Month of Thanksgiving - Day 23

詩篇 95: 1-7

1來啊，我們要向耶和華歌唱，向拯救我們的磐石歡呼！2 我們要來感謝他，用詩歌向他歡呼！3 因耶和華為大神，為大王，超乎萬神之上。4 地的深處在他手中，山的高峰也屬他。5 海洋屬他，是他造的，旱地也是他手造成的。(戒民勿干主怒致失所許之福) 6 來啊，我們要屈身敬拜，在造我們的耶和華面前跪下！7 因為他是我們的神，我們是他草場的羊，是他手下的民。唯願你們今天聽他的話：

這是一首頌讚 神的詩，詩人邀請我們一同來歌唱感謝 神（1-2節），因為祂是至大的 神，超乎萬 神之上！祂也是至大的王，是萬王之王！哈利路亞，從「地的深處」 到「山的高峰」都屬於 神，因祂統管萬有，是萬主之主！。因此在第6節，詩人再次邀請我們一同屈身敬拜，向 神獻上感謝，因為一切受造者都當向創造他們的主感恩和敬拜！

感謝 神！祂是至高的 神，卻願意降卑作我們的 神，並揀選我們成為祂的子民；感謝 神！祂願意照著自己的形像創造我們，並親自作我們的主；感謝 神！祂願意作我們的好牧人，為羊（我們）捨命。我們更要感謝 神，讓我們可以成為祂的羊、祂的民。盼望因著感恩，我們都願意來聽從祂的話，順服祂的引導，在地上為祂發光作見證，並且多結果子，使天父得榮耀！:-)

Psalm 95:1-7

1Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. 4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. 5 The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice.

In this song of praise, the poet invites us to sing together and give thanks to God (v 1-2). For the Lord is the great God above all gods. He is also the greatest King and King of kings! Hallelujah! All from "the deep places of the earth" to "the heights of the hills" belong to God, for He is the Lord of lords who rules over all. Therefore, the poet invites us again in verse 6 to worship and bow down, and give thanks to God. For all creations should worship and thank God the Creator!

Thanks be to God! He is God Most High, but willing to humble Himself to be our God and chooses us as His people. Thanks be to God! He is willing to create us in His own image and be our Lord Himself. Thanks be to God! He would like to be our good shepherd who gives His life for sheeps (us). We should thank God furthermore for making us His sheeps and His people. May we obey His word and guidance with thanksgiving. Shine, testify and bear much fruit for Him, and glorify our heavenly Father! :-)

Month of Thanksgiving - Day 22

路加福音 1:67-75

67 他父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿了，就預言說： 68 「主以色列的神是應當稱頌的！因他眷顧他的百姓，為他們施行救贖， 69 在他僕人大衛家中，為我們興起了拯救的角， 70 正如主藉著從創世以來聖先知的口所說的話， 71 拯救我們脫離仇敵和一切恨我們之人的手； 72 向我們列祖施憐憫、記念他的聖約， 73 就是他對我們祖宗亞伯拉罕所起的誓， 74 叫我們既從仇敵手中被救出來， 75 就可以終身在他面前，坦然無懼地用聖潔、公義侍奉他。

這首撒迦利亞的頌讚詩，使我們認識到 神偉大的救恩。在這裡我們看到聖靈感動撒迦利亞為 神說話，也清楚看到聖靈來就是為了要榮耀基督！感謝主！因為祂愛我們，竟然不惜為你、為我捨掉自己寶貴的性命來救贖我們。感謝 神！為我們興起「拯救的角」-- 就是我們這位大有能力的救主耶穌基督 ，祂是應當永永遠遠被稱頌的！哈利路亞！

感謝神！祂是信實的，因祂記念並履行向兒女所有的應許。這救恩不僅把我們從仇敵的手中拯救出來，也使我們得以脫離魔鬼的轄制，進而可以終身活在 神的面前，坦然無懼地用聖潔、公義事奉祂。就像使徒保羅的勸勉：「將身體獻上，當作活祭，是聖潔的，是神所喜悅的；你們如此事奉乃是理所當然的！」（羅12:1）在這感恩月裡，我們和家人一起向 神更新我們奉獻，願意隨主調度，隨主使用，好不好！？

Luke 1:67-75

67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

This song of praise by Zacharias helps us to understand the great salvation of God. We can learn from it that Zacharias speaks for God by the Spirit and apparently the Spirit comes for the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ. Thanks be to the Lord!  He loves us so much that He lays down His precious life to save us. Thanks be to God! He has raised up "a horn of salvation" for us, -- our almighty savior Jesus Christ. Blessed be Him for evermore! Hallelujah!

Thanks be to God! He is faithful, as He remembers and fulfills His promises for His children. Not only does the salvation save us from the hands of our enemies, but also delivers us from the rule of the devil. So we can stand in front of God and serves Him boldly with holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, just as in Paul's exhortation which says "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). In the month of thanksgiving, let's renew our offering to God with our family, being willing to be used by God in any way, shall we!?

Month of Thanksgiving - Day 21

歌羅西書 3:15-17

15 又要叫基督的平安在你們心裡做主，你們也為此蒙召，歸為一體；且要存感謝的心。 16 當用各樣的智慧，把基督的道理豐豐富富地存在心裡，用詩章、頌詞、靈歌彼此教導，互相勸誡，心被恩感歌頌神。 17 無論做什麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。(歌羅西書 3:15-17)

感謝神！賜給我們「基督的平安」，成為我們每天行事為人的準則和引導，並且使我們蒙召進入基督的身體，不僅成為一個身體，更是成為主內的一家人。在這感恩的季節裡，為著 神從歲首到年終每日的看顧，保守，和供應，我們真是要滿懷感激地來數算 神的恩典，並一同向 神獻上感謝的祭。

基督的話就是生命，我們心裡越多存記主的話，就能越多享受祂的豐富。為著 神的話，為著祂的所是，我們心被恩感，就口唱心和地「用詩章、頌詞、靈歌」來歌頌祂。感謝神！提醒我們：無論做甚麼，無論是順境或逆境，說話或行事，都要按照 神的旨意，作在 神的面前。當目前SVCA正在推動 --主日準時到教會來敬拜 神，親愛的弟兄姐妹，你是不是和我們一樣已經準備好了，要一起來積極響應這個行動來回應 神的愛！？:-)

Colossians 3:15-17

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:15-17)

Thanks be to God! He gives us "the peace of God", which is the rule and guidance of our daily life, calling us into Christ's body. We are not only one body, but also one family in Christ. In this season of thanksgiving, we should gratefully number God's graces and offer to Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving, for the daily preservation, protection, and provision of God throughout the whole year.

The word of Christ is life. If we remember more word of Christ in our heart, we would enjoy more of His riches. With grace in our heart, we sing and make melody in heart to the Lord with "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs". Thanks be to God! Be reminded: whatever we do in word or deed, whether in adversity or in prosperity, do all in God's will, and in front of God. At present, SVCA is promoting getting on time for Sunday worship. Dear brothers and sisters, are you ready as we are to respond to this movement as a response to God's love!? :-)

Month of Thanksgiving - Day 20

詩篇 126

1 當耶和華將那些被擄的帶回錫安的時候，我們好像做夢的人。2 我們滿口喜笑、滿舌歡呼的時候，外邦中就有人說：「耶和華為他們行了大事！」3 耶和華果然為我們行了大事，我們就歡喜。4 耶和華啊，求你使我們被擄的人歸回，好像南地的河水復流。5 流淚撒種的，必歡呼收割。6 那帶種流淚出去的，必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來。

本詩描述 神百姓被擄歸回的喜樂，他們經過漫長的七十年，還能從巴比倫被釋放，回到錫安故土， 這對神兒女而言，是件多麼奇妙的大事，他們是何等的歡喜快樂，簡直像做夢一樣！想想，我們個人得救的故事，何嘗不是個神蹟，因著主耶穌的奇恩妙愛，使我們能從世界被擄之中，得到拯救，得到自由，我們心中真是充滿了喜樂！充滿了感恩！

當SVCA買會所時，神帶領我們過五關、斬六將，最終入駐Bowers這塊地，外邦人就看到：「耶和華果然為我們行了大事！」 願 神不斷施展大能，讓人們可以從我們教會繼續看到 神的奇妙作為。感謝主！使用我們在這裡與祂一同「流淚撒種」，一同「歡呼收割」。讓我們憑信心繼續為我們當中的福音朋友，及我們尚未信主的家人禱告，求 神的救恩臨到萬民！親愛的弟兄姐妹，你相不相信，神蹟天天都在發生！？:-)

Psalm 126

126 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

This psalm describes the joy of God's people as they returned from captivity. It is so amazing that after a long period of seventy years, they could still be delivered from Babylon and came back to Zion their hometown. How great and amazing it is for God's children! They are so joyful like in a dream! Well, isn't the salvation story of each of us also a miracle?! Because of the amazing grace and extraordinary love of Jesus Christ, we are saved and freed from the captivity of the world. Our hearts are really full of joy and gratitude!

During SVCA purchased the  building, God led us to overcome all the difficulties in the way and finally to settle down in Bowers. The gentile saw that "The Lord has really done great things for us". May God's great power work unceasingly so that others may continue to discern God's incredible works from our church. Thanks be to the Lord! He uses us here to "sow in tears" and "reap in joy" with Him. Let us continue to pray in faith for our gospel friends and non-believer families. May God's salvation reach all people! Dear brothers and sisters, do you believe that miracle is happening everyday?! :-)

Month of Thanksgiving - Day 19

以賽亞書 32:15-18

15 等到聖靈從上澆灌我們，曠野就變為肥田，肥田看如樹林。16 那時，公平要居在曠野，公義要居在肥田。 17 公義的果效必是平安，公義的效驗必是平穩，直到永遠。 18 我的百姓必住在平安的居所，安穩的住處，平靜的安歇所。

在舊約時代，聖靈只降臨在某些特定的人身上，如先知、君王，等。感謝 神！在現今的時代，聖靈可以降臨在你、我，以及每個聖徒的身上，使神家和神的兒女都蒙福。先知以賽亞在這裡宣告：聖靈從上澆灌，便使「曠野變為肥田，肥田看如樹林」。同時，真是太感謝 神了！藉著聖靈的工作，帶下了公義、公平，進而使我們得以「住在平安的居所，安穩的住處，平靜的安歇所」。

今年教會的主題是：「主的靈在哪裡，那裡就得以自由」，讓我們把握這剩餘的一個多月，迫切地呼求 神 -- 讓聖靈繼續從上澆灌，充滿我們；充滿祂的聖殿；充滿全地；進而充滿整個世代。感謝 神！祂不僅願意，祂也能夠在一切荒涼的局面，帶下屬靈的大復興。哈利路亞！

Isaiah 32:15-18

15 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

In the age of Old Testament, the Spirit only descended on certain people like prophets, kings, etc. Thanks be to God! Today, the Spirit can come upon you, me, and every saint, so that God's family and God's children are all blessed. The prophet Isaiah proclaims here: the Spirit is poured from on high, and "the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest". Thank God so very much! Through the work of the Spirit, there comes justice and righteousness, and we are brought to "dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places".

The theme of our church this year is "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty". Let us make full use of the remaining over one months and pray eagerly to God -- may the Spirit be poured continuously from on high, fill in His people; fill in His temple; and eventually fill in the whole world. Thanks be to God! He is not only willing, but also able to bring forth great spiritual revival even when everything is desolate. Hallelujah!

Month of Thanksgiving - Day 18

哥林多前書 7:22-24

22 因為做奴僕蒙召於主的，就是主所釋放的人；做自由之人蒙召的，就是基督的奴僕。 23 你們是重價買來的，不要做人的奴僕。 24 弟兄們，你們各人蒙召的時候是什麼身份，仍要在神面前守住這身份。

感謝主耶穌，已經把我們從埃及為奴之家拯救出來；從撒但、律法、罪惡的權勢中釋放出來，使我們得著了在 「基督」裡的自由。感謝主，用自己寶血的 「重價」買贖了我們，歸給祂。所以得救以後，我們的身份就是主的奴僕。讓我們一生存著虔誠、敬畏的心，為主而活。

求主保守我們的心，不受世界的吸引或捆綁，因為我們在主裡已經得著了真自由。哈利路亞！讓我們今天一早，就和我們的家人及弟兄姐妹，一起為著主的救恩、主的釋放，把祂當得的感謝、愛戴、尊崇都歸給祂！

1 Corinthians 7:22-24

22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

Thanks be to the Lord Jesus! He has saved us out of Egypt, the land of slavery; delivered us from the domination of Satan, Law and Sin, giving us the freedom in "Christ". Thanks be to the Lord! He has bought us for Him with the price of His blood. Therefore, we are slaves of the Lord after He saves us. Let us all live for the Lord with a devout and fearing heart.

May the Lord protect our heart from temptation or bondage of the world, for we have obtained the true freedom in the Lord. Hallelujah! In this morning, let us give thanks, respect and exaltation due His name to the Lord, with our family, brothers and sisters, for His salvation and deliverance.

Month of Thanksgiving - Day 17

約翰福音 8:31-36

31 耶穌對信他的猶太人說：「你們若常常遵守我的道，就真是我的門徒， 32 你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由。」 33 他們回答說：「我們是亞伯拉罕的後裔，從來沒有做過誰的奴僕，你怎麼說『你們必得以自由』呢？」 34 耶穌回答說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：所有犯罪的就是罪的奴僕。 35 奴僕不能永遠住在家裡，兒子是永遠住在家裡。 36 所以天父的兒子若叫你們自由，你們就真自由了。

「真理必叫你們得以自由」(32節b)，感謝 神的應許和啟示，不僅使我們明白祂的真理，而且使我們可以在「基督」裡得著自由。 感謝 神！只有祂是救主，也只有祂能幫助我們從各樣的捆綁中，得著完全的釋放，完全的自由，使我們不再受律法或罪惡的轄制。

「天父的兒子若叫你們自由」(36節a)，感謝 神！「天父兒子」就是「真理」，也就是叫我們得以自由的「真理」。因祂為我們完成了救贖，成全了律法的要求，才能使我們在「基督」裡，不再受律法的捆綁；因祂復活的生命已勝過罪，使我們在「基督」裡，不再受罪的捆綁。

感謝主！使我們明白了「真理」，經歷祂的同在，享受在「基督」裡的「真自由」，得著屬靈的實際。哈利路亞！天父的兒子若叫我們自由，我們就真自由了!

John 8:31-36

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever,but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

“The truth will set you free” (v. 32b). Thanks to God for His promise and revelation, which make us not only understand His truth, but also get freedom in Jesus Christ. Thanks to the Lord! He is the One and the only Savior. Except for Him, no one can deliver us from all the bondages. He sets us free completely so that we will no longer be ruled over by law or sin.

“The Son sets you free” (v. 36a). Thanks to God! The Son is the Truth, who sets us free. He has completed the redemption and accomplished the requirement of the law, so that in Christ we are no longer ruled over by law. He has overcome sin through His resurrection, so that we are no longer bounded by sin.  

Thanks to the Lord! He makes us understand the Truth, experience His presence, enjoy the real freedom in Christ, and obtain the spiritual reality. Hallelujah! If the Son sets us free, we will be free indeed.