“因为知道你们得赎，脱去你们祖先传下的妄行，不是凭着能坏的金银等物，而是凭着基督的宝血，就像无瑕疵无玷污的羊羔的血。”
彼得前书 1:18-19
“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
1 Peter 1:18-19
There is a story that in 75 bc a young Roman nobleman named Julius Caesar was kidnapped by pirates and held for ransom. When they demanded 20 talents of silver in ransom (about $600,000 today), Caesar laughed and said they obviously had no idea who he was. He insisted they raise the ransom to 50 talents! Why? Because he believed he was worth far more than 20 talents.
What a difference we see between Caesar’s arrogant measure of his own worth and the value God places on each of us. Our worth is not measured in terms of monetary value but by what our heavenly Father has done on our behalf.
What ransom did He pay to save us? Through the death of His only Son on the cross, the Father paid the price to rescue us from our sin.
God loved us so much that He gave up His Son to die on the cross and rise from the dead to ransom and rescue us. That is what you are worth to Him.
Father,
thank You for the love You have shown to me and for the price You paid for my forgiveness.
Help my life to be an ongoing expression of gratitude,
for You are the One whose worth is beyond measure.
Our worth is measured by what God paid to rescue us.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Verse from Psalms
“我喜欢你法度定下的道路，如同喜欢一切财富。”
诗篇 119:14
“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.”
Psalms 119:14
There is this TV ad in which a person answers the door and finds someone who hands over a check for an enormous amount of money. Then the amazed recipient begins shouting, dancing, jumping, and hugging everyone in sight. “I won! I’m rich! I can’t believe it! My problems are solved!” Striking it rich evokes a great emotional response.
Obeying God’s instructions for living can be just as exhilarating as receiving a fortune! Verse 16 repeats this refrain as the psalmist expresses grateful gladness for the Lord’s commands. “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”
But what if we don’t feel that way? How can delighting in God’s instructions for living be just as exhilarating as receiving a fortune? It all begins with gratitude, which is both an attitude and a choice. We pay attention to what we value, so we begin by expressing our gratitude for those gifts of God that nourish our souls. We ask Him to open our eyes to see the storehouse of wisdom, knowledge, and peace He has given us in His Word.
Dear Father,
open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in Your law.
Thank You that Your instructions give wise advice.
Rich treasures of God’s truth are waiting to be discovered in His Word.
诗篇 119:14
“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.”
Psalms 119:14
There is this TV ad in which a person answers the door and finds someone who hands over a check for an enormous amount of money. Then the amazed recipient begins shouting, dancing, jumping, and hugging everyone in sight. “I won! I’m rich! I can’t believe it! My problems are solved!” Striking it rich evokes a great emotional response.
Obeying God’s instructions for living can be just as exhilarating as receiving a fortune! Verse 16 repeats this refrain as the psalmist expresses grateful gladness for the Lord’s commands. “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”
But what if we don’t feel that way? How can delighting in God’s instructions for living be just as exhilarating as receiving a fortune? It all begins with gratitude, which is both an attitude and a choice. We pay attention to what we value, so we begin by expressing our gratitude for those gifts of God that nourish our souls. We ask Him to open our eyes to see the storehouse of wisdom, knowledge, and peace He has given us in His Word.
Dear Father,
open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in Your law.
Thank You that Your instructions give wise advice.
Rich treasures of God’s truth are waiting to be discovered in His Word.
Monday, 28 November 2016
Verse from Mark
“但耶稣说：“由她吧！为甚么难为她呢？她在我身上作的是一件美事。”
马可福音 14:6
“But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.”
Mark 14:6
Picture two teenage girls. The first girl is strong and healthy. The other girl has never known the freedom of getting around on her own. From her wheelchair she faces not only the emotional challenges common to life, but also a stream of physical pains and struggles.
But both girls are smiling cheerfully as they enjoy each other’s company. Two beautiful teenagers—each seeing in the other the treasure of friendship.
Jesus devoted much of His time and attention to people like the girl in the wheelchair. People with lifelong disabilities or physical deformities as well as those who were looked down on by others for various reasons. In fact, Jesus let one of “those people” anoint Him with oil, to the disdain of the religious leaders (Luke 7:39).
God values everyone equally; there are no distinctions in His eyes. In reality, we are all in desperate need of Christ’s love and forgiveness. His love compelled Him to die on the cross for us.
May we see each person as Jesus did: made in God’s image and worthy of His love. Let’s treat everyone we meet with Christlike equality and learn to see beauty as He does.
Dear Lord,
help me to see people as You see them—not important because of what they can do or how they look,
but because they are made in God’s image and You loved them enough to die for them.
Everyone we meet bears the image of God.
马可福音 14:6
“But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.”
Mark 14:6
Picture two teenage girls. The first girl is strong and healthy. The other girl has never known the freedom of getting around on her own. From her wheelchair she faces not only the emotional challenges common to life, but also a stream of physical pains and struggles.
But both girls are smiling cheerfully as they enjoy each other’s company. Two beautiful teenagers—each seeing in the other the treasure of friendship.
Jesus devoted much of His time and attention to people like the girl in the wheelchair. People with lifelong disabilities or physical deformities as well as those who were looked down on by others for various reasons. In fact, Jesus let one of “those people” anoint Him with oil, to the disdain of the religious leaders (Luke 7:39).
God values everyone equally; there are no distinctions in His eyes. In reality, we are all in desperate need of Christ’s love and forgiveness. His love compelled Him to die on the cross for us.
May we see each person as Jesus did: made in God’s image and worthy of His love. Let’s treat everyone we meet with Christlike equality and learn to see beauty as He does.
Dear Lord,
help me to see people as You see them—not important because of what they can do or how they look,
but because they are made in God’s image and You loved them enough to die for them.
Everyone we meet bears the image of God.
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Verse from Judges
“以色列人对耶和华说：“我们犯了罪了，你任意对待我们吧；只求你今日拯救我们。””
士师记 10:15
“The sons of Israel said to the LORD, "We have sinned, do to us whatever seems good to You; only please deliver us this day."”
Judges 10:15
When God's people realized the depth of their sin and the impending punishment by God, they repented and asked for His help. They didn't try to diminish the gravity of their sin. Instead, they threw themselves on the mercy of the LORD and His graciousness.
Unfortunately today, we often hide, avoid, rationalize, deny, and skirt the seriousness our personal sin. We don't like to admit it, much less confess it and turn from it. "It's not really all that bad. I know a lot of folks who do a lot worse things than I did." We must not view confession of sin as humiliation or weakness. Acknowledging our sin and asking for God's forgiveness, cleansing, and power open the door for Him to use us mightily and also brings us closer to Him.
士师记 10:15
“The sons of Israel said to the LORD, "We have sinned, do to us whatever seems good to You; only please deliver us this day."”
Judges 10:15
When God's people realized the depth of their sin and the impending punishment by God, they repented and asked for His help. They didn't try to diminish the gravity of their sin. Instead, they threw themselves on the mercy of the LORD and His graciousness.
Unfortunately today, we often hide, avoid, rationalize, deny, and skirt the seriousness our personal sin. We don't like to admit it, much less confess it and turn from it. "It's not really all that bad. I know a lot of folks who do a lot worse things than I did." We must not view confession of sin as humiliation or weakness. Acknowledging our sin and asking for God's forgiveness, cleansing, and power open the door for Him to use us mightily and also brings us closer to Him.
Saturday, 26 November 2016
Verses from 1 Peter
“不要以恶报恶，以辱骂还辱骂，倒要祝福，因为你们就是为此蒙召，好叫你们承受福气。因为 “凡希望享受人生，要看见好日子的，就要禁止舌头不出恶言，嘴唇不说诡诈的话；也要离恶行善，寻找并追求和睦。”
彼得前书 3:9-11
“not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.”
1 Peter 3:9-11
Have you ever sent an email and suddenly realized it went to the wrong person or it contained harmful, harsh words? If only you could press a key and stop it. Well, now you can. Several companies offer a feature that gives you a brief time after sending an email to stop it from leaving your computer. After that, the email is like a spoken word that cannot be unsaid. Rather than being seen as a cure-all, an “unsend” feature should remind us that it’s extremely important to guard what we say.
The psalmist David wrote, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3). That’s a great prayer for the beginning of each day and in every situation when we want to strike back with words.
Lord, guard our words today so we may not harm others by what we say.
Father,
teach us first to guard our hearts so that we may guard our tongues.
And help us,
when we do say things we regret,
to humbly apologize and seek forgiveness.
The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21
彼得前书 3:9-11
“not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.”
1 Peter 3:9-11
Have you ever sent an email and suddenly realized it went to the wrong person or it contained harmful, harsh words? If only you could press a key and stop it. Well, now you can. Several companies offer a feature that gives you a brief time after sending an email to stop it from leaving your computer. After that, the email is like a spoken word that cannot be unsaid. Rather than being seen as a cure-all, an “unsend” feature should remind us that it’s extremely important to guard what we say.
The psalmist David wrote, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3). That’s a great prayer for the beginning of each day and in every situation when we want to strike back with words.
Lord, guard our words today so we may not harm others by what we say.
Father,
teach us first to guard our hearts so that we may guard our tongues.
And help us,
when we do say things we regret,
to humbly apologize and seek forgiveness.
The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Verse from Colossians
“凡你们所作的，无论是言语或行为，都要奉主耶稣的名，借着他感谢父神。”
歌罗西书 3:17
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17
Every autumn a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast is being held on campus at Cornerstone University. The students love it! Last year a group of students played a game at their table. They challenged each other to name something they were thankful for—in three seconds or less—without repeating what someone else had said. Anyone who hesitated was out of the game.
There are all kinds of things that students might gripe about—tests, deadlines, rules, and a host of other college-type complaints. But these students had chosen to be thankful. And they probably all felt a lot better after the game than they would have if they had chosen to complain.
While there will always be things to complain about, if we look carefully there are always blessings to be thankful for. When Paul describes our newness in Christ, “thankfulness” is the only characteristic mentioned more than once. In fact it is mentioned three times. “Be thankful,” he says in Colossians 3:15. Sing to God “with gratitude in your hearts” (v. 16). And whatever you do, be sure to be “giving thanks to God the Father” (v. 17). Paul’s instruction to be thankful is astonishing when we consider that he wrote this letter from prison!
Lord,
teach me the liberating joy of being thankful!
Help me to find the blessings that are locked up in the things I complain about and to regularly express my gratitude to You and others.
Today, let's make the choice to have the attitude of gratitude.
歌罗西书 3:17
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17
Every autumn a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast is being held on campus at Cornerstone University. The students love it! Last year a group of students played a game at their table. They challenged each other to name something they were thankful for—in three seconds or less—without repeating what someone else had said. Anyone who hesitated was out of the game.
There are all kinds of things that students might gripe about—tests, deadlines, rules, and a host of other college-type complaints. But these students had chosen to be thankful. And they probably all felt a lot better after the game than they would have if they had chosen to complain.
While there will always be things to complain about, if we look carefully there are always blessings to be thankful for. When Paul describes our newness in Christ, “thankfulness” is the only characteristic mentioned more than once. In fact it is mentioned three times. “Be thankful,” he says in Colossians 3:15. Sing to God “with gratitude in your hearts” (v. 16). And whatever you do, be sure to be “giving thanks to God the Father” (v. 17). Paul’s instruction to be thankful is astonishing when we consider that he wrote this letter from prison!
Lord,
teach me the liberating joy of being thankful!
Help me to find the blessings that are locked up in the things I complain about and to regularly express my gratitude to You and others.
Today, let's make the choice to have the attitude of gratitude.
Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Verse from Philippians
“既然有人的样子，就自甘卑微，顺服至死，而且死在十字架上。”
腓立比书 2:8
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:8
Many of us are obsessed with fame—either with being famous ourselves or with following every detail of famous people’s lives. International book or film tours. Late-night show appearances. Millions of followers on Twitter.
In a recent study in the US, researchers ranked the names of famous individuals using a specially developed algorithm that scoured the Internet. Jesus topped the list as the most famous person in history.
Yet Jesus was never concerned about obtaining celebrity status. When He was here on earth, He never sought fame (Matt. 9:30; John 6:15)—although fame found Him all the same as news about Him quickly traveled throughout the region of Galilee (Mark 1:28; Luke 4:37).
Wherever Jesus went, crowds soon gathered. The miracles He performed drew people to Him. But when they tried to make Him a king by force, He slipped away by Himself (John 6:15). United in purpose with His Father, He repeatedly deferred to the Father’s will and timing (4:34; 8:29; 12:23). “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).
Fame was never Jesus’s goal. His purpose was simple. As the Son of God, He humbly, obediently, and voluntarily offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.
腓立比书 2:8
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:8
Many of us are obsessed with fame—either with being famous ourselves or with following every detail of famous people’s lives. International book or film tours. Late-night show appearances. Millions of followers on Twitter.
In a recent study in the US, researchers ranked the names of famous individuals using a specially developed algorithm that scoured the Internet. Jesus topped the list as the most famous person in history.
Yet Jesus was never concerned about obtaining celebrity status. When He was here on earth, He never sought fame (Matt. 9:30; John 6:15)—although fame found Him all the same as news about Him quickly traveled throughout the region of Galilee (Mark 1:28; Luke 4:37).
Wherever Jesus went, crowds soon gathered. The miracles He performed drew people to Him. But when they tried to make Him a king by force, He slipped away by Himself (John 6:15). United in purpose with His Father, He repeatedly deferred to the Father’s will and timing (4:34; 8:29; 12:23). “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).
Fame was never Jesus’s goal. His purpose was simple. As the Son of God, He humbly, obediently, and voluntarily offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.
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