Dear Father, I would like to pray for the brothers n sisters who are struggling to follow Jesus faithfully. Please, dear LORD, I ask that you give them the strength and the courage to endure, and that i am willing to be used by You to encourage them and to help them through all the trials and temptations in their lives. I ask for Your blessing to be on them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Verse from Luke and 3rd part of the song 'As the deer'

Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (luke 18:24).
I want you more than gold or silver
only You can satisfy
You alone are my real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

Verse from John

I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. —John 6:35

Verse from Romans

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28

主赐的福如春雨

主赐的福如春雨
我在其中赞美欢欣
主赐的生命是泉源
在我心中更新不穷
让我们张开赞美的口
举起敬拜的手
主将赐福在我们心之中
让我们献上献上将赞美尊容
全都向主献上
而主将赐下赐下主的恩典
将如春雨降下

Verse from Hebrews

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. —Hebrews 4:15

爱我愿意

十字架上的光芒
温柔又慈祥
带着主爱的力量
向着我照亮
我的心不再隐藏
完全地摆上
愿主爱来浇灌我
在爱中得自由释放

我愿意降服
我愿意降服
在你爱的怀抱中
我愿意降服
你是我的主
你是我的主
永远在你怀抱中
你是我
你是我的主

In Whom I Can Trust - Steven Wee

Verse from Luke

Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. —Luke 9:24
If we hold on to God's truth, we won't be trapped by Satan's lies.

Verse from Hebrews

Whom the Lord loves He chastens. —Hebrews 12:6

Verse from Philippians

“Be anxious for nth, but in everything by prayer and supplication, w thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6)

Hillsong - Have Faith In God - People Just Like Us 1994

Have faith in God

Oh Lord You lead me
By the still wa - ters
Quietly restoring my soul
You speak words of wisdom
The promise of the glory
The power of the presence of God

Chorus:
Have faith in God
Let your hope rest on the faith
He has placed in your heart
Never give up, never let go of the faith
He has placed in your heart

Verse 2:
Oh Lord You guide me
Through all the darkness
Turning my nights into day
And You'll never leave me
Never forsake me
The power of the presence of God

One

ONE is the smallest whole number, yet the most significant.

We often think of the big numbers; hundreds, thousands, and
millions. Life really boils down to ONE.

One aspect of ONE, I am divinely commanded to help at least ONE
person, each day.

That does two things.

First, it helps the other person. Whether it is just a
compliment, a dollar given to a homeless person, or even
something so small as holding the door open for someone, it is
help. It helps ease the burden of life for someone.

Second, it makes me focus on someone other than myself.

This world is geared to make us self-centered.
After all, we have enough stuff of our own to deal with without
trying to solve someone else's problems.

We don't have enough money for us so we focus on the two outside
letters of "money" instead on the three inside letters.
We don't have enough time for us.
We don't have enough joy, peace, and happiness for us.
We need our relationships improved.
We need a compliment and an uplift.

We need help.

We often don't have time to think of helping someone else.

There is a funny thing about helping some"one" else.
When you are helping someone else, for that moment in time,
your own problems are diminished.

I will tell you to do as I try to do,

"Help someone every day."

Jesus said, "I tell you there is more joy in heaven over ONE
sinner who changes his heart and life, than over ninety-nine
good people who don't need to change." (Luke 15:7 NCV)

ONE

Help ONE person today.

Still - Hillsong

禱告 I Pray

何等恩典

Thank you Father in heaven

Father in heaven, forgive me for the times I forgot about the blessings you have given me, forgot about what you have done for me and thank you Father, thank you all everything that you have done for me, for the countless blessings that you have given me, no matter how small it may seem, as it is still a blessing from you, for loving me before I even know you, for providing me this eternal salvation, for being there for u in all situations, for simply loving me and never giving up on me no matter how many times I sinned against you, for always welcoming me back with open arms and I am eternally grateful for your everlasting love for me. Thank you for being my God, Lord, Father, brother, friend, savior, King and my creator! Praise be to You, forever! Amen!

Trust

When we give our hopes and dreams to God
And then leave them in His hand,
We can trust His love and care for us
To fulfill what He has planned. —Sper
Live the Christian life in the same way you began it— by trusting Christ.

when i say im a christian...

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living.   I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian', I don't speak of this with pride.   I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not trying to be strong.  I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not bragging of success.  I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not claiming to be perfect.  My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I still feel the sting of pain.  I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Hymn : When We See Christ

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus;
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase;
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ!

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

Lord, help us show compassion
To a world that’s lost in sin,
So when we share the gospel,
Hungry souls for Christ we’ll win. —Sper

THE WRONG FUNERAL

Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat.  I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother.  She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.  When mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle female child without entanglements, to take care of her.  I counted it an honor.

"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand.   My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child.  All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together.  Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church.  Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor.

An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap.  His eyes were brimming with tears.  He began to sniffle. "I'm late," he explained, though no explanation was necessary.  After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of 'Margaret?'"

"Because, that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary, no one called her 'Mary,'" I whispered.  I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church.  He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting.  Who was this stranger anyway?

"No, that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, "her name is Mary, Mary Peters."

"That isn't who this is."

"Isn't this the Lutheran church?"

No, the Lutheran church is across the street."

"Oh."

"I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir."

The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter.  I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away.  Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.  I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me.  He was laughing too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit.

I imagined Mother laughing.  At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking lot.

"I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.

That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor.  This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.

In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love.  This past June, we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary.  Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, "Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven."

REMEMBER, God doesn't make mistakes. He puts us where we are supposed to be.

I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land. —Psalm 143:6

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You, You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship You.
Lord, please don’t allow comfort or worldly success to keep us from seeing You in every detail of our lives.

彼得前书3：9

不以恶报恶，以辱骂还辱骂，倒要祝福，因你们是为此蒙召，好叫你们蒙受福气。

Comfort, yes, comfort My people! —Isaiah 40:1

On February 10, 1675, 50 colonial families in Lancaster, Massachusetts, feared possible Native American raids. Joseph Rowlandson, the Puritan minister of the village, was in Boston pleading with the government for protection, while Mary, his wife, stayed behind with their children. At sunrise, the settlers were attacked. After some of the settlers were killed, Mary and other survivors were taken captive.

Mary experienced both kindness and cruelty from her captors. The Native Americans, aware of the religious nature of the settlers, gave her a Bible they had confiscated. Later she would write in her memoirs about God’s “goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable Scriptures in my distress.” God’s Word was her great comfort until she was ransomed by the colonists on May 2.

As the nation of Judah waited to be taken into captivity by a foreign power (Isa. 39:5-7), the despair of its people must have been great. But even in that dreadful anticipation, God’s words brought comfort: “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” (v.8).

Have you been taken captive by circumstances beyond your control? If so, read and meditate on the Word. And experience God’s comfort.

Upon Thy Word I rest, so strong, so sure;
So full of comfort blest, so sweet, so pure,
Thy Word that changest not, that faileth never!
My King, I rest upon Thy Word forever. —Havergal
God’s Word is the true source of comfort.

哥罗西书3：12

所以你们既是神的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存怜悯，恩慈，谦虚，温柔，忍耐的心。
Lord, grant me a heart of compassion
So burdened for others’ needs,
That I will show them Your mercy
In attitudes, words, and deeds. —Fitzhugh

如鷹展翅上騰 - Soar on Wings Like an Eagle - 生命河靈糧堂

Verse from Matthew

Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).

Verse from Isaiah

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. —Isaiah 4

新耶路撒冷 - New Jerusalem - 讚美之泉專輯 17 / 將天敞開 PPT

Hillsong - Oceans Will Part - With Subtitles/Lyrics

Faith

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. —James 2:17

Trust and obey,

for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, 

but to trust and obey.

Song: 神是爱 (God is love)

神是爱，打开你的心高声扬

神是爱，把它告诉各个地方

祂创造天空和那深海洋，

祂创造飞鸟和那蜜蜂忙

祂造一切为你和我

因神是爱

神是爱

空气中我能体会

恩典中我能体会

随时我都能体会

从最深的海洋

到那最高高的山

万物都告诉我神是爱

Verse from Romans

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8

still answers

A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible study.
The pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the
Lord's voice.

The young man couldn't help but wonder,
"Does God still speak to people?"

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie
and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked
about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving
home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray,
"God, if you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen.
I will do my best to obey."

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the
strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook
his head and said out loud,

"God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward
home. But again, the thought, "buy a gallon of milk."

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize
the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.
"Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk."

It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could
always use the milk.

He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off
toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the
urge, "Turn down that street."

"This is crazy," he thought and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the
next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.
Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God I will."

He drove several blocks when suddenly, he felt like he should
stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in
a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best, but it
wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.

The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark
like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed
something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house
across the street." The young man looked at the house. It was
dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were
already asleep.

He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.
"Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake
them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid."
Again, he felt like he should go and give them the milk.

Finally, he opened the door. "Okay God, if this is you, I will
go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to
look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess
that will count for something, but if they don't answer right
away, I am out of here."

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear
some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it?
What do you want?"

Then the door opened before the young man could get away.
The man was standing there in his jeans and a t-shirt.
He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on
his face, and he didn't seem too happy to have a stranger
standing on his doorstep.

"What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk.
"Here I brought this to you."

The man took the milk and rushed down the hallway, speaking
loudly in Spanish. Then from down the hall came a woman
carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her
holding a baby.

The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.
The man began speaking and half-crying, "We were just praying.
We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money.
We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and
asking God to show me how to get some milk."

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I asked him to send an
Angel with some milk. Are you an Angel?"

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the
money he had on him and put it in the man's hand. He turned and
walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his
face.

He knew that God still answers prayers.

"Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"


Author Unknown

from The Mountain:
This classic story still touches me each time I read it.
God answers but usually it is through an obedient servant.

We must realize that often the servant is sent to us to answer
our prayers, but more often,

...we are the servant who is sent.