2023.02.11/12

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

The weather has been cold recently, so many people like to enjoy hotpot at home or to share hotpot at a restaurant. Sitting in front of the hotpot, you can enjoy the food, and also enjoy the warm atmosphere. Due to the dry weather in winter, everyone should try to be careful about the fire, and be sure to put out the fire immediately after enjoying the hot-pot.

In contrast, the responsibility of the priests in the Old Testament was to offer sacrifices for the people every day. But after the priests offered the evening sacrifice, God commanded that “the fire on the altar should always be kept burning and never be quenched.” The ongoing fire was so important that it was directly started  by God: “Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown” (Lev 9:24). The fire on the altar, therefore, served as a constant reminder of God’s power. It was a gift from heaven. The priest was to kindle the fire again every morning to ensure that the holy fire on the altar would continue to burn. This command is mentioned three times in Leviticus chapter 6 (Lev 6:8,12,13), which shows its importance.

The responsibility of the priest was not only to offer sacrifices for the people, but also to watch over the altar. It is also a reminder to us to be watchful for God’s house. Let us not forget to pray for the church and the family of God. Joining the prayer meeting is a good opportunity to watch for God’s family and each other.

“The fire on the altar shall always burn and shall not be quenched.” This command also reminds us today that we must keep our hearts fervent in serving God. The teaching of Romans 12:11 is: ” Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord!”

For God loves us so much that he even poured out his life for us. How can we take it for granted? May the love of the Lord always inspire us, and draw us closer to Him. May we always adore the Lord and respond with love to His deep and wide love without fathom.

What grace is this that God wants us to love Him? How can we deserve to love Him? Paul said, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed!” (I Cor 16:22)

An old hymn from long ago :”O sacred Head, now wounded” is a Christian Passion hymn based on a Latin text written during the Middle Ages. It originates from  a long medieval poem attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux. There is one sentence at the 3rd stanza written as: “Oh let me never, never outlive my love to Thee”. It always grips my heart when I sing it. May this be my prayer and be your prayer – “Oh let me never, never outlive my love to God”!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung