Verses from 1 John

主为我们舍命，我们从此就知道何为爱；我们也当为弟兄舍命。凡有世上财物的，看见弟兄穷乏，却塞住怜恤的心，爱上帝的心怎能存在他里面呢？小子们哪，我们相爱，不要只在言语和舌头上，总要在行为和诚实上。(约翰一书 3:16-18)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

If we overlook Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, we’ll fail to see and experience His love. Today, consider the connection between His sacrifice and His love for you. He has come for your rescue.

Rescued: By Jesus’ love;

Rescued: For life above;

Rescued: To serve my King;

Jesus laid down His life to show His love for us.

True Christian love is sacrificial action and selfless generosity displayed both in speech and in actions (vv.16-18).

Verse from 2 Chronicles

亚撒听见这话和俄德儿子先知亚撒利雅的预言，就壮起胆来，在犹大、便雅悯全地，并以法莲山地所夺的各城，将可憎之物尽都除掉，又在耶和华殿的廊前重新修筑耶和华的坛；(历代志下 15:8)

When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple. (2 Chronicles 15:8)

Sometimes our fears can lead to inaction. We worry so much about protecting ourselves that we fail to simply step up. When King Asa learned that the Lord wanted him to remove the idols from Israel, he “took courage” (2 Chron. 15:8). He could have had a rebellion on his hands for doing this. But he stepped up, and as a result the nation rejoiced (v.15).

Facing a spiritual challenge? The Lord will help you step up with courage and trust Him for the outcome.

Let the road be rough and dreary,

And its end far out of sight,

Foot it bravely, strong or weary;

Trust in God and do the right. —Macleod

Verses from Luke

「只是我告诉你们这听道的人，你们的仇敌，要爱他！恨你们的，要待他好！

你们要慈悲，像你们的父慈悲一样。」「你们不要论断人，就不被论断；你们不要定人的罪，就不被定罪；你们要饶恕人，就必蒙饶恕；(路加福音 6:27, 36-37)

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:27, 36-37)

We are all humans, and have run into people that we dislike every now and then, it's not easy but let's look to the Father for help to show mercy, forgiveness and love to our enemies, because on our own, we will not be able to do it. 

Verses from James and Philippians

但他赐更多的恩典，所以经上说：上帝阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。(雅各书 4:6)

But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

We receive God’s grace when we acknowledge the greatness of God, who humbled Himself at the cross (Phil. 2:5-11).

Verse from 1 Kings

耶和华的使者第二次回来拍他，说：“起来吃吧！因为你要走的路程太远了。”(列王纪上 19:7)

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” (1 Kings 19:7)

People today frequently face situations bigger than they can handle. Sometimes it’s temporary despair brought on by fatigue, as in Elijah’s case. He had been part of a great victory over the prophets of Baal (18:20-40), but then he feared for his life and ran into the wilderness (19:1-3). But often, it’s more than despair and it’s more than temporary. That’s why it is imperative that we talk about depression openly and compassionately.

God offers His presence to us in life’s darkest moments, which enables us, in turn, to be His presence to the hurting. Crying out for help—from others and from God—may be the strongest moment of our lives.

Father, 

grant us the candor to admit to each

other that sometimes life overwhelms us. 

And grant us the courage to help others find help—and to seek it when we need it.

Hope comes with help from God and others.

Verse from Psalm

你的话是我脚前的灯，是我路上的光。(诗篇 119:105)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)

With God as your navigator, you’re headed in the right direction.

Verse from James

人被试探，不可说：「我是被上帝试探」；因为上帝不能被恶试探，他也不试探人。 但各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引诱惑的。 (雅各书 1:13-14)

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (James 1:13, 14)

Temptation is from Satan and our evil desire, run away from any forms of temptation. 

Verse from Psalm

你们要称谢耶和华，因他本为善；他的慈爱永远长存！(诗篇 118:1)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)

Sometimes when we face times of trouble, we may get spiritual amnesia and forget the grace of God. But a good way of reestablishing a thankful heart is to set aside undistracted time and deliberately remember God’s past provisions for us and give thanks.

By remembering specific ways God has provided for us in the past, we can change our perspective for the better. God’s steadfast love endures forever!

Wait on the Lord from day to day,

Strength He provides in His own way;

There’s no need for worry, no need to fear,

He is our God who is always near. —Fortna

Remembering God’s provision for yesterday gives hope and strength for today.

Verse from Matthew

照样，你们的光也应当照在人前，让他们看见你们的好行为，又颂赞你们在天上的父。(马太福音 5:16)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

There is one force that the darkness cannot conquer—the force of loving acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name. It is God’s people who turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and forgive and even love their enemies who oppose them who have the power to turn the tide against evil. So look for the privileged opportunity to perform acts of kindness today to bring the light of Christ to others.

Lord, 

teach me the folly of trying to repay evil for evil. 

May I be so grateful to You for the loving acts of kindness that You have shown me that I gladly look to share good deeds with others as well!

Light up your world with an act of kindness.

Verse from Psalm

正直人在黑暗中，有光向他发现；他有恩惠，有怜悯，有公义。施恩与人、借贷与人的，这人事情顺利；他被审判的时候要诉明自己的冤。(诗篇 112:4-5)

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. (Psalm 112:4-5)

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that if we don’t have love, our voices clang on people’s ears and our faith means nothing. And the apostle John says that if we have material possessions and see others in need and take action, that’s evidence that God’s love is abiding in us (1 John 3:16).

Be not weary in your serving;

Do your best for those in need;

Kindnesses will be rewarded

By the Lord who prompts the deed. —Anon.

Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on.

Verse from Hebrews

所以，你们不可丢弃勇敢的心；存这样的心必得大赏赐。(希伯来书 10:35)

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. (Hebrews 10:35)

It is God’s power that enables us to continue in our journey of faith. Recalling the Lord’s faithfulness in days past stirs our confidence in Him today.

When life becomes a heavy load,

An upward climb, a winding road,

In daily tasks, Lord, let me see

That with me You will always be. —D. DeHaan

Trusting God’s faithfulness stirs up our confidence.

Verse from Proverbs

傲慢来，羞辱也来；谦卑的人却有智慧。(箴言 11:2)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

Verse from Numbers

他们遵耶和华的吩咐安营，也遵耶和华的吩咐起行。他们守耶和华所吩咐的，都是凭耶和华吩咐摩西的。(民数记 9:23)

At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses. (Numbers 9:23)

God wasn’t simply testing the Israelites; He was leading them to the Promised Land (10:29). He wanted to take them to a better place. So it is with us when God asks us to follow Him. He wants to lead us to a place of closer fellowship with Himself. His Word assures us that He is loving and faithful in leading those who humbly follow Him.

In fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey. —Sammis

Verse from Revelation

证明这事的说：「是了，我必快来！」阿们！主耶稣啊，我愿你来！ (启示录 22:20)

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

In a German prison camp in World War II, undiscovered by the guards, some Americans built a homemade radio. One day news came that the German high command had surrendered, ending the war. Because of a communications breakdown, however, the guards did not yet know this. As word spread among the prisoners, a loud celebration broke out. For 3 days, they sang, waved at guards, and shared jokes over meals. On the fourth day, they awoke to find that all the Germans had fled. Their waiting had come to an end.

A number of Bible stories center on waiting: Abraham waiting for a child (Gen. 12–21). The Israelites waiting for deliverance from Egypt. Prophets waiting for the fulfillment of their own predictions. The disciples waiting for Jesus to act like the powerful Messiah they anticipated. Jesus’ final words at the end of Revelation are “I am coming quickly,” followed by an urgent, echoing prayer, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20). For this, we still wait.

As we wait, why are we so often fearful and anxious? We can, like the Allied prisoners, act on the good news we say we believe. What is faith in God, after all, but believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse?

Faith looks beyond the shadow

Of dread and doubt and fear

And finds the Savior waiting

And always standing near. —French

Waiting tries our faith and so we wait in hope.

Verse from Psalm

上帝是我们的避难所，是我们的力量， 是 我们 在患难中随时的帮助。 (诗篇 46:1)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Where can we go when all the walls fall and all the armies crumble and all hope is lost? To the eternal God, who is our Father. He preserved Israel through the most difficult of times, protected the Bible from those who would eradicate it, and has led his Church through troubles and triumphs through the centuries. He will do the same with us until he brings us home to himself.

Verse from 1 Samuel

耶和华却对 撒母耳 说：「不要看他的外貌和他身材高大，我不拣选他。因为， 耶和华 不像人看人：人是看外貌；耶和华是看内心。」 (撒母耳记上 16:7)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Let's not look at people based on their appearance.

Verse from Psalm

我永不忘记你的训词，因你用这训词将我救活了。(诗篇 119:93)

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. (Psalm 119:93)

God's guidance is not to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, both positive and prohibitive, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved. (The Old Testament Law had all sorts of cleanliness laws that did not make any sense at all until thousands of years after they were written when we began to understand bacteria and viruses. All through these years, the Israelites were preserved by God's command when they had no real understanding why God had given the laws in the first place.)

Verse from 1 Peter

你们在外邦人中，应当品行端正，叫那些毁谤你们是作恶的，因看见你们的好行为，便在鉴察 的日子归荣耀给上帝。(彼得前书 2:12)

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)

We hurt others when our actions aren’t Christlike. Even after an apology, the “sting” sticks.

People would be right to expect an absence of harshness and an air of patience from those who follow Christ. We forget sometimes that people struggling with faith, or life, or both, watch Christians with expectation. They hope to see less anger and more mercy, less judgment and more compassion, less criticism and more encouragement. Jesus and Peter told us to live good lives so God is given the glory (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). May our actions and reactions point those around us to our loving Father.

We have found that it’s easy to hurt others with our words or actions. Teach us, Father, to pause and to think before we speak or act.

Fill us with kindness and care.

May others see less of me and more of Jesus.

Verse from Acts

司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话，众人敌挡不住，(使徒行传 6:10)

But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. (Acts 6:10)

The Bible makes it clear that Stephen’s spiritual effectiveness came from being filled with the Holy Spirit, who gave him the right balance of faith, wisdom, and power.

In our life for Christ we accomplish nothing without the power of the Spirit.

Verses from John

我是你们的主，你们的夫子，尚且洗你们的脚，你们也当彼此洗脚。我给你们作了榜样，叫你们照着我向你们所做的去做。(约翰福音 13:14-15)

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:14-15)

When we remember that our strength is a result of God’s grace, that keeps us humble. Then in humility we pass on God’s truth by being an example that encourages and inspires others to follow.

Jesus Himself is our example of servanthood. He gave His very life for us.

Lord Jesus, 

I know little about humility.

Show me and teach me as I read about Your example in Your Word. Give me the grace to humble myself and serve others.

Verse from Mark

并且尽心、尽智、尽力爱他，又爱人如己，就比一切燔祭和各样祭祀好的多。」(马可福音 12:33)

AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:33)

God’s love in our heart gives us a heart for Him and others. And to God, no matter what we do, it means nothing to Him if we do not have love in us. 

Verses from Ephesians

一切苦毒、恼恨、忿怒、嚷闹、毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉；并要以恩慈相待，存怜悯的心，彼此饶恕，正如上帝在基督里饶恕了你们一样。(以弗所书 4:31-32)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Verse from Psalm

你的道在海中；你的路在大水中；你的脚踪无人知道。(诗篇 77:19)

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. (Psalm 77:19)

God can create roads where we see only obstacles. When the way ahead of us seems uncertain, it’s good to remember what God has done in the past. He specializes in pathways in any circumstance—pathways that point us to His love and power.

Thank You, God, 

for the miraculous ways You have worked in the past. 

Help me to remember Your power and faithfulness when I can see only trouble and difficulty.

The God who created a way for our salvation can certainly see us through our daily trials.

Verses from Genesis

只有挪亚在耶和华眼前蒙恩。

挪亚就这样作了；神吩咐他的，他都照样作了。(创世记 6:8, 22)

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. (Genesis 6:8, 22)

Fully devoted to God, Noah obeyed Him and built the ark. The Lord, in His grace, spared him and his family.

We too have been shown God’s grace through His Son Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We have every reason to bring Him honor and stand strong for Him in our daily lives. He is always near, even abiding in us, so we never really stand alone. His “ears are open to [our] cry” (Ps. 34:15).

It’s easy to stand with a crowd; it takes courage to stand alone.

Verse from Ephesians

因此，我这为主被囚禁的劝你们：行事为人，要配得上你们所蒙的呼召，凡事谦虚、温柔、忍耐，用爱心彼此宽容；(以弗所书 4:1-2)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1-2)

In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn’t have to contend with such difficult people.

Lewis then turns the tables on us by pointing out that these frustrations are what God has to endure with each of us every day. He writes: “You are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs.” This self-awareness should motivate us to try to show the same patience and acceptance to others that God shows to us daily.

In Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to arm ourselves relationally “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (4:2). The one who is patient is better able to deal with a difficult person without becoming provoked to anger and retaliation. Instead, he or she is able to endure, exhibiting grace in spite of upsetting behavior.

Are there difficult people in your life? Ask God to show His love through you.

Some people can be difficult to love,

And so we do not even try to care;

But God says, “Love them just as I’ve loved you—

You’ll bring Me glory as My love you share.” —Cetas

See others as God sees you.

Verse from Jeremiah

窑匠用泥做的器皿，在他手中做坏了，他又用这泥另做别的器皿；窑匠看怎样好，就怎样做。(耶利米书 18:4)

But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. (Jeremiah 18:4)

a broken life can be renewed when it is touched by God’s love and grace. In the Old Testament, we read that when the prophet Jeremiah watched a potter working, he noticed that if an object was marred the potter simply reshaped it (Jer. 18:1-6). God explained that in His hands the people of ancient Israel were like clay, which He would shape as He saw best.

We are never too badly broken for God to reshape. He loves us in spite of our imperfections and past mistakes, and He desires to make us beautiful.

When melted by trial, we can be fully molded by the Potter.

Verse from Romans

所以现在，那些在耶稣基督里的人就不被定罪了；(罗马书 8:1)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1)

In Christ, we are set free.

Verse from 1 John

孩子们，我们爱人，不要只在言语和舌头上，总要在行动和真诚上表现出来。(约翰壹书 3:18)

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

Verse from Galatians

并不分犹太人或希腊人，作奴仆的或自由人，男的或女的，因为你们在基督耶稣里都成为一体了。(加拉太书 3:28)

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Praise God that He brings a bond of unity to all who know Him as Savior.

What a miracle it is, dear Lord, 

that You can bring together people of all tribes, tongues, and

nations to be like-minded in Christ—to share a bond of love and affection for Jesus.

Christian fellowship builds us up and binds us together.

Verse from Romans

但恩赏和过犯是截然不同的；如果因着那一人的过犯，众人都死了，神的恩典和这一人耶稣基督在恩典里的赏赐，对众人就更加丰盛了。(罗马书 5:15)

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! (Romans 5:15)

No matter what life may bring, nothing can remove us from the realm of God’s grace.

Verse from Psalm

至于我，我要歌颂你的能力，每天早晨我要向你的慈爱欢呼，因为你作了我的高台，在患难的日子，作了我的避难所。我的力量啊！我要向你歌唱；神啊！你是我的高台，是向我施慈爱的神。(诗篇 59:16-17)

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. (Psalm 59:16-17)

May we find our refuge and rest in Him.