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