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耶和華的意念

2023-07-03 in , /by

耶利米書 29:11 耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。

閱讀經文:  29:1-14

1 先知耶利米從耶路撒冷寄信於被擄的祭司、先知和眾民，並生存的長老，就是尼布甲尼撒從耶路撒冷擄到巴比倫去的。 2 （這在耶哥尼雅王和太后、太監，並猶大、耶路撒冷的首領，以及工匠、鐵匠都離了耶路撒冷以後。） 3 他藉沙番的兒子以利亞薩和希勒家的兒子基瑪利的手寄去，他們二人是猶大王西底家打發往巴比倫去見尼布甲尼撒王的。

從今天的經文裡去思想耶利米的心情。他沒有因為眾人不聽他的預言而嘲笑那些被擄的同胞。他大可以說：“我早就告訴你們要悔改，你們都不聽，看看現在落得什麼下場？真是活該！看你們以後還聽不聽耶和華的話！”相反地，耶利米寫了一封安慰鼓勵的信給那些被擄去巴比倫的人。

想想看那些被擄去的人當中有王室和貴族，還有一些有專門技藝的人，當他們被擄去異地時，心裡會有什麼想法？是否覺得很淒涼，以後要怎麼辦？何時重歸故園？在異地會受到怎樣的對待？許多問題都在心裡發悶，憂愁。但是在這之前，他們沒有想到，在他們之前，神已經把但以理和他的朋友們安插在王宮裡，甚至已經讓他們做了巴比倫的高官。但以理在約雅敬第三年被擄到巴比倫，那是尼布甲尼撒登基的那年。第二年他就被升做總理了。

When You Love Others in Little Ways, It Makes a Big Difference

2023-07-02 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Colossians 4:7-18.   Let’s go!

Colossians 4:7-14 (NIV)
7  Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8  I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
9  He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

On verses 7-14: Paul had just finished telling the Colossians in verse 6 that their conversation should be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt”. Now in verses 7-14 we see Paul practicing what he preaches as he speaks graciously about his co-workers.

As Paul describes each of his co-workers, notice how he speaks only good things about them to the Colossian church. He calls Tychicus “a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord” (v7-8). He calls Onesimus “our faithful and dear brother” (v9). He says Aristarchus, Mark and Justus are “a comfort” to him (v10-11). When talking about Epaphras, he calls him “a servant of Christ Jesus” who “is always wrestling in prayer for you” (v12) and who is “working hard for you” (v13). He calls Dr. Luke, the one who wrote the gospel of Luke, “our dear friend” (v14).

木軛換鐵軛

2023-07-02 in , /by

耶利米書 28:9  先知預言的平安，到話語成就的時候，人便知道他真是耶和華所差來的。

閱讀經文:  28:1-17

1 當年，就是猶大王西底家登基第四年五月，基遍人押朔的兒子先知哈拿尼雅，在耶和華的殿中當著祭司和眾民對我說： 2 「萬軍之耶和華以色列的神如此說：我已經折斷巴比倫王的軛。 3 二年之內，我要將巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒從這地掠到巴比倫的器皿，就是耶和華殿中的一切器皿，都帶回此地。 4 我又要將猶大王約雅敬的兒子耶哥尼雅和被擄到巴比倫去的一切猶大人，帶回此地，因為我要折斷巴比倫王的軛。這是耶和華說的。」

從這一章經文的解釋，我們對前一章所發生的事有進一步的理解，確定這是在西底家第四年所發生的事情。看到耶利米負軛，先知哈拿尼雅做了一件似乎是很有義氣的事。他上前取下耶利米頸項上的軛，把它折斷，然後預言耶和華也要如此折斷巴比倫王的軛，何等地戲劇化。在眾人面前，他何等威風啊！

同樣是先知，為何不能說耶和華的話臨到他呢？這就要測試眾人的分辨力了。現在社會上也有很多掛羊頭賣狗肉的“基督教”，他們高舉《聖經》想引人入門，但是一入門後就把自己的那一套取代《聖經》。我們對《聖經》的認識有多少？我們有分辨的能力嗎？基督徒的失敗，往往不是因為外力的介入，而是本身對神話語的陌生，以致無法知道自己應該有怎樣的立場。因此基於“人道”的立場，為撒旦助陣，還覺得自己人偏激。

You Can Reach People Who Are New To Church

2023-06-30 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Colossians 4:1-6.   Let’s go!

Colossians 4:1 (NIV)
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

On verse 1: If you’re a boss who employs others, verse 1 applies to you. Provide your employees with what is right and fair. Don’t take advantage of your employees by low-balling them. Pay them a good, right and fair wage. And why? It’s not just for their good. Even more, it’s because we all have a Master, a boss in heaven who is committed to taking good care of us and who expects us to do the same with those we employ.

繩索與軛的比喻

2023-06-30 in , /by

耶利米書 26:16b  這人是不該死的，因為他是奉耶和華我們神的名向我們說話。

閱讀經文:  26:1-24

1 猶大王約西亞的兒子約雅敬登基的時候，有這話從耶和華臨到耶利米說： 2 「耶和華如此說：你站在耶和華殿的院內，對猶大眾城邑的人，就是到耶和華殿來禮拜的，說我所吩咐你的一切話，一字不可刪減。 3 或者他們肯聽從，各人回頭離開惡道，使我後悔，不將我因他們所行的惡想要施行的災禍降於他們。

在約雅敬登基之際，遙遠的巴比倫也有了新王，那就是尼布甲尼撒。此時的猶大被埃及緊緊控制住，埃及法老尼哥廢了猶大人立的新王約哈斯，另立約西亞的二子以利亞敬為王，給他改名約雅敬。在這種奇妙的關係裡，耶利米出現了，他有祭司的身份，進耶和華殿的院內毫無問題。他向所有到聖殿來的人開講，叫他們悔改，遠離惡道，神就不降災禍。

這件事很有意思，耶利米是向來聖殿敬拜的人發言，不是在聖殿之外發言。我們可能都會認為，有去聖殿敬拜的，不該都是敬畏神的人嗎？那時候去聖殿要獻贖罪祭、贖愆祭、燔祭，等等。而且祭司在為眾人獻祭之前，不是要先為自己獻祭贖罪嗎？為何神說這些人不聽從祂，不遵行神的律法呢？這些原本是百姓中被神揀選出來服事神的人，神要叫他們回頭離開惡道？

耶利米該不該死

2023-06-29 in , /by

耶利米書 26:16b  這人是不該死的，因為他是奉耶和華我們神的名向我們說話。

閱讀經文:  26:1-24

1 猶大王約西亞的兒子約雅敬登基的時候，有這話從耶和華臨到耶利米說： 2 「耶和華如此說：你站在耶和華殿的院內，對猶大眾城邑的人，就是到耶和華殿來禮拜的，說我所吩咐你的一切話，一字不可刪減。 3 或者他們肯聽從，各人回頭離開惡道，使我後悔，不將我因他們所行的惡想要施行的災禍降於他們。

在約雅敬登基之際，遙遠的巴比倫也有了新王，那就是尼布甲尼撒。此時的猶大被埃及緊緊控制住，埃及法老尼哥廢了猶大人立的新王約哈斯，另立約西亞的二子以利亞敬為王，給他改名約雅敬。在這種奇妙的關係裡，耶利米出現了，他有祭司的身份，進耶和華殿的院內毫無問題。他向所有到聖殿來的人開講，叫他們悔改，遠離惡道，神就不降災禍。

這件事很有意思，耶利米是向來聖殿敬拜的人發言，不是在聖殿之外發言。我們可能都會認為，有去聖殿敬拜的，不該都是敬畏神的人嗎？那時候去聖殿要獻贖罪祭、贖愆祭、燔祭，等等。而且祭司在為眾人獻祭之前，不是要先為自己獻祭贖罪嗎？為何神說這些人不聽從祂，不遵行神的律法呢？這些原本是百姓中被神揀選出來服事神的人，神要叫他們回頭離開惡道？

Worshiping God in My Home, My Work and My Studies

2023-06-29 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Colossians 3:18-25.

Colossians 3:18-21 (NIV)
18  Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21  Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
 
On verses 18-21:  I love the simplicity of this passage.  Verses 18 to 21 show us that we all have a God-given role to play in making the home we live in a happy, healthy, God-honouring one.

On verses 22-25:  Verses 22-25 are verses I’ve tried to apply to my own life when studying and working, and I have benefited as a result. These verses show us that God cares about how we go about our work, whether it’s work we’re doing for pay, work for our family, our studies, or our volunteer work. Jesus wants to be at the centre of our work.

Do You Have a Life Verse?

2023-06-28 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Colossians 3:12-17. Some passages don’t need much explanation, just memorization!  Colossians 3:12-17 is one of those passages.  An excellent passage to memorize, I challenge you to memorize it!  You’ll be glad that you did.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

On verses 12-17:  Each of these verses is beautiful and could be a sermon on its own in terms of learning how to do each one.   If you’re wondering how to clothe yourself with virtues like kindness, humility, and gentleness (v12), check out our Sweeter Than Honey relationship series from 2017.  If you’re wondering how to do what verses 13-16 tell us to do, sign up for the next term of Thrive Discipleship School Level 2: Growing in Your Relationship with God.

一杯憤怒的酒

2023-06-28 in , /by

耶利米書  25:36  聽啊，有牧人呼喊，有群眾頭目哀號的聲音，因為耶和華使他們的草場變為荒場。

閱讀經文:  25:15-38

15 耶和華以色列的神對我如此說：「你從我手中接這杯憤怒的酒，使我所差遣你去的各國的民喝。 16 他們喝了就要東倒西歪，並要發狂，因我使刀劍臨到他們中間。」 17 我就從耶和華的手中接了這杯，給耶和華所差遣我去的各國的民喝， 18 就是耶路撒冷和猶大的城邑並耶路撒冷的君王與首領，使這城邑荒涼，令人驚駭、嗤笑、咒詛，正如今日一樣。

這一段文裡談到神對列邦的審判，原來神不是只審判以色列家，因為神的權柄遍及全地。這不禁使我想到神第一次審判全世界時，讓挪亞在眾人眼前建方舟。那時候挪亞雖然盡力勸眾人悔改，卻只有他一家得救。耶利米極力地傳達神的信息，但是耶路撒冷和猶大全地還是因為不肯悔改而滅亡了。其他的列邦列國，有誰會把神的話語聽進耳裡，像約拿時代的尼尼微城那樣悔改？所以我們努力傳福音是盡本分，但是別人能不能聽進去，我們不要太在意。人的心頑梗至極，若非聖靈動工，誰能得救？

猶大不是唯一喝到神的這杯憤怒之酒的國家，神預言有許多國家相繼會遭到巴比倫的攻擊和蹂躪，到最後巴比倫也要喝這杯來自神的憤怒之酒。示沙克是巴比倫的另一個名字。神掌權，神命定。所以他們應當順服，向巴比倫王投降，等日子滿足，神自然會向巴比倫討罪。這些國和民若肯聽從神的話，便可免於戰爭帶來的殺戳。這樣的信息，自然沒人肯領受，誰肯在沒有反抗，戰至最後一兵一卒之前就投降呢？神看眾人的性命為寶貴，眾人看自己的性命為草稭。

How to Put a Bad Habit to Death

2023-06-27 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Colossians 3:1-11.  Let’s go!

Colossians 3:1-10 (NIV)
1  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

On verses 1-10:  Yesterday we learned from Colossians 2:16-23 that our focus needs to be on Jesus, not on our own effort.  If that’s the case, should we still bother trying to become more holy, or trying to have a GAME time, or trying to go to church or small group? Yes, absolutely.  Paul is not saying “don’t work at all on your relationship with God” or “don’t try to grow spiritually”. He’s saying spend your effort and time on what really matters, which is becoming more like Christ.