Verse from Ephesians

上帝能照着运行在我们心里的大力充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。但愿他在教会中，并在基督耶稣里，得着荣耀，直到世世代代，永永远远。阿们！(以弗所书 3:20-21)

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Our God is the same God who parted the Red Sea and fed 5,000 on a green hillside with only a couple of sardine sandwiches. He longs to do more than we can ask or imagine! Unfortunately most of us haven't really given him much of a challenge with our wimpy dreams and shallow prayers. 

Do we in our lives really believe that He is able? When we sing the song 'He is able', do we really mean what we sing? 

Verse from 1 John

亲爱的，我们应当彼此相爱，因为爱是从神那里来的。凡是爱人的，都是从神生的，并且认识神。(约翰壹书 4:7)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Because “love is of God,” the chief way to reflect the heart of the Father is by displaying the love that characterizes Him. May we allow His love to reach out to others through us—for love is one of our family trademarks.

Father, 

teach me to love with the love of Christ

that others might see Your love reflected in my care and concern for them. 

May Your love drive and dominate my responses to life and to others.

Love is the family resemblance the world should see in followers of Christ.

Verse from Hebrews

所以，我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为的是要领受怜悯，得到恩惠，作为及时的帮助。(希伯来书 4:16)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Jesus came so that we can seek God without fear. 

Verses from Psalm

因为耶和华的话是正直的，他的一切作为都是诚实的。耶和华喜爱公义和公正，全地充满耶和华的慈爱。(诗篇 33:4-5)

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:4-5)

Verse from Habakkuk

因这异象关乎一定的日期，很快就要实现，决不徒然；纵有迟延，仍当等候，因为它一定会来到，绝不耽误。”(哈巴谷书 2:3)

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Those who don’t show any regard for God may seem to prosper at the moment, but God will ultimately right all wrong. God acts sovereignly in all that comes to pass so that everything works toward His good purpose. God’s plan will surely take place and be on schedule (v.3).

We can’t sort out the whole picture from where we are in life; only God can. So let us continue to live by faith and not by sight. From His perspective, all things are working together for the believer’s good and for His honor.

Our times are in God’s hands; our souls are in His keeping

Verse from Isaiah

因为你忘记了那拯救你的神，又不记念那作你避难所的盘石，所以你虽然栽下佳美的树秧子，种下异种的幼苗，又在你栽种的日子里，细心地在周围圈上篱笆，到早晨，又使你所栽种的开花，但在愁苦与极度伤痛的日子里，所收割的就只有一小堆。(以赛亚书 17:10-11)

You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain. (Isaiah 17:10-11)

This prophecy serves as a contemporary warning about the danger and futility of thinking we can produce anything on our own. Apart from God, the work of our hands will become a pile of ruins. 

“Without Me you can do nothing.” —Jesus (John 15:5)

Verse from Jeremiah

耶和华说：「人岂能在隐密处藏身，使我看不见他呢？」耶和华说：「我岂不充满天地吗？(耶利米书 23:24)

Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24)

There is no hiding from God, but for those who willingly and joyously seek him, there is comfort, power, and hope in knowing his presence is ever with us.

Verse from Psalm

他数点星辰的数目，一一给它们起名。 (诗篇 147:4)

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. (Psalm 147:4)

God, who knows the name of every star, knows all our names as well. Praise God!

Verse from Deuteronomy

你要尽心、尽性、尽力爱耶和华—你的上帝。(申命记 6:5)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

From God’s point of view, life with Him is far more than just trying to be good. It is always about relationship—relationship in which surrender is the way we express our grateful love to Him. Jesus, in amazing love for us, surrendered Himself on the cross to rescue us from our helpless bondage to sin and set us on a journey to all that is good and glorious.

We don’t have enough words to tell God how much we love Him! So, let’s show Him our love by surrendering our hearts and lives to follow Him.

Verse from Psalm

我向你陈明我的罪，不隐瞒我的恶。我说：我要向耶和华承认我的过犯，你就赦免我的罪恶。(诗篇 32:5)

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

life is often constituted by the choices we make—and some of them produce regret.

Some choices produce much more serious and painful regrets.

It is only from God that we can receive the grace of forgiveness when our choices have produced painful regrets. And only in Him do we find the wisdom to make better choices.

Father of mercies, 

forgive me for the foolish choices I have made. 

Please enable me to be wiser in my choices. 

Teach me the value of resting in Your grace.

God’s forgiveness frees us from the chains of regret.

Verse from Psalm

耶和华要保护你，免受一切的灾害；他要保护你的性命。你出你入，耶和华要保护你，从今时直到永远。(诗篇 121:7-8)

The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)

Our lives are not lived out on our own, alone. The Lord is with us personally. He holds our future and our safety in his hands. Our deliverance is assured, either deliverance from death which means service to him, or deliverance to him through death which means freedom from the constraints of mortality and the battle with sin. The Lord will keep us from all harm!

Verse from Zechariah

谁藐视这日的事为小呢？这七眼乃是耶和华的眼睛，遍察全地，见所罗巴伯手拿线铊就欢喜。」(撒迦利亚书 4:10)

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zechariah 4:10)

Sometimes culture says bigger is better—that size is the truest measure of success. It takes a strong person to resist that trend, especially if he or she is laboring in a small place. But we must not “pass by what is really great.”

God doesn’t call us to find fulfillment in the amount of work we do for Him, or the number of people who are a part of that work, but in faithfully doing our work for His sake. Serving our great God with His strength in a small way is not a stepping-stone to greatness—it is greatness.

Lord, 

help me remember that there are no small places or small people. 

All are precious in Your sight. 

May I see the value of my work and cherish it as You do.

Anyone doing God’s work in God’s way is important in His sight.

Verse from Psalm

只有你永不改变，你的年数也没有穷尽。(诗篇 102:27)

But you remain the same, and your years will never end. (Psalm 102:27)

When the psalmist wrote about the unchanging nature of God (102:27), he was offering the trustworthiness of God—to us. The idea is repeated in Hebrews 13:8 with these words, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This can lift our hearts above our daily trials to remind us that an unchanging, trustworthy God rules over even the chaos of a changing world.

Our God is God—He does not change;

His truth, His love remain each day the same,

He’s faithful to His matchless name,

For God is God—He does not change. —D. DeHaan

Let the sameness of God waft over your heart with His peace in your storms.

How comforting to know that God is always the same and never changes! Despite the twists and turns, ups and downs, and constant changes of our lives, we know that standing powerful and constant above it all is our God. 

Verse from Jeremiah

但倚靠耶和华，以耶和华为他所信赖的，这人是有福的。(耶利米书 17:7)

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. (Jeremiah 17:7)

Like a firmly rooted tree, people who rely on God have a sense of stability and vitality despite the worst circumstances. In contrast, people who place their trust in other humans often live with a sense of instability. The Bible compares them to desert shrubs that are frequently malnourished and stand alone (v.6). So it is with the spiritual lives of people who forsake God.

Even strong trials cannot blow down a person who is rooted in God.

Verse from Hebrews

又要彼此相顾，激发爱心，勉励行善。(希伯来书 10:24)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (Hebrews 10:24)

When we are a bit more transparent, we may find people who are struggling in a similar situation. And as we enjoy a growing fellowship with God and become more aware of our own brokenness and inadequacy, God is able to use us more fully to help others.

Wearing a mask that shows everything’s fine

Says that life’s struggles are not God’s design;

But when we’re open, transparent, and true,

People will trust God to meet their needs too. —Sper

Believers stand strong when they don’t stand alone.

Verse from Philippians

我并不是因为缺乏才这样说：我已经学会了，无论在甚么情况之下都可以知足。(腓立比书 4:11)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

our view of changing circumstances and contentment is a personal choice.

The apostle Paul reinforced the idea that the way we view our circumstances is more important than the circumstances themselves. While he too was in prison, he wrote: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11). He could be content because he drew his ultimate satisfaction from God, who never changes.

When all you have is God, you have all you need

Verses from 2 Corinthians

我被犹太人打过五次，每次四十下减去一下，被棍打过三次，被石头打过一次，三次遇着船坏，在深海里飘了一昼一夜；多次行远路，遇着江河的危险、强盗的危险、同族的危险、外族的危险、城中的危险、旷野的危险、海上的危险、假弟兄的危险； 劳碌辛苦，多次不得睡觉，又饥又渴，多次缺粮，赤身挨冷。

如果必须夸口，我就夸自己的弱点。主耶稣的父神是应当永远受称颂的，他知道我没有说谎。(哥林多后书 11:24-27, 30-31)

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27, 30-31)

God gave Paul the grace and endurance to risk his life to tell people about Jesus with no thought of personal gain.

Whether we receive persecution or praise for our service to the Lord, may our focus always be loyalty to Him and gratitude for His sacrifice of love.

Verses from 1 Corinthians

但是神却拣选了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。他也拣选了世上软弱的，使那些刚强的羞愧。他也拣选了世上卑贱的和被人轻视的，以及算不得甚么的，为了要废弃那些自以为是的，使所有的人在神面前都不能自夸。(哥林多前书 1:27-29)

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

Perhaps you think of yourself as a little person, with very little to bring to the kingdom. Take courage: God can produce an abundant harvest through you. This is one of the ironies of faith: God uses the insignificant to accomplish the great. Not many of us are wise or noble; most of us are anonymous and far from extraordinary. Yet all of us can be used. And contrary to what we might think, it is because of our weakness that we can be used by God.

By God’s great power, we can do all that He has called us to do.

To experience God’s power, we must first admit that we are weak.

Verse from 1 Peter

最重要的是要彼此切实相爱，因为爱能遮盖许多的罪。(彼得前书 4:8)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Living in this world sometimes feels like falling into a no-grace sinkhole. When minor flaws are blown up into major indiscretions or when people refuse to overlook the faults and offenses of others, we end up burdened by the weight of guilt that we were never meant to carry. God, in His grace, sent Jesus to carry the burden for us. Those who receive God’s gift of grace have the privilege of offering it to others on Christ’s behalf: “Above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8).

Father God, 

the culture around us can seem so

harsh and hard on people when they fail. 

Help me to show grace and patience, because You have

been gracious to me and have forgiven my sin.

Verse from Proverbs

耶和华的名是坚固的高台，义人投奔，就得安全。(箴言 18:10)

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

God is so wonderfully multifaceted that He has many names that communicate His capabilities and character. 

To name just a few, He is:

Elohim, the God above all gods

Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides

El-Shaddai, the almighty God

Jehovah Rapha, our healer God

Jehovah Shalom, our God of peace

Jehovah Shamma, our God who is present

Jehovah Yahweh, our loving, covenant-keeping God

When unwelcome circumstances threaten you and you feel vulnerable, reflect on one of God’s names. Be assured—He will be faithful to His name.

God’s names, which describe His character, can bring comfort when we need it most.

Verse from 1 John

爱里没有惧怕，完全的爱可以把惧怕驱除，因为惧怕含有刑罚，惧怕的人在爱里还没有完全。(约翰壹书 4:18)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

A truly paranoid person organizes his or her life around a common perspective of fear. Anything that happens feeds that fear.

Faith works in reverse. A faithful person organizes his or her life around a common perspective of trust, not fear. Despite the apparent chaos of the present moment, God does reign. Regardless of how I may feel, I truly matter to a God of love.

Verses from Psalm

我的帮助是从造天地的耶和华而来。他必不使你的脚滑倒；保护你的必不打盹。

保护你的是耶和华，耶和华在你的右边荫庇你。

耶和华要保护你脱离一切灾祸，他要保护你的性命。你出你入，耶和华要保护你，从现在直到永远。(诗篇 121:2-3, 5, 7-8)

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:2-3, 5, 7-8)

He alone is sufficient to be our strength and to guide our steps as we make our way through a dangerous and troubled world.

In faith, we lift our eyes to the One who is our Redeemer and Creator. He is our help and our hope and our eternal home.

Verse from Job

我奠定大地根基的时候，你在哪里呢？你若有聪明，就只管说吧。(约伯记 38:4)

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. (Job 38:4)

When tragedy strikes, questions follow. The book of Job records the questions Job asks as he sits down with friends to lament his suffering. He had lost his family as well as his health and possessions.

But when you read all the way to the end of the book, you get a surprise. When God responds to Job (chs. 38–41), He does it in an unexpected way. He turns the tables and asks Job questions—different questions that show His wisdom and sovereignty. Questions about His magnificent creation—the earth, stars, and sea. And the questions all point to this: God is sovereign. God is all-powerful. God is love. And God knows what He is doing.

We comprehend Him not,

Yet earth and heaven tell,

God sits as sovereign on the throne,

And ruleth all things well. —Gerhardt

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control.

Verse from Philippians

应当毫无忧虑，只要凡事借着祷告祈求，带着感恩的心，把你们所要的告诉神。这样，神所赐超过人能了解的平安，必在基督耶稣里，保守你们的心思意念。(腓立比书 4:6-7)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Our peace comes from the confidence that the Lord loves us and He is in control. He alone provides the comfort that settles our nerves, fills our minds with hope, and allows us to relax even in the midst of changes and challenges.

Heavenly Father, 

You are all-wise, all-powerful, and all-loving. 

In the midst of uncertainties, help me to rest in the certainty of who You are. 

I thank You that Your peace will guard my heart. I place my trust in You.

Jesus taught us not to worry, because we can entrust our needs to our heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us deeply (Matt. 6:25-34; 7:9-11; 1 Peter 5:7).

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. —Isaiah 26:3

Verses from Luke

耶稣召齐十二门徒，给他们能力、权柄，制伏一切鬼魔，医治各样的疾病，

于是他们就出去，走遍各乡，传讲福音，到处医治病人。(路加福音 9:1, 6)

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9:1, 6)

Their preaching and healing in Jesus’ power and authority proved that Jesus had actually brought God’s rule to earth.

Many today are trapped under the weight of sin, but our great God can rescue us from underneath those burdens and then send us into the world to tell others that He can set them free.

Those who’ve been rescued from sin are best able to help in the rescue of others.

It's important to note that in the verses, Luke’s emphasis was on Jesus. He was the one who gave His disciples the authority. It’s important to remember that power and authority are always His to give.

Verse from Jeremiah

耶和华这样说：“你们要站在路上察看，寻访远古的路径，看哪一条是美善的路，就走在其中；这样，你们心里就必得安息。他们却说：‘我们不走在其中。’(耶利米书 6:16)

Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it. ' (Jeremiah 6:16)

God urged His people to look back so they could move ahead. The purpose of considering the ancient paths was to find “the good way” marked by God’s faithfulness, His forgiveness, and His forward call.

God can teach us from our past that the best road is the one we walk with Him.

God’s guidance in the past gives courage for the future.

Verse from 2 Peter

你们却要在我们的主、救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上长进。愿荣耀归给他，从现在直到永远。阿们。 (彼得后书 3:18)

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

Peter viewed spiritual growth as a defense against teaching that incorrectly interprets God’s Word and leads people astray (vv.16-17).

Let us grow not just physically, but spiritually as well. 

Verse from John

我是葡萄树，你们是枝子。住在我里面的，我也住在他里面，他就结出很多果子；因为离开了我，你们就不能作甚么。(约翰福音 15:5)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Our greatest strength comes from dependence on our strong God.

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

只在你们中间存心温柔，如同母亲乳养自己的孩子。(帖撒罗尼迦前书 2:7)

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

As we serve each other, may we serve with the tender loving care of our Savior, encouraging each other in our spiritual journey (Heb. 10:24).

God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others’ lives.

Verse from Psalm

我发声向耶和华呼求的时候，他就从他的圣山上回答我。(诗篇 3:4)

I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)

The longer I hold a tall glass of water, the heavier it felt. Finally my hand grew tired, and I had to put the glass down. Worry can be like holding that glass. The longer I worry about something, the more my fears weigh me down.

There are plenty of worries that can weigh us down. But as we release them into God’s strong hands, He will help us through our trials.

Thank You, Lord, that we do not have to be weighed down by worry. Help us to place our concerns in Your care so that we do not fear tomorrow.

Worry is a burden that God never meant for us to bear.

Verse from Proverbs

你不要说：“我要以恶报恶”；要等候耶和华，他必拯救你。(箴言 20:22)

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. (Proverbs 20:22)