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2024年11月17日 牧者之言

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第二篇灵修
——2024 年 11 月 7 日小石城以马内利华语浸信会晨祷会

范杰瑞和范玛丽莲

  • 诗歌
  • 感谢你们给予我今早与你们一起祈祷的机会
  • 我们如何才能让“传道人”所相信、教导、实践以及在他的书的封底上所写的东西永远在祈祷中实现——成为我们自己的？
  • 约翰福音 14:13-14 说：“你们奉我的名无论求什么，我必成就，叫父因儿子得荣耀。”

“奉耶稣的名祷告”是指：
1. 如此依赖他，与他如此合一
2. 愿他的意念成为我的意念，
3. 他的愿望成为我的愿望，
4. 他的生命成为我的生命，
5. 他的本性就是我的本性，
6. 他的祈祷就是我的祈祷，
7.我的祈祷就是他的祈祷。”

  • 如果我们研究保罗在腓立比书中所写的内容，我们可能会对上述内容如何在我们的生活中实现有所了解（腓立比书 3:10 AMPC）
  • 保罗被关押在罗马的监狱里，我们参观了人们认为关押他的监狱：
  • 我 (杰瑞) 第一次参观监狱是在 1974 年 2 月，我想让玛丽莲看看保罗被关押的地方，所以在我们一次海外门徒旅行中，我们经过罗马回来并遇到了我们的朋友迈克尔·斯坦丘，他曾住在罗马，他带我们回到了保罗的监狱和罗马的许多其他景点。
  • 我记得那是地下室里的一个圆形小房间，直径大约 20 到 25 英尺。保罗在那里的时候，没有窗户也没有门，所以囚犯是通过天花板上的一个洞被放进房间的。囚犯进入地下室后，洞口上会盖上一块钢板，这样囚犯就无法逃脱。如果钢板是实心钢，保罗唯一的光源就是烛光。
  • 地下室里有一根钢柱，保罗可能被锁在上面。
  • 保罗在罗马的时候，那里有露天下水道，这意味着城市的污水顺着街道的路边流下来，当下大雨时，污水就会流入老鼠出没的地下室。
  • 我们大多数人可能都曾祈求上帝让我们摆脱这些可怕的境况。
  • 但保罗却没有这样做，他决定利用这段时间比任何人都更了解他的主和救主耶稣基督。事实上，在那座监狱里，他写下了“因为我设定了的目标就是要认识他。”[腓立比书 3:10 AMPC ]。
  • 保罗已经写下了哥林多前书 1:9 “神是信实的，你们原是被他所召，好与他儿子我们的主耶稣基督，一同得分。”
  • 我们与主和救主耶稣基督的团契取决于我们自己以及我们培养这种团契的意愿。我们是被呼召加入这个团契的，而不是被迫的。
  • 但当我们得救（重生——相信耶稣并接受他作为我们个人的主和救主）时，我们就与上帝建立了牢固的关系，因为他应许“他永远不会离开我们或抛弃我们”。 [希伯来书 13:5]
  • 当耶稣来到世上时，“他到自己的地方来，自己的人倒不接待他。凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就赐他们权柄，作神的儿女。” [约翰福音 1:11-12]
  • 他的子民不接受他是弥赛亚，也不相信他。这是他们的选择。
  • 因此，他们不是上帝的孩子。
  • 但我们是上帝的孩子，因为我们相信他并接受他作为我们的主和救主。
  • 我们神圣、公义的上帝永远不会抛弃我们——他的子民。
  • 然后在（以赛亚书 41:10）中，他给了我们几个宝贵的应许。
  • 帮助我们感到更安全。
  • “不要怕，我与你同在”
  • “不要惊慌（困惑），因为我是你的上帝”
  • “我必坚固你”
  • “我必帮助你”
  • “我必用我公义的右手扶持你。”
  • 我们与我们的主和救主耶稣基督的关系是牢固的，因为它取决于上帝的信实，要持守他的应许，并牢记上帝不会说谎。
  • 我们被召唤与耶稣团契，但我们的责任是培养这种团契，因为这是上帝赐予我们的礼物。
  • 但我们与上帝的关系是绝对牢固的。
  • 团契和关系之间存在很大差异，而这两者都是我们需要的。
  • 腓立比书 3:10 AMPC :

[“我设定了的目标就是] 我要认识基督——我可以逐渐地，更加深入地、更亲密地开始认识他；更强烈、更清晰地察觉、认识，明白 [他的奇妙) ；并且以此来晓得从他的复活之中所流出的大能[这大能影响遍及所有信徒]，由此可以知道同他一同受苦，并持续地被改变， [盼望]能在灵里[甚至在“向着自己死”的方面 ]更加像他。

  • 我们相信，这个盼望是一个（有信心的期望） 我们将复活，与上帝（圣父、圣子、圣灵）一起生活，永远在天堂。

这就是保罗一生“设定了的目标” ——真正认识耶稣基督，而不只是知道有关他的事情。
这节经文可以分解如下：

  • “逐渐地更加深入、更加亲密地认识耶稣”。
  • “逐渐”意味着我们成为基督徒的那一刻，我们还没有完全成熟，但正如保罗所说，“他向着标竿直跑”。在地上，我们永远不会完全成熟，但当我们到达天堂时，我们就会完全成熟。赞美上帝！
  • “察觉、认识并明白耶稣属性的奇妙。”
  • 我们的天父知道他儿子耶稣基督的每一个细节，认为他顺从、奇妙、完美。甚至到了履行天父的计划的地步，即耶稣为了我们的罪死在十字架上——因为有人必须为我们的罪付上代价，那就是耶稣。
  • 经历“耶稣复活所流露出的能力”（神的超自然能力）
  • 在这些时候，我们会在生活中感受到复活的力量：
  • 当我们接受耶稣基督作为我们个人的主和救主时。
  • 当上帝使用我们引导某人信耶稣作为他们个人的主和救主，我们在他们的生活中看到了成果。
  • 当上帝使用我们去训练某人时，他们就会领悟到训练门徒的愿景。 这会导致信耶稣的灵魂倍增，这是接触世界的最快方式。
  • “分享耶稣的苦难，以便在灵性上不断地转变为耶稣的形象。”
  • 不断改变心灵的目的是变得像他（耶稣），顺服他的意志和他的道路。就是愿意为了上帝的荣耀——圣父、圣子和圣灵——而忍受苦难：
  • 变得像耶稣是我们的目标之一。
  • 无数的基督徒每天都在受苦，因为他们渴望变得更像耶稣。
  • 问题与解答：
  1. 我为什么需要如此依赖和与耶稣合一呢？
  • 回答 –
  • 因为我希望今天比昨天更像耶稣——成为像他一样的人！（罗马书8:29 LBT ，哥林多后书 3:18 (简体中文和合本)
  • 我想实现上帝对我一生的美好计划，因为这是一个“美善而非邪恶的计划，给你（我们）一个未来和希望”（对未来充满信心的期待）。[耶利米书 29:11和合本]
  • 因为我们的主和救主耶稣说过：“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守（辨别），我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。”[马太福音 28:17-20 NKJV ]
  1. 我为什么要希望耶稣的思想成为我的想法？
  • 回答 –
  • 与上面的#1相同。
  1. 为什么我应该渴望耶稣的愿望成为我的愿望？
  • 回答 –
  • 与上面的#1相同。
  1. 我为什么希望耶稣的生命成为我的生命？
  • 回答 –
  • 与上面的#1相同。
  1. 我为什么希望耶稣的本性成为我的本性？
  • 回答 –
  • 与上面的#1相同。
  1. 我为什么希望耶稣的祈祷成为我的祈祷？
  • 回答 –
  • 与上面的#1相同。
  1. 我为什么希望我的祈祷成为耶稣的祈祷？
  • 回答 –
  • 与上面的#1相同。

SECOND DEVOTIONAL
Early PRAYER Meeting
At Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church
NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Jerry & Marily Fine

  • Thank you for the privilege of SHARING this PRAYER TIME WITH YOU THIS MORNING
  • How do we make the things that “Preacher” believed, taught, lived by AND WROTE on the back cover of his book ALWAYS IN PRAYER –

our own?

  • JOHN 14:13-14 Says – “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”

“TO PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS” IS TO BE:

  1. SO ATTACHED TO HIM, SO UNITED TO HIM

2. That His thoughts become my thoughts,
3. His desires become my desires,
4. His life becomes my life,
5. His nature becomes my nature,
6. His prayers are my prayers,
7. and my prayers are His prayers.”

  • IF WE EXAMINE WHAT PAUL WROTE IN PHILIPPIANS, WE MIGHT GAIN SOME INSIGHT INTO HOW THE ABOVE CAN BE TRUE IN OUR LIVES (Philippians 3:10 AMPC)
  • PAUL WAS IN PRISON IN ROME, AND WE HAVE VISITED THE PRISON WHERE THEY BELIEVE HE WAS HELD:
  • My (Jerry’s) first visit to the prison was in February 1974, and I wanted Marilyn to see where Paul was held in prison so on one of our Discipleship trips overseas, we came back through Rome and met our friend Michael Stanciu, who had lived in Rome, and he took us back to Paul’s prison and many other sights in Rome.
  • As I recall it was a small circular room in a basement maybe 20 to 25 feet in diameter. There were no windows or doors when Paul was there, so the prisoner was lowered into the room through a hole in the ceiling. Once the prisoner was in the basement a steel plate was secured over the hole so the prisoner could not escape. If the plate was solid steel the only light Paul would be candlelight.
  • There was a steel post in the basement to which Paul might have been chained.
  •  And at the time Paul was there Rome had open sewers which meant that the sewage of the city ran down the curbs of the streets and when it rained hard the sewage would flow into the rat-infested basements.
  • Most of us might have been asking God to get us out of those terrible conditions.
  • BUT not Paul, he decided to use that time to get to know Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior better than he knew anyone else. In fact, in that Prison was where he wrote “For my Determined Purpose is that I may know Him.” [Philippians 3:10 AMPC].
  • Paul had already penned 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ.”
  • Our FELLOWSHIP with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ DEPENDS ON US AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO CULTIVATE THAT FELLOWSHIP. WE WERE CALLED INTO THIS FELLOWSHIP AND NOT FORCED.
  • BUT WHEN WE ARE SAVED (BORN AGAIN – BELIEVE IN JESUS AND RECEIVE HIM AS OUR PERFSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR WE HAVE A SECURE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BECAUSE HE HAS PROMISED THAT “HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US.” [Hebrews 13:5]
  • WHEN JESUS CAME TO EARTH “HE CAME TO HIS OWN (HIS OWN PEOPLE) THEY DID NOT RECEIVE HIM. BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM HE GAVE THE RIGHT (AUTHORITY) TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD.” [John 1:11-12]
  • HIS POPLE WHO WOULD NOT RECEIVE HIM AS THE MESSIAH WOULD ALSO NOT BELIEVE IN HIM. IT WAS THEIR CHOICE.
  • THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT GOD’S CHILDREN.
  • BUT WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN BECAUSE WE HAVE BOTH BELIEVED IN HIM AND HAVE RECEIVED HIM AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
  • AND OUR HOLY RIGHTEOUS GOD WILL NEVER FORSAKE US, HIS CHILDREN.
  • AND THEN IN (Isaiah 41:10) HE GIVES US SEVERAL PRECIOUS PROMISES.
  •  TO HELP US FEEL MORE SECURE.
  • “FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU”
  • “BE NOT DISMAYED (CONFUSED), FOR I AM YOUR GOD”
  • “I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU”
  • “YES, I WILL HELP YOU”
  • “I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.”
  • Our RELATIONSHIP with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is secure because it DEPENDS ON GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO KEEP HIS PROMISES and remember God cannot lie.
  • WE ARE CALLED TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS BUT IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CULTIVATE IT, BECAUSE IT IS A GIFT OFFERED TO US BY GOD.
  •  BUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS ABSOLUTELY SECURE.
  • THERE IS A BIG DIFFERRENCE BETWEEN FELLOWSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP AND WE NEED BOTH.
  • Philippians 3:10 AMPC:

[“FOR MY DETERMINED PURPOSE IS] THAT I MAY KNOW HIM – THAT I MAY PROGRESSIVELY BECOME MORE DEEPLY AND INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH HIM, PERCEIVING AND RECOGNIZING AND UNDERSTANDING [THE WONDERS OF HIS PERSON) MORE STRONGLY AND MORE CLEARLY. AND THAT I MAY IN THAT SAME WAY COME TO KNOW THE POWER OUTFLOWING FROM HIS RESURRECTION [WHICH IT EXERTS OVER BELIEVERS], AND THAT I MAY SO SHARE HIS SUFFERINGS AS TO B E CONTINUALLY TRANSFORMED [IN SPIRIT INTO HIS LIKENESS EVEN] TO HIS DEATH, IN THE HOPE” (OF THE RESURRECTION).

  • AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS HOPE IS A (CONFIDENT EXPECTION THAT WE WILL BE RESURRECTED TO LIVE WITH GOD (THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT IN HEAVEN FOREVER).

THIS WAS PAUL’S “DETERMINED PURPOSE” IN LIFE – TO REALLY KNOW JESUS CHRIST, NOT JUST TO KNOW ABOUT HIM.
This verse can be broken down as follows:

  • To “progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Jesus.”
  • “Progressively” means that the moment we become a Christian we are not fully mature, but as Paul said, “he was pressing toward the mark (Goal). Here on earth, we will never be totally mature, BUT when we get to heaven we will. Praise God!
  • “perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of Jesus’ person.”
  • Our heavenly Father knows every detail about His Son Jesus Christ, and sees Him as obedient, wonderful and perfect. Even to the point of living out the Fathers plan of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins – because someone had to pay for our sins and that was Jesus.
  • To experience “the power outflowing from Jesus’ resurrection” (God’s supernatural power)
  • There are these times when we experience the power of the Resurrection in our lives:
  • When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
  • When God uses us to lead someone to Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and we see fruit in their lives.
  • When God uses us to Disciple someone and they catch the vision of making disciples who make disciples. Which leads to the multiplication of souls for Jesus which is the fastest way to reach the world.
  • To “so share Jesus’ sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into Jesus’ likeness.”
  • The goal of being continually transformed in spirit is to become like Him (Jesus) YIELDING TO HIS WILL AND HIS WAY. It is to be willing to go through suffering for the glory of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
  • To Become like Jesus is one of our Goals.
  • Multitudes of Christians suffer every day because they have a passion to become more like Jesus.
  • Questions & Answers:
  1. Why do I need to be so attached and united to Jesus?
  • Answer –
  • Because I want to be more like Jesus today than I was yesterday – TO BECOME LIKE HIM! [Romans 8:29 LBT,

2 Corinthians 3:18 LBT]

  • I want to live out God’s good plan for my life because it is a “plan for good and not evil to give you (us) a future and a HOPE” (CONFIDENT EXPECTATION OF WHAT IS TO COME.)

[Jeremiah 29:11 LBT]

  • Because Jesus our Lord and Savior said, “All authority has been given to ME in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe (discern) ALL THINGS I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo I am with you always; even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:17-20 NKJV]
  1. Why should I want Jesus’ thoughts to become my thoughts?
  • Answer –
  • Same as # 1 above.
  • Why should I desire that Jesus’ desires become my desires?
  • Answer –
  • Same as # 1 above.
  • Why should I want Jesus’ life to become my life?
  • Answer –
  • Same as # 1 above.
  • Why should I want Jesus’ nature to become my nature?
  • Answer –
  • Same as # 1 above.
  • Why should I want Jesus’ prayers to become my prayers?
  • Answer –
  • Same as # 1 above.
  • And why should I want my prayers to become Jesus’ prayers?
  • Answer –
  • Same as # 1 above.

2024年11月10日 牧者之言

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2024 年 11 月 6 日

小石城以马内利华语浸信会晨祷会
第一篇灵修

范杰瑞和范玛丽莲

•    诗歌 — 主祷文
•    早上好！ 我们很高兴今天早上能和你们一起参加这个特别的祈祷时间。
•    我们想以一个人的故事开始，上帝通过他的讲道和教导祈祷来改变我们的生命。
•    他是俄克拉荷马州诺曼市第一浸信会的牧师。
•    他的名字是 EF Hallock，他喜欢被称为“传道人”。
•    “传道人”去了自由派神学院，那里的教义非常自由，不相信神迹或童女生子等，但他认为圣经中有许多好故事，他可以去教导和宣讲。
•    传道 7 年后，他邀请了一位布道家来 他的教会。
•    布道家宣讲福音，第一天晚上“传道人”深陷悔恨，整夜挣扎。
•    第二天晚上，“传道人”鼓起勇气走在自己教堂的过道上说： “我从来没有相信耶稣是我个人的主和救主。” 但 那天晚上他确实这么做了。
•    从那天晚上起，他开始吞噬上帝的话语——我们的意思是——他
o    诵读，
o    研读，
o    背诵，
•    经过默想后，他说： “我开始掌握圣经，但我很快发现圣经正在掌握我。”
•    通过说他对此进行了默想，我们相信：
•    他沉思上帝的话语——他认真思考上帝对他说的话。
•    他在脑海里描绘出当时的场景或情况——并问自己，我在画面中自己是谁
•    他按照自己在圣经中所经历的去祈祷——向上帝虔诚的祈祷。
•    和你可以从他的讲道中看出来。
•    每年至少读一次到四次圣经，从创世纪 1:1 到启示录 22:21
•    永远记住圣经是为你写的：
•    罗马书 15:4 NKJV – “从前所写的圣经，都是为教训我们写的，叫我们因圣经所生的忍耐（或毅力） 和安慰，可以得着盼望。我们将盼望视为（对未来的信心期待）
•    “传道人”每周讲道三次，每次讲道至少包括以下其中一项：
•    不住地祈祷。
•    用上帝的话语充实我们的生活。
•    持守上帝的应许——一般的和具体的、个人的应许。
•    事实上，传道人写了一本关于“时刻祈祷”的小书，在这本书的封底他写道：
•    “奉耶稣的名祷告就是：
*如此地依赖于他，如此地与他合一：
*他的思想成为我的思想；
*他的愿望成为我的愿望；
*他的生活成为我的生活；
*他的本性成为我的本性；
*他的祈祷就是我的祈祷，我的祈祷就是他的祈祷。”
•    以弗所书 6:18a 说“靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求…”
•    今天，我们想要留给你们的灵修思想是“传道人”在他的书的封底写的——时刻祈祷——这意味着每天为生活中的一切祈祷：
•    例子：
*杰瑞 – 当我出去修剪草坪时，我祈祷上帝，让割草机今天早上启动
*玛丽莲——昨天醒来时唱着主祷文，并祈求上帝让在我们教堂音乐会上的那位男士唱主祷文并演奏出来，事情正如她祈求的那样发生了。

•    罗马书 12:12 “在盼望中要喜乐，在患难中要忍耐，祷告恒切。”
•    明天早上，我们将与您分享如何让“传道人”在书的背面写下的想法成为你自己的想法，以便其他人也可以对你谈论这些事情

FIRST DEVOTIONAL
Early PRAYER Meeting

At Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church
NOVEMBER 6, 2024

Jerry & Marily Fine

  • Song – The Lord’s Prayer
  • GOOD MORNING! We are excited to be with you this morning for this special PRAYER TIME.
  • We want to start with a story of a man that God used to CHANGE our lives THROUGH HIS PREACHING & TEACHING ON PRAYER.
  • HE WAS THE PASTOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA.
  • His name was E. F. Hallock, who liked to be called “Preacher.”
  • “Preacher” went to a MODERNISTIC  Seminary WITH VERY LIBERAL TEACHINGS and did not believe in miracles or the Virgin birth etc. but he thought that the Bible had good stories that he could TEACH & PREACH.
  • After preaching for 7 years, he invited an Evangelist to preach in his church.
  • The evangelist preached the Gospel and the first night “Preacher” was under conviction and struggled all night.
  • The next night, “Preacher” had the courage to walk down the aisle of his own church and say, “I’ve never trusted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior,” BUT he did that night.
  • From that night forward he devoured the Word of God – BY THAT WE MEAN – he
  • read,
  • studied,
  • memorized,
  • AND MEDITATED ON IT he said, “I set out to MASTER the Bible, BUT I soon found it was MASTERING me.”
  • By saying he meditated on it, we believe:
  • He PONDERED the word of God – he thought seriously about what God was saying to him personally.
  • He PICTURED the scene or situation in his mind – and ask himself who do I identify with in the picture
  • He PRAYED what he experienced in the Word – A PRAYER OF DEVOTION TO GOD.
  • and YOU COULD TELL IT IN HIS PREACHING.
  • He read Bible completely through – at least once a year to 4 times a year from GEN 1:1 to REV 22:21
  • Always remember the Bible was written for you:
  • Romans 15:4 NKJV – “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience (OR PERSERANCE) and COMFORT of the Scriptures might have HOPE and we see HOPE AS A (confident expectation of what’s to come) 
  • EVERY MESSAGE “Preacher” preached WHICH WAS 3 TIMES PER WEEK was on AT LEAST ONE, of the following:
  • Always in Prayer.
  • Saturating our life with God’s Word.
  • Living by God’s Promises both – General and Specific, Personal Promises.
  • In fact, Preacher wrote a little book on ALWAYS IN PRAYER, and on the back cover of this book he wrote:

“To pray in the name of Jesus is:

  • to be SO attached to Him, SO united to Him:
  •  that His thoughts become my thoughts;
  • His desires become my desires;
  • His life becomes my life;
  • His nature becomes my nature;
  • His prayers are my prayers, and my prayers are His prayers.”
  • Ephesians 6:18a says “praying always with all prayer & supplication in the Spirit…”
  • The devotional thought WE want to leave with you today is what “Preacher” wrote on the back cover of his book – ALWAYS IN PRAYER – Which means pray about everything in your life every day:
  • EXAMPLE:
  • JERRY – When I go out to mow our lawn – I pray Lord, let the lawn mower start this morning
  • MARILYN – Woke up yesterday singing the Lord’s Prayer & asked God to let the man who was in a Concert, at our church, to sing and play the Lord’s prayer & it happened as she had asked.
  • And Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in HOPE, patient in TRIBULATION, continuing Steadfastly in PRAYER.
  • Tomorrow morning, we will discuss with you how to make the thoughts “Preacher” wrote on the back of his book – YOUR OWN so that others might say these things about you.

2024年11月3日 牧者之言

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时间、才干和财富的管理

所求于管家的是要他有忠心。

—哥林多前书 4:2

        基督徒的管家职责基于这样的信念：上帝是我们所有和所有事物的源泉，我们要对如何使用这些恩赐向他负责。因为“地和其中所充满的都属耶和华”，我们应该张开双手，心甘情愿地与他人分享我们的资源。
        我们是时间的管家。以弗所书 5:16 说：“要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶。”我们在世上的时间短暂而易逝。我们是在用它来取悦上帝还是为自己服务？
        我们是自己能力的管家。我们不应该用这些能力来获得个人的认可或晋升，而应该用来祝福他人，建立基督的教会。即使我们的才干似乎微不足道，机会有限，我们也应该找到自己的位置，忠实地为上帝的荣耀尽我们所能。我们想听到主人的话：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人”（马太福音 25:23）。
         我们是财宝的管家。如果我们真正认识到上帝是合法的主人，而我们只是金钱和财产的看管者，我们就会明智地使用它们。耶稣说我们不应该在地上积攒财宝，而应该在天上积攒财宝，“天上没有虫子咬，不能锈坏，也没有贼挖窟窿来偷”（马太福音 6:20）。

         积攒天上财宝的一种方法是，用真正的基督徒之爱的言语和行为，以实际的方式回应我们周围的需要。每个人都应该“照上帝所赐给他的”自由地奉献（哥林多前书 16:2），无私地分享，利用他的地上资源来推进上帝的国度。我们的造物主值得我们作为他丰厚礼物的管家，谦卑地、感恩地赞美他。


马克·克罗普夫 – 俄勒冈州哈尔西

你们白白的得来，也要白白的舍去。 – 马太福音 10:8

引自 8月3日的《溪水旁》，阿米什人的灵修

Stewardship of Time, Talents, and Treasure


         Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Christian stewardship is based on the conviction that God is the source of all we have and all we are, and that we are accountable to Him for how we use these gifts. Since “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof,” we should hold our resources with an open hand and share them willingly with others.
       We are stewards of our time. Ephesians 5: 16 says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Our time on earth is short and fleeting. Are we using it to please God or to serve ourselves?
       We are stewards of our abilities. We should use these not to gain personal recognition or advancement, but to benefit others and build Christ’s church. Even if our talents seem small and our opportunities limited, we should find our place and faithfully do what we can for God’s glory. We want to hear the words of our Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25: 23).
        We are stewards of our treasure. If we truly recognized that God is the rightful owner and that we are but caretakers of our money and possessions, we will use them wisely. Jesus said we should lay up treasures not on earth but in Heaven, “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6: 20).
        One way of storing up heavenly treasure is to respond in practical ways to the needs around us, with words and deeds of genuine Christian love. Each person should give freely “as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16: 2), sharing unselfishly and using his earthly resources to advance God’s kingdom. Our Maker is worthy to receive humble, thankful praise from us as stewards of His bountiful gifts.

                 Mark Kropf – Halsey, OR
Freely yet have received, freely give. – Matthew 10: 8
Cited from Aug. 3, Beside the Still Water, Amish Devotion.

10/27/20 牧者之言

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“认定主”

——我的呼召与服侍

米国瑞

        我和妻子原本计划今天进行分享，但我妻子 Jackie 今天无法到场。她正在忙于照顾患有痴呆症的95岁父亲。她对此表示遗憾。

       我和Jackie 是在沃希托浸会大学（Quachita Baptist University）读书时认识的。在进入沃希托之前，我在路易斯安那州的尼科尔斯州立大学（Nicholls State University）上学。在路易斯安那州期间，我全身心投入服侍基督。所以我觉得最好从尼科尔斯转到基督教大学。因为我的家人住在学校附近，所以我决定去沃希托 。在去沃希托之前，我从未考虑过作传教士，但在那里时，我的许多朋友都是传教士的孩子。从他们身上，我看到了在父母在传教期间帮助教育这些孩子的必要性。

       我和Jackie交往了大约一年，然后我们开始谈婚论嫁以及我们想要如何度过自己的一生。我们很高兴地发现，我们俩都渴望去海外传教。Jackie在很小的时候就投身于传教事业。这恰恰证明了是上帝让我们走到一起的。

        我们于 1976 年 1 月结婚。婚后我们立即开始与美南浸信会的海外宣教部（the Foreign Mission Board）通信。从那时起，该委员会的名称改为国际宣教部（the International Mission Board）。他们告诉我们要考虑差派的资格：两年相关领域的工作经验，硕士学位和 20 小时的神学院学习。

       为了满足要求，我完成了教育管理硕士学位并开始教学。我教了两年书，然后，在 24 岁时，上帝给了我一个神迹，让我能够升任校长职位。

        我们第一次参加国际宣教部的面试是为了应聘菲律宾的教师职位。他们拒绝了我们，我们很失望。他们认为我更适合行政职位，而当时没有行政职位空缺。所以我们垂头丧气地回家了。

         过了一段时间，我们被要求再来参加第二次面试。台湾的马礼逊学校（Morrison Academy）有校长职位空缺。我拥有教育管理硕士学位，有两年校长经验。我唯一缺少的是神学院学历。学年结束时，我辞职了，我们搬到新奥尔良，就读新奥尔良浸信会神学院

（New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary）。

         大约在第二学期的一半时间，我收到宣教部的消息，台湾马礼逊学院的校长决定留任，这个职位不再空缺。而且世界上没有其他行政职位。这让我开始质疑上帝。我辞职了。上帝，我为什么在这里。你为我们计划了什么？为什么会发生这种事？

        大约三周后，宣教部再次联系我们。当时，学校刚招收校长。是黎巴嫩贝鲁特的美国学校。那是 1981 年，如果你不知道的话，当时黎巴嫩正处于内战之中。我们对这个机会并不感到兴奋，但我们只好听从上帝安排。我们告诉上帝，如果这是你想让我们去的地方，我们会去，但我们不喜欢。

        我完成了学期的学习，然后我们回到阿肯色州过圣诞假期。假期结束后，我们回到新奥尔良，有一封信在等着我们。这是台湾马礼逊学院的校长写的。他说他很高兴我们来台湾，并期待着我们的到来。这当然对我们来说是一个大惊喜。我打电话给宣教部，问发生了什么事？台湾以为我会来。宣教部做了一些调查，结果发现校长会继续留在学校，但不是校长，而是老师。校长职位空缺。我们很庆幸我们不必在贝鲁特服侍。我们也很感谢上帝给了我们在台湾服侍的机会。

        我们于1981年秋天被宣教部指派去台湾。1982年1月7日，我们飞抵桃园机场。办完海关，走进机场航站楼后，我对台湾的第一印象是，“天哪，这里好多中国人啊。”

       我们安顿下来后，很快就开始上语言学校。我们学的是北平话。当然，在台湾没有人说北平话。他们都说着懒洋洋的中文。所以，我们最终也学会了台湾腔。

        因为我妻子不在，所以我就把这个语言学校的故事讲给你们听。我们每天早上都会和一位导师一起上四个小时的课。下午我们会学习新词汇，然后上街去试着和邻居们聊天。当时我 28 岁。有一天，Jackie和邻居家的一位店主聊天。他们正在闲聊。

       店主问：“你结婚了吗？”

       Jackie回答：“结婚了。”

       “您丈夫多大了？”

       “他82岁了。”

       “82！真的吗？”

       “真的，82。”

       我们最终完成了语言学校的学业，我开始担任马礼逊学院台北分校的校长。马礼逊学院是一所国际基督教学校，专门为传教士子女的教育而设立。Jackie 忙于抚养我们两个出生在台北的孩子。她还与中国姐妹见面并服侍她们。我们都参与了协助建立一个新的中国植堂（中阳浸信会）。

        在传教区工作了大约 7 年后，宣教部的领导告诉我们，他们想开始撤出学校、广播电视工作、基督教书店等机构。这意味着我可能需要离开台湾。我当时有一个学习述职（a study furlough）。这将使我能够继续攻读教育博士学位，同时还能领取薪水。我的想法是，如果我不得不离开这个领域，那么我可以找一份大学教书的工作，这将使我有机会为在美国学习的中国学生服侍。我很快就完成了博士学位并返回台湾。我回到了以前的职位。一年后，校长辞职，我被邀请填补这个职位。我当时负责监督位于台北、台中和高雄的三个校区。我们在台湾的最后十年，我一直担任这个职位。 2002 年春天，我们的女儿从马礼逊的高中毕业。毕业后，我们回到美国，帮她安排大学入学。当时，我们的儿子刚刚读完十年级。我们在阿肯色州康威的一所为回国传教士准备的住所安顿下来。我们的女儿决定就读密苏里州斯普林菲尔德的密苏里州立大学。我们的儿子就读于康威高中。他曾在马礼逊上学，当时他的班上大约有 25 名学生。而康威11 年级的班上大约有 1000 人。他放学回家的第一天，我问他：“你今天见到什么人了吗？”他说：“见到了，但我再也见不到他们了。”可以说，他有点不知所措。最终，他意识到他喜欢待在美国，想在这里完成他的高中学业。我们同意了。但是，这意味着我必须在宣教部停止工作一年。

        于是，我开始寻找学校行政职位。我参加了几次面试，实际上我女儿所在的密苏里州斯普林菲尔德市获得了校长职位。但是，上帝并没有让我对此感到安心。尽管我没有其他职位，但我还是拒绝了。

        我住在康威，知道比比（Beebe）就在附近，于是就申请了阿肯色州立大学比比分校的教职。就在那时，Jackie的母亲心脏病发作。她在琼斯博罗的圣伯纳德医院（St Bernard Hospital）住了大约一个月。在此期间，Jackie住在车里，白天和晚上大部分时间都和母亲待在一起。很明显，Jackie和我需要留在美国，这样她才能帮忙照顾母亲。

        在这期间，有人联系我，说阿肯色州立大学想面试我，让我担任教师一职。面试进行得很顺利，我和孩子们回到台湾，收拾东西准备带回美国。我们剩下的东西要么送人，要么卖掉。还在台湾的时候，我接到了师范教育系主任的电话。她说我有一个好消息和一个坏消息。好消息是什么？我们想聘用你。那么，坏消息是什么？我们不想让你留在比比，我们想让你留在琼斯博罗（Jonosboro）的主校区。所以实际上这是好消息和更多的好消息。在琼斯博罗，我们离Jackie父母家大约三十分钟的路程。在接下来的一年里，Jackie大部分时间都在帮助照顾她的母亲。她最终好转，又活了四年。我相信，如果没有Jackie在她身边，她活不过一两个月。事实上，当她第二年回去检查时，Jackie无意中听到一名护士对另一名护士说：“她不是那个快死的人了吗？”

         我开始在阿肯色州立大学工作，教书，同时指导实习教师。但令我惊讶的是，那里只有几位中国教授。如果有中国学生，我从未遇到过。我以为我可以为中国学生服侍，但这个想法根本行不通。我当时向上帝哀叹：“上帝，我知道我应该在这里，但我不明白。”这种情况持续了几年。我记得，那是我在阿肯色州立大学的第三年，一位新教务长上任。他被任命的明确目的是招收外国学生。他在中国有很多人脉，一年之内，就有 800 多名中国学生就读于阿肯色州立大学。上帝把 Jackie 和我放在琼斯博罗的原因显而易见。不仅是为了帮助她的妈妈，也是为了服侍中国学生和华人社区。

         当时，Jackie和我在阿肯色州立大学附近的一个福音堂里服侍。我们都在教圣经课。Jackie正在教一个十几岁的女孩。我当时教的是青少年班，我的班很快就变成了一个国际班，大部分学生都是中国学生。

        我需要与你们分享我们班上第一个受洗的学生。一个星期天，来了一位新学生，Jason Mao（毛志强）。下课后，我们的一位同工庄进过来告诉我，你需要和这个学生谈谈。我和他简短地交谈了一下，然后我们约好第二天一起吃午饭。我花了一些时间讲解救赎计划，并按照他已经完成的步骤进行。”你是罪人吗？” “是的。” “你悔改并转向耶稣了吗？” “是的。”我把所有的问题都问完了，很明显他已经是一个信徒了。我问他你是怎么走到这一步的？他回答说：“在我离开中国之前，我的姐姐不是基督徒，她给了我一本圣经，并告诉我要读圣经，以便更好地了解美国文化。好吧，我读了圣经，并且相信了圣经”。几天后 Jason 就受洗了。赞美上帝！这恰恰说明了上帝的话语对那些愿意阅读它的人的力量！

        我提到了庄进，她和另一位同工 Grace Liouh也帮了大忙。庄进和她的丈夫 Jay、Grace 和她的丈夫 Wilson、Jackie 和我受到鼓励将我们的圣经学习转移到教会。我们所有人都参加了一个教会植堂研讨会，这让我们能够更好地组织成一个教会，而不仅仅是一个圣经学习。首先，我们有一段赞美音乐的时间，然后是圣经学习。你们许多人可能都认识林彬牧师，他鼓励我们，如果让我们在讲道和圣经学习之间做出选择，就专注于圣经学习。我们继续这种形式好几年了。最后，我们加入了讲道。我从未接受过讲道方面的培训，而且由于我的背景是教育，所以我更像是一个教育的牧师。

        随着我们的成长，我们增加了一个青少年男孩班、一个青少年女孩班、一个 1至6年级班和一个托儿所。由于我们的大多数孩子主要讲英语，因此这些课程都以英语授课。我们不仅有针对成人的中文班，而且还有针对那些想要用英语学习圣经的人的英语班。

         随着时间的推移，中国学生的入学人数下降到目前约有 30 名中国学生就读于阿肯色州立大学。在我们礼拜期间，随着阿肯色州立大学学生的入学率下降，来自大学和商界的成年人的出席率却有所增加。在疫情之前，我们每周大约有 70人参加。我们还没有完全恢复过来。目前我们大约有 50 人参加。最近，我们又有了一些新人加入我们，其中大多数不是基督徒。

        我提到毛志强，他于2010年9月20日受洗。从那时起，我们已经为62名新信徒施洗。受洗者包括学生、大学教师以及商界人士。

       上帝是忠实的。上帝不仅在教会的发展上忠实，而且在 Jackie 和我的生命中也忠实。我的人生格言是箴言 3:5-6：“你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明；你一切所行的事都要认定他，他必指引你的路。” 

        下个月我就要 71 岁了，回顾自己的一生，我可以看到上帝一直在指引我前行。约翰福音 1 章将耶稣称为真光。如果你仰望他，如果你将自己的道路交托给他，他就会照亮你要走的路。他是怎么做到的？上帝的话语为我们指明方向，告诉我们应该如何生活。如果你没有每天花时间研读上帝的话语，那么你就错过了按照上帝的意图驾驭人生所需的指导。不仅要用上帝的话语充实你的思想，圣灵也会引导你度过人生的艰难困苦。如果你想要一生走一条笔直的道路，过上富足而有意义的生活，那么就要专心仰赖主，不可依靠自己的聪明；在你一切所行的事上都要认定他。

（本文是米国瑞牧师 Rev. Greg Meeks 在10月19日小石城以马内利华语浸信会秋季特会上的分享，特此感谢）

 

2024年10月20日 牧者之言

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神创造的本能

 
“空中的鹳鸟知道来去的定期，斑鸠燕子与白鹤也守候当来的时令，我的百姓却不知道耶和华的法则”。 – 耶利米书 8:7

今天的关键经文中提到的候鸟（迁徙鸟），它们具有神创造的本能，根据季节迁徙。迁徙时间最长的鸟是北极燕鸥，它夏天在北极地区筑巢；然后飞到南极地区过夏，并在北极地区过冬。这种小鸟每年迁徙 18,000 到 25,000 英里，终生保持同一个配偶，寿命长达 30 年。
迁徙时间最长的哺乳动物是欧洲、北美、亚洲和格陵兰岛北极地区的驯鹿。这些动物追随食物来源迁徙 700 英里。
上帝也赋予人类一种本能，不是迁徙，而是崇拜。所有人都崇拜某种东西。但与动物不同，我们人类有选择的自由。我们可以选择崇拜我们的创造者和救主，也可以选择崇拜其它东西。我们很容易“崇拜”生活中自然的、可见的事物，而忽略属灵的、看不见的事物。我们如何表达崇拜的本能将决定我们永恒的命运。
迁徙的鸟类和动物尽管有危险和疲劳，但仍忠实而持续地进行迁徙。崇拜上帝不仅仅是参加周日早上的正式礼拜。它包括忠实的基督徒生活，尽管我们周围有生活的考验和世俗环境中的危险，但这种生活必须持续每周的每一天。虽然迁徙的动物本能地知道何时迁徙，但我们不知道我们的最终迁徙何时发生，到那日我们将站在全能上帝的审判台前。我们准备好迎接那一天了吗？
Lester K. Burkholder – Womelsdorf, PA
“时候将到，如今就是了，那真正拜父的，要用心灵和诚实拜他，因为父要这样的人拜他”。——约翰福音 4:23

摘自 10 月 2 日《溪水边》（第 29 卷，第 5 期），阿米什人灵修。

2024年10月13日 牧者之言

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 我心中的哈尔滨

诗篇31:15上 “我众生的事在你的手中……”（和合本）
诗篇31:15上 “我的一生都在你的手中……”（圣经新译本）
  • 注：教会一位弟兄回国时路过哈尔滨分享了一些索菲亚大教堂的照片，这促使我有感而发，写一点儿关于哈尔滨的故事作为留念，与大家分享。

哈尔滨素有东方明珠的美誉，被称为“东方小巴黎”。由王刚所播讲的“夜幕下的哈尔滨”伴随着我童年的成长，尽管对这部广播剧的内容一无所知，但它的标题却给我留下无限的回忆和遐想。
97年第一次离开鹤岗的家门，参加南京金陵协和神学的入学考试将我带到这座城市。从鹤岗到哈尔滨晚上9点多乘坐火车到早晨5点多到站。当火车缓缓驶入哈尔滨车站站台的时候，播音员说着最纯正的普通话：“各位乘客，哈尔滨火车站马上就要到了，请您收拾好行李，准备下车。哈尔滨是一座世界名城，每年的冰雪大世界，圣索菲亚大教堂……油炸冰棍，哈尔滨红肠等都让人流连忘返……祝您旅途愉快！欢迎您下次乘坐本次列车。”
那年考试的地点设在南岗基督教堂，考试的结果是一个月后收到一张“不录取通知书”。那次最深刻的是有7-8位一起参加考试的考生。当时的南岗大街上坐落着三座教堂，一座是新教教堂——我们信的基督教，那里聚会的人数最多，每周日会有好几次敬拜，大家都是排着队才能找到座位。与它挨着的是一座东正教教堂——人数很少，信徒多为中俄混血。我们当时很感兴趣去了解，想去那间教堂里找人交通学习相关的知识。当时遇见一位师母。她态度很不友善，并说：“你们要找教堂，你们到对面的天主教去吧，那里有神父和修女”。看来，他们尽管有外在豪华的建筑，却没有传福音的心。难怪他们最后只是沦为公众参观的外在摆设。接着，那天下午，我们几个同学去了对面的天主教，第一次见到了神父和修女，并参加他们的弥撒。一切都很新奇，我们也为着神父终身不娶、修女完全奉献给主，委身服侍而感动。考完试之后，几位同学逛哈尔滨夜市，在路灯下谈论着每个人对未来的期许和盼望。
98年我再次来到哈尔滨参考南京神学院入学考试，这次我们没有在市中心，而是到了距离市中心很远的万宝镇参加考试，因为那时万宝镇上办了一个省一级的圣经学校。好像是经过两次倒车，大概需要3个小时能到达。那次考试，我心里压力很大，在上帝面前祷告说：“主啊，如果今年我考不上南京，我就再也不考南京神学院了（在中国官方基督教最高学府）。我也许只是上一个地方的圣经学校或者东北神学院（坐落在沈阳）就可以了却余生了……”。考试前一夜，在学校的晚祷会上，有位女同学也是考生。她祷告说：“不在乎那定意的，也不在乎那奔跑的，只在乎发怜悯的神。” 结果，那次考试出奇顺利。我考试前复习的内容考试时都有出现。真是奇妙！考完试时，有一位在厨房工作的姐妹看到我对我说：“弟兄你能考上，我看你一直都在不住地祷告”。考试结束后，半夜10点多再次乘坐火车返回鹤岗的路上，我一路流泪，心中感谢上帝，知道里面有一个很清楚的声音说：“你要离开黑龙江了。今年我要带你去南京了”。那一年8月底，我又一次来到哈尔滨，与另一位同学汇合，一起乘坐南下的火车，奔向南京神学院读书。
那之后，在南京读书的7年里，我至少有8-9次到哈尔滨这座城市转车。每次都是擦肩而过，匆匆而去。当98年人不轻狂枉少年的游子背起行囊离开鹤岗老家的那个时刻，心中有一个声音说：“有一天，我会把你带到一个非常非常遥远的地方，你从未去过，也不知道它在哪里”。因为那个更遥远声音的呼唤，我从未将哈尔滨纳入我人生的规划中。然而，事与愿违，在2005年南京神学院硕士毕业那年，最不想去的地方就是哈尔滨。不过，我们要小心，也许你最不想作的事情往往就是上帝最想让你去作的事情。尽管毕业前在选择未来服侍禾场上有许多挣扎，也曾尝试去南方看是否要到那里服侍。然而，当坐在南方的一座教堂里敬拜时，眼泪止不住地流。圣灵在心中责备说：“难道你因为考虑物质的供应就不回哈尔滨吗？回去吧，那里的学生们等着你呢”。带着无奈，带着不甘，也带着对大城市的眷恋与不舍，2005年7月我再次来到哈尔滨，经过近3个小时，到了黑龙江圣经学校准备担任神学老师。在万宝镇的三年是学习谦卑的三年，那三年是历练品格的三年，那三年像摩西在米甸旷野、大卫逃避扫罗王追杀的三年。最不喜欢的三年却是人生最好的三年。最不想去的地方，却是满藏属灵金子的地方。到那个万宝镇的路灯下行走时，想到的是：“黑暗给我了黑色的眼睛，我却用它寻找光明”。走的时候说：“轻轻地我走了，正如我轻轻地来。不带走一片云……”
难道这座城市里就没有我值得留恋的地方吗？当然有。在这座城市的万宝镇上经历了主数不尽的恩典，许多长辈和弟兄姐妹的关怀爱心，学生的成长和发展，同学的鼓励和代祷都是珍藏心中的珍宝。在哈尔滨，我遇见一位主里弟兄和他妈妈曾无偿的爱心接待我在他家里住过一个学期，然而因为准备托福考试，心里一心想的就是背英文单词，从未留心品尝过霓虹灯下哈尔滨的韵味。在那里，我遇见一对传教士夫妇最终作为我申请美国大学的推荐人。在那里，我们曾参加一个南岗教堂的英语团契。2017年夏天在哈尔滨天鹅饭店里发生的一幕仍记忆犹新。当时有五个省的牧者同工参加一个神学研讨会。会议最后一天，沈阳的一位牧师带我到游泳池里学游泳。开始在一米深的泳池边，慢慢离开泳池边走到中间时我不小心落入深水中。那一刻惊恐向我袭来，我在水里挣扎。头脑里回想起小说《荆棘鸟》里一位年轻神父戴恩在水里被溺死的情形。同时，我想象假如这时我死了，我的妈妈、我的家人、我的学生一定会极其难过的。故此，我在水里拼命地挣扎。当时感觉到似乎有一双手把我拉回到岸边。这时救生人员才向我伸出救生杆。在岸上的人都为我捏了一把汗。牧师和我返回宾馆，我们一同向上帝献上感恩的祈祷。尽管我没有学会游泳，却学会了一项更深刻的功课：“原来死亡离我如此之近。每个人都要珍惜生命”。
2013年10月份我第一次回国探再次路过这座城市，心中有无限感慨。哈尔滨，我对你有许多亏欠，尽管在那里的万宝镇住过三年，却从未有机会欣赏过冰雪大世界。哈尔滨，我从未长久驻足仔细欣赏你的优雅古典之美，也没有真正敞开双臂拥抱过你。哈尔滨，这座让我魂牵梦绕的城市，你是我生命中的朋友，但我从来不属于你，你也不属于我。然而，在人生旅程的点点滴滴，在你那里我可以找寻回忆，更可以追逐上帝无形之手的蛛丝马迹。

 

The Harbin City in My Heart

Psalm 31: 15 “ My times are in your hands.” (NIV)

  • Note: A church brother travelled by Harbin on his way back to China and shared some photos of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin. This inspired me to write a few stories about Harbin as a souvenir and share them with everyone.
Harbin is known as the Oriental Pearl and the “Little Paris of the East.” The “Harbin Enveloped in Darkness” narrated by Wang Gang accompanied me during my childhood. Although I knew nothing about the content of this radio drama, its title left me with endless memories and imagination.
I left my home in Hegang for the first time in 1997 to take the entrance exam for Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (hereinafter referred to as NUTS ), which brought me to the Capital City Harbin of my province Heilongjiang. I took the train from Hegang to Harbin at around 9 pm and arrived at the station at around 5 am. When the train slowly pulled into the platform of Harbin Station, the announcer spoke in the purest Mandarin: “Dear passengers, Harbin Railway Station is coming soon. Please pack your luggage and prepare to get off. Harbin is a world-famous city. Every year, the Harbin Ice and Snow World, St. Sophia Cathedral… fried popsicles, Harbin red sausage, etc. are all fascinating… I wish you a pleasant journey! Welcome to take this train next time.”
The exam location that year was set up at the Nangang Christian Church. The result of the exam was that I received a “notification of non-admission” one month later. The most memorable thing about that time was that there were 7-8 candidates who took the exam together. At that time, there were three churches on Nangang Street. One was a Protestant church – the Christianity we believed in, where the largest number of people gathered. There were several worship services every Sunday, and everyone had to line up to find a seat. Next to it was an Orthodox church – there were very few people, and most of the believers were Chinese and Russian mixed race. We were very interested in learning about it at the time and wanted to go to that church to find someone to communicate with and learn related knowledge. At that time, I met a pastor’s wife. Her attitude was very unfriendly, and she said: “If you want to find a church, you can go to the Catholic Church across the street. There are priests and nuns there.” It seems that although they have luxurious buildings on the outside, they have no heart to spread the gospel. No wonder they ended up being reduced to tourist attractions. Then, that afternoon, several of us went to the Catholic Church across the street, met priests and nuns for the first time, and attended their mass. Everything was new and we were moved by the fact that priests never married and nuns devoted themselves to the Lord and served Him wholeheartedly. After the exam, several students went to the Harbin Night Market and talked about everyone’s expectations and hopes for the future under the streetlights.
In 1998, I came to Harbin again to take the entrance exam for NUTS. This time, we did not take the exam in the city center, but in Wanbao Town, which was far away from the city center, because at that time there was a provincial-level Bible school in Wanbao Town. It seemed that it took about 3 hours to get there after two reverses. During that exam, I was under great pressure and prayed to God, “Lord, if I fail to pass the exam in Nanjing this year, I will never take the exam for this Seminary again (it is regarded as the highest official Christian institution in China). I may just go to a local Bible school or Northeast Theological Seminary (located in Shenyang)…” The night before the exam, at the school’s evening prayer meeting, there was a female classmate who was also a candidate. She prayed, “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” As a result, the exam went surprisingly smoothly. The content I reviewed before the exam appeared in the exam. It was amazing! After the exam, a sister who worked in the kitchen saw me and said to me, “Brother, you can pass the exam. I see that you have been praying all the time.” After the exam, I took the train back to Hegang at 10:00 pm. I could not hold my tears all the way and thanked God in my heart. I knew there was a very clear voice inside saying, “You are leaving Heilongjiang. This year I will take you to Nanjing.” At the end of August that year, I came to Harbin again and met up with another classmate. We took the train southward and headed to NUTS to study.
After that, during the 7 years I studied in Nanjing, I changed trains in Harbin at least 8-9 times. Every time, we passed by each other and left in a hurry. When I packed my bags and left my hometown in Hegang in 1998, there was a voice in my heart saying, “One day, I will take you to a very, very far away place that you have never been to and don’t know where it is.” Because of the call of that more distant voice, I never included Harbin in my life plan. However, things did not go as I wished. In 2005, the year I graduated from NUTS with a master’s degree, the place I least wanted to go was Harbin. However, we must be careful, perhaps the thing you least want to do is often the thing God wants you to do the most. Although I had many struggles in choosing the future field of service before graduation, I also tried to go to the south to see if I should serve there. However, when I was sitting in a church in the south of China to worship, I couldn’t stop my tears. The Holy Spirit rebuked me in my heart, saying, “Are you not going back to Harbin because of material supply? Go back, the students there are waiting for you.” With helplessness, reluctance, and a longing for the big city, I came to Harbin again in July 2005. After nearly 3 hours, I arrived at Heilongjiang Bible School to prepare to be a theology teacher. The three years at Wanbao Town were three years of learning humility, three years of traning character, and three years like Moses in the wilderness of Midian and David escaping from King Saul’s pursuit. The three years I disliked the most were the best three years of my life. The place I least wanted to go was a place full of spiritual gold. When I walked under the street lights at Wanbao Town, I thought: “Darkness gave me black eyes, but I use them to look for light.” When I left, I said: “I left quietly, just as I came quietly. I won’t take away a cloud…”
Are there anything in this city that I should miss? Of course there are. I have experienced countless graces from the Lord at Wanbao Town of this city. The care and love of many elders and brothers and sisters, the growth and development of students, and the encouragement and prayers of classmates are all treasures in my heart. In Harbin, I met a brother in the Lord and his mother who had welcomed me in his home for a semester without any compensation. However, because I was preparing for the TOEFL test, I was only thinking about memorizing English words and never paid attention to the charm of Harbin under the neon lights. There, I met a missionary couple who eventually became my recommenders for applying to American university. There, we participated in an English fellowship at a Nangang church. A scene that happened in Harbin Swan Hotel in the summer of 2017 is still fresh in my memory. At that time, pastors and coworkers from five provinces attended a theological seminar. On the last day of the meeting, a pastor from Shenyang took me to the swimming pool to learn how to swim. I started at the edge of the one-meter-deep pool, and when I slowly left the edge of the pool and walked to the middle, I accidentally fell into the deep water. At that moment, terror struck me and I struggled in the water. I recalled the scene in the novel “The Thorn Birds” where a young priest named Dane drowned in the water. At the same time, I imagined that if I died at this time, my mother, my family, and my students would be extremely sad. Therefore, I struggled desperately in the water. Suddenly I felt as if a pair of hands pulled me back to the shore. Only then did the lifeguard extend a life-saving pole to me. Everyone on the shore was worried about me. The pastor and I returned to the hotel and we offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God together. Although I did not learn to swim, I learned a deeper lesson: “Death is so close to me; everyone should cherish life.”
In October 2013, I returned to China for the first time and passed by this city again. I was filled with emotion. Harbin, I owe you a lot. Although I lived at Wanbao Town there for three years, I never had the opportunity to see the Harbin Ice and Snow World. Harbin, I never stopped to appreciate your elegant and classical beauty, nor did I really open my arms to embrace you. Harbin, this city that haunts my soul, you are my friend in life, but I never belong to you, and you don’t belong to me either. However, in every bit of my life journey, I can find memories in you, and I can also chase the clues of God’s invisible hand through you.

2024年10月6日 牧者之言

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耶稣怎样对待难相处的人

 魏师母
 
雅各书 1: 19-20；箴言 22: 24；箴言 29: 22
我最近听了一篇关于以上这些圣经经文的讲道。我想和大家分享一下那篇讲道的牧师的一些想法。牧师在讲道开始时说：“控制愤怒是一个问题。” 这似乎已成为当今世界的一个大问题。我们看到更多的暴力，更多的愤怒和更多的仇恨。当然，我们所有人有时都会生气。但作为基督徒，我们需要控制我们对愤怒的反应方式。今天，我想更多地谈谈如何回应那些向我们发泄愤怒的人，以及这种愤怒如何让我们震惊和受伤，尤其是当这种愤怒来自我们的弟兄姐妹时。我们需要节制和饶恕来处理针对我们的愤怒以及我们自己有时感受到的愤怒，我们需要圣灵的帮助来应对这些情况。
当我们看雅各的话时，我们看到他在强调一个观点，亲爱的兄弟们，“这是你们所知道的”（雅1: 19-20）：“注意这一点”，“永远不要忘记”，“理解这一点”……” 要快快的听”，多听是最好的。换句话说，如果我们能花点时间从仇恨的苛刻话语或伤害性行为中恢复过来，只是思考一下。然后雅各说，“慢慢的说”，“慢慢的动怒， ” “慢慢的动怒”。我们需要在听觉上有属灵的理解力（深入倾听）！这需要迅速服从上帝的圣灵。我们必须每天充满圣灵，为这些时刻做好准备。有时很难知道如何回应，因为我们被愤怒吓到了。大多数时候，它让我们措手不及。显然，在那一刻表现出愤怒的人正在对我们犯罪。让我们小心，不要得罪他们。认真、深入地倾听总会带来更好的结果。
现在我们来看看雅各在第 20 节中还想提醒我们什么，“因为人的怒气不能成就神所的义。”换句话说，愤怒并不能使我们变得善良，而神要求我们必须善良。听听我读到的关于雅各的这些指示，仅仅知道甚至选择正确的行动是不够的：我们必须采取行动。神不寻求正义的知识，他寻求正义的生活！我们知道没有行为的信心不能称为信心。信心不仅仅是言语；它不仅仅是知识；它通过顺服来体现。信心使我们脱离世界并顺服神。信心使我们有能力抵抗魔鬼并谦卑地接近神。雅各向我们展示了相信正确的事情却过着错误的生活是可能的。雅各在处理这个敏感话题上对弟兄们非常友善，但他给出了具体的实际指导来帮助我们过上真正的基督徒生活。雅各是耶稣同母的兄弟，但他却自称自己是 “神和主耶稣基督的仆人”。我们也是这样的人。我们面临的挑战是与人们协调恩典和真理，并表现出基督般的行为。因此，我们的目标是在展现恩典的同时展现真理。我们捍卫正义，同时也展现耶稣基督的爱。耶稣在世时面对过许多愤怒的人。他没有变得暴力或粗心大意。但他也不是一个软弱的人（。他不让人欺负他）他直面敌人。但耶稣不是用刀剑、匕首、威胁或侮辱来对抗，而是用恩典和真理的有力结合来对抗敌人。
我们仰望耶稣，因为他比任何人都更了解愤怒，也知道如何应对批评或虐待。耶稣处理难相处的人的一些方法如下：
1. 耶稣问问题。还记得路加福音第 12 章中的故事吗？当时耶稣被要求解决一个关于遗产的家庭纠纷，他回答说：“谁立我作你们断事的官？”“要谨慎！要防备一切贪心；人的生命不在乎家道丰富。”耶稣想让他们明白，把物质的东西置于个人关系之上会带来不好的后果。耶稣用问题来强调他对他人的开放态度。
2. 耶稣做的另一件事是，耶稣从未感到被逼入绝境。当法利赛人指责他做某些事情违反安息日时，耶稣并不担心他们会怎么看他。那不是他的重点。有时人们会用他们的判断逼迫我们，我们觉得他们误解了我们或不了解我们。但像耶稣一样，我们不必被别人的猜测所定义。我们的身份存在于上帝，而不是别人试图强加给我们的东西。
3. 耶稣知道何时该忽视。记得在《路加福音》第 4 章中，当耶稣回到家乡拿撒勒时，他在会堂里读经文时说：“没有先知在自己的家乡被人悦纳的。”他讲了以利亚和寡妇的故事。会堂里的所有人都对耶稣感到愤怒。他们把他赶出城外，想把他扔下悬崖。耶稣知道没有办法和这些人讲理，所以他直接穿过人群，“继续上路”。有些人会发脾气，辱骂和粗鲁……在当今现代的网络上或短信中，这种情况屡见不鲜。这是离开的时候了。有时人们是不讲道理的，所以你别无选择。当面质问时，你也许可以选择另一种方式。
4. 耶稣没有采取防御措施。在马可福音第 10 章中，我们看到雅各和约翰的请求。“夫子，我们无论求什么，愿你给我们成就。”耶稣说，你们要我做什么？他们要求在荣耀中坐在耶稣的左右手边。他们越界了。耶稣知道什么时候说不，什么时候说是，并且不担心让人们不高兴。有时人们对我们的要求超出了我们所能给予的。他们可能会试图让我们感到内疚。耶稣爱所有的人，但他的目标不是取悦所有人。耶稣的目标是遵行天父的旨意。上帝对耶稣的旨意给了他安全感。他不必竭尽全力去满足有需要或咄咄逼人的人。这是耶稣与他人打交道的另一种方式。
5. 耶稣很灵活。马太福音第 15 章讲述了一个迦南妇人的信心故事。这个妇人恳求耶稣医治她的女儿。耶稣说： “不。”但后来他被她的信心感动，治愈了她的女儿。耶稣以开放的心态对待人们。当一个难相处的人来找我们时，我们可能会想，哦，不，不会再来了。但也许我们最好保持开放的心态。这次情况可能会有所不同。我们不想拒绝圣灵在我们自己或他人生活中的工作。
朋友们，我们将耶稣视为我们完美的榜样，像他那样处理生活中的棘手问题和所有其他问题。像他一样，我们也会生气，也会对罪恶、虚伪和不公感到憎恨。这被称为正义的愤怒，这是可以接受的。耶稣没有表现出人的愤怒，而是表现出上帝的义愤。我们视耶稣为榜样，但我们很软弱，有时会失败。我们必须祈祷、宽恕，并继续努力在控制愤怒方面做得更好。

（魏师母于2024年9月19日早上5点晨祷分享）

HOW JESUS DEALT WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

Elinda West 
            
JAMES 1: 19-20; PROVERBS 22: 24; PROVERBS 29: 22

I very recently heard a sermon on these bible verses. I would like to share with you some thoughts from the pastor who preached that sermon. The pastor began his message by saying “controlling anger is a problem.” It seems to have become a bigger issue in today’s world. We see more violence, more rage, more hatred.  Of course, all of us will get angry sometimes. But as Christ followers, we need to control the way we respond to our anger! Today I want to talk more about ways to respond to those who spew out their anger toward us and how it shocks us and hurts us, especially if this anger toward us is from fellow believers.  It takes discipline and forgiveness to deal with anger directed toward us and the anger we ourselves feel at times and we need the help of the Holy Spirit for these situations.
When we look at James’ words, we see he is making a point, Dear Brothers, “take note of this”, “don’t ever forget”, “understand this” ……” be quick to LISTEN,” “it is BEST to LISTEN MUCH.” In other words, if we could take a few moments to recover from the hateful harsh words or hurtful actions and just think. Then James says, “slow to speak” …… “slow to become angry,” “slow to take offense”! We need spiritual understanding in our hearing
(deep listening). That takes quick obedience to God’s Holy Spirit. We have to be filled with the Spirit daily to be ready for these moments.  It’s difficult to know how to respond sometimes because we are so shocked by anger. Most of the time it catches us off guard! Clearly the person showing their anger in that moment is committing a sin against us. Let’s be careful that we do not sin against them!  Listening deeply, carefully, always brings a better result.
Now we want to see what James is also wanting to remind us in vs 20, “for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” In other words, anger doesn’t make us GOOD, as God demands we must be. Listen to something I read about these instructions from James,  “It is not enough to KNOW or even CHOOSE the right action: We must DO that action!  God does not seek righteous KNOWLEDGE; He seeks righteous LIVES!” We know that FAITH without works cannot be called FAITH.  Faith is more than words; it is MORE than KNOWLEDGE; it is demonstrated by OBEDIENCE.  Faith produces separation
from the world and submission to God! Faith provides us with the ability to resist the devil and humbly draw near to God! James is showing us that it is possible to believe right things and yet live the wrong way. James is so kind toward the brothers in dealing with this sensitive topic, but he gives specific practical instructions to help us live an authentic Christian life. James was Jesus’ half-brother yet he referred to himself as a “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. That’s also who we are!  The challenge for us is to harmonize grace and truth with people and demonstrate Christ-like behavior. So, our goal is to project truth while also projecting grace.  We stand up for what is right while also showing the love of Jesus Christ.  Jesus faced a lot of angry people in his time on earth.  He did not become violent or careless. But he wasn’t a doormat either! (He didn’t let people walk all over him.) He confronted his enemies.  But instead of confronting with swords, daggers, threats, or insults, Jesus confronted his enemies with a forceful mixture of grace and truth.
We look to Jesus because he, better than anyone, understands anger and how to deal with being criticized or mistreated.   Some of the ways Jesus dealt with difficult people
were:
1. JESUS ASKED QUESTIONS. Remember the story in Luke 12 when Jesus was challenged to settle a family dispute about the inheritance and he responded, “Man who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus wanted them to understand putting material things over personal relationships has bad results! Jesus used questions to emphasize his openness to the other person.  Another thing Jesus did was
2. JESUS NEVER FELT PUSHED INTO A CORNER.  When the pharisees accused him of breaking the Sabbath by doing certain things Jesus wasn’t afraid of what they might think of him. That’s not his focus. Sometimes people corner us with their judgements, and we feel they misunderstand us or don’t know us.  But like Jesus we don’t have to feel defined by the projections of other people.  Our identity resides and is found in God, not what other people try to push on us.
3. JESUS KNEW WHEN TO IGNORE.  Remember in Luke 4 when Jesus returned to Nazareth his hometown and was reading the scripture in the synagogue and said, “no prophet was accepted in his own hometown.” He told about Elijah and the widow. All the people in the synagogue were furious with Jesus. They drove him out of town and wanted to throw him off the cliff.  Jesus could see there was no way to reason with these people, so he walked right through the crowd and “went on his way”.   Some people throw fits, speak abusively and harshly…. many times online in today’s modern time or in text messages. This is the time to walk away.  Sometimes people cannot be reasoned with, so you have no choice.  With in-person confrontation you might can choose another way.
4. JESUS WAS NOT ON THE DEFENSIVE.  In Mark 10 we see the request of James and John. “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus said, what do you want me to do? They asked to sit on Jesus’ right and left hand in Glory! They stepped over a boundary!  Jesus knows when to say NO and when to say YES and doesn’t worry about making people unhappy. Sometimes people demand more from us than what we can give. They may try to give us a guilt trip. Jesus loved all people, but his goal wasn’t to please everyone. Jesus’ goal was to do the Father’s Will. God’s will for Jesus gave him his security. He didn’t have to bend over backwards to satisfy needy or aggressive people. One other way Jesus dealt with other people.
5. JESUS WAS FLEXIBLE.  There’s a story in Matthew 15 about the faith of a Canaanite woman. The woman begged Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus said, “No.” But then he was moved by her faith and heals her daughter.  Jesus approaches people with an open mind. When someone difficult comes our way. We might think, Oh, no, not again! But maybe we better keep an open mind. Things might be different this time. We don’t want to shut out the Holy Spirit’s work in our own life or another person’s life.
FRIENDS WE LOOK TO JESUS FOR OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE IN DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN OUR LIVES.  LIKE HIM, WE TOO, WILL BE ANGRY AND FEEL HATRED TOWARD SIN, HYPOCRISY, AND INJUSTICE.  THAT IS CALLED RIGHTEOUS ANGER AND IS OK. JESUS DID NOT EXHIBIT MAN’S ANGER BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION OF GOD.  WE LOOK TO JESUS AS OUR EXAMPLE, BUT WE ARE WEAK AND WE WILL FAIL SOMETIMES! WE MUST PRAY AND FORGIVE AND KEEP TRYING TO DO BETTER ON THE ISSUE OF ANGER.

(Mrs. Elinda West’s sharing at 5:00 am early morning prayer on September 19, 2024)

2024年9月29日 牧者之言

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圣保罗讲道的实质


罗兰·艾伦

*作者罗兰·艾伦（1868-1947）于 1895 年至 1903 年在中国担任圣公会传教士。此后几年，他负责一个英国教区。在接下来的 40 年里，他一直在撰写有关传教原则的文章。

在《使徒行传》中，我们可以看到圣保罗布道的三个例子，即在彼西底安提阿的布道（13:16-41）、在路司得的布道（14: 15-17 ），以及在雅典的布道（17:22-31）。我们还有五处偶然提到其内容的地方：腓立比的占卜女孩所作的描述（16:17）、他在帖撒罗尼迦会堂的教导摘要（17:2-3）、以弗所的书记在集市上提出的一些让雅典人感到奇怪的观点（19:37）以及对以弗所长老的讲话（20:21）。此外，还有圣保罗本人在写给哥林多教会的第一封书信中对他在哥林多的布道的总结（林前2:2）。这些记载将保罗布道自然地分为两类：在会堂的布道和对外邦人的布道。布道分为三个部分，通过戏剧性的方式吸引听众的注意。
首先，圣保罗以犹太民族的过去历史为基础，表明他传的福音扎根于此，他的信息中并没有抛弃熟悉的事物，也没有否认对列祖们的旧启示的真实性；相反，以色列的整个历史都是上帝为弥赛亚的新启示所做的准备。
在第二部分中，他阐述了耶稣降世、遭人拒绝，以及随后被钉在十字架上的事实。在这里，令人吃惊的是，圣保罗以如此简单和毫不犹豫的直率面对这一巨大困难，这一困难在任何时候、任何地方都是福音被接受的最严重障碍——传教士的信息被他的百姓拒绝。他没有回避它，没有为此道歉，也没有试图掩盖其重要性。他明确清晰大胆地阐述了它；他把它作为他信息真实性的论据之一。这是预言的实现。然后，他拿出了确凿的证据，即使徒们见证的、先知们预言的复活。这是应许的实现。
在第三部分中，他向所有接受饶恕的人宣告饶恕的信息，并严肃警告拒绝饶恕将产生的后果。我们在这里可以看到圣保罗在犹太教堂布道的五个要素：

  1. 诉诸过去，试图通过他和他的听众共同的真理陈述来赢得认同。
  2. 这是一个事实的陈述，是一个可以被理解、领悟、接受、争论或证明的事物的断言。
  3. 对于不可避免的反对意见和本能的抗议，答案是：布道者本国中最聪明、最有思想、最有正义感的人，都决定反对这里提出的主张。
  4. 这是对人类灵性需求的呼吁，对饶恕的渴望，以及在新的教义中可以找到平安和信心的令人欣慰的保证。
  5. 最后，是严厉的警告。拒绝上帝的信息会带来严重的危险。

这个福音与圣保罗最后一次向以弗所长老们讲话（徒20：17-35）时所记述的内容完全一致。主要内容包括：神的属性，独一、活生生的、充满愛心的；耶稣基督、神的儿子、死亡、复活的生平事实：意义及其满足人类灵性需求的力量；偶像崇拜的愚蠢；救赎之道：悔改和相信；天国的教义；审判的临近。
我们很容易理解，这样的福音会如何吸引圣保罗的听众。对于那些在多神教的相互冲突的主张和混乱的教义中，寻求世界本质和思想统一的人，福音带来了一种既简单又深刻的教义，即一个真实而又活生生的神，万物的创造者。
对于那些寻求对世界、其本质和终结进行合理解释的人们，福音揭示了一种道德目的，在这一目的的光照下，所有的困惑、不确定性和明显的矛盾都化解为一种神圣的和谐。
对于那些具有高尚道德本能、对周围社会的不纯洁感到震惊和沮丧的人们，福音提供了道德判断的保证。
对于那些被罪恶感所压迫的人们，福音带来了饶恕和释放的保证。
对于那些受压迫的、悲伤的、绝望的人们，福音打开了通往光明和自由王国的大门。
对于那些被邪恶灵魂的恐惧吓坏了的人，福音揭示了一种仁慈、警惕、永远存在、无所不能、只需一句话就能驱除黑暗力量的圣灵。
对于不满于偶像崇拜的人们，福音教导他们纯洁地侍奉唯一的真神。
对于那些想象力被恩典的恐怖和黑暗所淹没的人们，福音保证了在复活的主的福祉与和平中超越恩典的未来。
对于需要支持的弱者、被邪恶的锁链束缚的罪人、无法应对异教环境中低迷的道德的人们，福音带来了内在力量属灵的应许。
对于孤独的人，福音提供了友好的温暖和陪伴，所有人都热切地期盼着光明的一天，恩典会降临，这个世界的一切困惑和烦恼都会消失。难怪圣保罗所传的福音如此吸引人，激发了人们的想象力，让他们充满希望，并赋予他们力量去面对迫害。
一个人一旦有了信仰，他的生命就在于与基督的联合。因此，这意味着接受新的生命源泉。这意味着依靠基督来供应和维持生命。这意味着放弃旧的生命观念，甚至放弃生命本身。 就像他以前所知道的那样。这意味着抛弃所有以前的东西。
被拒绝的可能性始终存在。圣保罗并没有在一个地方站稳脚跟，然后继续向那些拒绝按照他的教导行事的人传道多年。一旦他把他们带到了一个地步， 当决定很明确时，他要求他们做出选择。如果他们拒绝他，他就拒绝他们。 ‘抖着衣襟’ 、 ‘跺下脚上的尘土’ （注：参尼5：13，太10：14）、拒绝教导那些拒绝按照教导行事的人，是保罗传福音的重要组成部分。他不是简单地‘走开’ ，而是公开拒绝那些表明自己不配接受他教导的人。福音的一部分就是让人们‘判断自己不配得永生’ 。这是一个需要认真考虑的问题，如果忽略这一要素，福音是否还能被真正地传扬出去。当遭受拒绝还在继续教导，那这还是一种真正的教导吗？(Can there be a true teaching which does not involve the refusal to go on teaching?) 如果我们继续在拒绝道德回应的地方进行教导，我们便停止了传福音；我们只是把教导变成了一种理智教育。这就是为什么我们在学校和禅修院中对福音的教导得再多，也是徒劳无功的。我们教导，但我们不以道德的方式教导。我们不要求道德回应。我们害怕抖动衣襟（注：参尼5：13）这一道义上应由我们承担的责任。如果学生拒绝关注我们，我们应该拒绝对他进行理智教导。我们同样可以拒绝对拒绝关注我们信仰的学生进行信仰教学。
悔改和相信是他布道的关键。悔改时，他们承认自己过去的过错；相信时，他们作为基督身体的肢体得到饶恕。悔改时，他们认识到自己的软弱；相信时，他们通过基督之灵的管理找到力量。悔改时，他们承认自己所走的路是一条死亡之路；相信时，他们在基督的国度中找到了生命之路。悔改时，他们与罪恶的世界决裂；相信时，他们进入教会。

*摘录自罗兰·艾伦 (Roland Allen) 所著《传教方法：圣保罗的还是我们的？》出版地：Grand Rapids, Michigan，出版社： Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001. 62-77.

The Substance of St Paul’s Preaching


Roland Allen

  • The author Roland Allen (1868-1947) was an Anglican missionary in China from 1895 to 1903. For a few years afterward he was in charge of an English parish. For the next 40 years he was writing on missionary principles.

Of St Paul’s preaching we have in the Acts three examples, the sermon at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13: 16-41), the speech at Lystra (Acts 14: 15-17), and the speech at Athens (Acts 17: 22-31). We have also five incidental references to its substances: a description given by the soothsaying girl at Philippi (Acts 16: 17), a summary of his teaching in the synagogue at Thessalonica (Acts 17: 2, 3), a not of the points which struck the Athenians in the Agora as strange made by the Town Clerk at Ephesus (Acts 19:37), and the reiteration the Ephesian elders (Acts 20: 21). Besides these, we have an account of his preaching at Corinth given by St Paul himself in his first Epistle to that Church (1 Cor 2: 2). These accounts are naturally divided into two classes: the preaching in the synagogue, and the preaching to the Gentiles.
The sermon is divided into three parts by dramatic appeals to the attention of his hearers.
In the first, St Paul builds upon the past history of the Jewish race and shows that his Gospel is rooted there, that in his message there is no casting away of the things familiar, no denial of the truth of the old revelation made to the Fathers; but rather that the whole history of Israel is the divinely ordered preparation for the new revelation in the Messiah.
In the second, he sets forth the facts of the coming and rejection of Jesus and His consequent crucifixion. Here it is startling with what simple and unhesitating directness St Paul faces at once this great difficulty, the difficult with has at all times everywhere been the most serious hindrance in the way of the acceptance of the Gospel—the rejection of the missionary’s message by his own people. He does not shrink from it, it does not apologize for it, he does not attempt to conceal weight. He sets it forth definitely, clearly, boldly; he makes it part of his argument for the truth of his message. It is the fulfilment of prophecy. Then he produces his conclusive proof, the Resurrection, witnessed by the apostles, foretold by the prophets, the fulfilment of the promise.
In the third part, he proclaims his message of pardon for all who will receive it, and utters a solemn warning of the consequences which will follow its rejection.
We may see here five elements and four characteristics of St Paul’s preaching in the synagogue. The five elements are there:

  1. An appeal to the past, an attempt to win sympathy by a statement of truth common to him and his hearers.
  2. There is a statement of facts, an assertion of things which can be understood, apprehended, accepted, disputed, or proved.
  3. There is the answer to the inevitable objection, to the instinctive protests, that all the wisest and most thoughtful and most judicial minds among the speaker’s own people have decided against the claims here made.
  1. There is the appeal to the spiritual needs of men, to the craving for pardon, and the comforting assurance that in the new teaching may be found peace and confidence.
  2. Finally, there is the grave warning. The rejection of God’s message involves serious danger. The way of salvation may be refused, and is commonly refused, but not without peril.

This Gospel accords perfectly with the account with St Paul gives of his preaching in his last address to the Ephesian elders. The main elements include: The nature of God, one, living, personal loving; the facts of the life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the death, the resurrection: the meaning and their power to supply the spiritual needs of men; the folly of idolatry; the way of salvation: repentance and faith; the doctrine of the kingdom; the nearness of judgment.
We can easily understand how such a Gospel would appeal to the minds of St Paul’s hearers. To those who, among the conflicting claims and confused teachings of polytheism, were seeking for some unity in the world nature and of thought, St Paul brought a doctrine, at once simple and profound, of one personal God living and true, the Creator of all.
To men who sought for some intelligent account of the world, its nature and its end, St Paul revealed a moral purpose in the light of which all the perplexities, uncertainties, and apparent contradictions, resolved themselves into a divine harmony.
To men of high moral instincts, appalled and dismayed at the impurity of society around them, St Paul offered the assurance of a moral judgment.
To men oppressed by the sense of sin he brought the assurance of pardon and release.
To the downtrodden, the sad, the hopeless, he opened the door into a kingdom of light and liberty.
To those who were terrified by the fear of malignant spirits he revealed a Spirit benignant, watchful and ever present, all-powerful and able at a word to banish the power of darkness.
To men dissatisfied with the worship of idols he taught the pure service of one true God.
To people whose imaginations were overwhelmed by the terrors and darkness of the grace he gave the assurance of a future beyond the grace in the bliss and peace of the Risen Lord.
To the weak who needed support, to sinners bound with the chain of vice, to people unable to cope with the depressed morality of their heathen surroundings, he brought the promise of an indwelling Spirit of power.
To the lonely he offered the friendly warmth and society of a company all eagerly looking forward to a bright day when Grace would come and this world with all its perplexities and troubles pass away. It is no wonder that this Gospel of St Paul appealed to men, fired their imaginations, filled them with hope, and strengthened them with power to face persecution.
The moment a man had faith, life for him consisted in union with Christ. Consequently, it meant the acceptance of a new source of life. It meant dependence upon Christ for the supply and maintenance of life. It meant the abandonment of the old conception of life, nay, or the very life itself as he before knew it. It meant the casting away of all the former things.
The possibility of rejection was ever present. St Paul did not establish himself in a place and go on preaching for years to men who refused to act on his teaching. When once he had brought them to a point where decision was clear, he demanded that they should make their choice. If they rejected him, he rejected them. The ‘shaking of the lap’, the ‘shaking of the dust from the feet’, the refusal to teach those who refused to act on the teaching, was a vital part of the Pauline presentation of the Gospel. He did not simply ‘go away’, he opened rejected those who showed themselves unworthy of his teaching. It was part of the Gospel that men might ‘judge themselves unworthy of eternal life’. It is a question which needs serious consideration whether the Gospel can be truly presented if this element is left out. Can there be a true teaching which does not involve the refusal to go on teaching? The teaching of the Gospel is not a mere intellectual instruction: it is a moral process, and involves a moral response. If then we go on teaching where that moral response is refused, we cease to preach the Gospel; we make the teaching a mere education of the intellect. This is why so much of our teaching of the Gospel in schools and zenanas is ineffective. We teach, but we do not teach morally. We do not demand moral response. We are afraid to take the responsibility which morally rests upon us of shaking the lap. We should refuse to give intellectual teaching to a pupil if he refused to give us his attention: we might equally refuse to give religious teaching to a pupil who refused to give us religious attention.
Repentance and faith are the keynotes of his preaching. In repentance they confess their past wrongdoing; in faith they find forgiveness as members of Christ’s Body. In repentance they recognize the weakness; in faith they find strength by the administration of the Spirit of Christ. In repentance they confess the way in which they have walked is a way of death; in faith they find in the Kingdom of Christ the way of life. In repentance they break with a sinful world; in faith they enter the Church.

  • Excerpt from Roland Allen, Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours? Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001. 62-77.

2024年9月22日 牧者之言

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“生命”

约10: 10……我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。

        群富弟兄和羽凡姐妹这对基督徒夫妇是我们在奥克拉荷马时教会的同工。尽管我们在不同的时间都离开了那座城市，但在主里还常保持联系，彼此劝勉并互相代祷。提到群富，我马上会联想到至少三件事：
第一，“忠诚的五个人”（ “Faithful Five”）之一。据群富分享，他2008年在中国上大学期间信主后，在没有特殊情况下他每次团契和敬拜都必须参加，从不缺席，无论学业多么繁忙。当时团契里有五个固定参加的弟兄姐妹，“忠诚的五个人”之一由此得名。他坚持不懈的聚会鼓励了许多人。
第二，群富2010年在塞米诺尔州立大学（Seminole State College）毕业后于2012年到奥克拉荷马城市大学（Oklahoma City University）就读。他主动找到教会。我开车送他回去的路上聊天时，我和他说了一句话：“你毕业的那所大学也许就是你将来工作的地方。”结果，他毕业后的第一份工作就是在塞米诺尔州立大学教书。这是神奇妙的预备和带领。
第三，群富在2014年研究生毕业后，已经到了谈婚论嫁的时候，但他还没有找女朋友。当时教会组织人去参加在德州举行明日之光营会（the Pioneers Conference in Texas）。报名的最后一天，我鼓励他去参加，并随口和他说：“你也许会在营会上遇到自己的终身伴侣”。神使万事都互相效力。事实上，就是在那个营会上他遇见了羽凡，并且后来迈进了婚姻的殿堂。
两周前莎莎和我说，群富和羽凡有宝宝了。我听到这个消息后非常兴奋，第二天就和群富通了电话，恭喜他们喜得千金。在电话中群富让我去看他的脸书。在2024年6月24日，群富在脸书上分享到：
“在新生儿送礼会上，许多新父母选择举办性别揭晓派对，但我们决定做些不同的事情，举办名字揭晓派对。对于那些还不知道的人，我宣布我们将有一个女孩！爸爸的女儿！多年来，我一直想要一个女儿。中国人有一句俗语：‘女儿是爸爸的小棉袄’。这个俗语传达了女儿为父亲提供温暖、舒适和亲密的感觉，就像棉袄在寒冷的天气里提供温暖一样。多年来，我从未考虑过要一个男孩，直到几个月前 Shell 怀孕了。我们最初以为是个男孩，所以我们不得不想出一个男孩的名字以防万一。然而，我们早就决定了一个女孩的名字了。
我和 Shell 于 2015 年 10 月结婚，大约九年前。我们家的墙上一直挂着一份祷告清单，上面列出了大约 7-10 个祷告请求。我们每年更新两到三次。自从我们在 2016 年开始列出这份祷告清单以来，我们一直祈祷上帝赐予我们孩子。从 2017 年开始，生孩子的请求一直排在清单的首位。上帝是信实的！除了这个最上面的请求外，清单上的大部分祷告请求都已实现。多年来，你可以想象，有许多沮丧、失望、怀疑和质疑上帝的时刻。我在祷告中经常问上帝：‘你什么时候给我们一个孩子？我会有孩子吗？’多年来，我在教堂听到过一些夫妇经过多年的祈祷终于有孩子的见证。我总是想知道我什么时候有机会与大家分享类似的见证。上帝再次听到了我们的祷告！直到去年 11 月，我们得知 Shell 怀孕了。我忍不住哭了，百感交集。下班回家的路上，我一遍又一遍地听着‘神真美好’这首歌，歌词是：‘神真美好，神真真好。你对我真好。’
2017 年的一个星期天早上，我们的牧师讲的是耶稣在圣经中谈到的‘丰盛生命’。他向我们介绍了希腊语 ‘Zoe’，意思是生命。它指的是来自上帝的神圣、永恒的生命。在约翰福音 10:10 中，耶稣说：‘我来了，是要叫人得生命，并且得的更丰盛。’这强调了与上帝的关系中丰富而充实的生命。那一刻，我和Shell互相看着对方，知道我们彼此在想什么。礼拜结束后，在回家的路上，我们决定给我们未来的女儿取名为 Zoe，尽管我们甚至不知道什么时候会生孩子。我们知道上帝是生命的创造者，我们希望女儿能因信耶稣基督和与神的关系而拥有‘丰盛的生命’。话虽如此，我们的女儿名叫 Zoe Grace Cheng。Grace （恩典）是中间名。所以它的意思是，因着神的恩典，祂赐给我们丰盛的生命……
14 年前，也就是 2010 年，我独自一人带着一个随身行李和一个行李箱来到美国，当时还是一名留学生。对于那些不了解我背景的人我想介绍一下：我在中国的一个农村长大。我妈妈只读了一年小学，我爸爸初中毕业。由于他们受教育程度有限，只能做体力活，收入很少。自从我在 2008 年成为基督徒以来，上帝彻底改变了我的生命。在美国的 14 年里，上帝一次又一次地实现了祂对我的应许。祂引导我完成了三个大学学位，提供工作，赐予我妻子和家庭，以及周围拥有很多朋友和教会弟兄姐妹，现在还有一个小女儿 Zoe。我的杯中满溢着祝福。我别无所求。我们俩都受到了朋友们的祝福和爱戴！
2010 年 8 月，在我来美国的前一天晚上，教会的弟兄姐妹为我举行了欢送会。他们给了我一本崭新的圣经，里面有许多来自兄弟姐妹的信息。其中一节是耶利米书 29:11‘耶和华说：我知道我向你们所怀的意念是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望’。这已成为我人生的箴言。每当面对生活的挑战、困难和危机时，我总是记得上帝对我的承诺”。
8月13日早8: 13时Zoe Grace Cheng 平安来到世界。在她出生的那个时刻，群富感动不已，泪流满面。小宝宝非常可爱，她穿的衬衫上写着：“我是上帝应允祷告的明证”（I Am Proof that God Answers Prayers）。 上帝是听祷告的上帝。小Zoe的见证提醒我们，要祷告，祷告，再祷告，到了时候上帝终必成就祂的美意。我们同心祈祷，愿主赐福小Zoe健康成长，尽早认识主，得着永恒的生命；也愿主赐给群富和羽凡智慧、力量和恩惠，使他们在为人父母的过程中生命更加丰盛，将更多荣耀归于父神！

Zoe

John 10:10…… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 
The Christian couple Jeff and Shell were our co-workers when my wife and I served in Northwest Mandarin Church in Oklahoma. Although we left Oklahoma City at different times, we have kept in touch with each other in the Lord, exhorting and praying for each other. When I mention Jeff, I immediately think of at least three things:
First, he was one of the “Faithful Five.” After he became a believer while studying in a university in China, without special occasions, Jeff never missed attending fellowship and worship even though when he was very busy with study.  At that time, there were five brothers and sisters in the fellowship who regularly attended, and the name of one of the “Faithful Five” came from this. The faithfulness Jeff has encouraged many brothers and sisters.
Second, Jeff graduated from Seminole State College in 2010 and went to Oklahoma City University in 2012. He took the initiative to find the church. when I drove him back to his dorm, I said to him, “The college you graduated from probably will be where you will work in the future.” As a result, his first job after graduation was to teach at Seminole State University. This was God’s special plan and arrangement.
Third, after graduating from Oklahoma City University in 2014, Jeff came to the point of looking for a girlfriend. At that time, the church organized people to attend the Pioneers Conference in Texas. On the last day of enrollment, I encouraged him to attend and casually told him that he might find his future wife at the camp. In all things God makes every work for the good. In fact, it was at that camp that Jeff met Shell and later walked on the aisle of wedding ceremony.
About two weeks ago, my wife Shasha told me that Jeff and Shell had a baby. I was very excited when I heard the news, and I called Jeff the next day to congratulate them on the birth of their daughter. On the phone, he told me to check his Facebook. On June 24, 2024, Jeff shared on Facebook:
“In Baby Shower Party, many new parents choose to have a gender-reveal party, but we decided to do something different and have a name-reveal party. For those who do not yet know, we will have a girl! Daddy’s girl! For many years, I have always wanted a daughter. In Chinese, there is a saying, ‘女孩子就像是爸爸的小棉袄,’ which means ‘Daughters are like a little cotton-padded jacket for their fathers.’ This idiom conveys that daughters provide warmth, comfort, and closeness to their fathers, much like a cotton-padded jacket offers warmth in cold weather. Over the years, I had never considered having a baby boy until a few months ago when Shell was pregnant. And we initially thought that it was a boy, so we had to come up with a boy’s name just in case. However, we had already decided on a girl’s name long ago.
Shell and I were married in October 2015, about nine years ago. In our home, we have always kept a prayer list on the wall, which shows roughly 7-10 prayer requests. We update it two to three times a year. Since we started this prayer list in 2016, we have consistently prayed for God to bless us with children. Starting in 2017, the request for a baby has always been at the top of the list. God is faithful! Most of the prayer requests on the list have been fulfilled, except for this top one. Over the years of prayer, you may imagine that there were many moments of discouragement, disappointment, doubt, and questioning God. In my prayers, I often asked God,
‘When will you give us a baby? Will I ever have a baby?’ Over the years, I have heard testimonies in church about couples who, after many years of prayer, were finally blessed with children. I always wondered when I would have the opportunity to share a similar testimony with everyone. Once again, God heard our prayers! Until last November, we found out Shell was pregnant with the baby girl. I could not help but cry, with a flood of emotions. On my way home from work, I listened to the song ‘God, you’re so good,’ over and over, which says, ‘Oh God, You’re so good. You’re so good to me.’
In 2017, one Sunday morning, our pastor gave a sermon about the ‘abundant life’ that Jesus talked about in the Bible. He introduced us to the Greek term ‘Zoe,’ which means life. It refers to the divine, eternal life that comes from God. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This emphasizes a rich and fulfilling life found in a relationship with God. At that moment, Shell and I looked at each other and knew what we were thinking. After the service on our way home, we decided to name our future daughter—Zoe, even though we did not even know when we would have a baby. We knew God is the creator of life, and we hoped for our daughter to have an “abundant life” through her faith in Jesus Christ and her relationship with God. With that said, our baby girl’s name is—Zoe Grace Cheng. Grace is the middle name. So, it means because of the grace of God, He grants us an abundant life…
Fourteen years ago in 2010, I came here as an international student all by myself with one carry-on and one suitcase. For those of you who do not know my background, I grew up in a village in China. My mom had one year of elementary school education, and my dad graduated from middle school. Due to their limited education, they could only do labor jobs and earned very little money. Since I became a Christian in 2008, God has completely transformed my life. Over the past 14 years in the States, God has fulfilled His promise repeatedly in my life. He led me to complete three college degrees, provided jobs, blessed me with a wife and family, surrounded us with lots of friends and church communities, and now a baby girl, Zoe. My cup overflows. I could not ask for more. We are both so blessed and loved by our friends!
In August 2010, the night before I came to the United States, our friends in Christ had a sendoff party for me. They gave me a brand-new Bible with many messages written from brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This has become my life verse. Whenever faced life’s challenges, difficulties, and crises, I always remember God’s promise to me.”
Zoe Grace Cheng came into the world safely at 8:13 am on August 13. At the moment of her birth, Jeff was deeply moved and burst into tears. The baby is so adorable. On her shirt, it says: “I Am Proof that God Answers Prayers.” God is a God who cline his ears and listens to our prayers. Little Zoe’s testimony reminds us to pray, pray, and pray again. When the time comes, God will eventually fulfill His good will. We pray together that the Lord will continue to bless little Zoe to grow up healthily, know the Lord as soon as possible, and gain eternal life; and that the Lord will give Jeff and Shell wisdom, strength and grace, so that their lives will become more abundant in the process of being new parents, and give more glories to God our Heavenly Father!

9/15/24 牧者之言

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敬畏上帝，尊敬国王

至高者在人的国中掌权，要将国赐与谁，就赐予谁，或立极卑贱的人执掌国权。——但以理书 4:17

 

         随着美国下一任总统竞选活动的势头越来越猛，人们常常自由地表达对候选人资格的个人意见。那些确信自己的选择比对手更好的人，这些评论常常演变成严厉的批评。不幸的是，这种倾向在那些自称信奉基督教的人中经常出现。

        两个多世纪前，在第二次美国总统大选前不久，一家报纸诋毁约翰·亚当斯为“一个彻头彻尾的伪君子，一个最令人震惊的傻瓜，一个无知和残暴、欺骗和软弱的奇怪混合体”。亚当斯是《独立宣言》的签署人之一，在华盛顿总统的领导下，他曾担任英国和法国的能干外交部长。他从不回应对他人格的诽谤；在成为第二任总统后，亚当斯在为美国服务了四年的杰出时期默默地取得了优异的成绩。

        虽然许多政府官员的资格和品格似乎值得怀疑，但我们有多少次为他们祈祷而不是责骂他们呢？保罗写道：“我劝你们……要为万人祷告、代求、祝谢；为君王和一切在位的，也该如此，使我们可以平安无事地度日。”（提摩太前书2：1-2）一切权柄都是上帝赐予的。

        作为基督徒，我们投票的最好方式是下上膝盖的功夫（指祷告），而不是在投票箱里，总是要真诚地说：“不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。”（马太福音 26：39）上帝的决定永远不会被投票所推翻。                         彼得·刘易斯——俄勒冈州哈尔西

 

 万军之耶和华既然定意，谁能废弃呢？他的手已经伸出，谁能转回呢？- 以赛亚书 14:27

        引自 9 月 7 日的《溪水旁》，阿米什人的灵修

 

温馨提醒：本灵修文提醒弟兄姐妹，请迫切为美国总统大选代祷，并鼓励有权投票的弟兄姐妹积极投票！

 

Fear God; Honor the King

The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. – Daniel 4: 17 

 

        As the campaign for the next president of the United States gathers momentum, personal opinions are often freely expressed about the qualifications of the candidates. The comments frequently degenerate into severe criticisms by those who are positive that their choices are better than the opponents. Unfortunately, this tendency all too often is found among those who profess Christianity. 

        A little before the second US presidential election over two centuries ago, a newspaper vilified John Adams as “a gross hypocrite, one of the most egregious fools, and a strange compound of ignorance and ferocity, and of deceit and weakness.” Adams was one who had signed the Declaration of Independence, and under President Washington he had served as an able foreign minister to both England and France. He never responded to his character assassins; and after becoming the second president, Adams quietly proceeded to excel during four years of distinguished service to the American nation.

       While the qualifications and character of many public officials may seem questionable, how often do we pray for them instead of berating them? Paul wrote, “I exhort therefore, that … prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Timothy 2: 1-2). All authority is delegated by God. 

        The best way we as Christians can vote is on our knees, not in the ballot box, always including an earnest, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26: 39). God’s decisions can never be defeated by voting.                                 Peter Lewis – Halsey, OR 

 

The Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and

who shall turn it back? – Isaiah 14: 27

Cited from Sept. 7, Beside the Still Water, Amish Devotion.

Friendly reminder: This devotion reminds us to pray earnestly for the Presidential Election and encourages us to vote if we can!