Deuteronomy 2:1-37

In this chapter, Moses reminds the Israelites of the Lord’s instructions to bypass the rich countries of Edom, Moab and Ammon because of their blood relationship to Israel.  The Israelites were to take over only the lands east of the Jordan that were in the hands of the Amorites.

The king of Hesbon, an Amorite, was asked by the Israelites for passage through his land. He refused this request and sent his army against Israel.  The Lord God delivered His people and the king was defeated in battle, all his towns were conquered and all living in the kingdom were destroyed.  There were no survivors.

God told Moses in verse 25 that He would begin to put terror and fear of His people on all the nations under heaven.  The reports of  Israel would cause trembling and anguish.

Thoughts:  God tested the Israelites by forbidding them to meddle with the rich countries of Moab and Ammon. He gave them possession of the country of the Amorites through battle. When we obey God and keep from what He forbids, we do not lose by our obedience. And what God gives we must endeavor to get. The Israelites fought for what the Lord promised to give.

We too, must battle against the one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy and for our Lord. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are promised deliverance from the wrath to come.  What joy this should bring.  Our inheritance in Him cannot be affected by kingdoms or possessions.   We are eternally secured!        —- Mary Mauderer

Deuteronomy 1:1-46

People often fear the reading and studying of Deuteronomy. However, I would like to appeal to you that Deuteronomy is more than just history, laws, blessings, curses, etc. The entire book of Deuteronomy has a structure very similar to a suzerain-vassal treaty in the Ancient Near Eastern culture. This type of treaty is usually a contractual agreement between two kingdoms, one with higher power (suzerain) and one who might be in need (vassal). Deuteronomy is structured specifically similarly to the treaty style of the Hittite culture, with six major parts: the preamble (1:1-6), historical prologue (1:7-3:29), stipulation (4:1-25:17, 26:16-19), deposit in the temple and public reading (26:1-15, 31:9-13), witnesses (29:1-29, 30:1-31:8), and blessings and curses (27:9-28:68, 31:14-29). Unlike traditional treaties, Deuteronomy was not a contractual agreement between two nation-states, but between Yahweh (suzerain) and the Israelite (vassal).

Chapter 1 lies comfortably in the preamble and historical prologue of the treaty structure. Through Moses’ mouth, God opened this treaty by reminding the Israelites how He brought the people out of Egypt. The brief history of God’s provision and protection will continue through chapter 3. By showing God’s power, grace, and presence since bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, God asks the Israelites to follow His commands. Through following God’s commands, God will bless the Israelites contractually according to the blessings listed in Deuteronomy. However, curses will incur as well if disobedient ensued.

Critical Thinking Questions

Through trials and hardships from leaving Egypt, God showed His power to the Israelites. How might you have experienced God’s power through your own trials and hardships?

Knowing Deuteronomy may have been written as a treaty, how have that change your perspective of reading Deuteronomy? How might have that change your perspective on God’s promises?

— Isaac

使徒行傳28:1-31；詩篇44:1-26

這是使徒行傳的結束，但不是使徒宣教的結束。

接續27章，使徒保羅與船員們因颱風在米利大獲救的情形。聖靈充滿保羅，有神蹟奇事隨著他，當地土著甚至以為保羅是神明，那些船員、土著因著保羅也得著主的保守與恩典。
感謝主，屬神的人所到之處，都能成為身邊的人的祝福。
盼望我們每日經歷神同在的恩典也成為別人的祝福。

保羅到達羅馬了，這是神預先所訂的奇妙計畫，當世的人絕無法明白，身在神的帶領中，保羅明白神的旨意，堅持神託付他向外邦人傳福音的使命，雖然多次被逼迫、被打擊、遭遇災難，甚至要死，但他就是堅定信心，順服主的帶領，到達羅馬了。

當世的羅馬帝國統治歐亞各地，羅馬是帝國京城，保羅在這裡雖是以「囚徒」身分候審，但竟然有頗大的自由，不住牢房，而是自己租房子住。為此，享有極大的自由，每日接待各地來的人，在自己的住處向人們傳福音，與慕道的人講論神的真理與耶穌基督是唯一救恩。

雖然，不是凡聽到保羅講道的人都信從了耶穌基督，有信的，有不信的，正如上帝早先對先知以賽亞所說：「你去告訴這百姓說：你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。要使這百姓心蒙脂油，耳朵發沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，便得醫治。」
主耶穌基督在傳天國的福音的時候，也對門徒說了同樣的話，原來，「這百姓」是指猶太人，神的旨意是救恩也要包括外邦人，保羅正是外邦人的使徒，雖然許多猶太人不願意信從，福音卻傳到外邦了。

感謝讚美主，保羅出生在羅馬帝國的領地，生來就具備羅馬公民身分，誰曾預先料到這樣的身分竟然保守了保羅的性命，並且使他能來到羅馬，把福音傳到歐洲，進而傳到世界各地。
是的，福音要傳到地極，這是主耶穌基督吩咐的大使命。
使徒行傳只記到這裡，第28章，使徒保羅在羅馬的頭二年。
使徒宣教的行跡，卻繼續在各地展開。就在第一世紀，使徒的行跡已經西達西班牙，東至印度了。
如今，我們正繼續承接這宣教／傳福音的棒子，也當努力把福音傳揚。

詩篇44:1-26

這是詩篇中 可拉後裔 所作11篇詩篇中的第一篇。

當摩西帶領百姓出埃及，在曠野中，可拉一黨挑戰摩西的領導權，神卻把地裂開一道口子，吞滅了可拉一黨250人，從此穩固了摩西的領導權。
而可拉的後裔也在利未人中盡心的事奉主。

這首詩的前段1-8節，是頌讚耶和華神對以民先祖的保守。
「因為他們不是靠自己的刀劍得地土，也不是靠自己的膀臂得勝，乃是靠你的右手、你的膀臂，和你臉上的亮光，因為你喜悅他們。」
「我們終日因神誇耀，還要永遠稱謝你的名。」

然而，筆鋒一轉，9-26節竟然是呼求神「睡醒」，呼求神「起來幫助我們！」
語中多有埋怨──
「但如今你丟棄了我們，使我們受辱，」
「你使我們當作快要被喫的羊，把我們分散在列邦中。」
「你賣了你的子民也不賺利，」
「你在野狗之處壓傷我們，用死蔭遮蔽我們。」
言語中充滿了「冤情」，好像是神棄絕了以民、虧待了以民。

但在17-20節說
我們卻沒有忘記你，也沒有違背你的約。
我們的心沒有退後；我們的腳也沒有偏離你的路。
倘若我們忘了神的名，或向別神舉手……
卻正是以民的真實情況──
以民實際上是忘記了神、違背了約、信心退後、偏行己路，甚至向別神舉手。
所羅門作王的後期，以色列王國分裂之後，種種、在在，都悖離了神，
因此，這一篇看似向神抱怨，看似神虧待以民，看似神已經「睡著」，實則是在警醒神的子民──基督徒，務要堅定信心，守住真理，隨同使徒的腳蹤，堅持跟隨主耶穌基督。         —- Solomon Liu

使徒行傳27:1-44

使徒行传第27章像一篇航海日记，情节紧凑，危机四伏，让读者心情也随之跌宕起伏。
但它又不仅仅是一篇日记，因为神和他的使徒、教会始终是主角。

一开篇就让我们看到“风不顺”（4）、“船行的慢”、“被风阻拦”（7）、“行船危险”（9）。保罗因此向众人发出沉船的警告（10）。
这很像我们的人生哪，在我们人生要遭遇不顺、危险的时候，神因着怜悯，会差派他的仆人来向我们传神的道，可是我们往往听不进去（11）。

我们听不进去的原因，我想主要有这么几条：
第一、神的仆人所传讲的神的道是扎心的。他们将我们人生真正的问题揭示给我们，如同施洗约翰、主耶稣传道时说的，“天国近了，你们要悔改。”这些话并不讨人的喜欢。
第二、人的急功近利。就像本章经文里的船主、水手、百夫长，他们一定是想要把运输、公务早早跑完得利，不愿意耽误时间。
第三、人的骄傲和自信。百夫长和船家可能认为保罗只是一个囚犯，又不是航海专家，凭什么信他的话。他们忘记了保罗是神的仆人，属灵的人参透万事。
第四、无法胜过试探。因为有了一点南风，他们就以为得意了（13），我们也常常被一点甜头、暂时的顺境所迷惑做出错误的决定。

总之，保罗的劝说被拒绝了，就像我们传出去的福音被人拒绝一样。
于是灾难很快就临到了，甚至进入一种“得救的指望都绝了”的境地（20）。
围绕高大岛的三天，是这些人学习放弃属世财物和悔改的三天，他们抛弃了货物（18）、器具（19），这好比我们把那些世界里的财宝和我们所舍不得的东西抛弃了，为了要得着基督。
此外，我想到的是，人往往在一切希望都断绝的时候才会寻求神。
我们的神是大有怜悯和恩赐的神，就在希望断绝之时，福音又临到了他们。
保罗为他们讲了一篇道。

保罗首先责备他们起初的不信，但考虑他们的绝望，讲得不多（21），但这个认罪悔改的提醒仍然是必要的。
紧接着，保罗开始宣告福音：
第一、我们不会丧失性命，反而会得救，只是财务有损（22）；
第二、这个好消息不是保罗的信口开河，而来自于神的启示（23）。

接下来我们看到人们藉着保罗讲道所得的安慰，继续前行。但是人的信心也不是一开始就是坚定和成熟的。所以我们看到危机再度出现，水手想要逃跑。
水手对于航行是非常重要的，他们好比一间教会的核心同工，他们全跑了，船就没法开了。所以保罗迅速介入（31），化解了危机。
此后保罗劝说众人吃饭以补充体力（33），这很像是一场圣餐礼，进一步坚固了众人的信心。
他们又把一些辎重抛在海里（38），或许是他们被保罗的话鼓励（33），对神有了更深的认识和信心。这也显示出保罗传福音产生了果效。

此后果然如保罗所说，船被大浪损坏，兵丁却软弱了，要杀死全部的囚犯，怕他们游泳逃跑。
这里我们看到表面情况是兵丁要杀害所有罪犯，但背后有魔鬼的工作。
魔鬼想除掉列在罪犯中的保罗。如果魔鬼成功了，那么就可以成功拦阻保罗将福音传入罗马和欧洲腹地。
但神仍然掌权，百夫长救了保罗，并且全船人都上了岸，至此保罗所说全部成为了现实，“货物和船大遭破坏”（10）；“性命一个也不失丧，惟独失丧这船”（22）；“必要撞在一个岛上”（26）；“各人连一根头发也不至于损坏”（34）。这就是神话语的大能力。
但这些事的成就是为了完成一个最高的福音使命，就是“站在该撒面前” （24），“放胆传讲神国的道”（28：31）。        —- Mary Mei

Acts Chapter 25:1-27;  26:1-32

Do Me a Favor

When we use the phrase “Can you do me a favor”, we want to do a kind and helpful act for someone. It sometimes used in an ironic way when a person wants someone to do something that he or she should do anyway.
For example: Do me a favor and get home on time. (Merriam-Webster.com) If you are paying attention to the news, when President Trump asked the newly elected Ukraine’s President to do him a favor by investigating his political rival Joe Biden in order to dig out Joe Biden’s damaging material.
Democrats use this information to initiate an impeachment inquiry toward President Trump.
We know politicians have been trading favors for centuries in order to achieve their political and economic gains. This was exactly what Festus did to Paul.
He put Paul in jail and attempted to send him to Jerusalem for trial in order to please the Jews.
He even arranged a special hearing before King Agrippa. In Festus’s mind, it was a win-win situation.
First, the hearing would have assisted Festus to write an explicit report on the case when an appeal was made to Caesar.
Second, King Agrippa had been wishing to hear Paul.
On the other hand, God turned Paul’s ordeal into His favor. The exchanges between Paul and King Agrippa allowed the high-ranking officers and leaders hear the gospel.

Are we busy asking people or God favor?
Instead, the Bible tells us we could win both man and God’s favor by following these commands.
The Bible says: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your hearts, for they prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:1-4                    —- Alan Yam

使徒行传 23:1-35

23:11 当夜，主站在保罗旁边，说“放心吧！你怎样在耶路撒冷为我作见证，也必怎样在罗马为我作见证。”
保罗置自己的生死于度外到了耶路撒冷，只是为了主耶稣的名和传扬他的真道，后来正如一个名叫亚迦布的先知预言的那样，他被捆绑，囚在了罗马官兵的手下。保罗的勇敢、执着，聪明和有智慧地应对不仅让他幸免于难，更让他再次为主作美好见证，所以主的保守和应许与他随行，让那同心起誓要杀他的四十多人的阴谋没有得逞。
那个千夫长官的执行保护工作真是周详啊！但他也不过是为了在罗马官长面前保持自己的声望而已。他的手下照吩咐把保罗安全护送到巡抚腓力斯那里。

使徒行传 24:1-27

据考查资料得知，这个罗马巡抚腓力斯原来曾有奴隶的身份，在他操纵大权之后，私人生活极其荒怠，他是三名王室妇女的丈夫，他还是个暴君。
保罗在巡抚面前为自己辩护，驳倒了犹太人对他的四项指控(24:5-6)。
他的辩护表明：犹太人的控诉中被指犯法的事并不属实，而那些属实的事没有犯法，因为他之所以受审，是为死人复活的道理。
腓力斯清楚晓得这基督徒的信仰，却支支吾吾，既已明白保罗并没有触犯罗马的任何律法，却仍然扣留他。他其实是怕引起犹太人的公愤，故意拖延审讯。

我觉得有意思的是，后来腓力斯叫他的夫人一起来听保罗讲信耶稣基督的道，他和这犹太女子土西拉的婚姻其实是在败坏中得来的，所以他听得甚是恐惧，他虽然害怕将来的审判，却又不愿信靠主耶稣，所以他对保罗说：“你暂且去吧！等我得便再叫你来。”
他还真是屡次叫了保罗来，可那是为了想让保罗送银钱贿赂他，让他释放他出去。后来他为了讨犹太人的喜欢，就算卸任了，仍把保罗留在监里。

最后这一段简短的叙述给了我一个很大的警示：作为一名信道友，
我们是否重视将来的审判？
我们是否在听完道后立即悔改？
我们是不是只在方便的时候才来到主面前？
我们所执意行使的，是为了讨主的喜欢，还是讨他人的喜欢？亦或自己的喜欢？

主啊！求你帮助我学习像保罗那样，能够自我勉励，对神对人，常存无亏的良心。
Sandy, Xu

Acts 21:1-40; 22:1-30

Verses 1-6 

Paul and his friends spent 7 days with the Tyrian Christians.  The Holy Spirit revealed to some of these believers the dangers Paul would encounter at Jerusalem.  They interpreted this prophecy to mean that Paul should not continue on. Paul’s determination to go on to Jerusalem was not disobedience to the Holy Spirit.   In Acts 19:21, Paul, through the Spirit, had decided to go to Jerusalem and it was the fruit of the deep inward constraint of the Holy Spirit that kept him going.  Again we see the deep love the believers had for Paul as they knelt on the beach and prayed together before the group left for Caesarea. 

Verses 7-16

Philip the Evangelist, who led the Ethiopian to the Lord in Acts 8, was one of the seven chosen with Stephen as leaders in Acts 6.  The prophecy of Agabus while at Philip’s again confirmed the trouble awaiting Paul in Jerusalem and prepared him for it. The weeping and pleading of the people in Caesarea began to weaken Paul’s spiritual resolve to go on.  He begged them to stop before their love deflected him from God’s purpose. This reminds us of the Lord’s words to Peter when he tried to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem and the Cross (Matthew 16:22-23) We must not let the fears of other Christians or loved ones hinder us from a missionary call or God’s appointed task.  They might see the suffering or sacrifice but not the blessing God will bring through this call.

Verses 17-26

Paul is now at the end of his third missionary journey.  At last he is reunited with the Jerusalem believers and greeted warmly.  They rejoiced as he reported the details of what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  But great caution was exhibited and he joined in the purification rites as to not cause the weak Jewish Christians to stumble

Verses 27-40

Just before the seven days of the purification rite were over, some Jews from Asia stirred up the whole crowd against Paul.  The city was in an uproar and Paul was seized and beaten with the intent to kill him. The commander of the Roman troops intervened by arresting Paul and having him bound in chains.  The mob was so violent that the soldiers had to carry him. Paul spoke to the commander and was allowed to address the crowd in Chapter 22.

What is the secret of Paul’s serenity?  It would have been easy to say “If only I had not come…” or “This is so unfair…”  Or he could have just stayed in Tyre or Caesarea. But Paul KNEW that he was in Jerusalem by the will of God.  God had allowed this to happen. Paul went directly to God. He knew God had purpose in the trial. His first thought was, “How can I use the difficulty, this opportunity to serve God?” ( Acts 21:39)

God has purpose in our trials too.  I need to see struggles as Paul did – as opportunities to trust and serve God.  His Word changes us, gives us hope and truth so that we can learn to see our struggles through the Light of the Savior, not the darkness of the world.       —- Mary Mauderer

使徒行傳22:1-30

保羅在完成第三次海外宣教之旅，從哥林多回到耶路撒冷與教會的長老、眾使徒相聚團契，雖然先知亞迦布預告保羅有捆鎖之難。但保羅受聖靈充滿，有主耶穌基督與他同在，信心堅定，大有勇敢，不懼危難，甘願為主受苦。事實上他在亞細亞／土耳其遭遇過多次攻擊，甚至被石頭打到半死，但他仍然堅持要為主傳明真道──耶穌是基督／彌賽亞。

果然，有從亞細亞（土耳其）來的猶太人，聳動耶路撒冷的猶太人，以保羅在海外傳基督救恩福音，帶領外邦人皈信基督卻不必受割禮，嚴重的違反猶太人的規矩為由，正要殺害保羅。
羅馬駐軍的千夫長來到現場平亂，羅馬軍兵救了保羅不被殺害，但要查明事故緣由，保羅要求說明真相──

保羅用希伯來話向猶太人說，我跟你們是一樣的，原本也是逼迫基督徒的！首先就爭取了猶太人的認同──
「我原是猶太人，生在基利家的大數，長在這城裏，在迦瑪列門下，按著我們祖宗嚴緊的律法受教，熱心事奉神，像你們眾人今日一樣。我也曾逼迫奉這道的人，直到死地，無論男女都鎖拿下監。」甚至──
當耶穌基督的見證人司提反被害流血的時候，保羅也站在旁邊歡喜，又看守害死他之人的衣裳。（徒7:58）
保羅毫無膽怯的，繼續說明耶穌是基督，並且親自向他顯現，揀選他作向外邦人傳福音的使徒。

這下卻是激怒了猶太人，原是逼迫基督徒的猶太人，現在卻是傳耶穌是基督的猶太人，還要指出猶太人對耶和華獨一真神認識的錯誤，猶太人豈能容他存活。群起喧嚷：「這樣的人，從世上除掉他吧！他是不當活著的。」

然而，當羅馬軍兵綑綁保羅，鞭打保羅，要查明真相的時候，保羅對羅馬百夫長說：「人是羅馬人，又沒有定罪，你們就鞭打他，有這個例麼？」
百夫長告訴千夫長，千夫長說：「我用許多銀子纔入了羅馬的民籍。」
保羅說：「我生來就是。」
千夫長既知道他是羅馬人，又因為捆綁了他，也害怕了。
於是那些要拷問保羅的人就離開他去了。

主耶穌基督的作為真是何等奇妙，祂揀選保羅，一個生來就是猶太裔的羅馬公民，一個在耶路撒冷法利賽人中最嚴格的迦瑪列門下受教的法利賽人，一個曾經是逼迫基督徒的人，卻又是親身經歷主耶穌基督顯現與神蹟的人。
既是對舊約律法嫻熟，又確知耶穌是神的獨生兒子，為拯救世人而在十字架完成救贖，從死裡復活的真理；
既是曾經得羅馬駐軍授權迫害基督徒，又是具有羅馬公民身份得羅馬駐軍的保護，何等奇妙。

感謝主，這是主耶穌基督的奇妙作為，也是使徒保羅不畏險阻，甘願為主殉道的堅固信心。
主耶穌基督真道就是磐石，絕對穩固；我們的信心建立在真道的磐石上，也當像磐石般的穩固堅定。
雖在世上遭遇險阻，卻不必害怕，有主與我們同在，祂必為我們開路，也必保守我們十分平安。     —- Solomon Liu

Acts 21:1-40

Paul’s heads his journey toward Jerusalem in Acts 21.

On his way there, he met with other brothers and sisters on the way. One of the people Paul met was a prophet, who prophesied Paul’s persecution in Jerusalem. With credible prophesy, people urged Paul not to go, but Paul replied “’I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus’” (v. 13). Eventually, people gave up on persuading Paul, and said “’let the will of the Lord be done’” (v. 14).

After Paul arrived at Jerusalem, he was urged to follow tradition and purify himself, which he complied. Days gone by, crowd grew as Paul hangs out at Jerusalem. Eventually, prophesy came true-riot grew and Paul was arrested at the temple. Before Paul was taken away, he asked for permission to address the people present at the scene. Permission was granted, and Paul’s message begins in Acts 22.

Critical Thinking Questions

In times of difficult decisions, Paul stood firm on his decision to go to Jerusalem despite surrounding people’s strong opposition. Even the people admitted their persuasion was based on their own will by finally proclaiming “let the will of the Lord be done.” How can we stand firm in God’s will in times of difficult decisions?

Paul’s obedience of God’s will for him to head to Jerusalem granted him an opportunity to address to the people of Jerusalem. Even after Paul’s friends’ prophesies came true, Paul did not run away.

How might we distinguish God’s will vs men’s will when people around voice opposing suggestions?

— Isaac

Psalm 42-43 & Acts 20

Psalm 42-43
Put our hope in God

There’s a thirst that no earthly spring could quench; there’s a hunger that no worldly gourmet could satisfy; there’s a desire that no human affection could fulfill. That is, the emptiness and despair of soul from the deep. Men looked for solutions amongst themselves and all over the world for ages but found none.

In the book of John, there are seven occurrences in which Jesus says “I am ____.”
– the bread of life
– the light of the world
– the door
– the good Shepard
– the resurrection and the life
– the way, the truth, and the life
– the vine

The answer is already here, do you have Him as yours?

Acts 20:1-38
V12-38 Paul’s departing message to the church of Ephesians

Affectionately, Paul gave his last words to the elders of Ephesians before sailing to Cos (en route to Jerusalem).
We observed a loving relationship between the congregation and their missioners. Paul’s encouragement also applies to us today. Be alerted and giving, as we tread through life’s journey.
Lord, thank you for providing the solution of life, because you are life.
May we all put our hope in you and help us be holy and blameless for a life that is praising you. Amen.          —- Ivy Lin