Verse from Mark

“耶稣听见了，就对他们说：“健康的人不需要医生，有病的人才需要；我来不是要召义人，而是要召罪人。””

马可福音 2:17

“And hearing this, Jesus said to them, " It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."”

Mark 2:17

Health clubs offer many different programs for those who want to lose weight and stay healthy. One fitness center caters only to those who want to lose at least 50 pounds and develop a healthy lifestyle. One member says that she quit her previous fitness club because she felt the slim and fit people were staring at her and judging her out-of-shape body. She now works out 5 days a week and is achieving healthy weight loss in a positive and welcoming environment.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to call the spiritually unfit to follow Him. Levi was one such person. Jesus saw him sitting in his tax collector’s booth and said, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14). His words captured Levi’s heart, and he followed Jesus. Tax collectors were often greedy and dishonest in their dealings and were considered religiously unclean. When the religious leaders saw Jesus having dinner at Levi’s house with other tax collectors, they asked, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (2:16). Jesus replied, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (2:17).

Jesus came to save sinners, which includes all of us. He loves us, welcomes us into His presence, and calls us to follow Him. As we walk with Him, we grow more and more spiritually fit.

Read Acts 9:10-19 and see how one man obeyed God and welcomed someone who was considered spiritually unfit. What were the results? How can we reach out to those who need the Savior? How can we help our church become a more welcoming place for the spiritually unfit?  

Jesus’ arms of welcome are always open.

Verse from Ephesians

“我作了福音的仆役，是照着神的恩赐；这恩赐是按着他大能的作为赐给我的。”

以弗所书 3:7

“of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.”

Ephesians 3:7

A woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, fell asleep on the couch after her husband had gone to bed. An intruder sneaked in through the sliding door, which the couple had forgotten to lock, and crept through the house. He entered the bedroom where the husband was sleeping and picked up the television set. The sleeping man woke up, saw a figure standing there, and whispered, "Honey, come to bed." The burglar panicked, put down the TV, grabbed a stack of money from the dresser, and ran out.

The thief was in for a big surprise! The money turned out to be a stack of Christian pamphlets with a likeness of a $20 bill on one side and an explanation of the love and forgiveness God offers to people on the other side. Instead of the cash he expected, the intruder got the story of God’s love for him.

Saul, later called Paul, must have been surprised by God’s grace toward him, which he called “a gift”: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Eph. 3:7).

Have you been surprised by God’s gift of grace in your life as He shows you His love and forgiveness?

Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.

Verse from Isaiah

“不要惧怕，因为我与你同在；不要四处张望，因为我是你的神，我必坚固你，我必帮助你；我必用公义的右手扶持你。”

以赛亚书 41:10

“'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'”

Isaiah 41:10

No one could have mistaken the ancient Babylonian soldiers for gentlemen. They were ruthless, resilient, and vicious, and they attacked other nations the way an eagle overtakes its prey. Not only were they powerful, they were prideful as well. They practically worshiped their own combat abilities. In fact, the Bible says that their “strength [was] their god” (Hab. 1:11).

God did not want this kind of self-reliance to infect Israel’s forces as they prepared to battle the Midianites. So He told Gideon, Israel’s army commander, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’ ” (Judg. 7:2). As a result, Gideon discharged anyone who was fearful. Twenty-two thousand men hightailed it home, while 10,000 fighters stayed. God continued to downsize the army until only 300 men remained (vv. 3-7).

Having fewer troops meant that Israel was dramatically outnumbered—their enemies, who populated a nearby valley, were as “thick as locusts” (v. 12). Despite this, God gave Gideon’s forces victory.

At times, God may allow our resources to dwindle so that we rely on His strength to keep going. Our needs showcase His power, but He is the One who says, “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

Dear God, 

I am thankful for Your strength. 

You carry me when I am weak. 

Help me to give You the credit for every victory in life.

God wants us to depend on His strength, not our own.

Verse from Luke

“他们的眼睛开了，才认出是耶稣来；他却从他们面前不见了。”

路加福音 24:31

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”

Luke 24:31

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), an Italian artist, was known for his fiery temperament and unconventional technique. He used ordinary working people as models for his saints and was able to make viewers of his paintings feel they were a part of the scene. The Supper at Emmaus shows an innkeeper standing while Jesus and two of His followers are seated at a table when they recognize Him as the risen Lord (Luke 24:31). One disciple is pushing himself to a standing position while the other’s arms are outstretched and his hands open in astonishment.

Luke, who records these events in his gospel, tells us that the two men immediately returned to Jerusalem where they found the eleven disciples and others assembled together and saying, “ ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread” (vv. 33-35).

Oswald Chambers said, “Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical connections. The only way a worker can keep true to God is by being ready for the Lord’s surprise visits.”

Verse from John

“然后对多马说：“把你的指头放在这里，看看我的手吧！伸出你的手来，探探我的肋旁！不要疑惑，只要信！””

约翰福音 20:27

“Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."”

John 20:27

Why did Jesus keep the scars from His crucifixion? Presumably He could have had any resurrected body He wanted, and yet He chose one identifiable mainly by scars that could be seen and touched. Why?

The story of Easter would be incomplete without those scars on the hands, the feet, and the side of Jesus (John 20:27). Human beings dream of pearly straight teeth and wrinkle-free skin and ideal body shapes. We dream of an unnatural state: the perfect body. But for Jesus, being confined in a skeleton and human skin was the unnatural state. The scars are a permanent reminder of His days of confinement and suffering on our planet.

From the perspective of heaven, those scars represent the most horrible event that has ever happened in the history of the universe. Even that event, though, turned into a memory. Because of Easter, we can hope that the tears we shed, the struggles we endure, the emotional pain, the heartache over lost friends and loved ones—all these will become memories, like Jesus’ scars. Scars never completely go away, but neither do they hurt any longer. 

Someday we will have re-created bodies and a re-created heaven and earth (Rev. 21:4). We will have a new start.

Verse from Matthew

“大约三点钟，耶稣大声呼叫：“以利，以利，拉马撒巴各大尼？”意思是“我的神，我的神，你为甚么离弃我？””

马太福音 27:46

“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"”

Matthew 27:46

Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky said, “The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.” With that in mind, I read an online article describing “The Top 8 Deadliest Prisons in the World.” In one of these prisons every prisoner is held in solitary confinement.

We are intended to live and relate in relationships and community, not in isolation. This is what makes solitary confinement such a harsh punishment.

Isolation is the agony Christ suffered when His eternal relationship with the Father was broken on the cross. We hear this in His cry captured in Matthew 27:46: “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).” As He suffered and died under the burden of our sins, Christ was suddenly alone, forsaken, isolated, cut off from His relationship with the Father. Yet His suffering in isolation secured for us the promise of the Father: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

Christ endured the agony and abandonment of the cross for us so that we would never be alone or abandoned by our God. Ever.

Verse from Romans

“谁能定我们的罪呢？有基督耶稣死了，而且复活了，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。”

罗马书 8:34

...Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

Romans 8:34

Before Stig Kernell died, he told the local funeral home that he didn’t want a traditional obituary. Instead, the Swedish man instructed them to publish only three words noting his passing: “I am dead.” When Mr. Kernell died at age 92, that’s exactly what appeared. The audacity and simplicity of his unusual death notice captured the attention of newspapers around the world. In a strange twist, the international curiosity about the man with the three-word obituary caused more attention to his death than he intended.

When Jesus was crucified, the Lord’s obituary could have read, “He is dead.” But after 3 days, it would have been changed to front-page news saying, “He is risen!” Much of the New Testament is devoted to proclaiming and explaining the results of Christ’s resurrection. “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:34-37).

The three-word obituary of Jesus, “He is dead,” has been transformed into an eternal anthem of praise to our Savior. He is risen! That is the hope given to us in this fallen world, and even after we die, as long as we truly believe in Him, with our faith and action, we will be able to be back in heaven with Him one day, never to be separated from Him again.

Verse from Mark

“他们来到一个地方，名叫客西马尼；耶稣对门徒说：“你们坐在这里，我去祷告。””

马可福音 14:32

“They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed."”

Mark 14:32

If you visit the village of Capernaum beside the Sea of Galilee, you will find an exhibit of ancient olive presses. Formed from basalt rock, the olive press consists of two parts: a base and a grinding wheel. The base is large, round, and has a trough carved out of it. The olives were placed in this trough, and then the wheel, also made from heavy stone, was rolled over the olives to extract the oil.

On the night before His death, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem. There, in the garden called Gethsemane, He prayed to the Father, knowing what lay ahead of Him.

The word Gethsemane means “place of the olive press”—and that perfectly describes those first crushing hours of Christ’s suffering on our behalf. There, “in anguish, he prayed . . . and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

Jesus the Son suffered and died to take away “the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and restore our broken relationship with God the Father. “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering . . . . He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:4-5).

Father, 

help me understand what Your Son endured for me. 

Help me appreciate the depths of love that would allow my Lord and Christ to be crushed for my wrongs and my rescue.

Gone my transgressions, and now I am free—all because Jesus was wounded for me. W. G. Ovens

Verse from Hebrews

“但基督已经来了，作了已经实现的美好事物的大祭司；他经过更大、更完备的会幕 。”

希伯来书 9:11

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;”

Hebrews 9:11

The vintage cabin, expertly constructed from hand-hewn logs, was worthy of a magazine cover. But the structure itself was only half the treasure. Inside, family heirlooms clung to the walls, infusing the home with memories. On the table sat a hand-woven egg basket, an ancient biscuit board, and an oil lamp. A weathered pork pie hat perched over the front door. “There’s a story behind everything,” the proud owner said. 

When God gave Moses instructions for constructing the tabernacle, there was a “story” behind everything (Ex. 25–27). The tabernacle had only one entrance, just as we have only one way to God (see Acts 4:12). The thick inner curtain separated the people from the Most Holy Place where God’s presence dwelt: Our sin separates us from God. Inside the Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant, which symbolized God’s presence. The high priest was a forerunner of the greater Priest to come—Jesus Himself. The blood of the sacrifices foreshadowed Christ’s perfect sacrifice: “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12).

All these things told the story of Christ and the work He would accomplish on our behalf. He did it so that “those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (v. 15). Jesus invites us to be a part of His story. 

Jesus took our sin that we might have salvation.

Verse from Colossians

“你们要思念的，是天上的事，不是地上的事。”

歌罗西书 3:2

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Colossians 3:2

Our life on earth is like the pre-game in basketball. Life is interesting and full of promise, but it doesn’t compare to what lies ahead. Just think of the pleasure of knowing that even when life is good, the best is yet to come! Or that when we give cheerfully to those in need, it’s an investment in heavenly treasure. In times of suffering and sorrow, we can find hope as we reflect on the truth that a pain-free, tearless eternity awaits us. It’s no wonder that Paul exhorts: “Set your minds on things above” (Col. 3:2).

The future which God has promised us, enables us to see all of life in new dimensions. While this may be a great life, the best life is still to come. It is a wonderful privilege to live here in the light of there.

Verse from Proverbs

“我儿，如果坏人引诱你，你不可随从他们。”

箴言 1:10

“My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.”

Proverbs 1:10

The real issue isn't "if" but "when"! All of us including the children face tremendous peer pressure. It's not easy when people's opinion are of utmost importance to us, when pride and 'face' comes in, especially when almost everyone is doing the same thing and we are the 'odd one out'

The Bible says we are to care more about doing what's right in His eyes than pleasing man. At the same time, God has given us the free will to choose to flee from temptation and He will never give us more than what we can't bear. 

Let us help one another resist the enticements of this pressure, and not get tired in resisting them ourselves. 

Verses from John

“太初有道，道与神同在，道就是神。

万有是借着他造的；凡被造的，没有一样不是借着他造的。”

约翰福音 1:1, 3

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

John 1:1, 3

Why did Jesus come to Earth before the invention of photography and video? Couldn’t He have reached more people if everyone could see Him? After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

“No,” says Ravi Zacharias, who asserts that a word can be worth “a thousand pictures.” As evidence, he quotes poet Richard Crashaw’s magnificent line, “The conscious water saw its Master and blushed.” In one simple line, Crashaw captures the essence of Jesus’ first miracle (John 2:1-11). Creation itself recognizes Jesus as the Creator. No mere carpenter could turn water to wine.

Another time, when Christ calmed a storm with the words, “Quiet! Be still,” His stunned disciples asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:39, 41). Later, Jesus told the Pharisees that if the crowd did not praise Him, “the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). Even the rocks know who He is.

John tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory” (John 1:14). Out of that eyewitness experience John also wrote, “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. . . . He is the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 nlt). Like John, we can use our words to introduce others to Jesus whom wind and water obey.

The written Word reveals the Living Word.

Verse from Jeremiah

“你们要寻找我，只要一心寻求，就必寻见。”

耶利米书 29:13

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 

Many find it hard to experience God in their lives, they feel that He is out of reach and out of sight, but is it really true? 

What about those who have testimonials to share that they saw and felt Him heal them, they witnessed Him saving them when they were in danger and many other stories? Are they just the special few who can have encounters with God? 

Scripture above says that we can seek and find God when we search for Him with all our heart. It means we don't just seek Him for the sake of blessing us, but we also seek Him because we love Him with all our heart, because we want to communicate with Him, because He is our Father in heaven, because we have a relationship with Him. 

Is God your first love or He is placed somewhere quite far down the list of lives in your heart? 

He has given us the answer to how to seek and find Him in our lives, we just need to search for Him with our heart. 

Verse from 1 Corinthians

“你们所受的试探，无非是人受得起的；神是信实的，他必不容许你们受试探过于你们承受得起的，而且在受试探的时候，必定给你们开一条出路，使你们能忍受得住。”

哥林多前书 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 

In Genesis, we read how Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph. He immediately recognized that giving in would cause him to “sin against God,” so he fled (Gen. 39:9-12).

Temptation knocks often at our door. Sometimes it comes from our own desires, other times through the situations and people we encounter. As Paul told the Corinthians, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” But he also wrote, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

The “way out” may include removing the objects of temptation or fleeing from them. Our best course of action may be to simply walk away.

Lord, 

please give me the wisdom and strength to know when to walk away from situations and people that tempt me to do wrong.

Verse from Deuteronomy

“因此我今日吩咐你要爱耶和华你的神，行他的道路，谨守他的诫命、律例、典章，使你可以存活，人数增多，耶和华你的神就必在你要进去得为业的地上赐福给你。”

申命记 30:16

“in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.”

Deuteronomy 30:16

A journalist had a quirky habit of not using blue pens. So when his colleague asked him if he needed anything from the store, he asked for some pens. “But not blue pens,” he said. “I don’t want blue pens. I don’t like blue. Blue is too heavy. So please purchase 12 ballpoint pens for me—anything but blue!” The next day his colleague passed him the pens—and they were all blue. When asked to explain, he said, “You kept saying ‘blue, blue.’ That’s the word that left the deepest impression!” The journalist’s use of repetition had an effect, but not the one he desired.

Moses, the lawgiver of Israel, also used repetition in his requests to his people. More than 30 times he urged his people to remain true to the law of their God. Yet the result was the opposite of what he asked for. He told them that obedience would lead them to life and prosperity, but disobedience would lead to destruction (Deut. 30:15-18).

When we love God, we want to walk in His ways not because we fear the consequences but because it is our joy to please the One we love. That’s a good word to remember.

Love for God will cause you to live for God.

Verse from Matthew

“你们看天空的飞鸟：牠们不撒种，不收割，也不收进仓里，你们的天父尚且养活牠们；难道你们不比牠们更宝贵吗？”

马太福音 6:26

“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

Matthew 6:26

There may be times when we feel as if we are like those unmarked tombstones in a graveyard, unknown and unseen. Loneliness can make us feel unseen by others—and maybe even by God. But we must remind ourselves that even though we may feel forgotten by our Creator God, we are not. God not only made us in His image (Gen. 1:26-27), but He also values each of us individually and sent His Son to save us (John 3:16).

Even in our darkest hours, we can rest in the knowledge we are never alone, for our loving God is with us.

We are important because God loves us.

Verses from Psalms

“耶和华开了瞎子的眼睛，耶和华扶起被压迫的人，耶和华喜爱义人。”

诗篇 146:8

“The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous;”

Psalms 146:8

An article in the Surgical Technology International journal says that looking down at a smart phone with your head bent forward is the equivalent of having a 60-pound weight on your neck. When we consider that millions of people around the world spend an average of 2-4 hours daily reading and texting, the resulting damage to neck and spine becomes a growing health concern.

It is also easy to become spiritually bowed down by the burdens of life. How often we find ourselves discouraged by the problems we face and the needs of those we love. The psalmist understood this weight of concern yet saw hope as he wrote about “the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—[who] remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous” (Ps. 146:6-8).

When we consider God’s care, His great power, and His loving heart, we can begin to look up and praise Him. We can walk through each day knowing that “the Lord reigns forever . . . for all generations” (v. 10).

Faith in God’s goodness puts a song in your heart.

10,000 reasons by Matt Redman

http://youtu.be/XtwIT8JjddM

Verse from Hebrews

“因为我们的大祭司并不是不能同情我们的软弱，他像我们一样，也曾在各方面受过试探，只是他没有犯罪。”

希伯来书 4:15

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 4:15

An industrial design graduate from a Singapore university was challenged in a workshop to come up with a novel solution to a common problem using only ordinary objects. She created a vest to protect one’s personal space from being invaded while traveling in the crush of crowded public trains and buses. The vest was covered with long, flexible plastic spikes normally used to keep birds and cats away from plants.

Jesus knew what it was like to lose His personal space in the commotion of crowds desperate to see and touch Him. A woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for 12 years and could find no cure touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately, her bleeding stopped (Luke 8:43-44).

Jesus’ question, “Who touched me?” (v. 45) isn’t as strange as it sounds. He felt power come out of Him (v. 46). That touch was different from those who merely happened to accidentally touch Him.

While we must admit that we do sometimes wish to keep our personal space and privacy, the only way we help a world of hurting people is to let them get close enough to be touched by the encouragement, comfort, and grace of Christ in us.

Verse from Exodus

“你必疲乏不堪；不但你自己，连与你在一起的人民也必疲乏不堪，因为这事太重，你不能独自一人去作。”

出埃及记 18:18

“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.”

Exodus 18:18

Moses was wearing himself out serving alone as judge over the Israelites. Jethro cautioned his son-in-law Moses: “You will only wear [yourself] out. The work is too heavy . . . you cannot handle it alone” (Ex. 18:18). He then explained ways that Moses could delegate his work and share his heavy load with others.

Though it may seem paradoxical for the Christian, self-care is essential for a healthy life (Matt. 22:37-39; Eph. 5:29-30). Yes, we must love God first and love others as well, but we also need to get adequate rest to renew our body and spirit. Sometimes self-care means stepping away and graciously allowing others to help us with our burdens.

Jesus often slipped away to rest and pray (Mark 6:30-32). When we follow His example, we will be more effective in our relationships and better able to give care to others.

Dear Lord, refresh my spirit today. 

Help me to bring balance to my life as I juggle my responsibilities. 

Thank You for Your love and care.

Don’t try to do everything—take time to refresh your body and spirit.

Verse from Proverbs

“人所行的，若是蒙耶和华喜悦，耶和华也使他的仇敌与他和好。”

箴言 16:7

“When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Proverbs 16:7

David and 400 of his warriors thundered through the countryside in search of Nabal, a prosperous brute who had harshly refused to lend them help. David would have murdered him if he hadn’t first encountered Abigail, Nabal’s wife. She had packed up enough food to feed an army and traveled out to meet the troops, hoping to head off disaster. She respectfully reminded David that guilt would haunt him if he followed through with his vengeful plan (1 Sam. 25:31). David realized she was right and blessed her for her good judgment.

David’s anger was legitimate—he had protected Nabal’s shepherds in the wilderness (vv.14-17) and had been repaid evil for good. However, his anger was leading him into sin. David’s first instinct was to sink his sword into Nabal, even though he knew God did not approve of murder and revenge (Ex. 20:13; Lev. 19:18).

When we’ve been offended, it’s good to compare our instincts with God’s intent for human behavior. We may be inclined to strike at people verbally, isolate ourselves, or escape through any number of ways. However, choosing a gracious response will help us avoid regret, and most important it will please God. When our desire is to honor God in our relationships, He is able to make even our enemies to be at peace with us (see Prov. 16:7). 

Lord, 

thank You for holding back Your anger and having mercy on me. 

Help me to walk in step with Your Spirit so that my actions please You in every situation.

We can endure life’s wrongs because we know that God will make things right.

Verses from Hebrews

“所以，我们既然有这么多的见证人，像云彩围绕着我们，就应该脱下各样的拖累，和容易缠住我们的罪，以坚忍的心奔跑那摆在我们面前的赛程；专一注视耶稣，就是那位信心的创造者和完成者。他因为那摆在面前的喜乐，就忍受了十字架，轻看了羞辱，现在就坐在神宝座的右边。”

希伯来书 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from the coast of California to Catalina Island. After 15 hours, a heavy fog began to block her view, she became disoriented, and she gave up. To her chagrin, Chadwick learned that she had quit just 1 mile short of her destination.

Two months later Chadwick tried a second time to swim to Catalina Island from the coast. Again a thick fog settled in, but this time she reached her destination, becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. Chadwick said she kept an image of the shoreline in her mind even when she couldn’t see it.

When the problems of life cloud our vision, we have an opportunity to learn to see our goal with the eyes of faith. The New Testament letter to the Hebrews urges us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:1-2). When we feel like quitting, this is our signal to remember not only what Jesus suffered for us but what He now helps us to endure—until the day we see Him face to face.

Dear Father, 

sometimes the challenges of life seem insurmountable. 

Help me to fix my eyes on You and trust You. 

I’m thankful You are bringing about Your good purposes in me.

We can finish strong when we focus on Christ.

Verses from Hebrews

“因着信，亚伯拉罕在蒙召的时候，就听命往他将要承受为业的地方去；他出去的时候，还不知道要往哪里去。因着信，他在应许之地寄居，好象是在异乡，与承受同样应许的以撒、雅各一样住在帐棚里。”

希伯来书 11:8-9

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;”

Hebrews 11:8-9

Abraham left all that he knew as he obeyed the Lord’s call to live as a foreigner and stranger in a new land (Gen. 12:1). He pressed through the cultural challenges while keeping faith in God, and 2,000 years later the writer to the Hebrews named him a hero (11:9). Like the other men and women listed in this chapter, Abraham lived by faith, longing for things promised, hoping and waiting for his heavenly home.

Perhaps you’ve always lived in the same town, but as Christ-followers we’re all foreigners and strangers on this earth. By faith we press forward, knowing that God will lead and guide us, and by faith we believe He will never leave nor abandon us. By faith we long for home.

Father God, 

I want to live by faith, 

believing Your promises and knowing that You welcome me into Your kingdom. 

Enlarge my faith, I pray.

God calls us to live by faith, believing that He will fulfill His promises.

Verse from Hebrews

“我们良心的邪恶既然被洒净，身体也用清水洗净了，那么，我们就应该怀着真诚的心和完备的信，进到神面前；”

希伯来书 10:22

“let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Hebrews 10:22

In the Old Testament, access to God in the tabernacle and the temple was strictly limited. Only the high priest could go in through the curtain and offer sacrifices in the Most Holy Place, and then only once a year (Lev. 16:2-20; Heb. 9:25-26). But at the very moment Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, showing that the barrier between man and God was destroyed forever (Mark 15:38).

Because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, all those who love and follow Him can come into His presence at any time. He has given us the right of access.

Lord, 

thank You for paying such a price to enable me to have unrestricted entry into Your presence!

Access to God’s throne is always open.

Verses from Psalms

“他们必饱尝你殿里的盛筵，你必使他们喝你乐河的水。因为生命的泉源在你那里；在你的光中，我们才能看见光。”

诗篇 36:8-9

“They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”

Psalms 36:8-9

Sometimes we may feel that all of the demands of life have depleted our strength and there is no one to replenish it. But others don’t feed our souls: God does.

In Psalm 36 we read about God’s lovingkindness. It describes those who put their trust in Him and are abundantly satisfied. God gives them water from His “river of delights” (v. 8). He is the fountain of life!

We can go to God every day for the supply of our needs. As Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The springs of my faith and all my graces; the springs of my life and all my pleasures; the springs of my activity and all its right doings; the springs of my hope, and all its heavenly anticipations, all lie in thee, my Lord.”

Let us be filled with His abundant supply. His fountain will never run dry.

Lord, 

I come to You with the confidence that You will fill me with what I need.

God's love is abundant

Verse from Ezra

“现在王若是以为好，就请查考王在巴比伦的库房，看看那里有没有古列王下令，重建这在耶路撒冷神的殿的谕旨，并请指示我们王对这事的旨意。””

以斯拉记 5:17

“"Now if it pleases the king, let a search be conducted in the king's treasure house, which is there in Babylon, if it be that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send to us his decision concerning this matter. "”

Ezra 5:17

The citizens of Israel were having some trouble with the government. It was the late 500s bc, and the Jewish people were eager to complete their temple that had been destroyed in 586 bc by Babylon. However, the governor of their region was not sure they should be doing that, so he sent a note to King Darius (Ezra 5:6-17).

In the letter, the governor says he found the Jews working on the temple and asks the king if they had permission to do so. The letter also records the Jews’ respectful response that they had indeed been given permission by an earlier king (Cyrus) to rebuild. When the king checked out their story, he found it to be true: King Cyrus had said they could build the temple. So Darius not only gave them permission to rebuild, but he also paid for it! (see 6:1-12). After the Jews finished building the temple, they “celebrated with joy” because they knew God had “[changed] the attitude of the king” (6:22).

When we see a situation that needs to be addressed, we honor God when we plead our case in a respectful way, trust that He is in control of every situation, and express gratitude for the outcome.

Lord, 

help us to respond respectfully to situations around us. 

We need Your wisdom for this. 

May we always honor, trust, and praise You.

Respect for authority brings glory to God.

Verse from Colossians

“你们要让基督的道丰丰富富地住在你们心里，以各样的智慧，彼此教导，互相劝戒，用诗章、圣诗、灵歌，怀着感恩的心歌颂神。”

歌罗西书 3:16

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

Music is deeply rooted in our souls. It is a powerful means of encouraging each other along the journey of faith. Paul urged the believers in Colossae, “Let Christ’s teaching live in your hearts, making you rich in the true wisdom. Teach and help one another along the right road with your psalms and hymns and Christian songs, singing God’s praises with joyful hearts” (Col. 3:16 Phillips).

Singing together to the Lord embeds the message of His love in our minds and souls. It is a powerful ministry of teaching and encouragement that we share together. Whether our hearts cry out, “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10), or joyfully shout, “And he will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15), the power of music that exalts God lifts our spirits and grants us peace.

Thank You, Lord, 

for Your gift of music.

We sing Your praise together and learn more of Your love and power.

Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Verses from 2 Kings

“希西家在耶和华面前祷告，说：“耶和华以色列的神，坐在二基路伯中间的啊，只有你是地上万国的神，天地是你创造的。 耶和华啊！求你侧耳聆听；耶和华啊！求你睁眼垂顾；听那派使者来侮辱永活的神的西拿基立的话。耶和华啊！亚述列王真的曾毁坏列国和它们的领土，把它们的神丢进火里，但他们并不是神，不过是人手用木头、石头做成的，因此他们可以把他们除掉。现在，耶和华我们的神啊，求你从他的手中把我们拯救出来，地上万国就可以知道只有你耶和华才是神。””

列王纪下 19:15-19

“And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “ Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. “It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.””

2 Kings 19:15-19

In the days before telephones, email, and mobile phones, the telegram was usually the fastest means of communication. But only important news was sent by telegram, and such news was usually bad. Hence the saying, “The telegram boy always brings bad news.”

It was wartime in ancient Israel when Hezekiah was king of Judah. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had invaded and captured the cities of Judah. He then sent a letter to Hezekiah, a bad-news “telegram” urging his surrender. Hezekiah described the moment as “a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace” (2 Kings 19:3).

With taunts and scoffs, Sennacherib boasted of his past military campaigns, belittling the God of Israel and threatening mayhem (vv. 11-13). In that dreadful moment, King Hezekiah did an unusual thing with the bad-news letter: “He went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord” (v. 14). Then he prayed earnestly, acknowledging the power of God over their gloomy situation (vv. 15-19). God intervened in a powerful way (vv. 35-36).

Bad news can reach us at any time. In those moments, Hezekiah’s action is a good example to follow. Spread out the news before the Lord in prayer and hear His reassurance: “I have heard your prayer” (v. 20).

Heavenly Father, 

when people attack us, 

we tend to react defensively. 

Teach us to turn to You instead of taking matters into our own hands. 

We trust You and love You. 

Defend us today.

Prayer is the child’s helpless cry to the Father’s attentive ear.

Verses from Psalms and 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。但忍耐要坚持到底，使你们可以完全，毫无缺乏。”

雅各书 1:2-4

“我的一生都在你的手中...”

诗篇 31:15

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

“My times are in Your hand...”

Psalms 31:15

When South African pastor Andrew Murray was visiting England in 1895, he began to suffer pain from a previous back injury. While he was recuperating, his hostess told him of a woman who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any counsel for her. Murray said, “Give her this paper which I have been writing for my own [encouragement]. It may be that she will find it helpful.” This is what Murray wrote:

“In time of trouble say:

First—God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.

Next—He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.

Then—He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last—In His good time He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.

I am here—by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”

We want the instant solution, the quick fix, but some things cannot be disposed of so readily; they can only be accepted. God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.

Dear Lord, 

it’s hard to endure times of illness and suffering. 

Comfort me and help me to trust You.

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.

Verse from Psalms

“世世代代的人都要颂赞你的作为，他们要传扬你大能的作为。”

诗篇 145:4

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.”

Psalms 145:4

God intends that every generation share with the next generation about the mighty acts of God. “One generation commends [God’s] works to another,” said the psalmist (Ps. 145:4), echoing Moses’ earlier instructions to “remember the days of old . . . . Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deut. 32:7).

As we share our stories of how we received salvation and the ways the Lord has helped us face challenges, we encourage each other and honor Him. He designed us to enjoy family and community and to benefit from each other.

Is there someone from a different age group with whom you can share your faith journey? How about asking someone from an older generation to share their story with you. 

What might you learn?

Verse from Numbers

“只要你们不背叛耶和华，就不必怕那地的人，因为他们是我们的食物；荫庇他们的，已经离开他们了，耶和华却与我们同在；不要怕他们。””

民数记 14:9

“Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them."”

Numbers 14:9

Caleb and Joshua stand out as men unfazed by the panic of others. As Israel was poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses commissioned 12 scouts to spy out the region. They all saw a beautiful territory, but 10 focused on the obstacles and discouraged the entire nation (Num. 13:27-33). In the process, they started a panic (14:1-4). Only Caleb and Joshua accurately assessed the situation (vv. 6-9). They knew the history of their Father and trusted Him to bring them success.

Some “lions” pose a genuine threat. Others are phantoms. Regardless, as followers of Jesus our confidence is in the One whose voice and deeds we know and trust.

Lord, 

we face many fears today. 

Help us distinguish between real danger and empty threats, 

and help us trust You with all of it. 

May we live not in fear, 

but in faith.

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

Verses from Isaiah

“人的高傲必变为谦虚，人的狂妄都必降为卑微， 在那日，唯独耶和华被高举。偶像却必全然消逝。”

以赛亚书 2:17-18

“The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear.”

Isaiah 2:17-18

Sometimes when we get "too big for our britches," we find ourselves humbled by a natural disaster, world war, incurable disease, economic depression, or widespread social disorder. 

Our arrogance can be a predictor of our own impending disasters. Is there a general principle of our universe at work here? ("Pride goes before a fall.") Or is this the active discipline of God at work? I guess the answer is "Yes!" to both of these questions. 

Both God and His world remind us that there is so much about our lives we can't control. This passage, however, goes beyond the general principles and it promises an ultimate day when human arrogance will be eliminated and all false gods disappear. On that day, God's children will rejoice and be glad! Until then, let's walk humbly with our God.