Faithful

Matthew 14:31
When Peter started to sink as walking on water towards Jesus, he shouted for help. Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter but said," You of little faith." He continued, "Why did you doubt?"

Me?! Have I doubted? Am I of little faith?

NO>NO>

In studying further Matthew 14:35, some sparkles in my mind ignites in my heart:
these people threw me lot of insight on FAITH.

When the men of Gennesaret heard/recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country (evangelizing). People brought all their sick to HIM & begged HIM to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, & all who touched him were HEALED.

Yes, it is really a matter of belief. More striking is that in Matthew 13:58, Jesus did not do many miracles there(in HIS hometown) because of their lack of faith.

If we believe in Miracle, Miracle does happen. This is stored in our sbuconsciousness.
I Believe!

in...... God has a plan for me but I must have faith that this plan works and works the best for me.

神已定下祂的年限和疆界

十三年前珠姐由媳婦―菁菁(我們較熟識的名字Charlotte)帶來教會，也斷斷續續地來，用一種局外人的身份來看教會的門徒，看自己的兒子(Lawrence)和媳婦(Charlotte)；埋怨他們對身邊的弟兄姊妹比自己更好!

曾試過查閱聖經數次，每次談到「罪」時，想起和丈夫的苦痛關係，自己如何獨力養家、身兼數職，委屈只能化作眼淚在心裏流。幹嗎這都算是我的罪，怎麼說還要向丈夫陪不是，簡直是天大的荒謬! 信神要如此挑戰嗎? 她倒真不服氣? 幾乎每次談到這個話題，她總會心有不甘地與當時查經的姊妹爭辯到面紅耳赤，不知是傷心難過、還是怒上心頭；雙方都會淚流滿面，甚至不歡而散。查經的熱心漸漸冷卻下來。

今年四月兒媳一家決定暫別香江，返回澳洲居住兩三年。珠姐心忖:「他們離去後，自己的境況一定更慘。教會的人也不許再理會我這老太婆呢?」憂心忡忡的珠姐更加靜默無聲，更有一段時間索性把自己收藏起來。幸有教會一班愛心澎湃的姊妹堅持去關懷和愛她，珠姐的心也慢慢地溶化了。還主動地邀請Bonnie 和 Lucy 給她重新查經。她們把神的話語注入珠姐的心，憑著信念在生活上實踐出來，心存須謙卑和順從去跟隨神的道，漸漸珠姐看的世界不同了，也重新感受丈夫另一種愛的語言，兩人的關係起了突破性的改變…… 她領悟神要她學的是:謙卑、忍耐和尊重丈夫。

珠姐繼續分享近來家用少了，丈夫的零用錢也少了，他深感不滿，大發雷霆起來，但她沒有如前跟他頂撞，反而悄悄地退避一旁，給他多一點空間。珠姐藉著聖經的教導:領悟了心存謙卑、忍耐和尊重丈夫的奧妙。不但以柔制剛，更嘗試愛丈夫多一步:她想出一個多給丈夫零用錢的辦法，在家用上節省多一些，省下來的全給丈夫。

《雅各書》2：14 若有人說自己有信心，卻沒有行為，有甚麼益處呢？這信心能救他嗎？

這信心救了珠姐! 一天珠姐回家，丈夫竟然煲了一窩靚湯孝敬她。珠姐感動得很。原來她甘心順服神的話，遵行神的意思，竟換來了五十年來，丈夫的第一煲靚湯。果然神說: 促進和平的人多麼有福啊；上帝要稱他們為兒女！ 《馬太福音》5:9 真的不賴！

就是這樣，珠姐在神的話語感動下，決定無懼前行，再加上弟兄姊妹不住的禱告，珠姐終於在今年九月十六日下午在南區龜背灣受洗。成為港島中區域的姊妹。同日還有Rosanna受洗。 更決意留港，因為香港有愛她的教會!

天豈常藍

過著深閨簡出的她:一切以家庭為重。但二零零六年的夏季對Rosanna 來說是悲傷難忘的。那一年，幼子Ricky與朋友游泳時，不幸地遭沒頂之災。惡噩傳來，Rosanna的心碎了。內心充斥着對神的控訴和埋怨：「為甚麼選擇我的兒子? 」「他只有十九歲呢?」「為何偏偏是他呢? 」接下來的日子就是終日以淚洗面，活在痛苦的深淵裏。心忖：悲痛、苦澀、不幸、無望、憂傷和淚水將是我下半生的剪影。一個憂傷的心就是難以釋懷。獨留家中，又怕睹物思人；街外人頭湧湧，更難安寧。雖然，日間她的妹妹可以留在家中陪伴她。但晚上，丈夫上夜班未返，漫漫長夜更覺難熬。

這時候身在濠江工作的弟兄亞輝（Rosanna的長子）刻意回港陪伴媽媽，更對她說:「不如我帶你去參加教會的主日崇拜。多認識一些朋友吧! 也可以打發一些時間，好嗎?」Rosanna就一口答應了。不久，Rosanna認識一班熱心的姊妹，更認真地開始查經。一個月、二個月、三個月……六個月……九個月、十個月……一年。差不到一年的努力，在姊妹Bonnie 和 Maria 無條件的付出、愛和投入她的生命裏，連同弟兄姊妹停不住的禱告，Rosanna 終於在今年九月十六日下午在南區龜背灣受洗。成為港島中區域的姊妹。

Rosanna受洗後不再愁眉深鎖、面容也不再緊繃繃的；人變得輕鬆，滿有喜樂和盼望。再展歡顏的她分享是神的愛驅散了她面上的陰霾；她還佻皮地反問:「經上不是說凡尋求的，就必尋見；凡叩門的，就必開門嗎?」但她隨即堅定地補充說:「這就是神給我的應許―我們要將一切的憂慮卸給神，因為祂顧念我們。《彼得前書》 5:7」

原來天真是常藍的，只是隅有黑雲遮蔽。而神就在雲彩中與我們一起，經歷風雨同行後，又見藍天，還加上一道七彩繽紛的彩虹，見證著神與我們每個人的一個盟約。

JOB 1

Job = sufferinng.

Literally speaking, people suffer in their job, don't they? What a pity is to earn a living by suffering in a job. But technically speaking, it is what happening here and there , now and then. In despair or in joy, Job cherished a heart to thank God for all being, good or bad, enjoyment or suffereing.

1:21 Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."

1:22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

This contrast how the Israelites, though walking through the dry valley of the Nile with God, blessed with food and shelter and safety, complain to God for driving them to the desert out of Egypt. Number 11 to 14 The grumble magnifies in magnitude day after day, month after month. 40 years lapsed because of their groaning..... overlooking the promised land so near but without entering it for their whole life, for the whole tribe above 20, through the same generation. A hope and a dream went in vain because of disbelief and charge God with wrong.

This is really a startling reminder to me and to sisters.

Learn from Job :

Merciful LORD, I pray as sisters in this BT go through time of suffereing that YOU would enable us, like JOB, not to sin nor to charge YOU with wrong. We will grasp the hope and promise YOU give and on YOUR plan with strength and in anticipation.

她和神有一個約會

主角: Rosanna/神 ;珠姐/神
日期: 2007年9月16日
時間:下午2:30
地點: 龜背灣

人生有甚麼比看到別人因尋見神，而內心源源湧出的喜樂和盼望，這是何等的珍貴和喜悅呢！
這一天，神就賜了我們兩個在人生下半場找到神的姊妹，她們承諾以後的人生會以神為第一，會以神的道為人生的標準！

Psalm 127

We 3 are at Psalm 127 and united finally after a long chaotic but joyful vacation.

VL shared her deep love in the first few verses.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for he grants sleep to those he loves."
We think that we should work hard for a better living and more promising future. We work hard and think that we thus deserve a reward. But isn't it a cause-and-effect, is it? If it is not out of God's grace, all our "hard" work turns in vain. Not to mention our good-quality sleeping night. All turns in vain even our house, career, our health, our children........ without God's provisions and out of HIS great love to human.

VL learns a great lesson from the recent turnmoil in the Stocks market. Out of a grateful heart, she really feels God does provide and protect her. His rod and His staff do comfort her. Relying on HIS love, she dares to face the challenges in her work. Because of HIS love and protection, she enjoyed a good sleep even in daily work struggles. She grasps the principle: To love God the first.... and have JOY! Jesus-Others-You.

IL feels strongly the 2nd verse. Stay thankful every night before sleep and to count the blessings (jot down 5 to 10) and thanks God for all being and thus enjoy the sleep. It keeps track of God's blessings through years and especiall means a lot when I am in my emotional struggles or physical challenges in life or spiritually.

CL faces lots of challenges in her work & even with her child and somehow obscures her faith in God. Why God not provide as her expectation. Somehow she is perplexed..... fortunately the sisterhood in Kingdom and gospels comfort her. VL remarks us that it may be a lesson of Let-GO.

Another scripture always reminds IL of enjoying life - Hebrews 11:13 I am only an alien and stranger on earth. So everything given is a blessings & even a bonus. So this mindset change does turn a curse into a blessings!

A powerful devo on Financial matters by Creg

I enjoyed and rehearsed once and once again the devo last night. Thanks for Creg, a 35-yr mature disciple with strong conviction and authentic brother who excels not only in his profession, but also keeps himself tuned in God's calls channel. From the inner most of my heart, the devo really struck me. I couldn't help jotting some insights I can recall....



$ Vs God
$ seems to stumble lots of people from time to time. People think that God wants us to stay poor and have a hard life and HE hates us to become rich.
NO, God never thinks so. God never validates $ being essential and we should work hard to earn it and with it we enjoy our lives.

God teaches us in MT 6:19
"don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."

Sure, it WAS my way. I once lived in a prestiguous apartment with balcony overlooking the panoramaic view of charming Victoria Harbour. I had my dream car and many stylistic cut clothes. I was living a materialistic, abundant life without heart or care about others beyond my core family. In my heart, I became greedy and longed for more and better and thought that I deserved. In a second, all these vanished like vapor in the desert. The house added burden to me; the car became rusted scraps and slag. My clothes only consumed physical space. What left to me????

Yes, materially speaking, nothing! But lessons I learnt in my heart which opened my vision and cut into my heart.

More blessed is to give than to receive
As Creg pointed out, as a disciple may share as mentioned in 1Tim 6:17
"instruct those who are rich in the prsent world not to be conceited or to fix their hope, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."

People are apt to become arrogant when getting rich. (Maybe some are already arrogant even being in poverty). God is never mean and is always ready to supply us everything in life so that we can really enjoy our lives. Right of Abundance is endorsed by our LORD. To enjoy life and stay contented and thankful with what given but not to grasp the treasures tightly. Gradually we become addicted to it or attached to it. That "IT" becomes our GOD. If we look for and feel secured only by working hard or saving $ for future sake, we stay nervous and unsafe for future. Financial security becomes my God.

Right of Abundance
To live an abundant life, we must be willing to give. More blessed is the one who give more than to receive (Acts 20:35). We give not till we are rich enough or better off. Contribution to Church or to charity is a means to express my gratitude to my LORD. This is also a reminder for me to enjoy life and live in present. JOHN 10:10 calls us to enjoy a life of Abundance. "The thief comes only to teal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. "

To pursue an abundant life, I am not just looking in $ term nor simply financial security. Do I believe that God provides and offers us the best? Sometimes, I hesitate to believe that I am really well provided by doing nothing - but merely out of God's unconditional love. Yes, Exodus 20:1-6 especially verse 6 comforts me a lot a lot " .... but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love ME and keep My commandments." Just cherish a pure and simple heart - pursue a God-loving and loving-God life then everything best for you and fit for you will be provided and given! Prioritize your life!

Ecclesiastes 5:10
"He who loves $ will not be satisfied with $ (neither thankful nor contented) nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity."


Ecclesiastes 5:18 defines what an enjoyful and abundant life is. Just as the elder son in Luke 15:28 who grumbles for his father's favouritism. Have I resembled this son to a certain extent?

• Prioritize your life!
• Live in present!
• Stay contented and enjoy a real life!

My inner voice speaks up

Being a single but joyful mom, and who thinks positively towards future. Somehow, I feel extra blessed that God is always in control and takes full care for me and my family. Challenges are always there, where do I get my strength to strive on? When my soul is on the verge of giving in to compassion fatigue, when I know what the right thing to do but I am too tired to give out and helpful, that is when I need God to restore my soul, to replenish me as a woman needs being loved. Over the years, I don't feel such a need (to be loved by a man) so strong. Maybe I need the one but I dare not to air I need a soul mate to love me tenderly and care me wholeheartedly and to treat me the only special one in his eyes. Well, the encounter of such a temptation (a fantasy love) recently, somehow, reveals my inner most even more thoroughly. This is my need which I should not deny it nor just simply suppress it. Thanks God and my HOLY SPIRIT who strikes me to face it squarely. But, in the meantime, my HOLY SPIRIT takes guidance of me. Being a disciple, I have a trustworthy support group who loves me and not judges me, I am bold enough to air and address this temptation and ask for advice and support.

• Am I really following God's words?
• Am I putting God the first?
• Am I really believing God who will know my need and will pour the best to me?

I am empowered that God really cares and knows me and makes something happen to help me to dig into my innermost to grow and trust more on God. I go back to replay my first acquaintance with my Lord when I was totally desperate. Psalm 23 gives me a powerful reinforcement.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters.
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Yea, though I walk through the valley of　the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
For thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
For sure, God knows me and so I address my need to my shepherd. Blessed is the one who loves God, trusts HIM. I will keep on praying and listening to HIS soft whisper to my doubt and challenge.

Sure, it's never the plan for me to escape from a marriage with a non-xian but jump headlessly into another marriage with non-xian spouse. Sorry, I am thinking too far beyond. I don't deny or oppress my need. In contrast, I voice out my need to date with some xian brothers to open myself and ready to embrace my promise as endorsed by my Lord.

I will stick to rediscover the intimate love with my LORD.