JY Bible Notes 聖經小筆記

By Jimmy Lau 2Sa 19:43   And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.   Pride causes strife everywhere it goes. It caused strife between Israel and Judah. It caused strife among the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 20:24). It caused strives in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). And pride still causes strives in the church today. Solomon concurs: “ Only by pride cometh contention ” (Proverbs 13:10). Perhaps there is not a quarrel among men, or even among nations, which does not proceed from pride and ambition.   Pride is such a terrible sin that it tops the list in the things that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). Do you know someone that is full of pride? Are they not hard to be around with? Indeed, pride destroys

By Jimmy Lau 2Sa 16:23   And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.  Ahithophel speaks for the devil, and he has many disciples. There are many so called Christian preachers, who speak like Ahithophel, whose followers think they speak from God, but, are in actual fact, delivering devilish messages of damnation. Paul says their end is damnation (Galatians 1:6-9). And those who follow them join them in the same path of eternal damnation (2John 1:11). The only way we can know whether one speaks from God or from the devil is to know the message of God ourselves. Christ says we can know the truth (John 8:32). It requires a diligent study (2 Timothy 2:15). It requires diligent investigation (Acts 17:11).   Ahithophel’s evil counsels exist even today. The evil prosperity gospel and the false doctrine of faith alone save are just two examples. L

by Jimmy Lau 2Sa 11:3   And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?  David’s sin was not in seeing Bathsheba; it was accidental. David’s sin was in choosing to keep his eyes on an alluring image which let the lust fester with serious outcome. James warns: “ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death ” (James 1:14, 15). The way to overcome temptation is to “ nib it in the bud .” The idiom means to stop something before it gets worse, like nipping a flower when it's still a bud so it can't grow. If David had just walked away the moment his eyes caught sight of the woman bathing, nothing would have happened. Solomon says the way to flee from temptation is to flee from temptation: “ Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away ” (Proverbs

by Jimmy Lau 2Sa 10:3   And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?  One reason why a person cannot trust another person is because he is not trustworthy himself. As Christians, God wants us to see the best in others. I know it is not always easy to do so; but try we must. One way is to find the positive intention behind every action. Think positive and not negative. Paul wrote that true love believe all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). He means love is ever ready to believe the best of every person. That in regard to the conduct of others, we will put the best construction on it, believing that they are actuated by good motives and they intend no evil malice. Love produces this because it rejoices in the happiness and virtue of others. This does not mean we shou

from Kwan Thai Chun 有人尖刻的嘲笑你， 你马上尖酸的回敬他； 有人毫无理由的看不起你， 你马上轻蔑的鄙视他； 有人在你面前大肆炫耀， 你马上加倍证明你更厉害； 有人对你冷漠， 你马上对他冷淡疏远。 看，你讨厌的那些人， 轻易的就把你变成， 你自己最讨厌的那种样子。 这才是“敌人”对你最大的伤害。 不要以恶报恶。 众人以为美的事要留心去做。 若是能行， 总要尽力与众人和睦。 【罗12:17-18】。

by Jimmy Lau 2Sa 6:8   And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.  Should we be angry with God for killing Uzzah? The Scripture says “ And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah ” (v.8). Does David have a right to be angry with God? Of course not! Eliphaz asked this question in Job 4:17: “ Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?  ”   God is strict about keeping to His commandments. Today, God is still strict about how we worship Him. Christ said: “ True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth ” (John 4:23, 24).   God desires only true worship. And true worship is in accordance with God’s words, the truth (John 17:17). God accepts only true worship (Matthew 15:9).   Worship must b

by Jimmy Lau 2Sa 4:10   When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings . Indeed, there are so many wrong ways to judge a person. So, why judge, knowing we will be wrong?   Yet, we can’t help. So, what should we do? 1.  Look for basic goodness -  Even a lion knows how to protect its pride: “ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others ” (Philippians 2:4). 2.  Give the benefit of the doubt  – You don’t know what the other person has gone through: “ Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment ” (John 7:24). 3.  Be open  - When someone does something you don’t like, or does a certain thing differently from you, think of it as he is simply solving a problem in a different way than you would, after all, we are all different: “ So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor s

by Jimmy Lau 2Sa 3:8   Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?  What kind of a person was Abner?   1.  Ambitious and Cunning . Abner was a very capable soldier and administrator. Why would such a talented man stick with a useless Ishbosheth? One reason could be he knew only with Ishbosheth he would be the most powerful man in the kingdom. The weak Ishbosheth needed Abner. Abner was using Ishbosheth to achieve his ambition.   2.  Proud . His pride and self-esteem are apparent in his haughty answer to Ishbosheth (v.8). His answer to Ishbosheth is akin to saying this: “ I've always been loyal to your father's family and to his relatives and friends. I haven't turned you over to David. And yet yo

by Jimmy Lau If someone has repeatedly been hurtful to us, it is easy to give in to vindictive pleasure when they experience misfortune. But God wants us to love. Christ shows us how to love our enemies when He forgave those who put Him up on the cross: “ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do ” (Luke 23:34). He said: “ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? ” (Matthew 5:46).   Love is perfected when we can show love to our enemies (Matthew 5:48). I know it’s easier said than done. I’m learning it too. But remember: Agape love is the love of the will. Even the best of saints have enemies. His enemy can even be a church member. Is there a church member who seems to hate you? How do you respond to his hostility? Remember: How others behave is their business; God is looking at how we respond. Stephen, following in the Lord’s footsteps, prayed to God to forgive the Jews who stoned him to death (Acts 7:55

from Kwan Thai Chun 什么是沟通？ 沟通是有了误会及时说明， 有了意见直接提出， 有了矛盾互相认错。 为什么要沟通？ 没有沟通， 人和人之间就有了隔阂， 心和心之间就有了距离。 两个人之间， 没有沟通就没有延续， 没有联系就没有感情。 如果一个不问，一个不说， 再熟悉的人， 也会渐渐没了共同语言， 再深的感情， 也会渐渐找不到支点。 连倾诉和倾听的欲望都没有了， 这段感情也就差不多走到了头。 两个人的沟通， 70%是情绪，30%是内容。 情绪不对，内容就会被扭曲。 没有良好的情绪， 心里话就说不出来， 真心话就听不进去。 说话口气轻重把握不好， 让人误以为是挑衅。 脾气一触即发， 把沟通变成了吵架。 爱，是最伟大的治疗师， 智慧使人不故步自封、固执己见。 箴15:4。 温良的舌，是生命树； 乖谬的嘴，使人心碎。 要沟通，就诚心实意。 平和的情绪，诚恳的语气。 气头上不谈沟通： 生气时不易作出正确的决定， 情绪中说双方的沟通常无好话。 箴18:7。 愚昧人的口，自取败坏； 他的嘴，是他生命的网罗。 有时，生活就是一种妥协， 一种忍耐，一种迁就。 并非所有的事情， 都适宜针锋相对，铿锵有力。 强硬有强硬的好处， 忍让有忍让的优势。 妥协不一定全是软弱， 忍让不一定就是无能。 箴18:6。 愚昧人张嘴启争端， 开口招鞭打。 学会与人沟通， 学会控制脾气， 学会调整情绪， 千万不要对最爱你的人发火， 千万不要让你最爱的人伤心。 箴10:19。 多言多语难免有过? 禁止嘴唇是有智慧。

by Jimmy Lau 1Sa 29:3   Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?  The Scriptures warns us about making friends with the wicked. Indeed, evil friendship corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). How many Christians do you know who spend their time mixing with worldly friends and are faithful and godly? It is more likely that you see them bringing their worldly attitudes into the church. And they tend to influence some to their evil ways. It’s true that strong Christians can be strong wherever they go and influence for good to those around them. Yet, are you strong enough? If you play with fire you get burned. The Bible warns us in several places not to count on our abilities to avoid temptations. Proverb 6:27 warns: “ Can

from Kwan Thai Chun 【关于工作】 工作，是爱的化身。如果不能怀着爱心工作，只是闷闷不乐地做事，不如放下工作，坐在圣殿门口，让那些乐在工作中的人来周济你……若非有爱，工作尽归徒劳；当你怀着爱心工作，便与自己、与彼此、并与神紧密相系。——正如哥林多前书13章里讲到的，没有爱，方言也就成了鸣的锣、响的钹！ ​​​​ 在任何地方你都能将挂虑变为祈祷。 我希望带领我个人生活和工作生活的，是神、圣经和祷告。 “我们寻求方法、讲究理由去爱神，结果因着无知之故，心思就变乱了。因此在追求与神同在的事上，给自己许多烦扰。岂不知这事非常简单，只要在日常的工作上，每一件事都为着爱神而做就好了。将我们手所做的工都献上，用心与神交通，与神同在。” ​​​​ –摘 在职场传福音的人应追求工作卓越。当你表明基督的时候，你要料到你的同事会仔细查看你。你的工作要反映出神的创造力、旨意和良善。你要彰显出信实和诚实。工作“不要发怨言，起争论”（腓2:14）。顺服权柄，谦卑服侍。我们工作中生命的内涵，应当强调出，而不是削弱我们传扬的福音内容。——摘

by Jimmy Lau 1Sa 27:1   And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.  He said in his heart  – David did not ask God what he should do. Perhaps he was thinking that God wanted him to do something instead of waiting. Aren’t we the same too? At times, we do think perhaps God wants us to do it this or that way. And we acted based on our guesswork.   I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul  – David has forgotten that God has been delivering him all these times that Saul seeks his life. Has God ever told him He has stopped protecting him and he is now on his own? The answer is NO! Fear comes in when we stop trusting God. Why did David doubt God now? I think it is because he has grown weary - weariness, fatigue, and then depression. Yes, even

from Kwan Thai Chun 慧人 慧语 慧悟 一、成熟的人不问过去；聪明的人不问现在；豁达的人不问未来。 二、在人之上，要把人当人；在人之下，要把自己当人。 三、知道看人背后的是君子；知道背后看人的是小人。 四、你犯错误时，等别人都来了再骂你的是敌人，等别人都走了骂你的是朋友。 五、人只要能掌握自己，便什么也不会失去。 六、变老并不等于成熟，真正的成熟在于看透。 七、简单的生活之所以很不容易，是因为要活的简单，一定不能想的太多。 八、人们常犯最大的错误，是对陌生人太客气，而对亲密的人太苛刻，把这个坏习惯改过来，天下太平。 九、我们在梦里走了许多路，醒来后发现自己还在床上。 十、你的丑和你的脸没有关系。 十一、航海者虽比观望者要冒更大的风险，但却有希望到达彼岸。 十二、穷人的苦恼在于没有选择，富人的苦恼在于有太多选择。 十三、不要总觉得被轻视，先问问自己有没有分量。 十四、一个人的价值，不体现在与别人相同的东西上，而体现在与别人不同的东西上。 十五、静坐常思己过，闲谈莫论人非。 十六、发展是硬道理，但硬发展是没道理。 十七、人们是看你做什么，不是听你说什么。 十八、要求别人是很痛苦的，要求自己是很快乐的。 十九、不敢生气的是懦夫，不去生气的才是智者。 二十、对于人来说，问心无愧是最舒服的枕头。 二十一、嫉妒他人，表明他人的成功，被人嫉妒，表明自己成功。 二十二、有些事情，不谈是个结，谈开了是个疤。 二十三、一口吃不成胖子，但胖子却是一口一口吃来的。 二十四、喜欢花的人是会去摘花的，然而爱花的人则会去浇水。

by Jimmy Lau 1Sa 24:13   As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  David would not do the devil’s work. In this, we see that David’s heart didn’t store up bitterness and anger towards Saul. Even as Saul made David’s life completely miserable, David kept his integrity. If David had stored up bitterness and anger towards Saul, he would not have been able to resist the temptation to kill him at what seemed to be a “God-given” opportunity.   But even that action of cutting Saul’s robe troubled David (v.5). What a tender conscience in David! Many would only be troubled that they did not take the opportunity to kill Saul. They would be regretting not doing it. They would be cursing themselves for not doing it. David only cut off the corner of Saul’s robe, yet his heart troubled him.   You dislike your neighbour. You may not kill him. But you scratch his car. Or you sweep your dirt to his doorstep. Does your action

by Jimmy Lau 1Sa 23:12  Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.  1. Seek God’s Counsel At All Times. David was in a quandary – to listen to his men or to go ahead and help Keilah. He handed his problems to God. He knew his men would listen to God’s decision.  Therefore, always bring your problems to God in prayers: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psalm 56:3, 4). 2. People May Be Ungrateful; Do Good Anyway. We should not let the actions of others determine our actions. How others react is their business. The devil wants us to react the same way as them. But Christians will do only good because it is the right thing to do: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil,

by Jimmy Lau  (Digest) 1Sa 19:4   And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good. Jealousy is not a sin of the other person. Jonathan told his father that David had done nothing wrong against him. What David had done was only good. Jealousy is a self-inflicting sin. Jealousy made Saul bitter towards David. And, like jealousy, bitterness is a sin that hurts only the person who has it. The cure for jealousy is obvious: CONTENTMENT. Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) reads:  Keep your life free from love of money, and  be content with what you have , for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. " Saul coveted the praise that David had. His jealousy was his covetousness. His jealousy overwhelmed him and he became another man. Solomon says: “ Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is a

by Jimmy Lau 1Sa 17:45   Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  1.  Courage Will Overcome Fear          Twice a day for 40 days Goliath would challenge the Israelites demanding a 1 on 1 battle (v.16). But no one from Israel’s camp would dare come forward to fight Goliath. The Israelites didn’t believe it was possible to defeat Goliath. They were greatly afraid (v.11). Only David was not afraid of Goliath. He accepted the challenge (v.32). What is FEAR? F.E.A.R. is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. There’s no true threat of immediate physical danger, or something terrible is going to happen. Fear is an illusion. It is just an emotional response to a perceived threat. And the only place where fear exists is in the mind. The way to overcome fear is to face it. Yes, pluck up the courage and face

from Kwan Thai Chun 基督的爱，是让我们彼此分享，而不是让我们去审判他人！不要标榜：我是基督徒，他不是；我守诫命，他不是；我每天祈祷，他不是。 这又如何？你怎么就知道在未来的一天他不会悔改呢？又怎么知道在未来的一天，自己不会跌倒呢？不凭眼下定任何人的不是,也不在心里仇恨他，却要时时为自己和他祈祷。 【你是谁，竟论断别人的仆人呢？他或站住，或跌倒，自有他的主人在；而且他也必要站住，因为主能使他站住。_罗14:4】

by Jimmy Lau 1Sa 16:14   But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.  When Saul walked with God, the Spirit of God came upon him (1 Samuel 10:6). But now that Saul has disobeyed the commandments of God, he is no longer walking in the Spirit of God. What happened to him? An evil spirit “from” God replaces it. This really means that God  allowed  the evil spirit to tempt Saul to sin. We see it in the case of Job. It was not God who tempted Job. But God  allowed  Satan to tempt him. Although God will allow you to be tempted, He’s not doing the tempting. James 1:13 (NKJV) says, “ Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone .”   God  allows  temptation to come in order to strengthen our characters, but He doesn’t send it: “ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed ” (James 1:14).   We are tempted by the evil things we w

From Kwan Thai Chun 拉结 ~被丈夫深爱的女人 (创29:1-30 ; 30:1-8 ) 提要:      历史似乎在此重演了，在哈兰同样的一口井边，同一个家庭里，在此发生相同的故事。亚伯拉罕的仆人以利以谢就是在这口井边遇到利百加的，那时他正要为以撒物色一位妻子。四十年后，利百加的儿子雅各在同一口井边，协助他的表妹给羊群喝水 。他们之间所发生的故事让我们看见，美丽的爱情罗曼史不只是发生在现代，同时也让我们学习了忍耐和爱的功课。     雅各对于拉结的爱充满了忍耐和忠贞。雅各愿意忍耐等候拉结十四年之久，同时为她勤奋的工作，他对拉结的爱是坚贞不二的。而拉结对雅各的爱情，相形之下倒有些混乱了，她因自己不孕就嫉妒姐姐利亚，与利亚争风吃醋，努力想从雅各那里争取她已享有的爱情。     拉结的情况不也是我们的写照吗？我们想得到神的爱，但却又离弃祂的话，我们心怀二意，自认自己不配得到祂的爱。神爱我们!祂的爱是无始无终的，是恒久忍耐的。我们只要回应祂的爱，而非努力去获得那已经属于我们的爱。

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 15:13   And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.  Faith is obeying  all  of the commandments of God. The root of disobedience lies in self-will. Self-will is doing what one thinks is right rather than following what God has commanded. Christ condemned self-will worship: “ But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men ” (Matthew 15:9).   The problem with men is in obeying all the commandments of God. Saul said he had performed the commandment of God just because he had performed some of it. But he did not obey an explicit commandment of God who told him to destroy everything. Partial obedience is not good enough. God said Saul had not performed His commandments (v.11).   What did Samuel say about Saul’s disobedience? He said: “ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word o

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 14:6   And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.  Jonathan had faith in the power of God, being fully persuaded that He could do everything, whether by many or by few. And he knew it had to start with someone; and that someone might as well be him and his armour bearer. Brethren, the church needs people like Jonathan. Jonathan knew the need was great. He saw Israel was already hopelessly outnumbered and demoralized. He saw the fear in the eyes of his people. So, he didn’t wait for the calling; he volunteered the call. Can you see the needs in the church which you are a member of? What are you waiting for? The first-century Christians didn’t wait for a gospel meeting to do evangelism. They didn’t need a program for a reason to do God’s work. What about you? Why not volunteered

From Kwan Thai Chun 拉班 · 自私的人 （创27:43-28:5 ；29:1-30 ；30:25-31:55）提要:      人都是自私的，但有些人却使自私成为他最大的弱点。拉班一生的写照便是自私，以自我为中心，他只顾自己的利益。我们从他待人处事上，不难看出他的这个弱点。他藉着妹妹利百加与以撒的婚姻从中获益，又利用自己的女儿一生的幸福来做交易。不过拉班后来被雅各所驾御，但这位老人家仍不肯低头认输。他加于雅各身上的锁链虽已折断，然而仍想方法努力从雅各身上获取利益，才肯放他离去。但是至终他才了解:雅各和雅各的神是他应付不了的。     从表面看来，我们很难认同拉班，但他自私的弱点却是我们都有的。我们像拉班一样，常有一股强烈的冲动想驾御别人，以获取自己的利益。我们常会为自己找一个「好」藉口来掩饰自己自私的行为。可能我们自己并未查觉自己是自私的，但有一个测试自我的方法，就是，你是否愿意承认自己是有错失的人？拉班没办法做到。如果你有一天惊讶的发现自己是肯认错的人，并努力避免犯错，那么你是正走在跟从神的正道上了！

From Kwan Tai Chun 人的怒气并不成就神的义(雅1:20)。 有些基督徒，在教会生同工的气,回到家生孩子的气,开车上路生前面那个开慢车的气,天下雨我们生气,在路上摔了一跤生气,看电视广告多也生气…… 这样，我们岂不是太给神“丢脸”了吗？动不动就生气，甚至还敢向神生气！ 记住第一个向神生气的该隐的教训！神悦纳了他弟弟亚伯的祭物，没有验中他的祭物，他就“大大地发怒，变了脸色”，耶和华对他说：“你为什么发怒呢？你为什么变了脸色呢？你若行的好，岂不蒙悦纳？你若行的不好，罪就伏在你的门前。它必恋慕你，你却要制伏它。”（创4:5-7） 神今天也要问你：你为什么变了脸色呢？不要用你的拳头和舌头来解决问题，要跪下祷告神,用膝盖。靠着那加给你力量的主，你一定行！ 你可能会讲：打死“蜘蛛”，就没有蜘蛛网了；找出“约拿”扔到海里，就风平浪静了。“蜘蛛”和“约拿”就是隐藏在我们里面惹事的祸根。先从里面下手，把自己的生命操练的棒棒的，与主的关系深深的，任凭12级的台风来，也搅动不了你！

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 13:12   Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.  One of the greatest sins committed today by many professed Christians is to act on their own wisdom when it appears God’s method isn’t good enough. By doing so, they are saying they are wiser than God. But God says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8, 9). The man says mechanical instruments improve the singing in the church. God says: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). The only instrument is the heart. The man says baptism is too much hassle; faith alone is enough to save. But God says: “He that beli

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 12:5  And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness. Every Christian is to be and to live above reproach. What does Christ want His church to be like? “He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:22, ESV).  “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). The entire chapter of Colossians 3 is telling us to live a blameless life. Now, how does one live a blameless life? The instructions are found on every page of the Bible. It can be summarised in three words: “Walk in Love” (Ephesians 5:2). Paul wrote: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). Love completes everything

From Kwan Thai Chun 1、有些基督徒，喜欢看电影，看电视剧，一看可以几个小时不停；但是一看圣经，一祷告，马上哈欠连天头发晕。----怪！ 2、有些基督徒，每当提到聚餐、吃饭、游玩，马上兴趣十足，兴趣盎然；可是一说到敬拜、聚会和服事，立刻无精打采，头昏脑胀。----怪！ 3、有些基督徒，可以拼命的学习和不断的加班，为了自己的未来努力打拼；可是面对掌管万有的神和藉着基督死而复生所赐给的信仰，却不想付出任何的努力和代价。----怪！ 4、有些基督徒，喜欢背英语，背名人名言，被流行的潮话和明星歌曲的歌词；却记不住圣经的话，对圣经陌生又陌生。----怪！ 5、有些基督徒在KTV唱歌神采奕奕，魅力无限；可是在教会中唱赞美诗时，声细如蚊，神色黯然。----怪！ 6、有些基督徒，怕老师，怕老板，怕同事，怕朋友，怕父母，怕老婆，怕丈夫，几乎谁都怕；可是就不怕神。----怪！ 7、有些基督徒，对自己喜欢的明星了如指掌，对喜欢的游戏宛如专家，对流行的事情津津乐道；可是对自己的信仰一窍不通，对别人所问关于信仰的问题一脸迷茫，甚至还没有非基督徒知道的多。----怪！ 8、有些基督徒，喜欢赚钱，喜欢地位，喜欢名车，喜欢洋房，喜欢好工作，喜欢帅哥美女；可是，不喜欢基督耶稣，不喜欢神的话，不喜欢读圣经，不喜欢祷告，不喜欢聚会。----怪！ 9、有些基督徒，为了自己所爱的人，可以付上任何的代价，甚至省吃俭用，也要让对方过的好；可是，对基督，对这位为我们舍己，在世上受尽羞辱酷刑的救主，陌如路人。----怪！ 10、有些基督徒，对别人隐私的事情有兴趣，愿意主动去打听，去传舌；可是对福音却闭口不言，甚至多年不提。----怪！ 11、有些基督徒，看重地位，看重在别人眼里的形象，看重自己在世上的得失；却不看重属灵的地位，属灵的财富，属灵的能力，和神怎么看他。----怪！ 12、有些基督徒明知自己在世上是寄居的，可是在世上活着却像这个世界的主人。----怪！ 13、有些基督徒常常说自己愿意依靠追求神，可是却常常悖逆，不顺服，甚至不愿悔改。----怪！ 14、有些基督徒，说自己是圣徒，可是生活中却沉溺于情色中。----怪！ 15、有些基督徒，靠关系，靠朋友，靠财力，靠自己；却不靠着凡事加我们力量的神。----怪！ 16、有些基督徒，说自己是基督徒，可是，为什么却

From Kwan Thai Chun 收割 ( Therizo )     圣经很喜欢用"收割" 这个比喻来形容一些真理，尤其是主耶稣，事实上therizo(收割) 这个词在圣经出现过21次，其中十次是在福音书信。     我们来看看约翰福音4:35-38这段经文..."我的食物就是遵行差我来者的旨意，作成祂的工。你们岂不说，到收割的时候还有四个月吗？我告诉你们: 举目向田观看，庄稼已经熟了，可以收割了。..."     究竟耶稣是说什么？在巴勒斯坦，犹太人把一年分为六个阶段:      第一阶段:撒种期      第二阶段:雨季之冬      第三阶段:雨季之春      第四阶段:收割期(约四                        、五月)      第五阶段:旱季(夏天)      第六阶段:酷热的炎夏    从撒种至收割，其间需时四个月，所以许多人就说:"还有这么多时间，何必这样紧张，慢慢来也不迟!耶稣就是针对这种闲懒的态度。     今天有不少信徒也持着这种闲懒的态度，一句"先等一下"就把生命窒息了，也把教会事工停頓下来。我们明明知道若不传福音便有祸了，但我们又偏偏推辞，久久没有行动，就是面对自己至亲的人，也似乎难以启齿，不太紧张似的。我们明知要好好与神亲近，多读经，多些事奉，但我们却又偏偏诸多借口，忙于世俗，结果错过了许多成长的机会!这句"还有四个月"真是害人不浅 !     耶稣说，现在是采取行动的时候了!祂叫我们举目向田观看，庄稼已经成熟了，可以收割了，而且是欢欢喜喜地欢呼收割。换句话说，我们应当把握时机，机不可失。现在不是拖延的时候，而是收割的时候，我们还等什么呢？

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 11:1  Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. There are so many today who are just like the men of Jabesh-Gilead: they would settle for peace at all cost. They would rather settle for lies than change their denominations. They ask why all the fuss about baptism, Holy Spirit, AD 70 doctrine, marriage-divorce- remarriage issues, and musical instruments. They ask can’t we sit down and worship together without arguing about doctrines. Brethren, listen to what the Lord has to say on this: “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). God said it twice there is no peace to the wicked. If God will not make peace with the wicked, is it right for us to worship in peace with them? Isaiah wrote: “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth there

From Mary Ann THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPATIENCE Luke 15:11-21 How serious is a lack of patience? We generally write it off as inconsequential. It’s often seen as a weakness rather than a sin—after all, it’s not as bad as adultery, theft, or murder. But have you ever considered what your impatience reveals about your attitude toward God? When we demonstrate an inability to tolerate delay, we are telling the Lord, “I don’t trust Your timing; mine is better.” Can you see the seriousness of this attitude? Impatience is a display of pride because we are elevating our understanding above that of our all-knowing God. The prodigal son’s journey toward disaster began with impatience. He wanted his inheritance immediately and was unwilling to wait. After taking matters into his own hands, he faced the following consequences: He brought sorrow on his family.Likewise, our impatience hurts those we love. He left the security of home. When we run ahead of God, we often leave behind the vo

From Kwan Thai Chun 与神同行是什么意思 ？ 1. 与神同行指以他为伴      （摩3:3） 2. 与神同行意含与他深交       （伯9:2 ；25:4 ；罗          5:1 ；伯22:21） 3. 与神同行是指与神同心        （伯34:9） 4. 与神同行表示靠他成事        （撒上14:24，27-            29，43，45） 5. 与神同行就是向他尽忠         （何11:12） 6. 与神同行表示与神同在          （林前7:24） 7. 与神同行就能在侍奉上     与他同工 （约5:17） 8. 与神同行必蒙悦纳           （来11:5）

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 7:3   And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.  Isn’t it the same with many today? Good job means good money. They know money is not everything. But no money means possessing nothing and this is unthinkable. So, they make this decision: “ So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin ” (Romans 7:25b). They serve God on Sundays and mammon on the rest of the week! Search your heart: IS YOUR FAITH PART OF YOUR LIFE OR IS YOUR FAITH YOUR LIFE? If faith is only part of your life, it means you practice it only when you are free, like a hobby. But if your faith is your life, it governs your life; you practice it daily.

From Kwan Thai Chun 底波拉 - 利百加的乳母 (创 24:59 ; 35:8 ) 提要 : 底波拉是利百加的奶妈，随着利百加从美索不达米亚来到迦南地，忠心的服事雅各和拉结的家庭。从她被葬的故事中可看出，这个服事这家两代之久的奶妈，显然受这一家人极大的尊重。(创35:8)      在早期族长制的家庭中，像底波拉这种老奶妈通常礼遇为养母。虽然圣经中仅简短的提及底波拉，可是她的出现提醒我们，世俗的工作领域也能成为满足的来源。     底波拉的价值为别人所激赏。当她死时，雅各把她葬在伯特利下边的一颗橡树底下。那棵树名叫「哭泣的橡树」，这一家人深深的感激她的工作，她的死在他们心中留下极大的空虚。然而她最大的满足不是因她死时的颂文，而是深信她在可行的事上已尽力了。

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 6:9   And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.    The Ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months. For seven terrible months it had spread among them anxiety, terror, and death. They were determined to send the Ark back to Israel. They decided how to return the ark, including a test to see if the judgment was of God or of chance (v.7-9). Chance is a non-being and therefore, it determines nothing. The Philistines were leaving things to chance. But it was God who directed the cows where to go. We live in a cause and effect world, and chance is not a cause, but God is the great Cause. And God is the Cause of all things: “ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth ” (Genesis 1:1).   How about Christians? Do you think things happened by chance? If you do, you have li

By Jimmy Lau 1Sa 5:1   And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.         The Philistines feared God but would not worship and submit to Him. They knew His power. They tasted His wrath. They saw how God humiliated their god Dagon. Still, they did not want Jehovah as their God. Why? In spite of all the evidences that God showed to them to prove He is God like no one else, why did the Philistines reject Him? The reason is simple: Because following the LORD means a huge change in thinking and living. For the Philistines, it is easier to follow Dagon. Dagon allows them to be themselves. Dagon allows them to live in the pleasures of sin. Serving Jehovah means giving up their current lifestyle. I have heard various reasons by some why they will not follow Jesus in spite they know about Him. And top on the list is this: Not ready for commitment! They don’t want to wake up early on Sundays to come to church. They say other religions do not have t