Verses from James and Psalms

“我们用它来称颂我们的主和天父，又用它来咒诅照神的形象被造的人。”

‭‭雅各书‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭

“耶和华啊！求你看守我的口，把守我的嘴。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭141:3‬ ‭

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141:3‬ ‭

Bush fires are regular occurrences in the dry season between December and March in northern Ghana. Many acres of farmland are set ablaze when the winds carried tiny embers from fireplaces or from cigarette butts carelessly thrown by the roadside. With the dry grassland vegetation, all that is needed to start a devastating fire is a little spark.

That is how James describes the tongue, calling it “a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6 niv). 

A false statement made here or backbiting there, a vicious remark somewhere else, and relationships are destroyed. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords,” says Proverbs 12:18, “but the tongue of the wise brings healing”. Just as fire has both destructive and useful elements, so “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (18:21).

For conversation that reflects God’s presence in us and pleases Him, let it “always be with grace” (Col. 4:6). When expressing our opinions during disagreements, let’s ask God to help us choose wholesome language that brings honor to Him.

Guide my conversation today, Lord. 

May the words I choose bless and encourage others and build them up rather than tear them down. 

May You be pleased with what You hear.

Verse from Exodus

“神回答摩西：“我是‘自有永有者’。”又说：“你要对以色列人这样说：‘那自有者派我到你们这里来。’””

‭‭出埃及记‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭

“God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ””

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭

Dave enjoyed his job, but for a long time he’d sensed a pull toward something else. Now he was about to fulfill his dream and step into mission work. But strangely, he began to have serious doubts.

“I don’t deserve this,” he told a friend. “The mission board doesn’t know the real me. I’m not good enough.”

Dave has some pretty good company. Mention the name of Moses and we think of leadership, strength, and the Ten Commandments. We tend to forget that Moses fled to the desert after murdering a man. We lose sight of his forty years as a fugitive. We overlook his anger problem and his intense reluctance to say yes to God.

When God showed up with marching orders (Exodus 3:1–10), Moses played the I’m-not-good-enough card. He even got into a lengthy argument with God, asking Him: “Who am I?” (v. 11). Then God told Moses who He was: “I am who I am” (v. 14). It’s impossible for us to explain that mysterious name because our indescribable God is describing His eternal presence to Moses.

A sense of our own weaknesses is healthy. But if we use them as an excuse to keep God from using us, we insult Him. What we’re really saying is that God isn’t good enough. 

The question isn’t Who am I? The question is Who is the I am? 

Eternal God, so often we doubt that You could ever use people like us. But You sent Your Son to die for the likes of us, so please forgive our doubts. Help us accept the challenges You bring our way.

Verse from Luke

“她有一个妹妹，名叫马利亚，坐在主的脚前听道。”

‭‭路加福音‬ ‭10:39‬ ‭

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 

Luke 10:39

Are you caught up in the frenzy of a busy life? Pause and consider Jesus’ words to Martha: “You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Notice Jesus’ gentle words. He didn’t rebuke Martha for wanting to be a good host but rather reminded her about her priorities. Martha had allowed the necessary to get out of proportion. And, in the process, she was so busy doing good that she didn’t take time to sit at Jesus’ feet.

In our drive to be productive for the Lord, let’s remember the one thing worth being concerned about—enjoying time with our Savior.

Jesus longs for our fellowship even more than we long for His.

Verse from 2 Chronicles

“耶和华的眼目遍察全地，一心归向他的，他必以大能扶助他们；你作这事太愚昧了。从今以后，你必常有战争。””

‭‭历代志下‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars."”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭

Life seems straightforward in the laws of the Old Testament. Obey God and get blessed. Disobey Him and expect trouble. It’s a satisfying theology. But is it that simple?

King Asa’s story seems to fit the pattern. He led his people away from false gods and his kingdom thrived (2 Chron. 15:1–19). Then late in his reign, he depended on himself instead of God (16:2–7) and the rest of his life was marked by war and illness (v. 12).

It’s easy to look at that story and draw a simple conclusion. But when the prophet Hanani warned Asa, he said that God will “strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (16:9). Why do our hearts need strengthening? Because doing the right thing may require courage and perseverance.

Job got the starring role in a cosmic tragedy. His crime? “He [was] blameless and upright” (Job 1:8). Joseph, falsely accused of attempted rape, languished in prison for years—to serve God’s good purposes (Gen. 39:19–41:1). And Jeremiah was beaten and put in stocks (Jer. 20:2). What was the prophet’s offense? Telling the truth to rebellious people (26:15).

Life is not simple, and God’s ways are not our ways. Making the right decision may come at a cost. But in God’s eternal plan, His blessings arrive in due time. 

Verse from John

“他们领取了耶稣的身体，照着犹太人的葬礼的规例，用细麻布和香料把他裹好。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭19:40‬ ‭

“So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”

‭‭John‬ ‭19:40‬ ‭

Desmond Doss enlisted to serve in World War II as a non-combatant. Though his religious beliefs prevented him from carrying a gun, Doss ably served as a combat medic. In one battle, he withstood intense and repeated enemy fire to pull seventy-five soldiers in his unit to safety after they had been injured. His story is told in the documentary The Conscientious Objector and dramatized in the film Hacksaw Ridge.

A roll call of the heroes of Christian faith includes such courageous characters as Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Peter, and Paul. Yet there are some unsung heroes like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who risked their standing with the Jewish leaders to take Christ’s crucified body and give Him a decent burial (John 19:40–42). This was a bold move from a fearful, secret disciple of Jesus and another, Nicodemus, who had previously dared to visit Him only at night (vv. 38–39). Even more impressive is that they took their faith-stand before Jesus rose victorious from the grave. Why?

Perhaps the manner of Jesus’s death and the events that immediately followed (Matthew 27:50–54) crystallized the fledgling faith of these fearful followers. Maybe they learned to focus on who God is rather than what man could do to them. Whatever the inspiration, may we follow their example and exhibit courage to take risks of faith in our God—for others today. 

Verse from 2 Chronicles

“我们的神啊，你不惩罚他们吗？因为我们没有力量抵挡这来攻打我们的大军；我们也不知道该作甚么；我们的眼睛只有仰望你。””

‭‭历代志下‬ ‭20:12‬ ‭

“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:12‬ ‭

When messengers told King Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,” he was terrified (2 Chron. 20:2-3). But instead of turning to typical military tactics, Jehoshaphat turned to God. He acknowledged God’s supremacy and admitted his own fear and confusion. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). Then the king chose singers to lead the army into battle. Instead of a war cry, they sang of God’s love (v. 21). 

The result was startling. Their enemies turned on each other (vv. 22-24). In the end, “The kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (v. 30).

Life can ambush us with overwhelming challenges. Yet our fear and uncertainties give us the opportunity to turn to our all-powerful God. He specializes in the unconventional.

Lord, 

You are not the source of confusion or fear, 

but of strength and peace. 

We exchange our panicky plans for Your amazing answers. 

Encourage us as we wait for You.

Our God is never predictable, but He is unfailingly reliable.

Verse from Job

“我奠定大地根基的时候，你在哪里呢？你若有聪明，就只管说吧。”

‭‭约伯记‬ ‭38:4‬ ‭

““Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭38:4‬ ‭

Why do humans more quickly see what's wrong than what's right? We are more likely to remember rudeness than kindness. Crimes seem to receive more attention than acts of generosity. And disasters grab our attention more quickly than the profound beauty all around us.

But then many of us are the same way with God. We tend to focus on what He hasn't done rather than on what He has, on what we don't have rather than on what we have, on the situations that He has not yet resolved rather than on the many He has.

In the book of Job, after years of experiencing prosperity, Job suffered a series of disasters. Suddenly those became the focus of his life and conversations. Finally, God intervened and asked Job some hard questions, reminding him of His sovereignty and of everything Job didn't know and hadn't seen (Job 38–40).

Whenever we start focusing on the negative, we can stop and consider the life of Job, and take notice of all the wonders God has done and continues to do.

Verse from Psalms

“耶和华啊！你却是我周围的盾牌，是我的荣耀，是使我抬起头来的。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭

“But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭

David was no stranger to personal and family crises. In Psalm 3, he found himself overwhelmed because of the rebellion of his son Absalom. Rather than stay and fight, he chose to flee his home and throne (2 Samuel 15:13–23). Though “many” considered him forsaken by God (Psalm 3:2), David knew better; he saw the Lord as his protector (v. 3), and he called upon Him accordingly (v. 4).

When doctors’ reports are not encouraging, when financial pressures won’t ease up, when efforts to reconcile relationships fail, when death has left those we cherish in its wake—may we too be strengthened to say, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high” (v. 3).

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

“凡事谢恩；这就是神在基督耶稣里给你们的旨意。”

‭‭帖撒罗尼迦前书‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭

“in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭

In the suburb where Lawrence lives, he often complains about the constant power outages. They can hit three times in a week and last up to twenty-four hours, plunging the neighborhood into darkness. The inconvenience is hard to bear when he cannot use basic household appliances.

His Christian neighbor often asks, “Is this also something to thank God for?” She is referring to 1 Thessalonians 5:18. He always say, “Yes, of course, we thank God in all things.” But the half-hearted manner in which he say it is contradicted by his grumbling every time the power goes off.

One day, however, his belief in thanking God in all circumstancestook on new meaning. He returned from work to find his neighbor visibly shaken as she cried, “Thank Jesus the power was off. My house would have burned down, and my family and I would have perished!”

A refuse-collection truck had hit the electricity pole in front of her house and brought down the high-tension cables right over several houses. Had there been power in the cables, fatalities would have been likely.

The difficult circumstances we face can make it hard to say, “Thanks, Lord.” We can be thankful to our God who sees in every situation an opportunity for us to trust Him—whether or not we see His purpose. 

Father, 

we honor You with our words, 

but so often our actions reveal that our hearts don’t trust You. 

Help us to see You at work in every circumstance, 

no matter how difficult.

By God’s grace we can be thankful in all things.

Verse from Philippians

“我的神必照他在基督耶稣里荣耀的丰富，满足你们的一切需要。”
‭‭腓立比书‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19

Tristan da Cunha Island is famous for its isolation. It is the most remote inhabited island in the world, thanks to the 288 people who call it home. The island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,750 miles from South Africa—the nearest mainland. Anyone who might want to drop by for a visit has to travel by boat for seven days because the island has no airstrip.

Jesus and His followers were in a somewhat remote area when He produced a miraculous meal for thousands of hungry people. Before His miracle, Jesus said to His disciples, “[These people] have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way” (Mark 8:2-3). Because they were in the countryside where food was not readily available, they had to depend fully on Jesus. They had nowhere else to turn.

Sometimes God allows us to end up in desolate places where He is our only source of help. His ability to provide for us is not necessarily linked with our circumstances. If He created the entire world out of nothing, God can certainly meet our needs—whatever our circumstances—out of the riches of His glory, in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

Dear God,
thank You for all that You have provided through Your Son, Jesus Christ. You know what my needs are.
Please reassure me of Your care and power.

We can trust God to do what we cannot do.

Verse from John

“你们要住在我里面，我也就住在你们里面。枝子若不连在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子；你们若不住在我里面，也是这样。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭

The vineyard metaphor is used to describe the relationship between God and Israel (Psalm 80:8–9; Isaiah 5:1–7; 27:2–6). God expected His people to produce “a crop of good grapes, but [they] yielded only bad fruit” (Isaiah 5:2).

Jesus also spoke of a spurned vineyard owner who wasn’t given his share of the crop at harvest time (Matthew 21:33–43). He warned the Jews that God wants a “people who will produce its fruit” (v. 43). We can’t bear fruit if we’re not connected to the Vine. 

Jesus said that when we bear fruit we demonstrate we’re His disciples (John 15:8). The Holy Spirit’s work produces good fruit in us (Galatians 5:22–23) and causes us to become more and more like Christ (Romans 8:29).

Verse from Psalms

 “啊！人算甚么，你竟记念他？世人算甚么，你竟眷顾他？”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭

“What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭

Many movie critics consider David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia one of the greatest films of all time. With its seemingly endless vistas of the Arabian deserts, it has influenced a generation of filmmakers—including Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg. “I was inspired the first time I saw Lawrence,” said Spielberg. “It made me feel puny. It still makes me feel puny. And that’s one measure of its greatness.”

God’s greatness and our feelings of insignificance are echoed by David when he declares, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Psalm 8:4 nlt). But Jesus assures us, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

We may feel small and insignificant, but through our Father’s eyes, we have great worth—a worth that is proven every time we look at the cross. The price He was willing to pay to restore us to fellowship with Him is evidence of how He values us.   

Verse from 1 Peter

“你们要用坚强的信心抵挡他，因为知道你们在世上的弟兄，也经历过同样的苦难。”

‭‭彼得前书‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭

“But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭

The apostle Paul urged his spiritual son Timothy (and us) to run from evil (2 Timothy 2:22), and the apostle Peter likewise warned, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9).

None of us is immune to temptation. And often the best thing to do is to steer clear of situations where we’ll be tempted—though they can’t always be avoided. But we can be better prepared by having a strong faith in God based in the Bible and strengthened through prayer. When we “[stand] firm in the faith” we’ll 

Verse from Galatians

 “你们所有受洗归入基督的人，都是披戴基督的，”

‭‭加拉太书‬ ‭3:27‬ ‭

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:27‬ ‭

Why should we think about baptism? When a person is baptized, there’s so much more to it than water. Baptism symbolizes how through faith in Jesus, we’ve become “clothed” with Him (Galatians 3:27). Or in other words, it’s celebrating that we belong to Him and that He lives in and through us.

As if that weren’t significant enough, the passage tells us that if we’ve been clothed with Christ our identity is found in Him. We’re the very children of God (v. 26). As such, we’ve been made right with God by faith—not by following Old Testament law (vv. 23–25). We’re not divided against one another by gender, culture, and status. We’re set free and brought into unity through Christ and are now His own (v. 29).

So there are very good reasons to remember baptism and all it represents. We aren’t simply focusing on the act itself but that we belong to Jesus and have become children of God. Our identity, future, and spiritual freedom are found in Him.

Verse from Ecclesiastes

“有人孤单无依，没有儿子，没有兄弟，仍劳碌不休，眼目也不以自己的财富为足。他问：“我劳劳碌碌，刻薄自己不去享受，是为谁呢？” 这也是虚空，是劳苦的担子。”

‭‭传道书‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭

“There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, "And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭

Henry worked 70 hours a week. He loved his job and brought home a sizeable paycheck to provide good things for his family. He always had plans to slow down but he never did. One evening he came home with great news—he had been promoted to the highest position in his company. But no one was home. Over the years, his children had grown up and moved out, his wife had found a career of her own, and now the house was empty. There was no one to share the good news with.

Solomon talked about the need to keep a balance in life with our work. He wrote, “Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves” (Eccl. 4:5). We don’t want to go to the extreme of being lazy, but neither do we want to fall into the trap of being a workaholic. “Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind” (v. 6). In other words, it is better to have less and enjoy it more. Sacrificing relationships at the altar of success is unwise. Achievement is fleeting, while relationships are what make our life meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable (vv. 7-12).

We can learn to work to live and not live to work by choosing to apportion our time wisely. The Lord can give us this wisdom as we seek Him and trust Him to be our Provider.

Lord, 

show me if my priorities are skewed and where I need to make changes. 

Thank You for the gift of family and friends.

Its good to have a work life balance 

Verse from Isaiah

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

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭

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

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭

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

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

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

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

Dear God, 

I am thankful for Your strength. 

You carry me when I am weak. 

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

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

Verse from John

“虽然这样，官长当中也有许多人信了耶稣。但是因为法利赛人的缘故，他们不敢公开承认，免得被赶出会堂；”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭12:42‬ ‭

“Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:42‬ ‭

The film Paul, Apostle of Christ takes an unflinching look at persecution in the early days of the church. Even the movie’s minor characters reveal how dangerous it was to follow Jesus. Consider these roles listed in the credits: Beaten Woman; Beaten Man; Christian Victims 1, 2, and 3.

Identifying with Christ often came at a high cost. And in much of the world, it’s still dangerous to follow Jesus. Many in the church today can relate to that kind of persecution. Some of us, however, may feel “persecuted” prematurely—outraged any time our faith is mocked or we suspect we were passed over for a promotion because of our beliefs.

Obviously, there’s a colossal difference between sacrificing social status and sacrificing our lives. Realistically, though, self-interest, financial stability, and social acceptance have always been intense human motivators. 

We see this in the actions of some of Jesus’s earliest converts. The apostle John reports that, mere days before Jesus’s crucifixion, although most Israelites were still rejecting Him (John 12:37), many “even among the leaders believed” (v. 42). However, “They would not openly acknowledge their faith . . . for they loved human praise more than praise from God” (vv. 42–43).

Today we still face societal pressures (and worse) to keep our faith in Christ hidden. Whatever the cost, let’s stand together as a people who seek God’s approval more than human praise.

We might be tempted to judge the early believers who hid their faith, but are we any different? Are there times we choose to be quiet so we can hide our identification with Jesus?

Verse from Proverbs

“当把你所作的交托耶和华，你的计划就必成功。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭16:3‬ ‭

“Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:3‬ ‭

In Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis confessed he came to Christianity at the age of thirty-three, “kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape.” 

Despite Lewis’s own personal resistance, his shortcomings, and the obstacles he faced, the Lord transformed him into a courageous and creative defender of the faith. Lewis proclaimed God’s truth and love through writing powerful essays and novels that are still being read, studied, and shared more than fifty-five years after his death. His life reflected his belief that a person is “never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”

As we make plans and follow dreams, God can purify our motives and empower us to devote whatever we do to Him (Proverbs 16:1–3). From the most ordinary tasks to the greatest challenges, we can live for the glory of our almighty Maker, who “works out everything to its proper end” (v. 4). Every action, every word, and every thought can become an expression of heartfelt worship, a sacrificial gift to honor our Lord, as He watches over us (v. 7).

God can’t be limited by our limitations, our reservations, or our tendencies to settle or dream small. As we choose to live for Him—dedicated to and dependent on Him—He will bring about His plans for us. Whatever we do can be done with Him, for Him, and only because of Him.