Be Generous and Find Blessing or Be Stingy and Experience Loss

Proverbs 11:24 (NIV) One man gives freely, yet gains even more; 
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.   

Generosity is the path to blessing and further prosperity. By 
contrast, the stingy person does not make any friends and hurts himself in 
the long run. [NIV SB] 
 
The sower multiplies his seed by casting it away. So it is with 
those who are faithful in distributing God's gifts. By imparting they 
increase their blessings. AA345 [Remnant SOP SB] 
 
Here is a paradox: we become richer by being generous. The world 
says to hold on to as much as possible, but God blesses those who 
give freely of their possessions, time, and energy. When we give, God 
supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps 
us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize they 
were never really ours to begin with, but they were given to us by 
God to be used to help others. What then do we gain by giving? 
Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, 
and God's approval. [Life Application SB] 
 
We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; 
that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we 
must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually 
vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, 
we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out 
our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant 
faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labour 
is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the 
Lord's battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know 
what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow's 
tears, and soothe the orphan's grief. We often find in attempting to 
teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. Oh, what 
gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach 
the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of 
them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God 
more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine 
truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much 
grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor 
saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased 
by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the 
consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed 
the other's limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his 
own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of 
Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet's wants, and 
from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it 
shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over. 
[Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon re v. 11:25] 
 
ILLUSTRATION
 
   Three young men were once given three kernels of corn apiece 
by a wise old sage, who admonished them to go out into the world, 
and use the corn to bring themselves good fortune. 
   The first young man put his three kernels of corn into a bowl 
of hot broth and ate them.  
   The second thought, I can do better than that, and he planted 
his three kernels of corn. Within a few months, he had three stalks 
of corn. He took the ears of corn from the stalks, boiled them, and 
had enough corn for three meals. 
   The third man said to himself, I can do better than that! He 
also planted his three kernels of corn, but when his three stalks of 
corn produced, he stripped one of the ears and replanted all of the 
seeds in it, gave the second ear of corn to a sweet maiden, and ate 
the third. His one full ear's worth of replanted corn kernels gave 
him 200 stalks of corn! And the kernels of these he continued to 
replant, setting aside only a minimum for eating. He eventually planted a 
hundred acres of corn. With his fortune, he not only won the hand of the 
sweet maiden, but purchased the land owned by the sweet maiden's 
father. And he never hungered again. 
   God's law of sowing and reaping has never changed: What you 
sow, you will reap! [God's Little Devotional Bible] 
 
CLOSING THOUGHT
 
Admit it. You sometimes hesitate to give because you're 
skeptical about what you'll get in return. But God's Word promises a huge 
return on your investment: Give a lot and receive a lot; help someone 
and you'll be helped. Be a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and 
see what happens. God promises you'll be blessed! [The 365 Daily 
Promise Bible By Barbour re. v. 11:25] 

A triplet of sonnets 三组十四行诗

I am the way to God: I did not come

To light a path, to blaze a trail, that you

May simply follow in my tracks, pursue

My shadow like a prize that’s cheaply won.

My life reveals the life of God, the sum

Of all he is and does.  So how can you,

The sons of night, look on me and construe

My way as just the road for you to run?

       My path takes in Gethsemane, the Cross,

       And stark rejection draped in agony.

       My way to God embraces utmost loss:

       Your way to God is not my way, but me.

Each other path is dismal swamp, or fraud.

I stand alone: I am the way to God.

我是通往上帝的道路：
我来（你们这里），不是为了
照亮一条路，标志一条道，
好让你们轻易地跟随我的足迹，
追寻我的影子，如同一块轻易获得的奖牌。
我的生命，显明了上帝的生命，
揭示了上帝是谁和他的所作所为的总合。
你们这些黑暗之子，
如何能够看待我并解释我的道路，
仅仅是一条供你们在其上奔跑的道路？
我的路，包括客西马尼园，十字架，
以及悬挂于极度痛苦中的完全被弃绝。
我通往上帝的道路包含了最大程度的牺牲：
你们通往上帝的道路并非是我的道路，
而是我。
任何其他的路或是黑暗的沼泽，或是欺骗。
我是独一无二，
我是通往上帝的道路。

I am the truth of God: I do not claim

I merely speak the truth, as though I were

A prophet (but no more), a channel, stirred

By Spirit power, of purely human frame.

Nor do I say that when I take his name

Upon my lips, my teaching cannot err

(Though that is true).  A mere interpreter

I’m not, some prophet-voice of special fame.

       In timeless reaches of eternity

       The Triune God decided that the Word,

       The self-expression of the Deity,

       Would put on flesh and blood — and thus be heard.

The claim to speak the truth good men applaud.

I claim much more: I am the truth of God.

我是上帝的真理：
我不是宣称，
我单单地讲出真理，
如同我是一个先知（但不再有），
一个纯人类框架下的管道，
被圣灵轻轻搅动。
我也不是说，
当我将他的名字放在我的嘴唇之上，
我的教导就不会有错误（即便那是真的）。
我不是一个纯粹的诠释者，
一些具有特别声望的先知的声音。
在无始无终的永恒中，
三位一体的上帝决定
他的道，自我表达的神性，
将要放在血肉之身上，从而被听到。
好人们为讲出真理的宣告而喝彩。
我的宣告较之更多：
我是上帝的真理。

I am the resurrection life.  It’s not

As though I merely bear life-giving drink,

A magic elixir which (men might think)

Is cheap because though lavish it’s not bought.

The price of life was fully paid: I fought

With death and black despair; for I’m the drink

Of life.  The resurrection morn’s the link

Between my death and endless life long sought.

       I am the firstborn from the dead; and by

       My triumph, I deal death to lusts and hates.

       My life I now extend to men, and ply

       Them with the draught that ever satiates.

Religion’s page with empty boasts is rife:

But I’m the resurrection and the life.

我是复活的生命。
这并非如同我仅有赐生命的水，
一种魔术般的长生不老药，
人们可能认为不值钱，
因为即使大方也不能用钱买到。
生命的代价已经被全部偿还：
我与死亡并漆黑的绝望争战；
因为我是生命之水。
那个复活的清晨是一条连线，
将我的死亡与人们长久所追求的永生链接起来。
我是第一个从死亡里复活的；
通过我的胜利，我将欲望和仇恨置于死地。
如今我将我的生命延伸至人类，
供给使他们永远满足的汲取。
宗教的书面上到处都写满了空洞的自夸：
但我是复活，我是生命。

D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, Pillar (Eerdmans, 1991), 492-93.

Growing Repentance

Luke 3:8 (NIV) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do 
not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For 
I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for 
Abraham.   

COMMENTARY APPLICATION
 
Do not trust in your religious ancestry, however good it may be; 
you must personally have a right relation with God. [Ryrie SB] 
 
Many of John's hearers were shocked when he said that being 
Abraham's descendants was not enough for God. The religious leaders relied 
more on their family lines than on their faith for their standing 
with God. For them, religion was inherited. But a personal 
relationship with God is not handed down from parents to children. Everyone 
has to commit to it on his or her own. Don't rely on someone else's 
faith for your salvation. Put your own faith in Jesus, and then 
exercise it every day. [Life Application SB] 
 
Repentance opens the way for relationship with God. Repentance 
has two sides--turning away from sins and turning toward God. To be 
truly repentant, we must do both. We can't just say that we believe 
and then live any way we choose; neither can we simply live a 
morally correct life without a personal relationship with God, because 
that cannot bring forgiveness from sin. Determine to rid your life of 
any sins God points out, and put your trust in him alone to guide 
you. [Life Application SB] 
 
Faith naturally leads to action. Confession of sins and a 
changed life are inseparable. Faith without deeds is dead (James 
2:14-26). . . . Repentance must be tied to action, or it isn't real. 
Following Jesus means more than saying the right words; it means acting on 
what he says. [Life Application SB] 
 
The repentance God calls for will result in a change of behavior 
that is ongoing in one's life. [Andrews SB] 
 
Many have taken the position that they cannot sin because they 
are sanctified, but this is a delusive snare of the evil one. There 
is constant danger of falling into sin, for Christ has warned us to 
watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. If we are conscious of 
the weakness of self, we shall not be self-confident and reckless of 
danger; but we shall feel the necessity of seeking to the Source of our 
strength, Jesus our righteousness. We shall come in repentance and 
contrition, with a despairing sense of our own finite weakness, and learn 
that we must daily apply to the merits of the blood of Christ, that 
we may become vessels fit for the Master's use. ST05-19-90 
 
He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow 
careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the 
contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he 
sees to regret in his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and 
condemns himself, and is more and more astonished  that he should have 
continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while 
he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ, and finds that 
repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is 
swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness 
of Christ as above silver and gold, above every earthly tie and 
affection. 

http://www.aBible.com/devotions/ 

3月19号周六下午聚会

耶稣说，我就是道路，真理，生命。若不借着我。没有人能到父那里去。(约14：6)

亲爱的弟兄姐妹：

主内平安！

这个周六我们在ESG聚会,继续学习约翰福音第14章1-14节。

时间：15：00
地点：Jakob-Kaiser-Str. 26  ESG

愿主耶稣基督的恩惠，神的慈爱，圣灵的感动，常与你们众人同在。

CCF Bielefeld

God Our Strength and Fortress When We Have No Other

Psalm 59:9 (NIV) O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are 
my fortress

CONTEXT
 
David faced several years of danger and exile before he received 
his rightful throne. Twice he could have killed Saul, but he refused 
to do so. He knew that God would deal with his enemies in His way 
and in His time (1 Sam. 28:8-11). [Chapter by Chapter Bible 
Commentary by Warren Wiersbe] 
 
When Saul had sent men to watch David's house in order to kill 
him. [TNIV] 
 
COMMENTARY APPLICATION 
 
With Friends Like These....
   Betrayal from a close friend or relative often results in a 
significant turning point in life. Devastated and angry, we wonder how we 
could have ever trusted that person in the first place. What is worse, 
though, is that this one experience may affect our future relationships. 
Will we ever trust anyone again?  
   Few people know what it is like to be betrayed better than 
David. In Psalm 59, David prays to God for protection from those who 
have turned against him. Yes, he has been betrayed. This is his 
prayer - it's also his solution. We can learn from his example.  
   The other psalms in this reading provide prayers for healing 
and examples for scarred and beaten pilgrims who are looking for a 
reason believe. They speak of enjoying God's faithful love and help in 
times of trouble (Psalm 57), and leaving ultimate justice in God's 
hands (Psalm 58).  
   Read Psalms 57-59
   David was hunted by those whose love had turned to jealousy, 
and this was driving them to try to murder him (Psalm 59: 1-4). 
Trusted friends, and even one of David's sons, had turned against him. 
Despite the fact that their love for David had eroded, God's love for 
him was constant. David knew that he could count on God to deliver 
him from his enemies.  
   When people betray and hurt you, remember that God still 
loves you and that he will never betray you. So rest in his enduring 
love, even if you feel that he is allowing bad things to happen to 
you. When the situation passes, you will be able to see that God was 
with you, sustaining you through the whole ordeal. [The One Year 
Through the Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman re vv. 1-9] 

http://www.aBible.com/devotions/ 

创伤药

有人说：“人若向主承认自己的罪，主的宝血也就立刻洗净了人的罪，那么人岂不将要有恃无恐的犯起罪来吗？”说此话的人，毛病是在不懂救恩。

比方说：我有一 次，住在一位朋友家中。一天早晨，我用剃刀刮脸，失手将脸割破一块。那位朋友家中备有许多医药用品，他一见我割破了脸，立刻去拿一瓶创伤药来，取出一些涂 在我的伤处；并将该药送我一瓶，告诉我说，无论什么时候，割破了脸，或是割伤了手，可在伤处随时涂上一些，免得什么毒物进入伤口，以致染毒。我的朋友又应 许我，什么时候用完这一瓶药，还要再送给我。

因为得了这样有用的药，可以避免受伤中毒之危，我便十分感谢我的朋友。以后我就回到自己屋里，打开这个瓶子一 看，其中的药真是不少，计算一下，总可用上一百多次，于是我便拿起剃刀向着脸的左边右边。横竖连割几刀，然后将药取了出来，照着伤口数目一一涂上。我喊叫 说：“现在好了，我有创伤药了，可以时常割破脸手，无所顾虑了。”

请问，如果我这样作了，看见的人岂不说我疯了？创伤药是有用处的好东西，我感谢领受朋友 的馈赠。我要保存这药，以备失手割破皮肉之时使用；但我绝对不肯因为有了创伤药，就去任意割破皮肉。割破皮肉自己要受伤害，要感痛苦，除非神经有病的人， 谁肯这样作呢？

一切免费

德华是个吝啬的小孩，每适作事，总要过份计较报酬，才肯去作。一天晚饭之后，他暗暗将一纸条放在母亲枕头底下，上面写着：母亲欠德华的债：帮母亲带信: 二 角五分，听从母亲的话: 一角，作功课: 一角五分，其它: 二角，合计: 七角。第二天清晨，德华在小餐桌上，收到一个小包，打开一看，眉飞色舞，可是另外附一 张纸条，上面这样写着：德华欠母亲的债：细心抚育－免费，患很重的猩红热日夜服事－免费，八年来每日三餐一宿－免费，合计－免费。德华看了，非常惭愧，就 把七角钱统统还在母亲手中，流泪说道：“妈妈，我欠你的，永远还不清。”

神爱我们，白白赐恩给我们，不需要我们出什么代价。

“神既不爱惜自己的儿子，为我们舍了，岂不也把万物和祂一同赐给我们么。”(罗 8:32)

“你们一切干渴的都当就近水来，没有银钱的也可以来，你们都来，买了吃，不用价值，也来买酒和奶。”(赛 55:1)

“谁是先给了祂，使祂后来偿还呢？”(罗 11:15)