主日學共讀經文 - 馬可福音-6

(9/4) - 我, Victor,了解到：主耶穌在世上以不動搖的信心、去遵行天父的使命。從「人性」方面來看，祂曾面對自己家人的不信、並因施洗約翰之被殺之事而感到不安。但從「神性」方面來看，祂仍以神的事為念、繼續行神蹟(例如醫治、五餅二魚、水上行走等等)，目的是讓世人可透過主耶穌之「看得見」的行為、而認識天父那「看不見」的慈愛和憐憫。「他在會堂裡教訓人．眾人聽見、就甚希奇、說、這人從那裡有這些事呢、所賜給他的是甚麼智慧、他手所作的是何等的異能呢。」~可6:2。 (對我來說，要學習主耶穌 恒常地、和完全地 遵行那差祂的天父之旨意、是最大的挑戰。所以我們更加要依靠聖靈的幫助。) Amen!

主日學共讀經文 - 詩篇-1，2

(9/2 & 9/3) - 我, Victor, 學習到詩篇作者提醒我們兩種「蒙福快樂」之道： (1)時刻喜愛神的律法 ——「惟喜愛耶和華的律法、晝夜思想、這人便為有福。」～詩1:2 (2)心存敬畏去事奉神——「當存畏懼事奉耶和華、又當存戰兢而快樂。」詩2:11 (對我來說，這兩者都是我們去「投資永恆」的重點；那就是「神的話語」、和「神的工作」。當然，我們也不要忽略去投資於「神的子民」。) Amen!

主日學共讀經文 - 馬可福音-5

(9/1) - 我, Victor, 學習到耶穌的神蹟確實能超自然、穿越任何「境界」。祂能容許那稱為「軍旅」的邪靈進入了二千頭豬。祂也能藉衣棠的一角把醫治的力量、流向那患血漏的女人。祂的力量並能復活那已睡了的、睚魯之小女兒。但是、諷刺的是：「眾人就央求耶穌離開他們的境界。」 ~可5:17。(對我來說，主是無所不能、無所不知、無所不在。我們在過去、現在、和將來所犯的一切的罪行，我深信祂都能夠完全赦免。) Amen!

主日學共讀經文 - 馬可福音-4

(8/31) - 我, Victor, 學習到耶穌常以比喻說解天國的真理。雖然各人的領受或許各有不同，但對門徒而言、主會更直接地去說解祂比喻的含意。當主與門徒們單獨在一起的時候，祂會更加直接顯露祂的權能。就正如祂在船上與他們經歷風浪之後、主「斥風靜浪」。祂是要教導門徒們、在把「神國之道」聽進耳之後、要大大的考量 (Measure)、並親身去領受(Welcome)，才能對主更有信心。「就是人聽道、又領受並且結實。」 ~可4:20。(對我來說，結果子的真理、就是要常在(Abide) 主裏。主是真葡萄樹，我們是枝子。我們祇需要領受 (Welcome) 主的供應，就必會自然地多結 (Bear) 果子。) Amen!

主日學共讀經文 - 馬可福音-3

(8/30) - 我, Victor, 學習到我們的主耶穌不單是「無國界的牧者」，亦是「關係的建立者」。在一方面、”祂的同在” 能造就和祝福任何願意接觸祂的人。在另一方面、祂所建立的人際關係、其中也是有「選擇性」的。正如祂說：「凡遵行神旨意的人、就是我的弟兄姐妹和母親了。」 ~可3:35。(對我來說，和別人相處，有學不完的功課。其中更要多注意的是、去改善自己的 EQ 情緒商、和 Empathy 同理心。) Amen!

主日學共讀經文 - 馬可福音-2

(8/29) - 我, Victor, 了解到主耶穌降世是來尋找罪人、以致能使他們歸入祂離世後所建立的教會。「我來本不是召義人、乃是召罪人。」~可2:17b。 (對我來說，我聯想到：主耶穌是 ”新郎”、而神為祂所尋找的 ”新娘”，就是教會。) Amen!

主日學共讀經文 - 馬可福音-1

(8/28) - 我, Victor, 再次感受到主耶穌權柄的震撼。「眾人很希奇他的教訓．因為他教訓他們、正像有權柄的人、不像文士。」~可1:22。 (對我來說，主耶穌祇說短短的一句話、就可足以震懾人心。最經典的，就是當祂向手執石頭的群眾説：「你們中間誰是沒有罪的、誰就可以先拿石頭打她。」 ~約 8:7b。) Wow! Amen!

初中時的排球歲月

最近看完了一套 ViuTV 港劇「男排女將」，令我想起了昔日在初中時、我醉心練習「網前殺球」的日子。那時候的我，還是有些衝勁、每天都花上了一點課餘時間、去苦練「一招半式」。現在，我雖然「心有餘而力不足」，但仍想「再試牛刀」。Volleyball Anyone?

CSAF Praise Team Vision

Dear Heartful and Truthful Worshipers, I would like to share with you my vision for the CSAF Praise Ministry during 2011-2012. The video below is 12 minute long (size = 12.3 MB). I hope you will be as excited as I am to worship in this coming year by declaring Who God Is and What He Has Done For Us. The next time you participate in a Praise Time, please think about the following:

• Every Praise Time is an offering at the Altar to ... remember Him, recognize Him, minister to Him, bless Him, thank Him, communicate with Him, understand Him, anticipate Him ... Just God Himself alone.
• Every Awesome Worship begins with an intimate and quality personal worship time in private. You can simply use the songs for the Praise Time as you on-ramp to God's Way of Blessing.

May God be the Glory! Victor

One Minute Daily Prayer for AF

No work can be accomplished without a significant investment in prayer. The work of CSAF is of no exception. We must lean not on our own understanding, but seek constantly for the will of the LORD.

I am convinced that a concerted daily prayer effort is absolutely essential for transforming the way we participate and serve together in AF. This monthly prayer calendar is just a sample of an initial trial, beginning at the small group level, to pray daily for 1 minute, within a selected hour, for AF's needs.

Connect the Dots

How to Connect the Dots:

Loosen Your Grip on Creations and Put Ideas Into Action

We need to connect the dots between disparate subjects, generating brave new ideas.

Organizations are hungry for this way of thinking. We need a “change agent” for an idea, some sort of “Weapons of Mass Inspiration” or “Ideas Factory” that can muster the courage necessary to bring about transformational changes. As a guide to creativity, we must introduce the real world to our imagination. We must know how to present an idea, why it’s better to relinquish control over your ideas, and how we can create better environments to implement innovative changes.

The challenge of implementing innovative ideas

We tend to have ideas all done by ourselves. You may think: “I’ve got to own it 100 percent, so I have to build everything about it.” But then you realize, “I’m just an ideas person at best.” You can study an idea, give it a great title, and create a prototype. But you don’t have to make that happen all by yourself. You could find someone who shares your passion. As such, you retain a small amount of ownership, because you want to do other things. Before, you’d get tangled up in making the thing for six months out of your life. Now, you have partnerships that allow you to move on.

The best thing, in the end, is to relinquish a lot of control, because that allows you to be free thinking. I’d rather have 10 percent of something that really took off than 100 percent of something that is still on the table. When you’ve got a whole ideas factory, then you’ve got 10 percent or 15 percent of 50 different things. They can all be happening at once, but we’re not worrying about that because we’re not the only ones making them.

Finding partners to work with you

When I first presented any hatched ideas to my audience, the presentation needs to be as dramatic as it can be. Perhaps, it could look like a treasure box with tons of goodies (think Turkey-Delights) in it. Learning about the hatched ideas will resemble an archeological discovery or a treasure hunt: It’ll be full of truth, and it’ll be full of all the awesome feeling that the idea is about. That’s all laid out in the presentation. When you go to someone with this, they either like it or they don’t, but they can see that you’re going to do this. Somebody is going to study it. So they go, “Oh no, I'd better not make a mistake in my decision here. This might be a huge hit!” It’s very different than just walking in and saying, “I’ve got an idea (think One-Minute-Daily-Prayer)".

Getting people to change their habits

The creative process is chaotic, especially when executing an idea. But it does not need to be chaotic, provided that you have a playroom (think Hang-Out-Time) where you can throw paint about. That really should exist in all circumstances, because if everybody’s just sitting around analyzing everything, someone else is going to slam them from the side, and they’ll be wiped out.

Many AFers are becoming to realize that we are dissatisfied with how things are going in our spiritual life and interpersonal bonding. Different officers are designing various activities they thought people will need in order to achieve the stated goals. But before we aspire to please God and grow spiritually, what is a real game-changing thing we could do? The answer is: It all starts with praying for our own aspiration to become spiritual. (Strongly recommended: encourage AFers to listen to a great sermon given by the late Dr. Greg Awyang "He Who is Spiritual". Its CD can be checked out from the FCBC library.)

Conclusion

Leading a group of people through uncertainty is a bit like sailing a ship. You always have somebody awake on deck with the binoculars, looking out. Many 'leaders' often don’t do that; they’re all down below, working away. You want to be a catalyst for a new change. It relies on creating very interesting and inspiring contents and being able to deliver it in all sorts of ways and platforms. Years ago, if you were making a proposal, you’d make the full plan, and then people tried to understand you. Now, show them a demo, step back, and listen to their feedback. If the bandwagon is moving in the approximate direction you want to go, simply jump on. The channel of inspiration must go both ways. It is better to have a 5-hour project plan, not a 5-year plan, as your Weapons of Mass Inspiration.

AF Hang Out Time (枝聯網)

Hang Out Time (枝聯網) 特別著重接待迎賓，並且以打破「小圈子」為目標，更希望團友返團契時會感到有「返回家裏」的感覺。以下列舉其中一些能使Hang Out Time 成功的秘訣:

(1）常常喜樂 (Joyful Smile)

(2）充滿創意 (Creative Method)

(3）懇切祈禱 (Pray Fervently)

(4）怡情視聽 (Audio-Visual Environment)

(5）內容突出 (Stand-Out Message)

(6）品嚐美食 (Tasty Snack)

(7）散發芬芳 (Aromatic Fragrance)

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(Acronyms: J-C P-A-S-T A)

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OneAF

2010-2011 新年度開始，AF 將會在節目上推行適當調校，並且聯合其它部門, 以照顧不同團友的屬靈和肉身上的需要。

節目部(的Victor) 認為，每個團友均有個人的風格，有的人際關係比較好，有的對聖經特別認識，有的在各部門忠心的事奉和參與。 因此，在常會的節目方面, 需要作出適當的調校，才可滿足不同團友的需要。 其中一個做法就是在節目活動的設計上, 盡量「多元化」(Variety) 和「融合化」(Integration)。

所謂「多元化」, 就是要因應團友的需要，設計不同的屬靈活動和交誼活動。所謂「融合化」, 就是要各團契部門去相輔相成(ALIGN), 彼此聯合(INTEGRATE), 和緊密合作 (COLLABORATE)。

在屬靈活動方面, 節目部將推行 「具體化行道」。例如, AF 團友在查聖經或主日學時，可能多集中於了解和明白聖經的內容。但如果要讓團友對聖經的內容了解得更具體，就需要鼓勵團友去在生活中行道。查經組長可請團友想像一下聖經內容的景象應是怎樣呢? 再請他們在團契的相交中，把聖經的應用和教導具體地活出來。在新年度, 節目部將會推行「Hang Out Time 」的相交時刻。這正是一個可在交誼中一同學習具體化行道的機會。節目部希望能跨部門與「查聖經部」聯合推行這個項目。

除此以外, 節目部亦提議推行「每朝一分鐘」的祈禱時刻。目的是去鼓勵各團友集中「火力」, 每朝在指定的一小時內 (例如, 9:00-9:59am), 各團友無論身在任何地方, 都一齊花一分鐘為 AF 的復興同心禱告。節目部希望能跨部門與「祈禱分享部門」聯合推行這個項目。

在交誼活動方面, 節目部將安排增加「外展」的機會。交誼活動可鎖定以「外展未信者」為目標, 亦可因應團友的專長、興趣和負擔來作出選擇。 例如, 當團友接觸或探訪一個新朋友時，可邀請他去參加交誼活動。團友更可以運用自己的專長去做一份小禮物，例如做慰問卡、或者福音單張等表達誠意邀請。這樣團友既能強化自己的強項之餘，也可以增加彼此的接觸，建立更深的友誼。

至於在戶外活動方面，節目部可讓大家發掘自己不同的興趣。眾所周知，AF 團友很喜歡行山，亦注重運動。所以團友在週末時，可以發起「郊外活動」，盡量接觸大自然。 長遠來說，節目部可計劃發展「行山團」, 例如 「Hike to Mount Wilson」。 因為行山的價錢較大眾化，團友可以接觸和相交的機會就相對增加。平時，團友亦可安排「游泳班」，「單車團」等，作為團友在團契以外交誼活動的起試點。

節目部建議，為了增加溝通, 會鼓勵在來年的節目推行和安排上彼此緊密的合作，例如將會邀請團契職員, 小組組長, 組長助手, 團友等, 參與作 Hang Out Time 的迎賓接待，並且以打破「小圈子」為目標，讓團友返團契時會感到有「返回家裏」的感覺。

總結: 各團契部門職員和團友需要 同心實踐, 具體行道。 最關鍵的第一步就是要 彼此聯合, 緊密合作。

( 歡迎你們加入我的Twitter 社交網絡, 並且留下意見：http://twitter.com/topresson )

無間靈修 (創意版)

The following video clip is Team D's very first script-reading rehearsal for "無間靈修" (創意版) at Victor's home recorded on Aug 3. While their live presentation on Aug 28 was absolutely Oscar-worthy, Martin and Tung-ming sensationally shined like a star. Enjoy! (Note: For the theatrical trailer of "無間道", visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tRcQRQ7ntA&feature=related )

韓劇"大長今"的意義

韓劇-"大長今"這部戲分為: 兒童期, 內人期, 濟州營期, 醫女期, 和逃亡期。

我個人最偏愛的是醫女期的戲, 這劇本真是歷久不衰之作。

大長今的成功不僅是劇情高潮迭起擄獲人心, 也因為同時傳遞給觀眾健康的概念, 讓人獲益匪淺。

我最喜歡這部戲的主因是一些讓我看了心有戚戚焉、感觸良多的對白。劇情連貫又不拖戲, 每個角色均有他的意義與功能。"劇本"果真是戲劇的靈魂。

從第一集長今老爹巧遇算命仙的對白, 便深深吸引著我:

你一生牽連著三個女人主導你的命運:

1 - 第一個女人你殺了她, 但她卻沒死 (被下令去賜死皇后)
2 - 第二個女人你救了她, 但她卻為你而死(長今老娘朴明依)
3 - 第三個女人她會殺了你, 卻因此救活許多人(長今本人, 因為多嘴, 抖出秘密, 老爸死在義禁府)

老爹問: 怎樣避免見到第三個女人呢?
算命仙答: 只要不要遇見第二個女人就好。

誰知長今老爸還是撇不開, 只好被女兒出賣致死, 因此展開一連串長今的故事。

除了男女主角, 配角的三角戀情, 包括前後金英退出、中宗加入。但主軸衝突仍是處在長今與崔氏商團之間的奮戰。

長今派: 韓尚宮、閔政浩、淑媛娘娘連生、醫女張德、信非、鄭主簿(說實在是長今的貴人)。

崔尚宮派: 今英、崔判述、右丞相、提調尚宮、尹別監、令路、朴尚宮、內醫正。

細水長流兼搞笑派: 閔尚宮、阿昌、姜熟手夫妻、醫術完全不在狀態的趙醫官。

其他增加內容深度的劇情, 就是處於"美食"與"醫術"。

美食篇
崔尚宮 - 這道醉蝦包含三種誠意。(我從沒有想過煮飯要有誠意)
韓尚宮 - 即使一杯水, 也是代表一種食物。凡是問清楚吃的人身體狀況, 了解後再做準備, 這就是煮食物的人應該有的心情。
鄭尚宮- 御膳廚房絕對不容許權勢, 我無法原諒有人利用飲食去害人的行為。聽說皇上昨晚飲酒過量, 今天飲食我特替他放入紅柿, 就有助解酒功效。
中宗 - 食物之所以好吃, 就是因為有誠意。

醫術篇
申主簿 - 每口飯菜需在嘴內咀嚼十次, 不然腸、胃、埤就會引發病症。養身之道從吃飯、呼吸做起。藥材和毒材是無法區分的；藥材用錯了就是毒材。

事實上, 看完大長今後令我開始著重養生之道、和體會藥食同源的道理。(例如: 黃土水可去瘡、蜂蜜可以解氣喘、察言觀色、問診、針灸、開處方... 等等。)

藥食同源是中醫的概念。當季的食物, 便是大自然給人類調養的寶藏。什麼樣的季節、需要什麼樣的滋補, 是根據生長環境的不同、與人類環境養成大自然, 給予相對的養育。

若吃不是當季的食物, 則對身體會產生不良的影響, 因為這是不適合當時的身體狀態。但是，因為時代科技的進步, 食物可以保存更久, 也有各種化學藥物來維持健康的身體。但這樣的概念，其實是漠視原本的「自然」。

大長今就說明了"食物是天然補品"的概念。對於作者精心設計的對白，也讓我回味無窮看了好幾次，每次都有不同的感覺。

愛情篇
男主角閺政浩：除了"很抱歉" 這句話，我真的沒有其它的話好說了。
女配角崔今英："來生如果可以再見, 請千萬不要跟我說抱歉"。

另有一段令人印象深刻的對白，就是當男主角閔政浩與女主角長今走在積雪的冬季。那時長今剛拿到出入宮廷的漢符, 成為內醫院的使喚醫女。

政浩: 你高興嗎？(能返回宮廷, 你高興嗎？)
長今: 我很悲傷。(我仍忘不了宮廷內的事。)
政浩: 你悲傷嗎？(對於韓尚宮娘娘的死。)
長今: 我很高興。(又可以回到過去與娘娘一起。)
政浩: 你害怕嗎？(害怕無法替母親、自己、韓尚宮洗刷冤屈嗎？)
長今: 我很彷徨。(我不知道該怎麼做。)
政浩: 你彷徨嗎？(還是不知道要報復? 還是存仁心行醫？)
長今: 我很害怕。(害怕不能堅守娘娘的信念。)

雖然不確定這樣解讀是否正確, 但正因為這樣, 就更加令人耐人尋味。

當兩人要私奔時, 這段對話再度出現。長今更添加了"我很高興、我很踏實" 。看''大長今''也呈獻出生命中兩人幸福的感覺：

(天還沒亮，閔政浩夫妻起床)
長今：在曉賢 (兩人的女兒) 醒來之前，我最好早點趕路。
政浩：一大清早就要去那麼遠的地方，沒關係嗎?
長今：請不要擔心。我一定要去一趟才能放心。對您真的很抱歉，夫君您所賺來的錢，我都拿來買藥給病患了。
政浩：我到現在才知道，首醫女老是這麼說你。
長今：老是怎麼說我?
政浩：'''不要光說些甜言蜜語，趕快去幹活吧!'' (首醫女張德真的每次都這麼說~哈哈)
(兩個人都笑了)

(兩人決定私奔的時候)
長今：為了我，大人必須捨棄一切，這樣沒關係嗎？　　
長今：因為我，大人可能被貶為賤民，這樣沒關係嗎？　　
長今：您握筆的手以後只能挖泥土了，這樣也沒有關係嗎？　　
長今：也許, 我們以後只能吃草根過日子了，這樣真的沒有關係嗎？　　
閔政浩：你到底要我怎麼做, 你才會跟我離開？
閔政浩：沒關係，真的沒關係。 　　
長今：這都是因為我也沒關係嗎?
閔政浩：就是因為你，所以一切沒關係。
(好甜喔！那瞬間超想把他撲倒。)

我發現, 這部戲耐人尋味的就是一連串的重複感覺。包含音樂、場景、與對白。

中宗經典名句:
"很好吃喔~~~這個味道真特別~~~以前從未嚐過~~~手藝很好~~~這到底是怎麼做的?"
(據了解, 韓國人民吃晚餐前, 只要聽見中宗說好吃, 當天食慾會特別好呢!!)

不論在爾虞我詐的背後, 支持這些女人的背後, 就是這個偉大的皇帝。皇后與太后娘娘的賞臉, 也是該劇解決長今種種危難的幫手。

其他增添劇情元素:
1.姜大叔夫妻的肩膀舞和無俚頭的對白。
2. Like Mother, like daughter(長今小時候被老媽打, 長今長大後打女兒)。
3. 張德醫女整長今。
4. 老爸算命神怪論說, 精通易經風水的小孩。
5. 細水長流的閔尚宮和愛吃鬼阿昌。

雖然這劇本前後呼應、意境深遠、內容有深度, 的確令人豎起大拇指, 但仍有一些美中不足的地方。例如: 中宗時代正好是中國明朝。當時長今和其師父韓尚宮被派遣到太平館伺候明國使臣飲食。不料使臣患有糖尿病, 兩人呈上素食菜餚, 卻遭到使臣不滿。最後代理御膳房最高尚宮- 崔尚宮- 竟然端上清朝乾隆時期的"滿漢全席"來討好明國使臣, 實在不符合史實。

還有那段長今在濟州不斷想逃的片段過於冗長。聽說有人看到御膳廚房有手錶!? 不過我並未發現。

騙取我眼淚的橋段:
1. 小長今老媽過世, 不捨子女的模樣。
2. 還有韓尚宮娘娘與長今相認。
3. 韓尚宮過世。

令我拍案叫絕的橋段:
1. 鄭主簿到市集賣百本幼苗。
2. 申主簿將全部的醫女都打不及格成績。
3. 以最簡單的 ''黑草莓正果, 煮米飯'' 贏得競賽。

令我回味的對白、金句:
1. 你說什麼？
2. 發揚養生之道。
3. 一定要深沉。
4. 要刻骨銘心。
5. 要用正途勝過它。
6. 請給我理由去原諒你。
7. 真反省是負責、認錯、付上代價、不要再犯。
8. 有才華和品格，甚至只做一天也要做。
9. 只要有實力和才華，機會就會追隨着你。
10. 離開了，就再不回來。
11. 這是我愛慕你的方式。
12. 休息是為了要走完全程。
13. 手感的味道。
14. 畫出味道。
15. 分享悲哀，共慶成敗。
16. 知恩徒報。
17. 用心去做食物，表達感恩，期望小小的微笑。
18. 做食物，要令人快樂，請你一定要有信心。
19. 煮今夏米需要用誠意和時間。
20. 要順勢走、除掉恐懼。
21. 堅持到最後的信念。
22. 不要疏忽該做的事。
23. 先問清楚才做。
24. 全背下來、再累積經驗。
25. 重新開始。
26. 不犯同一錯誤。
27. 成功特徵: 單純、熱情。
28. 了解現實、且超越現實。
29. 不要輕易放棄。
30. 不要傷心、不要哭泣。
31. 心感擔憂。
32. 倒一碗水、要仔細的問清楚。
33. 比賽要練習。
34. 我選擇去種植百本，是因為它最難。
35. 要擁抱希望去工作。
36. 要小心說話。
37. 若不期望，那有什麼希望?
38. 請放棄我‧‧‧ 不！ 我需要你！
39. 失去味覺‧‧‧ 不要放棄‧‧‧要繼續呼吸！
40. 要依靠實力。

這劇的編劇功力, 真是令人望塵莫及, 替金榮眩編劇，李炳勳導演，和飾演長今的李英愛, 熱烈鼓掌!

(Contents adapted from various sources obtained on the Internet. Some comments are mine.)

Christmas Caroling Night Dec 24, 2009

We were blessed to have 51 AFers visiting 11 families on Christmas Eve 2009. There were two salvations; namely, (1) Wai-Lun Chu 朱慧倫, who is Yook-Chung's sister, and (2) Mrs. Hua, who is Chao-Ying's sister-in-law. Of course, the seeds of the gospel were spread among the hearts of many.

I especially thank God for the group members of the Team of Love (Elam's Small Group), who have worked closely and fervently for 50 days in praying, planning, and implementing this outreach as we celebrated the birth of Jesus, who is the reason for the season.

Thank you very much for the delicious dinner, beautiful and environmentally-friendly decoration, on-budget gift baskets, concise script translation, smooth registration, leadership of emcees, passionate singing and hand-motions, listening counselors, and smooth transportation.

Please take time to give glory to God by sharing your comments at this blog post. May His name be magnified!

Give Your Faith a Target

GROUP DEVOTION - SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

Today´s Passage: Heb. 11:1-12

希 伯 來 書 11:1 信 就 是 所 望 之 事 的 實 底 ， 是 未 見 之 事 的 確 據 。

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)

Today´s Word:
So many people today are depressed and discouraged because they only focus on their present circumstances. They´re constantly dwelling on their problems, what they don´t have, and what´s wrong with them. They don´t realize it, but they´re allowing the enemy to steal their hope. This negative frame of mind is what keeps people from moving forward in life.

Understand today that faith is confidence and assurance about the things we hope for according to the promises of God. Like an arrow, your faith points to the target of hope. If you don´t have hope, that arrow of faith will just drop to the ground. It won´t accomplish anything. But, when you keep your hopes up, when you keep expecting and keep believing, it´s as if that target gets larger and larger—easier to hit!

Choose today to live with an attitude of expectancy. Get your hopes up! Start by taking captive any negative thoughts you may have one at a time. As you focus on God´s goodness and faithfulness, you´ll feel that hope inside you growing. You´ll give your faith a target, and you´ll move confidently into the blessings and peace the Lord has in store for you!



Prayer:
Father in heaven, today I surrender every thought to You. I choose to release my cares and concerns so I can focus on Your goodness in my life. Thank You for the gift of faith to see the impossible become possible as I continue to place my hope and confidence in You. In Jesus´ Name, Amen.

Meditation:
What major problems in life are you faced with now? Is your faith pointing to the target of hope, or the target of disappointment? What top-3 negative thoughts should you put to jail, one at a time?

(Adapted from Joel Osteen Ministry Devotion Series; Cantonese version available in video.)

Hope Against Hope

GROUP DEVOTION - AUGUST 28, 2010

Today´s Passage: Rom. 4:16-25

羅 馬 書 4:18 他 在 無 可 指 望 的 時 候 ， 因 信 仍 有 指 望 ， 就 得 以 作 多 國 的 父 ， 正 如 先 前 所 說 ， 你 的 後 裔 將 要 如 此 。
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him…" (Romans 4:18, NIV)

Today´s Word:
Do you feel like you are in a hopeless situation today? Is there no sign of change in the natural? Remember, we serve a supernatural God. What looks impossible with man is possible with God.

In the Bible, God told Abraham he would be the father of many nations. But in the natural, this looked impossible. Both he and his wife were beyond child-bearing years. They had no reason to hope or believe it would happen. They had nothing to go on in the natural. But one translation of this verse says, "Hoping in spite of hopeless circumstances, he believed." And you probably know the story. Abraham finally had a son, Isaac and his son, Jacob had 12 sons—the twelve original tribes of Israel with descendants outnumbering the grains of sand on the shore!

Today, I encourage you to do what Abraham did and go against all the odds; hope on in faith anyway. Keep believing. Keep praying. Keep moving forward. Don´t focus on the impossible circumstances, focus on the God who makes the impossible possible! Keep looking through your eyes of faith because He has blessing and victory in store for you!



Prayer:
Heavenly Father, today I choose to hope in You even when everything around me looks hopeless. I invite You to breathe Your life into the impossible circumstances around me. Have Your way in and through me as I dedicate every part of my heart and mind to You. In Jesus´ Name, Amen.

Meditation:
What seems impossible to you in the natural? How can you keep moving forward? Honestly, how big is your God?

(Adapted from Joel Osteen Ministry Devotion Series; Cantonese version available in video.)

He’s Working on Your Behalf

GROUP DEVOTION - JULY 31, 2010

Today´s Passage: Rom. 8:18-30

羅 馬 書 8:28 我 們 曉 得 萬 事 都 互 相 效 力 ， 叫 愛 神 的 人 得 益 處 ， 就 是 按 他 旨 意 被 召 的 人 。

"We know that God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28)

Today´s Word:
God is working behind the scenes in your life today. No matter what you may be facing, no matter what trial you may be going through, God has a plan to turn things around in your favor. Right now, He is working out a plan for your good. Right now, He is orchestrating the right people to come across your path. He is orchestrating the right opportunities to open up to you. You may not see it in the natural, but look with your eyes of faith today. Keep standing. Keep believing. Keep hoping. Keep following His Word. Focus on His goodness in your life, knowing that He rewards the people who seek after Him. As you meditate on the faithfulness of God and show your love for Him by following His Word, you will see His plan come to pass. You´ll experience His peace and joy, and you will live in victory all the days of your life!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength and peace today and fill me with Your faith to overcome. In Jesus´ Name, Amen.

Meditation:

How close are you walking with God recently? Do you long to seek after Him each day? How can I show my love for Him a little more?

(Adapted from Joel Osteen Ministry Devotion Series; Cantonese version available in video.)

Live in Integrity

GROUP DEVOTION - JUNE 26, 2010

Today´s Passage: Prov. 22:1-16

箴 言 22:1 美 名 勝 過 大 財 ； 恩 寵 強 如 金 銀 。
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…" (Proverbs 22:1, KJV)

Today´s Word:
What do people think when they hear your name? Do they think, "Oh, that person is always so trustworthy and faithful; they always do the right thing?" Or do they think, "Watch out for that person. You never know what they´re going to do?"

You might say, "Oh, I´m a pretty good person. I do the right thing most of the time." But understand it´s the little foxes that spoil the vine. You can veer off course just a little bit, and before you know it, you´re miles away from your destination. Don´t allow the little things to keep you from your destiny; choose integrity—even when no one is looking. For instance, you might need some paper at home, but you shouldn´t take supplies from the office. Or, you might be running into a store for just a minute, but don´t park in the handicap parking spot unless you´re supposed to. Sure, you might need a few extra bucks this week, but if the checkout clerk makes a mistake and gives you back too much money, that´s not God´s provision; that´s a test of integrity. If you´ll be faithful and choose integrity in the little things, it will be a great treasure in your life. God will pour out His blessing on you as you honor Him all the days of your life.




Prayer:
Father God, today I commit to live a life of integrity. I choose a life of excellence and ask for Your hand of favor. Show me any area that is not pleasing to You so that I can continue to grow and increase in You. In Jesus´ Name, Amen.

Meditation:
Are you off the course right now? What are those little things in your life that “spoil the vine” and compromise your integrity? Do you trust God that He will give you that extra break or an open parking space, just when you need it?

(Adapted from Joel Osteen Ministry Devotion Series; Cantonese version available in video.)