“只是你们要常存信心，根基稳固，不受动摇偏离福音的盼望。这福音你们听过了，也传给了天下万民；我保罗也作了这福音的仆役。”
歌罗西书 1:23
“if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”
Colossians 1:23
As a group of teenagers visited a home for the elderly in Montego Bay, Jamaica, one young woman noticed a lonely looking man at the end of the room. He appeared to have little left in this world but a bed to sleep on—a bed from which he could not move because of his disability.
The teen began right away to share the story of God’s love for us and read some Bible passages to him. “As I shared with him,” she would say later, “I started to feel his eagerness to hear more.” Responding to his interest, she explained the wonder of Jesus’s sacrificial death for us. “It was hard for this man, who had no hope and no family,” she recalled, “to understand that Someone he’s never met would love him enough to die on the cross for his sins.”
She told him more about Jesus—and then about the promise of heaven (including a new body) for all who believe. He asked her, “Will you dance with me up there?” She saw him begin to imagine himself free of his worn-out body and crippling limitations.
When he said he wanted to trust Jesus as his Savior, she helped him pray a prayer of forgiveness and faith. When she asked him if she could get a picture with him, he replied, “If you help me sit up. I’m a new man.”
Praise God for the life-changing, hope-giving, available-to-all gospel of Jesus Christ! It offers new life for all who trust Him (Col. 1:5, 23).
Monday, 31 July 2017
Verse from Psalms
“你的国是永远的国，你的王权存到万代 。”
诗篇 145:13
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”
Psalms 145:13
Generational differences are unavoidable, but exalting the God who created and redeemed us is always the starting point for building unity among believers. Our Creator-Redeemer God is celebrated in both the Old and New Testaments. Psalm 145 is a marvelous springboard for expressing such unifying praise. Especially meaningful is verse 9, which proclaims: “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.”
While differences and preferences could divide us, shared faith in Jesus Christ the Lord brings us together in mutual trust, encouragement, and praise. Whatever our age and outlook, we need each other! No matter which generation we belong to, we can learn from each other and together honor the Lord—“So that all people may know of [His] mighty acts and the glorious splendor of [His] kingdom” (v. 12).
诗篇 145:13
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”
Psalms 145:13
Generational differences are unavoidable, but exalting the God who created and redeemed us is always the starting point for building unity among believers. Our Creator-Redeemer God is celebrated in both the Old and New Testaments. Psalm 145 is a marvelous springboard for expressing such unifying praise. Especially meaningful is verse 9, which proclaims: “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.”
While differences and preferences could divide us, shared faith in Jesus Christ the Lord brings us together in mutual trust, encouragement, and praise. Whatever our age and outlook, we need each other! No matter which generation we belong to, we can learn from each other and together honor the Lord—“So that all people may know of [His] mighty acts and the glorious splendor of [His] kingdom” (v. 12).
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Verse from Hebrews
“有名字登记在天上众长子的教会，有审判众人的神，有被成全的义人的灵魂，”
希伯来书 12:23
“to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,”
Hebrews 12:23
In the Jewish temple, a curtain sixty feet high and thirty feet wide separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Anyone who entered the Most Holy Place was entering into God’s holy presence. Only the High Priest—and only once a year on the Day of Atonement and after he had meticulously cleansed himself—could enter the Most Holy Place; anyone else would die (see Ex. 26:31–33; Lev. 16).
At the moment Jesus died as payment for our sin, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51), signifying that God had taken down the wall that separated us from Him. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” (Heb. 10:19–20). Through Christ, we now “have access to the Father” (Eph. 2:18).
Today, you and I can come straight to God with confidence, knowing that Jesus’s sacrifice has torn down the barrier between us and God (Heb. 12:22–23). Each of us can talk to God any time we want, and hear from Him directly when we read His Word. We enjoy a direct access that the Israelites could only dream of. May we never take it for granted and cherish this awesome privilege of coming to the Father as His beloved children every day.
Reflect on what direct access to the Father means to you. How does this affect your view of prayer? Sim Kay Tee
希伯来书 12:23
“to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,”
Hebrews 12:23
In the Jewish temple, a curtain sixty feet high and thirty feet wide separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Anyone who entered the Most Holy Place was entering into God’s holy presence. Only the High Priest—and only once a year on the Day of Atonement and after he had meticulously cleansed himself—could enter the Most Holy Place; anyone else would die (see Ex. 26:31–33; Lev. 16).
At the moment Jesus died as payment for our sin, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51), signifying that God had taken down the wall that separated us from Him. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” (Heb. 10:19–20). Through Christ, we now “have access to the Father” (Eph. 2:18).
Today, you and I can come straight to God with confidence, knowing that Jesus’s sacrifice has torn down the barrier between us and God (Heb. 12:22–23). Each of us can talk to God any time we want, and hear from Him directly when we read His Word. We enjoy a direct access that the Israelites could only dream of. May we never take it for granted and cherish this awesome privilege of coming to the Father as His beloved children every day.
Reflect on what direct access to the Father means to you. How does this affect your view of prayer? Sim Kay Tee
Friday, 28 July 2017
Verses from 1 John
“我们若行在光中，像他在光中一样，就彼此相通，他儿子耶稣的血也洁净我们脱离一切罪。我们若说自己没有罪，就是自欺，真理就不在我们里面了。我们若承认自己的罪，神是信实的、公义的，必定赦免我们的罪，洁净我们脱离一切不义。”
约翰壹书 1:7-9
“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:7-9
Norm Cook sometimes had a surprise for his family when he arrived home from work. He would walk through the front door, and shout, “You’re forgiven!” It wasn’t that family members had wronged him and needed his forgiveness. He was reminding them that though they doubtless had sinned throughout the day, they were by God’s grace fully forgiven.
In this passage we see how confession can restore our connection with God. We are assured that even when we make wrong choices, God will offer grace and forgiveness to the truly repentant.
约翰壹书 1:7-9
“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:7-9
Norm Cook sometimes had a surprise for his family when he arrived home from work. He would walk through the front door, and shout, “You’re forgiven!” It wasn’t that family members had wronged him and needed his forgiveness. He was reminding them that though they doubtless had sinned throughout the day, they were by God’s grace fully forgiven.
In this passage we see how confession can restore our connection with God. We are assured that even when we make wrong choices, God will offer grace and forgiveness to the truly repentant.
Thursday, 27 July 2017
Verse from John
“耶稣回答：“人若爱我，就要遵守我的话，我父必定爱他，并且我们要到他那里去，跟他住在一起。”
约翰福音 14:23
“Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”
John 14:23
The elderly woman in the nursing home didn’t speak to anyone or request anything. It seemed she merely existed, rocking in her creaky old chair. She didn’t have many visitors, so one young nurse would often go into her room on her breaks. Without asking the woman questions to try to get her to talk, she simply pulled up another chair and rocked with her. After several months, the elderly woman said to her, “Thank you for rocking with me.” She was grateful for the companionship.
Before He went back to heaven, Jesus promised to send a constant companion to His disciples. He told them He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit to be in them (John 14:17). That promise is still true for believers in Jesus today. Jesus said that the triune God makes His “home” in us (v. 23).
The Lord is our close and faithful companion throughout our entire life. He will guide us in our deepest struggles, forgive our sin, hear each silent prayer, and shoulder the burdens we cannot bear.
约翰福音 14:23
“Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”
John 14:23
The elderly woman in the nursing home didn’t speak to anyone or request anything. It seemed she merely existed, rocking in her creaky old chair. She didn’t have many visitors, so one young nurse would often go into her room on her breaks. Without asking the woman questions to try to get her to talk, she simply pulled up another chair and rocked with her. After several months, the elderly woman said to her, “Thank you for rocking with me.” She was grateful for the companionship.
Before He went back to heaven, Jesus promised to send a constant companion to His disciples. He told them He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit to be in them (John 14:17). That promise is still true for believers in Jesus today. Jesus said that the triune God makes His “home” in us (v. 23).
The Lord is our close and faithful companion throughout our entire life. He will guide us in our deepest struggles, forgive our sin, hear each silent prayer, and shoulder the burdens we cannot bear.
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Verse from 2 Samuel
“他从高处伸手抓住我，把我从大水中拉上来。”
撒母耳记下 22:17
“"He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.”
2 Samuel 22:17
After experiencing God’s aid in battle against the Philistines (2 Sam. 21:15–22), David likens his rescue to being drawn out of “deep waters” (22:17). David’s very life—and that of his men—was in serious danger from his enemies. God buoyed David as he was drowning in disaster.
While lifeguards are paid to assure the safety of swimmers, God, on the other hand, saved David because of His delightin him (v. 20). My heart leaps for joy when I realize that God doesn’t watch over and protect me because He’s obliged to but because He wants to.
When we feel overcome by the troubles of life, we can rest in the knowledge that God, our Lifeguard, sees our struggle and, because of His delight in us, watches over and protects us.
撒母耳记下 22:17
“"He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.”
2 Samuel 22:17
After experiencing God’s aid in battle against the Philistines (2 Sam. 21:15–22), David likens his rescue to being drawn out of “deep waters” (22:17). David’s very life—and that of his men—was in serious danger from his enemies. God buoyed David as he was drowning in disaster.
While lifeguards are paid to assure the safety of swimmers, God, on the other hand, saved David because of His delightin him (v. 20). My heart leaps for joy when I realize that God doesn’t watch over and protect me because He’s obliged to but because He wants to.
When we feel overcome by the troubles of life, we can rest in the knowledge that God, our Lifeguard, sees our struggle and, because of His delight in us, watches over and protects us.
Tuesday, 25 July 2017
Verse from Psalms
“你要在耶和华面前静默无声，耐心地等候他；不要因那凡事顺利的，和那恶谋得逞的，心怀不平。”
诗篇 37:7
“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.”
Psalms 37:7
John F. Burns spent forty years covering world events for The New York Times. In an article written after his retirement in 2015, Burns recalled the words of a close friend and fellow journalist who was dying of cancer. “Never forget,” his colleague said, “It’s not how far you’ve traveled; it’s what you’ve brought back.”
Psalm 37 could be considered David’s list of what he “brought back” from his journey of life, from shepherd to soldier and king. The psalm is a series of couplets contrasting the wicked with the righteous, and affirming those who trust the Lord.
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither” (vv. 1–2).
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lordupholds him with his hand” (vv. 23–24).
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (v. 25).
From our experiences in life, what has God taught us?
How have we experienced His faithfulness and love?
In what ways has the Lord’s love shaped our lives?
诗篇 37:7
“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.”
Psalms 37:7
John F. Burns spent forty years covering world events for The New York Times. In an article written after his retirement in 2015, Burns recalled the words of a close friend and fellow journalist who was dying of cancer. “Never forget,” his colleague said, “It’s not how far you’ve traveled; it’s what you’ve brought back.”
Psalm 37 could be considered David’s list of what he “brought back” from his journey of life, from shepherd to soldier and king. The psalm is a series of couplets contrasting the wicked with the righteous, and affirming those who trust the Lord.
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither” (vv. 1–2).
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lordupholds him with his hand” (vv. 23–24).
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (v. 25).
From our experiences in life, what has God taught us?
How have we experienced His faithfulness and love?
In what ways has the Lord’s love shaped our lives?
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