Thursday, November 30, 2023

Praising Scripture - Dec 01

Paising Month Introduction...


Psalm 100:1-5
(Memorization Scripture 3-5)
1 Make a joyful shout (noise) to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.


【Reflection】 Praise the Lord! At the beginning of the 31 Days
of Praise Practice, let’s remember that thanksgiving and praise
are not only the right attitudes we shall have before the Lord but
also paths through which we enter His presence.
Have you noticed that this psalm is a charge? (There are seven
occurrences of “should” in the Chinese translation) If you do not
know how to enter into God’s presence, try giving thanks, praising
and singing with a joyful noise; professing that He is your creator
and you are His sheep; believing in His goodness, lovingkindness,
and faithfulness. Then, you will surely experience God’s presence.
This psalm calls for people to come and worship God. The psalm
is not only meant for those who have known God, but it is an
invitation to those who do not yet know Him. Why? Because He is
the God of all nations and all peoples; He is the savior of all. With
passionate cries, the psalmist calls for people to shout joyfully to the Lord, to sing His praise, and to respond to His presence: we
belong to Him, we are His sheep, and He is the one true God! Oh
that the people would begin their worship by singing this psalm at
the top of their lungs! We can only imagine how magnificent and
glorious that must have been!


【讚美月簡介】...


詩篇 100:1-5
(背誦經文:3-5)
1 普天下當向耶和華歡呼!
2 你們當樂意事奉耶和華,當來向祂歌唱!
3 你們當曉得耶和華是 神!我們是祂造的,也是屬祂的;
我們是祂的民,也是祂草場的羊。
4 當稱謝進入祂的門;當讚美進入祂的院。當感謝祂,稱頌祂的名!
5 因為耶和華本為善,祂的慈愛存到永遠;祂的信實直到萬代。


【心得分享】感謝主,在我們開始「卅一天讚美的操練」的時候,讓我們
確信「稱謝」與「讚美」不僅是我們親近主時該有的態度,也是
我們進入祂同在的路徑!
注意到了嗎?這首詩中,用了七個「當」字。如果你不知道
如何進入 神的同在,不妨試著與眾民一同用歡樂的聲音大聲地
感謝、讚美、歌唱,承認祂是 神,是你的創造者,你是祂的
羊,相信祂的良善、慈愛、信實,那你肯定可以嚐到 神同在的
滋味。
這也是一篇呼召眾人來敬拜 神的詩,不只是呼召認識 神的
百姓,也邀請普天下未信之人。為什麼呢?因為這位 神,是萬
民萬國的 神,是全人類的救主!詩人用極為熱情的語氣說:來
啊,向這位造我們的 神大聲歡呼,用喜樂的喧囂來向祂歌唱,
回應祂的同在!我們是屬祂的,是祂草場的羊,而祂是獨一的真
神!我們可以想像一下,當眾人一起大聲唱着這首詩開始他們的
敬拜的時候,場面聲勢是何等的壯觀浩大,我們會一同進入和經
歷祂同在中何等的榮耀!

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 30

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 118:5-14
(Memorization Scripture 5-6,8-9,14)
5 I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord, Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord, Than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

【Reflection】Psalm 118 is a song that the people of Israel sang together when they went to the temple to offer sacrifices and praise during festivals. As they journeyed to the temple, recalling the many difficult years they had endured, they realized how the Lord had heard their prayers and placed them in spacious places. They couldn't help but say, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (verse 6) For "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." (verses 8-9) In the history of Israel, there were many instances where nations surrounded them like swarms of bees, hoping to annihilate them, but the people of Israel were able to overcome their enemies by trusting in the name of the Lord. Therefore, they could joyfully proclaim, "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." (verse 14)
In our own lives, do we also face personal, family, work, and spiritual battles? Let us come together and take refuge in the Lord, experiencing the assurance that "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear." and declaring that "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.





【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 118:5-14
(背誦經文:5-6,8-9,14)
5 我在急難中求告耶和華,祂就應允我,把我安置在寬闊之地。
6 有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕,人能把我怎麼樣呢?

7 在那幫助我的人中,有耶和華幫助我,所以我要看見那恨我的人遭報。
8 投靠耶和華,強似倚賴人。
9 投靠耶和華,強似倚賴王子。

10 萬民圍繞我,我靠耶和華的名必剿滅他們。
11 他們環繞我,圍困我,我靠耶和華的名必剿滅他們。
12 他們如同蜂子圍繞我,好像燒荊棘的火必被熄滅,我靠耶和華的名必剿滅他們。
13 你推我,要叫我跌倒,但耶和華幫助了我。
14 耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,祂也成了我的拯救。

【心得分享】詩篇118篇是以色列民在節日的時候一同去往聖殿獻祭和讚美所唱的詩歌。當他們在去往聖殿的路上,回想在過去那麼多急難的歲月中,耶和華 神是如何聽了他們的禱告,將他們安置在寬闊之地,他們就不由得說:「有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕,人能把我怎麼樣呢?」(6節)因為「投靠耶和華,強似倚賴人,... 強似倚賴王子。」(8-9節)在以色列的歷史中,有許多次萬民圍繞他們,如同蜂子圍繞他們、希望剿滅他們,但以色列民卻可以靠耶和華的名勝過仇敵。因此,他們可以高唱:「耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,祂也成了我的拯救。」(14節)
此時你我的生命中,是否也面對許多個人、家庭、工作和屬靈的爭戰? 來吧,讓我們一同來投靠耶和華,並經歷「有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕」,因為「耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,祂也成了我的拯救。」




Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 29

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 44:1-8
(Memorization Scripture 3-5)
1 We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us,
The deeds You did in their days, In days of old:
2 You drove out the nations with Your hand, But them You planted;
You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.
3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them;
But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,
Because You favored them.
4 You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob.
5 Through You we will push down our enemies;
Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

6 For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me.
7 But You have saved us from our enemies,
And have put to shame those who hated us.
8 In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever. Selah

【Reflection】This is a didactic psalm of the sons of Korah, as well as a prayer for the whole nation. The psalmist first recalls how they personally heard how God helped their ancestors in the past, how God led them with His mighty power to overcome enemies, and brought them into the promised land of Canaan. In the face of the current threat of enemy attacks, they cry out to God, seeking His grace once again to help them defeat their foes, saying, "You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!" (verse 4) Therefore, even though they face the menacing threat of strong enemies, they can still trust in God and reaffirm, saying, "Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us." (verse 5) Thanks be to God for strengthening our faith through this psalm. Today, whether we encounter enemy attacks, difficult circumstances, or moments of weakness and discouragement, let us also seek God's help, declare our faith, and claim the victory that comes from God. Hallelujah! "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession" (2 Corinthians 2:14a)


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 44:1-8
(背誦經文:3-5)
1 神啊,祢在古時,我們列祖的日子所行的事,我們親耳聽見了;我們的列祖也給我們述說過。
2 祢曾用手趕出外邦人,卻栽培了我們列祖;祢苦待列邦,卻叫我們列祖發達。
3 因為他們不是靠自己的刀劍得地土,也不是靠自己的膀臂得勝,
乃是靠祢的右手、祢的膀臂,和祢臉上的亮光,因為祢喜悅他們。
4 神啊,祢是我的王;求祢出令使雅各得勝。
5 我們靠祢要推倒我們的敵人,靠祢的名要踐踏那起來攻擊我們的人。

6 因為,我必不靠我的弓;我的刀也不能使我得勝。
7 惟祢救了我們脫離敵人,使恨我們的人羞愧。
8 我們終日因 神誇耀,還要永遠稱謝祢的名。 (細拉)

【心得分享】這是一篇可拉後裔的訓誨詩,也是全民祈禱詩。詩人先回憶他們親耳聽到 神在過去如何幫助先祖 「過五關、斬六將」戰勝仇敵,並帶領他們進迦南的大能作為,然後當時國家正面臨敵人攻擊的當下,呼求 神——再次施恩幫助他們擊敗仇敵,說 「 神啊,祢是我的王; 求祢出令使雅各得勝。」(4節) 故此,他們雖然遇到強敵壓境的威脅,仍然可以信靠 神並重申,說 「我們靠祢要推倒我們的敵人, 靠祢的名要踐踏那起來攻擊我們的人。」(5節)感謝 神,藉著這首詩堅固了我們的信心。今天,無論是遇到仇敵攻擊、環境艱難、或軟弱灰心時,讓我們也能求 神幫助自己憑信宣告並支取 神的得勝。哈利路亞!「感謝 神!常率領我們在基督裡誇勝。」(林後2:14a)

Monday, November 27, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 28

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 126:1-6
(Memorization Scripture 1-6)
1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears, Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.


【Reflection】The more we realize the great changes that have taken place in us since being saved by Christ (as seen in the before and after comparison in verses 4-6), the broader and deeper our gratitude towards God becomes because He has truly done great things for us. This psalm helps us understand that the people being able to return from the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BC (as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah) was entirely due to God's grace, and not just a result of the policies of the King Cyrus of Persia. Their rejoicing was not only because they could go back home, but also because God's people could once again enjoy the abundant life and presence that God had originally promised them. Just as the dry southern land of Israel had rivers flowing again after a downpour, the praises, laughter, and hopes of the returning people were also restored. Those who went out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them, for indeed God has done great things for them.
Let us today thank God together, for in Christ, He has brought us, who were once captives, back into His presence, and now we are able to abide in Him, be filled with Him, and find our delight in Him!




【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 126:1-6
(背誦經文:1-6)
1 當耶和華將那些被擄的帶回錫安的時候,我們好像做夢的人。
2 我們滿口喜笑、滿舌歡呼的時候,外邦中就有人說:「耶和華為他們行了大事!」
3 耶和華果然為我們行了大事,我們就歡喜。
4 耶和華啊,求祢使我們被擄的人歸回,好像南地的河水復流。
5 流淚撒種的,必歡呼收割。
6 那帶種流淚出去的,必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來。


【心得分享】我們越認識到自己被基督拯救之後有了多麼大的改變(如同4-6節中的前後對比),我們對 神的感謝就越廣越深,因為祂果然為我們行了大事。這篇上行之詩幫助我們認識到,百姓能在主前六世紀得以從巴比倫被擄之地歸回(請看以斯拉記和尼希米記),完全是主的恩典,而不僅是波斯王古列的政策使然。他們歡呼不只是因為可以回家,也是因為 神的百姓又可以享受到 神原先應許要賜給他們的豐富生命與同在。就像以色列乾旱的南地在暴雨之後河水復流,歸回百姓的讚美、笑聲和盼望也被恢復了;原來那些帶著種子流淚出去的,必要歡歡樂樂地帶著禾捆回來;因 神果然為他們行了大事。
讓我們今天一起感謝 神,因祂在基督裡把我們這些原本被擄的人帶回到祂的同在中,如今我們得以住在祂裡面,被祂充滿,以祂為樂!

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 27

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 18:31-36,46-50
(Memorization Scripture 31-36)
31 For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
36 You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip.
...
46 The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me;
48 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me;
You have delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.
50 Great deliverance He gives to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his descendants forevermore

【Reflection】Psalm 18 is written by a seasoned veteran who has been through many battles. It is collected from 2 Samuel 22. After being saved by the Lord from all his enemies and wars, David experienced many highs and lows, victories and defeats, honor and shame. In response, he wrote this timeless and recitable epic psalm.
Who is God besides the Lord? Besides Him, who is an unshakable rock? Besides Him, who is my strength? Besides Him, who makes me stand secure in the sound of war drums? If it were not for the Lord, how could my weak hands and powerless arms wield a bow in battle? "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." (Verses 35-36) We often walk on narrow paths, on the edge of danger, but the Lord enables us to triumph in battle. Our enemies turn and flee before us. In times of distress, we can safely pass through; our feet do not slip into the abyss. " He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire." (Psalm 46:9)



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 18:31-36,46-50
(背誦經文:31-36)
31 除了耶和華,誰是 神呢?除了我們的 神,誰是磐石呢?
32 唯有那以力量束我的腰,使我行為完全的,祂是 神。
33 祂使我的腳快如母鹿的蹄,又使我在高處安穩。
34 祂教導我的手能以爭戰,甚至我的膀臂能開銅弓。
35 祢把祢的救恩給我做盾牌,祢的右手扶持我,祢的溫和使我為大。
36 祢使我腳下的地步寬闊,我的腳未曾滑跌。
...
46 耶和華是活 神。願我的磐石被人稱頌;願救我的 神被人尊崇。
47 這位 神,就是那為我伸冤、使眾民服在我以下的。
48 祢救我脫離仇敵,又把我舉起,高過那些起來攻擊我的; 祢救我脫離強暴的人。
49 耶和華啊,因此我要在外邦中稱謝祢,歌頌祢的名。
50 耶和華賜極大的救恩給祂所立的王,施慈愛給祂的受膏者,就是給大衛和他的後裔,直到永遠。

【心得分享】詩篇18篇是一位飽經戰事的老兵所寫的頌讚詩,是從撒母耳記下22章收集而來。大衛在耶和華救他脫離一切仇敵和爭戰之後,經歷過大起大落、輸贏勝敗、榮辱興衰,寫了這一首千古誦讀的長詩。
除了耶和華,誰是 神呢?除了祂,誰是永不動搖的磐石呢?除了祂,誰是我的力量呢?除了祂,誰使我在戰鼓隆隆聲中安穩在高處呢?若不是耶和華,我軟弱的手、無力的膀臂哪裡可以開銅弓爭戰呢?「耶和華啊,祢把祢的救恩給我做盾牌,祢的右手扶持我,祢的溫和使我為大。祢使我腳下的地步寬闊,我的腳未曾滑跌。」(35-36節)我們也是常常行過窄路,走在危險的邊緣,但是耶和華使我們爭戰得勝,我們的仇敵在我們面前轉背逃跑。在急難中,我們能安然度過,我們的腳未曾滑落萬丈深淵。「因此我要在外邦中稱謝祢,歌頌祢的名。」(詩46:9)

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 26

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 57:1-2,7-11
(Memorization Scripture 7-11)
To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.
2 I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me....
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.
10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.


【Reflection】In a difficult situation, David, in a cave, cried out in the psalm, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge;" (Verse 1). At that time, David was in a great danger, surrounded by lions and trapped in a blazing fire, as Saul tried every means to put him to death. Amidst the hardship, David deeply understood that God's mercy and love reached to the heavens. He determined to look up to God and regarded the refuge of the cave as a sanctuary for praising God. He said, "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!" (Verse 7). He encouraged himself, saying, "Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!" (Verse 8). Not only did he sing praises to God in the cave, but he also rose early in the morning to praise God with the harp and lyre. He resolved to sing and give thanks to God among the people and nations.
May God help us. In the face of various challenges and disturbing impacts in our environment, may we not let our spirits become sluggish and disheartened. Instead, let us, like David, speak to our own hearts, awakening early to sing praises to God in difficult circumstances. Even if tears flow while we praise, let us wholeheartedly give thanks to God. For God loves us, His love reaches to the heavens, and His faithfulness extends to the skies.





【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 57:1-2,7-11
(背誦經文:7-11)
大衛逃避掃羅,藏在洞裡。那時,他作這金詩,交於伶長。調用休要毀壞。
1 神啊,求憐憫我,憐憫我!因為我的心投靠祢。我要投靠在祢翅膀的蔭下, 等到災害過去。
2 我要求告至高的 神,就是為我成全 諸事的 神。...
7 神啊,我心堅定,我心堅定;我要唱詩,我要歌頌!
8 我的靈( - 原文是榮耀)啊,你當醒起!琴瑟啊,你們當醒起! 我自己要極早醒起!
9 主啊,我要在萬民中稱謝祢,在列邦中歌頌祢!
10 因為,祢的慈愛高及諸天;祢的誠實達到穹蒼。
11 神啊,願祢崇高過於諸天!願祢的榮耀高過全地!


【心得分享】在艱難困境中,大衛在山洞裡作詩呼求說:「 神啊,求祢憐憫我,憐憫我!因為我的心投靠祢。我要投靠在祢翅膀的蔭下……」(1節)。那時的大衛如同身處獅子群和身陷烈火中一樣危險,因掃羅用盡各樣的方法要將他置於死地。在艱難中大衛深知 神的憐憫和慈愛高及諸天,他決意選擇仰望 神,把避難的山洞當作讚美 神的聖所。他說:「 神啊,我心堅定,我心堅定。我要唱詩,我要歌頌!」(7節)他勉勵自己說:「我的靈(原文是榮耀)啊,你當醒起! 琴瑟啊,你們當醒起! 我自己要極早醒起!」(8節)他不但在山洞裡唱詩讚美 神,還要清晨早起用琴瑟讚美 神,並立定心志要在萬民和列邦中歌頌稱謝 神。
求 神幫助我們,在面對環境中各樣挑戰和躁動不安的衝擊時,不要讓我們的心靈昏睡消沉,而讓我們能像大衛一樣,在艱難困境中對自己的心說話,極早醒起歌唱稱頌 神。哪怕是邊流淚邊讚美,仍要全心全意稱謝 神。因為 神愛我們,祂的慈愛高及諸天;祂的誠實達到穹蒼。

Friday, November 24, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 25

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 86:1-13
(Memorization Scripture 8-12)
1 Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You!
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.
4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works.
9 All nations whom You have made, Shall come and worship before You, O Lord,
And shall glorify Your name.
10 For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

13 For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

【Reflection】Today's psalm teaches us how to pray to God in times of trouble. In the midst of adversity, David not only humbly came before God, seeking Him all day long, but also had faith that God would answer his prayers. David understood that the Lord, God, not only had the power to deliver him from trouble - for He is great and there is no one like Him among the gods - but also that this one and only true God was willing to save him. For "For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." (verse 5).
Remarkably, in his time of trouble, David not only cried for God's deliverance but also asked Him to teach him His way, so that he could walk in God's truth and wholeheartedly fear His name! Finally, David's prayers in times of trouble turned into praise and thanksgiving to God - "I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever." (verse 12). He no longer focused on the present troubles but saw the salvation God had brought, because he knew that God's steadfast love towards him was great!
May David's prayers and praises to God in times of distress serve as a testimony and comfort for us today in our own difficulties!



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 86:1-13
(背誦經文:8-12)
1 耶和華啊,求祢側耳應允我, 因我是困苦窮乏的。
2 求祢保存我的性命,因我是虔誠人。我的 神啊,求祢拯救這倚靠祢的僕人!
3 主啊,求祢憐憫我,因我終日求告祢。
4 主啊,求祢使僕人心裏歡喜, 因為我的心仰望祢。
5 主啊,祢本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告祢的人。
6 耶和華啊,求祢留心聽我的禱告,垂聽我懇求的聲音。
7 我在患難之日要求告祢,因為祢必應允我。
8 主啊,諸神之中沒有可比祢的;祢的作為也無可比。
9 主啊,祢所造的萬民都要來敬拜祢;他們也要榮耀祢的名。
10 因祢為大,且行奇妙的事; 惟獨祢是 神。
11 耶和華啊,求祢將祢的道指教我;我要照祢的真理行; 求祢使我專心敬畏祢的名!
12 主-我的 神啊,我要一心稱讚祢;我要榮耀祢的名,直到永遠。

13 因為,祢向我發的慈愛是大的;祢救了我的靈魂免入極深的陰間。

【心得分享】今天的詩篇教導我們在患難中當如何向 神禱告。在患難中,大衛不僅謙卑地來到 神的面前終日求告 神,更是在信心中相信 神會應允他的呼求 。因為大衛認識到這位耶和華 神不僅能夠救他脫離患難 - 因祂為大,惟獨祂是 神,諸神之中沒有可比祂的;而且這一位獨一的真 神樂意來拯救他脫離患難。因為「祢本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告祢的人。」(5節)
奇妙的是,在患難中,大衛不僅求 神來救他脫離患難,更在禱告中求 神將祂的道指教他,使他可以照著 神的真理而行,並專心敬畏主的名!最後,大衛在患難中的求告居然轉成了向 神的讚美和感恩 - 「主-我的 神啊,我要一心稱讚祢;我要榮耀祢的名,直到永遠!」(12節) 他不再定睛於眼前的患難,而看見 神所做成的救恩,因他知道 神向他發的慈愛是大的!
甚願大衛在困境中向 神的禱告和讚美,也能夠成為我們今天在患難中的見證和安慰!

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 24

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 66:8-20
(Memorization Scripture 10-12,16-20)
8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
9 Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
10 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals,
With the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats. Selah
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,
And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
19 But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!


【Reflection】When we fall into various trials - temptations, burdens, trials of water and fire... we often ask: "Where is my God? Has He forgotten me? Does He hear my prayers?" But the psalmist gains a new understanding of God in the midst of trials - God loves us, tests us, refines us like gold, leads us into snares, places burdens upon us, and even allows us to be crushed under the wheels of a chariot, all for the purpose of bringing us into a land of abundance. In trials, our sins are exposed. Sin is detested by God, and is also the greatest obstacle to our prayers to God. "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." (verse 18) May God help us, not only to expose our sins but also to manifest His grace of forgiveness, giving us the strength to break free from the power of sin, so that we can come before Him with clean hands and a pure heart. He will surely incline His ear and listen to our prayers.

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 66:8-20
(背誦經文:10-12,16-20)
8 萬民哪,你們當稱頌我們的 神,使人得聽讚美祂的聲音。
9 祂使我們的性命存活,也不叫我們的腳搖動。
10 神啊,祢曾試驗我們, 熬煉我們,如熬煉銀子一樣。
11 祢使我們進入網羅,把重擔放在我們的身上。
12 祢使人坐車軋我們的頭;我們經過水火,祢卻使我們到豐富之地。

13 我要用燔祭進祢的殿,向祢還我的願,
14 就是在急難時我嘴唇所發的、口中所許的。
15 我要把肥牛作燔祭,將公羊的香祭獻給祢,又把公牛和山羊獻上。 (細拉)
16 凡敬畏 神的人,你們都來聽!我要述說祂為我所行的事。
17 我曾用口求告祂; 我的舌頭也稱祂為高。
18 我若心裏注重罪孽,主必不聽。
19 但 神實在聽見了; 祂側耳聽了我禱告的聲音。
20 神是應當稱頌的! 祂並沒有推卻我的禱告,也沒有叫祂的慈愛離開我。


【心得分享】當我們落在各樣試煉-網羅、重擔、水火...時,常會問:「我的 神在哪裏呢?祂是否已忘記了我?有沒有聽我的禱告呢」?但詩人在試煉中卻對 神有一個新的認識—— 神愛我們,祂試驗我們, 熬煉我們,如熬煉銀子一樣,祂使我們進入網羅,把重擔放在我們的身上,甚至使人坐車軋我們的頭,為的是讓我們經過水火到達豐富之地。在試驗中,我們的罪被顯明。而罪是 神所恨惡的,也是我們向 神禱告最大的障碍。「我若心裏注重罪孽,主必不聽。」(18節) 求 神幫助我們,不單罪被顯明,更顯出祂赦罪的恩典使我們有力量脫離罪的權勢,可以手潔心清地來到祂的面前。祂必會側耳垂聽我們的禱告。

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 23

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 116:1-7,17-18
(Memorization Scripture 5-7,17-18)
1 I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
...
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!


【Reflection】Have you ever experienced the kind of situation that the psalmist described as "The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish" (verse 3)? If you have, you may also have the urgent prayer of the psalmist, "Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’" (verse 4). How often do we forget that we are still alive because God has heard our prayers? Even if He did not fulfill our requests exactly as we asked, He did indeed hear our prayers. This gracious and righteous God, who is full of compassion, is experienced by those who call upon the name of the LORD in times of trouble. It is also by His grace that those in distress are supported to continue walking in the path of faith, waiting for His salvation. After coming out of the Valley of Weeping, this psalmist, who tasted the goodness of the Lord, joyfully declares, "Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (verse 7). And he comes into the temple of the LORD, offers thanksgiving sacrifices to God, and fulfills the covenant he made when he first called upon the LORD. "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live." (verses 1-2)



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 116:1-7,17-18
(背誦經文:5-7,17-18)
1 我愛耶和華,因為祂聽了我的聲音和我的懇求。
2 祂既向我側耳,我一生要求告祂。
3 死亡的繩索纏繞我;陰間的痛苦抓住我;我遭遇患難愁苦。
4 那時,我便求告耶和華的名,說:「耶和華啊,求祢救我的靈魂!」
5 耶和華有恩惠,有公義;我們的 神以憐憫為懷。
6 耶和華保護愚人;我落到卑微的地步,祂救了我。
7 我的心哪!你要仍歸安樂,因為耶和華用厚恩待你。
...
17 我要以感謝為祭獻給祢,又要求告耶和華的名。
18 我要在祂眾民面前,在耶和華殿的院內,在耶路撒冷當中,
向耶和華還我的願。你們要讚美耶和華!


【心得分享】你曾經有過如詩人形容的「死亡的繩索纏繞我;陰間的痛苦抓住我;我遭遇患難愁苦」(3節)這樣的遭遇嗎?如果有,那你應該也有詩人「求告耶和華的名,說:耶和華啊,求祢救我的靈魂!」(4節)這樣的迫切的禱告。 多少次我們忘了我們如今還存活,是 神聽了我們的禱告。即或祂沒有完全依照我們所求的成全我們,祂確實是聽了我們的禱告。這位有恩惠、有公義、以憐憫為懷的 神,是在患難中求告耶和華的人所經歷的;也是從這位 神而來的恩典,支持了在患難中的人仍然走在信心的路上,等候祂的救恩。 出了流淚谷之後,這位親嚐主恩滋味的詩人,慨然說:「我的心哪!你要仍歸安樂, 因為耶和華用厚恩待你。」(7節) 並且他來到耶和華的殿內,以感謝為祭獻給 神,在神眾民面前還他當初求告耶和華時所立的約。「我愛耶和華,因為祂聽了我的聲音和我的懇求。祂既向我側耳,我一生要求告祂。」 (1-2節)

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 22

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 28:1-2,6-9
(Memorization Scripture 6-9)
1 To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications, When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
8 The Lord is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
9 Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.


【Reflection】In this prayer psalm, we see that David is a man of prayer. He raises his hands and calls out to God, saying that God is his rock. He pleads with God not to be silent, not to remain silent, otherwise, he will be like a dying man losing hope. But when David remembers how God has listened to his prayers in the past and brought salvation, he can't help but shout and praise God, saying, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me." (Verse 7) David further intercedes for God's people because he knows that God is not only his personal strength but also the strength of his people. Thank God! He is always the saving God, the blessing God, the shepherding God, and the supporting God!
David specifically reminds us here that God is our rock and shield. If we, too, can pray to God in faith like David, I believe we can also experience God hearing our prayers and witness Himself becoming our strength and help. Thank God, He is the God who listens to prayers, allowing us to experience His salvation, blessing, shepherding, and support through prayer!



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 28:1-2,6-9
(背誦經文:6-9)
1 耶和華啊,我要求告祢!我的磐石啊,不要向我緘默!
倘若祢向我閉口,我就如將死的人一樣。
2 我呼求祢,向祢至聖所舉手的時候,求祢垂聽我懇求的聲音!...
6 耶和華是應當稱頌的,因為祂聽了我懇求的聲音。
7 耶和華是我的力量,是我的盾牌;
我心裏倚靠祂就得幫助。所以我心中歡樂,我必用詩歌頌讚祂。
8 耶和華是祂百姓的力量,又是祂受膏者得救的保障。
9 求祢拯救祢的百姓,賜福給祢的產業,牧養他們,扶持他們,直到永遠。


【心得分享】在這篇禱告詩中,我們看到大衛是一個禱告人,他向 神舉手呼求說 神是他的磐石,祂不要向自己緘默,不要閉口,否則他就會像將死的人一樣,失去了盼望。但是當大衛一想起過去 神是如何聽了他的禱告,施行了拯救,他就忍不住歡呼歌頌 神說:「耶和華是我的力量,是我的盾牌;我心裡倚靠祂就得幫助。」(7節)大衛進而為 神的百姓代禱,因為他知道 神不僅是他個人的力量,也是 神百姓的力量。感謝 神!祂永遠是那位拯救的 神、賜福的 神、牧養的 神、扶持的 神!
大衛在這裡特別提醒我們 神是我們的磐石和盾牌。如果我們也能像大衛一樣憑信向 神祈求,相信我們也能經歷 神垂聽我們的禱告,並且也可以見證祂親自成為我們的力量和幫助。感謝 神,祂是聽禱告的 神,使我們也能藉著禱告經歷祂的拯救、賜福、牧養和扶持!

Monday, November 20, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 21

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 73:1-5,16-28
(Memorization Scripture 25-26)
1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men....
16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.

【Reflection】We often become discontented because of the different treatments that God shows to others, especially when evildoers not receiving the retribution they deserve, causing our steps on the righteous path to waver. The author of this psalm, Asaph, was tortured even more in his distressing circumstances because of this. However, it was not until he entered the sanctuary to worship God that he saw what was previously unclear in the light of God—that the end of the wicked sinking away from God's presence is indeed terrifying! Humbly, he acknowledged his own ignorance before God and realized that God had always been with him, holding his hand, guiding him with His holy word, and would lead him to glory. "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Verses 25-26) I will no longer harbor discontentment and let the wicked reap their own end! As for me, I will draw near to God, taking Him as my refuge, and declare all His works.



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 73:1-5,16-28
(背誦經文:25-26)
1 神實在恩待以色列那些清心的人。
2 至於我,我的腳幾乎失閃,我的腳險些滑跌。
3 我見惡人和狂傲人享平安,就心懷不平。
4 他們死的時候沒有疼痛,他們的力氣卻也壯實。
5 他們不像別人受苦,也不像別人遭災。...
16 我思索怎能明白這事,眼看實係為難,
17 等我進了 神的聖所,思想他們的結局。
18 祢實在把他們安在滑地,使他們掉在沉淪之中。
19 他們轉眼之間成了何等的荒涼,他們被驚恐滅盡了。
20 人睡醒了怎樣看夢,主啊,祢醒了也必照樣輕看他們的影像。
21 因而我心裡發酸,肺腑被刺。
22 我這樣愚昧無知,在祢面前如畜類一般。
23 然而,我常與祢同在,祢攙著我的右手。
24 祢要以祢的訓言引導我,以後必接我到榮耀裡。
25 除祢以外,在天上我有誰呢?除祢以外,在地上我也沒有所愛慕的。
26 我的肉體和我的心腸衰殘,但 神是我心裡的力量,又是我的福分,直到永遠。

27 遠離祢的必要死亡,凡離棄祢行邪淫的祢都滅絕了。
28 但我親近 神是與我有益!我以主耶和華為我的避難所,好叫我述說祢一切的作為。

【心得分享】我們往往為著 神在他人身上不同的待遇而不平,尤其是看見作惡的人沒有受到該受的報應,走在義路上的腳步不禁動搖。這篇詩的作者亞薩,正是因為如此而在困苦的環境中越發地受折磨。直到他進入聖所敬拜 神,在 神的光中看見之前不明白的,就是惡人從 神的同在中沉淪的結局原來如此可怕!他謙卑地在 神面前承認自己的愚昧無知,原來 神一直與他同在,攙著他的手,用聖言引導他,還要接他到榮耀裡。我的 神啊!「除祢以外,在天上我有誰呢?除祢以外,在地上我也沒有所愛慕的。我的肉體和我的心腸衰殘,但 神是我心裡的力量,又是我的福分,直到永遠。」(25-26節) 我再也不要心懷不平,讓惡人去收取他們自己的結局吧!至於我,我要親近 神,以祂為我的避難所,並且述說祂一切的作為。

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 20

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 138:1-3,7
(Memorization Scripture 2)
1 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name, For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul....
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.

【Reflection】 David was a person who pleased God, for he not only deeply understood God's faithfulness and love, but also humbled himself before God, recognizing the insignificance and limitations of humanity. He knew that God would listen to his cries and expected encouragement and strength from Him. He understood that God was his help in times of trouble and that He would personally fight for him and resist his enemies. In the end, he declared, "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me!" Whether facing the giant Goliath, being pursued by Saul, or dwelling among the Philistines, David knew that God would "fulfill" His plans for him, allowing him to patiently and peacefully await God's deliverance and assistance. Brothers and sisters, do we believe today that God will "fulfill" His plans concerning us? If we believe, we can rest in the faithfulness of the Lord today, without anxiously striving and trembling as if we do not know the Lord. For the Lord's love endures forever, and He will never abandon what His hands have created!


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 138:1-3,6-8
(背誦經文:2)
1 我要一心稱謝祢,在諸神面前歌頌祢。
2 我要向祢的聖殿下拜,為祢的慈愛和誠實稱讚祢的名;
因祢使祢的話顯為大,過於祢所應許的。

3 我呼求的日子,祢就應允我,鼓勵我,使我心裡有能力。
...
6 耶和華雖高,仍看顧低微的人;他卻從遠處看出驕傲的人。
7 我雖行在患難中,你必將我救活;我的仇敵發怒,你必伸手抵擋他們;你的右手也必救我。
8 耶和華必成全關乎我的事;耶和華啊,你的慈愛永遠長存!求你不要離棄你手所造的。

【心得分享】大衛是個合神心意的人,因為他不僅深刻地體會 神信實與慈愛,也在 神面前卑微自己,知道人的渺小與有限。他深知 神會垂聽他的呼求,也期待從 神來的鼓勵和能力。他知道 神是他患難中的幫助,也會親自為他爭戰、伸手抵擋他的仇敵。最後他更宣告: 「耶和華必成全關乎我的事」!無論是面對巨人歌利亞、或是掃羅的追殺、或是在非利士人營中,大衛都深知 神「必成全」祂對他的心意,所以他可以耐性、安然地等候 神的搭救與幫助。弟兄姊妹們,我們今天是否相信 神「必成全」關乎我們的事呢? 如果相信,我們今天就可以安息在主的信實上,不用汲汲營營、戰戰兢兢,好像不認識主的人一樣。因為主的慈愛永遠長存,祂必不離棄祂手所造的!

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 19

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 13:1-6
(Memorization Scripture 5-6)
1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.


【Reflection】 Psalmist David expressed his pain, distress, and helplessness before God by repeatedly asking, "How long, O Lord?" In the midst of difficult circumstances, he couldn't see any hope and felt forsaken by God, questioning, "How long will you hide your face from me?" However, after pouring out his anguish, David didn't dwell his negative emotions but instead cried out, "Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death." David understood that only when he saw God with his spiritual eyes could he be transformed from suffering and despair to singing about God's great love. This is a valuable reminder for us – following the Lord depends on faith, not feelings. The enemy often uses suffering and negative emotions to deceive God's children, making us focus on the present challenges rather than the God who accompanies us in hardships, leading us to doubt His love! May God give us clear eyes and a spiritual perspective so that we may constantly lift our heads, look up to Him, rely on Him, and thank Him for His loving kindness and abundant grace in our lives. Amen!

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 13:1-6
(背誦經文:5-6)
1 耶和華啊,祢忘記我要到幾時呢?要到永遠嗎?祢掩面不顧我要到幾時呢?
2 我心裏籌算,終日愁苦,要到幾時呢?我的仇敵升高壓制我,要到幾時呢?
3 耶和華-我的 神啊,求祢看顧我,應允我!使我眼目光明,免得我沉睡至死;
4 免得我的仇敵說:我勝了他;免得我的敵人在我搖動的時候喜樂。
5 但我倚靠祢的慈愛;我的心因祢的救恩快樂。
6 我要向耶和華歌唱,因祂用厚恩待我。


【心得分享】詩人大衛連續用四個「要到幾時呢?」在 神面前表達自己的痛苦、委曲和無助的心情;在艱難的環境中他看不到希望,他感覺被 神遺忘了,並質問 神說:「祢掩面不顧我要到幾時呢?」但是大衛在傾訴心中的苦情後,並沒有持續停留在自己負面的感覺中,而是呼求說:「耶和華我的 神啊,求祢看顧我,應允我!使我眼目光明,免得我沉睡至死。」大衛知道唯有以自己屬靈的眼睛看見 神時,才能從苦難和絕望中轉變到歌唱 神的大慈愛。這對我們來說實在是一個寶貴的提醒—跟隨主不是憑感覺而是憑信心。因為仇敵常用苦難和負面的感覺來蒙蔽 神的兒女,讓我們在艱難中低頭看眼前的困境,不看在艱難中陪伴我們的 神,進而讓我們懷疑 神的愛!求 神讓你我的眼目光明、屬靈,在生活中能常抬頭仰望祂,依靠祂,感謝祂,因祂用慈愛和厚恩待我們。阿們!

Friday, November 17, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 18

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 20:1-9
(Memorization Scripture 5,7-9)
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.


【Reflection】This is a prayer psalm shared by the people and the king before going into battle. In verses 1-5, the people pray for blessings upon the king: "May the LORD...answer you, exalt you, deliver you, strengthen you, remember you, accept you, grant you, fulfill you..." They also pray for God Himself to bring salvation. Chariots and horses are what the enemies rely on and what the Israelites fear, but David is filled with confidence, knowing that God will protect His anointed one. God's people should rely on the name of the LORD and raise the banner (Jehovah Nissi) to secure victory and stand firm (verses 6-8). Are the difficulties and hostile environments we face often causing fear and timidity in us? Even though we see ourselves surrounded by chariots, horses, and armies, let us call upon the name of the LORD in faith. Let us ask Him to open our spiritual eyes, so that we may see God's fiery chariots and horses surrounding and protecting us (2 Kings 6:15-17), allowing us to declare and testify in faith: "They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright." (verse 8). Amen!




【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 20:1-9
(背誦經文:5,7-9)
1 願耶和華在你遭難的日子應允你;願名為雅各的 神高舉你。
2 願祂從聖所救助你,從錫安堅固你,
3 記念你的一切供獻,悅納你的燔祭, (細拉)
4 將你心所願的賜給你,成就你的一切籌算。
5 我們要因祢的救恩誇勝,要奉我們 神的名豎立旌旗。願耶和華成就你一切所求的!
6 現在我知道耶和華救護祂的受膏者,必從祂的聖天上應允他,用右手的能力救護他。
7 有人 靠車,有人 靠馬,但我們要提到耶和華-我們 神的名。
8 他們都屈身仆倒,我們卻起來,立得正直。
9 求耶和華施行拯救,我們呼求的時候,願王應允我們!


【心得分享】 這是一首參戰前百姓與王共同的祈禱詩,1-5節百姓爲王求祝福:「願耶和華... ...應允你,高舉你,救助你,堅固你,記念你,悅納你,賜給你,成就你......」並祈求 神親自施行拯救。車與馬是敵人所依靠,以色列人所畏懼的;但大衛充滿了把握,知道 神要救護祂的受膏者。 神的百姓要依靠耶和華的名,靠此豎立旌旗(耶和華尼西),必然得勝,站立到底。(6-8節) 眼前的困難,險惡的環境,是否也常常叫我們畏懼、膽怯?雖然眼見的是車馬軍兵圍困了我們,但讓我們用信心求告耶和華的名,求祂要開我們屬靈的眼睛,讓我們看見滿山有 神的火車火馬圍繞保護我們(王下6:15-17), 以至於我們都可以在信心的裡面宣告和見證:「他們都屈身仆倒, 我們卻起來,立得正直」(8節)。阿們!

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 17

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 116:8-14
(Memorization Scripture 12-14)
8 For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord, In the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the Lord, For all His benefits toward me?
13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord.
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord, Now in the presence of all His people.


【Reflection】In this psalm, the psalmist is set free from the ropes of suffering and pain that entangled him, as if it were death. God heard the psalm’s plea and voice, saving him from death, stopping his eyes from shedding tears, and preventing his feet from stumbling. After experiencing God's rescue in the midst of hardship, the psalmist chooses to walk the path of the living before the Lord in the days to come. He will lift up the cup of salvation before all people, praising the name of the Lord, and giving glory and thanks to God. The Chinese translation in verse 12 once again uses the concrete description of "abundant grace" to express that God's grace is not just a little, not just enough, but extremely plentiful and excellent! God's grace always exceeds what we deserve and can be described as "too good to be true!" Let us all take a moment to reflect on our own situations and experiences. How should we review our hardships and give thanks? The answer lies in remembering His faithfulness and salvation towards us. May the psalmist’s gratitude and praise in the midst of affliction become an example for us to face all circumstances today.



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 116:8-14
(背誦經文:12-14)
8 主啊,祢救我的命免了死亡,救我的眼免了流淚,救我的腳免了跌倒。
9 我要在耶和華面前行活人之路。
10 我因信,所以如此說話。
11 我受了極大的困苦。我曾急促地說:「人都是說謊的。」
12 我拿什麼報答耶和華向我所賜的一切厚恩?
13 我要舉起救恩的杯,稱揚耶和華的名。
14 我要在祂眾民面前向耶和華還我的願。


【心得分享】在這首讚美詩中,詩人從宛如死亡的繩索纏繞他的痛苦和悲痛中被解脫出來。神聽了詩人的懇求和聲音,救他的命免了死亡,救他的眼免了流淚,救他的腳免了跌倒。當詩人經歷 神在患難中的搭救之後,他選擇在今後的日子裡,在耶和華面前行活人之路,也要在眾人的面前,舉起救恩的杯,稱揚耶和華的名,將榮耀感恩來歸給 神。在12節的中文翻譯再度用「厚恩」這個具象的描述,表達神的恩典不僅是一點點、不僅是剛剛好,而是非常多、非常好! 神的恩典總是過於我們應得、配得的,用英文來說就是"too good to be true (「難以置信」之意)!" 讓我們也都思想一下自己的光景與經歷。我們該如何回顧苦難並感恩?答案就是通過牢記祂對我們的信實及拯救。甚願詩人在患難中的感恩與讚美也成為我們今天面對一切環境的榜樣!

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 16

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 142:1-7
(Memorization Scripture 5-7)
1 I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
4 Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.
5 I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”


【Reflection】This passage is a didactic psalm written by David while he was fleeing from King Saul, hiding in a cave. In this psalm, David cries out to the Lord about his suffering and distress, expressing his loneliness, weakness, and helplessness in being pursued by his enemies. He openly tells his God that these enemies are stronger than him and that he is in an extremely low state. However, he can still declare in faith, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” (Verse 5) He believes that God will incline His ear and hear his cry, personally "bring him out of the prison" (Verse 7), and surround him with righteous people, showering him with abundant grace. In this passage, we find a perfect example of how to respond to injustice, adversity, despair, and the valley when we walk with God every day. Through David's experiences, we are reminded that no matter what situation we are in, even when our hearts are overwhelmed and full of despair, we should honestly pour out our hearts before God, and firmly believe that He will lead us out of all difficulties and one day we will come to thank Him.



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 142:1-7
(背誦經文:5-7)
大衛在洞裡作的訓誨詩,乃是祈禱。
1 我發聲哀告耶和華,發聲懇求耶和華。
2 我在祂面前吐露我的苦情,陳說我的患難。
3 我的靈在我裡面發昏的時候,祢知道我的道路。在我行的路上,敵人為我暗設網羅。
4 求祢向我右邊觀看,因為沒有人認識我;我無處避難,也沒有人眷顧我。
5 耶和華啊,我曾向祢哀求,我說:「祢是我的避難所,在活人之地祢是我的福分。」
6 求祢側耳聽我的呼求,因我落到極卑之地;求祢救我脫離逼迫我的人,因為他們比我強盛。
7 求祢領我出離被囚之地,我好稱讚祢的名。義人必環繞我,因為祢是用厚恩待我。


【心得分享】本篇是大衛逃避掃羅王時,在洞中所作的訓誨詩。在本詩中,大衛向耶和華哀告他的苦情和患難,並陳訴自己被敵人追殺的孤單、軟弱和無助。他一無隱瞞地告訴他的 神,這些仇敵比他強盛,他現在的景況到了極卑之地。但是,他還是能在信心裡宣告說:「祢是我的避難所;在活人之地,祢是我的福分!」(5節) 他相信 神會側耳而聽他的呼求,親自「領他出離被囚之地」(7節),並使義人環繞他,用厚恩待他。在這段經文中,我們找到了在我們每天與 神同行時,如何回應不公正、磨難、絕望和低谷的完美範例。藉著大衛的經歷,提醒我們無論處在什麼困境,甚至心裡發昏、絕望時,都要真實地到 神面前傾心吐意,堅信祂必能帶領我們脫離一切困境,並且有一天,我們還要來稱謝祂!

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 15

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 9:1-4,7-14,19-20
(Memorization Scripture 1-2,19-20)
1 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
4 For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness....
7 But the Lord shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment.
8 He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.
12 When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy on me, O Lord! Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 That I may tell of all Your praise, In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation....
19 Arise, O Lord, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah


【Reflection】"Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail". In this generation where "man" is placed at the center of the universe, how much we need to hear these words! When academia, media, and our hearts constantly elevate the status of "man," this truth must firmly control our thoughts: my life is not controlled by "me" or my enemies. I must lift my eyes to God, thanking Him, for He sits on the throne forever, His righteousness reigns, and He is our fortress. Even in our sadness and failures, when the enemy seems to boast in victory, the Lord is still with us, for He is "the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion" (verse 11). He judges evil (verses 4, 7, 8, 12), yet never forgets His people (verse 10). What great compassion and love! What does this mean to the author of this psalm? to us? It means that we should not boast, fear, or despair, but instead, in the presence of the public (verse 14), "wholeheartedly" (verse 1) praise Him. For He has redeemed us from sin, enemies, and even death! Let us sing together today, "I rejoice in your salvation!"




【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 9:1-4,7-14,19-20
(背誦經文:1-2,19-20)
1 我要一心稱謝耶和華;我要傳揚祢一切奇妙的作為。
2 我要因祢歡喜快樂;至高者啊,我要歌頌祢的名!

3 我的仇敵轉身退去的時候,他們一見祢的面就跌倒滅亡。
4 因祢已經為我伸冤,為我辨屈;祢坐在寶座上,按公義審判。...
7 惟耶和華坐著為王,直到永遠;祂已經為審判設擺祂的寶座。
8 祂要按公義審判世界,按正直判斷萬民。
9 耶和華又要給受欺壓的人作高臺,在患難的時候作高臺。
10 耶和華啊,認識祢名的人要倚靠祢,因祢沒有離棄尋求祢的人。
11 應當歌頌居錫安的耶和華,將祂所行的傳揚在眾民中。
12 因為那追討流人血之罪的-祂記念受屈的人,不忘記困苦人的哀求。
13 耶和華啊,祢是從死門把我提拔起來的;求祢憐恤我,看那恨我的人所加給我的苦難,
14 好叫我述說祢一切的美德;我必在錫安城 (- 原文是女子) 的門因祢的救恩歡樂。...
19 耶和華啊,求祢起來,不容人得勝,願外邦人在祢面前受審判!
20 耶和華啊,求祢使外邦人恐懼,願他們知道自己不過是人!(細拉)


【心得分享】「耶和華啊,求祢起來,不容人得勝!」在這個以「人」为宇宙中心的世代,多麼需要聽到這樣一句話!當學術界,媒體,和我們的心不停地抬高「人」的地位時,這個道理一定要緊緊地控制我們的思想:我的一生不是被「我」或者我的敵人掌控。我要轉眼仰望 神,感謝祂,因祂永遠坐在寶座,祂的公義掌權,並且祂是我們的堡壘。甚至在我們悲傷和失敗的時候,好像仇敵在誇勝的時候,主依然與我們同在, 因祂是「居錫安的耶和華」(11節)。祂在審判罪惡(4,7,8,12節),也從不忘記祂的子民(10節),這是何等的憐憫和慈愛!這對詩篇的作者、對我意味著什麼?它意味著我們不當自誇,也不當畏懼或絕望,而是在公眾前(14節)「一心」(1節)讚美祂。因祂救贖我們脫離罪、仇敵、甚至死亡!我們應當今日一起歌唱:「我因祢的救恩歡樂!」

Monday, November 13, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 14

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 34:1-8
(Memorization Scripture 1-3,7-8)
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!


【Reflection】After David escaped from the presence of Philistine King Abimelech, he composed a psalm to thank God for answering his cries in times of distress. In the midst of hardships and difficulties, God listened to his prayers and delivered him from all fears and troubles. David declared, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." He also invited us to join him in exalting and thanking the name of the Lord, for He sends His angels to encamp around those who fear Him, ensuring that anyone who looks to Him will not be put to shame.
When you encounter difficulties and spiritual valleys, never forget that our God is good. Open your eyes of faith and see that His messengers are encamped around you, just as the fiery chariots and horses surrounded Elisha on the mountains. Not only do we see, but we also get to taste the grace of the Lord and experience His goodness in our everyday lives. David said, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19) Praise the Lord, for blessed are those who take refuge in Him!


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 34:1-8
(背誦經文:1-3,7-8)
大衛在亞比米勒面前裝瘋,被他趕出去,就作這詩。
1 我要時時稱頌耶和華,讚美祂的話必常在我口中。
2 我的心必因耶和華誇耀,謙卑人聽見,就要喜樂。
3 你們和我當稱耶和華為大,一同高舉祂的名。

4 我曾尋求耶和華,祂就應允我,救我脫離了一切的恐懼。
5 凡仰望祂的便有光榮,他們的臉必不蒙羞。
6 我這困苦人呼求,耶和華便垂聽,救我脫離一切患難。
7 耶和華的使者在敬畏祂的人四圍安營,搭救他們。
8 你們要嘗嘗主恩的滋味,便知道祂是美善。投靠祂的人有福了!


【心得分享】大衛從非利士王亞比米勒面前逃離後,就作詩感謝 神在急難中應允他的尋求;在困苦艱難中垂聽他的禱告;救他脫離了一切的恐懼和患難。他說:「我要時時稱頌耶和華,讚美祂的話必常在我口中」。也邀請我們和他一同來高舉稱謝耶和華的名,因為祂差派使者四圍安營保守敬畏祂的人,叫凡仰望祂的人必不蒙羞。
當你遇到困境和屬靈低谷時,千萬不要忘記,我們的 神是美善的,張開你信心的眼睛看---祂的使者正在你的四圍安營,如同當年滿山的火車火馬圍繞以利沙一樣圍繞你! 不但看見,而且我們還要去嘗嘗主的恩典,在每天的實際生活去經歷 神的美善。大衛說:「義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切」。(參詩34:19)真是感謝主,投靠祂的人有福了!

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 13

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 103:1-13
(Memorization Scripture 1-5,8-13)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness. And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.


【Reflection】Have you ever spoken to yourself? When you face the lows of life, have you ever encouraged yourself to praise the Lord? In today's psalm, David begins by saying, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!" It seems that even David's heart needed some encouragement to give thanks to God. David reminds himself not to forget all the favors of the Lord, how He forgives all his iniquities and heals all his diseases. Not only He redeems his life from destruction, but also crowns him with lovingkindness and tender mercies; and satisfies his desires with good things, so that his youth is renewed like the eagle's. As he recounts all of God's grace, the Holy Spirit opens his heart to know the love and mercy of God, which is exceedingly wide, long, high, and deep, beyond our comprehension!
Perhaps today, there are some challenges in your life, please do not let your despondent heart take control of you. On the contrary, like David, let us also tell ourselves, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 103:1-13
(背誦經文:1-5,8-13)
1 我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華;凡在我裡面的,也要稱頌祂的聖名!
2 我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華,不可忘記祂的一切恩惠。
3 祂赦免你的一切罪孽,醫治你的一切疾病。
4 祂救贖你的命脫離死亡,以仁愛和慈悲為你的冠冕。
5 祂用美物使你所願的得以知足,以致你如鷹返老還童。

6 耶和華施行公義,為一切受屈的人申冤。
7 祂使摩西知道祂的法則,叫以色列人曉得祂的作為。
8 耶和華有憐憫,有恩典,不輕易發怒,且有豐盛的慈愛。
9 祂不長久責備,也不永遠懷怒。
10 祂沒有按我們的罪過待我們,也沒有照我們的罪孽報應我們。
11 天離地何等的高,祂的慈愛向敬畏祂的人也是何等的大。
12 東離西有多遠,祂叫我們的過犯離我們也有多遠。
13 父親怎樣憐恤他的兒女,耶和華也怎樣憐恤敬畏祂的人。


【心得分享】你是否曾經向自己說話?當你在面對人生的低谷的時候,你是否曾經鼓勵你自己要來稱頌耶和華?在今天的詩篇中,大衛一開始就講到「我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華;凡在我裡面的,也要稱頌祂的聖名!」似乎大衛的心也需要一些的鼓勵才能向 神發出感恩。大衛提醒自己不可忘記耶和華 神的一切恩惠。祂是如何赦免他一切的罪孽,醫治他的一切疾病;不僅僅救贖他的命脫離死亡,更以仁愛和慈悲為他的冠冕;還用美物使大衛所願的得以知足,以致大衛能常常如鷹返老還童。當他這樣一一數算 神的恩典,聖靈就開啟他認識了 神的慈愛和憐憫,實在是何等的長闊高深,過於我們能測度的!
也許就在今天,你的生活中就有一些的難處,但請不要讓你被自己低沉的心所轄制。相反的,我們如大衛一樣,也來告訴自己:「我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華;凡在我裡面的,也要稱頌祂的聖名!我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華,不可忘記祂的一切恩惠。」


Saturday, November 11, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 12

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 98:1-9
(Memorization Scripture 1,4-5)
1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

2 The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
5 Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm,

6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it;
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together
9 before the Lord,For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world,
And the peoples with equity.

【Reflection】"Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him." (Verse 1) Praise the Lord, for it is God who allows us to sing a new song to Him. He is our God, the one who does marvelous things. His works among the Israelites were marvelous, and similarly, through His Son Jesus Christ, God has accomplished marvelous salvation in us as well. The name of the Lord Jesus is "Wonderful" (Isaiah 9:6). From His incarnation, His life on earth, His sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection and ascension, to His second coming and judgment, God's salvation is filled with wonders.
God has not only completed salvation before the creation, but He also works His new salvation in our lives every day, delivering us from every situation and the bondage of sin, so that we may be saved from God's righteous judgment. The "new" song comes from our fresh experiences of God's salvation. "His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:23) Let us diligently capture the new works of God's salvation in our lives, count His grace, rejoice and sing a "new" song to the Lord.



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 98:1-9
(背誦經文:1,4-5)
1 你們要向耶和華唱新歌!因為祂行過奇妙的事;祂的右手和聖臂施行救恩。
2 耶和華發明了祂的救恩,在列邦人眼前顯出公義;
3 記念祂向以色列家所發的慈愛,所憑的信實。地的四極都看見我們 神的救恩。
4 全地都要向耶和華歡樂;要發起大聲,歡呼歌頌!
5 要用琴歌頌耶和華,用琴和詩歌的聲音歌頌祂!

6 用號和角聲,在大君王耶和華面前歡呼!
7 願海和其中所充滿的澎湃;世界和住在其間的也要發聲。
8 願大水拍手;願諸山在耶和華面前一同歡呼;
9 因為祂來要審判遍地。祂要按公義審判世界,按公正審判萬民。

【心得分享】「你們要向耶和華唱新歌,因為祂行過奇妙的事;祂右手和聖臂施行救恩。」(1節)感謝主,耶和華是讓我們能向祂唱新歌的 神。祂是我們的 神,是獨行奇事的那一位。祂在以色列人身上的作爲是奇妙的,同樣, 神藉著祂的兒子主耶穌,在你我身上也成就了奇妙的救恩。主耶穌的名字就是「奇妙」(賽9:6),祂道成肉身、在地的生活、十架的代贖、復活與升天、再來與審判。 神的救恩,從起頭到末了,都滿了奇妙。
神不單在創世以前已完成了救恩,也在我們生活的每一天施行祂新的拯救,從一切的環境,罪性裡面把我們拯救出來,免於 神公義的審判。「新」歌是由我們對 神的救恩有新鮮的經歷而來,「每早晨這都是新的,祢的誠實極其廣大!」(哀 3:23 )。要悉心的捕捉 神的救恩在我們身上新的工作,數算 神的恩典,以此向耶和華歡呼,唱「新」歌。

Friday, November 10, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 11

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 51:1-19
(Memorization Scripture 10-12,17-18)
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

【Reflection】This is the most famous of the seven penitential psalms, often helping us turn to God with a heart of sorrow and repentance in times of weakness, sin, and conviction of conscience, following David's example. The psalmist believes that as long as we are willing to genuinely confess and repent before God, He will "not look on my sins, but blot out all my iniquities" (verse 9). "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10). At this moment, a person who has committed a grave sin (verse 4) not only has a heart full of remorse but also gratitude. What other god is like our God, so abundant in mercy and forgiveness, willing to wipe away and cleanse all our sins, and to make our once-crushed bones rise up with joy! (verses 7-8)
What's even more incredible is that God will also give us a new heart and a new spirit to enable us to follow His will. David fervently implores, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me." (verses 10-11). Thanks be to the Lord, by the redemption of the Messiah, saved believers today have received this "pure heart," and the Holy Spirit also indwells in us, never to leave. After offering a heart of sorrow and repentance as a sacrifice, the psalmist confidently and earnestly prays for a willing and obedient spirit. He wants to delight in God's salvation again and not let sin separate him from God (verse 12). A truly repentant person is one who knows grace and proves their repentance through practical change (verses 13-17).
Finally, the psalmist does not forget to pray for blessings upon Zion and Jerusalem, asking God to build the walls of Jerusalem and protect God's children from falling into the snares of their enemies and offending God themselves. What gratitude there is in such a transformed life.



【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 51:1-19
(背誦經文:10-12,17-18)
1 神啊,求祢按祢的慈愛憐恤我,按祢豐盛的慈悲塗抹我的過犯!
2 求祢將我的罪孽洗除淨盡,並潔除我的罪!
3 因為我知道我的過犯,我的罪常在我面前。
4 我向祢犯罪,唯獨得罪了祢,在祢眼前行了這惡,
以致祢責備我的時候顯為公義,判斷我的時候顯為清正。
5 我是在罪孽裡生的,在我母親懷胎的時候就有了罪。
6 祢所喜愛的是內裡誠實,祢在我隱密處必使我得智慧。
7 求祢用牛膝草潔淨我,我就乾淨;求祢洗滌我,我就比雪更白。
8 求祢使我得聽歡喜快樂的聲音,使祢所壓傷的骨頭可以踴躍。
9 求祢掩面不看我的罪,塗抹我一切的罪孽。
10 神啊,求祢為我造清潔的心,使我裡面重新有正直的靈。
11 不要丟棄我,使我離開祢的面,不要從我收回祢的聖靈。
12 求祢使我仍得救恩之樂,賜我樂意的靈扶持我。

13 我就把祢的道指教有過犯的人,罪人必歸順祢。
14 神啊,祢是拯救我的 神;求祢救我脫離流人血的罪!我的舌頭就高聲歌唱祢的公義。
15 主啊,求祢使我嘴唇張開,我的口便傳揚讚美祢的話!
16 祢本不喜愛祭物,若喜愛,我就獻上;燔祭,祢也不喜悅。
17 神所要的祭就是憂傷的靈;神啊,憂傷痛悔的心,祢必不輕看。
18 求祢隨祢的美意善待錫安,建造耶路撒冷的城牆。

19 那時,祢必喜愛公義的祭和燔祭並全牲的燔祭;那時,人必將公牛獻在祢壇上。

【心得分享】這是七篇懺悔詩裡最著名的一篇,常常幫助我們在軟弱、犯罪及良心受控告時效法大衛以憂傷痛悔的心迴轉向 神,從祂得及時的赦免和釋放。詩人相信只要願意向 神真心認罪悔改,祂就「掩面不看我的罪,塗抹我一切的罪孽。」(9節)「依 神的意思憂愁,就生出沒有後悔的懊悔來,以致得救。」 (林後7:10)一個犯下重罪的人(4節),在這個時刻,不僅是滿心的懊悔,也一定是充滿了感恩。有何神像我們的 神這樣有豐盛的憐憫和赦罪之恩,願意塗抹、潔淨我們一切已犯的罪,並且使我們原本因受定罪而壓傷的骨頭都可以再起來踴躍!(7-8節)
更沒想到的是, 神還要賜給我們新心和新靈,使我們可以遵行祂的旨意。大衛呼求說,「神啊,求祢為我造清潔的心,使我裡面重新有正直的靈。不要丟棄我,使我離開祢的面,不要從我收回祢的聖靈。」(10-11節)感謝主,因著彌賽亞的救贖,蒙恩的信徒今天都得著了這「清潔的心」,並且聖靈也內主在我們裡面,永不離開。在獻上憂傷痛悔的心為祭物之後,詩人坦然而且迫切地祈求一個樂意順服的靈,他要重新以 神的救恩為樂,再也不讓罪使他與 神分離。(12節)一個真正憂傷痛悔的人,一定是一個認識恩典的人,也一定是曉得用實際的改變來證實他的悔改的人。(13-17節)
最後,詩人不忘記為錫安與耶路撒冷求祝福,求 神來建造耶路撒冷的城牆,保護 神的兒女不像他自己一樣陷在仇敵的網羅裡而得罪 神。何等的感恩,如此生命的轉變。


Thursday, November 9, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 10

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 32:1-11
(Memorization Scripture 1,5-7)
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old, Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

【Reflection】"Blessed is the one whose transgressions
are forgiven, whose sins are covered!" (Psalm 32:1) Have you experienced the joy of being completely forgiven by God? Even in the Old Testament era, David saw the truth of the New Covenant. We were all once bound by sin, oppressed by evil, and controlled by our flesh and old selves. However, the Lord Jesus was nailed to the cross for our sins, carrying all our unrighteousness, and bestowing upon us the grace of forgiveness. Now, we can boldly and fearlessly commune with God, no longer under the bondage of sin. This is something we should rejoice and give thanks to God for every day! Do not groan under the burden of sin anymore. Instead, find rest in our God who saves and preserves us! “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 32:1-11
(背誦經文:1,5-7)
1 得赦免其過、遮蓋其罪的,這人是有福的!
2 凡心裡沒有詭詐,耶和華不算為有罪的,這人是有福的!
3 我閉口不認罪的時候,因終日唉哼而骨頭枯乾。
4 黑夜白日,祢的手在我身上沉重,我的精液耗盡,如同夏天的乾旱。(細拉)
5 我向祢陳明我的罪,不隱瞞我的惡。
我說「我要向耶和華承認我的過犯」,祢就赦免我的罪惡。(細拉)
6 為此,凡虔誠人都當趁祢可尋找的時候禱告祢,大水泛溢的時候,必不能到祂那裡。
7 祢是我藏身之處,祢必保佑我脫離苦難,以得救的樂歌四面環繞我。(細拉)

8 我要教導你,指示你當行的路,我要定睛在你身上勸誡你。
9 你不可像那無知的騾馬,必用嚼環轡頭勒住牠,不然就不能馴服。
10 惡人必多受苦楚,唯獨倚靠耶和華的,必有慈愛四面環繞他。
11 你們義人應當靠耶和華歡喜快樂,你們心裡正直的人都當歡呼!

【心得分享】「得赦免其過、遮蓋其罪的,這人是有福的!」(1節) 你嘗過被 神完全赦免的喜樂嗎?大衛在舊約時代就看見了新約的真理。 我們都曾經被罪所捆綁,被惡所壓傷,被肉體和老我所轄制。然而主耶穌為我們的罪被釘在十字架上,背負了我們一切的不義。賜下赦免的恩典。如今我們可以坦然無懼地與 神交通,完全不再受罪的轄制,這實在值得我們每天都歡喜快樂地向 神獻上感恩的!不要再在罪的重擔下唉哼了,到拯救並保全我們的 神面前安息吧!你們義人應當靠耶和華歡喜快樂,你們心裡正直的人都當歡呼!

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 09

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 30:4-5,10-12
(Memorization Scripture 4-5,11-12)
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
...
10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.


【Reflection】In our lives, we experience both mountaintop moments and valleys. On difficult days, we may harbor worries, despair and even bitterness. In this psalm, David does not sugarcoat his pain. He knows that we, as a people who have received grace and entered into a covenant with a loving God, will also experience heartbreak and trials. But he also knows that the weeping of a night will pass, and the shouts of joy and gladness from God are new every morning, because His grace endures for a lifetime! Even in suffering, we can have genuine gratitude. Let us learn to give thanks to God in every circumstance, for He will turn our mourning into dancing, take off our sackcloth and clothe us with joy. Let us all praise and give thanks for His goodness and faithfulness, forever and ever!

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 30:4-5,10-12
(背誦經文:4-5,11-12)
4 耶和華的聖民哪,你們要歌頌祂,稱讚祂可記念的聖名。
5 因為,祂的怒氣不過是轉眼之間;祂的恩典乃是一生之久。一宿雖然有哭泣, 早晨便必歡呼。
...
10 耶和華啊,求祢應允我,憐恤我! 耶和華啊,求祢幫助我!
11 祢已將我的哀哭變為跳舞, 將我的麻衣脫去,給我披上喜樂,
12 好叫我的靈 (- 原文是榮耀) 歌頌祢,並不住聲。 耶和華-我的 神啊,我要稱謝祢,直到永遠。


【心得分享】我們的生命中有高山也有低谷。在艱難的日子里,我們會心存憂慮,絕望,甚至苦毒。在這首詩篇中,大衛絲毫沒有粉飾他的哀痛,他知道我們這群蒙恩的子民,即使是與慈愛的 神立約,也會經歷心碎與試煉。但他更知道一宿的哭泣總會過去, 神所賜的歡呼喜樂每早晨都是新鮮,因為祂的恩典乃是一生之久! 就算是在苦難中,我們也可以有真實的感恩。讓我們學習在任何的環境中都把感恩歸給 神,因為祂必將我們的哀哭變為跳舞,將我們的麻衣脫去,給我們披上喜樂。 讓我們都來歌頌稱謝祂的良善信實,直到永遠!

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 08

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 107:1-9
(Memorization Scripture 6-9)
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.


【Reflection】The psalmist calls upon every person who has received the grace to come and thank the Lord. By counting God's blessings, we are reminded that our God is good, and His love endures forever! God has redeemed us from the hands of our enemies, leading us on a straight path and preventing us from drifting in the wilderness. He has promised out of love that those who seek Him with a thirsty heart will be satisfied. Indeed, we were all like lost sheep, but He found us and brought us back from the desolate wilderness, surrounded us with His love, cared for us and protected us, just as He protects the apple of His eye. He poured out His own life to become the bread of life for us, as Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35). And not only that, He also brings us into His abundance, "He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things."


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 107:1-9
(背誦經文:6-9)
1 「你們要稱謝耶和華,因他本為善,他的慈愛永遠長存!」
2 願耶和華的贖民說這話,就是他從敵人手中所救贖的,
3 從各地,從東從西,從南從北所招聚來的。
4 他們在曠野荒地漂流,尋不見可住的城邑,
5 又飢又渴,心裡發昏。
6 於是他們在苦難中哀求耶和華,他從他們的禍患中搭救他們。
7 又領他們行走直路,使他們往可居住的城邑。
8 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他!
9 因他使心裡渴慕的人得以知足,使心裡飢餓的人得飽美物。


【心得分享】 詩人呼籲每一個蒙恩的人都要來稱謝耶和華,藉著數算 神的恩典提醒我們,我們的 神本為善,祂的慈愛永遠長存! 神曾救贖我們脫離仇敵的手,領我們行走直路,不在曠野漂流。又因愛應許我們,凡心裡渴慕尋求祂的人都得飽足。是的,我們也都曾如羊走迷,是祂把我們從曠野荒涼野獸吼叫之地找回,用愛環繞我們,看顧我們,保護我們,如同保護眼中的瞳人。祂又將自己的生命傾倒,成為我們生命的糧,正如耶穌所說:「我就是生命的糧。到我這裡來的,必定不餓;信我的,永遠不渴。」(約6:35)不但如此,祂還帶我們進入祂的豐富,「使心裡渴慕的人得以知足,使心裡飢餓的人得飽美物」。

Monday, November 6, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 07

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 92:1-15
(Memorization Scripture 12-15)
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound.
4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
5 O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.
7 When the wicked [a]spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.
8 But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.
9 For behold, Your enemies, O Lord, For behold, Your enemies shall perish;
All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my [b]horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.
11 My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies;
My ears hear my desire on the wicked. Who rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord. Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be [c]fresh and [d]flourishing,
15 To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.


【Reflection】David has given us a wonderful example – "In the morning, proclaim God's love; at night, proclaim God's faithfulness." When we start our day with gratitude and praise towards God, our attention unknowingly shifts from the pressures and burdens we face to this loving Lord. This can help us enjoy His love and care more in our daily lives and experience His miraculous works. And when the day comes to an end, we come before God again to reflect on how He has led us through the day with pure intentions and skillful hands, and our gratitude overflows even more! Let us also learn to speak words of faith and hope to ourselves and the body of Christ in the name of Jesus Christ: " we will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord; flourish in the courts of our God. Bear fruit in old age; ever full of sap and green" What a blessed life this is!


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 92:1-15
(背誦經文:12-15)
1 稱謝耶和華,歌頌你至高者的名,
2 用十弦的樂器和瑟,用琴彈幽雅的聲音,早晨傳揚你的慈愛,每夜傳揚你的信實,這本為美事。 3 
4 因你耶和華藉著你的作為叫我高興,我要因你手的工作歡呼。
5 耶和華啊,你的工作何其大!你的心思極其深!
6 畜類人不曉得,愚頑人也不明白:
7 惡人茂盛如草,一切作孽之人發旺的時候,正是他們要滅亡,直到永遠。
8 唯你耶和華是至高,直到永遠。
9 耶和華啊,你的仇敵都要滅亡,一切作孽的也要離散。
10 你卻高舉了我的角,如野牛的角;我是被新油膏了的。
11 我眼睛看見仇敵遭報,我耳朵聽見那些起來攻擊我的惡人受罰。
12 義人要發旺如棕樹,生長如黎巴嫩的香柏樹。
13 他們栽於耶和華的殿中,發旺在我們神的院裡。
14 他們年老的時候仍要結果子,要滿了汁漿而常發青,
15 好顯明耶和華是正直的,他是我的磐石,在他毫無不義。


【心得分享】大衛給我們的美好榜樣就是—「早晨傳揚 神的慈愛,每夜傳揚 神的信實」。當我們用向 神的感謝和讚美來開始一天的生活,我們的注意力不知不覺地就從所要面對的壓力和重擔上,轉移到這位慈愛的主的身上。這可以幫助我們在一天的生活中,更多地來享受祂的慈愛和眷顧,經歷祂奇妙的作為。而當一天結束的時候,我們再一次來到 神的面前來回想 神是怎樣按著祂心中的純正和手中的巧妙,來帶領我們這一天的時候,我們的感恩將更加滿溢!也讓我們學習奉耶穌基督的名來對自己及基督身體說信心和盼望的話:「我們要發旺如棕樹,生長如黎巴嫩的香柏樹,到年老的時候仍要結果子,要滿了汁漿而常發青。」這是何等蒙福的人生!

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 06

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 119:57-64
(Memorization Scripture 62-64)
57 You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.


【Reflection】Thank the Lord for giving us His Word, so that we may know Him, follow Him, and obey His Word throughout our lives. The psalmist thanks the Lord for His Word, revealing the psalmist's profound understanding and experience of God's Word. By obeying God's Word, we can experience that the Lord is our portion and grace. His Word not only guides us on the path ahead but also delivers us from the snares of the wicked. Let us give thanks to Him for His Word, delight in His Word, long for His Word, obey His Word, and immerse ourselves in the abundant love of our Lord. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10a)

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 119:57-64
(背誦經文:62-64)
57 耶和華是我的福分,我曾說,我要遵守你的言語。
58 我一心求過你的恩,願你照你的話憐憫我。
59 我思想我所行的道,就轉步歸向你的法度。
60 我急忙遵守你的命令,並不遲延。
61 惡人的繩索纏繞我,我卻沒有忘記你的律法。
62 我因你公義的典章,半夜必起來稱謝你。
63 凡敬畏你、守你訓詞的人,我都與他做伴。
64 耶和華啊,你的慈愛遍滿大地,求你將你的律例教訓我。


【心得分享】感謝主,把祂的話語賜給我們,叫我們可以認識祂、跟隨祂、一生遵行祂的話。 詩人因著 神的話稱謝耶和華,讓我們看見詩人對 神的話有何等的認識和體會。因著遵守 神的話,我們就可以經歷耶和華是我們的福分和恩典。祂的話不單指引我們前面的道路,也救我們脫離惡人的繩索。讓我們爲著 神的話稱謝祂,以 神的話爲樂、愛慕 神的話、遵行 神的話,以至於沉浸在主那豐滿的慈愛中。「你們若遵守我的命令,就常在我的愛裡。」(約15:10a)

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 05

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 65:5,9-13
(Memorization Scripture 11-13)
5 By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas;... 9 You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, For so You have prepared it.
10 You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth.
11 You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.
12 They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.


【Reflection】 David's life was filled with numerous persecutions and hardships. At the same time, he also deeply experienced God's personal salvation, preservation, and provision. Therefore, he praised God with a grateful heart, saying, "(He is) the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas." (verse 5) Then, David looked upon the nature created by God, as well as the rain, crops, livestock granted by God... vividly depicting God's grace: "You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance." (verse 11) Dear brothers and sisters, having experienced the unique circumstances and challenges in the past few years, should we not be more grateful for His preservation and provision, cherish Him even more, and find our true satisfaction in Christ? When we think of God's grace upon us, day after day, year after year, can we not help but accept the psalmist's invitation, together with rivers, paths, wilderness, meadows, hills, flocks, to give thanks to God for His abundant provision and care?

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 65:5,9-13
(背誦經文:11-13)
5 拯救我們的神啊,你必以威嚴秉公義應允我們,你本是一切地極和海上遠處的人所倚靠的。...9 你眷顧地,降下透雨,使地大得肥美;神的河滿了水。你這樣澆灌了地,好為人預備五穀。10 你澆透地的犁溝,潤平犁脊,降甘霖使地軟和,其中發長的蒙你賜福。
11 你以恩典為年歲的冠冕,你的路徑都滴下脂油。
12 滴在曠野的草場上,小山以歡樂束腰,
13 草場以羊群為衣,谷中也長滿了五穀,這一切都歡呼歌唱。


【心得分享】 大衛的一生充滿了無數的逼迫患難。同時,他也非常深刻地經歷了 神親自的拯救、保守和供應。所以,他以感恩的心讚美 神:「祢本是一切地極和海上遠處的人所倚靠的。」(5節) 接著,詩人環顧 神所創造的大自然,以及 神所賜予的雨水、五穀、牲畜...,便生動地描繪出 神的恩典:「祢以恩典為年歲的冠冕;祢的路徑都滴下脂油。」(11節) 親愛的弟兄姐妹,經歷了過去幾年來特別的環境與挑戰,我們是否更要感謝祂的保守與供應,都更寶貝祂,並以得著基督為我們真正的滿足?想到 神的恩典在我們身上,日復一日、年復一年,你我是否也忍不住要接受詩人的邀請,與江河、路徑、曠野、草場、小山、羊群等一同來稱謝 神和祂豐盛的供應與眷顧?

Friday, November 3, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 04

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 8:1-9
(Memorization Scripture 1-4)
1 O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

【Reflection】Thank the Lord! Jehovah is not only the "Creator of Heaven and Earth," but also "Our Lord." What is even more amazing is that He "cares for us." Just contemplating on this fact is enough to make our hearts leap for joy! Who are we that God would care for us in this way! God says, "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." (Isaiah 43:7) If we fail to grasp this point, we cannot understand why God entrusted us with the mission of stewardship over His creation; nor can we comprehend why, after humanity fell into temptation and followed Satan, God would send His only begotten Son in the likeness of man, willingly sacrificing Himself to accomplish redemption and initiate a new creation! Indeed, the first created man did not fulfill God's entrusted task. However, the last Adam, Jesus Christ, has received honor and glory as His crown (Hebrews 2:9), and all things are under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:27, Ephesians 1:22). Therefore, let us treasure the salvation we receive through faith in Him and be even more grateful for Jesus Christ reigning in our lives, restoring the glorious mission that God had originally bestowed upon us.

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 8:1-9
(背誦經文:1-4)
1 耶和華我們的主啊,你的名在全地何其美,你將你的榮耀彰顯於天!
2 你因敵人的緣故,從嬰孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力,使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。
3 我觀看你指頭所造的天,並你所陳設的月亮星宿,
4 便說:「人算什麼,你竟顧念他?世人算什麼,你竟眷顧他?

5 你叫他比天使 微小一點,並賜他榮耀尊貴為冠冕。
6 你派他管理你手所造的,使萬物,就是一切的牛羊,田野的獸,空中的鳥,海裡的魚,凡經行海道的,都服在他的腳下。」 7  8
9 耶和華我們的主啊,你的名在全地何其美!

【心得分享】感謝主!耶和華不僅是「創造天地的主」,還是「我們的主」,更奇妙的是祂竟「顧念我們」。光是默想這個事實,就足以讓我們的心歡喜跳躍! 是啊,我們算什麼, 神竟然這樣眷顧我們! 神說:「凡稱為我名下的人,是我為自己的榮耀創造的,是我所做成,所造作的。」(賽43:7) 我們若看不清這個點,就不能明白為什麼 神賦予我們使命來管理祂所造的;更不能明白為什麼人跟從撒旦的誘惑墮落之後, 神要使祂的獨生子成為人的樣式,捨命完成救贖,開啟了新造的族類!的確,第一個受造的人沒有完成 神的託付。而末後的亞當,耶穌基督,卻得了尊貴、榮耀為冠冕(來2:9),萬有都服在祂腳下(林前15:27,弗1:22)。為此,讓我們寶貝這因信就能從祂蒙受的救恩,也更感謝耶穌基督在我們生命中作王,恢復 神起初就賦予我們的榮耀使命。

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 03

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 7:1,3-6,8-11,17
(Memorization Scripture 8-10,17)
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me;And deliver me,...3 O Lord my God, if I have done this:
If there is iniquity in my hands,
4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
5 Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me;Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust. Selah
6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!...8 The Lord shall judge the peoples;Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
And according to my integrity within me.
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
10 My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.

11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day....17 I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

【Reflection】Today, let us remember that the God we believe in is a righteous God. When we find ourselves in unjust situations, we can take comfort in the fact that judgment belongs to Him. He will uphold the righteous and thus we should thank Him and praise Him! Just like David, who presented his distress before God, feeling attacked and slandered by his enemies, who were like ferocious lions in the wilderness ready to tear him apart, with no one to rescue him. In this difficult situation, the first thing he did was ask God to examine his integrity, and if he had any guilt in his hands. Then he cried out to God to "arise for me" and oppose the evil actions of his enemies. Moreover, David thanked the Lord because he knew that the Lord judged among the people in righteousness, examining the heart and mind, saving those with a blameless heart. If we encounter malicious slander and heartless criticism, let us not forget that our God is a God who judges among the people in righteousness. He is angry with the wicked but will uphold the righteous. Therefore, as Paul said, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’" (Romans 12:19)

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 7:1,3-6,8-11,17
(背誦經文:8-10,17)
1 耶和華我的神啊,我投靠你,求你救我脫離一切追趕我的人,將我救拔出來,...3 耶和華我的神啊,我若行了這事,若有罪孽在我手裡,
4 我若以惡報那與我交好的人(連那無故與我為敵的,我也救了他),
5 就任憑仇敵追趕我,直到追上,將我的性命踏在地下,使我的榮耀歸於灰塵!(細拉)
6 耶和華啊,求你在怒中起來,挺身而立,抵擋我敵人的暴怒;求你為我興起,你已經命定施行審判。...8 耶和華向眾民施行審判。耶和華啊,求你按我的公義和我心中的純正判斷我。
9 願惡人的惡斷絕,願你堅立義人,因為公義的神察驗人的心腸肺腑。
10 神是我的盾牌,他拯救心裡正直的人。

11 神是公義的審判者,又是天天向惡人發怒的神。...17 我要照著耶和華的公義稱謝他,歌頌耶和華至高者的名。

【心得分享】今天讓我們記念我們所信的 神是一位公義的 神,當我們處在不平的環境中,因知道審判在祂,祂必堅立義人而發出感謝和讚美!大衛到 神面前陳述自己的苦情,仇敵的毀謗攻擊好像曠野兇惡的獅子要將他撕碎,卻無人搭救他。在艱難的環境中他首先求 神鑑察他的正直,有無罪孽在手裡,然後呼求 神「為我興起」,抵擋仇敵的惡行。不但如此,大衛稱謝耶和華,因為他知道耶和華是按公義向眾民施行審判的 神,祂察驗人的心腸肺腑,拯救心裡正直的人。若我們遭遇惡意的毀謗、無情的批評,不要忘記我們的 神是按公義向眾民施行審判的 神—祂向惡人發怒,卻要堅立義人。所以保羅說:「親愛的弟兄,不要自己申冤,寧可讓步,聽憑主怒;因為經上記著:『主說:申冤在我,我必報應。』」 (羅12:19)

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 02

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Psalm 23:1-6
(Memorization Scripture 1-6)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.


【Reflection】Grateful for the Lord our Shepherd! Because He is our shepherd, we shall not want! Having the Lord is enough, for He is our everything! He leads us on the path of life and guides, nourishes and preserves us through all kinds of trials. When we are hungry and weak, He leads us to green pastures. When we are weary and tired, He leads us to still waters. Though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we can have firsthand knowledge of God in this valley, allowing our experiences with God to transform from "Him" (verses 1-3) to "Us" (verses 4-6). What a great comfort and blessing! Even in the face of our enemies, God Himself prepares a table for us, giving us His victory! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) This is the story of our lives, no matter how difficult the circumstances, how fierce the storms, we follow the Good Shepherd on a path of ever-increasing grace and glory, until the moment we return to our heavenly home! Hallelujah!


【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 23:1-6
(背誦經文:1-6)
1 耶和華是我的牧者,我必不致缺乏。
2 祂使我躺臥在青草地上,領我在可安歇的水邊。
3 祂使我的靈魂甦醒,為自己的名引導我走義路。
4 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷,也不怕遭害,因為祢與我同在,祢的杖、祢的竿都安慰我。
5 在我敵人面前,祢為我擺設筵席,祢用油膏了我的頭,使我的福杯滿溢。
6 我一生一世必有恩惠、慈愛隨著我,我且要住在耶和華的殿中,直到永遠。


【心得分享】為著耶和華 神是我們的牧者感恩!因著祂是我們的牧者,我們「必」不致缺乏! 有主就夠了,主是我們的一切! 祂帶領我們一生的道路,在各樣的遭遇中都帶領、看顧、供應、保守我們。在我們飢餓無力的時候,祂領我們到豐盛的青草地;在我們疲乏困倦的時候,祂領我們到可安歇的水邊。儘管我們都可能行過死蔭的幽谷,卻能在這谷中對神有第一手的認識-讓我們對 神的經歷都從「祂」(1-3節)變成「祢」(4-6節),這是何等大的安慰與祝福! 即使面對爭戰 , 神必親自為我們擺設筵席,讓我們在敵人面前誇勝! 「神若幫助我們,誰能敵擋我們呢?」(羅8:31) 這就是我們一生的寫照,無論環境再困難、風浪再大,我們都跟隨大牧人走在一條恩上加恩、榮上加榮的路上,直到我們回到天家的那一刻! 哈利路亞!