Category Archives: 牧者之言

This category collects the weekly words from pastor

3/30/25 牧者之言

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葡萄树

        我在哈尔滨认识的一位好弟兄家的儿子小名唤“葡萄”；
我们或许可以为小石城以马内利华语浸信会2025版更新的电子相册命名为“葡萄树”。
耶稣说：“我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人。凡属我不结果子的枝子，祂就剪去；凡结果子的，祂就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多”（约15: 1-2）。
葡萄树没有棕树的四季常青，没有松树的傲骨耐寒，更没有像香柏树那样成为圣殿中栋梁之材的良机。葡萄树盘根错节，枝蔓舒展，幽幽绿荫生长的唯一价值就是去结果子。
这果子是圣灵的果子，是生命的流露， 是得人如得渔的事工，是虔诚祈祷所发出的力量，是天国的影响力。
天父有美好的计划。1998年天父在以马内利浸信会栽种了这颗葡萄树，成为以马内利浸信会的福音堂。2021年11月14日，她正式成为独立的教会，全名为：小石城以马内利华语浸信会。2022年7月3日，她搬到Markham Street 崇拜。
耶稣是真葡萄树，天父是栽培的人。耶稣道成肉身，在十字架上成全救恩，三日后死里复活成了葡萄树的根基。主的大使命——传福音使万民做主门徒的是教会竭力追求的标杆，主的再来是我们警醒祷告、殷勤预备、彼此相愛、互相劝勉的动力和泉源。
圣灵供应葡萄树的养分，并适时修剪。圣灵如一把锋利的剪刀，他为了让我们结果子更多便不断忍心修理我们，除掉我们的自义、软弱、骄傲、狂妄、贪婪、和不洁。圣灵在我们犯罪时责备我们，迷茫时光照我们，难过时安慰我们，失脚时扶举我们，为要使我们见证主的圣名。
主给这颗葡萄树唯一的命令是：要常住在主里面——常住在主的话里，常住在主的爱里。
感恩，这颗葡萄树的标语是：“见证基督，影响世界！”
感恩，这颗葡萄树的异象是：“但圣灵降临在我们身上，我们就必得着能力，并要在小石城、阿肯色州、全美国，直到世界各地，做主的见证！”
感恩，这颗葡萄树的使命宣言是：“忠于圣约、敬虔崇拜、合一团契、真诚相愛、训练门徒，并广传福音。”
感恩，这颗葡萄树的核心价值是：“家庭、下一代、祈祷、愛心关怀、服侍、敬虔，圣洁和真理。”
感恩，这颗葡萄树正在以前所未有的活力继续传扬福音、建立教会，彰显主名，并整装待发、准备勇敢地迈向下一步。
我们有信心、我们有愛心、我们有盼望，因为我们是天父所栽种、耶稣所树立、圣灵所经营的葡萄树。小石城的春天百花开放，白鸟鸣叫的时候已经来到，斑鸠的声音在我们境内也听见了，无花果树的果子渐渐成熟，葡萄树开花放香，大好良机已经来到。
约瑟是多结果子的枝子，是泉旁多结果子的枝子，他的枝条探出墙外；
小石城以马内利华语浸信会是多结果子的葡萄树，是井旁多结果子的枝子，她探出墙外的枝条硕果累累！

The Vine

I have a dear brother in Harbin whose son’s nickname is “Grape.”
Perhaps we could name the 2025 updated digital album of Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church “The Vine.”
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).
The vine does not have the evergreen nature of the palm tree, nor the proud resilience of the pine, nor the opportunity to become the beams of the temple like the cedar. With its intertwining roots and sprawling branches, the vine grows under the lush shade with only one purpose—to bear fruit.
This fruit is the fruit of the Spirit—it is the outflow of life, the work of winning souls like fishers of men, the power of devout prayers, and the impact of the kingdom of heaven.
The Father has a wonderful plan. In 1998, He planted this vine at Immanuel Baptist Church, establishing it as a “Mission Church.” On November 14, 2021, she officially became an autonomous church under the full name Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church. On July 3, 2022, the church moved to Markham Street for worship.
Jesus is the true vine, and the Father is the gardener. Jesus became flesh, accomplished salvation on the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day, becoming the foundation of the vine. The Great Commission—to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations— is the goal that the Church strives to pursue. The Lord’s return is our motivation and source of encouragement to remain watchful in prayer, diligent in preparation, loving one another, and exhorting each other.
The Spirit provides nourishment to the vine and prunes it at the right time. The Spirit is like a sharp pair of shears—He lovingly yet firmly prunes us so that we may bear even more fruit. He removes our self-righteousness, weakness, pride, arrogance, greed, and impurity. When we sin, He convicts us; when we are lost, He enlightens us; when we grieve, He comforts us; when we stumble, He upholds us—all so that we may glorify the name of the Lord.
The Lord gives only one command to this vine: Remain in Him, that is, to remain in His Word, and remain in His love.
With gratitude, we proclaim that this vine’s motto: Witness Christ & Impact the World!
With gratitude, we uphold this vine’s vision: But we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us; we will be the Lord’s witnesses in Little Rock, and in Arkansas and the United States, and to the world!
With gratitude, we embrace this vine’s mission statement: Keeping the Covenant Faithfully, Worshipping the Lord Sincerely, Having Fellowship Harmoniously, Loving Each Other Genuinely, Making Disciples Continuously, and Sharing the Gospel Passionately.
With gratitude, we cherish this vine’s core values: Family, Next Generation, Prayer,
Love Caring, Service, Godliness, Holiness, and Truth
With gratitude, we witness this vine moving forward with unprecedented vitality—spreading the gospel, building up the church, magnifying the Lord’s name, and preparing to take next step boldly into the future.
We have faith, we have love, and we have hope, because we are a vine planted by the Father, established by Jesus, and nurtured by the Spirit. Spring has come to Little Rock—the flowers are blooming, the white birds are singing, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens with its early fruit, and the vine blossoms, spreading its fragrance. The time of great opportunity has arrived!
Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climbed over the wall.
LRICBC is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a well, and its branches extend beyond the walls, bearing abundant fruit!

3/23/25 牧者之言

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工作中的偶像崇拜
阅读经文：哈巴谷书2:6-20

对神忠心不是在工作中肤浅地口头上赞美神，而是把神的优先事项摆在首位。先知哈巴谷提醒我们：“惟耶和华在他的圣殿中，全地的人都当在他面前肃敬静默！”（哈2:20）。这种静默不仅仅是遵循一个宗教的仪式，而是让我们破碎的雄心、恐惧和动力保持静默，好让神圣约的优先事项成为我们的优先事项。那些利用他人弱点的人为自己招来审判。压迫或者利用他人的工作最终会导致自己衰败。
今天我们可能不会用贵重的材料来制作偶像，在其面前跪拜。但如果我们想像自己有能力实现自我的救赎，那麽工作也可能成为偶像。因为偶像崇拜的本质是“制造者倚靠自己铸造出来的偶像”（哈2:18），而不是信靠那带领并赐给我们能力去工作的神。
如果我们雄心勃勃的想要获得权力和影响力，是因为以为离了智慧、才能和领导力，我们的工作群体、公司、组织或国家就注定会失败，那我们的雄心就是一种偶像崇拜。相比之下，若我们志向远大的想要获得权力和影响力，是为吸引别人进入服事的网络关系中，在其中每个人都把神的恩赐带给世人，那么这样的雄心就是一种忠心。如果成功了我们洋洋自得，就是在拜偶像。如果我们向神感恩，就是在敬拜神。如果对失败的反应是沮丧，那么我们感受到的是偶像破碎之后的空虚。如果反应是不屈不挠，我们就正在经历神拯救的大能。
摘自：https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/work-through-whole-bible-devotional/#toc
3/23/25 Pastor’s Word

Idolatrous Work

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 2:6–20

Faithfulness is not a superficial matter of uttering praises to God while we work. It is the act of putting God’s priorities first in our work. Habakkuk reminds that “the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!” (Hab. 2:20). This silence is not merely a religious observation, but a silencing of our own broken ambitions, fears, and motivations, so that the priorities of God’s covenant can become our priorities. Those who exploit others’ vulnerabilities bring judgment on themselves. Work that oppresses or takes advantage of others ultimately brings about its own downfall.

Today we may not be literally crafting idols of precious materials before which we bow down. But work may also be idolatrous if we imagine that we are capable of producing our own salvation. For the essence of idolatry is that “its maker trusts in his own handiwork” (Hab. 2:18, NASB), rather than trusting in God by whose guidance and power we are created to work.

If we are ambitious for power and influence because we think without our wisdom, skill and leadership, our work group, company, organization, or nation is doomed, then our ambition is a form of idolatry. In contrast, if we are ambitious for power and influence so that we can draw others into a network of service in which everyone brings forth God’s gifts for the world, then our ambition is a form of faithfulness. If our response to success is self-congratulation, we are practicing idolatry. If our response is thankfulness, then we are worshiping God. If our reaction to failure is despair, then we are feeling the hollowness of a broken idol, but if our reaction is perseverance, then we are experiencing the saving power of God.
Prayer: Jesus, when I am tempted by the idols of pride and self-sufficiency in my work, help me instead to remember with thanksgiving that I have freely received all gifts from you. Thank you for making fruitful work possible. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Idolatrous Work (Habakkuk 2:1-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.
Cited from: https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/work-through-whole-bible-devotional/#toc

3/16/25 牧者之言

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2025 护教培训会议笔记

2025年3月8日星期六，我们的四位青少年参加了在以马内利浸信会举行的2025护教培训(Lead Defend) 会议。他们的笔记如下。

笔记整理：Benjamin, Joshua, Elaine, Yosef

钥节：

哥林多前书 15:17 – “基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里。”

耶稣复活的四个“E”

  1. 处决（Execution） – 耶稣真的死了。从历史记录来看，没有人能在被钉十字架后生还。圣经之外的史料也证实了耶稣的死亡，包括《美国医学会杂志》的报道：“很明显，历史证据的权重表明，耶稣在肋旁被刺之前就已经死亡。”
  2. 早期记载（Early Accounts） – 复活事件被记录的时间太早，不可能是传说。 
    • 哥林多前书 15:3-8 详细记载了早期的目击者见证。
    • 雅各和保罗因耶稣向他们显现而信主。
  3. 空坟墓（Empty Tomb） – 即使是耶稣的敌人也承认坟墓是空的。 
    • 墓穴被封印并有士兵看守，然而仍然是空的。
    • 基督教的反对者承认此事实，并辩称门徒偷走了耶稣的身体。
  4. 目击证人（Eyewitnesses） – 多个来源证实了耶稣的复活。 
    • 500多人见过复活后的耶稣，因此“幻觉”理论站不住脚。
    • 早期见证者包括保罗、马太、马可、路加、约翰，以及教父革利免（Clement）和坡旅甲（Polycarp）。

信仰与得救

只在知识层面知道耶稣是不够的——必须要接受祂，才能成为神的儿女。

  • 约翰福音 1:12：“凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就赐他们权柄作神的儿女。”
  • 哥林多前书 15:17：“基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里。”

我们的使命

  • 马太福音 28:19：“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。”
  • 无神论者、不可知论者和非信徒不是我们的敌人，而是需要福音的人。

与非信徒交流的七个原则

  1. 你不需要知道所有答案。
  2. 人比项目更重要。
  3. 做一个撒种者（哥林多前书 3:6）。
  4. 认真倾听，理解对方的观点。
  5. 控制自己的情绪。
  6. 穿戴属灵的军装——为艰难的对话做好准备。
  7. 活出真实的信仰，言行一致。

十二个有效交流工具

  1. 预备自己
  2. 提出问题
  3. 灵活应对
  4. 让对方充分表达（不要急于打断）
  5. 揭示他们的策略（识别他们推理中的漏洞）
  6. 温和地指出其推理中的缺陷
  7. 选择合适的语言（既尊重又精准）
  8. 不断指向耶稣
  9. 分享福音
  10. 诚实承认自己不知道的事情
  11. 做好功课，不断学习
  12. 反复练习，提高对话技巧

邪恶的问题：邪恶是否证明神不存在？

  • 无神论者的论点：如果神是全能且完全良善的，祂应该消灭邪恶。但邪恶存在，因此神不存在。
  • 这一论点的缺陷：它假设神没有允许邪恶存在的理由。
  • 罗马书 8:28“我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按祂旨意被召的人。”
  • 神允许苦难，不是因为祂缺席或无能，而是要塑造我们，成就祂的美好旨意。

会议讲员的重要教导

  • Codey牧师： 即使不是牧师，每个人都可以传讲福音。关键策略： 
    • 认真倾听，理解对方的立场。
    • 控制自己的情绪。
    • 穿戴属灵的军装，为艰难问题做好准备。
    • 活出真实信仰，言行一致。
    • 与无神论者交谈时，尽量使用“信任”(trust)而不是“信仰”(faith)，“怜悯”(mercy) 而不是“恩典”(grace)。
  • Jamie Dew博士： 邪恶和苦难不能证明神不存在。神赋予我们自由意志，因此我们不是机器人。祂允许挣扎，为了要塑造我们的生命。
  • Sean牧师： 通过魔术表演展示人如何容易被欺骗，提醒我们不要因世界的幻象和诱惑而迷失信仰。

总结

  • 耶稣的复活有历史依据，是信仰的核心。
  • 基督徒应以耐心、智慧和爱心与非信徒交流。
  • 邪恶和苦难并不能否定神的存在，反而在神的计划中具有更深的意义。

       求主保守教会中包括青少年在内的每个家人都能不断在主的真理里学习进深，如彼得所提醒我们的：“只要心里尊主基督为圣，有人问你们心中盼望的缘由，就要常作准备，以温柔、敬畏的心回答各人”（彼前3：15），这样作既能坚固自己、也能与别人分享。

 

Lead Defend 2025 Conference Notes

On Saturday, March 8, 2025, four of our youth attended Lead Defend 2025 at Immanuel Baptist Church. Their notes are as follows.

Notes by Benjamin, Joshua, Elaine, and Yosef

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:17 – “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

The 4 E’s of Jesus’ Resurrection

  1. Execution – Jesus was truly dead. There is no historical record of anyone surviving crucifixion. Sources outside the Bible confirm Jesus’ death, including the Journal of the American Medical Association: “Clearly, the weight of the historical evidence points to Jesus being dead even before the wound to his side was inflicted.”
  2. Early Accounts – The resurrection was recorded too early to be a legend.
    • 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 details early eyewitness accounts.
    • James and Paul believed because Jesus appeared to them.
  3. Empty Tomb – Even Jesus’ enemies acknowledged the tomb was empty.
    • The tomb was sealed, guarded, and still found empty.
    • Opponents of Christianity admitted this fact by claiming the disciples stole the body.
  4. Eyewitnesses – Multiple sources confirm Jesus’ resurrection.
    • Over 500 people saw Jesus after his resurrection, making hallucinations an unlikely explanation.
    • Early sources include Paul’s writings, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Clement, and Polycarp.

Belief and Salvation
Knowing Jesus only on a knowledge level is not enough—one must also receive Him to become a child of God personally.

  • John 1:12: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
  • 1 Corinthians 15:17: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

Our Mission

  • Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Atheists, agnostics, and non-believers are not our enemies but people who need the Gospel.

7 Life Principles for Engaging Non-Believers

  1. You don’t have to know everything.
  2. People are over projects 
  3. Be a seed planter (1 Corinthians 3:6).
  4. Listen to understand.
  5. Control your emotions.
  6. Armor up—prepare for difficult conversations.
  7. Walk the walk—live out your faith authentically.

12 Tools for Effective Conversations

  1. Prep work
  2. Ask questions
  3. Shift gears
  4. Let them cook (let them share their views fully)
  5. Reveal their playbook (identify flaws in their reasoning)
  6. Gently poke holes in their logic
  7. Watch your language (be respectful and precise)
  8. Point back to Jesus
  9. Share the Gospel
  10. Admit when you don’t know something
  11. Do your homework
  12. Practice

The Problem of Evil: Does Evil Disprove God?

  • Atheists argue: If God is all-powerful and all-good, He would eliminate evil. Evil exists; therefore, God does not exist.
  • The flaw: This assumes God has no reason for allowing evil.
  • Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
  • God allows suffering to refine us and shape us for His purpose, not because He is absent or powerless.

Key Lessons from Conference Speakers

  • Pastor Codey: Even as a non-pastor, one can share the Gospel. Key strategies:
    • Listen to understand.
    • Control emotions.
    • Armor up (prepare for tough questions).
    • Walk the walk (live out your faith).
    • Use trust instead of faith and mercy instead of grace when speaking with atheists.
  • Dr. Jamie Dew: Evil and suffering do not disprove God. God created us with free will, meaning we are not robots. He allows struggles to shape us.
  • Pastor Sean: Showed a magic trick to illustrate how easily people are deceived. Warned against losing faith due to illusions and worldly distractions.

Conclusion

  • The resurrection is historically supported and foundational to faith.
  • Christians must engage with non-believers with patience, wisdom, and love.
  • Evil and suffering do not negate God’s existence but serve His greater purpose.

      May the Lord keep every family member in the church, including the youth, continually studying and growing deeper in His truth. As Peter reminds us: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15). By doing so, we can both strengthen ourselves and share with others.

 

 

3/9/25 牧者之言

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底波拉
读经: 士4: 1-24
参: 士 5: 1-31

         问：弟兄姐妹，在你信主的过程中，有多少姐妹影响了你的生命？
答：我们美南浸信会多半是以弟兄作领袖；然而，奇妙的是，其中影响力最大的人之一却是曾到中国山东去宣教的慕拉第（Lottie Moon），每年圣诞节都有以她的名义作为向海外宣教的奉献项目。在我信主的过程中，有许多姐妹曾深深影响过我的生命。在睡去的姐妹中，至少有三位是值得一提的：第一是赵桂芹（二姐）：她是传福音给我的人，她影响我建立晨祷会。第二，徐恩赐牧师：她是南京的一位老牧师，98年我去金陵读书时，她教我《圣经引读课》，带领学生们通读从《创世记》一直到《启示录》。她教导我熟悉圣经，奠定圣经基础。第三，裴斐老师(Faye Pearson): 她曾任美南浸信会驻亚洲区的总干事，在台湾和中国大陆宣教42年。她为到亚洲传福音放弃了自己的爱情，完全献上自己的一生。她影响了我的品格和如何作领袖。神在许多人的生命中预备了一些爱主敬畏主的姐妹，成为他们生命中的祝福。
今天我们讲的士师是第一位女士师底波拉——希伯来文意思是“蜜蜂”🐝，它提醒像蜜蜂一样卑微勤劳；同时，它也可以指蜂房中的王后带领领地。底波拉像蜂后一样，带领了她那个时代的人。她丈夫的名字很有意思。他叫拉比多，意思是“火炬” 或 “发光”，希伯来文中这个词“火炬”是阴性复数（士15：4火把），意为“光明的姐妹”或“火焰的姐妹”。这名字似乎暗示他的妻子是“火热的姐妹”。这名字似乎反应出他的妻子是为神所大用的人。
士4：1以笏死后，标志着又一个时代的结束。那个时代，神借着士师以笏——左手便利的人带来得胜与太平。那时，国中太平了80年。然而，像今天的我们一样，以色列人总了伤疤忘了疼。人的罪性非常顽固，就像一个恶性毒瘤，随时都有可能复发。当以笏去世后，以色列人重操旧业，远离神，行神眼中看为恶的事。
让我们看一下士师记第4章的几个角色。第一个就是耶和华。 这章经文反复提到耶和华（1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 14, 15, 7次耶和华；23，1次“神”），让我们看到神的主权。神是圣洁公义的神，他掌管历史，也掌管他子民的命运。神向我们所怀的意念都是好的，为了要赐平安，不是降灾祸。我们的神是有怜悯、有恩惠、不轻易发怒，且有丰盛慈爱的神，他不长久坏怒，也不永远责备。当神子民犯罪，神便管教。当神子民向神祈祷回转时，神便伸出拯救的手，兴起他所使用的人来搭救他们，使他们得胜，使仇敌失败。面对这位公正公义的神，我们永远不要说“神啊，求你站在我这边”；而要像林肯总统所祷告的那样：“神啊，求你让我们站在你那边。”神是历史的掌管者。我们的眼光永远不要定睛在某个君王身上，而要定睛在万军之耶和华那里。
当神的子民犯罪时，神不惜一切代价，甚至将他们交给敌人。这次，耶和华再一次将他们付于敌人。“付于”原文是“卖给”，表明是神主动把自己的百姓交给仇敌作奴隶。神付出了管教的代价。诗篇44：12你卖了你的子民也不赚利，所得的价值并不加添你的资财。神将他的子民卖给外邦人，神自己得到了什么？羞辱！神不惜牺牲自己的荣耀，把自己的儿女交在外邦人手里，这看似非常残忍、实则只有一个目的——使他们回心转意，再次归向耶和华。    
第二个角色：仇敌（4：2-3）
在夏琐作王的迦南王耶宾和他的大将军巴巴拉。“耶宾”是称号，就像中国的“皇帝”或埃及的“法老”一样。注意，在约书亚带领百姓征服迦南地的时候，他带领百姓完全征服了夏琐，并将那里的一切都放火焚烧了（书11：10-13）。然而，在士师记时，以法莲人在争战的时候不彻底，他们没有赶出在基色的迦南人（士1：29）。结果怎样？这里的迦南人经过100多年之后再次崛起，跑到曾彻底被征服的夏琐卷土重来，实力强大，便大大欺压以色列人，直到20年（4：3）。人罪性的顽固带来的后果何等可怕！也许我们在刚信主时通过将自己交托给主，我们的骄傲、自大、自以为义慢慢被改变，变得越来越谦卑。没过多久，由于我们不警醒祷告，逐渐贪恋世界，以至于我们又回到从前的骄傲、自大、自以为义，所有坏习惯又都回来了。很多时候，这些罪恶坏习惯导致的恶果就是仇敌的攻击。俄陀聂之前百姓受苦8年后想到呼求上帝；以笏之前百姓受苦18年后想到呼求上帝；底波拉之前百姓受苦20年后才想到呼求上帝。我们看到人心多么悖逆顽固和刚硬。
这次的敌人迦南王耶宾的一个特点是，他有一个大将军叫西西拉。西西拉住在外邦的夏罗设。与之相似，撒旦在地上也有差役，这个差役替它执行它邪恶计谋，并不断扩张它的领地。这次的敌人非常强大，他们拥有900辆铁车。铁车是当时的先进武器。AI 告诉我们，现代武器正在向 “智能化、无人化、高速化、精准化” 方向发展，未来战争可能更多依赖人工智能、网络战和定向能武器。士师时代的铁车，对于当时的人来说是无法逾越的。在1：19 讲到犹大支派能攻打山上的居民，“只是不能赶出平原的居民，因为他们有铁车”。这时的迦南王耶宾已经拥有900辆铁车，可以想象他们先进的程度在人看来已经不可战胜。
第三，神所兴起的人
1. 底波拉
首先，以色列人受仇敌欺压20年，百姓的生活叫苦连天，没有自由，没有平安。5：6 “在亚拿之子珊迦的时候，又在雅亿的日子，大道无人行走，都是绕道而行”。 以色列人被敌人剥夺了自由；大道被占有，他们只能苟且偷生，找小路行走。
那时百姓中每个人都信心软弱，众多弟兄中找不到一个合乎神心意的人。故此，神要兴起一位有信心的姐妹，神要借着她唤醒那个时代，带领百姓走出灵性的黑暗，进入神所赐的光明。这个姐妹在以法莲山地兴起；这地正是迦南人卷土重来的地方（1：29）。神的心意是，敌人在哪里兴起、神的仆人也在哪里兴起；我们在那里跌倒就在哪里爬起来，在哪里软弱就在哪里刚强。一位姐妹的兴起是一件不容易的事。在那个时代或任何时代都是这样，众人不太容易接受姐妹的带领。与男性领袖比较起来，姐妹必须有超乎众人、非同寻常的信心和服侍，才能被大家所认可。她可能要承受比弟兄更多的压力和负担。
底波拉是女先知，她明白神的心意，代替神传达信息。她又是女士师。士师的两项职责，一为在和平时替百姓断案；二为战争时带领百姓去与仇敌争战。神给她具体的使命是什么？神要她去呼召弟兄，让弟兄站起来服侍主！她遵行神的旨意去呼召弟兄服侍。
2. 巴拉
在4：6 底波拉打发人从那弗他利的基低斯那里呼召巴拉带领百姓与仇敌争战。基底斯位于敌人所在地夏琐更北一点。从头到尾，底波拉都不是在高举自己的权威或建立自己的影响力。底波拉没有武则天那么爱慕作皇帝的野心，也没有慈禧太后垂帘听政的专权，她所作的一切只为完成神所给她的托付和使命，恢复以色列人与神之间正确的关系。
神的话为何不直接临到巴拉？说明巴拉没有信心可以直接领受神的使命。他必须要借着更有信心的女先知（士师）领受神的使命。从某种意义上说，底波拉是拉巴的属灵导师，培养他站立起来为主服侍。我记得上个世纪末在南京给我们讲道的徐恩赐牧师（1930-2018）常说，我们要尊重上帝在教会中设立的次序。教会应该让弟兄来带领。如果弟兄不起来服侍，姐妹理应勇敢地站起来。她说：“如果是领主餐聚会，只要有可能的情况下，我愿意让弟兄来带领”。我们关键要强调的不是弟兄还是姐妹服侍，而是神兴起了谁、谁就应该去服侍。这里我们看到上帝的心意是先兴起底波拉，再使用她建立弟兄巴拉的信心。
面对神的呼召和命令，巴拉的反应是怎样的？他有信心吗？4:8 巴拉说：“你若同我去，我就去；你若不同我去，我就不去。” 他需要人的同在，他依靠这位属灵的姐妹底波拉过于依靠全能的神。从这里可以看到，他似乎有点儿不争气。这正应了中国的两句俗语：“烂泥扶不上墙”、“扶不起的阿斗”。 好的地方是他至少还是愿意去的，但他去是有条件的。如果你陪我一起去与仇敌争战，我就去；如果你不陪我，我就不去。我自己不行，我需要带领和鼓励。对于这位信心不足的门徒，底波拉没有贬低或轻视他，而是继续鼓励他。他说：我可以同你一起去，但最后你将得不到荣耀，因为神要借着另一个姐妹的手将仇敌彻底除去。接着，巴拉率领战士们上他泊山，底波拉跟随。这时，神又借着底波拉说话，命令巴拉行动起来，从他泊山下来（4：14）： 关键的时候，他们要从他泊山下来，到基顺河去迎敌。这是一个信心的突破。当时人们可能认为在他泊山比较安全，但到了平原就比较困难，因为铁车在平原上可以发挥极大的作用。然而，神掌管一切。正在他们下山的时候，很可能神使天上降下大雨（5：4），让巴拉的铁车无法前进。这样，巴拉带着大军彻底打败了仇敌，使他们大获全胜。
3. 雅亿
首先，雅亿是一个与以色列人同住的外邦人基尼人西百的妻子。民10：29-32讲到，摩西的内兄何巴是基尼人的祖先。当以色列人在旷野时，摩西曾邀请何巴留下来作眼睛帮助以色列人看安营之地，并应许说他们将要与以色列人同得耶和华的好处。他留了下来，并成为基尼人的祖先。士4：11特别插入这句话为介绍雅亿作铺垫，说明战胜仇敌的人选上帝早有预备。士4：17讲到 “夏琐王耶宾与基尼人希百家和好”，可能在强调夏琐王的政治策略，他也许认为基尼人不是以色列人，他为了与他们搞好关系而主动与他们求和。
第二，她是普通的家庭主妇。在那么多人中，神找不到一个合他心意的弟兄起来服侍，便兴起这位姐妹为主成就大事。面对这位逃命的大将军，她作了什么？她沉着冷静，遇事不慌。她热情接待。西西拉要水，她拿出奶子给他喝，她还用宝贵的盘子给他奶油吃（5：25）。她左手拿锤子，右手拿橛子，将敌人除死。据说，当时拆搭帐篷的工作是由姐妹来担当的。锤子和橛子是支搭帐篷的工具。这位姐妹以平日工作的方法将敌人除掉。
作为姐妹，雅亿冒着生命的危险完成了使命。这让我们看到的是她在争战中的勇敢。对于今天的基督徒来说，我们每天都面临着属灵的争战（弗6：10-17）。今天教会正在争战中！我们教会应当成为争战的教会，我们应当在主里高举耶稣，谴责罪恶，彻底悔改，带着勇敢的信心领人归主。举个例子，我们中间是否有人经历过梦魇？梦魇是指在半梦半醒中意识清醒但身体却无法动弹，并且伴随着恐惧、甚至有黑影压身，使你有一种无法呼吸的感觉。这个现象科学无法完全解释。我们基督徒知道，这就是一种属灵的争战。面对那个仇敌，你要像雅亿一样勇敢。你要凭信心奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督之名斥责仇敌，与仇敌争战，仇敌便会退去。
总结一下：  《士》4章主要强调两位姐妹，一个是底波拉——信心，一个是雅亿——勇敢。  然而，主并不是要高举男人或女人，而是要我们知道他的大能。巴拉开始时似乎没有多大信心，但随着他顺服神的旨意，在一步一步往前走的过程中信心得到了建立。神让他亲眼看到从优势的他泊山下到劣势的平原之地，上帝依然能使他们得胜。神也让他亲眼见证他的仇敌最终死在一位姐妹的手中（4：22）。在战争结束后，他和底波拉一起做诗歌称颂神的作为（5：1）。在《来》11章列信心见证人时，圣灵特别将巴拉列在其中（11：32）。我们会问，上帝公平吗？为何底波拉不在其中？其实，底波拉和巴拉都是作神的工作，这些人都是被神记念的。并且底波拉的使命是培养、建立巴拉的信心。当她看到巴拉成为信心的领袖时，这岂不是对她最大的安慰和肯定吗？
挑战：神能使用你！你需要兴起！
神可以兴起一切人为他服侍，神要使用你。神可以使用左手便利的以笏、神可以使用为人之妻的底波拉、也可以使用基尼人雅亿、神可以使用少年大卫打败歌利亚。神真正要找的是愿意顺服他，相信他的大能、并甘愿为他献上的人。神要使用你！有位参加祷告会的姐妹是作清洁工作的。她祷告说：“主啊，你不仅让我打扫外在的卫生，更要让我打扫人心灵的卫生；我要为整栋楼里人的灵魂守望祷告，为他们的救恩祷告”。这位姐妹就是天国的大祭司，她的服侍就是神所喜悦的！
有一段时间，教会晨祷会特别为更多弟兄兴起来祷告！感谢教会中所有姐妹的服侍，如果没有你们的服侍，教会无法运作。但我们要祷告主兴起更多弟兄能愿意为主甘心摆上服侍。有错误的观念认为，祷告是姐妹的事，服侍是姊妹的事。我们忘记了夏娃犯罪的最直接原因就是亚当失职，没有看管好伊甸园，而给魔鬼留下可趁之机。 如果弟兄不被兴起作领袖，家庭怎能得胜？教会怎能复兴？愿主在这个时代将更多弟兄兴起来，承担责任，带领家庭的敬拜，带动教会的事工，为基督影响这个时代。
最后，让我们向神祷告说：主啊，兴起我们，像你在古时兴起底波拉、巴拉和雅亿一样！“耶和华啊，愿你的仇敌都这样灭亡！愿爱你的人如日头出现，光辉烈烈”（士5：31）。阿门！                                                      （注：2025年3月2日讲章，李春海牧师）
 
 
 

Deborah
Scripture Reading: Judges 4: 1-24
Reference: Judges 5: 1-31

          Q: Brothers and sisters, how many sisters have influenced your life in your faith journey?
          A: Most of leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention are men; however, it is amazing that one of the most influential people among us is Lottie Moon, who was a missionary in Shandong, China. Every Christmas, there is a donation project in her name for world missions. In the process of my belief, many sisters have deeply influenced my life. Among the sisters who have fallen asleep, at least three are worth mentioning: First, Zhao Guiqin: She was the one who preached the gospel to me and influenced me to establish morning prayer meetings. Second, Pastor Xu Enci: She was a senior pastor in Nanjing. When I went to Nanjing Theological Seminary in 1998, she taught me the “Bible Introduction Course” and led the students to study from Genesis to Revelation. She taught me to be familiar with the Bible and laid a biblical foundation. Third, Professor Faye Pearson: She was the Director of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Church in Asia and served in Taiwan and mainland China for 42 years. She gave up her love and devoted her life to sharing the gospel in Asia. She influenced my character and how to be a leader. In many people’s lives, God has prepared some sisters who love and fear the Lord to become a blessing in our lives.
        The judge we are preaching today is the first female judge, Deborah. The Hebrew word means “bee,” which reminds us of humility just as bees are humble insects; at the same time, it can also refer to the queen in each hive, leading the territory. Deborah led the people of her time like a queen bee. Her husband’s name is also very interesting. His name is Lapidoth, which means “torch” or “light,” and the word “torch” in Hebrew is feminine plural (Judges 15:4 torches), meaning “sister of light” or “sister of flame.” It seems to refer to his wife Deborah as a “sister of fire.” This name seems to reflect that his wife was a person who was greatly used by God.
          Judges 4:1 The death of Ehud marked the end of another era. In that era, God brought victory and rest through Judge Ehud, a man with a left hand. At that time, the country was at rest for 80 years. However, like us today, the Israelites forgot the pain so fast. Human sin is very stubborn, like a malignant tumor that can recur at any time. When Ehud died, the Israelites returned to their old way, turned away from God, and did what was evil in God’s eyes.
        Let’s look at several roles in this passage. The first one is Jehovah. This chapter repeatedly mentions Jehovah (4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 14, 15, in total 7 times; plus “God”1 time, 4:23), which shows us God’s sovereignty. God is a holy and righteous God. He acts in history. His will toward us is all good, to give us peace, not to bring disaster. Our God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. He does not remain angry for long, nor does he rebuke forever. When God’s people sin, God disciplines them. When God’s people pray to God and turn back, God extends his hand of salvation and raises up the people he uses to rescue them, so that they can win over their enemies. Facing this just and righteous God, we should never say, “God, please stand on my side.” Instead, we should pray like President Lincoln: “God, please let us stand on your side.” We should never focus our eyes on a certain king/leader, but on the Lord of Hosts.
        When God’s people sinned, He demanded whatever it took, even handing them over to their enemies. This time, the Lord once again gave them over (sold them to) their enemies. The original word for “give” is “sold,” indicating that God took the initiative to hand over His people to their enemies. Psalm 44:12 “You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.” What did God gain by selling His people to foreigners? Humiliation! God sacrificed His glory and handed His children over to foreigners. It seemed very cruel, but in fact, God only has one purpose – to make them change their hearts and return to the Lord again.
 The Second Role: Enemies (4:2-3)
         Jabin, the Canaanite king who reigned in Hazor, and his commander Barbara. “Jabin” is a title, like the “emperor” of China or the “pharaoh” of Egypt. Note that when Joshua led the people to conquer the land of Canaan, he led the people to completely conquer Hazor and set everything there on fire (Joshua 11:10-13). However, in the Book of Judges, the Ephraimites were not thorough in their battles, and they did not drive out the Canaanites in Ephraim (Judges 1:29). What was the result? After more than 100 years, the Canaanites rose again and ran to Hazor, which had been completely conquered. They came back with great strength and oppressed the Israelites greatly until the 20th year (4:3). What terrible consequence the stubbornness of human sinful nature brings! Perhaps when we first believed in the Lord, by entrusting ourselves to the Lord, our pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness were slowly changed, and we became more and more humble. Before long, because we were not alert, we gradually became greedy for the world, so that we returned to our former pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, and all our bad habits returned. Many times, these sinful habits lead to the attack of enemies. Before Othniel, the people thought of calling on God after suffering for 8 years; before Ehud, the people thought of calling on God after suffering for 18 years; and before Deborah, the people thought of calling on God after suffering for 20 years. We can see how rebellious, stubborn and hardened people’s hearts are.
        One characteristic of this enemy, King Jabin of Canaan, is that he has a commander named Sisera. Sisera lived in the Gentile country of Harosheth. Just like Satan has a servant on earth. This commander executed his master’s evil schemes and continued to expand their territory. This enemy was very powerful. They had 900 iron chariots. Iron chariots were equivalent to the most advanced weapons at that time. AI tells us that modern weapons are developing in the direction of “intelligent, unmanned, high-speed, and precise.” Future wars might rely more on artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and direct energy weapons. The iron chariots of the Judges era were insurmountable for people at that time. In 1:19, it is said that the tribe of Judah can attack the inhabitants of the mountains, “but they cannot drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they have iron chariots.” King Jabin of Canaan already had 900 iron chariots. It can be imagined that their advanced level was invincible in the eyes of people.
 The Third, the people raised up by God
        1. Deborah
       The Israelites had been oppressed by their enemies for 20 years, and the people’s lives were miserable, with no freedom and no peace. 5:6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, and in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.” The Israelites were deprived of their freedom by their enemies; the highways were taken away, and they could only live in misery and find narrow paths to travel. Everyone in the people had weak faith, and among the many brothers, there was no one who was in line with God’s will. Therefore, God raised up a sister with faith. Through her, God wanted to awaken that era and lead the people out of the spiritual darkness and into the light. This sister Deborah rose up in the mountains of Ephraim; this place was where the Canaanites made a comeback (1:29). God’s will is that where the enemy rises up, God’s servants will also rise up; where we fall, there we will arise; where we are weak, there we will become strong. At any era, it was not easy for people to accept the leadership of a sister. Compared with male leaders, she must have extraordinary faith and service to be recognized by everyone. She may have to bear more pressure and burden than brothers.
         Deborah was a prophetess who understood God’s will and conveyed messages on behalf of God. She was also a judge: the two duties of a judge were to judge cases for the people during peacetime and to lead the people to fight against the enemy during war. What was the specific mission God giving her? God wanted her to call one brother to stand up and serve the Lord! She followed God’s will.
         2. Barak
         In 4:6, Deborah sent people from Kedesh in Naphtali to call Barak to lead the people to fight against the enemy. Kedesh was located a little further north of Hazor, where the enemy was. From beginning to end, Deborah was not exalting her own authority or establishing her own influence. Deborah did not have the ambition to be an emperor like Wu Zetian, nor did she have the power of Empress Dowager Cixi to rule behind the scenes in China history. Everything she did was only to fulfill the mission given to her by God and to restore the correct relationship between the Israelites and God. Why didn’t God’s word come directly to Barak? It shows that Barak did not have the faith to receive God’s mission directly. He had to receive God’s mission through the prophetess, the judge, Deborah who had more faith. In a sense, Deborah was Barak’s spiritual mentor, training him to stand up and serve the Lord.
        I remember that Pastor Xu Enci (1930-2018), who preached in Nanjing at the end of last century, often stated that we must respect the order established by God in the church. The church should let brothers lead. If brothers do not stand up to serve, sisters should stand up bravely. She said, “If it is a Lord’s Supper, I would rather let brother(s) lead as long as it is possible.” The key thing we should emphasize is not whether brothers or sisters serve, but whoever God raises up should serve. Here we see that God’s work was to raise up Deborah first and then used her to build up brother Barak’s faith.
        How did Barak react to God’s call and command? Did he have faith? 4:8 Barak said, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” He needed his spiritual sister Deborah, and he relied on her spirituality more than on the almighty God. From this, he seemed a little disappointed. There is an old Chinese saying: “A rotten mud cannot be supported on a wall.” The good thing is that he was at least willing to go, but his going was conditional. If you accompany me to fight the enemy, I will go; if you don’t accompany me, I won’t go. I can’t do it myself; I need guidance and encouragement. Deborah did not belittle or despise this disciple who lacked faith but continued to encourage him. She said that I can go with you, but in the end, you will not get the glory, because God will use the hands of another sister to eliminate the enemy. Then Barak led the warriors to Mount Tabor. At this time, God spoke through Deborah again, commanding Barak to act and come down from Mount Tabor (4:14): At the critical moment, they had to come down from Mount Tabor to the Kishon River to meet the enemy. This was a breakthrough of faith. At that time, they might have thought that it was safer on Mount Tabor, but it would be more difficult to go to the plains because the iron chariots could work much better on the plains. However, God is in control of everything. Just as they were coming down the mountain, God might cause heavy rain to fall from the sky (5:4), making it impossible for Sisera’s iron chariot to move forward. In this way, Barak and his army completely defeated the enemy and won a great victory.
        3. Jael
        First, Jael was the wife of Zeber the Kenite, a Gentile who lived with the Israelites. Numbers 10:29-32 says that Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, was the ancestor of the Kenites. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, Moses invited Hobab to stay as an eye to help the Israelites see the location of camp and promised that they would share the benefits of the Lord with the Israelites. He stayed and became the ancestor of the Kenites. Judges 4:11 specifically inserted this sentence to pave the way for the introduction of Jael, indicating that God had long prepared the person who would defeat the enemy. Judges 4:17 talks about Jabin, king of Hazor, making peace with the house of Heber the Kenite, which may emphasize the political strategy of the king of Hazor: he may have thought that the Kenites were not Israelites, and in order to have a good relationship with them, he took the initiative to seek peace with them.
         Second, she was an ordinary housewife. Among so many people, God could not find a man with a strong faith to serve, so He raised up this sister to accomplish a great thing for the Lord. When this commander fled from failure, what did she do to the enemy? She was calm, composed, and never panicked. She was warm and welcoming: Sisera asked for water, and she gave him milk to drink, and she also gave him butter on a precious plate (5:25). She took a hammer in her left hand and a peg in her right hand and killed the enemy. It is said that the work of dismantling and setting up the tent was undertaken by sisters at that time. Hammer and peg were tools for pitching tents. This sister eliminated the enemy in the way of her daily work.
         As a sister, Jael risked her life to get rid of the enemy. This shows us courage in battle. For Christians today, we face spiritual battles every day (Ephesians 6: 10-17). Today the church is in battle! Our church should be a fighting church. We should exalt Jesus, condemn sin, repent thoroughly, and lead people to the Lord with courageous faith. For example, has anyone among us ever experienced a nightmare? A nightmare is a state of being half asleep and half awake, with a clear mind but unable to move, accompanied by fear, and even a dark shadow pressing on you, making you feel like you can’t breathe. This phenomenon cannot be explained completely by science. We Christians know that it is a spiritual battle. Can you be friendly to that enemy? No. You must remember to fight the enemy bravely like Jael. You must rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, fighting with it, and it will retreat.
         To summarize: Judges 4 emphasizes two sisters, one is Deborah – faith, and the other is Jael – courage. The Lord does not want to exalt men or women, but to let us know His power. Barak did not seem to have much faith at the beginning, but as he obeyed God’s will, his faith must have been built up as he moved forward step by step. God allowed him to see with his own eyes that from the advantageous Mount Tabor to the disadvantaged plains, God could still make them victorious. God also allowed him to witness with his own eyes how his enemy eventually died at the hands of a sister (4:22). After the war, he and Deborah wrote a song to praise God (5:1). When listing the witnesses of faith in Hebrews 11, the Holy Spirit specifically listed Barak among them (11:32). We may ask, is God fair? Why isn’t Debora on the list? In fact, Deborah and Barak were both doing God’s work. In history, some people were mentioned and many were not. These people were all remembered by God. And Deborah’s mission was to cultivate and build Barak’s faith. Wasn’t it the greatest comfort and recognition for her when she saw Bara become a leader in faith?
          Challenge: God can use you! You need to rise!
          God can raise up all people to serve Him, and God wants to use you. God can use Ehud, who was left-handed, Deborah, a wife, Jael, the Kenite, and David, a young man, who defeated giant Goliath. What God is really looking for is people who are willing to obey Him, believe in His power, and dedicate themselves to Him. God wants to use you! A sister who participated in the prayer meeting was a custodian. She prayed, “Lord, you not only let me clean the outside, but also let me clean the hearts of people; I will watch and pray for the souls of the people in the whole building and pray for their salvation.” This sister is the high priest of the kingdom of heaven, and her service is what God is pleased with!
         For a while, our morning prayer meeting specifically prayed for more brothers to rise! Thank you to all the sisters in the church for your service. Without your service, the church cannot function well. But we must pray that the Lord will raise more brothers who are willing to serve the Lord voluntarily. There is a wrong concept that prayer is a sister’s business and service is a sister’s business. We forget that the most direct reason for Eve’s sin was Adam’s failure to take care of the Garden of Eden, leaving the devil with a room to enter. If brothers are not raised as leaders, how can families be victorious? How can the church be revived? May the Lord raise up more brothers, take responsibility, lead family worship, serve the church’s ministry, and influence this era for Christ.
        Finally, let us pray: Dear Lord, please raise us up, just as you raised Deborah, Barak, and Jael in ancient times! “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may those who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5: 31)! Amen.
（Note: sermon on 3/2/2025, by Pastor Chunhai Li）

3/2/25牧者之言

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感恩之心的力量
魏愛玲師母
2025 年 2 月 7 日 清晨祈祷会

经文：诗篇 9: 1-2；希伯来书 13: 15-16；诗篇 28: 7；诗篇 100: 4

2025 年新年伊始，我在思考我可以对我的生活、习惯和态度做出哪些改变！
我感觉自己处于一个过度思考、过度担心我们的孩子和孙子以及他们的未来的时期。
魏牧师和我都处于人生的这个年龄，我们看到越来越多的朋友失去伴侣，或面临绝症或残疾，或面临其他令人悲伤、痛苦和沮丧的危机。我们经常会收到关于朋友生活中遇到的严重困难的信息或电话。我们参加的追悼会越来越多。
除此之外，我们的文化、我们的世界正变得越来越令人不安！当然，魏牧师和我每天都会为这些事情祈祷，我们也与许多朋友保持联系，为他们祈祷和鼓励。 我之前分享过，三年前我们也开始每周禁食祈祷一天，特别是为我们的孩子和孙子。
有时他们似乎没有看到我们所处的属灵争战，或至少没有认真对待它。例如，他们知道花太多时间在 iPhone 和 iPad 上是错误的，他们甚至会感到有点内疚，但他们似乎并不关心这件事的严重性，也不会试图对此进行限制。他们年轻，不成熟。我们觉得，随着他们年龄的增长，他们在年轻时没有时间进行祷告或定期去教会。 我知道上帝听到并回应了我们的祈祷，我也知道祂不希望我们作为父母因为这些担忧而感到压力或专注，甚至因此失眠。
在 2025 年新年里，我做出了一个有意识的决定，开始更加感恩，更加感激上帝在他们生活中所做的工作，即使我还没有看到。 上帝的计划是让我以及我们所有的父母都安息在祂里面，不会因为家人或朋友的负担而失眠。 我请求上帝原谅我不信任他，我决定无论是白天还是晚上，如果担心、忧虑开始困扰我，我会立即说：“感谢上帝，我知道您在我关心的所有人身上发挥作用！ 你正在带领、感化、保护和安慰他们所有人，因为你也非常爱他们！”
我永远不会停止为我的孩子、孙子和朋友祈祷和鼓励。 我永远不会停止抓住每一个机会来提醒他们与耶稣同行所带来的财富和祝福……他们将拥有智慧、平安和喜乐，把耶稣放在他们生命的首位，并在一切事情上仰望他。如你所知，上帝的话语告诉我们要常常喜乐，不住地祷告，在任何情况下都要感恩，因为这是上帝对我们的旨意！ 上帝喜爱一颗感恩的心，因为感恩的心能带来上帝的存在！ 祂因我们的感恩而喜悦！ 感恩的心会加深我们对上帝的信赖并增强我们的信仰。 它激发了快乐！
我的新年计划是真正专注于拥有一颗感恩和感激的心，这个计划对我来说非常有效，我觉得它对我有帮助，上帝也对此感到高兴！ 我会开始回到旧习惯……担心，想太多，祈祷……晚上保持清醒，然后我会立即开始向主做“感恩祈祷”。它让我感到非常平静，很快我就会重新入睡。
然后我就生病了！ 没什么大不了的吧？病情持续了一周、两周、三周。当我的情况好转一点时，它就会再次复发。我必须不断回到医生那里开新药……4 周、5 周后，魏牧师也生病了，我仍然觉得不舒服。
我的病并没有那么严重！ 这真是令人恼火和沮丧，因为我似乎无法好起来，而我认为以我的年龄来说我是健康的！ 王妈妈总说自己的病只是“小事情”。所以与我认识的很多人相比，这真的是一件小事。
因为上帝无所不知，所以祂也知道，在我决定专注于感恩和感恩的心之后，我们的健康会遇到一点困难。我们的奋斗总会让我们的信念更加坚定！
有趣的是，尽管我对此感到沮丧，但我并没有因此而感到困扰。 我继续我所有的“感恩祷告”……感谢我的医生，感谢所有互相祈祷的兄弟姐妹，感谢魏牧师照顾我。 我会康复的，我对上帝的治愈能力有信心！所以，今天我想分享感恩之心的力量可以发挥的 7 件事。
第一，它让我们不再专注于自己，而是帮助我们重新将注意力集中在上帝身上。
第二，它提醒我们，我们无法掌控一切，但我们侍奉的是一位全能的神。它让我们保持谦卑，依靠他，因为我们认识到我们多么需要他。
第三，它帮助我们体认到，我们有太多值得感恩的事情，即使是所有小事，我们常常会忘记感谢祂……但它们确实是我们生命中最大、最重要的事。 它使我们的注意力从问题上转移，并帮助我们反思和记住祂的诸多祝福的美好。
第四，它提醒我们上帝是一切美好礼物的赐予者。 我们从来没有打算在今生实现完全自给自足。 感恩的心提醒我们，最终上帝是我们的供应者，所有的祝福和礼物都是祂慷慨地赐给我们的。
第五，心存感恩，就不会有抱怨。人们不可能同时真正心存感激和充满消极和忘恩负义。
第六点，它让敌人逃走！ 黑暗势力无法忍受存在于感恩和敬畏上帝的心灵周围！ 我们的赞美和感恩会让敌人离开！
第七点，它为持续的祝福打开了大门。它邀请主的同在。我们的灵性在祂里面得到焕然一新和重生。上帝喜欢给祂的孩子好的礼物。祂喜悦我们的感恩，并将祂的灵性和恩惠倾注给那些敬畏和感激祂的人。 让我们每天练习一颗感恩的心！

THE POWER OF A GRATEFUL HEART
Elinda West
On February 7, 2025, Early Morning Prayer

Scriptures: Psalm 9: 1-2; Hebrews 13: 15-16; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 100:4

At the beginning of the New Year 2025 I was thinking about what changes I could make in my life, habits, and attitude! I had felt like I had been in a season of over-thinking, over-worrying about our children and grandchildren and their future.
Also, Wei Mushr and I are in that age of life that we see more and more friends who are losing their mate or facing terminal illness or disability or facing some other crisis that is sad or painful and discouraging. We often get a message or phone call about a deep struggle in a friend’s life. We are attending more and more memorial services.
On top of that, our culture, our world is becoming more disturbing!! Certainly, Wei Mushr and I pray for all these things daily and we have many friends we keep in touch with to pray for and encourage.  I’ve shared before that 3 years ago we also began to fast and pray one day each week particularly for our children and grandchildren.
Sometimes it seems they aren’t seeing the spiritual battle we live in or at least not taking it seriously. For example, they know spending too much time on the iPhone and iPad is wrong, they might even feel a little guilty, but they don’t seem concerned about the seriousness of it or try to put restrictions on it. They are young and immature. We feel they don’t take time as young adults to have devotions or go to church regularly as they’ve gotten older.  I know God hears and answers our prayers and I know He doesn’t want us as parents to stress about or focus on all these concerns and lose our sleep over it.
I made the conscious decision in this New Year 2025 to start being more focused on a thankful, more grateful heart for the work I know God is doing in their lives even if I don’t see it yet.  It is God’s plan that I and all of us parents rest in Him not losing sleep over our family or our friends’ burdens.
I have asked God to forgive me for not trusting Him and I decided that in the daytime or in the night, if the worries, the concerns began to trouble me I would immediately say, “Thank you God, I know YOU are working in all these people I care about!  You are leading, convicting, protecting and comforting all of them because you love them so much, too!”
I will never stop praying for and encouraging my children and grandchildren or my friends.  I will never stop taking every opportunity to remind them of the riches and blessings that come from walking closely with Jesus…. the wisdom and peace and joy they can have put Him first in their life and looking to Him for everything.
As you know God’s Word tells us to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us!  God loves a grateful heart because it invites His presence!!  He delights in our thankfulness!  A grateful heart deepens our trust in God and strengthens our faith.  It inspires JOY!
This plan of mine for the New Year to really focus on having a thankful and grateful heart was working pretty well for me and I felt it was helping me and God was pleased with it!   I would start to go back to the old habit…. worry, think too much, pray…. stay awake in the night then, I would immediately start my “Thanksgiving Prayers” to the Lord. It gave me great peace and soon I would go back to sleep.
Then I got sick!  No big deal, right?!
The sickness continued for one week, two weeks, three weeks. I would get a little better then when it came back. I kept having to go back to the Dr to get new medicine …4 weeks, 5 weeks and then Wei Mushr got sick too and I continued to not feel well.
My sickness wasn’t so terrible!  It was annoying and frustrating because I couldn’t seem to get well and I think I’m healthy for my age!  Wang MaMa always says her sickness is just “Xiao Shi Qing” (meaning “a small thing”). So, this really was a small thing compared to so many people I knew.
Since the Lord knows all things, he also knew we would have this little struggle in our health right AFTER I decided to focus on thanksgiving and a grateful heart. It was His Plan to USE THIS STRUGGLE to make me stronger in my trust of Him! Our struggles always make us stronger in our faith!
What is interesting is that even though I was frustrated about it I wasn’t so troubled by it.  I was continuing all my “Thanksgiving Prayers” …. thankful for my Drs, all of you brothers and sisters praying for each other, Wei Mushr taking care of me.  I WILL get well; I have confidence in God’s healing power!
So, today I wanted to just share a little about 7 Things that the POWER of a grateful heart can do:
1. It gets our eyes off ourselves and helps us to focus back on God.
2. It reminds us of we’re not in control, but that we serve a Mighty God who is.  It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize how much we need Him.
3. It helps us to recognize we have so much to be thankful for, even all the little things, which often we may forget to thank Him for…but they really are the biggest, most important things in this life.  It takes our attention off our problems and helps us reflect on and remember the Goodness of His many blessings.
4. It reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts.  We were never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life.  A grateful heart reminds us that ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously given to us by His hand.
5. A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. It is impossible to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time.
6. It makes the enemy run away!  The forces of darkness can’t stand to be around hearts that give thanks and honor God!  Our praise and thanksgiving will make the enemy leave!!
7. It opens the door for continued blessings. It invites His presence. Our spirits are refreshed and renewed in Him.  God loves to give good gifts to His children. He delights in our thankfulness and pours out His Spirit and favor over those who give honor and gratitude to Him.  Let’s practice a grateful thankful heart every day!

2/23/25 牧者之言

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请为2025年教会暑期圣经学校代祷并参与

太19:14耶稣说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在天国的正是这样的人。”暑期圣经学校（Vacation Bible School, 英文简称 “VBS”）是教会向社区提供的外展服侍，旨在教育孩子认识上帝，包括信仰课程、艺术、手工艺、游戏等。每间教会可以设计自己的信仰课程或购买适合的信仰课程。与孩子们分享福音至关重要。魏荣恩牧师见证说，70年前他和魏师母小时候参加VBS的场景仍历历在目，当时主日学老师讲的是什么他仍然记忆犹新，他们现在还保留着当时作的一些手工。我们期待我们教会的VBS也能在孩子们心中留下深刻印痕，并影响他们一生跟随主。
太19:14耶稣的话是教会作儿童事工的依据和基础。主耶稣教导我们说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们；因为在天国的，正是这样的人”。积极作儿童事工是讨主喜悦的。感恩的是，我们教会已经举行过两次VBS ( 2023, https://thebaptistpaper.org/little-rock-chinese-church-thankful-for-year-of-growth-unity-and-answered-prayers/; 2024 “海底探险”https://lricbc.org/?p=1380) ，今年是第三次。我们上周日晚召开了2025年第一次VBS筹备会议，确定以下内容。

  • 主题：诸天诉说，带领孩子从自然界最微小的植物中发现上帝的伟大
  • 日期：7月15-18日 晚5:30-8:00（周五“家庭同乐夜”）；志愿者5点摆放桌椅
  • 预计目标：求主预备45个孩子
      以下是今年的祷告指南：
  1. 为参加VBS 的孩子们祈祷
  • 祈求赐予许多孩子来参加
  • 祈求那些不认识基督的孩子能邀请基督进入他们的生命
  • 祈求基督徒孩子能与天父更加亲近
  • 祈求不定期去教会的孩子能固定参加教会
  • 为所有年龄段的孩子在VBS 期间听到和认识福音祈祷。
  1. 为 VBS 的志愿者祈祷
  • 祈求VBS 带领者在准备期间有智慧和能力
  • 祈求赐给我们足够的志愿者来正确教导和照顾孩子
  • 祈求上帝赐给我们 VBS 团队力量、耐力、良好的态度以及向每个孩子展示基督无条件的愛的能力
  • 祈求我们整个VBS 团队的言语和行动能荣耀主的名
  • 祈求主预备更多青少年志愿者，使基督徒青少年成为基督的精兵、慕道友青少年能向基督敞开心灵
  • 祈求周五晚“家庭同乐夜”的各项活动进展顺利，更多家长来参加
  • 为VBS之后的跟进行动祷告，祈祷我们能在社区建立更多联系。
       大体上有这些方面的服侍，需要志愿者。1.   教师组；2. 宣教组；3. 手工组；4. 敬拜赞美团队；5. 食物组；6.接待登记组；7.    布置组； 8.宣传组；9.音响组；10.摄影及Video制作组；11. 筹备剧目组等。有意参与服侍者，请与应岚姐妹联络。
愿主赐福带领今年的VBS圆满成功，大大荣耀主的圣名！

 

Pray for and Participate in the 2025 Vacation Bible School

Matt.19: 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an outreach service provided by the church to the community, aiming to educate children about God, including faith courses, art, crafts, games, etc. Each church can design its own faith courses or purchase suitable faith courses. Sharing the gospel with children is crucial. Rev. Ron West testified that he and his wife attended VBS as children 70 years ago, and he still vividly remembers what the Sunday school teacher taught. They keep and treasure some crafts they made at that time till now. We hope that our church’s VBS can also leave a deep impression on the children’s hearts and influence them to follow the Lord for a lifetime.
Matthew 19:14 Jesus’ word is the basis and foundation for the church to do children’s ministry. The Lord Jesus taught us, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Actively doing children’s ministry is pleasing to the Lord. Thankfully, our church has held two VBS (2023, https://thebaptistpaper.org/little-rock-chinese-church-thankful-for-year-of-growth-unity-and-answered-prayers/ ; 2024 “Scuba”-2024 Church Summer Bible School https://lricbc.org/?p=1380 ), and this year is the third time. We held the first 2025 VBS preparation meeting last Sunday night and determined the following content.

  • Theme: Magnified–Discover the bigness of God in the smallest of things
  • Date: July 15-18, 5:30-8:00 p.m. (Friday “Family Fun Night”); volunteers will set up tables and chairs at 5 p.m.
  • Goal: We ask for 45 children

Here is the prayer guide for this year:

  1. Pray for the children attending VBS
  • Pray for many children to attend
  • Pray that children who do not know Christ will invite Him into their lives
  • Pray that Christian children will grow closer to their Heavenly Father
  • Pray that children who do not attend church often will attend church regularly.
  1. Pray for VBS volunteers
  • Pray for wisdom and ability of VBS leaders during preparation.
  • Pray that the Lord will give us enough volunteers to properly teach and care for the children.
  • Pray that God will give our VBS team strength, stamina, a good attitude, and the ability to show every child the unconditional love of Christ.
  • Pray that the words and actions of our entire VBS team will glorify the Lord’s name.
  • Pray that the Lord will prepare more youth volunteers, so that Christian youth can become Christ’s soldiers, and that young seekers can open their hearts to Christ.
  • Pray that the Family Fun Night activities will go smoothly, and more parents come to participate.
  • Pray for follow-up after VBS and that we can build more connections in the community.

We divide into several groups and need relevant volunteers: 1. Teaching Team; 2. Mission Team; 3. Craft Team; 4. Praise Team; 5. Food Team; 6. Reception and Registration Team; 7. Decoration Team; 8. Promotion Team; 9. IT Team; 10. Photography and Video Team; 11. Skit Team, etc. If you are willing to participate in the service, please contact Sister Ying Lan.
May the Lord bless this year’s VBS to have a great victory and glorify the Lord’s name only!

2/16/25 牧者之言

Posted on

关于人工智能与新兴技术

诗篇119: 89耶和华啊，你的话安定在天，直到永远。
注：上周有一位弟兄问起关于人工智能的问题。我特将2023年6月13-14日在新奥尔良召开的美南浸信会年会上关于“人工智能”的内容摘录出来，与弟兄姐妹分享。

祷文：
主啊，我把以下这篇“关于人工智能与新兴技术”的内容交托在你的手中，求你使用它，借着它启发弟兄姐妹的灵命、擦亮我们的灵眼，使我们生活在高科技时代的弟兄姐妹能识别是非善恶真假、除去谬误，弃假从真，追随真理。主啊，这篇文章中若有不恰当之处求你更正、不足之处求你补足。主啊，你的话就是真理，求你使我们在真理圣灵的引导下一直走在你的正路上。以基督之名，阿门！

日期：2023年6月15日
活动：2023年度会议
主题：人工智能、技术
参：https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-artificial-intelligence-and-emerging-technologies/（访问日期：2025年2月11日）。

鉴于，所有技术，包括人工智能（AI）等强大的工具，都是由上帝赋予人类的恩赐和能力所创造的，这恩赐和能力是受造秩序的高峰（创世记 1:26-28，2:7，5:1-2）；当我们寻求愛上帝和邻居时，这些技术可以用来促进人类繁荣（申命记 6:4-5；利未记 19:18；马太福音 22:37-39；马可福音 12:30-31）；

鉴于，尽管这些工具的设计初衷是出于不同的价值观和目的，并以微妙而有意义的方式塑造我们——包括我们对上帝、人类和我们周围世界的理解——只有我们，作为上帝创造的独特道德主体，对它们的开发和使用负有道德责任（罗马书12:1-2）；
鉴于，堕落影响了受造界的每个方面，包括这些强大技术的开发与使用；

鉴于，人工智能提出了一些深刻而关键的问题，这些问题挑战了社会对人类本质的错误假设，而这些假设往往仅仅基于人的能力，而非神所赐予的本体性地位；

鉴于，人工智能和其他新兴技术为各行各业和整个社会带来了前所未有的进步机会，但如果不以敬虔的智慧和辨别力加以使用，也可能带来危险的和非人性化的后果；

鉴于，技术的开发和应用往往仅仅以最大化利润、效率和生产力为目标，甚至以牺牲我们同为神形象承载者的人的尊严为代价；

鉴于，这些新兴技术将逐渐承担过去属于人类的任务，甚至在某些方面超越人类能力；

鉴于，《浸信会信仰和信息》声明：“基督徒有责任寻求基督的旨意超越我们的生活和人类的社会”，并且“应当努力使工业、政府和整个社会服从公义、真理和弟兄相愛的原则”（第十五条）；

鉴于，我们的伦理与宗教自由委员会（Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission）在 2019 年领导制定的《福音派人工智能原则声明》（Evangelical Statement of Principles on AI）指出，基督徒被呼召以不变的福音信息——盼望与和好——来影响我们周围的世界，并且“教会在宣扬所有人的尊严和倡导人工智能在人类社会中得到人道应用方面具有独特的角色”；因此，

决议如下：
第一，2023年6月13日至14日，在路易斯安那州新奥尔良召开的美南浸信会大会的会差们（messengers）承认人工智能和其他新兴技术的强大力量，并希望以末世的盼望来应对，而不是不加批判地接受或恐惧地拒绝；

第二，我们坚信，当这些技术不断发展和应用于我们的社会时，神不变的话语足以应对今天及未来我们可能面临的任何伦理挑战、问题和机遇；

第三，我们明确声明，我们的内在价值在于我们作为神形象的承载者，而非基于我们的成就或我们对社会的贡献。因此，人的尊严必须作为所有涉及这些强大新兴技术的伦理原则、指南或法规的核心；

第四，我们必须主动参与并塑造这些新兴技术，而并非仅仅在人工智能和其他新兴技术影响我们的教会和社区之后再被动地回应；

第五，我们呼吁公民、行业和政府领导人以最高的谨慎和辨别力开发、维护、监管和使用这些技术，维护人类作为神创造的巅峰之独特本质；

第六，我们鼓励所有使用这些工具的人以诚实、透明和基督徒的方式行事，专注于愛神并愛邻舍，绝不故意欺骗他人，或利用这些技术谋取不正当利益或权力的积累；

第七（最终），我们承认唯独神有创造生命的能力，并且“神有自己的时间，并用祂自己的方法，使这世界有完满的结束”（《浸信会信仰和信息》，第十条），任何创新或新兴技术都无法篡夺神的主权与权能。

2/9/25 牧者之言

Posted on

关于张惠玲的见证
2025年1月29日早祷会分享
魏愛玲師母

你是否曾对某人的生活产生过积极或消极的影响，而你自己却浑然不知？

经文：歌罗西书 4:2-6

1990 年，我们刚搬到台湾台中一个新地方，准备建立教会。我们谁也不认识，我们知道必须从家里的圣经学习开始。一天早上，我一边读歌罗西书 4:2-6，一边祷告。那天我祈求上帝“给我们开传道的门，能以讲基督的奥秘” 。 我特别注意道要“用智慧与外人结交，并充分利用每个机会。” 然后我出去，走到市场买水果。当我走进市场时，一位女士在马路对面朝我走来，开始微笑着挥手，然后穿过马路，挽着我的胳膊，好像她认识我一样。在台湾，中国人通常不会对一个陌生人如此大胆——虽然总是微笑友好，但不会如此主动！我想，哇，上帝已经在回应我的祷告了！她和我聊天，并坚持要我去她家见她的女儿！虽然有些奇怪，但我不正是刚刚祷告求上帝开门并要抓住每个机会吗？于是我跟着她去了！一路上我都在祷告！我们悄悄地上楼，因为她说不能吵醒她的丈夫，否则他会非常生气！她突然打开了一个年轻女孩的卧室门……我微笑着为闯入她的私人空间道歉，并告诉她我的名字，邀请她来我们家参加英语圣经学习。她非常害羞，但还是笑了。我很快感谢了她的母亲并离开了。我想，我可能再也不会见到那个可怜的女孩了！
这是从我的角度看到的故事开头。现在，我将分享张惠玲对这次初次见面的回忆。这是她在十年后（2001年）为一次课堂作业写下的故事，我将按照她的原文分享。

“一个充满愛心的人”（这是她为故事起的标题）

当我告诉别人我曾经是一个害羞、安静、严肃且缺乏自信的女孩时，他们总是露出难以置信的表情。“你现在看起来非常独立和自信，我无法想象你以前的样子。”是的，我确实和以前不一样了。作为家中的长女，我从小就必须学会照顾自己。由于父亲的严格管教和母亲的精神病，我学会了压抑自己的自然情感。在我的脑海里，从来没有“我想做什么？”的问题，只有“我应该做什么？”。在遇到我的干妈Elinda之前，人们可能认为我是一个冷漠的人。

         我不知道被愛是什么感觉，因为我的父亲除了责骂之外从未向任何人表达过愛。我部分理解父亲的沮丧——他娶了一位患有精神病的妻子，被迫离开自己的祖国（中国大陆），并承担起家庭的所有责任。为了帮助父亲，我从5岁起就开始分担家务。我从小就非常成熟，但却失去了孩子般的天真。我不喜欢与人交谈，因为我觉得没有人能理解我的感受。我的态度非常消极和愤世嫉俗，因为我从未对生活的任何部分感到满意。

        大学二年级的一个夏日，我的母亲把一个陌生人带到了我的房间。“哦，不！我母亲又开始发作 。”我低声自语。每当母亲行为异常时，我都非常讨厌这种情况。突然，一位金发、面容姣好的中年妇女 Elinda当时42岁）出现在我面前。“你好，我叫Elinda。我在街上遇到你的母亲，她想告诉我哪里可以买到苹果。她坚持要我来见你，因为她说你喜欢学英语。”她用带有美国口音的中文向我介绍自己。我忍住没有对母亲发火，保持冷静。她注意到我的恐惧和戒备心。意识到自己可能打扰了我，她在友好介绍后没有再多说什么，只是留下一张纸条，告诉我如果想学英语可以打电话给她。几天过去了，那张纸条一直在我脑海中盘旋。一种奇怪的好奇心最终给了我勇气打电话给她。

        “嗨，我是惠玲。你还记得吗？你说如果我想学英语可以给你打电话。”“当然，我记得你。”我们约定了第一次见面的时间。我很少给陌生人打电话，但不知为何，一种未知的感觉促使我尝试了解更多关于这个女人的事情。到了她家后，我发现自己并不是唯一的客人，我立刻意识到这是一次团契活动。我的直觉告诉我要有礼貌。我保持安静，直到活动结束。那天晚上，我认识了七八个年轻学生。我们一起唱歌、吃点心、读圣经故事。结束时，Elinda问我下周一晚上是否有空，我点了点头。“你不如来我家，我们可以做你想做的事？”我答应了。我有些责怪自己相信她会教我英语，但我也感受到了一种从未有过的情感。这种新的感觉让我在团契中感到更加平静、快乐和美好，这是我以前从未有过的。

        那个周一晚上，我带着我希望Elinda帮我学习的英语书去了她家。我问她我应该付多少钱。她的回答让我震惊：“我不收你任何费用。如果你需要帮助，尽管问我。”与以往缺乏动力的我不同，我每周一晚上都会去Elinda家参加我们的私人聚会，每周二晚上参加团契。我注意到Elinda总是问我感觉如何，我的家人怎么样，我的母亲怎么样。我感到很感动，因为她真的关心我和我的家人，而不仅仅是出于礼貌。我很少向任何人透露我的家庭或我自己，因为我害怕别人会嘲笑我、甚至鄙视我。在与Elinda交谈时，我能从她的眼神中看到理解和关愛，我意识到她真的关心我。有时，她会给我看一些她家人的照片，或者分享一些有趣的故事。起初，我并没有完全准备好接受她的友谊，因为我很难轻易相信别人。我一直在等待，想看看她到底想从我这里得到什么，否则她怎么可能有如此耐心和愛心去给予别人？

        有一天，她邀请我参加一个派对。“你参加过派对吗？”“没有。”“你愿意今晚和我一起去参加一个派对吗？”“愿意。”她让我在派对前一小时到她家，如果我没有合适的裙子，可以从她的衣柜里选一件。我坐在椅子上时，她帮我梳头。这是第一次，我的第一次，有人帮我梳头。她的手指触碰我的头发时，仿佛有电流流过我的全身。我感动得几乎要哭出来。我问她为什么对我这么好，我应该如何回报她。她回答说，她不求任何回报，只希望看到我在幸福和盼望中成长。她告诉我，她的愛来自上帝。如果不是上帝的愛，她会感到软弱和疲惫。上帝的奇妙恩典给了她生活的热情和奉献，无论生活多么艰难。

       以前有很多人试图向我传福音，但他们都失败了，因为我拒绝相信上帝的存在。由于Elinda的愛心和耐心，我终于在大学四年级时接受了耶稣基督。有一天，我的一个同学告诉我，我看起来不一样了。当我问他有什么不同时，他说我看起来光彩照人，充满信心，我的微笑让我看起来比以前更友好。我始终感谢上帝让Elinda进入我的生活，改变了我的生命。如果没有她持续的愛心和友谊，我永远不会知道什么是愛，如何信任别人，如何向这个世界敞开心扉，以及如何接受耶稣进入我的生命。以前我不知道世界上有这么多美好的品质，但她让我体验到了生活的美好一面。Elinda提醒我，我可以把我的愛给予那些渴望愛的人。我仍然与她保持联系，因为每当我感到沮丧或烦恼时，她总是鼓励我。虽然我不像以前那样经常见到她，但她的言语和形象已经深深印在我的脑海中。（她的故事到此为止）

我和惠玲在她得救之前度过了很多时光。我们在1990年相识。她在2001年在美国学习时为一次课堂作业写下了这篇关于我的文章。她回到台湾后给了我一份副本。这篇文章深深触动了我，让我意识到我们的言语、行为、肢体语言，甚至是我们对他人所做的最微小的事，都可能产生积极或消极的影响。我非常感谢上帝在这位年轻女性的生命中引导我每一步。我深感谦卑和感激，因为祂允许我在带领她归向耶稣的过程中扮演了一个角色。她是魏牧师在我们新教会中施洗的第二个人。第一个是我们的幼子！已经过去了35年，她仍然称呼我们为“妈妈”和“爸爸”。

  • 注：感谢魏愛玲師母允许我们分享她的故事。她对自己被提及感到有些不好意思，但李春海牧师认为这是为了荣耀上帝，通过分享个人见证可以激励和鼓励他人更忠实地愛主爱人、并侍主侍人。

2/9/25 Pastor’s Word

A Testimony about Chang Hui-Ling
Sharing on January 29, 2025, Early Prayer Meeting
Elinda West

 

Have you ever impacted someone’s life in a positive or negative way and had no idea you did?

Scripture: Colossians 4: 2-6

In 1990 we had just moved to a new area in Taichung, Taiwan to start a church. We knew no one and we knew we had to start with a Bible Study in our home.  One morning I was reading Colossians 4: 2-6 and praying. I was asking God that day to “open a door for our gospel message, so that we might proclaim the mystery of Christ.” I particularly paid attention to “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” I then went out and made my way to the fresh market to buy some fruit. I was near the market when a lady was walking toward me on the other side of the road and started smiling and waving and came across the road and took my arm as if she knew me.  It was so unlike Chinese people in Taiwan to be THAT bold to a perfect stranger…. ALWAYS smiling and friendly yes, but not like that! I thought WOW! God is already answering my prayer.  She chatted with me and insisted we go to her house immediately to meet her daughter!  It was strange, but hadn’t I just prayed for an open door and to make the most of every opportunity! I went with her!  I was praying all the way there! We went up the stairs quietly because the lady said we couldn’t wake up her husband who would be very angry!  She opened the door suddenly to this young girl’s bedroom……I smiled and apologized for invading her privacy. I told her my name and invited her to our home for English Bible Study.  She was so very shy, but she smiled.  I quickly thanked her mother for the introduction and left.  I thought…. I will never see that poor girl again!!
This is how this story started from MY perspective.  Now I will share this story and that first meeting with Chang Hui Ling from HER perspective. I will share exactly as she wrote it down for an assignment for a class 10 years after it all happened!
“A Loving Person” (This is the title she gave her story)
People always look at me with incredulous expressions when I tell them I used to be a shy, quiet, serious girl who lacked self-confidence. “You look very independent and self-confident now.  I can’t imagine what you were like before.” Yes, it’s true that I am not the same person I used to be.  Being the eldest child in my family, I had to learn how to take care of myself when I was a small girl. I had learned to inhibit my natural emotions as a result of my father’s strict discipline and my mother’s mental illness. In my mind, there was no asking, “What would I like to do?” but only, “What should I do?” People probably regarded me as a callous person until I met my Godmother, Elinda.
         I didn’t know what it was like to be loved by someone because my father never showed his love to people except by scolding. I could partly understand my father’s frustration caused from his marrying someone with a mental illness, being forced leave his own country (mainland China) and trying to take care of all the responsibilities of my family. Trying to assist my father, I shared some housekeeping with my father since I was 5 years old. I was quite mature when I was young, but I lost the innocent nature of a child. I didn’t like to talk with people because I thought nobody could understand my feelings.  My attitude was very negative and cynical as I never felt satisfied with any part of my life.
          One summer day when I was a sophomore in college my mother brought an unexpected stranger to my room.  “Oh! No! My mother was acting up again.” I murmured to myself.  I hated the situation whenever my mother didn’t behave like a normal person. Suddenly, a middle-aged woman (Elinda was 42) with blond hair, good-looking features appeared in front of my sight. “How do you do? My name is Elinda. I met your mother on the street because she wanted to show me where to buy apples. She insisted I come to meet you because she said that you like to study English.” She introduced herself to me in Chinese with a soft American accent. I held myself back by not shouting at my mother and stayed calm. She noticed my fright and protectiveness.  Having realized that she might intrude into my space, she didn’t speak more after her friendly introduction.  She just left a note and told me that I could call her if I wanted to learn English. Several days passed by, the note kept whirling in my head. A strange curiosity finally gave me the courage to call her.
        “Hi, this is Hui-Ling. Do you remember? You said I could call if I wanted to learn English.”  “YES, sure I remember you.”
         We scheduled the time for our first meeting. I seldom called a stranger, but somehow an unknown feeling grabbed me and encouraged me to try to discover more about this woman. After I arrived at her house, I noticed that I wasn’t the only guest, and I immediately figured out that the meeting was a fellowship. My instinct told me to act politely. I stayed quiet until the meeting finished. During the night, I was introduced to 7 or 8 young students. We sang songs, ate refreshments, and read a Bible story.  At the end when people were dismissed, Elinda asked me if I was free the next Monday night, I nodded yes! “Why don’t you just come to my house, and we can do something you want??”  OKAY, I answered. I was kind of blaming myself for believing that she would teach me English. However, I also felt a different emotion which I never experienced before. This new feeling made me feel more peaceful, joyful, and wonderful during the fellowship than I had ever had.  I brought my English book that I wished Elinda to help me with on that Monday night. I asked how much I should pay her. Her reply made me stunned. “I don’t charge anything from you. Just feel free to ask me if you need help.” Instead of being unmotivated like I used to be, I kept going to Elinda’s house every Monday night for our private meeting and every Tuesday night for the fellowship. I noticed that Elinda always asked how I felt, how my family was doing and how my mother was.  I felt touched because she really cared about me and my family rather than just being socially polite. I seldom disclose my family or myself to anyone because I was afraid people would laugh at me or even despise me. While talking with Elinda, I could see understanding and affection in her eyes and I learned that she really cared about me.  Sometimes, she would show me some pictures of her family or share some interesting stories with me.  I was not quite ready to accept her friendship at the beginning because I couldn’t easily trust people. I waited and waited to see what she really wanted from me, otherwise, how could she have such patience and love to give to people? One day, she invited me to attend a party.  “Have you ever attended any party?”  “No!” “Would you like to go with me tonight to a party? “Yes.”  She asked me to come to her house one hour earlier than the party if I didn’t have a dress for the party. She let me choose any dress from her closet. While sitting on the chair, she helped me comb my hair. It was the first, MY first, that I had somebody comb my hair. It seemed electricity flowing all over my body from her touching my hair. I was so moved that I almost burst into tears. I asked why she treated me so well and what I should do to return to her. She answered that she didn’t ask for any return but to see me grow up in happiness and with hope. She told me the well of her love came from God. She would feel weak and exhausted if it were not for God’s love. God’s amazing grace had given her enthusiasm and devotion in her life no matter how difficult the life would be.  There were many times that people tried to evangelize Christianity to me, but they always failed by my rejecting God’s existence. Because of Elinda’s love and patience, I finally accepted Jesus Christ in my heart when I was a senior in college. One day, one of my classmates told me that I looked different. When I asked him what the difference was, he said that I looked glamorous with faith and my smile made me look friendlier than before, I’ve always thanked God that He had brought Elinda into my life and changed my life. Without her consistently give of her love and friendship to me, I would never have known what love is, how to trust people, how to open my mind to this world, and how to accept Jesus into my life.  Before I didn’t know there were so many good qualities in this world, but she made me experience the wonderful side of life. Elinda reminded me that I could give my love to people who are eager to love. I still keep in touch with her because she always encourages me whenever I feel down or frustrated. Though I don’t see her as often as before, her words and image have become embedded in my mind.    (End of her story)
Hui-Ling and I spent a lot of time together before she was saved. We met in 1990. She wrote this paper about me 10 years later in 2001 as an assignment for a class while studying in the U.S. She gave me a copy when she returned to Taiwan after her studies.  It has touched me so deeply and makes me aware of how our words, our actions, our body language, the smallest things we do around other people can have a positive or negative impact. I’m so thankful God was leading me every step of the way in this young woman’s life. I am so humbled and grateful that He allowed me to play a part in bringing her to JESUS.  She was the second person Wei Mushr baptized in our new church start.  The first person was our youngest son! It’s been 35 years, and she still calls us “mom” and “dad.”
  • Note: We are thankful for Elinda West’s permission to allow us to share her story. She feels a little embarrassed of mentioning herself, but Pastor Chunhai Li believes it is all about the glory of God by sharing a personal testimony, and this can inspire and encourage others to love and serve the Lord and others more faithfully.

2/2/25 牧者之言

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“荣神益人”
——华人基督徒如何过春节？

          1951年美国神学家莱因霍尔德·尼布尔 (Reinhold Niebuhur) 在《基督与文化》（Christ and Culture）一书中提到两者之间的五种类型。第一，基督反对文化(Christ Against Culture): 文化受了罪的玷污，基督徒应该避免、拒绝、并排斥文化。第二，基督属于文化(Christ of Culture): 文化是好的，与基督徒信仰没有任何冲突。第三，基督高过文化(Christ above Culture)：文化是好的，但要基督信仰对其做出最美的诠释。第四，基督与文化之间的张力 (Christ and Culture in Paradox): 基督徒与所处文化之间的互动始终存在一种紧张关系。第五，基督更新文化(Christ the Transformer of Culture): 基督徒努力寻求将文化的价值观和目的转化为服侍和荣耀上帝。由于篇幅所限，以上几点我不详细展开。多数福音派的基督徒赞同第五点，即根据耶稣的教导我们是 “世上的光，世上的盐” （太5: 13-16），我们在世界但不属世界（约17: 15-17），我们要以出世的心过入世的生活，不效法这个世界，只要新意更新而变化（罗12: 1-2）。
春节是华人第一大节日，是中国文化中很重要的一部分。在美国的华人基督徒面临三种文化：中国文化、西方文化及基督徒文化。华人基督徒如何平衡三者之间的关系，对于荣神益人至关重要。参照尼布尔所提出的第五种模式“基督更新文化”，按照保罗所说“所以，你们或吃或喝，无论做什么，都要为荣耀神而行“（林前10: 31）的原则，对于华人基督徒过春节，我和大家分享以下几点：
  1. 敬拜独一真神
        当尊上帝为大，绝不可祭拜偶像。《圣经》十条诫命（出20: 1-5; 申5:7-9）中的第一条和第二条明确规定，基督徒要敬拜独一真神，拜偶像是得罪神的。过年要杜绝各种形式接神，摆贡，贴财神画、门神画，或在微信里迎财神、抽签算卦等。我们不要提说或宣扬别神的名号（诗16: 4），更不要转发和传播。我们不要称呼人是“大神”，不要称呼某影视明星为“男神”或“女神”，不要把服侍神的仆人当成神（徒14: 14-18），也不要把天使当成神（启22: 8-9）。
在我们祷告时，基督徒称呼我们的神时不要说神是“万能的”（universal power），而要说神是“全能的”(almighty)。在和合本圣经翻译中，每逢提到神时都是说祂是全能者。顺便提一句，基督徒祷告时需要有谦卑认罪的诚实态度，然而在祷告结束时却无需自谦说“以上不配的祷告”，因为我们向上帝祷告的特权完全依赖于基督在十字架上做成的救恩，而不是我们自己的善工。基督徒可以张贴”福“字和有福音话语的对联，以及代表中国传统文化的服饰，比如唐装或少数民族服装等。
  1. 敬祖但不祭祖 Honor but not Worship Ancestors
         基督徒可以敬祖但不祭祖(We honor but not worship ancestors)。我们对祖先应予以“尊敬和记念”，却不应该“敬拜或祭祀”。华人说百善孝为先，圣经十诫的第五条人伦之首就是当孝敬父母。基督徒孝道的重点强调的不是在丧礼仪式上，而是在长辈活着时多与他们分享福音、多关爱体贴照顾、多分担家务，多以实际行动表达感恩之情。基督徒可以在传统节日时扫墓，藉此缅怀长辈留下的美好榜样，感激他们在世时所有的付出和辛劳。我们不磕头、不烧纸、不摆供品，但可以谦恭地扫墓，献鲜花，唱赞美诗。扫墓时，我们不为也不向死人祷告。我们是向上帝祷告，为活人求喜乐平安。这既荣耀主名，又向世人作见证。
  1. “从前属动物、如今属基督了”
        所谓生肖，既为华人之“十二属相：子鼠、丑牛、寅虎、卯兔、辰龙、巳蛇、午马、未羊、申猴、酉鸡、戌狗、亥猪”；它以十二种动物对应十二年或一天的十二个时辰。对基督徒来说，生肖只是标志，没有实在意义。
按着中国农历计算，今年是蛇年。基督徒对蛇这个标志持有特别看法，创世记中讲到始祖亚当受了蛇的引诱才偷吃了禁果、陷在罪中。我们认为，蛇本身并不是魔鬼，然而蛇却成了受撒旦所利用引诱人犯罪的工具。在蛇年时，基督徒如果想到要为主传福音、作见证，我相信上帝也是喜悦的。有位阿妮塔（Anita）姐妹在2024年华协新年庆祝的舞台上为主做了美好的见证。她说：“今年是龙年，但我们宣告今年要成为基督之年。愿基督得着所有华人！”我们同样宣告说：“今年是蛇年，但我们宣告今年要成为基督之年。愿基督得着所有华人！”
从谈论属相可以开启传福音的对话。有时中国人会问你是属什么的？从前你回答说：“我属羊、我属马、我属蛇”等。今天你可以说：“我从前属羊/属马/或其它属相，如今属基督了”。正如保罗所说：“只是我先前以为与我有益的，我现在因基督都当做有损的。 不但如此，我也将万事当作有损的，因我以认识我主基督耶稣为至宝” （腓3：7-8）。
  1. 吃喝要有节制
         新年时中国人会做很多菜，家人在一起享受团圆的日子。基督徒最好不要吸烟。吸烟有害健康。我们的身体是圣灵的殿，人不可伤害他人的身体，也不可伤害自己的身体（包括健康）。如果有吸烟的习惯，我们需靠圣灵的大能战胜烟瘾，为主做得胜的见证。比如：我的奶奶和我的美国妈妈都曾经历过戒烟的见证，她们曾抽过几十年的烟，但却借着主的大能戒掉了烟瘾。同时，基督徒“不可醉酒”（弗5: 18）。贪杯醉酒者难免失态。基督徒当竭力依靠圣灵竭力过分别为圣的生活，凡是容易使我们跌倒的事最好一概不作。分别为圣的生活，不是以不犯罪为标准，而是以合神心意为追求的最高目标。
  1. 抓住机会传福音
         传福音是基督徒的使命，无论得时不得时总要传福音（提后4: 2）。当给亲人打电话问候节日快乐时，可以与他们分享福音。当参加庆祝活动遇到人时，可以与他们分享福音，并邀请他们来教会参加活动。如果有人反对，我们也无需勉强，而应竭力与人保持良好的关系。
愿主赐福我们在新的一年里，力上加力，恩上加恩，荣上加荣，乐上加乐！主恩充溢，福杯满溢。愿平安如江河滚滚，愿福泽如洋海涛涛！以基督之名，阿门！

“Glorify God and benefit others”
——How do Chinese Christians celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year?

In 1951, American theologian Reinhold Niebuhur mentioned five types of culture in his book Christ and Culture. First, Christ Against Culture: Culture is tainted by sin, and Christians should avoid, reject, and exclude culture. Second, Christ of Culture: Culture is good and does not conflict with Christian faith. Third, Christ above Culture: Culture is good, but Christian faith should interpret it in the most excellent way. Fourth, Christ and Culture in Paradox: There is always a tension between the interaction between Christians and the culture they live in. Fifth, Christ the Transformer of Culture: Christians strive to transform the values and purposes of culture into serving and glorifying God. Due to space limitations, I will not elaborate on the above points. Most evangelical Christians agree with the fifth point, that according to Jesus’ teachings we are “the light of the world and the salt of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16), we are in the world but not of the world (John 17:15-17), and we should live an out-of-worldly life, not conforming to this world, but being transformed by the new mind (Romans 12:1-2).
The Chinese Lunar New Year (also called as “The Spring Festival”) is the largest festival for Chinese people and is a very important part of Chinese culture. Chinese Christians in the United States face three cultures: Chinese culture, Western culture, and Christian culture. How Chinese Christians balance the relationship between the three is crucial to glorifying God and benefiting people. Referring to Niebuhr’s fifth model “Christ Renews Culture” and following Pau’s principle of “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31), I would like to share with you the following principles about Chinese Christians celebrating the Spring Festival:
  1. Worship the Only One True God
God should be honored as the greatest, and idols should never be worshiped. The first and second of the Ten Commandments in the Bible (Exodus 20: 1-5; Deuteronomy 5:7-9) clearly stipulate that Christians should worship the one true God, and idolatry is an offense to God. During the Chinese New Year, we shall put an end to all forms of welcoming gods, offering tributes, pasting paintings of the Wealth god or Door god, or welcoming the Wealth god on WeChat, drawing lots, etc. We shall not promote the names of other gods (Psalm 16:4). We shall not call people “big gods”; we shall not call certain movie stars “male god” or “goddess”; we shall not regard servants of God as gods (Acts 14:14-18); and we shall not regard angels as gods as well (Revelation 22: 8-9).
When we pray, Christians should not call God “universal power” but “Almighty.” In the Chinese Union Version of the Bible, whenever God is mentioned, He is called the Almighty. By the way, Christians need to have an honest attitude of humble confession when praying, but there is no need to modestly say “the above prayer is unworthy” at the end of the prayer, because our privilege to pray to God depends entirely on the salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, not on our own good works. Christians can post the word “Fu” and couplets with gospel words, as well as clothing representing traditional Chinese culture, such as Tang suits or ethnic minority costumes.
  1. Honor but not Worship Ancestors
Christians can honor but not worship ancestors. We shall “respect and remember” our ancestors, but we shall not worship or offer sacrifices to them. Chinese people say that filial piety comes first among all virtues. The fifth of the Ten Commandments in the Bible, the first of of human ethic, is to honor one’s parents. The emphasis of Christian filial piety is not on funeral ceremonies, but on sharing the gospel with elders, caring for them, sharing housework, and expressing gratitude with practical actions when they are still alive. Christians can visit or sweep graves during traditional festivals to remember the good examples left by their ancestors and to appreciate all their efforts and hard work when they were alive. We do not kowtow, burn paper, or place offerings, but we can humbly visit graves, offer flowers, and sing hymns. When visiting graves, we do not pray for or to the dead. We pray to God and ask for joy and peace for the living. This not only glorifies the Lord’s name but also bears witness to the world.
  1. “I once belonged to animal, but now I belong to Christ”
The Chinese zodiac is the twelve Chinese zodiac signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The twelve animals correspond to the twelve hours of a year or day. For Christians, the zodiac is just a symbol and has no actual meaning.
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this year is the Year of the Snake. Christians have a special view on the symbol of the snake. The Book of Genesis says that the first ancestor Adam was tempted by the snake and ate the forbidden fruit and fell into sin. We believe that the snake itself is not a devil, but the snake has become a tool used by Satan to tempt people to sin. In the Year of the Snake, if Christians think more about preaching the gospel and bearing witness for the Lord, I believe God is also pleased. Sister Anita gave a beautiful testimony for the Lord on the stage of the 2024 Arkansas Chinese Association New Year Gala. She said: “This year is the Year of the Dragon, but we declare that this year will be the year of Christ. May Christ gain all Chinese!” We also claim: “This year is the Year of the Snake, but we declare that this year will be the year of Christ. May Christ gain all Chinese!”
Talking about your zodiac sign can start a conversation about evangelism. Sometimes Chinese people will ask you what your zodiac sign is. In the past, you answered, “I belong to a sheep, or a horse, or a snake, etc.” Today, you can say, “I once belonged to a sheep/other zodiac sign, but now I belong to Christ.” As Paul said, “But whatever gains I had, I now counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8).
  1. Eat and Drink in Moderation
During the New Year, Chinese people will cook a lot of dishes and enjoy the reunion with their families. It is better for a Christian to avoid smoke. Smoking is harmful to health. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. People should not harm the bodies of others or their own bodies (including health). If we have the habit of smoking, we need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the addiction and bear victorious witness for the Lord. For example: My grandmother and my American mother had both experienced the testimony of quitting smoking. They had smoked for decades, but they quit smoking through the power of the Lord. At the same time, Christians “should not be drunk on wine” (Ephesians 5:18). Those who are drunk will easily lose control. Christians should strive to rely on the Holy Spirit and live a sanctified life. It is best not to do anything that can easily cause others to fall. The sanctified life is not only based on not committing sins, but on the highest goal of pursuing God’s will.
  1. Seize Every Opportunity to Share the Gospel
We should always preach the gospel in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). When wishing our relatives or friends a happy new year, we can share the gospel with them. When meeting people at celebrations, we can share the gospel with them and invite them to church. If someone objects, we do not need to force them but should do our best to maintain a good relationship with them.
May the Lord bless us in the new year with more strength, more glory, and more joy! May the Lord’s grace overflow and the cup of blessing overflow. May peace roll like a river and blessings flow like the ocean! In the name of Christ, Amen!

1/26/25 牧者之言

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我们生命中的属灵标记

魏师母

•    经文：诗篇77:11-14
•    2025年1月16日晨祷会
1 月 10 日是我父亲的忌日，1982 年他去世了，享年 55 岁。今年和每年，我和姐妹们都会分享爸爸，分享他和妈妈对我们的意义，分享我们多么感激在一个基督徒家庭中长大！我以前在晨祷会上分享过一些这方面的事情。对我们所有人来说，失去父母是我们生命中意义重大的时刻，也是悲伤的时刻。1979 年 6 月 17 日，父亲节的第二天，我和魏牧师离开了美国。我们家乡的教会举行了一次差遣礼，我们将被差遣到台湾担任传教士。后来，当我要和父母道别的时候，我给了爸爸一张父亲节贺卡。在那张贺卡里，我告诉他，正是通过他的愛，我才意识到天父的愛是什么样的。我告诉他，在我成长的过程中，他一直愛着我、关心着我、引导着我，并为我祈祷。
我的父母总是带我去教会，我决志信靠耶稣，并在 9 岁时受浸礼。我在父亲节卡片上说了更多的话来表达我对爸爸的感激和愛。我告诉他我的祈祷是希望我的生命能反映出他对我的愛！这让我爸爸哭了。直到那天我 31 岁，我才第一次看到爸爸哭。听到我对他说出这些感受，爸爸很高兴。他为我感到骄傲，但也为我们即将离开很长一段时间而感到难过。
上周，当我想起我的父亲时，我开始思考我们生命中都有的“属灵标记” 。它们并不常见。这些属灵记忆在我们的基督徒生活中至关重要。我们生命中的这些时刻确定了我们知道上帝以圣灵的力量清楚地引导我们，或给我们一个明确的呼召服侍的时刻！属灵标记提醒我们上帝的力量！（当我们回顾他过去如何引导我们时），它们给我们信心去面对今天的争战。（当我们与孩子们分享上帝在我们生命中的工作时），它们给我们的孩子信心为明天争战！它们见证上帝大能的手！记住上帝所做的一切有助于我们将所有的荣耀归于他！我们从这些经历中走出来，成为一个比以前更强大、更好的人。我们可能不会在某个事件或某个阶段结束后立即感到更强大，但随着时间的流逝，我们回首往事，发现上帝在我们的生活中用它来加强我们对他的信仰和信任，为此我们赞美他！
我和魏牧师经常和我们的孩子和孙辈分享我们的属灵标记，因为我们认为这样做很重要。他们需要听到这些故事，并受到挑战，自己去信靠上帝。我们希望他们看到与主紧密同行的价值和祝福！在向他人讲述属灵标记的过程中，我们自己获得了对今天的信心和勇气以及对未来的盼望！这些标记具有属灵意义，就像以色列人的逾越节和我们的主餐礼、保罗在去大马色的路上、摩西和燃烧的荆棘。我和魏牧师分享过，我们自己的属灵标记包括我们对罪的认识和得救的经历、我们的婚姻、我们对传教服侍的呼召，以及我们与所认识的一切和每个人分离……在另一个国家生活 30 多年。
我们刚到台湾两年半时，我爸爸就得知自己得了癌症，之后他只活了四个月。我无法回到美国支持我的母亲、姐妹和其他亲人、以及参加葬礼。我们当时正在台湾参加一个中国教会，牧师想为我们一家举行一场礼拜。他们唱了“耶稣的胜利”这首歌，因为在美国的礼拜仪式上唱过这首歌。他们准备了一幅爸爸的大画像，并在教堂前面放了一个用真花制成的十字架。牧师以《创世纪》第 12 章讲道，上帝告诉亚伯兰“离开本地，本族和父家，往我要指示你的地去”…… 他继续读到第 3 节…… “地上的万族都要因你得福。”我知道他讲了很多话来安慰我，所有人都一个接一个地来握住我的手，我看到了他们的眼泪！他们根本不认识我的父亲，但他们愛我们一家人，我们只在那间教会待了两年。我深受感动。我们的传教士家庭也为我们举行了一场礼拜。它让我们如此亲密地聚在一起，分享这份悲伤，我的悲痛。在那些日子和几个月里，我心中建立了更坚定的信心。这些可愛的弟兄姐妹们用他们的愛心、他们的关怀、他们自己的属灵标志和他们的祈祷建立了我的信心……我们在日常生活中一起前行和工作……时间就这样流逝着。
当我们彼此分享属灵标记时，我们都会得到坚固并充满盼望！你知道，尽管我很伤心我的父亲去世得很早，但我学会了无论发生什么都要信靠上帝。我拥有上帝奇妙的平安和同在。上帝从不无情。他用他的愛厚待我们。他的道路比我们的道路更高。也许你们中的一些人还记得在另一次晨祷中我分享了我在成为传教士初期与家人分离的挣扎。在这种艰难的悲痛和伤心中，主告诉我，在他呼召侍奉他的地方他为我准备了另外两个美好的家庭……我的传教士同胞家庭和我的中国教会家庭！回首往事，我被他的信实所折服。在爸爸离开我们的同一年，上帝赐给我和魏牧师另一个儿子。我们非常激动，并感谢上帝对我们的仁慈，他在我们生命中的那段时间拯救了我们。
今天在晨祷中，我分享了我生命中的一个属灵标记！你的属灵标记是什么？想一想！我们是一家人，所以让我们一起分享我们的生活、我们的祷告、主对我们祷告的回应，并得到祝福和鼓励！！！
亲愛的上帝，请帮助我们识别我们生命中的属灵标记，这样，在我们这样做的同时，请帮助我们在与你同行的过程中建立属灵的记忆。当我们记住生活中的这些事件帮助我们持续增强我们的信心，并让我们持续走在正路上。帮助我们与他人分享，以便我们相互鼓励。谢谢天父，你一直在我们生命中工作，这些标记提醒我们，我们属于你，我们的未来在你那里是安全的！谢谢耶稣赐予我们基督的身体……我们的教会大家庭！ 奉耶稣的名，阿门。

Spiritual Markers in our Lives
Elinda West

  • Scripture: Psalm 77:11-14
  • Early Prayer meeting January 16, 2025
         January 10th is the anniversary of my father’s death in 1982.  He was 55 years old.  This year and every year my sisters and I talk about daddy and what he and mother meant to us and how thankful we were to grow up in a Christian home! I’ve shared a little about this event before in Early Prayer meeting.  For all of us losing our parents is a significant time in our lives and a sad time. Wei Mushr and I left America the day after Father’s Day on June 17, 1979. There was a Commissioning Service at our home church for us to be sent out as missionaries to Taiwan.  Later, when it was time to say good-bye to my parents I gave daddy a Father’s Day card. In that card I shared with him that it was through his love that I realized what the love of God the Father must be like. I told him he had loved and cared for my needs and guided me and prayed for me as I grew up.
My parents always took me to church, and I professed my faith in Jesus and was baptized at 9 years old. I said more things in that Father’s Day card expressing my gratitude and love to my daddy and I told him my prayer was that my life might reflect the same love that he had shown to me!  It made my daddy weep. I had never seen my daddy cry until that day and I was 31 years old. It was good for my daddy to hear me say those feelings to him. He was proud of me but sad we were going away for a long time.
As I was thinking about my dad this past week I began to think about the “Spiritual Markers” we all have in our lives. They don’t happen often. These Spiritual memories are crucial in our Christian life. These times in our lives IDENTIFY A TIME we know God clearly GUIDED US by the power of the Holy Spirit or gave us a CLEAR CALL to service! SPIRITUAL MARKERS REMIND US OF THE POWER OF GOD!  THEY GIVE US CONFIDENCE TO FACE TODAY’S BATTLES (as we look back on how He led us in the past). THEY GIVE OUR CHILDREN CONFIDENCE TO FIGHT TOMORROW’S BATTLES! (as we share with them God’s work in our lives). THEY WITNESS TO THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD! REMEMBERING WHAT GOD HAS DONE HELPS US GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY!  We go away from these experiences as a stronger and better person than we were before.  We might not feel stronger immediately after the event or season, but with the passing of time we look back and see that God used it in our lives to strengthen our faith and trust in Him AND FOR THAT WE PRAISE HIM!
Wei Mushr and I often share our Spiritual Markers with our children and grandchildren because we think it is important for us to do that. They need to hear these stories and be challenged to trust God themselves. We want them to see the value and blessing of walking closely with the Lord!  In the process of telling others about Spiritual Markers we ourselves receive confidence and courage for today and hope for the future! These markers have spiritual significance, like the Passover for the Israelites and The Lord’s Supper for us, Paul on the road to Damascus, Moses and the burning bush. Wei Mushr and I discussed that our own spiritual markers include our conviction of sin and salvation experience, our marriage, our call to missionary service and separation from everything and everyone we knew… to live in another country for 30 plus years.
We had been in Taiwan for only 2 1/2 years when my dad learned he had cancer and only lived 4 months after that. I could not return to the U.S. to support my mother and sisters and other close family members and attend the funeral.  We were attending a Chinese Church in Taiwan and the pastor wanted to hold a service for our family. They sang the song “Victory in Jesus” because it was sung at the service in America. They prepared a large portrait of daddy and had a cross of real flowers at the front of the church. The pastor preached from Genesis 12 where God told Abram to “leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you”… and he read on through verse 3… “and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” I know he shared many words to comfort me and all the people came one by one to take my hand and I saw their tears! They didn’t know my daddy at all but they loved our family and we had only been in that church 2 years. I was touched so deeply. Our missionary family also held a service for us. It brought us so close together to share this sadness, my grief. A stronger faith was established in my heart in those days and months. These loving brothers and sisters built up my faith by their love, their care, their own spiritual markers and their prayers…. as we walked and worked together in daily life… and time went on.
When we share our spiritual markers with each other we all are strengthened and have hope!  You know, even though I was so hurt that my daddy passed away so young I learned about trusting God no matter what. I had God’s wonderful peace and presence.  God is never unkind. He lavishes us with His love. His ways are higher than ours.  Maybe some of you remember another time in Early Morning Prayer I shared about my struggle with separation from my family in the early days of being a missionary.  The Lord showed me during this difficult grief and sadness He had prepared 2 other wonderful families for me in the place he called me to serve Him……My fellow Missionary Family and My Chinese Church family! I look back and am overwhelmed with His Faithfulness. In the same year daddy left us.. God gave Wei Mushr and I another son. We were so excited and grateful for God’s Goodness to us which He saved for that time in our life.
Here in Early Prayer today I’m sharing a Spiritual Marker in my life! What are your Spiritual Markers? Think about it!  We are FAMILY so let’s share together our lives, our prayers, our answers to prayers and be Blessed and Encouraged!!!
Dear Lord, help us to identify the spiritual markers in our lives and as we do that help us develop spiritual memory in our walk with you. As we remember these events in our lives help them to continue to strengthen our faith and keep us consistently on the path. Help us share with others so we can encourage each other. Thank you Father that you are constantly working in our lives and that these markers are reminders to us that we belong to You and our future is secure in You! Thank you Jesus for the Body of Christ ….Our Family! In Jesus’s Name Amen.