Verse from Psalms

“高山是野山羊的住所；岩石是石貛藏身的地方。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭104:18‬ ‭

“The high mountains are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the rock hyrax.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:18‬ ‭

Psalm 104 offers a litany of praise to God for things we easily overlook. “[God] makes springs pour water into the ravines,” sang the poet (v. 10). “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate” (v. 14). 

Even the night is seen as good and fitting. “You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl” (v. 20). But then, “The sun rises . . . . People go out to their work, to their labor until evening” (vv. 22–23). For all these things, the psalmist concluded, “I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (v. 33).

In a world that doesn’t know how to deal with death, even the smallest offering of praise to our Creator can become a shining contrast of hope.

Verse from 2 Timothy

“神救了我们，以圣召呼召我们，不是按照我们的行为，却是按照他自己的计划和恩典；这恩典是在万世以前，在基督耶稣里赐给了我们的，”

‭‭提摩太后书‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭

“who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭

Teenage gang leader Casey and his followers broke into homes and cars, robbed convenience stores, and fought other gangs. Eventually, Casey was arrested and sentenced. In prison, he became a “shot caller,” someone who handed out homemade knives during riots.

Sometime later, he was placed in solitary confinement. While daydreaming in his cell, Casey experienced a “movie” of sorts replaying key events of his life—and of Jesus being led to and nailed to the cross and telling him, “I’m doing this for you.” Casey fell to the floor weeping and confessed his sins. 

Later, he shared his experience with a chaplain, who explained more about Jesus and gave him a Bible. “That was the start of my journey of faith,” Casey said. Eventually, he was released into the mainline prison population, where he was mistreated for his faith. But he felt at peace, because “[he] had found a new calling: telling other inmates about Jesus.”

In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul talks about the power of Christ to change lives: God calls us from lives of wrongdoing to follow and serve Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9). When we receive Him by faith, we desire to be a living witness of Christ’s love. The Holy Spirit enables us to do so, even when suffering, in our quest to share the good news (v. 8). Like Casey, let’s live out our new calling. 

Verse from Proverbs

“义人的嘴唇培育多人，愚妄人因无知死亡。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭10:21‬ ‭

“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:21‬ ‭

There was a man who loves fishing observed, “Shallow streams make the most noise,” a delightful turn on the old adage, “Still waters run deep.” He meant, of course, that people who make the most noise tend to have little of substance to say.

The flip side of that problem is that we don’t listen well either. There is this line in the old Simon and Garfunkel song "Sounds of Silence" about folks hearing without listening. Oh, they hear the words, but they fail to silence their own thoughts and truly listen. It would be good if we all learned to be silent and still.

There is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7). Good silence is a listening silence, a humble silence. It leads to right hearing, right understanding, and right speaking. “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,” the proverb says, “but one who has insight draws them out” (Prov. 20:5). It takes a lot of hard listening to get all the way to the bottom.

And while we listen to others, we should also be listening to God and hearing what He has to say. Think of Jesus, scribbling with His finger in the dust while the Pharisees railed on the woman caught in adultery (see John 8:1-11). What was He doing? He could have been simply listening for His Father’s voice and asking, “What shall we say to this crowd and this dear woman?” His response is still being heard around the world.

Father, 

today may Your Spirit remind us to seek the quiet so that we may listen first to Your voice and then understand the hearts of others. Teach us when to speak and when to be quiet.

Well-timed silence can be more eloquent than words.

Verse from 1 John

“如果我们照着神的旨意祈求，他必听我们；这就是我们对神所存的坦然无惧的心。”

‭‭约翰壹书‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭

Etched across the millennia are myriad instances of God’s ear bending to listen: to Israel’s groans under slavery (Exodus 2:24); to Moses on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:19); to Joshua at Gilgal (Joshua 10:14); to Hannah’s prayers for a child (1 Samuel 1:10–17); to David crying out for deliverance from Saul (2 Samuel 22:7).

In 1 John 5:14, the word for “hears” means to pay attention and to respond on the basis of having heard.

As we go to God today, may we have the confidence of His listening ear spanning the history of His people. He hears our pleas.

Verse from Job

“耶和华对约伯说了这些话以后，就对提幔人以利法说：“我要向你和你的两个朋友生气，因为你们讲论我，不如我的仆人约伯说的对。”

‭‭约伯记‬ ‭42:7‬ ‭

“It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭42:7‬ ‭

There is this old formula which says that if you’re suffering, you must have sinned. When Job tragically lost his livestock, children, and health, his friends used the formula on him. “Who, being innocent, has ever perished?” Eliphaz said, suspecting Job’s guilt (Job 4:7). Bildad even told Job that his children only died because they had sinned (8:4). Ignorant of the real cause of Job’s calamities (1:6–2:10), they tormented him with simplistic reasons for his pain, later receiving God’s rebuke (42:7).

Suffering is a part of living in a fallen world. Like Job, it can happen for reasons we may never know. But God has a purpose for you that goes beyond the pain you endure. Don’t get discouraged by falling for simplistic formulas.

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

“又愿主叫你们彼此相爱的心，和爱众人的心，都充充足足，多而又多，好象我们爱你们一样。”

‭‭帖撒罗尼迦前书‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭

"I'm not sure I can love them any more! My supply of love is gone, my capacity to love is exhausted." Yes, there are times when it seems others will exhaust our ability to love, either because of their need being so great or because of their unwillingness to love in return. 

How do we go on? We need a community of love; other believers who will support and love us. We need brothers and sisters in Christ who will pray for God to increase our capacity to love.  

We need to trust that in response to all of our prayers, God will pour more love into our hearts through His everflowing stream of grace, the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 5:5). 

When love is low, don't withdraw or give up. Draw near to God and draw near to His people asking for His grace to help in your time of need (Heb. 4:16).

Verse from Genesis

“这些事以后，神试验亚伯拉罕，对他说：“亚伯拉罕啊！”他回答：“我在这里。””

‭‭创世记‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭

Genesis 22:1, 15–18 make it clear that God tested Abraham to examine his heart. While God may test our faith and obedience (James 1:2–4), He never tempts us to do wrong (v. 13). 

The writer of Hebrews commended the patriarch’s deep faith: “Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again” (Hebrews 11:19 nlt). 

The apostle James said that “Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. . . . His actions made his faith complete” (James 2:21–22 nlt).

Verse from Romans

“你们接受的，不是奴仆的灵，使你们仍旧惧怕；你们接受的，是使人成为嗣子的灵，使我们呼叫“阿爸、父”。”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭

“Don’t talk, don’t trust, don’t feel was the law we lived by,” says Frederick Buechner in his powerful memoir Telling Secrets, “and woe to the one who broke it.” Buechner is describing his experience of what he calls the “unwritten law of families who for one reason or another have gone out of whack.” In his own family, that “law” meant Buechner was not allowed to talk about or grieve his father’s suicide, leaving him with no one he could trust with his pain.

Can you relate? Many of us in one way or another have learned to live with a warped version of love, one that demands dishonesty or silence about what’s harmed us. That kind of “love” relies on fear for control—and is a kind of slavery.

We can’t afford to forget just how different Jesus’ invitation to love is from the kind of conditional love we often experience—a kind of love we’re always afraid we could lose. As Paul explains, through Christ’s love we can finally understand what it means to not live in fear (Romans 8:15) and start to understand the kind of glorious freedom (v. 21) that’s possible when we know we’re deeply, truly, and unconditionally loved. 

We’re free to talk, to trust, and to feel once more—to learn what it means to live unafraid.

Verse from Luke

“主人就夸奖这不义的管家作事机警；因为在应付自己的世事上，今世之子比光明之子更精明。”

‭‭路加福音‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭

““The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭

The coronavirus pandemic resulted in canceled schools around the world. In China, teachers responded with DingTalk, a digital app that enabled class to be held online. Then their students figured out that if DingTalk’s rating fell too low, it might be removed from the App Store. Overnight, thousands of one-star reviews dropped DingTalk’s score.

Jesus wouldn’t be impressed with the students shirking their responsibilities, but He might admire their ingenuity. He told an unusual story about a fired manager who on his final day slashed the bills of his master’s debtors. Jesus didn’t praise the manager’s dishonesty. Rather He commended his cleverness and wished His followers would be equally shrewd: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

When it comes to money, most people look at how much they might lose. Wise people look for what they can use. Jesus said giving to others “gain[s] friends,” which provides safety and influence. Who is the leader in any group? The one who pays. Giving also gains “eternal dwellings,” for our willingness to part with our cash shows our trust is in Jesus.

Even if we don’t have money, we do have time, skills, or a listening ear. Let’s ask God to show us how to creatively serve others for Jesus.

Verse from 1 Peter

“你们要作神各样恩赐的好管家，各人照着所领受的恩赐彼此服事。”

‭‭彼得前书‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭

After ten-year-old Chelsea received an elaborate art set, she discovered that God used art to help her feel better when she was sad. When she found out that some kids didn’t have art supplies readily available, she wanted to help them. So when it was time for her birthday party, she asked her friends not to bring her gifts. Instead, she invited them to donate art supplies and help fill boxes for children in need.

Later, with her family’s help, she started Chelsea’s Charity. She began asking more people to help her fill boxes so she could help more kids. She has even taught art tips to groups who have received her boxes. After a local newscaster interviewed Chelsea, people started donating supplies from all over the country. As Chelsea’s Charity continues sending art supplies internationally, this young girl is demonstrating how God can use us when we’re willing to live to serve others.

Chelsea’s compassion and willingness to share reflects the heart of a faithful steward. The apostle Peter encourages all believers in Jesus to be faithful stewards as they “love each other deeply” by sharing the resources and talents God has given them (1 Peter 4:8–11).

Our small acts of love can inspire others to join us in giving. God can even rally supporters to serve alongside us. As we rely on Him, we can live to serve and give Him the glory He deserves.

Verses from John

“你们研究圣经，因为你们认为圣经中有永生，其实为我作证的就是这圣经，然而你们却不肯到我这里来得生命。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭5:39-40‬ ‭

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5:39-40‬ ‭

J. I. Packer (1926–2020), in his classic work Knowing God, spoke of four well-known believers in Christ whom he called “beavers for the Bible.” Not all were trained scholars, but each one exercised great care to know God by gnawing into the Scripture, like a beaver digs in and gnaws away at a tree. 

Packer further noted that knowing God through Bible study is not just for scholars. “A simple Bible reader and sermon hearer who is full of the Holy Spirit will develop a far deeper acquaintance with his God and Savior than a more learned scholar who is content with being theologically correct.”

Unfortunately, not all who study the Bible do so with humble hearts with the goal of getting to know the Savior better and becoming more like Him. In Jesus’ day there were those who read the Old Testament Scriptures, yet they missed the very One they spoke of (John 5:39–40).

Do you sometimes find yourself stumped as you read the Bible? Or have you given up studying the Scriptures altogether? Bible “beavers” are more than Bible readers. They prayerfully and carefully gnaw away at Scripture in ways that open their eyes and hearts to see and love Jesus—the One revealed in it. 

Verse from Psalms

“我向你承认我的罪，没有隐藏我的罪孽；我说：“我要向耶和华承认我的过犯”；你就赦免我的罪孽。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭32:5‬ ‭

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:5‬ ‭

The sinful depravity and wanton destruction we see around us today can be troubling. It’s natural for us to try to explain it by pointing to people and nations that have rejected God. 

But shouldn’t we be casting our gaze inwardly as well? Scripture warns us about being hypocrites when we call out others to turn from their sinful ways without also taking a deeper look inside our own hearts (Matthew 7:1–5).

Psalm 32 challenges us to see and confess our own sin. It’s only when we recognize and confess our personal sin that we can experience freedom from guilt and the joy of true repentance (vv. 1–5). 

And as we rejoice in knowing that God offers us complete forgiveness, we can share that hope with others who are also struggling with sin.

Verses from Galatians

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

‭‭加拉太书‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭

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

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭

It can be hard to consider others’ needs while we’re anxious about our own. Thankfully, we’re not left with willpower alone to meet the need. 

We can ask the Holy Spirit to give us love to replace our indifference, joy to counter sadness, peace to replace our anxiety, forbearance (patience) to push out our impulsiveness, kindness to care about others, goodness to see to their needs, faithfulness to keep our promises, gentleness instead of harshness, and self-control to lift us beyond self-centeredness (Galatians 5:22–23). While we won’t be perfect at all of this, we’re called to seek the Spirit’s gifts of virtue regularly (Ephesians 5:18).

Author Richard Foster once described holiness as the ability to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. And such holiness is needed every day, not just in a pandemic. Do we have the capacity to make sacrifices for the sake of others? Holy Spirit, fill us with the power to do what needs to be done.

Verse from Psalms

“谁喜爱生命，爱慕长寿，享受美福，就应谨守舌头，不出恶言，嘴唇不说欺诈的话。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭34:12-13‬ ‭

“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:12-13‬ ‭

God reminds us that our words and the way we use our speech greatly impact the quality of life we enjoy. Nothing cuts short a vibrant life like evil speech and lies we tell. They set loose a force of deception and damage that we cannot control. 

This unleashed power not only damages those about whom and to whom we speak, but they eventually boomerang and come back and bring their deadly payload back into our own lives. 

Let's be people who speak what is right, good, wholesome, holy, true, and a blessing. (cf. Ephesians 4:20-5:12)

Verse from John

“只等真理的灵来了，他要引导你们进入一切真理。他不是凭着自己说话，而是把他听见的都说出来，并且要把将来的事告诉你们。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭

As the French soldier dug in the desert sand, reinforcing the defenses of his army’s encampment, he had no idea he would make a momentous discovery. Moving another shovelful of sand, he saw a stone. Not just any stone. It was the Rosetta Stone, containing a listing of the good things King Ptolemy V had done for his priests and the people of Egypt written in three scripts. That stone (now housed in the British Museum) would be one of the most important archaeological finds of the nineteenth century, helping to unlock the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian writing known as hieroglyphics.

For many of us, much of Scripture is also wrapped in deep mystery. Still, the night before the cross, Jesus promised His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is, in a sense, our divine Rosetta Stone, shedding light on the truth—including truths behind the mysteries of the Bible.

While we’re not promised absolute understanding of everything given to us in the Scriptures, we can have confidence that by the Spirit we can comprehend everything necessary for us to follow Jesus. He will guide us into those vital truths.

Verse from Ecclesiastes

“往服丧之家，比往宴乐之家还好，因为死是人人的结局，活人要把这事放在心上。”

‭‭传道书‬ ‭7:2‬ ‭

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:2‬ ‭

Free funerals for the living. That’s the service offered by an establishment in South Korea. Since it opened in 2012, more than 25,000 people—from teenagers to retirees—have participated in mass “living funeral” services, hoping to improve their lives by considering their deaths. Officials say “the simulated death ceremonies are meant to give the participant a truthful sense of their lives, inspire gratitude, and aid in forgiveness and reconnection among family and friends.”

These words echo the wisdom given by the teacher who wrote Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 7:2). Death reminds us of the brevity of life and that we only have a certain amount of time to live and love well. It loosens our grip on some of God’s good gifts—such as money, relationships, and pleasure—and frees us to enjoy them in the here and now as we store up “treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).

As we remember that death may come knocking anytime, perhaps it’ll compel us to delay our decision to serve God in a particular way, or compromise our time with our loved ones for our work. With God’s help, we can learn to live wisely.

Verse from Psalms

 “你要以耶和华为乐，他就把你心里所求的赐给你。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭

“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭

For six years, Agnes tried to make herself the “perfect minister’s wife,” modeling herself after her adored mother-in-law (also a pastor’s wife). She thought that in this role she couldn’t also be a writer and painter, but in burying her creativity she became depressed and contemplated suicide. 

Only the help of a neighboring pastor moved her out of the darkness as he prayed with her and assigned her two hours of writing each morning. This awakened her to what she called her “sealed orders”—the calling God had given her. She wrote, “For me to be really myself—my complete self—every . . . flow of creativity that God had given me had to find its channel.”

Later, she pointed to one of David’s songs that expressed how she found her calling (Psalm 37:4). As she committed her way to God, trusting Him to lead and guide her (v. 5), He made a way for her not only to write and paint but to help others to better communicate with Him.

God has a set of “sealed orders” for each of us, not only that we’ll know we’re His beloved children but understand the unique ways we can serve Him through our gifts and passions. He’ll lead us as we trust and delight in Him.

Verse from Psalms

“在我敌人面前，你为我摆设筵席；你用油膏了我的头，使我的杯满溢。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭23:5‬ ‭

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:5‬ ‭

While the enemy of the righteous may flourish for a season, God will lavish His love and show His favor on the righteous. 

As the apostle Paul reminded his dear friends in Philippi, their prayers and the work of the Holy Spirit guaranteed his deliverance: he would either be delivered from prison and death to serve them, or he would be delivered from prison through death to go be with the Father (Phil. 3:19-21). 

Either way, God's righteous will get a banquet, a place of honor, and a royal welcome that will vindicate their faithfulness before those who oppose them.

Verse from Jeremiah

“犹大王约西亚的儿子约雅敬第四年，耶和华那里有这话临到耶利米，说：”

‭‭耶利米书‬ ‭36:1‬ ‭

“In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord:”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭36:1‬ ‭

In the waning days of ancient Judah’s decadent kingdom, God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you” (Jeremiah 36:2). The message revealed God’s tender heart, calling on His people to repent in order to avoid imminent invasion (v. 3).

Jeremiah did as he was told. The scroll soon found its way to Judah’s king, Jehoiakim, who methodically shredded it and threw it into the fire (vv. 23–25). The king’s act of arson only made matters worse. God told Jeremiah to write another scroll with the same message. He said, “[Jehoiakim] will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night” (v. 30).

It’s possible to burn the words of God by tossing a book into a fire. Possible, but utterly futile. The Word behind the words endures forever.

Verse from Isaiah

“他与谁商议，谁使他有聪明？谁把正确的路指教他，把知识指教他，又把明智的路教导他呢？”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭40:14‬ ‭

“With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge, And informed Him of the way of understanding?”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:14‬ ‭

As human beings, we’ll struggle at times with things we don’t know or understand. But not God; He’s the all-knowing One—the omniscient One. Isaiah wrote, “Who can . . . instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13–14). The answer? No one. 

Humans have intelligence because God created us in His own image. Still, our intelligence is just an inkling of His. Our knowledge is limited, but God knows everything from eternity past to eternity future (Psalm 147:5). Our knowledge is increasing today with the aid of technology, but we still get things wrong. Jesus, however, knows all things “immediately, simultaneously, exhaustively and truly,” as one theologian put it.

No matter how much humans advance in knowledge, we’ll never surpass Christ’s all-knowing status. We’ll always need Him to bless our understanding and to teach us what’s good and true.

Verse from Proverbs

“得智慧胜过得金子，选择哲理，胜过选择银子。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭

What are the greatest riches in life? Well surely they are not silver and gold. Of infinitely greater value is wisdom, which helps us understand what is valuable, what is true, what is worthy of our heart, and what is not.

Verse from James

“你们中间若有人缺少智慧，就当向那厚赐众人，而且不斥责人的神祈求，他就必得着。”

‭‭雅各书‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭

Many of us long for the expertise of a parental figure to teach us valuable skills as well as help us navigate difficult situations. Moses needed some wisdom after he and the Israelites fled captivity in Egypt and were establishing themselves as a nation. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, saw the strain that settling disputes among the people was having on Moses. So Jethro gave Moses thoughtful advice on how to delegate responsibility in leadership (Exodus 18:17–23). Moses “listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said” (v. 24).

God knows we all need wisdom. Some may be blessed with godly parents who offer wise advice, and some aren't. But God’s wisdom is available to all who ask (James 1:5). He’s also provided wisdom throughout the pages of Scripture, which reminds us that when we humbly and sincerely listen to the wise, we “will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20) and have wisdom to share with others.

Verse from Hebrews

“所有这些人都借着信得了称许，却还没有得着所应许的；”

‭‭希伯来书‬ ‭11:39‬ ‭

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:39‬ ‭

Many of us live ordinary lives. Our names will never be in the news, and we won’t have monuments built in our honor. But a life lived with faith in Jesus is never ordinary. 

Some of the people listed in Hebrews 11 were not named (vv. 35–38); they walked the path of obscurity and didn't receive the reward promised to them in this life (v. 39). Yet, because they obeyed God, their faith wasn’t in vain. God used their lives in ways that went beyond their lack of notoriety (v. 40).

If you feel discouraged about the seeming ordinary state of your life, remember that a life lived by faith in God has an impact throughout eternity. Even if we’re ordinary, we can have an extraordinary faith.

Verse from Philippians

“所以，我们中间凡是成熟的人，都应当这样思想。即使你们不是这样思想，神也会把这事指示你们。”

‭‭腓立比书‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭

“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭

Sometimes we need wisdom as we face issues of concern between believers in Jesus (see Romans 14:1–12). The apostle Paul called us to seek God’s help for clarity in such matters. He said, “If on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you” (Philippians 3:15). 

A few verses later, we see the results of two people who let a difference divide them—a conflict that grieved Paul: “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2).

Whenever a disagreement starts to tear us apart, may we seek God’s grace and wisdom in the Scriptures, the counsel of mature believers, and power of prayer. 

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

“你们要注意，不管是谁都不要以恶报恶，却要在彼此相处和对待众人这方面，常常追求良善。”

‭‭帖撒罗尼迦前书‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭

The apostle Paul urged the Thessalonians to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). God has put us into the family of His people for support in our lives. We need each other to keep walking the path of life in Christ. 

Sometimes that may mean listening to someone who’s struggling, providing for a practical need, or speaking a few words of encouragement. 

We can celebrate successes, offer a prayer for strength in a difficulty, or challenge each other to grow in faith. And in everything, we can “always strive to do what is good for each other” (v. 15).

Verse from Psalms

“我虽然行过死荫的山谷，也不怕遭受伤害，因为你与我同在；你的杖你的竿都安慰我。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭23:4‬ ‭

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:4‬ ‭

How reassuring it is to know that almighty God who “brought forth the whole world” (90:2) is so compassionate that He walks with us through even the most difficult places. 

Whether our situation turns better or worse, we can turn to our Shepherd, Savior, and Friend and find Him “as good as ever.”

Verse from John

“然而时候将到，现在就是了，那用心灵按真理敬拜父的，才是真正敬拜的人；因为父在寻找这样敬拜他的人。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

‭‭John‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭

While Scripture affirms the vital, essential nature of corporate worship (Hebrews 10:25), God’s not bound within the walls of a church building. During Jesus’ chat with the Samaritan woman at the well, He defied all expectations of the Messiah (John 4:9). 

Instead of condemnation, Jesus spoke truth and loved her as she stood next to that well (v. 10). He revealed His intimate and sovereign knowledge of His children (vv. 17–18). Proclaiming His deity, Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit evoked true worship from the hearts of God’s people, not from a specific physical location (vv. 23–24).

When we focus on who God is, what He’s done, and all He’s promised, we can rejoice in His constant presence as we worship Him with other believers, in our living rooms . . . and everywhere.

Verse from Proverbs

“不轻易动怒的，十分聪明；轻易动怒的，大显愚妄。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭14:29‬ ‭

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:29‬ ‭

Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. A hasty, unfiltered response seldom produces the desired long-term effect. This kind of response nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. 

Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run and can prevent the unnecessary loss of friendships, integrity, and respect.

Verse from Deuteronomy

“但愿他们常常存着这样的心，敬畏我，遵守我的一切诫命，使他们和他们的子孙永享福乐。”

‭‭申命记‬ ‭5:29‬ ‭

“If only they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it would go well with them and with their sons forever!”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:29‬ ‭

God imparted His wisdom for living in what we know as the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:7–21). Though they could be viewed as a list of rules, God’s intention is evident in His words to Moses: “so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” (v. 29). Moses recognized God’s desire, saying that obedience to the decrees would result in their enjoyment of His ongoing presence with them in the promised land (v. 33).

We all go through a season of “adolescence” with God, not trusting that His guidelines for living are truly meant for our good. May we grow into the realization that He wants what’s best for us and learn to heed the wisdom He offers. His guidance is meant to lead us into spiritual maturity as we become more like Jesus (Psalm 119:97–104; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Peter 3:18).

Verse from Revelation

“圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，我必定把那隐藏的吗哪赐给他，并且赐他一块白石，石上写着新的名字，这名字除了那领受的人以外，是没有人能知道的。’”

‭‭启示录‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭

Jesus told the Christians in Pergamum that though their reputation had suffered some well-deserved hits, He had a new name reserved in heaven for those who fight back and conquer temptation (Revelation 2:17).

Our reputation may be tattered, and our character may be seemingly beyond repair. But neither name ultimately defines us. It’s not what others call you nor even what you call yourself that matters. You are who Jesus says you are. Live into your new name.