Spiritual Thought for the Week 2009/4/26

DATE: 2009/4/26
本周默想分享
彼得在耶稣被钉之後，希望幻灭，他重操故业，打渔去。多少跟过耶稣的信徒，没有看见复活主之前，也要重操故业，返回他们积聚财宝的日子里。有人积蓄财宝在世上，视之为重要的东西。他们只为目前所谓的现实，肉体的生活，世界的名利活着。这一切不久就全归虚空。所有的生活毫无价值，白白的过了一生。这又何苦呢？
保罗在提前6章17-19节劝勉那些在今生富足的人，应当醒悟，不要依靠虚幻无定的钱财，要依靠赐福的神。并要行善，甘心乐意施舍帮助人，为自己积成美好的根基。最要紧的是预备将来，持定那真正的生命。只在今生富足，来世却贫穷，才是真的贫穷；今生被尊重，有名望，来世却被藐视无地位，才是真的卑微。今生快乐无安慰，是没用的。来世快乐有安慰，这才是真正的快乐和安慰。
所以要时时想到未来，为将来作好预备，持定那真正属天，永远的生命。今生的快乐，利益，不但不要去追，而且要丢弃，厌恶，以为是有损的。因为这些是将来永远好处的拦阻和仇敌，想两者兼得是不可能的。财主和拉撒路，今生和来世都是非常真实的。今生享乐，来世受苦；今生受苦，来世得慰。你要做哪一种人呢？
一般人可以说十之八九都是为今生打算，安排，准备的。很少人会预备将来。他们都是持定今生的生命，很少是持定永远生命的。这是何等可惜！他们如建造在沙土上的房子，又如捕风捉影一样无意义。今生所有，所得的，都是一场空。将来一无所得的人生，真是太愚昧了。你今天是为自己努力，还是为复活了的主而努力，而持定永生呢？
Spiritual Thought for the Week
When Jesus died on the cross, Peter lost hope in everything. He resumed to his former occupation which was fishing again. Many believers who once vowed to follow Jesus also return to their former life and work before they could see the appearance of the risen Lord. Many people consider accumulating wealth in this world the most important work in their life. They are only concerned about the things in this world. When at the end of life, everything turns to nothing they realize vanity.
Paul in I Timothy 6:17-19 said this. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” People who are rich in this life but poor in the next are really poor people. People who are proud in this life but have to be lowly in the next are really lowly people. To have pleasure now and no promise of pleasure in the future means we have no pleasure now and no pleasure in the future.
Therefore, let us be mindful of the future. Let us be prepared and grasp hold of the treasure in heaven. Let’s not pursue enjoyment and benefits that promise worldly pleasure only. We should not only ignore them but also trash them. It is because they are hindrance to our journey to heaven. The story about the rich man and Lazarus, the situation of this life and the life to come, are very real things. If you enjoy riches in this life, you suffer poverty in the next. If you suffer poverty in this life, you enjoy riches in the next. Which life will you choose?
Eight or nine people out of ten will plan for this life only. Very few will prepare for their life in eternity. How sad! They are like people who build their houses on sand. They are like people who want to catch the wind and chase after the shadows. The result is that they get nothing here and now, and they will get nothing there and then. How foolish! Are you putting your hope in this present world or are you putting your hope in God who brings us life through the resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord?
--End—

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 138:1-3
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HYMNS: 1. # 205 Blessed Assurance
2. # 210 Trust and Obey
SCRIPTURE READING: John 21:1-19
SERMON: The Dawn of Another Day
講道題目: 新的一日又天明

CONGREGATION & CHURCH CONCERNS:
(English)
1. This Friday May 1st, 2009 evening 8 pm Rev. Gerry Fuller and his wife Norma will lead Bible study and prayer in the dinning hall. We are studying Jesus’ sermons on the mount. We will pray for our church as well as for individuals’ blessings. All are welcome. 2. This Saturday May 2nd, 2009 evening 6:00 pm Chinese Scholars’ Evangelist Testimony on DVD will be held in the dinning hall featuring the 11th lesson on “The biggest good news” by Rev. Hong Yu Jian. All are welcome. 3. 2009 Joint Mandarin Devotional Meeting is being held April 24-26 (Friday to today) evenings 7:30 pm at the Emmanuel Alliance Church Ottawa. Theme speaker Rev. Felix Lau. Please come and hear him speak this evening for the last time. 4. There is good news for the family of Huo Yan and Mu Ai. Their daughter - Kathleen was born on Apr 16, 2009 in Ottawa. We all share the joy of having a new born baby with them. 5. The Chinese devotional “Proclaim” May-June issue has arrived and is placed on the foyer for your pick up. Please take one and do your daily devotions with it. 6. People with small children please keep the nursery room clean after use, and do not leave food and drinks including dishes and cups in that room.

会友与教会关怀：
1. 本星期五5月1日下午8点，GERRY牧师和太太NORMA女士将带领查经和祷告。我们现在查考耶稣登山宝训的经文。我们为教友的事情和教会的事工，同心合意祷告。2. 本星期六5月2日下午6时，中国学者传道人布道光碟见证晚会有『洪予健讲道集』。第十一讲"最大的喜訊"，请带新朋友来参加。3. 2009年国语联合培灵大会於4月24至26日星期四至星期日（今天）下午7：30分在渥太华主恩宣道会举行。大会讲员刘富理牧师。主題：耶和華的榮耀必然顯現。請把握今天晚上最後一講。地址 4 Thorncliff PL。4. 告诉大家一个好消息，霍岩和母艾有了一个宝贝女儿，起名叫“可馨”。她出生于2009年4月16日早晨9点54分。我们与这个幸福的家庭一起感谢赞美上帝的深恩。5. 五至六月份灵修小册子『传』已经寄到本堂放在大堂入口处，请取一本回家作每天个人灵修之用。6. 攜同小孩子的弟兄姊妹请留意。请保持育婴室清洁。使用後不要把食物，饮品，和杯碟留在房间内。