Verse from Romans

“也没有因着不信而疑惑神的应许，反倒坚信不移，把荣耀归给神，”
‭‭罗马书‬ ‭4:20‬ ‭

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:20‬ ‭

“You gotta have faith,” people say. But what does that mean? Is any faith good faith?

“Believe in yourself and all that you are,” wrote one positive thinker a century ago. “Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” As nice as that may sound, it falls to pieces when it crashes into reality. We need a faith in something bigger than ourselves.

God promised Abram he would have a multitude of descendants (Gen. 15:4–5), so he faced a huge obstacle—he was old and childless. When he and Sarah got tired of waiting for God to make good on His promise, they tried to overcome that obstacle on their own. As a result, they fractured their family and created a lot of unnecessary dissension (see Gen. 16 and 21:8–21).

Nothing Abraham did in his own strength worked. But ultimately he became known as a man of tremendous faith. Paul wrote of him, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’” (Rom. 4:18). This faith, said Paul, “was credited to him as righteousness” (v. 22).

Abraham’s faith was in something far bigger than himself—the one and only God. It’s the object of our faith that makes all the difference.

Verse from John

“他们不住地问耶稣，他就挺起身来，说：“你们中间谁是没有罪的，他就可以先拿起石头打她。””
‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭8:7‬ ‭

“But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:7‬ ‭

As a group of religious leaders herded an adulterous woman toward Jesus, they couldn’t know they were carrying her within a stone’s throw of grace. Their hope was to discredit Him. If He told them to let the woman go, they could claim He was breaking Mosaic law. But if He condemned her to death, the crowds following Him would have dismissed His words of mercy and grace.

But Jesus turned the tables on the accusers. Scripture says that rather than answering them directly, He started writing on the ground. When the leaders continued to question Him, He invited any of them who had never sinned to throw the first stone, and then He started writing on the ground again. The next time He looked up, all the accusers were gone.

Now the only person who could have thrown a stone—the only sinless one—looked at the woman and gave her mercy. “ ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin’ ” (John 8:11).

Whether today finds you needing forgiveness for judging others or desiring assurance that no sin is beyond His grace, be encouraged by this: No one is throwing stones today; go and be changed by God’s mercy.

Father,
cleanse me of my judging nature and free me from the bonds of sin.
Let me taste Your mercy and then help me to live a changed life.

We serve a Savior who is eager to forgive.

Verses from Romans

“照样，圣灵也在我们的软弱上帮助我们。原来我们不晓得应当怎样祷告，但圣灵亲自用不可言喻的叹息，替我们祈求。

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‬ ‭8:26, 34‬ ‭

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

who is the one who condemns? 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 ‭8:26, 34‬ ‭

When we face a perplexing situation or a tough problem, we often ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us. It’s a great encouragement to know that others who care are holding us up to God in prayer. But what if you don’t have close Christian friends? Perhaps you live where the gospel of Christ is opposed. Who will pray for you?

Romans 8, one of the great, triumphant chapters of the Bible, declares, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. . . . The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Rom. 8:26–27). The Holy Spirit is praying for you today.

In addition, “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” (v. 34). The living Lord Jesus Christ is praying for you today.

Think of it! The Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ mention your name and your needs to God the Father, who hears and acts on your behalf.

No matter where you are or how confusing your situation, you do not face life alone. The Spirit and the Son are praying for you today!

Verse from Luke

“因为你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在哪里。”
‭‭路加福音‬ ‭12:34‬ ‭

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:34‬ ‭

At the memorial service for Claire's dad, someone said to her, “Until I met your father, I didn’t know a person could have fun while helping others.” Her dad contributed his part in helping to build the kingdom of God through serving people, laughing and loving, and meeting strangers who became friends. When he died, he left a legacy of love. In contrast, her aunt—her father’s older sister—viewed her possessions as her legacy, spending her latter years worrying about who would protect her heirlooms and rare books.

In His teaching and by His example, Jesus warned His followers to avoid hoarding possessions, to give to the poor, and to value what will not rust or decay. “

We might think our things give meaning to our life. But when the latest gadget breaks or we misplace or lose something valuable, we begin to realize that it is our relationship with the Lord that satisfies and endures. It is our love and care for others that does not wither and fade away.

What we value reveals the state of our heart.

Verse from Psalm

“你们要住手，要知道我是神...”
‭‭诗篇‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God...”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭

While attending a concert, Joe's mind detoured to a troublesome issue that insisted on his attention. Thankfully, the distraction was short-lived as the words of a beautiful hymn began to reach deep into his being. A men’s a capella group was singing “Be Still, My Soul.” Tears welled up as he listened to the words and contemplated the restful peace that only God can give:
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side! Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change He faithful will remain.

When Jesus was denouncing the unrepentant towns where He had done most of His miracles (Matt. 11:20–24), He still had words of comfort for those who would come to Him. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened . . . . learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (vv. 28–29).

This statement is striking! Immediately following His strong words for those who were rejecting Him, Jesus extended an invitation to all to draw near to Him to find the peace we all yearn for. Jesus is the only one who can calm our restless, weary souls.

 I come to You now,
Lord,
in need of rest for my heart.
Help me to trust You and be confident in Your love.

When we keep our minds on Jesus, He keeps our minds at peace.

Verse from 1 Samuel

“大卫又说：“那曾救我脱离狮爪和熊掌的耶和华，也必救我脱离这非利士人的手。”于是扫罗对大卫说：“你去吧！愿耶和华与你同在。””
‭‭撒母耳记上‬ ‭17:37‬ ‭

The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” (‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭37‬)

What “Goliath” are you facing right now? It may be an impossible situation at work, a financial difficulty, or a broken relationship. With God all things are small in comparison. Nothing is too big for Him. The words of the hymnwriter Charles Wesley remind us: “Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to that alone; laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done.” God is able to deliver you if that’s His desire, and He may do so in ways you don’t expect.

Don’t tell God how big your giants are. Tell your giants how big your God is.

Verses from Ephesians

“最后，你们要靠主的大能大力，在他里面刚强。要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，使你们能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。因为我们的争战，对抗的不是有血有肉的人，而是执政的、掌权的、管辖这黑暗世界的和天上的邪灵。”
‭‭以弗所书‬ ‭6:10-12‬ ‭

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-12‬ ‭

The book of Ephesians reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In other words, we live in a fallen world, and there are factors beyond our control that contribute to the difficulties we face at work. We shouldn’t expect even the best workplace to be perfect. But we should expect the Spirit of God to be with us all the time.

In response to workplace struggles, Ephesians tells us to put on truth, righteousness, peace and faith. We are to remind ourselves of our salvation and gird ourselves with the word of God. We are to “pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

This means that we can always trust God to take care of us, so that we don’t need to be tempted to engage in unethical behavior, slander and anger. The powers of evil may indeed threaten, oppress or even cause us harm at work. But we don’t need to resort to dirty deeds to defend ourselves. Truth, right relationships, honest conflict resolution and faithfulness are the best ways for us, whether we are in good situations or bad. These are things we should request the Holy Spirit to give us.

This approach may not deliver overnight results. However, over time, we may find that we have more patience, fortitude, hope and love than we thought possible. And we know that Christ is victorious over every power of darkness and evil in the end.

Dear Lord,
I need your help when I experience darkness and evil at work.
Help me to put on the armor of righteousness, peace, truth, faith, your Word and the joy of your salvation.
Help me rely on your Spirit daily. I pray for the people who make my work difficult.
Please bless them.
I confess my own reluctance to love, and I admit that sometimes I’m the one who is difficult to work with.
I pray for the ability to submit to you, knowing that you care for me.
Amen.

Verse from Isaiah

“主耶和华赐给了我一个受教者的舌头，使我知道怎样用言语扶助疲乏的人；主每天清晨唤醒我，他每天清晨唤醒我的耳朵，使我能像受教者一样静听。”

以赛亚书 50:4 

“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.”

Isaiah 50:4 

A few days after his father died, 30-year-old C. S. Lewis received a letter from a woman who had cared for his mother during her illness and death more than two decades earlier. The woman offered her sympathy for his loss and wondered if he remembered her. “My dear Nurse Davison,” Lewis replied. “Remember you? I should think I do.”

Lewis recalled how much her presence in their home had meant to him as well as to his brother and father during a difficult time. He thanked her for her words of sympathy and said, “It is really comforting to be taken back to those old days. The time during which you were with my mother seemed very long to a child and you became part of home.”

When we struggle in the circumstances of life, an encouraging word from others can lift our spirits and our eyes to the Lord. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary” (50:4). And when we look to the Lord, He offers words of hope and light in the darkness.

Heavenly Father, 

help me to hear Your word of hope today. 

And help me to speak words of hope and encouragement to others, 

pointing them to You.

Kind words can lift a heavy heart.

Verse from Psalms

“我要述说耶和华的作为，我要记念你古时所行的奇事。”

诗篇 77:11 

I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. (Psalms 77:11)

The psalmist wrote of a difficult time when his soul refused to be comforted and his spirit was overwhelmed (Ps. 77:2-3). But in the midst of his trouble, he shifted his focus from his sadness to his Savior, saying, “I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord . . . Your wonders of old” (vv. 10-11). 

In dealing with disappointment, we can either focus on our loss or on God Himself. The Lord invites us to look to Him and see the scope of His goodness, His presence with us, and His eternal love.

Faith in God’s goodness keeps hope alive.

Insight

The Psalms are moving reflections on life and God. In today’s psalm Asaph shares the disappointment of feeling as though God has abandoned him. But Asaph also shows us how to change our perspective. We do this by focusing on the character and deeds of the Lord. Our circumstances may not change, but we will see them in a different way—against the backdrop of God.

Verse from James

“我的弟兄们，你们遭遇各种试炼的时候，都要看为喜乐；”

雅各书 1:2 

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,”

James 1:2 

Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees.

Similarly, trials—pictured as fire in the Bible—are necessary for our spiritual health and growth (1 Peter 1:7; 4:12). James wrote, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3–4).

It is in the season of trial that God’s purposes are often realized, for there the conditions are right for us to grow into spiritual maturity. This growth not only equips us for living, but it also enables us to more accurately reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.

In the hands of our Father, our trials can achieve His purposes for our good and for His honor. They can shape us into the likeness of His Son.

Father, 

teach me to trust You for the strength to endure difficulties and the faith to wait for Your good purposes to be accomplished in me.

Faith is seeing God in the dark and in the light.

Verse from Luke

“于是他从摩西和众先知起，把所有关于自己的经文，都给他们解释明白了。”

路加福音 24:27 

“Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Luke 24:27 

In the 1880s French artist Georges Seurat introduced an art form known as pointillism. As the name suggests, Seurat used small dots of color, rather than brush strokes of blended pigments, to create an artistic image. Up close, his work looks like groupings of individual dots. Yet as the observer steps back, the human eye blends the dots into brightly colored portraits or landscapes.

The big picture of the Bible is similar. Up close, its complexity can leave us with the impression of dots on a canvas. As we read it, we might feel like Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. They couldn’t understand the tragic “dotlike” events of the Passover weekend. They had hoped that Jesus “was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21), but they had just witnessed His death.

Suddenly a man they did not recognize was walking alongside them. After showing an interest in their conversation, He helped them connect the dots of the suffering and death of their long-awaited Messiah. Later, while eating a meal with them, Jesus let them recognize Him—and then He left as mysteriously as He came.

Was it the scarred dots of the nail wounds in His hands that caught their attention? We don’t know. What we do know is that when we connect the dots of Scripture and Jesus’s suffering (vv. 27, 44), we see a God who loves us more than we can imagine.

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

Verse from Ephesians

“凡事谦虚、温柔、忍耐，用爱心彼此宽容；”

以弗所书 4:2 

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”

Ephesians 4:2 

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

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

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

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

Some people can be difficult to love,

And so we do not even try to care;

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

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

See others as God sees you.

Verse from John

“我若去为你们预备地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去，好使我在哪里，你们也在哪里。”

约翰福音 14:3 

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

John 14:3 

Planning for the life to come can’t begin at the time of our death. Each of us prepares our heart by accepting the gift of salvation made possible by Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross.

At the same time, God has made preparations as well: (John 14:3). He has promised to prepare a place for us to spend eternity with Him.

God gives us time—to prepare for eternity.

Verse from Psalms

“你要把你的重担卸给耶和华，他必扶持你；他永远不会让义人动摇。”

诗篇 55:22 

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

Psalms 55:22 

Sunlight glittered on the swimming pool in front of Jennifer. She overheard an instructor speaking to a student who had been in the water for quite a while. He said, “It looks like you’re getting tired. When you’re exhausted and in deep water, try the survival float.”

Certain situations in life require us to spend our mental, physical, or emotional energy in a way that we can’t sustain. David described a time when his enemies were threatening him and he felt the emotional weight of their anger. He needed to escape the distress he was experiencing.

As he processed his feelings, he found a way to rest in his troubled thoughts. He said, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Ps. 55:22). He recognized that God supports us if we dare to release our problems to Him. We don’t have to take charge of every situation and try to craft the outcome—that’s exhausting! God is in control of every aspect of our life.

Instead of trying to do everything in our own effort, we can find rest in God. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking Him to handle our problems. Then we can pause, relax, and enjoy the knowledge that He is sustaining us.

God, 

today I give my problems to You. 

I know that You are in control of everything and I believe You are willing to help me. 

Please help me to find peace in You.

Amen.

Verse from Psalm

“你的道路经过海洋，你的路径穿过大水，但你的脚踪无人知道。”

诗篇 77:19

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

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

Thank You, God, 

for the miraculous ways You have worked in the past. 

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

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

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“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 1:4

“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 1:4

“The body of Christ” is a mysterious phrase used more than 30 times in the New Testament. The apostle Paul especially settled on that phrase as an image of the church. After Jesus ascended to heaven, He turned over His mission to flawed and bumbling men and women. He assumed the role of head of the church, leaving the tasks of arms, legs, ears, eyes, and voice to the erratic disciples—and to you and me.

Jesus’s decision to operate as the invisible head of a large body with many parts means that He often relies on us to help one another cope during times of suffering. The apostle Paul must have had something like that in mind when he wrote these words: “[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:4–5). And all through his ministry Paul put that principle into practice, taking up collections for famine victims, dispatching assistants to go to troubled areas, acknowledging believers’ gifts as gifts from God Himself.

The phrase “the body of Christ” expresses well what we are called to do: to represent in flesh what Christ is like, especially to those in need.

Verse from Matthew

“耶稣听见了，就说：“健康的人不需要医生，有病的人才需要，”

马太福音 9:12

“But when Jesus heard this, He said, " It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.”

Matthew 9:12

Why did Jesus associate with sinners? Because we need Him to associate with us! What's the most crucial part of that truth: Jesus' desire to save or our recognition of our sinfulness? Of course the most crucial part is Jesus' desire to save because without Him, recognizing our sinfulness would only lead to despair. But without recognizing our need for His grace, His sacrifice for us is lost. 

So let's praise Jesus as our loving and sacrificial Savior, and also acknowledge our need for His merciful and mighty grace! 

Verses from Galatians

“但圣灵的果子是仁爱、喜乐、平安、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制；这样的事，是没有律法禁止的。”

加拉太书 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

Self-control is probably one of the hardest things to master. How often have we been defeated by a bad habit, a lousy attitude, or a wrong mindset? We make promises to improve. We ask someone to hold us accountable. But deep inside, we know that we don’t have the will or the ability to change. We can talk, we can plan, we can read self-help books, but we still find it difficult to overcome and control many of the things that are inside us.

The only way to gain self-control is by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us.

In other words, our key focus is not effort but surrender—to live moment by moment submissively trusting in the Lord rather than in self. Paul says this is what it means to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16).

Are you ready for a change? You can change, for God is in you. As you surrender control to Him, He will help you bear the fruit of His likeness.

God is not nearly as concerned with our ability as He is with our surrender.

Verse from Matthew

“所以你们要警醒，因为不知道那日子和那时间。”

马太福音 25:13

“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:13

“I’m hungry,” said her eight-year-old daughter. “I’m sorry,” Amy said, “I don’t have anything for you. Let’s play tic-tac-toe.” They had been waiting over an hour for the bride to arrive at the church for what was supposed to be a noon wedding. As she wondered how much longer it would be, she hoped she could occupy her daughter until the wedding started.

As they waited, Amy felt like they were enacting a parable. Although the vicarage where they live is a stone’s throw from the church, she knew if she went to fetch some crackers, the bride could come at any moment and they would miss her entrance. As Amy employed many distraction techniques with her hungry daughter, she also thought about Jesus’s parable about the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1–13). 

Five came prepared with enough oil for their lamps to stay lit as they waited for the bridegroom, but five did not. Just as it was too late for her to dash back to the vicarage, so it was too late for the young women to go and buy more oil for their lamps.

Jesus told this parable to emphasize that we need to be prepared, for when He comes again we will give an account over the state of our hearts. Are we waiting and ready?

Verse from Psalms

“求你作我避难的盘石，使我可以常来投靠；你已经下令救我，因为你是我的岩石、我的坚垒。”

诗篇 71:3

“Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.”

Psalms 71:3

On September 11, 2001, Stanley Praimnath was working on the 81st floor of the World Trade Center South Tower when he saw an airplane flying directly toward him. Stanley prayed a quick prayer as he dove under a desk for protection: “Lord, I can’t do this! You take over!” 

The terrible impact of the plane crash trapped Stanley behind a wall of debris. But as he prayed and cried for help, Brian Clark, a worker from another office, heard and responded. Making their way through rubble and darkness, the two found their way down 80 flights of stairs to the ground floor and out.

When encountering terrible threats, David asked God for help. He wanted to be assured of God’s nearness as he faced enemies in battle. In a heartfelt petition David said, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go . . . . Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me” (Ps. 71:3, 12).

We aren’t promised deliverance from every difficult situation we face. But we can be confident that God hears our prayers and will walk alongside us through everything.

Whatever comes my way, 

please come near to me, Lord, to help. 

I cannot make it through anything without You. 

Thank You.

Nearness to God is our conscious security. A child in the dark is comforted by grasping its father’s hand. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Verses from Mark

“然后对他们说：“为甚么这样胆怯呢？你们怎么没有信心呢？” 门徒非常惧怕，彼此说：“这到底是谁，连风和海都听从他？””

马可福音 4:40-41

“And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"”

Mark 4:40-41

A comfortable plane ride was about to get bumpy. The voice of the captain interrupted in-flight beverage service and asked passengers to make sure their seatbelts were fastened. Soon the plane began to roll and pitch like a ship on a wind-whipped ocean. While the rest of the passengers were doing their best to deal with the turbulence, a little girl sat through it all reading her book. After the plane landed, she was asked why she had been able to be so calm. She responded, “My daddy is the pilot and he’s taking me home.”

Though Jesus’ disciples were seasoned fishermen, they were terrified the day a storm threatened to swamp their boat. They were following Jesus’ instructions. Why was this happening? (Mark 4:35-38). He was with them but He was asleep at the stern of the craft. They learned that day that it is not true that when we do as our Lord says there will be no storms in our lives. Yet because He was with them, they also learned that storms don’t stop us from getting to where our Lord wants us to go (5:1).

Whether the storm we encounter today is the result of a tragic accident, a loss of employment, or some other trial, we can be confident that all is not lost. Our Pilot can handle the storm. He will get us home. 

What storms are you encountering today? Perhaps you have lost a loved one or are facing a serious illness. Perhaps you are having difficulty finding a job. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith and take you safely through the storm to the other side.

We don't need to fear the storm with Jesus as our anchor.

Insight 

Jesus’ calming of the storm is a remarkable witness to the power of our Creator over nature, for He spoke directly to the storm threatening the ship He and His disciples were in. He rebuked the wind and waves and said, “Quiet! Be still!” (4:39). The Greek word used here for "still" denotes the muzzling of a hostile animal. When we are overcome with worries and concerns, we can trust that our powerful Creator will still our fears. 

Verse from 1 John

“神差遣他的独生子到世上来，要使我们借着他而活；神的爱就在我们中间显明了。”

约翰壹书 4:9

“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.”

1 John 4:9

As Jesus’s beloved disciple John grew older, his teaching became increasingly narrowed, focusing entirely on the love of God in his three letters. In the book Knowing the Truth of God’s Love, Peter Kreeft cites an old legend which says that one of John’s young disciples once came to him complaining, “Why don’t you talk about anything else?” John replied, “Because there isn’t anything else.”

God’s love is certainly at the heart of the mission and message of Jesus. In his earlier gospel account, John recorded the words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The apostle Paul tells us that God’s love is at the core of how we live, and he reminds us that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39).

God’s love is so strong, available, and stabilizing that we can confidently step into each day knowing that the good things are gifts from His hand and the challenges can be faced in His strength. For all of life, His love is what matters most.

God’s love stands when all else has fallen.

Verse from 1 Chronicles

“耶和华我们的神啊，我们预备的这一切财物，要为你的圣名建造殿宇，都是从你而来的，也都是属于你的。”

历代志上 29:16

“O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.”

1 Chronicles 29:16

Keila was 18 years old when she got her first fulltime job, and she learned an important lesson about the discipline of saving money. She worked and saved until she had enough money for a year of school. Then her mom had emergency surgery, and she realized she had the money in the bank to pay for her operation.

Her love for her mother suddenly took precedence over her plans for the future. These words in the book Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot took on new meaning: “If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it go when the time comes to let it go or unwilling to allow it to be used as the Giver means it to be used, we stunt the growth of the soul. It is easy to make a mistake here, ‘If God gave it to me,’ we say, ‘it's mine. I can do what I want with it.’ No. The truth is that it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, . . . ours to let go of.”

Keila realized that the job she had received and the discipline of saving were gifts from God! She could give generously to her family because she was sure God was capable of seeing her through school another way, and He did.

Today, how might God want us to apply David's prayer from 1 Chronicles 29:14, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us”? (nlt).

Lord, 

we know there is nothing that we have that we obtained on our own. 

It’s all Yours. 

Help us to have open hands for You
to give and take as You please. 

Increase our faith.

Everything belongs to God.

Verse from Mark

“她已经尽她所能的作了。她预先用香膏膏了我的身体，是为了我的安葬。”

马可福音 14:8

“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.”

Mark 14:8

When her friends say thoughtless or outrageous things on social media, Charlotte chimes in with gentle but firm dissent. She respects the dignity of everyone, and her words are unfailingly positive.

A few years ago she became Facebook friends with a man who harbored anger toward Christians. He appreciated Charlotte’s rare honesty and grace. Over time his hostility melted. Then Charlotte suffered a bad fall. Now housebound, she fretted over what she could do. About that time her Facebook friend died and then this message arrived from his sister: “[Because of your witness] I know he’s now experiencing God’s complete and abiding love for him.”

During the week in which Christ would be killed, Mary of Bethany anointed Him with expensive perfume (John 12:3; Mark 14:3). Some of those present were appalled, but Jesus applauded her. “She has done a beautiful thing to me,” He said. “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial” (Mark 14:6–8).

“She did what she could.” Christ’s words take the pressure off. Our world is full of broken, hurting people. But we don’t have to worry about what we can’t do. Charlotte did what she could. So can we. The rest is in His capable hands.

Do thy duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Verse from Romans

“唯有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神对我们的爱就在此显明了。”

罗马书 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

We deserve death because of our sin (Rom. 3:23). Yet, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). We were unworthy, yet Jesus—sinless and holy—gave up His life so we could escape the penalty for our sin and one day live forever in heaven.

Eternal life is a gift from God. It’s not something we earn by working for it. We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8–9).

Grace and mercy are unearned blessings.

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

“while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

God is always close. He is powerful. He always cares. And He can use even the smallest experiences, and briefest moments, to help us remember that His presence is like an ocean of grace in the middle of our heavy moments.

What gifts of grace has God given to you in a difficult time? How might you be a blessing to others?

Jesus provides an oasis of grace in the desert of trials.

Insight

In fulfilling his calling as an apostle (Acts 9:15), Paul endured great suffering. But in the midst of great opposition, persecution, and painful suffering, Paul’s refrain is: “We do not lose heart” (2 Cor. 4:1, 16). His confidence is not rooted in himself but in God’s sovereign power, in His sustaining grace, in Christ’s resurrected life, and in the expectation of future reward and eternal glory (vv. 7–18).

Verse from Deuteronomy

“你们要走在耶和华你们的神吩咐你们走的路上，使你们可以活着，可以享福，并且使你在将要占领为业的地上，可以长久居住。””

申命记 5:33

“You shall walk in all the way which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.”

Deuteronomy 5:33

Like the ancient Israelites who frequently failed to do what God asked them to do, we too often go our own way. Yet obedience is a desired result of our deepening relationship with God. Moses told the people, “Be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you . . . . Walk in obedience to all that He has commanded you” (Deut. 5:32–33). Long after Moses, Jesus urged His disciples to trust Him and to love one another.

This is still the kind of surrender of our hearts that leads to our well-being. As the Spirit helps us to obey, it is good to remember that He “works in [us] to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (Phil. 2:13).

Lord, 

thank You for second and third chances. 

Please help us to want to follow Your ways and to follow through in obedience.

The closer we walk with God, the clearer we see His guidance.

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

“你们效法了我们，也效法了主，在大患难中，带着圣灵的喜乐接受了真道。”

帖撒罗尼迦前书 1:6

“You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”

1 Thessalonians 1:6

“Today we’re going to play a game called Imitation,” the children’s minister told the kids gathered around him for the children’s sermon. “I’ll name something and you act out what it does. Ready? Chicken!” The kids flapped their arms, cackled, and crowed. Next it was elephant, then football player, and then ballerina. The last one was Jesus. While many of the children hesitated, one six-year-old with a big smile on his face immediately threw his arms wide open in welcome. The congregation applauded.

How easily we forget that our calling is to be like Jesus in the everyday situations of life. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1–2).

The apostle Paul commended the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica for the outward demonstration of their faith in difficult circumstances. “You became imitators of us and of the Lord,” Paul wrote. “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:6–7).

It is the life of Jesus in us that encourages and enables us to walk through this world as He did—with the good news of God’s love and with arms open wide in welcome to all.

Lord Jesus, 

may Your words of invitation and welcome, “Come to Me,” be lived out through our lives.

Jesus’s arms of welcome are always open.

Verses from Psalms

“我虽然处身在患难之中，你仍使我存活；我仇敌的怒气，你必伸手抵挡；你的右手必拯救我。耶和华必成全关乎我的事；耶和华啊！你的慈爱永远长存，求你不要离弃你手所造的。”

诗篇 138:7-8

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

Psalms 138:7-8

Bourne, who died in 2002, was a master wood carver whose carvings are almost exact replicas of real objects. “Carving a duck is simple,” he said. “You just look at a piece of wood, get in your head what a duck looks like, and then cut off everything that doesn’t look like it.”

So it is with God. He looks at you and me—blocks of rough wood—envisions the Christlike woman or man hidden beneath the bark, knots, and twigs and then begins to carve away everything that does not fit that image. We would be amazed if we could see how beautiful we are as finished “ducks.”

But first we must accept that we are a block of wood and allow the Artist to cut, shape, and sand us where He will. This means viewing our circumstances—pleasant or unpleasant—as God’s tools that shape us. He forms us, one part at a time, into the beautiful creature He envisioned in our ungainly lump of wood.

Sometimes the process is wonderful; sometimes it is painful. But in the end, all of God’s tools conform us “to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29).

Do you long for that likeness? Put yourself in the Master Carver’s hands.

Father, 

You are the craftsman who shapes me. You are the one who knows what shape my life should take. 

Thank You for carving me into the image You have planned. 

Help me to trust that the pieces and parts that You shave from me are the right ones.

Growing in Christ comes from a deepening relationship with Him.

Verse from Philippians

“应当毫无忧虑，只要凡事借着祷告祈求，带着感恩的心，把你们所要的告诉神。”

腓立比书 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippians 4:6

What do you do with your worries? Do you turn them inward, or turn them upward?

When the brutal Assyrian King Sennacherib was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, he sent a message to King Hezekiah saying that Judah would be no different from all the other nations he had conquered. Hezekiah took this message to the temple in Jerusalem, and “spread it out before the Lord” (Isa. 37:14). He then prayed and asked for help from Almighty God.

Soon afterward Isaiah the prophet delivered this message to Hezekiah from the Lord: “Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria, the Lord has spoken” (Isa. 37:21–22 nlt). Scripture tells us that Hezekiah’s prayer was answered that very night. God intervened miraculously, conquering the enemy forces outside the city gates. The Assyrian army didn’t even “shoot an arrow” (v. 33). Sennacherib would leave Jerusalem, never to return. 

Three words in God’s message to Hezekiah—“Because you prayed”—show us the best place to go with our worries. Because Hezekiah turned to God, He rescued him and his people. When we turn our worries into prayer, we discover that God is faithful in unexpected ways!

Father, 

please help me to turn my worries into prayer. 

My problems are better in Your hands than in my own.