Verse from John

“马利亚拿了半公斤珍贵纯正的哪哒香膏，抹耶稣的脚，又用自己的头发去擦；屋里就满了香膏的香气。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭

Shortly before Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on His feet. Then, in what may have been an even more daring act, she wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3). Not only did Mary sacrifice what may have been her life’s savings, she also sacrificed her reputation. In first-century Middle Eastern culture, respectable women never let down their hair in public. But true worship is not concerned about what others think of us (2 Sam. 6:21–22). To worship Jesus, Mary was willing to be thought of as immodest, perhaps even immoral.

Some of us may feel pressured to be perfect when we go to church so that people will think well of us. Metaphorically speaking, we work hard to make sure we have every hair in place. 

But a healthy church is a place where we can let down our hair and not hide our flaws behind a façade of perfection. In church, we should be able to reveal our weaknesses to find strength rather than conceal our faults to appear strong.

Worship doesn’t involve behaving as if nothing is wrong; it’s making sure everything is right—right with God and with one another. When our greatest fear is letting down our hair, perhaps our greatest sin is keeping it up. 

Verse from Deuteronomy

“哪一个大国的人有神与他们这样亲近，像耶和华我们的神，在我们每次呼求他的时候，与我们亲近一样呢？”

‭‭申命记‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭

“What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him?”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭

Each day at a post office in Jerusalem, workers sort through piles of undeliverable letters in an attempt to guide each to its recipient. Many end up in a specially marked box labeled “Letters to God.”

About a thousand such letters reach Jerusalem each year, addressed simply to God or Jesus. Puzzled by what to do with them, one worker began taking the letters to Jerusalem’s Western Wall to have them placed between its stone blocks with other written prayers. Most of the letters ask for a job, a spouse, or good health. Some request forgiveness, others just offer thanks. One man asked God if his deceased wife could appear in his dreams because he longed to see her again. Each sender believed God would listen, if only He could be reached.

The Israelites learned much as they journeyed through the wilderness. One lesson was that their God wasn’t like the other gods known at the time—distant, deaf, geographically bound, reached only by lengthy pilgrimage or international mail. No, “the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him” (Deuteronomy 4:7). What other people could claim that? This was revolutionary news!

God doesn’t live in Jerusalem. He’s close by us, wherever we are. Some still need to discover this radical truth. If only each of those letters could be sent the reply: God is right beside you. Just talk to Him. close by us, wherever we are. Some still need to discover this radical truth. If only each of those letters could be sent the reply: God is right beside you. Just talk to Him.

Verse from Psalms

“愿万族都快乐欢呼，因为你按正直统管众民，并引导地上的万族。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭67:4‬ ‭

“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness And guide the nations on the earth. Selah.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭67:4‬ ‭

The image of a beautiful wave of worship rolling to the ends of the earth resounds in the words of Psalm 67. The psalmist pleads for God’s grace, proclaiming his desire to make His name great in all the nations (vv. 1–2). He sings, “May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you” (v. 3). He celebrates His sovereign rule and faithful guidance (v. 4). As a living testimony of God’s great love and abundant blessings, the psalmist leads God’s people into jubilant praise (vv. 5–6).

God’s continued faithfulness toward His beloved children inspires us to acknowledge Him. As we do, others can join us in trusting Him, revering Him, following Him, and acclaiming Him as Lord.

Verse from Isaiah

“你从水中经过的时候，我必与你同在；你渡过江河的时候, 水必不淹没你；你从火中行走的时候，必不会烧伤；火焰也不会在你身上烧起来。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭

The people of Judah were wounded and desperate, facing enemies and feeling helpless. Israel had been overtaken by Assyria, and Isaiah prophesied that one day they (Judah) would also be overcome by an enemy—Babylonia. 

Judah needed a God who would help, who would rescue and not forsake them. Imagine, then, the surging hope when the people heard God’s assurance: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (Isaiah 43:5). Whatever calamity they faced or trouble they would endure, He would be with them.

Throughout Scripture, God promises to be with His people, to care for us, guide us, and never abandon us—whether in life or death. Even when you find yourself in difficult places, God is with you. He’ll help you pass through the waters.

Verse from Psalms

“耶和华为我们行了大事，我们就欢喜。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭126:3‬ ‭

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭126:3‬ ‭

James's son wrestled with drug addiction for seven years, and during that time both he and his wife experienced many difficult days. As they prayed and waited for his recovery, they learned to celebrate small victories. If nothing bad happened in a twenty-four-hour period, they would tell each other, “Today was a good day.” That short sentence became a reminder to be thankful for God’s help with the smallest things.

The difficulties of any given day cannot change the truth that come what may, our Lord has already shown us unfathomable kindness, and “His love endures forever” (Ps. 136:1).

When we have lived through a difficult circumstance and discovered that God was faithful, keeping that in mind helps greatly the next time life’s waters turn rough. We may not know how God will get us through our circumstances, but His kindness to us in the past helps us trust that He will.

Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend. Robert Grant

When we cannot see God’s hand, we can trust His heart.

Verse from 2 Kings

“以利沙祷告，说：“耶和华啊！请你打开他的眼睛，使他能看见。”于是耶和华打开了仆人的眼睛，他就看见；看哪！那山上布满了火马火车，围绕着以利沙。”

‭‭列王纪下‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭

“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭

Tom chased the young men who were stealing his poor friend’s bike. He didn’t have a plan. He only knew he needed to get it back. To his surprise, the three thieves looked his way, dropped the bike and backed away. Tom was both relieved and impressed with himself as he picked up the bike and turned around. That’s when he saw Jeff, his muscular friend who had been trailing close behind.

Elisha’s servant panicked when he saw his town surrounded by an enemy army. He ran to Elisha, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” Elisha told him to relax. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then God opened the servant’s eyes, and he “saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (vv. 15–17).

If you strive to follow Jesus, you may find yourself in some dicey situations. You may risk your reputation, and perhaps even your security, because you’re determined to do what’s right. You may lose sleep wondering how it will all turn out. Remember, you’re not alone. You don’t have to be stronger or smarter than the challenge before you. Jesus is with you, and His power is greater than all rivals. 

Verse from Romans

“神的丰富、智慧和知识，是多么高深啊！他的判断是多么难测，他的道路是多么难寻！”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭11:33‬ ‭

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭11:33‬ ‭

The apostle Paul, as he completes a summary of the ultimate purposes of God, breaks into a hymn of praise (Romans 11:33–36). His words lift our gaze to our sovereign God, whose ways are beyond our limited ability to understand or trace (v. 33). Yet the One who holds all things together in the heavens and on earth is intimately and lovingly involved with every detail of our lives (Matthew 6:25–34; Colossians 1:16).

Even when things seem confusing, God’s divine plans are unfolding for our good and for God’s honor and glory.

Verse from Ecclesiastes

“有人能制伏孤身一人，如果有二人就挡得住他。三股合成的绳子，不容易扯断。”

‭‭传道书‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

As human beings, we were created for community (see Genesis 2:18). And in Ecclesiastes 4:10, Solomon describes how vulnerable we are when we’re alone: “Pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” There’s strength in numbers, he added (v. 12).

This is just as true for us spiritually as it is physically. God never intended for us to “fly” alone, vulnerably isolated. We need relationships with each other for encouragement, refreshment, and growth (see also 1 Corinthians 12:21).

Together, we can stand firm when life’s headwinds gust our way. 

Verse from Psalms

“那里有海，又大又广；海里有无数的活物，大小活物都有。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭104:25‬ ‭

“There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:25‬ 

It’s 2 a.m. when Nadia, a farmer of sea cucumbers, walks into a roped-off pen in the ocean shallows near her Madagascar village to harvest her “crop.” The early hour doesn’t bother her. “Life was very hard before I started farming,” she says. “I didn’t have any source of income.” Now, as a member of a marine-protection program called Velondriake, meaning “to live with the sea,” Nadia sees her income growing and stabilizing. “We thank God that this project appeared,” she adds.

It appeared in large part because God’s creation provided what their project needs—a natural supply of sea life. In praise of our providing God, the psalmist wrote, “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate” (Psalm 104:14).

It’s a wonder, indeed, how God’s wondrous creation also provides for us. The humble sea cucumber, for example, helps form a healthy marine food chain. Careful harvesting of sea cucumbers, in turn, grants Nadia and her neighbors a living wage.

Nothing is random in God’s creation. He uses it all for His glory and our good. 

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

In John 8, the Pharisees were ready to stone her for her sins. But Jesus steps in and says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone,” (verse 7).

As one by one they walk away, He tells her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more,” (verse 11).

Sticks and stones cause serious damage. So do words.

Verse from Psalms

“我的心哪! 你为甚么沮丧呢？为甚么在我里面不安呢？应当等候神；因为我还要称赞他，他是我面前的救助、我的神。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭42:5‬ ‭

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:5‬ ‭

What does it take to ignite a revolution? Guns? Bombs? Guerrilla warfare? In late-1980s Estonia, it took songs. After the people had lived under the burden of Soviet occupation for decades, a movement began with the singing of a series of patriotic songs. These songs birthed the “Singing Revolution,” which played a key role in restoring Estonian independence in 1991.

“This was a non-violent revolution that overthrew a very violent occupation,” says a website describing the movement. “But singing had always been a major unifying force for Estonians while they endured fifty years of Soviet rule.”

Music can also play a significant part in helping us through our own hard times. I wonder if that’s why we so readily identify with the psalms. It was in a dark night of the soul that the psalmist sang (Psalm 42:5). It was in a season of deep disillusionment that Asaph, the worship leader, reminded himself, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (73:1).

In our own challenging times, may we join the psalmists with a singing revolution for our hearts. Such a revolution overwhelms the personal tyranny of despair and confusion with faith-fueled confidence in God’s great love and faithfulness.

Verse from Jeremiah

“作了梦的先知，让他把梦述说出来；但得了我话语的先知，该忠实地传讲我的话。禾秆怎能和麦子相比呢？”这是耶和华的宣告。”

‭‭耶利米书‬ ‭23:28‬ ‭

“Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23:28‬ ‭

At noon on September 21, 1938, a young meteorologist warned the U.S. Weather Bureau of two fronts forcing a hurricane northward toward New England. But the chief of forecasting scoffed at Charles Pierce’s prediction. Surely a tropical storm wouldn’t strike so far north.

Two hours later, the 1938 New England Hurricane made landfall on Long Island. By 4:00 p.m. it had reached New England, tossing ships onto land as homes crumbled into the sea. More than six hundred people died. Had the victims received Pierce’s warning—based on solid data and his detailed maps—they likely would have survived.

The concept of knowing whose word to heed has precedent in Scripture. In Jeremiah’s day, God warned His people against false prophets. “Do not listen [to them],” He said. “They fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16). God said of them, “If they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people” (v. 22).

“False prophets” are still with us. “Experts” dispense advice while ignoring God altogether or twisting His words to suit their purposes. But through His Word and Spirit, God has given us what we need to begin to discern the false from the true. As we gauge everything by the truth of His Word, our own words and lives will increasingly reflect that truth to others.

God, 

so many claim to speak for You these days. Help us learn what You really have to say. Make us sensitive to Your Spirit, not the spirit of this world.

Verse from Psalms

“万军之耶和华与我们同在；雅各的神是我们的保障。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭46:11‬ ‭

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:11‬ ‭

Debbie, the owner of a housecleaning service, was always searching for more clients to build up her business. On one call she talked with a woman whose response was, “I won’t be able to afford that now; I’m undergoing cancer treatment.” Right then Debbie decided that “no woman undergoing cancer treatment would ever be turned away. They would even be offered a free housecleaning service.” 

So in 2005 she started a nonprofit organization where companies donated their cleaning services to women battling cancer. One such woman felt a rush of confidence when she came home to a clean house. She said, “For the first time, I actually believed I could beat cancer.”

A feeling of being cared for and supported can help sustain us when we’re facing a challenge. An awareness of God’s presence and support can especially bring hope to encourage our spirit. Psalm 46, a favorite of many people going through trials, reminds us: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” and “Be still, and know that I am God; . . . I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us” (vv. 1, 10–11).

Verse from Hebrews

“因为他自己既然经过试探，受了苦，就能够帮助那些被试探的人。”

‭‭希伯来书‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭

“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:18‬ 

Joe’s eight-week “break” from his job as a crisis care worker at a New York City church was not a vacation. In his words, it was “to live again among the homeless, to become one of them, to remember what hungry, tired, and forgotten feel like.” Joe’s first stint on the streets had come nine years earlier when he arrived from Pittsburgh without a job or a place to stay. For thirteen days he lived on the streets with little food or sleep. That’s how God had prepared him for decades of ministry to needy people.

When Jesus came to earth, He also chose to share the experiences of those He came to save. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). From birth to death, nothing was missing from Christ’s human experience—except sin (4:15). Because He conquered sin, He can help us when we’re tempted to sin.

And Jesus doesn’t need to reacquaint Himself with our earthly cares. The One who saves us remains connected to us and is deeply interested in us. Whatever life brings, we can be assured that the One who rescued us from our greatest foe, the devil (2:14), stands ready to help us in our times of greatest need.

Verse from Jeremiah

“我一得到你的话，就把它们吃了；你的话成了我心中的欢喜快乐；耶和华万军的神啊！因为我是称为你名下的人。”

‭‭耶利米书‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭

A new believer in Jesus was desperate to read the Bible. However, he’d lost his eyesight and both hands in an explosion. When he heard about a woman who read Braille with her lips, he tried to do the same—only to discover that the nerve endings of his lips had also been destroyed. Later, he was filled with joy when he discovered that he could feel the Braille characters with his tongue! He had found a way to read and enjoy the Scriptures.

Joy and delight were the emotions the prophet Jeremiah experienced when he received God’s words. “When your words came, I ate them,” he said, “they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16). Unlike the people of Judah who despised His words (8:9), Jeremiah had been obedient and rejoiced in them. His obedience, however, also led to the prophet being rejected by his own people and persecuted unfairly (15:17).

Some of us may have experienced something similar. We once read the Bible with joy, but obedience to God led to suffering and rejection from others. Like Jeremiah, we can bring our confusion to God. He answered Jeremiah by repeating the promise He gave him when He first called him to be a prophet (vv. 19-21; see 1:18–19). God reminded him that He never lets His people down. We can have this same confidence too. He’s faithful and will never abandon us.

Verse from 2 Kings

“神人说：“不要惧怕，因为和我们在一起的比和他们在一起的更多。””

‭‭列王纪下‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭

“So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭

Don is a border collie who lives on a farm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. One morning, he and his owner, Tom, set out to check on some animals. They rode together in a small farm utility truck. When they arrived, Tom left the vehicle but forgot to put the brake on. With Don in the driver’s seat, the vehicle rolled down a hill and across two lanes of traffic before it stopped safely. To watching motorists, it appeared the dog was out for a morning drive. Indeed, things are not always as they seem.

It seemed as if Elisha and his servant were about to be captured and carried off to the King of Aram. The king’s forces had surrounded the city where Elisha and his servant were staying. The servant believed they were doomed, but when Elisha prayed, the servant was able to see the multitudes of supernatural forces that were in place to protect them.

Situations that seem hopeless are not always the way we perceive them to be. When we feel overwhelmed and outnumbered, we can remember that God is by our side. He can “command his angels . . . to guard [us] in all [our] ways” (Ps. 91:11).

Dear God, 

please give me a glimpse of Your power today. 

Help me to believe that You are willing and able to help me in any situation I encounter.

Things are always better than they seem to be when we remember that God is by our side.

Verse from Proverbs

“恩慈的话好象蜂巢中的蜂蜜，使人心里甘甜，骨头健壮。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭

A recent study has shown that encouraging words from a health-care provider can help patients recuperate faster from their ailments. A simple experiment exposed volunteer study participants to a skin allergen to make them itch and then compared the reactions between those who received assurance from their physician and those who didn’t. Patients who received encouragement from their doctors had less discomfort and itching than their counterparts.  

The writer of Proverbs knew how important encouraging words are. “Gracious words” bring “healing to the bones,” he wrote (Proverbs 16:24). The positive effect of words isn’t limited to our health: when we heed the wisdom of instruction, we’re also more likely to prosper in our efforts (v. 20). So too encouragement buoys us for the challenges we face now and may encounter in the future. 

Help us, God, to be strengthened by Your wisdom and to, in turn, offer the healing and hope of “gracious words” to those You’ve placed in our lives.  

Verse from Psalms

“神啊！你是我的神，我要切切寻求你；在干旱、疲乏、无水之地，我的心, 我的身, 都渴想你，切慕你。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭63:1‬ ‭

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63:1‬ ‭

As David cried out to Him, God drew close to the weary king. David’s deep spiritual thirst for God could only be satisfied in His presence.

The king remembered meeting with God in His “sanctuary” (v. 2), experiencing His all-conquering love (v. 3), and praising Him day after day—finding true satisfaction in Him that’s not unlike enjoying a full and satisfying meal (vv. 4–5). Even during the night he contemplated God’s greatness, recognizing His help and protection (vv. 6–7).

Today the Holy Spirit convicts us to earnestly seek after God. As we cling to Him, in power and love God holds us up with His strong right hand. By the leading of the Spirit, may we draw close to the Maker of all good things.

Verse from John

“抹大拉的马利亚就去，向门徒报信说：“我已经看见主了！”她又把主对她所说的话告诉他们。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭20:18‬ ‭

“Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.”

‭‭John‬ ‭20:18‬ ‭

According to Jim and Jamie Dutcher, filmmakers known for their knowledge of wolves, when happy, wolves wag their tails and romp about. But after the death of a pack member, they grieve for weeks. They visit the place where the pack member died, showing grief by their drooping tails and mournful howls. 

Grief is a powerful emotion we’ve all experienced, particularly at the death of a loved one or of a treasured hope. Mary Magdalene experienced it. She’d traveled with and helped support Jesus and His disciples (Luke 8:1–3). But His cruel death on a cross separated them. 

The only thing left for Mary to do for Jesus was to finish anointing His body for burial—a task the Sabbath had interrupted. But imagine how Mary felt when she found not a lifeless, broken body but a living Savior! Though she hadn’t at first recognized the man standing before her, when He spoke her name, she knew who He was—Jesus! Instantly, grief turned to joy.

Jesus entered our dark world to bring freedom and life. His resurrection celebrates that He accomplished what He set out to do. 

Verse from Matthew

““一个人不能服事两个主人；他若不是恨这个爱那个，就是忠于这个轻视那个。你们不能服事神，又服事金钱。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭

““No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭

Early in Tim's career while doing work that he saw as more of a mission than a job, another company offered him a position that would give a significant increase in pay. His family could surely have benefited financially from such a move. There was one problem. He hadn’t been looking for another job because he loved his current role, which was growing into a calling.

But the money . . .

He called his father, then in his seventies, and explained the situation. Though his once-sharp mind had been slowed by strokes and the strain of years, his answer was crisp and clear: “Don’t even think about the money. What would you do?”

In an instant, his mind was made up. The money would have been his only reason for leaving the job he loved! 

Jesus devoted a substantial section of His Sermon on the Mount to money and our fondness for it. He taught us to pray not for an accumulation of riches but for “our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). He warned against storing up treasures on earth and pointed to the birds and flowers as evidence that God cares deeply about His creation (vv. 19–31). “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” Jesus said, “and all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).

Money matters. But money shouldn’t rule our decision-making process. Tough times and big decisions are opportunities to grow our faith in new ways. Our heavenly Father cares for us.

Never confuse temptation with opportunity.

Insight

One of the most remarkable aspects of today’s reading is the harmony our Lord maintains between a heavenly perspective and the practical issues of daily life. He uses examples in nature to show how our heavenly Father tenderly cares for animal and plant life. Since we are of far more value than they are, Christ counsels us to trust Him to care for us one day at a time (v. 34).

Verse from Romans

“这样, 你为甚么批评你的弟兄呢？为甚么又轻看你的弟兄呢？我们都要站在神的审判台前；”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭14:10‬ ‭

“But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:10‬ ‭

When students from Southeast Asia met a teacher from North America, the visiting instructor learned a lesson. After giving his class their first multiple-choice test, he was surprised to find many questions left unanswered. While handing back the corrected papers, he suggested that, next time, instead of leaving answers blank they should take a guess. Surprised, one of the students raised their hand and asked, “What if I accidentally get the answer right? I would be implying that I knew the answer when I didn’t.” The student and teacher had a different perspective and practice.

In the days of the New Testament, Jewish and Gentile converts were coming to Christ with perspectives as different as East and West. Before long they were disagreeing over matters as diverse as worship days and what a Christ-follower is free to eat or drink. The apostle Paul urged them to remember an important fact: None of us is in a position to know or judge the heart of another.

For the sake of harmony with fellow believers, God urges us to realize that we are all accountable to our Lord, to act according to His Word and our conscience. However, He alone is in a position to judge the attitudes of our heart (Rom. 14:4–7).

Father in heaven, 

please have mercy on us for presuming to judge the heart of those who see so many things differently than we do.

Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself.

Verses from Isaiah

“他使诸侯都归于无有，使地上的审判官成为虚空。

你们向天举目吧！看是谁创造了这些万象？是谁按着数目把万象领出来，一一指名呼唤？因他的大能大力，连一个也不缺少。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭40:23, 26‬ ‭

“He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:23, 26‬ ‭

Unsettled by issues at work and at home, Matt decided to take a walk. The evening spring air beckoned. As the infinite sky deepened from blue to black, a thickening fog spilled slowly over the marsh. Stars began to glimmer, heralding the full moon rising in the east. The moment, for Matt, was deeply spiritual. He’s there, he thought. God is there, and He’s got this.

Some people look at the night sky and see nothing but nature. Others see a god as distant and cold as Jupiter. But the same God who “sits enthroned above the circle of the earth” also “brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name” (Isa. 40:22, 26). He knows His creation intimately.

It is this personal God who asked His people, “Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’?” Aching for them, God reminded them of the wisdom in seeking Him. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? . . . He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (vv. 27–29).

We are easily tempted to forget God. Our problems won’t disappear with an evening stroll, but we can find rest and certainty that God is always working toward His good purposes. “I’m here,” He says. “I’ve got you.” 

Thank You, Lord, 

for a night sky that helps us glimpse eternity. 

We can’t begin to understand it fully, 

but we know it is there, 

and we know You are there. 

Help us trust You for what we don’t know.

Verse from Mark

“彼得对他说：“你看，我们已经舍弃了一切，而且来跟从你了。””

‭‭马可福音‬ ‭10:28‬ ‭

“Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:28‬ ‭

It’s not easy surrendering the things or people we think we can count on more than God (vv. 23–25). But the value of what we give up or lose in this world will never exceed the gift of eternal life with Jesus. Our loving God willingly sacrificed Himself to save all people. He wraps us in peace and woos us with priceless and persistent love.

Why does it feel easier to trust worldly comforts, material wealth, and people more than Him?

Verse from Mark

“因为他们都看见了他，非常恐惧。耶稣立刻对他们说：“放心吧！是我，不要怕。””

‭‭马可福音‬ ‭6:50‬ ‭

“for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:50‬ ‭

In relationships we often learn new, sometimes unexpected, details that surprise us. In Mark’s gospel, Christ’s disciples initially started with an incomplete picture of Jesus and struggled to grasp all of who He is. In an encounter on the Sea of Galilee, however, Jesus revealed more of Himself—this time the extent of His power over the forces of nature.

After feeding a crowd numbering more than 5,000 people, Jesus sent His disciples out on the Sea of Galilee, where they were caught in a fierce storm. Just before dawn, the disciples were terrified to see someone walking on the water. Christ’s familiar voice spoke words of comfort (Mark 6:50). Then He calmed the raging sea. Upon seeing such great power, the disciples were “completely amazed” (6:51) even as they struggled to fully comprehend this experience of Christ’s power.

As we experience Jesus and His power over the storms of our lives, we gain a more complete picture of who He is. And we’re amazed.

Verse from Matthew

“为义遭受迫害的人有福了，因为天国是他们的。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭

In 1948, Harlan Popov, the pastor of an underground church, was taken from his home for a “little questioning.” Two weeks later, he received around-the-clock interrogation and no food for ten days. Each time he denied being a spy, he was beaten. Popov not only survived his harsh treatment but also led fellow prisoners to Jesus. Finally, eleven years later, he was released and continued to share his faith until, two years later, he was able to leave the country and be reunited with his family. He spent the following years preaching and raising money to distribute Bibles in closed countries.

Like countless believers in Jesus throughout the ages, Popov was persecuted because of his faith. Christ, long before His own torture and death and the subsequent persecution of His followers, said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). He continued, “Blessed are you when people . . . persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (v. 11).

“Blessed”? What could Jesus have meant? He was referring to the wholeness, joy, and comfort found in a relationship with Him (vv. 4, 8–10). Popov persevered because he felt the presence of God infusing strength into him, even in suffering. When we walk with God, no matter our circumstances, we too can experience His peace. He is with us.

Verse from John

“就拿着棕树枝出去迎接他，欢呼说：“和散那，奉主名来的以色列王，是应当称颂的！””

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭

“They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!””

‭‭John‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭

He was called “one of the bravest persons alive,” but he wasn’t what others expected. Desmond was a soldier who declined to carry a gun. As a medic, he single-handedly rescued seventy-five injured soldiers in one battle, including some who once called him a coward and ridiculed him for his faith. Running into heavy gunfire, Desmond prayed continually, “Lord, please help me get one more.” He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

Scripture tells us that Jesus was greatly misunderstood. On a day foretold by the prophet Zechariah (9:9), Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowd waved branches, shouting, “Hosanna!” (John 12:13). Quoting Psalm 118:26, they cried: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (John 12:13). 

But the very next verse in that psalm refers to bringing a sacrifice “with boughs in hand” (Psalm 118:27). While the crowd in John 12 anticipated an earthly king to save them from Rome, Jesus was much more. He was King of Kings and our sacrifice—God in the flesh, willingly embracing the cross to save us from our sins—a purpose prophesied centuries earlier.

“At first his disciples did not understand all this,” John writes. Only later “did they realize that these things had been written about him” (John 12:16). Illumined by His Word, God’s eternal purposes became clear.

Verse from Ecclesiastes

“贪爱银子的，不因有银子满足；贪爱财富的，也不因得利知足。这也是虚空。”
‭‭传道书‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭

As a young man, Duncan had been afraid of not having enough money, so in his early twenties, he began ambitiously building his future. Climbing the ladder at a prestigious Silicon Valley company, Duncan achieved vast wealth. He had a bulging bank account, a luxury sports car, and a million-dollar California home. He had everything he desired; yet he was profoundly unhappy. “I felt anxious and dissatisfied,” Duncan said. “In fact, wealth can actually make life worse.” Piles of cash didn’t provide friendship, community, or joy—and often brought him only more heartache.

Some people will expend immense energy attempting to amass wealth in an effort to secure their lives. It’s a fool’s game. “Whoever loves money never has enough,” Scripture insists (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Some will work themselves to the bone. They’ll strive and push, comparing their possessions with others and straining to achieve some economic status. And yet even if they gain supposed financial freedom, they’ll still be unsatisfied. It’s not enough. As the writer of Ecclesiastes states, “This too is meaningless” (v. 10).

The truth is, striving to find fulfillment apart from God will prove futile. While Scripture calls us to work hard and use our gifts for the good of the world, we can never accumulate enough to satisfy our deepest longings. Jesus alone offers a real and satisfying life (John 10:10).

Gracious God,
allow me to find my true fulfillment and joy in You.
Keep me from a wrong view of work and material things.

Verse from 2 Timothy

“从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，就是按公义审判的主在那日要赏给我的；不但赏给我，也赏给所有爱慕他显现的人。”

‭‭提摩太后书‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭

On the night of April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” In it, he hints that he believed he might not live long. He said, “We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. . . . [But] I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” The next day, he was assassinated.

The apostle Paul, shortly before his death, wrote to his protégé Timothy: “I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. . . . Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:6, 8). Paul knew his time on earth was drawing to a close, as did Dr. King. Both men realized lives of incredible significance, yet never lost sight of the true life ahead. Both men welcomed what came next.

Like them, may we “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Heavenly Father, 

help us to keep our eyes on You and not on the troubles and trials of this life.

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“各人要照着心里所决定的捐输，不要为难，不必勉强，因为捐得乐意的人，是神所喜爱的。”

‭‭哥林多后书‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭

We often hear emphasis on the last word in this phrase—“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)—and rightly so. But our giving has a specific quality about it—it shouldn’t be done “reluctantly or under compulsion,” and we’re called not to sow “sparingly” (vv. 6–7). In a word, our giving is to be “cheerful.” And while each of us will give a little differently, our faces are places for telling evidence of our cheer.

Generous Father God, 

thank You for the joy that comes in giving from a cheer-filled heart. 

And thank You for the ways in which You provide abundantly for our needs.

Verse from Luke

““父啊，如果你愿意，就把这杯拿走！但不要成就我的意思，只要成就你的旨意。””

‭‭路加福音‬ ‭22:42‬ ‭

“saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:42‬ ‭

Every coin has two sides. The front is called “heads” and, from early Roman times, usually depicts a country’s head of state. The back is called “tails,” a term possibly originating from the British ten pence depicting the raised tail of a heraldic lion.

Like a coin, Christ’s prayer in the garden of Gethsemane possesses two sides. In the deepest hours of His life, on the night before He died on a cross, Jesus prayed (Luke 22:42). When Christ says, “take this cup,” that’s the raw honesty of prayer. He reveals His personal desire, “This is what I want.”

Then Jesus turns the coin, praying “not my will.” That’s the side of abandon. Abandoning ourselves to God begins when we simply say, “But what do You want, God?”

This two-sided prayer is also included in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 and is mentioned in John 18. Jesus prayed both sides of prayer: take this cup (what I want, God), yet not My will (what do You want, God?), pivoting between them.

Two sides of Jesus. Two sides of prayer.

What situation are you facing right now where you can pray honestly yet with abandon to God?