Faith

Mat 9:20-22 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

What is the faith preached in the Bible? What does it mean when Jesus said “your faith has healed you”?

Faith is his power: According to Col 2:12 “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”, the faith is the operation or power of God. What kind of power? In the original Greek text¹, “who hath raised him from the dead” modifies the faith, the power of God, rather than God. Therefore, the faith is the power of raising him from dead.

Faith is his work: In Eph 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” In this verse, it emphasizes that “Not of [man's] works, lest any man should boast” but “his workmanship”. It's a gift from him. It's the wage of his work paid for our debt. This is his work: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” – Tit 2:14. That's why in Gal 2:16 it said “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” what this verse tried to reveal is this truth: knowing that a man is not justified by his own works, because all men are sinners (Rom 3:23), no matter how hard we work, the wages of our works (sin) is death (Rom 6:23). But by the work of Jesus Christ, we can be justified. Because he has no sin and His work is good: “For when we were yet without strength and ungodly, in due time Christ died for us” (Rom 5:6). This is his work.

Faith is himself: Isa 65:16 “That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth²; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth³; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.” In the original Hebrew text, the “God of truth” is “God of Amen”. Amen /m@a* in Hebrew means truth and faith. Therefore in Rev 3:14, Jesus called himself as the Amen, that is, the Faith. “…These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”

So my beloved Brothers and Sisters, next time when you hear that Jesus said “your faith has healed you”, we now understand that he is actually saying: your Jesus has healed you, his work has healed you, he died for you and his power now has covered you and will heal you from death. My Lord, my Saviour and my Almighty God, Thank you in his Faith, Amen.

Evidence of Blessing

Exodus 3:11-12 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."

Moses was looking for sign of past or “now” as an evidence to himself as well as to Pharaoh and Israelites that God sent him. But from the verse above, God told Moses what would happen in the future as the evidence. God's thought is different from human logic.

People typically secure an evidence on paper or in materials. But from the verse above, we learn that God setup an evidence in the life that Israelites are going to experience. God's way is different from human approach.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, let's try to ponder what is our evidence of our blessing? Did God already laid down his blessing in our life? Where is the evidence of his blessing in us?

Dear Brothers and Sisters, do we know: when we saw a child wearing a beautiful cloth, we saw the evidence of his/her parents' love on him/her, because his/her parents cherish their loving child with a beautiful dress. Likewise, when we saw a brother or a sister who lived in the word of God, we saw the evidence that our Heavenly Father loved him/her already. Because our Father cherishes his beloved child with a heavenly garment made of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, when one day, if you have been slandered and falsely persecuted, and you are still able to accept them who persecuted you with smile, with forgiveness and even praying for them for their salvation. I have to tell you: this is the evidence that you have been blessed by our Heavenly Father.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us understanding that we may live. Thank you that you let us understand that when we are willing to give to the poor, that joyful willingness is the evidence of our blessing. Thank you that you let us understand that when we have forgiven other's debt, that burdenless feet and restful peace is the evidence of our blessing. Thank you that you let us understand that when we love one another as you love us such that people can see we are your disciples and give glory to you, this is the evidence of our blessing. Thank you that you let us know that when we believed in the name of our savior Jesus Christ, this is the evidence that we are blessed with life eternal, praise to the LORD, in His name we pray, Amen.

Bible Verse for the day

1Pe 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.¹

what a wonderful new look fojc.net! :D

I just wanted to say what a wonderful new look fojc.net has changed to! :D It looks beautiful! I know with its snazzy new look, people will be eager to add to this blog and share their wonderful thoughts while reading the bible :D I am sorry I haven't blogged in a while! Hopefully after all my final exams, I will have more time to blog! But here is a good bible verse to share while I am here! Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. I will try to always be joyful no matter what! :D

拜偶像

(民數記 21:7-9) 百姓到摩西那裡說_、我們怨讟耶和華和你_、有罪了_、求你禱告耶和華_、叫這些蛇離開我們_．於是摩西為百姓禱告_。耶和華對摩西說_、你製造一條火蛇_、掛在桿子上_、凡被咬的_、一望這蛇_、就必得活_。摩西便製造一條銅蛇_、掛在桿子上_．凡被蛇咬的_、一望這銅蛇_、就活了_。

這原是神給以色列人一項屬靈的教導:將來有一位要來擔當我們的罪,成了罪身的形狀,作了贖罪祭,在肉體中定了罪案.(羅8:3) 因此耶穌說:摩西在曠野怎樣舉蛇、人子也必照樣被舉起來．(約3:14).所以神要摩西造了一條火蛇,掛在桿子上,用以預表那位甘心擔當我們罪惡過犯的,成了罪的形狀(火蛇),替我們掛在桿子上受咒詛(加3:13),替我們頂罪,替我們死.凡願意仰望這桿子上替我們死的,就是那罪已得贖的,就活了!

但以色列人不明白神的心意,世世代代卻拜銅蛇,還以為這銅蛇有醫治的大能,這銅蛇至終成了絆跌以色列人的偶像(王下18:4).

再舉一個神的約櫃被擄的例子:

(撒上 4:1-11) 以色列人出去與非利士人打仗_、安營在以便以謝_、非利士人安營在亞弗_。 非利士人向以色列人擺陣_．兩軍交戰的時候_、以色列人敗在非利士人面前_、非利士人在戰場上殺了他們的軍兵_、約有四千人_。 百姓回到營裡_、以色列的長老說_、耶和華今日為何使我們敗在非利士人面前呢_．我們不如將耶和華的約櫃_、從示羅抬到我們這裡來_、好在我們中間救我們脫離敵人的手_。 於是百姓打發人到示羅_、從那裡將坐在二基路伯上萬軍之耶和華的約櫃抬來_．以利的兩個兒子何弗尼_、非尼哈_、與　神的約櫃同來_。 耶和華的約櫃到了營中_、以色列眾人就大聲歡呼_、地便震動_。 非利士人聽見歡呼的聲音_、就說_、在希伯來人營裡大聲歡呼_、是什麼緣故呢_．隨後就知道耶和華的約櫃到了營中_。

非利士人就懼怕起來_、說_、有神到了他們營中_．又說_、我們有禍了_．向來不曾有這樣的事_。 我們有禍了_、誰能救我們脫離這些大能之神的手呢_．從前在曠野用各樣災殃擊打埃及人的_、就是這些神_。非利士人哪_、你們要剛強_、要作大丈夫_、免得作希伯來人的奴僕_、如同他們作你們的奴僕一樣_．你們要作大丈夫與他們爭戰_。 非利士人和以色列人打仗_．以色列人敗了_、各向各家奔逃_．被殺的人甚多_、以色列的步兵仆倒了三萬_。　神的約櫃被擄去_．以利的兩個兒子何弗尼_、非尼哈_、也都被殺了_。

以色列人因不聽神的話,於是神興起非利士人攻擊以色列人,以色列人不知悔改,還以神的約櫃為護身符,抬出來與非利士人打仗,神不僅沒有藉約櫃幫助以色列人,反而讓非利士人大敗以色列人並將約櫃擄走!以色列人把神的約櫃當偶像拜(摩5:25-26).

聖經上記載著類似的例子層出不窮,分析這些例子,以色列人拜的偶像都有以下共通的特點:

1.當初都是照神吩咐以色列人造的(如銅蛇,約櫃)

2.每一樣都有神挽回的心意與屬靈的教導(如銅蛇預表耶穌的救贖,約櫃預表當遵行神的話)

3.然而以色列人不明白神的用意去遵行屬靈的教導,反而將銅蛇,約櫃當神來拜,以滿足自己的私欲(生病了來拜銅蛇得醫治,打敗仗搬約櫃來助陣)卻絲毫沒有悔改自己的罪惡過犯,以至於惹動了神的怒氣,藉希西家打碎摩西所造的銅蛇,藉非利士人擄去約櫃.

現在我們應該明白為什麼先知阿摩司說:不要往伯特利尋求_、不要進入吉甲_、不要過到別是巴_．因為吉甲必被擄掠_、伯特利也必歸於無有_。(摩5:5) 伯特利是耶和華向雅各顯現的聖地(創28:19),吉甲是耶和華給以色列人離開曠野進入迦南地立約行割禮的潔淨之地(書4:19-5-10),別是巴是亞伯拉罕求告耶和華永生神的名之地(創21:33),這些地方歷代都被以色列人視為聖地,若有人想要自顯聖潔,都會到這些地方來尋求神.然而神卻藉阿摩司警戒以色列人不要到這些地方來,因為這些地方已成了那些藉著外表儀文來尋求神而內心卻遠離神之人(簡言之就是拜偶像之人)惹動神的忿怒之地,神已定意要毀滅這些地方來.神不要我們到這些地方來,免得與他們一同有罪,一同遭災殃.

同理,神的聖城耶路撒冷(耶9:11)和立為神的名居所的聖殿(太24:2)都難逃被神毀滅的下場.

親愛的弟兄姊妹們,讓我們仔細地想一想,並自己問自己底下幾個問題:

1. 我們是否也把耶穌的教導當偶像來拜呢?比如說耶穌在被賣的那一夜拿起餅來祝謝了_、就擘開遞給他們_、說_、這是我的身體_、為你們捨的_．你們也應當如此行_、為的是記念我_。(路22:19) 耶穌要我們如此行_、為的是記念他,請問是行擘餅的儀文呢?還是效法耶穌為弟兄們捨命呢?若我們還恨弟兄不能為他們捨命,只能行擘餅的儀文,我們是否也和以色列人一樣把擘餅的儀文(把神的吩咐)當偶像來拜呢?

2. 我們是否也把耶穌當偶像來拜呢?我們開口主阿閉口主阿,想要工作,求主,想要房子,求主,想要得醫治,求主,我們是否總是要主聽我們的,卻從來沒有聽主的,請問誰是主?我們的心呢?還是耶穌呢?若凡事自己做主,那麼我們是否已經把耶穌當偶像來拜了?

親愛的弟兄姊妹們,讓我們彼此互勉,讓我們不是用外表的儀文敬拜耶穌,而是在真理和聖靈裡遵行他的話,正如耶穌對撒瑪利亞婦人所說的:婦人_、你當信我_、時候將到_、你們拜父_、也不在這山上_、也不在耶路撒冷_。你們所拜的_、你們不知道_．我們所拜的_、我們知道_．因為救恩是從猶太人出來的_。時候將到_、如今就是了_、那真正拜父的_、要在靈和真理裡面拜他_、因為父要這樣的人拜他_。　神是靈．所以拜他的、必須在靈和真理裡面拜他。(約4:21-24)

引用經文:

Rom 8:3律法既因肉體軟弱_、有所不能行的_、　神就差遣自己的兒子_、成為罪身的形狀_、作了贖罪祭_、在肉體中定了罪案_．

Jhn 3:14摩西在曠野怎樣舉蛇_、人子也必照樣被舉起來_．

Gal 3:13基督既為我們受了咒詛、〔受原文作成〕就贖出我們脫離律法的咒詛．因為經上記著、『凡掛在木頭上都是被咒詛的。』

2Ki 18:4他廢去邱壇_、毀壞柱像_、砍下木偶_、打碎摩西所造的銅蛇_．因為到那時以色列人仍向銅蛇燒香_．希西家叫銅蛇為銅塊_。〔或作人稱銅蛇為銅像〕

Amo 5:25-26以色列家阿_、你們在曠野四十年_、豈是將祭物和供物獻給我呢_。你們抬著為自己所造之摩洛的帳幕和偶像的龕_、並你們的神星_。

Amo 5:5不要往伯特利尋求_、不要進入吉甲_、不要過到別是巴_．因為吉甲必被擄掠_、伯特利也必歸於無有_。

Jer 9:11我必使耶路撒冷變為亂堆、為龍的住處．也必使猶大的城邑、變為荒場、無人居住。

Mat 24:2耶穌對他們說_、你們不是看見這殿宇麼_．我實在告訴你們_、將來在這裡_、沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上不被拆毀了_。

拜偶像

(民数记 21:7-9) 百姓到摩西那里说、我们怨讟耶和华和你、有罪了、求你祷告耶和华、叫这些蛇离开我们．于是摩西为百姓祷告。耶和华对摩西说、你制造一条火蛇、挂在杆子上、凡被咬的、一望这蛇、就必得活。摩西便制造一条铜蛇、挂在杆子上．凡被蛇咬的、一望这铜蛇、就活了。

洗禮 (Baptism)

原文洗禮是baptivzw 簡單的講就是洗滌或洗淨的意思. 事實上,耶穌並不用水與人施洗, 而是他的門徒用水施洗 (約 4:2). 並且在四福音中, 施洗約翰傳道見證他的榮耀說:『我是用水給你們施洗_、叫你們悔改_．但那在我以後來的_、能力比我更大_、我就是給他提鞋_、也不配_．他要用聖靈與火給你們施洗_。』(太3:11)(可1:8)(路3:16)(約1:33). 最後在使徒行傳1:5,耶穌親自宣告:『約翰是用水施洗_．但不多幾日_、你們要受聖靈的洗_。』所以根據聖經,人是用水施洗(就如施洗約翰,因為他是人無法也沒有能力用聖靈與人施洗),但那全能的主宰,創造宇宙天地的真神,我們的天父,耶穌基督,他是那位唯一有能力並且願意用聖靈與人施洗的救主.因此所謂的水洗禮不管是浸水禮也好或是點水禮也好都是外表的儀文,在神面前是毫無功效的.所以使徒保羅才說:『原來在基督耶穌裡_、受割禮不受割禮_、全無功效_．惟獨藉著愛運行的信實_、才有功效.』(加5:6),這項教導,拿今天的話來說就是:原來在基督耶穌裡_、受水洗不受水洗_、全無功效_．惟獨藉著愛運行的信實_、才有功效.

親愛的弟兄姊妹們,當我們彼此相愛像他愛我們一樣(約15:12),我們便知道我們真是受了他聖靈的洗了,從此眾人因此就認出我們是他的門徒了(約13:35).讓我們回到馬太福音28:19-20:我們試著問我們自己一個問題:耶穌到底喜歡我們怎樣遵行他的命令呢?『..你們要去_、使萬民作我的門徒_、奉父子聖靈的名_、給他們施洗.』是用水給他們施洗呢?還是用愛給他們施洗?

洗礼 (Baptism)

原文洗礼是 baptivzw 简单的讲就是洗涤或洗净的意思. 事实上,耶稣并不用水与人施洗, 而是他的门徒用水施洗 (约 4:2). 并且在四福音中, 施洗约翰传道见证他的荣耀说:‘我是用水给你们施洗、叫你们悔改．但那在我以后来的、能力比我更大、我就是给他提鞋、也不配．他要用圣灵与火给你们施洗。’(太3:11)(可1:8)(路3:16)(约1:33). 最后在使徒行传1:5,耶稣亲自宣告:‘约翰是用水施洗．但不多几日、你们要受圣灵的洗。’所以根据圣经,人是用水施洗(就如施洗约翰,因为他是人无法也没有能力用圣灵与人施洗),但那全能的主宰,创造宇宙天地的真神,我们的天父,耶稣基督,他是那位唯一有能力并且愿意用圣灵与人施洗的救主.因此所谓的水洗礼不管是浸水礼也好或是点水礼也好都是外表的仪文,在神面前是毫无功效的.所以使徒保罗才说:‘原来在基督耶稣里、受割礼不受割礼、全无功效．惟独藉着爱运行的信实、才有功效.’(加5:6),这项教导,拿今天的话来说就是:原来在基督耶稣里、受水洗不受水洗、全无功效．惟独藉着爱运行的信实、才有功效.

倚靠神

歷代志下 16: 1-3「亞撒三十六年，以色列王巴沙上來攻擊猶大,修築拉瑪不許人從猶大王亞撒那裏出入。於是亞撒從耶和華殿和王宮的府庫裏，拿出金銀來，送與住大馬色的亞蘭王便哈達說﹕你父曾與我父立約，我與你也要立約。現在我將金銀送給你，求你廢掉你與以色列王巴沙所立的約，使他離開我。」

各位親愛的弟兄姐妹們，當我們遇到人生的爭戰的時候，我們的反應是什麼？以上的經文描述了一位曾倚靠神戰勝古實王的百萬大軍的亞撒王（歷下14﹕9-12）在他晚年的時候反而倚靠金銀、倚靠人！其結局正如耶和華藉先見哈拿尼所說「你這事行得愚昧。此後，你必有爭戰的事。」

我們人生爭戰的事有那些？是夫妻關係嗎、婆媳關係嗎、同事關係嗎、事業的得失嗎、學業嗎、產業的糾紛嗎、訴訟嗎、疾病的困擾嗎、名譽面子問 題嗎、還是教會的服事同工之間的意見不同嗎？當我們遇到了這些事的時候，我們的反應是什麼？神藉著亞撒王要告訴我們一件事，就是若我們也和亞撒王一樣想 靠著金銀或靠人來解決我們人生的爭戰，結局是「此後，你必有爭戰的事。」也就是說沒完沒了的爭戰！

什麼是倚靠神呢？

倚靠神就是不靠自己的聰明﹕箴言3﹕5-6「你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。」

倚靠神就是不靠人﹕詩篇146﹕3-4「你們不要倚靠君王，不要倚靠世人，他一點不能幫助。他的氣一斷，就歸回塵土；他所打算的，當日就消滅了。」

倚靠神就是不靠人的話﹕詩篇 116﹕11「人都是說謊的！」傳道書 7﹕21「人所說的一切話，你不要放在心上」

倚靠神就是不靠錢財﹕箴言23﹕5「你豈要定睛在虛無的錢財上嗎？因錢財必長翅膀，如鷹向天飛去。」

倚靠神就是不靠勢力﹕詩篇33﹕16「君王不能因兵多得勝，勇士不能因力大得救。」

倚靠神就是不靠計劃 ﹕ 詩篇127﹕1「若不是耶和華建造房屋，建造的人就枉然勞力；若不是耶和華看守城池，看守的人就枉然警醒。」

倚靠神就是不靠偶像﹕詩篇115﹕4-8「他們的偶像是金的銀的，是人手所造的。有口卻不能言，有眼卻不能看；有耳卻不能聽，有鼻卻不能聞；有手卻不能摸，有腳卻不能走；有喉嚨也不能出聲。造他的要和他一樣，凡靠他的也要如此。」

那麼我們該如何倚靠神呢？

我們再來看一段經文，馬可福音6﹕47-51「到了晚上，船在海中，耶穌獨自在岸上，看見門徒因風不順，搖櫓甚苦。夜裏四更天，就在海面上走，往他們那裏去，意思要走過他們去。但門徒看見他在海面上走，以為是鬼怪，就喊叫起來。因為他們都看見了他，且甚驚慌。耶穌連忙對他們說﹕你們放心，是我，不要怕！於是到他們那裏上了船，風就住了，他們心裏十分驚奇。」我們人生（船）在世（海）猶如海上行船，常常頂撞神不順服所以「風不順」，常常靠自己所以「 搖櫓甚苦」，耶穌從天上 （ 「岸 上」）看我們看見我們因不順服而受苦，就親自來到世上（「就在海面上走」），但世人不認識他還「以為是鬼怪」因 而 甚 驚慌。世人因不認識神，遇見風浪就驚慌，無法倚靠神，其實神就在我們身邊。耶穌憐憫我們的無知我們的不信，便「連忙對我們說﹕你們放心，是我，不要怕！」 當耶穌親自「上了船」（耶穌住進我們的心中），奇妙的事就發生了 ﹕ 「 風就住了」---- 我們便與神和好了，平安喜樂就湧流不斷地從天而來 ----正如亞撒王的兒子約沙法重新回過頭來尋求神倚靠神時，「約沙法的國得享太平，因為神賜他四境平安。」（歷下20﹕30）親愛的弟兄姐妹們，你願意你人生爭戰的事平息嗎？你願意你人生的 風浪止住嗎？讓我們一起求耶穌「上」我們這艘「船」，讓我們單單地倚靠他，感謝讚美主，阿們。

Trust in the LORD

^{2Ch 16:1-3} "In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, [There is] a league between me and thee, as [there was] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me."

Dear Sisters and Brothers, when we encounter a tribulation in our life, what's our reaction? The verses above tell a story about the king Asa, who was trusting in the LORD that smote the Ethiopians of an host of a thousand thousand (2Ch 14:9-12), at his old age trusted in gold and men instead! At the end as the LORD said to him through the seer Hanani: "Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." (2Ch 16:9)

What is the war in our life? Do we have trouble in marriage? in family? with colleagues? in business? in school? in illness? or even in the church? When we encounter these tribulations, what's our reaction? The LORD through king Asa tells us the Truth, that is if we would like to rely on money or human beings to resolve our wars in life, the ending will be "herefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." that is more wars to come!

What does it mean to Trust in the LORD?

Trust in the LORD means Do not lean on our own understanding: Pro 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Trust in the LORD means Do not rely on men: Psm 146:3-4 "Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."

Trust in the LORD means Do not take heed on all words that are spoken by men: Psm 116:11 "I said in my haste, All men [are] liars." Ecc 7:21 "Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;"

Trust in the LORD means Do not labor to be rich: Pro 23:4-5 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."

Trust in the LORD means Do not rely on the power: Psm 33:16 "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength."

Trust in the LORD means Do not rely on the plan: Psm 127:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain."

Trust in the LORD means Do not trust in idols: Psm 115:4-8 "Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them."

How do we Trust in the LORD then?

Let's read another set of verses: Mak 6:47-51 "And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."

Our life (ship) on earth (sea) is as a ship sails in the midst of the sea. We sin against the LORD, therefore "the wind was contrary unto" us and we trusted in ourselves thus we were often "toiling in rowing" all day and all night ("about forth watch of the night") without resting. Our Lord Jesus saw our sufferings from the Heavens ("on the land") and come unto us on earth ("walking upon the sea"). But we did not know Him and even thought "it had been a spirit, and cried out: For we all saw Him and were troubled!" Men do not know Him, when tribulation come, all were troubled and cannot Trust in Him. Our Lord Jesus has mercy upon us and forgives our foolishness and unbelief. He came and said to us "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." When Jesus "went up into the ship" (Jesus went up unto us into our heart), miracle happened: "the wind ceased"! ------ when we reconciled with Him, the joy and the peace from the Heavens overflow in us!  ------ Just like when Jehoshaphat, the son of king Asa, turned to the LORD again and trusted in the LORD alone, "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about." (2Ch 20:30).

Dear Sisters and Brothers, would you like to quiet down the war in your life? would you like to cease the wind against you? Let's pray to our Lord  the only Savior Jesus Christ to "go up into our ship", let us only Trust in Him and Him alone. Praise be thy Name, Amen.

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