生命探索

【译文】 

在撰写这些短文或者寻找值得与您分享的名言的过程中，我力图使自己如同一个现实主义者。 我不想让自己对别人的期望不切实际。 但现实是，在我的内心深处，我是一个乐观主义者。 我认为，最终一切都会好起来。 有时候，好的结局需要耐心，但我相信我们终究会得到。 对此，我没有任何具体的依据，这是我的天性。我信神，他掌管一切。 我可以全然信靠他。 因此，无论您是天生的乐观主义者、悲观主义者、或者介于两者之间，您都可以相信神……即使是在大流行中。

圣灵期待以神的话语开启您的心怀意念。今天的圣经章节摘自于【提摩太前书】第六章第17-19节：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人，为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命。”

休憩之时，愿神的平安保守您的心思。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

I’ve tried to be a realist when it comes to writing these short paragraphs or finding quotes to share with you. I don’t want to be unrealistic in my own expectations of anyone else. But the reality is that at my core I’m an optimist. I really do think that everything will work out in the end. Sometimes it requires patience, but I believe we’ll get there. I don’t have anything specific to base that on except my personality. And I trust God who has everything in his hand. I can trust him. And so whether you’re naturally optimistic or pessimistic or something in between, you can trust God … even in the midst of a pandemic.

The Holy Spirit wants to inspire your spirit with the Scripture section from tonight. It’s 1 Timothy 6:17-19, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

Let God’s peace guard your mind tonight. God bless you.

Kind regards,
Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

莱恩 丹布拉伯牧师写道：“即使您是那种喜欢变化和自发性的人，您可能仍然有自己的生活节奏：我想，您每天刷牙的方式都是一样的；可能走同样的路线去工作，甚至可能倾向于大多数时候吃同样的食物。您可能有最喜欢的餐厅，熟悉的健身项目清单，以及每年某些圣诞节特有的传统。节奏对我们有帮助，通过系统化和自主化某些日常事务（比如刷牙），或者有用的习惯比如日常奉献，我们会变得更有效率。实际上，恒定的生活节奏可以带来安全感和幸福感。“这也是为什么在新冠病毒早期，许多人感到无所适从的原因…因为我们的节奏被打乱了。现在许多人有了新的节奏。当新冠病毒完全成为历史时，您的节奏又会是怎样的呢？

当您跟随耶稣，圣灵住在您里面，并启迪您的心智，明白隐藏在神的话语中的真理。今天的圣经章节摘自于【提摩太前书】第六章第6-10节：“然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了；因为我们没有带什么到世上来，也不能带什么去。只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。”

休憩之时，神爱您如至宝，愿您在对神的信心中安然入睡。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

Rev. Len DenBraber writes, “Even if you’re the type of person who loves variety and spontaneity, you probably still have rhythms: my guess is you brush your teeth the same way every day; you likely take the same route to work and might even tend to eat the mostly the same foods. You probably have a favourite restaurant, a familiar workout playlist and certain Christmas traditions you celebrate every year. Rhythm helps us. It can make us more efficient by automating certain tasks (like brushing your teeth) and by hard-wiring helpful habits like daily devotions. Consistent rhythms actually offer a sense of security and well-being.” That’s why many of us were so discombobulated in the early days of the COVID-19 … our rhythms were so off. Now many of us have developed new ones. What will your rhythms look like when COVID-19 is completely history?

The Holy Spirit lives within you as you follow Jesus and he’ll enlighten your mind to the truth of 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”

God deeply loves you and you can sleep well tonight with that knowledge. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

杜克 权写道：“

在道成肉身中—
永恒者变得终有一死
全能者变得微不足道
无敌者变得不堪一击
无限者变得束手束脚
君王变得泪流满面
自存者变得有不时之需
不巧者变得多愁善感
—这都是为了我们的救赎

这些强有力的属灵真理，如果您相信它，您的生命就会得到改变。在人类历史的长河中，我们经历过一系列的本土和全球大流行，新冠病毒是其中之一。然而，相比我们对来自于神的宽恕和新生命的需求，新冠病毒显得苍白无力。而这，通过耶稣以及耶稣为您所做的一切成为可能。您相信吗？

圣灵开启您属灵的眼睛，让您看见其把神的话语应用到您的生命中。今天的圣经章节摘自于【罗马书】第五章第15-17节：“只是过犯不如恩赐，若因一人的过犯，众人都死了，何况神的恩典，与那因耶稣基督一人恩典中的赏赐，岂不更加倍地临到众人吗？因一人犯罪就定罪，也不如恩赐，原来审判是由一人而定罪，恩赐乃是由许多过犯而称义。若因一人的过犯，死就因这一人作了王，何况那些受洪恩又蒙所赐之义的，岂不更要因耶稣基督一人在生命中作王吗？”

休憩之时，愿您明白，无论这个世界和您的生活发生了什么，神都与您同在，并保守您安然入梦。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

Duke Kwon wrote, 

In the Incarnation—
the Eternal became mortal
the Omnipotent became little
the Invincible became vulnerable
the Infinite became swaddled
the Sovereign became tearful
the Self-Existent became needful
the Immortal became fragile
—for our salvation.

Those are powerful spiritual truths that can make a life-changing difference if you believe them. COVID-19 is another in a long line of both local and international pandemics humans have dealt with throughout our history. But it pales in the face of our need for forgiveness and new life from God. That’s become possible through Jesus and what he did on your behalf. Do you believe it?

The Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see how he will apply this Scripture to your life. It’s from Romans 5:15-17, “But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”

Regardless of everything that’s happened today in the world and in your life, God’s with you to give you good rest. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

我们常常谈论神的恩典，这是一件好事。但是，恩典有许多微妙的含义。我喜欢达拉斯 威拉德有关恩典的描述，他说：“恩典不是反对努力，而是反对赚取。”有时候，我们会觉得神的恩典是免费的。但是，实际上，它是最永恒的“商品”。想想看，神没有留下自己的儿子，而是把他赐给了我们，这样我们就有了高昂代价换来的白白恩典。恩典，不是赚来的，而是给与的。恩典不是薪酬，而是礼物。

此时此刻，神 圣灵与您同在，对您的心倾吐，将神的话语应用到您的生活中。今天的圣经章节摘自于【罗马书】第五章第6-9节：“因我们还软弱的时候，基督就按所定的日期为罪人死。为义人死，是少有的；为仁人死，或者有敢做的。惟有基督在我们还做罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。现在我们既靠着他的血称义，就更要藉着他免去神的忿怒。”

休憩之时，愿耶和华保护您，愿耶和华使他的脸光照您。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

We often talk about God’s grace and it’s a good thing. But it has many nuanced meanings. I like what Dallas Willard wrote about it. He said, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it’s opposed to earning.” Sometimes we have the impression that God’s grace is free, but it’s actually the most constantly “commodity” that there is. Think that God did not spare his Son but gave him up for us all and you have the high cost of free grace. Grace isn’t something you can earn, but something you receive. It’s not a wage, but a gift.

The Spirit of God is with you right now to speak into your heart and apply the Scripture section to your life. It’s Romans 5:6-9, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”

God keep you and turn his face toward you as you rest. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

神对他的教会和基督徒有一个使命，那就是“任命”您为他在您的家庭、朋友圈、邻舍和职场中的大使。有些人被召唤到特定的国家和民族群体，传统上我们称他们为传教士。今晚，我想特别提醒大家，有许多亲爱的圣徒，在各国以及需要我们祷告和支持的人群中为神作工，特别是在大流行期间。

因着您跟随耶稣，神的恩典就通过住在您里面的圣灵供您使用。今天的圣经章节摘自于【约翰福音】第一章第1-5节：“太初有道，道与神同在，道就是神。这道太初与神同在。万物是藉着他造的；凡被造的，没有一样不是藉着他造的。生命在他里头，这生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。”

休憩之时，请敞开心扉，全然接受在神里面的平安。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

God has a mission for his Church, those who are Christians. He has “sent” you to be his ambassador in your family, friend group, neighbourhood, and work. And there are people who are called to specific nations and people groups. Traditionally we’ve called them Missionaries. Tonight I want to remind you there are many dear saints who are ministering for God in nations and among people groups who need our prayers and support, especially in the time of a pandemic.

God’s grace is available for you by the Holy Spirit who lives in you as you follow Jesus. The Scripture section is from John 1:1-5, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Open your heart up to God’s peace for you as you rest tonight. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

不久前，神学家伦纳德 · 斯威特 (Leonard Sweet) 在推特上发帖说：“什么是伟大？人生最大的成就是什么？那就是成为完整的你、完全的你、真正的你。伟大就是成为你自己，也就是神创造的那个你自己。在此，我的理解是有两方面：一方面是“顺其自然”，你不需要努力成为你自己……你就是神梦想你成为的那个人。另一方面是“尽心竭力”。通过祷告，圣经，良好的沟通，与教会一起敬拜，以及亲朋好友的建议，对自我成长持开放态度。这两者之间应该没有先后次序。做神创造的那个自己以及神正在塑造的那个自己。

圣灵爱您且与您同在，用神的话语开启您的生命。今天的圣经章节摘自于【罗马书】第二章第21-24节：“但如今，神的义在律法以外已经显明出来，有律法和先知为证：就是神的义，因信耶稣基督加给一切相信的人，并没有分别。因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀；如今却蒙神的恩典，因基督耶稣的救赎，就白白地称义。”

休憩之时，愿您知晓，神已经宽恕您的赎罪请求。愿您在神奇妙的恩典之中安然入梦。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

A while ago, Theologian Leonard Sweet put this out to Twitter, “What is greatness? What is the greatest accomplishment of life? To be wholly you, fully you, truly you. To be great is to be yourself, the self that God made you.” There are two parts of this that I see. One part is to “coast.” You don’t have to try to be you … you are just who God’s dreamed you to be. The other part is to strive. Through prayer, the Bible, good conversation, being together to worship as the Church, and counsel from friends and family you open yourself up to, be open to growing as a person. Neither of these ought to take precedence over the other. Be the self God made you to be and is making you into.

The Holy Spirit loves you very much and is with you to inspire the Scripture section to your life. It’s Romans 3:21-24, “But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

If you’ve asked God for forgiveness, know that he’s done it. You can rest assured of his marvelous grace tonight. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

今天在上班的路上，我收听一个广播节目，他们正在谈论“咒骂”或”脏话“一类的言词。我猜测是因为NBA篮球明星勒布朗·詹姆斯曾经做客一个博客网站，与主持人谈及他对孩子以及说脏话的家规。这让我深受启发。在我的成长过程中，”脏话“是被禁止使用的。我说过脏话，但是，母亲在身边时，从来没有说过。我不记得用肥皂洗过嘴巴，相信您懂得我的意思。但是，我们都知道人们（也许您是其中一位）使用那个F词做名词、动词、或者形容词。我不是在此假正经。但是，我想问，那些最终荣耀神的语言和文字是什么呢？您认为神希望您怎样用您自己的言语来荣耀他呢？

圣灵与您同在，并且将神的话语运用到您的生命中。今天的圣经章节摘自于【以弗所书】第四章第25-30节：“所以，你们要弃绝谎言，各人与邻舍说实话，因为我们是互相为肢体。生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落，也不可给魔鬼留地步。从前偷窃的，不要再偷；总要劳力，亲手做正经事，就可有余分给那缺少的人。污秽的言语一句不可出口，只要随事说造就人的好话，叫听见的人得益处。不要叫神的圣灵担忧；你们原是受了他的印记，等候得赎的日子来到。”

休憩之时，愿耶稣的爱伴随您，安抚您的心灵。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

On my way to work today I was listening to a radio show and they were talking about “curse” or “swear” words. I guess there was a podcast Lebron James was on where he was talking with the hosts about what the rules are in his home for his kids and swearing. It got me thinking. A rule against the use of “bad” words was something I grew up with. I used them, but not when I was around my mom. I don’t remember getting my mouth washed out with soap, but you get the idea. But we all know people (and may you’re one) who use “f-bombs” as nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I’m not trying to be a prude, but I do want to ask what kind of language and words are those that ultimately glorify God? How do you think God wants you to use your language to glorify him?

The Scripture section is Ephesians 4:25-30. God the Holy Spirit is with you and will apply this to your life. “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

May you experience the warm love of Jesus as you rest. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

很多人混淆使用 “信念” 和 “信仰” 这两个词。圣经对其之间的差异进行了诠释。 “信念” 和 “信仰” 都很好，但两者是一环扣一环，由信念产生出信仰。圣经更进一步指出关于邪灵的事情……邪灵信神并且战惊。然而，尽管邪灵相信神是独一的，但他们却是永远迷失的。因此，正确的信念并不是我们得救的基础。正确的信念远远不够。但是，如果正确的信念被正当地运用，就会导致救赎。那么为此，什么是必要的呢？信仰是得救赎不可或缺的。信仰超越于信念，在信仰中寻求和接受来自于神的信任、依赖、依靠和帮助。约翰 派博对信仰有一个很好的定义，他写道：“信仰就是满足于神在耶稣里为我们所做的一切。”

圣灵想要靠近您，进入您的心灵，并且用神的话语在您的生命中带领您。今天的圣经章节摘自于【雅各书】第二章第17-20节：“这样，信心若没有行为就是死的。必有人说：‘你有信心，我有行为。’ 你将你没有行为的信心指给我看，我便藉着我的行为，将我的信心指给你看。你信神只有一位，你信的不错；鬼魔也信，却是战惊。虚浮的人哪，你愿意知道没有行为的信心是死的吗？”

休憩之时，神与您同在，并且赋予您为他的荣耀而活的能力。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

Many people use the words “belief” and “faith” interchangeably. The Bible differentiates between them. They’re both good, but one leads to another. Belief leads to faith. A little further down, the Scripture section will point out something about demons … they believe and tremble. Demons are eternally lost, even though they believe God is one. So proper belief is not the basis on which we are saved. Proper belief doesn’t go far enough. But, proper belief rightly used leads to salvation. So what is necessary then? Faith is what is necessary for salvation. Faith is that step beyond belief, where trust, reliance, dependence, and help from God is asked for and received. John Piper has a great definition of faith. He writes, “Faith is being satisfied with everything God is for us in Jesus.”

The Holy Spirit wants to access your spirit and apply the words of James 2:17-20 into your life. “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

God’s with you and is empowering you to live your life for his glory. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

关于人类最大的问题是什么，自古以来，众说纷纭。弗洛伊德认为是超我和本我之间的冲突。几乎每个特殊利益集团都认为是教育的缺乏。新时代运动的追随者则认为是我们对自身”神性“的无知。圣经告诉我们，神造人的起初目的，是为了建立神与人以及人与人之间的关系。罪极大地伤害了这些关系，并且还在持续不断地伤害。亚当和夏娃因为赤身露体而躲避神，神则通过以衣蔽体来帮助他们摆脱困境，但从那时起，因着罪的缘故，人在神面前“赤身裸体”，并且与神的关系断绝。人无法自行弥合这个鸿沟。我们需要神亲自建造一座桥梁……神做到了。

圣灵强烈地希望将今天的圣经章节应用到您的内心和生命中，它出自于【以弗所书】第二章第4-6节：“然而，神既有丰富的怜悯，因他爱我们的大爱，当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来（你们得救是本乎恩）。他又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活，一同坐在天上。”

休憩之时，愿您对神的信心坚固，在神对您奇妙的爱中安然入梦。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

There have been a host of ideas about what humankind’s greatest problem is. Freud suggested it’s a conflict between the Super-ego and the Id. Just about every special interest group says it’s a lack of education. New Agers tell us we don’t realize that we’re “god’s.” The Bible tells us that in the beginning, humans were created by God for a relationship with him and each other. Sin greatly injured (and continues to injure) those relationships. Adam and Eve hid from God because of nakedness and God took care of the situation by clothing them. But ever since, humans have been “naked” before God and out of relationship with him because of sin. Humans haven’t been able to bridge that gap on our own, though we’ve tried. The deal is, we need God to do the bridge building … and he has.

The Holy Spirit is strongly desiring to apply this Scripture section to your heart and life. It’s from Ephesians 2:4-6, “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

Rest in the firm conviction of God’s amazing love for you. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff

【译文】 

耶稣最亲密的追随者相信并教导他是无罪的，这不是很有趣吗？想一想： 人生一大幸事是结识朋友。然而，当您对某人逐渐了解时，您不是会开始越来越多地感受到这个人的性格问题和罪性吗？可是，如果您喜欢这个人，您会以 ”没有人是完美的“为理由来为其个性问题做辩解，您会一如既往地喜爱他们，这是您与人交往的方式。现在，请想想耶稣的故事。耶稣的门徒与他朝夕相处三年有余，耳闻目睹他处于充满压力、挑战和情绪化的境况，以及平静安宁的时期。他们非常了解耶稣。是他们说耶稣完美无罪！顺便说一下，耶稣的家人最终也说耶稣完美无瑕。纵观历史，在这个星球曾经存在过的任何其他宗教，没有一位神职人员、大祭司、伊玛目、班智达，拉比，或者宗教领袖，可以宣称自己无罪。惟有耶稣。

每当您思索神的话语时，当仰望圣灵的带领。今天的圣经章节摘自于【希伯来书】第四章第12-16节：“神的道是活泼的，是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵，骨节与骨髓，都能刺入、剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辨明。并且被造的没有一样在他面前不显然的；原来万物在那与我们有关系的主眼前，都是赤露敞开的。我们既然有一位已经升入高天尊荣的大祭司，就是神的儿子耶稣，便当持定所承认的道。因我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱。他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。所以，我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作随时的帮助。”

休憩之时，愿您在神爱的怀抱中安然入睡。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus’ closest followers believed and taught that he was sinless? Think about it: one of the great privileges in life is the experience of getting to know people. Yet, isn’t it often true that as you get to know someone well, you begin to experience their personality issues and sins? Yet if you like the person, you’ll justify their personality issues by saying, “Nobody’s perfect” and go on loving and liking them and that’s been your experience with everyone. Now think about the story of Jesus. His disciples were with him daily for over three years and they saw him in extremely pressure-filled, challenging and emotional situations as well as the quiet times … they got to know him very well. They’re the ones who say he was sinless and perfect! And by the way, eventually, so did his family! In the whole history of any other religion that’s ever existed on this planet, no other priest or High Priest or Imam or Pundit or Rabbi or leader could claim to be sinless. Only Jesus.

Look to the Holy Spirit as you think about the Scripture section. It’s from Hebrews 4:12-16, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Know that God’s keeping you in his love as you rest. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff