Today's ODB tells of a history in the early days of Christ.
In AD 64, someone set fire to Rome which led two-thirds of the city lay in smoldering ruins. A rumor spread that the emperor Nero had set the fire because he wanted to rebuild the city and name it after himself. Needing a scapegoat to get himself off the proverbial hot-seat, he chose to blame a defenseless and unpopular minority—Christians. He then initiated such intense persecution that he’s been referred to as the first Antichrist. It’s believed that both Peter and Paul were martyred during this time. The persecution against the Christians, which were small in szie, continued for some time with little opposition. However, instead of weakening the new faith, it was strengthened. History tells us that within a few hundred years Christianity became so influential that Emperor Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Although we may not face opposition or persecution like that in our days, we are still called to be diligent in our faith, persistent in putting our belief into actions, even under unfair situations. Our Savior left us a good example.
21你們就是為此蒙召，因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。22“他從來沒有犯過罪，口裡也找不到詭詐。”23他被罵的時候不還嘴，受苦的時候也不說恐嚇的話；只把自己交託給那公義的審判者。24他在木頭上親身擔當了我們的罪，使我們既然不活在罪中，就可以為義而活。因他受的鞭傷，你們就得了醫治。25你們從前好像迷路的羊，但現在已經回到你們靈魂的牧人和監督那裡了。
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
August 29, 2006- Refuge Needed
Today's reading from ODB is Psalm 17 : 1-9, I reflected on 2 issues : a) In v 7-8 : when we are in need, admit it and seek for refuge (help); and b) In v 3-4 :we must come clean before God, our Refuge and admit our sins.
Today's devotional contains a very interesting fact - In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the southern United States, displaced families and individuals were often referred to in the media as “refugees.” For some, this term was viewed as insulting, so it prompted reporters to scramble for another word that would not be perceived as negative. They decided on the word "evacuees".
While we are educated to be strong and successful, it's hard to admit our failures or weaknesses. Yet, who can stay successful all the time ? Further, before our Mighty God, we must be reminded to be humble as we are nothing without Him.
Before our holy God, one must be clean and holy. Though this may sound too high a standard, it is indeed doable. To be holy means to be separated from the world to God. It's a process, it's an experience to rely on God to do good and speak no evil !
3你試驗了我的心，在夜間鑒察了我；你熬煉了我，還是找不到甚麼，因為我立志使我的口沒有過犯。4至於世人的行為，我藉著你嘴唇所出的話，保護了自己，不行強暴人的道路。...6神啊！我向你呼求，因為你必應允我；求你側耳聽我，垂聽我的禱告。...7求你把你的慈愛奇妙地彰顯，用右手拯救那些投靠你的，脫離那些起來攻擊他們的。8求你保護我，像保護眼中的瞳人，把我隱藏在你的翅膀蔭下；9使我脫離那些欺壓我的惡人，脫離那些圍繞我的死敵。
Today's devotional contains a very interesting fact - In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the southern United States, displaced families and individuals were often referred to in the media as “refugees.” For some, this term was viewed as insulting, so it prompted reporters to scramble for another word that would not be perceived as negative. They decided on the word "evacuees".
While we are educated to be strong and successful, it's hard to admit our failures or weaknesses. Yet, who can stay successful all the time ? Further, before our Mighty God, we must be reminded to be humble as we are nothing without Him.
Before our holy God, one must be clean and holy. Though this may sound too high a standard, it is indeed doable. To be holy means to be separated from the world to God. It's a process, it's an experience to rely on God to do good and speak no evil !
3你試驗了我的心，在夜間鑒察了我；你熬煉了我，還是找不到甚麼，因為我立志使我的口沒有過犯。4至於世人的行為，我藉著你嘴唇所出的話，保護了自己，不行強暴人的道路。...6神啊！我向你呼求，因為你必應允我；求你側耳聽我，垂聽我的禱告。...7求你把你的慈愛奇妙地彰顯，用右手拯救那些投靠你的，脫離那些起來攻擊他們的。8求你保護我，像保護眼中的瞳人，把我隱藏在你的翅膀蔭下；9使我脫離那些欺壓我的惡人，脫離那些圍繞我的死敵。
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