Mission Trip at Beruas
In this Mission Trip at Beruas, I really learn a lot of lesson from the people surrounded me. But before that, I want thanks God for his guidance and his love for me. This is because his choose me long before i born to become his child and his honour priests. Thanks God for chosing me from many people not because I am so strong or so wealth or so intellegent, but his love for me. Thanks God for everything you do for me.
The first lesson I learn is the planning. Before I become the Leader of the Beruas team, I rarely to plan many thing and think too muchh for everything that I want to do. I just follow my heart and do what is the easiest. But after I agree to become a one of the Leader of the mission trip, I need to think many many... thing and plan many many... thing for everyone in my team such as the food, place for stay, the activities need to held,....etc. Thanks to Brother Bok Wan and Sister Theresa for their guide and advice, I manage to plan and have a good mission trip at Beruas. But when come to a programme that all of three mission trip team want to held -- children camp, My mind come to a place call blank. The reason for that is I havent organize that kind of event before and both the mission trip I joined before at Sungai Jerik and Skudai, Johore also didnt touch many about issue of children, how to communicate with children or children needs. So this missin trip is kind of a test for reach out children for me. Thanks to Brother Alan and Sister Esther for willing share their time for planning and Bother Bok Wan and Sister Theresa for oversee this big event. Because without you all, I really dont know how to run this event.
The second lesson I learn is unity in body of Christ. This is because I dont know the strongest and weakest of many members. I just know their name and their age from the list of the members that i need to lead. But for Christ love for us, we know each other well in this mission trip and all the members very obedient to my orders for take the post that I want they to be although some of them havent try the post before. I very glad that my team have Zhe Kai and Bei Jun who is still very young and willing to join our mission trip. I can see their love for Jesus in their heart and willing to learn in mission trip. Well done to all of you, teammates..
I also learn that prayer is our greatest strength for a christian. Before mission trip, I just pray for thanksgiving when food is serve in front of me. My relationship with Heavenly Father hasnt come to close and only pray for the needs of me. But in mission trip, I need to pray for the good weather for several events. I have a good experience when we pray for good weather before the Interest group. This is because although we all think good weather is the best choice for the people to come but that day we experience a heavily rain just before the first day of the Interest group. By that time, we may be think that why God didnt listen to our Prayer, but I sincerely think that God already heard our prayer. He let the rain flow and let the number people that we can handle to come to the hall. If not, we may be having the trouble of too many people and all the activities that we want to teach to children cant teach well in the week at Beruas. Another experience is the event- camp fire that we want to approach the youth after the basketball tournament. Since it have the evengelism in the story part, it is good chance to let the youths know the God love to them. But in middle of the activities story part, suddenly some rain flow down. Some of us quickly put down our jobs and pray to God help. We grab hand together and form a circle to ask God help to stop this rain . Miraclely, after our pray the rain stop and all the activities in camp fire run very smooth. And the youths seem dont want go home even the camp fire already finish. Thanks God.
Furthermore, I learn the Faith to God need to stay firm even the time pass by or ostacle come. I can see the faith in Beruas Methodist Church. Although the church members in the church is about 15 - 20 people and many of them are already old, but their faith to God never change. They want to build the church which can sit 200 people and that amount of people is 10 times of people of them now. And the cost the church cost them 900 thousand. Besides that, they still believe that Beruas can be change to better place which is got major christian for the citizen although the number of them to change is few.
Lastly, I learn that to serve the people no matter how well educated or how powerful that authority that we have. This is because Jesus love us all and the leadership that he show to us is servant leader. ( An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest. Jesus said to them," the kings of the pagans have power over to their people, and the rulers claim the title 'Friends of the people.' But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant. Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serve? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves.)
Thanks God for the lessons that I can learn from the Mission Trip at Beruas. May all glory glorify to you, Lord - the almighty God.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN
--Very thought provoking. Hope you read it to its end!!!!!
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.
The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'
Brian's Essay: The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at .' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
'
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also My 'People
I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?
IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, FOR THE CHRISTIAN OR NOT! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know whether you did or not, but what do you feel in your heart?
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.
The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'
Brian's Essay: The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at .' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
'
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also My 'People
I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?
IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, FOR THE CHRISTIAN OR NOT! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
You don't have to share this with anybody, no one will know whether you did or not, but what do you feel in your heart?
3 Things You Need In Life
Three things in life that, once gone, never come back
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity
Three things in life that can destroy a person
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness
Three things in life that you should never lose
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty
Three things in life that are most valuabl e
1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness
Three things in life that are never certain
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams
Three things that make a person
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work
Three things that are truly constant -
Father - Son - Holy Spirit
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today, to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way.
God's love is always with you,
God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through.
Please pass this along to People you want God to Bless. I just did!
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity
Three things in life that can destroy a person
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness
Three things in life that you should never lose
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty
Three things in life that are most valuabl e
1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness
Three things in life that are never certain
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams
Three things that make a person
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work
Three things that are truly constant -
Father - Son - Holy Spirit
I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today, to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way.
God's love is always with you,
God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through.
Please pass this along to People you want God to Bless. I just did!
Time For The Rise Of Christians!!!
SATAN'S MEETING:
(Read even if you're busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
'We can't keep Christians from going to church.'
'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.'
'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil:
'Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'
'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered.
'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'
'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.'
'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'
'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'
'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.'
'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.'
'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'
'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.'
'Give them headaches too! '
'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'
'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'
'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.'
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'
'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
(Read even if you're busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
'We can't keep Christians from going to church.'
'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.'
'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.'
'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.'
'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..'
'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil:
'Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!'
'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.
'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,' he answered.
'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.'
'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.'
'Keep them from spending time with their children.'
'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!'
'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.'
'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.' To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.'
'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.'
'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.'
'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.'
'Invade their driving moments with billboards.'
'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..'
'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. '
'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.'
'Give them headaches too! '
'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.'
'That will fragment their families quickly!'
'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.'
'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.'
'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.'
'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.'
'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.'
'Keep them busy, busy, busy!'
'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.'
'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.'
'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.'
'It will work!'
'It will work!'
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
god..he remembers all of us..but do we remember him? if you have the time to spare for god, do r
Read only if you have time for God
Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end.
God, when I received this e-mail, I thought..
I don't have time for this... And, this is really inappropriate during work.
Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is... Exactly, what has caused lot of the problems in our world today.
We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning..
Maybe, Sunday night...
And, the unlikely event of a midweek service.
We do like to have Him around during sickness..
And, of course, at funerals.
However, we don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play...
Because.. That's the part of our lives we think... We can, and should, handle on our own.
May God forgive me for ever thinking...
That... there is a time or place where..
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.
We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.
If, You aren't ashamed to do this...
Please follow the directions.
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed?
Pass this on ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT!!
Yes, I do Love God.
HE is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
This is the simplest test.
If You Love God... And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you...
Send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you!
I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Jesus. Do You love Him?
THE POEM
I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'
Now do you have the time to pass it on?
Make sure that you scroll through to the end.
Easy vs. Hard
Why is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a lie?
Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?
Why is it so hard to talk about God but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?
Why is it so boring to look at a Christian magazine, but yet so easy to look at a nasty one?
Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e- mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?
Why are the churches getting smaller but yet the bars and dance clubs are getting larger?
Do you give up? Think about it . Are you going to forward this, or delete it?
Just remember-God is watching you. Prayer Wheel-Let's see the devil stop this one!
Here's what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you....
That's all you have to do....
There is nothing attached....
This is so powerful....
Do not stop the wheel, please....
Of all the free gifts we may receive, Prayer is the very best one....
There are no costs, but wonderful rewards... GOD BLESS!
May God keep you and bless you. If this doesn't give you chills, nothing will...this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was from this story. I wonder how many people will delete this without read
Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end.
God, when I received this e-mail, I thought..
I don't have time for this... And, this is really inappropriate during work.
Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is... Exactly, what has caused lot of the problems in our world today.
We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning..
Maybe, Sunday night...
And, the unlikely event of a midweek service.
We do like to have Him around during sickness..
And, of course, at funerals.
However, we don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play...
Because.. That's the part of our lives we think... We can, and should, handle on our own.
May God forgive me for ever thinking...
That... there is a time or place where..
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.
We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.
If, You aren't ashamed to do this...
Please follow the directions.
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed?
Pass this on ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT!!
Yes, I do Love God.
HE is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
This is the simplest test.
If You Love God... And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous things HE has done for you...
Send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you!
I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Jesus. Do You love Him?
THE POEM
I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'
Now do you have the time to pass it on?
Make sure that you scroll through to the end.
Easy vs. Hard
Why is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a lie?
Why are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?
Why is it so hard to talk about God but yet so easy to talk about nasty stuff?
Why is it so boring to look at a Christian magazine, but yet so easy to look at a nasty one?
Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e- mail, but yet we forward all of the nasty ones?
Why are the churches getting smaller but yet the bars and dance clubs are getting larger?
Do you give up? Think about it . Are you going to forward this, or delete it?
Just remember-God is watching you. Prayer Wheel-Let's see the devil stop this one!
Here's what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you....
That's all you have to do....
There is nothing attached....
This is so powerful....
Do not stop the wheel, please....
Of all the free gifts we may receive, Prayer is the very best one....
There are no costs, but wonderful rewards... GOD BLESS!
May God keep you and bless you. If this doesn't give you chills, nothing will...this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was from this story. I wonder how many people will delete this without read
The difference between science and God(pls read to the enD,it is resonable!)
Science and God
'Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.' The atheist
professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his
new students to stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.'
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a
moment.
'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you
can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good...!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if
you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He
doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even
though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can
you answer that one?'
The student remains silent.
'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of
water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student : 'From...God...'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there
evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything,
correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created
everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to
the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues:
'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible
things, do they exist in this world?'
The student: 'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his
question. 'Who created them? There is still no answer. Suddenly the
lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is
mesmerized.
'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in
Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you
use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen
Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him'
'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'
'No, sir, I have not.'
'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or
smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus
Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable
protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that,
son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem
science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a
question of his own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't.'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.
The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.
'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat,
mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we
don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below
zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is
no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the
lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when
it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have
or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat.
You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of
heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units
because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the
absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom,
sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as
darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night
if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the
absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright
light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have
Nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to
define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able
to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him.
This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is
flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time.
'Flawed? Can you explain how?'
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student
explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good
God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something
finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a
thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much
less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life
is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive
thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'
'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they
evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young
man, yes, of course I do'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he
realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work
and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you
not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a
preacher?'
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the
Commotion has subsided.
'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other
student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'
The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class
who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into
laughter.
'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain,
felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No
one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of
empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no
brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain,
how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the
student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I
guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists
with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as
evil?'
Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We
see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man.
It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.
These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at
least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe
the absence of God.
God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when
man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold
that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there
is no light.'
The professor sat down.
Pass this on if you have faith in God.
If not, still pass it on for it's a good story!
'Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.' The atheist
professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his
new students to stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.'
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a
moment.
'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you
can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good...!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if
you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He
doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even
though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can
you answer that one?'
The student remains silent.
'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of
water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student : 'From...God...'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there
evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything,
correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created
everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to
the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues:
'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible
things, do they exist in this world?'
The student: 'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his
question. 'Who created them? There is still no answer. Suddenly the
lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is
mesmerized.
'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in
Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you
use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen
Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him'
'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'
'No, sir, I have not.'
'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or
smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus
Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable
protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that,
son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem
science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a
question of his own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't.'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.
The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.
'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat,
mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we
don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below
zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is
no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the
lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when
it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have
or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat.
You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of
heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units
because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the
absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom,
sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as
darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night
if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the
absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright
light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have
Nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to
define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able
to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him.
This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is
flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time.
'Flawed? Can you explain how?'
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student
explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good
God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something
finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a
thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much
less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life
is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive
thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'
'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they
evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young
man, yes, of course I do'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he
realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work
and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you
not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a
preacher?'
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the
Commotion has subsided.
'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other
student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'
The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class
who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into
laughter.
'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain,
felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No
one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of
empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no
brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain,
how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the
student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I
guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists
with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as
evil?'
Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We
see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man.
It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world.
These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at
least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe
the absence of God.
God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when
man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold
that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there
is no light.'
The professor sat down.
Pass this on if you have faith in God.
If not, still pass it on for it's a good story!
讓愛復活
讓愛復活
謝宏忠院長
經文：約翰一書第四章7-16節
有 一次有一個年輕人來找司布真牧師，問他哪裡有完美的教會可以去聚會，因為他發現他去過的教會，沒有一個是讓他滿意的。司布真告訴他，你的問題很好，但是到 目前為止，我還沒有看過一個完美無缺的教會，如果你找到一個這樣的教會，請你告訴我，我也想去看看。不過，如果你真的找到，請千萬不要去，因為一旦你去以 後，這教會就不完美了。
其實司布真牧師說得很對，沒有一個教會是完美的，因為我們每一個人都不完美，教會是由一群在主裡面被更新但卻不完美的人組成的。在使徒約翰的時代，教會面 對知識真理上一個很大的危機，因為當時有些弟兄姊妹受假教師的影響，否認耶穌基督的神性，不相信耶穌基督是神的兒子，也否認耶穌基督的人性，不相信耶穌基 督是道成肉身來的，他們也不相信耶穌是基督是救主，他們相信有一種奧秘的知識可以讓他們不需要靠耶穌基督就可以得救。第二個危機是行為上的危機，當教會中 面對這樣的混亂時，堅持正統教義的人和另一派人馬彼此互相攻擊，弟兄姊妹就沒有辦法彼此相愛，但是使徒約翰認為最重要的，是要有愛在其中。使徒約翰對真理 上的偏差毫不客氣，稱真理偏差的推行者是魔鬼的兒女，不是神的兒女。但使徒約翰不但是真理的堅持者，他也是愛心的實踐者，在約翰一書中，我們可以看出他對 兩方面都非常看重。
我 們今天所要談的，就是讓愛復活。當時在使徒約翰的教會中，愛已經漸漸消失，從啟示錄我們會發現，聖靈第一個對約翰提到的教會是以弗所教會，以弗所教會是一 個辛苦為主工作的教會，可是聖靈指出他們的問題：失落起初的愛心。由此可知使徒約翰非常看重彼此相愛這件事，在約翰一書中大聲疾呼要讓愛復活過來。在新約 中有兩個教會是由很有名的牧者牧養的教會，一個是安提阿教會，在那裡有保羅和巴拿巴在牧養，另一個以弗所教會也是名牧不斷，包括保羅，後來最主要的牧者是 約翰。可是即使是使徒約翰，也無法挽回一間漸漸流失愛心的教會。
安提阿教會在 保羅和巴拿巴的帶領下，整個教會充滿福音的動力，信徒由不同的種族和文化構成，然而這個教會雖然多元，卻是合一的，而且是彼此相愛的。以弗所教會卻不一 樣，當他們中間出現愛的問題時，結局卻和安提阿教會完全不一樣。根據教會歷史的記載，安提阿教會在當地發揮影響力長達六百年之久，直到回教勢力興起才消 失，以弗所教會卻在使徒約翰死後便不存在了。因為聖靈很清楚的告訴以弗所教會，如果你們不悔改，不把起初失落的愛心找回來，不讓愛復活，那麼聖靈便會把金 燈臺從那裡挪走，所以以弗所教會如果不能讓愛復活，那麼結局只有一個，那就是教會的金燈臺消失不見，被神挪走。因此我們發現，只是有像使徒約翰這樣的名牧 者牧養教會，也不能保證教會一定興旺，因為教會興旺的一個重要因素，是在乎信徒之間的彼此相愛，如果沒有這樣的愛，任何一間教會，即使有名的牧師來牧養， 也沒有辦法復興，但是感謝主，使徒約翰雖然沒有辦法復興當時以弗所的教會，卻在約翰一書中留下寶貴的真理，告訴我們要彼此相愛。因此我們今天要從兩方面來 看讓愛復活。
一、 讓愛復活的秘訣
第 一個秘訣是在第七節：「親愛的弟兄阿，我們應當彼此相愛，因為愛是從神來的。」我們的生命要緊密連結於愛的源頭，愛的源頭就是神，當我們成為神的兒女的時 候，我們的生命就和神的生命相連結，神的生命就湧流到我們的生命裡面。我們若是新造的人，與神的性情有份，我們就一定會產生愛的行動，因為神就是愛的源 頭。神的愛流入我們的生命中時，我們自然會懂得怎樣彼此相愛，好像把插頭插上，電就流入線路裡一樣，使電器用品能夠發揮功能。為什麼我們要把生命緊密的連 結於愛的源頭呢？因為我們的愛非常有限，使徒約翰自己就有深刻的體驗，他原本脾氣暴躁，被稱為雷子，到後來卻成為耶穌所愛的門徒，被稱為愛子。使徒約翰有 一次跟耶穌經過撒馬利亞的村莊，那裡的人不接待耶穌，於是使徒約翰問耶穌是否要吩咐天上降下火來燒死他們，耶穌說：你們的心如何，你們不知道。很多時候我 們並不了解自己愛的有限，我本來也以為自己個性溫和，很容易跟別人相處，信了耶穌之後，我更加肯定這一點，因為有耶穌基督在我裡面，新的生命更會幫助我怎 樣彼此相愛。可是回想我成為基督徒後的年日，我發現我沒有辦法愛一些人，特別是那些個性強，不重視別人意見和心裡感受的人，面對這樣的同工，我發現我失去 了愛，想離開他們遠遠的，從這樣的事情我發現並不是我個性溫和，我就能與許多人同工並且愛他們，人的愛真的非常有限。
我 觀察到在教會中讓我們無法彼此相愛的原因有三個。第一個是個性的問題，個性強或溫和無所謂對或錯，個性的不同是神給我們的恩典，讓我們彼此同工時會看到神 的愛更豐富的彰顯。個性的好壞都可以被神所使用，但要放在神的愛裡面，才能夠用得更好。讓我們無法彼此相愛的第二個原因，是真理或是教義的問題，像使徒約 翰的教會由於對基督論的偏差，而影響他們之間彼此的相愛。我們雖然在真理上站得住腳，但我們不能夠因為自己在真理上站得住腳，就可以任意的對弟兄姊妹發脾 氣。所以使徒約翰提醒我們，你的真理站立得穩，感謝讚美主，可是你仍應該充滿愛，不可以因為自己站立得穩，就對人不客氣。第三個無法彼此相愛的原因，是事 奉的理念不同，有時為了敬拜方式是否要更活潑，大家就有不同的意見。因此我們發現，教會中的弟兄姊妹要彼此相愛，還真是不簡單。我們必須承認，我們的愛是 有限的，我們需要不斷的從聖靈那裡領受神的愛。羅馬書第五章5節告訴我們：「聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡。」如果沒有聖靈把神的愛澆灌在我們的心裡，我們 是不可能彼此相愛的，因為人的愛有限，除非我們有聖靈澆灌下來的愛，我們才有可能真正的彼此相愛。客觀的真理在我們心中如果沒有聖靈澆灌下來，讓我們緊密 的連結於愛的源頭，我們不可能讓客觀的真理變成主觀的經歷。談到愛，教會最大的問題就是，都知道很多的愛，卻太少愛的行動，因為忽略了聖靈把愛澆灌在心中 這件事。因此讓愛復活的第一個秘訣，是必須承認自己的愛是有限的，必須倚靠聖靈把神的愛澆灌在我們心中，讓我們緊緊的連結於愛的源頭，就是神。我們才可能 活出愛的生命。
第二個讓愛復活的秘訣在第十一節：「親愛的弟兄阿，神既是這樣 愛我們，我們也當彼此相愛。」我們能不能彼此相愛的一個關鍵，在於我們對神的愛有多深刻的體驗，我們的生命深刻體會到神的大愛，便會成為彼此相愛的人。有 一句話是說：「受過傷害的人，常會造成別人的傷害。」我們自己若曾經受過傷害，如果沒有經歷神的醫治，經常也會去傷害別人，如果我們生命裡的傷痕沒有被神 醫治，那麼很容易就會成為傷害別人的人，因此我們必須先深刻體驗經歷到神的愛。使徒約翰提到「神既是這麼愛我們」，神的愛究竟有哪些特質，我們必須感受到 祂是這樣的愛我們，才能用祂的愛去愛那些不可愛的人。
在第九節中提到「神愛我 們的心，在此就顯明了」，神怎樣顯明祂獨特的愛呢？神的愛有四方面的特質：(一)神的愛是主動的愛。神差祂獨生子到世間來，是神主動的安排，我們要效法神 的愛，就是要主動，那裡有需要、有傷害，我們就要在傷害處帶來神的醫治。在得罪弟兄姊妹時，也應該主動道歉，像在馬太福音第五章中所說的「所以你在祭壇上 獻禮物的時候，若想起弟兄向你懷怨，就把禮物留在壇前，先去同弟兄和好，然後來獻禮物。」(二)神的愛是無條件的愛。第十節中提到「不是我們愛神，乃是神 愛我們」，主差祂的獨生子來，不是我們對神很好，我們愛祂，祂才愛我們，我們有孩子的人，有時會偏愛某一個孩子，因為他愛你，所以你特別愛他，對於調皮、 悖逆的孩子便失去耐性，可見人的愛是有條件的，但是神的愛是無條件的。無條件的愛就是完全的接納，如同耶穌在登山寶訓中告訴我們的「叫日頭照好人，也照歹 人，降雨給義人，也給不義的人。」「要愛你們的仇敵，為那逼迫你們的禱告。」這就是無條件的愛，我們也
要 學習以這樣的方式，去愛我們的弟兄姊妹。(三)神的愛是毫無保留的愛。神將祂的獨生子賜給我們，是一種毫無保留的愛，有時我們接納，但卻有保留，神卻把最 好的賜給我們。這種毫無保留的愛，我從教會的弟兄姊妹中有深刻的學習，教會中有一位媽媽，總是把自己最好的給有需要的弟兄姊姊，送食物給神學生吃，在教會 有需要時，把自己大的房子，賣掉換小的房子把錢奉獻給教會。我深受到她的感動，慢慢的她的生命也就影響我的生命，我相信她在天上的賞賜是大的。(四)神的 愛是樂意饒恕的愛。第十節中講到，「神差他的兒子，為我們的罪作了挽回祭」，罪的工價是死，但是神愛我們，差祂的兒子救贖我們的罪，讓我們從與神為敵，到 成為神的兒女，神這樣樂意饒恕的愛，是我們需要學習的。教會中很多的問題是因為不願意饒恕，神愛我們，為我們的罪做了挽回祭，因著這樣的愛而使神的怒氣消 退，就饒恕了我們所犯的罪，這種饒恕的愛是非常重要的。在教會中彼此相愛所需要面對的問題，饒恕是一個很重要的功課，一個人對神的愛有越深刻的體驗，就越 能成為彼此相愛的人，如果我們都能夠有這樣的體驗，活出神的愛，讓教會望著這樣的標竿直跑，讓神的愛充滿在教會中，便會帶來以下三方面的祝福。
二、 讓愛復活的福氣
第一個祝福，是顯出神的同在。第十二節中說「從來沒有人見過神，我們若彼此相愛，神就住在我們裡面，愛他的心在我們裡面得以完全了。」當教會充滿愛時，人 來到我們中間，就會感受到神的同在，如果教會裡沒有彼此相愛的氣氛，進來的人就沒有辦法感受到神的同在。雖然從來沒有人看見神，但彼此相愛時，人就看見 神，因為神就住在我們中間。第二個祝福，是完全神的大愛。第十二節中說「愛他的心在我們裡面得以完全了。」神的愛本來就很完全了，為什麼還要去完全呢？因 為神的愛雖然完全，在我們裡面卻不完全，但我們若彼此相愛，神的愛就完全了。使徒保羅說，我們要明白神的愛是何等長闊高深，不是一個人，乃是與眾聖徒一同 明白。神的心意是要讓這長闊高深的愛在教會的弟兄姊妹中間得以完全。第三個祝福，是讓我們見證神的福音。第十四節中說「父差子作世人的救主，這是我們所看 見且作見證的」。耶穌說，你們若有彼此相愛的心，眾人就認出你們是我的門徒，當我們彼此相愛的時候，就是福音很大的見證，福音是叫人與神和好，當我們彼此 相愛，人與人和好的時候，福音的見證就會顯出來。「父差子作世人的救主」是一個客觀的真理，透過我們彼此相愛，人們真的可以看見神差遣耶穌基督來到世上， 這就是看得見的福音。很多時候我們傳福音讓人聽見，但沒有讓人看見。看得見的福音就是弟兄姊妹彼此相愛，求神幫助我們，讓我們一同領受在彼此相愛裡神要給 我們的祝福。相信弟兄姊妹若真的行在彼此相愛的真理裡，神的同在要在這裡發生，神的大愛要在這裡完全，神的福音要在這裡彰顯出來，教會就會復興起來，求神 施恩典賜福給我們。當使徒約翰快九十歲時，已經不能講道了，弟兄姊妹抬著他來聚會，當聚會結束時，使徒約翰撐著坐起來走到前面，口中只有一句話：「你們要 彼此相愛，你們要彼此相愛…」這是他最後的證道，也是他對教會最後的勸勉。
﹙本文未經講員過目，由郭李永怡姊妹整理﹚
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
