Word of God is living and active

Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."


希 伯 來 書 4:12

"神 的 道 是 活 潑 的 、 是 有 功 效 的 、 比 一 切 兩 刃 的 劍 更 快 、 甚 至 魂 與 靈 、 骨 節 與 骨 髓 、 都 能 刺 入 剖 開 、 連 心 中 的 思 念 和 主 意 、 都 能 辨 明 。"

Forgive, and you will be forgiven

Luke 6:37

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."


路 加 福 音 6:37

"你 們 不 要 論 斷 人 、 就 不 被 論 斷 ． 你 們 不 要 定 人 的 罪 、 就 不 被 定 罪 ． 你 們 要 饒 恕 人 、 就 必 蒙 饒 恕 ．"


Whatever you do, God will do to you in return. Forgiveness is a lifetime's homework, but let's not forget God forgives us no matter how much we have done wrong in the past and in the coming future as long as we repent and ask for forgiveness.

Faith comes with action

James 2:17

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."


雅 各 書 2:17

"這 樣 、 信 心 若 沒 有 行 為 就 是 死 的 。"


Faith is a lifetime's homework. It does not take just overnight to grow. Your faith is only meaningful if it is accompanied by action. Yet, it is not your action that you are saved, but by faith.

Live as servants of God

1 Peter 2:16

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God."


彼 得 前 書 2:16

"你 們 雖 是 自 由 的 、 卻 不 可 藉 著 自 由 遮 蓋 惡 毒 、總 要 作 神 的 僕 人 。"


This is especially a challenge for us living in the Western world. We have freedom, but it is so easy to do evil things that seem normal to society. Also, society tells us to stand up for ourselves and put yourself in a high position as you may be looked down upon otherwise.

It is God's will that we live as servants of God. We should serve humbly. We should stand up for God, not for ourselves.

Prayer of a righteous man

James 5:16

"... The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."


雅 各 書 5:16

"... 義 人 祈 禱 所 發 的 力 量 、 是 大 有 功 效 的 。"


I really like this verse. The power and effectiveness of the prayer comes from a righteous man. It mentioned that it requires healing after we confess our sins.

Last night's bible study is about confessions. It is a controversial topic because not everything is necessarily appropriate for public confession, as in the past. However, no matter what the confession is, confessions should be done in front of God because He is the one who has the capacity to forgive and guide us with the Holy Spirit.

You are always with Jesus

Luke 15:31-32

" 'My son, ' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "


路 加 福 音 15:31-32

"父 親 對 他 說 、 兒 阿 、 你 常 和 我 同 在 、 我 一 切 所 有 的 都 是 你 的 。 只 是 你 這 個 兄 弟 是 死 而 復 活 、 失 而 又 得 的 、 所 以 我 們 理 當 歡 喜 快 樂 。"

Rejoice with Jesus

Luke 15:7

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."


路 加 福 音 15:7

"我 告 訴 你 們 、 一 個 罪 人 悔 改 、 在 天 上 也 要 這 樣 為 他 歡 喜 、 較 比 為 九 十 九 個 不 用 悔 改 的 義 人 、 歡 喜 更 大 。"


Jesus used a few parables in the chapter, which also includes the parable of the lost coin and also the parable of the lost son. The point from this verse is that there is more rejoice in heaven over someone who was lost and then found.

Remember "Amazing Grace" lyrics:

"...I once was lost, but now am found"

This is God's amazing grace.

Man's wickedness

Genesis 6:5

"The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time."


創 世 紀 6:5

"耶 和 華 見 人 在 地 上 罪 惡 很 大 、 終 日 所 思 想 的 盡 都 是 惡 ．"


Man's wickedness had been there for a long long time. All of us are wicked before we know God. However, the Holy Spirit guides us into righteousness and can help us to turn away from all evil things.

Accept trouble from God

Job 2:9-10

2:9 "His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"


約 伯 記 2:9-10

2:9 他 的 妻 子 對 他 說 、 你 仍 然 持 守 你 的 純 正 麼 ． 你 棄 掉 神 、 死 了 吧 !
2:10 約 伯 卻 對 他 說 、 你 說 話 像 愚 頑 的 婦 人 一 樣 。 噯 、 難 道 我 們 從 神 手 裡 得 福 、 不 也 受 禍 嗎 ?

Do we only accept only what is good from the Lord, and everything goes smoothly in our lives? Is that what we expect as a Christian? Obviously not.

Life is meant to be difficult as a Christian. There will be trouble and it is not an easy road. In this passage, Job accepted the challenge and he did not sin in what he said.

Nothing separates us from love of God

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."


羅 馬 書 8:38-39

"因 為 我 深 信 無 論 是 死 、 是 生 、 是 天 使 、 是 掌 權 的 、 是 有 能 的 、 是 現 在 的 事 、 是 將 來 的 事 、是 高 處 的 、 是 低 處 的 、 是 別 的 受 造 之 物 、 都 不 能 叫 我 們 與 神 的 愛 隔 絕 ． 這 愛 是 在 我 們 的 主 基 督 耶 穌 裡 的 。"


Rejection is a painful thing for most of us. We get rejected time to time. The only thing we know is that Jesus never rejects us, because nothing separates us from love of God.

Future glory

Romans 8:18

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."


羅 馬 書 8:18

"我 想 、現 在 的 苦 楚 若 比 起 將 來 要 顯 於 我 們 的 榮 耀 、 就 不 足 介 意 了 。"


Another good reminder for us that we should be investing our future with God, which is an eternal investment. One thing that Daily Hope did not mention in this entry is that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with what Jesus has suffered. Not only he has suffered, he also paid the price for our sins.

We are all children of God, and we are all created with a purpose, not just some short-term goals that would be forgotten after a few years.

Jesus prays in a solitary place

Mark 1:35

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."


馬 可 福 音 1:35

"次 日 早 晨 、 天 未 亮 的 時 候 、 耶 穌 起 來 、 到 曠 野 地 方 去 、 在 那 裡 禱 告 。"


Jesus is our model when it comes our personal relationship with God. He goes to a place where he is not disturbed and solitary, and he prayed to God. It requires great discipline and it is certainly worth learning from Him.

sons of God

Romans 8:14

"because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."


羅 馬 書 8:14

"因 為 凡 被 神 的 靈 引 導 的 、 都 是 神 的 兒 子 。"


Daily Hope today talks about fear. It refers to how fear can drive you away from what God intends you to be.

I remember the fear every time I go onto the stage of leading singspiration on Sunday service. I was nervous every time. Despite having spiritual gifts in this area, I am afraid something would go wrong or that I read something wrong etc. Early April this year I volunteered to be a chairperson of the Sunday service, and I am still anticipating my first experience of this. What I know is God has been very good to me and His plans are perfect, even though it means being uncomfortable sometimes. He is definitely guiding me by the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Do it all for the glory of God

1 Corinthians 10:31

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."


哥 林 多 前 書 10:31

"所 以 你 們 或 喫 或 喝 、 無 論 作 甚 麼 、 都 要 為 榮 耀 神 而 行 。"


Do you think that you can glorify God in every activity you do in your day?

Our personal relationship with God is the most important when it comes to glorifying His name. It requires dedication in reading His Word as well as prayer. It also involves fellowship with Him as well as living in a way that is Christ-like.

Live in accordance with the Spirit

Romans 8:5

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."


羅 馬 書 8:5

"因 為 隨 從 肉 體 的 人 、 體 貼 肉 體 的 事 ． 隨 從 聖 靈 的 人 、 體 貼 聖 靈 的 事 。"


Daily Hope gives a very good message. There is always a battle between your old sinful nature and the new nature that comes from Christ.

Our minds can sometimes blow us out of proportion, and Satan makes his attack. Yet, do not forget that because we believe in Christ, Holy Spirit becomes our source of support. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us in building a new nature that comes from Christ.

Give thanks in all circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."


帖 撒 羅 尼 迦 前 書 5:16-18

"要 常 常 喜 樂 ． 不 住 地 禱 告 ． 凡 事 謝 恩 ． 因 為 這 是 神 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 向 你 們 所 定 的 旨 意 。"


I know living in this world, it is almost impossible to be always joyful 24 hours every day. We have up and down moments. Yet, this is God's will that we need to be thankful for all things and circumstances, which you will then find joy in Him.

Keep the unity of the spirit

Ephesians 4:2-3

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."


以 弗 所 書 4:2-3

"凡 事 謙 虛 、 溫 柔 、 忍 耐 、 用 愛 心 互 相 寬 容 、 用 和 平 彼 此 聯 絡 、 竭 力 保 守 聖 靈 所 賜 合 而 為 一 的 心 。"


During the camp this weekend, we sang "Be One" (合 而 為 一) which is our camp song. The lyrics contain the words in the above verses. A very good reminder for us to keep peace with others through guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"


哥 林 多 後 書 5:17

"若 有 人 在 基 督 裡 、 他 就 是 新 造 的 人 ． 舊 事 已 過 、 都 變 成 新 的 了 。"

Church camp is fantastic! Though I missed 2 days of blogging I found it refreshing and exciting to have Christ in my life :) New creation is God's work and we know that we are a new creation when we are in Christ.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

Matthew 7:13-14

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."


馬 太 福 音 7:13-14

"你 們 要 進 窄 門 ． 因 為 引 到 滅 亡 、 那 門 是 寬 的 、 路 是 大 的 、 進 去 的 人 也 多 。 引 到 永 生 、 那 門 是 窄 的 、 路 是 小 的 、 找 著 的 人 也 少 。"


The gate that we need to enter is a narrow one. In contrast, the gate that leads to destruction is wide and many enter through it.

Perhaps we need to ask, how can we enter through the narrow gate? What does life mean to you, and do we think there is a lot of time left?

God will make your path straight

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."


箴 言 3:5-6

"你 要 專 心 仰 賴 耶 和 華 、 不 可 倚 靠 自 己 的 聰 明 ． 在 你 一 切 所 行 的 事 上 、 都 要 認 定 他 、 他 必 指 引 你 的 路 。"


Road to heaven is not an easy path, but the right path. Just as Jesus said to enter through the narrow gate, very few of us will find it. More on that tomorrow.

God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Luke 18:13

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "


路 加 福 音 18:13

"那 稅 吏 遠 遠 的 站 著 、 連 舉 目 望 天 也 不 敢 、 只 捶 著 胸 說 : ' 神 阿 、 開 恩 可 憐 我 這 個 罪 人!' "


The passage is comparing a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee exalts himself about all the righteous things he did unlike robbers, evildoers and adulterers. In contrast, the tax collector humbled himself and not even dared looking at heaven. He asked God for mercy because he is a sinner.

What is there to exalt about ourselves? Christ has already humbled himself and we know that he was exalted to the right hand of God. Ask God for mercy as we are all sinners.

This is the testimony

1 John 5:11-12

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."


約 翰 一 書 5:11-12

"這 見 證 、 就 是 神 賜 給 我 們 永 生 、 這 永 生 也 是 在 他 兒 子 裡 面 。 人 有 了 神 的 兒 子 就 有 生 命 ． 沒 有 神 的 兒 子 就 沒 有 生 命 。"


The best testimony comes from Jesus. Don't we agree?

Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus!

Hebrews 12:2

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."


希 伯 來 書 12:2

"仰 望 為 我 們 信 心 創 始 成 終 的 耶 穌 ． 他 因 那 擺 在 前 面 的 喜 樂 、 就 輕 看 羞 辱 、 忍 受 了 十 字 架 的 苦 難 、 便 坐 在 神 寶 座 的 右 邊 。"


Daily Hope also used this passage to reflect on our life, which is meant to be a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. You need to make it to the finish line, as we see Jesus made it to the finish line by doing the hard yards and endured the cross.

Seek God's kingdom and righteousness

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."


馬 太 福 音 6:33

"你 們 要 先 求 他 的 國 和 他 的 義 、這 些 東 西 都 要 加 給 你 們 了 。"


The amount of things that God has given me is beyond count, which includes his grace and salvation. I thank God for being thankful to Him because it is not always easy to be thankful when you have so much.