Monday, June 21, 2010

Surrender

I really have a hard time giving up control.  In fact, recently, I’ve really been struggling with this.  To be sure, God has definitely been dealing with me in regards to this issue, and has been convicting me at each layer of my spiritual journey and development that I must release the tight grip I have on my life and trust my whole being to Him.  There are quite a few areas of my life that I have happily given to God:  my salvation, my family, my job, my finances, etc. 



Yet, in spite of these seemingly large areas of my life that I have surrendered, I find myself still wanting to manage the “moments” of everyday life.  There are ways where I still fight for the reigns of control.  But God has been convicting me that as long as I continue to cling on to the right to “deal with my life”, I can’t fully experience the joy of trusting Him to the present.



The decision to give up control is basically stating, “Lord, I give up the right to protect myself even if it means experiencing hurt.”  Not exactly the easiest thing to do!
But when Christ becomes a part of our lives by indwelling us and giving us His Spirit, He begins to form us into the person He intended us to be.  He never intended for us to be self-protectors, imprisoned by our fears.   He intended for us to be fully reliant on Him, trusting Him with all of our hearts.



I have learned that God does not call us to act before we are ready.  But it does seem at times that readiness comes whether we feel ready or not.  Because in reality, true readiness isn’t based on our “feelings”, but based on how God sees us.  And from God’s perspective, He is always with us, and walking along side of us.  Therefore, God’s sovereign ways are the ONLY thing we can trust--not our emotions. 



I’m also learning that our responsibility as a Christ-follower isn’t to have it all worked out in our heads.  God never commands us to have it figured out.  But God does ask us to trust Him and to act on faith.  His Word and promises are sure.  We can depend on that regardless of how much “sense” it makes.



I believe each of us has an area of our life where God is asking us to fully trust Him.  We don’t have to understand why or how it will happen, but we can know that when we surrender our lives to Him, He will reveal Himself to us in deep and profound ways.



Right now, God is asking me to step forward in faith and trust Him with the day to day moments in my life.  He is asking me to submit each moment, each worry, each relationship--everything--to Him.



Lord, I trust you.   I surrender my life to you.  I release tomorrow to You and praise you in the TODAY.  Thank you for all that you’ve done for me and are continuing to do in me.


Traditional Chinese (繁體中文):
降服

放棄掌控對我來說是非常困難的。事實上,最近我一直在為此而努力。肯定的,上帝一直在為我解決這個問題, 祂讓我確信在我的每一層心靈,精神發展過程中,我必須放棄自我,信任祂,而把我所有一切呈獻給祂! 在我的生活中,我已經把 我的永生,我的家庭,我的事業以及我的財務都心甘情願交給上帝。

然而,儘管我把大部份的生活交給了上帝,可是我仍然想盡辦法希望自己能夠掌握著 ”一分一秒” 的日常生活。就在我爭取統治控制權時,上帝令我瞭解只要我繼續依靠自己的能力去解決我生命中的困難,我就無法體驗信認主耶穌的喜悅。

決定放棄掌控基本上是說,“主啊,即使是遭遇困難或是受到傷害,我也心甘情願的放棄保護自己的權利”。 這是一件非常不容易做到的事情。但是當主耶穌留置在我們的心目中,給予我們祂的聖靈,祂不但開始變成了我們的生命一部份而且把我們轉化成祂的形象。當主耶穌創造我們時,祂從來沒有打算讓我們成為一個僅依靠自己,總是生活在恐懼中的人。祂要我們完全依賴祂,全心全意的信任祂。

我領悟到,在我們還沒有預備好自己之前,上帝是不會呼召我們的。但有時時機成熟並不在於我們覺得預備好了沒有。因 為在現實中,真正預備好不是基於 “感覺”,而是基於上帝如何看我們。從上帝的眼光來看,祂永遠與我們在一起,與我們倂肩同行。因此,上帝神聖的方法是我們唯 一可以信任的 - 而不是基於我們的情緒或是感覺。

基督徒的责任並不是把所有的事情都能夠在腦子裏籌備齊全。上帝從未命令我們想通所有該做的事。但是上帝要求我們相信祂並開始以信仰行事。祂的經文和承諾是肯定的。無論是否有足夠的理由我們可以完全依賴祂。

Simplified Chinese (简体中文):
降服

放弃掌控对我来说是非常困难的。事实上,最近我一直在为此而努力。肯定的,上帝一直在为我解决这个问题,祂让我确信在我的每一层心灵,精神发展过程中,我必须放弃自我,信任祂,而把我所有一切呈献给祂!在我的生活中,我已经把我的永生,我的家庭,我的事业以及我的财务都心甘情愿交给上帝。

然而,尽管我把大部份的生活交给了上帝,可是我仍然想尽办法希望自己能够掌握着“一分一秒”的日常生活。就在我争取统治控制权时,上帝令我了解只要我继续依靠自己的能力去解决我生命中的困难,我就无法体验信认主耶稣的喜悦。

决定放弃掌控基本上是说,“主啊,即使是遭遇困难或是受到伤害,我也心甘情愿的放弃保护自己的权利”。 这是一件非常不容易做到的事情。但是当主耶稣留置在我们的心目中,给予我们祂的圣灵,祂不但开始变成了我们的生命一部份而且把我们转化成祂的形象。当主耶稣创造我们时,祂从来没有打算让我们成为一个仅依靠自己,总是生活在恐惧中的人。祂要我们完全依赖祂,全心全意的信任祂。

我领悟到,在我们还没有预备好自己之前,上帝是不会呼召我们的。 但有时时机成熟并不在于我们觉得预备好了没有。因为在现实中,真正预备好不是基于“感觉”,而是基于上帝如何看我们。从上帝的眼光来看,祂永远与我们在一起,与我们倂肩同行。因此,上帝神圣的方法是我们唯一可以信任的 - 而不是基于我们的情绪或是感觉。

基督徒的责任并不是把所有的事情都能够在脑子里筹备齐全。 上帝从未命令我们想通所有该做的事。但是上帝要求我们相信祂并开始以信仰行事。祂的经文和承诺是肯定的。无论是否有足够的理由我们可以完全依赖祂。

Thursday, May 20, 2010

中文圣经学习/Chinese Bible Study 腓利比书/Ph 1:1 (part 2)

— 腓利比书 1:1 中文圣经学习的第二部分. Part two of a Chinese Bible Study of Philippians 1:1.

中文圣经学习/Chinese Bible Study 腓利比书/Ph 1:1 (part 1)

腓利比书 1:1 中文圣经学习的第一部分. Part one of a Chinese Bible Study of Philippians 1:1.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

God's Love Letter

This is God's love letter to us, directly taken from His Word--the Bible.

My Child,

You may not know me, 
but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (
Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (
Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (
Acts 17:28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (
Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, 
for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth 
and where you would live (
Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (
Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented 
by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, 
but am the complete expression of love (
1 John 4:16). And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1). Simply because you are my child 
and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (
Matthew 7:11). For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (
Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (
Jeremiah 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love (
Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless 
as the sand on the seashore (Psalms 139:17-18). And I rejoice over you with singing (
Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (
Jeremiah 32:40). For you are my treasured possession (
Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you
 with all my heart and all my soul (
Jeremiah 32:41). And I want to show you great and marvelous things (
Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, 
you will find me (
Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you 
the desires of your heart (
Psalm 37:4). For it is I who gave you those desires (
Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you 
than you could possibly imagine (
Ephesians 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you 
in all your troubles (
2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, 
I am close to you (
Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, 
I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away 
every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). And I'll take away all the pain 
you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you 
even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (
John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, 
not against you (
Romans 8:31). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (
2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression 
of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved
 that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, 
you receive me (
1 John 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you 
from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). Come home and I'll throw the biggest party 
heaven has ever seen (
Luke 15:7). I have always been Father, 
and will always be Father (
Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is…
Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you (
Luke 15:11-32).



Love, Your Dad

The Almighty God


Traditional Chinese (繁體中文)
我的孩子:
你或許不認識我,我卻認識你的㆒切。(詩 139:1) 你坐㆘,你起來,我都曉得,(詩139:2) 我也深知你㆒切所行的;(詩139:3) 就是你的頭髮也都被數過了。(太10:29-31) 你是照著我的的形像所造的,(創1:27) 你生活、動作、存留,都在乎我,(徒17:28) 你也是我所生的。(徒17:28) 甚㉃在你尚未成形以先,我已曉得你,(耶1:4-5)在創立世界之前,我已揀選了你。(弗1:4) 你不是個錯誤,你所㈲的年㈰都㊢在我的冊㆖,(詩139:15-16) 我定準你的年歲和所住的疆界,(徒17:26) 你的受造,是極其奇妙可畏!(詩139:14) 我在你母腹㆗塑造你, (詩139:13) 領你由母腹㆗出來。(詩71:6) 我被不認識我的㆟所誤傳,(約8:41-44) 我並非冷漠而憤怒的,乃是完全的愛。(約壹4:16) 我願在你身㆖揮霍我的愛, 只因為你是我的孩子,我是你的父親。(約壹3:1) 我能給予你的,遠超過㆞㆖的父親所能給予你的,(太 7:11) 因為我是完全的父。(太5:48) 你所領受各樣美善的恩賜,都是從我來的,(雅 1:17) 因為我是你的供應者,我必供應你需的㆒切。(太6:31-33) 我向你所懷的意念是要叫你末後㈲指望,(耶29:11) 因為我以永遠的愛愛你。(耶31:3) 我向你的意念其數比海沙更多,(詩139:17-18) 我因你歡欣喜樂,(番 3:17) 我決不停止施恩與你,(耶32:40) 因你是我的珍貴的產業。(出19:5) 我全心全意栽培你於此㆞ (耶32:41) 我要將偉大奧㊙的事指示你,(耶 33:3) 如果你㆒心㆒意尋找我,就必尋見。(申4:29) 以我為樂,我就把你心裡所求的賜給你,(詩37:4) 因為是我在你心裏動工,使你心裡能立志行事。(腓 2:13) 我能為你成就㆒切,遠超過你所求所想的。(弗 3:20) 我是你最佳的鼓勵者,(帖後2:16-17) 也是在㆒切患難㆗安慰你的父親。(林後1:3-4) 你傷心的時候,我靠近你,(詩34:18) 如同牧㆟懷抱羊羔,我懷抱你在我胸前,(賽 40:11)
㈲㆒㆝,我要擦去你㆒切的眼淚並帶走你在世㆖的㆒切苦楚。(啟 21:3-4) 我是你的父,我愛你如同我愛我的兒子―耶穌㆒樣,(約17:23) 因為在耶穌裡,就顯明我對你的愛,(約 17:26) 祂是神本體的真像,(來 1:3) 祂來是表明我要幫助你,不是敵對你,(羅 8:31) 並告訴你:我不追究你的過犯。(林後5:18-19)
耶穌受死,使你可與我和好,(林後5:18-19) 祂的死,是我愛你最極致的表達(約壹4:10) 我為你捨棄了我所愛的㆒切,使我或許能得著你的愛。(羅8:31-32) 你若接受了這份禮物我的兒子耶穌,你就接受了我。(約壹2:23) 無論任何事都不能叫我的愛與你隔絕。(羅8:38-39) 回家吧!讓我為你預備㆒個㆝㆖所見過最大的宴席,(路15:7) 我㆒直是父親,也永遠是父親,(弗 3:14-15) 問題是…,你願意成為我的孩子嗎?(約1:12-13) 我在等著你。(路15:11-32)

愛你的
爸爸,全能㆖帝

Simplified Chinese (简体中文)
我的孩子:
你或许不认识我,我却认识你的一切。(诗139:1) 你坐下,你起来,我都晓得,(诗139:2) 我也深知你一切所行的;(诗139:3) 就是你的头发也都被数过了。(太10:29-31) 你是照着我的的形像所造的,(创1:27) 你生活、动作、存留,都在乎我,(徒17:28) 你也是我所生的。(徒17:28) 甚至在你尚未成形以先,我已晓得你,(耶1:4-5) 在创立世界之前,我已拣选了你。(弗1:4) 你不是个错误,你所有的年日都写在我的册上,(诗139:15-16) 我定准你的年岁和所住的疆界,(徒17:26) 你的受造,是极其奇妙可畏!(诗139:14) 我在你母腹中塑造你,(诗139:13) 领你由母腹中出来。(诗71:6) 我被不认识我的人所误传,(约8:41-44) 我并非冷漠而愤怒的,乃是完全的爱。(约壹4:16) 我愿在你身上挥霍我的爱, 只因为你是我的孩子,我是你的父亲。(约壹3:1) 我能给予你的,远超过地上的父亲所能给予你的,(太 7:11) 因为我是完全的父。(太5:48) 你所领受各样美善的恩赐,都是从我来的,(雅 1:17) 因为我是你的供应者,我必供应你需的一切。(太6:31-33) 我向你所怀的意念是要叫你末后有指望,(耶29:11) 因为我以永远的爱爱你。(耶31:3)我向你的意念其数比海沙更多,(诗139:17-18) 我因你欢欣喜乐,(番 3:17) 我决不停止施恩与你,(耶32:40) 因你是我的珍贵的产业。(出19:5) 我全心全意栽培你于此地,(耶32:41) 我要将伟大奥秘的事指示你,(耶 33:31) 如果你一心一意寻找我,就必寻见。(申4:29) 以我为乐,我就把你心里所求的赐给你,(诗37:4) 因为是我在你心里动工,使你心里能立志行事。(腓 2:13) 我能为你成就一切,远超过你所求所想的。(弗 3:20) 我是你最佳的鼓励者,(帖后2:16-17) 也是在一切患难中安慰你的父亲。(林后1:3-4) 你伤心的时候,我靠近你,(诗34:18) 如同牧人怀抱羊羔,我怀抱你在我胸前,(赛 40:11) 有一天,我要擦去你一切的眼泪并带走你在世上的一切苦楚。(启 21:3-4) 我是你的父,我爱你如同我爱我的儿子─耶稣一样,(约17:23) 因为在耶稣里,就显明我对你的爱,(约 17:26) 是神本体的真像,(来 1:3) 来是表明我要帮助你,不是敌对你,(罗 8:31) 并告诉你:我不追究你的过犯。(林后5:18-19) 耶稣受死,使你可与我和好,(林后5:18-19) 祂的死,是我爱你最极致的表达约 (壹4:10) 我为你舍弃了我所爱的一切,使我或许能得着你的爱。(罗8:31-32) 你若接受了这份礼物我的儿子耶稣,你就接受了我。(约壹2:23) 无论任何事都不能叫我的爱与你隔绝。(罗8:38-39) 回家吧!让我为你预备一个天上所见过最大的宴席,(路15:7) 我一直是父亲,也永远是父亲,(弗 3:14-15) 问题是…,你愿意成为我的孩子吗?(约1:12-13) 我在等着你。(路15:11-32)

爱你的
爸爸,全能上帝

Be Still

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God...”

I’ve been thinking about this command a lot over the past week as I’ve wrestled with my feelings of overwhelm over certain issues in my life. The study notes in my Bible says that the phrase “be still” in Hebrew probably means “Enough!”, and the word “know” in this context, means “acknowledge”.

The Hebrew definitions of these words make this command very personal for me. In a way, I sort of picture God watching me frantically run around in circles in my daily activity, while the lies of the Enemy work to discourage me. (From God's perspective, it must be pure craziness to watch me try to manage my life the way I do.) And in the midst of this flurry of confusion, I picture God in His loving way reaching out and firmly grabbing hold of me while saying, “Enough!...Enough...It’s time you acknowledge that I’m God.”

I don’t really know how else to add to that, except that I’m learning that knowing and acknowledging who God is means that I have to trust who God is. He is faithful, and He’s my Father. And only through Him can I experience daily rest. A life without Jesus is a life lived in futility--an endless rat-race physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Traditional Chinese (繁體中文):
詩篇 46章10節:
“ 要停止戰爭,承認我是上帝…”
“ 你們要休息、要知道我是神…”

在過去幾個禮拜裏, 每當我在為我人生所經歷过的挫折感到灰心時,我不 得不想起這段經文的意義。
英文聖經章節裡提到:”Still”( 心平氣和,寧靜) 在希伯來文的解釋可能是”Enough”!(足夠) 還有經文裡的”know”的意思可能是”acknowledge”( 承認,接受)。

這段希伯來經文裡的話,對我個人有很深刻的感觸。當敵人們想要打擊我的信心時,我可以想像得到主耶穌仍然眷顧著在為日常生活奔波忙碌的我。(從上帝的角度看來,我用自己的方式去規劃生活是一種瘋狂的舉動) 在這些困惑中,我可以想像得到上帝用祂的慈愛接觸我, 抓緊我,並且告訴我:”夠了!夠了!應該是時候了吧! 你應該已經知道我對妳的愛,接受我是你的上帝 !”

我終於了解了,我只有承認和接受主耶穌, 把我的信心放在祂身上。祂是可靠的,祂是我的天父,並且只有祂才能讓我得到每日的安息(rest)。沒有主耶穌的生活是無意義的, 是一種永遠無法依靠體能、情緒、心靈而戰勝的競賽。

Simplified Chinese (简体中文):
诗篇46章10节:
“要停止战争,承认我是上帝...”
“你们要休息,要知道我是神...”

在过去几个礼拜里,每当我在为我人生所经历过的挫折感到灰心时,我不得不想起这段经文的意义。
英文圣经章节里提到:“Still”(心平气和,宁静)在希伯来文的解释可能是“Enough”!(足够)还有经文里的“know”的意思可能是“acknowledge”(承认,接受)。

这段希伯来经文里的话,对我个人有很深刻的感触。 当敌人们想要打击我的信心时,我可以想像得到主耶稣仍然眷顾着在为日常生活奔波忙碌的我。 (从上帝的角度看来,我用自己的方式去规划生活是一种疯狂的举动)在这些困惑中,我可以想像得到上帝用祂的慈爱接触我,抓紧我,并且告诉我:“够了!够了!应该是时候了吧!你应该已经知道我对妳的爱,接受我是你的上帝!“

我终于了解了,我只有承认和接受主耶稣,把我的信心放在祂身上。 祂是可靠的,祂是我的天父,并且只有祂才能让我得到每日的安息(rest)。没有主耶稣的生活是无意义的,是一种永远无法依靠体能,情绪,心灵而战胜的竞赛。



English lyrics to video:
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust