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This Makes Me Wanna Shout

2023-05-23 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 2:1-10.  Let’s go!

In Ephesus 2:1-10 we find one of the best summaries of the Gospel anywhere in the Bible.  Here Paul summarizes the core message of Christianity.  When I read Ephesians 2:1-10 with an open heart, it makes me want to shout and cheer because of how incredibly good and undeservingly kind God has been to us.  Praise God!

Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV)
1  As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.

On verses 1-5:  These verses show us the “before” and “after” pictures of what happens when we place our faith in Jesus Christ.

BEFORE:  We were dead in our sins (v1).
AFTER:    God made us alive with Christ (v5).

There is Resurrection Power in You

2023-05-22 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 1:11-23.  Let’s go!

Ephesians 1:11 (NIV) 
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will

On verse 11:  Here Paul tells us that God works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.  Everything.  That includes the biggest mistakes, failures, hurts, disappointments, accidents, tragedies, and heartbreaks we will ever experience.  Nothing is a surprise to God.  As Pastor Rick Warren says, “God never wastes a hurt.”  He uses it all to accomplish His purpose in this world and in our lives.

背道的病

2023-05-22 in , /by

耶利米書3:18  當那些日子，猶大家要和以色列家同行，從北方之地一同來到我賜給你們列祖為業之地。

閱讀經文：3:11-25

11 耶和華對我說：「背道的以色列比奸詐的猶大還顯為義。 12 你去向北方宣告說：『耶和華說：背道的以色列啊，回來吧！我必不怒目看你們，因為我是慈愛的，我必不永遠存怒。這是耶和華說的。 13 只要承認你的罪孽，就是你違背耶和華你的神，在各青翠樹下向別神東奔西跑，沒有聽從我的話。這是耶和華說的。 14 耶和華說：背道的兒女啊，回來吧！因為我做你們的丈夫，並且我必將你們從一城取一人，從一族取兩人，帶到錫安。

假如你對以色列和猶大南北國有一個基本的理解，可能會奇怪為何神說背道的以色列比奸詐的猶大還顯為義？因為以色列北國從耶羅波安執政開始，沒有一個王，一個也沒有，願意敬畏神的。耶羅波安造了兩個金牛犢取代了對耶和華神的敬拜，從此北國的王和百姓都拜偶像和假神。到了亞哈的時候，他的妻子耶洗別更引進亞斯他錄、巴力等等異邦的神，公然地取代對耶和華神的敬拜。耶羅波安還自定節期，自設祭司。真是一個比一個壞，罄竹難書。

虛情假意

2023-05-21 in , /by

耶利米書3:9   因以色列輕忽了她的淫亂，和石頭木頭行淫，地就被玷污了。

閱讀經文：3:1-10

1「有話說，人若休妻，妻離他而去，做了別人的妻，前夫豈能再收回她來？若收回她來，那地豈不是大大玷污了嗎？但你和許多親愛的行邪淫，還可以歸向我。」這是耶和華說的。 2 「你向淨光的高處舉目觀看，你在何處沒有淫行呢？你坐在道旁等候，好像阿拉伯人在曠野埋伏一樣，並且你的淫行、邪惡玷污了全地。 3 因此甘霖停止，春雨不降，你還是有娼妓之臉，不顧羞恥。 4 從今以後，你豈不向我呼叫說：『我父啊，你是我幼年的恩主！ 5 耶和華豈永遠懷怒，存留到底嗎？』看哪，你又發惡言又行壞事，隨自己的私意而行。」

你是否會覺得奇怪，為什麼神用淫亂來形容以色列人的背道？淫亂對我們而言，是指性生活的不潔淨，在婚姻之外的性生活，這和拜偶像有何關係呢？拜偶像不是屬於信仰，也就是靈性生活的部份嗎？有時我們無法把性生活淫亂和信仰的不同聯想在一起。這是有原因的。

其一，因為在古時候的迦南地，那些外邦人拜的假神巴力、亞斯他勒、摩洛等等，都摻雜著很多淫亂的儀式。人們盼望農作物的收成豐盛，就以為是靠假神的活力去祝福他們。所以他們要在廟裡舉行淫亂的儀式，為了刺激他們想像中的假神醒過來幫助他們。所以他們的廟裡都有很多廟妓和孌童。

8 Parts to Your Identity

2023-05-21 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin Ephesians, one of the most important letters in the New Testament.  Written around 60 AD, Ephesians is a letter by Paul to the church he started in the city of Ephesus.

Today’s passage is Ephesians 1:1-10.  Let’s go!

Ephesians 1:1-10 (NIV)
1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

On verses 1-10:  After identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ and greeting his church (v1-2), Paul begins by giving praise to God (v3).  Then in verses 4-10, Paul describes some of the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ: how He chose us (v4), predestined us to be adopted as his sons and daughters (v5), redeemed us (bought us back) with His precious blood (v7), forgave our sins (v7), lavished His grace on us (v7-8), and is making His will known to us (v9).

The Difference Between Christianity and Other Faiths

2023-05-19 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Galatians 6:11-18.  Let’s go!

Galatians 6:11-18 (NIV)
11  See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12  Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13  Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
14  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15  Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.
16  Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
17  Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

On verses 11-18:  As a final word to the churches in Galatia, Paul sums up the main message of his letter: It’s not circumcision or uncircumcision that justifies me (v13, 15).  It is not my own efforts to obey God’s laws that save me.  It’s only the cross of Jesus Christ that gives me right standing before God (v14) – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”.

狂奔亂走的獨峰駝

2023-05-19 in , /by

耶利米書2:21  然而我栽你是上等的葡萄樹，全然是真種子，你怎麼向我變為外邦葡萄樹的壞枝子呢？

閱讀經文：2:4-19

20 「我在古時折斷你的軛，解開你的繩索，你說：『我必不侍奉耶和華！』因為你在各高岡上、各青翠樹下屈身行淫。21 然而我栽你是上等的葡萄樹，全然是真種子，你怎麼向我變為外邦葡萄樹的壞枝子呢？ 22 你雖用鹼，多用肥皂洗濯，你罪孽的痕跡仍然在我面前顯出。」這是主耶和華說的。 23 「你怎能說『我沒有玷汙，沒有隨從眾巴力』？你看你谷中的路，就知道你所行的如何。你是快行的獨峰駝，狂奔亂走。

2017年8月21日，在北美，大家爭相觀看百年一遇的日全蝕；在8月12日附近幾天，也相傳是流星雨最多的日子。許多人拍到了天象奇觀，爭著傳給朋友觀看。在讚嘆自然界的奇妙之際，我也正好靈修到〈啟示錄〉第六章：“揭開第六印的時候，我又看見地大震動，日頭變黑像毛布，滿月變紅像血， 天上的星辰墜落於地，如同無花果樹被大風搖動，落下未熟的果子一樣。 天就挪移，好像書卷被捲起來；山嶺海島都被挪移離開本位。 地上的君王、臣宰、將軍、富戶、壯士，和一切為奴的、自主的，都藏在山洞和巖石穴裏， 向山和巖石說：倒在我們身上吧！把我們藏起來，躲避坐寶座者的面目和羔羊的忿怒； 因為他們忿怒的大日到了，誰能站得住呢？（12-17節）”何等巧合！

因此在欣賞流星雨和日蝕的現象時，我不知該和他人一樣興奮，或是有警覺性的悲哀？這只是天道循環的一例，或是上天有意的警告？若是後者，誰能把我們藏起來，躲避坐寶座者的面目和羔羊的忿怒？在耶利米書第二章，神把祂子民的惡行惡性顯露無遺。我們有時以為自己可以不理會創造者的心意，但是當我們看到神所揭露的，人之原形時，還能為自己辯解什麼？

活水的泉源

2023-05-18 in , /by

耶利米書2:13  因為我的百姓做了兩件惡事，就是離棄我這活水的泉源，為自己鑿出池子，是破裂不能存水的池子。

閱讀經文：2:4-19

4 雅各家，以色列家的各族啊，你們當聽耶和華的話！ 5 耶和華如此說：「你們的列祖見我有什麼不義，竟遠離我，隨從虛無的神，自己成為虛妄的呢？ 6 他們也不說：『那領我們從埃及地上來，引導我們經過曠野，沙漠有深坑之地，和乾旱死蔭，無人經過、無人居住之地的耶和華，在哪裡呢？』 7 我領你們進入肥美之地，使你們得吃其中的果子和美物，但你們進入的時候就玷汙我的地，使我的產業成為可憎的。 8 祭司都不說：『耶和華在哪裡呢？』傳講律法的都不認識我，官長違背我，先知藉巴力說預言，隨從無益的神。」

著名的基督教作家楊腓力，曾在他的部落格上放了一篇文章：兩個家庭的故事。這個家庭非常注重聖經舊約的教導：例如：孝順父母、敬畏神、不要抱怨，諸如此類的教導，他們的父母很少提到新約的恩典和愛。當他們的孩子到了婚嫁之期時，父母唯一的告誡就是：“假如你的婚姻失敗了，就不要回來。你已經在神面前起誓，就要守約到底。”這個家庭裡有兩個女兒，一名茱莉，一名安蓮。

茱莉有了孩子之後，也按著父母的方法去教導她的孩子們。果然各個孩子長大後都循規蹈矩，都選擇了以助人為本的行業裡，頗有成就。但是他們都有自我形象的問題，覺得自己永遠做得不夠好。

Be Good to Your Spiritual Family

2023-05-18 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Galatians 6:1-10.  Let’s go!

Galatians 6:1-10 (NIV)
1  Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3  If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4  Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
5  for each one should carry his own load.

On verses 1-10:   Sometimes we can take our church family, like our own immediate family, for granted.  Here Paul reminds us that, for as long as we live, we should do good to all people, but especially our spiritual family (v10).  That includes:

– if someone sins and is genuinely repentant, restoring that person gently by showing them the grace, mercy and forgiveness that God showed you and me (v1)

– carrying each other’s burdens (v2)

– looking at yourself with humility and sober judgment (v3)

– not playing the comparison game, always measuring how you match up with others (v4)

– taking responsibility for one’s own life rather than burdening others unnecessarily (v5)

Which One Will You Be Full Of ?

2023-05-17 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Galatians 5:19-26.  Let’s go!

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
19  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

On verses 19-21:  Paul lists a number of examples of what it looks like when people live according to their sinful nature.  These examples can possibly be broadly categorized as sexual sins (“sexual immorality, impurity [referring likely to an impure thought life] and debauchery”), sins of the spirit (“idolatry and witchcraft”), sins related to poor management of our emotions and relationships (“hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions”) and other sins (“drunkenness, orgies and the like”).  When Paul says that “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (v21), he doesn’t mean that if you engage in sin after being saved that such sin will automatically disqualify you from God’s kingdom.  Rather, Paul is likely saying that those who live without any regard for holiness, who treat God’s grace as an excuse to sin even more, have misunderstood the Gospel and were probably never saved in the first place.