Verse from 2 Corinthians

因为他说：“在悦纳的时候，我应允了你；在拯救的日子，我帮助了你。”看哪！现在就是悦纳的时候，现在就是拯救的日子。(哥林多后书 6:2)

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Christ has come, died for our sins, and has risen from the grave. He has opened the way for us to be reconciled to God and has proclaimed for us the day of salvation.

Today is that day. But one day the door of mercy will close. To those who received and served Christ, He will say, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matt. 25:34). But those who don’t know Him will be turned away (v.46).

Our response to Jesus Christ determines our destiny. Today Jesus invites, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9).

Have you been truly saved? Or are you still turning yourself away from Him? What about your family/friends? When Jesus comes back, that door of salvation will be closed for eternity.

Verse from Luke

在那些日子，有一次耶稣出去到山上祷告，整夜祷告神。(路加福音 6:12)

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12)

Jesus prayed often, and sometimes for a long time (Luke 6:12; Mark 14:32-42). Either way, let us bring the desires of our heart to the God of the backyards and the mountains of our lives.

Let us not pray because we have issues, let us pray because we want to communicate to our God, who is also our Father in heaven, Brother and Friend about anything in our lives. 

Verse from Psalm

我的帮助是从造天地的耶和华而来。(诗篇 121:2)

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

We can trust our all-knowing God for the unknown future. He knows what best for us, and His plans are always better than ours. 

Do you trust in Him or do you only trust in yourself?

Verses from Luke

马大被许多要作的事，弄得心烦意乱，就上前来，说：“主啊，我妹妹让我一个人侍候，你不理吗？请吩咐她来帮助我。”主回答她：“马大，马大，你为许多事操心忙碌，但是最需要的只有一件，马利亚已经选择了那上好的分，是不能从她夺去的。”(路加福音 10:40-42)

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:40-42)

Are we becoming too focused on how much we are serving and comparing ourselves to others?

Don't look at what others are doing 

Don't need to broadcast what we are doing 

Don't need to do any comparison in serving

Just focus on what we are called to serve

What are you focusing on today?

Verse from Psalms

我心紧紧追随你；你的右手扶持我。(诗篇 63:8)

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. (Psalms 63:8)

Life can be painful at times, yet God offers His comforting hand in the midst of it. We are not beyond His reach.

God bears the world’s weight on His shoulder, yet holds His children in the palm of His hand.

Verse from Nehemiah

其实他们众人是在恐吓我们，心里说：“他们的手必软弱，不能再作这工程，不会完工了！”现在，坚固我的手。(尼希米记 6:9)

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9)

Nehemiah, who led in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, refused to give up. He faced insults and intimidation from the enemies all around him as well as injustices from his own people (Neh. 4–5). His enemies even insinuated that he had a personal agenda (6:6-7). He sought help from God while taking every defensive step he could.

Despite the challenges, the wall was completed in 52 days (6:15). But Nehemiah’s work was not complete. He encouraged the Israelites to study the Scriptures, to worship, and to keep God’s law. After completing 12 years as governor (5:14), he returned to make sure his reforms were continuing (13:6). Nehemiah had a life-long commitment to leading the people.

We all face challenges and difficulties in life. But as God helped Nehemiah, He will also strengthen our hands (6:9) for the rest of our lives in whatever tasks He gives to us.

Life’s challenges are designed not to break us but to bend us toward God.

Verse from Psalms

我必平平安安躺下睡觉，因为只有你耶和华能使我安然居住。(诗篇 4:8)

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8)

In the midst of our pressure-filled days, we sometimes crave peace and quiet. There is too much noise in the air; there are too many people around. We want to “come aside . . . and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Can we find a place to do this?

Yes, there is such a place. When we take a few moments to reflect on God’s love and mercy and cast our burdens on Him, we will find in that quiet God-filled space the peace that the world has taken away.

Spending quiet time with God will bring quiet rest.

Verses from Isaiah

因此，耶和华必等候要恩待你们；他必兴起来怜悯你们，因为耶和华是公义的神。等候他的，都是有福的。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 30:18-19)

Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. (Isaiah 30:18-19)

The Old Testament contains many accounts of God’s people crying out for help. Although their trouble was often self-imposed due to their waywardness, God was still eager to come to their aid.

Today, people all around us are in need of someone to take action to help them. It is a high privilege to become the hands of God as we respond on His behalf to cries for help.

As how God has helped us in our lives, let's help others as well, it doesn't have to be much, just a little gesture of kindness as a start. 

Verse from Psalms

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 130:7)

O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. (Psalms 130:7)

What do we have here that is unfailing and inexhaustible? Nothing except God's unfailing love. Even when we disappoint, hurt, offend, or rebel against Him, He still loves us. While we were sinners He sent Jesus to redeem us from sin and death. Why trust anything or anyone else with our future? Let's lean on God's unfailing love!

Verse from John

我给你们一条新命令，就是要你们彼此相爱；我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样彼此相爱。(约翰福音 13:34)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

In essence, knowing Christ results in a deep care for the people in our world.

Verses from Deuteronomy

“你要自己谨慎，免得忘记耶和华你的神，不守他的诫命、典章、律例，就是我今日吩咐你的；

恐怕你心里说：‘这财富是我的力量，是我手的能力使我得着的。’你要记念耶和华你的神，因为得财富的能力是他赐给你的，为要坚定他向你的列祖起誓所立的约，像今天一样。(申命记 8:11, 17-18)

"Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today;

Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:11, 17-18)

Many national anthems in Africa and others from around the world point to God as Creator and Provider. Other lines of anthems call for reconciliation, transformation, and hope for a people often divided along ethnic, political, and social lines.

Yet today, many national leaders and citizens tend to forget God and do not live by these statements—especially when life is going well. But why wait until war, disease, storms, terrorist attacks, or election violence occurs before we remember to seek God? Moses warned the ancient Israelites not to forget God and not to stop following His ways when life was good (Deut. 8:11). Ecclesiastes 12:1 urges us to “remember now your Creator . . . before the difficult days come.”

Remember our God and follow His ways no matter whether life is easy or hard.

Verses from 1 Kings

耶和华说：“你出来站在山上，在我耶和华面前。”那时，耶和华从那里经过。在耶和华面前有强烈的大风，山崩石碎，但耶和华不在风中；风过以后有地震，但耶和华也不在地震中；地震过后有火，耶和华也不在火中；火后有低微柔和的声音。(列王纪上 19:11-12)

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Many of us would rather see dramatic answers to prayer than ordinary provisions of daily bread. But both are the work of God.

Elijah may have had similar preferences. He had grown accustomed to being the center of God’s grand displays of power. When he prayed, God showed up in dramatic ways—first in a miraculous defeat against the prophets of Baal and then in the end to a long and devastating drought (1 Kings 18). But then Elijah felt afraid and started to run. God sent an angel to feed him to strengthen him for his journey. After 40 days he arrived in Horeb. God showed him that He was now communicating in a still small voice, not in flashy miracles (19:11-12).

If you’re discouraged because God hasn’t shown up in a blaze of glory, perhaps He’s revealing Himself with His quiet presence.

Lord, 

may we see You today in the small details of life in ways that we hadn’t noticed before. 

Thank You for the gift of Your quiet presence, wherever we may find it today.

God is in the small things as well as the great.

Verses from 1 Peter

那召你们的既是圣洁的，你们在一切所行的事上也要圣洁。因为圣经上记着说：“你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的。”(彼得前书 1:15-16)

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

The destined end of man is not happiness nor health but HOLINESS. Many seek God to be blessed in their lives but, God is not an eternal blessing machine for men. He did not come to save men out of pity. 

He came to save men because He created them to be HOLY. 

Oswald Chambers

Verse from Psalm

我要称谢你，因为我的受造奇妙可畏；你的作为奇妙，这是我深深知道的。(诗篇 139:14)

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

We don't have to look far to be amazed, we are His creation, every single part of our bodies is created solely by God! 

Verses from John

那妇人撇下了她的水罐，进到城里去，对众人说： “你们来，看看一个人，他把我所作的一切都说出来，难道这人就是基督吗？”(约翰福音 4:28-29)

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:28-29)

In John 4, a woman had come to draw water at a well. But after she encountered Jesus that day, her intent suddenly changed. Leaving her water jar behind, she hurried back to tell others what Jesus had said to her (vv.28-29). Even her physical need for water paled in comparison to telling others about the Man she had just met.

Our new life of following Jesus Christ may mean that we may have to leave things behind, including those that don’t bring lasting satisfaction such as the love for status, power, wealth. What we once craved cannot compare with the life and “living water” that Jesus offers.

Are you willing to do that? Are u able to do so? 

Verses from Isaiah

耶和华说：“我的意念不是你们的意念，你们的道路也不是我的道路。天怎样高过地，我的道路也怎样高过你们的道路，我的意念也怎样高过你们的意念。(以赛亚书 55:8-9)

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

We often question God on why this and that happen, why He doesn't give us this or give us that, and try to direct God to do our bidding, but did we ever believe and trust in His wisdom and sovereignty? More often than not, we think we are smarter than God and tell Him how things should be done...in our ways..

This is something for us to reflect upon...

Verse from 2 Corinthians

我们所顾念的，不是看得见的，而是看不见的；因为看得见的是暂时的，看不见的是永远的。(哥林多后书 4:18)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

What do you see most clearly today? Is it what is seen or what is unseen? No matter our belief system, we ultimately have to trust what we can't see. Even the most atheistic scientist trusts gravity, breathes air, and depends upon principles she/he cannot see until they produce results in the tangible world of human perception. 

Verses from 2 Corinthians

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；

如果必须夸口，我就夸自己的弱点。(哥林多后书 11:25, 30)

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,

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (2 Corinthians 11:25, 30)

The apostle Paul suffered all sorts of hardships as he pursued his goal of sharing the good news of Jesus with those who had never heard. Persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, and misunderstood, sometimes he faced death itself (2 Cor. 11:25). But the joy of seeing people respond to his message made it all worthwhile.

Sometimes we learn that hardships

Were blessings in disguise,

That earnest work and faith in God

Were proven to be wise. —Hess

Verses from Psalm

我要向神发声呼求，我向神发声，他必留心听我。

我要述说耶和华的作为，我要记念你古时所行的奇事。

神啊！你的道路是圣洁的，有哪一位神好象我们的神这样伟大呢？(诗篇 77:1, 11, 13)

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? (Psalm 77:1, 11, 13)

Despair is real in this life, and answers do not come easily. Yet in the darkness—as we remember God’s glory, majesty, power, and love—our despair can slowly subside. Like Asaph, we can rehearse God’s acts, especially the salvation He brought through Jesus, and we can return to where we once were—resting gratefully in His mighty love.

We will face troubles but when troubles come, we can choose to look back to the past, to the numerous blessings He has given us, promises that He has never left our side, big and small blessings in our lives.

Verse from Psalm

不从恶人的计谋，不站罪人的道路，不坐亵慢人的座位，(诗篇 1:1)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, (Psalm 1:1)

Will you cave in to the world's desires and views? Or cling on to the His words and teachings, even if people around u will mock at your faith, mock at you for taking a stand for God? Mock at you for being different because you don't view things as how the world views? Are u brave enough to go against what the world says and live a Christ-filled life?

Verse from Luke

甚至你们的头发都一一数过了。不要怕，你们比许多麻雀贵重得多呢。(路加福音 12:7)

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)

Fear is a universal feeling. We have concerns about loved ones, our needs, and the unknown future. How can we learn to have faith? The Lord has given us a foundation on which to build our confidence in Him: “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Father, 

life in this world can sometimes be scary.

Thank You for the promise that Your love and care will never be taken away from us. 

When fear seems overwhelming, help us to remember Your promises.

The love of God frees us from the prison of fear.

Verse from Hebrews

你们为人不要贪爱钱财，要以现在所有的为满足；因为神亲自说过：“我决不撇下你，也不离弃你。”(希伯来书 13:5)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

We have two choices for our lives. Either we can live by faith or by sight. We can trust in God's abiding presence and power or we can depend upon our own resources. But wealth, like health, status, and reputation are all subject to decay and disappearance. What is your choice? 

Verse from Psalm

我多么爱慕你的律法，终日不住地默想。(诗篇 119:97)

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (Psalm 119:97)

Someone has said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. But perhaps on some days, like me, you just don’t feel like opening it and your heart doesn’t resonate with the verse above. 

How many of us just want to get the reading of His words over and done with, so that we can get on with our usual tasks? 

How many of us really treat His words with the same attention as the words from our crush/partner? We tell God that we love Him, but what about His words? 

Verse from Ezekiel

我必使他们与我山的四围成为福源，我也必叫时雨落下，必有福如甘霖而降。(以西结书 34:26)

I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34:26)

Ezekiel spoke of a time when God would send blessings like rain to refresh His people. The Israelites would be safe from enemy nations. They would have enough food, be liberated from slavery, and be freed from shame (vv.27-29). These gifts would revive Israel’s relationship with God. The people would know that God was with them, and that “they, the house of Israel, [were His] people” (v.30).

God blesses His modern-day followers too (James 1:17). Sometimes blessings abound like rain; sometimes they trickle in one by one. Whether many or few, the good things we receive come with a message from God: I see your needs. You are mine, and I will care for you.

Daily blessings are daily reminders of God.

Verse from Galatians

所以，有了机会就当向众人行善，向信徒一家的人更当这样。(加拉太书 6:10)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)

In light of the many needs around us, what do you think could happen if we all asked God to show us opportunities to serve Him and help others today?

Will our acts of kindness (big or small) make some difference in this world? 

Verse from Luke

耶稣说：“由他们吧！”就摸那人的耳朵，医好了他。(路加福音 22:51)

But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” He touched the man's ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51)

By healing the man's ears, Jesus indicated that His kingdom was about healing, not hurting. Time after time Jesus used the disciples’ mistakes to show a better way.

What Jesus did for His disciples, He also does for us. And what He does for us, we can do for others. Instead of magnifying every mistake, we can turn them into beautiful acts of forgiveness, healing, and redemption.

Verses 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)

Life doesn’t carry with it simple instructions, nor do we find all of the necessary parts in hand. We face situations with no clear idea of what we’re getting into or what it will take to pull it off. We can easily find ourselves overwhelmed with these difficult moments.

But we need not face our burdens alone. God wants us to bring them to Him as in the above verses.

The secret of peace is to give every anxious care to God.

Verses 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)

it's your choice on how u react in every single matter and every single situation in this year - to give thanks or complain

Verse from Joshua

我岂没有吩咐你吗？你当刚强壮胆！不要惧怕，也不要惊惶；因为你无论往哪里去，耶和华—你的上帝必与你同在。」(约书亚记 1:9)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

This command and promise to Joshua is also for us as we embrace the upcoming year. We have no idea what lies ahead, we only know that God will go with us if we will ask him on our journey and seek to follow his will. So this verse is not just a promise to cherish, "I will go with you." It is also a command! "Be strong, courageous, and do not be terrified or discouraged." We are not to fear because He is with us. 

Verses from Genesis

耶和华上帝呼唤那人，对他说：「你在哪里？」他说：「我在园中听见你的声音，我就害怕；因为我赤身露体，我便藏了。」(创世记 3:9-10)

But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” (Genesis 3:9-10)

The two teenage boys heard the sound of their parents’ car and panicked. How would they explain the mess in the house? Their father’s instructions had been clear that morning before he and their mother drove out of town: no parties, no rowdy friends. But the unruly friends came and the boys allowed them to stay, despite their father’s warning. Now the house was in a jumble and the boys were tipsy and disheveled. In fear, they hid.

That was how Adam and Eve must have felt after they had chosen to disobey God and then heard the sound of Him approaching. In fear, they hid themselves.

Sin makes us feel afraid and naked, and we become vulnerable to even more temptation.

God is still calling to people: “Where are you?” Many run away, trying to hide from Him or drown out the sound of His voice. Yet we cannot hide from God; He knows exactly where we are. Rather than hide in fear, we can respond in this way: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).

The only place to hide sin is under the blood of Christ.

Insight

God did not force Adam and Eve to obey Him but allowed them to choose. Similarly, He did not force them to come to Him after they sinned. Instead, He called to them and allowed them to respond to His call.

Verses from 2 Timothy

你应当知道，末后的日子必有艰难的时期来到。

但恶人和骗子必越来越坏，他们欺骗人，也必受欺骗。你应当遵守所学和确信的；你知道是跟谁学的，

全部圣经都是神所默示的，在教训、责备、矫正和公义的训练各方面，都是有益的，(提摩太后书 3:1, 13-14, 16)

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:1, 13-14, 16)

At the beginning of each new year, experts give their predictions about the economy, politics, weather, and a host of other topics. Will there be war or peace? Poverty or prosperity? Progress or stagnation? People everywhere are hoping that this year will be better than last, but no one knows what will happen.

As the spiritual darkness of our world grows deeper, the light of Christ shines more brightly through all those who know and love Him. Jesus is our joy and hope—today, tomorrow, and forever!

The powers of evil around you are no match for the power of Jesus within you.