The history of business in missions begins in the book of Genesis when God created the world and gave it to man to rule over. Through the resources God provided, He allowed humans to work and live on the earth even after mankind fell into sin. God’s purpose is to bring fallen humans back into a relationship with Him. Business is a part of God’s plan to bless human beings and to show them that He is their Provider and LORD. Throughout history we see how business is an avenue for God’s Word and the gospel to spread to the world. This paper will look at business in biblical history and in the history of missions of the last two millenniums.

Old Testament

Starting from the beginning of history, people were engaged in business. Adam was a farmer (Gen 3:18-19)[1]. Abel kept flocks and Cain was a farmer. [2] Noah became a farmer.[3] Abraham was rich in cattle, silver, and gold and he had servants. Abraham bought the first piece of the Promise Land, a field and cave to bury Sarah for 10 pounds of silver.[4] Isaac and Jacob have many slaves, flocks, and herds.[5] We see how the slave trade was part of the redemption story. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders,[6] where he was bought by Potiphar the captain of the Egyptian palace guard. As the Prime minister of Egypt, Joseph was a shrewd financial manager for the country. In the Law God gave to Moses, there are many ordinances related to how to conduct business and show kindness through business dealings. For example, in the Ten Commandments, it forbids stealing and coveting the possessions of others.  Boaz who married Ruth was a wealthy landowner with many workers. A financial transaction took place in order for Boaz to marry Ruth.[7] Ruth would later become the grandmother of King David. David’s son Solomon built the temple of the LORD by purchasing cedar and pine wood from Hiram, the king of Tyre.[8] Job was a rich rancher who owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys and a large number of servants.[9]  Solomon organized the first Hebrew commercial sea venture by building ships and using experienced men from King Hiram to sail to Ophir. This successful business venture netted them 420 talents of gold.[10] We must not ignore the sins connected to commerce with other countries. Many Old Testament prophets prophesied against the rich trading cities such as Sidon and Tyre. Israel fell into the sin of Baal worship when Jezebel, daughter of the prince of Sidon, married Ahab, king of the northern kingdom of Israel[11]

New Testament

In the New Testament we see even more examples of businessmen and businesswomen being used in God’s plan of redemption. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was a carpenter and so was Jesus before He started to preach the Kingdom of God. In Business as Mission, Neil Johnson observed: “As a businessmen – a carpenter by trade – Jesus was intimately familiar with the necessities of running a business and making a living”.[12] Matthew was a tax collector and the disciples Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen.[13]  Some women who were healed of sicknesses and evil spirits supported Jesus and His disciples using their own money.[14] The apostle Paul, and his coworkers Aquila and Priscilla all worked in the tent making trade.[15] Luke was a doctor and one of Paul’s coworker Zenas was a lawyer.[16] Early people converted to Christianity included those who are in finances and business such as the Ethiopian eunuch who was in charge of the finances of the Queen Candace and Lydia of Thyatira who was a seller of purple cloth.[17] By AD 57, as a tentmaker and apostle, Paul had established churches in four provinces of the Empire, Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia. [18]  Corinthian bronze and the Cilician cloth that was the raw material of Paul’s tent-making trade were probably distributed, locally or abroad, by the same kind of private enterprise as Lydia’s cloth business.[19] David Befus in Kingdom Business makes the following observation about Paul:

The example of Paul is a good case for thinking about missionary businesses. He worked to generate his salary, and was a sole proprietor, who had full control of his business. His vocation as a leather artisan was apparently highly paid throughout the Roman Empire, and his business was sufficiently profitable that a single person needed to work only a few days per week to support himself, leaving the other days free for ministry activity. (Acts 18:1-4).[20]

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:  ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer

 ³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Background  and History

Most commentators believe that Paul wrote Philippians during his first imprisonment in Rome from AD 60-62. This was where Paul was at the end of the book of Acts. Paul founded the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey in AD 50. Acts 16 recorded how Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke tried to go to Mysia and Bithynia and God did not let them go there. So they went down to the Aegean port of Troas. It was there that Paul received the “Macedonian Call” during a dream were he saw a man of Macedonia begging him to come and to help them in Macedonia.  So they went west and set foot on what is today Europe. They realized that this is God’s will and went to Philippi. By the river they preached the gospel to the Jewish women there and a businesswoman named Lydia believed and later her whole household. From there they met a girl possessed by a spirit and her masters used her to tell fortunes and after casting out the spirit they were imprisoned for ruining her master’s fortune-telling business. BTW, do you pray for the fortune-tellers you see in the neighborhood? God displays His power in prison. During the night, while Paul and Silas was worshipping the Lord, there was a big earth quake, the jailer thought they all escaped and wanted to kill himself.  But they saved his life by telling him that they are all there and told him how he can be saved. They told him to believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.  The happy ending was the jailer and his whole household was saved. This was the beginning of the Philippian church. Look at how the Philippian church have grown in these 10 years! Now Paul and Timothy the original church planters are addressing the saints there along with their overseers and deacons. Overseers or bishops are the same as the elders mentioned in the other letters. They are the pastors/elders/overseers of the church. Note that there were plural pastors in the early church. Also they had deacons who helped with the other functions of the church, such as the distribution of aid to the widows. This letter is also a thank you letter for the financial support of the Philippians. That’s why Paul is calling them his partners in the gospel. Paul also sees them as under his spiritual care and guidance. Even though they have grown spiritually and numerically in these 10 years, but Paul wants them to grow even more in their spiritual maturity. In verse 9 we see his prayer for them.

He prays that their love would overflow with knowledge and insight. Paul did not just list this prayer just as a FYI. Paul shares his prayer to the Philippians because he knows this is what they need. The Philippians have love for Paul and God, no doubt. This is evidenced by the way Paul calls them partners in the gospel. But they need more true knowledge and discernment in their love for God and others.  He shows them this kind of love in his letter. He even says that he loves them with the affection of Christ Jesus. Can we have this kind of love that we can say to someone that I love you with the affection of Christ Jesus? How can our love increase more and more with knowledge and discernment?

Today we will look at 7 things that can help our love to abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.

1. We need to know God’s love

To abound in love we need to first know God’s love. This word “knowledge” is defined as precise and correct knowledge or insight. It is used in the NT of the things ethical and divine.

How do you know God loves you? Have you experienced God’s love through reading the bible? Have you experienced His love through other believers? We can see and experience God’s love through Paul’s writings. Just as Paul expressed his love for the believers, we know these feelings are from God. Therefore, we can be sure of God’s joy in our partnership with Him in the gospel. We can be sure of God’s faithfulness to carry us through to the end. We can be sure of God’s good purposes in our life. God is not like an anxious parent watching his children ride the bike for the first time. God’s love is confident and God’s love gives us confidence.  His love gives us confidence in our present situation and in our future situation. God’s love is constant and affectionate.  We can be sure just as Paul has the Philippians in his heart, God has us in His heart. We can be sure of God’s affection for us, just as Paul has affection for the Philippians.

Knowing God’s love is the greatest of all knowledge we can possess. Karl Barth, was one the most influential theologians of the 20^th century. He fought vigorously against the Protestant liberalism in the universities and seminaries . Several years before his death the Swiss theologian Karl Barth came to the United States for a series of lectures. At one of these, after a very impressive lecture, a student asked a typically American question. He said, “Dr. Barth, what is the greatest thought that has ever passed through your mind?” The aging professor paused for a long time as he obviously thought about his answer. Then he said with great simplicity:

‘Jesus loves me! This I know For the Bible tells me so”

This is Karl Barth’s conclusion after all these years of study, research, and living for the Lord. We don’t need to be a great theologian to know this. But we can take this thought with us as we go to our school, our work, our family. What is the driving force of your life? May our life be driven by the knowledge of God’s love.

2. We need to know God’s will

God has made His will very clear on many things through His Word. There are even verses that says directly, “It is God’s will that…” For example, take a look at 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. These are good verses to memorize.

As Christians sometimes we can have trial and errors in seeking God’s will, but we can still walk in discernment. Even in the founding of the church of Philippi, it was after a couple of trial and errors that Paul and his companions finally found out where God wants them to go. They were stopped by the Holy Spirit from going into the places they think they should go at first. After they discerned the will of God through trial and error, they experienced the spiritual harvest in Philippi and the gospel was established in Europe to eventually spread over all across that continent.  To be discerning, we must first have the knowledge of God’s will through His word. Then we can pray for God to show us what to do. For example, we see at the beginning of the book of Acts the disciples faced a problem. Peter told them that according to the Scripture in Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 that they need to find a replacement for Judas. This is clearly the will of God that God revealed to Peter through His Word. But how do they choose the replacement? They know that the criteria are the person has to be with Jesus from the beginning. So, God lead them to select 2 people. But then they don’t know which of the two they should choose, so they prayed.   God lead them to cast lots. Casting lot has biblical precedence. For example, Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” The lot fell to Matthias, so he was added to the eleven apostles. When we know the will of God – such as the Great Commandment to love God with all our hearts, mind, soul, and strength and to love others as ourselves and the Great Commission to go make disciples of all nations, then we can pray and ask God to show us how He wants us to live this out. God will give us understanding and insight. In 2 Timothy 2:7, after Paul compared the Christian life to being a soldier and a farmer, he said to Timothy: “Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. ^“
Brothers and sisters, what are the things that you know are clearly God’s will? How is your life aligned to God’s will? What are things you need wisdom from God to carry out his will?

3. We need to grow in wisdom

Let me share with something I do for my morning devotions time. You know there are 31 chapters of Proverbs. Since they are 30 to 31 days in a month usually, I can read through Proverbs once a month. Proverbs contains so many words of knowledge and insight. It’s a good reminder everyday. I believe reading it will increase your wisdom and insight. This is how Proverbs describe itself:

   The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:  ² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
   for understanding words of insight; ³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
   doing what is right and just and fair; ⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,
   knowledge and discretion to the young— ⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
   and let the discerning get guidance— ⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
   the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles

Verse 7 tells us the foundation of our wisdom is to fear God above all other things:

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,   but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I can’t say I feel wiser after reading Proverbs in my devotions for a couple of years now. But I know that reading it reminds me to walk in wisdom. We need this reminder constantly because it’s so easy to fall into our old sinful nature when we forget to keep God’s Word in our mind. Proverbs will remind us to keep wisdom in mind, stay humble, fear the Lord, and walk with integrity.

4. We need to know the boundaries

As Christians we all know that we should be loving people. We know that God is love and being in Christ means we should love not only God but also other people. However, knowing how to love with knowledge and discernment is so needed in our lives today. That’s why when the book Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend came out in 1992 it became so popular. Because Christians were confused about what it means to love others. They need knowledge and discernment.  Some of the things this book addressed are: How do we love someone who constantly hurt us? When to say yes? When to say no? Can I set limits and still be a loving person? What are legitimate boundaries? How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money? Aren’t boundaries selfish?

The book tells the story of Stan, a believer who tries to do everything people want him to do. He told the author that his problem is “loving too much”. He says, “I do far more for people than I should. And that makes me very depressed.” The author replied to him, “I’m not quite sure what you are doing, but it certainly isn’t love. The Bible says that true love leads to a blessed state and a state of cheer. Love brings happiness, not depression. If your loving is depressing you, it’s probably not love.” As it turns out Stan did things for others not out of love, but out of fear of other’s anger. This fear kept him from saying no to others. It is important that our love is truly from God and is based on God’s love. Who here likes people to be mad at you? But if Jesus came not to offend anyone, how would it be like? If Paul and the apostles are afraid of people being mad at them, how will the history of Christianity be like? As Christians, we can’t let the fear of people’s reaction keep us from doing what is right. Being loving means we walk in both grace and truth.

5. We need to learn from our experiences

As our love grows more and more in knowledge and insight, we will be able to love according to God’s will, and not according to our own flesh. Remember how Peter tried to show his human concern to Jesus by discouraging Jesus from going to the cross and was rebuked directly and firmly by Jesus in Matthew 16?

16:21 From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer  many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 16:22 So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him:  “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!” 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.”  

We see that Jesus didn’t even respond with a parable. His quick reply to Peter shows the seriousness of Peter’s sin. Peter may have said this out of ignorance, but Jesus knows that the source of this earthly love is from Satan and not from God. Sometimes we also need to confront in love as Jesus did. Do you find it easy to love others when it makes others feel good, but you can’t seem to show the same kind of love when you need to confront someone? I hope that I can have such a quick response when I need to confront someone or take action. I remember when I was helping in youth ministry, how many times I just stood by when I should have said something or acted to address a situation. Sometimes it is out of fear of doing something wrong, sometimes it is not being sensitive to people’s needs. I remember one time I went with some parents and youths on an outing to do paddle boating. There were 2 youths in front of us, a brother and sister, and I was in a boat with a dad and his 10 year old daughter. As we paddled, there was a place where there is a slight drop and there were some rocks. I saw the 2 youths in front of me got into trouble and their boat turned over. I didn’t want to jump in to help them because I was afraid my boat with the little girl might turn over also. Since the water was waist deep, I thought that they should be ok. So I paddled by them as calmly and carefully as possible to get to the shore. However, later, one of the youth came up to me and told me how traumatic it was for her to see me calmly paddle by without seeming to care about them. I guess for her that was as bad as seeing their boat turning over. I didn’t know how my lack of action had affected them. I learned that I should show my concern for the other boat even though I didn’t think I could help them at the time.  How about in our lives? Have we been so focused to keep our own boat afloat that we failed to care for the plight of others? I’m not saying that the wisest thing for me is to jump out of my boat to help them at that moment, but at least I should called out to them and ask if they are ok or need help. Sometimes that is all we can do and all we need to do at that moment.

We can’t grow in our knowledge and discernment without practice. Therefore the more we attempt to be loving in Christ, the more we will learn how to love in Christ. As we see how imperfect we are in loving others, let us not get discouraged, but be encouraged that the more we love, the more we will learn how to love with more and more knowledge and insight. For it is God who is working in us to love others. To Him be all the glory.

6. We need to learn from others

So how can we distinguish between the love from God and the love from our sinful flesh? James gives us insight into the differences.

3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 3:15 Such  wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 3:16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating,   full of mercy and good fruit,   impartial, and not hypocritical.   3:18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness   is planted   in peace among those who make peace.

Here James asked the question: Who is wise and understanding among you? You probably have seen this kind of wisdom in the life of mature godly believers. Learn from them. They are living examples God has given to you. I remember when I first became a Christian, how I long to exhibit the qualities of those mature believers I see at church. I tried to copy the way they talk, copy the way they act. But spiritual growth takes time. We may see a new believer being very zealous for the Lord, very passionate, but there are still many thing God need to work in them – like the selfishness, pride, envy, and immorality. We are all growing in these areas and we should pray for God to keep growing us in these areas. As we mature in our walk with Christ and our knowledge of His word, let us not lose the child-like zeal and passion for God that we had when we first believed and when we first tasted how good God is. As you learn from other mature believers how to love as a Christian, other believers will also be looking at you to learn how to love as a Christian. With such a great privilege and responsibility, let us offer ourselves to God’s leading so that we can grow more and more mature in our love.

7. We need to be lead by God’s Spirit

Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to know that having the knowledge and discernment from God doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing. Look at Paul. What happened to him? In 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 he says this to them:

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,…”

Abounding in love is what the Christian life is about. We are called by God who is the source of love to love Him and others. Yet this is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. As you yield to the Holy Spirit your life, your life will have more and more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The way you love God and others will grow in these qualities of Godly character and discernment. This is the fruit of living a life surrendered to Christ. So that you can choose what is the best and to keep a pure and blameless conduct as you live on earth awaiting the return of our Savior. You will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. This is all to the glory and praise of God.

Brothers and sisters, I see myself falling short so much in loving others. How many times have I failed to love others with God’s love out of fear or out of selfishness?  Such as failing to share the gospel to someone from another religion out of fear. May God help us all to fill our minds and hearts with the knowledge of God’s word and His love for us and others. Let us pray for our love to abound more and more in the knowledge of God’s word and in the insight of God’s will, so we can produce the fruit of righteousness in our life for His glory. Let’s pray.

It was just another day. I was in my 2^nd year of college. One evening, my brother and I went to play tennis at a park. The courts were all taken that day. We saw two Chinese teenage girls playing and a man was watching them. After talking with us a while, the man offered to let us play with these girls. I can remember the little girl’s devious smiles as they watched these 2 big guys coming to challenge them. We got beat pretty badly by these little girls, something like 6 to 1. We thought we were good. My brother was on a high school tennis team. Maybe we lost because of me. Anyways, before they left us beaten and totally embarrassed, the man invited us to their church youth group Christmas party. And the rest is history. We went to the church youth group party and saw the love there. We started going to youth group every Friday and church on Sundays and pretty soon we became part of God’s family. Today we will be looking at 2 Peter 3 to see how every day with God is not just another day. We will be looking at God’s patience, God’s standard, and God’s salvation.

II.                God’s patience

Let us turn to 2 Peter 3:1-7.

¹ Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. ² I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.  ³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶ By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷ By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

This chapter is Peter’s last words to us. These are things he has taught the readers before but wants to remind them again. First, he reminds the readers that their faith in God’s word will be tested in the last days. As time passes, Peter warns the people that some will start to doubt that Jesus will come back. Peter tells us not to be swayed by the words of scoffers.

In the local news recently, there’s a radio station claiming that May 21^st 2011 is Judgment Day. The bible clearly tells us that no one knows the day or hour when Jesus will come back. So, how should we respond to these predictions? It’s understandable that people will laugh at the notion of the end of the world. One newscaster says with a smile that she will remember to put the date in her calendar.

What should our attitude be towards the Lord’s return? Let’s look at Acts 1:6-7.  ⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  ⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We have been given a mission by Jesus before He comes back. God is concerned about the nations being set free from the bondage of darkness to live in the light.  We should always be ready for Christ to come back at any time. Peter wants us to have an pure mind toward God’s Word because it’s easy to let our mind be bombarded with so many other things that we forget to stay focused on our purpose here on earth as God’s people. Sometimes more information is not the answer to our problems, but we really need to get back to the basics of living a healthy and godly life.  Like we have the junk e-mail folder, we need to filter the things that come into our mind, which ones belong in the inbox and which one belongs in the junk email folder. Then pray for God to delete those things in our mind’s junk email folder.

One may still ask why Christ hasn’t come back yet. Vs. 8-9 tells us “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  I became a Christian at the age of 20. Think of how patient God is to wait so long for me to come to know Him? Can you wait 20 years to marry a girl you love? Maybe Jacob can wait 7 years. It’s good to know God is so patient with us.  But let’s never take God’s patience for granted. Proverbs 29:1 warns us: “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” This verse almost reminds me not to try God’s patience.

We read in vs. 8 that “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day”.  What does this mean? It means that God is not constrained by time as we are.  A thousand years can be like a day to God and a day can be like a thousand years to God. The longest of time is short to God and the shortest of time is long to God. God keeps His promise just in time even though we may think it’s taking too long. On the other hand, in a short time, God can do things we can’t even imagine will ever happen. So how should we live knowing that while God is not constrained by time, we are constrained by time? We should remember how short our life is and use it for things that matters in eternity. On the other hand, we should also remember how long it is in God’s hands and how many things God can do in our lifetime. May God give us a sense of urgency and also patience as we reach out to people who don’t know God.

God’s desire is that all will repent and believe in His Son. Does that mean everyone will be saved? The exclusive view that salvation is only through Jesus Christ is hard to talk about in today’s diverse society. Today to believe in absolute truth is to be seen as intolerant and narrow-minded. But, John 3:18, which is rarely quoted compared to John 3:16 says “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” What will motivate us to pray fervently for the salvation of the people if we are not truly convicted that they are lost with Christ? What will motivate missionaries to go out on the mission field, giving up everything, to sometimes die and be buried there if they are not fully convinced that people are lost for eternity if the gospel is not preached to them? Brothers and sisters, let us be fully convinced that there’s no other name by which one is saved except in Jesus Christ. May we pray for the salvation of the lost with a fresh conviction from the Holy Spirit.

Vs. 10 tells us: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” The fire here is talking about the judgment of God.  As believers we don’t have to be afraid of the consuming fire of God because when He comes it is for our salvation to make things right.  But we will appear before God and our works will be tested by fire. We must never forget that the God who loves the world is also holy. Jesus is not only the lamb which takes away the sins of the world, but He is also the lion of the tribe of Judah who will judge the world one day. That’s why we should be always thankful towards God and always have an attitude of reverence and awe before God.

III.             God’s standard

Let look at Vs. 11-12a. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming”

Peter is one of the first disciples to recognize his own sinfulness and unworthiness when He encountered the holiness of Jesus. Luke 5:8 tell us, “But when Simon Peter saw it (the miraculous catch of fish), he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord,  for I am a sinful man!” Peter is the first one to recognize Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He was one of the 3 disciples who witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus (Mat 17:2, Mar 9:2). Peter also knows how weak he was when he denied Christ 3 times.  Peter sees both the grace of God and holiness of God as the keys to his life in Christ. That’s why he ends this letter encouraging the readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to live a holy and godly life? First we need recognize who we are in Christ. In 1 Peter 2:9, he tells us that we are a royal priesthood and a people for God’s own possession”.  Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 5:20 that we are ambassadors of Christ who God is making His plea to the world.  We must see ourselves as God’s priests and ambassadors for Christ. It’s not that we are qualified in our own righteousness to function in these roles. By it’s by God’s grace through the work of Christ on the cross. We need to humble ourselves to accept such a grace from God and to live accordingly. Brothers and sisters, preparing to speak today had a sanctifying effect in my life this past 2 months because I know I’m going to deliver God’s word to His beloved saints. In the same way, when you let people know that you are a Christian, you are putting yourself out there as a representative of God. When you share the gospel with people, it has a sanctifying effect on the whole environment.  When we live out our role as God’s representative to the world, it sanctifies both us and the world.

In his book “True Evangelism” the author Lewis Sperry Chafer, who is the founder of Dallas Seminary, wrote a chapter on the cleansing of the priest. In the OT, priests must be cleansed before they can perform their duties. Unless we see ourselves serving in the role of God’s priests, we may not see the need to be cleansed daily. Chafer sees a direct correlation between the believer’s ability to effectively pray for the salvation of the lost and the unconfessed sins in the believer’s life. He writes: “It may be concluded from the foregoing testimony that defilement in the believer:

- hinders every phase of his priestly office,

- makes fellowship with CHRIST impossible, and

- robs him of his personal joy and blessing.”

1 John 1:8-9 tell us, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Let’s keep a short account with God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:4) When we confess our sins God purifies us again and restores the joy of being in fellowship with Him.

Also, when we hope for Christ’s coming, this hope purifies us. Vs. 13-14 tells us: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ”

If your parents went on vacation without you, would you clean up the house just before they come back? If you think they won’t come back for a long time, would you still clean up the house? Likewise, if your boss went on vacation, how will you work when he is not there? Long or short, it’s the expectation of Christ’s return to establish His righteous kingdom on earth that gives us hope and purifies our hearts. We know that we will face a Holy God one day and all our works will be tested by His fire. No one can guarantee what will happen today or tomorrow. One day, either you will go meet God or He will come to meet you. Either way you should always be ready to meet God and show Him your works. This is not for your salvation, but it for your rewards. How happy you are to see Him depends on how much you expect Him to come back. No matter how tough is your current situation or how bad you may feel about your life, remember that God will make things right one day. Don’t give up hope! God will remember all your faithful deeds and all your struggles to obey Him. Keep fighting the good fight of your faith!

IV.             God’s salvation

Vs. 15 tell us “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.” We don’t know when Jesus will come back. But we know that everyday he is not back yet is another day that someone can be saved. We don’t know when someone will accept Christ, but we can always plant the seeds. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” God has created us all with a sense of eternity.  When I think back on my pre-Christian years, God reached out to me many times. So, when did God reach out to me? Every time a Christian made an effort to invite me to a bible study or fellowship, a Christian retreat, when they shared about their experience with God, when they invited me to their church outing, when they do something nice for me, these are  all “God moments”. I’m sure there were also many people who prayed for my salvation, whom I won’t know until I get to heaven. These are my “God moments” before I became a Christian. Would you like to be a part of someone’s “God moment”? When you invite someone to know God more and when you pray for them, you are operating in your God given role of being a Priest and ambassador. Although people may say no to you many times, like I did before, if they ever come to Christ, they will appreciate everything you did for them. Why do we feel like such failures in evangelism sometimes? If only we realize all the good things we can do for people and all the good things we are doing for people as God’s priests and ambassadors. Whenever you do anything that gives people a good impression of Christians or God, whenever you share your testimony of God, whenever you invite them to church activities, all these can be the “God moments” in their journey to know God. God’s purpose for our life is that everyone may come to our senses and be restored to a relationship with Him. With God, every day is not just another day, but it is filled with His patience for salvation. Let us pursue a life of godliness and holiness as we wait for Christ’s return and let us fill each day with prayers for the lost and good deeds to reach the lost. Today I brought some gospel tracts to give away. Sometimes we don’t know what to say, but if we have the heart to share the good news with others, these little tracts can help us communicate the message. I encourage you to pick some up and use them.

Let’s pray.

This week, Mark Geppert, who is the President and Founder of South East Asia Prayer Center, came to speak at ROLCC on Wednesday night prayer meeting and also at today’s English Service.

On Wednesday night, the first thing Mark Geppert said to us was “Thank you so much for your support of the ministry”. The children of 20 families in Tibet has been saved and their families come to salvation in Christ as a result of the Touching Heart ministry, which performs surgery on children with fatal heart conditions. As you can remember, this is the ministry that my brother John was involved in, and River of Life Foundation established the John Lei Kids program to contribute to this ministry.

Today Mark Geppert preached on the book of John and how Jesus came to give us life and the life is so abundant that we can be life givers to others. He says that when he looks at all the Foundations people set up in their life, basically they all want to continue to contribute to giving people a better life when they are gone. The goal is to contribute to a better life for others. When I think about how the River of Life Foundation set up the program in my brother’s name, I’m just so thankful. John was able to contribute to giving life to others and this work will continue for a long time. I don’t even think if I can do better than what he accomplished.

Let us remember that God is always good to our family. May God continue to guide us to know Him more and more this year. Let us continue to be a family of “life-givers” to give a better life to many other people.

Love,

Mike

On Tuesday, the first day, in the afternoon main session, Corey Russell pointed out to us that the sin of this generation is the spirit of laziness. He challenged us to go to bed at 10pm and wake up early in the morning to spend time with God. I realize I need to make some simple yet profound adjustment in my schedule to be able to hear God. In the evening session, Mike Bickle went through the story of how God called him through the decades and showing him to see Jesus as Bridegroom, King, and Judge. He talked about loving God is the first thing in our lives. I have embraced this calling in the past, but through the years, this conviction and lifestyle have been watered down. So God is calling me again to embrace loving Him first as the primary goal of my life.

On Wednesday, in the morning session Stuart Greaves talked about God’s calling to the black community. Shelley Hundley shared her testimony of being abused growing up and hating Christianity and how she got saved. I didn’t take many notes, but her story really gripped me to realize how much God loved us. In the afternoon, Mike Bickle continues his message about the eternal rewards we will receive. He says he wants to be rich, but he wants the eternal riches, and not the temporal ones. One of the speakers of the day challenged the young people to pray and fast for their parents 1 day a week. I also got up and commit to pray and fast for my parents 1 day a week that God will release His blessings and promises on their dreams. In the evening, Lou Engle talked about the word “church” came from the word “ekklesia”, which has the meaning of a governing assembly. Therefore when the ekklesia meets together, we are an assembly of rulership with Christ on the throne. Through prayer we can crush the gates of hell. I see the power of prayer is in the authority that Christ gives to us as the church.

On Thursday, in the morning session, Dana Candler talked about prayer and fasting as mourning for the Bridegroom Jesus and longing for His return. The reward of fasting is that we can experience God’s answers more and in a faster way. Again, his message was a call to make fasting a regular part of my life, i.e. fasting once a week. The next speaker Wes Martin talked about fasting from 2 Cor 12, where the passage talks about power is perfected in weakness. Wes Martin mentioned that he was born again at age 20, which is the same as me. It encourages me to see this young man being used by God and being saved at the same age as me

On Thursday, I went to the healing ministry in the afternoon. I have already went on the Tuesday and asked for healing for my family and personal life.   On Thursday, I asked for the same things. But this time, the healing ministers asked me about my relationship with my parents growing up. Through the conversation, I see that root of some of my struggles is from childhood. Therefore, I need to get healing for the inner child inside. I appreciate their prayers of healing and blessing for me that day. Through the healing ministry, I got hope that I can become a more affectionate and healthy person through God’s healing.

In the afternoon session, Mike Bickle talked about sowing seeds and how he lived a life of giving away his money and seeing how God returns the money back to him. Even though he says sometimes the timing may not be what we expect, but he has experienced some miraculous provision from God at just the right time. He shared how when he got married, he convinced his bride to give away all her savings ($5K) to missions and how God multiplied back what they gave by 10X. The lifestyle of simple living and giving extravagantly is what I have learned and embraced in my Christian life. Mike’s message affirms and encourages me to continue to live simply and to give even more than what I have been giving.

In the evening session, Allen Hood talked about the body as the creation of God to contain His Spirit. Therefore, the defilement of the body is sin against the body. We must protect and treasure our body, including appreciating God’s design for each one of us. Allen calls especially the young ladies to treat their body with dignity even if they have made mistakes in the past. God can make their body clean, pure, and holy. He shared the story about his wife and how God spoke to him about how pure, holy, and dignified is the girl he was dating even though she shared about mistakes she made in the past. Wow, I really need to learn to see others the way God the Father see them!

On Friday, in the morning session, the first speaker is Stephen Venable. He spoke a powerful message about what it means to take up the cross daily. He spoke against the self-ambition, self-promotion, and self-preservation among Christians. We exist for God’s glory, not God exist for us. He challenged us to take up the cross daily is to go on a death march every day as a part of normal Christianity. Again his message resounds with what I have embraced as a Christian, but I needed the strong reminder not to water down my Christian walk. The next speaker Misty Edwards challenges us to talk with God in our mind instead of having useless conversations in our mind. I see that when I am abiding in God, I’m talking with Him. Misty tells us that God just wants to be with us. Our God is an all-consuming fire and Jealous for our love. She challenges us to just be with God. I see her life is hidden with Christ and my life should be also.

In the evening, there was an extended time of worship. Everyone was giving their all to worship. We sang the words “Fill us with the fullness of Your Spirit, Shekinah Glory come!” many times. As I looked around, I see how the young people gave their hearts to seek God’s Spirit to work in their life. The speaker Wes Hall spoke about healing and he let several people share about  their miraculous healing experiences, such as a girl’s back being straightened, a man is healed of depression and near-sightedness, a baby is healed of ear problems, and a man is healed in his back. He asked people to stand if they need physical healing and asked the people around them to pray for the people who stood up. I stood up and asked for prayer for some discomfort in my body. Some young people laid hands on me. A young girl prayed earnestly for me for God to cast out the discomfort. They prayed and prayed and I felt the discomfort leaving my body. I really appreciate their faith and perseverance in prayer.

Wow, what a great way to end 2010! Through this conference, God is drawing me back to Him to rekindle the love for Him in my heart. I realized that God cares so much for my love for Him and he orchestrated all these things to bring me back to loving Him as my First Love. Praise the Lord! -Mike

10-17-2010

Power in Weakness, 2 Cor. 12:7-10 軟弱中的能力

Brother Mike Lei 雷鴻弟兄

Let us turn to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.  

(林後12:7-10) 12:7 又恐怕我因所得的啟示甚大，就過於自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉體上，就是撒但的差役要攻擊我，免得我過於自高。
12:8 為這事，我三次求過主，叫這刺離開我。
12:9 他對我說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
12:10 我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱、凌辱、急難、逼迫、困苦為可喜樂的；因我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了。

Today we see that even a great apostle like Paul has weakness. Paul isn’t shy about his weakness. He doesn’t call attention to his weakness by describing what it is. He wants us to know that God’s grace is greater than our weakness. Whatever Paul’s weakness may be, he doesn’t tell us, but he tells us that it really bothers him, and he pleaded many times with God to remove it. Yet, when God tells Paul that God has a purpose to his weakness, Paul gladly embraced it and seek to glorify God through it.

今天我們看到即使是偉大的使徒如保羅也有他的軟弱。保羅對他的軟弱並不感到羞恥。他不以描述自己的軟弱來引人注意，而是要我們知道神的恩典是大過人的軟弱。保羅並沒有確切的告訴我們他的軟弱是甚麼，但他讓我們知道這軟弱確實很影响他，而且他多次求主除去這軟弱。然而，當神告訴保羅祂在這軟弱上有神的計畫時，保羅欣然接受，並且尋求透過自己的軟弱以榮耀神。

Today we will look at what is weakness, God’s purpose in our weakness, and what we should do in our weakness. 今天我們來看看甚麼是軟弱，神在我們軟弱中的計畫，和我們在軟弱中該做甚麼。

Weakness in the original Greek language is “astheneia”. Can everyone say “astheneia”? astheneia has 3 meanings: 軟弱在希臘原文是“astheneia”，有三個意思。

Number 1, weakness is a state of debilitating illness, sickness, or disease. For example, in Gal 4:13, we read from Paul, “As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.” We see even in illness Paul was used by God to preach the gospel.

第一，軟弱是一種生病、在疾病中的狀態。加拉太書4:13  〝你們知道我頭一次傳福音給你們，是因為身體有疾病。〞我們看見保羅縱使在疾病中也為神所用去傳福音。

Number 2, weakness is the incapacity for something or an experience of limitation. This can be hardships and persecutions, or it can be our sinful flesh. For example, in 1 Corinthians 15:43, Paul talks about the difference between the body we have now and the body we will receive in the resurrection, “it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” Have you surrendered to God your sinfulness instead of trying to pretend you can be good enough? Are you depending on Jesus Christ alone to save you from your sins?

第二，軟弱是在某件事的能力不足，或經驗到自己的有限。這可以是遇到艱難、受迫害，或可能是血氣之中所犯的罪。例如在哥林多前書15:43，保羅談到屬血氣的身體與復活的身體的不同。15:43 所種的是羞辱的，復活的是榮耀的；所種的是軟弱的，復活的是強壯的；你是否曾為你的罪回轉向神，而非掩飾自己，假裝自己還不錯？你是否單單倚靠耶穌基督救你脫離罪？

Number 3, weakness is the lack of confidence or feeling of inadequacy or the sense of helplessness. It can be the insults and difficulties we experience. In 1 Corinthians 2:3 Paul says “I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling”. Do you feel like this sometimes? I feel like this right now. J When Pastor Wang asked me if I would like to preach on this Sunday, I was excited and I said yes. But then I felt totally inadequate and helpless. That’s why I chose this passage. But what does Phil 4:13 tell us? “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”. Amen!

第三，軟弱是缺乏信心或感到不足，或感到無助。這可能是遭到羞辱或困難。在哥林多前書2:3，保羅說2:3 我在你們那裏，又軟弱，又懼怕又甚戰兢。你是否有時會有這種感受？我現在就有如此的感受。當王牧師問我是否願意主日來講道，我很興奮的答應了，但接著感到自己的不足和無助。這也是我選擇這節經文的原因。但是看看腓立比書4:13告訴我們甚麼？4:13 我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能做。阿們！ 

What are the purposes of astheneia or weakness? I see 5 purposes:神在軟弱中的計畫是甚麼呢？我看到有五個目的：

Number 1, weakness teaches us to be humble. Why does God give us weaknesses to make us humble? Because it’s so easy to be proud, it is so easy to exalt ourselves in our own eyes. James 4:6 says: “But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” Humility is truly a gift from God. Would you like to continue to receive God’s grace? Then be humble. When we are proud, we cut ourselves from God’s blessings and face God’s discipline.

第一，軟弱教導我們要謙卑。為什麼神要我們在軟弱中謙卑？因為我們太容易驕傲，用自己的眼光抬舉自己。雅各書4:6 4:6 但他賜更多的恩典，所以經上說：　神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。謙卑是神所賜的禮物，你是否願意繼續領受這份神的恩典？那麼，就謙卑吧！當我們驕傲時，我們拿走神的恩典，並且要面對神的管教。 

Number 2, weakness helps us to know God more. What have you learned about God through your weakness? Through the thorn in his flesh, Paul learned about the sufficiency, grace, and power of God, and much more. We’ve been praying for a sister to find a job so she can stay here. But in the end she has to move back overseas. But, we see God answering her prayers by giving her a marriage partner instead. Now, she is happy and excited to move back instead of being sad and reluctant. Do you see how God’s answer to our prayers can help us know Him better?

第二，軟弱幫助我們更認識神。你曾透過軟弱從神身上學到甚麼？保羅透過他肉身的刺學習到神的恩典夠用、以及神的大能等等。我們曾經為一位姊妹尋找工作好讓她能留下來禱告，但最後她必須搬到海外居住。但是我們看見神垂聽她的禱告，給了她婚姻的伴侶。現在她不再感到難過和不情願，反而是很高興能搬到海外。你們是否看到神回應禱告的方式能幫助我們更認識祂？

Number 3, weakness helps us to depend on God. In 2 Cor. 1:9, Paul confessed, “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” A young believer asked me, “Why do we need to pray if God already knows everything?” I told him, because prayer helps us learn to depend on God. How much are you depending on God? How much are you praying?

第三，軟弱幫助我們倚靠神。〝林後1:9 保羅承認：自己心裏也斷定是必死的，叫我們不靠自己，只靠叫死人復活的　神。〞一位初信者問我，如果神已經知道所有的事，為什麼我們還需要禱告？我告訴他，因為禱告幫助我們學習倚靠神。你倚靠神有多少？你付上了多少的禱告？

Number 4, weakness helps us to share the gospel. We don’t share the gospel by showing people how great we are, but how great God is. We don’t need to impress people in order to share the gospel with them. Jesus didn’t try to impress the people of His days.  He just preached the Word of God and lived obediently to the Father.  Our weakness can be the avenue for God to reach out to people. Paul joyfully wrote as he is in prison for the gospel, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” (Phil 1:12-23) Will you allow God to use your weakness for the cause of the gospel?

第四，軟弱幫助我們去傳福音。我們傳福音並不是讓人知道我們有多好，而是神有多好。去向人傳福音，並不需要去凸顯自己。耶穌在世上的日子，祂也並沒有去凸顯自己。祂只是傳講神的話，並且活出順服父神的生命。我們的軟弱能夠成為神所使用福音的出口。當保羅為了福音的緣故在監獄中，他滿有喜樂的寫道，我願意你們知道，我所遭遇的事更是叫福音興旺，(腓1:12-23) 你是否願意為了福音的緣故讓神使用你的軟弱？

Number 5, weakness helps us experience God’s power. You are in church plant that had just started this year, so it’s pretty small. Maybe the attendances have been up and down this year. It can be discouraging sometimes when there are less people. How can you experience God’s power in this situation? You can see God’s power working by how He will grow His church through each one of you. Each one of you can be God’s instrument to build His church here in McKinney. Amen? 1 Cor. 2:5 says, “so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” Do you want to be the instrument to display God’s power here in McKinney?

第五，軟弱幫助我們經歷神的大能。你們現在是在一間今年剛植堂的教會，所以規模還很小。也許聚會人數也是起起伏伏的。有時當人數少時，或許會感到不被鼓勵。如何在這種情況去經歷神的大能呢？你們可以看見神的大能是動工於透過你們每一個人使教會成長。你們每一個人都能成為神的器皿來建立教會，阿們？林前2:5 叫你們的信不在乎人的智慧，只在乎　神的大能。你是否願意在McKinney成為神的器皿以彰顯神的大能？

What can we do in our weakness? I see 4 things: 我們在軟弱中能做甚麼？有四件事：

First is Pray. We should first pray God will deliver us from our astheneia. Paul prayed three times for God to remove his thorn before God answered him. We should continue to pray for our weakness until God answers us. If you have an illness, pray for God’s healing and ask others to pray for you. James 5:14-15 tells us: “Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint ¹  him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up – and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

第一是禱告。我們應當首先禱告求神拿走我們的軟弱。在神回應保羅的禱告前，保羅三次求神拿走他身上的刺。我們應當持續的為自己的軟弱禱告直到神回應。如果你有疾病，求主醫治並請他人為你代求。雅各書5:14-15 5:14 你們中間有病了的呢，他就該請教會的長老來；他們可以奉主的名用油抹他，為他禱告。
5:15 出於信心的祈禱要救那病人，主必叫他起來；他若犯了罪，也必蒙赦免。

If you have difficulties, ask God for wisdom to know how to handle it. Maybe you have difficulty with a family member, with a coworker, or with a classmate. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” When you handle a difficult situation by following God’s way, people will notice it. One time, this happened to me at work and afterwards a coworker asked me what church I went to. I think his question was a result of the way I handled a difficult situation. 你如果有困難，向神求智慧以曉得如何處理。也許你和家人、同事或同學之間有問題，在雅各書1:5，1:5 你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的　神，主就必賜給他。當你遵照神的方式處理一個困難的情況，他人會察覺得到。有一次，這樣的情況發生在我工作的地方，事後一位同事問我是去哪間教會。我想他如此問是因為我曾處理過困境的方式所帶出的結果。

Second is to confess it. If you have a weakness, confess it to God and those who can pray for you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) If our righteousness is from Jesus Christ, then why do we try to look righteousness by trying to cover up our sinfulness?

第二是承認自己的軟弱。如果你有軟弱，向神承認，也請你的代禱者為你代禱。約一1:9 我們若認自己的罪，　神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。如果我們的義是從耶穌基督而來，那為什麼還要掩蓋自己的罪，好讓自己看來是個義人？

Third is to be glad in it. Be glad in your weakness, surrender it to God, ask Him to use it for His glory. Paul says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10) Nothing puzzles people more then to see cheerful Christians in the midst of adversity. So rejoice in your difficulties! Praise God continuously. Give thanks to God. Bless the people around you. 第三是在軟弱中喜樂。將自己交託給神，求神用這軟弱以彰顯祂的榮耀。保羅說，12:10 我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱、凌辱、急難、逼迫、困苦為可喜樂的；因我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了。(2 Cor. 12:10) 沒有甚麼事比看見在逆境中喜樂的基督徒更讓人感到困惑了。所以，在你的困境中喜樂，不斷的讚美神，向神謝恩，祝福你周遭的人。

Fourth is to help others. You can help others in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” You can be the instrument of God to help others going through difficulties. Pray for them and encourage them.  第四是去幫助別人。你可以在你的軟弱中去幫助人。林後1:3 願頌讚歸與我們的主耶穌基督的父　神，就是發慈悲的父，賜各樣安慰的　神。1:4 我們在一切患難中，他就安慰我們，叫我們能用　神所賜的安慰去安慰那遭各樣患難的人。你可以成為神的器皿去幫助經歷患難的人，為他們禱告、鼓勵他們。

Today I encourage you to be a church that displays God’s power in your astheneia, in your humility, and in your obedience. Let us pray.今天我鼓勵弟兄姊妹謙卑、順服的透過自己的軟弱以彰顯神的大能。讓我們一同禱告。

Esther faced a husband who has absolute power in his kingdom and who can put her to death if he is not pleased with her. It has been 30 days since he send for her, so there seems to be some distance between them. Esther has to talk with her husband and get him to be on her side. From Esther, I learned how to restore the unity in my relationship with my future wife if there has been some distance between us. First I need to do something she likes. Then, I need to do it until she is willing to listen to what I have to say.

Abigail faced a situation where her family was in danger, because her husband failed to offer basic hospitality to David and his men who have been kind to the men tending his sheep. Abigail hurriedly went to pacify the offended party by offering generous hospitality to them and humbly apologizing to David. She did not tell her husband before doing this. From this story, I learned that when my future wife did something harmful or wrong to others, I should immediately go to correct the problem, even if it means not talking to her first. I should let her know afterwards in private.

Hosea faced an unfaithful wife – Gomer. God faced an unfaithful wife -Israel. In both cases, God’s will is to call the unfaithful wife to repentance and to forgive her and receive her back. I learned from Hosea and God that I need to unconditionally love my future wife, whether she is faithful or not. This is the hardest thing to do. But since God has accepted us, we should accept our wife no matter what she did. May God help me to obey him if/when I face this kind of situation in my future marriage.

Anna faced widowhood only seven years after getting married. Yet, she didn’t remarry, but remained a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but served there night and day with fastings and prayers. I learned from Anna how to face the loss of a spouse. Although I can choose to remarry, staying single to serve the Lord is another option. It is better to be in God’s court one day than a thousand elsewhere. May I have this attitude to serve the Lord whether single or married.

Joseph faced a pregnant wife even before he was able to consummate the marriage. Joseph listened to the angel and married Mary even though it makes him look bad. I learned from Joseph to obey God in relationship and stay faithful even when staying married is a bad deal for me. I learned that God will reward our faithfulness and our willingness to accept the wife with all the problems she may bring into the marriage. May God help me to have this kind of faithful and obedient attitude when faced with a problem my future wife may bring into the marriage.

Thank you today the pastor at church prayed for me to break the strongholds in my life and I am set free from the fear of dark and spiritual attacks. I am set free from the free of the dark and spiritual attacks as I see you with me in that fearful situation. Your light dispelled all the darkness. You are strong and mighty. No evil can be around when You are here. Hallelujah! Thank You for bringing me here to receive the healing. May I be able to help others be set free from their strongholds. In Jesus name I pray. Amen