I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord

1 Samuel 1:1-18, 19-28

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

Why?

Samual is born in the grace of the Lord and her mother prayed to the Lord and made a vow to give her son to the Lord. Hannah kept her prayer and vow with the Lord, for her son, Samual, is a promised son from the Lord, erased her shame in her family.

Hannah poured out her soul to the Lord, this is deep praying and Eli blessed her.  Most important the Lord listened to her pray.

Samuel: Because I asked the Lord for him.

Because of the mother with whole heart trust in the Lord, and she devoted her son to the Lord, and serve the Lord in whole his life. How beautiful a story it is.

Hannah had deep pain and great anguish and grief, Hannah knew no one could help her, only the Lord could change her life. So she went to pray to the Lord. 

How?

Do we have the faith as Hannan to pray to the Lord? May my heart and my mind focus on the Lord!

Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him

2 Peter 3:1-18

I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! 

Why?

Out Lord is the light, a thousand years as one day, and a day is like a thousand years. God is not delayed but He is patient with us not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God is love.

What we have to do is make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with the Lord. 

We have to guard ourselves and not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from our secure position.

By means of God creates. by his word. By water destroy, By his word, this world will be destroyed.

How?

 Peter knows what we will meet so he wrote this letter to remind us, to be alert and make an effort to be a real Christian.

Follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey

2 Peter 2:10-22

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

Why?

Those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority are forbidden to followers of Jesus Christ. The desire for the flesh is a common desire for human beings, despise authority is despise the teaching of the Lord.

There are some people bold and arrogant, they refuse the Lord, and they are follow the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of wickedness, Balaam was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey. A man even worse than a donkey, an animal. It is a shame to be this man.

For those who love this world and refuse the way of righteousness, the end will be worse than before. and they don't know, so they are walking in the darkness.

How?

May the Lord bless me with clear eyes, and help me enhance my strong faith in Christ. May the desire of the Lord be my desire.

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment

2 Peter 2:1-9

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others.  if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless. 

if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 

Why?

There have been false prophets among the people, from the time of Peter until now. But we are not alone, for the Lord is with us, In ancient times the Lord saved Noah and his family, and rescued Lot and his family when the Lord condemned ungodly people. 

Because of their greed, these teachers will explore us with fabricated stories. So the falling is from their greedy hearts.

We don't worry too much about the ungodly people and they den the sovereign Lord, when the time is up, all these will gone and disappear.

How?

Our faith is strong, keeping our behavior as the Lord told us. Do my best as a servant of the Lord and humble myself. Keep away from greedy hearts.

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit

2 Peter 1:12-21

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Why?

Peter once time reminded us he would pass away, but Peter witnessed that Jesus is the Son of God on the high mountain. Peter reminded us that he really saw the Lord appear before him and said this is my Son, whom I love. To show it is not a story but it is the truth. Jesus is the Son of the Lord.

Prophets spoken from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, and prophecy never had its origin in the human will. So we have to care about the word of prophets.

After Jesus came to this world, there were no more Prophets in this world, the Lord let us know through the Holy Spirit.

How?

Knowing the truth then we may identify what is true and false. I trust that Jesus is the Son of the Lord, and Jesus will come again in his time.

My brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election

2 Peter 1:1-11

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Why?

Make every effort, to add faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Then we may be closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter encourages everyone to make every effort to confirm our calling and election.

To be a good servant of the Lord, will never stumble, and will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord.

How?

To enter the kingdom of God we need to make every effort in our whole life on the world.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-12

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Why?

Peter encouraged most Christians like me, 1) Humble ourselves, and 2) Cast all our anxiety on Him because Jesus cares for us.

Yes. The Lord cares for me, in the past two weeks I have fallen into system regeneration problems and the Payment system's unstable situation. I was tired and frustrated, but I knew the solution was in the hands of the Lord. Today all of these problems are solved. Praise to the Lord.

Yes, we have suffered in this world for a little while, God will restore us and make us strong, firm, and steadfast.

How?

Jesus is my shepherd, my savior, and my hope! No one can compare with our Lord in this world.

To elders and young men

1 Peter 5:1-5

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Why?

Paul taught the elder in the church, witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed. 2) be shepherds of God's flock. 3) Not because you must, but because you are willing. 4) Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve. 4) No lording over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

How?

These four guidances are not only for the elders but also for all Christians to obey!

if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name

1 Peter 4:12-19

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Why?

Peter encouraged those who suffer in the Name of Christ. Do not be ashamed, but praise God that we bear that name.

Even those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. For what we are doing the Lord knows us.

Even if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, the ungodly and the sinners are impossible to be saved and will suffer more for their deeds.

How?

Be strong and faithful in Christ for our God beyond our way, if we suffer for the name of the Lord. It is time to praise God that we bear Jesus' name.

Be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Why?

The end of all things is near, it means the end of the world is near. So we should 1)love each other, and 2)offer hospitality to one another 3)without grumbling.

Be alert and of sober mind so that we may pray to the Lord and know how to face this world.

We have received the gift from the Lord, so we can serve others. Speak: the very words of God. Serve: do with the strength God provides.

All of our serving may be praised through Jesus Christ.

The love covers over a multitude of sins. For we are sinners without the love of the Lord we can do anything/

How?

I am nothing, but the Lord, and Jesus Christ be praised forever.

They might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit

1 Peter 4:1-6

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Why?

Jesus is our example,  learn from Jesus with the same attitude for whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. Let us live for the will of God rather than live for evil human desires.

Everyone will be judged for their body, but live according to God with the spirit.

How?

All who trust in the Lord and walk in the way of God's word will be saved in the Spirit.

Not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God

1 Peter 3:18-22

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Why?

Jesus suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. This is the salvation for all of us. In Noah's time, most people did not trust in God's word, now through the blood of Jesus Christ everyone can made alive in the Spirit. This salvation is easy to get but most men still trust in themselves.

Jesus was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. This Spirit is imprisoned spirit.

The water in Noah and only eight people were saved, so same as this generation only a few turn to Jesus and be saved. This water symbolizes baptism. 

We are not only through water baptism but also Spiritual baptism.

removal of dirt from our body, more important is the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.

How?

Pursue a clear conscience toward God! May I be a blessing to others and know the Lord.

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:8-17

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 

Why?

1)be like-minded, 2)be sympathetic, 3) love one another, 4) be compassionate 5) humble

Repay evil with blessing, because we are called to inherit a blessing.

Keep our tongue from evil, and lips from deceitful speech. This is the way to protect ourselves to be peaceful.

prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that I have. Let others know the reason for the hope I have. This is a real witness to the Lord.

How?

Doing good to attract others is better than tongue only.

Treat wife with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life

1 Peter 3:1-7

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Why?

Wives: submit yourselves to your own husbands. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. Women's beauty is different from others' focus on outside beauty and decoration. But the daughter of the Lord should show the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

The way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves: Holy in God to adorn themselves, this is the best way for men and women.

The husband is the same way lives with his wife. and treat them with respect as the weaker partners.

How?

Do the jobs and duties at home and our living world, to be a good witness to honor the Holy Name of the Lord.

In his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness

2 Peter 2:18-25

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Why?

It is commendable before God: 1)if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 2)if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. Bear our own cross and follow Jesus Christ.

Jesus's body was on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. ourselves could not become righteousness.

We might die to sins and live for righteousness because Jesus himself bore our sins in his body on the cross.

Because of the wounds of Jesus, we have been healed before the Lord.

How?

We have no reason to say we are good, only Jesus can let us die to sins and live for righteousness.

叫人活起來 林後3:2-8

 林後3:2-8

1.讀棒球規則，卻一步都不敢走，永遠都只是觀眾?(爆走球迷)

2. 你們就是我們的薦信，寫在我們的心裡，被眾人所知道所念誦的。 

3. 你們明顯是基督的信，藉著我們修成的。不是用墨寫的，乃是用永生神的靈寫的；不是寫在石版上，乃是寫在心版上。

4. 我們因基督，所以在神面前才有這樣的信心。

5. 並不是我們憑自己能承擔什麼事；我們所能承擔的，乃是出於神。

6. 他叫我們能承當這新約的執事，不是憑著字句，乃是憑著精意；因為那字句是叫人死，精意（或作：聖靈）是叫人活。

7. 那用字刻在石頭上屬死的職事尚且有榮光，甚至以色列人因摩西面上的榮光，不能定睛看他的臉；這榮光原是漸漸退去的，

8. 何況那屬靈的職事豈不更有榮光嗎？

教會今日？ 看見？ 何去何從？

問題：

孤單? 無力感 財務困難?

反對聲浪自我放棄! 遭誣衊#%^&@

軟弱? 無能的自責… 無名的壓力 …………………… 懼怕? !

求助:

長執會認同肯定? 財務特別奉獻憂鬱治療

靈恩顯靈! 在職再特訓?

好友的安慰? 換教會當個副手 …………… 憂傷？！

1.主啊求祢拿我碎我直到我向祢屈服

雙眼注視愛主十架各各他山寶血流

重新呼召我跟隨祢一切願為祢丟棄

願愛火燃起關懷罪人不甘見他們永死

2.父啊我心深覺慚愧跪主前流淚痛悔

赦免我曾忘記誓言救人事工向後退

我今重新向主應徵斬斷一切的纏累

願一生為主愛主事主傳播主救人宏恩

你們就是我們的薦信，… 你們明顯是基督的信，藉著我們修成的。

不是用墨寫的， 乃是用永生神的靈寫的；

不是寫在石版上，乃是寫在心版上。

我們因基督，所以在神面前才有這樣的信心。

並不是我們憑自己能承擔什麼事；我們所能承擔的，乃是出於神。

他叫我們能承當這新約的執事，不是憑著字句，乃是憑著精意；

因為那字句是叫人死，精意（聖靈）是叫人活。

那用字刻在石頭上屬死的職事尚且有榮光，甚至以色列人

因摩西面上的榮光，不能定睛看他的臉；這榮光原是漸漸退去的，

何況那屬靈的職事豈不更有榮光嗎？

1.讀棒球規則，卻一步都不敢走，永遠都只是觀眾?(爆走球迷)

↓↓

思想[教會]…雖讀聖經，不願成為門徒，永遠當會友?

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2.報名作球員，卻不願團隊精神，永遠都個人主義?(成功神學)

↓↓

思想[教會]…隨己意行，不願委身事奉，站邊緣自誇?

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●看見夢幻隊伍，看見全場歡呼，絕對是國家英雄!(貴重器皿)

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思想[教會]…成為見證人，站出來因著信成為見證人!

1. 你們就是真道的見證人！

感謝神！常率領我們在基督裡誇勝，

並藉著我們在各處顯揚那因認識基督而有的香氣。

因為我們在神面前，無論在得救的人身上

或滅亡的人身上，都有基督馨香之氣。

在這等人，就作了死的香氣叫他死；

在那等人，就作了活的香氣叫他活。這事誰能當得起呢？

林後2:14-16

2.由生命果效來看字句與精意

他叫我們能承當這新約的執事，不是憑著字句，

乃是憑著精意；

因為那字句是叫人死，精意（聖靈）是叫人活。3:6

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～－

1,自己責備自己？！ (因著保惠師)

2,自己踏出腳步？！ (因著信)

3.自己活潑起來？！ (獻上活祭)

神純全可喜悅的旨意！

3.屬死的職事與屬靈的職事

那用字刻在石頭上屬死的職事尚且有榮光，

甚至以色列人因摩西面上的榮光，

不能定睛看他的臉；這榮光原是漸漸退去的，

何況那屬靈的職事豈不更有榮光嗎？ 3:7.8

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

● 兩種事奉的果效…

痛苦哀哭→ 惰性習慣→ 自我滿足錯覺

明白看見→ 如鷹展翅→ 道路真理生命

思想：

神的應許，不論有多少，在基督都是是的。

所以藉著他也都是實在（阿們）的，

叫神因我們得榮耀。

那在基督裡堅固我們和你們，

並且膏我們的就是神。

他又用印印了我們

並賜聖靈在我們心裡作憑據。林後1:20-22

挑戰：

生身的父都是暫隨己意管教我們； 挑戰

惟有萬靈的父管教我們，是要我們得益處，

使我們在他的聖潔上有分。

凡管教的事，當時不覺得快樂，反覺得愁苦；

後來卻為那經練過的人結出平安的果子，就是義。

所以，你們要把下垂的手、發酸的腿、挺起來；

也要為自己的腳，把道路修直了，

使瘸子不致歪腳（差路），反得痊癒。

來12:10-13

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil

2 Peter 2:11-17

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Why?

All of us are foreigners and exiles, so we have to abstain from sinful desires. Our journey in this world is short as a guest.

Live good lives among the pagans, they may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. and instead of revenge on the enemies.

It is hard work to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Show proper respect to everyone.

We are free from sins, but it doesn't mean we are free to do anything we want. but live as God's slaves.

How?

Because Jesus suffered all of our sins, and we got this great salvation and the Lord is with us, so rely on the help of the Holy Spirit, and show proper respect to everyone.

Like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood

1 Peter 2:1-15

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Why?

We are free to do every good and silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Christianity has a different identity, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's special possession. Our mission is called out of darkness into his wonderful light.

We know many people do not believe in Jesus Christ so they lost their salvation, but we don't know who will be chosen by the Lord, and doing our best to honor the Holy Name of the Lord from our behavior.

How?

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor

Be holy, because I am holy

1 Peter 1:10-25

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,  trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,     but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Why?

Self-control and set our hope fully on the grace to be given us when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Be holy , because my God is holy.

Live in reverent fear, for we are guests in this world, one day we will return to our homeland in heaven.

How?

Keep living out the image of Jesus Christ and have faith and hope in the Lord.

For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls

1 Peter 1:1-9

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Why?

All of us have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, through the work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood. Not of our effort or our identity bur because of the love and grace of the Lord come upon us.

For God's elect, we may have grace and peace in abundance.

Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have given new birth into a living hope. This grace and peace is abundant in us.

Yes, we believe in him, though we have not seen him, so we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

How?

Be joyful and peaceful and love others, no matter what we meet. God is with us, protect us.

For two whole years Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

 Acts 28:11-31

And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.

They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”  For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,    and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Why?

Paul kept his mission from the Lord and continued to preach the Gospel, some were believed but some refused. This situation is just the same as the prophet had said: Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding.

Paul stayed there and proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. Paul is an honest servant of the Lord.

Because of the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain. the hope of Israel is Jesus Christ, but Paul was bound with this chain for Jesus Christ, Jews refuse to believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

How?

Paul is a good example of a follower of Jesus Christ. proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

people of this island they changed their minds and said Paul was a god

Acts 28:1-10

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Why?

Paul shows he is different among those people, Paul was not hit by the snake and healed many sick people on the island.

People on this island saw Paul as a god. Because the snake could not hurt him and he helped many sick people be cured.

I have not the capability to heal sick people, I am a normal man, and without the Lord, I can do nothing.

How?

Pray to the Lord and protect my living day with peace joy and health. Blessing and Healing bring honor and respect from others, like the island of Malta.