Verses from Psalm

除你以外，在天上，我还有谁呢？除你以外，在地上，我也无所爱慕。我的肉身和我的内心虽然渐渐衰弱，神却永远是我心里的盘石，是我的业分。(诗篇 73:25, 26)

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25, 26)

What can truly fulfill and sustain us? Maybe the best way to answer that question is by asking another: What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at death? Only our relationship with God and his people lasts beyond the grave. If he is what lasts, then how can we displace him for anything that doesn't?

Verse from Matthew

温柔的人有福了，因为他们必承受地土。(马太福音 5:5)

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

When we are tired and troubled, Jesus invites us to discover the peace of meekly trusting Him.

Meek is not weakness but humility 

Verse from 1 Peter

你们在教外人中，应当品行端正，使那些人，虽然毁谤你们是作恶的，但因为看见你们的好行为，就要在鉴察的日子颂赞神。(彼得前书 2:12)

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)

We can’t change the entire world singlehandedly, but by God’s grace we can let the difference Christ has made in us make a difference in the world around us.

Everyone can do something to make the world better—we can let Christ shine through us.

Verses from Psalm

我等候耶和华，我的心等候他，我仰望他的话。以色列啊！你要仰望耶和华，因为耶和华有慈爱，也有丰盛的救恩。(诗篇 130:5, 7)

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (Psalm 130:5, 7)

Author Samuel Enyia wrote about God’s timing: “God does not depend on our time. Our time is chronological and linear but God . . . is timeless. He will act at the fullness of His time. Our prayer . . . may not necessarily rush God into action, but . . . places us before Him in fellowship.”

God may delay our request, but He will never disappoint our trust.

Verses from Exodus

众术士也用他们的巫术照样行了，使青蛙上了埃及地来。法老把摩西和亚伦召了来，说：“请你们恳求耶和华，好叫他使青蛙离开我和我的人民，我就必让这人民离开这里，使他们可以向耶和华献祭。”法老说：“明天。”摩西回答：“就照着你的话行吧，好叫你知道没有神像耶和华我们的神。青蛙必离开你和你的宫殿、你的臣仆和你的人民，只留在河里。”(出埃及记 8:7, 8, 10, 11)

But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.” “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God. The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.” (Exodus 8:7, 8, 10, 11)

Pharaoh’s magicians were able to duplicate the first two plagues. But they could not reverse the plagues—any of them. They could cause chaos, but they could not restore order. Only God can do that.

With effort, we can bring order to our living spaces, but none of us can bring order out of the emotional and spiritual chaos of our lives. Only God can do that. 

When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.

Verse from Psalm

耶和华的谋略永远立定，他心中的计划万代长存。(诗篇 33:11)

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11)

No plan or scheme can stand up against God’s. Ultimately, it is the Lord’s plan that will stand forever. His intentions can never be shaken.

God sees the whole human race. He made our hearts, and He understands everything we do. And He has the power to intervene in our lives and deliver us from situations spinning out of control.

Teach me, Lord, to live out the truth of Psalm 33.

May I revere You as I should. May I and all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of You,

for Your counsel and plans stand forever.

Verse from Acts

可是圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必领受能力，并且要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地、撒玛利亚，直到地极，作我的见证人。”(使徒行传 1:8)

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.” (Acts 1:8)

Through the Holy Spirit our words and witness can have the power to make an eternal difference in the lives of others

Verse from Galatians

弟兄们，你们蒙召得了自由；只是不可把这自由当作放纵情欲的机会，总要凭着爱心互相服事。(加拉太书 5:13)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Verse from Revelation

证明这些事的那一位说：“是的，我必快来！”阿们！主耶稣啊，请你来吧！ (启示录 22:20)

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

Rather than focusing on a date for His return, the Lord is urging us to set our hearts on His promise that will be fulfilled. 

Live as if Christ is coming back today. 

Verse from Matthew

主人对他说：‘又良善又忠心的仆人哪，你作得好！你既然在不多的事上忠心，我要派你管理许多的事。进来，享受你主人的快乐吧！’(马太福音 25:23)

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23)

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 reminds us that we must use the “talents” God has given us wisely. All of us have God-given skills and abilities at various levels—and we must not bury, unused, what God has given us.

God can use you at any age—if you are willing.

Something to note: 

“Good works” performed in the energy of the flesh or for the wrong motives will be burned up. But faithful, Spirit-filled service will be rewarded (1 Cor. 3:12-15).

Verse from Psalm

列国的偶像是金的、银的，是人手所做的。敬畏耶和华的啊！你们要倚靠耶和华；他是你们 的帮助、你们的盾牌。(诗篇 115:4, 11)

But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. You who fear him, trust in the Lord — he is their help and shield. (Psalm 115:4, 11)

What do our actions in the last few months reveal about our affections? Is there any indication that we

have placed someone or something above God?

God is most worthy of our affections.

Verse from Luke

我告诉你们，因为一个罪人悔改，　神的使者也必这样为他欢乐。”(路加福音 15:10)

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

I was lost but Jesus found me—

Found the sheep that went astray,

Threw His loving arms around me,

Drew me back into His way. —Rowley

Angels rejoice when we repent.

Verse from 2 Corinthians

因为无论在得救的人或灭亡的人中间，我们都是基督的馨香，是献给　神的。(哥林多后书 2:15)

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance that can inspire others to follow.

Verse from Job

At the beginning of his terrible suffering, Job lamented: “May the day perish on which I was born . . . . May a cloud settle on it” (Job 3:3-5). His experience of despair continued for a long time until God spoke. Then Job exclaimed, “I have heard of You . . . but now my eye sees You” (42:5). Job had encountered the sovereign Creator, and that changed his perspective on God’s purposes.

Do clouds of trouble fill your skies today? Sooner than you think, God may use these clouds to help you gain perspective on His faithfulness.

Verse from Proverbs

追求公义与慈爱的， 必得着生命、公义和荣耀。(箴言 21:21)

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. (Proverbs 21:21)

Isn't it funny that when we set off to find happiness or joy or significance or meaning, we seldom find it. Instead, when we offer to serve others and love them as how God loves us, it is then that we find what we most need.

Verse from Ephesians

为的是要装备圣徒，去承担圣工，建立基督的身体；直到我们众人对神的儿子都有一致的信仰和认识，可以长大成人，达到基督丰盛长成的身量；(以弗所书 4:12, 13)

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12, 13)

It matters little what title we hold. What is important is that we strengthen the faith of God’s people. When we gauge our effectiveness by the standard that the Bible gives us, it will not matter when we are moved to another role or no longer hold a specific title.

God’s gifts to us are not for us but for others.

Verse from Psalm

我一心寻求你，求你不要容我偏离你的诫命。(诗篇 119:10)

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. (Psalm 119:10)

Although high-tech media has multiplied the ways we can be tempted, the issues of the heart remain the same. End of the day, the best is to turn back to the Word of God. 

Verse from Isaiah

疲乏的，他赐气力， 无力的，他加力量。(以赛亚书 40:29)

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

God is our spiritual power source in every storm of life.

It takes the storm to prove the real shelter.

Verse from Matthew

所以，你们愿意人怎样待你们，你们也要怎样待人，这是律法和先知的总纲。(马太福音 7:12)

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Verses from James and Proverbs

可是没有人能够制伏舌头；它是喋喋不休的恶物，充满了致命的毒素。(雅各书 3:8)

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8)

谨守口舌的，保护自己免受患难。 (箴言 21:23)

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23)

Verse from Galatians

我是说，你们应当顺着圣灵行事，这样就一定不会去满足肉体的私欲了。(加拉太书 5:16)

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Verse from Matthew

“提防假先知！他们披着羊皮到你们当中，里面却是残暴的狼。(马太福音 7:15)

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

God does not want anyone to be misled by false teaching. He wants us to be aware of those who deceive, and follow Him instead—the true Shepherd of our souls.

Substitutes abound, but there is only one Christ.

Verse from Deuteronomy

我今日吩咐你的这些话，都要记在你的心上；(申命记 6:6)

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (Deuteronomy 6:6)

A knowledge of the Bible is important, but God desires us to be saturated with His Word and to internalize it so we can grow in our relationship with Him.

Learning about the Bible just to increase our knowledge can lead to spiritual pride (1 Cor. 8:1). But allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us by the Word helps us navigate through life’s twists and turns and respond in love to God and to each other.

Many books can inform, but only the Bible can transform.

Verse from Romans

那鉴察人心的，晓得圣灵的心意，因为圣灵照着神的旨意替圣徒祈求。(罗马书 8:27)

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:27)

What a provision! Not only does God desire for us to share our hearts with Him, He even provides us with the greatest interpreter to help us as we pray. We can be sure that our prayers will never get lost in translation.

Verse from Isaiah

锡安的人民、耶路撒冷的居民哪！你们必不再哭泣。他必因你哀求的声音恩待你；他听见的时候，就必应允你。(以赛亚书 30:19)

People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

When u need help, u can cry out to Him.

Trusting God’s faithfulness helps dispel our fearfulness.

Verse from Matthew

他回答：“你要全心、全性、全意爱主你的神。这是最重要的第一条诫命。第二条也和它相似，就是要爱人如己。(马太福音 22:37-39)

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)

Verse from James

我的弟兄们，你们既然对我们荣耀的主耶稣基督有信心，就不应该凭外貌待人。(雅各书 2:1)

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. (James 2:1)

The answer to partiality is following the example of Jesus: loving your neighbor as yourself.

We fight the sin of prejudice when we let God’s love for us find full expression in the way we love and treat each other.

Looking up to Jesus prevents us from looking down on others.

Verse from John

他们把耶稣带去了。耶稣自己背着十字架出来，到了一个名叫“髑髅”的地方，希伯来话叫各各他。他们就在那里把耶稣钉在十字架上；和他一同钉十字架的，还有两个人，一边一个，耶稣在中间。(约翰福音 19:17, 18)

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. (John 19:17, 18)

How much does God love us? Jesus spread out His arms and was nailed to the cross. He died for us, then rose again. That’s a precious fact for young and old

Jesus loves me! This I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak but He is strong. 

—Warner

The truest measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure! 

—Bernard of Clairvaux

Verse from Exodus

摩西说：“我要到那边去，看看这大异象，这荆棘为甚么烧不掉？”(出埃及记 3:3)

So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” (Exodus 3:3)

In the midst of the busyness and stresses of our days, there are patches of beauty all around us, glimpses of God’s goodness that we catch here and there along the way. These are the places in the walls of the universe where heaven is breaking through—if only we will take the time to stop and to reflect upon God’s love for us.

What if Moses had taken only a fleeting glance at the bush that was burning but “was not consumed”? (Ex. 3:2). What if he had ignored it and hurried on to other things? (He had those sheep to take care of, you know, and important work to do.) He would have missed an epic, life-changing encounter with the living God (vv.4-12).

Sometimes in life we must hurry. But overall, life should be less hurrying and more noticing. Life is the present. Life is being aware of what is around us.

Lord, open our eyes that we may see.