狂風暴雨中的洗禮

現在你為甚麼耽延呢，起來，求告他的名受洗，洗去你的罪。(徒22:16)

感謝神，昨天(2022/10/16)石牌教會完成了今年秋季靈恩會的洗禮，有兩位接受了合乎聖經中大水赦罪的洗禮，一早起來狂風暴雨，職務同工也先到原先要洗禮的外雙溪，但是溪水暴漲，原本要洗禮的地方連站的地方也沒有，於是緊急開了線上職務會，討論當天洗禮該如何，雖在緊急當中，職務同工還是先禱告約20分鐘，求問神該如何，再來討論。

到了八點討論時間，提出是否轉到海邊，當然難免有所顧慮，但討論時提到舊約洗禮的預表就是過紅海，以及過約旦河，當時的摩西要百姓不要懼怕，只管站住，看神今日要向你們施行的救恩，只管靜默，不要作聲，吩咐百姓往前走(出十四13-15)，倘若已經走到紅海邊，若不洗禮，就被法老抓回去埃及繼續作罪的奴僕；約旦和當時的河水漲過兩岸，但當祭司的腳踏下去時，水就從上頭止住了，表明今天要領受救恩的人，真的要有對神的信心，提出這些時難免有些擔憂，但是負責人卻說：好啊！走！讓當時開會的我也受到鼓舞，所以職務同工有共識，臨時改變洗禮的地點，地點改變了，狂風暴雨卻沒有改變。

感謝神，九點20要從教會出發，全教會要觀禮的人竟比以往還要多，雖然外面狂風暴雨，大家也有如此的信心，一起前往洗禮場，到了海邊，看到全教會的人已經站在風雨中準備洗禮，有些人的傘已經開花，或穿著雨衣，感謝主，雖然因為評估風浪因素，以致沒有辦法一次就全身入水，所以洗了幾次才全身入水，感謝神，在大家的代禱下，完成了這次這麼艱辛的洗禮，事後聽到有些同靈在岸上就已經不斷地靈言禱告，讓我們有信心來完成拯救靈魂的工作，幾位同靈和新受洗的姐妹談到：很開心，跟你一起濕，臉上是喜樂的淚水，想必主耶穌找尋遠離羊圈的我們，也是這種心情吧！為什麼這麼麻煩呢？因為洗禮與赦罪有絕對的關係。

有不可抗力的因素，乾脆點個兩滴吧！

在人的軟弱下還真的會很想這麼的做，因為人的軟弱下，確實很容易會想要更改神原本設立的得救方法，但是聖經引導我們看到，當時耶穌傳的道理，使徒們照樣地傳，並且勉勵當時的信徒，他們所傳講的福音不可更改(加一6-8)，因為這是和人得救有關的道理，是不能隨著人意而更改的，曾經遇過幾次很艱辛的洗禮，在過程中，真的可以體會那種人的軟弱，但感謝主，真耶穌教會不更改主所傳的教導，也因著我們的信心，主不斷地賞賜見證來證實這樣的洗禮完全符合聖經。

願主激勵，感動我們的心，相信愛神的你，也正在找尋赦罪的洗禮，願主感動你的心，看到聖經的真理，一起來接受這赦罪的洗禮！

眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說，弟兄們，我們當怎樣行。彼得說，你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈；(徒二37-38)

Judges 10

(Judges 10:16) 16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel. 

    In the book of Judges, the chosen people’s belief in the true god presents wave-like regular ups and downs pattern.

    The rebellious Israel people begged in the bottom of the distressed, God will then rise a judge to save them and they will serve God again. They will destroy all other gods. Faith shows an upward trend. However, as the grace of peace reaches its peak, those who choose people will do evil things because they don't know how to cherish, and their faith goes to the depths of misery. This recurring pattern is no exception in Chapter 10. This kind of belief is that "the judge is there, the faith is here; the judge is dying, the faith is dying". 

    Tola’s 23 years (Judges 10:1-2) and Jair’s 22 years (Judges 10:3). For 45 years, the brilliance of the colourful, short-lived bubble, has shattered into a phantom. Compared to the faithful and unchanging true God (Deuteronomy 7:9), God knows him and cares about him (Psalm 144:3). 

    Currently, we face lots of tribulations, we are like being in the deep valley but God told us to be of good cheer as God had overcome the world. (John 16:33). After believing in the Lord and being called, We have been given multiply identities. We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God own special people (1 Peter 2:9) What status is each person when he is called, and he still has to keep his status before God (1 Corinthians7:22) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5) Don't let our heavenly Father who loves us worry for us because of our suffering. (Judges 10:16) 

    (Jeremiah 31:20) 20 Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For though I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still; Therefore My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord

Translated by 余姿瑩

The Bramble Establishes himself as king(Judges 9)

 (Judges 9:8-15)8 "The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!' 9 But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I cease giving my oil, With which they honor God and men, And go to sway over trees?' 10 "Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and reign over us!' 11 But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?' 12 "Then the trees said to the vine, 'You come and reign over us!' 13 But the vine said to them, 'Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?' 14 "Then all the trees said to the bramble, 'You come and reign over us!' 15 And the bramble said to the trees, 'If in truth you anoint me as king over you, Then come and take shelter in my shade; But if not, let fire come out of the bramble And devour the cedars of Lebanon!'

    Chapter 9 of the Book of Judges described the story of Abimelech. His mother was Gideon's concubine. (Judges 8:31). He belonged to Shechem. After Gideon passed away, Abimelech and his mother's brothers persuaded Shechem to anointed Abimelech to be a king. Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men to kill his seventy brothers except the youngest brother named Jotham. Jotham hid. While men of Shechem anointed Abimelech as a king, Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim to proclaim the parable of the trees. He used olive trees, fig trees, and vine as examples of Gideon and other wise men. They knew their role which was arranged by God. However, Abimelech was similar to the brambles. He thought he cover the shade for all other trees. He was pleased to be anointed as a king. If they didn't anoint him as a king, he will devour the cedars of Lebanon.

     Jotham then cursed Abimelech. (Judges 9:16-20) Jotham reminded the people how his father Gideon saved them by willingly sacrificing himself. As a result, he received "reply virtue with grievances" as his return.  Jotham did not ask for revenge for himself, but proclaiming a prophecy as a prophet “Start from thorns, let fire come from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem and Beth Millo; and let fire come from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo and devour Abimelech (Judge 9:20) “ Finally, as Abimelech broke up with Shechem, he attacked the tower of Shechem and killed a thousand of men and women.  On the other hand,  while Abimelech was attacking Thebez, he was crushed by an upper millstone on his skull and committed suicide.  God has let the event fulfill with Jotham’s curse.

    Abimelech’s father, Gideon, was appointed by God himself as a judge, and he knew that his position was to save the people from the enemy’s hands, but he did not have the authority to manage the people; In Contrast,  Abimelech used cruelty and deceit to get the position he wanted. Abimelech, didn't know that God was the king of the Israelites, and he didn't understand his position, so he became king only three years before he was retribution and defeated.

    Our generation often encourages people to pursue success, but it makes people like Abimelech lose sight of their position and seek high positions and authority as if achieving these is a success. As the people of God, we should not follow the crowd, but understand that our Lord is the God who saves our souls. Pray that God will let us know what kind of tree we are on this earth.  Don’t seek to float on top of the trees, but use God’s gift of talent in every place arranged by God, do our best to work, and finally attract people to return to the embrace of God, and believes that when we meet in heaven, we can say to each other: Thank God, we live up to our mission.

    (2 Timothy 2: 20-21) 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

    (Zechariah 4:6) 6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.

Translated by 余姿瑩

Gideon With Good Emotional Control(Judges 8)

(Judges 8:2-3) 2 So he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger toward him subsided when he said that.

Gideon and the three hundred men who followed him took advantage of the victory and pursued the Midianites who fled. At this time, the Ephraim people guarding the Jordan River crossing came to ask for credit because they captured the two leaders of Midian and brought their heads to Gideon. The people of Ephraim spoke to Gideon in a proud tone, arguing about why they had not been gathered to fight. Seeing this, let’s think about it first. If we face the same situation, how would we react? Maybe the emotions will rise and shouting back with our response  or leave someone on read , but we can actually learn from Gideon. A witty answer.

(Proverbs 15:1) 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

(Proverbs 25:11) 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

Gideon did not lose his footing in the face of these cheap and obedient Ephraim. He clearly understood that the primary goal now was to chase the remaining Midianites who had fled. Wouldn’t it be a loss if he spent time and energy arguing with Ephraim here. The opportunity to kill the enemy in one swoop also failed the grace of God's salvation? So, Gideon cleverly used metaphors to say how his deeds can be compared to Ephraim, and the contribution of his army is far less than Ephraim. Gideon knew how to retreat in exchange for harmony, be humble and used praise to subdue anger, successfully resolved the opposition and won the final victory, restraining the Midianites and restoring peace to the Israeli house.

(Romans 15:1-2) 1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

In God's family, everyone is a member of each other, and we must always care for each other, because we are united to the head of Christ. The completion of each work is the joint effort of the brothers and sisters to put their hearts and minds before God, not the creation of someone alone. Therefore, we must be cautious, watchful and pray at all times, and give glory to God, lest we get caught in a snare and offend God because of our pride and pride.

Reflecting on Ephraim’s mentality, we understand that we are God’s workers and co-workers with God; aren’t today’s opportunities and abilities also bestowed by God? Completion is only the completion of the "mission" entrusted by God. It is our duty and should be done. In the face of spiritual warfare, in God’s house, we should not distinguish between you and me, we should be in the same boat, some people pray and watch, some people come to fight, and stay focus toward the goal, and in the future, bring the efforts of servitude to God to receive reward and crowns.

To learn from Gideon’s wisdom, how to overcome the situation of internal and external troubles with God is a topic that we often face, but Paul encourages us not to compete with the spirit, we should use gentleness to persuade those who resist, and pursue others. Harmony, pray for the weak and lacking with love, and strengthen each other with patience.

(Ephesians 4:1-3) 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Translated by 余姿瑩

(Judges 7)

(Judges 7:2-3) 2 And the Lord said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.' 3 Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.' " And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained

God called his worker Gideon, told him to lead the Israel people to defeat the Midianites, facing 135000 armies from Midianites. The gap is huge, but God’s work is not to increase troops but to disarm. In the end, they were only 300 Midianites army left. God clearly stated the intention so that the Israelites would not exaggerate to God and give glory to themselves, and God wanted the people to know that the victory over the Midianites was solely dependent on God's power.

According to Moses’s law, if they were scared, they can go back (Deuteronomy 20:8). Because fear can be contagious, affect morale, have fatal consequences. Faced with difficult battles, God will need to use someone who had a lot of faith. God also uses these people's faith in God to demonstrate his power. Even if there are only a few people, but if everyone has a strong faith in God, God can be glorified from it.

From church’s experience, the most obvious spiritual battle is the work of expelling demons. The work of expelling demons requires many people to pray and have great faith to cast out demons. If anyone is afraid, the demons will stay because it will affect the expulsion.   Demons expel is based on people’s faith, it does not depend on number of  people.

(Judges7:5-6) 5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink." 6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.

Anyone who licks water with their tongues, like a dog, does not have a cautious heart. People who hold the water in their hands are alert and cautious at all times to guard against sneak attacks by the enemy. Fear, great confidence, and more need to have a cautious heart. They were afraid that a momentary relaxation will give the enemy a chance to attack. This is also a key to God’s choice of workers. Facing powerful spiritual enemies, we need to have these even more. "Elite", confident, fearless, cautious, and alert.

Faced with such a large gap in the number of people, Gideon can only rely on God, not on tactics, weapons, or strategies. Sometimes people are always weak. When the church's ministry is prosperous, they will boast of their abilities and give glory to themselves. If they don’t realize it, it will become obstruct in the ministry, then they will hinder the development of the holy work. It is worth for our readers to remind each other to humble under the power of God and to rely on God with all our hearts.

(Zechariah 4:6) 6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.

Translated by 余姿瑩

God Calling Gideon (Judges 6)

 (Judges 6:13) 3 Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites."

Gideon was the son of Joash which belonged to the tribe Abiezrite. Abiezrite was the descendent of Manasseh. In the bible it was also called Jeezerites (Numbers 26:30). At that period, the people of Israel did evil in the eyes of God. Therefore, God put them into the hand of Midianites for seven years. Midianites were Abraham and Keturah’s fourth child’s descendants (Genesis 25:2). They lived in the wilderness east of the Jordan river, near Canaan where the Israel people lived. In these seven years, Midianites united with other enemies to destroy the food of the Israelis, and also taken the cows, sheep, donkeys, and other animals that they depended on for their livelihoods. It can be imagined that their situation must be very miserable. In these troubles, God chose Gideon to lead the Israel people out of the hand of Midianites. From the reply of Gideon to God’s messenger, we can see that he hears God’s miracles on his ancestors.

(Judges 6:14-16) 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" 15 So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." 16 And the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man."

Compared with the situation of the Israelites, they were also under the oppression of powerful enemies, so they were eagerly looking forward to God's salvation. When Gideon was called, he replied: "His family is the poorest in the tribe of Manasseh. I am the smallest in my father's house." At the moment, Gideon does not think he can respond to God's called, but he did not choose to escape. Instead, he asked God to give him evidence to strengthen his confidence and let him know that the message he received came from Jehovah; God agreed to his request, and Gideon also took practical actions to respond to God's call, to concentrate on relying on God for things that God sends.

(Hebrews 4:14-16) 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In our life, we might just be normal people with no fame and distinguished background. When God called us, are we willing to use our faith and action to reply to God’s call? This is like when we do holy work, we often think that we do not have enough ability but by prayer and asking, God will grant relevant capability to his worker. The final result will normally be better than what we expected.

Gideon did not rely on his strategy or experience in the things that God directed, but he sought God's will before acting. In our religion, family, and life we need to readjust our footsteps and examine whether we are being led by the norms of the world or focus our eyes on the present suffering and forget God’s salvation. May we allow the Holy Spirit to renew from time to time and make our behaviour and life closer to God's will.

(Romans 12:2) 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

The Female Judge, Deborah (Judges 4)

(Judges 4:4-5)
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Judges were rises up to save the people of Israel. They are said as hero that help God’s chosen people to win their enemy. Different judges were there for the different plans from God. Some judges had courage; some judge had wisdom. This demonstrates the people that God uses have different abilities. And we can see from Judge that these things are from God’s mercy.

 

God’s chosen a lot of men to be the judge but they were one woman that became a judge. Deborah was the only judge that was a woman, she was both judge and prophet. This demonstrates that God chooses both women and men to do work for him. Most judges that were being called by God dare to lead the people to fight the enemy. Deborah also means God’s words; she has a revelation from God. Therefore, she can tell Barak to fight Jabin’s army Sisera. She got wisdom given by God so no matter where the Israel people go they will listen to her judge. This demonstrates that Deborah was a smart judge that act impartially. People who God uses, regardless of gender.

 Bible specifically recorded: "It's Rabido's wife."  She was married but her husband remained silent, she still has loyalty for her husband. She did not neglect to take care of the family, and the housework did not hinder her ministry. This was her wisdom.

(Genesis 5:21-22) 21 Enoch lived sixty-five years and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.

Bible mentioned a man called Enoch. He changed his lifestyle when he was 65 years old. He followed God for 300 years; God has taken him to heaven which makes him skip the part of death. Enviable, this is the point in time each of us should figure out in the world. The human’s ultimate goal is to walk with God because of endless happiness. Enoch didn’t give up his family to follow God but bring his family to follow God which accompany with glamorous.

In our life, we have neglected to take care of our family because of the pursuit of our careers. Or because we need to pursue our careers or take care of our family and miss the chance to serve God. Deborah put God as the pivot of her life.  God’s words often come to her, and she can also give people directions through God’s words. But she didn’t give up her family, this is religious life that Deborah put God as the center. Hope all of us can follow Deborah's example of faith and restore God's deeds in this dark age with great confidence!

(Matthew 6:24) 24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
(Matthew 6:33) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Translated by 余姿瑩