Friday, 29 October 2021
Title: Stand out for God
By: Amanda Foo

Many of us would have heard Romans 12:1-2 being quoted at one point (if not on numerous occasions) in our lives, whereby Paul issues a command to the Roman church: ‘I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’

These two verses essentially outline how we should be living our lives; as true servants and followers of God. Having experienced the grace of God, we are not to live for ourselves but instead, offer our lives up to Him, yielding to His will and purpose.

To not conform to this world can be difficult, especially when we care about what others think. Growing up, though loved by my parents, I struggled with low self-esteem. I had hit puberty at an early age, and due to my love for food, I was always on the fleshier side, making me very self-conscious. It probably didn’t help that I was tall for my age, because it only made me stand out more. In fact, when my Youth student told me that she wished that she was shorter, my heart broke a little because I could totally empathize with what she was going through.

Yet, God calls us to stand out in this world. Having been set free from sin, we are now slaves of God (Romans 6:22). We are able to take a bold stand for God because Jesus has already paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross for you and me. Praise God! Looking back, my lack of self-esteem was a God-shaped hole, stemming from my innate desire to be accepted. Through the Cross, we can be sure that we have been fully accepted and fully loved. People’s opinions are fickle, but God is not. He is everlasting, and nothing can separate us from the love of God.

I wish I can say that the life I now live, I live fully for God; alas, I remember that His mercies are new every morning. So, let us (you and I) make a decision today to live boldly for Him. Wherever God has placed you, I urge you to stand out by living radically for God, always giving glory to the One who deserves all the praise. We live in an increasing world of skepticism, which makes shining God’s light ever more important (Matthew 5:14).

Prayer
Father God, I thank You for the Cross; for through it, my soul is at peace knowing that I am fully known and fully loved. Forgive me for the times that I have strayed and conformed to the world out of fear, when in reality, it is Your opinion that truly matters. Help me God to live boldly for You. Guide me in Your truth and renew my mind, that I may live each day for Your glory.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

每日灵粮
星期五，2021年10月29日
标题：为上帝而活
作者：符偉敏
翻译：陈月妃

在我们的生活中，许多人或多或少都曾听过罗马书12:1-2在某些时刻被引用，保罗借此向罗马教会发出命令：“ 所以弟兄们、我以　神的慈悲劝你们、将身体献上、当作活祭、是圣洁的、是　神所喜悦的。你们如此事奉、乃是理所当然的。不要效法这个世界。只要心意更新而变化、叫你们察验何为　神的善良、纯全可喜悦的旨意。

这两节经文基本上概述了身为上帝真正的仆人和追随者的我们应该如何生活。在经历了神的恩典之后，我们不再是为自己而活，而是应将我们的生命献给祂，顺服祂的旨意和计划。

不效法这个世界或许很困难，尤其是当我们在意别人的看法时。在我成长的过程中，虽然受到父母的疼爱，但我一直很自卑。我很早就进入了青春期，由于我对食物的热爱，我总是偏向肉食，这让我很难为情。就我的年龄而言，我偏高的个子也无济于事，因为这只会让我更加突出。事实上，当我的年轻学生告诉我她希望自己更矮一点时，我的心都碎了，因为我完全能理解她所经历的一切。

然而，上帝呼召我们不与这个世界同流合污。脱离罪恶的捆绑之后，我们现在是上帝的奴仆（罗马书 6:22）。我们应该勇敢的为上帝站稳立场，因为耶稣已经为你我死在十字架上付出了最终的代价。赞美神！回想起来，我的自卑感源于我内心深处对于被接纳的渴望。透过十字架，我们可以确定我们已经被完全接纳和完全被爱。人的意见是变化无常的，但神不会。祂是永恒的，没有什么能使我们与上帝的爱隔绝。

我希望我可以说，我如今的生活，是完全为神而活；我记得祂的怜悯每早晨都是新的。所以，让我们（你和我）今天就做出决定，勇敢地为祂而活。无论上帝将你安置在何处，我都敦促你彻彻底底的为上帝而活，永远将荣耀归给配得所有赞美的那一位。我们生活在一个充满怀疑的世界里，这使得为主发光变得更加重要（马太福音 5:14）。

祷告
父神，我为那十字架感谢你；因为透过它，我的灵魂得以安息，因为我知道我是被完全认识并被完全爱着的。原谅我有时候因为恐惧而迷失方向，并效法这个世界。而实际上，真正重要的是你的看法。愿上帝帮助我勇敢地为你而活。用你的真理引导我，更新我的心意，使我每天活着都是为了荣耀你。奉耶稣宝贵的名，阿门。