Category Archives: 牧者之言

This category collects the weekly words from pastor

5/18/25 牧者之言

Posted on
我们在神的话语中发现信实
魏愛玲師母


2025年5月8日早祷会分享以赛亚书55:10-11 “雨雪从天而降并不返回，却滋润地土，使地上发芽结实，使撒种的有种，使要吃的有粮。我口所出的话也必如此，决不徒然返回，却要成就我所喜悦的，在我发它去成就的事上必然亨通”。
       这段经文在我们的心中呈现了一幅美丽的图画，彰显了神创造的伟大，也见证了神话语的能力与目的！就在不久前，在我们的城市，我们看到了雪花从天而降的美丽景象。
尽管它让出行变得困难甚至几乎不可能，但我们不得不承认，我们很喜欢看着雪花飘落的样子！它让我们感到平静。之后下起了雨，因为是春天，春天的雨水滋润大地，使青草生长、花朵绽放，这一切都是我们从神所创造的季节中获得的美好。
       好像春天的鸟儿也更欢快地歌唱，我们可以享受它们的歌声。第10节使用了雨雪的比喻。雨雪从天而降，并不会蒸发后就返回天上。它们履行了自己的使命；滋润大地，使其肥沃，并为撒种的人提供种子。
       在春天，魏牧师喜欢种一个小花园。我们做一个简单的花园，因为准备、种植和照料它都是辛苦的工作。我们会看着它，希望它能成长，甚至会为蔬菜的生长祷告！我们非常喜欢去看植物生长的进展。
       我们期待着能吃到丰收的食物！第11节将雨雪与神的话语进行了类比。就像雨雪履行了它们的使命，神的话语也是如此。它不会徒然返回，而是必定成就它所要完成的事，成功地完成它被差遣的任务。
       因此，神说这就是他话语的运作方式。祂的话从祂的口中发出，并不会直接回到祂那里。它不空空返回，必定成就祂的目的。祂的话带来果实与成功！这就是祂话语的作用。
它成功地完成了祂差遣它去做的事。在以赛亚书55:10-11中，神的话语挑战我们不只是做听众！让我们想一想…这是不是在引导我们祷告，让神的话语在我们心中结出这样的果实？
       我们不只是听见话语然后忘记它，而是要以一种使其在我们生活中每天结出果实的方式去接收神的话语。我们应该以顺服和行动来回应神的话语。
       雅各书1:22说：“你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。”因此，如果我们按照神的话语去做，我们的行为将结出果实，这是神的话语在我们生活中的结果。然后我们将传播神的话语，并记住神的话语从不只是为了停留在我们这里。它的目的是通过我们来传递出去。
        即便在此刻，我们正在阅读并听见神通过以赛亚书55:10-11在讲述祂话语的力量。
今天我们可以与谁分享神话语的力量？我们今天可以鼓励谁，用神的话语来鼓励他们？我们能否与那些尚未认识耶稣的人分享神的话语？
        想一想，今天神的话语如何通过我们结出果实，影响他人的生命！意识到这一切都是神话语的目的……让我们接收它，让它在我们的生活中结出果实，通过我们的生命，进入他人的生命，并在世界上扩展。
        这就是祂的目的！祂的话语出去，使得祂的话语通过我们，祂的子民，让它在全世界被认识！以赛亚书55:10-11鼓励我们让神的话语塑造我们生命的每一部分，并提醒我们将神的话语传给他人！
       魏牧师和我曾与大家分享，在我们作为台湾的宣教士的时光中，我们与不同年龄组的人开展了许多圣经学习。这是我们与人建立联系、培养关系的方式。我们用英语开展圣经学习，因为学生们想提高他们的英语水平，他们很兴奋能进行练习。
        我们也能和他们练习中文，他们非常乐意帮忙、鼓励我们。虽然他们并不信主，但他们依然很乐意来参加英语学习。我们告诉他们，课本就是圣经，神的圣言！当然，他们总是听到福音的分享。多年来，一些人信主了，许多人没有。虽然他们并未立刻信主，但我们在台湾待了32年，因此我们时不时地听到有些人信主了。他们会找到我们并告诉我们！我们总是告诉我们的学生，信耶稣是他们一生中最重要的决定，并且是一个他们永远不会后悔的决定。但他们必须为自己做出决定。当学生们完成学习时，我们会赠送给他们一本圣经作为礼物。这就是我们分享神话语并看到果实的方式。
       魏牧师和我每周都有一天禁食祷告，为我们的儿子和他们的家庭祷告圣经经文。当然，我们每天都会为我们的孩子、朋友和教会祷告，但这一天对他们来说是特别的一天。
他们知道我们会这样做，所以他们经常告诉我们他们希望我们为他们祷告的事情。他们依赖我们的祷告，我们看到了神回应祷告的答案！我也会通过短信给孙子们发圣经经文。
由于我们不常见面，所以我觉得这是一种鼓励他们的好方式。我们希望他们记住神的话语！我知道他们可能会忘记我的话，但我相信神的话会留在他们的心里，并成就祂的目的。
       我也喜欢为朋友们祷告神的话。我觉得这样很有意义，因为那是神的话，比我的话更有力量。魏牧师和我也喜欢在美国赠送圣经给人，尤其是像我们的邻居Jack这样的新信徒。这些只是我们通过传递神的话语来分享它的一些方式。我们知道你们也在做这些事情，并且有其他的方式与他人分享神的话语。
         我将以分享耶稣在马太福音28:18-20中的话语来结束。这段话被称为“大使命”，他说：“耶稣进前来，对他们说：‘天上地下的权柄都赐给我了。 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。 我就常常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。’”
        这段经文有很多值得说的地方，但我只想说，耶稣提醒我们要“教训他们遵守我所吩咐你们的。”祂会与你同在去完成这个使命！如果我们要顺服祂，就必须读祂的话语，以行动回应祂的话，并与他人分享祂的话！神的话语成就了祂的目的，并通过我们在我们和他人生命中结出果实。感谢主！
        (*除了我个人的见证和心得，本文的思想来自于华盛顿麦克林圣经教会的牧师兼教师David Platt博士。)Bottom of Form



5/18/25 Pastor’s Word

WE FIND FAITHFULNESS IN GOD’S WORD
Elinda West
Sharing at Morning Prayer Meeting on MAY 8, 2025Isaiah 55: 10-11  “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish the purpose for which I sent it.”
        This scripture is a beautiful picture in our minds of God’s creation and a testimony of  the power and the purpose of God’s Word! It wasn’t so long ago here in our city that we saw the beauty of the snow falling down to earth. 
        Even though it made traveling around difficult to impossible we have to admit we loved watching it !  It made us feel peaceful.  After that the rain came because it’s springtime and in the springtime we get rain to water the earth and make the grass grow and the flowers bloom and we have more beauty from seeing this season that God created for us to enjoy. 
        It seems like the birds even sing more happily in the springtime and we can enjoy their song. In verse 10 it uses this imagery of rain and snow. When they fall from heaven they don’t just evaporate and return. Instead they fulfill their purpose, watering the earth, making it fertile, and providing seed for the sower.   
        In the springtime likes to plant a little garden.  We do a simple garden because it is hard work to prepare, plant and take care of it.  We watch and hope and even pray for the vegetables to grow! We really enjoy going out to see the progress of the growing. 
        We look forward to the good food to eat! In verse 11 we see a parallel between the rain and snow and God’s Word. Just as the rain and snow fulfill their purpose, so does God’s Word . It will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish what He intends and be successful in the task it was sent to do.
        So God says this is how His Word works. His Word goes out from His mouth, and it doesn’t go right back to Him. It doesn’t return to Him empty. It accomplishes His purpose. His Word brings fruit and success! That’s what His Word does. 
        It succeeds in the thing it was sent for. In Isaiah 55: 10-11 God’s Word CHALLENGES us to be more than just listeners!  Let’s think about it…Doesn’t this lead us to pray that God’s Word in our hearts would bear this kind of fruit? 
        That we wouldn’t just hear the Word and then forget it. That we would receive God’s Word in a way that it bears fruit in our lives on a daily basis.  We should respond to God’s Word in obedience and action in our lives.
        James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” So if we do what God’s Word says there will be fruit flowing from our actions as a result of God’s Word in our lives.  
       Then we would spread God’s Word and remember that God’s Word is never intended to stop with us. It’s always intended to spread THROUGH us. 
Even in this moment right now we are reading and hearing God speaking in Isaiah 55:10-11 about the power of His Word. 
       Who can we share the power of God’s Word with today? Who can we encourage today with God’s Word? Who can we share God’s Word with that may not know Jesus?  
       Just think about the opportunities for God’s Word to bear fruit in other people’s lives through us today! Just realize all of this is the purpose of God’s Word……for us to receive it, for it to bear fruit IN our lives, THROUGH our lives and IN the lives of other people as it spreads in the world.  
       That is His purpose! His Word goes out, that it might be made known in all the world through US as His people!  Isaiah 55: 10-11 ENCOURAGES us to let God’s Word shape every part of our lives and Isaiah 55:10-11 REMINDS us to pass God’s Word on to others! 
       Wei Mushr and I have shared with you before that in our time as missionaries in Taiwan we had many bible studies with different age groups. That’s how we connected and built relationships with people. We did our bible studies in English because the students wanted to improve their English and were excited to practice. 
       We could practice our Chinese with them, and they were so helpful and encouraging. They were not believers, but they still were eager to come for the English. We told them the textbook is the Bible God’s Holy Word!  Of course, they always got to hear the gospel. 
       Over the years some people believed but many did not.  Some didn’t believe right away but we stayed 32 years so we would hear from time to time that others came to believe. 
       They would find us and come tell us! We always told our students that to believe in Jesus was the most important decision they could make in their lifetime, and we told them it’s the one decision they would never ever regret. 
       But they had to decide for themselves. When the students finished the study we gave them a Bible as a gift.  So, this was a way we shared God’s Word and saw fruit.  
       Wei Mushr and I have a fasting day each week and pray scripture over our sons and their families. Now of course we pray every day for our children and friends and church. But this one day is a special day for them. They know we do this, so they often tell us things they want us to pray for. They depend on our prayers. We see God’s answers to the prayers! I also send bible verses to the grandchildren by text message. We don’t see them often, so we find it’s a good way to encourage them. We want them to know and remember God’s Word!  I know they might forget MY words but I’m trusting God’s Word will stay in their hearts and accomplish His purpose.
        I also like to pray God’s Word over friends. I feel it is meaningful because it is God’s Word and much greater than my words. Wei Mushr and I also like to give Bibles as gifts to people here in America too, especially new believers like our neighbor Jack. 
       These are just some ways we share God’s Word by passing it on! We know you do these things and have other ways to share God’s Word with others. I will close by sharing the Words of Jesus in Matthew 28: 18-20 These words are called The Great Commission, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   
        There is a lot to say about these scriptures, but I will just say that Jesus reminds us to “teach them to obey everything (He) has commanded you.” And He will be with you to do it!  If WE are to obey Him, we must read His Word, respond to His Word with our actions and share His Word with others! God’s Word accomplishes His purposes and bears fruit in our lives and in other people’s lives through us. Thank you, Lord!
        (*Other than my own personal words and testimonies in this devotional, credit for these thoughts goes to Dr. David Platt, pastor-teacher at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C.)

5/11/25  牧者之言

Posted on

在母亲节，领受喜乐：在旅程中发现满足
在旅程中的喜乐

“愿一切寻求你的，因你高兴欢喜。愿那些喜爱你救恩的，常说：‘当尊耶和华为大！’”

 诗篇 40:16

        一百六十九英里。这是 Ellie 一天内为送孩子们参加课外活动所开车的总里程数，而且这样的一天一周要发生好几次。我们当中的许多人都经历过这样的情形吧？不管是通勤、送学步的孩子去上学前班，或是接送大孩子去排球训练、青少年聚会——或甚至这些全都包含在内——很多女性都能理解花大量时间坐在车里的感受。
        这样的生活很容易让人觉得：“我被造不是为了这样的琐事。”觉得沉重、觉得被压得喘不过气。
        Ellie 起初记录行车里程只是为了好玩。但随着里程表数字的不断跳动，她的心情却愈发烦躁。每次坐进驾驶座，她心里都会泛起一阵厌烦。如果孩子们在车里因为久坐而发脾气，那就更糟糕了——那个温柔体贴的妈妈不见了，取而代之的是一个情绪紧绷、容易暴怒的女人，她会怒斥孩子：“这是你们选择的活动，又不是我非要你们去！”
       有一天，交通特别糟糕，女儿们情绪低落，而且她们还迟到了。Ellie 再也忍不住了。她送完孩子后，决定不去赶行程，而是出去走走。她边走边感到沮丧和紧张……这时，竟然下起了雨。
       她终于抬起头来向神倾诉这一切。（“真的？现在下雨？”）但她这才发现，居然只下在她一个人身上！这正是神对她心情的一个完美写照。但更重要的是，她惊讶地看到，其余的天空竟然布满了难以形容、如电影般壮观的云朵。若不是这场雨，她根本不会停下来抬头仰望这壮丽的画面。
 若不是下雨，她根本不会停下来仰望这壮丽的画面。
        “谢谢你，上帝。”她轻声说道，“谢谢你让我停下来，看见这一切。”
         她拍了许多照片，想着要和女儿们分享。然后她意识到：这景象不仅让她从沮丧中暂时抽离，转而看见值得称颂的美好，也让她想到可以与孩子们一同分享、一起赞美神的理由。
        她也意识到另一个事实：这些云彩可能在她整个开车途中就已经在那里了，但她却完全错过了。她开始思考：如果她不再对每次接送心生厌烦，而是期待着每天神要向她展示的事物，会发生什么？
        姐妹们，我们多少次都是这样？那样的美好常常就在我们头顶之上，只是我们直到神差来一场小雨，才被唤醒、才愿意抬头。下次当你因突发的延误、抛锚的汽车，或是排得满满的行程被打断而情绪濒临崩溃时——抬头吧。去看看神要向你显明什么，看看那能带给你旅途喜乐的事物。
 “有福的人，是那些在卑微之处仍能看见美好的人，而别人却看不见。”

 ——卡米耶·毕沙罗（Camille Pissarro）
摘自Revelation Media于2025年5月3日星期六上午7:59发送的电子邮件

Receive Find Joy in Time for Mother’s Day
Joy in the Journey

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”  — Psalm 40:16, NLT

        One hundred and sixty-nine miles. That is the distance Ellie drove her kids in one day. Multiple times a week. Just for after-school activities. Many of us have been there, right? Whether we are commuting, driving toddlers to preschool or older students to volleyball or youth group—or all of the above—many women can relate to spending lots of time in the car.
        It is easy to start feeling, I was made for more than this. To feel burdened. Put upon.
        Ellie had originally started tracking her miles for fun. But watching the odometer tick over soon brought frustration. Every time she got into the driver’s seat, dread bubbled to the surface. And if her children acted irritable about being in the car for so long, watch out! Long gone was the compassionate mom—she was replaced by an on-edge woman who snapped that it was their choice to do the activities, not hers.
        One particular day, the traffic was horrible, her girls were grumpy, and they were late. Ellie was fed up. She dropped them off and decided to walk outside instead of trying to cram in an errand. She walked along, discouraged and stressed…and then it started to rain.
        She finally looked up to the sky to talk to God about this. (Because really? Rain? Now?!) That’s when she noticed that it was raining only on her. What a perfect message from God about her mood. But more importantly, she was stunned to see that the rest of the sky was filled with indescribable, movie-worthy clouds. If it had not started raining, she would not have paused to look up and see this glorious sight.
         If it had not started raining, she would not have paused to look up and see this glorious sight.
        Thank you, God, she whispered. Thank you for forcing me to pause and see this.
        She took tons of pictures, eager to share them with her girls. Then she realized: the beauty had not only caused her to pause her discouragement long enough to see something worthy of praise, it had also caused her to turn her thoughts to something she could show her kids, something they could praise God for as well.
        She also realized something else. Those cloud formations had probably been their during her whole drive, and she had totally missed them. What would happen if she stopped dreading each drive and started eagerly looking for what God would show her each day?
Sisters, how often is there such beauty above us—something we miss until God sends a little rainstorm to wake us up? The next time we are on our last nerve because of an unexpected delay, a broken-down car, or an interruption in a packed schedule, look up. Let’s look for what God is trying to show us that will give us joy in the journey.
        “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”                     

—Camille Pissarro
Quote from an email from Revelation Media, Sat, May 3 at 7:59 AM, 2025.

5/4/25牧者之言

Posted on

神知道什么对我们有益
魏愛玲師母

世人对“善”的定义与上帝的定义截然不同！罗马书8:28说：“我们知道，万事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。”
          所以这节经文说，上帝在万事上行事——不仅仅是孤立的事件——是为了我们的益处！我们知道这并不意味着发生在我们身上的一切都是善的。在这个堕落的世界里，邪恶盛行，但上帝能够扭转一切境况，为我们带来长久的益处！上帝行事并非为了让我们快乐，而是为了成就祂的旨意。也请注意，这应许并非针对所有人，只有愛上帝并按祂旨意蒙召的人才能领受。蒙召的人是那些被圣灵感动并有能力接受基督的人。这些人（我们）对生活有了新的视角和心态。他们（我们）信靠的是上帝，而不是人生的财富；他们（我们）在天堂而非尘世寻求安全；他们（我们）学会接受痛苦和逼迫，而不是怨恨，因为上帝与他们（我们）同在。
         上帝的最终目标是让我们更像耶稣！上帝是一位慈愛的良父。祂知道什么对我们有益，也总是知道我们需要什么，好让我们能够成就祂为我们预备的旨意！我们现在知道，在基督徒的生活中，这个过程绝非易事！上帝所成就的“善”远比个人的境遇更为广阔。上帝正在建立祂的国度……“使万物与自己和好”，而终极的善也包含在这过程中……
       我们的天父比我们更了解我们所需要做的！祂与我们同行，让祂的生命更深地进入我们里面！这周我读了卡罗琳·阿伦兹（Carolyn Arends）的一篇灵修文章，想和大家分享一些其中的内容。
        我们来看歌罗西书1:19-23“因为父喜欢叫一切的丰盛在他里面居住，既然借着他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，便借着他叫万有，无论是地上的、天上的，都与自己和好了。你们从前与　神隔绝，因着恶行，心里与祂为敌；但如今祂借着基督的肉身受死，叫你们与自己和好，都成了圣洁，没有瑕疵，无可责备，把你们引到自己面前。只要你们在所信的道上恒心，根基稳固，坚定不移，不被引动失去福音的盼望。这福音就是你们所听过的，也是传于普天下万人听的；我保罗也作了这福音的执事。”
          在我们今天早上我所用的圣经版本上说：“因为上帝乐意将祂一切的丰盛都居住在祂（耶稣）里面… 另一个翻译 NAS 说：“天父乐意将祂的丰盛体现在祂的儿子耶稣身上…”使万物与自己和好”… 耶稣在十字架上的牺牲带来了上帝与所有受造物之间的和解与和平！
这段经文的第20节使用了“全部”，但这并不意味着每个人都已经得救或将要得救！它指的是，凡愿意信靠基督的人，都有一条得救的道路！除了基督，我们的罪不可能得到赦免和除去！
         灵修作家卡罗琳谈到她听了一场复活节布道，牧师说的一句话引起了她的注意！牧师说：“世间的承诺都空洞无物！但复活节的空洞却充满了承诺！”空的十字架、空的坟墓、空的裹尸布……都充满了希望！”这位名叫卡罗琳的作家对他的话感到困扰，因为“空洞”通常带有负面的感觉。她还意识到，即使在上帝的话语中，如果你不认识主并且不研读圣经，我们有时也会发现一些难以理解和接受的事情。例如……“能力是在人的软弱上显得完全”（哥林多后书 12:9）或“愚拙的叫智慧人羞愧”（哥林多前书 1:27），或“温柔的人承受地土”（马太福音 5:5），或“虚心的人得天国”（马太福音 5:3）或“若不死就不能生”（约翰福音 12:24）….卡罗琳说，在经历困难的情况下，她很难从这些话语和承诺中找到安慰。
         她说，当她感到心碎空虚，而母亲又面临死亡时，很难感到喜乐和感恩。然而，当她默想复活，聆听讲道，并铭记主的牺牲时……她意识到，即使是死亡也充满希望……只要……我们相信祂是我们的救主！她祈祷并得到确据，就像我们在挣扎中祈祷并得到确据一样，她不是一个人在受苦，因为宇宙之主宰上帝披着我们的皮肤，为我们而死，永远消除了死亡的毒钩……
        我最近看到一首诗，上面写着：
        若非坟墓空无，我心早已空虚；
        若非坟墓空无，盼望也将无依；
        若非坟墓空无，生命失却真义。
        唯因主坟是空，生命便被充满！
  安·沃斯坎普
          没有耶稣受难日，就没有复活节！我们可以看到上帝的愛和美好的计划，看到耶稣的牺牲，圣灵不断提醒我们要常存感恩的心，坚定我们的信仰，分享福音。
         昨天，魏牧师在希伯来书 2:3 中提醒我们“我们若忽略这么大的救恩，怎能逃罪呢？这救恩起初是主亲自宣布的，后来是听见的人给我们证实了！”所以，我们想起主耶稣传讲救恩的信息，而上帝也藉着倾倒圣灵和祂的恩赐来证实祂的信息！所以，上帝用尽一切可能的方法来说服人们信靠耶稣，别无其他，才能获得救恩。忽略上帝赐予的救恩是愚昧又危险的！所以希伯来书2:1-2警告我们：“要越发郑重所听见的道理，免得我们随流失去”……这段经文并非教导信徒会失去救恩！作为信徒，我们只需要在基督徒生活中不停滞不前，避免自满和自以为是！让我们不断省察自己，聆听圣灵的声音，并彼此代祷！

GOD KNOWS WHAT’S GOOD FOR US
Elinda West
At Early Morning Prayer on April 24, 2025
 

The world’s definition of “good” is very different from God’s definition!  Romans 8:28 says, “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.” 
        So this verse says God works in ALL THINGS–not just isolated incidents—FOR OUR GOOD!   We know this doesn’t mean all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our LONG-RANGE GOOD!  God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill HIS purpose. Notice also that this promise is NOT for everyone, it can only be claimed by those who love God and are called according to HIS purpose. Those who are “CALLED” are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ.  These people (we) have a new perspective, a new mind-set on life.  They (we) trust in God, not life’s treasures, they(we) look for security in heaven, not on earth; they(we) learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with them(us).
        God’s ultimate goal is to make us more like JESUS!  God IS a GOOD GOOD FATHER. He knows what’s good for us and He always knows what we need so that we can accomplish his purpose for us! We know by now in our Christian life the process won’t be easy! The “GOOD” that God is working toward is much more expansive than one individual’s personal circumstances. God is establishing his kingdom… “reconciling all things to himself” and the ultimate good is to be INCLUDED in that process….
        Our Heavenly Father knows more than we do what we need! And then He walks with us in the process of letting HIS LIFE go deeper INTO us!  I was reading a devotional this week by Carolyn Arends that I thought I would share some words from.
        Let’s look at Colossians 1:19-23.  “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in HIM, and through HIM to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through HIS blood, shed on the cross.” 
       Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation– IF, you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. In our translation this morning it says, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in HIM (Jesus)…another translation NAS says,” It was the Father’s GOOD pleasure to have His fullness manifested in Jesus His Son…”to reconcile all things to Himself”….Jesus sacrifice on the cross brought reconciliation and peace between God and all of creation!  Verse 20 in this text uses ALL but does not mean everyone has been or will be saved!  It means THE WAY has been made for anyone who is willing to trust Christ to be saved! Apart from Christ there is no way for our sin to be forgiven and removed! 
        This devotional writer Carolyn was speaking about hearing an Easter Sermon and something the pastor said caught her attention!  The pastor said, “The world offers promises full of emptiness! But Easter offers emptiness full of promise! Empty cross, empty tomb, empty graveclothes… all are full of promise!”
         This writer named Carolyn felt troubled by his words because EMPTINESS usually holds a negative feeling. She also realized that even in God’s Word we find things that are sometimes hard to understand and accept IF you don’t know the Lord and study your bible. For example… “strength being made perfect in weakness” (2Cor 12:9) or “foolish things confounding the wise” (1 Cor 1:27), or “the meek inheriting the earth” (Mt 5:5), or “the poor in spirit getting the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3) or “dying in order to live” (Jn 12:24)….Carolyn said she  found it hard when going through difficult circumstances to find comfort in all these words and promises.
         She says when she feels broken and empty, and her mom is facing death it is difficult to be joyful and thankful.  However, when she was meditating on the resurrection, hearing the sermon, and remembering our LORD’S SACRIFICE… she realized that even DEATH is full of promise… IF… we believe in Him as our Savior! She prayed and she was assured, just as we pray and are assured in our struggle, that she is NOT suffering ALONE because the God of the universe wore our skin, died our death and removed the sting of death forever…  
        I saw a poem recently that said:
        “If the tomb wasn’t empty, I would be! 
         If the tomb wasn’t empty, our hope would be! 
        If the tomb wasn’t empty our hearts would be!
       ONLY because the tomb is empty, can life be fulfilling!”
                         Ann Voskamp
          Without Good Friday there would be no Resurrection Sunday! We can see God’s Love and Good Plan and we see Jesus’ sacrifice and we have the Holy Spirit to keep reminding us to keep a Thankful Heart, stand firm in our faith and share the Good News.
         Yesterday Wei Mushr reminded us in Hebrews 2:3 “how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard HIM!”  So, we are reminded the Lord Jesus preached the message of salvation and God confirmed his message by pouring out the Holy Spirit and His gifts! So, God used every means possible to convince people to trust Jesus and nothing else for our salvation.
         To ignore the salvation God has provided is foolish and dangerous! So, we have this warning in Hebrews 2: 1-2 to “pay more careful attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” … These verses in this text do NOT teach that believers can lose their salvation!!  We just need, as believers to Not grow stagnate in our Christian life, we need to avoid complacency and self-righteousness!! Let’s keep examining ourselves, keep our ears open to the Holy Spirit and praying for one another!

4/27/25牧者之言

Posted on
每日默想 —— Santi Lalis
摘自上周主日的灵修
        今天是复活节主日！
复活节是纪念耶稣从死里复活的重要节日！
这是基督徒最喜乐、最值得庆祝的节期之一，因为耶稣不仅战胜了死亡和罪恶，更赐给信祂之人永生的盼望！
受难日（Good Friday）我们谈到那些妇女——她们回家预备香料和香膏，要膏抹耶稣的身体，以便埋葬。但因为安息日已经开始，她们未能完成这项准备工作。
所以在今天复活节主日的清晨，抹大拉的马利亚带领众妇女再次带着所准备的香料来到坟墓，结果发现墓门已开，耶稣的身体不见了！
她们见到两位穿着耀眼白衣的天使，天使告诉她们：“耶稣不在这里，因为祂已经复活了！”
妇女们起初难以置信，便跑回去把所见所闻告诉门徒。彼得和约翰赶来，只看见耶稣包裹身体的细麻布。他们惊讶困惑，便回去了。
但马利亚却仍站在墓外哭泣。忽然，她看见耶稣站在那里，但起初并没有认出祂。耶稣问她：“你为什么哭？你找谁？”
马利亚以为祂是园丁，就说：“先生，如果是你把祂移走了，请告诉我祂在哪里，我好把祂带回。”
耶稣叫她：“马利亚！”
她听见这个声音才认出是耶稣！
耶稣告诉她不要拉住祂，因为祂还没有升到父那里，并要她去告诉门徒。
抹大拉的马利亚是耶稣复活后第一个见到祂、与祂说话的人。
那天稍晚，耶稣还与两位前往以马忤斯的门徒同行，他们正谈论着在耶路撒冷所发生的事情，尤其是那“来自拿撒勒之人的被钉十字架”。
他们起初也没有认出耶稣，直到邀请祂一同住下并吃晚饭时，耶稣擘饼，他们才认出祂来。
在升天之前，耶稣还向许多人显现，包括祂那剩下的十一位门徒，并对他们说：“你们要往普天下去，传福音给万民听。”
那么，耶稣的复活对我们基督徒来说，有何意义呢？
耶稣的复活是基督信仰的核心真理！
若没有复活，就没有基督教，我们的讲道就毫无意义！
基督复活的教义基于这样的信仰：
耶稣在第三天从死里复活，并且藉着祂胜过死亡，所有信祂的人也将一同分享祂战胜罪与死的得胜！
祂的复活向我们表明：那使耶稣从死里复活的大能，也要叫我们复活，只要我们信靠祂！
若没有基督的复活，人类将活在纯粹的物质主义之中，没有永恒、没有指望。对信主的基督徒来说，人类历史上最伟大的事件莫过于基督的复活——因为这带来了我们的救恩！
复活为基督信仰带来权威和真实性。
若没有复活，我们就没有基督教、没有永生的盼望！
保罗在哥林多前书15章14–15节说得很清楚：
“若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然。”
没有复活，人类将永远活在罪恶与邪恶的捆绑下！但在复活中，我们与基督同死、同埋葬、同复活，就如我们藉着信心的洗礼归入祂的死，也与祂一同活出新生命！
复活意味着：罪不能再辖制我们，因为我们不在律法之下，乃在恩典之下！（罗马书6:14）
基督复活带来的最大福气之一就是：
有一天，纵然这世界充满苦难与痛苦，我们死后仍要复活，永远与耶稣同在天堂！
🎉 复活节快乐！愿我们都平安、健康，满心欢喜地庆祝复活的基督！ 愿神赐福我们每一个人!

Thoughts of the Day— by Santi Lalis
The devotional was from last Sunday.
Today is Easter Sunday! It commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead! This is one of the most festive events among Christians because Jesus not only conquered death and sins but gives believers hope to have eternal life!
We talked yesterday, Good Friday that the women who went home to prepare for spices and oil to anoint Jesus’s body for burial were not able to finish the job because the time for Sabbath had started. So, very early this Easter Sunday morning, the women led by Mary Magdalene came back with their prepared spices and oil but found that the tomb was already opened and Jesus’ body was not there. They saw two angels dressed in dazzling white clothes and told them that Jesus was not there because He had risen! The women could not believe it so they ran back and told the disciples what they saw. Peter and John came and found only the linen cloths that was wrapped on Jesus’s body. Bewildered and confused, they went home, but Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb crying. Suddenly she saw Jesus standing but did not recognize Him at first. Jesus asked “Why are you crying! “Who are you looking for.” Mary thought He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have taken Him away, tell me where, I will take Him.” Jesus said, “Mary.” Then by that voice, she recognizes it was Jesus! Jesus warned not to cling to Him because He has not yet return to the Father. Jesus told him to tell His disciples.
Mary Magdalene was the first person Jesus saw and talked to after His resurrection. Then later that day he joined walking with two people who were talking about what latest happening in Jerusalem especially the crucifixion of the “man from Nazareth”. They did not recognize Jesus not until He broke the bread when He was invited to spend the night and eat supper with them. Jesus, met many other people before ascending to heaven, the ones was when He met His 11 remaining disciples and told them,” Go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
But what is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection to us Christians?
The resurrection of Christ is the central doctrine of Christianity! Without resurrection, there is no Christianity, and our preaching is in vain!
The resurrection is based on the belief that Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day of His resurrection and that through His conquering of death, all believers will subsequently share in His victory over sin and death!
On His resurrection, Jesus is showing to us that the power that raised Him from the dead is the same power that will raise all of us, if we believe in Him!
Without the resurrection of Christ, humanity will live in the realm of materialism!
For the believers in Jesus Christ, the greatest event in human life is the resurrection of Christ because it led to our salvation!
The resurrection gives credence and authenticity to the Christian faith. For without resurrection, there is no Christianity to talk about, there is no hope of eternal life!
If there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ is not risen, and if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is in vain, and our faith also in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14-15).
Without the resurrection, humanity will perish under the yoke and bondage of sin and wickedness! In resurrection, we are buried with Christ in the baptism of faith as Christ was raised from the dead to walk in the newness of life! Resurrection means that sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are not under the law, but of grace! (Romans 6:14). One of the greatest benefits of the resurrection of Christ is to know that someday, despite the sufferings and anguish of this world, we will resurrect after death and live with Jesus forever in paradise!
Happy Easter to us all! Stay safe and healthy! Celebrate fully the Risen Christ! God bless us all!

4/20/25牧者之言

Posted on
 宝血

魏愛玲師母– 2025年4月10日早祷

          复活节庆祝活动即将到来，我已经开始思考并做好了庆祝一年中最重要的节日的心理准备。我知道你们也在准备！我们教会的庆祝活动是为了敬拜，并提醒我们耶稣死而复活时为我们做了什么！在我们清晨的祷告和教会里，我们常常祷告感谢耶稣在十字架上为我们流出的宝血！我无比感谢上帝的愛和恩典！我们的言语不足以表达我们对衪的感谢吗？！我想是的。我们必须为衪而活！
魏牧师经常去我们城市的血库献血。他这样做，就是为了救活另一个人，献出自己的一部分生命。我们刚刚在经文里读到：“血里有生命。”如果一个人的血管里没有血液，他就没有生命。有时，当血库血液短缺时，就会举行献血活动，让人们自愿献血。耶稣知道，衪的血将以比献血活动更伟大的方式被奉献。
祂的宝血不只是赐给一人或少数人生命，而是赐给所有接受祂的人生命。我最喜欢的三首赞美诗都谈到耶稣的宝血。其中一首歌词是：“什么能洗净我的罪？唯有耶稣的宝血；什么能使我完全？唯有耶稣的宝血。” 我喜欢的另一首赞美诗是这样的：“羔羊的宝血里有力量，力量，奇妙的大能。” 我正在思考的第三首赞美诗是在我父亲的葬礼上唱的，歌词是：“耶稣，我永远的救主，我的得胜。他寻找我，用衪救赎的宝血赎买了我。”
耶稣宝血的大能是什么？我们为什么要歌颂它？如果你思考耶稣宝血在基督信仰中的意义——它无所不包。希伯来书9:22提醒我们，若不流血，罪就不得赦免。如果耶稣没有死在十字架上，没有为我们的罪流出宝血，我们就没有蒙赦免的盼望。这意味着耶稣所流的宝血有能力洗净我们的罪，对我们信徒来说，这宝血的意义重大！今天我们来看耶稣宝血的四大功效。
第一，耶稣的宝血赐予生命（利未记 17:11）。耶稣的宝血洁净我们，使我们与主和好。正是这宝血换来了生命，才使洁净成为可能。以弗所书 1:7 说：“我们藉这愛子的血得蒙救赎，过犯得以赦免，乃是照他丰富的恩典。”
第二，耶稣的血是必需的（歌罗西书1:20，马太福音26:28）。我们回想当年，法老不肯放走以色列人，灭命天使要带走埃及的长子。为了保护长子免于死亡，纯洁动物的血是必要的。这预示着基督有一天会在十字架上流出宝血，保护我们所有接受祂的人……免于永恒的死亡。
第三，耶稣的宝血赐予我们自由（启示录 1:5）。祂愛我们，并用祂的宝血将我们从罪中释放出来！我们不再活在罪的捆绑和定罪之下。耶稣的宝血将我们从罪的惩罚中释放出来。因为祂已经得胜，跟随祂的人也分享祂的胜利！我们不再惧怕与神分离。
第四，耶稣的宝血是完美的（彼得前书 1:18-19）。耶稣的宝血若要发挥功效，祂必须是完美的。因为祂是完全的神，也是完全的人，祂是完美的！罪人需要一位无罪的救主。耶稣用祂完美的宝血洁净了我们，使我们比雪更白。约翰福音1:29说：“第二天，约翰看见耶稣来到他那里，就说：‘看哪，神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的！’” 所以……祂的宝血赐予我们生命，这是必要的，它赐予我们自由，而且是完美的。因着祂舍命的大愛，我们可以相信祂，信靠祂，并拥有永恒的盼望，因我们已被神的羔羊遮盖！我们今天以及在即将到来的复活节庆典中，都应当满心喜乐、满怀鼓舞、充满感恩——因为耶稣为我们流出宝血，战胜了死亡，我们因此得着了生命！哈利路亚！！
PRECIOUS BLOOD
Elinda West –Early Prayer April 10, 2025

The Resurrection celebration is coming, and I’ve already been thinking about and preparing my heart for celebrating the most important holiday of the year. I know you are preparing, too! Our church celebration is about worship and reminding us of what Jesus did for us when He died and then rose again!  Here in our Early Morning Prayer time and in our churches, we often pray thanking Jesus for His precious blood shed for us on the cross! I’m so thankful for God’s love and grace!  Can our words thank Him enough?! I don’t think so.  We must live our life for Him!
Wei Mushr often goes to the blood bank here in our city to donate blood. When he does that, he is giving part of his life so that another person might live. We just read in our scripture that “the life of the body is in its blood.” If a person has no blood running through his veins, he has no life. Sometimes when there is a shortage of blood at the blood bank there will be blood drive so that people will come to volunteer to give their blood.  Jesus knew that His blood would be given in a greater way than a blood drive.
Rather than giving life to one or a few other people, His blood gives life to all who accept Him. There are three favorite hymns of mine that talk about the blood of Jesus. In one of them the words say, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Another hymn I love says, “There is power, power, wonder working power, in the precious blood of the Lamb.”  The third hymn I’m thinking about was sung at my father’s funeral, the words say, “O victory in Jesus, My Savior forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood.”
What is the power of the blood of Jesus and why do we sing about it? If you think about the meaning of the blood of Jesus in Christianity–it is EVERYTHING. In Hebrews 9:22 we are reminded that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. If Jesus did not die on the cross and shed his precious blood for our sins, then we have no hope of forgiveness. That means this blood that Jesus shed has POWER to wash away sins and should mean EVERYTHING to us believers! Today we look at four things the Blood of Jesus can do.

  1. THE BLOOD OF JESUS IS LIFE-GIVING (Leviticus 17:11)

Jesus’ blood purifies us, making us right with the LORD. It is the blood given in exchange for a life that makes purification possible. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s Grace.”

  1.  THE BLOOD OF JESUS WAS NECESSARY (Colossians 1:20, Matthew 26:28)

We think about the time when the angel of death was going to take the first-born sons of Egypt because Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go. Blood from a pure animal was the NECESSARY action to protect the first born from death.  This was the foreshadowing of the blood that Christ would one day shed on the cross to protect all of us who accept Him…from eternal death.

  1. THE BLOOD OF JESUS GIVES FREEDOM (Revelations 1:5)

He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His precious blood! We no longer live under the bondage and condemnation of sin.  Jesus’ blood sets us free from the punishment of sin. Because He has the victory, we who follow Him share in His victory! We have no fear of separation from God.

  1. THE BLOOD OF JESUS WAS PERFECT (1Peter 1:18-19)

In order for Jesus’ blood to make a difference, He needed to be perfect. And because He is fully God and fully man, He is perfect! Sinful people need a SIN-LESS Savior. Jesus purified us whiter than snow with His perfect blood. John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” So …His blood gives LIFE, it was NECESSARY, it gives us FREEDOM and it was PERFECT. Because of His great love to lay down His life, we can believe and trust in Him, have Eternal Hope that we have been covered by the Lamb of God! We need to feel so Joyful, so Encouraged, so Thankful today and in the coming Resurrection celebration … for the life we have because Jesus shed His precious blood for us and had victory over death! Halleluia!!

4/13/25牧者之言

Posted on

Santi 的见证

2024年12月21日，我们教会在华人超市门口举牌传福音时，一位菲律宾的主内弟兄看到我们很感动。第二天，在我们举行圣诞庆祝时，他特地来到教会参与圣诞庆祝。从那以后，他常常把他写的灵修发给我。他的见证如下：
我的名字是 Santiago Lalis，朋友们叫我 Santi。我出生在菲律宾南部最偏远地区之一的一个极度贫穷的家庭，是11个兄弟姐妹中的一员。我的父母是佃农。我的父亲很小就成了孤儿，他和两个兄弟姐妹是由亲戚抚养长大，但这些亲戚从未让他们上学。我的母亲从小照顾她失明的母亲，也因为没有资源而未能上学。我的父母在双方家族中都没有继承任何财产。他们不得不从我母亲的舅舅那里买下半英亩的贫瘠土地，以便能搭建一座小屋，并让我们的家畜有一点活动空间。
我五岁时就已经开始帮忙下田，同时尽可能接受社区提供的免费基础教育。我记得我们家在我成长过程中非常艰难，几乎无法维持生计。尽管如此，在全能上帝的帮助下，我还是在1958年以班级第一名的成绩毕业！但由于极端的贫困，我无法升入高中。我不得不停学六年，一直在寻找帮助，甚至写信给国会议员，但始终没有回应。当我意识到几乎没有希望时，我只好离家出走，前往菲律宾首都马尼拉，最后在一个为早市顾客供应餐点的小餐馆里洗碗。我设法就读于马尼拉夜校高中，但我每天得工作15个小时洗碗。高中生活更加艰难，我没有时间看书，也无法利用图书馆，只能在课堂上把老师讲的内容全部背下来！你猜怎么着？这方法真的对我奏效了！在全能上帝的帮助下，我又一次以全班第一的成绩毕业，于1968年成为毕业致词代表。之后，我可以自由申请任何大学，接下来的故事，就是我人生的延续！
在我努力把握毕业时作为毕业致词代表（Valedictorian）所获得的免费教育机会的过程中，我一心专注于学习，几乎没有意识到自己其实并不渴望拥有女朋友。当时我在法学院最好的朋友，正担任马尼拉市的检察官，他向我介绍了他妻子的表妹——名叫Rose，她是一位注册护士，早在1972年就被美国的浸信会医疗中心（Baptist Medical Center）招募到美国工作，那时她仍是单身。我们通过书信联系，最终在1985年她回菲律宾度假期间第一次见面，并在马尼拉结婚！她回到美国后，为我递交了担保申请，六个月后我就来到了阿肯色州与她团聚！我们的婚姻几乎没有长时间的恋爱过程，双方也都没有提前规划这一切！对我来说，这又是上帝所赐的一个神迹！我和妻子没有亲生孩子，但我们非常蒙福，有许多侄子侄女，其中一些是在我们家中长大的！
我记得，在那个贫穷的小村庄成长时，因为家境实在太差，没有人会相信我们11个孩子中会有人能上高中。但我们的全能神是行神迹的神！祂能移山来彰显祂的能力！谁能想到我会成为一个“重生的基督徒”？我一直以为自己已经是一个好基督徒，不需要“重生”。直到我明白了一些重要的事：
基督信仰与宗教之间有着极大的区别。

  1. 问题不在于宗教，而在于耶稣基督！
  2. 人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进神的国（约3:5）！
  3. 1989年，我在阿肯色州小石城参加葛培理布道大会时回应了呼召，从那时起，我相信我成为了一位“重生得救的基督徒”！

我在菲律宾是一名注册律师，后来移民到美国，开始在阿肯色州小石城的前Holiday Inn West宾馆做服务员。1986年，我被评为“年度第一员工”。那时我同时做着三份工作：在Holiday Inn做服务员，在Little Rock Hilton也做服务员，之间还兼职做房地产经纪。
后来我转为全职做房地产，同时攻读护理专业，最终成为了Baptist Medical Center的注册护士。在那段时间，我还在工作间隙参与了“我的珠穆朗玛”挑战赛，反复从地面爬到十楼又下楼，最终成为共同获奖者。我生命中一个特别的时刻，是我有机会与后来成为美国第42任总统的那位——当时的阿肯色州州长——合影留念。
如今我已经81岁了。我极度自豪地夸耀我的全能神，是祂引领我走到今天！这不是关于我，而是关于祂！虽然我的年纪增长了，但我的心灵却更加年轻、更加富足！这就是我的故事——一段被苦难与坚韧之泪浇灌的生命旅程，是一个在人类几乎无法逾越的困难中生存下来的真实写照。总而言之，我在学业和职场中所经历的一切困难与成功，都是主所安排与设计的。我以前说是“靠我自己走过来”，但其实全都是靠神的恩典！
愿读者们能从我经历的点滴中得着一点启发。我为我人生中所遇到的所有困境感恩，因为正是这些困境教会了我宽容、同情、自制、坚忍、智慧，以及许多我原本不会知道的美德！”

每日灵修 ——Santi Lalis，2025年4月6日
以下是一些我们每天都可以背诵、默想并在生活中实践的经文：

  1. 箴言3:5-6：这节经文鼓励我们完全依靠上帝的智慧和引导，而不是依靠自己的聪明，无论在生活的哪个方面。
  2. 以赛亚书41:10：这节经文给我们带来安慰和确据，提醒我们：神总是在我们遭遇困难时扶持我们！
  3. 诗篇23篇：这段经文美丽地表达了神的看顾和供应，把祂描绘成牧人，引导和保护祂的羊群。建议你慢慢地读，并默想其中的意象与应许。
  4. 约翰福音3:16：这是所有基督徒的“根基经文”，强调神的爱以及藉着信靠耶稣基督才能得着的救恩。
  5. 马太福音11:28：这节经文为正在受苦的人带来安慰，指出唯有在耶稣基督里，我们才能找到真正的安息。
  6. 腓立比书4:6-7：这一段经文的重点包括：
  7. 1）用祷告取代恐惧与焦虑：当我们忧虑时，应当祷告并向神陈明我们的需要；（2）神的平安会保守我们：神的平安是一种能力，能够保守信徒的心怀意念；（3）信靠基督是关键：我们的平安来源于我们与耶稣基督之间的信心关系。
  8. 罗马书8:28：这节经文确保我们，即便在苦难中，神仍为爱祂的人预备最好的。我们必须通过顺服神的话语并让自己的意愿与神的旨意对齐，才能真正经历这应许的丰满。
  9. 约书亚记1:9：这节经文鼓励我们要刚强壮胆，因为无论我们做什么，去到哪里，神都与我们同在！愿你们大家都度过一个蒙福的日子！愿我们全能的神一直引导、保守并赐福我们每一个人！

我们教会将于4月19日（周六）再次前往华人超市门口举牌传福音。我们祷告主引领我们，能遇见更多像Santi这样的主内弟兄姐妹，彼此激励、彼此服事。更重要的是，愿主使用我们，将祂的福音传扬给万国万民！奉基督之名，阿们！

 

Santi’s Testimony

On December 21, 2024, while our church was holding gospel signs and evangelizing at a Chinese supermarket, a Filipino brother in Christ saw us and was deeply moved. The next day, during our Christmas celebration, he came specifically to our church to join the celebration. Since then, he has often sent me his personal devotionals. His testimony is as follows:
“My name is Santiago Lalis, but my friends call me Santi. I was born of the 11 siblings of one of the poorest families in one of the remotest areas in Southern Philippines. My parents were farmers (sharecroppers). My father was orphaned from an early age. He and his 2 siblings grew up with relatives who never sent them to school. My mother grew up taking care of a blind mother who did not have resources to send her to school either. My parents were denied inheritance from both sides. My parents had to buy 1/2 acre of barren land from my mother’s uncle so we could build a little hut and to have a little space for our animals to roam around. At age 5, I was already helping in the field and at the same time trying to avail myself of the basic free public education offered in the community. I remember our family had a rough time growing up, we could hardly meet both ends meet. Despite of the hardship I encountered, however, through the help of our almighty God, I graduated on top of my class in 1958! But then, I could not enroll in high school because of extreme poverty! I had to stop 6 years trying to find help even to the extent of writing to our congressman but to no avail. And when I found out the inherent impossibility, I had to run away to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines and ended up washing dishes in a marketplace little restaurant that caters food for early shoppers. I was able to enroll at Manila high night school, but I had to wash dishes for 15 hours. My high school journey was even tougher, I could not read books or use the library because of the limited time. I had to memorize everything the teachers taught inside the classroom to stay combative! And you what? It worked for me! Our almighty God let me graduate again on top of my class in 1968! After graduating as a Valedictorian, I was free to enroll in any university of my choice and the rest was my story!
In my quest to enjoy the free educational opportunities offered to me when I graduated Valedictorian, I was focused on serious studies without knowing that I did not enjoy having a girlfriend. My best friend in the college of law who was a Prosecutor in the city of Manila at the time, introduced me to the cousin of his wife named Rose who happened to be a Registered Nurse recruited by Baptist Medical Center in 1972, who was still single at the time. We exchanged communication by letters and eventually got married in Manila when we met for this first time, during her vacation to the Philippines in 1985! When she came back to the States, she petitioned me and 6 months later I joined her in Arkansas! Our marriage happened without a long courtship! Both of us didn’t plan about it! To me this is another miracle from God! My wife and I don’t have any children, but we are blessed to have a lot of nephews and nieces, some of them grew up in our house!
I remember, growing up in that tiny village, because of our extreme poverty, no one could expect that one of the 11 siblings could go to high school. But our almighty God is a God of Miracle! He can move mountains to show us His power! Who would ever think I could become a “Born Again Christian”? I thought all along I was already a good Christian and did not have to be “born again”, only to find out, among other things, that
1. There is a big difference between Christianity and religion.
2. That the issue is not religion but Jesus Christ!
And finally, 3. That unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he or she cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5)! I responded to the call of Evangelist Billy Graham during his crusade here in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989 and since then, I believe I have been a “Born Again Christian”!
I began my journey as a licensed lawyer in the Philippines before immigrating to the U.S., where I started working as a server at the former Holiday Inn West in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1986, I was honored to be voted as the First Employee of the year. At that time, I juggled three jobs: Waiter at Holiday Inn, Waiter at Little Rock Hilton, and Realtor in between shifts.
Later, I transitioned into real estate full-time while also attending nursing school. Eventually, I became a Registered Nurse at Baptist Medical Center. During this period, I was also named co-winner of the “My Everest” challenge for climbing thousands of steps—from ground to 10th floor and back—during my break times while on duty as a nurse. One special highlight: I had the opportunity to take a photo with the future 42nd President of the United States, who was then serving as Governor of Arkansas.
Now I am 81-year-old. I extremely boast my almighty God for navigating my life this far! It’s not about me, it’s all about Him! I have grown much by numbers but feel much richer and even much younger in heart and spirit! This is my story—an illustration of life watered by tears of sufferings and perseverance, a veritable saga of human survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. Summing it all up, my overcoming the hardships and successes both in schools and workplaces was designed and ordered by the Lord. I did not do it “my way” as I claimed before. It was all through God’s grace! May the readers be able to learn something of what I have been through. I am extremely grateful for all the adversities which have crossed my path for they have taught me tolerance, sympathy, self-control, perseverance, sagacity and all other virtues I might never have known!”

Thoughts of the Day—by Santi Lalis on 4/6, 2025
Some Bible Verses for all of us to Memorize, Meditate, and put into Practice all the days of our lives:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6: This verse encourages us to RELY SOLEY on GOD’S WISDOM and GUIDANCE, rather than on our own, in ALL ASPECTS of LIFE!
2. Isaiah 41:10: This verse offers comfort and assurance, reminding us that God is always present to support us, especially in times of troubles and difficulties!
3. Psalm 23: This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s care and provisions, describing Him as a shepherd who guides and protects His flocks! Consider reading this passage slowly and reflecting on the imagery and promises it contains!
4. John 3:16: This is a “foundational” verse for all Christians, emphasizing God’s love and the gift of salvation that can be obtained only through faith in Jesus Christ!
5. Matthew 11:28: This verse offers comfort and invites those who are struggling to find relief that can be found only in Jesus Christ!
6. Philippians 4:6-7: Key Takeaways on Philippians 4:6-7:
1) Replace fear and anxiety with prayer! Meaning, instead of dwelling on worries, we are encouraged to pray and express our needs to God!
2) God’s peace as a protector: God’s peace is presented as a powerful force that guards believers’ hearts and minds!
3) Trust in Christ: The assurance of our peace is tied up to our faith with Christ Jesus!
7. Romans 8:28: This verse assures believers that God is working for their good even in difficult circumstances! We need to be sure, however, that our love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His Word and aligning our will with God’s will in order to experience the fullness of this promise!
8. Joshua 1:9: This verse encourages us to be strong and courageous knowing that our God will be with us whatever we do, wherever we go! Have a blessed day everybody! May our almighty God guide, protect, and bless us all always!
This Saturday, April 19, our church will once again go to the entrance of the Chinese supermarket to hold gospel signs. We pray that the Lord will lead us to meet more brothers in Christ like Santi, so that we may encourage and serve one another. More importantly, we pray that the Lord would use us to proclaim and share His gospel with people from every nation and every people group. In the name of Christ, Amen!

4/6/25 牧者之言

Posted on

H同学的见证

上周日3月30日教会主日学讨论关于传福音，使弟兄姐妹对基督福音的本质及传福音的方法等方面有许多深入反思。
这周一3月31日下午2: 47，我收到一条老朋友（我之前的导师；我们一起同工多年）给我发来的短信：
“你还记得曾帮助H同学找房子并为他祷告吗？他已经信主，并在两周前受了浸礼。太奇妙了！”
我听到这个消息非常好奇。怎么会有这样的事呢？有的人弟兄姐妹花多少时间给他们传福音，他们都不信。这位同学怎么这么快就受了浸礼。我清楚记得，去年10月初H去我从前毕业的学校学习音乐。当时他找房子找不到，经他的老师介绍打电话找到我。我和他说：“我离开那里已经6年多了，之前的联络都找不到了。”我和他沟通了一下，然后对他说：“我为你做个祷告可以吗？求主为你预备。”他说：“好的”。祷告完后，神真的很快就预备了。他说：“幸亏您的祈祷，我昨天租到了离学校很近而且很便宜的房子！”后来，他见证说：“你祷告真灵啊！”。我回答说：“感谢主，不是我祷告灵，每个基督徒祷告都灵，只是神在那个时间预备我来为你祷告。如果不是我为你祷告，主也会预备别人的”。
我听说他受了浸礼感到非常兴奋，马上打电话给我的老朋友和H，问H在哪里受的浸礼？老朋友告诉我：“在我们简单家庭教会的游泳池里（Our simple house church in a swimming pool）”。老朋友分享到，今天上午我带着H去见一位牧师。恰巧这位牧师上周五刚来我们小石城教会分享。那位牧师提到春海时，H马上说：“我认识他。他给我祷告过”。太神奇了，主居然以这种方式让我可以有份与分享H受浸礼的好消息。H告诉我说，他打算过两周回国了。他决定将来去作牧师（或传福音的人）。他说：“音乐不能救人，只有福音能。中国人现在最需要的是耶稣。” 他进一步说：“主依然让我用音乐赞美他或赚一点儿微薄的收入，但我的主要目标将是给别人传讲福音”。

  • 以下是他受浸礼前的文字见证：

我一直在寻找正确的生活方式，我曾经相信金钱、科学、哲学、音乐等等。
但最终它们都失败了，现在我明白了，那是因为这些都是人的东西，它们并不坚固可靠，根基不够稳固。
然而，神爱我，把我带到了这里，向我展现了真理——耶稣基督才是唯一的道路。
起初，我带着怀疑开始学习圣经，但我渴望知道真理，所以一直在寻求。
我很幸运，神安排我遇到了一位朋友，他成为了我的老师，总是耐心而充满爱地回答我的问题。
终于，在上周六，当我躺在床上时，脑海里突然响起一个声音：“耶稣，我相信你，耶稣，我愿意跟随你。”
我知道，那是耶稣在呼唤我。
那一刻，所有的怀疑都消失了，我相信了圣经中的一切。
我感受到前所未有的平安和喜乐，我感觉我的罪被完全洗净了。
我开始感谢神，并且为我的家人和朋友祷告。
我的信心正一天天地增长，我会继续读圣经，并努力向更多的人传扬福音。

  • 周二晚进一步分享

周二晚上我和H有个Zoom 会议，听到他更多的分享；并同时给他一些鼓励和劝勉。我请他分享一下他的信仰之旅。他说：
“首先，我5岁时奶奶带我去教会。我清楚记得当时背诵主祷文。奶奶有一次为我祷告，求主赐予我智慧和聪明。此后这么多年来，我在心里一直寻求智慧。
后来，在我上大学时选修一门课程《西方历史》。讲到宗教这个部分时，老师给我们放“耶稣生平”影片。我看影片时流泪了。我当时有点儿信，也曾参加过2-3次聚会。 之后就没有再继续。
去年10月来到美国，经一位师姐介绍我去参加校园里的浸信会大学事工(Baptist Collegiate Ministry，简称BCM)认识了A姐妹。A姐妹将我介绍给老朋友。老朋友今年1月份开始带领参加每周二晚上的查经称为“圣经探索小组”(“Bible Discover Group”)，这个小组学习的优点是学习采用的不是灌输式的，而是在一起读经，以启发的方式鼓励每个同学自己发现真理。经过8周的学习，我自己读圣经，主使我的心慢慢被打开。主让我清楚地看到，圣经真是有智慧，绝对不是人能编出来的。有一天晚上我听《以弗所书》，这本书的冲击力实在是太大了。那天我听到耶稣的呼唤，便决志信主，完全跟随耶稣”。

  • 生命的转变

他一路走过来，特别感谢老朋友的陪伴、鼓励、耐心回答我各样疑问、请我喝茶、关心我。他还补充说到，他两岁时父母离异。他和奶奶、爸爸、妈妈的关系都非常不好，而且已经很长时间不说话了。他管自己的亲妈不叫妈，叫“老娘”。他信主后第二天就与奶奶、爸爸和妈妈和好了。他也开始管亲妈叫“妈”了。感谢主，是圣灵改变了一个人的生命，让人学会了饶恕。

  • 传福音中上帝的工作

我们为H见证基督的生命而感恩，他能够信主，一路上经历许多人曾和他分享福音：他奶奶、他老师、老朋友。前面的人都是撒种者，老朋友是耕耘和收割者。在传福音这件事上，不是我们能作什么，是神能作。神自己呼召人做工。神就是这样安排，这人撒种、那人收割。“早晨要撒你的种，晚上也不要歇你的手，因为你不知道哪一样发旺；或是早撒的，或是晚撒的，或是两样都好”（传11：6）。我们要将荣耀归于主，因为做工的在我们，结果子在乎主！哈利路亚，主的作为奇妙、奇妙、真奇妙！让我们继续为H的信仰和未来事奉计划代祷祝福，求主继续引导保守他。以基督之名，阿门！

Testimony of Student H

On Sunday, March 30th, during our church’s Sunday school, we had a discussion about evangelism. It led the brothers and sisters to deeply reflect on the essence of the gospel of Christ and the methods of sharing the gospel.
On Monday, March 31st, at 2:47 PM, I received a text message from an old friend (my former mentor; we had served together for many years):
         “Do you remember helping Student H find a house and prayed for him? He came to Christ and was baptized 2 weeks ago. Amazing!!”
I was very surprised when I heard this news. How could this happen? Some people spend so much time sharing the gospel with others, yet they still don’t believe. But this student was baptized so quickly.
I vividly remember that in early October last year, H went to my university in another state that I graduated from to study music. At that time, he was struggling to find housing. Through his teacher’s introduction, he called me. I told him, “I left the city more than six years ago, and I have lost touch with most of my connections.” After talking with him for a while, I asked, “Can I pray for you? May the Lord prepare a place for you.” He said, “Okay.” After I prayed, God quickly provided for him. He later told me, “Thanks to your prayer, I rented a house close to school at a very affordable price yesterday!” Later, he testified, “Your prayer was really effective!” I responded, “Thank the Lord! It’s not that my prayer was effective—every Christian’s prayer is powerful. It’s just that God had prepared me at that moment to pray for you. If I hadn’t prayed for you, the Lord would have arranged someone else to do the same thing.”
Hearing that he had been baptized, I was extremely excited. I immediately called my old friend and H to ask where he had been baptized. My old friend told me, “In our simple house church’s swimming pool.” My friend shared that this morning, he had taken H to meet a pastor. Coincidentally, this pastor had just visited our Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church last Friday. When the pastor mentioned my name, H immediately said, “I know him! He prayed for me.” It was amazing that the Lord arranged for me to share in the joy of H’s baptism in such a way.
H told me that he plans to return to China in two weeks. He has decided to become a pastor (or an evangelist). He said, “Music cannot save people—only the gospel can. What the Chinese people need most right now is Jesus.” He further explained, “The Lord will still allow me to use my music to praise Him or to earn a small income, but my main goal will be to preach the gospel to others.”

Below is his written testimony before his baptism:
I’ve been trying to find the right way to live my life all the time, I have believed in many ways such as money, science, philosophy, music and so on.
         But they all ended up failing, now I know it’s because they are all human stuff which are not solid or reliable, they have inadequate foundation, but God loves me and brought me here, and showed me the truth that Jesus Christ is the only path.
          I started learning the Bible with suspicion, but I want to know the truth so I’ve always been seeking, I am so lucky that God arranged me to meet a friend who became my teacher and always answers my questions with patience and love.
          Finally on last Saturday, a voice came out of my mind while I was lying on my bed, “Jesus I believe you, Jesus I want to follow you”, I knew that was Jesus calling me. Then all the suspicions were gone and I believed in all the things in Bible. I felt so much peace and joy, I felt all my sin was washed to clean, I started to thank God and I started to pray for my family and my friends.
         My faith is growing stronger and stronger day by day, I will keep reading the Bible in the future and try to send the gospel to more people.  

Further Sharing on Tuesday Night
On Tuesday evening, I had a Zoom meeting with H, where he shared more of his story. I also gave him some encouragement and counsel. I invited him to share his faith journey, and he said:
        “First of all, when I was five years old, my grandma took me to a church. I clearly remember reciting the Lord’s Prayer. One time, my grandma prayed for me, asking the Lord to give me wisdom and understanding. Since then, for all these years, I have been seeking wisdom in my heart.
Later, when I was in college, I took a course on ‘Western History.’ When we studied the religious section, the professor played a video about ‘The Life of Jesus.’ As I watched, I was moved to tears. At that time, I had a bit of faith and even attended two or three church gatherings. However, I did not continue.
Last October, when I arrived in USA, a senior schoolmate introduced me to the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) on campus, where I met Sister A. She introduced me to a friend. In January this year, this friend invited me to join a study group called ‘Bible Discovery Group,’ which met every Tuesday night. One thing I really appreciated about this group was that the study method was not about being indoctrinated. Instead, we read the Bible together and were encouraged to discover the truth on our own. After eight weeks of study, as I read the Bible myself, the Lord gradually opened my heart. He allowed me to see clearly that the Bible is truly full of wisdom—it is absolutely not something humans could have made up. One night, I listened to the book of Ephesians. The impact was so powerful that it overwhelmed me. That night, I heard Jesus calling me, and I decided to fully commit myself to Him and follow Him completely.”

A Life Transformed
Looking back on his journey, H is especially grateful for that old friend’s companionship, encouragement, patience in answering his questions, inviting him for tea, and showing him care.
He also shared that his parents divorced when he was two years old. He had a very poor relationship with his grandma, father, and mother, and he had not spoken to them for a long time. He did not even call his biological mother “Mom” but instead referred to her as “Old Lady.” However, the second day after he became a Christian, he reconciled with his grandma, father, and mother. He also started calling his mother “Mom.” Praise the Lord! It was the Holy Spirit that changed his life and taught him to forgive.

The Lord’s Work in Evangelism
We are grateful for H’s testimony of Christ’s transformative power. Along the way, many people shared the gospel with him—his grandmother, his teacher, and my old friend. Those who came before were sowers, and my old friend was the one who nurtured and harvested. When it comes to evangelism, it is not about what we can do—it is about what God can do. God Himself calls people and does the work. He arranges everything so that one sows, another waters, and another reaps the harvest.
       “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Let us give all the glory to the Lord, for though we labor, it is He who produces the fruit! Hallelujah! The Lord’s work is marvelous, wonderful, and truly amazing! Let us continue to pray for C’s faith and his future ministry plans. May the Lord continue to guide and protect him. In the name of Christ, Amen!

3/30/25 牧者之言

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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.