Verse from Luke

“法利赛人和经学家，纷纷议论说：“这个人接待罪人，又和他们一起吃饭。””

路加福音 15:2 

“But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.””

Luke 15:2 

Edith cared nothing for religion. But one Sunday morning she walked into a church near her apartment looking for something to satisfy her discontented soul. The text that day was Luke 15:1–2, which the pastor read from the King James Version: “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” 

That’s what it said, but this is what Edith heard: “This man receives sinners and Edith with them.” She sat straight up in her pew! Eventually she realized her mistake, but the thought that Jesus welcomed sinners—and that included Edith—stayed with her. That afternoon she decided to “draw near” to Jesus and listen to Him. She began to read the Gospels, and soon she decided to put her faith in Him and follow Him. 

The religious folks of Jesus’s day were scandalized by the fact that He ate and drank with sinful, awful people. Their rules prohibited them from associating with such folk. Jesus paid no attention to their made-up rules. He welcomed the down-and-out and gathered them to Him, no matter how far gone they were.

It’s still true, you know: Jesus receives sinners and (your name).

God pursues us in our restlessness, receives us in our sinfulness, holds us in our brokenness.  Scotty Smith

Verse from Nehemiah

“以禄月二十五日，城墙建成，整个工程共用了五十二天。”
‭‭尼希米记‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭

“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭

The Lord called Nehemiah to a great project: to bring restoration to Jerusalem after its walls had lain in ruin for 150 years (Nehemiah 2:3–5, 12). As he led the people in the labor, they experienced mockery, attacks, distraction, and temptation to sin (4:3, 8; 6:10–12). Yet God equipped them to stand firm—resolute in their efforts—completing a daunting task in just fifty-two days.

Overcoming such challenges requires much more than a personal desire or goal; Nehemiah was driven by an understanding that God appointed him to the task. His sense of purpose invigorated the people to follow his leadership despite incredible opposition. When God charges us with a task—whether to repair a relationship or share what He’s done in our lives—He gives us whatever skills and strength are necessary to continue in our effort to do what He’s asked, no matter what challenges come our way.

Lord,
please equip me with Your strength to persevere and finish the tasks You’ve given me.
May my labors bring You glory.

Verse from Psalms

“至于我，我倚靠你的慈爱，我的心必因你的救恩欢呼。”
‭‭诗篇‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭‭

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. (Psalm 13:5)

A. W. Thorold writes, “The highest pinnacle of the spiritual life is not happy joy in unbroken sunshine, but absolute and undoubting trust in the love of God.”

Even in our troubles, God’s love can be trusted.

God’s love stands when all else fails.

Verse from Matthew

“你们虽然邪恶，尚且知道把好东西给儿女，何况你们在天上的父，难道不更把好东西赐给求他的人吗？”

马太福音 7:11 

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

Matthew 7:11 

In Matthew 7, Jesus teaches that we should bring our needs to God (v. 7), trusting Him with our requests. To illustrate, Jesus gives a case study in character: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” (vv. 9–10). For loving parents, the answer is obvious. But Jesus answers anyway, challenging us not to lose faith in our Father’s generous goodness: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (v. 11).

Father, 

thank You for loving us so much more than even the best father here ever could. 

Help us to do as Jesus said with everything that’s on our hearts; to ask, seek, and knock in our relationship with You. 

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“你们既然凡事富裕，就可以慷慨地捐输，使众人借着我们，对神生出感谢的心。”

哥林多后书 9:11 

“you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”

2 Corinthians 9:11 

The apostle Paul complimented the church for their intentional and enthusiastic offerings (2 Corinthians 9:2, 5), reminding them that God delights in generous and cheerful givers (vv. 6–7). After all, no one gives more than our loving Provider, who’s always ready to supply all we need (vv. 8–10).

We can be generous in all kinds of giving, caring for one another because the Lord meets all of our material, emotional, and spiritual needs (v. 11). As we give, we can express our gratitude for all God has given us. We can even motivate others to praise the Lord and give from all God has given them (vv. 12–13). 

Openhanded giving, a lavish expression of love and gratitude, can demonstrate our confidence in God’s provision for all His people.

Lord, 

please help us trust Your abundant love and generosity, 

so we can give to others as You so faithfully give to us.

Verse from Isaiah

“你心若向饥饿的人发怜悯，使困苦的人得满足，你的光就必在黑暗中发现；你的幽暗必变如正午。”

以赛亚书 58:10 

“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

Isaiah 58:10 

A small collection of people stood together, dwarfed by the size of the huge tree lying on the lawn. An elderly woman leaned on her cane and described watching the previous night’s windstorm as it blew down “our majestic old elm tree. Worst of all,” she continued, voice cracking with emotion, “it destroyed our lovely stone wall too. My husband built that wall when we were first married. He loved that wall. I loved that wall! Now it’s gone; just like him.”

Next morning, as she peeked out at the tree company workers cleaning up the downed tree; a big smile spread across her face. In between the branches she could just make out two adults and the boy who mowed her lawn carefully measuring and rebuilding her beloved stone wall!

The prophet Isaiah describes the kind of service God favors: acts that lift the hearts of those around us, like the wall repairers did for the elderly woman. This passage teaches that God values unselfish service to others over empty spiritual rituals. In fact, God exercises a two-way blessing on the selfless service of His children. First, God uses our willing acts of service to aid the oppressed and needy (Isaiah 58:7–10). Then God honors those engaged in such service by building or rebuilding our reputations as powerful positive forces in His kingdom (vv. 11–12). 

What service will you offer this day?

Verse from Ephesians

“求他按着他荣耀的丰盛，借着他的灵，用大能使你们内在的人刚强起来，”

以弗所书 3:16 

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,”

Ephesians 3:16 

The apostle Paul explained a profound reason to let go of our own efforts to perfect ourselves: it can blind us to our need for Christ.

Paul had learned this the hard way. After years striving to perfectly obey God’s law, encountering Jesus changed everything (Galatians 1:11–16). Paul realized that if his own efforts were enough to be whole and right with God, “then there was no need for Christ to die” (2:21 nlt). Only by letting go of—dying to—self-reliance, could he experience Jesus living in him (v. 20). Only in his imperfection could he experience God’s perfect power.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t resist sin (v. 17); but it does mean we should stop relying on our own strength to grow spiritually (v. 20).

In this lifetime, we will always be works in progress. But as our hearts humbly accept our constant need for the only perfect One, Jesus makes His home there (Ephesians 3:17). Rooted in Him, we are free to grow ever deeper in the love “too great” to ever “understand fully” (v. 19 nlt).

Lord, 

so often we exchange the joy and freedom of life with You for the burden of relying on ourselves. 

Help us to humbly rely on You instead.

Verses from Mark

“耶稣拉着他的手，领他到村外，吐唾沫在他的眼睛上，又用双手按在他的身上，问他：“你看见甚么没有？”他往上一看，说：“我看见人了！看见他们好象树走来走去。”于是耶稣再按手在他的眼睛上，他定睛一看，就复原了，样样都看得清楚了。”

马可福音 8:23-25 

“Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around." Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.”

Mark 8:23-25 

Although God is able to heal all diseases and injuries, it’s not always His will to do so. God empowered the apostle Paul to heal many (Acts 14:8–10; 19:12), yet he wrote to Timothy about Trophimus whom he left “sick in Miletus” (2 Timothy 4:20). 

Likewise, Paul advised Timothy to take medicinal wine for his stomach problem and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). In this case, medicine was recommended instead of divine healing. 

Second Corinthians makes reference to Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (12:7), which many scholars believe was some type of physical ailment. Interestingly God didn’t remove it even after Paul’s repeated prayers for deliverance. The Lord’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).

God has His own purposes for granting full healing, partial healing, or withholding healing altogether. In what situation do you need to trust in the sufficient grace of God?

Verse from Jeremiah

“耶和华说：「人岂能在隐密处藏身，使我看不见他呢？」耶和华说：「我岂不充满天地吗？”

耶利米书 23:24 

“"Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 23:24 

God asks, “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” (Jeremiah 23:24). There is both an encouragement and a warning in His question.

The warning is that we cannot hide from God. We can’t outrun or fool Him. Everything we do is visible to Him.

The encouragement is that there is no place on earth or in the heavens where we are outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father. Even when we feel alone, God is with us. No matter where we go today, may the awareness of that truth encourage us to choose obedience to His Word and receive comfort—He watches over us. 

Lord Jesus, 

thank You that there is nowhere I can go that is outside of Your loving gaze. 

Knowing You see me, help me to honor You with my words and actions.

Verses from Psalms

“耶和华的眼睛看顾义人，他的耳朵垂听他们的呼求。耶和华的脸敌对作恶的人，要把他们的名从世上除掉。义人哀求，耶和华就垂听，搭救他们脱离一切患难，耶和华亲近心中破碎的人，拯救灵里痛悔的人，”

诗篇 34:15-18 

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34:15-18 

As they were enjoying an excursion to the airport, Steve turned to his dad and said, “It’s not as much fun without Melissa,” his eight-year-old sister and sidekick. Neither of them knew then how poignant those words would turn out to be. Life indeed has not been “as much fun” for the years since Mell died in a car accident as a teenager. 

The passage of time may dull the ache, but nothing takes the pain away completely. Time cannot heal that wound. But here’s something that can help: listening to, meditating on, and savoring the solace promised by the God of all comfort.

Listen: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22).

Meditate: “In the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling” (Psalm 27:5).

Savor: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (119:50).

Life can never be the same again when someone we love is gone. But God’s promises bring hope and comfort. 

Verses from James

“忍受试探的人是有福的，因为他经过试验以后，必得生命的冠冕；这是主应许给那些爱他之人的。人被试探，不可说：「我是被上帝试探」；因为上帝不能被恶试探，他也不试探人。”

雅各书 1:12-13 

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.”

James 1:12-13 

As this passage in James 1:12–18 clearly teaches, God does not tempt us. Yet in this life temptations are sure to come. In fact, God may permit temptation in order to strengthen our faith as well as our dependence on Him. It’s an immeasurable comfort to know that our heavenly Father will “provide a way out” of temptation, as promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13. But what do we do in those times when we’ve made a mess of things?

It’s always best to run to our Father the moment we’re faced with temptation. But we can turn to Him at any point, even—especially—if we are trying to run from Him. Our God is such a loving and gracious Father. We can always come to Him.

To keep from getting to a point of desperation, it might be wise to ask ourselves these questions: Where do my temptations typically come from? What things might I need to get rid of that cause me to be tempted? Do I have trusted accountability partners to help me in my faith journey?

Verse from John

“在我父的家里，有许多住的地方；如果没有，我怎么会告诉你们我去是要为你们预备地方呢？”

约翰福音 14:2 

“In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14:2 

When Jesus was in the upper room just hours before He died, He told His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). The disciples were uncertain of their future because Jesus had predicted His death. But Jesus reassured them of His presence and reminded them they would see Him again. He told them, “My Father’s house has many rooms . . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you” (v. 2). He could have used other words to describe heaven. However, He chose words that describe not an uncomfortable or unfamiliar place but a place where Jesus, our loved One, would be.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” We can thank God for the “pleasant inns” in life, but let’s remember that our real home is in heaven where we “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Verses from 2 Corinthians

“我们虽然四面受压，却没有压碎；心里作难，却不至绝望，受到迫害，却没有被丢弃；打倒了，却不至死亡。我们身上常常带着耶稣的死，好让耶稣的生也在我们的身上显明出来。”

哥林多后书 4:8-10 

“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 

The apostle Paul’s life was an example of having a cross-shaped perspective. He described himself in times of suffering as being “persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9). He believed that in the hard times, God is at work, “achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” (vv. 17–18).

To “fix our eyes . . . on what is unseen” doesn’t mean we minimize the problems. Paul Barnett, in his commentary on this passage, explains, “There is to be confidence, based on the certainty of God’s purposes for [us] . . . . On the other hand, there is the sober recognition that we groan with hope mingled with pain.”

Jesus gave His life for us. His love is deep and sacrificial. As we look at life “through the cross,” we see His love and faithfulness. And our trust in Him grows.

Father, 

teach us who You are. 

Increase our trust in You. 

Fill our minds with Your perspective.

Look at everything through the cross.

Verse from Psalms

“有人靠车，有人靠马。我们却靠耶和华我们　神的名。”

诗篇 20:7 

“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.”

Psalms 20:7 

Psalm 20 warns against idolatry—worshiping and trusting in human objects instead of the Lord Himself. King David saw how easy it could be to shift his trust in the Lord to trust in military might (v. 7). 

In our culture, idolatry can take many different forms. But for the believer there’s only One who should be the object of our adoration and the One in whom we place our trust. It’s Christ who is the supreme example of courage, character, and compassion.

How is God teaching you that He’s the only true source of satisfaction?

Verses from 1 Corinthians

“但是神却拣选了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。他也拣选了世上软弱的，使那些刚强的羞愧。他也拣选了世上卑贱的和被人轻视的，以及算不得甚么的，为了要废弃那些自以为是的，使所有的人在神面前都不能自夸。”

哥林多前书 1:27-29 

“but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.”

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 

The Bible is filled with stories of how God used weak, unlikely, or flawed characters to bring about His purposes. Included in that lineup are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, and Peter—just to name a few. 

God chose elderly Abraham and his barren wife to be “the father [and mother] of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). He used Isaac, who played favorites (25:27–28), and Jacob, a deceiver, to continue that line (25:29–34; 27:1–29). God called the reluctant Moses, a murderer on the run, to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 2:11–15; 14:1–31). God chose the prostitute Rahab to hide the spies in Jericho (Joshua 2) and to be included in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5); He called Gideon, who cowered in fear, to serve as judge and rescue the Israelites from the Midianites (Judges 6–8); and He appointed Peter, an outspoken fisherman, to be His disciple (Matthew 16:22). 

God still uses flawed characters—you and me—to fulfill His purposes.

Verse from Hebrews

“因为人起誓都是指着比自己大的起誓。这誓言就了结了他们中间的一切纠纷，作为保证。”

希伯来书 6:16 

“For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.”

Hebrews 6:16 

When a person without a long history of paying his or her bills on time wants to obtain a loan to purchase a home or car, lenders are often reluctant to take the financial risk. Without a track record, that person’s promise to repay what he borrows is insufficient for the bank. The would-be borrower usually resorts to finding someone who does have a history of making good on their debts, asking them to put their name on the loan too. The co-signer’s promise assures the lender the loan will be repaid.

When someone makes a promise to us—whether for financial, marital, or other reasons—we expect them to keep it. When God promised Abraham that He would bless him and give him “many descendants” (Hebrews 6:14; see Genesis 22:17), Abraham took God at His word. As the Creator of all that exists, there is no one greater than He; only God could guarantee His own promise.

Abraham had to wait for the birth of his son (Hebrews 6:15) (and never saw how innumerable his offspring would grow to be), but God proved faithful to His promise. When He promises to be with us always (13:5), to hold us securely (John 10:29), and to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3–4), we too can trust Him to be true to His word.

Lord, 

thank You for being so trustworthy. 

I need no other promises but Your word. 

Help me to trust You more and more each day.

Verse from Luke

“你们虽然不好，尚且知道把好东西给自己的儿女，何况天父，岂不更把圣灵赐给求他的人吗？””

路加福音 11:13 

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"”

Luke 11:13 

Jesus promises that His Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13). 

If parents who are marred with sin can provide necessities (such as fish or eggs) for their children, how much more will our Father in heaven give to His children. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), we can experience hope, love, joy, and peace even in times of trouble—and we can share these gifts with others.

Growing up, we may have had parents who were unable to love and care for us fully. Or we may have had mothers and fathers who were shining examples of sacrificial love. Or our experience may have been somewhere in between. 

Whatever we’ve known with our earthly parents, we can hold onto the promise that our heavenly Father loves us unceasingly. He gave His children the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Verse from Hebrews

“因为神的道是活的，是有效的，比一切两刃的剑更锋利，甚至可以刺入剖开魂与灵，关节与骨髓，并且能够辨明心中的思想和意念。”

希伯来书 4:12 

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 

Hebrews 4:12–13 has long been interpreted as referring to the Bible itself. And it’s certainly true that God’s Word is “alive and active.” But when we consider that in John 1:1–14 Jesus Himself is called the Word, we gain a fuller comprehension of how this Word can judge the “thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

As we become aware of God’s intimate knowledge of our hearts and motives, we might find that awareness intimidating. Yet this knowledge isn’t intended to drive us from God’s presence but rather to draw us to Him. In this same context of Hebrews 4, the writer points to Jesus, our “great high priest who has ascended into heaven” (v. 14). We may draw close to Him because He can “empathize with our weaknesses” (v. 15) and has Himself made the way for us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (v. 16).

Jesus died to give us access to God’s presence, all the time. And while we all know it’s not wise to share everything with everyone, we also know that God intends His church be a place where we can live unapologetically as broken and forgiven followers of Christ. It’s to be a place where we “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

What are you hiding from others today? And how are you trying to hide from God as well? God sees us through Jesus. And He still loves us. Will we let Him?

As we learn to be increasingly open and honest with God, who knows every hidden corner of our hearts, we also gain confidence to be transparent with each other.

Who will you prayerfully consider letting help you carry your burdens?

Verses from Psalms

“耶和华啊！你鉴察了我，你认识我。我坐下，我起来，你都知道；你在远处就明白我的意念。”

诗篇 139:1-2 

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.”

Psalms 139:1-2 

God knows us thoroughly as we go about our everyday chores, at different locations and situations, no matter our condition (Psalm 139:1–4, 7–12). 

He does not abandon us or forget us; nor is He so busy that He neglects us. Even when we are in trouble or in difficult circumstances—“darkness” and “night” (vv. 11–12)—we are not hidden from His presence. This truth gives us such hope and assurance that we can praise the Lord who has carefully created us and leads us through life (v. 14).

No matter where we are, God knows about us.

Verses from Isaiah

“你忘记了造你的耶和华，就是那展开诸天，奠定大地的根基的；又因那欺压者准备行毁灭的时候所发的烈怒，你就终日不住惧怕呢？其实那欺压者的烈怒在哪里呢？

我是耶和华你们的神，就是那搅动大海，使海中的波浪澎湃的；万军之耶和华是他的名。”

以赛亚书 51:13, 15 

“that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?

For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is His name.”

Isaiah 51:13, 15 

Isaiah is fond of using imagery to display distinct ideas that are sometimes complementary and sometimes contrasting. 

Today’s passage presents contrasting ideas. In offering comfort to the people of Israel, Isaiah paints a portrait that gives the reader a beautiful vision of who God is in comparison to those who were trying to harm them. Notice the contrasts in verses 12–15: Mortals are like grass, while God stretches out the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth; the oppressor who stirs up wrath is nothing compared to the God who stirs the sea. 

While these words are comforting—after all, God is the one who covers us with the shadow of His hand—it’s important to understand that they don’t simply bypass the struggles we face. Isaiah acknowledges there is in fact an oppressor, and that oppressor is full of wrath. But he encourages us to see our difficulties in light of who God is and what He can do.

What difficult situation do you need to view in comparison with God’s power?

Verse from Psalms

“耶和华的眼睛看顾义人，他的耳朵垂听他们的呼求。”

诗篇 34:15 

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; (Psalm 34:15)

There are times when a dependable presence disappears. Something or someone we’ve relied on is gone, and our life is shaken. Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one, or a job, or good health. The loss makes us feel off-balance, unstable. We might even think that God is no longer watching over us.

God’s presence is real. He continually watches over us. He is rock-solid.

The Rock of Ages stands secure,

He always will be there;

He watches over all His own

To calm their anxious care. —Keith

The question is not where is God, but where isn’t He?