The Secret Recipe for Handling Change

(go to Chinese 华文 text)

1 Typical Ways for Handling Change

• 1. Predict what is likely to happen
  • Usually, it is an extension of the past. This is fine if there are no fundamental changes. But we know that Black Swam events like COVID-19, and the Fukushima tsunami height exceed engineers' safety height by 5.2m, etc.
  • A better way is Scenario Planning - We try to foresee the likely scenarios and work out our plans.
• 2. Make Contingency Plans for the Worst Case Scenario:
  • This is a prudent action. But as in above, the change may exceed our expectations and our contingency is not adequate.
• 3. Watch and Adapt
  • Be alert, and watch out for the early signs of potential changes, and get ready to handle it when the change magnitude increases. iChing hexagram #2 坤 first stage line says 初六 履霜，堅冰至。 Stepping on frost, solid ice arrives.
• 4 Keep Our Options open:
  • Preparing for every eventuality may be too costly and impractical. So it may be better to keep our options open in our decision-making.
• 5. From what is happening now, figure out the future implications:
  • With the aging population, it is easy to figure out increasing needs for healthcare, entertainment for the aged since they have time and money, and so forth. With the prevalence of mobile phones, all business transactions should be done through them - no need for physical cash, credit cards, or other physical artifacts.

2 The Better Way:

• Using the Unchanging to Handle the Ever-Changing
  1. The Chinese have a saying "以不变治万变“ - "using the unchanging to manage the ever-changing".
  2. This is best illustrated by Jeff Bezos of Amazon. He said that instead of trying to figure out what customers may want, one should ask what customers want that never change. The answer seems quite obvious: cheapest, most choices, and immediate delivery. So he built Amazon to deliver those customers' values and he never had to change his strategies.
  3. As believers, we have the unchanging eternal God and His Words for us to rely on to meet whatever changes we may face.

3 The Unchanging is God

• Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

  / Jesus' love for us never changes. It does not depend on us but on him the faithful one. 2 Tim 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

• James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

  / External changes do not change the good and perfect gift from God.

• Numbers 23:19: "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

  / God's promise is sure.

• Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

  / We are all so familiar with the changing of seasons, the growth and death of all living things, that we are unable to believe in the unchanging yet we secretly long for the eternal. God is the One who will satisfy our longing.

• Psalm 102:25-27: "Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end."

  / Another reassurance of God's unchanging power and love for us.

• Psalm 33:11: "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

  / The plan of God is to bless you and your descendants. Don't worry about who will care for your children.

• Revelation 1:8 (ESV): "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

  / God surpasses time and is not restricted by time like us. He is ever present and the origin of lives and time.

4 Follow God's Word

• Matthew 5:17-20. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

  / All the laws and promises of God are to be fulfilled. We are to live according to God's standards of right and wrong. The sin of Adam and Eve is that they rejected God's Words and standards and wanted to judge right and wrong according to their wishes.

Lessons:

• The best way to handle change is to use the unchanging to meet every change. Rest and trust in our eternal God whose promises to us will not change but be fulfilled. His Words and His Laws are never changing too. We must follow God's values and laws(how things will work, causes and effects given in the Bible) in all we do.

Prayer:

• We give thanks to God who is unchanging, who gives us Laws and Promises to bless and guide us. We shall follow His standards and Laws in our lives and trust Him, in times of challenges, that He will enable us to overcome them. May we live in confidence, peace, and joy because our God is unchanging and keep His promises always. Hallelujah!

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读经分享 1050

治变的秘方

1. 1 处理变化的典型方式

• 预测可能发生的情况：
  通常，这是过去的延续。如果没有根本性的变化，这是可以的。但是我们知道像COVID-19这样的黑天鹅事件，以及福岛海啸使得海啸高度超出工程师的安全高度5.2米等情况。 更好的方式是情景规划 - 我们尝试预见可能的情景并制定我们的计划。
• 为最坏情况制定应急计划： 这是一种谨慎的做法。但如上所述，变革可能超出我们的预期，我们的应急计划可能不足够。
• 观察并适应：
  保持警惕，留意潜在变化的早期迹象，并在变化的幅度增加时做好准备应对。易经卦辞第二卦坤的初六爻说：“踏霜堅冰至”。踏上霜冻，坚冰到来。
• 保持选择的开放性： 为每一种可能性做准备可能过于昂贵和不切实际。因此，在决策中保持选择的开放性可能更好。
• 从当前发生的事情中找出未来的影响： 随着人口的老龄化，很容易想象出对医疗保健的需求增加，因为老年人有时间和金钱，等等。随着手机的普及，所有的商业交易都应该通过手机进行 - 不需要实体现金、信用卡或其他实体物品。

2 更好的方式：

• 用不变的东西应对不断变化 中国有句谚语：“以不变治万变” - “用不变的来管理不断变化的”。 这最好由亚马逊的杰夫·贝佐斯来说明。他说，与其试图弄清顾客可能想要什么，不如问顾客永远不会改变的是什么。答案似乎非常明显：最便宜、最多选择和即时交付。因此，他建立了亚马逊来传递这些顾客的价值观，他从未改变过自己的策略。 作为信徒，我们有永恒不变的上帝和祂的话语，可以依靠来应对我们可能面临的一切变化。

3 不变的是上帝

• 希伯来书13:8：“耶稣基督，昨日今日一直到永远，是一样的。” / 耶稣对我们的爱永不改变。这不取决于我们，而取决于祂这位忠信的主。提摩太后书2:13：“我们若失信，他仍是可信的，因为他不能背乎自己。”
• 雅各书1:17：“各样美善的恩赐和各样完全的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的，在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。” / 外部的变化不会改变上帝赐予的美好和完美的恩赐。
• 民数记23:19：“神非人，必不致说谎；也非人子，必不致后悔。他说话岂不照着行呢？他发言岂不要成就呢？” / 上帝的应许是确实的。
• 以赛亚书40:8：“草必枯干，花必凋残，惟有我们神的话必永远立定。” / 我们都对季节的更迭、一切生物的生长与死亡如此熟悉，以至于无法相信永恒的不变，但我们内心深处渴望永恒。上帝是满足我们渴望的那一位。
• 诗篇102:25-27：“你古时立了地的根基，诸天也是你手所造的。天地都要灭没，你却要长存；天地都要像衣服渐渐旧了，你要将天地如裘皮般更换，天地就都改变了；惟有你永不改变，你的年数没有穷尽。” / 这是关于上帝不变的能力和对我们的爱的再次保证。
• 诗篇33:11：“耶和华的谋算永远立定，他心中的思念万代常存。” / 上帝的计划是祝福你和你的后代。不要担心谁会照顾你的孩子。
• 启示录1:8（ESV）：“主神说：‘我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛，是昔在今在以后永在的全能者。’” / 上帝超越时间，不受我们这样受时间限制。祂永在，是生命和时间的源头。

4 遵循上帝的话语：

• 马太福音5:17-20：“你们不要想我来要废掉律法和先知；我来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。我实在告诉你们，就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。” / 上帝的所有律法和应许都将会实现。我们要按照上帝关于对错的标准来生活。亚当和夏娃的罪在于他们拒绝了上帝的话语和标准，希望根据自己的意愿判断对错。

教训：

处理变革的最佳方式是用不变的来应对每一次变化。在我们的永恒上帝那里安息和信靠，祂对我们的应许不会改变，而是会实现。祂的话语和律法也永远不会改变。我们必须在所做的一切中遵循上帝的价值观和律法（圣经中给出的事物如何运作、因果关系）。

祷告：

我们感谢那不变的上帝，祂给了我们律法和应许来祝福和引导我们。我们要在生活中遵循祂的标准和律法，并在挑战时信靠祂，相信祂会使我们克服困难。愿我们因为上帝不变并始终信守祂的应许，而充满信心、平安和喜乐。哈利路亚！

Lim Liat (c) 29-8-23

The Secret of John's Victorious Life

(go to Chinese 华文 text)

Introduction:

• Peter, the one who said he loved Jesus denied Jesus three times.

   ! Luke 22:33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” ... 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.

• 
  

• John, the one who always remembers that he is loved by Jesus, could be found at the feet of the cross of Jesus. He was there to hear Jesus' last instructions to take care of Jesus' mother.
• So, the secret of John's victorious life can be found in "the disciple who Jesus loved". John did not trust his own ability but derived his strength and security from remembering that he was loved by Jesus always. We must learn to trust God and let God lead and care for us. Our duty is to obey and follow Him.

John 13:23 :

• "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."

  ! the special bond between Jesus and this particular disciple John.
  It does not mean Jesus loves John more than others, but rather, it is John's appreciation and reception of Jesus' love more than others. Jesus' love is the same but different people receive it differently.

John 19:26 :

• "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'"

  ! Jesus entrusted John with the care of his mother. John was the only disciple there. Are we near Jesus for Him to assign tasks to us?

John 20:2 :

• "So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.'"

  ! John's own name and identity are not as important as "the disciple" loved by Jesus. The value of our being is in Jesus' love for us. We feel valuable when someone loves and cares for us.

John 21:7 :

• "That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea."

  ! Being close to Jesus enables John to know Him immediately even though Peter has been with Jesus too.

John 21:20 :

• "Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, 'Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?'"

  ! Peter wanted to know what would happen to John. Jesus told Peter to mind his own business. Jesus had a different plan for John. John had written five books of the Bible, the Gospel of John, 3 Letters of John, and the last book, Revelation. John could not be martyred and was exiled to Patmos to write Revelation. He lived to be about 90+ according to tradition. . 6 AD – c. 100 AD;

Lesson Learned:

• Our worth is in Jesus' love for us. We need to remind ourselves constantly of this wonderful relationship. It is so easy, in the business of living, to be self-centric and self-reliant. We tend to forget what Jesus said. "Apart from me, you can do nothing" John 15:5. When trouble strikes, remember we shall be OK because we are loved by Jesus. Live a secure and joy-filled life because we are loved by Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and Jesus' love for us. We are valuable in your sights and so we must live with gratitude and security. We are reminded of Ps 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Thank you for your love for us. It is our worth and our purpose. Praise be to God, our heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and our comforter and guide the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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读经分享 1049

约翰胜利生活的秘密

简介：

彼得，那个曾说过他爱耶稣的人，三次否认了耶稣。

路加福音22:33 但耶稣对他说：“彼得啊，我告诉你，今天鸡叫以先，你要三次说不认得我。”... 60 彼得说：“你这人啊，我不知道你说的是什么！” 说话之间，鸡就叫了。

约翰，那个始终记得自己被耶稣爱着的人，站在耶稣十字架底下。他在那里听见了耶稣的最后吩咐，要他照顾耶稣的母亲。

因此，约翰胜利生活的秘诀可以在“耶稣所爱的门徒”中找到。约翰不依赖自己的能力，而是从始终记得耶稣爱他中获得力量和安全感。我们必须学会信靠上帝，让上帝引导和照顾我们。我们的职责是顺从并跟随祂。

约翰福音13:23：

“有一个门徒靠着耶稣的怀抱，是耶稣所爱的。”

^ 耶稣和这位门徒约翰之间的特殊联系。这并不意味着耶稣比其他人更爱约翰，而是约翰比其他人更深刻地感受和接受了耶稣的爱。耶稣的爱是一样的，但不同的人以不同的方式接受它。

约翰福音19:26：

“耶稣看见母亲和他所爱的那门徒站在旁边，就对他母亲说：‘妇人，看哪，这是你的儿子！’”

^ 耶稣托付约翰照顾他的母亲。约翰是唯一在那里的门徒。我们是否靠近耶稣，让祂分派任务给我们呢？

约翰福音20:2：

“她就跑去见西门彼得和耶稣所爱的那个门徒，对他们说：‘有人把主从坟墓里挪去了，我们不知道放在哪里。’”

^ 约翰自己的名字和身份并不像被耶稣所爱的“门徒”那样重要。我们的存在价值在于耶稣对我们的爱。当有人爱和关心我们时，我们才感到宝贵。

约翰福音21:7：

“那门徒就是耶稣所爱的，对彼得说：‘是主！’”

^ 靠近耶稣使约翰能够立刻认出祂，即使彼得也曾与耶稣在一起。

约翰福音21:20：

“彼得转过来，看见耶稣所爱的那个门徒跟着，就是在晚餐的时候靠着耶稣胸膛说：‘主啊，卖你的是谁？’”

^ 彼得想知道将会发生什么事情。耶稣告诉彼得管好自己的事情。耶稣为约翰有不同的计划。约翰写了五卷圣经，包括约翰福音、约翰的三封书信，以及最后一卷启示录。约翰没有被殉道，被流放到帕特摩斯写启示录。根据传统，他活到了90岁以上。约公元6年 – 约100年。 

得到的教训：

我们的价值在于耶稣对我们的爱。我们需要不断地提醒自己这段美好的关系。在生活的忙碌中，很容易变得自我中心和自信满满。我们往往忘记了耶稣所说的：“若不常在我里面，你们就不能作什么。”（约翰福音15:5）当困难降临时，记住我们会没事，因为耶稣爱我们。因为被耶稣所爱，过上安全和充满喜乐的生活。

祷告：

天父，感谢您的爱以及耶稣对我们的爱。在您的眼中，我们是宝贵的，因此我们必须怀着感恩和安全感来生活。我们想起诗篇23:4，“我虽然行过死荫的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因为你与我同在。你的杖、你的竿，都安慰我。”感谢您对我们的爱，这是我们的价值和目的。赞美归于上帝，我们的天父，我们的主耶稣基督，以及我们的安慰者和引导圣灵。阿门。

Lim Liat (c) 27-8-23     

Aging Yet Still Growing 终身成长

(go to Chinese 华文 text)

A Personal Testimony:

I have been a believer for more than 50 years, After graduating from high school, I accepted the Lord through a friend who brought me to a revival meeting.

Over the years, I notice that some believers left the church...

• Left due to blessings
• Left after starting work
• Left after getting married
• Left after having children
• Left due to difficulties:
• Disappointed in God due to challenges, tragedies, and hardships.

In life, we face various challenges and difficulties. Without the help of the Lord, I wouldn't know how to navigate through life. 

Psalm 37:25: "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

B Challenges in Old Age:

• Difficulty in preserving one's integrity
• Being stubborn and inflexible
• Holding onto old ways of thinking and being rigid and stubborn and rude
• Becoming confused with age and behaving irrationally and foolishly
• Being disliked by others, being cursed as "old but not dying"
• Aging gracefully
• Having elderly parents, they are like treasures
• Respected and kind
• Radiant appearance and dignified presence
• Psalm 71:9: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone."
• Psalm 71:18: "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."
• Dealing with Depression: Seeking and finding assurance in God
• James 5:11 - "The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
• Psalm 34:18 - He is close to the brokenhearted.
• 2 Corinthians 7:6 - He comforts the downcast.

C Measuring Growth - The Spiritual Maturity

• Growth of the Soul
• Spirit - Justified once by Christ. Rebirth and Connected to God
• Soul - Need to be renewed in holiness - does age influence the extent?
• Body - Physical age such as 60+.
  The question is - Does our physical age matches with our spiritual age?

D Striving for self-improvement in pursuit

• Goal
• Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
• Ephesians 4:13-14: "Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."

E Different Aspects in Each Stage:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die."
• Stages of Growth:
• These stages of growth signify:
• Different levels of maturity - Different believers at different stages, not treating everyone the same.
• Everyone starts from a beginning stage. There are no shortcuts or leaps.
• We might stall at a certain stage or even regress to a lower stage.
• Growth is a time- and practice-intensive process.
• Spiritual Growth Stages in 1 John:
• 12 Little children - Abiding in the righteousness of Jesus
• 14a Young men - Overcoming the evil one
• 13b Fathers - Knowing the eternal One
• Psalm 23 - Stages of Life.png
• Confucius:
• At 15, I set my heart on learning.
• At 30, I firmly established myself.
• At 40, I had no more doubts.
• At 50, I knew the decrees of Heaven.
• At 60, my ear was obedient.
• At 70, I could follow my heart's desire without overstepping the boundaries.

F Mindset in Old Age:

• Trust in God's Plan: Lean on God
• Isaiah 46:4: "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
• 1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
• Embrace Change: 
• Change is inherent to life. Only death remains constant.
• Embrace change as opportunities for growth and blessings.
• In change, find opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and improvement.
• Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
• Cultivate Inner Beauty: Beauty within shines brighter over time.
• Proverbs 16:31: "Gray hair is a crown of splendor."
• In righteousness, find the value of wisdom and experience.
• Titus 2:2-3: "Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good."
• Share Wisdom:
• Accumulated years bring diverse experiences - both joys and challenges.
• Value the wisdom gained and generously share it with others.
• Psalm 145:4: "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts."
• Living in the Present Moment:
• Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
• Reflect on life's brevity and draw insights from it. [Pulpit]
• Steve Jobs - 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech:
• "Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now, the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." - Metabolism, life's perpetuation.
• "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." - Positive Mindset towards Growth
• Embrace Learning and Growth Mindset:
• Embrace new challenges, dare to try new things, and don't fear making mistakes – these are the keys to growth. Every setback and failure is a precious experience that helps us grow and progress. Learn from mistakes, adjust your course continually, and walk further along life's path.
• Don't cling to your ideas just because you're getting older. Be ready to accept new viewpoints and thoughts. Interact with people of different age groups, and learn wisdom from their experiences; it's an essential way to grow.
• Colossians 3:12: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
• James 4:6: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"

Conclusion:

• As we grow in age, we also grow in grace.
• Continue living as a witness of God's faithfulness and thanking Him for His care.
• Appreciate the value of wisdom and experience that come with age, and share them generously with others. Attract the younger generation to follow your example. Instead of becoming stubborn, become a respected and kind elder. Enjoy the blessings of today and look forward to the day of meeting the Lord.
• It's not about the length of life, but about its meaning and contribution. A longer life provides more opportunities for impact. Strive for a long, impactful life. Shine for the Lord, illuminate others, and glorify the Heavenly Father. Embrace life to the fullest and witness God's faithfulness throughout.
• Steve Jobs: "Stay hungry, stay foolish."

=====================

读经分享 1046

活到老，成长到老  Aging Yet Still Growing 

• A 个人的见证：

  • 50+ 的信徒

    • 高中毕业后就因朋友带到布道会信了主
  • 注意到：

    • 因祝福而离开

      • 工作后就离开
      • 结婚后就离开
      • 生孩子后离开
    • 因困难而离开：

      • 遇到挑战，悲剧，困难等等对神失望而离开。
  • 生活的际遇 - 种种的挑战和困难

    • 没有主的帮助，不知道他们如何度过这一生。
  • 诗篇 Psalm 37:25:

    • 我从前年幼，现在年老，却未见过义人被弃，也未见过他的后裔讨饭。

      "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

• B 晚年的挑战

  • 晚节不保

    • 老顽固 - 固执

      • + 思想守舊、固執不通
    • 老糊涂

      • 老不死
  • 老而不衰

    • 家有二老，如有二宝

      • 德高望重 + 和蔼可亲
      • 容光焕发 + 气宇轩昂
    • 诗篇 71:9

      • 我年老的时候，求你不要抛弃我
      • 我力衰的时候，求你不要离开我
    • 诗篇 Psalm 71:18

      • 神啊，我到年老髮白的时候，求你不要离弃我！

        "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."

      • 等我将你的能力指示下代，将你的大能指示后世的人。
  • 应付抑郁

    • 要寻求神确信神

      • 雅各5:11 耶和华充满温情，慈悲为怀”
      • 诗篇34:18 他“亲近心碎的人”
      • 林后书7:6惟有他能真正“安慰沮丧的人”
• C 成长的衡量？

  • 成长的灵魂体

    • 灵

      • 一次称义了
    • 魂

      • 要更新成圣 - 程度的年纪？
    • 体

      • 体的年龄 60+
  • 在追求中完善自己

    • 目标

      • 腓立比书Phi 3:13-14：弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向着标竿直跑，要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。
      • 以弗所 Eph 4:13-14：直等到我们众人在信仰和认识上都达到了合式的人，长成了基督长成的身量，使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端。
• D 每个阶段有不同的事

  • 传道书 Ecc3:1-2

    • 凡事都有定期，天下万务都有定时。生有时，死有时；栽种有时，拔出所栽种的也有时

      "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die."

  • 成长的阶段

    • 这些成长阶段的涵义是：

      • 不同成熟度 - 不同信徒在不同阶段，不要同样对待每个人。
      • 所有人都从起始阶段开始。没有捷径或跳步。
      • 我们可能停滞在某个阶段，甚至退化到较低的阶段。
      • 成长是一个需要时间和实践的过程
    • 约翰1书 属灵成长的阶段：

      • http://petrabthg.blogspot.com/2010/04/bible-study-1-john-chapter-2-stages-of.html
      • 12 孩子们 - 活在耶稣的义里

        • 我写信给你们，因为你们的罪因着主的名已经得到赦免。
        • 14a 因为你们认识父。
      • 13b 青年们 - 战胜恶者

        • 我写信给你们，因为你们已经胜过那恶者。
        • 14c 因为你们强壮， 神的道在你们心里，你们也胜过了那恶者
      • 13a 父老们 -像神那样的父亲

        • 我写信给你们，因为你们认识太初就存在的那一位。
        • 14b...因为你们认识太初就存在的那一位。
    • 诗篇23

      • Ps 23 Stages of Life.png
    • 孔子：

      • 吾十有五而志于学

        • 三十而立，

          • 五十而知天命，
      • 四十而不惑，

        • 六十而耳顺，

          • 七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。
• E 年老的思维和心态

  • 1 信任上帝的计划：

    # 在应对老化带来的挑战时应保持坚定。

    • 上帝支撑你

      • 以赛亚 Isaiah 46:4

        • 我是你们的上帝，我要看顾你们，直到你们头发斑白的时候。我造了你们，也要养活你们；我要帮助你们，拯救你们【现代】... 我必怀抱你...【新译】

          "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

      • 林后 2Cor 4:16-18

        • 所以，我们不丧胆。外体虽然毁坏，内心却一天新似一天。我们这至暂至轻的苦楚，要为我们成就极重无比、永远的荣耀。原来我们不是顾念所见的，乃是顾念所不见的；因为所见的是暂时的，所不见的是永远的。

          "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

      • 彼得前书 5:10

        • 那赐诸般恩典的神曾在基督里召你们，得享他永远的荣耀，等你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们。

          # 上帝正在恢复你，让你再次坚强！

    • 上帝回应你的祈求：

      • 诗篇 55:22

        • 你要把你的重担卸给耶和华,他必抚养你;他永不叫义人动摇
      • 耶利米 33:3

        • 你求告我,我就应允你,并将你所不知道,又大又难的事指示你

          # 主会给你所需的答案，并告诉你出路

      • 诗篇 71:18

        • 神啊，我要传扬你的大能，直到年老的时候传扬你的大能，直到年老的时候传述你的能力。

          # 我们长寿的目的。

    • 上帝 更新你：

      • 哥林多后 4:16

        • 所以我们不灰心。

          • 外体虽然毁坏，内心却一天新似一天。
      • 以赛亚书 40:30-31:

        • 就是少年人也要疲乏困倦；年轻人也必跌倒。
        • 但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。

          # 靠主能使年老的胜过年少的。

        • 他们必如鹰展翅上腾；

          # 老当益壮

          • 他们奔跑却不困倦, 行走却不疲乏
      • 诗篇 Ps 71:20-21

        • 你是叫我们多经历重大急难的，必使我们复活，从地的深处救上来。求你使我越发昌大，又转来安慰我。

          "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more."

  • 2 拥抱变化：

    • 活的就会有变化。 不改变的是 死了。

      • 如何让变的成为祝福，好的。而不让变化成为坏的？
      • 正是在这些变化中，我们找到了成长、自我发现和更的机会。
    • 罗马 Rom 8:28

      • 我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。

      • 我们知道，上帝使万事互相效力，叫爱上帝的人—就是他按照自己的旨意呼召的人 都得益处 【现代】

        在危机 中看到 机会。看到痛苦中的意义 - 耶稣的十字架的榜样

  • 3 培养内在美：

    相随心生 - 灵魂的美丽却可以比以往更加闪耀。

    • 箴言 16:31

      • 白发是荣耀的冠冕

        # 年龄是智慧和觉悟的标志

      • 这在公义的道上必能得着

        # 我们通过住在基督里得到在我们身上的耶稣的义

    • 约伯记 12:12:

      • 年老的有智慧，寿高的有知识。
    • 提多 Titus 2:2-3

      • 2劝老年人要有节制、端庄、自守，在信心、爱心、忍耐上都要纯全无疵。3又劝老年妇人，举止行动要恭敬，不说谗言，不给酒作奴仆，用善道教训人，

        圣灵的果子：就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、 温柔、节制。加拉太 5：22-23

    • 这些品质不仅丰富了我们自己的生活，还能激励我们周围的人，留下一份超越皱纹和白发的爱的遗产。
  • 4 分享智慧：

    • 岁月的积累带来了丰富多彩的经历，既有欢乐也有挑战。

      • 认识到这些智慧的价值，并慷慨地与他人分享。
    • 诗篇Pss 145:4:

      • 这代要对那代颂赞你的作为，也要传扬你的大能。
    • 约伯记 Job 32:7 :

      • 我说，年老的当先说话；寿高的当以智慧.教训人。
  • 5 活在当下：

    • 诗篇 Psa 90:12:

      • 求你教导我们怎样数算自己的日子，好使我们得着智慧的心

        从生命的短暂 反省人生。[Pulpit]

    • Steve Jobs – 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech

      • 死亡很可能是生命中最好的发明。它是生命的改变剂。它清除旧事物，为新事物腾出空间。现在，新的事物就是你，但不久的将来，你会逐渐变老，并被清除掉。你的时间是有限的，所以不要浪费它于过别人的生活。不要被教条给困住，也就是活于别人思考的结果中。不要让别人意见的噪音淹没了你自己内心的声音，而最重要的，要有勇气追随你的内心及直觉。它们因某原因已经知道你真正想成为什么。其它的事情皆是次要的。--- 新陈代谢 生生不息。
      • 记住我将很快死去，这是我曾遇到的最重要的工具，可以帮助我在人生中做出重大选择。因为几乎所有事物——所有外部的期望，所有的自尊，所有的尴尬或失败的恐惧——都在面对死亡时消失了，只剩下真正重要的东西。
      • 记住你将会死去，是我所知道的避免陷入认为你会失去某些东西的陷阱的最好方法。你已经一无所有。没有理由不去追随你的内心。
    • 积极学习* 成长的思维

      • 拥抱新的挑战，勇于尝试新的事物，不怕犯错，都是成长的关键。每一次挫折和失败都是宝贵的经验，可以帮助我们更好地成长和进步。从错误中吸取教训，不断调整自己的方向，才能在人生的道路上越走越远。
      • 不要因为年龄增长而固守自己的观念，而是要时刻准备接受新的观点和想法。与不同年龄段的人交流，从他们的经验中汲取智慧，也是一种重要的成长方式。
      • 歌罗西 3:12

        • 所以，你们既是神的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔、忍耐的心。
      • 雅各Jas 4:6

        • 但他赐更多的恩典，所以经上说：神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。
      • 论语·述而

        • “其为人也，发愤忘食，乐以忘忧，不知老之将至云尔。”.
      • Steve Jobs

        • “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” 保持饥饿（追求上进），保持傻劲（不子以为聪明，不断学习）
• 总结：
• • 继续的活出和见证上帝的信实和感恩上帝的看顾。
  • 赏识年龄带来的智慧和经验的价值。分享给他人。吸引年轻人的跟随。不要成为老顽固而是成为德高望重 和蔼的年长者。享受当今的美好日子。盼望主的再来和与主相见的日子。
  • 生命不在于长短，而在于意义和贡献。但更长的生命有更大的影响力的机会。要长要好有影响力的生命。为主发光，照耀他人，荣耀天父。是活到老，成长到老的心态啊。

  
  

林烈长老 13-8-23

Growing Old and Strong - The Secret

(go to Chinese 华文 text)

1 Maintain A Positive Attitude

• 2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart.

2 Why we can?

See clearly that our inner man is growing strong & the Lord is strengthening our body

• Though our outer self is wasting away,

  Our physical body may be aging.

• our inner self is being renewed day by day.

  But our spiritual man is renewed, becoming young and stronger

• 
  
• see:
  • Psa 73:26  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 
  • Isa 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

3 The Enlightenment:

Our present troubles are stepping stones to greater glory

• 2Co 4:17 For this light momentary affliction
• is preparing for us
• an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

4 Our Attention is focused on:

The Eternal Invisible Things are not transient visible things

• 2Co 4:18 As we look not to the things that are seen
• but to the things that are unseen.

  See into the spiritual and draw God's grace into our present

• For the things that are seen are transient,
• but the things that are unseen are eternal.

5 Summary:

• The secret is maintaining a positive attitude despite the challenges of aging. While our physical bodies may weaken with age, our inner selves can grow stronger through the renewal of our spiritual man. The key is to focus on the eternal and unseen aspects of life rather than the transient and visible ones. We are to draw on God's strength and grace to face present difficulties, knowing that they are preparing us for greater glory in eternity. 

6 Prayer:

As we grow old with days, may we not just focus on our outer physical body only, but focus on the more important inner spiritual man. Seek God's presence, guidance, and strengths, and see that our troubles are but stepping stones to God's glory. As we wait upon the Lord, He will also strengthen our bodies so that we have the energy and wisdom to outdo the youth. So, lift up our heads and look forward with hope and joy, testifying God's blessings and the glory of the Gospel. Praise God. Amen.

==============

读经分享 1045

老当益壮的秘诀

1 保持积极的态度

哥林多后书4:16 所以我们不灰心。

2 我们为什么能够？

清楚地看到我们的内心在变得强大，主也在加强我们的身体，

虽然我们的外在正在衰老，

我们的身体可能在老去，

但我们的内心每天都在更新，我们的属灵之人在不断地变得年轻和更强大。

见:

诗篇73:26 我的肉体和我的心肠虽然衰败，但神是我心里的力量，又是我的福分，直到永远。

以赛亚书40:29-31 他加给疲乏的力量，使软弱的有力量。少年人必乏困倦，弱 faint 而倒；30 就是少年人也要跌倒仆倒；强壮的也必跌倒仆倒；31 但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力，他们必如鹰展翅上腾；他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏。

3 顿悟： 我们目前的困扰是通往更大荣耀的踏脚石。

哥林多后书4:17 因为我们这至暂至轻的苦楚 要为我们成就极重无比永远的荣耀，

4 我们的关注点在于： 永恒无形的事物，而不是短暂可见的事物。

哥林多后书4:18 我们不是顾念所见的，乃是顾念所不见的。

洞悉属灵并将上帝的恩典带入我们的现在。

因为所见的是暂时的，

所不见的是永恒的。

5 总结：

秘诀在于尽管面对衰老的挑战，仍然保持积极的态度。尽管我们的身体可能随着年龄增长而衰弱，但通过属灵的更新，我们的内心可以变得更加坚强。关键是专注于永恒和看不见的生活方面，而不是短暂和可见的方面。我们要依靠上帝的力量和恩典来面对当前的困难，因为这些困难正为我们在永恒中的更大荣耀做准备。

6 祷告：

随着岁月的增长，愿我们不仅仅关注外在的身体，而是专注于更重要的内在属灵之人。寻求上帝的同在、指引和力量，并明白我们的困扰只是通向上帝荣耀的踏脚石。在等候主的过程中，主也必使我们的身体得以加强，以便我们有能量和智慧胜过年轻人。因此，我们要抬起头，满怀希望和喜乐，见证上帝的祝福和福音的荣耀。赞美上帝。阿门。

Lim Liat (c) 7 Aug 23