Month: March 2024

22/03/2024

一、点灯发光（V1-4）

神在这里特别吩咐摩西对亚伦说要如何安置七盏灯。这七盏灯的灯台就是指金灯台，这是照着神所指示的样式造出来的。点灯非常重要，“点” 灯的 “点” 的原文是上去、遇见、和造访的意思。每当我们点灯的时候，就像我们来到神的面前领受神的灵粮一样。所以来晨祷点灯，就是早晨透过信息、敬拜、追求来领受神的道。

金灯台预表生命树，是给予生命的。被点亮的灯有光，这光也是生命，可以使暗退去。生命树要起来被点亮，而且要使灯向前发光。当我们发出光的时候，是代表生命树，也代表教会。教会今天要发光，让世人看见光明，看见真理，而脱离黑暗。

二、服事的生命 （V5-22）

1. 被拣选 （V6，14，16-19）

利未人是被神特别拣选的，他们特别被分派特别又独特的动作。利未人被拣选代替以色列头生的，要洁净并要献上燔祭和赎罪祭。今天我们可以服事神是因为我们是神从万人中拣选我们的。我们都是神特别拣选的。

2. 被洁净（V7-8，12，15，21）

利未人的服事是神特别看重的，他们就如献上生命服事一样。凡是献给神的，不但是被洁净的，也必须是没有残疾的。借着洁净的仪式，使利未人就如脱去旧人和过去的行为，穿上新人，成为新造的人一样。

我们可以服事神，是因为我们相信主耶稣基督。相信祂已经为我们的罪而死，这就如洁净我们一样，耶稣成为了我们的赎罪祭，使我们成为新造的人。

3. 被献上（V11，15，20-22）

利未人为以色列当作摇祭的意思是将身体献上，当作活祭，先被献给神，再从神那里赐给祭司成为他们的助手。他们全职服事神，不再为自己而活，而是活在死而复活的生命力，活在神的旨意，活着只为了敬拜神、事奉神。

三、终身摆上（V23-26）

利未人可能从二十五岁开始服事神，到五十岁就停工退任、不再办事。那么五十岁后 是否就是退休呢？停工退任的意思是停下他们现在所做的，回归到他们原来的位子，所这并不是退休而是停工。他们要和他们的弟兄一同伺候，谨守所吩咐的，就是要看守会幕，在那里敬拜祷告，守着神的同在。这是我们终身的服事，是我们祭司利未人的生命。无论我们是在什么岗位，我们都可以各尽其职，一起为神摆上。

总结：

让我们是每天点灯的生命，向前发光、起来服事、献上我们的生命、为主摆上。

Numbers Chapter 8: Building a Life to Serve God
GK611 Morning Devotion
22/3/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: IP Asher Chang

1. Light up the lamp and shine (V1-4)

Here God specifically told Moses to tell Aaron how to place the seven lamps. The seven-lamp lampstand refers to the golden lampstand, which was made according to the pattern instructed by God. Lighting a lamp is very important. The original text of “light” means to go up, meet, and visit. Whenever we light a lamp, it is like we come before God to receive His spiritual food. So, attending Morning Devotion to light the lamp, which is to receive the Word of God through messages, worship, and pursuit in the morning.

The golden lampstand represents the Tree of Life, which gives life. A lit lamp has a light, and this light is also life, which can make darkness recede. The Tree of Life is to be lighted, and the lamp is to shine forward. When we shine light, we represent the Tree of Life and the church. The church must shine today, allowing the world to see light, see the truth, and escape from darkness.

2. Life of service (V5-22)

(1) Being chosen (V6, 14, 16-19)

The Levites were specially chosen by God, and they were assigned special and unique tasks. The Levites were chosen to take the place of Israel’s firstborn, to cleanse and to offer burnt offerings and sin offerings. Today we can serve God because God has chosen us out of all people. We are all specially chosen by God.

(2) Be cleansed (V7-8, 12, 15, 21)

The service of the Levites is particularly valued by God, and they serve as if they dedicated their lives. Everything offered to God must not only be cleansed but must also be without blemishes. Through the cleansing ceremony, the Levites put off the old man and their past behaviour and put on the new man, becoming a new creation.

We can serve God because we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believing that He died for our sins cleanses us. Jesus becomes our sin offering and makes us new creatures.

(3) Offered up (V11, 15, 20-22)

The Levites’ wave offerings for Israel meant that they offered their bodies as living sacrifices, which were first presented to God and then given to the priests by God to serve as their assistants. They serve God full-time and no longer live for themselves, but live in the vitality of death and resurrection, live in God’s will, and live only to worship and serve God.

3. Offer up for life (V23-26)

The Levites may have started serving God at the age of twenty-five, stopped working and retired when they were fifty. So, does retirement mean after the age of fifty? To retire means to stop what they are doing and return to their original position, hence this is not retirement but step down. They were to serve with their brethren, keeping their command to guard the Tabernacle, to worship and pray there, and to keep the presence of God. This is our lifelong service, our life as priests and Levites. No matter what position we are in, we can all do our part and offer up together for God.

Conclusion：

Let us be the life that lights up the lamp every day, shining forward, rising to serve, and dedicating and offering up our lives to the Lord.

21/03/2024

引言：

从以色列人献礼物的事上，我们可以学习如何献上神所喜悦的祭！

一、分别为圣迎神同在（v1-9）

帐幕和里面的坛及器皿需要分别为圣，因为耶和华的同在要降临在帐幕里。以色列12个支派的首领主动将牛车分别为圣献给神，也是盼望在旅程中也有神的同在，因为他们清楚知道，神的同在是他们进入迦南的把握。另外，他们也是因为看到了会幕的需要，因此他们甘心乐意地主动献上牛车。

二、神看重每一份摆上（v10-83）

每个支派不分人数多少，他们的首领所献的供物和祭物完全一样，表明他们在神面前都有同样的心思。虽然，每个支派的领袖都献上相同的祭物，但是对神来说却不是重复的。因为每个领袖、每个领袖代表的每个支派、甚至每个以色列人在神眼中都是极其宝贵的。

三、神回应百姓的献上（v84-89）

当首领们献上了供物，进入了奉献的实际，使神的心意满足之后，就引出了神与人更深的交通：神就亲自降临在圣幕中，照着祂所应许的，在施恩座上向摩西说话。因此，我们要明白，当我们甘心乐意的献上，神要对我们说话，祂要与我们同在，而且祂也要应允我们的祷告。

总结：神要与我们同在

以色列人奉献帐幕的仪式，象征着百姓承认神作为以色列的君王与他们同在。直到如今，神依然盼望与他的儿女同在。

今天，我们向神所献上的礼物是什么呢？要知道，我们所献上每一份神都使用、都回应。最重要的是每个献上，只要是全心全意，不分大小，都会被神记念。

Numbers Chapter 6: Offering a sacrifice pleasing to God
GK611 Morning Devotion
21/3/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Stella Ling

Introduction：

From the offering of gifts by the Israelites, we can learn how to offer sacrifices that are pleasing to God!

1. Set apart and sanctify to receive God’s presence (v1-9)

The tabernacle and the altar and vessels within it needed to be set apart and sanctify, for the presence of the Lord will come in the tabernacle. The leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel took it upon themselves to set apart the ox-carts to God, also in the hope of having God’s presence on the journey as well, for they knew full well that God’s presence was their certainty of entering Canaan. In addition, they also saw the need of the tabernacle, so they willingly and happily took the initiative to offer the ox cart.

2. God valued every offering (v10-83)

Each tribe, regardless of their numbers, had exactly the same offerings and sacrifices presented by their leaders, showing that they all had the same heart before God. Although, the leaders of each tribe offered the same sacrifices, they were not repetition to God. For each leader, each tribe that each leader represented, and even each Israelite was extremely valuable in God’s sight.

3. God’s response to the offerings of the people (v84-89)

After the leaders had made their offerings and entered into the reality of giving, so that God’s heart was satisfied, it led to a deeper communion between God and the people: and God Himself came down in the tabernacle, and spoke to Moses from the mercy seat, as He had promised. Therefore, we need to understand that when we offer willingly, God will speak to us, He will be with us, and He will answer our prayers.

Conclusion: God wants to be with us

The Israelite ritual of dedicating the tabernacle symbolised the people’s recognition of God’s presence with them as Israel’s King. To this day, God still desires to be with His children.

What is our gift to God today? Know that God uses and responds to every offering we make. The most important thing is that every offering, as long as it is made with our hearts, no matter how big or small, will be remembered by God.

20/03/2024

引言：

主日分享十诫之二：钟爱主一生！正如今天要说的【拿细耳人】的真理，成为一个分别为圣的人。

一、从世俗的享乐中分别出来(V1-4)

拿细耳人的志愿是自由的，对于有心志要学习属灵操练，这是好的榜样。表明自己要从世俗的生活中分别出来，以至有更深的属灵体验。

远离酒，不吃葡萄类的食物——吃喝这类食品代表一种享乐，而作拿细耳人也就表示，愿意为主而不贪图肉体的享乐。这是属灵生命敬虔的一种表现；看到比肉身物质的享受还更高的渴望。

二、从自我的荣耀里分别出来(V5)

理发的目的是整修自己的形象，是一种荣美形象的外在表现；不剃头则会渐渐形成不修边幅、失去常的光鲜外观样子。相对而言，这就如同为主承担羞辱，放下面子，存心卑微。这就像是从自我的荣耀中被分别出来，单单在乎神而不是自己。说到为主或为己，你觉得自己的付出是多少呢？

三、从天然的情感里分别出来(V6-7)

分别为圣的拿细耳人不可以挨近死尸，因为神看没有生命和灵魂的尸体是不洁的。原来这观念对亲属家人而言也是一样；这就好比要过圣洁的生活，且胜过情感和关系的情结。既是能够专一以神的事为念吗？正如主耶稣所说的：“岂不知我当以父的事为念吗？”

四、从属灵的死亡中分别出来(V8-12)

若有人不经意遇见旁边忽然有人死了，污染了头，要在第七日剃头，不要在污秽上有份。意思说要在属灵的死亡中分别出来。毕竟我们是有圣灵的活人。我们本来就要过与众不同的生活。世上的一切都是“属死的”，但是在神里面的人却是有永恒生命的。对基督徒而言更加是有复活的应许，因此要从会死的世界分别出来。

五、从感恩的献祭中回归常态(V13-21)

拿细耳人心志是自发的、因此期限也是特定而不是永久的。主要是当与神约定的时间到了之后，还要献祭、感恩，以同样积极委身的方式回到过往的信仰生活常态里。先前作拿细耳人的属灵经历是宝贵的训练和体验。

总结：最终领受大祭司的祝福(V22-27)

我们要体验分别为圣的拿细耳人的生命，还要领受大祭司的祝福！

一个更完全和蒙福的生命：蒙神赐福、蒙保护、蒙光照、蒙赐恩、得着完全Shalom的平安之福！

Numbers Chapter 6: Be a person who is set apart
GK611 Morning Devotion
20/3/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction：

Sunday shared on second of the Ten Commandments: to love the Lord with all of one’s life! As the truth of today’s word [the Nazirite], become a person set apart and holy.

1. Set apart from worldly pleasures (V1-4)

The Nazirite’s volunteerism was free, and it was a good example for those who had a heart to learn spiritual disciplines. Demonstrate that you want to separate yourself from the worldly life so that you can have a deeper spiritual experience.

Stay away from wine and do not eat grapes – Eating and drinking such foods represents a form of pleasure, and to be a Nazirite is to show a willingness to be for the Lord and not for the pleasures of the flesh. This is a manifestation of the godliness of the spiritual life; seeing a higher longing than the material pleasures of the flesh.

2. Set apart from self-glory (V5)

The purpose of a haircut is to refurbish one’s image, an outward manifestation of a glorious image; without shaving one’s head one gradually develops an unkempt, lost appearance of one’s usual lustrous appearance. Comparatively speaking, it is like bearing humiliation for the Lord, putting down one’s face, and stooping to humility. It is like being set apart from the glory of self and caring for God alone instead of yourself. When it is for the Lord, how much do you think you are giving?

3. Set apart from natural affections (V6-7)

The separated and holy Nazirite was not to be near a dead body, for God regards a corpse without life and soul as unclean. It turns out that this concept is the same for family members; it is like living a holy life and overcoming emotional and relational complexes. Is it possible to only concern of the things of God? As the Lord Jesus said, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

4. Set apart from Spiritual Death (V8-12)

If anyone meets unawares next to him and suddenly someone dies and pollutes his head, he is to shave his head on the seventh day, and not to have a part in the defilement. It means to be set apart in spiritual death. After all, we are living beings with the Holy Spirit. We are meant to live a different life. Everything in the world is “dead”, but those who are in God have eternal life. Even more so for Christians, there is the promise of resurrection, and therefore set apart from the world that will die.

5. Return to normality from the sacrifice of thanksgiving (V13-21)

The Nazirite mind is spontaneous and therefore the duration is specific rather than permanent. The main point is that when the appointed time with God had come, there was a sacrifice and thanksgiving to be offered, and a return to the normality of the past life of faith in the same active way of commitment. The earlier spiritual experience of being a Nazirite was valuable training and experience.

Conclusion: Finally receiving the high priest’s blessing (V22-27)

We are to experience the life of a set apart and holy Nazirite and receive the blessing of the High Priest!
A more complete and blessed life: Blessed, protected, illuminated, and received grace, blessed with the peace of complete Shalom!

19/03/2024

引言：

耶和华军队的人数已经数点清楚，安营起行的次序已经安排好，神现在要做洁净营地的处理。因为圣洁的神住在营中，以色列民不能使营地污秽，神要让祂的子民都成为圣洁的器皿！

一、处理身体的不洁（V1-4）

耶和华晓喻，要使三种人住在营外，长大痲疯的，患漏症的以及因死尸不洁净的。因为这三种不洁的人，很可能带有会传染的病菌，造成全营的大感染，因此免得汙秽他们的营。必须出到营外去隔离。

神让我们明白，身体的疾病和不洁不单单关系到你本身，也关系到别人；因这营是‘他们的营’、‘大家的营’，如果被污秽了，会带来全体的亏损，不单传染病，也使得神无法与大家同住同在，因为神是圣洁的神！

二、处理亏负人的罪（V5-10）

犯罪得罪人，就是干犯神。所以神要求若有亏负人，就要认罪并如数赔偿外，还要多加五分一。
所谓‘亏负’ 就是没有按公平对待别人，包括：诡诈、盗刧、欺压和欠债。

神的心意是不要祂的子民彼此亏负，因为表面上是人与人出现问题，实则是与神的关系出了问题，是‘干犯耶和华’。

三、处理婚姻的疑恨（V11-31）

‘疑恨’的原意是因忌妒而有的愤恨。‘疑恨’使夫妻二人不能合二为一，同床异梦。所以要以公开仪式对付处理；要送到祭司那里，站在耶和华面前处理。

今天的时代，无论是丈夫或妻子心中有这样的疑恨时，要有智慧找到合适的‘祭司’辅导，敞开所隐藏的罪；一起来到神的面前求神光照。虽然今天没有什么苦水和咒诅的仪式，但可以一起向神认罪悔改，无论是亏待配偶的，或是疑恨配偶的，都可以来到神面前坦承自己的过错，修补婚姻的关系。

总结：

一个人的身体健康、人际问题和婚姻关系，都会影响整个群体。教会要前进，需要每个基督徒对付生命中不洁的东西。
呼召我们的神是圣洁的，我们都要靠神脱离罪恶的事，成为合乎主用的圣洁器皿！

Numbers Chapter 5: Becoming a Holy Vessel
GK611 Morning Devotion
19/3/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Daniel Kew

Introduction：

The numbers of the LORD’s army had been counted, the order of setting up camp and starting out had been arranged, and God was now going to do the work of cleansing the camp. Because the Holy One dwells in the camp, the people of Israel could not defile the camp, and God wanted all His people to be vessels of holiness!

1. Dealing with physical uncleanness (V1-4)

And the LORD made known that he would cause three kinds of people to dwell outside the camp, the lepers, the lepers, and those who were unclean because of dead bodies. For these three types of unclean people were likely to carry contagious germs that would cause a major infection in the camp, so as not to defile their camp. It was necessary to go out of the camp and isolate them.

God wants us to understand that physical sickness and uncleanness does not only concern you, but also others; because this camp is ‘their camp’, ‘everyone’s camp’, and if it is defiled, it will bring about the loss of the whole camp, not only infecting it with disease, but also making it impossible for God to live and dwell with everyone. Not only is it contagious, but it also makes it impossible for God to live with everyone, because God is a holy God!

2. Dealing with the sin of offending others (V5-10)

To sin against people is to sin against God. Therefore, God requires that if there is a wrongdoer, he must confess his sin and pay the full amount of the wrongdoer’s debt, plus an additional one-fifth of the debt.
A ‘wrongdoing’ is a failure to treat someone fairly, including: deceit, theft, oppression and debt.

God’s intention is that His people should not fall short of each other, because what appears to be a problem with people is actually a problem with God, a ‘unfaithfulness against the Lord’.

3. Dealing with jealousy in marriage (V11-31)

The original meaning of ‘jealousy’ is resentment due to jealousy. ‘Jealousy’ prevents the husband and wife from being one and sharing the same bed. Therefore it was to be dealt with and handled in a public ceremony; it was to be sent to the priest and stood before the LORD to be dealt with.

In this day and age, when a husband or wife has such a doubt or hatred in their heart, they need to have the wisdom to find the right ‘priest’ to counsel them, to open up about their hidden sins; and to come before God together to seek His illumination. Although there are no rituals of bitter water and curses today, we can confess our sins and repent to God together. Whether it is the one who treats his or her spouse poorly or the one who is jealous of his or her spouse with suspicion, he or she can come to God and confess his or her faults, so as to mend the marital relationship.

Conclusion:

One person’s physical health, interpersonal problems, and marital relationships affect the whole group. For the church to move forward, it requires every Christian to deal with the unclean things in their lives.The God who calls us is holy, and we all need to rely on God to turn from sinful things and become holy vessels fit to be used by God!