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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).

萬軍之耶和華的話

2024-01-21 in , /by

撒迦利亞書 8:3 耶和華如此說：我現在回到錫安，要住在耶路撒冷中。耶路撒冷必稱為誠實的城，萬軍之耶和華的山必稱為聖山。

閱讀經文: 撒迦利亞書 8:1-8

1 萬軍之耶和華的話臨到我說： 2 「萬軍之耶和華如此說：我為錫安心裡極其火熱，我為她火熱，向她的仇敵發烈怒。

3 耶和華如此說：我現在回到錫安，要住在耶路撒冷中。耶路撒冷必稱為誠實的城，萬軍之耶和華的山必稱為聖山。

當時回歸耶路撒冷的百姓處境十分艱難，也非常貧窮。但是在書1-6章的八大異象裡，神讓他們明白，他們的軟弱和苦痛都是因為自身的罪惡所引起的。因此神要潔淨大祭司約書亞的衣服，也要百姓不再偷竊和起假誓。神在八大異象中除去他們的罪，並應許為他們對付列邦的強權，也把轄制耶路撒冷的邪靈扔進容器，帶回巴比倫。現在神回到錫安，住在耶路撒冷，要成就異象中的應許。

在第八章的第一段經文裡，撒迦利亞寫下神對他說的話。撒迦利亞一再重複，這是“萬軍之耶和華的話”，表示這些話必然成就。因為不是從隨便一個人的口中說出的話，而是萬軍之耶和華的話，萬軍之耶和華的話絕不徒然返回。作為萬軍之統帥者，豈能有虛言？相信這些話必深深鼓勵了在苦難中的回歸之民。

伯特利人的疑問

2024-01-19 in , /by

撒迦利亞書 7:9  萬軍之耶和華如此說：你們要按真正的公平來審判，彼此以慈愛憐憫相待。

閱讀經文: 撒迦利亞書 7:1-14

1 大流士王第四年九月，就是基斯流月初四，耶和華的話臨到撒迦利亞。 2 那時伯特利人已經差遣沙利色和利堅‧米勒，並他們的人，去懇求耶和華的恩， 3 問萬軍之耶和華殿中的祭司，又問先知：「我當如歷年以來所行，在五月哭泣齋戒嗎？」

〈撒迦利亞書〉前六章裡講到先知看到的八個異象和一個先知性的行動，通通指向一件事，就是神的新國度將要開始。所羅巴伯回去建殿立了根基，之後被迫停工，一停就15年。之後神興起先知哈該及撒迦利亞鼓勵他們，要他們重新建造聖殿，他們就重新開工。來到這一章他們已經開工了兩年，現在是大利烏王第四年。

他們在重建的過程中有一個先知性行動，就是把金冠冕戴在大祭司約書亞的頭上，並且宣告大衛的苗裔要出現及長大，祂要建造耶和華的殿並且擔負尊榮，坐在自己的位上掌王權並作祭司，在兩職之間籌定和平。這是一個劃時代的改變。大祭司約書亞是利未人，利未人，即使坐到大祭司的位置也不會戴金冠冕，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).

建造耶和華的殿

2024-01-18 in , /by

撒迦利亞書 6:11 取這金銀做冠冕，戴在約薩答的兒子大祭司約書亞的頭上。

閱讀經文: 撒迦利亞書 6:1-15

1 我又舉目觀看，見有四輛車從兩山中間出來，那山是銅山。 2 第一輛車套著紅馬，第二輛車套著黑馬， 3 第三輛車套著白馬，第四輛車套著有斑點的壯馬。 4 我就問與我說話的天使說：「主啊，這是什麼意思？」 5 天使回答我說：「這是天的四風，是從普天下的主面前出來的。 6 套著黑馬的車往北方去，白馬跟隨在後，有斑點的馬往南方去。」 7 壯馬出來，要在遍地走來走去。天使說：「你們只管在遍地走來走去。」牠們就照樣行了。 8 他又呼叫我說：「看哪，往北方去的已在北方安慰我的心。」

本章1-8節是先知撒迦利亞所見的第八個異象，9-15節是一個先知性行動，這個行動的內容包括了前面的八個異象，從四馬、四角和四個匠人的異象，到四車的異象。

「我又舉目觀看，見有四輛車從兩山中間出來，那山是銅山。」(6:1) 這裡有四輛戰車，由四匹馬套著，分別是紅馬、黑馬、白馬和有斑點的馬，都是壯馬。這四輛戰車是代表神的大能，也是天的四風，代表聖靈的能力，是聖靈的使者。銅山，代表神的能力和審判。四輛戰車從普天下的主面前出來，去到四方，黑馬往北方，白的跟在後面，有斑點的馬往南方去。「壯馬出來，要在遍地走來走去。」(6:7a)

飛行書卷和量器中之婦

2024-01-17 in , /by

撒迦利亞書 5:1  我又舉目觀看，見有一飛行的書卷。

閱讀經文: 撒迦利亞書 5:1-11

1 我又舉目觀看，見有一飛行的書卷。 2 他問我說：「你看見什麼？」我回答說：「我看見一飛行的書卷，長二十肘，寬十肘。」 3 他對我說：「這是發出行在遍地上的咒詛，凡偷竊的必按卷上這面的話除滅，凡起假誓的必按卷上那面的話除滅。 4 萬軍之耶和華說：我必使這書卷出去，進入偷竊人的家和指我名起假誓人的家，必常在他家裡，連房屋帶木石都毀滅了。」

一、飛行書卷的異象(5:1-4)

這飛行書卷長二十肘，寬十肘 (即10×5碼)，很大的一卷會飛行的羊皮書卷。以色列人被擄，經過七十年，他們的罪已經被對付，神的忿怒已經止息，然後神讓他們歸回。他們雖然已歸回了十幾年，但是他們沒有安全感，當錢用得差不多，就開始犯罪，偷竊和起假誓，所以神不單要恩膏所羅巴伯和約書亞，更要潔淨祂的百姓，對付他們的罪。飛行書卷遍地飛行，飛到每一個偷竊和起假誓的人家裡，在那裡發出咒詛，帶來毁滅，將罪的懲罰釋放出來，除去罪孽。百姓的罪必須要被對付，否則神不能同在。神要做潔淨的工作，目的是要預備新的百姓。當然神的咒詛是可怕的，並且帶來毁滅性，但是這是一個煉淨的過程。

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).

金燈臺和橄欖樹

2024-01-16 in , /by

撒迦利亞書4:6b  萬軍之耶和華說：不是倚靠勢力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的靈方能成事。

閱讀經文: 撒迦利亞書 4:1-14

1 那與我說話的天使又來叫醒我，好像人睡覺被喚醒一樣。 2 他問我說：「你看見了什麼？」我說：「我看見了一個純金的燈臺，頂上有燈盞，燈臺上有七盞燈，每盞有七個管子。 3 旁邊有兩棵橄欖樹，一棵在燈盞的右邊，一棵在燈盞的左邊。」

先知在異象中也會睡著，可見人的靈多麼容易疲倦。就好像主耶穌帶門徒到客西馬尼園時，主耶穌禱告到汗珠如大血點滴在地上，但是門徒通通睡著了。主把他們叫醒，再去禱告，他們又睡著了。直到猶大領兵丁前來捉耶穌，他們才大夢初醒。神憐憫我們，我們的靈常常會睡著，但是聖靈會叫醒我們。

在這章裡，撒迦利亞看到了第五個異象，而這個異象是給所羅巴伯的。異象裡的金燈台和聖殿裡的金燈台有點不一樣。異象中的金燈台多了三種東西：1.頂上有盛油的貯器（燈盞）;2.有管子盛燈芯；3.有兩個金嘴輸送燈油，每金嘴旁有一棵橄欖樹。燈可以發亮是因為有油，使燈發亮的油是清橄欖油。在以色列，聖殿的金燈台也是使用清橄欖油。當時的清橄欖油要把橄欖壓榨再煉淨，雜質越少，油就越純淨，燈就可以更明亮。但是在撒迦利亞的異象中，金燈台可以直接用管子連在橄欖樹上，源源不絕地吸收橄欖樹裡的油。這是什麼意思呢？