Year: 2021

23/12/2021

引言:

前两天牧师解释了，耶利米哀歌是用希伯来文22个字母作为每节经文起首的离合诗。今天第3章也是一首字母诗，不同的是，它是每3节用同一字母作为开始。一共有66节，是哀歌里最长的一章。昨天牧师在第二章提到百姓因陷入悲惨的光景、神圣殿被毁时不断的在问 “为什么？”时，也正是人开始反省检视祸因何在的时刻。今天这章也是整本耶利米哀歌的核心，有承先启后的作用。因为这是神百开始明白到，他们陷入这样的光景，皆因长久硬颈悖逆神，不肯悔改所带来神的管教和审判。

从今天这章的经文中，我们看到作者耶利米，除了抒发个人的感受以外，也以个人身份替因神的管教而遭受审判的同胞哀叹呼求。主题：为受审判的世代哀叹。

一、遭遇神反对的手 (V1-18)

1我是因耶和华忿怒的杖，遭遇困苦的人。2他引导我，使我行在黑暗中，不行在光明里。3他真是终日再三反手攻击我。4他使我的皮肉枯乾；他折断（或译：压伤）我的骨头。5他筑垒攻击我，用苦楚（原文是苦胆）和艰难围困我。6他使我住在幽暗之处，像死了许久的人一样。7他用篱笆围住我，使我不能出去；他使我的铜炼沉重。8我哀号求救；他使我的祷告不得上达。9他用凿过的石头挡住我的道；他使我的路弯曲。10他向我如熊埋伏，如狮子在隐密处。11他使我转离正路，将我撕碎，使我凄凉。12他张弓将我当作箭靶子。13他把箭袋中的箭射入我的肺腑。14我成了众民的笑话；他们终日以我为歌曲。15他用苦楚充满我，使我饱用茵陈。16他又用沙石碜（chěn）断我的牙，用灰尘将我蒙蔽。17你使我远离平安，我忘记好处。18我就说：我的力量衰败；我在耶和华那里毫无指望！

耶利米先知一开始就带出了，以色列百姓今天进入这样悲惨的光景，全因悖逆惹神忿怒而受到的审判。V3先知承认自己和百姓所遭遇到的这一切，都是出于神反对的手，终日反复不停地施加在他们身上。蒙神所爱的人为什么会遭遇到神反对的手呢？神真的是因为百姓的顽梗悖逆而要致他们于死地吗？其实不然。慈爱的神总是用大能的手和伸出来的膀臂，成为我们随时的帮助。但是当圣灵一再的提醒，我们却不愿悔改时，神不会永无止境的宽容。而是会伸出他管教的手亲自‘攻击’我们。当我们落入这样的光景时，应当如何是好？

弟兄姐妹，以其说是神攻击我们，更正确的说法是，因为我们的罪孽，使生命出现破口，导致神允许仇敌攻击我们。

曾经就看到有姐妹因生命的破口，圣灵再三提醒，可是姐妹却没有认真的回应，结果困难和问题是接二连三的迎着她而来，不但自己遭殃，连孩子也受苦。导致她差点想放弃。可是，在这样被管教的过程中，神的爱依然很明显的天天伴随她。她说，无论是在路上，还是去到不同的地方，到处都看到‘611’。也因为这样，她勇敢的面对困境，并且以信心来回应神、堵住生命的破口。

弟兄姐妹，很常我们的生命或生活出了状况，都因为在属灵上出了偏差。是我们和神的关系出了问题，所以导致被攻击。最近我看了一本禁食祷告的书，当中就提到我们的财务问题不在于金钱，而是在于我们跟神的关系。所以，无论是神大有能力帮助的手、还是管教的手，都是神爱的双手和祂美善工作。人若在黑暗中能看到和明白神手的工作，愿意谦卑回应神的管教，真实悔改堵住破口，让生命与真理对齐，生命就一定会有转机而重新进入蒙福。

二、审判中找到出路 (V19-47)

19耶和华啊，求你记念我如茵陈和苦胆的困苦窘迫。20我心想念这些，就在里面忧闷。21我想起这事，心里就有指望。22我们不致消灭，是出於耶和华诸般的慈爱；是因他的怜悯不致断绝。23每早晨，这都是新的；你的诚实极其广大！

当人来到尽头，找不到任何出路时，若能像先知那样的的呼求：“耶和华啊，求祢记念我如茵陈和苦胆的困苦窘迫”时，那将会是生命的转折点。因为当属地的一切都毫无指望，人在苦难煎熬中就不得不把眼光从自己、从难处、从环境转向神。若我们在苦难中将心思意念转向神，思想神的应许、凭信心求神记念我们如茵陈和苦胆的困苦窘迫时，就会经历意想不到的从心里忧闷变成心里充满着指望。

弟兄姐妹，相信我们都有这样的经历。当我们把所遇到的苦，所遭受到不公平的对待、委屈，反覆思量时，越想就越情绪激动，越想就越忧闷，越失望、想放弃。其实当我们处在这样的时刻，一定要定义转向神。因为，当我们定义转向神的时候就会发现纵然问题处境没改变，我们的眼光思想却会被神调整到与祂的眼光对齐。

V24-26, 因为耶和华是我们的分，所以凡等候耶和华，心里寻求祂的，神的慈爱怜悯必不断绝。若我们想要每天都领受神的新鲜恩典，那一定要常常在神面前等候。等候神更是我们在患难中最有力的属灵武器之一。因为等候神使我们在以下的几方面对齐神：

1.放下自己（V26） 2.愿意成长（V27） 3.甘心受教（V28-33） 4.降服主权（V34-38） 5.考察行为（V39-47）

在逼迫困境中，我们要学会在神面前静默等候神，必会找到问题的原因和明白神的美意，而走出死地。而当人更认识神公义的审判，不但能时时警醒，检视自己的生命，还能从审判中体会到神无限的慈爱和怜悯，以致心被融化，就必定愿意降服于神的审判而真心悔改。从而更深的爱神，愿意降服在神的主权下，决心为主而活 。

三、破口中哀叹代求 (V48-66)

1.哀叹代求堵住破口 (V48-56)

48因我众民遭的毁灭，我就眼泪下流如河。49我的眼多多流泪，总不止息，50直等耶和华垂顾，从天观看。51因我本城的众民，我的眼，使我的心伤痛。52无故与我为仇的追逼我，像追雀鸟一样。53他们使我的命在牢狱中断绝，并将一块石头抛在我身上。54众水流过我头，我说：我命断绝了！55耶和华啊，我从深牢中求告你的名。56你曾听见我的声音；我求你解救，你不要掩耳不听。

耶利米爱耶路撒冷城，他更深爱耶路撒冷的百姓。眼看自己的同胞被摧残，他心中悲痛，泪流如河。 一方面是以色列人不听自己的警告，也不听神的话，另一方面这些人究竟是自己血肉之亲，怎忍心看着他们受害呢？ 先知的痛苦就在此，他把这种心情向神申诉。

有学者形容这本书每一笔是用眼泪写的，每一字是一颗破碎的心所发出的心声。这卷书最动人的特点，就在于神透过耶利米，流露了祂对祂正在管教的子民所有的慈爱和忧伤。神的心意渗透了耶利米先知的生命。以致我们看到他为了使以色列百姓悔改转向神，天天不停的为百姓代求，求神早日施怜悯，拯救他们。

弟兄姐妹，我们都知道神对失丧灵魂的心意。因此，教会的YAY在来临的星期六，要走上街头传爱传分享好信息传给人。还有，儿童教会也将在2022的第一个主日教导儿童们使用简单的布道工具和同学、朋友分享福音。让我们积极的来为他们祷告，让他们为主得人如得鱼。

此外，我们看到耶利米如何撕心裂肺地为同胞代祷，今天作为神的子民，我们之前读罗马书也明白到神的心意是要外邦教会与以色列合而为一。我们更知道，今天能得救，都是因为以色列。所以我们不能忘恩，更要天天不停的为我们长兄的救恩来代祷代求。让以色列全民归向基督。

2. 求神兴起对付仇敌 (V57-66)

57我求告你的日子，你临近我，说：不要惧怕！58主啊，你伸明了我的冤；你救赎了我的命。59耶和华啊，你见了我受的委屈；求你为我伸冤。60他们仇恨我，谋害我，你都看见了。61耶和华啊，你听见他们辱骂我的话，知道他们向我所设的计，62并那些起来攻击我的人口中所说的话，以及终日向我所设的计谋。63求你观看，他们坐下，起来，都以我为歌曲。64耶和华啊，你要按着他们手所做的向他们施行报应。65你要使他们心里刚硬，使你的咒诅临到他们。66你要发怒追赶他们，从耶和华的天下除灭他们。

主段经文是耶利米先知为以色列百姓再一次迫切地呼求神，并相信他的祷告代求终必得到主的应许。因此，我们看到他以信心宣告地上还没发生的事，因为他的灵里已经与神对齐，并看见神必成就这些事。

弟兄姐妹，星期一的607，我心里有很深的感动，我觉得神要我们常常用口在我们的环境中、生活中、还有我们所盼望看到的突破上，来宣告神的大能作为。我们要相信我们的口是大有能力的，我们的宣告要改变所处的属灵氛围，我们的宣告更要打破仇敌的角，我们的宣告更是让许多人经历神超自然的作为，见证祂的荣耀。所以鼓励弟兄姐妹，要勒住自己的口，不说负面不造就的话语，反之要常常宣告神的祝福和应许。

总结：

弟兄姐妹，在过去的这两年，身为神儿女的我们都深深的明白，神的警钟已经敲响，从疫情的不断变化，变种病毒一次比一次厉害，还有最近的许多天灾，我们都知道世界的终结也在不远之处。但这世代仍有许多人，依然活在罪的深渊和蒙蔽中。，许多败坏、不公不义、错误的欲望和价值观、尔虞我诈的活在中。弟兄姐妹，让我们起来，站在破口中，为这将受审判的世代呼求神。

Lamentations 3: Cry Out for the Generations on Trial
GK611 Morning Devotion
23/12/2021
Speaker: Ps Deborah + Rev Tan

Introduction:

Two days ago, Reverend explained that Lamentations of Jeremiah is a discrete poem using the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as the beginning of each verse. Today’s chapter 3 is also an alphabetic poem, the difference is that it begins every 3 verses with the same letter. With 66 verses in total, it is the longest chapter in Lamentations. Yesterday in chapter 2, Reverend mentioned that the people were constantly asking “why?” as they were plunged into a miserable light and the Holy Temple was destroyed. It was also a time when people began to reflect and examine what the cause of the woe was. Today’s chapter is also the core of the entire book of Lamentations, which has a preceding and following function. For this is the time when the children of God begin to understand that they are in this situation because they have been hardened and rebellious to God for a long time, and that their refusal to repent has brought about God’s discipline and judgment.

In today’s chapter, we see that the author, Jeremiah, in addition to expressing his personal feelings, also laments and cries out in his personal capacity for his fellow man who is being judged by the discipline of God. Title: Lamentation for the generations on trial.

1. Encountering the Opposing Hand of God (V1-18)

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. 2 He has led me and made me walk In darkness and not in light. 3 Surely He has turned His hand against me Time and time again throughout the day. 4 He has aged my flesh and my skin,
And broken my bones. 5 He has besieged me And surrounded me with bitterness and woe. 6 He has set me in dark places Like the dead of long ago. 7 He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy. 8 Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer. 9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked. 10 He has been to me a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in ambush. 11 He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces; He has made me desolate. 12 He has bent His bow And set me up as a target for the arrow. 13 He has caused the [c]arrows of His quiver To pierce my [d]loins. 14 I have become the ridicule of all my people— Their taunting song all the day. 15 He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drink wormwood. 16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel, And covered me with ashes. 17 You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten [f]prosperity. 18 And I said, “My strength and my hope
Have perished from the Lord.”

The prophet Jeremiah began by bringing out that the people of Israel had entered into such a miserable state today, all because of the judgment for rebelliousness that caused God’s wrath. v3 The prophet confessed that all that had happened to himself and the people was due to the opposing hand of God, which had been repeatedly inflicted on them all day long. Why did God’s hand of opposition come upon those who are loved by God? Did God really want to kill the people because of their stubbornness and disobedience? Actually, no. The loving God always becomes our helper at all times with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. But when the Holy Spirit reminds us again and again, and we do not want to repent, God does not forgive forever. Rather, He will personally ‘attack’ us with His disciplinary hand. What should we do when we fall into such a situation?

Brothers and sisters, instead of saying that God attacks us, it is more correct to say that because of our sins, a bondage in our lives has occurred, causing God to allow the enemy to attack us.
I once saw a sister who was reminded repeatedly by the Holy Spirit of the brokenness in her life, but she did not respond seriously, and as a result, difficulties and problems came to her one after another, not only did the problems come to her, but the children were affected too. As a result, she almost wanted to give up. However, in the process of being disciplined in this way, God’s love was still evident and accompanied her every day. She said that she saw ‘611’ everywhere she went, whether on the road or in different places. Because of this, she was brave enough to face the difficulties, and responded to God with faith, plugging the holes in her life.

Brothers and sisters, very often things go wrong in our life or our living because of deviations in spirituality. It is our relationship with God that goes wrong and therefore leads to attacks. I recently read a book on fasting and prayer, and it said, ‘Our financial problems are not about money, but about our relationship with God’. So, whether it is God’s mighty helping hand or His disciplinary hand, it is the hands of God’s love and His good work. If people can see and understand the work of God’s hands in the darkness, and are willing to humbly respond to God’s discipline, and truly repent to close the gap and align their lives with the truth, their lives will definitely turn around and enter into blessing again.

2. Finding a Way Out in Judgment (V19-47)

19 Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul still remembers And [h]sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

When a person comes to the end of his life and cannot find any way out, it will be a turning point in his life if he can cry out like the prophet: “Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall”. For when everything on earth is hopeless, one is forced to turn his eyes from himself, from his difficulties, and from his circumstances to God in the midst of suffering. If we turn our minds to God in our suffering, think about God’s promises, and ask God by faith to remember our distress and embarrassment like the The wormwood and the gall, we will experience an unexpected change from a sorrowful heart to a heart full of hope.

Brothers and sisters, I believe we have all had such experiences. When we think over and over about the suffering we encountered, the unfair treatment we suffered, and the aggression we suffered, the more we think about it, the more emotional we become, the more sorrowful we become, the more disappointed we become, and the more we want to give up. In fact, when we are in such a moment, we must define our turning to God. For when we turn to God, we will find that even though the situation has not changed, our vision and thoughts will be adjusted by God to align with His vision.
V24-26, For the LORD is our portion; therefore the loving mercy of God will not be cut off to anyone who waits on the LORD and seeks Him in his heart. If we want to receive God’s fresh grace every day, then we must always wait before God. Waiting on God is one of the most powerful spiritual weapons we have in times of trouble. Because waiting on God aligns us with Him in the following ways:

1. Laying down of ourselves (v26)
2. Willing to grow (v27)
3. Willingness to be taught (v28-33)
4. Surrendering to sovereignty (v34-38)
5. Examining behaviour (v39-47)

In the midst of persecution, we should learn to wait silently before God, and we will find the cause of the problem and understand God’s good will, and get out of the deadly situation. And when people become more aware of God’s righteous judgment, not only can they be alert and examine their own lives at all times, but they can also experience God’s infinite love and mercy in the judgment, so that their hearts will be melted, and they will be willing to surrender to God’s judgment and repent sincerely. Thus, they will love God more deeply, be willing to surrender to His sovereignty, and be determined to live for the Lord.

3. Lamentation and Intercession in the Breach (V48-66)

(1) Lament and Intercede to Block the Gap (v48-56)

48 My eyes overflow with rivers of water For the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 My eyes flow and do not cease, Without interruption, 50 Till the Lord from heaven Looks down and sees. 51 My eyes bring suffering to my soul Because of all the daughters of my city. 52 My enemies without cause Hunted me down like a bird. 53 They silenced my life in the pit And threw [l]stones at me. 54 The waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!” 55 I called on Your name, O Lord, From the lowest pit. 56 You have heard my voice: “Do not hide Your ear From my sighing, from my cry for help.”
Jeremiah loved the city of Jerusalem, and he loved the people of Jerusalem even more. As he watched the destruction of his countrymen, his heart was saddened and his tears flowed like rivers. On the one hand, the Israelites did not listen to his warnings, nor to the word of God, but on the other hand, these people were his own flesh and blood, so how could he bear to see them suffer? Herein lay the pain of the prophet, and he appealed to God with this feeling.

Some scholars have described this book as being written with tears in every stroke, each word the heartfelt voice of a broken heart. The most moving feature of this book is that God, through Jeremiah, reveals all His love and sorrow for the people He is disciplining. The heart of God permeated the life of Jeremiah the prophet. So much so that we see that he kept interceding for the people of Israel every day in order to turn them to God in repentance, asking God to show mercy and save them soon.

Brothers and sisters, we all know God’s heart for the souls that are lost. Therefore, the YAY of the church is going to take to the streets to spread love and deepen the good news to people on the coming Saturday. Also, the children’s church will be teaching the children to use simple preaching tools to share the gospel with their classmates and friends on the first Sunday of 2022. Let’s actively come and pray for them that they will gain people for the Lord like fishers of men.

Furthermore, we saw how Jeremiah tore his heart out to intercede for his fellow man, and today, as God’s people, we have previously read Romans to understand that God’s heart is for the Gentile to be one with Israel. We know even more that we can be saved today because of Israel. Therefore, we must not forget our grace, and we must keep interceding for our elder brother’s salvation every day. Let all Israel come to Christ.

(2) Ask God to Raise Up against the Enemy (V57-66)

57 You drew near on the day I called on You, And said, “Do not fear!” 58 O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. 59 O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged; Judge my case. 60 You have seen all their vengeance, All their schemes against me. 61 You have heard their reproach, O Lord, All their schemes against me, 62 The lips of my enemies And their whispering against me all the day. 63 Look at their sitting down and their rising up; I am their taunting song. 64 Repay them, O Lord, According to the work of their hands. 65 Give them [n]a veiled heart; Your curse be upon them! 66 In Your anger, Pursue and destroy them From under the heavens of the Lord.

This passage is where the prophet Jeremiah cries out to God once again urgently for the people of Israel, and believes that his prayerful intercession will eventually be answered by the Lord. Thus, we see him declaring by faith what had not yet happened on earth, for he was spiritually aligned with God, and saw that God would accomplish these things.

Brothers and sisters, I was deeply moved by Monday’s 607. I think God wants us to use our mouths often to proclaim God’s mighty works in our environment, in our lives, and in the breakthroughs we hope to see. We need to believe that our mouths are powerful, our proclamation will change the spiritual atmosphere we live in, our proclamation will break the enemy’s horns, and our proclamation will let many people experience the supernatural works of God and witness His glory. Therefore, brothers and sisters are encouraged to be aware of your speech and not to speak negative and not encouraging words, but instead to proclaim God’s blessings and promises often.

Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, in these past two years, as God’s children, we all deeply understand that God’s alarm bell has been sounded. From the ever-changing pandemic, the mutated viruses that have become more powerful one after another, and the many recent natural disasters, we all know that the end of the world is coming soon. But there are still many people in this generation who are still living in the depth of sin and blindness. Many are still living in corruption, injustice, wrong desires and values, and deceitfulness. Brothers and sisters, let us rise up, stand in the gap, and call on God for this generation that will be judged.

22/12/2021

引言:

飞机的性能需要百分百安全，才能使用和接载客人。许多飞机意外事件的祸因，往往只是不经意的少了一粒螺丝。或者某个零件用了相近而非原装零件而照成的失误，结果酿成大祸！

神的选民理当是全世界最蒙福的族群，因为有神的法则告诉他们怎么过蒙福胜万民的生活；但是为什么选民偏偏在人类历史中成为最多灾难困苦的人？这一首哀歌正要说出灾祸的导因。

一、主神何竟发怒（V1-6）

2:1 主何竟发怒，使黑云遮蔽锡安城？他将以色列的华美从天扔在地上，在他发怒的日子并不记念自己的脚凳。2 主吞灭雅各一切的住处，并不顾惜。他发怒倾覆犹大民的保障，使这保障坍倒在地。他辱没这国和其中的首领。3 他发烈怒，把以色列的角全然砍断，在仇敌面前收回右手。他像火焰四围吞灭，将雅各烧毁。4 他张弓，好像仇敌。他站着举起右手，如同敌人，将悦人眼目的，尽行杀戮。在锡安百姓的帐棚上，倒出他的忿怒像火一样。5 主如仇敌吞灭以色列和锡安的一切宫殿，拆毁百姓的保障，在犹大民中，加增悲伤哭号。6 他强取自己的帐幕，好像是园中的窝棚，毁坏他的聚会之处。耶和华使圣节和安息日在锡安都被忘记，又在怒气的愤恨中藐视君王和祭司。

在神自己的选民中，祂作了让选民很惊讶的事：这首哀歌的每一节，都是顺序以希伯来文22个字母所写出的字，并以这字带出选民遭祸的原因。）

1.为什么神发怒？
2.为什么神吞灭？
3.为什么神砍断？
4.神对选民拉弓？
5.神敌对自己人？
6.为什么神强取？

回到列王作恶的种种事迹，悖逆、顽梗、抵挡神的诫命，而且还认贼作父，引进外邦人的各种邪恶淫乱的宗教，甚至交鬼行邪术。大大的得罪神，而且还死不悔改。所以才会遭遇如此祸患。

你是凡事感恩的基督徒吗？还是你也面对许多祸患，你的心也不断问神为什么？为什么？
你当自我反省，你爱神吗？你听神吗？你行神所要你行的吗？

二、主神放弃圣所（V7-10）

2:7 耶和华丢弃自己的祭坛，憎恶自己的圣所，将宫殿的墙垣交付仇敌。他们在耶和华的殿中喧嚷，像在圣会之日一样。8 耶和华定意拆毁锡安的城墙，他拉了准绳，不将手收回，定要毁灭。他使外郭和城墙都悲哀，一同衰败。9 锡安的门，都陷入地内，主将她的门闩毁坏，折断。她的君王和首领落在没有律法的列国中，她的先知不得见耶和华的异象。10 锡安城的长老坐在地上默默无声，他们扬起尘土落在头上，腰束麻布，耶路撒冷的处女，垂头至地。

为什么即使是神自己的殿，祂都允许遭敌人毁坏？

7.为什么神丢弃？
8.神定意要拆毁？
9.神使城门下沉？
10.为何静坐无言？

当神的孩子们悖逆犯罪了，父神的心极度难过，到一个地步好像什么都不管了、不说了、无言以对。

想想我们与主的关系如何？渴望神？无所谓？远离神？我们的态度决定了蒙福或遭祸的深度！

三、何等悲惨后果（V11-17）

2:11 我眼中流泪，以致失明；我的心肠扰乱，肝胆涂地！都因我众民遭毁灭，又因孩童和吃奶的在城内街上发昏。12 那时，他们在城内街上发昏，好像受伤的，在母亲的怀里，将要丧命，对母亲说：“谷、酒在哪里呢？”13 耶路撒冷的民哪，我可用什么向你证明呢？我可用什么与你相比呢？锡安的民哪，我可拿什么和你比较，好安慰你呢？因为你的裂口大如海，谁能医治你呢？14 你的先知为你见虚假和愚昧的异象，并没有显露你的罪孽，使你被掳的归回，却为你见虚假的默示和使你被赶出本境的缘故。15 凡过路的都向你拍掌。他们向耶路撒冷城嗤笑、摇头，说：“难道人所称为全美的，称为全地所喜悦的，就是这城吗？”16 你的仇敌都向你大大张口。他们嗤笑，又切齿说：“我们吞灭她，这真是我们所盼望的日子临到了！我们亲眼看见了！”17 耶和华成就了他所定的，应验了他古时所命定的。他倾覆了，并不顾惜，使你的仇敌向你夸耀，使你敌人的角也被高举。

看看悖逆神的后果是什么？

11.为何失败了？
12.为何要丧命？
13.主证明破口？
14.虚假的先知？
15.为何被取笑？
16.仇敌大张口？
17.神成就所定？

神的应许必不落空，无论是祝福或者咒诅，神是按照祂的公义与应许做事。当明白蒙福祸咒诅都在人的自我选择与回应之下经历。

四、为何只能哀哭？（V18-22）

2:18 锡安民的心哀求主。锡安的城墙啊，愿你流泪如河，昼夜不息；愿你眼中的瞳人泪流不止。19 夜间，每逢交更的时候要起来呼喊，在主面前倾心如水。你的孩童在各市口上受饿发昏，你要为他们的性命向主举手祷告。20 耶和华啊，求你观看，见你向谁这样行！妇人岂可吃自己所生育手里所摇弄的婴孩吗？祭司和先知岂可在主的圣所中被杀戮吗？21 少年人和老年人都在街上躺卧，我的处女和壮丁都倒在刀下。你发怒的日子杀死他们。你杀了，并不顾惜。22 你招聚四围惊吓我的，像在大会的日子招聚人一样。耶和华发怒的日子，无人逃脱，无人存留。我所摇弄所养育的婴孩，仇敌都杀净了。

原本蒙福胜万民的选民，如今为何充满了痛苦的眼泪？

18.竟流泪不止？
19.要起来祷告！
20.要求神观看！
21.竟躺卧街上？
22.神要召集人！

人会面对无止尽的流泪，这是何等伤感和难过的事。今天人若还不肯谦卑悔改，将来恐怕要在永世里咬牙切齿，永远懊恼。那时求生生不了，求死死不得，那才是人真正的悲痛。

总结：祸因就是悖逆神

要脱离悲痛的情节？起点就是悔改，然后一路顺服真理，再来就是爱神、爱人，回应真理服事神。

将来基督徒也会面对：哀哭切齿/察去眼泪？
启示录18世人唱哀歌，圣徒唱哈利路亚！

Lamentations 2: What is the cause of the trouble?
GK611 Morning Devotion
22/12/2021
Speaker: + Rev. Tan

Introduction:

The performance of an aircraft needs to be 100% safe in order to use and carry passengers. The cause of many aircraft accidents is often the inadvertent missing of a screw along the way. Or a part that is similar to a non-original part is used to cause a mistake that results in a major disaster!

1.Why should the Lord God be angry (V1-6)
(Among God’s own chosen people, He did something that surprised the chosen people: each verse of this lament is sequentially written out in the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and brings out the reason for the woes of the chosen people with that word.)
1. Why is God angry?
2. Why did God devour?
3. Why did God cut it off?
4. God drew the bow against the chosen people?
5. God is hostile to his own people?
6. Why did God take by force?

The kings returned to their evil deeds, their rebellion, their obstinacy, their resistance to God’s commandments, and their adoption of thieves as fathers, and their introduction of all kinds of evil and adulterous religions of the Gentiles, and even the practice of evil arts with demons. He greatly offended God, and did not repent. That’s why they suffered such a disaster.

Are you a thankful Christian in all things? Or do you also face many woes and your heart keeps asking God why? Why?
Reflect on yourself, do you love God? Do you listen to God? Do you do what God wants you to do?

2.The Lord God Gave up the Sanctuary (V7-10)

Why did He allow even God’s own temple to be destroyed by His enemies?
7. Why did God abandon it?
8. Did God intend to demolish it?
9. Did God cause the gates to sink?
10. Why did He sit silent?

When God’s children disobeyed and sinned, the heart of God the Father was extremely sad, to the point where it seemed that nothing was done, nothing was said, and nothing was done.

Consider how our relationship with the Lord is? Desiring God? Indifferent? Away from God? Our attitude determines the depth of the blessing or the curse!

3.What are the Tragic Consequences (V11-17)

See what are the consequences of rebellion against God?
11. Why did it fail?
12. Why did you lose your life?
13. The Lord proves the stronghold?
14. False prophets?
15. Why were they made fun of?
16. The enemy opened his mouth wide?
17. Has God fulfilled what He has determined?

God’s promises do not go in void, whether they are blessings or curses, but God works according to His righteousness and promises. Understand that blessings and curses are experienced under man’s own choice and response.

4.Why can we only mourn? (V18-22)

Why are the elect, who were blessed with victory over the nations, now filled with tears of pain?
18. How could they not stop weeping?
19. To rise up and pray!
20. To ask God to see!
21. How can you lie down in the street?
22. God wants to gather people!

It is so sad and saddening that people will face endless tears. If man does not humble himself and repent today, he will have to gnash his teeth in eternity and be eternally regret. That is the true grief of man when he cannot live and cannot die.

Conclusion: The Cause of the Woe is Rebellion Against God

To get out of the episode of grief? The starting point is repentance, then all the way to obedience to the truth, then to love God, love people, and serve God in response to the truth.

21/12/2021

引言:

《耶利米哀歌》是耶路撒冷在公元前586年陷落后不久写成的。当时耶路撒冷受敌人围困，然后又被烈火焚烧，耶利米就是其中的一位见证人。于是他就借着这首哀歌为神选民所经历到的惨痛经历发出深切的哀悼。

进入到第一章，我们首先会看到耶路撒冷被拟人化而描述成一位刚丧偶的寡妇，名叫锡安的女子，她孤单地坐着，却没有人来理她，然后耶利米就借此表达出她所受的羞辱和哀伤，还有她心中对着神的呼求！

一、耶城因得罪神而遭大难 (V1-7)

过去被列国所仰慕的耶路撒冷城，如今成了寡妇并服苦的人。她一直地在那里哭，过去曾经跟她有过邦交的国家却没有一个来安慰她:，甚至这些曾经的盟友也恶待她，成为她的敌人。当时犹大的百姓随着耶路撒冷的毁灭，就在巴比伦的苦待下被迁到了外邦。

回想过去每逢来到神的节期，神的百姓就会到耶路撒冷去守节，如今在走向锡安的路径上却不再有神的百姓，真的是让人感到无比的悲伤。本来耶路撒冷做买卖，聚集活动的城门口也没人了；本该在圣殿里服事的祭司因为圣殿被毁坏也无法尽职了，只能在那里叹息；就连那些锡安贞洁的，没有敬拜过偶像的女子也受同胞过犯被连累而变得愁苦。从前为尊为大的耶路撒冷，如今被列国所苦待，其实说到底都是因为神为着她的罪而让她受苦，她从前的威荣都失去了。

这段经文让神的选民以色列人能够从历史的教训去反思先祖的过犯以外，其实我们也可以从教会的角度去解读。就是那些曾经很辉煌，充满敬拜神的人，而如今却变得荒凉的教会。例子：欧洲国家一些曾经辉煌的基督教堂，如今已经成为了旅游景点，不再是给神子民聚集来敬拜神的地方。这是从《耶利米哀歌》里对着教会的荒凉所发出来的悲叹。是因为神子民的罪，也可以引申讲到是基督徒的过犯，使得教会变得荒凉。

二、求神观看耶城所受苦难（V8-11）

1. 因仇敌夸大而观看（V8-9）

犹大的百姓最终从耶路撒冷被赶除，就是因为他们偏离神心意的罪使得他们变得不洁和污秽。而且活在罪中的耶路撒冷，都没有去思想犯罪日后所会带来的结果。当她从高位坠落到一个奴仆的位置，也没有人来安慰她的时候，她就求神来观看仇敌对她夸口，她所受的一切苦难。

从教会的视觉去看，本来教会是基督所设立的万有之首，可是当过去辉煌的教会没有警醒去活出神的话语，也就是没有去思想偏离神话语生活所会造成的后果时，最终教会就一步一步走向堕落了。尤其过去和教会一起合作来影响整个社会的一些组织，看到教会的软弱，也没有安慰她，反过来却是对着教会夸口，贬低教会（基督徒的过犯常会被社会放大，然后敌对者也就借此贬低基督信仰的能力）。

从历史上当然我们看到当取代神学的思想进入到欧洲国家的教会以后，这些教会认为自己已经取代了神的选民，所以他们就没有在第二次世界大战中伸出对犹太人的援手，甚至后来也有一些基督徒当时加入到纳粹的阵型中去屠杀犹太人，而后来也没有为着基督徒同胞去认罪悔改的教会就是这样，一步一步地在信仰上走向没落了。

另外只有信仰的外表，而没有信仰的实质，也是令到这些教会走向衰落的一个主要原因，例如：对人文主义的推广，就是一种推举人的自由和权利，胜过对神话语的认定。

2. 因卑微低贱而观看（V10-11）

耶路撒冷城曾经的辉煌，尤其是圣殿中的宝贵物品，如今都被巴比伦为首的外邦敌人给抢夺了。本来外邦人是连圣殿的外院也是不能进的，但是如今外邦人已经践踏了整个的圣殿。而耶路撒冷的百姓已经来到一个地步，就是他们只顾保命而已。一切他们本来所拥有的美物，他们已经不再顾惜。耶路撒冷城再次向神祷告，求神观看她如今所处的这样一个卑微的状态。

警醒，警醒再警醒！过去欧洲教堂的辉煌，如今已经褪去了，当然神是欢迎每一个人进入教会的，所以解读这里我们不能套用外邦人不能进入圣殿的内容。而这些欧洲教堂为了求生存，确实如今真的就有开放作为旅游景点的情况。今天在英国竟然有教堂为了吸引人来，还开办了与异教信仰有关的瑜伽课程。当然这也关系到传统基督教信仰和有被圣灵更新后对信仰认知的不一样。若是没有被圣灵开启，很常我们会活在很多错误观念的里面，并且我们也没有力量去活出神的话！

三、承认神公义求神听祷告（V12-22）

当然除了对神讲说自己的苦情，耶路撒冷也对她周围的过路的人，其实也是她周边的国家来诉苦。然后耶路撒冷又一转念，思想到今天自己所陷入的光景，其实归根到底都是因为自己的罪，然后神的管教才临到。那耶路撒冷在这样的一个愿意承认自己过犯，并神的公义的状态下，求神也按着祂的公义来对待她的仇敌，就是那些因着耶路撒冷坠落而幸灾乐祸的列国。

今天当然我们不会去求神来审判那些看见教会光景荒凉，然后就在那里幸灾乐祸的人。反过来，我们更是需要求神来怜悯这些人，因为很常他们都是曾经去过教会，而在教会里受过伤害这样的一群人，结果就导致了他们对教会的反感。我们要求神帮助我们，真实地活出属神的生命，使用我们可以去重新接触他们，医治他们，并把他们带回神的家！

总结：圣城遭难历史对我们的提醒

要继续爱以色列，爱耶路撒冷，更要特别警醒留意我们到底有没有真实地去活出神的话！尤其我们也要来看我们是否有紧紧连结与圣灵。否则的话，我们其实是没有办法认清神的心意，也没有力量去活出神的心意的。

面对那些看见教会荒凉，看见教会出现失误就幸灾乐祸的人，我们要求神的怜悯临到他们，要真实地活出属神的生命，更是要求神差遣我们能够再一次地去接触他们，医治他们，把他们又再一次地带回神的家中！

Lamentations 1: Reflection on the suffering of the Holy City
GK611 Morning Devotion
21/12/2021
Speaker: IP Moses + Rev. Tan

Introduction:

The Lamentations of Jeremiah was written shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Jeremiah was one of the witnesses to the siege of Jerusalem by the enemy and then by fire. So he used this lament to express his deep sorrow for the tragic experience of God’s chosen people.

As we enter the first chapter, we first see Jerusalem anthropomorphized as a recently widowed woman named Zion, who sits alone with no one to care for her, and then Jeremiah uses it to express her humiliation and grief, and her heart’s cry to God!

1. The City of Jerusalem Was Greatly Afflicted Because It Sinned Against God (V1-7)

The city of Jerusalem, which used to be admired by the nations, was now a widow and a sufferer. She wept there all the time, but none of the nations with whom she had had diplomatic relations in the past came to comfort her: even these former allies treated her badly and became her enemies. At that time, the people of Judah were moved to the nations under Babylon’s mistreatment, with the destruction of Jerusalem.

It is really sad to think that the people of God, who used to go to Jerusalem to observe the feast whenever it came to God’s feast, are no longer on the path to Zion. The priests, who were supposed to serve in the temple, could not do their duty because of the destruction of the temple, and could only sigh there. Even the chaste women of Zion, who had not worshiped idols, became sad because of the sins of their fellow citizens. Jerusalem, which was once great, was now treated badly by the nations, but in the end it was because God had made her suffer for her sins, and she had lost all her former glory.

This passage allows God’s chosen people, Israel, to reflect on the transgressions of their forefathers in addition to the lessons of history, but in fact we can also read it from the perspective of the church. It is the churches that were once glorious and full of worshipers of God, but now have become desolate. Example: Some of the once glorious Christian churches in European countries have now become tourist attractions and are no longer places for God’s people to gather to worship God. This is a lament from the Lamentations of Jeremiah about the desolation of the church. It is because of the sins of God’s people, and by extension, the sins of Christians, that the church has become desolate.

2. Ask God to See the Suffering of The City of Jerusalem (V8-11)

(1) See because of The Enemy’s Exaggeration (V8-9)

The people of Judah were finally expelled from Jerusalem because their sins against God had made them unclean and defiled. Moreover, Jerusalem, living in sin, did not think about the consequences of her sin later. When she fell from her high position to the position of a slave, and there was no one to comfort her, she asked God to watch her enemies boast about her, and all her sufferings.

From the perspective of the church, the church was originally the head of all things established by Christ, but when the glorious church of the past did not wake up to live out the word of God, that is, did not think about the consequences of deviating from the word of God, the church eventually fell away step by step. In particular, some organizations that used to work with the church to influence society as a whole did not comfort the church when they saw its weakness, but instead boasted against it and belittled it (the sins of Christians are often magnified by society, and then the antagonists use this to belittle the power of the Christian faith).

Historically, of course, we see that when the idea of replacement theology entered the churches in European countries, these churches thought they had replaced God’s chosen people, so they did not reach out to the Jews in the Second World War, and even later some Christians joined the Nazi formation at that time to slaughter the Jews, and the churches that did not later confess their sins and repent for their fellow Christians did so, and step by step they fell away in the faith.

The promotion of humanism, for example, is a way of promoting the freedom and rights of people over the acknowledgement of God’s Word.

(2) See Because of Humility and Lowliness (V10-11)

The former splendor of the city of Jerusalem, especially the precious objects in the Temple, were now plundered by the Gentile enemies led by Babylon. Originally, the Gentiles were not allowed to enter even the outer court of the temple, but now the Gentiles had trampled on the entire temple. And the people of Jerusalem had come to a point where they were only concerned with saving their lives. They no longer cared for all the beautiful things they had. The city of Jerusalem prayed to God again, asking Him to see the humble state in which she was now living.

Be warned, be warned and be warned again! The glory of the European churches of the past has now faded, but of course God welcomes everyone into the church, so interpreting this we cannot apply here that Gentiles cannot enter the temple. And it is true that these European churches are really open as tourist attractions today in order to survive. There are churches in England today that are actually offering yoga classes related to pagan beliefs in order to attract people. Of course this is also related to the difference between traditional Christian faith and the perception of faith after being renewed by the Holy Spirit. If we are not opened by the Holy Spirit, we will often live in many misconceptions and we will not have the power to live out the word of God!

3. Confess God’s Righteousness and Ask God to Hear Prayer (V12-22)

Of course in addition to speaking to God about her suffering, Jerusalem also spoke to the people passing around her, in fact the nations around her, about her suffering. Then Jerusalem thought about what she had gotten herself into today, and realized that it was all because of her own sin, and then God’s discipline came upon her. Then Jerusalem, in such a state of willingness to confess her transgressions and the righteousness of God, asked God to deal with her enemies, the nations who were gloating over the fall of Jerusalem, according to His righteousness.

Today we certainly don’t ask God to judge those who see the church in desolation and then gloat there. On the contrary, we need to ask God to have mercy on these people, because often they are the ones who have been to church and have been hurt in church, which has led to their resentment of the church. We ask God to help us to truly live out a godly life, using us to reach out to them again, heal them, and bring them back to the family of God!

Conclusion: A Reminder of The History of the Holy City’s Crucifixion

We must continue to love Israel and Jerusalem, and we must be especially alert to see if we are living God’s word in truth! In particular, we must also see if we are connected to the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we will not be able to recognize God’s heart and have the power to live it out.

In the face of those who see the desolation of the church and gloat when they see its failures, we ask God’s mercy to come to them, to live Godly lives in truth, and moreover, to send us to reach them again, to heal them, and to bring them back to God’s family once again!

17/12/2021

引言:

罗马书第16章,除了问安，保罗在他信件的末了，还是不忘向教会做最后的提醒及劝勉。这就如母亲因着对孩子的爱而做的提醒。

保罗在他写给罗马教会信件的最后部分，引荐了很多人，这些都是被他记念的。他也盼望这些人的生命能够勉励罗马教会的信徒。保罗的话语再次让我们看到他盼望基督肢体能够学向并跟从那些有好榜样的信徒，并能够坚持不懈的信服真道。所以，我把今天这一章经文的主题定为‘爱的叮咛’。

一、跟从活出基督的人（V1-16,V21-24）

1.非比（V1-2）

首先，保罗在这里介绍了非比，就是帮忙带保罗的信到罗马教会的姐妹。保罗请收信人看她为真信徒，以合乎圣徒的体统来接待她.从保罗的描述，她大概是位孜孜不倦的姐妹，常接待传道人和在坚革哩的其他信徒。

2.百基拉和亚居拉（V3-5）

保罗跟着向百基拉和亚居拉问安，他们在事奉基督耶稣上是保罗的得力同工。他们可以说是初代教会中的一对同心事奉主的“模范夫妻”。当时他们在罗马把自己的家开放给信徒用来聚会。

3.马利亚、安多尼古和犹尼亚安（V6-7）

保罗在这里只提到马利亚“多受劳苦”，意思是说她为主工作到身疲力竭的程度。另外，保罗也提到安多尼古和犹尼亚安。保罗称他们为亲属，相信这“亲属”不是指有血统关系的亲属，而是指“同胞”的意思。保罗此时已经大有名望，但仍然尊敬那两位比他信主更早的同工。

4.其他信徒（V8-16，V21-24）

接下来的经文，保罗一连串问候了许多位在罗马教会的信徒，如暗伯利、耳巴奴、士大古、亚比利、亚利多布、希罗天、拿其数、土非拿氏、土富撒氏、彼息氏等人。从保罗向他们的问安中，都带出无形当中都带出这些人在基督里的美好品格及服事。

二、躲避背弃福音的人（V17-20）

保罗之前在前面两章都强调要「彼此接纳」，但在今天我们所读的经文，第16章，保罗要教会留意，对于「那些离间你们、叫你们跌倒、背乎所学之道的人」（V17），不但不能接纳，反而要留意躲避他们。因为彼此接纳的前提是「在基督里」，而假弟兄、假教师并不是「在基督里」的肢体。今天的基督徒也必须慎防这些人。另外，我们服事时，可能会在意服事的果效，是否有人的认同和赞美，实际是在服事自己。

保罗也提醒他们应该在善事上聪明。圣经中的『善』，并非指普通的好事，乃指着神自己。因此这里所说的『在善上聪明』，就是指越认识神，越知道祂的旨意，越明白祂的法则与作为。保罗要信徒「在恶上愚拙」（V19）。我们要明白『恶』与善是相对的，恶是指神之外的事物和道理；『愚拙』就是不知道、不明白。所以『在恶上愚拙』，意指不想知道、也不去理会神之外的事物和道理。

保罗最重要的是要提醒教会要知所识别，顺从善的教导，对恶的却要愚拙迟纯。这样，赐平安的神就要使他们胜过撒但。今天，神已经把胜过罪恶的能力赏赐给我们。然而，人的问题乃是，当我们在各样恐吓之下，我们常常不敢拒绝，也不敢顺从真理，常被困在明知、却又不能的光景中。但我们的主已得胜一切仇敌及恐惧，主说祂乃是「赐平安的神」，也是那「将撒但践踏在我们脚下的神」。

三、坚固己心并信服道（V25-27）

保罗以荣耀的颂赞来结束他这本荣耀的福音。在这颂赞中我们看见，他对自己所传扬的，有何等坚定的把握――『神能照我所传的…坚固你们』。从这里，我们可以看见坚固信心的三个要素：(1)福音―神恩典的供给；(2)耶稣基督的道―神话中的能力；(3)永古隐藏不言的奥秘―神旨意的启示。

另外，万民信服真道的三个要素：(1)神奥秘的显明――需要被差去传道，才能听道而信道；(2)永生神的命――遵从神而不再悖逆；(3)藉众先知书的指示――圣经使人有得救的智慧。

基督徒今天必须遵照永生神的命令，不但自己的心被神坚固并信服真道，我们也要去向不信的人解开圣经上的话，使他们认识信仰之道，带领他们信而顺从。

总结：

保罗对罗马教会爱的叮咛，其实也是对今天的信徒的爱的叮咛。今天我们是否愿意去学习并跟从而活出基督美好榜样呢？当我们的心被坚固，我们是否愿意出去使万民也信服真道呢？

Romans 16: A Love Message
GK611 Morning Devotion
17/12/2021
Speaker: IP Stella + Rev.Li

Introduction:

In Romans 16, in addition to greetings, Paul ends his letter with a final reminder and exhortation to the church. This is like a mother’s reminder out of love for her children.

In the last part of his letter to the church in Rome, Paul introduces many people, who are remembered by him. He also hoped that the lives of these people would encourage the believers in the church in Rome. Paul’s words show us once again that he expects the body of Christ to learn from and follow those believers who have a good example, and to persevere in the faithfulness of the truth. Therefore, I have designated the theme of today’s chapter as ‘Exhortation of Love’.

1. Follow Those Who Live Out the Life of Christ (V1-16,V21-24)

(1) Phoebe (V1-2)

First, Paul introduces Phoebe here, the sister who helped to bring Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Paul asks the recipients of his letters to see her as a true believer, and to receive her in a manner worthy of the saints. From Paul’s description, she was probably a tireless sister, who often received the preachers and other believers in Cenchrea.

(2) Priscilla and Aquila (V3-5)

Paul then greeted Priscilla and Aquila, who were Paul’s powerful co-workers in the service of Christ Jesus. They could be considered a “model couple” of the early church, who served the Lord with one heart. At that time they opened their home in Rome to the believers for meetings.

(3) Mary、Andronicus and Junia (V6-7)

Paul only mentions here that Mary “suffered much”, meaning that she worked for the Lord to the point of exhaustion. In addition, Paul also mentions Andronicus and Junia. Paul refers to them as relatives, believing that the word “relatives” does not mean relatives by blood, but “fellow citizens”. Paul was already well known at this time, but still respected those two co-workers who had been converted before him.

(4) Other believers (V8-16, V21-24)

In the next verses, Paul greeted many believers in the church in Rome, such as Amplias, Urbanus,, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus, Herodion, Narcissus, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis. From Paul’s greetings to them, he brought out the good character and service of these men in Christ imperceptibly.

2．Hiding from Those Who Turn Away from the Gospel (V17-20)

Paul had previously emphasized the need to “accept one another” in the previous two chapters, but in our reading today, chapter 16, Paul tells the church to take heed, not only not to accept, but to take heed to avoid “those who divide you and cause you to stumble and fall away from the way you have learned” (V17). For the prerequisite for mutual acceptance is “in Christ,” and false brothers and teachers are not members of the body “in Christ. Christians today must also be careful against these people. Also, when we minister, we may be concerned about the results of our ministry, whether we have the approval and praise of others, when in reality we are ministering to ourselves.

Paul also reminds them that they should be wise in good works. The ‘good’ in the Bible does not refer to ordinary good things, but to God Himself. Therefore, the ‘wise in what is good’ spoken of here means the more one knows God, the more one knows His will, and the more one understands His laws and works. Paul wants believers to be “simple concerning evil” (V19). We need to understand that ‘evil’ is the opposite of good, and evil refers to things and truths outside of God; ‘simple’ means not knowing and not understanding. Therefore, “simple concerning evil” means not wanting to know and not caring about things and truths outside of God.

The most important thing that Paul wanted to remind the church was to know what to recognize, and to obey the teachings of the good, but to be foolish and slow to recognize the evil. In this way, the God of peace will give them victory over Satan. Today, God has given us the power to overcome sin. However, the problem of man is that when we are under all kinds of intimidation, we are often afraid to refuse and obey the truth, and are often trapped in a situation where we know, but cannot. But our Lord has triumphed over all enemies and fears, saying that He is “the God of peace” and the one who “tramples Satan under our feet”.

3. Strengthen Your Heart and Believe in the Word (V25-27)

Paul concludes his glorious gospel with a glorious praise. In this praises, we see what a firm assurance he had of what he preached – ‘God is able to strengthen you according to what I preach…’. Here we see the three elements that strengthen faith: (1) the gospel – the provision of God’s grace; (2) the word of Jesus Christ – the power of God’s word; and (3) the mystery hidden from the ages – the revelation of God’s will.

In addition, the three elements of faith in the truth for all nations are (1) the manifestation of the mystery of God – the need to be sent to preach in order to hear and believe the word; (2) the command of the living God – to obey God and cease from disobedience; and (3) instruction through the books of the prophets – the Bible makes one wise for salvation.

Christians must follow the command of the living God today, not only to have their own hearts strengthened by God and to believe and obey in the truth, but we must also go to the unbelievers and unlock the words of the Bible, so that they may know the way of faith and be led to believe and obey.

Conclusion:

Paul’s exhortation of love to the church in Rome is in fact an exhortation of love to believers today. Are we willing to learn and follow the good example of Christ today? When our hearts are strengthened, are we willing to go out and make all nations of the truth to believe and obey the truth?

16/12/2021

引言:一个好东西必有见证代言人！

一、作个坚强担代的人（V1-3）

坚固的人既是坚强的人，坚强的人要能够担待不坚强的人的软弱。简单的比喻，坚强的妈妈要担待软弱的婴孩的软弱，甚至不求自己的快乐。事实上只有孩子快乐，妈妈才有真的快乐。你试试在思想中不断以这一个画面作例子，来思想下面这一段经文所要说的真理。对一个属灵的坚强人而言，就像孩子的母亲有无限的使命感，愿意去付出一切为建造孩子，作为福音的使者也要如此：

1.各人务必叫邻舍喜悦

【邻舍】代表我们周围常接触到的人，【喜悦】原文的意思有取悦、奉承、讨好、顺应。对一般人而言，人不为己天诛地灭。别人的事关我什么事？人都是以自我满足为中心，为什么我们要去取悦他人？如果你明白自己在基督里的身份和地位，我们是得着了基督的生命在我们里面，我们有了与众不同的新身份、新托付。

2.使他人得益建立德行：
我们有的最大益处，永生、圣灵、真理、应许，是可以透过我们的生命去祝福人，建立人，与人分享，以致他人蒙福，我们就更蒙福。因为神非常喜悦我们这样做。

3.如基督正是舍己为人：
基督代罪羔羊的身份我们都领受了，岂不知原来我们这些属基督，为基督而活的见证人、代言人，也是被赋予这样的使命与托付。

二、效法基督而荣耀神（V4-9）

这里三次说到荣耀神，什么是荣耀神？就是人所做的事情叫人看见而惊讶，为什么你和一般世人不同？原来是基督的生命彰显在人的生活中，以致人会说你的神真好，这就是荣耀神。一个最荣耀神的生活方式就是效法基督，学习基督处事为人的榜样。而基督如己已经不是以物质的肉身活在我们当中，因为祂的话就是我们的指引和依据。而其中三样品格要提醒我们：

1.忍耐

罪恶的世界有许多偏离真理，叫人难以接受的事实。包括基督徒在成圣的过程中也有很多叫人失望和悲哀的行径，我们如果是属基督的刚强人？愿意效法基督而荣耀神，我们就要继续忍耐。因为如果冲动、鲁莽行事，恐怕就会陷入血气的毁坏性的后果中。

2.安慰

神的话给人安慰，神也以各种方式赐安慰。感谢主，神亲自以自己话语和超自然的方式叫人得安慰。

3.接纳

忍耐是针对他人的问题，安慰是从神而来的力量。接纳则是对人和事情的好坏都无法改变时，我们只要能够接纳，相信神有更美的时间和带领，你就可以活出基督的荣耀，而不是怨天尤人。

三、外邦人的福音祭司（V0-16）

这里的外邦人应该是指非犹太裔基督徒，包括我们这些人，我们要与神的选民，主的百姓一同欢乐。既是要与神的选民一同敬拜赞美神。我们过往去以色列的时候就有这样的机会，如今因为疫情的关系已经有两年无法去以色列，但是我们可以祷告，祈求神开路，因为这是神的应许。

耶西的根、大卫的后裔，基督弥赛亚，我们的救主耶稣基督。祂是治理我们的主，我们因着信已经得到无以伦比的喜乐平安，且借着圣灵的能力大有盼望。保罗因此作了外邦人的福音祭司，我们不也是外邦人的福音祭司吗？

但是我们要继续祷告，福音虽然是从耶路撒冷传到外邦，但是有一天福音的终结是从外邦传回耶路撒冷。如今我们不但领受了福音大使命的托付，甚至我们还领受要把福音传回耶路撒冷。而且我们也被称为君尊的祭司，因此，将来我们必要成为把福音传回给选民的外邦福音祭司。

四、我们要还福音的债（V17-33）

1.神迹随行遍传福音（V17-24）

保罗是个大有学问的人，但是他说出来耶稣基督借着他所作的神迹奇事之外，别的他都不敢提。福音本是神的大能，要叫一切被捆绑的人得释放。是圣灵的大能让原本不信的外邦人成为福音的使者。保罗的信主是这样的神迹，他所传的福音也是这样的充满圣灵大能的神迹。

我们怎样经历救恩，很常神也要使用我们的经历去拯救许多有相同背景的人。

2.救济圣徒教会爱心（V25-33）

当年在耶路撒冷的信徒面对贫困与缺欠，保罗让外邦人的教会了解这需要，因此也激发了外邦教会在经济上去帮助，去救济耶路撒冷的信徒。外邦人的教会有机会做这事是非常美好的，因为我们所领受的福音是从他们而来，我们所蒙的祝福是因他们而得，因此我们就如同欠了他们的债，能够有机会帮助他们，这是何等恩典。

如今我们的教会就在作这事，感恩弟兄姐妹不断参与爱以色列基金的奉献，尤其在神的节期里，大家的奉献让教会得以不断的去祝福以色列。而祝福以色列的结果也带来神对我们教会，对弟兄姐妹们的祝福。

总结：福音使者的生命

坚强靠主荣耀神：活出生命树的生命！
福音使者爱世人：活出布道者的使命！

Romans 15: Messenger of the Gospel
GK611 Morning Devotion
16/12/2021
Speaker: Rev. Tan

Introduction:

A good thing must have spokesman who testify!

1. Be a person who is strong and able to bear responsibility (V1-3)

A strong person is both a strong person and a strong person must be able to bear the weakness of the not so strong person. In a simple analogy, a strong mother has to bear the weakness of a weak baby, even without seeking her own happiness. The truth is that a mother can only be truly happy if her child is happy. Try to keep this image in your mind as an example to think about the truth of the following passage. For a spiritually strong person, just as the mother of a child has an infinite sense of mission and is willing to give everything to build up her child, so must she be as a messenger of the gospel.

(1) Each one must make his neighbour happy
[Neighbors] represents the people we often come in contact with around us, and the original meaning of [please] is to please someone, flatter, curry favor, and conform. For people in general, people do not do anything for themselves. What do I care about other people’s business? People are self-satisfied, so why should we try to please others? If you understand your identity and position in Christ, we are given the life of Christ in us, and we have a new identity, a new trust that is different.

(2) Building virtue for the benefit of others
The greatest benefit we have, the eternal life, the Holy Spirit, the truth, the promise, is that we can bless people through our lives, build people up, share with people so that others are blessed and we are more blessed. Because God is very pleased with us for doing this.

(3) As Christ gave himself up for others

We have all received the identity of Christ’s atonement, but do we not know that we, who are Christ’s witnesses and advocates for Christ, are also entrusted with such a mission and commission?

2. Glorifying God by imitating Christ (V4-9)

Here we talk three times about glorifying God. It is when a person does something that people see and are amazed, why are you different from the rest of the world? It turns out that the life of Christ is manifested in the life of man, so that people will say, “What a good God you have, that is glorifying God. One of the most God-glorifying ways of life is to imitate Christ and learn from His example in dealing with people. And Christ as Himself is no longer living among us in a physical body, for His words are our guide and basis. And three of these qualities are to remind us.

(1) Patience.

The sinful world has many facts that deviate from the truth and are hard to accept. There are also many disappointing and sorrowful practices in the sanctification process, including those of Christians. If we are strong men of Christ, willing to glorify God by imitating Christ, we must continue to be patient. For if we act impulsively and recklessly, we are afraid that we will fall into the destructive consequences of blood.

(2) Comfort.

The word of God gives comfort, and God gives comfort in various ways. Thank the Lord that God Himself gives comfort in His own words and in supernatural ways.

(3) Receiving

Patience is for the problems of others and comfort is strength from God. Acceptance, on the other hand, is for when people and things are too good or bad to change, we just have to be able to accept and trust God for a more beautiful time and leadership so you can live out the glory of Christ instead of complaining.

3.Gospel Priests of the Gentiles (V10-16)

The Gentiles here would be non-Jewish Christians, including those of us who are to rejoice with God’s elect, the Lord’s people. Both are to worship and praise God with God’s chosen people. We had such opportunities when we went to Israel in the past. Now we have not been able to go to Israel for two years because of the pandemic, but we can pray and ask God to open the way, because this is God’s promise.

The root of Jesse, the descendant of David, the Christ Messiah, our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the Lord who rules over us, and by faith we have received unparalleled joy and peace, and have great hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul thus became a priest of the gospel to the Gentiles, and are we not also a priest of the gospel to the Gentiles?

But let us continue to pray that although the gospel was preached from Jerusalem to the Gentiles, the end of the gospel will one day be preached from the Gentiles back to Jerusalem. Now we have not only been entrusted with the Great Commission of the gospel, but we have even been entrusted with the task of bringing the gospel back to Jerusalem. Moreover, we are also called royal priest, so that in the future we must become priests of the gospel to the Gentiles who will take the gospel back to the chosen ones.

4. We have to pay the debt of the gospel (V17-33)

(1) Miracles follow the Gospel (v17-24)

Paul was a learned man, but he did not dare to mention anything other than the signs and wonders that Jesus Christ did through him. The gospel is the power of God to set free all those who are in bondage. It was the power of the Holy Spirit that made the Gentiles, who were unbelievers, messengers of the gospel. Paul’s conversion was such a miracle, and the gospel he preached was also such a miracle full of the power of the Holy Spirit.

How we experience salvation, very often God will use our experience to save many people of the same background.

(2) Relieve the Saints by the Love of the Church (v25-33)

Paul made the Gentile churches aware of this need, and thus inspired the Gentile churches to help financially to relieve the believers in Jerusalem. It is wonderful that the Gentile churches have the opportunity to do this, for it is from them that we have received the gospel, and it is through them that we have been blessed, and therefore we are as much in their debt as we are in theirs, and what a grace it is to have the opportunity to help them.

This is what our church is doing today, and we are thankful that brothers and sisters continue to participate in the Love Israel Fund offering, especially during God’s feast days, and that everyone’s offering allows the church to continue to bless Israel. And the result of blessing Israel also brings God’s blessing to our church and to our brothers and sisters.

Conclusion: The Life of An Evangelist

Be strong in the Lord and glorify God: Live the life of the tree of life!
Gospel messengers love the world: live the mission of evangelists!

15/12/2021

引言:

当时初期教会内犹太人与外邦人两种信徒，因为文化的差异，和宗教背景的不同，加上信主年日的差距，对真理认识的程度不一致，所以产生了在教会内一起生活的不协调。保罗就在这一章就给予了忠告与教导：彼此接纳的要诀。

一、不可轻看论断弟兄（V1-12）

1、不要辩论疑惑的事（V1-12）

V1信心软弱的，你们要接纳，但不要辩论所疑惑的事。

在当时犹太人与回转的外邦人同样相信基督，但他们的观点却有很大的差异。所以他们之间就起了争论，从应该在什么日子做礼拜，到基督徒能吃什么、喝什么，各有不同意见。这时使徒保罗劝勉他们：V1信心软弱的，你们要接纳，但不要辩论所疑惑的事。

保罗提到‘所疑惑的事’是指：各人持有不同意见的事，圣经没有明文指出是罪的事。如果圣经指明是罪的事，我们便不能接纳！不能妥协！

吃或不吃、守或不守日，两边都有自己的道理，都没有违背神。但两边却无法彼此接纳，造成冲突与分裂的危机。所以，保罗也没有说谁是谁非，他只是劝导：不管信心软弱的人所坚持的是什么原因，这并非最重要。最重要乃是我们应该用‘接纳的心态’去面对不同的意见的人。因为神已经收纳他了。如果一件事，圣经没有说明是罪，我们就不要为这件事起争论。

所以，弟兄姐妹相处时，大家若有不同的想法，不要争论谁对谁错，应当彼此接纳，宁可自我节制，尊重对方的意见，以免对方受到伤害，因为在争论时，很容易陷入彼此轻看和论断！

2.我们都是属主的人（V7－12）

基督是我们各人的主。任何一个基督徒或对或错，是由主来判断。我们都是属主的人，既然神接纳我们，所以我们也要彼此接纳，因为我们都在在一个主之下替这一个主做事！

我们要能彼此接纳，也要学习尊重每位弟兄姊妹，因为他们和我们都同属一位神。当看见教会之间、弟兄姐妹当中，彼此批评、论断、攻击的时候，我的应当叹息。因为在主里我们都是弟兄姊妹，怎能如此随意论断别人呢？更何况论断他们，就是论断他们里面的主!

我们越亲近主的时候，其实越不敢乱说话。当我们对主理解越深，我们越不敢去批评指责别人。因为我们信主时间越长，越知道自己还有不足和亏欠的地方，就越不会去用所谓的属灵的话，去论断别人。今天我们要明白，他的主人会来管的，而且主一定会这样做，所以我们不要担心，也不要定他们罪，我们只要为他祷告，为主接纳他！

所以，当我们看到周围的弟兄姐妹有做的不好的地方，我们不要去给他们定罪，而是用自己的身教，用自己的行为去引导他，让他自己看到自己的亏欠，这才是我们所当做的。最好的榜样不是用嘴去批评指责别人，而是自己活出美好见证，让别人自愿来效法你！

求主的灵帮助我们，能用宽容的心彼此接纳；当用基督的爱浇灌在我们里面，彼此接纳时才能真正得享合一的喜乐。

二、不使弟兄绊脚跌倒（V13-23）

1.不因吃喝叫人败坏（V13-19）

信心坚固的弟兄明知道有信心软弱的在身边，却仍然吃后者认为不可以吃的‘不洁净’食物，或论断这位弟兄，这样会造成叫弟兄败坏！保罗认为这‘不是按着爱人的道理行’。因为爱弟兄，就不要因食物叫他忧愁。不单如此，保罗还提出一个更有力的理由：基督已经替他死，你不可因你的食物叫他败坏。

若信徒以追求合一为目标，那我们就不可凡事太过主观，反而要客观地考虑到别人的看法和立场。基督徒在主里虽有许多的自由，但若因为‘自以为的善’而不顾及别人、不理会爱心的原则的话，就不能达到荣神益人的效果。

基督信仰的重点是在圣灵里的公义、和平、喜乐。让不信的人在基督徒身上应当看见公义、和平、喜乐，而不是彼此中伤、控诉、争闹、和上法庭对抗。所以，为了避免让主内一些信心还不够的弟兄受到冲击，我们要愿意放弃一些自己喜欢的享乐，不叫弟兄跌倒败坏！
就像我们开车上路，从支路进入主道时，会看见‘让行 Give way’的路标。
因为‘让行’是基督徒的生活哲学；不坚持己见，容许别人有成长的空间！在这有争议性问题出现时不坚持己见！

求主帮助我们和平喜乐地去处理问题，保守我们不使弟兄绊脚跌倒，追求和睦。

2.不可毁坏神的工程（V20-23）

什么是神的工程？乃是神在祂子民身上的工作。神要做的工作，是雕塑我们生命，使我们愈来愈像耶稣基督的样式。因为属灵生命成长的过程：得救是刹那之间，成长却是一生之久！

保罗特别提醒，不可因食物毁坏神的工程，不要因为食物叫弟兄姊妹跌倒；
其实不单食物会叫人跌倒，我们口中的言语也常叫人软弱，实在应当谨慎。另外我们的生活行为也容易叫人跌倒，如果在赌场看见我这位实习传道，你们会有何感想？有时我们对牧师、传道、全职同工有较多要求，但却没有想到，其实每一个基督徒的举止行为也会影响周围许多非信徒！

总结：

不要彼此论断！不同意见不要争论！而是要彼此接纳！因为神已经接纳我们了。

Romans 14: The Key To Mutual Acceptance
GK611 Morning Devotion
15/12/2021
Speaker: IP Daniel Kew + Rev. David Tan

Introduction:

The differences in culture and religious background between the Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church at that time, as well as the gap in the number of years of believing in Christ and the difference in their knowledge of the truth, created a dissonance in their life together in the church. It is in this chapter that Paul gives the advice and teaching: the key to mutual acceptance.

1. Do Not Look Lightly or Judge the Brothers (V1-12)

(1) Do not debate the doubtful things (v1-12)

V1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

At that time the Jews and the converted Gentiles believed in Christ equally, but their views differed greatly. Therefore, there were arguments between them, ranging from what days they should worship, to what Christians could eat and drink, they all had different opinions. At this point the apostle Paul exhorted them: V1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Paul’s reference to ‘doubtful things’ means: things about which people hold different opinions, and which the Bible does not explicitly state are sinful. If the Bible indicates that it is a sinful matter, we cannot accept it! There can be no compromise!

Eating or not eating, observing or not observing the day, both sides have their own reasoning, and neither is against God. However, both sides are unable to accept each other, causing a crisis of conflict and division. Therefore, Paul does not say who is right and who is wrong, but exhorts: Whatever the reason of the weak in faith may be, it is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that we should face those who disagree with us with a ‘receptive mind’. For God has received him. If a matter is not stated as sin in the Bible, we should not argue about it.

Therefore, when brothers and sisters get together, if we have different ideas, we should not argue about who is right and who is wrong, but should accept each other, rather than abstain from self-control and respect each other’s opinions, so that the other person will not be hurt, because when arguing, it is easy to fall into mutual contempt and judgement!

(2) We are all of the Lord (v7-12)

Christ is the Lord of us all. It is up to the Lord to judge whether any Christian is right or wrong. We are all of God, since God accepts us, we must also accept one another, for we are all working under one Lord and for that one Lord!

We need to be able to accept one another and learn to respect each brother and sister, because they all belong to the same God as we do. When we see churches criticizing, judging, and attacking each other among brothers and sisters, I should sigh. For we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, so how can we judge others so freely? Not to mention that to judge them is to judge the Lord in them!

The closer we are to the Lord, the more we actually dare not speak out of turn. The deeper our understanding of the Lord, the more we dare not criticize and accuse others. Because the longer we believe in the Lord, the more we know that we still have deficiencies and shortcomings, the less we will try to judge others with so-called spiritual words. Today we need to understand that their Master will come to take care of them, and the Lord will definitely do so, so we should not worry or condemn them, we just need to pray for them and accept them for the Lord!

Therefore, when we see our brothers and sisters around us are not enough, we should not condemn them, but lead them by our own example, by our own behavior, so that they can see their own shortcomings, and this is what we should do. The best example is not to criticize and accuse others with your mouth, but to live a good testimony yourself, so that others will voluntarily follow your example!

Pray that the Spirit of the Lord will help us to accept one another with forgiveness; the joy of unity can be truly enjoyed when the love of Christ is poured out in us and we accept one another.

2. Do Not Cause Brothers to Stumble and Fall (V13-23)

(1) Not to cause corruption through eating and drinking (v13-19)

A brother who is strong in faith knows that he has a brother weak in faith with him, but he still eats ‘unclean’ food that the latter does not think he should eat, or he judges the brother, which results in corrupting him! Paul considered this ‘not according to the love of man’. For if you love your brother, do not grieve him over food. Not only that, but Paul also gives an even stronger reason: Christ has died for him, and you must not corrupt him because of your food.

If believers aim for unity, then we must not be too subjective in everything, but rather we must objectively consider the views and positions of others. Although Christians have a lot of freedom in the Lord, if they disregard others and ignore the principle of love because of ‘self-righteousness’, they will not achieve the effect of glorifying God and benefiting others.

The focus of the Christian faith is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Let unbelievers see righteousness, peace, and joy in Christians, not slander, accusation, strife, and confrontation with one another in court. Therefore, in order to avoid shocking some brothers in the Lord who do not have enough faith, we must be willing to give up some of our favorite pleasures and not cause our brothers to stumble and become corrupt!
Just like when we drive on the road and enter the main road from a side road, we will see the ‘Give way’ sign.

For ‘give way’ is the Christian philosophy of life; not to insist on one’s own opinions and to allow others room to grow! Do not hold your ground when this controversial issue arises!

Pray that the Lord would help us to deal with issues peacefully and joyfully, that we would not cause our brothers to stumble and fall, and that we would pursue harmony.

(2) Do not destroy the works of God (v20-23)

What is the work of God? It is the work of God in His people. God’s work is to sculpt our lives so that we will become more and more like the image of Jesus Christ. For the process of growth in spiritual life: salvation is a moment, but growth is a lifetime!

Paul specifically warned against destroying the work of God for the sake of food. , and against causing brothers and sisters to stumble because of food.
In fact, not only food can cause people to stumble, but also the words of our mouths often cause weakness, so we should be careful. Also, our behavior in life can easily cause people to stumble. Imagine how you’ll feel if you see me, as an intern pastor in a casino? Sometimes we expect more from our pastors, preachers, and full-time co-workers, but we don’t think about the fact that the behavior of every Christian affects many non-believers around them!

Conclusion:

Don’t judge each other! Don’t argue about different opinions! Rather, accept one another! For God has accepted us.