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Keys to a Stronger Marriage

2023-06-06 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 5:22-33.

Ephesians 5:22-33 (NIV)
22  Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

On verses 22-33:  This passage is powerful as it gives us a greater appreciation for how Jesus loves us His bride, and a greater understanding of how a husband and wife should love one another.

Verses 25-27 tell us that Christ loved His church in two ways.
First, echoing language he uses elsewhere (e.g. Ephesians 5:1 and Galatians 2:20), Paul says that Jesus loved his bride in the most practical way when He “gave Himself up for her” (v25).  Jesus’ love for us is a selfless, sacrificial, serving, “get your hands dirty” kind of love.  But that’s not all.

人的道路不由自己

2023-06-05 in , /by

耶利米書10:11  你們要對他們如此說：「不是那創造天地的神，必從地上從天下被除滅。」

閱讀經文: 10:1-25

1 以色列家啊，要聽耶和華對你們所說的話！ 2 耶和華如此說：「你們不要效法列國的行為，也不要為天象驚惶，因列國為此事驚惶。 3 眾民的風俗是虛空的，他們在樹林中用斧子砍伐一棵樹，匠人用手工造成偶像。 4 他們用金銀裝飾它，用釘子和錘子釘穩，使它不動搖。 5 它好像棕樹，是鏇成的，不能說話不能行走，必須有人抬著。你們不要怕它，它不能降禍，也無力降福。」

在你的心中，偶像和耶和華神的區別在哪裡？在這段經文裡，神把祂自己和偶像做了一個對比。1,偶像是由木頭、金銀等裝飾而成；耶和華是永活的真神。2,偶像不能說話不能行走它不能降禍，也無力降福；耶和華神有能力，有權柄，用能力創造大地，用智慧建立世界。雖然如此，有人相信偶像有邪靈的成份，可以幫助他們名成利就。

所以再區別下去，就很容易看出，藉著偶像來欺瞞世人的邪靈，是藉著人的短視來賺取人無知的敬拜；而耶和華真神賜給人的，不僅是今生的福份，更有將來的永生。但是因著人的貪婪，無知和短視，所以人只看得到眼前有的，不去思考那看不見的真神才是永恒。簡單而言，人就是自己心中的偶像，人想要什麼，只要有捷徑，即使出賣靈魂也在所不惜。因為他們要的是今生的榮華富貴，他們為的是好看的面子。就像人為木雕的偶像鍍上金銀，好讓它顯得風光。

Live Life to the Fullest

2023-06-05 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage in Ephesians 5:15-21 gives us some important advice on how to live life to the fullest.  Let’s go.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) 
15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

On verses 15-17:  What does Paul mean when he says “the days are evil”?  He means that the age we live in is full of traps that can take people off track — distractions, deceptions and temptations.  Time is limited.  So rather than being unwise (v15) and foolish (v17), wasting our lives on things that will not matter in the end, we are to understand what God’s will is (v17) and make the most of every opportunity to do God’s will and to fulfill our God-given calling.  Don’t spend your life worrying and chasing after things that will not matter in the end.  Instead spend your life on God’s purposes: worship Jesus, grow in intimacy with Him, serve Him, lead others to Him, and live a life of love.

心受割禮

2023-06-04 in , /by

耶利米書9:23   耶和華如此說：智慧人不要因他的智慧誇口，勇士不要因他的勇力誇口，財主不要因他的財物誇口。

閱讀經文: 9:17-26

17 萬軍之耶和華如此說：「你們應當思想，將善唱哀歌的婦女召來，又打發人召善哭的婦女來。 18 叫她們速速為我們舉哀，使我們眼淚汪汪，使我們的眼皮湧出水來。 19 因為聽見哀聲出於錫安說：『我們怎樣敗落了！我們大大地慚愧，我們撇下地土，人也拆毀了我們的房屋。』」 20 婦女們哪，你們當聽耶和華的話，領受他口中的言語；又當教導你們的兒女舉哀，各人教導鄰舍唱哀歌。

專業哭喪不只是古代近東流傳甚廣的習俗，就是在兩岸三地也有這種專業哭喪的工作。善唱哀歌和善哭的婦女，便是指這種專業哭喪。職業只要問清死者的一些狀況，便可為其子女或親人作詞哀哭。當然，他們哭的時候，很少有真的眼淚。但他們可以把詞編得很生動，讓聽到的人都悲從中來，不知不覺也跟著哭了。當然，也有哭錯喪家的笑話，發現哭錯喪家了，趕快收聲，找對了再哭。

所以神叫他們去找這些專業哭喪者來幫忙，讓耶路撒冷的居民知道他們的情況何等可憐；希望藉著這些唱哀歌和善哭的婦女，喚醒猶大人心裡的知覺，不要再沉迷於平安的假象之中。當然，這也是一種諷刺，那些婦女心中豈有真的悲哀嗎？不然，她們只是為了錢才哭的，虛情假意，正是社會的現象。

Your New Identity in Christ and The Power of Confessing Your Sins

2023-06-04 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

We can learn some powerful lessons from today’s passage: Ephesians 5:8-14.  Let’s go!

Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) 
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 

On verse 8: Before Christ came into our lives, we were in the dark.  But with Jesus Christ in your life, not only do you have the light, but verse 8 says you are the light.  Just as Jesus is the light of the world (John 9:5), so His followers are the light too (Matthew 5:11).  That’s who you are now: “light in the Lord”.  So embrace your new identity in Christ as “children of light”. 

Ephesians 5:9 (NIV) 
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 

On verse 9:  Whenever you live out your new identity in Christ, the effect is that you bear fruit!  Your life becomes a blessing and an encouragement to others, a reminder of all the things that Jesus is — goodness, righteousness and truth.  

A Life of Love

2023-06-02 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 5:1-7.  Let’s go!

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) 
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

On verses 1-2:  This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible.  It’s worth memorizing!  Not only is this verse beautifully written; it’s also a great summary of what it means to be a Christian.   It sums up some of the big truths that Paul writes about elsewhere:

– that we are dearly loved children in God’s eyes

– that Jesus showed us His love in the most practical way: He gave Himself up for us as a sacrifice to pay for our sins (This verse reminds me of Galatians 2:20 where Paul says that it was Jesus “who loved me and gave himself up for me”)

– that, in response to God’s love for us, we are called to be like God and to love the way He did. (Earlier in Ephesians 4:24 Paul tells us we are created to be like God in righteousness and holiness.  Here he tells us we are called to be like God in how we love too.)

頑梗的心有何益處

2023-06-02 in , /by

耶利米書8:20  麥秋已過，夏令已完，我們還未得救！

閱讀經文: 8:1-22

1 耶和華說：「到那時，人必將猶大王的骸骨和他首領的骸骨、祭司的骸骨、先知的骸骨並耶路撒冷居民的骸骨，都從墳墓中取出來， 2 拋散在日頭、月亮和天上眾星之下，就是他們從前所喜愛、所侍奉、所隨從、所求問、所敬拜的。這些骸骨不再收殮，不再葬埋，必在地面上成為糞土。 3 並且這惡族所剩下的民在我所趕他們到的各處，寧可揀死不揀生。」這是萬軍之耶和華說的。

不管是古代或現代，人對死者的骸骨都有一定的尊重。即使不能厚葬，那些無人認領的屍體也有一定的去處，總不會把屍骨到處亂丟。但是因為猶大人離棄了耶和華神，所以不但命定的滅亡將來臨，連那些已經在墳墓的，也會受到拜偶像的報應。

在戰役之中，挖屍刨墳是常有的事。一來為了表示得勝者的威風，要刻意侮辱被打敗的人；二來風聞歷代君王貴族或富人在下葬時，免不了有金銀珠寶的陪葬，所以趁機撈一筆。

因為他們在生前祭拜日頭、月亮和天上眾星，所以神就任憑他們的屍骨暴露在地面上，看看他們所拜的能為他們做些什麼？當然，太陽月亮和星星都是受造於神，實在不能做什麼，所以這些拜偶像的人之骸骨必在地面上成為糞土。讓猶大人看看他們揀死不揀生的結局。

8 Habits for Healthy Relationships

2023-06-01 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 4:25-32.  Let’s go!

Today’s passage is Ephesians 4:25-32.  There are so many relevant truths to apply from this one passage.  For a teacher of God’s Word it’s hard to pick just one to focus on!  That’s how rich this passage is.
 
Ephesians 4:25-32 (NIV)
25  Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27  and do not give the devil a foothold.
28  He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

On verses 25-32:  This passage contains 8 essential habits for healthy relationships.  Which one of these relationship tips do you especially need to apply today?

揀死不揀生

2023-06-01 in , /by

耶利米書8:20  麥秋已過，夏令已完，我們還未得救！

閱讀經文: 8:1-22

1 耶和華說：「到那時，人必將猶大王的骸骨和他首領的骸骨、祭司的骸骨、先知的骸骨並耶路撒冷居民的骸骨，都從墳墓中取出來， 2 拋散在日頭、月亮和天上眾星之下，就是他們從前所喜愛、所侍奉、所隨從、所求問、所敬拜的。這些骸骨不再收殮，不再葬埋，必在地面上成為糞土。 3 並且這惡族所剩下的民在我所趕他們到的各處，寧可揀死不揀生。」這是萬軍之耶和華說的。

不管是古代或現代，人對死者的骸骨都有一定的尊重。即使不能厚葬，那些無人認領的屍體也有一定的去處，總不會把屍骨到處亂丟。但是因為猶大人離棄了耶和華神，所以不但命定的滅亡將來臨，連那些已經在墳墓的，也會受到拜偶像的報應。

在戰役之中，挖屍刨墳是常有的事。一來為了表示得勝者的威風，要刻意侮辱被打敗的人；二來風聞歷代君王貴族或富人在下葬時，免不了有金銀珠寶的陪葬，所以趁機撈一筆。

因為他們在生前祭拜日頭、月亮和天上眾星，所以神就任憑他們的屍骨暴露在地面上，看看他們所拜的能為他們做些什麼？當然，太陽月亮和星星都是受造於神，實在不能做什麼，所以這些拜偶像的人之骸骨必在地面上成為糞土。讓猶大人看看他們揀死不揀生的結局。

太不聽話囉！

2023-05-31 in , /by

耶利米書7:23   我只吩咐他們這一件，說：『你們當聽從我的話，我就做你們的神，你們也做我的子民。你們行我所吩咐的一切道，就可以得福。』

閱讀經文:  7:21-34

21 萬軍之耶和華以色列的神如此說：「你們將燔祭加在平安祭上，吃肉吧！ 22 因為我將你們列祖從埃及地領出來的那日，燔祭平安祭的事我並沒有提說，也沒有吩咐他們。 23 我只吩咐他們這一件，說：『你們當聽從我的話，我就做你們的神，你們也做我的子民。你們行我所吩咐的一切道，就可以得福。』

在什麼時刻，你會亮出自己嚇人的招牌呢？在教會裡有很多弟兄姐妹行事為人都很低調，雖然是出名的鋼琴家或什麼主任的，也都平易近人。但是一旦到了社會上，你可能會發現，亮出招牌，有時會有意想不到的效果，辦事會容易一點。因為大多數人都是只敬羅裳不敬人，或只看職位不認人。所以你若是醫生或律師或校長，一亮出招牌，立刻就會感受到對方態度的改變。今天你會發現，神也拿出了一面招牌：萬軍之耶和華以色列的神。

萬軍之耶和華是指God-of-the-Angel-Armies（天使天軍之神）。假如今天加拿大或美國的三軍統帥來跟你說話，你聽不聽呢？平常看到警察就嚇得魂不附體的小民，一旦看到滿身勳章的大老爺，豈能不恭敬地相迎，每一句話都至少記上三遍，哪敢掉以輕心？所以這意思是，假如你害怕人間的執掌權柄的人，那就更要小心，那執掌天上地下權勢的，萬軍之耶和華。