操练感恩二

阅读经文：帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:18，约拿书 4:6

       当你诸事顺利的时候，很容易察觉周围美好的事物。当你行事不顺，操练感恩就会更困难。

       然而，这正是你最需要与神连接的时候。人生艰难时，你比任何时候都更需要神。

       帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:18 说，基督向你所定的旨意是“凡事”谢恩。当你经历困难时，该如何谢恩呢？在你能感恩之前，可能要先向神倾诉你的伤痛和挫败。

       耶稣自己也经历过苦难。如果你正在经历苦难，就从思想耶稣开始。然后求问神你可以为何感恩。

       你可能会发现许多美好的事情跃入脑海。即使只是想到耶稣看顾和关爱你，也会令人鼓舞。

       当先知约拿在服事中经历糟糕的一天，他从现实中看到了神的供应，并因此感恩。神安排一棵植物为他遮荫，“约拿因这棵蓖麻大大喜乐”（约拿书 4:6）。

操练：

         思考你目前面临的困难。诚实地告诉神你的感受。分享每一个哀伤和埋怨。

         问自己，在这个处境中有什么是我可以感恩的？

         察觉自然环境中，有什么感觉像是来自神的礼物。

         每当你感到不堪重负，求耶稣分担你的苦楚。然后问：有什么是我可以感恩的？神在这里成就什么美好的事？

祷告：

          神啊，祢了解我的心。感谢祢聆听我的痛苦。帮助我凡事谢恩。

引自：https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/devotions/practicing-gratitude

Practicing Gratitude, Part 2

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Jonah 4:6

        It’s easy to notice the good around you when things are going well. It can be harder to practice gratitude when things go poorly.

         And yet, that’s exactly when you need to connect with God. When life is tough, you need God more than ever.

         1 Thessalonians 5:18 says that Christ’s will for you is to give thanks “in all circumstances.” How can you give thanks when things are hard? It may take venting your hurt or frustration to God before you can get to gratitude. 

        Jesus himself suffered. If you’re suffering, start there with Jesus. Then ask God what you can be grateful for. 

        You may find many good things springing to mind. Even the thought that Jesus sees you and cares for you can be encouraging. 

         When the prophet Jonah was having a terrible day at work, he found gratitude by looking at God’s provision through the physical environment. God made a bush for shade and “Jonah was very happy about the bush.” (Jonah 4:6). 

Practice: 

• Think about a current hardship you face. Tell God truthfully how you feel about it. Share every lament and complaint. 
• Ask yourself: is there anything I can be grateful for in this circumstance? 
• Notice anything in your natural environment that feels like a gift from God.
• Anytime you feel your shoulders sink today, ask Jesus to share in your suffering. Then ask: is there anything I can be grateful for? What has God done here that’s good?

Prayer: God, you know my heart. Thank you for hearing my suffering. Help me thank you in all circumstances. 

Further Exploration: Read Ann Voskamp’s answer to the question: “How do I fully live when life is full of hurt?” 

Quote: Called To Work <dcrandall-keeptouch.com@shared1.ccsend.com>,Mon, Feb 24, 2:41 PM

操练感恩一

阅读经文：创世记 1:12，马可福音 6:37-44         感恩是一种属灵操练，帮助你察觉并感谢神在日常生活中的作为。在这个计划中，你将学习 4 种不同的技巧，让感恩成为你日常生活的一部分。         感谢《工作神学项目》为我们提供这个计划。欲了解更多信息，请浏览：https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/ 灵修材料。         感恩是理解和赞美周围世界美好事物的一种属灵操练。这说来容易，做来却不容易。         现代生活常常迫使你专注于不好的事情——哪些需要立即修复，哪些危机必须预防，你现在需要什么新东西才能让生活变得更好。         学习察觉美好的一面需要操练。幸运的是，每当你展现感恩的心时，你就会变得更擅长。你会得到正面的反馈——心存感恩的感觉真好。而且这会让你与神连接，祂是一切良善的泉源。         你不需要寻找伟大的神迹奇事来感恩。耶稣示范感恩可以从很小的事情开始。那一天，当耶稣和祂的朋友们似乎没有足够的食物时，祂抬头望着天，感谢神赐给他们已有的食物（马可福音 6:37-44）。当耶稣这样做时，他们所拥有的一点点就变成了丰盛。         透过简单地察觉周围世界的美好事物，开始你的感恩操练。这可以追溯到圣经的第一章，神“看着”祂的创造是好的。 操练：         现在你周围的世界有什么是美好的？如果你坐的座位很舒服，感谢神。         在你的一天中，特别察觉一件美好的事。如果同事对你微笑，这可能是感恩的提醒。         今晚睡觉前，回想一下今天的经历。有些什么美好的事可以感谢神？列一个清单。 祷告：        神啊，感谢祢今日为我的生命带来益处。借着祢的良善显明祢自己。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。 引自：https://zh-hant.theologyofwork.org/devotions/practicing-gratitude

PRACTICING GRATITUDE, PART ONEScripture Reading: Genesis 1:12, Mark 6:37-44         Gratitude is a spiritual practice that helps you notice and appreciate God’s work in your day to day. In this plan you’ll learn 4 different techniques for making gratitude a part of your daily life.         We would like to thank the Theology of Work Project for providing this plan. For more information, please visit www.theologyofwork.org/devotions.         Gratitude is a spiritual practice of seeing and celebrating the good in the world around you. This is easier said than done.         Modern life often forces you to focus on what is bad – what needs to be fixed immediately, what crisis must be prevented, what new thing you need now to make your life better.         Learning to notice the good takes practice. Thankfully, every time you flex your gratitude muscle you get stronger. You get positive feedback – it feels good to be grateful. And you connect with God who is the source of all goodness.          You don’t need to look for big miraculous things to be grateful for. Jesus showed that gratitude can begin with very little. On a day when it seemed like he and his friends wouldn’t have enough to eat, Jesus looked up to heaven and thanked God for the food they had (Mark 6:37-44). When Jesus did this, the little they had turned into an abundance.          Start your gratitude practice by simply noticing what is good in the world around you. This goes back to the very first chapter of the Bible, when God “sees” what is good in his creation (Genesis 1:12). Practice:        What is good in the world around you right now? If the seat you’re sitting on is comfortable, thank God for that.        During your day, make it a point to notice one thing that’s good. If a coworker smiles at you, this can be a prompt to gratitude.        Before you go to bed tonight, think back on your day. What was good today that you can thank God for? Make a list. Prayer: God, thank you for the good you have put in my life today. Reveal yourself to me through your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Further Exploration: Read the article From an Attitude of Ingratitude to Gratitude. Quote: Called To Work dcrandall-keeptouch.com@shared1.ccsend.com, Mon, Feb 17, 9:04 AM.

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.)

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.

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!