2010 Nov 30 - 1 Corinthians 6 - Eva

Dear all,

 

昨晚真的非常緊張...好驚因我很久沒有lead study...lead sin study更加難，很grateful caca 叫我try, 不過後來也是caca lead的...

很感激神真的很鼓勵比我去成長及激勵我...昨晚study有段經文好鼓勵我

(林前6:19-20)豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿麼．這聖靈是從　神而來、住在你們裏頭的．並且你們不是自己的人． 因為你們是重價買來的．所以要在你們的身子上榮耀　神。

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or are you not conscious that your body is a house for the Holy Spirit which is in you, and which has been given to you by God? and you are not the owners of yourselves; For a payment has been made for you: let God be honoured in your body.

 

因我是神重價買來的，要用來榮耀神。雖然昨晚study完都有點夜，但很開心今早可以去跑步及有個好好的pray...

仲有我地也很需要大家, 讓cat明白及見到神的愛，像brenda所提議一樣，(1 John 4:19) 我們愛，因為神先愛我們。

 

 

Love in Christ

Eva 

2010 Nov 30 - Psalm 77 - Shelley

Psalm 77:13-14 "Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? verse 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."

 

Wow God is truly amazing and nothing can compare to His glory. This scripture really touch my heart for these past two days as I remember how great God is and remember the miracles He has done this year and last year. I am inspired to hear about both Eric and Cat and so happy to get to know them too. Even though Cat could not communicate with me that well I could see on Sunday on the hike how open she is to know the truth. I also see that Eric's heart is very receptive (open) to know more about God. I will pray for miracles to be done in the bible talk above all to give God the glory as we are His workmanship in Christ Jesus. God will make the seeds grow. (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)  'So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour. For we are God's fellow workers.' God will bless your hearts of sacrifice. Ga yo.

 

Brenda I am inspired that you made the decision to go the study rather. I know it was hard for you to make this decision as I could see on Sunday night how you really wanted to go to the tournament. This is a great example to me and many sisters. When we deny ourselves or sacrifice for God it is not always easy to do it initially but in the end we feel more rewarded because we know we have done something more valuable in God's eyes. I would really like to have more opportunities to be involved in helping the lost even with my poor Cantonese! Praying that God can open a door me on PolyU next year to reach out to more Mainland students! This is my dream. Please pray for God's will.

 

I will be leaving for my hometown soon. Can't believe I have just one more night here and then I will be in African soil on Thursday morning. I am excited to see my brother getting married but also very happy to reunite with all my spiritual brothers and sisters in South Africa! We are all  in one kingdom and of one spirit. No matter the cultural background we all serve one God. Amen.

 

May God inspire us to reach out more to the lost soils. Use our talents to serve Him more.

 

Love Shelley-bean

2010 Nov 30 - Mark 13 - Brenda

Mark 13:31 
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

馬可福音  13:31 天地要廢去．我的話卻不能廢去。

 

Morning dear all,

 

It's a very nice day today and as I feel much better now.  Guess what? I've made the right decision to go to the sin study last night with Cat, together with Caca, Eva and Kathy.  Even though most of us were sick, God really led us and moved Cat's heart. she was very broken and went into tears the whole night.  I was so convicted and touched throughout the study.

 

It reinforces the verse I've read today that God's words will not pass away, even if the heaven and earth pass away.  As I am seeing Cat how she was led by the words of God and changed by it.  Let's continue praying for her and what's the next - cross study.

 

Wish all of us - bible talk and pair-up can encourage her on sunday by giving her a card, or give her a hug or even speak to her to ask her to keep it up with the study, it will definitely help!!!

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

Loveya!

Brenda

2010 Nov 29 - 1 Corinthians 15 - Brenda

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58.Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 
哥林多前書  15:56 死的毒鉤就是罪．罪的權勢就是律法。  15:57 感謝 神、使我們藉著我們的主耶穌基督得勝。  15:58 所以我親愛的弟兄們、你們務要堅固不可搖動、常常竭力多作主工、因為知道你們的勞苦、在主裡面不是徒然的。

 

Dear All,

 

Morning. Today I've got up a bit late as still feeling kind of funny.  After fighting a flu battle for over a month and I am quite exhausted now.  I understand today's verse why it says the sting of death is sin.  It just likes the flu stays at my body not going away it causes so many complications, and makes my body so weak.  But I need to keep fighting the battle until the flu totally goes away.  As I know that 'my labour in the lard is not in vain'.  In my spiritual battle I also need to fight the good fight. 'stand firm, let nothing move me' 'always give myself fully to the work of the lord'. 

 

Tonight is another battle, as there's a sin study for CAT but I also need to participate in the tennis tournament, it is the last tournament in the season, shall I join the study? or shall I go to the tournament?

 

Wish you have a good fight in the beginning of the day!

 

Love you all!

Brenda

2010 Nov 26 - Colossians 4 - Shelley

Colossians  4:2 'Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.'

 

Goodmorning all,

 

What a great morning it is that God has blessed us with. Lets thank him for the beautiful weather today. I woke up a bit later this morning and had to take the shuttle bus rather than the early ferry but I am grateful to be feeling alot better today than this past week. I hope to be healthy enough tomorrow morning to go on my long run from Sunny Bay to Tung Chung to train up for the Standard charter race in February and also look forward to having a great personal retreat with God on Lamma island tomorrow afternoon.

 

This scripture was shared last night at our housechurch. It is a great scripture to me because it reminds me that I need to be 'watchful' of my heart and always be thankful. Not easy to complain or become ungrateful. Be thankful for the small things in my life and thank God for my family, career, and my relationships with my friends. We had to write four aspects of our lives on four hands yesterday at housechurch. I was really touched in my heart that it's good to share specific things in my life that I can be grateful for. Writing down people's names on the hands that are close to me and what things in their character I am thankful for. I pray always to have this heart to remember special moments and things that people have shared with me in my life including my family. To never take things for granted that has given me that I could have never done alone. I appreciate the sharing at housechurch in Island Central yesterday. I could see Steve and Jane Chin were touched by all our warm hearts.

 

Today I feel inspired to encourage my students to go to the park near my school and write down on printed hands what they can be grateful for in their lives.

 

Lets encourage one another to continue to have grateful and soft hearts.

 

Love you all,

 

Shelley-bean :-)

2010 Nov 26 - Colossians 3 - Brenda

“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.” - Colossians 3:17

 

 

歌 羅 西 書 3:17  

無 論 做 甚 麼 ， 或 說 話 或 行 事 ， 都 要 奉 主 耶 穌 的 名 ， 藉 著 他 感 謝 父 神 。

Morning Everyone!!!

I am in Guangzhou now visiting my dad.  Thank God that I had a great time with Dad last night as we went out for dinner, when Dad saw me he just couldn't stop smiling as he's so happy, same as me.  He also shared a lot of his things in the past and we have a very good bonding to each other.

Today is the 2nd day of thanksgiving day and by looking at today's verse it reminds me again "WWJD"(what would Jesus do) as it was running in my old BT and everyone of us had a bracelet Printed"WWJD" worn on our wrist reminding us always the words "what would Jesus do", it went so well as it helped us to resolve a lots of bad attitude towards each other.

Whatever I do, whether in word or deed, I would think about what would Jesus do first. and give thanks to him.  Wish everyone of you have a great day with grateful heart!!!

Love you all!

Brenda

2010 Nov 25 - Ephesians 5 - Shelley

Ephesians 5:20

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ".

Happy thanksgiving everyone

May we be filled with gratitude above all for what Jesus had sacrificed on the cross for our sins. God says be thankful for everything to me this means in good times and bad times. I should be grateful that God gives me the opportunity to learn from a challenging situation whether it's at work or in my relationships with others because as a Christian I can learn some thing good out of a challenging situation. I don't need to run away from it because God can work everything for the good Romans 8:28. Sometimes I would still fear a difficult situation or conflict will come my way but when I am grateful that God can work out the good in any situation I face whether good or bad then I can have a 'perfect peace' in my heart and be grateful that God still hold my hand in good and bad times and give me the strength to overcome a tough time. As Christians life is not easy but if we grateful always and train ourselves to be grateful and joyful then I think we can get strength from God to endure (bear with hard time with more patience).

I get to see my own family in week's time. See my young brother getting married on the 3rd of December. My dad has decided to take off the weekend of the 3rd to spend time with me even though he has to try and sell property to make his money on the weekend. I am grateful to have a wonderful daddy. He has made such a impact in my life.

It's good for us to tell our loved ones how muh they mean to us and how grateful we are to have them in our lives. But above all I think we need to show the 'attitude' of gratitude and not just use words to tell others.

Have a blessed day in the Lord and be thankful!

Love, Shelley-bean

2010 Nov 25 - Philippians 4 - Andy

There isn't much time for me in the thxgiving day haha!

Brenda and Shelley has share two scriptures about thxgiving. Hope everyone enjoy (as I did and doing haha)

I would also like to share a scripture about thanksgiving, although this is not I am currently reading.

I remember I found out this scripture last year, to encourage my BT group.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."              Philippians 4:6 -7 

A thanksgiving with promise for God!

Find time to meditate this scripture la, it is surely encouraging.

Gotta prepare for the test tonight!

Add oil!

Cheers,

Andy

2010 Nov 25 - Proverbs 23 - Brenda

Proverbs 23:22 
Listen to your father who gave you life,and do not despise your mother when she is old. 

箴言  23:22 你要聽從生你的父親．你母親老了、也不可藐視他。

Morning Everyone!!!

 

Happy thanksgiving day everyone!!! Today is thanksgiving day and I just feel grateful and thankful to God who has given me such warm family, physically and spiritually.  Grateful to have such warm house church last night and I felt so encouraged and inspired by the sharings and I felt so touching and moved. 

 

Today's verse reminds me of my father, as I am going to Guangzhou to see him today and I really really miss him alot since I haven't seen him for long long time.  I am so looking forward to seeing him.  I've respected my dad since I was a little girl as he's my role model and he's the one I've looked up to.  Especially today is thanksgiving and I just wish to thank my dad who gave my life on earth and I also thank my father in heaven who gave my life in eternity!!!

 

I need to go now and wish you all have a thankful and grateful heart!!!

 

Love you all!

Brenda 

2010 Nov 24 - 2 Timothy 1 - Brenda

2 Timothy 1:7 
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

提摩太后書  1:7 因為 神賜給我們、不是膽怯的心、乃是剛強、仁愛、謹守的心。

 

Dear all,

 

Morning everyone!!! Thanksgiving is coming tomorrow and we will celebrate it tonight at our house church, here I just wanna say big thanks to all of you being my dear friends who read my QT journal everyday and encourage me daily.

 

Today's verse seems simple but all of us really need it in our everyday life!!! We all need to be courageous to love NOT fear, Self-control is our life-long lesson, it is something to do with how we control our emotion, behaviour and desires.  It is our everyday battle of how to be self-control and God always teaches us to love him with our heart, mind, soul and strength, in the meantime we need to know how to be self-control, as if we don't know how to control our heart we can never say that we can love God and people around us!!!

 

Wish everyone is having the spirit of power, love and self-control that God already gave us!!!

 

Love you all and wish you have a great day full of grateful heart!!!

Brenda

2010 Nov 24 - Psalm 51 - Shelley

'Psalm 51:17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, (showing deep regret, remorse for doing wrongdoing) O God, you will not despise (ignore).'

 

Goodmorning all,

 

Although today I am not feeling my best physically I still want to reflect on God's word and see how He can restore my spirit again. When I read this verse it reminds me that I need to always be broken before God when I have sinned. Sometimes I reason with myself, 'oh it's just a small sin or just one bad thought or action' but in God's eyes it is the same as a big sin like murdering or stealing. I am convicted that I need to open about everything that I struggle with and get help from God and others that I am close to in my life.

 

Ezekiel 36:26 promises that if we turn to God and we are really sorry for our sin that He is willing to change our heart of stone into a heart of 'flesh' a soft heart. We are not able to do this by ourselves alone but only by the grace of God and by the love and support of others we are open to.

 

I pray for all of us to be willing to be open about our sin before others we trust and God so that we can share in God's glory. Amen.

 

Love, Shelley

2010 Nov 24 - Luke 6 - Andy

I find a special scripture today, and would like to share with you too (hope it is not too late)

"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

A scriptures that remind us to alert what is your conviction of your life - pleasing people or pleasing God? 

It is common that in our daily life, we try to please everyone around, fulfilling their needs and requirement.

That is not a bad thing, as it is God's wishes that we love and give to one another.

But after some time, would we lose the focus on God?

"If everything you say is loved by everyone, the odds are good that you're bending the truth" [cited from Ref. below]

To think more about this approach, i think of many people, and found out that everyone in the world are doing so, packing themselves, trying

to look good before every person, but with an resentful heart in their mind actually.

Also the prophets in the old testament, isn't some prophets trying to speak what the King want, instead of the truth?  (JEREMIAH 6:13 - 15)

The real love and relationship can accept truth that even they would be wounded.

If we are focusing just what others want us to be, we would lose focus on truth, as bible said ,

今日睇到段好特別的經文:

"人都說你們好的時候，你們就有禍了，因為他們的祖宗待假先知也是這樣" Luke 6:26

一個要好alert 自己生命的信念

你係要活一個please 人的生命，還是please 神的呢? 

有時生活上都好容易想去討好每一個人，their needs/requirement
都會覺得咁做幾好ar, 神都係想我地去付出，去愛

但會唔會忽略左神點睇

當我們說的話是每個人都喜愛的話，很大機會你在嘗試扭曲事實!

事實係，world 每一個人都嘗試咁做，咁去包裝自己，but actually 心入面好多resentful 的想法

諗起好多人，諗起舊約的先知，想大家也認識一d 在某人面前恭恭敬敬，但在他背後說三道四的人吧!

真正的愛同關係係能夠包容一些即使令他們FEEL Hurt 的真相的!

當人只focus 去please 人，很容易會lose focus on 真相，所以bible 說

"心懷二意的人，在一切所去的事都沒有定見" James 1:8
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

"人若賺得全世界，卻喪了自己，賠上自己，有甚麼益處呢?" LUKE 9:25

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose of forfeit his very self?

你要做一個Please 人的假先知，定係做一個Please 神，但唔討好人的基督徒?

Would you choose to be a People-Pleasing Prophets, or a God-Pleasing Christian, which might not gaining others confirmation?

(Reference: Boundaries, ch 6 common boundary myths, #4 If i set boundaries, i will hurt others)

Happy Thanksgiving

Cheers,

Andy

2010 Nov 23 - Matthew 5 - Shelley

What is true happiness? Is it money, what kind of job I can get or what kind of home I can stay in? This always challenges my heart since I now live on Ma Wan a place that is so comfortable and cozy. I have to watch out that I don't lose sight of what true happiness is.

Going back to Matthew 5 the beattitudes: 3-6 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be conforted. Blessed are the meek (humbly patient and submissive), for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.'
The poor in spirit and those that are meek and moan is unattractive to the world. Every advertisement encourages us to be successful in our careers and our achievements to make it up the ladder to success. If we are in a good relationship with someone we can happy is what the world tells us. But in God's eyes to be happy also means to be a 'nobody' to this world. Which is completely opposite to what is said out there. Quite challenging but God actually esteems the nobody's according to this verse   When we thirst for righteousness more than anything else in this world then I think we will have true happiness because the world cannot take that away from us. Our jobs, money, possessions will not last forever. We cannot take that to heaven one day. It's hard for us if our needs aren't met when we pray for them but don't despair because God has something far more better for us that the world cannot take away!

Sadly in Hong Kong we are surrounded by pressure to make it to the top it consumes us. We rely so much on money and status as things are more expensive than the mainland. It is so evident here. I really get more sober (realising deep down in my heart) when I go on visits to China that there is a bigger purpose out there than just working and filling our wallets and looking 'good' in society. I appreciate that China is so close by that I can go out and realise this thing or I think I will really get too caught up in the rat race in Hong Kong.

Wish we can grow in our appreciation of the little things we have now, of each other as a family and love what God loves more!

Love, Shelley

2010 Nov 23 - 1 Thessalonians 1- Tom

Want to share a verse too.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

在　神我們的父面前、不住的記念你們因信心所作的工夫、因愛心所受的勞苦、因盼望我們主耶穌基督所存的忍耐 。

"因信心所作的工夫"
"因愛心所受的勞苦"
"因盼望所存的忍耐"

Love,
Tom

2010 Nov 23 - Hebrews 13 - Brenda

Hebrews 13:5
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
希伯來書  13:5 你們存心不可貪愛錢財．要以自己所有的為足．因為主曾說、『我總不撇下你、也不丟棄你。』

Morning everyone,
Today is also such a beautiful day! Taking  a deep breathe in the morning refreshed me a lot!
Today's verse is a challenge to everyone including me,
We are so easy falling into the temptation of money,we have the desire of wanting more and more and lose our focus.
Finance is always my challenge,
I always long for a stable income and good-paid job as It's been my prayer long time ago but my prayers not been answered,I used to complain God why he didn't give it to me as its a very simple and basic request!!! However, God did give me something that's enough for me that I can live a life. Amazingly I can even travel to Australia every year. Now I have to leave all to God as he must give me what I need. That's his promise - not to leave me or forsake me.
Wish you all have trust in him always!

Love
Brenda

2010 Nov 22 - Humbleness - Shelley

Book: Prideful Soul Guide to Humility  

Good morning all,

Today I am grateful to be alive and to hear the birds singing early this morning. I did not sleep very well last night as I am still sick and coughing a lot but I feel encouraged in my spirit as I get security from God's word this morning and don't just listen to my feeling or how my body hurts.

I am happy to be a disciple for 14 years. Though I have faced many ups and downs in my walk with God. People have disappointed me in South Africa, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong but I stand up and fight the good fight of faith.

The scripture that Brenda shared on being 'poor' in spirit is something I pondered (thought) on last week. So many of us are tempted to focus on our achievements and happiness on the outside but try happiness comes from having a humble heart and realising that we are poor in spirit and need God to inspire us every day with his word. Like 'food' to the soul.

I have been reading Prideful Soul Guide to Humility and 2 scriptures that stand out for me from this book is: Ephesians 4:2 'Be completely humble and gentle.' 1 Peter 5:5 'Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.'  Wow these two scriptures really speak to my heart. Gentleness does not describe me at all! Something I need to train myself in every single day! Part of humility is gentleness they are like two siblings. Thank God that He has put people in my life to learn this precious quality. I pray to be more humble to learn from others that has 'gentleness' as their strength. Also I am reminded that humility does not come naturally for me. I need to put on the 'humility' clothing every day by praying more, getting input from others and listening to God's word not relying on my own opinions!! Thanks to Brenda my dear roomie for keeping me accountable on this one.

Lastly I want to add how proud I am of the bible talk!! What an inspiration!! In the beginning I really wanted to go to Lamma island my most favourite island to join my bible talk but somehow God still allow me to feel very sick and then I had no choice but to not go to outdoor Sunday but join the Railway sector. Well, I was super encouraged the whole day yesterday. After my nap in the afternoon I didn't think I could hold up staying at the BBQ so late but the 'love' and 'friendship' was so REAL that I couldn't help staying for longer! Connie Tsui so glad you could join us since you stay in Meifoo it is close to our home in Ma Wan ^:^

Thanks to Kenneth for your good advice and sharing! I will follow it! 

Thanks to Brenda and everyone for putting together a great gathering. Proud of you all for your serving hearts. Brothers really took the lead and the sisters were behind them. It was so evident! Ha ha.

Here is a song I heard on youtube today. I totally love it! It rocks!!!! Hee hee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB1yDv9_N1k

Love to you all.

Shelley-bean

2010 Nov 22 - Humbleness - Brenda

Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

馬太福音  5:3 虛心的人有福了．因為天國是他們的。

 

Dear all, morning!!!

 

I've had such crazy, exhausted but fulfilling weekend....Flag day...Sin study...Sunday....Singing....D-group....Movie...BBQ, lots of fellowship......Amen! I am still alive!!!

 

I felt so moved and touched seeing how the whole BT (with awesome pair-up brothers) love each other deeply including their Friends, and I am seeing how Cat and Eric enjoyed being with us and felt the love of God.

 

Matt 5:3 is one of my favourite scripture as it reminds me always to listen to my heart and always ask myself the same question"am I humble enough to listen to others?" . We all don't want to be poor but God asks us to be the poor in spirit, God asks us to empty our heart, self-denial and pull out our heart to fill up God's words.

 

Also, James 4:10 -  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. and 1 Peter 5:5-9 - Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

 

And most importantly God Is Gracious to the Humble - James says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (4:6) Solomon said, "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor." (Proverbs 29:23 ) The psalmist writes, "You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." (Psalms 18:27)

 

I was also talking to Eric about the same topic last night. It's a very good and deep talk with him and I can really see Eric's humility and he's really trying his best to seek God, Brothers I am so proud of you as you guys have done such a great job to love him.

 

Let's all be the POOR in spirit and God would bless us abundantly!!!

 

Love you all!
Brenda

2010 Nov 19 - Genesis 40 - Brenda

Morning Everyone again! 

I am so happy today as it's my first time to join the QT station in Mei foo, brothers and sisters coming from different sectors to encourage each other and sing songs and even pray together.  Today I prayed with the sister called ah Ying from Tin Shui Wai sector.  Amazing!

Today we all read Genesis 40 about Joseph's life, he had many gift that God's given him and one of which was that he could interpret the dreams,however, he was in prison for two years because he was forgotten by the chief cup bearer.  Our question is that if there's any area in our life like Joseph, who's been waiting for two years for God's answer and nothing has happened, even he had done nothing  to deserve being put in a dungeon(prison).

In my past 13 years of Xian life, in every single aspect - dating, health, ministry, family, career..... I think I wouldn't have all the answers from God, and all are unseen factors and what drive me to move forward perhaps is to preserve, this is might be one of the gift that God gave me is to preserve.  Hebrew 11:1 to have faith to work out what's said in the bible with lots of unseen factors and uncertainties and it is all what faith is about. Joseph's life is very attractive to me and he's my role model as how to live our life to the full in every circumstances. 

Last night I had a good time with Joey in Elizabeth's home, a friend who live in Ma Wan, used to be our sister many years ago, left the church in Vancouver during the storm, now considering coming back to church and restore her faith in Christ, we really need lots of prayer as well as we really need to live our life as Christ like example.

Love you all and have a great weekend!

Brenda

2010 Nov 19 - Ruth 1 - Shelley

Good morning everyone,

Today is Friday already and it's almost the weekend. We are always
relieved to see Friday approaching us so that we can have some
relaxation over the weekend.

Last night at house church we looked at the book of Ruth. One
scripture that really stood out for me is: Ruth 1:16 'Where you go I
will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people
and your God my God.'

I reflected on this scripture again this morning before I went to
work. Wow this scripture was so inspiring to know that Ruth really
gave up what she wanted to do for her life. Her dreams her desires to
follow her step mother Noami. She went to stay with the Israelites.
She was willing to give up her 'culture' of a Moabitess to be with
Noami. Ruth did not put her own interests first. She gave up so much
to be there for Noami who was widow. It was not about money, status or
their background but it was about the 'friendship and the deep love
they had for one another'.

I admire Ruth so much and I really want to imitate her heart. I am a
foreigner in Hong Kong and I have a lot to learn on what it means to
be a 'Chinese'. Sometimes I have my own thinking and also how I would
like others to relate to me but after reading this today I realise
that I must deny myself more and adapt to Hong Kong culture. When I
move to the Railway sector I want to have the attitude like Ruth and
have a humble heart to learn how things are done in Hong Kong and be
willing to follow through on it. Please pray for me to have a humble
heart like Ruth's heart.

I have my first Cantonese lesson with a disciple in Mongkok after work
tonight. I want to be more willing to learn and set a goal for myself
to learn more vocabulary and be able to use it. The topic will be on
eating in a restaurant so I pray that I can learn a lot. Keep my
learners heart and remain humble.

I wish all of you can learn from each other and see how God can use
you more to bring Him glory. Amen.

Enjoy today it is another beautiful day that God has made for us.

Love, Shelley

2010 Nov 18 - Psalm 29 - Shelley

Psalm 29: 3-4

' vs 3: The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. vs 4: The voice of the Lord is powerful and majestic.'

Hi everyone,

This morning was the first morning I got up and felt fresh and awake after not having any coffee! Instead I had my 'rooibos' South African tea with honey in it as my throat was dry and itchy. It really helped. I decided to read this psalm as I was eating my breakfast on our balcony smelling in the fresh air. It was pleasant to my heart. God can accomplish anything in our lives if we see His 'greatness' and 'who' the bible says He really is. So many times it's easy for me to focus on what I can accomplish myself or I get so focused on what needs to be done in my job or at church that I forget to stop and listen to God and experience His greatness. This scripture paints a great picture of who God really is.

We can make a decision to delight more in God and enjoy His presence so that we feel fresh and at peace in our daily lives. I want to strive to be more at peace and content in my life. With God this is not impossible so let's give it a try!

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Love in Him,

Shelley

2010 Nov 18 - Matthew 22 - Brenda

Matthew 22:37-39
37 And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.


Morning everyone!
Now I am ready to show you my song, from the hymn " Nearer still nearer".

寂寞中期待  誰能明白?
迷惘之中 看不清去來,
漆黑里只見 大浪衝來,
等待黎明 禱告中得懷,
等待黎明 禱告中得懷.

無奈又無奈  青春飛逝,
十載跟隨 人漸漸消失,
痛苦中掙扎 忍耐何時,
放下抱怨 面對拿勇氣,
放下抱怨 面對拿勇氣.


眾罪得赦免 寶血洗清
奉獻今生  救主我親近
祈求得力量 主你細聽,
無私的愛 鼓勵我信心,
無私的愛 鼓勵我信心

I really love my song as I wrote this to my dear God and it also reflects my Xian life for the past 13 years.  I felt so moved while I was writing it and it really moved my heart to God and got me closer to God.  Today I had QT with Anita at Tsing yi at 7am, thanks Anita for being my spiritual partner for the past two years and we both are so looking forward to the weekly appointment with God at 7am, anytime, any place. 

Today's verse is our commandment from God, remember yesterday I shared about how's our response to God's love, here it goes, love God first with all our heart, soul and mind, then love our neighbour as ourselves.  This commandment always reminds me and makes me ask myself the same question over and over again in the past 13 years, "do I love God, how? have I put enough effort into it? or I just pay minimum charges to respond to his love" then "do I love people around me, friend, Xian, non-Xian, people that I like? people that I don't feel comfortable be with? People that have the similar interests with me, or with totally different character and background?"

Wish all of you are also used to ask yourselves the similar questions, as to avoid a 'hardened' heart!

Love you all!

Brenda

2010 Nov 17 - Romans 8 - Shelley

Responding to God's love is such a gift because I realise that no one in this whole world can love us as much as GOD does.

Today's scripture that was on my heart is: Romans 8:39 "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

Very encouraging scripture and good reminder for me to always see that I have no excuse to say that I can't receive God's love. If I make an effort to get close to God and go on personal retreats to renew my walk with him then it's easy for me to connect with God. But if I fill my heart with things of this world and look to other things to get my security in then I will find it harder to draw close to God. So I am always faced with a decision on how I will respond to His love. God is always there for us and his phone number is never engaged. Are we always free to speak to Him? Or is our phone line always busy?

How can we respond better to His love? What effort can we make to draw even closer to Him? We are without excuse because nothing can separate us from the love that God has prepared for us.

Love Shelley

2010 Nov 17 - Isaiah 1 - Brenda

Isaiah 1:18
18 Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow;though they are red like crimson,they shall become like wool.

以 賽 亞 書 1:18 

 ¹⁸ 耶 和 華 說 ： 你 們 來 ， 我 們 彼 此 辯 論 。 你 們 的 罪 雖 像 硃 紅 ， 必 變 成 雪 白 ； 雖 紅 如 丹 顏 ， 必 白 如 羊 毛 。

Morning Everyone,

I am feeling much better today, hope the flu will really go away this time, pray to God that it'll never come back.

I also got up early this morning to think about my new song, it is very exciting to write my new song to praize lord(Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him), will show you tomorrow my masterpiece.

Today's verse is quite challenging but it also show how much God loves us.  Scarlet and crimson are deeply red and they would never go white or wool, like our sin, if it hurts, wound remains permanently like the stain, But God's love can remove our sin and give us new life.  As says in the bible" Love cover multitude of sins".

Let me respond to God's love by continuing writing him a new song!

Love

Brenda

2010 Nov 16 - Ecclesiastes 7 - Brenda

Morning everyone,

 I was awake at 5am this morning so I just started meditation, I felt cleansing from the spirit of God in such a quiet, dark sea....took the picture and show you now...

Cox I slept again after 6am,  I went to see the "River of Wisdom" last night, thanks Annie again, it is so amazing, even though I wasn't interested in it at all in the beginning and I found out that the chinese were so wise even back into the old age - The Sung dynasty.  And this morning I am reading the wisdom of God....

ecclesiastes 7

 ¹ A good name is better than fine perfume,
   and the day of death better than the day of birth.
² It is better to go to a house of mourning
   than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
   the living should take this to heart.
³ Frustration is better than laughter,
   because a sad face is good for the heart.
⁴ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
   but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
⁵ It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
   than to listen to the song of fools.
⁶ Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
   so is the laughter of fools.
   This too is meaningless.  ⁷ Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
   and a bribe corrupts the heart.
 ⁸ The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
   and patience is better than pride.
⁹ Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
   for anger resides in the lap of fools.
 ¹⁰ Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
   For it is not wise to ask such questions.
 ¹¹ Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
   and benefits those who see the sun.
¹² Wisdom is a shelter
   as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
   Wisdom preserves those who have it.

¹ 名 譽 強 如 美 好 的 的 膏 油 ； 人 死 的 日 子 勝 過 人 生 的 日 子 。
 ² 往 遭 喪 的 家 去 ， 強 如 往 宴 樂 的 家 去 ； 因 為 死 是 眾 人 的 結 局 ， 活 人 也 必 將 這 事 放 在 心 上 。
 ³ 憂 愁 強 如 喜 笑 ； 因 為 面 帶 愁 容 ， 終 必 使 心 喜 樂 。
 ⁴ 智 慧 人 的 心 在 遭 喪 之 家 ； 愚 昧 人 的 心 在 快 樂 之 家 。
 ⁵ 聽 智 慧 人 的 責 備 ， 強 如 聽 愚 昧 人 的 歌 唱 。
 ⁶ 愚 昧 人 的 笑 聲 ， 好 像 鍋 下 燒 荊 棘 的 爆 聲 ； 這 也 是 虛 空 。
 ⁷ 勒 索 使 智 慧 人 變 為 愚 妄 ； 賄 賂 能 敗 壞 人 的 慧 心 。
 ⁸ 事 情 的 終 局 強 如 事 情 的 起 頭 ； 存 心 忍 耐 的 ， 勝 過 居 心 驕 傲 的 。
 ⁹ 你 不 要 心 裡 急 躁 惱 怒 ， 因 為 惱 怒 存 在 愚 昧 人 的 懷 中 。
 ¹⁰ 不 要 說 ： 先 前 的 日 子 強 過 如 今 的 日 子 ， 是 甚 麼 緣 故 呢 ？ 你 這 樣 問 ， 不 是 出 於 智 慧 。
 ¹¹ 智 慧 和 產 業 並 好 ， 而 且 見 天 日 的 人 得 智 慧 更 為 有 益 。
 ¹² 因 為 智 慧 護 庇 人 ， 好 像 銀 錢 護 庇 人 一 樣 。 惟 獨 智 慧 能 保 全 智 慧 人 的 生 命 。 這 就 是 知 識 的 益 處 。

傳 道 書 7

To understand God's wisdom require a humble and learning heart, like we went to the exhibition center last night lots of lots of people were so eager to see such great masterpiece from Sung dynasty as well as the latest technology to have it animated.  

How about our seeking heart towards God's wisdom?

Wish all of us have the humility to understand God's wisdom...

Love you all!
Brenda

2010 Nov 15 - Psalm 139 - Brenda

Psalm 139 (New King James Version)

Psalm 139

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 ¹ O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
 ² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
         You understand my thought afar off.
 ³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
         And are acquainted with all my ways.
 ⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
         But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
 ⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
 ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is high, I cannot attain it.
      
 ⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
         Or where can I flee from Your presence?
 ⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
         If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
 ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
         And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
 ¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
         And Your right hand shall hold me.
 ¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall^[a] on me,”
         Even the night shall be light about me;
 ¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
         But the night shines as the day;
         The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
      
 ¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 ¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;^[b]
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
 ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them.

Morning Everyone!!!

Today is a beautiful day!!! Everything is just right - right temperature, right humidity. Sitting at the balcony praying with Shelley early in the morning before she went to work, now with Risa (2nd round) having my favourite tea with honey.  Have to praize the Lord! 

Been sick for the last couple of weeks feeling absolutely no good at all.  While I was sick, I would easily feel that I am insignificant and invisiable, being ignored because I am useless!!! But God sent many angels to love me, i.e. Isabella went all the way from Shatin to Ma wan to cook for me, then all the way to North point to help studying the bible with CAT. Maria the great chef to cook for me, Anita and Cherry's accompany and my sweet Roomie to encourage me everyday buying me the Australian honey so that I can enjoy the Rooibos tea(south african tea) with honey - the best tea I've ever tasted!!!

Today I am reading this beautiful Psalm with different version (New king james)of bible, it gives me such a refreshing morning!!! It is a beautiful psalm that praize the God of creation, from it I know that God knows us personally. He has loved us and created every single one of us even before we were born. I am reminded by God's word again today I am so valued and significant in God's eye as he sent his son to die for our sin.

Will continue my meditation today and writing our new song (from Jessica's class) from the wonderful hymn - Nearer still nearer!!!

Love you all and thanks for all of your support in the past couple of weeks reading my daily thoughts about God!!!

Brenda