2011年1月29日 星期六

What are blessed and what are not

My Sunday Scripture 2011.1.30


The Text: Matthew 5:1-12.

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

My Reading Notes:

The 8 categories are: the poor, those who mourn, the meek, those hunger for righteousness, the merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness,
and those represent God under persecution, thus totally are nine kinds of people who are blessed.

From the nine categories, we shall know what God expects us to do. We shall know what are blessed and what not blessed.

2011年1月23日 星期日

Why Should I Repent???

My Sunday Scripture 2011.1.23.

The Text: Matthew 4:12-23.

When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

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My Reading Notes:
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Yes, If I can see what is right and what is wrong, and give up the wrong path, choosing the right one, then the Kingdom of heaven is at my side.

It is only as simply as that. That if I could find out the right path, that if I could give up the wrong path, that I could reach my dream, and it is a dream so beautiful, that you can say, it is heaven. Isn't that simple????

2011年1月15日 星期六

baptize with the holy Spirit

My Sunday Scripture 2011.1.16


The Text: John 1:29-34.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

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My Reading Notes:
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In Matthew 3:1-12, John has expressed similar ideas:
"he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire." But the "fire" element here was omitted. Though the idea is still very clear: We need a cleaning. We need washing by something, more then water.


How to clean myself?

With water is one level. But we may need more then that. We need the holy Spirit to help us to obtain wisdom, to have an access to knowledge, to keep our minds clear and sound.




2011年1月7日 星期五

"This is my Son"

My Sunday Scripture 2011.1.9.



The Text Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.

John tried to dissuade him, with the words, 'It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come to me!'

But Jesus replied, 'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that uprightness demands.' Then John gave in to him.

And when Jesus had been baptised he at once came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

And suddenly there was a voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'


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My Reading Notes:
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Jesus himself was baptised with water.

But he had once said: He will baptise us with truth and holy spirit.
I am always looking forward for such a day.

2011年1月1日 星期六

Where is the Messiah to be born?

My Sunday Scripture 2011.1.2.


(The text: Matthew 2:1-12.)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.


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My Reading Notes:

Here is a very typical story on how the Christ was to be born.

The question is: Where is the Messiah to be born?

The typical answer was: In Bethlehem.

Now may we have a more modern answer: In Love.

Christ is born in love. Love is the salvation of the world.