Verse from Matthew

“你们是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隐藏的。”

马太福音 5:14 

“"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;”

Matthew 5:14 

Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances, darkness controls so much of what is said and how it is viewed by the world. When someone lives for Christ, they will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and his righteousness cannot be ignored. 

So what are we going to do with that light? 

Are others going to see and be drawn to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son as Savior? 

Or, are they going to reject the way of Christ because our walk is all talk and not much service? 

Let's let them see God's grace through our lives so they will come to know the Savior!

Verse from Hebrews

“也要坚守我们所承认的指望，不至摇动，因为那应许我们的是信实的。”

希伯来书 10:23 

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;”

Hebrews 10:23 

Though God may seem silent or even out of sight, He is never absent (Heb. 13:5). He is sovereignly working out things for our good; nothing is ever wasted in the hands of our God (see Rom. 8:28). 

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 the apostle Paul assures us that God will most certainly work things out for us: “The [trials] in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the [trials] to be more than you can stand. [God] will show you a way out so that you can endure” (nlt). 

When going through the difficulties of life, let us in faith see “Him who is invisible” because “He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 11:27; 10:23). 

Verse from Romans

“况且，我们的软弱有圣灵帮助；我们本不晓得当怎样祷告，只是圣灵亲自用说不出来的叹息替我们祷告。”

罗马书 8:26 

“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;”

Romans 8:26 

Have you ever been in a situation so perplexing you didn’t know the right words to use when you prayed? Because of our limited perspective and the distraction of our sinful inclinations we can sometimes struggle with prayer. Yet God the Holy Spirit is our intercessor. He groans with our concerns as He Himself makes our prayers conform to the will of God. It’s a comfort that the Holy Spirit knows our own limitations and weaknesses and translates our requests to God in conformity with His will. 

does understanding the intercession of the Holy Spirit comfort you when you find it hard to pray?

In what way?

Verses from Colossians

“所以，你们既是上帝的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔、忍耐的心。倘若这人与那人有嫌隙，总要彼此包容，彼此饶恕；主怎样饶恕了你们，你们也要怎样饶恕人。”

歌罗西书 3:12-13 

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Colossians 3:12-13 

Our all-weather spiritual wardrobe has been prescribed by the Lord in His Word, the Bible (Col. 3:12–13). These garments that God provides—such as kindness, humility, and gentleness—allow us to meet hostility and criticism with patience, forgiveness, and love. 

They give us staying power in the storms of life.

When we face adverse conditions at home, school, or work, the “clothing” God tells us to wear protects us and enables us to make a positive difference. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (v. 14).

Dressing according to God’s guidelines doesn’t change the weather—it equips the wearer.

Verse from 2 Kings

“器皿都满了，她对儿子说：「再给我拿器皿来。」儿子说：「再没有器皿了。」油就止住了。”

列王纪下 4:6 

“When the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not one vessel more." And the oil stopped.”

2 Kings 4:6 

In today’s account of the never-ending oil, the woman and her sons follow the prophet’s instructions without question. They were in need and knew God could provide. Many of us may wish we had that kind of faith—faith that doesn’t doubt or question.

Some background to their inspiring faith helps put this story in context. Verse 1 tells us that the widow’s husband had been a member of “the company of the prophets”—a group of men who had remained faithful to the true God in a time of paganism. They had also seen God do miraculous things through Elisha, so they knew nothing was impossible. Their faith was the logical conclusion of their experience and gave them the confidence to obey.

God often provides in ways we don’t expect. Is there a situation you need to trust God for today?

Verse from Proverbs

“不要自以为有智慧；要敬畏耶和华，远离恶事。”

箴言 3:7 

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

Proverbs 3:7 

First, we need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life, even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant. 

Second, the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty, power, wisdom, and grace; He is far beyond us and all we can truly grasp of Him is the smallest of glimpses of glory. 

Therefore it's better we fear the Lord and walk away from evil, rather than let it entice us and thinking we can always fight it by ourselves, with our strength. Evil separates us from God. 

Verses from Psalms

“上帝啊，求你鉴察我，知道我的心思，试炼我，知道我的意念，看在我里面有什么恶行没有，引导我走永生的道路。”

诗篇 139:23-24 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Psalms 139:23-24 

Most of us don't like being scrutinized and tested. But God knows us through and through. He has been with us from our conception and will work with us through the grave and beyond. 

So let's invite Him into our interior world to search us, test us, and even scrutinize our anxious thoughts. He is not there to condemn or punish, but to cleanse and redeem so that we can be led to His eternal grace.

Verse from Luke

“西门说：「夫子，我们整夜劳力，并没有打着什么。但依从你的话，我就下网。」”

路加福音 5:5 

“Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets."”

Luke 5:5 

Simon’s obedience is remarkable. As a seasoned fisherman, he knew that fish move to the bottom of the lake when the sun is up, and the dragnets they used could not go deep enough to catch those fish.

His willingness to trust Jesus was rewarded. Not only did Simon catch a large number of fish, he gained a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. He moved from calling Jesus “Master” (v. 5) to calling Him “Lord” (v. 8). 

Indeed, “listening” often allows us to see the works of God firsthand and draw closer to Him.

Perhaps God is calling you to “let down your nets again.” May we reply to the Lord as Simon did: “Because You say so, I will.”

Can you relate to Peter when his first impulse was to question Jesus’s knowledge of fishing? (Luke 5:5). Peter may have wondered, Jesus is a remarkable rabbi, but can He show someone who knows the waters of Galilee how to fish them? What followed became a reason for Peter and friends to follow Jesus. By obeying the Teacher’s words, a bad night of fishing turned into one of the biggest catches of their lives.

Our obedience to God and trusting Him will guide us through the unknown and draw us closer to Him.

Verse from Job

“约伯 却对她说：「你说话像愚顽的妇人一样。嗳！难道我们从上帝手里得福，不也受祸吗？」在这一切的事上约伯并不以口犯罪。”

约伯记 2:10 

“But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

Job 2:10 

Job surely didn’t delight in hardship or trouble, yet he honored God through heart-wrenching circumstances (Job 1:1–22). When painful sores afflicted Job’s body, he endured the agony (2:7–8). His wife told him to give up on God (v. 9), but Job responded by trusting the Lord through suffering and afflictions (v. 10).

It’s natural to prefer avoiding the bitter bites in life. We can even be tempted to lash out at God when we’re hurting. But the Lord uses trials, teaching us how to trust Him, depend on Him, and surrender to Him as He enables us to persevere through difficult times.

Has God used a trial in your life to refine your character and strengthen your faith?

Verse from Ephesians

“靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求；并要在此警醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求，”

以弗所书 6:18 

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”

Ephesians 6:18 

Singer/songwriter Robert Hamlet wrote “Lady Who Prays for Me” as a tribute to his mother who made a point of praying for her boys each morning before they went to the bus stop. After a young mom heard Hamlet sing his song, she committed to praying with her own little boy. The result was heartwarming! Just before her son went out the door, his mother prayed for him. Five minutes later he returned—bringing kids from the bus stop with him! His mom was taken aback and asked what was going on. The boy responded, “Their moms didn’t pray with them.”

In the book of Ephesians, Paul urges us to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers” (6:18). Demonstrating our daily dependence on God is essential in a family since many children first learn to trust God as they observe genuine faith in the people closest to them (2 Tim. 1:5). There is no better way to teach the utmost importance of prayer than by praying for and with our children. It is one of the ways they begin to sense a compelling need to reach out personally to God in faith.

When we start children off by modeling a sincere faith in God (Prov. 22:6; 2 Tim. 1:5), we give them a special gift, an assurance that God is an ever-present part of our lives—continually loving, guiding, and protecting us.

Help me to depend more fully on You in every moment of the day and to rest in the assurance that You are always with me. 

Verse from Proverbs

“恨能挑启争端；爱能遮掩一切过错。”

箴言 10:12 

“Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.”

Proverbs 10:12 

Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatred with hatred. God has always wanted His people to be the redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. 

Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to "not repay evil with evil." (Rom. 12:17) Here, God's wise man teaches us a similar truth. Love removes the teeth out of difficult situations, while hatred only turns up the flames of bitterness and hate. 

We're called to be a different kind of people that leave the world a different place. It isn't always easy, but it is always powerful.

Verse from Philippians

“我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富；或饱足，或饥饿；或有余，或缺乏，随事随在，我都得了秘诀。”

腓立比书 4:12 

“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

Philippians 4:12 

If we focus on others’ possessions, jealousy too often results. Yet God’s Word lifts our eyes to something of far greater worth than earthly possessions. The psalmist writes, “You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart” (Ps. 119:57–58). Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the writer conveyed the truth that nothing matters more than closeness to God.

What better portion could we have than our loving and limitless Creator? Nothing on earth can compare with Him, and nothing can take Him away from us. Human longing is an expansive void; one may have “everything” in the world and still be miserable. But when God is our source of happiness, we are truly content. There’s a space within us only God can fill. He alone can give us the peace that matches our hearts.

Verses from Hebrews

“我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架 的苦难，便坐在上帝宝座的右边。”

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 

Have you ever walked away from a parent, teacher, coach, or military officer you thought was being too hard on you?

The men and women of faith listed in Hebrews 11 must have wondered at times whether their God was asking more of them than they could possibly give. Yet through doubt, personal failure, and unfulfilled dreams, the Bible gives all of them honorable mention—as witnesses to the faith that has been entrusted to us.

Now it’s our turn. When we face fears, we have the opportunity to follow the One who asks us to trust Him in a way that lifts us above own natural inclinations. This is a moment to remember the lingering witness of Jesus’s own disciples who so often heard the words, “Don’t be afraid.” From the stories of those who have gone before us, we are reminded that it was on a road of faith that Jesus and His witnesses suffered to bring others to God.

Jesus invites us to experience for ourselves the honor of being witnesses to His faithfulness even when we struggle to trust Him.

Verse from Philemon

“不再是奴隶，而是高过奴隶，是亲爱的弟兄。对我固然是这样，对你来说，不论按肉身或在主内的关系，更是这样。”

腓利门书 1:16 

“no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”

Philemon 1:16 

Onesimus knew what it meant to live on the edge of society. As a slave, Onesimus had apparently wronged his Christian master, Philemon, and was now in prison. While there, he met Paul and came to faith in Christ (v. 10). Though now a changed man, Onesimus was still a slave. Paul sent him back to Philemon with a letter urging him to receive Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother” (Philem. 1:16).

Philemon had a choice to make: He could treat Onesimus as his slave or welcome him as a brother in Christ. 

It’s easy to allow the walls of socio-economic status, class, or cultural differences to separate us. The gospel of Christ removes those barriers, changing our lives and our relationships forever.

Verse from Ephesians

“生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落，”

以弗所书 4:26 

““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”

Ephesians 4:26 

One reason it is sometimes hard to admit we are angry when someone offends us is that we fear what others might think of us. But acknowledging anger and providing a time limit on resolving issues is essential in keeping harmonious relationships intact. 

“Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) to the one who has offended us is vital, even if it means stepping outside our comfort zone. This scriptural approach to conflict resolution helps to clear the air and restore relationships. 

Explaining to the offending party what was hurtful and listening to the other person’s perspective lays the groundwork for healthy relationships. When we keep love in the picture, our goal becomes restoration.

Verse from John

“凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就赐他们权柄作上帝的儿女。”

约翰福音 1:12 

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”

John 1:12 

The Israelites believed in the importance of ancestry. They were proud of their patriarch Abraham, and they thought being part of Abraham’s clan made them God’s children. Their human ancestry was connected, in their opinion, to their spiritual family.

Hundreds of years later when Jesus was talking with the Jews, He pointed out that this was not so. They could say Abraham was their earthly ancestor, but if they didn’t love Him—the One sent by the Father—they were not part of God’s family.

The same applies today. We don’t choose our human family, but we can decide the spiritual family we belong to (v12).

Verse from Judges

“并离弃耶和华，去事奉巴力和亚斯她录。”

士师记 2:13 

“So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.”

Judges 2:13 

There was a time when the Israelites had a rebellious attitude. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land. Under his leadership, the Israelite’s served the Lord (Judg. 2:7). But after Joshua and the generation that outlived him died, the Israelites forgot God and what He’d done (v. 10). They rejected godly leadership and embraced sin (vv. 11–15).

Things improved when the Lord raised up judges (vv. 16–18), who served like kings. But when each judge died, the Israelites returned to defying God. Living as if they didn’t have anyone to answer to but themselves, they suffered devastating consequences (vv. 19–22). 

But that doesn’t have to be our reality. We can submit to the sovereign authority of the eternal Ruler —Jesus—because He is our living Judge and King of Kings.

Verse from Hebrews

“这些人都是存着信心死的，并没有得着所应许的；却从远处望见，且欢喜迎接，又承认自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。”

希伯来书 11:13 

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

Hebrews 11:13 

Hebrews 11, often called “the faith chapter” of the Bible, mentions nineteen people by name. Each one traveled a road of difficulty and doubt, yet chose to obey God. (v. 13).

How easy it is to rush through our Bible reading without pondering the people and events in the text. Our self-imposed time schedule robs us of going deeper into God’s truth and His plan for our lives. Yet, when we are willing to stay awhile, we find ourselves caught up in the real-life dramas of people like us who chose to stake their lives on God’s faithfulness.

Insight 

Hebrews 11 provides examples of how authentic faith leads to a changed life. Belief and action produce acts of courage and perseverance. As we ponder the deep and impressive faith our spiritual ancestors demonstrated through their actions, it encourages us to follow in their footsteps. The examples of those who have preceded us—those who lived as “foreigners and strangers on earth” (v. 13)—help us to fix our eyes on Jesus (12:2).  

As you reflect on today’s reading, how are you inspired in your walk with Christ?

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“这就是上帝在基督里，叫世人与自己和好，不将他们的过犯归到他们身上，并且将这和好的道理托付了我们。”

哥林多后书 5:19 

“namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 5:19 

Tham Dashu sensed something was missing in his life. So he started going to church—the same church his daughter attended. But they never went together. In earlier days, he had offended her, which drove a wedge between them. So, Tham would slip in when the singing started and leave promptly after the service ended.

Church members shared the gospel story with him, but Tham always politely rejected their invitation to put his faith in Jesus. Still, he kept coming to church.

One day Tham fell gravely ill. His daughter plucked up the courage and wrote him a letter. She shared how Christ had changed her life, and she sought reconciliation with her dad. That night, Tham put his faith in Jesus and the family was reconciled. A few days later, Tham died and entered into the presence of Jesus—at peace with God and his loved ones.

The apostle Paul wrote that we are to “try to persuade others” about the truth of God’s love and forgiveness (2 Cor. 5:11). He said that it is “Christ’s love [that] compels us” to carry out His work of reconciliation (v. 14).

Our willingness to forgive may help others realize that God desires to reconcile us to Himself (v. 19). Would you lean on God’s strength to show them His love today?

Is there someone you need to try to reconcile with? What practical first step can you take today?

Verse from John

“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，满有恩典和真理。我们见过他的荣光，正是从父而来的独生子的荣光。”

约翰福音 1:14 

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 

John Babler is the chaplain for the police and fire departments in his Texas community. During a twenty-two-week sabbatical from his job, he attended police academy training so that he could better understand the situations law enforcement officers face. Through spending time with the other cadets and learning about the intense challenges of the profession, Babler gained a new sense of humility and empathy. In the future, he hopes to be more effective as he counsels police officers who struggle with emotional stress, fatigue, and loss.

We know that God understands the situations we face because He made us and sees everything that happens to us. We also know He understands because He has been to earth and experienced life as a human being. He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” as the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14).

Jesus’s earthly life included a wide range of difficulty. He felt the searing heat of the sun, the pain of an empty stomach, and the uncertainty of homelessness. Emotionally, He endured the tension of disagreements, the burn of betrayal, and the ongoing threat of violence.

Jesus experienced the joys of friendship and family love, as well as the worst problems that we face here on earth. He provides hope. He is the Wonderful Counselor who patiently listens to our concerns with insight and care (Isa. 9:6). He is the One who can say, “I’ve been through that. I understand.”

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“你们就是我们的荐信，写在我们的心里，被众人所知道所念诵的。”

哥林多后书 3:2 

“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;”

2 Corinthians 3:2 

In response to false teachers who wanted to discredit his message (see 2 Cor. 11), Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to keep on following the true and living God as he had previously taught. In doing so, he memorably described the believers as Christ’s letter, with their transformed lives a more powerful witness to the Spirit working through Paul’s ministry than any written letter could be.

How wonderful that God’s Spirit in us writes a story of grace and redemption! For as meaningful as written words can be, it is our lives that are the best witness to the truth of the gospel, for they speak volumes through our compassion, service, gratitude, and joy. 

Through our words and actions, the Lord spreads His life-giving love. What message might you send today?

Verse from John

“腓力说：“主啊，请把父显示给我们，我们就满足了。””

约翰福音 14:8 

“Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."”

John 14:8 

Author and pastor Erwin Lutzer recounts a story about television show host Art Linkletter and a little boy who was drawing a picture of God. Amused, Linkletter said, “You can’t do that because nobody knows what God looks like.”

“They will when I get through!” the boy declared.

We may wonder, What is God like? Is He good? Is He kind? Does He care? The simple answer to those questions is Jesus’s response to Philip’s request: “Lord, show us the Father.” Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:8–9).

If you ever get hungry to see God, look at Jesus. “The Son is the image of the invisible God,” said Paul (Col. 1:15). Read through the four gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Think deeply about what Jesus did and said. “Draw” your own mental picture of God as you read. You’ll know much more of what He’s like when you’re through.

As you read about Him your heart will leap, for though you may not know it, Jesus is the God you’ve been looking for all your life.

We’re so prone, Lord, to want You to be something You are not. 

Help us to see You more clearly on the pages of Scripture. 

Help us reflect Your Son in our lives.

Verse from Psalms

“因为，他的怒气不过是转眼之间；他的恩典乃是一生之久。一宿虽然有哭泣，早晨便必欢呼。”

诗篇 30:5 

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

Psalms 30:5 

Psalm 30 is a celebration psalm that similarly looks back with amazement and gratitude on God’s powerful restoration: from sickness to healing, from threat of death to life, from feeling God’s judgment to enjoying His favor, from mourning to joy (vv. 2–3,11).

The psalm is attributed to David, to whom we owe some of the most pain-filled laments in Scripture. But David also experienced restoration so incredible he was able to confess, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (v. 5). Despite all the pain he had endured, David discovered something even greater—God’s powerful hand of healing.

If you are hurting today and need encouragement, recall those times in your past when God carried you through to a place of healing. Pray for trust that He will do so again.

Lord, 

when our struggles feel bigger than what we can handle, 

help us to find comfort and strength in how You’ve carried us before.

God is lovingly working toward restoration and joy in and through the pain of our lives.

Verse from Acts

“有些虔诚的人安葬了司提反，为他大大悲痛一番。”

使徒行传 8:2 

“Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.”

Acts 8:2 

Like the sudden loss of a loved one or friend, the death of Stephen, a dynamic witness for Jesus, brought shock and sorrow to those in the early church (Acts 7:57–60). In the face of persecution, “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him” (8:2). These men of faith did two things together: They buried Stephen, an act of finality and loss. And they mourned deeply for him, a shared expression of their sorrow.

As followers of Jesus, we need not mourn our losses alone. In sincerity and love we can reach out to others who are hurting, and in humility we can accept the concern of those who stand beside us.

As we grieve together, we can grow in understanding and in the peace that is ours through Jesus Christ, who knows our deepest sorrow.