Sunday, December 31, 2023

Learn to devote ourselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives

Titus 3:1-15

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Why?

Not only in church but also in this world Christians should be subject to rulers and authorities, ready to do whatever is good.

Before the love of Jesus Christ came to us we were the same as others in this world. But now we have the life of the Holy Spirit, we should do the right things, devote ourselves to do what is good, and provide for urgent needs.

How?

Do my best to do the right thing and intimidate the mind and heart of the Lord.



Saturday, December 30, 2023

show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive

Titus 2:1-15

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,  and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Why?

Paul said to Titus how to teach the older men, older women, and slaves, There are self-controlled and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

To be a servant not to talk back to our boss, show that we can be fully trusted, so that in every way we will make the teaching about God attractive.

Even Titus is young but encourages his people in church with authority. Do not let anyone despise him. 

--------

行為的見證很重要。猶太人一直在守潔淨與不潔淨的規條。不是靠口才來駁倒人而是在生活見證中。

--------

How?

To earn respect is to be an example of a real Christian, and show love, self-control, and integrity.


Friday, December 29, 2023

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure

Titus 1:10-16

For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Why?

The people in Cretans are full of liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons, especially to the circumcision group, Jews.

Monds and consciences are the basic to a man, if his mind is corrupted they are denying the Lord. To the pure, all things are pure.

------------------

長老、監督的條件比較符合這個地區教會的需要。

不服約束的人是指猶太人。至少要把爭辯的人駁倒。堅守所教真實的道理,就能將純正的教訓勸化人:自己活出真理的道優先。

污穢不信:人得潔淨是因為相信,不是要守住什麼,或是什麼儀式。不信的人是污穢。如耶穌說的人信就潔淨!在潔淨的人,凡物都潔淨

革哩底人常說謊話,乃是惡獸,又饞又懶:說謊話又好吃懶做。不貪不義之財

嚴嚴的責備他們,使他們在真道上純全無疵:駁倒會把人趕走,目的是教導他們,使他們回轉,歸於真道。不是因為我們做了什麼,而是我們願意相信。

-----------------

How?

Keep my heart and my mind pure, it seems fool to this world, but this is the basic to a Christian.



Thursday, December 28, 2023

an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless Titus 1:1-9

Titus 1:1-9

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Why?

Paul looked at Titus as his true son in Christ.

Paul asked Titus to finish the order he had told and set the rule to appoint elders in every town.

These points to be a elder are the same rules to a Christin. These are the basic behaviors before the Lord.

Unfinished missions appointed elders in every church, because Paul stayed in a town short, so he needed Titus to appoint an elder as the church's spiritual leader.

----------------

提多是保羅帶領的門徒,擔任特里特島的監督,

憑著: 為了……的緣故,叫人相信且認識敬虔而有的真理,因為敬虔愈來愈認識真理、認識神,因此有永生的盼望。因為有盼望,所以繼續敬畏神。同樣讓提多服事主也是為了這個目的。

信心是因為神的話,神是無謊言的。門徒被建立,熟悉神的話,因此更有盼望傳揚是按著主的託付。這些話為了更多的勉勵提多!不要忘記他有神特別的託付使命,不怕眼前的挫折和困難。設立長老的條件,提多自己要成為榜樣。長老就是監督。這些條件不僅對長老也是每個基督徒生命的條件。

無可指責:不按照自己的喜好、意見、性格在行事。不暴燥就是有理性,不會在情緒中做決定,對話。這些都消極條件,v8~是積極條件。公平,不偏待人……都是生命的表現,與能力無關。教真實的道理,就能將純正的教訓勸化人: 這才與能力有關。

-----------------

How?

Am I a good minister in my church? Do my best in the grace of the Lord to serve!

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior

Habakkuk 3:1-19

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LordRepeat them in our day,   in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.

Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed oneYou crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot.

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LordI will be joyful in God my Savior.

Why?

What we see is different from what the Lord sees.

What we can do is pray to the Lord for mercy to come upon us. I am a sinner. I have nothing without the love of the Lord.

After the answer of the Lord, Habakkuk realized that the Lord is full of mercy even under the wrath of the Lord, God has a plan to save his people who trust in Him.

-----------------------

流離歌:激昂奔放的曲調

v1-7  稱神以第三人稱,好像對人訴說。聽到神說話後,懼怕,為自己曾以質問神的方式問神而懼怕。復興你的作為:哈巴谷求的復興是懼怕的,是神的作為,公義彰顯出來,審判祂的百姓,潔淨這地。復興來臨前要使自己聖潔。求復興時也求憐憫!復興來到時,人沒有辦法站立得住。有瘟疫流行;在他腳下有熱症發出,不僅有戰爭還有疾病。

看來可怕的作為卻是拯救神的百姓,拯救神的受膏者。

我聽見耶和華的聲音,身體戰兢,嘴唇發顫:不是平日的敬拜讚美,而是懼怕的。復興來臨也是災難來臨的時候。復興不是歸回,可是猶大國被滅亡的時候。

不是無奈的接受神這些作為,更是積極的稱頌、讚美神,在什麼都沒有的時候,仍然可以讚美神,精神百倍,快跑如母鹿,快跑跟隨神,行在高處。

在這種惡劣狀況下,仍因耶和華歡欣,因救我的神喜樂。

v8-15 面對面對神

v15~ 以耶和華稱呼神

----------------------

How?

Give thanks to the Lord and trust in the Lord, for God is my shepherd and I am a lamb in God's pasture.




Tuesday, December 26, 2023

The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Habakkuk 2:6-20

The sins of Babylonians are: Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortionHow long must this go on?’

“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gainsetting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!

Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice!

Woe to him who gives drink to his neighborspouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!

Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’

The Lord is in his holy temple;  let all the earth be silent before him.

Why?
There are many woes to Babylonians, because of their sins. The Lords said to Hanakkuk so many sins cause their woes, how long must this go on?

More sins are they say to word, 'Come to life'. The idols can not speak. it is made by man's hands.

----------------

哈巴谷對神的質疑,為何猶大王的罪如此大,神不處理,神興起比以色列人更惡的巴勒底人來懲罰以色列人。先知質疑這樣的處理方式。

神也告訴哈巴谷,未來巴勒底人的結局。

義人因信得救,不是該人因為比較好!基督徒也沒有比別人好,只是我們先相信神!

禍1)殺人流血,他們略奪人也被略奪  2)以為自己在高處,高枕無憂 3)以人血建城、以罪孽立邑,壓搾人 4)淫亂 5)拜偶像

惟耶和華在他的聖殿中;全地的人都當在他面前肅敬靜默。代表人對神的尊敬、主權的認識!對神的作為、主權,要完全敬畏,不該質疑!肅敬是態度,靜默是完全信任神的帶領。

這些巴勒底人的惡行是以色列人的惡行,也是今天世人的情況。不把人當人對待。希望大家來服事我,喜歡成為王、掌權。

----------------

How?

I trust and believe is the living God who created this world and all living life and all of us, worship his Holy Name. All of us should be silent before Him.



Monday, December 25, 2023

The Lord’s Answer,the righteous person will live by his faithfulness

Habbuk 2:1-5

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
Then the Lord replied: Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time;  it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—  but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness— indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.
Why?
After Habakkuk asked questions to the Lord he waited. The Lord replied to him with this revelation and made it plain on tablets, let others know the word of the Lord.

The enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—  but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.
The ramparts are located in a high place of the wall. Where it is a good position to watch.
The enemy, Babylon is greedy like death is never satisfied,
All of these will come true.
How?
Even the enemy as Babylon is under the plan of the Lord to punish the princes and Israelites for their sins.




Sunday, December 24, 2023

Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Habakkuk

Habakkuk 1:01-17

Why do you make me look at injustice?    Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me;   there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed,  and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous,  so that justice is perverted.

Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor.

Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;  you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler.

Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?

Why?

We are men, and many things we don't understand like Hanakuk, we think we are righteous why does the Lord allow so many evil men to do destruction and violence.

Even the prophet wonders where is the justice and mercy of the Lord!

God has his plan beyond us, and the Lord raised Babylonians to sweep across the whole earth.

The Lord is full of love and righteousness. But the Lord has his time.

How?

Trust in the Lord, my God is beyond me. God's way always better than mine!




Saturday, December 23, 2023

Obadiah’s Vision to Edom

 Obadiah 1

This is what the Sovereign Lord says about EdomWe have heard a message from the LordAn envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, let us go against her for battle”—ee, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despisedThe pride of your heart has deceived you you who live in the clefts of the rocks  and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself,  ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’

Because of the violence against your brother Jacob,  you will be covered with shame you will be destroyed forever.

You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortunenor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.

But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holyand Jacob will possess his inheritance. Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him.

Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of EsauAnd the kingdom will be the Lord’s.

Why?

Esau and Jacob are brothers, but Esau did not help Jacob when they were in trouble, so the Lord will judge Esau and his inheritance.

When delivers go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau, then the kingdom will be the Lord's. One day the kingdom of Esau will be destroyed.

問題:以東的狂傲自以為鷹與多國結盟,可以高枕無憂學者、人才很多多有寶物、農業好,高收入的國家地勢險要;這可以用於教會、國家、個人的提醒。這些正是世人所追求的。我們人會以為是靠自己的能力闖出來的。

以東的暴行:趁火打劫,8個不當,六親不認,利益擺中間,友情放兩旁,反目成仇。這也是社會的現實面。

How?

Do not worry about what happens in the world, the Lord is the sovereign Lord who knows everything and it is in the hands of the Lord.

Friday, December 22, 2023

And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there

Ezekiel 48:21-35

What remains on both sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and the property of the city will belong to the prince. It will extend eastward from the 25,000 cubits of the sacred portion to the eastern border, and westward from the 25,000 cubits to the western border. Both these areas running the length of the tribal portions will belong to the prince, and the sacred portion with the temple sanctuary will be in the center of them. So the property of the Levites and the property of the city will lie in the center of the area that belongs to the prince. The area belonging to the prince will lie between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin.

These will be the exits of the city: Beginning on the north side, which is 4,500 cubits long, the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi.

“The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.

Why?

This is the final city of Jerusalem and under the Lord!

-----------------

新天新地,新耶路撒冷!

猶大及便雅閔分到的地緊臨聖城。最遠的地是雅各的兩個妾所生的後代。12個城門都一樣沒有差別了。

古代以東邊為基準,12支派,在這裏有利未支派,約瑟的兩個支派合為一。過去由東邊進入聖殿,現在因為耶穌已經來了,所以任何一個城門都可以進入。這應該是新耶路撒冷城。城門守護聖地。門也可以打開,門也是通道,有引人進入聖城的使命。這是神給以色列人也是給基督徒的責任。這城名字為"耶和華撒瑪"(神與我們同住),撒瑪:在這裏,在那裏。人看見門徒、信徒就知道這裏有神的作為在當中。我們的見證很重要!

從起初被擄完全絕望到最後回到永恆的居所。不是回到地上的耶路撒冷。

-------------------

How?

Praise the Lord for his grace love and righteousness forever. May my mind and my way always walk on His way.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

This is the best of the land and must not pass into other hands, because it is holy to the Lord

Ezekiel 48:1-20

These are the tribes, listed by name: At the northern frontier, Dan will have one portion; it will follow the Hethlon road to Lebo Hamath; Hazar Enan and the northern border of Damascus next to Hamath will be part of its border from the east side to the west side.

Bordering the territory of Judah from east to west will be the portion you are to present as a special gift. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and its length from east to west will equal one of the tribal portions; the sanctuary will be in the center of it.

The special portion you are to offer to the Lord will be 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. This will be the sacred portion for the priests.

Alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites will have an allotment 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. Its total length will be 25,000 cubits and its width 10,000 cubits. They must not sell or exchange any of it. This is the best of the land and must not pass into other hands, because it is holy to the Lord.

The remaining area, 5,000 cubits[c] wide and 25,000 cubits long, will be for the common use of the city, for houses and for pastureland.

The workers from the city who farm it will come from all the tribes of Israel. The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits on each side. As a special gift you will set aside the sacred portion, along with the property of the city.

Why?
There are 13 portions in the Promised Land, the sanctuary is located in the territory of Judah, so Judah is the center tribe of Israelites.

The territory of Levites could not be sold or passed into other hands, because it is holy to the Lord.

How?

We have to isolate the portion that belongs to the Lord, our life, our property, and our wisdom. I belong to the Lord. God is my shepherd I am a lamb in His pasture.


Wednesday, December 20, 2023

You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children.

Ezekiel 47:13-23

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph. 

This is to be the boundary of the land: On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad, Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran. The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary.

On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.

On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern boundary.

On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary.

You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord.



Why?

The Lord did not forget the promised land to his people Israel's 12 tribes. Here reconfirmed the boundary of the Promised Land, it is bigger than the land of Israel today.

Not only Israelis but also the foreigners residing among them and who have children may live with Israelites.

---------------------

1.將來還要再分地:當時以色列人已經亡國了,還是啟示神的應許之地,雖然人背信,神卻永遠可信的。

2.將來的新天新地:真正回到神面前時

3.彼此均分:神不偏待人,不同的地方有不同的優點,不用再去爭奪。

4.地的四圍:救恩有其範圍,也有普世的含義。應許之地不再限於以色列人,外邦人也有份。神賜福亞伯拉罕,亞伯拉罕也要成為萬國的祝福。分享的喜樂加倍的多!這對以色列人是很困難的。

我們承受恩典也分享恩典,同為一體,同為神的後嗣!

--------------------

How?

The way and plan of the Lord is higher than our plan and mind. May my heart and my mind connect to the Lord and obey God's words.



Tuesday, December 19, 2023

The River From the Temple, enter the dead sea, the salty water becomes fresh

Ezekiel 47:1-12

The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.

As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits[a] and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

Why?

The river from the Temple is healing so the water is live and fresh, so flows into the Dead Sea, the water becomes fresh and there are fish like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.

This is a vision shown to Ezekiel, God's power and his plan beyond our imaging.

This river symbolizes the life of the Lord given to many people and the surrounding area. The grace of the Lord covers other people, even foreigners.

------------------

V1-12 有水從聖殿流出來,且愈來愈多,讓海水變甜。使人得生命,神的作為不會只在聖殿,而是影響到聖殿以外,基督徒也要影響這個世界,水也代表聖靈,聖殿代表耶穌,聖靈從父與子流出來。聖殿出來的水是微小的涓涓細水,不會讓人害怕。若人不喜悅神的水,來自北方的敵人則是大水,激烈的水大河翻藤的水來自亞述等。水流向前愈流愈大、愈深。剛開始人還可以自主行動,在神的大水中。愈深我們就不能隨意自己走,被聖靈帶著走。我們是否願意走向水深之處。

各從其類,生命的質與量都不斷滋生。神的作為不會讓人厭煩,因為每日都是新的,都有新的果實。濕地、潮間帶:泥濘之地與窪濕之處不得治好:鹽水與淡水交會處,不覺得乾渴,沒有飢餓的感覺。讓我們讓神來帶領我們,我們對神的渴望的心。

How?

The water flow from the Temple has the healing power and may refresh the life.




Monday, December 18, 2023

The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened

Ezekiel 46:1-24

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened. The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico of the gateway and stand by the gatepost. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering and his fellowship offerings. He is to bow down in worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening. 

When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. 

When the prince provides a freewill offering to the Lord—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance. If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs.

He said to me, “This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering[e] and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people.

Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge. He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple are to cook the sacrifices of the people.

Why?

In the Temple, every gate and place is arranged for offering and worship, and gates are arranged for princes and people to enter in the different gates. The main principle is to separate from others. The East gate is for the prince, south and north gates are for others. the west side is for the priests' service.

There is regulation in the Temple so our worship has regulation and to the Lord. 

The east gate us open for the Prince only. 

The prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons will belong to his descendants. But a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, after the year of freedom will be reverted to the prince.

So the inheritance may be kept to the prince forever.

How?

The word of the Lord can not change or modify. For the Love and the righteousness is in it.




Sunday, December 17, 2023

Division of the Land and offerings and Holy Days

Ezekiel 45:1-25

When you allot the land as an inheritance, you are to present to the Lord a portion of the land as a sacred district, 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide; the entire area will be holy. Of this, a section 500 cubits square is to be for the sanctuary, with 50 cubits around it for open land. In the sacred district, measure off a section 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits[f] wide. In it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. 

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath.

In the first month on the fourteenth day you are to observe the Passover, a festival lasting seven days, during which you shall eat bread made without yeast. On that day the prince is to provide a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land. Every day during the seven days of the festival he is to provide seven bulls and seven rams without defect as a burnt offering to the Lord, and a male goat for a sin offering. He is to provide as a grain offering an ephah for each bull and an ephah for each ram, along with a hin[q] of olive oil for each ephah.

Why?

The holy city and Temple are the living center of God's people.

Not only princes of Israel, but also everyone should give up their violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing others.

To be a good servant of the Lord, God is my portion, so keep the Holy day, Sunday in my daily life is basic and worship the Lord!

How?

In all my ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight.