Pray for stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured

Colossians 4:7-18

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. 

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Why?

Pray what: Epaphras, pray for them, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

All Christians should like Tychicus, be faithful ministers and fellow servants in the Lord.

Knowledge is good but could not replace Jesus Christ, this is the circumstance of Colossians facing on.

Jesus Christ is our source of eternal life and love and faith.

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1. 推基古，阿尼西母告訴他們一切的事。

    自己的生活等不怕別人知道！向弟兄姊妹敞開。我們對這個團體沒有安全感時就無法敞開。求主幫助我們在教會弟兄姊妹面前能夠看為自己人。

每個同工都有神要用的地方。

以巴弗為你們和老底嘉並希拉波立的弟兄多多的勞苦，這是我可以給他作見證的。表示別人不知道，保羅知道。

亞里達古與保羅一同坐監，不要以為保羅在監獄很快樂，有亞里達古的協助，保羅減輕許多苦！

猶士都，馬可，亞里達古都是猶太人。這裏在告訴猶太人，不要以為是猶太人就高人一等。

以巴弗是禱告的人，保羅為他做見證，很有國度觀。

亞基布是保羅的同工，務要謹慎，因為當時異端教導敬拜神之前要敬拜天使。

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How?

Pray for me to be faithful to the Lord, and be a fellow servant in the Lord.

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful

Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Why?

How to pray? 1)Love Him, 2)Thank Him, 3)Serve Him

Pray for 1) to open a door for our message 2)I may proclaim it clearly 3) to Be wise in the way I act toward outsiders. 4) Let our conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.

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警醒+感恩:新的生活充滿挑戰，人際關係充滿挑戰與困難。人際關係中3:12憐憫、謙卑、溫柔、感恩。凡事感恩：因為知道凡事都是神的恩典，一切都是神的祝福，與人的關係就不會到負面。

傳道人通常多為別人禱告，保羅卻要弟兄姊妹為他禱告，因為入知道自己也是會軟弱。

保羅關心的是福音是否繼續傳開，不是為他的監獄生活平安禱告？

如何與外人交往： 善用時間： 善用每個時機、用智慧、和氣傳福音。與他人互動時是否讓人感受到不一樣的氣氛。言語中帶著和氣： 帶著恩惠，不是去得罪對方，不是去定人的罪、責備，而是勸勉，不是用高傲的態度來說話。

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How?

Pray to the Lord so that I have the wisdom to know how to answer everyone.

Instructions for Christian Households

Crossians 3:18-4:1

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Why?

To be a Christian we are actors to show the love and beauty of Jesus Christ to others in this world. Attract others to come to Jesus and let more people be freed from sins.

How?

We know we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. So I am delight to do everything to honor the Lord.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace

 Corossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self

Colossians 2:20-3:11

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

信主後有什麼改變?

海格牧師對我的話

 昨天(Jan/17/2010)主日後接受了海格牧師的預言服事。我是最後一個，即限額的第 25名，老婆及女兒早上都登記了，也領受了。我在服務中，發現還有剩下一個名額，因為我實在想知道神有什麼啟示給我，於是把自己排入第25名。

牧師講了許多。主要大意有

1. 不要懷疑神的工作，雖然現在看不到跡象，但是神仍然在為我工作中。

2.不要管那失望的人，神神不會讓我失望。

3.神要帶我去高處high ground

4.神為我開的門不是人能夠開的，也不是人能夠關的。

5.當那門我百分百明白是神為我開的路。

6.要點燃心中的靈火，要像烈火一樣，充滿主愛的烈火、神的烈火，只有這樣才能供應周圍空虛的人，飢餓的人。

我存記在心中，寫在這裡，以見證神，榮耀神。

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him

Colossians 2:6-19

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

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1.受苦：為教會受苦倒覺得歡樂。教會的成長需要受苦，看到教會成長，覺得受苦已不足道。教會是基督的身體，為教會受苦，即為基督受苦，教會、基督、保羅都綁在一起。我們在教會的患難中有份。耶穌基督與我們同承擔這一切。缺欠：保羅認為教會所受的若苦還沒有完全。他寧可為教會承擔、分擔教會的苦，且這樣的承擔永遠不夠。

2.使命： 傳道，傳道全備。歷世歷代所隱藏的奧祕是外邦人與猶太人特同得福音的任務。是用諸般的智慧，勸戒各人，教導各人，要把各人在基督裡完完全全的引到神面前： 不僅帶領人來歸基督，而且每個人毫無瑕疵的成為主的門徒。照著神在他裏面的能力運用。1.我們願意回應 2.神在我們心裏動工，產生良性循環。盡心竭力。屬靈的偉人是從看見自己的軟弱開始。不要等神的感動才行動，而是用行動去體會神已經賜我們的能力。

3.高標準的模範:保羅看見目標： 教會的成長即在悟性中有充足的信心。 我這一生活著就是榮耀神。這是保羅生命價值觀的改變，用神的價值觀取代世界的，我們原來的價值觀。

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Ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives

 Colossians 1:1-14

To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:.

because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

Why?

There are many false teaching among churches. So we need to know the truth of the Lord then we may identify which is false.

Our Lord will fill us with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. So we should pray to the Lord to give us the Holy Spirit to get more wisdom and understanding about the word of the Lord.

How?

Dear Lord, I need your Spirit to teach me and understand your word and be willing to implement your mission in my life.

And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites

Isaiah 66:15-24

For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord.

“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord.

I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans[b] and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations.

And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord.

As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord.  “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Why?

Christians of can not keep the Holy life will be discarded by the Lord, suffer the fire, and fir punished.

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word

 Isaiah 66:1-14

Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?”

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. 

But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck;

Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame.

Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

Why?

How?

Be humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word

New heaven and a New earth

Isaiah 65:17-35

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered,  nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;  for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

Why?

There is a new heaven and a new earth God created for his people. There are glad and rejoice forever. 

Never again there be in it an infant who lives but a few days. people may live more than a hundred years.

They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune. There are many people who labor in vain and struggle to live.

How?

There is peace, rejoice, not labor in vain, and live longer on the new earth. This is like a dream to many of us. We believe it will come true on the day of the Lord.

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me

Isaiah 65:1-16

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations.

who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps.

I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me.

I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.

Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.

Why?

The Lord shows himself to us, no one can know the Lord by his way. For the love of the Lord upon us.

Even though the Lord called people to come to Him, many are still pursuing their own imaginations.

Our Lord is full of love and righteousness. To those who still walk in ways not good will be smoke in God's nostrils a file that keeps burning all day.

Actually whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God. There is one true God only.

How?

My God is the true God who created this world and us. His love endures forever. I will praise His Holy name in my life.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand

Isaiah 64:1-12

For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.

Why?

When the Lord did an awesome thing that we did not expect, it is no one can bare and survive.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Our righteousness is not really righteous and contains our selfish minds.

The Lord is hidden from us and has given us over to our sins.

We are the clay, God is the potter, and we are all the work of God's hand.

The righteousness can not depend on our behavior but rely on the mercy of the Lord, rely on the salvation of Jesus.

How?

Be humble, we are the work of God's hand. Do our best to do anything honor the Lord.

God’s Day of Vengeance and Redemption

Isaiah 63:1-19

Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory,  mighty to save.”

Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?

I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.

It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”

Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us. But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

Why?
It is the Lord who let Edom come to fight with Israel, and they have the same father Abrahan. Israel afraid that men wear red clothes, Now for his revenge for his people, God's clothes are shed with red blood either.

The revenge and the salvation come from the Lord for the Lord loves his people, no one was with the Lord from the nations.

The Holy Spirit was worried about us, so we have to care about what we thought and do, don't let the Holy Spirit worry about us.

How?

Meditate the mind and way of Jesus Christ in my situation. then do it with the right way from Holy Spirit.

They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord

Isaiah 62:1-12

you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

Why?

The Lord has posted watchmen on the walls, of Jerusalem, so we should not rest and praise the Lord. For the Lord is listening to our prayer.

People of the Lord will be called Hephzibah, (be loved) and land will be called (has husband women)

After salvation people of the Lord will be called the Holy People, the redeemed of the Lord. We are different from others.

How?

Praise to the Lord and give thanks to the Lord all in my life.

Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace

Isaiah 61:1-11

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace  you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Why?

We are ministers of our God, so we should correctly read the word of the Lord and proclaim the word of the Lord others, and bring the repentance and salvation of the Lord to others.

Bride means us, all Christians, and bridegroom means Jesus Christ.

The Lord will make a everlasting covenant with his people.

How?

Praise the Lord for his great love and mercy and righteousness endure forever.

Although you have been forsaken and hated, I will make you the everlasting pride

Isaiah 60:1-22

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

“Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests? Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.

Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations— their kings led in triumphal procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.

“Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior,  your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler.

you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

Why?

Even the darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. This is the promise to his people, never give up and keep the trust in our Lord. The glory of Zion will come upon us.

There is no sun and moon, but the Lord will be our sun forever.

Your wall will call salvation and your gates Praise. For Jesus Christ is our salvation and our praise.

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最後幾章看到榮耀，給人有盼望。

當一切都黑暗，沒有盼望時，神的榮光照耀耶路撒冷，神兒女身上的光要影響萬民。萬民都想來歸主。

教會的合一：猶太人與外邦人合一，是新耶路撒冷的特色。

不要把自己不要的拿來給教會！

心中的城門不要關上，要讓神與人進來。

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How?

Give thanks to the Lord and always humble me, for except the Lord there is no god who can help me.