Date: Friday, 09/30/2011
By Fenlan

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then.....will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[a] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 2:2 then...........being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
 
腓 立 比 書 1:27 只 要 你 們 行 事 為 人 與 基 督 的 福 音 相 稱......知 道 你 們 同 有 一 個 心 志 ， 站 立 得 穩 ， 為 所 信 的 福 音 齊 心 努 力 。
腓 立 比 書 2:2 你 們 就 要 意 念 相 同 ， 愛 心 相 同 ， 有 一 樣 的 心 思 ， 有 一 樣 的 意 念..............
 
Sharing: As we pray for the growth and direction of our church, HoCL, let's also pray for all brothers and sisters in HoCL that we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
 9/29/2011
September 29, 2011
Sharing by Jonathan

Isaiah 57

 15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
      the Holy One, says this:
   “I live in the high and holy place
      with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
   I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
      and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
 16 For I will not fight against you forever;
      I will not always be angry.

Isaiah 58

 6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
   Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
      lighten the burden of those who work for you.
   Let the oppressed go free,
      and remove the chains that bind people.
 7 Share your food with the hungry,
      and give shelter to the homeless.
   Give clothes to those who need them,
      and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

 14 Then the Lord will be your delight.
      I will give you great honor
   and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
      I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Phillipians 1

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Psalm 71

 20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
      but you will restore me to life again
      and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
 21 You will restore me to even greater honor
      and comfort me once again.

Proverbs 24

 10 If you fail under pressure,
      your strength is too small.

Sharing:  God is a wonderful God.  He tells me today if I fail under pressure, my strength is too small.  But if I allow God to let me suffer much hardship, He will restore me to life with greater honor .  It is so true in my life.   I also read Paul's writing that he was certain that God began the good work within us,  He will continue His work in us until the day Christ Jesus returns.   All these was a testimonial of God's new promise in the Old Testament now happening to Paul in the New Testament that He gave the Israelites and through Jesus to us that He would not fight against and punish us anymore, but He is willing to bestow all His inheritance to Christ's believers like us if our spirit is contrite and humble, and our heart is repenting.  But God also warns us not to be a hypocrite to fast in front of people but yet we oppress and imprison people lower than or against us,  we don't share food and shelter to the hungry and homeless, and we hide away from our relatives who needs help.  May our Lord help us to be more Christ like, ie., humble, gentle, patient and bearing in love.   Thank you Lord of hearing our praise.
Date: Thursday, 09/29/2011
By Michelle

腓 立 比 書 1
9 我 所 禱 告 的 ， 就 是 要 你 們 的 愛 心 在 知 識 和 各 樣 見 識 上 多 而 又 多 ，
10 使 你 們 能 分 別 是 非 （ 或 作 ： 喜 愛 那 美 好 的 事 ） ， 作 誠 實 無 過 的 人 ， 直 到 基 督 的 日 子 ；

Philippians 1
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Sharing: 主啊，求你在知識上裝備我，使我對你有充足的知識。 充足的知識使我們認識神, 知道神的心意，帶領我們。 我們的愛需要在知識和各樣的見識上滿溢, 好叫我們能分別是非, 使我們的事奉和生活合神的心意。
Date: Wednesday, 9/28/2011
By George

以賽亞書54
2要擴張你帳幕之地，張大你居所的幔子，不要限止；要放長你的繩子，堅固你的橛子。
3因為你要向左向右開展；你的後裔必得多國為業，又使荒涼的城邑有人居住。

分享：
928 对HoCL是新的反思跟开始。神给了我们这句话，我们准备好了吗？
9/27/2011
Shared by J Yang
以 弗 所 書 5
25 你 們 作 丈 夫 的 ， 要 愛 你 們 的 妻 子 ， 正 如 基 督 愛 教 會 ， 為 教 會 捨 己 。
 
基督愛我們, 甚至犧牲自己的生命來救贖我們.  保羅教導我們作丈夫愛妻子, 用捨己的愛來守護自己的家.   願這些話常在我們心裡, 幫助我們.
Date: 09/26/2011
Shared by: CL
 
Eph 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Eph 4:32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
 
Sharing: These verses remind me of God’s grace of forgiveness. Considering His gracious love, I find no reason to grieve the Holy Spirit by not trying to please God. Our life on this earth is brief, why should we always hold on to the flesh? Lord, teach me and keep me to be near you.
Date: September 25, 2011
Shared by: TC Lo
Pr 24:3     房屋因智慧建造，又因聰明立穩，
Pr 24:4     其中因知識充滿各樣美好寶貴的財物。
Pr 24:3     By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
Pr 24:4     through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
 
主前九百年的所羅門與現代人一樣, 都意識到房屋及內中的用品都是智慧設計的結果. 無人認有無生命的磚頭可以進化成一棟美麗的房子. 但達爾文却持無神論的世界觀, 認為無生命的 “原始湯” 能 “自然” 產生生命的原料, 這原科經長年漫月進化成萬物之灵的人類. 或許十九世紀的達爾文以為細胞 (生命的基本單元) 是很簡單的一回事. 我想如果他活在這分子生物學的時代裡, 很可能達爾文的進化論便不會問世. 請看 Walter L. Bradley (Texas A&M University 生物學教授) 的一段話:
 In Darwin’s days, people thought a one-cell organism was rather simple and life could be a product of unguided chemical reaction.
 
A living system must do at least three things: process energy, store information. And replicate. Human beings do these three functions, although bacteria do them much more quickly and efficiently. One person very creatively---but quite accurately---described a single cell organism as a high-tech factory, complete with
·         artificial languages and decoding systems;
·         central memory banks that store and retrieve impressive amounts of information; Each cell in the human body contains more information than in all thirty volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica;
·         precision control system that regulate the automatic assembly of components;
·         proof-reading and quality control mechanisms that safeguard against errors;
·         assembly system that use the principle of prefabrication and modular construction; and
·         a complete replication system that allows the organism to duplicate itself at bewildering speeds.
我們只談到細胞, 那麽浩瀚的宇宙又如何?
Date: 9-24-2011
By Eliza


Ephesians 3 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

以 弗 所 書 3 14 因 此 ， 我 在 父 面 前 屈 膝 ， 15 （ 天 上 地 上 的 各 （ 或 作 ： 全 ） 家 ， 都 是 从 他 得 名 。 ） 16 求 他 按 着 他 丰 盛 的 荣 耀 ， 藉 着 他 的 灵 ， 叫 你 们 心 里 的 力 量 刚 强 起 来 ， 17 使 基 督 因 你 们 的 信 ， 住 在 你 们 心 里 ， 叫 你 们 的 爱 心 有 根 有 基 ， 18 能 以 和 众 圣 徒 一 同 明 白 基 督 的 爱 是 何 等 长 阔 高 深 ， 19 并 知 道 这 爱 是 过 於 人 所 能 测 度 的 ， 便 叫 神 一 切 所 充 满 的 ， 充 满 了 你 们 。 20 神 能 照 着 运 行 在 我 们 心 里 的 大 力 充 充 足 足 的 成 就 一 切 ， 超 过 我 们 所 求 所 想 的 。 21 但 愿 他 在 教 会 中 ， 并 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 ， 得 着 荣 耀 ， 直 到 世 世 代 代 ， 永 永 远 远 。 阿 们 ！
Sharing: Through the grace of God's, we have the salvation and received the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit guide us to understand what is God's plan in us and make us understand what God's love is. Through such understanding we can have the love for others. Through such understanding, we can humble ourselves to other. Through such understanding, we can bear in love with one another.
Date: Saturday, 09/24/2011
by Chunming

以 弗 所 書 3 (Ephesians 3)
 
8 我 本 來 比 眾 聖 徒 中 最 小 的 還 小 ， 然 而 他 還 賜 我 這 恩 典 ， 叫 我 把 基 督 那 測 不 透 的 豐 富 傳 給 外 邦 人 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

9 又 使 眾 人 都 明 白 ， 這 歷 代 以 來 隱 藏 在 創 造 萬 物 之 神 裡 的 奧 祕 是 如 何 安 排 的
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
 
Sharing:
There is one thing I learned from these two verses – God wouldn’t commission His ministry to whoever couldn’t be humble before Him. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once said, "The great act of faith is when a man decides that he is not God."
Date: 9/23/11
By Wai
Isaiah 42: 6-7
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Sharing:
This is what God call us to be and to do.
Wai
Date: Thursday, 09/22/2011
by Fenlan

Isaiah 40
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
 
以 賽 亞 書 40
28 你 豈 不 曾 知 道 麼 ？ 你 豈 不 曾 聽 見 麼 ？ 永 在 的 　 神 耶 和 華 ， 創 造 地 極 的 主 ， 並 不 疲 乏 ， 也 不 困 倦 ； 他 的 智 慧 無 法 測 度 。 29 疲 乏 的 ， 他 賜 能 力 ； 軟 弱 的 ， 他 加 力 量 。  30 就 是 少 年 人 也 要 疲 乏 困 倦 ； 強 壯 的 也 必 全 然 跌 倒 。 31 但 那 等 候 耶 和 華 的 必 從 新 得 力 。 他 們 必 如 鷹 展 翅 上 騰 ； 他 們 奔 跑 卻 不 困 倦 ， 行 走 卻 不 疲 乏 。

 
Sharing: A strong man can still grow tired and weary sometimes. Even a spiritually strong man might have a vulnerable state. But those who wait for/hope in the Lord will renew their strength. I thank You Lord that You are the everlasting God who will not grow tired or weary, and Your understanding no one can fathom.
Date: 9/21
By Yiheng Xu

加 拉 太 書
6:9 我 们 行 善 ， 不 可 丧 志 ； 若 不 灰 心 ， 到 了 时 候 就 要 收 成
Sharing: 一时的行事良善不难, 难的一直行善而不灰心,不丧志. 即使是在完全看不到收成的时候也如此.主要借着这段话告诉我们不论是我们传递主的福音还是个人成圣的道路, 都需要坚定的的信心和持久的耐心.
Date: Wednesday 9/21/11
by Michelle

加 拉 太 書 6
7 不 要 自 欺 ， 神 是 輕 慢 不 得 的 。 人 種 的 是 甚 麼 ， 收 的 也 是 甚 麼 。
8 順 著 情 慾 撒 種 的 ， 必 從 情 慾 收 敗 壞 ； 順 著 聖 靈 撒 種 的 ， 必 從 聖 靈 收 永 生 。

Galatians 6
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Sharing: 種瓜得瓜、種豆得豆，這裡提醒我們在每天的生活中所撒的種要是神所喜悅的，不要順著情慾。「不要自欺，神是輕慢不得的。」我們若順著聖靈，我們就不會放縱肉體了。
Date: Tuesday 9/20/11
by George

加拉太書5
16我說，你們當順著聖靈而行，就不放縱肉體的情慾了。
25我們若是靠聖靈得生，就當靠聖靈行事。

分享
順著肉體把我們帶入靈命死亡，順服聖靈復甦我們內在生命使靈活潑。我們每時每刻都在做一個生與死的抉擇，真是要警醒，再警醒。

Galatians 5
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Sharing
Our sinful nature leads us to death, but submitting to the Holy Spirit revives our inner soul.  We are making a life and death decision every moment.  Do we want to submit to our sinful nature or the Holy Spirit?  Let us stay vigilant and make the right choice.
September 19, 2011
Sharing by Jonathan
Isaiah 30

15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

   “In repentance and rest is your salvation, 
   in quietness and trust is your strength, 
   but you would have none of it. 

Isaiah 33

2 LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. 
   Be our strength every morning, 
   our salvation in time of distress. 

5 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; 
   he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. 
6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, 
   a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; 
   the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

Galatians 5

 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 
 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Proverbs 23:22

 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, 
   and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Sharing:  Yes, Lord, please teach us how to pray, teach us how to fear you, teach us how to be free in Christ, and teach us how to have faith in you so we can love.  Indeed Lord, please be gracious to us; we long for you.  Be our strength every morning, and be our salvation in time of distress.  Yes, I must thank you Lord that you are my sure foundation, my rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge, but I won't havn any of that if I don't kneel down in front of you everyday.  I am sorry, Heavenly Father that I still don't listen to you completely, and I am still so proud of myself that I may despise those "old mother" that loves me.  I am really sorry, Lord, please help me to change my inner being, there are still much garbage in there that bound me to yoke of slavery.  Thanks for listening to my feeble prayer
9/17/2011
shared by JYang

加 拉 太 書 3

14 這 便 叫 亞 伯 拉 罕 的 福 ， 因 基 督 耶 穌 可 以 臨 到 外 邦 人 ， 使 我 們 因 信 得 著 所 應 許 的 聖 靈 。

 
我們最近查以弗所書, 講到神對外邦人的應許.  這段經文也講到我們也因為相信主耶穌基督救贖之恩就能得到亞伯拉罕所得的福.  感謝主賜給我們的話語, 我們因著信得著了所應許的聖靈. 願我們在每日的生活中憑著信心來領受主豐富的恩典

Date: September 16, 2011

Shared by: CL

 

Gal 2:19   For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.

Gal 2:20   I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gal 2:21   I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

 

As a Christian, I have a new identity: My old-self is dead because it has been crucified with Christ, and I have a new life because Jesus lives in me. For this reason, I pray that God may help me to be watchful over my deeds and thoughts
Date: Friday, 09/16/2011
by Chunming

加 拉 太 書 2:17-18 (Galatians 2:17-18)
 17 我 們 若 求 在 基 督 裡 稱 義 ， 卻 仍 舊 是 罪 人 ， 難 道 基 督 是 叫 人 犯 罪 的 麼 ？ 斷 乎 不 是 ！
“But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!
 18 我 素 來 所 拆 毀 的 ， 若 重 新 建 造 ， 這 就 證 明 自 己 是 犯 罪 的 人 。
If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
 
Sharing:
 
From here, Apostle Paul indicated to us a misunderstanding of Gospel that was prevailed in the church of Galatia.  He emphasized that it is Christ alone who helps us justified before God.  The old legalism practice such as circumcision is absolutely not necessary. For those who still follows old legalism practice after being justified in Christ is setting their minds to please people instead of pleasing God (Galatians 1:10).  I know sometimes old habit never dies. Yet, it is grace alone that can lead us to stand before God without fear.
Date: September 15, 2011

Shared by: TC Lo

 

Gal 2:11   When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.

Gal 2:12   Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Gal 2:13   The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Gal 2:14   When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

 

In Chuck Swindols’ book “The Grace Awakening”, there is a chapter entitled “Graciously Disagreeing and Press On” (pp.159-178). The opening paragraph reads: 

“One of the marks of maturity is the ability to disagree without becoming disagreeable. It takes grace. In fact, handling disagreements with tact is one of the crowing achievements of grace.” (p.159)

 And then, after many discussions, the author continues:  

“In every disagreement there are the same two ingredients: (a) an issue, and (b) various viewpoints. The issue is usually objective and involves principles. The viewpoints are subjective and involve personalities……Every time I have remembered those two basic ingredients in the midst of a disagreement, I have been able to keep calm and think clearly” (p.163, p.168).

Sharing: Pray that God may grant us wisdom to separate the issue from the viewpoints, and to distinguish passing judgment from speaking-the-truth-in-love, and to discern whether the issue at hand worth breaking Christian relationship. I urge my brothers and sisters to read this book; the author uses Paul vs. Barnabas as a case study. Same argument applies to Paul vs. Peter described in the underlying passage. 

Another paragraph which should hit home well with the HoCL folks:

"Don’t minimize the conflict. It’s painful beyond description. All is not lost, however. I remind you, the upside of it is that this is how new churches or seminaries are sometimes started. This is sometimes how campus ministries are expanded. Disagreements prompt fresh starts, new works, and broader visions. The event that caused it to happen isn't good. It is more like a rock hitting a placid lake, creating a sudden wake where there are hurt feelings, at least initially. But the ripples continue on until people are greathearted enough to forget the pain and stop licking their wounds and proceed into new directions (p.172)….we need to be people who can disagree in grace and then press on, even if the disagreement leads to a separation (p.174)."

Date 9-14-2011

By Eliza

Isaiah 17: 7 In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 8 They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands,
and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles[e and the incense altars their fingers have made.

以 賽 亞 書 17:7 当 那 日 ， 人 必 仰 望 造 他 们 的 主 ， 眼 目 重 看 以 色 列 的 圣 者 。 8 他 们 必 不 仰 望 祭 坛 ， 就 是 自 己 手 所 筑 的 ， 也 不 重 看 自 己 指 头 所 做 的 ， 无 论 是 木 偶 是 日 像 。

Galatians 1: 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

加 拉 太 書 1:  10 我 现 在 是 要 得 人 的 心 呢 ？ 还 是 要 得 神 的 心 呢 ？ 我 岂 是 讨 人 的 喜 欢 麽 ？ 若 仍 旧 讨 人 的 喜 欢 ， 我 就 不 是 基 督 的 仆 人 了 。

Sharing: 當仰望創造我們的主, 不要討人和自己的喜悅, 自以為公義, 聖潔, 為自己創造地上的偶像.務要以神為首,以基督的愛,亙相扶持.要謹記若不是神的憐憫, 我們仍是罪人
Date: Wednesday, 09/14/2011
by Fenlan

Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

加 拉 太 書 1:10
我 現 在 是 要 得 人 的 心 呢 ？ 還 是 要 得 神 的 心 呢 ？ 我 豈 是 討 人 的 喜 歡 麼 ？ 若 仍 舊 討 人 的 喜 歡 ， 我 就 不 是 基 督 的 僕 人 了 。

Sharing: We might often time get the recognition or praises from brothers and sisters while serving in church wholeheartedly. But satan may allure us into wanting to win the approval of human beings because it gives us a good self-sensation. May God's words always remind me that my reason of serving God is to win HIS approval.
Date: 9/13
Wai
 
Isaiah 12:1-3
 1 In that day you will say:  “I will praise you, O LORD.  Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away  and you have comforted me. 2 Surely God is my salvation;
   I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
   he has become my salvation.”  3 With joy you will draw water  from the wells of salvation.
 
Sharing:
We have to return God. We often make God angry for what we did. But this passage let us know that God would comfort us if we turn back to Him and trust Him. He would be our salvation, our strength and our song.  His salvation is like a well with water that can quench our thirst. Drink it with joy.
Date; Tuesday, 09/13/2011
by Michelle

箴 言 23
9 你 不 要 說 話 給 愚 昧 人 聽 ， 因 他 必 藐 視 你 智 慧 的 言 語 。

Proverbs 23
9 Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.
Sharing:  愿我學習不要做愚昧人。謙卑領受神的話，也謙卑聆聽我身邊智慧人的言語。
Date: Monday, 09/12/2011
By George

歌林多后书12
11我成了愚妄人，是被你们强逼的。我本该被你们称许才是。我虽算不了什么，却没有一件事在那些最大的使徒以下。
12我在你们中间，用百般的忍耐，借着神迹、奇事、异能，显出使徒的凭据来。
16罢了，我自己并没有累着你们，你们却有人说，我是诡诈，用心计牢笼你们。

分享
感谢主，让保罗写的歌林多后书得以保存下来，给我们看到到底什么是教会服事。就算有对神话语的透亮，有紧密精确的神学内涵，神同在的神迹奇事，勇敢开拓建立教会的心志，异能的彰显，辛苦全身投入，保罗服侍的对象依然扭曲他的动机，更进一步毁谤保罗。保罗他牺牲奉献并满有各样属灵恩赐，可是这样的大使徒不但有外在的攻击，连里面被服侍的人都糟蹋他，想想我们这些小子有什么可以跟保罗比，居然还考虑自我的种种。我想保罗之所以能忍耐到底，因为他真是认识耶稣得着了耶稣，耶稣也得着了他。愿我的心也被耶稣夺去。

2 Corinthians 12
 11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance.
16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!

Sharing:
Paul truly exemplifies what a servant-leader should be.  Even with sound doctrine, solid teaching, signs, wonders, miracles, many spiritual gifts and extreme hard labors, all of such do not exempt Paul from being persecuted not only from outside but even from inside the very people he serves.  I believe the only reason why Paul can persevere to the end because he got hold of Jesus and Jesus has got hold of him!

Date:9/12
Shared by Ling.

以 赛 亚 书
10:15斧、岂可向用斧砍木的自夸呢．锯、
岂可向用锯的自大呢．好比棍抡起那举棍的、好比杖举起那非木的人
分享: 好多时候我们就是那自夸的斧, 自大的锯. 殊不知一切都在神的计划当中, 一切都是神的作为. 感谢神借着这样的经文来提醒我们. 让我明白我们的地位以及我们和神的关系
Date: 9/11
Shared by Yiheng
哈 該 書 2:4
 4 耶 和 华 说 ： 所 罗 巴 伯 啊 ， 虽 然 如 此 ， 你 当 刚 强 ！ 约 撒 答 的 儿 子 大 祭 司 约 书 亚 啊 ， 你 也 当 刚 强 ！ 这 地 的 百 姓 ， 你 们 都 当 刚 强 作 工 ， 因 为 我 与 你 们 同 在 。 这 是 万 军 之 耶 和 华 说 的 。
Sharing: Our strength does not come from our knowledge, our wisdom, our wealth, our status on this word, but from the presence of Jehovah, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. This is also a message that Brother TC touched upon yesterday in his sermon. It is Holy Spirit that enables the spirit gifts and all the powers are from God
09/09/11
Sharing by Jonathan
Isaiah 3

8 For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall,
      - because they speak out against the Lord and refuse to obey him

 25 That is why the Lord’s anger burns against his people, and why he has raised his fist to crush them.
      - 24 For they have rejected the law of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 53

 5 Terror will grip them, terror like they have never known before.
        - 4 because they wouldn't think of praying to God.

 6 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
      When God restores his people,
      Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Proverbs 22:28-29

 29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
      They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.
Sharing:  Today is already September 9th, I thought about Mao died on the same day thirty five years ago, and also I was reminded that the fall of the Twin Towers had happened almost ten years ago.   I was equally surprised that God led me to these passages quoted above.   Jerusalem could stumble, Judah could fail, God's people could be crushed, and God's terror could grip His people, I feel like that God is telling me that we must learn from history and reflect on ourself whether God's wrath can happen to us and to our family and friends.   Even God has sent His beloved son, Jesus Christ to pay for all the sins that our ancestors and us had committed,  God's wrath can still happen to us if we ever reject Christ's law, disobey Christ, despise His Word, and don't think of praying to Christ and God.  Dear God, please help us and help those who love you to stay close to Christ and to His Word daily, so we can all shout with joy everyday to testify that God's promises to rescue Israel, and to restore His people are actually happening to us for now and forever through Jesus Christ.   Also, I pray to God to lead me to serve the King rather than working for ordinary people.  Amen
Date: Thursday, 09/08/2011
by Chunming

以 賽 亞 書 1 (Isaiah 1)
 
2 天 哪 ， 要 聽 ！ 地 啊 ， 側 耳 而 聽 ！ 因 為 耶 和 華 說 ： 我 養 育 兒 女 ， 將 他 們 養 大 ， 他 們 竟 悖 逆 我 。
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
3 牛 認 識 主 人 ， 驢 認 識 主 人 的 槽 ， 以 色 列 卻 不 認 識 ； 我 的 民 卻 不 留 意 。
The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
 
Sharing:
These two verses describe a sin of rebellion that God wanted the Prophet Isaiah to tell Israelites, His chosen people. Firstly Isaiah asked “heavens and earth” to be his witnesses to listen to God’s indictment against the Israelites. Then God used “ox and donkey” to depict Israelites’ rebellion. As we know ox and donkey are loyal and submissive (sometimes are ignorant too) in general, to picture the Israelites is inferior to them is very ironic. This serves a good reminder to me that I need to examine myself constantly: Is God my true master or something else.
09/07/2011
shared by J Yang

哥林多後書9:6-15

 6少種的少收，多種的多收；此話是真的。各人要隨本心所酌定的；不要作難，不要勉強；因為捐得樂意的人，是神所喜愛的。神能將各樣的恩惠，多多的加給你們；使你們凡事常常充足，能多行各樣善事… 11叫你們凡事富足，可以多多施捨，就藉著我們使感謝歸於神

今年我們家的菜園收穫不佳, 這也是在預期中.   少種的少收，多種的多收, 這話是真的.   神愛我們, 神慷慨大方的賞賜給我們, 使我們凡事常常充足, 包括我們做各樣善事的能力. 感謝神不盡的恩賜充滿我們每日的生命.  願我們都能善用祂的恩典把感謝歸於神

Date: Tuesday, 09/06/2011
by Fenlan

2 Corinthians 8:21

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
 
歌 林 多 後 書 8:21

我 們 留 心 行 光 明 的 事 ， 不 但 在 主 面 前 ， 就 在 人 面 前 也 是 這 樣 。
 
Sharing: When Paul said that he and his coworkers took pain to do what is right, it seemed to imply that doing what is right is not of human nature and not an easy-going thing. We might be more careful to do what is right in church but not at home, work or other places. Yet, Paul reminded us that we should be careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. May our Lord help us that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, in church or outside of church, we can do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Scripture of the date: 2 Corinthian 8: 1-15

Date: September 5, 2011

Shared by: TC Lo

論到馬其頓教會樂捐的事, 保羅用了一句另人難解的話來稱許他們, 說, “他們是按着力量, 而且也過了力量.” (林後8:3). 如果真的盡了力量, 又怎能過了力量? 如果過了力量, 豈不是證明他們原先並沒有盡了力量? 我想這是一個目光上的問題.

  • 當我們單看自己的需要時----為房子還抵押借款, 孩子的大學費用, 高漲的汽油價格----我們巳奉献這麽多, 真的可以問心無愧地說, “我巳按着力量” 了.
  • 但當我們的目光轉向別人的需要時----看見別無家可歸, 饑寒交迫, 疾病纏身----我們便可以說, “呀! 我發現原來我還可以再多付出一點吧.” 這不是 “過了力量” 嗎?  

英國宣 教士David Livingstone 出生於好家庭. 當他年青的時候, 他在服事神的事上努力學習. 後來當了醫生. 他願意放下高薪的職業, 全時間事主. 當他的目光注視在我的身世知舒適的生活時, 如此的奉献還不能說是 “盡了力量” 嗎? 但當他的目光轉向非洲而觀望時, 他被聖靈感動, 便宣告, “在晨光之下, 數以千計的村莊所冒的煙霧, 像縈繞於心頭的幽靈一般, 燃燒在我心內.” 然後他作了以下有名的禱告:

主阿! 差遣我到任何也方, 只要祢與我同行. 給我任何重担, 只要祢加我力量. 切斷任何束縛, 除了那把我拴在向祢服事和向祢的心的束縛.

這位偉大的神僕便開始踏出 “過了力量” 這一步, 一生在非洲傳福音. 死時, 他的碑文刻着, “我另外有羊，不是這圈裡的；我必須領他們來，他們也要聽我的聲音，並且要合成一群，歸一個牧人了 (約10:16)”. 可見他對 “另一群人” 的靈魂有多重的負担.

 

一個人奉献上自己的生命, 這應算是 “盡了力量” 吧! 但戴德生留下的两句名言, 足以表露他的眼光不是注視自已, 乃是注視中國人的需要. 

  • 假使我有千鎊英金, 中國可以全數支取;
  • 假使我有千條性命, 决不留下一條不給中國.

奉献一條性命, 是 “按着力量”; 奉献千條性命的心志, 便是 “過了力量” 了

Date: Monday, 09/05/2011
by Michelle

歌 林 多 後 書 8
9 你 們 知 道 我 們 主 耶 穌 基 督 的 恩 典 ： 他 本 來 富 足 ， 卻 為 你 們 成 了 貧 窮 ， 叫 你 們 因 他 的 貧 窮 ， 可 以 成 為 富 足 。

2 Corinthians 8
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Sharing: 感謝神！我們的主為了使我們這些貧窮的罪人成為富足；祂卻成為貧窮。 祂倒空自己，取了奴僕的形像，且死在十字架上，將生命都給我們，叫我們富足。我很感動主耶穌這樣的愛我，使我得以享受神的豐富，感到滿足。

Date: Sunday, 09/04/2011
by George

傳道書7:5聽智慧人的責備，強如聽愚昧人的歌唱。
傳道書9:17寧可在安靜之中聽智慧人的言語，

不聽掌管愚昧人的喊聲。
箴言22:17你須側耳聽受智慧人的言語，留心領會我的知識。

分享：
被智慧人責備值得心存感激。想想我經常幹糊塗事，過去能被智慧人當眾指責真是有福，因為他們的話通常是不明顯的。在喧鬧中我們不易聽到智慧人的言語，智慧人的話常隱藏在安靜之中。這些話不譁眾取寵，也不討喜，而且常帶有責備。會為我們靈命的益處責備我們的人太少了。願我們刻意專心尋找智慧人，親近他們，側耳聽受智慧人的言語。

Ecclesiastes7：5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes9：17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
proverbs22：17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.

Sharing
It is a blessing to be rebuked by the wise especially in public for their words are usually hidden.  The words of the wise can not be heard in noisy parties.  Their words are often not pleasant and popular at the first.  The words usually carry a tone of reproach.  However, there are too few people in the world who are willing to rebuke us for the sake of our spiritual well-being.  May we search for the wise, get close to them and turn our ear to their sayings.   

Date: 9-4-2011

By: ELiza

傳 道 書 7:  11 智 慧 和 產 業 並 好 ， 而 且 見 天 日 的 人 得 智 慧 更 為 有 益 。

 12 因 為 智 慧 護 庇 人 ， 好 像 銀 錢 護 庇 人 一 樣 。 惟 獨 智 慧 能 保 全 智 慧 人 的 生 命 。 這 就 是 知 識 的 益 處 。

 13 你 要 察 看 　 神 的 作 為 ； 因  神 使 為 曲 的 ， 誰 能 變 為 直 呢 ？
 14 遇 亨 通 的 日 子 你 當 喜 樂 ； 遭 患 難 的 日 子 你 當 思 想 ； 因 為 　 神 使 這 兩 樣 並 列 ， 為 的 是 叫 人 查 不 出 身 後 有 甚 麼 事 。
Ecclesiastes 7: 11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
   and benefits those who see the sun.
12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
13 Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

Sharing: 敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端, 能以得著主,為滿足的人, 就能在百般的試練中, 都能有喜樂. 我們是否:能以得著主,為滿足的人?.. 什麼能使我們滿足., 儿女嗎.,? 世上的價值觀嗎.

Date: 9/3
By Wai
Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20.
 
18Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (ESV)
 
Sharing:
This verse let us realized these facts
1. Wealth and possesions are given by God.
2. The power to enjoy them is given by God.
3. The abilitiy to accept one lot and rejoice in his toil are also given by God. 
So what can one do ?
Let us stand in awe of Him and fear Him
 " 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God." Ecclesiastes 4:7
Date: 9/2
By Ling

傳 道 書 3:

11 神 造 万 物 ， 各 按 其 时 成 为 美 好 ， 又 将 永 生 （ 原 文 是 永 远 ） 安 置 在 世 人 心 里 。 然 而 　 神 从 始 至 终 的 作 为 ， 人 不 能 参 透 。
14 我 知 道 　 神 一 切 所 做 的 都 必 永 存 ； 无 所 增 添 ， 无 所 减 少 。 　 神 这 样 行 ， 是 要 人 在 他 面 前 存 敬 畏 的 心 。15 现 今 的 事 早 先 就 有 了 ， 将 来 的 事 早 已 也 有 了 ， 并 且 　 神 使 已 过 的 事 重 新 再 来 （ 或 译 ： 并 且 　 神 再 寻 回 已 过 的 事 ） 。

分享, 这几节圣经清楚的讲明了神有至高无上的主权. 当我们不明白神的作为时(尤其是我们在苦难之中时), 我们需要的是存 敬 畏 他的 心, 顺服神的带领. 当我们回过头再看时, 也许就能明白神早已预备. 一切有他的美意
Date: 9/1
By Yiheng

約 伯 記 40:8
 8 你 岂 可 废 弃 我 所 拟 定 的 ？ 岂 可 定 我 有 罪 ， 好 显 自 己 为 义 麽 ？

Sharing:  很多时候当我们问神"为什么, 为什么"的时候, 我们的心里其实是在埋怨神, 就象这里所说的定神的罪. 感谢神借着这段话来提醒我们,让我们知道自己是多么自以为义. 愿神怜悯我们, 饶恕我们的过犯.