Wednesday, 25 Aug 2021
Title: A matter of Grace
By Wong King Wai

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

The world seems to be going crazy. Covid cases are high, the political situation is uncertain, health and job security are on everyone’s mind. And the stress levels are high especially for those who do not have any food or help. It is certainly by the grace of God that PBC has the Covid Aid Initiative to help those who are in need.

In moments like that, I try to remind myself to be patient and to wait for the end of what seems like a never ending situation. As a result, many, including myself, are experiencing some mental health issues as we try to weather the pandemic storm but the lack of human interaction is slowly taking a toll. However, staying at home is the best thing to do for now.

The verse in Ephesians, Paul is reminding us of how we are redeemed from sin by the blood of Jesus by God’s grace.

Grace – unmerited favour – is essential in any Christian’s life. It is the fuel that keeps us going even when times are tough. And if you know about Paul’s life, he had it tough! He had to weather storms, shipwrecks, imprisonment and mobs, to name a few. Yet, he always remembers what Jesus did on the cross and how those who confess their sins and accept Jesus into their lives are saved and called children of God. All because Jesus shed His precious blood for us.

While we cannot change how the world is or what is going on in our own backyard, we can turn our eyes away from the chaos and the craziness of life to the cross where Jesus died in our place. Let us put our hope in Him so that we may draw upon His strength, wisdom and guidance during these challenging times.

PRAYER: My Father in Heaven. As the world around me seems to be going out of control, let me find peace and calm within Your love and promises that all things work out for the good for those who love You and are called by You. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

班底浸信教会
每日灵粮
星期三, 2021年8月25日
标题：关乎恩典
作者：黄经为弟兄
翻译：陈健萍姐妹

【以弗所书1:7】 我们藉这爱子的血，得蒙救赎，过犯得以赦免，乃是照他丰富的恩典。

这个世界似乎快疯了。新冠肺炎病例高企，政治局势不确定，健康和工作保障困扰着每个人。压力水平很高，特别是对于那些欠缺食物或帮助的人。是上帝的恩典，让班底浸信教会能以 “冠状肺炎援助行动” 来帮助那些有需要的人。

在如此时刻，我试着提醒自己要有耐心，等待似乎永无止境的局面的结束。因此，许多人，包括我自己，在我们努力度过这场大流行风暴时，都经历一些心理健康问题；缺乏人际互动正在慢慢造成负面影响。然而，呆在家里是目前最好的办法。

在以弗所书的这一节，保罗提醒我们，我们是如何照着上帝的恩典，藉着耶稣的血，从罪中得救赎。

恩典 – 不应得的恩惠 – 在任何基督徒的生活中都是必不可少的。它是即使在艰难时期也能让我们继续前进的燃料。如果您知道保罗的生命，他过得很艰难！他不得不经受风暴、海难、监禁和暴民的袭击，仅举几例。然而，他总是记得耶稣在十字架上所作的，以及那些承认自己的罪并接受耶稣进入他们生命的人是如何得救的，并被称为上帝的儿女。这一切都是因为耶稣为我们流出祂宝贵的血。

虽然我们不能改变世界的现状，也不能改变在我们范围内正在发生的事情，但我们可以把目光从混乱和疯狂的生活中转移到耶稣代替我们死去的十字架上。让我们把希望寄托在祂身上，这样我们就能在这个充满挑战的时刻汲取祂的力量、智慧和指引。

祈祷 ：我在天上的父，当我周围的一切似乎要失去控制的时候，让我在祢的爱和应许中找到平安和宁静；为了爱祢的人，就是按祢旨意蒙召的人的益处，万事都一同效力。我奉耶稣的名祈祷，阿们。