 這意味著基督徒是反對腐敗和欺騙的人。 既然世間罪惡橫行，這就是為什麼聖經警告我們，”15 不要愛世界和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了。” (約翰一書 2:15) 。 因此，很顯然，通過政治正確性符合世界保持沉默是違背我們是門徒性格的。我們需要愛我們在天上的聖父，而不是效法世界的敗壞。

同樣，基督徒是世上的光，應該在人前照耀主的榮耀。 聖經教導我們，“20 凡作惡的便恨光，並不來就光，恐怕他的行為受責備；” (約翰福音 3:20)。 因此，成為世界的光就是將我們主榮耀福音的光照亮黑暗的世界。 這就是為什麼邪惡的世界憎恨基督徒。 這就是為什麼我們的主在約翰福音 15:18-19 中警告我們，18 「世人若恨你們，你們知道，恨你們以先已經恨我了。 19 你們若屬世界，世界必愛屬自己的。只因你們不屬世界，乃是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。”

因此，鹽而不失其味，成為世上的光，顯然意味著我們在世上，但不屬於世界，也意味著真正的基督徒從不玩弄政治正確來順應世界。然而，要成為鹽而不失其味，成為世界之光，必須付出代價的。 這就是為什麼聖保羅在加拉太書 6:14 中說: “14 但我斷不以別的誇口，只誇我們主耶穌基督的十字架。因這十字架，就我而論，世界已經釘在十字架上；就世界而論，我已經釘在十字架上” 。那麼，我們願意付出不屬於世界的代價嗎？​

 

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True Christians shall not lose our salt flavor in this world and shall not avoid shining our Lord’s glorious gospel light before men! (New)

 

From the biblical teaching, it is clear that to be a real christian we need to be born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”  A true Christian is the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.( see Ephesians 4:24). Thus, main characters of any true christian include true righteousness and true holiness.

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught clearly what are main characters of His disciples. Matthew 5:13-16, Believers Are Salt and Light, 
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

We all know that salt is a great agent in preserving food against decay and spoil. This means that a Christian is an agent against corruption and deception. Since evils rampage in this world, that is why the scripture warning us that “ 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (See 1 John 2:15) Thus, it is clear that to be silenced by political correctness in conforming to the world is against our disciple characters. We need to love our Holy Father in heaven and not conforming to the world’s corruptions.

Similarly, a Christian is the light of the world and should shine the Lord’s glory before men. The Scripture teaches us that “20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:20). Thus, to be light of the world is to shine the light of the glorious gospel of our Lord into the darkened world. This is why the  evil world hates Christians. This is why our Lord for-warn us in John 15: 18-19, “18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
 

Thus, to be salt without losing its flavor and to be a light of the world mean clearly that we are in the world but not of the world and also mean that true Christians are never playing political correctness to conforming to the world. However,  to be salt without losing its flavor and to be the light of the world will have to pay the price. This is why Saint Paul said in Galatians 6:14, “14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” So, are we willing to pay the price of not of the world?

 

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政治正確性的虛妄生活

彼得前書 1:18  知道你們得贖，脫去你們祖宗所傳流虛妄的行為..
您知道祖先傳給您虛妄的生活方式是什麼嗎？ 顯然，祖先傳給我們的是傳統，文化和習俗。 當然，並非所有傳給我們的都是虛妄的生活方式。 您可能會問什麼是虛妄的生活方式？ 新的美國標準版本將其稱為“您徒勞的生活方式”。 新國王詹姆斯版本將其稱為“您的傳統所接受的毫無目的的行為”。 因此，我們是從空虛的生活方式，徒勞的生活方式和漫無目的的行為中得到了救贖。 這些虛妄的生活方式來自我們祖先的傳統。 這些是什麼？ 任何不持久的東西，任何無用的文化，任何暫時的，沒有永恆價值的傳統。

理解這一點的最佳方法是通過示例。
示例1.  崇拜外邦偶像的徒勞方式。 此類別有數百萬人。 發生在亞洲無處不在的寺廟。
例子2.  跟隨政治正確，破壞和沈默了對與錯的良知。 此類別包括數以百萬計的人，這些人生活在政治專制和宗教專制的社會之中和政治正確性里邊.

因此，我們是從偶像崇拜中得到了救贖。 我們是從政治上的正確性習俗中得到了救贖。
我們是從這個世界的腐敗中得救贖了。 不要為了慾望，力量和金錢而賣掉我們的靈魂。 我們的上帝為他的孩子們提供了一切必要的準備和恩典，以使他的孩子們在這個滅亡的世界上能夠過敬虔聖潔的生活。

Futile Political Correctness Living 

1 Peter 1:18  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.

Do you know what is the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors? Obviously handed down to us from our ancestors means traditions, cultures, and customs. Certainly not all handed down to us are the empty way of life. You might ask what is the empty way of life? New American Standard Version called it “your futile way of life”. New King James Version called it “your aimless conduct received by tradition”. Thus, we were redeemed from the empty way of life, from  our futile way of life, and from our aimless conduct. These unfruitful ways of life came from traditions inherited from our ancestors. What are they? Anything that is not lasting, anything that is futile, and anything that is temporal without eternal value.

Best way to understand this is by examples.
Example 1. The futile way of worshipping the gentile idols. There are millions of people in this category.
Example 2. The aimless conducts of political correction to silent conscience of right and wrong. This category includes millions of people living and being deceived by political doctrinarians such as political dictatorship or religious dictatorship like jihadists, and political correctness in various societies.

Thus, we were redeemed from idol worship. We were redeemed from political correctness.
We were redeemed from corruptions of this world. Do not sell our souls for lusts, power, and money. Our God provides all necessary provisions and grace for His children to live a decent and holy lives in this perishing world.

 

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我們歡迎您蒞臨本網站，並且希望您愉悅地瀏覽我們的網站；如果您發現本網站上的一些資源對您有所幫助，請將此網站地址 www.reminderfromapastor.org 告訴您的親戚朋友來廣傳福音，就是我們最大的鼓勵。請隨時與我們聯繫，惠賜您改善本網站的意見。我們添加了一個名為“睜眼看世界”的新網頁。歡迎您訪問該頁面。

List of Latest Articles on Main Page 此網頁 最新文章目錄

* Be Watchful in a Wicked and Perverted Generation警惕邪惡變態的世代(New)
* Encourage Each Other 互相鼓勵, 彼此共勉 (New)
* Christian’s Peace and Joy 基督徒的平安與喜樂
* Something to Ponder About? What is Life? 需要思考的事情? 生命是什麼？
* In the Knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord 在上帝和我們的主耶穌的知識
* The Word became flesh 道成了肉身
* Maintenance of a Spiritual Life 維持靈修生活
* Hallelujah, Easter Celebration 哈利路亞，慶祝復活節
* Good Friday   耶穌受難日
* Q & A on the End Time 末世時代的問答
* Do Spread the gospel of Jesus Christ anytime and anywhere 隨時隨地傳播耶穌基督的福音
* Essential Daily Duty of the Need of Self Purification of those who are children of God                     上帝兒女需要自我淨潔的基本日常職責
*  Best Wishes for a Happy Chinese New Year of Ox ! 祝牛年快樂！
* Actions, not Reactions, on Covid-19 Pandemic 針對Covid-19大流行的行動，而非反應 
* A Critical Issue For Year 2021 :  God’s Blessing or Cursing !                                                        2021年的關鍵問題 :上帝的祝福或詛咒!  
* Happy New Year 2021 To You 祝您2021年新年快樂
* Reflection on Year 2020 反思2020年
* How to be Comforted by God in our Suffering of Disheartened Disappointment!                            在我們的沮喪和失望苦難中如何被上帝安慰 

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Contents of this page after the list of latest articles: 本頁面其他文章目錄
* 我們從世界中被選擇出来, 成為聖潔 - 附題：您站在哪一邊！
   We are separated from the world to be holy,  with a subtitle: Which side are you with!
* Actions, not Reactions, on Covid-19 Pandemic      針對Covid-19大流行的行動，而非反應 
* What to do in Covid-19 pandemic period.                在Covid-19大流行期間該怎麼辦。
* On the Covid-19 pandemic                                        在Covid-19大流行中
* On the Spread of the Corona Virus                           關於Covid-19病毒的傳播
* Importance of Studying the Bible and of Constant Prayers 研讀聖經和持續祈禱的重要性(9/18)
* On Decay and Corruption Again再論衰敗與腐敗 (7/18)
* Alert and Sober 謹慎自守 (7/18)
* When the wise are blind, where is Justice 當智者失明時，正義在何處?(5/18)
* Information Overload 資訊爆炸(5/18)
*A Personal Witness on the Love of my God to me from a pastor of this website
  我的上帝給我的愛 -----------------------------------------來自本網站，一位牧師個人的見證！
* The horrible judgement of God                          * 上帝的審判- -水深火熱可怕之中的可怕(2/2018)
* When the darkness overwhelmed us!               * 當黑暗壓倒我們！(11/17)
* On Temptation and Evil                                       * 誘惑和邪惡 (11/17)
* Eternal Life                                                           * 永恆的生命 (7/17)
* Cherish                                                                 * 珍惜 (6/17)
* Free Will                                                               * 自由意志 (6/17)
* In Christ                                                               *  在基督裡 (5/17)
* Lord Jesus Christ’s Teaching on life eternal    * 主耶穌基督對生命永生的教導 (3/17)
* God's Grace Saves Me                                       *  主恩救我 
* Trace of Time and Grace of God                        *  時間的痕跡與神的恩典                                      * An urgent warning in a chaotic world               *  亂世中的警語(8/2015)
* Looking to the Infrastructural Things               *  顧念所不見的
* Seeking The Things Above                                *  不知天上宮闕,今夕是何年 (2/2016)

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 Highlights

*  Cherish what a precious and glorious blessing to be a child of God

*  Listen to our Lord’s teaching

*  Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit

*  Pattern after our Lord Jesus Christ in all things in our daily living

 

To encourage each other, a few reminders in our daily pilgrimage journey towards our heavenly home.

 

1. Cherish what a precious and glorious blessing to be a child of God
      “17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”(1 Peter 1: 17-21). Please meditate on this and remind ourselves often on what we are after our redemption!   Christians are to do good works. Ephesians 2:10, “ 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.“

 

為了互相鼓勵，在我們朝天上的家的朝聖之旅中，有幾點互相提醒，彼此共勉。

 

大綱

* 珍惜成為上帝兒女的寶貴和榮耀的祝福

* 聽我們主的教導

* 遵循聖靈的指導

* 在我們日常生活中的所有言行,效法主耶穌基督 

 

1. 珍惜成為上帝兒女的寶貴和榮耀的祝福
   彼得前書 1:17-21, “17 你們既稱那不偏待人、按各人行為審判人的主為父，就當存敬畏的心度你們在世寄居的日子， 18 知道你們得贖，脫去你們祖宗所傳流虛妄的行為，不是憑著能壞的金銀等物， 19 乃是憑著基督的寶血，如同無瑕疵、無玷汙的羔羊之血。 20 基督在創世以前是預先被神知道的，卻在這末世才為你們顯現。 21 你們也因著他，信那叫他從死裡復活，又給他榮耀的神，叫你們的信心和盼望都在於神。' 基督徒要做好事。以弗所書 2:10, “10 我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是神所預備叫我們行的。” 的確，能夠稱呼整個宇宙的創造者為我們的神聖天父，這真是一何等寶貴和光榮的祝福！

 

2.  Listen to our Lord’s teaching
 

     (1) Matthews 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
Salt is used for preservation  in food against corruption and decay. Christians are restraint against evil. Christians shall not be silent in the face of evils. We need to say something and do something to help people who need help such as widows and orphans. If a person is the salt of the earth, he/she will be very keen and sensitive to wickedness and sins. As such, we will not be of the world. (See James 4:4). More importantly, we need to do what we christians should do.  1 Peter 1:14-15, “14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”

     (2) Matthews 5:14-16,  14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Remember always that we are the light of the world and hence we show people to see the Way to the heaven is through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 14:6, “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

 

2. 聽我們主的教導
   (1) 馬太福音 5:13--門徒為鹽
“13 「你們是世上的鹽。鹽若失了味，怎能叫它再鹹呢？以後無用，不過丟在外面，被人踐踏了。”
鹽可用於食品防腐保鮮，防止腐敗和腐爛。 基督徒對邪惡保持克制。基督徒在面對邪惡時不應保持沉默。 我們需要說些什麼，做些什麼來幫助需要幫助的人，例如寡婦和孤兒。 如果一個人是大地的鹽，他/她將對邪惡和罪惡非常敏銳和敏感。 因此，我們將不會屬於世界。（參見雅各書4：4）。更重要的是，我們需要做基督徒應該做的事情。彼得前書 1:14-15, “14 你們既做順命的兒女，就不要效法從前蒙昧無知的時候那放縱私慾的樣子。 15 那召你們的既是聖潔，你們在一切所行的事上也要聖潔。”
   (2) 馬太福音 5:14-16--門徒為光
“14 你們是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隱藏的。 15 人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈臺上，就照亮一家的人。 16 你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。” 永遠記住，我們是世界之光，因此我們向人們展示了通往天堂的道路是通過我們的主耶穌基督。約翰福音 14:6—主為道路、真理、生命
6 耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。

 

3. Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit
      (1) Sonship through the Spirit—Romans 8:12-16, “12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” This means that we fight with the spiritual warfare by the Spirit. We need to be convicted that fighting with the deeds of the body is indeed a spiritual warfare.
      (2) Pray in the Spirit— Ephesians 6:18, “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”. Christians shall know that we shall wear the whole armors of God and the one offensive armor is the sword of the Spirit,  “17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (Ephesians 6:17)
      (3) Witness Jesus Christ by the Spirit — John 15:26-27, “26  But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”  Our witness of Who Jesus is and How great redemption works He accomplished is based upon the personal witnesses of the apostles. See for example, 1 John 1:1-4, What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched, “1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. “
3. 遵循聖靈的指導
   (1) 聖靈證明我們是上帝的兒女--羅馬書 8:12-16, “12 弟兄們，這樣看來，我們並不是欠肉體的債，去順從肉體活著。 13 你們若順從肉體活著，必要死；若靠著聖靈治死身體的惡行，必要活著。 14 因為凡被神的靈引導的，都是神的兒子。 15 你們所受的不是奴僕的心，仍舊害怕；所受的乃是兒子的心，因此我們呼叫：「阿爸！父！」 16 聖靈與我們的心同證我們是神的兒女。” 這意味著我們靠著聖靈在屬靈爭戰中戰鬥。 我們必須認定治死身體的惡行確實是一場屬靈爭戰。
  （2）在聖靈中祈禱-- 以弗所書 6:18, 當隨時警醒禱告, “18 靠著聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求，並要在此警醒不倦，為眾聖徒祈求；” 基督徒要拿起神所賜的全副軍裝，其中一種進攻性盔甲是聖靈的劍。以弗所書 6:17, “17 並戴上救恩的頭盔，拿著聖靈的寶劍，就是神的道。17 並戴上救恩的頭盔，拿著聖靈的寶劍，就是神的道。”
   （3）藉著聖靈見證耶穌基督— 約翰福音 15:26-27, “26 但我要從父那裡差保惠師來，就是從父出來真理的聖靈；他來了，就要為我作見證。 27 你們也要作見證，因為你從起頭就與我同在。” 我們關於耶穌是誰以及他完成大救贖的見證是基於使徒們起初的親身體驗。例如，約翰一書 1:1-4, “1 論到從起初原有的生命之道，就是我們所聽見、所看見、親眼看過、親手摸過的。 2 這生命已經顯現出來，我們也看見過，現在又作見證，將原與父同在且顯現於我們那永遠的生命傳給你們。 3 我們將所看見、所聽見的傳給你們，使你們與我們相交；我們乃是與父並他兒子耶穌基督相交的。 4 我們將這些話寫給你們，使你們的喜樂充足。”

 

4. Pattern after our Lord Jesus Christ in all things in our daily living
In our Lord’s words and deeds as revealed in the Holy Scripture, He always glorify His Father. For example, John 14: 9-11, “9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”
We Christians are destined to grow up in Christ. See for example, Ephesians 4:13-16, “13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

 

Do plan our daily life to honor our Lord Jesus Christ. Do meditate a few verses in the Bible everyday.  May we keep a thankful heart always and give thanks after thanks to our almighty God the Father in heaven!

 

4. 在我們日常生活中的所有言行,效法主耶穌基督

聖經揭示我們主的言行，他總是榮耀他的父親。 例如，約翰福音 14:9-11, “9 耶穌對他說：「腓力，我與你們同在這樣長久，你還不認識我嗎？人看見了我，就是看見了父，你怎麼說『將父顯給我們看』呢？ 10 我在父裡面，父在我裡面，你不信嗎？我對你們所說的話，不是憑著自己說的，乃是住在我裡面的父做他自己的事。 11 你們當信我，我在父裡面，父在我裡面；即或不信，也當因我所做的事信我。” 我們基督徒注定要在基督里長大。 例如，以弗所書 4:13-16, “13 直等到我們眾人在真道上同歸於一，認識神的兒子，得以長大成人，滿有基督長成的身量， 14 使我們不再做小孩子，中了人的詭計和欺騙的法術，被一切異教之風搖動飄來飄去，就隨從各樣的異端， 15 唯用愛心說誠實話，凡事長進，連於元首基督。 16 全身都靠他聯絡得合式，百節各按各職，照著各體的功用彼此相助，便叫身體漸漸增長，在愛中建立自己。”

 

要計劃我們的日常生活，以尊敬我們的主耶穌基督。 每天都要沉思聖經中的幾節經文。 願我們永遠保持感恩的心，感謝我們全能的上帝，天上的父親！

 

                        基督徒的平安與喜樂
 

在一個混亂的世界和一個變態的世代中，我們基督徒需要注意我們的生活方式和時間。 如果您花了一些時間在聖經上，您應該清楚我們的公民身份是在我們的主耶穌基督的榮耀王國中，而我們的主是我們的真理，道路和生命。

 

在基督裡，即使在我們與時代邪惡體系的日常屬靈戰爭中，我們的基督徒朝聖也應該享有平安與喜樂。 在以弗所書第6：13-19章中清楚地教導了這一點，我們要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝，好在磨難的日子抵擋仇敵；並且成就了一切，還能站立得住。

 

在我們的屬靈爭戰中，我們要靠著主，倚賴他的大能大力做剛強的人。  靠著聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求，並要在此警醒不倦，為眾聖徒祈求。

 

基督徒應該堅信我們的平安與喜樂來自主耶穌。 在他裡面，我們有一切豐盛和保護，即使在受苦受難的情況下也能平安與喜樂，正如彼得前書第1章3-6節所明確教導的。

 

確實，願頌讚歸於我們主耶穌基督的父神！他曾照自己的大憐憫，藉著耶穌基督從死裡復活，重生了我們，叫我們有活潑的盼望。 願頌讚歸於我們主耶穌基督, 為我們贖回我們，在十字架上犧牲的大愛。 確實，成為上帝的兒女是多麼幸福。 讚美我們的主耶穌基督！

 

                        Christian’s Peace and Joy

In a chaotic world and in a perverted generation, we Christians need to be watchful about how we live and what we spend our time on. If you have spent sometime on the Holy Bible, you should be clear that our citizenship is in the glorious kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lord is our Truth, Way, and Life.
 

In Christ, our Christian pilgrimage should have peace and joy, even in the midst of our daily spiritual war with the evil system of our times. This is clearly taught in Ephesians Chapter 6:13-19 for  us to take up the full armor of God that we may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.

In our spiritual warfare, we are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Also, with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

Christians should have the conviction that our peace and joy are from the Lord Jesus. In Him, we have all the resources and providence to be peaceful and joyful even under inflictions and suffering as clearly taught in 1 Peter Chapter 1:3-6.

Indeed, praises  and blessed are to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christy who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. What a blessing to be children of God through the great love of our Lord Jesus Christ in His redemption of us by his sacrifice at the Cross. Praises to our Lord Jesus Christ!

需要思考的事情? 生命是什麼？生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光

 

在繁忙的世界中，人們每天都被生活煩惱所困擾。 然而，有時， 對生命的來龍去脈進行一次思考是非常重要的。 你不也這麼認為嗎？ 當邪惡和虛假今天蔓延到我們社會的各個階層時，我們更須在這一變態的世代中思考這一議題。

 

根據觀察，這個世界上每個人的日子都是有限的。 人們來來去去； 世代相傳！ 那生命是什麼？ 
實際上，我們不妨花一些時間思考生命。 根據我們自己的經驗，沒有比思考生命更重要的議題了。 

 

聖經中有一很重要的經節。 是這樣說的。
約翰福音 1:4。 “4 生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光”。這確實是一個非常寶貴的聖經啟示。 
生命在耶穌基督裡。 所有的生命都來自他。 您可能會問“所有生命都來自他”是什麼意思？ 因為約翰福音1：3說 “3 萬物是藉著他造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他造的”. 換句話說，我們是由他創造的。 因此，耶穌基督是所有生命的源頭。 實際上，所有創造的東西都來自他，並由他維護的。 

約翰福音1：4 另一個有趣的啟示是”這生命是人的光”。 沒有生命，什麼都不用談了。換句話說，政治，工作，權力，社會，法律，正義，鬥爭等不再重要了 。 人的光是什麼？ 既然您是人類的一分子，您就可以了解人的光是什麼意思。 

 

因為它被稱為人的光，它意味著它是每個人的本質，就像每個人的生命本質一樣。 另一個有趣的觀點是，沒有光就沒法生活。 需要考慮的事情：沒有光，我們什麼都看不到。 您能考慮在完全黑暗沒有陽光的環境中生活嗎？因此，沒有光就意味著沒有生命。 

 

根據聖經的經文，人的光在基督耶穌裡。 因此，一個關鍵的思想是我們必須在耶穌基督裡才能有這種人的光，來過著有意義而幸福的生活。 同樣，我們必須在基督耶穌裡面，才能從他，我們的創造主和我們的主那裡得到永生！ 

 

如您所知，一切都發生在互聯網時代。 虛假/虛假新聞氾濫成災。 每個人都可以批評任何人和任何事物。 但是，歷史告訴我們，所有人不管是誰(精英，無知者，皇帝，演說家，評論員，有錢人，有勢力的人，貧窮或有需要的人) 都會死。實際上，所有評論都只是像灰塵來來去去而已。 因此，除非一個人對他/她的創造者謙卑。 除非有人在基督耶穌裡。 人們不會有永生，也不會有人的光的。 因此，作為一名基督徒，我們不應被虛假和虛假消息所欺騙。也不用擔心這個互聯網時代的混亂。  只要永遠感謝我們的上帝，因為他活著，我們也將活著。 的確，所有的魔鬼和他的同夥永遠注定要滅亡！ 

因此，在這個混亂的世界中，我們應該在耶穌基督裡過平安與喜樂的生活。讚美主基督耶穌！

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Something to Ponder About? What is Life?

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men

 

In a busy hustling world, people are absorbed by every day’s troubles. Yet, it is very important to think about life once awhile. Don't you also think so? It is particularly imperative to do today in this perverted generation  when evil and falsehood permiate throughout all sectors of our society.

 

From observations, everyone’s days in this world is limited. People came and went; generations after generations! So what is life?

Actually, we might as well spend some of our own time to think about life. From our own experience, there are not many issues as important as  the issue of life.

 

There is a very important verse in the Bible. And It goes like this.

John 1:4 “ 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”  This is indeed a very precious biblical revelation.

Life is in Jesus Christ. All life comes from Him. You may ask what does it mean “all life comes from Him” ? Because John 1:3 says “3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”  In other words, we were created by Him. So Jesus Christ is the source of all life. Actually, all created things were from Him and maintained by Him.

 

Another interesting revelation of John 1:4 is the life was the light of men. Without life, nothing matter anymore. In other words, politics, jobs, power, society, laws, justice,  conflicts, etc., are not relevant anymore. Now, what is the light of men? Since you are a member of the mankind, you can tell what the the light of men means.

Since it  is called the light of men, it means that it is a property of every human being just like the essence of life is the same for every human being. Another interesting point is no one can live without light. Something to think about:  without light, we cannot see anything. Can you think about trying to live in total darkness without sunlight? Thus, there is no life without light.

 

Per the Bible verse, the light of men is in Christ Jesus. Thus, a key thought is that we need to be in Jesus Christ to have this light of men to live a meaning and blessed life. Similarly, we must be in Christ Jesus to receive the ever lasting life from Him, our Creator and our Lord!

 

As you know, everything goes in the internet era. Falsehood/fakenews are rampage. Everybody can criticize anybody and anything. However, history tells us that all men die whether they are elites, ignorants, emperiors, orators, commentators, rich, powerful, or poor and needy. So unless an individual humbles him/ herself with respect to his/her creator. All comments are just dusts in the air indeed. Unless an individual is in Christ Jesus. There will be no eternal life and no light of man indeed. As a Christian, we should not be deceived by the falsehood and fake news. Just always be thankful to our God because He lives we shall live also. All the devil and his cohorts are forever doomed indeed! Thus, we should live with peace and joy in Jesus Christ in this chaotic world. Praise Jesus Christ our Lord!

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In 2 Peter 1:2, Apostle Peter greets us with the verse,
"2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord". 

I do not know if you ever asked the question of ”what does he mean by “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”? What does he mean at the content of this knowledge? Of course, this knowledge is the knowledge revealed in the Scripture. However, what are the key ingredients of this knowledge.

Since God is infinite, knowledge pertaining to Him would be infinite and would take our lifetime to pursue it and even with that, our understanding would still be very much limited. Nevertheless our limitations, it is very important to gain this knowledge as much as we could because grace and peace are related to this knowledge.

The following is a few suggestions to encourage each other:
1. First, we must take the Bible study very seriously and spend as much time as possible on the Bible.
2. Since our Lord is the greatest teacher, we should study His teachings in the Scripture very diligently.
3. As a believer of  Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in each of us. We should pray for the enlightenment from the Holy Spirit to teach us concerning the Scripture.
4. Always with a heart of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for His sending our precious Lord to this earth to redeem us. What a blessing indeed to all of the believers!

5. Per Jonathan Edwards comments: "The more knowledge you have of divine things, the better will you know your duty; your knowledge will be of greater use to direct you as to your duty in particular cases. You will also be the better furnished against the temptations of the devil" and "By having much knowledge, you will be under greater advantages to conduct yourselves with prudence and discretion in your christian course, and so to live much more to the honour of God and religion".

 

在上帝和我們的主耶穌的知識

在彼得後書1：2, 使徒彼得以經文向我們致意:
"2 願恩惠、平安因你們認識神和我們主耶穌多多地加給你們".
我不知道您是否曾問“在上帝和我們的主耶穌的知識中，他意味著什麼？”, 他表示什麼是這知識的內容？當然，這些知識就是聖經所揭示的知識。但是，此知識的關鍵要素是什麼。

由於上帝是無限的，因此與上帝有關的知識將是無限的，並且將花費我們一生的時間追求，即使這樣努力，我們的理解仍將有限。儘管我們的有限性，但盡可能多獲取該知識是非常重要的，因為恩典與和平與該知識有關。

以下是一些建議來互相鼓勵​：
1. 首先，我們必須非常認真地研究聖經，並在聖經上花費盡可能多的時間。
2. 因為我們的主是最偉大的老師。 我們應該非常勤奮地研究他在聖經中的教導。
3. 作為耶穌基督的信徒，我們每個人內都有聖靈。 我們應當為聖靈的啟示禱告，以教導我們有關聖經的知識。
4. 永遠懷著感恩的心感謝我們的天父，因為他將我們寶貴的主耶穌派到地球上來贖回我們。 這真是對所有信徒的祝福！

5. 正如喬納森·愛德華茲（Jonathan Edwards）所說：“您對神聖事物的了解越多，您對職責的了解就會越多；您的知識將大大幫助您來理解您職責的特定情況。您也將獲得更好的裝備以抵禦魔鬼的誘惑”， 並且 “通過擁有豐富的知識，這將為您帶來更大的優勢，您將在基督徒的生活中以審慎和謹慎的態度進行自我管理，從而更有能力為上帝和宗教的光榮而生活。”

The Word became flesh 
The central purpose of Christian's calling is to live for God through Christ Jesus. To each Christian, our Lord Jesus Christ is the center of our faith and our life. He is the central goal of our life's pursuit.
John 1:14, “ 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.“
God through Apostle John reveals a great truth concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. The translation “the Word” is from the Greek “ὁ λόγος “. The Greek phrase “ ὁ λόγος “ means the totality of wisdom which includes the source of all knowledge, experience, and wisdom. In human history, irregardless of the Eastern or Western approaches, pursuit of this “Truth” has been  the endeavor of all mankind which resulted in the marvelous development and accomplishments of  science, philosophy, art, and literature.  However, in Christian faith, the Truth of Salvation is embodied in a person and cannot be found outside Him. This person is unique in that He is the Son of God and incarnated in two thousand years ago on this earth to live among humankind to show us the only way to obtain this Truth of Eternal Life and to God.  John 14:6, 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. 

This Truth distinguishes Christianity from all other gentile religions of this world. The Christian faith is therefore not on the result of human being’s effort but through God’s grace. 1 Corinthians 1:30, 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—. This is clearly taught in the Bible per Ephesians 2:8, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

道成了肉身
基督徒呼召的主要目的是通過基督耶穌為上帝而活。對於每個基督徒來說，我們的主耶穌基督是我們信仰和生活的中心。他是我們一生追求的中心目標。 
約翰福音 1:14, 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。
上帝通過使徒約翰揭示了關於我們的主耶穌基督的偉大真理。 翻譯“道”單詞 來自希臘語“ὁ λόγος”。 希臘文“ὁ λόγος”表示智慧的整體，其中包括所有知識，經驗和智慧的來源。 在人類歷史上，不管東方或西方的追求方法如何，追求“真理”都是依靠人的努力，導致了科學，哲學，藝術和文學的發展與成就。但是，在基督教信仰中，救贖的真理體現在一個人中，無法在他之外找到。 這個人的獨特之處在於他是上帝的兒子，並且在兩千多年前就已經道成了肉身在地球上，生活在人類之中，向我們展示了獲得生命真理並歸於上帝的唯一途徑。約翰福音 14:6 主為道路真理生命, 6 耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。

這個真理將基督教與這個世界上所有其他的外邦宗教區分開來。 因此，基督教信仰不是靠人類努力的結果，而是靠上帝的恩典。哥林多前書 1:30, 30 但你們得在基督耶穌裡，是本乎神，神又使他成為我們的智慧、公義、聖潔、救贖。以弗所書2：8在聖經中清楚地教導了這一點. “8 你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信。這並不是出於自己，乃是神所賜的；”

沒有人會認為，如果沒有每天吃飯和漱洗，我們就能擁有健康的身體生活。 但是許多基督徒忘記了，靈修生活同樣會需要日常的靈修食物和維護。 許多祝福來自健康的精神生活，就像許多祝福來自健康的身體。

基督徒需要清楚地認識到，聖經教導了所有健康生活的必要和充分方法。 至關重要的是，我們所有人在吃聖經中的屬靈食物時都要採取紀律嚴明的態度。 這意味著每個基督徒在聖經上裝備自己時，都應該以認真的態度來進行。

喬納森·愛德華茲（Jonathan Edwards）曾表示，所有基督徒的基本呼召都必須在聖經中勤奮地成聖。 這意味著我們每個人都應該非常認真地尋找和冥想聖經中的各種教義。( 參見參考資料1：“喬納森·愛德華茲 認識基督，佈道1-基督教知識" )

 

下面總結了他關於如何學習聖經的一些建議：
-需要花費大量時間在聖經中
-在學習聖經時，需要注意所考慮的特定經文的語境和語氣。 還需要與類似的經文進行比較。
-購買並勤奮地使用其他書籍，這可能有助於您掌握這些知識​

-彼此分享聖經的見解並互相學習

-不要為自己的驕傲而學習聖經，甚至不要以為自己已經掌握了聖經中的屬靈知識。 學習聖經是永恆的追求。
-向上帝尋求祂的指引，並在您的聖經學習努力中祝福您
-根據所學的神聖知識進行練習在日常生活中

 

喚醒人們！ 除非我們認真研究聖經，並且確實花了很大的精力通過聖經來研究我們的問題。 我們很可能會浪費許多寶貴的時間追求世界。 為了享有健康快樂的精神生活，我們每個人真正需要享受花在聖經中寶貴的時間。

 

Maintenance of a Spiritual Life

No one would think that we can have healthy physical life without daily meals and washing. But many Christians forget that a spiritual life  will similarly require daily spiritual food and maintenance. Many blessings are through a healthy spiritual life just as many blessings are through healthy physical beings.

Christians need to clearly realize that all the necessary and sufficient ways of having a healthy life are taught in the Scripture. It is so essential that we all take a very disciplined attitude in eating the spiritual foods in the Bible. This means that each Christian should take  as a God given profession in equipping oneself with the riches of the Bible.

Jonathan Edwards once indicated that it was the essential calling of all Christians to be perfected in the Scripture. This means that each of us should take it very seriously to search and meditate on the various teachings in the Bible. Summarized below are a few advice from him on how to study the Bible: (See Ref 1: “Jonathan Edwards on Knowing Christ , Sermon 1- Christian Knowledge”)
 

- Need to spend sizable amount of time in the Bible
- When studying the Bible, need pay attention to the context, and mood of the particular verses under consideration. Also need to compare with the similar scriptural verses.
- Procure, and diligently use other books which may help you to grow in this knowledge
- Share bible insights to each other  and learn from each other
- Do not study the Bible for your own pride and do not even think that you have mastered the spiritual knowledge in the Bible. Bible study is an eternal pursuit.
- Seek to God that He would direct you, and bless you in your Bible study effort
- Practice according to what divine knowledge you have learned

 

Wake up folks! Unless we take the study of the Bible serious and do spent very good effort in searching our issues through the Scripture. We will most likely wasting many of our precious time in pursuing the world.  To be blessed with a healthy and joyful spiritual life, each of us truly need a portion of our precious time in the Scripture.

 

1. 問題1 - 為什麼在21世紀我們對此問題感興趣？ 

答：目前，世界正處於致命的Covid-19大流行中。 許多人壓力很大。 對於許多基督教徒來說，世界似乎越來越與聖經的價值觀背道而馳。 非常重要的一點是，我們清楚地了解聖經對末世情況的啟示，這樣我們我們對發生的事情並不感到驚訝 ，並且在逆境中要堅強自己的信念。 
1.1聖經怎麼說人類歷史？
聖經揭示了上帝如何創造世界及其內容，包括人類，以及在人類歷史上，上帝與墮落天使之間的衝突。 聖經的主要主題是上帝向人類展示他的屬性，以及上帝派他的獨生子耶穌基督到世上來贖回那些相信耶穌基督是他們個人的救主和主的人，從而展現他對人類的偉大的愛。
從聖經中，我們了解以下內容：
A. 創造宇宙萬物 
B. 亞當和夏娃的墮落是由於魔鬼的欺騙
C. 由於墮落的天使和人類的腐敗和邪惡，受到全球洪水的懲罰，以摧毀除諾亞一家之外的全人類
D. 上帝呼召亞伯拉罕，選擇猶太人為祂的子民
E. 在舊約時代上帝如何拯救他的子民
F. 在新約時代，上帝如何差遣他的兒子耶穌基督拯救人類
G. 世界如何叛逆上帝並破害他的子民和世界將如何終結。以及他的兒子的歸來審判世界，並在此之後建立千禧年國在地球上。
H. 對魔鬼和他墮落的天使的最終審判以及新天新地的降臨。  

 

Q & A on the End Time (Part 1)

Question No.  1— Why in the 21 century are we bothered with this question?
Answer:  Currently, the world is in a very deadly Co-19 pandemic. Many people are highly stressed. For many Christian believers, it may appear that the world is going increasingly against the values of the Bible. It is very important that we clearly understand what the Bible reveals about the end time situations so that we are not surprised and are keeping our faith strong in facing adversities.
1.1 What the Bible says about the human history?
The Bible reveals how the world and its contents including mankind were created by God and the conflicts between God and His fallen angels as illustrated in the human history. Main themes of the Bible are to show the attributes of God and His love unto the human race by sending His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to the earth to redeem those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. From the Bible, we know the following:
A.  Creation
B.  The Fall of Adam and Eve due to the devil’s deception
C.  Corruption and evil of the fallen angels and human beings were punished by a global flood to wipe out all mankind except Noah’s family 
D.  God called Abraham and chose the Jews to be His chosen people 
E.  How God saved His people in the Old Testament time 
F.   How God sent His Son Jesus Christ to save the mankind in the New Testament Time
G.  How the world rebels against God and prosecutes His people and How the world will end  by the return of His Son and His saints to administer God’s judgement and  after that, rule in His millennium kingdom on the earth.
H.  Final Judgement on the devil and his fallen angels and  the coming of New Heaven and Earth.

 

2. 問題2 –我們如何知道末世終結時代的到來？ 
答：首先，除了上帝以外，沒有人知道確切的時間，但我們應該知道末世到來的跡象。 為什麼？ 因為聖經說： 
2.1 關於確切的時間！
馬太福音24：36-39, “36 但那日子、那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，唯獨父知道。 37 挪亞的日子怎樣，人子降臨也要怎樣。 38 當洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亞進方舟的那日， 39 不知不覺洪水來了，把他們全都沖去。人子降臨也要這樣”。警告：所以不要被聲稱知道世界末日的假老師誤導。 
2.2  70週的預言是什麼？
答：
A. 這70週的預言在但以理書第9章，特別是但以理9：24-27中揭示。
B. 但以理揭示的70週預言的背景是:這70週預言與他的子民（即以色列）及其聖城（即耶路撒冷）有關。 但以理在巴比倫流亡期間得到了這個啟示。(有關詳細信息，請參見聖經研究網頁上的參考文獻1“以色列歷史”，網址為www.reminderfromapastor.org。因此，這70週的開始時間是公元前457年，如下所述：  
通過學習聖經，但以理從先知耶利米得知，耶路撒冷的荒蕪將持續七十年。 但以理懇求主恢復耶路撒冷。 這導致了大天使長加百列的訪問，並向但以理透露了有關以色列和耶路撒冷的著名的70乘7預言（請參閱但以理書第9章)，這表明耶路撒冷將被重建。重建該耶路撒冷的預言是在公元前457年上帝的波斯法王亞達薛西王命令中開始實現的。  順便說一句，頒布了重建 耶路撒冷和聖殿的幾項法令，包括居魯士王（以斯拉記1章），達魯迪王（以斯拉記6章），亞達薛西王（以斯拉記7章）和亞達薛西王（尼希米記2章）。 同樣，巴比倫在公元前539年被波斯國王居魯士大帝征服。
C. 70週預言的意義是什麼？ 它揭示了耶路撒冷的重建（已經實現），彌賽亞的第一次來臨（已經實現），耶路撒冷及其第二座聖殿的荒蕪和破壞（已完成於公元70年），以及包括敵基督的可憎性在內的各種時代的終結 ，並由我們的主歸來最終消滅敵基督（即未來時代的終結）。
2.3 但以理書第二章，關於巴比倫國王尼布甲尼撒的夢中的偉大形象，代表什麼 ？
答： 在人類歷史上的撒旦人類帝國—但以理書第2章關於尼布甲尼撒王夢的形象，該夢提供了有趣的背景。
A.  當但以理流亡巴比倫的時候，巴比倫的尼布甲尼撒王夢見了一偉大的形象。 因此，獸的帝國始於巴比倫帝國，沒有包括在他之前，在中東歷史上的帝國。
B. 另一個關鍵點是，但以理書中的預言是為了他的人民（以色列) 和聖城(耶路撒冷)。 這就是為什麼我們看不到中東地區以外提到任何文明古國的原因。
C. 值得一提的是，巴比倫帝國之前有兩個外邦人帝國。 它們是（1）埃及帝國和（2）亞述帝國。 因此，這兩個國家加上尼布甲尼撒的形象之帝國，確實覆蓋了影響了猶太人和耶路撒冷城，中東地區的人類帝國歷史。
D. 下表顯示了《但以理書》第二章關於人類歷史上獸王帝國的預言的實現。 下面引用的註釋與此表相關：

 

偉大的形象	聖經參考	野獸帝國	評語
金頭	但2:32	巴比倫帝國
銀胸和兩隻手臂	但2:32	米典-波斯帝國
銅肚和大腿	但2:32	希臘
兩條鐵腿	但2:33	東西羅馬帝國
	間隔的教會時代	備註1	在但以理70x7預言的第69周到70週之間
部分粘土和部分鐵, 10腳趾的腳	但2:33	最終獸的帝國	備註2

 

備註1- 考慮到耶路撒冷在過去兩千多年的大部分時間內都處於外邦人控制之下，因此，讀者可以在此期間填補各種外邦人的獸帝國。 一個例子是奧斯曼帝國（1299-1922）。 同樣，另一個例子是希特勒帝國，它暴力並殺死了數百萬猶太人。
備註2- 最終獸的帝國，將從敵基督控制三個國家開始，並在第70週(7年)之前擴展到由十個國家組成的同盟國。

 

2. Question No. 2 — How do we know that the end of the ages is coming?
Answer : First of all, no one except God knows the exact hour but we should know the signs of its coming. Why?  Because the Scripture says:

2.1  Concerning the exact hour!
Matt 24:36-39, 36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Warning: So do not be misled by the false teachers that claim they know the day the world ends.

2.2 What is the 70 weeks prophecy?
A. This 70 weeks prophecy is revealed in Dan 9, particularly 9:24-27.
B. The context of the 70 weeks prophecy revealed to Daniel is that this 70 weeks prophecy is concerning with his people (i.e., Israel) and its Holy City (i.e., Jerusalem). Daniel received this revelation while he was living in exile in Babylonia (See Ref.1 “ History of Israel” in the Bible Study Webpage in this Website for details). So the start of this 70 weeks was in the year 457BCE as explained below:
By studying Scripture, Daniel knew from Prophet Jeremiah that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. Daniel pleaded with the Lord to restore Jerusalem. This resulted in Angel Gabriel ’s visit and revealed the famous 70 times 7 prophesy  concerning  Israel and Jerusalem to Daniel  (See Daniel chapter 9), which revealed Jerusalem would be rebuilt. This prophecy of rebuilding Jerusalem was fulfilled by God’s instrument  King Artaxerxes of Persia’s  decree at 457 B.C. Incidentally, there were several decrees of rebuilding Temple and Jerusalem City including King Cyrus (Ezra 1), King Darius (Ezra 6), King Artaxerxes (Ezra 7) and King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2).  Also, Babylon was conquered in 539 B.C., by Persian King Cyrus the Great. 
C. What is the significance of the 70 weeks prophecy? It revealed the rebuilt of Jerusalem (already fulfilled), the first coming of Messiah (already fulfilled), desolation and destruction of Jerusalem and its second Temple (already fulfilled in 70 AD), and the end of ages things including the Anti-Christ’s abominations, and final judgement by our Lord’s return to destroy the Anti-Christ (i.e.,  the end of ages in the future).

2.3 How about the Great Image in the Dream of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2 Concerning the Satan’s Beast Empires in the Human History of The Middle East Region
A. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia had this dream of the great image while Daniel was living in exile in Babylonia. So the beast empires of the Nebuchadnezzar started at the Babylonia empire and did not include the empires before him in the Middle East history.
B. Another key point is that the contact of the prophecies in the Book of Daniel is for his people (Israel) and for its holy city Jerusalem. That is why we do not see any civilizations mentioned outside the Middle East region.
2. Question No. 2 — How do we know that the end of the ages is coming?
Answer : First of all, no one except God knows the exact hour but we should know the signs of its coming. Why?  Because the Scripture says:
2.1  Concerning the exact hour!
Matt 24:36-39, 36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Warning: So do not be misled by the false teachers that claim they know the day the world ends.

2.2 What is the 70 weeks prophecy?
A. This 70 weeks prophecy is revealed in Dan 9, particularly 9:24-27.
B. The context of the 70 weeks prophecy revealed to Daniel is that this 70 weeks prophecy is concerning with his people (i.e., Israel) and its Holy City (i.e., Jerusalem). Daniel received this revelation while he was living in exile in Babylonia (See Ref.1 “ History of Israel” in the Bible Study Webpage in this Website for details). So the start of this 70 weeks was in the year 457BCE as explained below:
By studying Scripture, Daniel knew from Prophet Jeremiah that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. Daniel pleaded with the Lord to restore Jerusalem. This resulted in Angel Gabriel ’s visit and revealed the famous 70 times 7 prophesy  concerning  Israel and Jerusalem to Daniel  (See Daniel chapter 9), which revealed Jerusalem would be rebuilt. This prophecy of rebuilding Jerusalem was fulfilled by God’s instrument  King Artaxerxes of Persia’s  decree at 457 B.C. Incidentally, there were several decrees of rebuilding Temple and Jerusalem City including King Cyrus (Ezra 1), King Darius (Ezra 6), King Artaxerxes (Ezra 7) and King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2).  Also, Babylon was conquered in 539 B.C., by Persian King Cyrus the Great. 
C. What is the significance of the 70 weeks prophecy? It revealed the rebuilt of Jerusalem (already fulfilled), the first coming of Messiah (already fulfilled), desolation and destruction of Jerusalem and its second Temple (already fulfilled in 70 AD), and the end of ages things including the Anti-Christ’s abominations, and final judgement by our Lord’s return to destroy the Anti-Christ (i.e.,  the end of ages in the future).

2.3 How about the Great Image in the Dream of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2 Concerning the Satan’s Beast Empires in the Human History of The Middle East Region
A. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia had this dream of the great image while Daniel was living in exile in Babylonia. So the beast empires of the Nebuchadnezzar started at the Babylonia empire and did not include the empires before him in the Middle East history.
B. Another key point is that the contact of the prophecies in the Book of Daniel is for his people (Israel) and for its holy city Jerusalem. That is why we do not see any civilizations mentioned outside the Middle East region.
C. It is worth to mention that there were two gentile empires before the Babylonia Empire. They are (1) Egyptian Empire, and (2) Assyrian Empire. Thus, these two plus the the empires of Nebuchadnezzar’s great image did indeed cover the human history in the Middle East region which have affected the Jews and City of Jerusalem.
D. The following Table shows the fulfillment of the Daniel chapter 2 prophecy concerning the Beast Empires in the Human History. The notes cited below is related to this Table:

The Great Image	Bible Reference	The Beast Empire	Remark
The  Gold Head	Dan 2: 32	Babylonia
The Silver Chest and Two Arms	Dan 2: 32	Medo-Persian
The Bronze Belly and Thighs	Dan 2: 32	Greek
The Iron Legs	Dan 2:33	East and West Roman Empires
	The Gap of the Church age	Note 1	Gap between the 69th week and the 70th week of the Daniel 70x7 Prophecy.
Feet of Ten Toes of part clay and part iron	Dan 2:33	Final Beast Empire	Note 2

 

Note 1. Given the fact that Jerusalem was under gentile control for most of the last two thousand years, readers can fill in various potential beast empires during this gap. An example is the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922). Also, another example is the Hitler’s Empire which prosecuted and killed millions of Jews.
Note 2. Final Beast Empire will start with the Anti-Christ’s control of three nations and expand to a ten-nation confederate just prior to the 70th week of 7 years.

 

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Do Spread the gospel of Jesus Christ anytime and anywhere

 

All Christians have a mandate to spread the teaching of Jesus Christ per Matthew 28:18-20

"18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It is essential that we all follow this command to spread the gospel to reach the people coming our ways. It is very important to remind ourselves this. Among many things, we are kept on this date to spread the truth to some people coming our ways today. There are some people such as our parents, or our spouse, or our children that are much easier accessible to us. Since we do not know who will be God's children, we just do our duty to spread the gospel to them.

So to all my brothers and sisters in faith, let do our calls today and do something of eternal values to spread the good news of the salvation by Jesus Christ to those coming our way!

隨時隨地傳播耶穌基督的福音

 

根據馬太福音28：18-20，所有基督徒都有傳播依靠耶穌基督救贖的任務。
馬太福音 28:18-20
18 耶穌進前來，對他們說：「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。 19 所以你們要去，使萬民做我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗， 20 凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守。我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」

至關重要的是，我們所有人都必須遵循這一命令，來傳播福音給今天與我們會面的人們。提醒自己這一點非常重要。 我們今天能夠活著目的之一，是要將真理傳播給今天會面的人們。對我們而言, 有些人(例如我們的父母，我們的配偶或我們的孩子)，更容易獲得接近來傳福音。由於我們不知道誰將成為上帝的兒女，我們只是盡我們的職責將福音傳播給他們。

因此，對所有兄弟姐妹們，讓我們今天按照我們的呼召，做一些有永恆價值的事情，把依靠耶穌基督救贖的好消息傳給來到我們周圍的人！ 

在處理生活中的許多問題時，尤其是我們在一個被世界王子惡魔篡奪的腐敗世界中的朝聖之旅, 我們有時忘記了我們生活在這個世界上的污染中，每天需要淨化自己.

這就是使徒約翰在約翰一書3：1-3中提醒我們的原因:
3 你看父賜給我們是何等的慈愛，使我們得稱為神的兒女，我們也真是他的兒女！世人所以不認識我們，是因未曾認識他。 2 親愛的弟兄啊，我們現在是神的兒女，將來如何，還未顯明。但我們知道，主若顯現，我們必要像他，因為必得見他的真體。 3 凡向他有這指望的，就潔淨自己，像他潔淨一樣。

隨著互聯網和計算機時代的到來，我們受到電視，廣播和互聯網等許多電子媒體的影響。有時，我們是如此容易被污染，以至於我們忘記了需要憑著信念珍惜聖潔。根據當前世界的欺騙，許多聖經所珍視的價值觀，(例如純潔，婚姻和與光明中的團契), 正在被世界不斷貶值和丟棄。

 

A. 首先，我們需要知道什麼是不干淨的污染物。 
聖經清楚地告訴我們以下內容：
1. 聖潔沒有與邪惡的腐敗共享任何的屬性。
    * 約翰一書 1:5, “5 神就是光，在他毫無黑暗，這是我們從主所聽見又報給你們的信息。”
    * 約翰福音 14:30, “30 以後我不再和你們多說話，因為這世界的王將到；他在我裡面是毫無所有”
2.魔鬼為我們設定了許多陷阱。
    * 約翰一書 2:16, “16 因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。”
    * 加拉太書 5:19-21, “19 情慾的事都是顯而易見的，就如姦淫、汙穢、邪蕩、 20 拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、 21 嫉妒、醉酒、荒宴等類。我從前告訴你們，現在又告訴你們：行這樣事的人必不能承受神的國。”
B. 其次，一旦我們知道了致命的污染物，我們就需要通過內在的聖靈用神的話將它們洗淨。
這意味著我們需要避免媒體的污染或逃離犯罪的黑暗地方。
C. 第三，全心全意地珍惜天父的愛和主願與他的教會相交的同情大愛。

”3 凡向他有這指望的，就潔淨自己，像他潔淨一樣。” (約翰一書 3:3)

 

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In dealing with many issues of life, particularly our pilgrimage life journeys in a corrupt world usurped by the devil, the prince of the world, we sometimes forget our daily need of purifying ourselves from our contaminations from living in this world.
This is why Apostle John reminds us in 1 John 3: 1-3,
3 See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

With the coming of the internet and computer age, we are influenced by many electronic media such as TV, radio, and internet. Sometimes, we are so easily contaminated that we forget to cherish purity with conviction. As a matter of current worldly deceptions,  many biblical cherished values (such as purity, marriage, and fellowship with light), are being continuously devalued  and discarded.
A.  First of all, we need to know what are unclean contaminations.
The Bible clearly teaches us the following:
1. There are no sharing of holy attributes with demonic corruptions.
    * 1 John 1:5 - “5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
    *  John 14:30 - “30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”
2.  The devil lays many traps in the world for us.
    * 1 John 2:16 - “16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
    * Galatians 5:19-21, “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

B. Secondly, once we know the deadly contaminants, we need to wash them off by the Word through the indwelling Holy Spirit. 
This means that we need to avoid the pollutions of the media or  flee sinful places of darkness. 
    * Psalm 1:1-2 teaches us so clearly. 
1. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
    * 1 Peter 4:3 - “3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”

C. Thirdly, cherish with all our mind, heart, and strength  the love of our heavenly Father and the compassion of our Lord willing to fellowship with His church.  “And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3 :3)

如何度過Covid-19瘟疫大流行的期間？ 

這瘟疫大流行的主要影響之一是遠程工作操作，而不是面對面的工作模式。 這也包括在線學習，而不是學校教育。 然後，這迫使人們利用更多的電子媒體通信，例如通過各種互聯網平台。 

減輕壓力的有效方法之一是將精力花在對您和您的家庭福祉有益的事情上，而不是花時間在首先使您感到壓力的事情。 

以下是一些想法，可能對我們的生活品質有所幫助。

1. 花時間在工作上謀生。
2. 花時間改善身體健康，例如運動，散步，查找疫苗信息，購買口罩用品等。 
3. 花時間與親人包括親密朋友交流。 這可以通過電話，電子郵件，社交媒體或在家庭中面對面完成，以在這種高壓力環境中互相支持。
4. 與神共度時光。 這可能包括花時間禱告上帝，花時間學習聖經，花時間敬拜上帝，以及花時間尋求聖靈指導。 與耶穌基督共度時光，領受他的平安，以及領受他的力量來承受我們每天的十字架生活 。 
5. 花時間清理環境，例如整理工作空間或車庫等。
6. 花時間幫助有迫切需要的人。
7. 不要花時間在各種新聞媒體上漫無目的地瀏覽，也不要花時間在各種社會媒體團體之間進行無休止的聊天。 

 

Where to spend your time in the Covid-19 Pandemic?

One of major impacts of this pandemic is remote operations rather than in-person face to face working mode. This includes on-line learning rather than in school education. This then forces people to utilize even more digital communications such as  through various internet platforms.

One of the effective means of reducing the stress is to spend the effort on something which are  of benefits to your and your family well beings, and not on things that get you stressed up in the first place.

The following are a list of ideas that may be helpful in our activity planning.
Spend time in  work to earn a living.
Spend time to improve your health such as exercise, walking, find out vaccine information, get mask supplies, etc.
Invest time to communicate with your love ones including close friends. This can be done either by phone, e-mails, social media, or face-to-face within a family to lend support to each other in this high stress environment.
Spend time with God. This may including spending time with God in prayers, spending time with God in bible study, spending time with God in worship., and spend time with God in seeking His guidance.  Spend time with Jesus Christ to receive His peace,  and His strength in carrying our individual cross through each day.
Spend time to clean up your environment such as tidy up your working space or your garage etc.
Spend time to help others in  dire needs.
Do not spend time in wondering aimlessly in various  news media and do not spend time in endless chats among various social groups.

 

愚人不知有神

詩篇53   

1 愚頑人心裡說：「沒有神！」他們都是邪惡，行了可憎惡的罪孽，沒有一個人行善。
2 神從天上垂看世人，要看有明白的沒有，有尋求他的沒有。
3 他們各人都退後，一同變為汙穢；並沒有行善的，連一個也沒有。
4 作孽的沒有知識嗎？他們吞吃我的百姓如同吃飯一樣，並不求告神。
5 他們在無可懼怕之處，就大大害怕，因為神把那安營攻擊你之人的骨頭散開了。

   你使他們蒙羞，因為神棄絕了他們。
6 但願以色列的救恩從錫安而出！神救回他被擄的子民，那時雅各要快樂，以色列要歡喜。

 

上帝為其民做避難之所

詩篇46;1-3    

1 上帝是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助。
2 所以地雖改變，山雖搖動到海心，
3 其中的水雖砰訇翻騰，山雖因海漲而戰抖，我們也不害怕。

 

神做王治理萬國

詩篇 47:6-8

6 你們要向神歌頌，歌頌！向我們王歌頌，歌頌！
7 因為神是全地的王，你們要用悟性歌頌！
8 神做王治理萬國，神坐在他的聖寶座上。

 

要把你的重擔卸給耶和華 深信神必施拯救

詩篇 55:22-23      
22 你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華，他必撫養你，他永不叫義人動搖。
23 神啊，你必使惡人下入滅亡的坑，流人血行詭詐的人必活不到半世，但我要倚靠你。

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How to be Comforted by God in our Suffering of Dishearted Disappointment!    

 

Foolishness and Wickedness of People

Psalm 53 

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.
2 God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of mankind
To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God.
3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
There is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Have the workers of injustice no knowledge, Who eat up My people like they ate bread,
And have not called upon God?
5 They were in great fear there, where no fear had been;
For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you;
You put them to shame, because God had rejected them.
6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad.

 

 God, the Refuge of His People

Psalm 46:1-3    

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes 

   And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. 

 

God Reigns Over The Nations

Psalm 47:6-8
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a psalm of wisdom.
8 God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

 

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you

Psalm 55:22-23 
22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
23 But You, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction;
Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days.
But I will trust in You.

 

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Contents of this page after the list of latest articles: 
* 我們從世界中被選擇出来, 成為聖潔 - 附題：您站在哪一邊！
   We are separated from the world to be holy,  with a subtitle: Which side are you with!
* Actions, not Reactions, on Covid-19 Pandemic      針對Covid-19大流行的行動，而非反應 
* What to do in Covid-19 pandemic period.                在Covid-19大流行期間該怎麼辦。
* On the Covid-19 pandemic                                        在Covid-19大流行中
* On the Spread of the Corona Virus                           關於Covid-19病毒的傳播
* Importance of Studying the Bible and of Constant Prayers 研讀聖經和持續祈禱的重要性(9/18)
* On Decay and Corruption Again再論衰敗與腐敗 (7/18)
* Alert and Sober 謹慎自守 (7/18)
* When the wise are blind, where is Justice 當智者失明時，正義在何處?(5/18)
* Information Overload 資訊爆炸(5/18)
*A Personal Witness on the Love of my God to me from a pastor of this website
  我的上帝給我的愛 -----------------------------------------來自本網站，一位牧師個人的見證！
* The horrible judgement of God                          * 上帝的審判- -水深火熱可怕之中的可怕(2/2018)
* When the darkness overwhelmed us!               * 當黑暗壓倒我們！(11/17)
* On Temptation and Evil                                       * 誘惑和邪惡 (11/17)
* Eternal Life                                                           * 永恆的生命 (7/17)
* Cherish                                                                 * 珍惜 (6/17)
* Free Will                                                               * 自由意志 (6/17)
* In Christ                                                               *  在基督裡 (5/17)
* Lord Jesus Christ’s Teaching on life eternal    * 主耶穌基督對生命永生的教導 (3/17)
* God's Grace Saves Me                                       *  主恩救我 
* Trace of Time and Grace of God                        *  時間的痕跡與神的恩典 
* Welcome Message                                              *  歡迎來到『一位牧師的提醒』的網站
* An urgent warning in a chaotic world               *  亂世中的警語(8/2015)
* Looking to the Infrastructural Things               *  顧念所不見的
* Seeking The Things Above                                *  不知天上宮闕,今夕是何年 (2/2016)
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As a christian, you cannot be so ignorant as to what you are! Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us clearly in John 15:16, “16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”. There are many verses in the Bible that God told us to come out of the corruptions/filths of the world. (See Isiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Rev 18:4). As you know in the Bible, the Babylonia city was the symbol of the wickedness, evil, corruptions, and filthiness of the world. We were called out of the world to be holy and to bear fruits for the Gospel.

Our Lord clearly taught us in His high priestly prayer in John 17: 16-19, “16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” It is so clear that we christians are in the world, but not of the world.

Concisely speaking, we stand with our Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives do not mix with the worldly filthy practices. This means clearly that as christians, we oppose the worldly corruptions and filthy ways. This also means that we clearly recognize those who are against God. So which side are you with:  We are against those policies that are against the biblical truth and values. As a christian, you cannot  ignorantly support enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Furthermore, the Bible tells us that our struggles are not against flesh and blood as shown in Ephesians 6:12, “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We should therefore urgently pray to our Mighty Lord for our societies and even our enemies, so that they can repent and return to God to escape the terrible and horrified forthcoming judgement onto this degenerate era and the evil world!

 

我們從世界中被選擇出来, 成為聖潔 - 附題：您站在哪一邊！

 

作為基督徒，我們不能那麼無知地, “對自己是什麼, 站在哪裡”, 什么都不知道！ 我們的主耶穌基督在約翰福音15:16中清楚地教導我們：``16 不是你們揀選了我，是我揀選了你們，並且分派你們去結果子，叫你們的果子常存，使你們奉我的名無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。” 聖經中有許多經文提到: 上帝告訴我們要擺脫世界的污穢 , 成為聖潔（見以賽亞書52:11，哥林多後書6:17，啟18：4）。 如您在聖經中所知，巴比倫城是代表世界邪惡，腐敗和污穢的象徵。 我們從巴比倫城中被呼召出来為聖潔，並為福音結出果實。

我們的主在約翰福音17：16-19中的大祭司禱告中清楚地教導我們：``16 他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣。 17 求你用真理使他們成聖，你的道就是真理。 18 你怎樣差我到世上，我也照樣差他們到世上。 19 我為他們的緣故，自己分別為聖，叫他們也因真理成聖。'' 很明顯，我們基督徒雖然是在世界上，但不是屬於世界的。

簡而言之，我們與主耶穌基督站在一起。 我們不與世界同流合污混在一起。 這顯然意味著，作為基督徒，我們反對世界的腐敗和污穢行為， 也認清那些反對上帝的人。 因此，您站在哪一邊？我們反對那些違背聖經真理和價值觀的政策。我們不能那麼無知地, 支持主耶穌基督的敵人！
此外，聖經告訴我們，我們的鬥爭不是與屬血氣的爭戰。以弗所書 6:12, “12 因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰，乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的，以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。” 因此，我們應該為我們的社會乃至我們的敵人，緊急不斷地向我們的全能主祈禱，使他們能悔改回歸向上帝，因而逃避即將來臨，對這個墮落時代和邪惡世界的可怕而恐怖的審判!

 

Do you sense that lately the world events happen in such a manner that looks like the world is going awry? First, the Covid-19 hit; then the closing of economic activities resulting in job loss, and in business collapse; then the social unrest including riots and burning due to police brutalities; and now the crises in India-China border, and  in Korean peninsula. So what will be next?
您是否感覺到最近發生的世界大事是非常迅速的，好像世界在大動盪嗎？ 首先，Covid-19災難一時到來； 然後，封城導致失業和經濟業務崩潰； 然後是社會動盪，包括警察暴行造成的騷亂焚燒； 現在是印度和中國邊境以及朝鮮半島的危機。 那麼接下來會是什麼？

 

With the Covid-19 lockdown, we are confined at home and thus even more anxious about what are going on, particularly social unrest in our neighborhood.

This reminds me about a verse in the Bible. Ephesians 5:16, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. I know that I should make the most of my time. But why is it because the days are evil? We all know that we live in evil days. Evils are rampage and wickednesses prevail when  societies are controlled by elites who hate God. All the liberal views and mainstream media opinions and agenda reflect Romans 1:21, “ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “

隨著Covid-19的鎖定，我們被限制在家裡，因此更加擔心發生的事情，尤其是附近的社會動盪。
這使我想起聖經中的一段經文。 以弗所書5：16, “要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。”

我知道我應該充分利用自己的時間。 但是為什麼”因為現今的世代邪惡”？ 我們都知道我們生活在邪惡的日子裡。當一個社會受到憎恨上帝的精英們的控制時，邪惡就氾濫成災了。 所有自由主義的觀點以及主流媒體的觀點和議程都反映了羅馬書1:21 “因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。”

 

I also remember our Lord told His disciples who waked Him up in a tiny boat during a fierce storm. Matthews 8:26, 26 He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. So when days are evil, our surrounding situations will be like fearful waves in a scary storm. As a Christian, we need to turn our eyes to trust our Mighty Lord.
我還記得主的門徒,在猛烈的風暴中在一條小船上將他叫醒, 我們的主告訴他的門徒，馬太福音 8:26
, “耶穌說：「你們這小信的人哪！為什麼膽怯呢？」於是起來，斥責風和海，風和海就大大地平靜了”。 因此，在邪惡的日子裡，我們周圍的局勢將像猛烈風暴中的可怕波浪。 作為一名基督徒，我們需要睜大眼睛相信我們的全能主。

 

A best way is to pray more times  each day  and to start reading the Bible systematically. But if you are not the folks who have patience, then let me suggest the following:

1. Go to the Hymn sections, and listen to hymns. If you use the “control key” in your lap top and select “repeat play” option, then the hymn you select will play repeatedly  while you do your things.
2. Go to various webpages of this site and read a bit or listening to sermons. We just add a new webpage ”Spiritual Growth” which you may be interested.

In any event, try to call your good friends to share your opinions and feeling and try to encourage each other. Do trust our Lord. He loves you always. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
最好的方法是每天祈禱更多次，並開始系統地閱讀聖經。 但是，如果您不是有耐心的人，那麼讓我提出以下建議：
1. 轉到讚美詩網頁，聽讚美詩。 如果您在筆記本電腦上使用“控制鍵”並選擇“重複播放”選項，則您選擇的讚美詩將在您做事時反複播放。
2. 轉到本站點的各個網頁，閱讀一些內容或聽佈道。 我們最近添加一個您可能感興趣的新網頁“靈修成長”。
無論如何，請嘗試打電話給您的好朋友，以分享您的意見和感受，並互相鼓勵。 要相信我們的主。 他一直愛你。 讚美我們的主耶穌基督！

 

In the time of this  pandemic, people may think that: is this from God to punish the world ? or is this from devil to crush the human race?. After some meditation, here are a few pointers to share:

在這種大流行時期，人們可能會認為：這是來自上帝的懲罰世界嗎？ 還是這是出於魔鬼壓制人類？ 經過沉思後，這裡有一些要分享的：
1. From the virus impacts to the church services to worship God, this virus is from the devil.
      從病毒的影響到教堂禮拜神，這種病毒是從魔鬼那裡來的
2. From the impacts of the social distancing to the family and friends relationship and fellowship, this virus is from the devil.
      從社會疏遠對親朋好友關係和團契的影響來看，這種病毒是來自魔鬼。
3 From the virus impacts to livelihood such as loss of jobs, loss of schooling, etc, it is from the devil. 
      從病毒的影響到謀生，例如失業，失學等，都是惡魔造成的。
4. Some may ask where is God in all this? I do see God through His faithfuls are effectively dealing with the issues such as the White House Covid-19 Task Force under VP Pence. I also see the devil through its demonic people including fake news and socialist cohorts in USA continuing to oppose the Trump’s effort in dealing with the afflictions of this virus.
     有人可能會問，這一切中上帝在哪裡？ 我確實看到上帝通過他的信徒正在有效地處理諸如彭斯副總統下屬的白宮Covid-19工作組之類的問題。 我還看到惡魔通過其惡魔般的人群，包括在美國的假新聞和社會主義團體，繼續反對特朗普為應對這種病毒而做出的努力。

5. This pandemic is not the first in human history and will not be the last either. God is in control in human history. As for us individual, more times should be spent with our family and friends for mutual support and caring. Furthermore, more time should be spent in meditating Bible teaching and prayers asking our Merciful God to deliver the human beings from this virus afflictions.
這種流行病不是人類歷史上的第一個，也不是最後一個。 在人類歷史上，上帝掌控著一切。 對於我們個人，應該與我們的家人和朋友度過更多的時間，以相互支持和關懷。 此外，應該花更多的時間來思考聖經的教導和祈禱，求我們的仁慈上帝拯救人類免受這種病毒的折磨。

6. We should remember our Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching in John 16:33. 
    33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
我們應該記住約翰福音16:33中主耶穌基督的教導。
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。”

7. Therefore, we should live by Philippians 4:6-7. 
    6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
因此，我們應該以腓立比書4：6-7為生.
6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。 7 神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心懷意念。

 

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詩篇107    耶和華救人脫諸苦難

在苦難中哀求耶和華患病者得醫
17 愚妄人因自己的過犯和自己的罪孽，便受苦楚。
18 他們心裡厭惡各樣的食物，就臨近死門。
19 於是他們在苦難中哀求耶和華，他從他們的禍患中拯救他們。
20 他發命醫治他們，救他們脫離死亡。
21 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他！
22 願他們以感謝為祭獻給他，歡呼述說他的作為！

Ps. 107  The Lord Delivers Men from Manifold Troubles.

Healing them who cried out to the Lord for His mercies

17  Fools, because of their rebellious way, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
18 Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, And they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, 

And for His wonders to the sons of men!
22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing.

 

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詩篇 117 

勸萬民讚主
117 萬國啊，你們都當讚美耶和華！萬民哪，你們都當頌讚他！
2 因為他向我們大施慈愛，耶和華的誠實存到永遠。你們要讚美耶和華！

 

Psalm 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.

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The Covid-19 viruses have spread to many countries in the world now. The disease has impacted many places including Wuhan, China, and now Italy, Spain, and New York City,  the epicenters of the disease. We saw that people in many places in different countries wearing masks. Many infectious disease experts commented that this virus is similar to the virus that causes SARS. There are no known cures.

關於Covid-19病毒的傳播
Covid-19病毒現已傳播到世界許多國家。 該病影響了許多地方，包括該病的流行中心中國武漢, 意大利, 西班牙, 與紐約市。 我們看到在不同國家的許多地方，人們戴著口罩。 許多傳染病專家評論說，該病毒類似於引起SARS的病毒。 沒有已知的治療方法。

The Year 2020 started with this horrifying virus epidemic disease and many people, especially the older folks with a preexisting weak immune system, are truly scared because of quick transmission and serious illness including death with this virus. Some people even compare  the  current situation and its potential outbreak with the 1918 influenza pandemic disaster.  The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 millions worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States.

2020年始於這種可怕的病毒流行病，許多人，尤其是那些免疫系統較弱的老年人，由於這種病毒的快速傳播和嚴重疾病（包括死亡）而真正感到恐懼。 有人甚至將當前局勢及其潛在爆發與1918年流感大流行災難進行了比較。  1918年的流感大流行是最近歷史上最嚴重的大流行。 它是由具有禽源基因的H1N1病毒引起的。 據估計，全世界死亡人數至少為5,000萬，其中約675,000在美國發生。

As an individual, there are not many things that we can do physically other than trying hard to avoid being afflicted with this virus. But since we cannot see the virus, we are really at the loss as to how to avoid this bad virus. Fear of this disease really does impact our daily routines and lives. Many people are afraid and highly stressed up. Listed below are a few things affecting people’s wellbeing:

1. Stock markets of the world are taking serious hits. For example, Dow Jones took a loss of more than 2000 point in a day not long ago.
2. Governments impose travel restrictions in and out of a large red zone area. Some people cannot leave their homes or their cities. Others got stuck in a cruise ship for weeks because of this virus affecting passengers in the ship.
3. People are panicking trying to get basic stuff such as masks, sanitizing spray/wipes, even toilet paper.
4. Vaccines for this virus are 12 months to 24 months away. There are also lacks of testing kits for this virus.
5. Many governments impose 14 days quarantines either at a designated camp or at home. Loss of wages causes further anxiety.

作為個人，除了努力避免感染這種病毒外，我們實際上沒有很多其他事情可以做。 但是，由於我們看不到該病毒，因此我們對於如何避免這種有害的病毒確實感到茫然。 對這種疾病的恐懼確實會影響我們的日常生活。 許多人對此感到恐懼和高度緊張。 下面列出了一些影響人們福祉的因素：

1. 世界股市受到嚴重衝擊。 例如，不久前道瓊斯（Dow Jones）一天虧損超過2000點。
2. 政府對進出大紅色區域的人實行旅行限制。 有些人不能離開家園或城市。 其他人由於這種病毒影響船上的乘客而被困在遊輪上數週。
3. 人們在驚慌失措，試圖購買口罩，消毒噴霧劑/濕巾甚至衛生紙等基本物品。
4. 此病毒的疫苗需要12個月至24個月。 也缺少針對該病毒的測試套件。
5. 許多政府在指定的營區或家中實行14天隔離。 工資的損失引起了進一步的焦慮。

 

There are no lacks of bad commentaries and predictions by experts. Some even said that many viruses currently exist in deep forests in remote areas that we still do not know. So a large scale of annihilations of the human race caused by some unknown viruses is not if  it can happen, but rather, when will it happen. And there were a few bad cases in history such as the Black Plague of Middle Age, and the 1918 pandemic mentioned above. The Back Plague occurred in the 14th century, and  was one of the most devastating pandemics in the human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people in Eurasia. 

專家們不乏不良評論和預言。 甚至有人說，目前尚不了解偏遠地區深林中存在的許多病毒。 因此，由某些未知病毒引起的大規模人類滅絕之瘟疫不是不會發生，而是何時會發生。 歷史上也有一些記載，例如中世紀黑死病瘟疫和上述的1918年大流行。中世紀黑死病瘟疫發生於14世紀，是人類歷史上最毀滅性的大流行病之一，據估計造成歐亞大陸7500萬至2億人死亡。

It seems that even with our current biomedical advances, the human race is indeed very vulnerable to diseases caused by viruses. Examples are Ebola, AIDS, SARS, influenza, and now Covid-19. This reminds me of the fact that we are indeed living in a corrupt world. Corruptions or evils are so rampaging that we need to “see” them clearly. We need to recognize that how sinful we are and how corrupt the world has come to be. 

看起來，即使我們目前在生物醫學上取得了進步，人類確實確實非常容易感染病毒引起的疾病。 例如埃博拉病毒，艾滋病，非典(SARS)，流感和現在的Covid-19。 這使我想起我們確實生活在一個腐敗的世界中。 腐敗或邪惡是如此猖傳流行，以至於我們需要清楚地“看到”腐敗和邪惡。 我們需要痛心疾首認定到我們有多罪惡，世界有多腐敗。

This reminds me of Isiah 6:5;  
Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

這使我想起以賽亞書6：5。
5 那時我說：「禍哉！我滅亡了。因為我是嘴唇不潔的人，又住在嘴唇不潔的民中，又因我眼見大君王萬軍之耶和華。」”

Indeed, unless we clearly see the corruptions and smell the deaths thereof, we are all doomed!
(1)  Can we see ourselves in Isaiah 1:4 
Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly!
They have abandoned the Lord, They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away from Him.
(2) Can we see our world in Isaiah 1:21-23
21 How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards.
They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

的確，除非我們清楚地看到腐敗並聞到其死亡，否則我們都注定要失敗！
（1）我們可以在以賽亞書1：4中看到自己嗎?
嘆其受罰仍不悔改
4 嗐，犯罪的國民，擔著罪孽的百姓，行惡的種類，敗壞的兒女！他們離棄耶和華，藐視以色列的聖者，與他生疏，往後退步。
（2）我們能在以賽亞書1：21-23中看到我們的世界嗎?
嘆聖城敗壞
21 可嘆忠信的城變為妓女！從前充滿了公平，公義居在其中，現今卻有凶手居住！ 22 你的銀子變為渣滓，你的酒用水摻兌。 23 你的官長居心悖逆，與盜賊做伴，各都喜愛賄賂，追求贓私。他們不為孤兒申冤，寡婦的案件也不得呈到他們面前。

We may ask why the Covid-19 happens now? Or even, why Covid-19 spreads to our societies? And how about our own survival? This reminds me of what our Lord Jesus taught in Luke 13:1-5:
LUKE 13:1-5,         Call to Repent
13 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Indeed, unless we repent, we will all likewise perish!

我們可能會問為什麼現在發生Covid-19？ 甚至，為什麼Covid-19傳播到我們的社會？ 而我們自己的生存呢？ 這使我想起了我們的主耶穌在路加福音13：1-5中的教導
 

路加福音13：1-5            呼籲悔改
13 正當那時，有人將彼拉多使加利利人的血摻雜在他們祭物中的事告訴耶穌。 2 耶穌說：「你們以為這些加利利人比眾加利利人更有罪，所以受這害嗎？ 3 我告訴你們：不是的！你們若不悔改，都要如此滅亡。 4 從前西羅亞樓倒塌了，壓死十八個人，你們以為那些人比一切住在耶路撒冷的人更有罪嗎？ 5 我告訴你們：不是的！你們若不悔改，都要如此滅亡。」
 

的確，除非我們悔改，否則我們都會如此滅亡！

The following are that we should all do: 

1. Urgently pray to God for His mercies in healing the whole world for this awful Covid-19 disease.
2. Examine ourselves truthfully whether we have repented from our sinful habits and deeds. Make sure that I am not dying in my sins. Make sure that we do not love darkness and sinful environment. 
3. Are we daily fellowshipping with our Lord in His light by meditating on His Word. Counting our remaining days by spending our limited days in studying His Word and praising our Heavenly Father such as those describing in Ps 105:1-8.
4. While being locked down at home, suggest we listen to the hymns such as going to the webpage www.reminderfromapastor.org to select your favorable hymn in the hymn pages to calm our hearts and enjoy our Lord’s mercies and blessings. Incidentally after you select your hymn,  use the "control" key to display “loop” play option. So your laptop or computer will play the hymns repeatedly.

建議下述的行動:

1. 祈禱懇求上帝憐憫, 治癒世界各處可怕Covid-19 病毒的瘟疫.
2. 診察我們自己是否確切地悔改；是否對自己有罪的習性感到痛悔；是否害怕罪的傳播和傳染性. 深刻地感觸這世代的試探的可怕, 設法確保自己不要垂死在罪的習性裡. 
3. 我們自己是否每日在光中與主耶穌基督交通, 深思熟慮在主的話裡. 數算剩下的日子來研讀聖經, 如詩篇105:1-8 來歌頌讚美事奉我們的天父上帝.
4. 在家中這個期間, 傾聽詩歌使我們內心平安喜樂. 建議到 www.reminderfromapastor.org 挑選你所喜愛的詩歌來感謝主耶穌的憐憫和祝福. 附帶地, 在詩歌網頁挑選你所喜愛的詩歌後, 用”control” 鍵 來選 ”loop play, 不停地重複播送該詩歌”. 這樣就可以整日繼續傾聽這詩歌.

 

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See Also "Do not Underestimate The Impacts of The Covid-19 Virus 不要低估Covid-19病毒的影響" on the webpage "For The Believers"

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14 耶 和 華 ─ 我 的 磐 石 ， 我 的 救 贖 主 啊 ， 願 我 口 中 的 言 語 、 心 裡 的 意 念 在 你 面 前 蒙 悅 納 。(詩 篇 19:14 )

 

10 我 因 沒 有 違 棄 那 聖 者 的 言 語 ， 就 仍 以 此 為 安 慰 ， 在 不 止 息 的 痛 苦 中 還 可 踴 躍 。(約 伯 記 6:10 ) 

31 但 那 等 候 耶 和 華 的 必 從 新 得 力 。 他 們 必 如 鷹 展 翅 上 騰 ； 他 們 奔 跑 卻 不 困 倦 ， 行 走 卻 不 疲 乏 。(以 賽 亞 書 40:31 )

 

Psalm 19:14 
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

 

Job 6:10
10 “But it is still my consolation,
And I rejoice in unsparing pain,
That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

 

Isaiah 40:31  
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

 

 

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The Road to Heavenly Kingdom
通往天國之路

Issues of life attract all human beings across all cultures and races.  The way and means to eternal life has been a key pursuit of the human race throughout history. Most of people think of eternal life as a very special place where people there will live forever and ever. Thus, the question of eternal life can be viewed as finding the road to that special place.

生命的種種問題，吸引了所有文化和種族的每一個人。 永生的方式和方法，一直是歷史上、人人主要的追求。 大多數人認為，永生是一個非常特殊的地方，在那裡的人們將永遠活著。 因此，永生的問題，可以被視為、尋找通向那個特殊地方的道路。

 

According to the Bible, after Adam and Eve were deceived by the Devil and hence committed sin against God, mankind was evicted from the paradise, Garden of Eden, and here separated from the Divine presence. Ever since, we have endeavored to find a way back to the heavens.
根據聖經，在亞當和夏娃被魔鬼欺騙、並因此對上帝犯下罪之後，人類被驅逐出天堂，伊甸園，並在這裡與神的所在分離了。 從那以後，我們一直努力尋找回歸天堂的道路。

 

The first recorded history of a very large consorted effort of such an endeavor was revealed in Genesis 11:1-9. The building of the tower of Babel towards the Heavens to make “a name of ourselves” (see Gen 11: 4). This provoked our Creator because we defied our God. So God confused the language of the whole world so that men cannot understand each other and the effort to build the Babel tower failed.
歷史上關於這種大規模集合世人合作的企劃，首次記載在創世紀11:1- 9，要建造、塔頂通天的巴別塔，為要傳揚"我們的名" (參見 創11:4)。這激怒了我們的創造主，因為我們藐視了、我們的上帝。 所以，上帝混淆了整個世界的言語文字，這樣人們就無法相互溝通理解，而建造巴別塔的努力也就失敗了。

創世紀11：1-9
1那時，天下人的口音、言語都是一樣。 2 他們往東邊遷移的時候，在示拿地遇見一片平原，就住在那裡。 3 他們彼此商量說：「來吧！我們要做磚，把磚燒透了。」他們就拿磚當石頭，又拿石漆當灰泥。 4 他們說： 「來吧！我們要建造一座城和一座塔，塔頂通天，為要傳揚我們的名，免得我們分散在全地上。」 5 耶和華降臨，要看看世人所建造的城和塔。6 耶和華說：「看哪，他們成為一樣的人民，都是一樣的言語，如今既做起這事來，以後他們所要做的事就沒有不成就的了。 7 我們下去，在那裡變亂他們的口音，使他們的言語彼此不通。」 8 於是，耶和華使他們從那裡分散在全地上，他們就停工不造那城了。 9 因為耶和華在那裡變亂天下人的言語，使眾人分散在全地上，所以那城名叫巴別(就是「變亂」的意思)。

 

Here we learn a great lesson:
(a) It is not up to the will of the human race to decide how to reach the heavens. In other words, creatures do not mandate the entitlement of entering into the heavens to possess the eternal life. Eternal life is solely up to God. 
(b) Confusions came from miscommunication and hence great hindrance to human accomplishments.

(c) This happened at a place which was named Babel to explain the origin of confusions. Thus, the term Babylonia signals great confusion of human endeavors or the ultimate evil human empire symbolized defiance to the Creator God. 

 在這裡，我們學到了很好的教訓:​
 （a）如何到達天堂，不是人類的意願所能決定的。 換句話說，所有被造生物，都沒有應得的權利，可以要求進入天堂、擁有永生。 永恆的生命，是完全取決於上帝。
 （b）混淆來自於溝通不暢，從而嚴重阻礙了人類的成就。

 （c）這發生在一個名為巴別的地方，來解釋混淆的起因。 因此，巴比倫、這個術語，闡述著人類努力的巨大混亂特性，或者是，標誌終極邪惡的人類帝國，象徵著對造物主上帝的蔑視。

 

There was a great revelation commonly referred to as “Jacob Ladder” recorded in Genesis 28: 10-13, “he had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. “ 
在創世記28:10-13中，記載一個通常被稱為“雅各的梯子”的偉大啟示：“他夢見一個梯子立在地上，梯子的頭頂著天，有神的使者在梯子上、上去下來。耶和華站在梯子之上說：「我是耶和華，你祖亞伯拉罕的神，也是以撒的神，我要將你現在所躺臥之地，賜給你和你的後裔"。

 

 Here,  we learned another great lesson:

(d) The communication/contacts between the Heavens and the earthly world are through this God’s stairway. 
(e) Only angels of God ascending and descending continuously on the stairway between the heaven and earth.
(f) The God’s covenant blessings came through this heavenly stairway as well. 
(g) Jacob did not seek this revelation at all. It was God’s faithfulness to reveal God’s promises to his grand father Abraham extending to the human race through Jacob.

在這裡，我們學到了另一個很重要的功課：

（d）天堂與塵世之間的交流/接觸，是通過這個上帝的階梯。
（e）只有上帝的天使，在天地之間的樓梯上、不斷的來回、上升和下降。
 （f）上帝的聖約祝福，也來自這個天堂的階梯。
 （g）雅各根本沒有尋求這種啟示。 而是上帝的忠誠信實、顯示了上帝的承諾，給他的祖父亞伯拉罕、經由雅各，延伸到人類。

 

It is interesting to note that Jacob Ladder was kind of virtually disappearing after Genesis 11 in Old Testament until New Testament thousands of years later.
值得注意的是，“雅各的梯子(Jacob Ladder)"、在舊約聖經創世紀11章之後，幾乎消失了，直到幾千年後、才重現在新約聖經。

 

In John 1:43-51, Jesus on His own initiative suddenly revealed this to His newly chosen disciples, “51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

在約翰福音1:43-51中，耶穌突然主動、向他新挑選的門徒、顯示了這一點，“他接著補充說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：你們將要看見天開了，神的使者上去下來、在人子身上。」”。

 

Here we learn another great lesson:
(h) Jacob Ladder was identified as the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.
(g) Heavenly revelation is revealed by God on His time and manners, not by human’s endeavors.
The communications and blessings from God is through Jesus Christ our Lord. In other words, the road to the heavens is on/through Jesus Christ.

在這裡，我們學到了另一個偉大的教訓：
 (i) “雅各的梯子(Jacob Ladder)"被確定為人子，耶穌基督。
 (j) 上帝在他的時間和方式上，揭示了天上的啟示，而不是藉著人類的努力。來自上帝的交流和祝福，是通過我們的主耶穌基督。 換句話說，耶穌基督是通往天堂的道路。

 

You may ask “Are there other scripture verses corroborating with this?” Yes, there are many. Here are a few examples.

 你可能會問 “是否有聖經的其他經文，也支持證明這一點？”，是的，有很多。 這裡有一些例子。

 

Acts 4: 11-12,
11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
使徒行傳4:11-12    除了耶穌別無拯救
11 「他是『你們匠人所棄的石頭，已成了房角的頭塊石頭』。 
12 除他以外，別無拯救，因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名我們可以靠著得救。」

 

Philippians 2:9-11 
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
腓立比書2：9-11   無不口稱耶穌為主
9 所以神將他升為至高，又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名， 
10 叫一切在天上的、地上的和地底下的，因耶穌的名無不屈膝， 
11 無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸於父神。

 

Actually, one of the key teachings in our Lord’s “Upper Room Discourse” was to answer this key question “ What is the road to heaven?” (See John Chapter 14), particularly Verse 14:1-6

John 14:1-6  
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

 

實際上，我們主在“頂樓傳道”中的一個關鍵教義，是回答這個重要問題 “什麼是天堂之路？”(見約翰福音14章)，特別是14:1-6節。

約翰福音14：1-6  安慰門徒的心
1「你們心裡不要憂愁，你們信神，也當信我。 2 在我父的家裡有許多住處，若是沒有，我就早已告訴你們了，我去原是為你們預備地方去。 3 我若去為你們預備了地方，就必再來接你們到我那裡去，我在哪裡，叫你們也在哪裡。 4 我往哪裡去你們知道，那條路你們也知道。」 5 多馬對他說：「主啊，我們不知道你往哪裡去，怎麼知道那條路呢？」
主為道路真理生命
6 耶穌說：「我就是道路、真理、生命。若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。

 

 

 

 

 

***************************************************************************************************** 1 Corinthians 8:6 

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

哥林多前书 8:6  

6 然而我們只有一位 神，就是父；萬物都是從他而來，我們也為了他而活。我們也只有一位主，就是耶穌基督；萬物都是藉著他而有的，我們也是藉著他而有的。

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The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Now is the acceptable time. Today if you will hear His voice.

公義的上帝要審判罪人，要審判這污染罪惡的世界是聖經一直的警告！

主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改 (彼得後書 3:9 )

你們今日若聽他的話，看哪，現在正是悅納的時候！現在正是拯救的日子！                **************************************************************************************************

 

In this world, quality of life depends greatly upon your relationship with people close to you. This is particularly obvious in a chaotic world. First of all, our world is indeed a chaotic world. Chaos often reign in our daily lives. Chaos come from conflicts from situations surrounding us— mostly from chaotic human relationship. People’s hearts grow cold in a busy world.
在這個世界上，生活的品質，在很大程度上取決於、你與親近的人的關係。這在混亂的世界中尤為明顯。首先，我們的世界、確實是一個混亂的世界。混亂，常常影響到我們的日常生活。混亂來自我們周圍的矛盾衝突 - 主要來自混亂的人際關係。人們的心，在繁忙的世界裡變冷了。

 

All chaos come from hearts that have no peace of God. People do not have peace because they do not know God and therefore, can not enjoy themselves and their surroundings. In other word, they do not have an “appreciating attitude”. An easy test: Those who are self centered, do not have grateful attitudes. Chaos ensue when you put two self centered folks together.
所有的混亂，都來自、沒有上帝平安的心。人們沒有和平，因為他們不認識上帝。因此，不能享受自己和周圍的環境。換句話說，他們沒有“感恩、惜福的態度”。一個簡單的考驗：那些以自我為中心的人，就沒有感恩的態度。當你把兩個以自我為中心的人、放在一起時，就會出現混亂。

 

A conflicting world exist because people forget that it is God who sustains their lives.  Romans 1: 21-25, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”
一個相互衝突的世界會存在，是因為人們忘記了、維持生命的是上帝。羅馬書1：21-25，“21 因為他們雖然知道神，卻不當做神榮耀他，也不感謝他，他們的思念變為虛妄，無知的心就昏暗了。 22 自稱為聰明，反成了愚拙， 23 將不能朽壞之神的榮耀變為偶像，彷彿必朽壞的人和飛禽、走獸、昆蟲的樣式。24 所以，神任憑他們逞著心裡的情慾行汙穢的事，以致彼此玷辱自己的身體。 25 他們將神的真實變為虛謊，去敬拜侍奉受造之物，不敬奉那造物的主——主乃是可稱頌的，直到永遠！阿們“。

 

So especially during this holiday season, first of all,  “be grateful to our Creator.”  Secondly, be grateful to those dear to us. Once we appreciate our lives and people close to us, we will have a “grateful mind” about services we received from other people. Often selfish people do not recognize services they receive.  As a starter, how about clean water from faucet in your house or roads that you travel. All infrastructures of a society does not materialize by itself but come from hard work of many people.
特別是在這個假日季節，第一，“要感謝我們的創造者”。其次，要感謝與我們親愛的人們。一旦我們珍惜我們的生命及我們親近的人，我們將對，我們從其他人那裡獲得的服務，抱有“感激之情”。自私的人，通常不會認知或意識到、他們所得到的服務。首先，您家中水龍頭的水從何而來，或您行走道路從何而來。社會的所有基礎設施，不是自己從無而有出現在眼前，而是來自許多人的辛勤工作而成。

 

So be grateful. Even better, show some gratitude to your society by providing  with some kindness acts to other people surrounding you. Even more important, show kindness to people dear to you: husband to wife, kids to Mom, parents to kids, wife to husband, …. particularly some kindness to people coming your ways.
所以，要感恩惜福。更好的是，通過向周圍的其他人、提供一些善意行為，向您的社會表達一些感激之情。更重要的是，向親愛的人們展示善意：丈夫對妻子，孩子對媽媽，父母對孩子，妻子對丈夫，.......特別是展示善意一些、來到你的路上的人。

 

Merry Christmas to you all and do have blessed hearts in the chaotic world. Just remember that Christ did die for you —righteous for unrighteous. “8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3: 8-9)
祝所有的人聖誕快樂，並且祝福您在混亂的世界中、擁有受祝福的心。要記得基督為你而死 - 就是義的代替不義的。 “8 總而言之，你們都要同心，彼此體恤，相愛如弟兄，存慈憐謙卑的心。 9 不以惡報惡、以辱罵還辱罵，倒要祝福，因你們是為此蒙召，好叫你們承受福氣。“（彼得前書3：8-9）

 

Of all the activities of a Christian’s pilgrimage journey in this life,  studying the Bible and constant prayers are certainly ranked among the most important daily activities. The Bible indicates the righteous shall live by faith alone. 
基督徒此生朝聖之旅的所有活動中，研讀聖經和不斷的祈禱，當然是最重要的日常活動之一。聖經指示義人，要單靠信心而活。

 

In a modern technological society like ours, we are overwhelmed by information overloads and by all the daily burdens that we carry. “Busy” is the characteristic word for a modern day living. Just look at the busy freeways— some of them is 24x7.
在我們科技現代化的社會中，我們被氾濫的信息淹沒了，被我們每日所有的負荷壓倒了。 “忙碌”是現代生活的特有名詞。只要看看高速公路的繁忙 - 其中一些是經年累月、晝夜不斷的來往車流。

 

You may ask where can I find time for reading the Bible, let alone meditate on the God’s will in my life. Yet, the Bible teaches us that in Isaiah 53:6,

“ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

你可能會問我、在哪裡可以抽出時間，閱讀聖經，更不用說，在我生活中、默想上帝的旨意。然而，聖經在以賽亞書53：6中，告訴我們：
6 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身上。

 

A clear indication of the results of “each of us has turned our own way” are the conflicts in the world and countless victims of such conflicts. One example will be sufficient to tell it all—Just look at millions of the refugees fleeing the Syria conflicts.

“我們各人偏行己路”的明顯結果，就是造成這世界上的衝突和這些衝突中的無數受害者。一個例子足以說明一切 - 只要看數百萬逃離敘利亞衝突的難民。

 

We all know that we need to take a bath daily and wash our hands many times a day. Why? Just to avoid contaminations and diseases. We live in a world full of pollutants and contaminants, both physically and spiritually. Physical pollutants include smog in air we breathe, chemicals in water we drink, and various preservatives in food we eat. Spiritual pollutants include fake news, half truths, and plenty of isms and ideologies to pollute our minds. 
我們都知道，我們需要每天洗澡，每天多次洗手。為什麼？只是為了避免污染和疾病。我們生活在一個充滿污染物和被污染的世界裡，無論是身體上、還是精神上。身體的污染物，包括我們呼吸的空氣中的煙霧，我們飲用的水中的化學物質，以及我們食物中的各種防腐劑。精神污染物，包括虛假新聞，半真假的報導，以及污染我們思想的大量主義和意識形態。

 

That is why we must study the Bible each day to cleanse our minds from dirty pollutants. The Bible teaches us in Psalm 119:105,
“105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”
這就是為什麼我們每天必須研讀聖經，來清除我們心靈的骯髒污染物。聖經在詩篇119：105中告訴我們，
105 你的話是我腳前的燈，是我路上的光。

 

We need the Bible to give us the discernment to walk straight in this world. Even more relevant is the cleansing of our minds. Please listen to our Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching in His High Priestly prayer in John 17:15-17,
15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
我們需要聖經給我們，在這世界上、正確行走的洞察力。更有意義的是清理我們的心靈。請聽約翰福音17：15-17中我們的主耶穌基督在他的大祭司禱告中的教訓，
15 我不求你叫他們離開世界，只求你保守他們脫離那惡者。 16 他們不屬世界，正如我不屬世界一樣。 17 求你用真理使他們成聖，你的道就是真理。

 

As you know, God’s Word sanctifies us from the world and God’s truth sets us free from all contaminations both externally and internally. 
如你所知，上帝的話語，使我們從世界成聖，上帝的真理，使我們擺脫了外在和內在的一切污染。

 

What about constant prayers. The Bible admonishes us to pray constantly in Colossians 4:2,
“2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving”. 

什麼是不斷的祈禱？聖經在歌羅西書4：2中，告誡我們要不斷禱告，
2 你們要恆切禱告，在此警醒、感恩。

 

The best way I know to understand this is the example of charging the batteries of our wireless electrical tools . Praying is to charge our batteries to do God’s will. Without the divine power from our Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot do God’s work.
我知道，要理解這一點的最好方法，就是無線電具電池的充電例子。祈禱是充電我們的電池，來執行上帝的旨意。沒有主耶穌基督賜予的神力，我們就不能做上帝的工作。

 

Prayers also keep reminding us it is our Lord Jesus Christ who bestow the divine power through the Holy Spirit in our lives. An attitude of thanksgiving will prevent us to be in the prides of our lives.
禱告也不斷提醒我們，這是我們的主耶穌基督在我們的生命中、通過聖靈賜予的神聖能力。感恩的態度，將讓我們在生命中不致驕傲。

 

May all of us be a tool of His righteousness in our Lord’s kingdom sharing His love to the suffering people in our midst. May we honor our Lord by studying the Bible and being diligent in our prayers in our daily lives.
願我們所有人，在我們的主國度中、成為祂公義的工具，將祂的愛分享給我們中間受苦的人。願我們通過研讀聖經、並在我們的日常生活中勤奮地禱告，來榮耀我們的主。