Great persecution broke out against the church, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria

Acts 8:1-24

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

 Peter answered: “ ... Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Why?

Saul joined the Jews, and the priests and persecuted the church in Jerusalem.

Philip performed the miracle to preach the gospel in Samaria and many people followed him. And Philp healed many paralyzed or lame persons.

Simon believed in and was baptized but did not accept the baptism of the Holy Spirit so he had some concept of this world.

After Peter said to Simon, Simon repented and asked Peter and John to pray to the Lord to forgive him. So he is really repented.

The Jews didn't like people in Samaritans, but when Philip came there the Holy Spirit was with him and came upon Samaritans. The Lord loves anyone who repents from their sins.

The Holy Spirit comes upon people not by someone by money or by any human's way. it is by the Lord who gives anyone who likes.

How?

Repent and trust in Jesus, no one else can save us from sin.

You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised

Acts 7:46-60

However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands.

You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Why?

Do not constrain our Lord in the Temple, the whole world or universal belongs to the Lord, and is God's place.

Stephan saw the heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Even before the dead Stephan prayed to the Lord to receive my spirit. How righteous man and a son of God.

From the beginning, many Jews are stiff-necked people, and so as many Asian people are stiff-necked, I was so bad before I turned to Jesus.

God's people hurt Christians more severely than foreigners. Because many people obey the laws but ignore love and patience.

How?

May my mind and my heart and my way be filled with the Holy Spirit and love and humility.

But our ancestors refused to obey him, Moses

 Acts 7:1-45

Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin:

Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

“As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.

“This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.

But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

“Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the Tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

Why?

It is the Jews who oppressed Jesus, and the apostles, they did even worse than the foreigners. From the generation of Moses until the times of Jesus.

This is the sin of human beings. Even though I refused Jesus when I was young, the love of the Lord never left me but gave me the chance to know this real God. How blessed I am, I am not smart, poor, and less talented. It is the Lord blessed my way, my every step, so I can have my family and my everything. I am not rich,  and fool, because God guided me, so I can do many wonders.

Stephen knew the history of the Israelites and the sins of their ancestors, so he spoke this and the truth, under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, he spoke this truth to let more people know it. How rebellent they were.

How?

Under comfortable situations or troubled situations, God may let us speak the right word to tell others the Gospel everywhere, at the right times.

Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel

Acts 6:1-15

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us. All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Why?

It was the time for the disciples and Christians to go out of Jerusalem to spread the gospel, so the Lord allowed the event of Stephen to happen.

Two men a witness to accuse someone is the law from Moses, but it was supposed all men are honest.

But someone to be a witness for the money or some profit and put the righteous man dead.

Managing a church needs wisdom and the Holy Spirit, so Stephen and the other 6 men were chosen.

Lay hands on them means may the Holy Spirit be with them to serve people.

How?

God's way and mind beyond us, we just do what we should do before the Lord!

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him

Acts 5:17-42

Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Why?

The high priest and all his associates were filled with jealousy, for they killed Jesus and the apostles taught the people to trust in Jesus.

It is the Lord helped the apostles, the door of jail did not open but the apostles were out of jail. 

Gamaliel is comfortable speaking the truth, if apostles's activity is of human origin, they will fail, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, and you will find yourselves fighting against God.

How?

If our activity comes from the Lord, no one can stop us, if our activity comes from human origin, it will fail.

You have not lied just to human beings but to God

Acts 5:1-16

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

Why?

The Lord is Holy! So we have to live a Holy life. Always with love, truth, and joy, peace!

Sick, weak, or troubled men like to search the Lord for we have no choice. Only when we confess we are weak we will need the Lord. But many search for the other gods.

Sometimes we are like Ananias, we cheat ourselves and do not honor our Lord. Be aware and fear the Lord for God knows everything in our hearts.

Confessing our weakness and praying to the Lord gives me faith and strength.

Peter got the power of the Holy Spirit, he can let people die and heal the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits. So people come to Peter as if peter is the Lord. 

How?

To be a Christian is a wonderful thing!

Filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly

Acts 4:23-37

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:  Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 

Why?

The procedure is 1) praise the Lord, 2) Know the Lord has known everything. 3)The issues of prayer do not remove the difficulties and do not mention the miracle and fear.

All of them come together and share what they have, with one heart one mind, and one body.

The Holy Spirit encourages us to speak the word of God boldly.

How?

With the Holy Spirit don't be afraid to speak the word of God. Pray to the Lord to enable your servants to speak your word with great coldness.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved

Acts 4:1-22

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this? 

It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Why?
The healing of the lamb and many people believed in Jesus Christ and followed Peter and John, so the priests could not do anything to them and released them.

There is no other name under heaven given to making by which we must be saved.

The truth is there so the priests and the captain of the temple guard could not reject it. We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.

How?

The truth is the stronghold so Peter and disciples could not help speaking about what we have seen and heard.

It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him

Acts 3:1-26

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.

He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.

Why?

People amazing Peter healed a lamb man before them. Peter explained this is the work of Jesus Christ raised by God from the dead, so Jesus can give us a new life. What we have to do is repent, and then turn to God so our sins may be wiped out.

One more piece of evidence to show Jesus worked on his disciples. Peter shows the power of the Holy Spirit and the mercy of Jesus Christ. So proclaim Repent, and turn to God.

How?

Be aware keep humble and repent, so that my sins may wiped out and get eternal life in Heaven.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins

Acts 2:37-47

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt  generation.”  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Why?

Repent and be baptized are the actions Peter answered them the reaction. One day there were 3000 were added to their number.

Those people have the same mind and devoted their own property in common.

For the Holy Spirit with them so the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

How?

It is not our power but is the effort of the Holy Spirit to change the minds of people.

God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah

Acts 2:14-36

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days, God says,   I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,  your young men will see visions,   your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,  I will pour out my Spirit in those days,   and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,  blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness  and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls  on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Why?

The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet: The Lord: the God, my Lord: Jesus Christ. So the Lord said to Jesus Christ sit at my right hand.

This miracle vision shows the Lord sending the Holy Spirit to come upon the Apostles. To prove they received the power from the Lord. It is described by the prophet Joel.

The good news is everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Our heavenly father has made Jesus the Lord and Messiah. Jesus is the Lord and Jesus is Messiah.

Human beings cannot save themselves, calling on the name of Jesus is the only way to be saved.

Jesus Christ conquered the dead and His word came truth, God proved Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.

Joel 2:31, 18, Psalm 16, and 111

Peter focuses on their questions to answer.

一篇講章只要用心預備，聖靈的工作才是重心。不用擔心。

How?

Worship the Lord and praise His Holy name, call on the name of the Lord, and Jesus Christ will be saved.

When the day of Pentecost came, All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues

 Acts 2:1-13

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Why?

五旬節日期則定在復活節後第50天和耶穌升天節後10天。「七七節」，就是五旬節（Pentecost / Shavuot）

世界各國人都聽到福音的初步實現，也預告未來傳福音的方式，要用各國的語言。有人聽不懂因為他們自己發瘋，以為別人發瘋。

Apostles spoke other tongues, and many people understood what they were saying. It is their hometown language.

It looks like they had too much wine. For it is impossible to most of the other people.

It is amazed and perplexed to most people around apostles.

How?

Holy Spirit doing amazing and wonder things, beyond our imagination.

May another take his place of leadership: Matthias

Acts 1:12-26

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.

“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: May his place be deserted;   let there be no one to dwell in it, and, ‘May another take his place of leadership.’

Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Why?
The apostles listen to the words of the angels, and return to Jerusalem, Olive mountain, close to Jerusalem.

Judas was dead and his wicked money bought a field to bury Judas, it is called the Field of Blood.

Peter took the responsibility to be a leader among disciples.

The cast is the best way to choose a comfortable man to replace Judas.

Peter according to the Book of Psalms makes the decision.

「十二」是永恆的數字。 七是時間裏暫時的完全，是神工作的完成。 十二是永世裡的完全，是三一神在復活裡（三）與受造物（四）完全的相調（相乘）所產生的數目。

How?

When we don't know how to do according to the Bible to do is the best way.

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth Acts

Acts 1:1-11

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Why?

After Jesus rose from death, he appeared to his disciples for over forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. And gave to them the command to be a witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This is the mission of all Christians,

Jesus gave us hope that He will come back again as the way he left us by cloud,

Wait 40 days to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is the proof of new life from the Lord.

This description shows Jesus was really raised from the dead and went up to heaven by cloud. No one can do it.

What are we waiting for? Do what we have to do!

How?

All of us are baptized by the Holy Spirit, so we can be sons of the Lord.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?

 Micha 10:11-20

The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries. In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, even from Egypt to the Euphrates and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds.

Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago.

“As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my wonders.”

Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will put their hands over their mouths and their ears will become deaf. They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to the Lord our God and will be afraid of you.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us;  you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

Why?

The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants. as a result of their deeds, So don't need to revenge or hate them.

The day is near like the days when you came out of Egypt, God will show them God's wonders.

Why people come to church, it is not only believe in the Lord, but also has the life of Jesus, they need the teaching in the church.

How?

How what we should do to love others and help others for the days of the Lord is near.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me

Micha 7:1-10

What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave.

The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.

Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—   they all conspire together.

Do not trust a neighbor;  put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.

For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—  a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.

Because I have sinned against him,  I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case
    and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light;  I will see his righteousness.
10 Then my enemy will see it  and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, “Where is the Lord your God?” My eyes will see her downfall;  even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets.

'Why?

Faithful  = upright person, 

No one can be trusted, a neighbor, a friend, even a wife. All of the relationships among people and family are broken.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,  I wait for God my Savior;  my God will hear me.

Micha confessed his sins, this is the fundamental mind of God's people.

Even we do not see any chance or opportunity. our faith may save us today or in the future in God's time.

No one can rely on them, even family.

How?

It is uneasy during this difficult time. but the Lord is my way, my hope.