UECPhilippines

Have you ever felt the pain of betrayal? It cuts deep. You feel frozen and your mind stops working. Your heart feels heavy with the pain. Then the denial starts. That’s not possible, you tell yourself. When you’ve admitted that you were betrayed, the anger starts. Your anger becomes bitterness as more time passes. Do you feel that way towards someone? 

從約瑟的生平可以看到上帝在他身上的安排與引導，是如何的多采多姿，雖然有高有低，卻見證了上帝的主權；這也提醒我們，上帝同樣的在我們的生命中要演出祂的故事來，藉我們的遭遇，見證上帝仍然掌控一切。

曾经听过一句话: “这世上唯一不变的，就是变化。”也有人用“三十年河东，三十年河西”来形容人生的多变。人生在世，时常有太多不可预测的事情发生。我们除了要面对生活中的各种挫折、变故、打击、背叛等心灵上的创伤以外，还要随时迎接意料不到的疾病、事故及灾难的来临。可能这一秒我们还在享受着，下一秒就什么都没有了。

事实上，人类每天都在承受着各种压力，甚至面对死亡的威胁。所以人是弱小有限的，凭着我们自己完全没能力改变这些突发的状况。如果人能预知未来，知道将来会发生什么，并提前做好预备，说不定就能避免灾祸。或者，即便在灾难来临，跌入谷底时，也能逢凶化吉、有惊无险地安然度过。在圣经历史中就有这么一位人物——约瑟。透过今天的经文我要和弟兄姐妹分享的主题是《在苦难中蒙神保守》。

Close your eyes. Now, remember all the answered prayers you had. Remember the times when circumstances seem hopeless and overwhelming, and then recall how God responded to your need each time. Isn’t God worthy of your joyful praise? Praise Him for all He has done, and then ask Him to strengthen your faith so that you can confidently say, “God’s will be done because His will is perfect.”

亲爱的弟兄姐妹，最近几个礼拜我们都是在讲圣经旧约的人物雅各，雅各的一生，是传奇的一生。从他曲折的人生经历中，我们可以看到神奇妙的工作。神在伯特利呼唤他，在他母舅家家造就他，又使他在雅博渡口“面对面见了神” 。了解雅各的生平和生命的经历，对于我们今天的基督徒是大有属灵的益处。透过今天的经文我要和弟兄姐妹们分享一个主题就是《经历神的同在》。

By crossing the Jabbok Jacob 雅博渡口 was going to be entering into Esau’s territory, but God saw something even more significant than that. By crossing the Jabbok Jacob would be entering into the land that God has sworn to give to Abraham’s descendants -- the promised land. (Refer Genesis 28) God wasn’t about to allow Jacob to enter the promised land -- the land of His blessing or favor -- on his own terms or in his own strength. And so God appears in the form of a man and wrestles with Jacob, not for sport, but in order to teach him some important truths. The God-man said to Jacob, “...you have struggled with God...and have overcome” (v. 28). And yet as we read the text it is clear that Jacob didn’t “overcome” in

When you pray and ask God to solve your problem, you usually have an answer in mind. You expect God to provide that solution that you thought of. God, in His unfathomable wisdom, answered your prayer in a different way. #TheStruggleIsReal because you refuse to accept it – at first. Then, you slowly realize that it was the perfect solution. You are emotionally and mentally stronger. You are better able to handle hardships that come your way. This is trusting God. This is what God desires from us.

我們從今年正月開始就要將創世記講完。上兩個主日前，蔡牧師分享到創世記25章關於兩個兄弟不同生命的焦點。今天早上，安排我來分享創世記28：10-22節是關於雅各逃難時的經歷。

首先，我們一起來看他的背景：雅各和以掃是雙包胎。他們出生時；雅各抓著哥哥的腳出來的，所以他的名叫做雅各。原文的意思是「緊隨他人的腳步」； 另外一個意思是「替代者」。

我们的上帝给每个属于祂的⼉儿⼥女女所预备的道路路也不不是⼀一帆⻛风顺的，上帝让我们信靠祂不不  是为了了解决我们⾃自身的困难和问题。⽽而是要我们在世界做出正确的选择和榜样。所以，每⼀一段

⼈人⽣生处境都有上帝的美意在其中蕴含。我们需要在每⼀一段⼈人⽣生中细细体会上帝的⼼心意。雅各的  梦是今天的主题，那么做梦是在哪⾥里里呢？通常是在⾃自⼰己舒适的床上休息时。⽽而雅各的梦却是在    逃难之时，在去往巴旦亚兰的路路上找他舅舅拉班时在野外露露宿时做了了⼀一个特别的梦。

Before this crisis, #TheStruggleIsReal because we had to wake up early to avoid traffic congestion. We had many deadlines to meet. We juggle quality time with our family and “me time.” God took all that away. God, in His grace, gave us the rest that we needed – physical, mental, and spiritual rest from the frantic pace of life. Now we see how many blessings we have, and how little others have. If we say that we want others to know the love of God too, show His love during this crisis by providing for their physical needs. Ask the church how you can do this.