小时的教育：港片《义不容情》

《义不容情》

  

  

搭档：刘嘉玲，温兆伦，邵美琪，苏杏璇，周海媚，年份：1989

　　对这部剧的崇敬，实在是很难用言语来形容，苏杏璇饰演了一位堪称无线剧集历史上最伟大的母亲，而温兆伦凭借丁有康这个可塑性很强的反面角色，成功上位，而华哥当时年近而立，演技已经炉火纯青，饰演的丁有健一角，也是至今难忘的经典，我一直认为，华哥最颠峰的古装角色是萧峰，而最好的时装角色则是韦乐与丁有健，这是一个愿意为家人，朋友，恋人付出一切的男人，是一个会让所有人感到心疼的男人，最后阿健在深夜的教堂，口里念着：“我们在天上的父，愿人们都尊你的名为圣，愿天父的国降临，愿天父的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上一样……”借此祈祷楚君的归来，那个惹人遐想的悬念结局，直到如今，依然时常浮现在我的脑海之中，对于这样一部剧集，实在不必多说，她教会了整整一代人如何去做人，当你身处喧嚣的都市，当你面对一个个虚伪丑陋的假面具，想起那个令你汗颜的丁有健，请默默的向《义不容情》致敬，因为他们曾让你明白，什么才是完美的人格，什么才是伟大的真情。

今天看到这个评论我真是特别有同感。我是小学一年级的时候看的这部电视剧。虽然里面我最喜欢的性格是“楚君”的性格，但是不可否认，丁有健和丁有康性格，选择和人生的对比，对年幼的我是有着指导意义的，因为从电视上看到的，有过程有情感带入的领受要比书本上读到的为人向善，五讲四美三热爱之类的教导和要深入人心的多。可见电视对年轻人和小孩子的意义，看看今天的电视节目，真是让人担忧。
我也为此感谢主，对我这样一个天性有罪的人，给予各样的指导和管教，让我不至犯非常严重的错。
同时回想这些，也让我感到，认识主也是一个知识和经验交替进步的过程。我们从圣经中，讲道中得到的信息和知识，如果没有经历，只是表层的理解和体会，无法到深入骨髓的地步，只有当我们亲身经历主的慈爱和恩典，以及祂的大能时，才会对我们有最深远的影响。主，愿你让我能更深的经历你，认识你。奉主名祷告，阿门。

读经：启示录

^2：16 所 以 ， 你 当 悔 改 ； 若 不 悔 改 ， 我 就 快 临 到 你 那 里 ， 用 我 口 中 的 剑 攻 击 他 们 。

这里主说“你”当悔改，。。。，攻击“他们”。注意这里说的你悔改，不是“他们”悔改。看了这句话我很受触动。当然，这里的你指的是别迦摩教会，但是给我的一个启示是：如果想要带人回到主前，不是要求那人悔改，而是我们自己要悔改。我时常希望父亲悔改信主，但是看到这句话我知道说其实问题不在他那里，在我这里。我当悔改，如此，才能带他到主前。

²³ 我 又 要 杀 死 他 的 党 类 （ 原 文 是 儿 女 ） ， 叫 众 教 会 知 道 ， 我 是 那 察 看 人 肺 腑 心 肠 的 ， 并 要 照 你 们 的 行 为 报 应 你 们 各 人 。

这里很重要的一点就是主不但照我们的行为报应我们，更察看我们的肺腑心肠。所以光有好的行为时不够的，更重要的是好的心肠；当然只有好的心肠也是不够的，只是若在主里，有好的心肠，亲近主，将事物交与主，那好的行为便自然会出来，因为那是主行出来的，而不是自己。

¹⁴ 你 要 写 信 给 老 底 嘉 教 会 的 使 者 ， 说 ： 那 为 阿 们 的 ， 为 诚 信 真 实 见 证 的 ， 在 神 创 造 万 物 之 上 为 元 首 的 ， 说 ：

 ¹⁵ 我 知 道 你 的 行 为 ， 你 也 不 冷 也 不 热 ； 我 巴 不 得 你 或 冷 或 热 。

 ¹⁶ 你 既 如 温 水 ， 也 不 冷 也 不 热 ， 所 以 我 必 从 我 口 中 把 你 吐 出 去 。

 ¹⁷ 你 说 ： 我 是 富 足 ， 已 经 发 了 财 ， 一 样 都 不 缺 ； 却 不 知 道 你 是 那 困 苦 、 可 怜 、 贫 穷 、 瞎 眼 、 赤 身 的 。

 ¹⁸ 我 劝 你 向 我 买 火 炼 的 金 子 ， 叫 你 富 足 ； 又 买 白 衣 穿 上 ， 叫 你 赤 身 的 羞 耻 不 露 出 来 ； 又 买 眼 药 擦 你 的 眼 睛 ， 使 你 能 看 见 。

 ¹⁹ 凡 我 所 疼 爱 的 ， 我 就 责 备 管 教 他 ； 所 以 你 要 发 热 心 ， 也 要 悔 改 。

老底嘉教会的光景就是不冷也不热，好像我自己也是这样。缺乏一种对主事物的热心，也许是我性格使然。这是为什么呢？我很不喜欢自己这样子，主啊，求你改变我的性格。

 3: ⁶ 宝 座 前 好 像 一 个 玻 璃 海 ， 如 同 水 晶 。 宝 座 中 和 宝 座 周 围 有 四 个 活 物 ， 前 後 遍 体 都 满 了 眼 睛 。

 ⁷ 第 一 个 活 物 像 狮 子 ， 第 二 个 像 牛 犊 ， 第 三 个 脸 面 像 人 ， 第 四 个 像 飞 鹰 。

 ⁸ 四 活 物 各 有 六 个 翅 膀 ， 遍 体 内 外 都 满 了 眼 睛 。 他 们 昼 夜 不 住 的 说 ： 圣 哉 ！ 圣 哉 ！ 圣 哉 ！ 主 神 是 昔 在 、 今 在 、 以 後 永 在 的 全 能 者 。

四活物遍体内外都满了眼睛!!!

每日灵修（2010年12月15日）

英格兰布道家李奥．雷芬西尔（1907-1994年）曾说：「上帝今日所行的最大神迹，就是将不圣洁的人从不洁的世界中选召出来，使他成为圣洁，并将他放回到这个不圣洁的世界里，使他出淤泥而不染。」


出 埃 及 記 37 章

这一章讲述了约柜知道香坛的制作过程，非常之详细。最为吸引的是对基路伯制作的描述：

⁷ 用 金 子 锤 出 两 个 基 路 伯 来 ， 安 在 施 恩 座 的 两 头 ，

 ⁸ 这 头 做 一 个 基 路 伯 ， 那 头 做 一 个 基 路 伯 ， 二 基 路 伯 接 连 一 块 ， 在 施 恩 座 的 两 头 。

 ⁹ 二 基 路 伯 高 张 翅 膀 ， 遮 掩 施 恩 座 ； 基 路 伯 是 脸 对 脸 ， 朝 着 施 恩 座 。

这呼应了上帝的指示：

出 埃 及 記 25:18-20

 ¹⁸ 要 用 金 子 锤 出 两 个 基 路 伯 来 ， 安 在 施 恩 座 的 两 头 。

 ¹⁹ 这 头 做 一 个 基 路 伯 ， 那 头 做 一 个 基 路 伯 ， 二 基 路 伯 要 接 连 一 块 ， 在 施 恩 座 的 两 头 。

 ²⁰ 二 基 路 伯 要 高 张 翅 膀 ， 遮 掩 施 恩 座 。 基 路 伯 要 脸 对 脸 ， 朝 着 施 恩 座 。

事实上所有的制作都是按照上帝所晓谕摩西的：

^25：40 要 谨 慎 做 这 些 物 件 ， 都 要 照 着 在 山 上 指 示 你 的 样 式 。

基路伯就是（Cherub），是天使的一种，我也没有过仔细的研究。但是查到一个大致约柜上面有基路伯的图片，类似的图片很多种，这张算是我感觉比较像的，如果翅膀再大些就好了。另外中后期基督教（尤其是天主教）绘画中那胖胖的两个翅膀的小孩子们也指的是cherub，但是要和希腊神话绘画中的丘比特区分开。他们根本是不同的，但是由于在绘画上都是意大利地区的，所以形象上很像。

另外皂荚木是一种很坚固，不容易虫蛀且在中东地区很普遍的木材。所有这章中的木质结构都是用这种木造的。

Bible reading of the day (Dec 15)

"True freedom is not in choosing our own way, but in submitting to the Lord's way".


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2036:39-38:1&version=NASB

³He cast four rings of gold for it on its four feet; even two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.

How can gold rings bare the weight of the ark? Does it have some kinds of symbolic meaning or really just being literal?

This chapter describes the making of the ark, the mercy seat, the table with golden utensils on it, the lampstand and the alter of incense. Although I don't know why it has to describe it in such a detail, but I sense the honor toward the Lord and obedience. I guess there must be much deeper meaning of this chapter than what I can get now. May the Lord open my eyes someday and make me see more of Himself. Amen.

  

生命的执着

生命的執著

你是我心中我心中唯一的詩歌
我要向你盡情地歌唱
向你獻上最真誠的愛
你是我心中我心中唯一的切慕
我要一生緊緊地跟隨
讓你牽我走天路
主啊唯你知我的軟弱
你知我最深的意念
無論在何時無論在何處
你親手領我前行
除你以外在天我還能有誰
除你以外在地也無所愛
哦我心渴望我靈切慕
在你榮耀同在中
哦主哦主你是我生命唯一的執著

詞、曲：邵家菁

YOU raise me up

"You Raise Me Up"

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

Best thanksgiving ever

This is the best thanksgiving I've ever had. Not because I have any success in my life (actually now is the lowest time in my life), not because I got to communicate with brothers and sisters and got encouragement from them (actually I spent my thanksgiving without any brother and sister around me), not because I went out with my best friends outside the church (actually I felt tired afterward), but because of a phone call from a dear friend. However, this is not even a phone call of good news, but is a 2-hour long complaining call about a lot of bad things happened in her life. Hold on, I have full compassion for her and empathy for the tough time she has been through. But through analyzing with her, I found out how luck I have been:
1. When I went through my emotional low time of all, I met God my Lord. And He has already been there and put hope in front of me and led me through the tough time with all the little joys and hopes, so that I didn't crush. Because unlike my friend, I am a person who never complained my life to another person, even my closest friend or family. So if without the Lord, I would almost definitely be depressed or demon possessed.
2. The Lord has shed light to me and let me see how weak I am so I know I need Him. So when bad things happened, I knew I couldn't turn to myself but should turn to Him for help and He always put comfort and relief in my heart. And He always builds me up as He promised. So even though my flesh is still the old weak me, I know I can do things because the one now is working is not me, but Him. So I've built my confidence in Him rather than in me.
3. Through the work of the Lord, my environment has been changed, but heart has been changed and I don't feel depressed anymore even I am still has a hammer in front of me all the time. But I believe that's Lord's way of making me alerted and to remember Him because I am such a forgetful person.
4. Continue with my human natural of forgetfulness, I almost forgot all the things the Lord has done for me. Sometimes I even asked myself: has anything changed since I became a Christian? See, I am still in trouble, I am still a lazy loser, nothing has changed since I became a Christian. But tonight, through this phone call, I see everything has changed. Without the Lord, I would be in deeper depression than my friend because at least she is able to complain. Without the Lord,  I wouldn't find any peace in my heart just as my friend now (she hasn't opened her heart to the Lord yet, I pray to the Lord for her). Without the Lord, I wouldn't have so much confidence to face my life because as a human being I am weaker than my friend and she is losing her confidence because her confidence is in herself and she was defeated by the cruel reality of life.
5. Tonight what I am thankful the most is the reminder the Lord has send to me to show how lucky I am to be picked by Him as His children and how everything in my life has changed through Him.

Sum up with a prayer: Lord, I truly thank You for everything you have done in my life because now I see what a difference you have made. I will continue my life with more confidence because YOU ARE HERE, You are the living God. May You receive all the praise and thanks because You truly deserve them. Thank you Lord, in Jesus' name I pray.

Bible reading of the day (Feb 13)

Ex 35:10-36:38, Matt 27:35-66, Ps 34:1-10, Pr 9:7-8

^{Ex 36:2} So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work. ³ Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning. ⁴ Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. ⁵ They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!”

⁶ So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. ⁷ Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

^{Ps. 34:4} I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
      He freed me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
      no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
⁶ In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
      he saved me from all my troubles.
⁷ For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
      he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

^{Pr. 9:7} Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
      Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
⁸ So don’t bother correcting mockers;
      they will only hate you.
   But correct the wise,
      and they will love you.

Bible reading of the day (Feb 12)

  Ex 34:1-35:9, Matt 27:15-34, Ps 33:12-22, Pr 9:1-6 

Ex 34 keeps talking about the God’s presence. It reminds me that the Lord’s presence is really more precious than anything. We should have a daily time for Him, while also communion with Him every moment. The Lord is good. God is willing to travel among us today because Jesus already took all our sins and complete the salvation.

^{Ps. 33:16} The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
      nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
¹⁷ Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
      for all its strength, it cannot save you.

¹⁸ But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
      those who rely on his unfailing love.
¹⁹ He rescues them from death
      and keeps them alive in times of famine.

²⁰ We put our hope in the Lord.
      He is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
      for we trust in his holy name.
²² Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
      for our hope is in you alone.

Bible reading of the day (Feb 11th)

Ex 32:1-33:23, Matt 26:69-27:14, Ps 33:1-11, Pr 8:33-36

^{Ex 33:1} The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ ² And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. ³ Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.”

Lord’s presence is the most valuable treasure in our life, more valuable and essential than our breath and food. Because without the Lord’s presence, we will just be people in the maze with no lead.
However, because of sin, God cannot be with us, even though He really wants. He is the pure and holy God, he cannot be with us if we are sinning against him, otherwise the anger of righteousness will destroy us.
I really appreciate what the Lord Jesus has done for us. He took all our sins and made the atonement for us before God. So now we can come to the Lord with no fear. He is not as some manly priest who want to be a bar before man and God, but He is the bridge. With Lord Jesus’ life in us, we can come to God and worship Him, have closed relationship with Him, communion with Him. What a blessing!
I don’t know about others, but for myself, often time when I sinned against God, say lying with no regrets, I cannot feel the Lord’s presence and cannot face the Lord. I think this is the human nature of fear of the holy righteous Lord. But what I really need to do is opposite: go before the Lord, bow down and confess, repent, thank for His forgiveness and praise Him, from bottom of my heart. In this way, He will still be with me and I can really get out from sin.

^{Matt 27:11} Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him.

   Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

¹² But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. ¹³ “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. ¹⁴ But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

This the an example Jesus set for us. Don’t be so defensive. Sometimes I get too defensive because I am coward inside and have no truth inside. But the Lord here had all the truth in Him. However he was not defending Himself, but humbled Himself, submitted Himself to the Father. This is what exactly what I should do if I face accusations.

Bible reading of the day

Ex 30:11-31:18, Matt 26:47-68, Ps 32:1-11, Pr 8:27-32

^{Ex 31:12} The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: ¹³ “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. ¹⁴ You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. ¹⁵ You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. ¹⁶ The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. ¹⁷ It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’”

^{Matt 26:52} “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? ⁵⁴ But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Lord, oh our dear Lord. What an obeying heart towards the Father!

Psalm 32

A psalm of David.

¹ Oh, what joy for those
      whose disobedience is forgiven,
      whose sin is put out of sight!
² Yes, what joy for those
      whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
      whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
³ When I refused to confess my sin,
      my body wasted away,
      and I groaned all day long.
⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
      My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Interlude

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
      and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
   I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
      And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Interlude

⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
      that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
⁷ For you are my hiding place;
      you protect me from trouble.
      You surround me with songs of victory.
Interlude

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
      I will advise you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
      that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

¹⁰ Many sorrows come to the wicked,
      but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
¹¹ So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
      Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

This psalm is speaking what exactly in my chest now. I love it. Yes, we need to come to the Lord, confess our sins and we will be forgiven. And that shows our trust in Him that He surrounds us with his unfailing love. At this moment, I really just want shout for joy, really, to praise and thank the Lord!

Bible reading of the day (Feb. 9)

Ex 29:1-30:10, Matt 26:14-46, Ps 31:19-24, Pr 8:14-26

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

^{Matt 26:36} Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. ³⁸ He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

⁴⁰ Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

⁴² Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” ⁴³ When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

⁴⁴ So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. ⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Bible reading of the day

Ex 28:1-43, Matt 25:31-26:13, Ps 31:9-18, Pr 8:12-13(NLT)

Psalm 31:9-18

⁹ Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
      Tears blur my eyes.
      My body and soul are withering away.
¹⁰ I am dying from grief;
      my years are shortened by sadness.
   Sin has drained my strength;
      I am wasting away from within.
¹¹ I am scorned by all my enemies
      and despised by my neighbors—
      even my friends are afraid to come near me.
   When they see me on the street,
      they run the other way.
¹² I am ignored as if I were dead,
      as if I were a broken pot.
¹³ I have heard the many rumors about me,
      and I am surrounded by terror.
   My enemies conspire against me,
      plotting to take my life.

¹⁴ But I am trusting you, O Lord,
      saying, “You are my God!”
¹⁵ My future is in your hands.
      Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
¹⁶ Let your favor shine on your servant.
      In your unfailing love, rescue me.
¹⁷ Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord,
      for I call out to you for help.
   Let the wicked be disgraced;
      let them lie silent in the grave.
¹⁸ Silence their lying lips—
      those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

Bible reading of the day (Feb. 7th)

Ex 26:1-27:21, Matt 25:1-30, Ps 31:1-8, Pr 8:1-11

^{Matt 25:28} “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. ²⁹ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. ³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Bible Reading of the day (Feb. 6th)

Ex 23:14-25:40, Matt 24:29-51, Ps 30:1-12, Pr 7:24-27

Psalm 30

A David Psalm

¹ I give you all the credit, God— you got me out of that mess,
      you didn't let my foes gloat.
^2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
      and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
      gave me another chance at life
      when I was down-and-out.
^4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
      Thank him to his face!
   He gets angry once in a while, but across
      a lifetime there is only love.
   The nights of crying your eyes out
      give way to days of laughter.
^6-7 When things were going great
      I crowed, "I've got it made.
   I'm God's favorite.
      He made me king of the mountain."
   Then you looked the other way
      and I fell to pieces.
^8-10 I called out to you, God;
      I laid my case before you:
   "Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
      auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
   When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
      and stories of you won't sell.
   So listen! and be kind!
      Help me out of this!"
^11-12 You did it: you changed wild

lament
      into whirling dance;
   You ripped off my black mourning band
      and decked me with wildflowers.
   I'm about to burst with song;
      I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
      I can't thank you enough.

Bible Reading of the day (Feb. 5th)

Ex 21:22-23:13, Matt 24:1-28, Ps 29:1-11, Pr 7:6-23

^{Ps 29:11} God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.

Proverbs 7:6-23

^6-12 As I stood at the window of my house
   looking out through the shutters,
Watching the mindless crowd stroll by,
   I spotted a young man without any sense
Arriving at the corner of the street where she lived,
   then turning up the path to her house.
It was dusk, the evening coming on,
   the darkness thickening into night.
Just then, a woman met him—
   she'd been lying in wait for him, dressed to seduce him.
Brazen and brash she was,
   restless and roaming, never at home,
Walking the streets, loitering in the mall,
   hanging out at every corner in town.
^13-20 She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
   boldly took his arm and said,
"I've got all the makings for a feast—
   today I made my offerings, my vows are all paid,
So now I've come to find you,
   hoping to catch sight of your face—and here you are!
I've spread fresh, clean sheets on my bed,
   colorful imported linens.
My bed is aromatic with spices
   and exotic fragrances.
Come, let's make love all night,
   spend the night in ecstatic lovemaking!
My husband's not home; he's away on business,
   and he won't be back for a month."
^21-23 Soon she has him eating out of her hand,
   bewitched by her honeyed speech.
Before you know it, he's

trotting behind her,
   like a calf led to the butcher shop,
Like a stag lured into ambush
   and then shot with an arrow,
Like a bird flying into a net
   not knowing that its flying life is over.

Bible Reading of the day (Feb. 4th)

Ex 19:16-21:21, Matt 23:13-39, Ps 28:1-9, Pr 7:1-5

Matt. 23:22A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless.

^{Pr. 7:1-5} Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions.
Do what I say and you'll live well.
   My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it!
Write it out on the back of your hands;
   etch it on the chambers of your heart.
Talk to Wisdom as to a sister.
   Treat Insight as your companion.
They'll be with you to fend off the

Temptress—
   that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress.

Bible Reading of the day (Feb. 3rd)

Ex 17:8-19:15, Matt 22:33-23:12, Ps 27:8-14, Pr 6:27-35

^{Matt 23:1-3} Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.

^4-7"Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'

^8-10"Don't let people do that to you, put you on a

pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven. And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.

^11-12"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

Thank you Lord. Thank you for sending on this self-content msg to me. I have been so not content of who I am. Lord, I know I am wrong. And I pray that I can get out of this bondage. Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray.

 

^{Ps. 27:13-14} I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don't quit.
   I'll say it again:
      Stay with God.

Bible Reading of the day (Feb 2nd)

Ex 15:20-17:7, Matt 22:1-32, Ps 27:1-7, Pr 6:20-26 (MSG)

^Ex15:22-24 Moses led Israel from the Red Sea on to the Wilderness of Shur. They traveled for three days through the wilderness without finding any water. They got to Marah, but they couldn't drink the water at Marah; it was bitter. That's why they called the place Marah (Bitter). And the people complained to Moses, "So what are we supposed to drink?"

²⁵ So Moses cried out in prayer to God. God pointed him to a stick of wood. Moses threw it into the water and the water turned sweet.

²⁶ That's the place where God set up rules and procedures; that's where he started testing them.

Starting from now, I see much whining and lots of complaints from Israelites and every time God provided something to satisfy them. They got content for a little while and started to complain again when the got tested again. It is like a mirror! I see myself in it. And as I’ve already read the story, I know none of them got to enter in the promise land. So whining has no good result. I may got content for now, but for a long run, I will lose the best thing. So God, I want to quit whining and be content where I am as long as you are with me. Amen!

^{Matt 22:14}"That's what I mean when I say, 'Many get invited; only a few make it.'"

When I read the story above this sentence, I feel honored to be invited to the wedding. And I think we should feel honored because He is the King! If we don’t cherish this invitation and dishonor it, we won’t be able to make it either.

^{Ps. 27:4} I'm asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I'll contemplate his beauty;
      I'll study at his feet.
⁵ That's the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.

This is also my only asking. Dwell with him, every day and night!

Seven Things God Hates

^16-19 Here are six things God hates,
    and one more that he

loathes with a passion:
      eyes that are arrogant,
      a tongue that lies,
      hands that murder the innocent,
      a heart that hatches evil plots,
      feet that race down a wicked track,
      a mouth that lies under oath,
      a troublemaker in the family.

主所恨与所憎恶的七样事

箴 言 6:16-19

¹⁶ 耶 和 华 所 恨 恶 的 有 六 样 ， 连 他 心 所 憎 恶 的 共 有 七 样 ：

¹⁷ 就 是 高 傲 的 眼 ， 撒 谎 的 舌 ， 流 无 辜 人 血 的 手 ，

¹⁸ 图 谋 恶 计 的 心 ， 飞 跑 行 恶 的 脚 ，

¹⁹ 吐 谎 言 的 假 见 证 ， 并 弟 兄 中 布 散 纷 争 的 人 。

Bible Reading of the day (Feb 1st)

Ex 13:17b-15:19, Matt 21:23-46, Ps 26:1-12, Pr 6:16-19 (MSG)

^{Ex. 14:13} Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again.
¹⁴ God will fight the battle for you.
      And you? You keep your mouths shut!"

Keep the mouth of your heart shut! Don’t ask God why, because that’s a sign of your doubt and unbelief. But simply trust Him completely no matter what we are facing.

^{Ps. 26:1} Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop.
   I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and
      I'm not budging.
² Examine me, God, from head to foot,
      order your battery of tests.
   Make sure I'm fit
      inside and out
³ So I never lose
      sight of your love,
   But keep in step with you,
      never missing a beat.

What a heart toward God! I just love this passage because most of time I am too afraid to even think so. “I am not budging” I said that sometime, but failed many times. So I know I cannot do that by my flesh life, Lord, I need your help. I need your life in me so I can be not budging.

I love the poet’s heart, yes, the closest communion and fellowship with GOD. I do also want that. That’s the fountain of life, joy and strength.

^{Pr 6:16-19} Here are six things God hates,
    and one more that he loathes with a passion:
      eyes that are arrogant,
      a tongue that lies,
      hands that murder the innocent,
      a heart that hatches evil

plots,
      feet that race down a wicked track,
      a mouth that lies under oath,
      a troublemaker in the family.

I confess to you God, I still lie from time to time in order not to lose my face or to protect others’ feelings. However, I know you hate it. I really need lesson on how to humble myself, be willing to lose face and protect others’ feelings without lying to them and telling them what they want to hear. Lord, I sinned on that matter and I confess that. Please forgive me and teach me how to avoid these sins. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 31st)

Ex 12:14-13:17a, Matt 20:29-21:22, Ps 25:12-22, Pr 6:12-15 (MSG)

^{Ex 13:17} It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, "If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt."

What God thought was exactly what happened. And also what is happening today. I have really been experiencing this. Start from the first day of my salvation, I asked God not to send me to China because I wouldn’t be able to stand up. And God knew that and he knew I would go back to Egypt. So he led me to the wilderness. Finally, someday, I found my true confidence in Lord by seeing that I am totally useless. And now, if the Lord really lead me to China, I hope the Lord prepares me well and be able to stand by His power and glory.

³³They said, "Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!"

³⁴Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession.

Precious. I can still remember when I cried out “Master, I want to see” and the Lord let me see. He is faithful and a living God.

^21-22But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."

How big the faith and trust here! How marvelous the power of God! Lord, I trust you. I don’t have doubt in you by yourself because I am weak. When I have doubt, please remove them away and restore my faith. And I know you will remove the mountain in my life because you are the almighty God.

¹⁵ If I keep my eyes on God,
   I won't trip over my own feet.
¹⁶ Look at me and help me!
   I'm all alone and in big trouble.

Keeeeep my EYES on GOD!

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 29th)

Ex 7:25-9:35, Matt 19:13-30, Ps 24:1-10 Pr 6:1-5

^{Matt 19:25}When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" ²⁶But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 30th)

Ex 10:1-12:13, Matt 20:1-28, Ps 25:1-11, Pr 6:6-11

^{Matt 20:1}"For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ²After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.³And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ⁴and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' ⁵So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. ⁶And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' ⁷They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' ⁸And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' ⁹And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. ¹⁰Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. ¹¹And on receiving it they

grumbled at the master of the house, ¹²saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' ¹³But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? ¹⁴Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. ¹⁵ Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' ¹⁶So the last will be first, and the first last."

“The last will be first, and the first last”? Is this the main point of this paragraph? I don’t know and maybe. But I feel more on the authority of the owner side. He has absolute authority toward the things belonging to him. Just like this, we belong to our Lord and heavenly Father, so He should have absolute authority over us. However, we still want to follow our own will from time to time. I hope each moment I can remember that I no long have authority over me but He has.

^{Matt 20:25}But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ²⁶ It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ²⁷and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, ²⁸even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

In the kingdom of heaven, we should not be thirsty for authority and power for ourselves, but thirsty for serving our brothers and sisters. Because all authority and power belongs to our LORD Jesus. And even He died for us, see how great the LOVE in this is.

Psalm 25

Teach Me Your Paths

Of David.

¹To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. ²O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
³Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
   they shall be ashamed who are wantonly

treacherous.

⁴ Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
   teach me your paths.
⁵Lead me in your truth and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all the day long.

⁶Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
⁷Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
⁹He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
¹⁰All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

¹¹For your name’s sake, O LORD,
   pardon my guilt, for it is great.

O LORD, I also need to plead: pardon my guilt, for it is great, according to your steadfast love. In You I trust, I know you’ve forgiven my sins and cleansed my conscience, and you will remember me and show me the way I need to know.

Proverbs 6:6-11

⁶ Go to the ant, O

sluggard;
   consider her ways, and be wise.
⁷ Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
⁸she prepares her bread in summer
   and gathers her food in harvest.
⁹ How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
   When will you arise from your sleep?
¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
¹¹ and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
   and want like an armed man.

Warnings from the LORD – Don’t be Lazy!

《荒漠甘泉》1月6日

《荒漠甘泉》1月6日
“你从水中经过…水必不漫过你。”(赛四十三章二节)
神并不为我们开路，如果我们尚未起步；神并不给我们帮助，如果我们还不需要帮助；神并不除去我们路上的拦阻，如果我们还没有碰到。可是一等到我们真有需要的时侯，神的手就伸出来了。
许多神的儿女竟把这个原则忘了，终日忧虑前面未来的难处。他们盼望神先把前面几十里的路都铺平了；但是神只肯照着他们的需要一步一步的开路。你必须从水中经过，然后才可求神实现他的应许。有许多人怕死，叹息自己并没有得到神在临终时所给的祝福。当然，他们得不到，因为身体健康，正在作工的时侯，离死还远得很哩。他们没有这种需要。他们需要的是工作的恩典，生活的恩典；等到死期临到，才需要临终的恩典。—— 密勒(J.R.M.)

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 28th)

Ex 5:22-7:24, Matt 18:23-19:12, Ps 23:1-6, Pr 5:22-23

^{Ex 6:3}I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.

I don’t understand this verse. Why God said that he didn’t make himself known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by His name? What’s His name anyway? Is it what was said before “I am I AM”? Or is it “the LORD” in this verse?

^{Ex 6:2}God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am the LORD. ³I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. ⁴ I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners.⁵Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. ⁶Say therefore to the people of Israel, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. ⁷I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ⁸I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.'"

After reading the whole speech of God in this paragraph, I sort of understood what God said here. This is the first time that God declares that He is the LORD, with the support of the promise he has given his chosen people. Reading this paragraph again made me think that the promise God gave Israel people is actually God’s promise to everyone of us, since Egypt is the world and the promised land is heaven or more accurately, united with Christ.

Psalm 23

The LORD Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
   for his name’s sake.

⁴Even 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.

⁵You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

What a beautiful psalm! The LORD really does all those things for us and I am really grateful for everything that He has done and will do on me.

Proverbs 5:22-23

²²The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
   and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
²³ He dies for lack of discipline,
   and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Give thanks to the LORD. He is not only a merciful and loving father, but also with a firm hand of disciplinary. He warns me here that if I don’t obey his discipline, I will be led astray. I know I already am a little astray. So I plead to my heavenly Father that have mercy on me and forgive my sins and lead me back to the right path. I am willing to obey you, dear Father. But I most time am weak and defeated by the evil one and got astray, please, please, break down the devil and lead me back.

Only if you can edit theme

It will be much better if I can find a way to edit my theme more easily. I was expecting this Windows Live Writer to do the trick, however, it doesn’t have the ability. What a pity!

labels / categories don’t work on Preview

When I choose “my life” as a category and then press Preview, I still see “bible, english, my life, reading”

 

And.. the newly posted post doesn’t show in Preview. I guess this software for now is just not doing so well in Preview unless I didn’t use it right.

Yap, you know what? You have to refresh the theme on view to get newly posted posts showing on your Preview. Not that exciting.

Hey, new blog writing tool

After the natural instinct of trying new things, I am using Windows Live Writer to post a test post on my blog.

Hope it looks ok, if it is I will use it from now on:)

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 27th)

Ex 4:1-5:21, Matt 18:1-22, Ps 22:19-31, Pr 5:15-21

24At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" 26So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision.

Don't understand. Why all the sudden the Lord tried to kill Moses? And because he didn't circumcise his sons? What's the connection here, seems too sudden for me.

Matt 18:4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 18:20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Ps 22: 21Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 26th)

Ex 2:11-3:22, Matt 17:10-27, Ps 22:1-18, Pr 5:7-14

Matthew 17:24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?" 25He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?" 26And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."

Two main points: 1) we are free! 2) in order not to offend them, we follow the rules in this world.

Proverbs 5:7And now, O sons, listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,
9lest you give your honor to others
and your years to the merciless,
10lest strangers take their fill of your strength,
and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,
11and at the end of your life you groan,
when your flesh and body are consumed,
12and you say, "How I hated discipline,
and my heart despised reproof!
13I did not listen to the voice of my teachers
or incline my ear to my instructors.
14 I am at the brink of utter ruin
in the assembled congregation.

Don't wait until that day! Be disciplined and obey.

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 25th)

Gen 50, Ex 1:1-2:10, Matt 16:13-17:9, Ps 21:1-13, Pr 5:1-6

Gen 50:15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." 16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, 17'Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph really saw the work of God. As we believing that God means everything in our life for good, we won't have fear for tomorrow. Because He takes care of everything.

Matthew 16:15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Yes, our salvation is depend on our father's mercy and grace. Only He can reveal to us who our Lord Jesus is. I am so thankful for he choosing me before the foundation of the world.

Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." 23But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Peter's reaction I thing is naturally I will react. However, this is from flesh, which is from the evil one. Because the Father's will is to let Jesus die on the cross and raise again. However, we human beings have our own assumption of what God should do. Unfortunately, the assumptions we usually make are usually wrong. I am such a person good at making wrong assumptions. May Lord have mercy on me and make this evil thing behind me.

诗篇十八篇背景及查考

诗篇18篇

诗篇背景：

大卫是人当中为神所喜悦的，下面是他在写这篇诗篇前的主要生活经历：

大卫是一家12个孩子中年纪最小的，幼年在家中担任牧羊的工作。 有一天，神派先知撒母耳（这个先知写了两本书，撒母耳记上和下，想知道更多关于他的故事，可以参看那两本书）到大卫的父亲家中，膏（用油脂浇在头上，是一种荣耀和祝福的象征）大卫，并且预言他将来要做以色列的王。
后来因为大卫善于弹琴，被推荐服侍当时以色列的王--扫罗。大卫的琴声赶走了索罗身上的魔鬼，是扫罗舒畅爽快。
后来菲利士人（以色列的邻国）来攻打以色列。他们有历史上著名的巨人之一--歌利亚。他拥有无穷的力量，所有人看到他都要退避三舍，不敢应战。在举国惊慌失措之际，大卫勇敢赴战场，用甩石器甩石杀死了歌利亚，打败了非利士人。

这一仗使得大卫成了以色列当时的国家英雄，民间对他有这样的称颂“扫罗杀死千千，大卫杀死万万”。这些民谣传到扫罗的耳中，引起了他的嫉妒，于是想要杀死大卫。大卫不得不逃离扫罗，扫罗随后追杀，于是之后的很长时间大卫都是四处逃难，几经危机关头，有时甚至要装疯以避难。
但正是在这样危险的环境里，大卫得以经历神，他多次向神求救，神都救他。也因此坚固了大卫的信心。
诗篇十八篇是扫罗死后，大卫得以从这些危难中脱离时他所写的。

诗篇点解：

2 耶 和 华 是 我 的 岩 石 ， 我 的 山 寨 ， 我 的 救 主 ， 我 的 神 ， 我 的 磐 石 ， 我 所 投 靠 的 。 他 是 我 的 盾 牌 ， 是 拯 救 我 的 角 ， 是 我 的 高 台。

大卫经历过很多艰难，几次死里逃生，这里的“岩石，山寨，救主，磐石”都跟他逃亡时候的经历有点关系，在旷野逃亡时他正是靠着这些逃离扫罗的手。（可以参看撒母耳记上22到24章的内容，以及撒母耳记下5章和17章的内容）。从这里可以看出，其实祂的信仰不是空洞的，他所信的神真的是听他呼求并帮助他，是实在的。

4 曾 有 死 亡 的 绳 索 缠 绕 我 ， 匪 类 的 急 流 使 我 惊 惧 ，
16 他 从 高 天 伸 手 抓 住 我 ， 把 我 从 大 水 中 拉 上 来 。

看，这两节是对应的。我们查的时候分开了，所以好像16节不是很清楚在讲什么。但是放在一起就很清楚了。想象湍流的河水，若只身其中，必然被它冲走、吞没。匪类的急流，一方面是突然，一方面是剧烈，巨大，使人惊惧。
而这个危急的时候，神从高天伸手将大卫抓住，从水中拉上来。这就是在危机关头救他一命的例子。

17 他 救 我 脫 離 我 的 勁 敵 和 那 些 恨 我 的 人 ， 因 為 他 們 比 我 強 盛 。

诗人大卫深深的领略到这个我们经常视而不见的真理：神的刚强正是在我们软弱的时候得以显现。我们经常为自己的软弱苦恼，甚至愤恨。但是，有没有一个时候想到，这也是我们当感恩的呢？正因为此，我们才能更领略神的救恩和大能。

19 他 又 領 我 到 寬 闊 之 處 ； 他 救 拔 我 ， 因 他 喜 悅 我 。

神不单只救了大卫，祂更领大卫到一个宽大的地方。因为神喜悦他，就把美好的东西赐给他。我们的救恩也是一样，神不单只救了我们，祂更要领我们到一个更荣美，更宽大的地方，他要我们不单只得救，还要得胜。

20 耶 和 華 按 著 我 的 公 義 報 答 我 ， 按 著 我 手 中 的 清 潔 賞 賜 我 。

21 因 為 我 遵 守 了 耶 和 華 的 道 ， 未 曾 作 惡 離 開 我 的 　 神 。

22 他 的 一 切 典 章 常 在 我 面 前 ； 他 的 律 例 我 也 未 曾 丟 棄 。

23 我 在 他 面 前 作 了 完 全 人 ； 我 也 保 守 自 己 遠 離 我 的 罪 孽 。

24 所 以 ， 耶 和 華 按 我 的 公 義 ， 按 我 在 他 眼 前 手 中 的 清 潔 償 還 我 。

这一段可能比较费解，我刚信主时读起来还有点受挫的感觉。因为我是知道自己的罪的。那么是不是神就不会“报答”和“赏赐”我呢。
有这样的感觉是因为我当时还没有很好的理解“因信称义”这四个字。
神是掌管一切的主，祂的洞察和智慧也是超乎一切的。又怎么会不知道我们的罪性，怎么会对我们有不切实际的奢望呢。所以主早在亚伯拉罕的时候就说了他以亚伯拉罕的信心为他的义（创世纪15：6）。之后的罗马书中（Romans 3:23-25，5:1-2）也很清楚地表明我们的“称义”是“本乎恩，也因着信”的。注意这里我们是“称义”，也就是被神称为“义”的，不是说我们自己就真的是公义，正义的，而是因为主的宝血遮蔽，神赦免，不看，忘记我们的罪了。
所以神其实是以主耶稣的义来“报答，赏赐”我们的。
23节提到的“完全人”在圣经中第一次出现是创世纪6：9，诺亚在这世代是个完全人。要是看了诺亚的故事我们就知道，诺亚是蒙了神的恩典才能完全，绝不是他自己好，然后上帝赐给他恩典，而是他先蒙恩，才能成为完全。这与我们得救，称义，得胜的路也是符合的。因着神爱我们，他让我们”蒙神的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白的称义“，在蒙恩，因信，称义之后，下一步就是得以完全，也就是得胜。从大卫和诺亚我们也看到说靠着我们自己我们是无法得以完全的。我们的完全在乎神的恩典，而这个恩典其实祂已经降下，就是主耶稣。所以我们要让主的生命在我们身上成长，代替我们原先有罪的生命，使我们最终达到完全。至于如何让主的生命成长，这是圣灵的工作，而且就像一个人丛小婴孩长成健康的大人，是需要时间的，也要我们肯顺服圣灵的教导和指引，就像我们儿时顺服父母的管教一样。

25 慈 愛 的 人 ， 你 以 慈 愛 待 他 ； 完 全 的 人 ， 你 以 完 全 待 他 。

26 清 潔 的 人 ， 你 以 清 潔 待 他 ； 乖 僻 的 人 ， 你 以 彎 曲 待 他 。

神以我们的长成待我们。因神已经赐下恩典给我们（对于当时的以色列人也是一样，他们领受了神的恩典，当时还有乖僻的，要不然大卫也不会受到追杀了），若我们成长为基督的样式，有慈爱，并且完全且清洁，神必以最好的待我们。也看到神不是溺爱孩子的父亲，对待乖僻的人，祂就以弯曲待他。

29 我 藉 著 你 衝 入 敵 軍 ， 藉 著 我 的 神 跳 過 牆 垣 。

对了，这里的“藉着”是个关键词，你看它是个在一节中出现了两次的实词就要注意。这就是大卫战斗生活的真实写照。当他面对歌利亚，一个巨人和善战的将军，就是靠着神的力量才打败他的。他也是靠着神，跳过墙垣逃跑的。 而我们今天的生活也是一样，我们每天的生活都像是一场战役，面对困难，面对敌军，我们当怎样做？是靠着自己的能力横冲直撞，还是被吓破了胆，掉头逃跑呢？都是不对的。我们要靠着主的力量和指引，祂让我们冲入敌军的时候，我们毫不犹豫，祂让我们逃离的时候我们也不逞匹夫之勇。

30 至 於 神 ， 他 的 道 是 完 全 的 ； 耶 和 華 的 話 是 煉 淨 的 。 凡 投 靠 他 的 ， 他 便 作 他 們 的 盾 牌 。

神，祂有个特点：完全的道路和炼净的话语。神的这个特点在圣经中是被反复强调的（同样可见撒母耳记下22：31，箴言（Proverbs）30：5，诗篇12：6，）。这里的道在英文版本中一般翻译成“way”，就是道路的意思。当然，在解经学者中，也有说道也就是话语的。这个我目前还没有真正的理解，通过我们在祂的话语上有更多学习，希望祂将这也许是更深的意思启示给我们。完全的道路是我们的一个定心丸，因为我们知道神不会把我们拯救出世界然后就放在半途中了，祂一定会把我们带往那荣耀的终点。炼净的话语是我们平日生活的依据，因为我们了解祂的旨意，遵循祂的道的依据就是祂的话语。若神不说话，我们就没有方向和指引了。若神说的话不是炼净的，而是像人一样左右摇摆，似是而非，甚至有错漏的，那我们也会不知所措。所以感谢神，祂一直提醒我们这点，不用怕，因为祂的道是完全的，要时刻学习祂的话语，因为它们是炼净的。这样我们就是那些投靠祂的，祂也是我们的盾牌。

31 除 了 耶 和 華 ， 誰 是 　 神 呢 ？ 除 了 我 們 的 　 神 ， 誰 是 磐 石 呢 ？

大卫经过了这么多苦难，很多事情都会变，像扫罗开始喜悦他的琴声，后来仰仗他打败敌人，到最后变成要千里追杀他。但是大卫在这些苦难中深深地体会到：耶和华是神，是磐石，是屹立不变的，是他可以依靠的。

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 24th)

Genesis 48-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Gen 49: 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
or the staff from between his feet,
until He whose right it is comes
and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.
11 He ties his donkey to a vine,
and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine.
He washes his clothes in wine,
and his robes in the blood of grapes.
18 I wait for Your salvation, LORD.

These verses seem to refer to Jesus

Matthew 16: 6 Then Jesus told them, "Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
...
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the yeast in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Although it just seems to be one sentence, it's very important and I think the Lord has been reveal this to me since yesterday. The teaching of Pharisees and Sadducees focus on the outward worship and the traditions instead of having a real relationship with God. From the history of Christianity, we can see that people often made that mistake. Deep down to an extend, these teaching wants praises and power from men more than from God. So it is very dangerous. May God have mercy on me because I think sometimes I fell into the same pit. I thank Him for bring this up and let me see how bad I can be. And really I need to WATCH OUT!

Psalm 20

Deliverance in Battle

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1 May the LORD answer you in a day of trouble;
may the name of Jacob's God protect you.
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary
and sustain you from Zion.

3 May He remember all your offerings
and accept your burnt offering.

Selah

4 May He give you what your heart desires
and fulfill your whole purpose.

5 Let us shout for joy at your victory
and lift the banner in the name of our God.
May the LORD fulfill all your requests.

6 Now I know that the LORD gives victory to His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with mighty victories from His right hand.

7 Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses,
but we take pride in the name of the LORD our God.

8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand firm.

9 LORD, give victory to the king!
May He answer us on the day that we call.

This is a very profound chapter for me. First of all, who is that "you" in the psalm? And who is "the king" in verse 9, and we are "we"? The king is king David or maybe also Jesus?

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 23rd)

Gen 46:1-47:31, Matt 15:1-28, Ps 19:1-14, Pr 4:14-19

Matt 15:17 "Don't you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. 20 These are the things that defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

Watch our lips! And more important -- our heart!

Ps. 19: 7 The instruction of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
making the heart glad;
the commandment of the LORD is radiant,
making the eyes light up.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are reliable
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey—
than honey dripping from the comb.

11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent,
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Amen! May the Lord also cleanse me my hidden faults and keep me from willful sins.

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 22nd)

Gen 44:1-45:28, Matt 14:14-36, Ps 18:35-50, Pr 4:11-13

Matt 14: 28 "Lord, if it's You," Peter answered Him, "command me to come to You on the water."

29 "Come!" He said.

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, "Truly You are the Son of God!"

Do NOT doubt. Because when we have doubts in God, we fall short on faith and the devil will attack us at that time. So stay close to the Lord and trust Him with all our hearts.

Ps 18: 36 You widen [a place] beneath me for my steps,
and my ankles do not give way.

37 I pursue my enemies and overtake them;
I do not turn back until they are wiped out.

38 I crush them, and they cannot get up;
they fall beneath my feet.

39 You have clothed me with strength for battle;
You subdue my adversaries beneath me.

40 You have made my enemies retreat before me;
I annihilate those who hate me.

What should be our attitude toward enemies (evil ones, devil)? We should not turn back until they are wiped out! Don't give a breath to the evil one! Why are we enabled to do that? Because God has clothed us with strength for battle and He has subdued the evil one beneath us. How encouraging! And also sober! Don't turn back! We should never compromise with the devil.

“圣灵…禁止他们在亚西亚讲道。”《荒漠甘泉》1月10日

《荒漠甘泉》1月10日


　　“圣灵…禁止他们在亚西亚讲道。”（徒十六章六节）

　　在圣经中研究圣灵怎样引导以前的十字架先锋，是很有趣味的一回事。他的引导大半是禁止，因为他们顶容易走错误的路。这次保罗和西拉想向左，到亚西亚一行，圣灵禁止他们。他们想向右，到庇推尼去，圣灵又禁止他们。再过一时保罗将在那里兴起他生平最大的工作；可是目前圣灵在那里还未替他开传道之门。在那里攻破撒旦城堡的时机尚未成熟。亚波罗必须在那里先起开垦的工作。况且当时别的地方更需要他们去工作；他们也必须受更深的造就，然后才能到亚西亚和庇推尼一带去建立神的教会。

　　亲爱的，当你茫然不知前途的时侯，你就该完全让圣灵替你定规，求他封闭一切左道，开启唯一的正路。你该说：

　　“神的灵阿，我把选择的责任完全交托给你，求你封闭左道，不让我的脚步走在一切不是神命定的路上。当我偏左倾右的时侯，求你让我听见你的声音。”

　　同时，在你没有清楚圣灵的指引之先，你应当继续站在你原来的路上。守在你原有的呼召中，除非你得了新的清楚的呼召。哦，旅客哪，耶稣的灵今日等着要启示你，好似他当日启示保罗一样。在你这方面，只须小心顺服，连一个顶小的禁止也须顺服；信心的祷告之后，如果圣灵没有拦阻，你只管放胆前进。可是也不要希奇，圣灵的答应仅可以是禁止。若是左右的路是关闭的，前面的路是开启的，那条路顶清楚是通到特罗亚去的。在那里有路加等着，在那里有异象会指引我们当走的路，在那里有“敞开的门”和机会，在那里也有忠心得朋友们等着。——梅尔

《荒漠甘泉》1月4日

《荒漠甘泉》1月4日


　　“耶稣对他说：回去罢！你的儿子活了。那人信耶稣所说的话，就回去了。”（约四章五十节）

　　“你们祷告祈求…只要信…。”（可十一章二十四节）

　　如果这里有一件事需要专一的祷告，就该祷告直到你能信神，直到你能发出无伪的赞美来感谢神的答应。如果神的答应一时还在中途，切勿重新求神答应你的祈求，因为这表示你没有信神。这种不信的祷告非但不能帮助你什么，反能减少或消灭你的信心。献上这种祷告的催促，定是出乎撒但或是自己。这也许不能算错：当神还放你在一个等候的地位，你再去向他申说，可是切记你必须带着信心。不要把你自己祷告得失了信心。你可以告诉他你仍然等着他、相信他，因此仍然赞美感谢他的答应。你如果确信答应必将来到，你能够先为着尚未来到的答应感谢赞美神。我告诉你：没有一件东西比这更能坚固你的信心。把我们祷告得失了信心的祷告，是否认神在经上给我们的应许，也否认神在我们心中给我们的一声“是。”这种祷告不过表示我们的心没有安息，没有安息就是不信祷告的答应。

　　“但我们已相信的人，得以进入那安息。”（来四章三节）这种把我们自己祷告得失了信心的祷告，常是因为我们的思想集中在难处上过于在神的应许上。亚伯拉罕“不想到自己的身体…不疑惑神的应许。“（罗四章十九节至二十节，直译）让我们儆醒祷告，免得入了迷惑，以致把我们自己祷告得失了信心。－C.H.P.

　　信心不是感觉、不是眼见、不是理由，乃是在神的话语上抓住神。——伊文思（Evans）

　　焦急的开始就是信心的约束，信心的开始就是焦急的约束。——莫勒（Geo.Mueller）

　　在舒适的环境中你绝不会学到信心的功课。神常在我们孤单的时候给我们应许；然后用他恩典的话语当作印盖在所给我们的约上，便暂时退后去看我们究竟相信多少；他又让那诱惑人的来试探我们，让我们的遭遇似乎与他所说的完全相反。这时候就是信心赢得冠冕的时候。这时候就该在黑云之下、风波之中，发出胜利的欢呼来：“我信神他怎样对我说，事情也要怎样成就。。”（徒二十七章二十五节）——选

Psalm 18:16-34

Psalm 18:16-34

16 He reached down from on high
and took hold of me;
He pulled me out of deep waters.

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too strong for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my distress,
but the LORD was my support.

19 He brought me out to a wide-open place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me.

20 The LORD rewarded me
according to my righteousness;
He repaid me
according to the cleanness of my hands.

21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD
and have not turned from my God to wickedness.

22 Indeed, I have kept all His ordinances in mind
and have not disregarded His statutes.

23 I was blameless toward Him
and kept myself from sinning.

24 So the LORD repaid me
according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

25 With the faithful
You prove Yourself faithful;
with the blameless man
You prove Yourself blameless;

26 with the pure
You prove Yourself pure,
but with the crooked
You prove Yourself shrewd.

27 For You rescue an afflicted people,
but You humble those with haughty eyes.

28 LORD, You light my lamp;
my God illuminates my darkness.

29 With You I can attack a barrier,
and with my God I can leap over a wall.

30 God—His way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

31 For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is a rock? Only our God.

32 God—He clothes me with strength
and makes my way perfect.

33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer
and sets me securely on the heights.

34 He trains my hands for war;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 21th)

Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:13; Psalm 18:16-34; Proverbs 4:7-10 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Gen 43: 11 Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and take them down to the man as a gift—some balsam and some honey, aromatic gum and resin, pistachios and almonds. 12 Take twice as much money with you. Return the money that was returned [to you] in the top of your bags. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also, and go back at once to the man. 14 May God Almighty cause the man to be merciful to you so that he will release your other brother and Benjamin to you. As for me, if I am deprived of my sons, then I am deprived."

Even Jacob, the man born to "grasp", had to give up his most valuable things -- his two sons when he started follow God and became Israel. This is the truth. We can not serve two masters, we cannot serve ourselves and God. If we decided to follow God, we have to deny ourselves. But remember, God always prepares before us and what he returns us will be the honor and glory of eternity. I am thankful for that.

Matthew 13: 47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind [of fish], 48 and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good [fish] into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Here is what confuses me. What's the "every kind of fish" mean -- all people/all Christians? If we are considered righteous because of our faith, then every kind of fish should mean all people and good fish should mean Christians. However, I also feel something further intended in this parable. But I don't know what's that. Just may Christ grows in me and eventually I will be the righteous people because Christ has conformed me to Himself.

52 "Therefore," He said to them, "every student of Scripture instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old." 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He left there.

Another parable I don't really understand. Does this mean the apostles will be counted for the souls that has been led to the Lord by them? Or something else?

Psalm 18: 18 They confronted me in the day of my distress,
but the LORD was my support.

19 He brought me out to a wide-open place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me.

20 The LORD rewarded me
according to my righteousness;
He repaid me
according to the cleanness of my hands.

21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD
and have not turned from my God to wickedness.

Amen! This is exactly what is happening right now to me. I am in a lot of troubles in my life, some of them are caused by my bad judgement and fault. And now the devil is confronting me and accusing me. But thank the Lord, He is my support and shield. I know he will bring me to a wide-open place and rescue me from all these distress and attack. He is always rewarding me according to my righteousness which is obtained by faith in our Lord Jesus. And verse 21 also reminds me no matter what bad situation I am in, don't ask for help from the evil one, keep the ways of the Lord, only ask for help from Him!

29 With You I can attack a barrier,
and with my God I can leap over a wall.

Amen! That's the same belief I am holding on to right now!

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 20th)

Gen 41:17-42:17, Matt 13:24-46, Ps 18:1-15, Pr 4:1-6

Matthew 13:24 He presented another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and left. 26 When the plants sprouted and produced grain, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The landowner's slaves came to him and said, 'Master, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?'
28 " 'An enemy did this!' he told them.

" 'So, do you want us to go and gather them up?' the slaves asked him.

29 " 'No,' he said. 'When you gather up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I'll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but store the wheat in my barn. ' "

37 He replied: "The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and 39 the enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Therefore just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather from His kingdom everything that causes sin and those guilty of lawlessness. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Anyone who has ears should listen!

Thank God He chose me before the foundation of the world. I am not the son of the evil one. But the evil one keeps bothering me and makes my eyes fall into darkness. Oh, Lord, please shed light on my eyes and thunder around my ears. I would like to see the light of righteousness and hear the voice of kingdom of heaven. I don't want to end up weeping and gnashing of teeth in eternity.

Matthew 13: 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it.

Very profound parable. Think about it, the kingdom of heaven is not an accessory, but something worth all the treasure we own.

Bible Reading of the day (Jan. 19th)

Genesis 39-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Matthew 13: 18 "You, then, listen to the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. 20 And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 21 Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times [what was sown]."

Every time I read this passage, I ask myself, which one is me? Till now, the only thing I am sure is I am not the first one. However, am I the last one with fruit? I don't know yet. But may Lord has mercy on me and let Holy Spirit grow in me to make me the last one.

Psalm 17: 14 With Your hand, LORD, [save me] from men,
from men of the world,
whose portion is in this life:
You fill their bellies with what You have in store,
their sons are satisfied,
and they leave their surplus to their children.

15 But I will see Your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.

Amen! It's also my crying. But I think it's even harder for King David to say so than me because he was a king and has almost everything to lose in the world. But he don't love them, the only thing he loves is God.

Proverbs 3:33-35

33 The LORD's curse is on the household of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the righteous;

34 He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise will inherit honor,
but He holds up fools to dishonor.

Be humble because humble is also our Lord's character.