Apr 11-12, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Dear brothers and sisters,

First of all, Christ has risen, He has risen indeed! Have a joyous Easter!

Yes, as we have already seen in the past weeks, we have learnt through the Serenity Prayer, the serenity to accept the things that we cannot change, and the courage to change the things we can. Above all, we need God to grant us the wisdom to know the difference, and choose wisely accordingly.

Needless to say, in our current discussion, the question of “wisdom” is what we should decide to do or not do in the current coronavirus pandemic. When WHO finally decided to declare that we are in a worldwide pandemic, they had carefully analysed all the data they had collected to see whether the spread of the virus from the then epicentre Wuhan to other countries had exceeded numbers more than 100 and the number of confirmed cases and death were escalating rapidly daily out of control. Before that they had been regularly sending out warnings to the world community about the importance of preventive measures, for individuals as well as for all countries. That takes discernment and courage. But obviously “wisdom” is needed in all spheres of our lives, beyond COVID-19.

“Wisdom,” according to the dictionary is “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise; or, “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Similar words are: intelligence, understanding, insight, discernment, prudence and foresight…  As you can see, wisdom is seen as doing the right thing based on the experience and knowledge that one has accumulated.

The opposite of wisdom would be “stupidity” or “folly.”  Unfortunately, the internet has given us an abundance of information, knowledge, and fake news, all available at the tip of our fingers on our computers or gadgets!  There is so much information out there that we no longer seek for true wisdom, we just look for the most accessible information on which we can lay our hands, and often “pragmatism” rules.  In fact the Bible tells us “knowledge puffs up,” (I Cor. 8:1) and indeed we are seeing more and more of men’s arrogance and pride as they amass more and more knowledge.

As Christians, wisdom is not just measured by human knowledge and surely it must move beyond that. Jesus tells us, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”(Mt.10:16)  So “being wise “involves “being shrewd” and have discernment, knowing that we are sheep among wolves, in a world of deceit and danger. Ultimately, the scriptures tell us “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Pro. 9:10) Here the word “fear” in “the fear of the Lord” (Heb. Yirat Adonai) in context does not refer to (the usual meaning of) dread or terror, but rather, “to stand in awe and reverence (of the Lord).”  The word “wisdom” (Heb. Hokmah) appears 141 times in the Old Testament, found mostly in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. To stand before God with awe and reverence is the highest wisdom man can have. Indeed in the current pandemic, let us not be filled with “fear” but rather with the “fear of the Lord” so that in the awesome presence of God, we are only filled with “reverence” for Him.

King Solomon, after God offered him anything his heart desired, requested wisdom. The Scripture tells us:    ¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (I Kings 3:10-14) May we ask this “wisdom” above all other things, and in so doing, God will also bless us in others ways.

On this Easter Sunday, let us also remember the words of Paul in I Corinthians 1: 18:“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Paul goes on to say: “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are” (2: 27-28). Let us all heed these words with wisdom.

Christ has risen, He has risen indeed! Have a joyous Easter, be wise, choose and live wisely!

Your servant in Christ

Rev. Simon Lee

Senior Pastor

Apr 11-12, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛的兄弟姊妹們：

首先，基督復活了，祂的確復活了！祝您復活節快樂!

我們在上數星期透過寧靜禱文所啟迪，學習需要以平靜的心去接受我們無法改變的事物，並要勇於改變我們可以改變的事物。首要的是，我們需要神所賜予的智慧以瞭解兩者之間的分別，並作取捨。

按照我們於近期的談論，論到“智慧”，毋庸置疑，是指我們在冠狀病毒大蔓延當前是，要去決擇應當做還是不應做的事。在世衛組織詳細分析所收集的眾多數據，以查看該病毒從當時的震央武漢的傳播是否已超越至百多個國家，以及確診病例和死亡人數迅速日增，無法控制後，最終決定宣布，我們的世界現正處於病毒大蔓延的情況之中。在此之前，世衛已定期向國際社會發出警告，說明預防措施對個人和所有國家的重要性。這需要洞察力和勇氣。但明顯地，除了冠狀病毒之外，我們生活的各方面也需要具備“智慧”去面對。

“智慧”根據字典的解釋，是“具備經驗，知識和具有真知灼見及明智判斷能力的質素；相近的意思是：睿智，具理解力，洞察力，辨别力，精明和具遠見等。如您所見，智慧被定義為根據所積累的經驗和知識去做正確的事情。

智慧的反面是“愚蠢”或“愚昧”。不幸的是，互聯網為我們提供了過剩的資訊、知識和虛假新聞，只需輕觸，大量資訊和虛假新聞信息，都可以在我們的電腦和手機上隨手可得。我們往往基於“實用主義”只求方便，而引致我們不再尋求真正的智慧。聖經告訴我們“知識是叫人自高自大”（林前8：1），事實上，隨著知識的積累越來越多，我們越來越看到人的自大和驕傲。

作為基督徒，智慧不僅是以人類的知識來衡量，而且肯定超越人的知識。耶穌對門徒說：「我差你們去，如同羊進入狼羣；所以你們要靈巧像蛇，馴良像鴿子。」(太10:16)事實上，因為人間險惡而人心比萬物更為詭詐，我們需要各樣處世處人的「智慧」。  聖經告訴我們：“敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端，認識至聖者便是聰明。”（箴9:10）在此，“敬畏” 一詞在希伯來文（Yirat Adonai）的含義是指“敬畏耶和華”的“畏懼”，不是指一般的“恐懼”或“懼怕”的意思，而是“存著肅然起敬的心站在耶和華神面前對神的敬畏”。“智慧”（Hokmah）這希伯來文一詞，在舊約出現了141次，主要是在約伯記，箴言和傳道書中。敬畏和尊崇地站在上帝面前，是人所能擁有的最高智慧。確實，在疫症蔓延當前的時候，讓我們不要被“恐懼”充滿，而是在大而可畏的神面前，我們對祂充滿“敬畏”的心。

所羅門王在神答允賜予他心所想望的一切時，他向神祈求智慧。聖經告訴我們，神為所羅門所求的感到喜悅：”所羅門因為求這事，就蒙主喜悅。神對他說：你既然求這事，不為自己求壽、求富，也不求滅絕你仇敵的性命，單求智慧可以聽訟，我就應允你所求的，賜你聰明智慧，甚至在你以前沒有像你的，在你以後也沒有像你的。你若效法你父親大衛，遵行我的道，謹守我的律例、誡命，我必使你長壽。”（王上3：10-14）願我們以尋求神的“智慧”為先，神也必會在其他方面賜福我們。

在這復活節的主日，讓我們也謹記保羅在林前1：18中所說的話：“十字架的道理，對走向滅亡的人來說是愚笨的，但對我們這些得救的人，卻是神的大能。”。保羅接著說：“神卻揀選了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。祂也揀選了世上軟弱的，使那些剛強的羞愧。祂也揀選了世上卑賤的和被人輕視的，以及算不得甚麼的，為了要廢棄那些自以為是的，使所有的人在神面前都不能自誇。” （1：27-28新譯本）。讓我們一同聆聽神的恩言，同得智慧。

但神卻揀選了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。他也揀選了世上軟弱的，使那些剛強的羞愧。

再次祝您復活節快樂，要以智慧去選擇您的生活!

主僕，李耀全牧師

Apr 04-05, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

The Serenity Prayer (3): Serenity: courage

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Serenity Prayer (Adapted by SL) begins this way:

“God grant me the serenity

to not be anxious for things that I cannot change;

courage to care (be concerned) and do the things I can,

at this time of the Coronavirus pandemic;

and the wisdom to know the difference.”

We have been looking at serenity and acceptance (submission) in the Serenity Prayer (Reinhold Niebuhr), learning to not be concerned about the things over which  we have absolutely no control. Now we would like to move on to the topic of “courage” – the courage to change the things that you and I can change, especially in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. I like to think of this, the courage to change the things I can, as the opposite of serenity (to accept the things I cannot change), as the courage in such a time as this, to care (be concerned) about the current situation and be concerned enough to do all that we can.

“Courage” is defined as “the ability to do something that frightens one,” or “strength in the face of pain and grief.” Similar words are bravery, valor, fearlessness and boldness. The opposite would be cowardice and timidity. When people talk about courage, they usually think of physical courage when faced with danger or moral courage when dealing with moral issues.

As Christians familiar with the stories of Exodus and Joshua, we think immediately of how God commanded Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” We read,

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success whenever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-7)

The first time God gave Joshua the command to “be strong and courageous” was for him to complete the task of conquering the Land of Canaan that God had given him and the people of Israel because it was the promise of God himself. That takes faith. The second time God gave the same command even more emphatically was for Joshua to follow God all the way while he was completing the task. That takes integrity, especially when tempted to take short cuts or the easy way out. So from this command of God we see that spiritual courage involves faith and integrity: Faith to believe God at His word and “Just do it” and integrity to persevere when the going gets tough.

Here in view of the current Coronavirus pandemic, I have taken the liberty to interpret and apply “courage” in my adaptation of the Serenity Prayer, to mean “courage to care (be concerned) and do the things I can. While “serenity” is taken to mean “not to be concerned” about things that only God can change, here we are talking about taking care to do the exact opposite, to be concerned and do the things that are within our power. This means the moral courage to do the right thing to help contain the virus, things like physical distancing and staying at home as much as we can. This means using all sorts of means like Zoom to maintain communication with our brothers and sisters despite the suspension of all church gathering and activities. This means using all sorts of means to care for people who are at greater health risks than us by doing simple things like helping with the deliveries of groceries. In sort, this means that we will have courage to do the right thing even though it is difficult. Niebuhr elaborates on what he means by this with these words:

“Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

that I may be reasonably happy in  this life

and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.”

Indeed, what this means in the current situation is, despite the dark clouds that we are living under, we will live with courage in the present, seeing things from God’s perspectives and not through the lens that we put on. This courage comes also from knowing that we have the promise of peace and hope given to us by the Coming King. Above all, as Christians, we know that we can be courageous because our help is from God. The Scriptures are filled with gems to help us “be strong and courageous,” here are some of them for us at this time of pandemic:

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 27: 1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Only be strong and very courageous.

 

Apr 04-05, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛的弟兄姊妹，以下的禱文由本人(李耀全牧師)改编：

“求神賜予我平靜的心，
不為我無法改變的事情而焦慮；
在這次冠狀病毒大蔓延時；
讓我能儘我所能地勇於關懷（關心），
並有智慧去了解兩者之間的分別。”

我們在過去的兩週，曾透過Reinhold Niebuhr 的“寧靜禱文”學習以平靜的心去接受那些我們絕對無法控制的事物，學習不去焦慮。在此，我們嘗試以“勇氣”為主題–勇於改變您和我可以改變的事情，特別在這COVID-19大流行之時，就這方面去思想。“勇於改變我可以做的事情”，“與保持平靜”（接受我無法改變的事情）剛好相反：能夠有勇氣，就是在身處於這樣的時刻之中，盡我們所能的去關心（關注）當前的情況。

“勇氣”的定義是“有能力去做令自己感到恐懼的事”，或“面對痛苦和悲傷的力量”。相類似的形容詞是勇敢，英勇，無畏和有膽量。相反的是怯懦和畏怯。當談論到勇氣時，一般會指在面對危險時想到血氣之勇，或在處於道德問題時持守道德立場的勇氣。

提到“堅強而勇敢”，作為基督徒的我們，很容易會聯想起出埃及記和約書亞故事的事跡。“你當剛強壯膽！因為你必使這百姓承受那地為業，就是我向他們列祖起誓應許賜給他們的地。只要剛強，大大壯膽，謹守遵行我僕人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏離左右，使你無論往哪裡去，都可以順利。”（書1：6-7）

當神第一次向約書亞發出“要剛強勇敢”的命令，是為了約書亞及以色列人要憑著神的應許完成征服神所賜迦南地的任務。那必須憑藉信心。神第二次更加有力地向約書亞發出了同樣的命令，是要他在完成任務時一直緊隨神。這需要整全一致性，尤其是在面對走捷徑或簡單出路的試誘當前時。因此，從神的命令中，我們可以看到關乎屬靈的勇氣及信心和誠信：信心就是要絕對相信神的話，“只要照著做”；誠信則是可以在面對艱難的過程中堅持不懈。

鑑於目前的冠狀病毒蔓延，我借題發揮地藉著“寧靜禱文”去闡釋和應用“勇氣”的含意。勇氣意即“勇於關心並儘我所能”。雖然在禱文中“寧靜”被用於“不關心”只有上帝才能改變的事情，但在此我們要應用在相反方面，即關心和做我們能力範圍所能及的事。這表示在道德上勇於做應做的事來幫助控制病毒，例如身體上的疏遠和盡可能地留在家裡。這也意味著儘管暫停了所有教會聚會和活動，但仍使用諸如Zoom之類的各種途徑來與我們的兄弟姐妹保持溝通。也意味著要透過一些簡單的行動（例如幫助運送食品）來關懷比我們更具健康風險的人。從某種意義來說，這意味著即使有困難，我們要憑勇氣去做正確的事。尼布爾用以下詞句詳細地說明了他的意思：

認真地去過每一天，
享受生命的每一時刻；
迎接艱難，作為進入平安的途徑；
按照主的方式，
面對這不是我所想要的罪惡世界；
堅信主會使正義彰顯，一切更新。
只要我順服祢的旨意；
在今生我得享滿足的喜樂，
來生與主同享永世的歡愉。

阿們。”

確實，這意味著，面對現時的境況，儘管我們在烏雲籠罩下，若能透過從神的眼光看事物，而不是以既定的方式去看事情，我們仍能夠勇往直前地生活。這種勇氣來自我們那再來之主所賦予我們的平安與盼望的應許。作為基督徒，在一切之上，我們知道我們之所以能够剛強壯膽，是因為我們的幫助來自神。聖經中充滿了珍寶，以下是其中一些能以幫助我們在疫症蔓延之時可以“堅強和勇敢”的經文：

詩46:1-3 神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助。所以，地雖改變，山雖搖動到海心，其中的水雖匉訇翻騰，山雖因海漲而戰抖，我們也不害怕。

賽 41:10你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的神。我必堅固你，我必幫助你；我必用我公義的右手扶持你。

詩 27:1-3耶和華是我的亮光，是我的拯救，我還怕誰呢？耶和華是我性命的保障，我還懼誰呢？那作惡的就是我的仇敵，前來吃我肉的時候就絆跌仆倒。雖有軍兵安營攻擊我，我的心也不害怕；雖然興起刀兵攻擊我，我必仍舊安穩。

申 31:6;8你們當剛強壯膽，不要害怕，也不要畏懼他們，因為耶和華你的神和你同去。他必不撇下你，也不丟棄你。耶和華必在你前面行；他必與你同在，必不撇下你，也不丟棄你。不要懼怕，也不要驚惶。

只要剛強大大壯膽！

 

 

Mar 28-29, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC

Responding to “A Call to Prayer”

1. Let’s Praise and Give Thanks (Psalm 95:1-5)

Psalm 95:1-5
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

Yes, Lord. I am so glad to be at the enthronement of the King, just like the people of God was at the enthronement of King David. You are still and always is the King of Kings. May we echo the hymn,

“Crown Him with many crowns, the lamb upon the throne:
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King throughout all eternity.”

Yes, as the psalmist declares,
“The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
The Lord is robed in majesty
And is armed with strength.” (Psalm 93:1a)

Indeed we are marching into your presence with song of praise in our hearts. Even though we cannot physically be in your sanctuary with the rest of the Church, we are all now in your presence because you are omnipresent. For you are King of Kings and creator of all things. You can conquer the Coronavirus and even use the pestilence (pandemic) to bring victory against your enemies, and bring glory to your name! Yes, we praise you because we know “the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.” Amen!

2. Let’s gather and worship (Psalm 95:6-7)

Psalm 95:6-7
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice,

Lord, you are not only “the Lord,” you are “the Lord our Maker.” You are the Lord of our lives and our creator.” You are not only “God” but “our God” the giver of life who has given us life and hope.

Just as King David declared,
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise
because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:1, 2)

How reassuring it is to that you Lord personally lord over my life, you have everything under your control, despite the appearance of total chaos around me due to the pandemic.

Lord, how comforting to know that you our God is also the great Shepherd, and “ we are the people of his (your) pasture, the flock under his (your) care.” (Psalm 95:7)

Just as David the Psalmist so eloquently assures us,
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.
He (you) makes me lie down in green pastures,
He (you) leads me beside quiet waters…
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1-4)

Yes, I come with all my brothers and sisters and bow down before you and knee (kneel??) before our creator, not only with our physical body but also with all our heart and soul, and worship you and surrender our lives to you, with all our worries and concerns. Amen!

3. Let’s Pay Heed Together (Psalm 95:7b-11)

Psalm 95:7b-11
7b Today, if only you would hear his voice,
8 “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

O Lord, how often do we keep repeating the same mistakes in the same way that the people of God (Israelites) committed over and over again. More than the people of Israel, we have been redeemed and delivered by God through Christ’s supreme sacrifice under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Also since our decision to follow you Lord, we continue to experience your mercy, forgiveness and grace. But forgive us Lord that we have continued to “test” your patience and “murmur” (argue and quarrel). May we our present generation not have to learn our lesson the hard way, only after 40 years of wandering with fear and anxiety in the wilderness. May we live to see and enter into the Promised Land. May we truly find you, Lord, the only one that can fill the void and vacuum of our hearts.

I hear the words of prophet Isaiah beckoning me with these words from the Lord:

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow’
Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20)

Lord, if the pandemic is meant to wake us all up to repent, may we do so quickly.

Lord, help all those who are in deep fear and anxiety to heed this call and return to God in faith and in full dependence on you, reclaiming the peace you have promised us.

Lord, help and strengthen those who are staying and working frantically in hospitals healing the sick, so that we can stay safe in our home.

Lord, help the experts and authorities to do and say the right things with understanding and wisdom from you and you alone. Indeed the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Lord, help your church be the church and let the world have hope and peace beyond (through??) understanding in Christ our Saviour, our Sanctifier, our Healer and our Coming King.
Amen

Mar 28-29, 2020
李耀全牧師

禁食禱告之默想與默禱

1. 讓我們來讚美和感恩 （詩篇95:1-5）

 詩篇95:1-5

1. 來吧，我們來向耶和華歌唱，向拯救我們的磐石歡呼。
2. 我們要來到他面前稱謝他，用詩歌向他歡呼。
3. 因為耶和華是偉大的　神，是超越眾神的大君王。
4. 地的深處在他手中，山的高峰也都屬他。
5. 海洋屬他，因為是他創造的，陸地也是他的手造成的。

 是的，主。我很感恩能夠在王登基的寶座前，就像昔日屬於神的子民站在大衛王登基的時候。祢永遠是萬王之王。讓我們一起歌頌神：

「擁戴我主為王，聖羔在寶座上，
請聽天上歌聲悠揚，樂聲壓倒群響，
我靈速醒同唱，頌主為我受傷，
歡呼祂為至大君王，千秋萬歲無疆。」

是的，就像是詩人說的

「耶和華作王！他以威嚴為衣穿上；耶和華以能力為衣，以能力束腰。」（詩篇93:1）

的確，我們帶著心中的讚美來到祢的面前。即使我們無法與教會眾弟兄姊妹一同在聖所裡向祢敬拜，但由於祢是無所不在的，我們各人現在就在祢的面前。又因為祢是萬王之王，萬物的創造者，祢可以征服冠狀病毒，甚至可以利用這次的疫情來擊敗敵人，並為自己的名字帶來榮耀！是的，我們要讚美祢因為祢是大神，為大王，超乎萬神之上。阿們！

2. 讓我們一同來聚集和敬拜 (詩篇 95:6-7)

 詩篇 95:6-7

6. 來吧，我們來俯伏敬拜，在造我們的耶和華面前跪下。
7. 因為他是我們的神，我們是他草場上的子民，是他手下的羊群。如果你們今天聽從他的聲音，

 主，祢不單是唯一的主，也是我們的造物主。祢是我們生命的主，也是我們的造物主。祢不單是神，更是我們的神，祢是一切生命的源頭，給予我們生命和盼望。

就像大衛王所宣稱：

耶和華─我們的主啊，祢的名在全地何其美！祢將祢的榮耀彰顯於天。

祢因敵人的緣故，從嬰孩和吃奶的口中，建立了能力，使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。 (詩篇8:1, 2)

儘管疫情使我的周圍出現了混亂。但是因著知道祢是我的主，賜下生命的主，又因著一切都在祢的掌控中，我就可以放心，可以安心。

主，我們感到安慰因為我們的神是大牧者，我們又是祢草場的羊，我們是被祢照顧的羊群。

就像是詩人大衛具說服力地讓我們確信，

「耶和華是我的牧者，我必不至缺乏。

他使我躺臥在青草地上，領我在可安歇的水邊。

他使我的靈魂甦醒，為自己的名引導我走義路。

我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為祢與我同在；祢的杖，祢的竿，都安慰我。」（詩篇23:1-4）

是的，我和眾弟兄姊妹一同低頭跪在我們的創造主前，全人地向祢敬拜並奉上我們的生命，並我們的憂慮和困擾。阿們！

3. 讓我們一同傾聽主言 (詩篇 95:7b-11)

 詩篇 95:7b-11

7b如果你們今天聽從他的聲音，

8就不要硬著心，好像在米利巴，就是在曠野的瑪撒的日子一樣。

9在那裡你們的祖先雖曾見過我的作為，還是試探我，考驗我。

10四十年之久，我厭惡那個世代的人；我曾說：「他們是心裡迷誤的人民，不認識我的道路。」

11所以我在忿怒中起誓，說：「他們絕不可進入我的安息。」

上帝啊，我們經常犯了相同的錯誤，就像上帝的子民（以色列人）一次又一次地得罪祢一樣。在聖靈的引導下，通過基督至高無上的犧牲，我們得以被救贖和拯救。再者，自從我們決定跟隨祢以來，我們繼續經歷祢的憐憫，寬恕和恩典。但請原諒我們，因爲還是不停地在考驗祢的耐性和不斷抱怨（爭論和爭吵）。願我們這一代人不要像以色列人一樣，用了四十年的曠野中恐懼和焦慮的生涯，還未能學到功課。願我們可以活著看到並進入應許之地。主啊，願我們真正找到祢，因為祢是唯一能填補我們心靈的空虚。

我聽到先知以賽亞用主的話來召喚我的：

「耶和華說：你們來，我們彼此辯論。你們的罪雖像硃紅，必變成雪白；雖紅如丹顏，必白如羊毛。

你們若甘心聽從，必吃地上的美物，

若不聽從，反倒悖逆，必被刀劍吞滅。這是耶和華親口說的。」（以賽亞書1:18-20）

主啊，若這次的疫情是用來喚醒我們要悔改的話，就讓我們趕快悔改。

主啊，求祢幫助那些在恐慌和焦慮中的人，叫他們重新注意祢的召喚回到祢的面前，用信心來完全依靠祢，重新找回祢所承諾給予我們的平安。

主啊，幫助並賜下力量予那些不分晝夜在醫院謹守崗位的醫護人員。因為他（她）們的付出，我們可以安然留在家裡。

主啊，幫助那些專家和政府有智慧，能夠給予適當的資訊。一切的智慧都是從祢而來的。是的，敬畏耶和華就是智慧的開端。

主啊，幫助祢的教會成為教會，為世界帶來希望和平安。讓教會成為渠道，讓世界認識耶穌是拯救之主，成聖者，醫治者和我們期待的再來君王。

阿們！

2020.03.28/29

Rev. Dr. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters,

Last week we talked about serenity as the real PEACE of God. This is the PEACE of God “which transcends all understanding.” (Phil 4:7)  This PEACE “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We receive this PEACE and so are not “anxious about anything,” that is, not being in a constant mode of uncontrolled anxiety (even when confronting the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic). This is achieved by the spiritual discipline of “in everything by (regular) prayer and (special) petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

This does not mean being on our knees all the times anxiously when we all in all sorts of troubles, but rather, being constantly in a prayerful mode with a thankful heart in our daily lives, living in the presence of God, and sharing our needs to Him, as a child would to his or her loving parents. Daily we are bombarded with new understanding and information of the virus and how to combat it (and for sure, we should closely follow the advice of the experts and the authorities), but the very fact we have a daily portion of new information actually shows the lack of understanding that we have. The wonderful news is that in Christ we have a PEACE that transcends all understanding.

“Anxiety” is “concern that may become fretful and inappropriate if taken too far.” (Constable’s notes in NET Bible) This is because the same Greek verb (a present imperative merimnate) used in “do not be anxious” here is the same verb used by Paul to describe “being anxious” over the welfare of the Philippians (takes a genuine interest in your welfare).” (Phil 2:20) Concerns can either be appropriate or inappropriate, proper or improper (over concern or under concern). Applying it to the current pandemic, we should take care to do everything the experts and authorities tell us, but having done that, not be overly concerned with what is unknown to us (but not unknown to God.) In helping people dealing with anxiety and depression professionally for over 35 years, I have always encouraged people to examine their core beliefs that lead to their anxiety, then to dispute them and replace them with healthy and rational beliefs, so as to change our behaviors accordingly.

As the old hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” by Joseph M. Scriven (1855) reminds us all of timeless truth with these words:

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

O what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Indeed, “what peace we often forfeit, what needless pain we bear.” Our God is here waiting for us to go to Him in trust, despite the fact that a catastrophe is happening right before our eyes, and we are so helpless, lost and isolated. We who wants to make sure everything is under control are utterly devastated when this pandemic is spinning out of our control. At such time, we must practise how to “pray unceasingly” (constantly in a prayerful mode) and carry everything to God in prayer.

We not just have the PEACE of God; we also have the God of PEACE.  PEACE is not just a product of our prayers and devotion, as it is the very essence and nature of God Himself. We read “the peace of God will be with you.” (Phil 4:9) What a comforting thought to know that Christ “Emmanuel” is “God with us” and that means wherever we are and whenever we be, and in all circumstances, Christ is with us. So especially when we as a Church cannot even meet together because of the call to “physical distancing,” the God of PEACE is always with us, and therefore we always have PEACE from God the Father, in Christ and through the Spirit.

But how do we have the God of PEACE always with us. Paul gives us these clear and unmistakable instructions (Phil 4:9):

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice.”

 

The two important verbs are “think” and “put into practice”:

First of all, “think” about whatever is excellent and praiseworthy:

This means to “dwell on” (NASB); filling your minds and meditating on (MSG) “all that is commendable and noteworthy. What do we do with all the time we have on our hands when we have to stay at home? With all the freebies that are offered online at this time, pick those that truly deserve your study and meditation. Don’t waste your time on news and tips that are resent and recycled over and over again online. Above all, soak in the Word of God, by reading, meditating, praying and contemplating the Word in God’s presence.

Secondly, “put into practice” all that you have learned:

The modern church is blessed with so much knowledge, both Biblical and secular, that is so easily accessible, they include things that “you have learned or received or heard from me (Paul and all your teachers and pastors).” The “Future Shock” (Alvin Toffler, 1970) is really now a “Present Shock” that is unfortunately no longer “shocking” as we are used to all the knowledge surrounding us and we are numbed and oblivious to some of the wisdom that maybe hidden within. We know too much and do too little. We need to, practise what we have learned or received, and above all, I need to, practise what I preach and teach. So “put into practice” means to model after our teachers, especially after our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, “to not be anxious for things that I cannot change,” that is accepting the things I cannot change is,  for us Christians, submission to God and surrendering to the sovereignty of God who knows and control all things, both good and bad, even those things that we do not understand and find hard to accept. The prophet Isaiah records these words from God(Isaiah 55:8-9):

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

Neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

We learn to “let go and let God,” as the saying goes, because it is when we admit we are so limited that we can tap into God’s unlimitedness, and it is in yielding to God that we see God’s mighty hand at work. Amen!

Mar 28-29, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛的弟兄姊妹：

上週，我們談到寧靜是神給予真正的平安。這平安「超過人能了解的平安」（腓4:7），這平安「必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心思意念」。我們既領受這平安，我們「應當毫無憂慮」，也就是說，不要常常被不能控制的憂慮困擾 (即是面對新冠肺炎大流行也是) 。我們不憂慮，只要靠著屬靈的操練:「只要凡事藉著禱告祈求，帶著感恩的心，把你們所要的告訴神。」（腓4:6）

我們不要時時刻刻都為煩惱而憂心，而是在日常生活中帶著感恩的心禱告、祈求，活在主裡面，向父神分享我們的需要，就好像兒女倚賴父母親一樣。每天我們都被關於病毒的新形勢及如何抵抗病毒的新信息的轟炸（當然，我們應該密切聽從專家和官方的建議），但事實上，每日都有新資訊顯示我們知識的有限，而我們每天追逐新信息顯示出我們缺乏平安。令人振奮的是，我們在基督裡的平安超過人能了解。

「憂慮」是「若我們對某事情過份的關注，可能會令我們變得煩躁不安或有不適切的反應」“concern that may become fretful and inappropriate if taken too far.”（NET聖經中Constable的註釋）。因為「不要憂慮」中使用的希臘動詞（merimnate當前的命令式）也是保羅用來描述對腓立比教會的事「正在憂慮」的同一個動詞（新譯本：「真正關心你們的事」）（腓2:20）。關心可以是適當或不適當，合宜或不合宜（過份關心或置之不理）。將其應用在目前的大流行中，我們應該小心跟從專家和官方的建議，不要過份憂慮我們未知的事（上帝卻是無所不知）。在我超過35年專業處理焦慮和抑鬱的病人，我時常鼓勵病人找出導致焦慮的核心信念，然後提出反問並以健康、理性的信念取代，從而相應地改變他們的行為。

正如Joseph M. Scriven（1855年）撰寫的詩歌《耶穌恩友》，提醒我們永恆的真理：

「耶穌是我親愛朋友，背負我罪擔我憂，

何等權利能將萬事，帶到主恩座前求！

多少平安屢屢失去，多少痛苦白白受，

皆因我們未將萬事，帶到主恩座前求。」

確實，我們「多少平安屢屢失去，多少痛苦白白受。」災難臨到，我們卻如此無助、迷失和被分隔，我們的上帝在等候我們憑著信心去尋求祂。人人都希望一切事情都在人掌控之中，大流行病毒肆虐，一切都被徹底破壞。這時候，我們必須學習如何「不斷禱告」（時常禱告），將一切藉著禱告帶到神面前。

我們不僅擁有神的平安，我們也擁有賜平安的神。平安不僅僅是我們的祈禱和靈修所領受得到的產品，它是神自己的本體。我們讀到「賜平安的神就必與你們同在」（腓4:9），何等欣慰的是，基督「以馬內利」就是「神與我們同在」，無論我們身在何處，何時、何地，何境況，祂都與我們同在。因此，特別當我們作為教會，應呼籲「身體距離」(physical distancing)而無法聚會時，賜平安的神常與我們同在，我們從父神，在基督裡和透過聖靈，得享平安。

但是，平安的神如何常與我們同在。保羅給了我們明確的指示：

「最後，弟兄們，凡是真實的、莊重的、公正的、純潔的、可愛的、聲譽好的，無論是甚麼美德，甚麼稱讚，這些事你們都應當思念。你們在我身上所學習、所領受、所聽見、所看見的，這些事你們都應當實行；那麼，賜平安的神就必與你們同在。」（腓4:8-9）

兩個重要的動詞是「思念」和「實行」：

首先是「思念」無論是甚麼美德和稱讚：

這就是「停留」(在主裡面)(“dwell on” NASB); 「充斥著你的思想和默想沉思」(“filling your minds and meditating on “MSG)所有值得讚揚和值得關注的事情。在這些時日當我們留在家裡的時候，我們可以作甚麼事？透過現時網上的免費服務，選擇真正值得你學習和思念的。不要浪費時間在網上反復和重複傳遞無關痛癢的信息上。拋開一切，求神與你同在，閱讀、祈禱和默想祂的話語。

其次是「實行」，將你學習到的付諸行動：

現代的教會擁有豐富的聖經和學術知識，這些知識都是垂手可得，包括「你們在我身上所學習、所領受、所聽見的（保羅和所有的教師和牧者）」。 「未來的衝擊」（Alvin Toffler，1970）實際上是「當前的衝擊」，不幸的是它不再是「衝擊」，因為我們已經習慣了圍繞著我們周圍的一切知識，甚至已經麻木了，和忽視了一些隱藏在裡面的智慧。我們知道許多，卻知而不行。我們需要實行所學習到的，所領受的，更重要的是，我需要實踐教導。因此，「實行」意思是要效法我們的老師，尤其是效法我們的主耶穌基督。

最後，「不要為我無法改變的事而充滿焦慮」，就是接受我們無法改變的事，對我們基督徒來說，順服於上帝，降服於上帝的主權下，因為祂認識和掌管萬物，包括好與壞，甚至那些我們不理解和難以接受的事。神藉先知以賽亞曾經這樣說：

「我的意念不是你們的意念，你們的道路也不是我的道路。天怎樣高過地，我的道路也怎樣高過你們的道路，我的意念也怎樣高過你們的意念。」(賽55:8-9）

我們常常說「放手交給神」(Let go and let God)，因為只有我們承認自己的有限，才能讓神的無限被彰顯，唯有順服於上帝就讓我們看到上帝大能的手在工作。Amen!

2020.03.21/22

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK:

The Serenity Prayer (1)

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

In this difficult time of facing the COVID-19 pandemic, when we as a Church (the called-out gathering of God’s people) is isolated and scattered, may we all gather in the presence of God, each in his/her own space, and be united in the Spirit as the universal church. We are still the community of God’s people even though all our activities are suspended.  We also should be the shining beacon in a dark world of worry and fear.

The Serenity Prayer (Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)) is a prayer that comes to mind at such time of fear and worry, and I have taken the liberty to adapt it for us to meditate on in the midst of the Coronavirus COVID-19 crisis.

“God grant me the serenity

to not be anxious for things that I cannot change;

courage to care (be concerned) and do the things I can,

at this time of the Coronavirus pandemic;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

 

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

that I may be reasonably happy in  this life

and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.”

We see in the first section of this beautiful prayer the combination of three important spiritual qualities: serenity, courage and wisdom. Indeed, we need God to first grant us “serenity,” that is, real peace, in this pandemic that is affecting all our lives.

First of all, “serenity” is granted by God. He is the Lord of the universe, of history and the Lord of our lives. He is the creator of all things, and He is sovereign over all, including the negative things that is happening and have happened throughout history. Above all, God so loved the world, that He gave us His Son to die for us so we may have life, life abundant. Christ is our Saviour, our Sanctifier, our Healer, and our Coming King. The four-fold gospel we have assures all of us who follow Christ that we all have hope, ultimate hope, even in the midst of deep despair and crisis that we have no control over.

Jesus clearly assures the disciples (and us) while preparing them before he goes on his road to Calvary, “…that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)  In fact, Jesus has said a little earlier, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14:27)  It is interesting to note that after the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ, when he appeared to Thomas and the other disciples, he said, “Peace be with you.” (Jn. 20:26) Having given the Great Commission to the disciples, Jesus reassures us again, “And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” (MT. 28:20b)  Need we say more? Shalom!

Rev. Simon Lee

Mar 21-22, 2020
李耀全牧師

親愛的弟兄姊妹:

在這個對抗冠狀病毒COVID-19大流行的艱難時期，我們作為教會（被召聚神的子民）正在被分散和隔離，讓我們每一個人在自己的空間，一起走到神面前，在聖靈裡合一，成為普世教會的一份子。即使所有的聚會都暫停，我們仍然是神的子民。我們卻在這灰暗充滿焦慮和恐懼的世代要成為明亮的導航訊號燈。

在恐懼和擔憂時想到的祈禱就是寧靜祈禱（Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)）。我把它作了一點點的重譯與修改，應用作為我們在冠狀病毒COVID-19大流行緊急時期的默想和祈禱。

「神啊，求祢賜給我寧靜的心，讓我不要為我無法改變的事而充滿焦慮，

而賜給我勇氣去關心，並做我能做的事，(在這次冠狀病毒大流行時；)

更要賜給我智慧去分辨取捨。

每一天過得快活，每一刻盡情享受，把苦難視為通往平安之途徑，

效法耶穌，從祂的角度看這罪惡世界，認清它的真相，非按我個人的願望；

信賴祂會使萬物互相效力，在我們降服在祂的旨意下，

讓我們每天能快樂地生活，並在永恆裡得享與祂永遠同在的大喜樂。阿們。」

在這一個美麗的禱文的第一段，結合了三個重要的屬靈素質：寧靜、勇氣和智慧。確實，在影響著全人類生活的疫症大流行中，我們首先需要神給予我們「寧靜」，這才是真正的平安。

我們要謹記，「寧靜」是神賜予的。祂是宇宙之主，歷史之主和我們生命之主。祂是萬物的創造者，他掌管萬物，包括正在發生或已經發生成為歷史的的惡事。更重要的是，神如此愛我們，甚至把祂的獨生子賜給我們，為我們而死，叫我們得生命，豐盛的生命。基督是我們的救主，我們的成聖者，我們的醫治者及我們的再來之王。我們擁有的四重福音向所有跟隨基督的人保證，即使在我們無法控制的患難絕望中，我們仍然有盼望，永恆的盼望。

耶穌在步上髑髏地之前，清楚地向門徒（和我們）保證，為他們預備，「… 是要使你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有患難，但你們放心，我已經勝了這世界。」（約16:33）事實上，耶穌早已說過：「我留下平安給你們，我把自己的平安賜給你們；我給你們的，不像世界所給的。你們心裡不要難過，也不要恐懼。」（約14:27）有趣的是留意到基督耶穌被釘十字架和復活之後，當祂向多馬和其他門徒顯現時，祂說：「願你們平安。」（約20:26）耶穌把大使命交給門徒，再次向我們保證：「我就常常與你們同在，直到這世代的終結。」（太28:20b）

我們還需要多說嗎？願你們平安 (Shalom)！