Verse from John

““神爱世人，甚至把他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。”

约翰福音 3:16

“"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

When Jesus invited people to follow Him, they offered excuses—all about being busy with the cares of this world (Luke 9:59-62). The Lord’s answer to them (vv. 60-62) urges us not to let excuses deprive us of the most important thing in life: the salvation of our souls.

Do you hear God calling you to commit or recommit your life to Him? Are you ready for the radical commitment? 

Insight

Although large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went (Luke 5:15; 8:42; 9:11; 14:25), Jesus knew that not all who followed Him were genuine disciples (John 6:66). Jesus taught often of the radical commitment needed if we want to follow Him. We are to love Him above all else, even our own life (Mark 10:17-22; Luke 9:23-27). In today’s passage, Jesus warns that following Him may not be easy and comfortable. It requires precedence over all other relationships, a single-minded focus, wholehearted pursuit, and an undivided commitment (vv. 59-62). God in His great mercy has given every believer the Holy Spirit to help us live a life that is pleasing to Him. Sim Kay Tee

Verse from John

“从此，他的门徒中有许多人退去了，不再与他同行。”

约翰福音 6:66

“As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”

John 6:66

This verse is scary in a way. Not just because of the three numbers in the reference, but because it is a great reminder that many folks simply gave up following Jesus when things became hard to understand. 

When He shattered their preconceived notions of religious things, when He confronted them about their motives, they went away. 

What will we do when things get difficult in our discipleship and we can't figure out all the answers to what is going on? Will we give up?

Verse from Matthew

“如果你们饶恕别人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们。如果你们不饶恕别人，你们的父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。”

马太福音 6:14-15

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

Matthew 6:14-15

As we forgive others, the basis of that forgiveness is the incredible debt that God has already forgiven us (Matthew 18). But at the same time, as God sees that His forgiveness is kept in circulation and passed on to others by us, He joyously pours out more forgiveness on us. As hard as it is to forgive someone when we have been genuinely harmed, Jesus wants us to know that the blessings of doing so far outweigh the costs!

Verse from Hebrews

“因此，同蒙天召的圣洁的弟兄啊！你们应该想想耶稣，就是作使徒、作我们所宣认的大祭司的那一位。”

希伯来书 3:1

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”

Hebrews 3:1

A recent book that puts a fictional flavor on a slice of US history portrays Old West gunslingers Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday as shiftless bums. In an interview with National Public Radio, the author said of the real Earp, “He didn’t do anything remarkable his whole life, ever.” Through the years, in books and Hollywood movies, they’ve become heroes. Yet reputable historical accounts show that they were not.

In contrast, the Bible is full of flawed people who became real heroes. But don’t lose sight of the vital source of their heroic actions. The object of their faith was God, who chooses flawed human beings for His remarkable purposes.

As biblical heroes go, Moses stands tall. We tend to forget that he was a murderer and a reluctant leader who once directed a rant at God: “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly?” he demanded. “What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them?” (Num. 11:11-12 nlt).

How very human of Moses! And yet Hebrews reminds us: “Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later” (Heb. 3:5 nlt).

Real heroes point to the Hero who never disappoints. “Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses” (v. 3 nlt).

Lord, 

thank You for being the only Hero we can rely on without fail. 

Help us not to conceal our flaws and mistakes, 

but to give them to You. 

We trust You to use us for Your good purpose.

Looking for someone who won’t disappoint you? Look to Jesus.

Verse from 1 Corinthians

“所以我奔跑，不是没有目标的；我斗拳，不是打空气的。”

哥林多前书 9:26

“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;”

1 Corinthians 9:26

A rolling-ball clock in the British Museum struck me as a vivid illustration of the deadening effects of routine. A small steel ball traveled in grooves across a tilted steel plate until it tripped a lever on the other side. This tilted the plate back in the opposite direction, reversed the direction of the ball and advanced the clock hands. Every year, the steel ball traveled some 2,500 miles back and forth, but never really went anywhere.

It’s easy for us to feel trapped by our daily routine when we can’t see a larger purpose. The apostle Paul longed to be effective in making the gospel of Christ known. “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air” (1 Cor. 9:26 niv). Anything can become monotonous—traveling, preaching, teaching, and especially being confined in prison. Yet Paul believed he could serve Christ his Lord in every situation.

Routine becomes lethal when we can’t see a purpose in it. Paul’s vision reached beyond any limiting circumstance because he was in the race of faith to keep going until he crossed the finish line. By including Jesus in every aspect of his life, Paul found meaning even in the routine of life. 

And so can we.

Jesus can transform our routine into meaningful service for Him.

Verse from Proverbs

“生与死都在舌头的权下；爱把弄这权柄的，必自食其果。”

箴言 18:21

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Proverbs 18:21

Nelson Mandela, who opposed the South African apartheid regime and was imprisoned for almost 3 decades, knew the power of words. He is often quoted today, but while in prison his words could not be quoted for fear of repercussion. A decade after his release he said: “It is never my custom to use words lightly. If 27 years in prison have done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us understand how precious words are, and how real speech is in its impact on the way people live and die.”

King Solomon, author of most of the Old Testament book of Proverbs, wrote often about the power of words. He said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). Words have the potential to produce positive or negative consequences (v. 20). They have the power to give life through encouragement and honesty or to crush and kill through lies and gossip. How can we be assured of producing good words that have a positive outcome? The only way is by diligently guarding our hearts: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (4:23 niv).

Jesus can transform our hearts so that our words can truly be their best—honest, calm, appropriate, and suitable for the situation.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Our words have the power to build up or tear down.

Verse from Romans

“我们知道，为了爱神的人，就是按他旨意蒙召的人的益处，万事都一同效力。”

罗马书 8:28

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

The first words that many people like to quote when misfortune hits are: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). But that’s hard to believe in hard times. There was a man who had lost his third son in a row, and he lamented, “How can this tragedy work for my good?” Several months later, he was thankful as he said, “My sorrow is drawing me closer to God.”

Tough as Romans 8:28 may be to understand, countless testimonies give credence to the truth of it. The story of hymn writer Fanny Crosby is a classic example. The world is the beneficiary of her memorable hymns, yet what worked together for good was born out of her personal tragedy, for she became blind at the age of 5. At only age 8, she began to write poetry and hymns. Writing over 8,000 sacred songs and hymns, she blessed the world with such popular songs as “Blessed Assurance,” “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” God used her difficulty to bring good for her and us and glory for Him.

When tragedy befalls us, it’s hard to understand how anything good can come from it, and we won’t always see it in this life. But God has good purposes and always remains with us.

What trial in your life have you found to be for your good? 

What good things have come from it? 

What are you now suffering that you pray will bring something good?

God always has good purposes for our trials.

Insight

Romans 8:28 is often given as a promise to comfort and encourage those who are going through difficult and painful times. This promise is all-encompassing, for “all things” must include the good and the bad circumstances of life. It assures us that God is not absent and is sovereignly working in all things for our good. Although He may seem silent or even out of sight, nothing is ever wasted in the hands of God. The Old Testament equivalent of Romans 8:28 is Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (nlt). Romans 8:28 is a promise with a redemptive purpose, for God wants us “to become like his Son” (v. 29 nlt). Sim Kay Tee

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“我们主耶稣基督的父神是应当称颂的。他是满有怜悯的父，赐各样安慰的神。我们在一切患难中，神都安慰我们，使我们能用他所赐的安慰，去安慰那些在各样患难中的人。”

哥林多后书 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Nobody likes struggles, trials, afflictions but when we pull through with His grace and strength, what we have gone through enables us to help and comfort those who are facing issues. Our struggles not only give us an opportunity to experience His comfort, but they also open the door for us to share that comfort with others in their struggles.

God’s presence brings us comfort; our presence with His love brings others comfort.

Verse from Mark

“耶稣对他们说：“来，你们自己到旷野去休息一下。”因为来往的人多，他们甚至没有时间吃饭。”

马可福音 6:31

“And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”

Mark 6:31

Sometimes we do need to just turn it all off and rest our minds for a little while; we simply need to “unplug.” Jesus often drew aside for a time—especially when He wanted to take time to pray (Matt. 14:13). He encouraged the disciples to step away as well—even for a brief time (Mark 6:31). That kind of solitude and time for reflection is beneficial for each of us. In those moments we are able to draw near to God.

Follow the example and wisdom of Christ. Get away by yourself and “rest a while.” It will be good for your body, mind, and spirit.

Lord, 

help me to seek those things which are from above. 

I want to turn off all that distracts me and draw near to You.

 Turning down the volume of life allows you to listen carefully to God.

Verses from 1 Corinthians

“你们不知道不义的人不能承受神的国吗？不要自欺，无论是行淫乱的、拜偶像的、奸淫的、作娈童的、亲男色的、 偷窃的、贪心的、醉酒的、辱骂人的或勒索的，都不能承受神的国。”

哥林多前书 6:9-10

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

God is not mocked, what the world approves or allows doesn't mean it's approved by God. The consequences is eternal and no one can withstand His wrath. 

The choice is ours, do we want to continue to flirt with sin, to condone sin by not making a stand for what is right in this world?

Verse from Matthew

“凡是想救自己生命的，必丧掉生命；但为我牺牲生命的，必得着生命。”

(马太福音 16:25)

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

(Matthew 16:25)

There is one song that is focused on deciding to follow Jesus. The chorus contains an important phrase: “no turning back.”

When Elisha decided to follow the prophet Elijah, Elisha did something incredible that made it difficult, impossible really, for him to return to his prior occupation of farming. After going home and having a farewell banquet, Elisha “took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them” (1 Kings 19:21). Leaving his way of life, he burned up his plowing equipment. He roasted the freshly butchered meat over the blaze and fed everyone present. Then “[Elisha] arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant” (v. 21).

Giving ourselves to God, who deserves our devotion, often comes with a price. At times, it means making difficult decisions about relationships, finances, and living arrangements. However, nothing compares with what we gain when we continue on with Christ. Jesus said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25).

Are we willing to follow Him without turning back? 

Verses from Luke

“你想，这三个人，谁是那个落在强盗手中的人的邻舍呢？”他说：“是那怜悯他的。”耶稣说：“你去，照样作吧。””

(路加福音 10:36-37)

““Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.””

(Luke 10:36-37)

Mary enjoyed her midweek church group meeting when she and several friends gathered to pray, worship, and discuss questions from the previous week’s sermon. This week they were going to talk about the difference between “going” to church and “being” the church in a hurting world. She was looking forward to seeing her friends and having a lively discussion.

As she picked up her car keys, the doorbell rang. “I’m so sorry to bother you,” said her neighbor Sue, “but are you free this morning?” Mary was about to say that she was going out when Sue continued, “I have to take my car to the repair shop. Normally I would walk or cycle home, but I’ve hurt my back and can’t do either at the moment.” Mary hesitated for a heartbeat and then smiled. “Of course,” she said.

Mary knew her neighbor only by sight. But as she drove her home, she learned about Sue’s husband’s battle with dementia and the utter exhaustion that being a caregiver can bring with it. She listened, sympathized, and promised to pray. She offered to help in any way she could.

Mary didn’t get to church that morning to talk about sharing her faith. Instead she took a little bit of Jesus’ love to her neighbor who was in a difficult situation.

Lord, 

help us to be ready at any time to be Your hands and feet to those in need.

Faith is seen in our actions.

Verse from Psalms

“诸天述说神的荣耀，穹苍传扬他的作为。”

(诗篇 19:1)

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”

(Psalms 19:1)

The 12th-century Chinese artist Li Tang painted landscapes animated with people, birds, and water buffalo. Because of his genius with fine line sketches on silk, Li Tang is considered a master of Chinese landscape art. For centuries, artists from around the world have depicted what they see in God’s art gallery of creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). The Bible tells us that our creativity as human beings comes from being made in the image of the Master Creator (Gen. 1:27).

God chose artists who worked with wood, gold, silver, bronze, and gems to create the furnishings, utensils, altars, and garments that were to be used when the ancient Israelites worshiped Him in the tabernacle  (Ex. 31:1-11). These artistic renderings of spiritual realities prompted and guided the priests and the people in their worship of the Lord who had called them to be His people.

Through many types of artistic expression, we reflect the beauty of creation and honor the Creator and Redeemer of this marvelous world.

Lord of the universe, You are the Creator and have given us creative abilities. May we honor You through them.

We were created to bring God the glory.

Verse from Philippians

“各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事。”

(腓立比书 2:4)

“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

(Philippians 2:4)

During the Bosnian War (1992–1996), more than 10,000 people—civilians and soldiers—were killed in the city of Sarajevo as gunfire and mortar rounds rained down from the surrounding hills. Steven Galloway’s gripping novel The Cellist of Sarajevo unfolds there, during the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. The book follows three fictional characters who must decide if they will become completely self-absorbed in their struggle to survive, or will somehow rise above their numbing circumstances to consider others during a time of great adversity.

From a prison in Rome, Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, saying: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). Paul cited Jesus as the great example of a selfless focus on others: “Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, . . . made Himself of no reputation . . . humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (vv. 5-8). Rather than seeking sympathy from others, Jesus gave all He had to rescue us from the tyranny of sin.

Our continuing challenge as followers of Jesus is to see through His eyes and respond to the needs of others in His strength, even in our own difficult times.

Are you going through something hard right now? What can you still do for another?

Embracing God’s love for us is the key to loving others.

Verse from John

“不要为那必朽坏的食物操劳，却要为那存到永生的食物操劳，就是人子所要赐给你们的，因为人子是父神所印证的。””

(约翰福音 6:27)

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.””

(John 6:27)

One morning as Lilia prepared for work, her 4-year-old daughter Jess set to work too. The family had purchased a conveyor toaster, and the concept of cycling bread through the small countertop oven fascinated Jess. Minutes later, Lilia discovered a loaf and a half of toast piled on the counter. “I’m a very good baker!” Jess declared.

It’s no miracle that an inquisitive girl could turn bread into toast. But when Jesus transformed a boy’s five loaves and two fish into a meal for thousands, the crowd on the hillside recognized the miraculous nature of the event and wanted to make Him king (see John 6:1-15).

Jesus’ kingdom, of course, is “not of this world” (John 18:36), and so He slipped away. When the crowd found Him the next day, Christ identified a flaw in their motives: “You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (6:26). They mistakenly thought “King” Jesus would give them full stomachs and national freedom. But Jesus counseled them, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life” (v. 27).

Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. Jesus

Verse from Isaiah

“耶和华啊！你是我的　神， 我要尊崇你，称谢你的名， 因为你以信实真诚作成了奇妙的事， 就是你远古以前所计划的事。”

(以赛亚书 25:1)

“O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”

(Isaiah 25:1)

The discovery of penicillin revolutionized health care. Prior to the 1940s, bacterial infections were often fatal. Since then, penicillin has saved countless lives by killing harmful bacteria. The men who recognized its potential and developed it for widespread use won a Nobel Prize in 1945.

Long before the discovery of penicillin, other silent killers were at work saving lives by destroying bacteria. These silent killers are white blood cells. These hard workers are God’s way of protecting us from disease. No one knows how many invasions they have stopped or how many lives they have saved. They receive little recognition for all the good they do.

The Lord gets similar treatment. He often gets blamed when something goes wrong, but He seldom gets credit for all the things that go right. Every day people get up, get dressed, drive to work or school or the grocery store, and return safely to their families. No one knows how many times God has protected us from harm. But when there is a tragedy, we ask, “Where was God?”

In what ways does God’s goodness undergird your life? 

What are you thanking Him for today?

God keeps giving us reasons to praise Him.

Verse from Psalms

“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 23:2-3)

“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.”

(Psalms 23:2-3)

When we are exhausted, depleted, and on the edge of burn out, we need to have our souls restored! But who can restore our souls? Only the One who will lead us beside still waters! The Lord is our Shepherd. He alone can fully bring the nourishment and replenishment that we need. Yet why do we sometimes find it so hard to set aside time to be with him? Could it be that we keep our lives so busy that we miss out on the one thing that matters most?

Verse from John

“我在世上的时候，是世界的光。””

(约翰福音 9:5)

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.””

(John 9:5)

We remember Albert Einstein for more than his disheveled hair, big eyes, and witty charm. We know him as the genius and physicist who changed the way we see the world. His famous formula of E=mc2 revolutionized scientific thought and brought us into the nuclear age. Through his “Special Theory of Relativity” he reasoned that since everything in the universe is in motion, all knowledge is a matter of perspective. He believed that the speed of light is the only constant by which we can measure space, time, or physical mass.

Long before Einstein, Jesus talked about the role of light in understanding our world, but from a different perspective. To support His claim to be the Light of the World (John 8:12), Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth (9:6). When the Pharisees accused Christ of being a sinner, this grateful man said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (v. 25).

While Einstein’s ideas would later be proven difficult to test, Jesus’ claims can be tested. We can spend time with Jesus in the Gospels. We can invite Him into our daily routine. We can see for ourselves that He can change our perspective on everything.

Lord Jesus, You are the one constant in this chaotic world. 

Thank You for being the one true Light that the darkness can never extinguish.

Have u truly invite Him into your life to experience Him?

Verse from Proverbs

“如果人在火炭上行走， 他的脚怎能不灼伤呢？”

(箴言 6:28)

“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?”

(Proverbs 6:28)

We get to feeling so strong inside spiritually, or we get seduced by a "favorite" temptation, and we decide we can flirt with what is sinful. But the Holy Spirit reminds us through the Wise Man that when we flirt with evil, we're eventually going to get burned.

May this be a reminder to us to not flirt with evil because we are the ones who will get burned. 

Verse from Isaiah

“我们众人都如羊走迷了路， 各人偏行己路； 耶和华却把我们众人的罪孽， 都归在他身上。”

(以赛亚书 53:6)

“All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”

(Isaiah 53:6)

In Portraits of Famous American Women, Robert Henkes writes, “A portrait is not a photograph, nor is it a mirror image.” A portrait goes beyond the outer appearance to probe the emotional depth of the human soul. In a portrait, a true artist tries “to capture what the person is really about.”

Over the centuries, many portraits have been painted of Jesus. Perhaps you’ve seen them in a church or museum of art or even have one in your home. Not one of these is a true portrait, of course, because we have no photograph or mirror image of our Lord’s physical appearance. We do, however, have a magnificent word portrait of Him in Isaiah 53. This God-inspired description captures in vivid detail what He is all about: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering . . . . But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; . . . and by his wounds we are healed” (vv. 4-5 niv).

This passage enables us to see love and sorrow, anguish and pain on Jesus’ face. But His lips do not accuse or condemn. He has no sins of His own to grieve; only ours to bear. And deep inside, He knows that “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied” (v. 11).

Can you see who He is? 

Love was when God became a man.

Verse from John

“我把这些事告诉你们，是要使你们在我里面有平安。在世上你们有患难，但你们放心，我已经胜了这世界。””

(约翰福音 16:33)

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."”

(John 16:33)

We sometimes get our debits and credits confused in the spiritual realm. When we blame Satan for everything that goes wrong—whether it’s bad weather, a jammed printer, or financial trouble—we’re actually giving him credit that he doesn’t deserve. We are ascribing to him the power to determine the quality of our lives, which he does not have. Satan is limited in time and space. He has to ask God’s permission before he can touch us (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31).

However, as the father of lies and prince of this world (John 8:44; 16:11), Satan can cause confusion. Jesus warned of a time when people would be so confused that they wouldn't know right from wrong (16:2). But He added this assurance: “The prince of this world now stands condemned” (v. 11 niv).

Problems will disrupt our lives, but they cannot defeat us. Jesus has already overcome the world. To Him goes all the credit.

Thank You, Father, 

for being Lord over everything in our lives. 

We praise You for overcoming the world through Your Son.

While Satan accuses and confuses, God controls.

Verse from James

“你们应该作行道的人，不要单作听道的人，自己欺骗自己；”

(雅各书 1:22)

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

(James 1:22)

Reporter Jacob Riis’s vivid descriptions of poverty in 19th-century New York City horrified a generally complacent public. His book How the Other Half Lives combined his writing with his own photographs to paint a picture so vivid that the public could not escape the certainty of poverty’s desperate existence. The third of fifteen children himself, Riis wrote so effectively because he had lived in that world of terrible despair.

                 Shortly after the release of his book, he received a card from a young man just beginning his political career. The note read simply, “I have read your book, and I have come to help. Theodore Roosevelt.” (This politician later became a US President.)

            True faith responds to the needs of others, according to James (1:19-27). May our hearts be moved from inaction to action, from words alone to deeds that back them up. Compassionate action not only aids those mired in life’s difficulties, but it may also make them open to the greater message from our Savior who sees their need and can do so much more for them.

O Lord, 

it is so easy to be overwhelmed, 

or to judge and therefore to refrain from helping others. Lift our eyes above our own thoughts and circumstances, 

and let us care as You care.

Others will know what the words “God is love” mean when they see it in our lives.

Verse from Ruth

“路得就去了，来到田里，在收割的人背后捡麦穗。她恰巧来到以利米勒同族的人波阿斯那块田。”

(路得记 2:3)

“So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.”

(Ruth 2:3)

Like Boaz, who provided for Ruth from the bounty of his fields, God provides for us out of His abundance. His resources are infinite, and He lets blessings fall for our benefit. He willingly provides us with physical and spiritual nourishment. Every good gift we receive comes from Him.

Our greatest needs cannot exceed God’s great resources.

Verse from Psalm

“你们要住手，要知道我是　神； 我要在列国中被尊崇，我要在全地上被尊崇。”

(诗篇 46:10)

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.””

(Psalm 46:10)

In the 2003 US Women’s Open, the relatively unknown Hilary Lunke secured the greatest prize in women’s golf—and a place in history. Not only did she win the US Open in an 18-hole playoff, but it was also her only professional victory. Her surprising and inspiring win underscores the fact that one of the most exciting things about sports is its unpredictability.

The unpredictability of life is not always so thrilling, however. We devise and strategize. We make plans, projections, and proposals about what we would like to see happen in life, but often they are little more than our best guess. We have no idea what a year, a month, a week, or even a day might bring. So we pray and plan, and then we trust the God who knows fully and completely what we can never predict. That is why the promise of Psalm 46:10 is so wonderful: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Life is unpredictable. There are countless things we can never know with certainty. What we can know, however, is that there is a God who knows all and loves us deeply. And by knowing Him, we can “be still”—We can be at peace. 

What plans do we need to surrender to God today?

God’s care is the certainty we take into life’s uncertainties.

For further study, read It’s Not Fair: Trusting God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense at discoveryseries.org/q0719

Verse from Philippians

“我所祷告的，是要你们的爱心，在充足的知识和各样的见识上，多而又多，”

(腓立比书 1:9)

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,”

(Philippians 1:9) 

It seems that often, the more we know about something, the more judgmental we become over mistakes. It can infect our relationships with people as well.

Yet Philippians 1:9 expresses a different approach. Paul wrote, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.” God’s plan is that the more we know and understand, the more we love. Rather than cultivating a critical spirit and pretending we don’t notice or don’t care, our understanding should nourish empathy. Criticism is replaced by compassion.

Instead of our being faultfinders, the Lord calls us to be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (v. 11).

When the Lord fills our hearts, we can overlook mistakes, hold our criticism, and love others, no matter how much we know about them! 

Lord, by Your grace, please replace my critical spirit with Your love and compassion for others.

To err is human; to forgive, divine. Alexander Pope

Verse from Isaiah

“乌西雅王去世那年，我看见主坐在高高的宝座上，他的衣裳垂下，充满圣殿。”

(以赛亚书 6:1)

“In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.”

(Isaiah 6:1)

We often view difficult times, crisis times, as bad because the circumstances we face are very hard. But difficult times can also be an opportunity for our hearts to re-awaken to the steadfastness and the gloriousness of God, as well as our great need for him in our lives. The crisis of Uzziah's death for Israel and Isaiah became the great opportunity for Isaiah to see God in a fresh way and to be called into a special ministry for God. How can God use your crises, hardships, trials, and difficulties? Why don't you ask Him to show you?

Verse from Jeremiah

“耶和华啊！求你只按着公正惩治我， 不要按着你的忿怒施行惩治，免得你使我衰微。”

(耶利米书 10:24)

“Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure— not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.”

(Jeremiah 10:24)

God is love! God is also holy and righteous! If He did not lovingly and tenderly correct us, none of us could survive before His awesome perfection. Yet our God has chosen to give us His undeserved mercy and kindness as He corrects us and molds us to be more like Him.

But are we willing to be corrected and molded to be like Him?

Verse from Proverbs

“好争竞的人，煽动争端， 就像余烬上加炭，火上加柴一样。”

(箴言 26:21)

“As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.”

(Proverbs 26:21)

Scroll to the bottom of many online news sites and you’ll find the “Comments” section where readers can leave their observations. Even the most reputable sites have no shortage of rude rants, uninformed insults, and name-calling.

The book of Proverbs was collected about 3,000 years ago, but its timeless wisdom is as up-to-date as today’s breaking news. Two proverbs in chapter 26 seem at first glance to contradict each other, yet they apply perfectly to social media. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him” (v. 4). And then, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes” (v. 5).

The balance in those statements is in the “according to”: Don’t answer in the way a fool would answer. But respond so that foolishness is not considered wisdom.

Are we ourselves foolish at times? Have we at times posted a sarcastic comment or turned someone else’s statement back on them. God hates it when we treat our fellow human beings with such disrespect, even when they’re also being foolish. 

God gives us an amazing range of freedoms. We are free to choose what we will say, and when and how we say it. And we are always free to ask Him for wisdom.

Things to keep in mind: Is what I am saying true, and is it loving? What is my motivation? Will it help anyone? Will this reflect the character of Jesus?

Let love be your highest goal.

Verse from John

“耶稣说：“我实实在在告诉你们，凡犯罪的都是罪的奴隶。”

(约翰福音 8:34)

“Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”

(John 8:34)

There’s an underground lava tube south of Kuna, Idaho, that has gained a certain amount of local notoriety. The only entrance for now, is a yawning shaft that plunges straight down into darkness. By standing on the edge and looking down, u can feel u are being drawn closer to it but one step forward and you will plunge  all the way down. 

Sin is like that: Curiosity can draw us toward the darkness. How often have men and women gotten too close to the edge, lost their balance, and fallen into the darkness? They’ve destroyed their families, reputations, and careers through adulterous affairs that began with a “mere” flirtation but then progressed to thoughts and actions. Looking back they almost always say, “I never thought it would come to this.”

We think we can flirt with temptation, get very close to the edge, and walk away, but that’s a fool’s dream. We know an action is wrong and yet we toy with it. Then, inescapably, we are drawn into deeper and darker perversions. Jesus put it simply: “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34).

And so, seeing our own need for God’s help, we pray as David did in Psalm 19:13, “Keep back Your servant also from [deliberate] sins; let them not have dominion over me.”

Heavenly Father, 

whether we are being tempted now, or have fallen, 

we thank You that You are always there, and You love us with relentless love. 

We have nowhere to turn but to You.

A big fall begins with a little stumble.

Verses from James

“我的弟兄们，你们遭遇各种试炼的时候，都要看为喜乐；因为知道你们的信心经过考验，就产生忍耐。”

(雅各书 1:2-3)

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

(James 1:2-3)

Roger had been through a lot. He had open-heart surgery to repair a leaky valve. Then, within just a couple of weeks, doctors had to perform the surgery again because of complications. He had just begun to heal with physical therapy when he had a biking accident and broke his collarbone. Added to this, Roger also experienced the heartbreak of losing his mother during this time. He became very discouraged. When a friend asked him if he had seen God at work in any small ways, he confessed that he really didn’t feel he had.

 In Romans, the apostle Paul says, “We can rejoice . . . when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (5:3-4 nlt). But that doesn’t mean we always feel the joy. We may just need someone to sit down and listen to us pour out our hearts to them, and to talk with God. Sometimes it takes looking back on the situation before we see how our faith has grown during trials and doubts.

Knowing that God wants to use our difficulties to strengthen our faith can help us to trust His good heart for us.

In what ways has God used trials in your life? Are you learning to trust Him more?

God may lead us into troubled waters to deepen our trust in Him.

Verse from Romans

“所以，我们既然因信称义，就借着我们的主耶稣基督与神和好；”

(罗马书 5:1)

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

(Romans 5:1)

The Kamppi Chapel of Silence in Helsinki, Finland, stands out in its urban setting. The curved structure, covered with wood, buffers the noise from the busy city outside. Designers created the chapel as a quiet space and a “calm environment for visitors to compose themselves.” It’s a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Many people long for peace, and a few minutes of silence may soothe our minds. But the Bible teaches that real peace—peace with God—comes from His Son. The apostle Paul said, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Without Christ, we are enemies of God because of our sin. Thankfully, accepting Jesus’ sacrifice reconciles us to God and ends the hostility that existed between us (Col. 1:19-21). He now sees us as Christ presents us—“holy, and blameless, and above reproach” (v. 22).

Having peace with God does not ensure problem-free living. However, it does steady us during difficult times. Jesus told His followers, “In the world you will have tribulation,” but He also said, “In Me you may have peace” (John 16:33). Because of Christ, the true peace of God can fill our hearts (Col. 3:15).

Father, 

we long for Your peace in the midst of our turmoil. Please help us to rest in You.

Peace floods the soul when Christ rules the heart.