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The Most Important Key to Successful Living

2024-01-21 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 2 Peter 1:12-21.  It is one of my favourite passage in all the Bible and is packed with powerful truths.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below.

2 Peter 1:12-15 (NIV) 
12  So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14  because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15  And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

On verses 12-15:  Why is Peter so set on reminding his readers about these things?  Is it because he has nothing new to say?  No, it’s because in Peter’s mind there is nothing more important for him to do at this late stage of his life than to remind Christians that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life (v3), that trusting in God’s divine promises is the key to experiencing God’s power and living out God’s destiny for our lives (v4), and that being an effective, fruitful Christian is not just about having faith but about being intentional about growing in Christ-like character (v5-11).

万军之耶和华的话

2024-01-21 in , /by

撒迦利亚书 8:3 耶和华如此说：我现在回到锡安，要住在耶路撒冷中。耶路撒冷必称为诚实的城，万军之耶和华的山必称为圣山。

阅读经文: 撒迦利亚书 8:1-8

1 万军之耶和华的话临到我说： 2 「万军之耶和华如此说：我为锡安心里极其火热，我为她火热，向她的仇敌发烈怒。

3 耶和华如此说：我现在回到锡安，要住在耶路撒冷中。耶路撒冷必称为诚实的城，万军之耶和华的山必称为圣山。

当时回归耶路撒冷的百姓处境十分艰难，也非常贫穷。但是在书1-6章的八大异象里，神让他们明白，他们的软弱和苦痛都是因为自身的罪恶所引起的。因此神要洁净大祭司约书亚的衣服，也要百姓不再偷窃和起假誓。神在八大异象中除去他们的罪，并应许为他们对付列邦的强权，也把辖制耶路撒冷的邪灵扔进容器，带回巴比伦。现在神回到锡安，住在耶路撒冷，要成就异象中的应许。

在第八章的第一段经文里，撒迦利亚写下神对他说的话。撒迦利亚一再重复，这是“万军之耶和华的话”，表示这些话必然成就。因为不是从随便一个人的口中说出的话，而是万军之耶和华的话，万军之耶和华的话绝不徒然返回。作为万军之统帅者，岂能有虚言？相信这些话必深深鼓励了在苦难中的回归之民。

伯特利人的疑问

2024-01-19 in , /by

撒迦利亚书 7:9  万军之耶和华如此说：你们要按真正的公平来审判，彼此以慈爱怜悯相待。

阅读经文: 撒迦利亚书 7:1-14

1 大流士王第四年九月，就是基斯流月初四，耶和华的话临到撒迦利亚。 2 那时伯特利人已经差遣沙利色和利坚‧米勒，并他们的人，去恳求耶和华的恩， 3 问万军之耶和华殿中的祭司，又问先知：「我当如历年以来所行，在五月哭泣斋戒吗？」

〈撒迦利亚书〉前六章里讲到先知看到的八个异象和一个先知性的行动，通通指向一件事，就是神的新国度将要开始。所罗巴伯回去建殿立了根基，之后被迫停工，一停就15年。之后神兴起先知哈该及撒迦利亚鼓励他们，要他们重新建造圣殿，他们就重新开工。来到这一章他们已经开工了两年，现在是大利乌王第四年。

他们在重建的过程中有一个先知性行动，就是把金冠冕戴在大祭司约书亚的头上，并且宣告大卫的苗裔要出现及长大，祂要建造耶和华的殿并且担负尊荣，坐在自己的位上掌王权并作祭司，在两职之间筹定和平。这是一个划时代的改变。大祭司约书亚是利未人，利未人，即使坐到大祭司的位置也不会戴金冠冕，那是王的金冠冕。

God’s Power Has Given You Everything You Need

2024-01-19 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin the book of 2 Peter, a letter written by the apostle Peter before his death in approximately 67 to 68 A.D. to Christians everywhere.

Today’s passage is 2 Peter 1:1-11.  It is one of my favourite passage in all the Bible and is packed with powerful truths.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below.
 
2 Peter 1:1a (NIV) 
1  Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…
 
On verse 1a:  There is much to be learned from the way Peter identifies himself.  Notice that Peter calls himself both “a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ”.  In other words, Peter had both humility and authority.  What can we learn from this?  The best leaders walk with both humility and authority.  As children of God, always remember that we have been given authority to represent God, to speak on His behalf, and to pray in His name.  That is great authority. At the same time, let’s carry that authority with humility, knowing that we are given that authority not because we earned it but because of God’s grace.

Verses Worth Memorizing

2024-01-18 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 5:1-14.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below.
 
1 Peter 5:1-4 (NIV) 
1  To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 
2  Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 
3  not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 
4  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

On verses 1-4:  I encourage every parent, pastor, small group leader, team leader and anyone else who has the responsibility, passion or gift of shepherding others to meditate on these verses.  May they inform and transform the way you lead those in your care – with willingness (v2), an eagerness to serve (v2) and exemplary character (v3).  A crown of glory is waiting for you (v4).

建造耶和华的殿

2024-01-18 in , /by

撒迦利亚书 6:11 取这金银做冠冕，戴在约萨答的儿子大祭司约书亚的头上。

阅读经文: 撒迦利亚书 6:1-15

1 我又举目观看，见有四辆车从两山中间出来，那山是铜山。 2 第一辆车套著红马，第二辆车套著黑马， 3 第三辆车套着白马，第四辆车套著有斑点的壮马。 4 我就问与我说话的天使说：「主啊，这是什么意思？」 5 天使回答我说：「这是天的四风，是从普天下的主面前出来的。 6 套著黑马的车往北方去，白马跟随在后，有斑点的马往南方去。」 7 壮马出来，要在遍地走来走去。天使说：「你们只管在遍地走来走去。」牠们就照样行了。 8 他又呼叫我说：「看哪，往北方去的已在北方安慰我的心。」

本章1-8节是先知撒迦利亚所见的第八个异象，9-15节是一个先知性行动，这个行动的内容包括了前面的八个异象，从四马、四角和四个匠人的异象，到四车的异象。

「我又举目观看，见有四辆车从两山中间出来，那山是铜山。」(6:1) 这里有四辆战车，由四匹马套著，分别是红马、黑马、白马和有斑点的马，都是壮马。这四辆战车是代表神的大能，也是天的四风，代表圣灵的能力，是圣灵的使者。铜山，代表神的能力和审判。四辆战车从普天下的主面前出来，去到四方，黑马往北方，白的跟在后面，有斑点的马往南方去。「壮马出来，要在遍地走来走去。」(6:7a)

飞行书卷和量器中之妇

2024-01-17 in , /by

撒迦利亚书 5:1  我又举目观看，见有一飞行的书卷。

阅读经文: 撒迦利亚书 5:1-11

1 我又举目观看，见有一飞行的书卷。 2 他问我说：「你看见什么？」我回答说：「我看见一飞行的书卷，长二十肘，宽十肘。」 3 他对我说：「这是发出行在遍地上的咒诅，凡偷窃的必按卷上这面的话除灭，凡起假誓的必按卷上那面的话除灭。 4 万军之耶和华说：我必使这书卷出去，进入偷窃人的家和指我名起假誓人的家，必常在他家里，连房屋带木石都毁灭了。」

一、飞行书卷的异象(5:1-4)

这飞行书卷长二十肘，宽十肘 (即10×5码)，很大的一卷会飞行的羊皮书卷。以色列人被掳，经过七十年，他们的罪已经被对付，神的忿怒已经止息，然后神让他们归回。他们虽然已归回了十几年，但是他们没有安全感，当钱用得差不多，就开始犯罪，偷窃和起假誓，所以神不单要恩膏所罗巴伯和约书亚，更要洁净祂的百姓，对付他们的罪。飞行书卷遍地飞行，飞到每一个偷窃和起假誓的人家里，在那里发出咒诅，带来毁灭，将罪的惩罚释放出来，除去罪孽。百姓的罪必须要被对付，否则神不能同在。神要做洁净的工作，目的是要预备新的百姓。当然神的咒诅是可怕的，并且带来毁灭性，但是这是一个炼净的过程。

The Sweetness in Suffering for Jesus

2024-01-17 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 4:12-19.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below.
 
1 Peter 4:12-16 (NIV) 
12  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 
13  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 
14  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 
15  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 
16  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
 
On verses 12-16:  It shouldn’t surprise us or seem strange to us whenever we go through painful trials.  Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Since suffering and trouble are part of living life on earth, you might as well suffer trouble for the right reasons, says Peter, instead of for the wrong reasons (v15).  If you have to suffer, suffer because of your faith in Jesus. 

Can People Still Receive Salvation After They Die?

2024-01-16 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 4:1-11.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below.

1 Peter 4:1-3 (NIV) 
1  Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
2  As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
3  For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do–living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 

On verses 1-3:  What does Peter mean in verse 1 when he writes, “because whoever suffers in his body is done with sin”?  For us Christians, the moment we die physically is the moment we go to heaven and are done with sin and its ill effects.  Here Peter is saying: live that way now.  Think of your old life – the life you lived in the past before coming to Christ (v3) – as having died already.  Now you are living a new life that is controlled by Christ, not by sin, a life lived for the will of God, not for our own selfish desires (v2).

金灯台和橄榄树

2024-01-16 in , /by

撒迦利亚书4:6b  万军之耶和华说：不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵方能成事。

阅读经文: 撒迦利亚书 4:1-14

1 那与我说话的天使又来叫醒我，好像人睡觉被唤醒一样。 2 他问我说：「你看见了什么？」我说：「我看见了一个纯金的灯台，顶上有灯盏，灯台上有七盏灯，每盏有七个管子。 3 旁边有两棵橄榄树，一棵在灯盏的右边，一棵在灯盏的左边。」

先知在异象中也会睡着，可见人的灵多么容易疲倦。就好像主耶稣带门徒到客西马尼园时，主耶稣祷告到汗珠如大血点滴在地上，但是门徒通通睡着了。主把他们叫醒，再去祷告，他们又睡着了。直到犹大领兵丁前来捉耶稣，他们才大梦初醒。神怜悯我们，我们的灵常常会睡着，但是圣灵会叫醒我们。

在这章里，撒迦利亚看到了第五个异象，而这个异象是给所罗巴伯的。异象里的金灯台和圣殿里的金灯台有点不一样。异象中的金灯台多了三种东西：1.顶上有盛油的贮器（灯盏）;2.有管子盛灯芯；3.有两个金嘴输送灯油，每金嘴旁有一棵橄榄树。灯可以发亮是因为有油，使灯发亮的油是清橄榄油。在以色列，圣殿的金灯台也是使用清橄榄油。当时的清橄榄油要把橄榄压榨再炼净，杂质越少，油就越纯净，灯就可以更明亮。但是在撒迦利亚的异象中，金灯台可以直接用管子连在橄榄树上，源源不绝地吸收橄榄树里的油。这是什么意思呢？