“这事出于我”。（王上十二：24）
“得意暗藏在失意之中”——福克斯牧师
我的孩子，今天我有一个信息传给你；好叫你上面的黑云消散，前面岖路变平。这个信息是很短的，只有五个字，但是我要你铭刻心中；又把它当作一个枕头来安放你疲倦的头，使你真能高枕无忧。这个信息是什么呢？就是“这事出于我”。
你有没有想到过：凡与你有关的事，也与我有关？因为：“摸你们的，就是摸我眼中的瞳仁”（亚二：8）；“我看你为宝，为尊”（赛四十叁：4）。所以，我特别喜欢训练你。
当试炼攻击你，“仇敌好象急流的河水冲来”（赛五十九：19）的时候，我要你知道“这事出于我”，你的软弱需要我的刚强，你的平安在乎让我替你争战。
你是不是正在艰难的环境中，四周的人都不了解你，都不遂你的心意，都看不起你？“这事出于我”。我是管理环境的神。你所处的境遇并非偶然的，都有我的美意在其中的。
你不是曾求我给你谦卑吗？你看，我已经把你反在一个学习谦卑的学校里了，你所接触的人和环境是被我利用来成全我的旨意的。
你是不是正感觉经济缺乏呢？“这事出于我”，因为我是经营你用度的，我要你向我支取，完全仰赖于我。我的供给是无限的（腓四：19）。我要你证实我的应许，我不愿意你“在这事上却不信耶和华你们的神”（申一：32）。
你是不是整夜忧愁呢？“这事出于我”。我是忧患之子，常经忧患，深知怎样担当忧患的。当你向世人寻求安慰时，我故意叫他们不给你同情，好叫你转向我寻求永远的安慰（帖后二：16／17）。你是不是渴望为我作些伟大的工作，结果倒反卧病在床呢？“这事出于我”。在你忙碌的日子，我不能引起你的注意力来；我要你学习一些更深的功课。事奉不是体贴自己的热心，乃是遵行我的旨意。我有许多顶心腹的仆人，都是关于最冷僻的地方，用祷告事奉我。
今天我把这个信息当作一瓶香膏送在你手里。你可以自由敷用。我的孩子，不顺的环境，扎心的毁谤，无故的逼迫等等，临到你的时候，你就敷上这香膏。如果你能在一切事上看见“这事出于我”，所有的痛苦便会立时消失了。——司诺
“This thing is from me.” (1 Kings 12:24)
“Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” --- Rev. C. A. Fox.
My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from ME.
Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight. (Isa. 43:4), Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.
I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.
Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.
Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.
Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil. 4:19). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1”32).
Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16, 17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.
This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things. --- Laura A. Barter Snow.
“This is from Me,” the Saviour said, As bending low He kissed my brow, “For One who loves you thus has led. Just rest in Me, be patient now, Your Father knows you have need of this, Tho’, why perchance you cannot see.--- Grieve not for things you'e seemed to miss. The thing I send is best for thee.” Then, looking through my tears, I plead, “Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know, Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread, Each path before me here below. And for my good this thing must be, His grace sufficient for each test. So still I’ll sing, Whatever be God’s way for me is always best.”
~ Streams In the Desert for 01Feb~
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
True Peace
Happened to read those writings on the calendar which hang in my boss's shop. The calendar belongs to our church - Sheffield Chinese Christian Church. The writings are appeared on the page of September.
"Do not let your peace depend on what people say about you, whether people speak good or ill of you, make no difference to what you really are. True peace and joy are to be found in Christ and in Christ alone. The person who is neither anxious to please nor afraid to displease for the sake of the gospel is a true disciple of Jesus Christ and that person will enjoy true peace."
“不要让你的平安靠在别人的评价，世人称赞你或诋毁你，对你的真正价值毫无影响。 真正的平安与喜乐，惟基督可赐予，亦惟有在基督里可以找到。那不在意取悦人，又敢于直言不畏的人，才是耶稣基督真正的门徒，也必享有真正的平安。”
Thank God I have chance to work in a Chinese take-away during this trip to UK. This is my new and valuble experience to me. I haven't got chance to work in this kind of environment before. Although it was a little bit similar to what I had in my 3-day-training in McDonald's Malaysia (Which I worked in RMHC Malaysia before, yet everyone in HQ must have 3-day-training at operation restaurant), yet it is different in terms of customers, colleagues, and sharing the true feeling of a take-away shop owner. I was once worked in the local Chinese Community Centre, when I served the community, I knew their needs and situation, yet it came so real to me when I work hands-on. Again, thank God for putting me in this take-away shop, which belongs to a sister in Christ in my church. She has been treated me nicely and patiencely when I did it wrong. Oppss...hehe.
I lost, learned, and gained more ... ^^
"Do not let your peace depend on what people say about you, whether people speak good or ill of you, make no difference to what you really are. True peace and joy are to be found in Christ and in Christ alone. The person who is neither anxious to please nor afraid to displease for the sake of the gospel is a true disciple of Jesus Christ and that person will enjoy true peace."
“不要让你的平安靠在别人的评价，世人称赞你或诋毁你，对你的真正价值毫无影响。 真正的平安与喜乐，惟基督可赐予，亦惟有在基督里可以找到。那不在意取悦人，又敢于直言不畏的人，才是耶稣基督真正的门徒，也必享有真正的平安。”
Thank God I have chance to work in a Chinese take-away during this trip to UK. This is my new and valuble experience to me. I haven't got chance to work in this kind of environment before. Although it was a little bit similar to what I had in my 3-day-training in McDonald's Malaysia (Which I worked in RMHC Malaysia before, yet everyone in HQ must have 3-day-training at operation restaurant), yet it is different in terms of customers, colleagues, and sharing the true feeling of a take-away shop owner. I was once worked in the local Chinese Community Centre, when I served the community, I knew their needs and situation, yet it came so real to me when I work hands-on. Again, thank God for putting me in this take-away shop, which belongs to a sister in Christ in my church. She has been treated me nicely and patiencely when I did it wrong. Oppss...hehe.
I lost, learned, and gained more ... ^^
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
J.Hudson Taylor- A man in Christ
Recently I am reading a book called, J.Hudson Taylor- A man in Christ, in mandarin version. I borrow it from a sister- Giselle, which belongs to another brother-Ah Qiu. Would like to share a few things I read inside:
When Hudson Taylor wanted to send out a few missionaries to China, he replied a letter to them with a few sentences to remind them,
“如果你要作苦工，而不求人的纪念；要讨神的喜悦，而不害怕得罪人；并有充分的准备，甚至在有需要的时，愿意为主流血作见证；很多时候，又乐于接受财物的损失。。。但在救人灵魂的事工上，你肯定可以得到极大的收获，有不朽的冠冕为你存留，还会得到主人的赞赏。”
Here are the rough translation of mine as below:-
If you want to work hard, yet do not ask for the remembrance of others; willing to pleased God, yet do not afraid of offending others; and has a full preparation, even when needed, willing to bleed for the sake of testimony to our Lord Jesus; often, also willing to accept the lost of of your belongings...But in the missionary of saving souls, you will definitely obtain the enormous harvest, has the eternal crown to preserve for you, but also can obtain the appreciation of our Almighty God."
Also,
“我们应相信一切人为的事，以及一切在基督丰盛恩典以外的事，必须能帮助我们领人归主，才有益处。如果我们的医疗工作可以吸引人到我们这里来，让我们把他们呈现在基督面前，那么，这医疗工作就有益处。但医疗工作若取代了传讲福音，便犯了极大的错误。我们若以学校或教育代替了改变人心的属灵能力，也是极大的错误。如果我们以为人可以藉着教育过程，而不用经过重生，就能悔改归正，更是大错特错。我们不要本末倒置，那些途径只是辅助而已，让人能够接触基督。如此，我们才可以真的为这些途径感谢神。。。我们的心高举荣耀的福音，相信它是神的能力，使人得救。让我们把一切放在福音之下。。。如果我们确知基督是我们的依靠，我们就永不灰心。”
The brief translation of it are:
We should believe that all that humanbeing can do, as well as all the things that out of the grace of God, which may help us in leading others to God, will be considered beneficial. But if we replacing other things insteading of sharing gospel, it is a great mistake; but sees those things as a way of assisting to bring people to know Christ. Our hearts must lift up the glory of gospel, believing it is by the power of God to save souls. Let us bring everything below the gospel. If we believe Jesus Christ is our savior, we must not give up, ever.
What do you think?
When Hudson Taylor wanted to send out a few missionaries to China, he replied a letter to them with a few sentences to remind them,
“如果你要作苦工，而不求人的纪念；要讨神的喜悦，而不害怕得罪人；并有充分的准备，甚至在有需要的时，愿意为主流血作见证；很多时候，又乐于接受财物的损失。。。但在救人灵魂的事工上，你肯定可以得到极大的收获，有不朽的冠冕为你存留，还会得到主人的赞赏。”
Here are the rough translation of mine as below:-
If you want to work hard, yet do not ask for the remembrance of others; willing to pleased God, yet do not afraid of offending others; and has a full preparation, even when needed, willing to bleed for the sake of testimony to our Lord Jesus; often, also willing to accept the lost of of your belongings...But in the missionary of saving souls, you will definitely obtain the enormous harvest, has the eternal crown to preserve for you, but also can obtain the appreciation of our Almighty God."
Also,
“我们应相信一切人为的事，以及一切在基督丰盛恩典以外的事，必须能帮助我们领人归主，才有益处。如果我们的医疗工作可以吸引人到我们这里来，让我们把他们呈现在基督面前，那么，这医疗工作就有益处。但医疗工作若取代了传讲福音，便犯了极大的错误。我们若以学校或教育代替了改变人心的属灵能力，也是极大的错误。如果我们以为人可以藉着教育过程，而不用经过重生，就能悔改归正，更是大错特错。我们不要本末倒置，那些途径只是辅助而已，让人能够接触基督。如此，我们才可以真的为这些途径感谢神。。。我们的心高举荣耀的福音，相信它是神的能力，使人得救。让我们把一切放在福音之下。。。如果我们确知基督是我们的依靠，我们就永不灰心。”
The brief translation of it are:
We should believe that all that humanbeing can do, as well as all the things that out of the grace of God, which may help us in leading others to God, will be considered beneficial. But if we replacing other things insteading of sharing gospel, it is a great mistake; but sees those things as a way of assisting to bring people to know Christ. Our hearts must lift up the glory of gospel, believing it is by the power of God to save souls. Let us bring everything below the gospel. If we believe Jesus Christ is our savior, we must not give up, ever.
What do you think?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
心痛
很心痛，很失望...
忽然之间，一切都变得那么的脆弱和虚假。
那就好像到头一棒，重重一击敲醒了。
很懊恼，像往常一样，白白的蹉跎岁月，
兜了一个很大的圈，原来还在原地。
何时才能学得聪明一点？
一切多么的不确实，一切多么的虚空，
唯有神不变，他的信实和爱
转眼仰望耶稣...
忽然之间，一切都变得那么的脆弱和虚假。
那就好像到头一棒，重重一击敲醒了。
很懊恼，像往常一样，白白的蹉跎岁月，
兜了一个很大的圈，原来还在原地。
何时才能学得聪明一点？
一切多么的不确实，一切多么的虚空，
唯有神不变，他的信实和爱
转眼仰望耶稣...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Three Things In Life & Eternity
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 valuable:
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
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 valuable:
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