Verse from Psalm

愚顽人心里说：“没有神。”他们都是败坏，行了可憎的事，没有一个行善的。(诗篇 14:1)

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)

At one time or another, most of us raised an angry fist to fate and cursed the darkness. Each of these actions is about as equally effective. But to deny there is a God is something else altogether. To rob heaven of God is to rob ourselves of grace, hope, and future. How foolish indeed to forget that behind a Creation of wonder, order, variety, beauty, power, and pattern is the Creator. He is far greater than his handiwork and we dare not ignore, deny, or dismiss him.

Verse from Mark

然后对他们说：“为甚么这样胆怯呢？你们怎么没有信心呢？”(马可福音 4:40)

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

We could also put ourselves in this story and discover, just as Jesus’ disciples did, that to each person who trusts in Jesus Christ, He reveals His presence, compassion, and control in every storm of life.

Be still, my heart; for faithful is thy Lord,

And pure and true and tried His holy Word;

Though stormy flood which rageth as the sea,

His promises thy stepping-stones shall be. —Anon.

God is a safe dwelling place in life’s storms.

Verse from 1 Peter

只要心里尊基督为圣，以他为主；常常作好准备，去回答那些问你们为甚么怀有盼望的人，(彼得前书 3:15)

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)

We don’t have to have an answer for every question, but we need the courage, confidence, and conviction to share our love for Christ and the hope that is in us.

Verses from 1 Corinthians

我若能说世人和天使的方言，却没有爱，我就成了鸣的锣、响的钹一样。我若有先知讲道的恩赐，也明白各样的奥秘，各样的知识；并且有全备的信，叫我能够移山，却没有爱，我就算不得甚么。我若把一切所有的分给人，又舍己身被人焚烧，却没有爱，对我仍然毫无益处。爱是恒久忍耐，又有恩慈。爱是不嫉妒，不自夸，不张狂；不作失礼的事，不求自己的益处，不轻易动怒，不计较人的过犯；不喜欢不义，只喜欢真理。 爱是凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。爱是永存不息的。先知的讲道终必过去，方言终必停止，知识终必消失。(哥林多前书 13:1-8)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)

Verse from 2 Chronicles

于是以色列的众领袖和君王，都谦卑下来，说：“耶和华是公义的。”(历代志下 12:6)

The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.” (2 Chronicles 12:6)

Throughout Scripture we read that God desires humility of us. Because the people of Judah humbled themselves, the Lord said, “Therefore I will not destroy them” (2 Chron. 12:7).

No one will learn anything at all unless he first learns humility.

Verse from John

道成了肉身，住在我们中间，满有恩典和真理。我们见过他的荣光，正是从父而来的独生子的荣光。(约翰福音 1:14)

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. (John 1:14)

God entered human history to offer us the gift of eternal life.

Verses from Lamentations

耶和华的慈爱永不断绝，他的怜悯永不止息。每天早晨都是新的；你的信实多么广大！(耶利米哀歌 3:22, 23)

Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23)

God is faithful to the end even when everything seems to be falling apart. This means that in the midst of our pain, even though we may be lonely, we are not alone. And though we may not feel His presence, He is there as our trusted companion who will never walk away and let us down!

When everyone else fails, Jesus is your most trusted friend.

Verse from Deuteronomy

所以你要知道耶和华你的神，他是神，是信实可靠的神；他向爱他和守他诫命的人，守约并且施慈爱，直到千代。(申命记 7:9)

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Verses from Acts

我们今天受审，如果是为了在那残疾人身上所行的善事，就是这个人怎么会好的，那么，你们各位和以色列全民都应当知道，站在你们面前这人好了，是因拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名。这位耶稣基督，你们把他钉死在十字架上，神却使他从死人中复活。(使徒行传 4:9, 10)

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. (Acts 4:9, 10)

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and a powerful context in which to genuinely speak to others about the Lord.

One act of kindness may teach more about the love of God than many sermons.

Verses from John

你们不要把这事看作希奇，因为时候将到，那时所有在坟墓里的都要听见他的声音，并且都要出来；行善的复活得生命，作恶的复活被定罪。(约翰福音 5:28, 29)

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:28, 29)

Dear Lord, thank You for sacrificing Your life for our sins so that we might live. We’re thankful that because You died and rose again, we can have

assurance that one day we’ll be with You in a place of no more death.

Because Christ is alive, we too shall live.

Verse from 1 Corinthians

又埋葬了，又照着圣经所记的，第三天复活了；(哥林多前书 15:4)

that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:4)

That’s why every year at Eastertime—in fact, every day of the year—we have reason to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.

Christ’s resurrection is cause for our celebration.

Verse from Romans

不但这样，我们现在已经借着我们的主耶稣基督与神复和，也借着他以神为荣。(罗马书 5:11)

Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:11)

I’ll never forget the Easter Sunday in 1993 when Bernhard Langer won the Masters golf tournament. As he stepped off the 18th green to receive the green jacket—one of golf’s most coveted prizes—a reporter said, “This must be the greatest day of your life!” Without missing a beat, Langer replied: “It’s wonderful to win the greatest tournament in the world, but it means more to win on Easter Sunday—to celebrate the resurrection of my Lord and Savior.”

Langer had an opportunity to boast about himself, but instead he turned the spotlight on Jesus Christ.

So, if you really want something to boast about, boast about Jesus and what He’s done for you. Look for opportunities to turn the spotlight on Him.

Verse from Isaiah

然而他是为了我们的过犯被刺透，为了我们的罪孽被压伤；使我们得平安的惩罚加在他身上，因他受了鞭伤，我们才得医治。(以赛亚书 53:5)

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

It is His love that saved us, when we did nothing to deserve His love at all.  

Verses from Genesis

埃及地的七年丰收一结束，七年饥荒就随着来了，正像约瑟所说的一样。各地都有饥荒，只有埃及全地仍有粮食，当时饥荒遍及全国，约瑟就开了所有的粮仓，把粮食卖给埃及人，因为埃及地的饥荒非常严重。各地的人都到埃及去，向约瑟买粮，因为各地的饥荒都非常严重。(创世记 41:53, 54, 56, 57)

The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. (Genesis 41:53, 54, 56, 57)

In the wake of the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, many people have felt strongly compelled to help. Some donated blood for the injured, some provided free lunches and coffee at their restaurants for workers. Others wrote letters of comfort or just gave hugs. Some sent gifts of money and teddy bears for the children; others offered counseling. People found ways to serve according to their personalities, abilities, and resources.

These stories show the heart of God for the world. He has prepared us and made us who we are that we might care for others in whatever way He leads us.

Compassion offers whatever is necessary to heal.

Although Joseph suffered many injustices, God ultimately used him to help others by empowering him to provide food for those who otherwise would have starved. This principle applies to the believer even today. God can help us persevere in our suffering so that we can help others who are in need in the future. In the New Testament, Paul tells us that we experience pain and God’s comfort in order to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Verse from Romans

愿那赐盼望的神，因着你们的信，把一切喜乐平安充满你们，使你们靠着圣灵的大能满有盼望。(罗马书 15:13)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Verses from Psalm

耶和华是我的牧人，我必不会缺乏。 他使我躺卧在青草地上，领我到安静的水边。他使我的灵魂苏醒；为了自己的名，他引导我走义路。(诗篇 23:1-3)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

When we've reached that point that we can't go on, God blesses us with strength to just keep on walking. When we're in a struggle and things are tough, his power upholds us and we run to victory. When we're winning victories in his name, we can soar on wings like eagles. He is a shepherd and more. He is the Rock and Sustainer of our lives!

Verses from Matthew

他问他们：“你们说我是谁？”西门．彼得回答：“你是基督，是永生神的儿子。”(马太福音 16:15, 16)

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15, 16)

Still today, the question of Jesus’ identity rises above the rest in significance—and it is eternally important that we make no mistake in understanding who He is.

No mistake is more dangerous than mistaking the identity of Jesus.

Verse from Ruth

路得说：“请不要逼我离开你回去，不跟从你。你到哪里去，我也要到哪里去；你在哪里过夜，我也要在哪里过夜；你的同胞就是我的同胞，你的　神就是我的神；(路得记 1:16)

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16)

Stubbornness is sometimes rooted in pride, but commitment grows from love. When Jesus went to the cross, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). From His determination to die for us, we find the resolve to live for Him.

Love calls for commitment.

Verse from Isaiah

“看哪！我要作一件新的事；现在它要发生了，难道你们还不知道吗？我要在旷野开一条道路，在荒地开挖江河。(以赛亚书 43:19)

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)

With God, new beginnings are possible in our hearts. He can help us to let go of the past and start clinging to Him. Relationship with Him provides a new hope for all who will trust Him.

Lord, we need Your touch on our lives. Work in our hearts in whatever areas need a fresh start. Help us to do our part and to trust You to do what only You can do.

God gives fresh starts from the inside out.

Today, believers also need to trust in God’s provision. Inevitably, challenges of transition, new circumstances, and an uncertain future can cause anxiety. Yet the living God gives us this promise: “I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (v.19). No matter what difficulties we encounter, God will find a way for us.

Verse from Psalm

要把耶和华的名的荣耀归给他，要以圣洁的装束敬拜耶和华。(诗篇 29:2)

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. (Psalm 29:2)

God’s immense power is a mystery, yet it is simple enough for a child to understand.

A kid knows that in order for God to create a miracle, He must be powerful. 

The power of God: immeasurable in its wonder yet clear enough for us to understand.

Everything God does is marked with simplicity and power. —Tertullian

Verses 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。因为全部的律法，都在“爱人如己”这一句话里面成全了。(加拉太书 5:13, 14)

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. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13, 14)

As we apply God’s Word to our hearts, let’s keep in mind that the God of grace has given us His guidelines to help us grow in our love for Him and our concern for others.

Verse from Deuteronomy

所以你们要爱寄居的人，因为你们在埃及地也作过寄居的人。(申命记 10:19)

And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19)

We are loved by God and empowered by His Spirit to serve Him by serving others in countless ways each day through kind words and actions.

Who on our daily journey seems lonely or lost? We can trust the Lord to enable us to bring them hope and compassion as we live together for Him.

Verse from Deuteronomy

所以你要知道耶和华你的神，他是神，是信实可靠的神；他向爱他和守他诫命的人，守约并且施慈爱，直到千代。(申命记 7:9)

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

God is faithful and his covenant is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us and will treat us better than we deserve just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than s/he deserves. But our hearts must be tuned to honor God as God, not as just a good luck charm or a weekly guest into our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done in awareness that it is done before and for him!

Verses from Philippians

我劝友阿嫡，也劝循都基，要在主里有同样的思想。你们要靠着主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐。要使大家看出你们谦和的心。主已经近了。(腓立比书 4:2, 4, 5)

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:2, 4, 5)

Life can get messy with relationship struggles.

Realizing we’ve all made messes in life, we can trust the Lord to help us deal gently with others.

Dear Lord, please give me discernment and courage in my relationships. Help me by Your

power to be gentle and show the same love to others that You have shown to me.

True love both confronts and restores.

Verses from Deuteronomy

我今日呼天唤地向你们作证，我把生与死，福与祸，都摆在你面前了；所以你要选择生命，好让你和你的后裔都可以活着， 爱耶和华你的　神，听从他的话，紧靠他，因为那就是你的生命，你的长寿；这样，你才能在耶和华向你的列祖亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各起誓应许要赐给他们的地上居住。” (申命记 30:19, 20)

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20)

He wants us to know His will. He makes it clear, and He makes it simple. He doesn’t even make it multiple-choice. He gives just two choices: “life and good” or “death and evil” (Deut. 30:15). In case the best choice isn’t obvious, He even says which one to choose: “Choose life” (v.19). To choose life is to choose God Himself and obey His Word.

God’s will for us is life. His Word is life. And Jesus is the Word. God may not give a prescription for every decision, but He gave us a perfect example to follow—Jesus. The right choice may not be easy, but when the Word is our guide and worship is our goal, God will grant us the wisdom to make life-affirming choices.

Verse from Isaiah

你不知道吗？你没有听过吗？永在的神、耶和华、地极的创造主既不疲乏，也不困倦；他的知识无法测度。(以赛亚书 40:28)

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28)

Verse from Psalm

狂傲的人不能在你眼前站立，你恨恶所有作恶的人。(诗篇 5:5)

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)

Many people find it essential to begin every day with the Lord. Before checking email, catching the news, or eating breakfast, they find some quiet moments alone to read a portion of God’s Word, praise Him for His greatness, thank Him for His love, and seek His guidance. Others spend time reading and praying at different times of the day.

It’s not magic—it’s maintenance, as we ask the Lord each day to fill our hearts with His presence on the road of life.

The roots of stability come from being grounded in God’s Word and prayer.

Verse from John

安得烈就带他到耶稣那里。耶稣定睛看着他，说：“你是约翰的儿子西门，你要称为矶法。”(约翰福音 1:42)

And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter ). (John 1:42)

If you, like Peter, are a follower of Jesus, you have a new identity. In Acts 11:26, we read, “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” The name “Christians” means “Christ-ones.” You now are one of the Christ-ones. This title lifts up who you are and calls you to become what you are not yet. God is faithful, and He will complete His good work in you (Phil. 1:6).

Dear Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of being called Your child. May we understand

more fully what it means to be identified with Your Son, Jesus Christ. Work in us and through us.

Verse from Psalm

我虽然行过死荫的山谷，也不怕遭受伤害，因为你与我同在；你的杖你的竿都安慰我。(诗篇 23:4)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

Technology aside, all of us battle with seasons of loneliness, wondering if anyone knows, understands, or cares about the burdens we carry or the struggles we face. But followers of Christ have an assurance that brings comfort to our weary hearts.

Those who know Jesus as their Friend are never alone.

Verse from Exodus

凡是心里受感、灵里乐意的，都来了；他们把耶和华的礼物都带来了，用作会幕的工程和会幕中的一切使用，又用来做圣衣。(出埃及记 35:21)

and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. (Exodus 35:21)

The Lord, who sees and knows our thoughts and hearts, loves cheerful givers.

Dear Jesus, You gave everything You had for my sake. Help me to give with a willing heart so that my gifts

will truly honor You.

The state of our heart is more important than the size of our gift.