Entries by

Let Your Life Reflects the Excellence of Jesus

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 3:8-16.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 3:8-9 (NIV) 
8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 

On verses 8-9:  In these verses Paul describes the qualifications that deacons must meet.  Deacons were special helpers to the overseer/pastor.  They would assist the overseer/pastor in caring for the flock and possibly also leading certain ministries in the church.

赐给我们日用的饮食

马太福音6:11_赐给我们日用的饮食

11 我们日用的饮食,今日赐给我们。 

假如你记得十诫的话,你可能会记得在十诫的前面四诫都是和神有关的教导,下面的六诫便是和人的关系。在主祷文里的秩序也是如此,前两句和神有关系,后面三句和人有关系。这就是宇宙间的秩序:神,人,物。任何一个秩序摆错了,生活就会频频出问题。所以你的生活若有问题,自己对照一下,自己生活的秩序是怎样安排的,那么你很快就可以找出问题在哪里,而重新调整你的生活。

主耶稣不是不看重人的需要,但是祂知道,人活着不是单靠食物,乃是靠着神口里所出的一切话。所以祷告时要先求神的国和神的义。神的国和义若临到我们身上,我们就非常有福气了。神的旨意若能运行在我们的生活中,如同行在天上,那么或许会感受到天人合一的无比喜乐。

愿祢的国降临

马太福音6:10_愿祢的国降临

10 愿祢的国降临,愿祢的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上。

不晓得这世界上有没有人真正满意自己的国家,对自己也是完全满意的?有的国家看起来很不错,但是住下来就会发现其中很多的瑕疵。根据2019年最佳国家报告,美国新闻与世界报导,BAV集团和宾夕法尼亚大学沃顿商学院的排名和分析,在八十个国家里,加拿大被选为第三个最好的国家,瑞典居冠,日本次之。在世界排列第三名,感觉应该相当好。但是真正住在加拿大的居民,可以告诉你很多加拿大的不好。

我想日本也是,仅管她拿了第二名,可是她也有很多问题。瑞典虽然居冠,也有很多问题。我有个朋友本来在那里找了个高薪的工作,但是住不到一年就全家搬回加拿大了。这些名次很好的国家都有一些相通的问题:税高、工作难找、租房困难、语言问题、性的开放和信仰的迷惘,等等,诸如此类,不胜枚举。

Leadership Begins with Character

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV) 
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 

On verse 1:   Paul is about to list the qualifications that a person must meet in order to be an “overseer” or, as other translations put it, a pastor, elder, or bishop in the church.  But before listing those qualifications, Paul first affirms that the work of a overseer/pastor is a noble work.  If you dream of being a leader in God’s kingdom because you want to serve others and use your life for God’s glory, that is definitely a noble dream and a good work.

我们在天上的父

马太福音6:9_我们在天上的父

9 所以,你们祷告要这样说:我们在天上的父,愿人都尊你的名为圣。 

主耶稣教我们祈祷,就好给了我们一个地图,一个指引。很多人说他们不会祷告,那么就可以从耶稣教我们的主祷文开始学起。

主祷文的第一句是:“我们在天上的父。”这句话很重要,因为你要知道祷告的对象是谁。我们,是指世上所有的人。祂不是只是信徒在天上的父,祂也是所有生命的父,因为祂是赐人生命的神,是我们生命的源头,所以祂是我们在天上的父亲。

有些人的父亲并没有做好父亲的本份,所以他们的子女一听到“我们在天上的父。”心里就害怕,拒绝,不想跟父亲有任关系。因为这样,我们更需要认识我们生命的本源之父,从祂那里我们才能对父亲有一个真正的概念,进而明白我们的生命何等宝贵,天上的父何等珍惜宝贵祂的每一个儿女。

Be a Humble Servant, Not a Distraction

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 2:8-15.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV) 
8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 

On verse 8:  Some people stereo typically think, “It’s the man’s job to work and the woman’s job to pray”.  But here Paul affirms that one of the most important things a man can do is to devote himself to prayer.  When a man devotes himself to prayer, he is much better able to lead in his home, to see things from God’s perspective, to bring God’s wisdom to situations and to model Christ to those in his care (especially his own family). 

论祷告

马太福音6:5-8_论祷告

5 「你们祷告的时候,不可像那假冒为善的人,爱站在会堂里和十字路口上祷告,故意叫人看见。我实在告诉你们:他们已经得了他们的赏赐。 6 你祷告的时候,要进你的内屋,关上门,祷告你在暗中的父,你父在暗中察看,必然报答你。 7 你们祷告,不可像外邦人用许多重复话,他们以为话多了必蒙垂听。 8 你们不可效法他们,因为你们没有祈求以先,你们所需用的,你们的父早已知道了。

假如你要和好朋友或情人讲话,你会在大庭广众好像演讲那样对他(她)说吗?我想祷告就是这样,是在跟一个很亲密的朋友说心里话,所以你会找个僻静的地方,两个人倾心吐意。

进入内屋,关上门祷告,可以使人脱下虚伪的外表,不必惺惺作态,不必油嘴滑舌,不必思考要有华丽的辞藻,就是把心里的话告诉神。进入内屋祷告,也可以说进到心里的内室祷告,因为有许多时候我们不能等到找到一个内室才祷告,我们希望随时可以跟神说话,就在我们的心里,我们可以安静的,在心里说,只有神听得见。

耶和华是一位自隐的神(赛45:15),但是祂存在。在每一次的祷告后,我们的心里都会得到平静,增加信心和力量,因为神垂听了我们的祷告。重复祷告不是因为神耳背,而是因为我们信心小,以为神也需要不断的叮咛才会去做事,这样的心态就把神当成仆人了。

Devote Yourself to Prayer

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 2:1-7.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV) 
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– 
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 

On verses 1-3:  It is good and pleasing to God when we devote ourselves to prayer. In fact, when you read Paul’s letters, a running theme is his devotion to prayer (see for example Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2; and Philemon 1:4-6).  These verses are a reminder that we ought to devote ourselves to prayer, praying often and praying for everyone we meet or think about, including our leaders.

How to Protect Your Faith and Keep a Good Conscience

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 1:12-20. Let’s go!

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.

On verses 12-15: No matter how far Paul advanced as a leader in God’s kingdom, Paul never forgot where he came from, how he once was a persecuter of God’s church, “the worst of sinners” he calls himself. Likewise, may you never forget the depths from which God saved you, so that you will never take for granted His forgiveness, His acceptance, and the opportunities He has given you to serve Him since.