2011 Feb 15 - 2 Corinthians 4 - Shelley

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary trouble are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Hello everyone,

Thanks to all our pair up brothers who treated us special on Sunday. So grateful for your hearts behind those special gifts!

Today's scripture inspires me to remember in my own life to always hold onto the eternal picture when life gets challenging. When things don't go smoothly in my life or God has not answered my specific prayer the way I wanted it to be answered I need to remember to keep the same unconditional faith like in Hebrews 11:1 and verse 13

This type of faith is what God requires us to have even in the tough times we will still have faith that God can work it out in His power. Fixing our eyes on Him when we have problems or uncertainties because we know that nothing is too hard for him to work out in our lives. Jeremiah 32:17

When we focus on the disappointments of the 'smaller picture' in our lives then it's easy to get stuck in that but when we fight to have the strong faith like the ancient people of the bible then we can receive the promise God has for us which is in the bigger picture.

Lets not forget that whatever we are facing it is temporary only for a short period of time but God has better things in mind for us. Hold fast and be strong in your faith!

Love to you all,

Shelley Read

"Life is too short to worry about trivial things"

2011 Feb 15 - Psalm 130 - Andy

Good morning everyone,

Very cold and rainy, take care.

Super appreciate everyone who need to get up in the morning to go to work today!

Especially we have the briefing section of ShineR yesterday!

Eva, take care la! Hope you get back into action soon, we are waiting for you!

Psalm 128 - 130

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared." Psalm 130: 3-4

Today read some song of ascents (上行之詩)

As I remember, there are many steps to go to the temple, and in each step, the believers would read/sing a Psalm, to praise God. (Therefore called song of ascents)

This verse captures me that the writer fears God for his forgiveness.

We normally fears about the power and authority that God has.

but how God demostrat his power in a quiet different way, he uses a way that was stupid to mankind, but powerful in believers, his grace. He brings Jesus to earth and sacrifies him, in order to save us.

The verses remind me the words in the song - amazing grace

這般恩典，使我敬畏

Let us recall the significance meaning of the cross and the grace,

and try to fears God for his forgiveness.

We repent, not only fear the conquences but also as a grateful respond to God's forgiveness.

Hope we learnt and grow together.

Cheers,

Andy

2011 Feb 15 - Acts 12 - Brenda

DEAR ALL!!!

After the long day I have time here for QT corner.

Today I'm reading Act 12 about James been killed and peter was imprisoned.

使徒行傳  12:5 於是彼得被囚在監裡．教會卻為他切切的禱告 神。  12:7 忽然有主的一個使者、站在旁邊、屋裡有光照耀．天使拍彼得的肋旁、拍醒了他、說、快快起來．那鐵鍊就從他手上脫落下來。  12:22 百姓喊著說、這是 神的聲音、不是人的聲音。  12:23 希律不歸榮耀給 神、所以主的使者立刻罰他．他被蟲所咬、氣就絕了．  12:24 神的道日見興旺、越發廣傳。

Ernest prayer by the church for Peter really touched God and Peter was then protected by Angel. 
It challenges my prayer life if I feel good about the normal routine prayer or a  Ernest prayer that touches  God. and not only was Peter released from prison but gods words had then spread out. Wish Gods word would be spreading out through the SIP program in poly u.

Love 
Brenda