Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Title: Friends are important
By Wong King Wai

Mark 2: 3 & 4 – 3 And they came, bringing to him (Jesus) a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

In Mark 2: 1-12, we read of Jesus healing a paralytic man, who was brought to him by four men. Because of a great crowd listening to Jesus preach the word, they decided the best way to get their friend to Jesus was to make a hole in the roof of the house, which at that time was easy to do, and lower the man down to Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus eventually healed the man.

When I read this passage, I marvel at the men that helped their friend to see Jesus. And they did it together as a team. The coordination to carry the bed is one thing, but to carry it up to the roof and then lower it down together with such control so that it didn’t fall on top of people’s heads is amazing. This bunch will certainly be friends for life.

I have a group of close university friends. I’ve been to all their weddings, met their children and other halves and have been informed of the milestones in their lives. We don’t see each other much because they are in Singapore and one is in the Netherlands, and I’m here in Malaysia. But we keep in touch via Whatsapp nearly everyday. And when we do meet face to face, the conversation just flows and we tease each other, laugh and listen to each other, and take a lot of photos. I believe they will be my friends for life.

Due to the pandemic I have come to realise the importance of fellowship and connection. Not that I didn’t know it before but I never truly understood the value and the significance of human connection until I didn’t have it. Also, it highlighted how loneliness and separation from others can lead to depression and anxiety. Having someone to talk to, connect with or just laugh with is important for a person’s wellbeing.

While university friends are just one group of people I stay in touch with, my Care Group is also a group I spend much time with at least weekly, as we meet every Friday. Before the MCO, we met physically in church and often met up for meals or gatherings to build stronger bonds. During the MCO we continued to meet on Zoom. Besides bible study, we also prayed for each other. While it can be tiring after a long day at work to join the meetings, I have found it spiritually helpful as I am reminded of how great our God is.

How about you? Have you a group of people you can turn to to support and help you during challenging times? I would encourage anyone, especially if you’re a Christian to join a fellowship group that meets regularly so you can have support and pray together. It also helps to keep one accountable and the testimonies of God’s goodness keep us encouraged to stay the course as the world is prone to distract us and lead us astray.

If you are not a member of a Care Group, but would like to be in one, do get in touch with the church office who can help direct you to contact the relevant parties. I hope you will find secure friendships with people in church who can help you, pray with you and encourage you in our walk with God until He comes again.

PRAYER: My Father in heaven, thank You for giving me brothers and sisters in Christ who can help me in my walk with You. Guide me to where I should be so I can develop friendships and community. Thank You for all things. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN.

每日灵粮
星期三, 2021年3月24日
标题：朋友是重要的
作者：黄经为弟兄
翻译：陈健萍姐妹

【马可福音2:3-4】
3有人带着一个瘫子来见耶稣，是用四个人抬来的。
4 因为人多，不得近前，就把耶稣所在的房子，拆了房顶，既拆通了，就把瘫子连所躺卧的褥子都缒下来。

马可福音2:1-12，我们看到耶稣治愈了一个瘫子，这瘫子是由四个人带到耶稣面前的。因为有一大群人在听耶稣讲道，他们决定最好的办法就是在房顶上凿一个洞，这在当时是很容易做到的，然后把那个人缒下，放在耶稣面前。耶稣见他们的信心，最终治愈了这个人。

当我阅读这段经文时，我惊叹于那些帮助他们的朋友见到耶稣的人。他们作为一个团队一起完成了这件事。搬运所躺卧的褥子的协调是一回事，但把它抬到房顶，然后须控制得当地将它缒下去，以致它不会掉到人的头上，这是令人惊异的。这一班人肯定会是终生的朋友。

我有一群亲密的大学朋友。我去过了他们每一位的婚礼，见过他们的孩子与配偶，也知悉他们生命中的转捩点。我们不常见面，因为他们在新加坡，一个在荷兰，我则在马来西亚；但我们几乎每天都通过WhatsApp保持联系。当我们见面时，我们的交谈很顺畅，我们互相打趣、戏笑、聆听对方说话，也会拍下很多照片。我相信他们会是我终生的朋友。

由于这场大流行，我开始意识到友谊和联系的重要性；并不是我以前不知道，但直到我失去了它，我才真正了解人际联系的价值和意义。此外，它强调了孤独和与他人隔离会导致抑郁和焦虑。有人与之交谈、联系或只是一起欢笑，对一个人的福祉是很重要的。

大学朋友只是我保持联系的一群人，我的关爱小组也是一个我至少每周都会花大量时间的一组人，因为我们每个周五都会见面。在行动管制令(MCO)实施之前，我们在教堂见面，也经常一起用餐或聚会，以建立更牢固的联系。在行管期间，我们继续透过Zoom云端视讯会面。除了研读圣经，我们也互相代祷。虽然在漫长的一天工作后参加聚会可能会很累，但我发现这在属灵上是有帮助的，因为这让我常记念我们的上帝是多么伟大。

您呢？您有一组人可以在您面临挑战的时候支持您和帮助您吗？我会鼓励您们每一位，尤其如果您是基督徒，加入一个定期聚会的团契小组，这样您就可以得到支持，并且一起祈祷。这也有助于让一个人负起责任，而且上帝的恩惠的见证鼓励我们坚持到底，因为这个世界很容易让我们分心，把我们引入歧途。

如果您不是关爱小组的成员，但想加入关爱小组，请联系教会办公室，他们可以帮助您联络相关的团体。我希望您能与教会中可以帮助您的人建立稳固的友谊，与您一起祈祷，并鼓励您与上帝同行，直到祂再来。

祷告：我在天上的父，感谢祢赐给我在基督里的弟兄姊妹，他们能帮助我与祢同行。求引领我去我应该去的地方，以致我能发展友谊和社区。感谢祢所作的一切。我奉耶稣的名祈祷，阿们。