Chong's Bethany House

Jude 1-2 (ESV)  To those who are called , beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:   May mercy , peace , and love be multiplied to you. 1. We're called by His mercy , not on our own merits 2. We're loved as beloved in God the Father  3. We're kept for Jesus Christ by His peace   Praise the Lord! 

2 John 10-11 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him, for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. Beware of these deceivers and antichrists 1. Receive not into the assembly 2. Greet not in agreement with them 3. Shares not in their evil deeds Rather, receive such: - those who went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing of the Gentiles  - love thr brethren and strangers 3 John 5-8

Christ is precious 1. To God, because He was chosen to be the Chief Cornerstone, though He was rejected by men (1Pet 2:4) 2. To the believers, because He shed His precious blood (1Pet 1:19, 2:7) The Christians are precious too, because of 1. Their genuine faith (1Pet 1:7) 2. Their faithfulness in living a holy life (1Pet 3:4, 2Pet 1:4)

What does it mean when Jesus says "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." Jn 14:14? Two criteria: 1. Ask according to His will (1Jn 5:14) 2. Do not ask amiss (for selfish reason) Jas 4:3

Passed from death to life! People of the world value 出生入死, but those who are of Christ value the fact that we have already 出死入生 in Him ! Christ as our Example  - He laid down His life (John 3:16)  - so that we who believe in Him can 出死入生 (Jn 5:24) Christians as imitators - love our brothers as an evidence to our 出死入生 (1Jn 3:14) and  - so that we can be willing to die for them (1Jn 3:16)

We can be like Jesus now, on earth!  2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (变成主的形状)  from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit if the Lord. We will be like Him in Heaven! 1 John 3:2 but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him , for we shall see Him as He is. To Be Like Jesus, To Be Like Jesus All I Ask To Be Like Him; All Through Life’s Journey From Earth To Glory All I Ask To Be Like Him; To Be Like Jesus, To Be Like Jesus All I Ask To Be Like Him; Not In A Measure But In Its Fullness All I Ask To Be Like Him. Praise the Lord! Let us walk worthy of this high calling in Him! 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. Substance - not based on empty, blind nor out of our imagination. It's God who spoke, promised and gave. The object of our faith is substantial.  Evidence - tried, tested, and proven by many who have lived. The results are repeatable, if only we're willing to try. Isn't this part and parcel of our scientific work? 1. Hypothesis using past evidence 2. Experimentation by exercising faith 3. Observation through our experience of God

Spiritual children bears spiritual characters We are called sons of Abraham when we exercise faith like him (Gal 3:7) We are also called daughters of Sarah when we practice submission like her (1 Peter 3:6) Let us follow exemplary characters and imitate them who walk in the footsteps of Christ! 

Bearing witness in Heaven The Trinity of the Persons - the Father - the Word, the Son - the Holy Spirit Bearing witness on earth The trinity of Jesus' works - His incarnation through the unique birth by the Holy Spirit - His baptism by water recived commendation of a pecfect life - His crucifixion on the cross for the forgiveness of sins through the shedding of His blood

What is the rebirth all about? Ye must be born again! Jn 3:7 Born of God in 1 John 1. The criteria - believes that Jesus is the Christ (5:1) 2. The characteristics - does not sin (3:9, 5:18) - loves (4:7) 3. The confidence from God - overcomes the world (5:4) - keeps himself from the flesh (5:18) - the wicked one does not touch him (5:18)

5 times mentioned in the NT, all by the apostle John. Each mention describes the unique attribute and role of God's precious and beloved Only Begotten Son , our Lord Jesus Christ.  John 1:14 It speaks of His humanity , the Word became flesh, displaying His moral glory, full of grace and truth John 1:18 It speaks of His deity , the invisible God, yet He appeared to declare to men who God the Father is John 3:16 It speaks of His redemption , given as a sin offering to the world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but lives John 3:18 It speaks of His judgment , who will come as the Judge of this world, that whoever does not believe in Him will be condemned 1 John 4:9 This is a summary of the whole purpose of sending His Son, that we may understand and experience His love for us , for God is love, and hence we ought to love one another Therefore, God sent His Son as a  1. Manifestation of His love 1Jn 4:9 2. Propitiation for our sins 1Jn 4:10 3. Demonstration how we o...

The story of Another Father's Day... How deep the Father's love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss The Lord God turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel , and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1Pet 3:7 Different in composition (just like a metal vessel and a glass vessel are different)  - phisically - emotionally - spiritually, cos her desire is towards her husband Similar in position - heirs to the inheritance  - grace unto salvation

Corncening the world and the flesh 1. Flee fornication (1Cor 6:18) 2. Flee idolatry , which covetousness is a form Col 3:5 (1Cor 10:14) 3. Flee the love of money (1Tim 6:11) 4. Flee youthful lust (2Tim 2:22) Concerning the devil 5. Resist the devil and he will flee from you! (Jas 4:7, 1Pet 5:9)

The Lord Jesus Christ is called the 1. Saviour of the Body (Eph 5:23) - towards the church, the believers 2. Saviour of all men (1Tim 4:10) - towards all men, especially those who believe find Him precious  3. Saviour of the world (1Jn 4:14) - towards the universe, whoever is willing can be saved

1. Personal desire - There needs to be a personal desire (1Tim 3:1) 2. Men's recognition - Others can recognise his work and calling (Tit 1:5) 3. The Holy Spirits's appointment  - The Holy Spirit is the One who appoints (Act 20:28)

1. As a chastisement , with repentence in view 1 Cor 5:5 For the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2. As a deterrence , with compliance in view 1Tim 1:20 ... whom I delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 

Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but work with labour and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have an authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 2 The 3:8-9 Purpose of tent making 1. Not to be a financial burden for the believers 2. Set to be an example to all ministers to follow

Gal 3:26-28 anyone can be part of the adoption - one in Christ! Col 3:10-11 anyone can be part of the new creation - Christ is all and in all! There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28-29 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Col 3:11

Phi 2:6 form of God (morphe) - His nature and essence Col 1:15 image of the invisible God (ikon) - His representation and expression Heb 1:3 express image of His Person (charaktar) - character and ethics 

1. The true meaning of circumcision (Col 2:11, Rom 6:3-4) - putting off (separating) the body of sins of the flesh 2. True meaning of baptism (Col 2:12) - death, burial and resurrection with Christ, completely  putting off the old man and putting on the new man

Christ as the Example Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet Smelling Aroma. Eph 5:2 Christians as the imitators Therefore be imitators of God. Eph 5:1 ...having received from Epaphrotitus the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Phi 4:18 Praise the Lord! 

Paul addressing himself as 1. an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God (9 times) - his calling   2. a bondservant (3 times) - his surrendering 3. a prisoner (3 times) Pilm 1:1, 9 - his suffering   There is an increase of humility and greater affinity to the Lord. Phillipians 3:10 illustrates all these titles - That I may know Him (as a bondslave for his master)  - And the power of His resurrection (as an apostle in his witnessing)  - And the fellowship of His suffering (as a prisoner in his chains) 

In the letter to the Ephesians, the church is described as 1. a building (Eph 2:21) - emphasis is on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the Chief Corner Stone, and believers are added on 2. a body  (Eph 4:16) - emphasis is on the effective working together that brings about growth of everyone into the stature of Christ 3. a bride  (Eph 5:25) - emphasis is on His love, sacrifice, sanctification, cleansing and presentation of her as a glorious, spotless precious object before God How precious is the church to our Lord Jesus Christ! As much as the above are collective truth , we as an individual , need to be responsible and accountable for our actions in relation to the growth of the church, before the Judgment Seat of Christ .  1. Take heed how we build in this building (1Cor 3:9) 2. Take heed how we treat our brethren (Rom 14:10) in the Body of Christ 3. Take heed what we do in our body (2Cor 6:10) when we think of the Bride as the ob...

Ephesians 2:4-10 God's mercy is rich, His love is great!  Even when we were dead in our trespasses, He...  1. made us alive together with Christ 2. raised us up together 3. made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast...

The Natural Man in Eph 2:1-3  When we were dead in trespasses and sins, we walked...  1. according to the course of this world 2. according to the Prince of the power of the air 3. fulfilling the lust and desires of the flesh The Spiritual Man in Christ This is what he does... 1. love not the world (1Jn 2:15) 2. submit to God , resist the Devil and he will flee from you (Jas 4:7) 3. walk in the Spirit and do not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal 5:16) What a contrast! Dear believers, let us be aware not to backslide into our previous condition. But let's work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for we were bought with a price. May we love Him, walk with Him and live unto Him for His good pleasure and eternal glory. Amen! 

Many a time we ask God, "What You want me to do for You?" But I realise that we've kind of missed the point. Do we covet the position more than the Person? Or the work more than our walk? Or to sacrifice more than simply obeying. To be put into any service, it's His perogative and His will, not ours. Therefore whatever work, service or position He puts us in, it should not affect our faithfulness and devotion for Him.  If we understand God's heart, we should be happy and to pursue the following to the fullest! 1. In the NT, we're first called to be saints , not servants. Sanctification 2. In the OT, the Nazirite vow (a voluntary one) is all about separation unto holiness and nothing to do with service. Separation 3. The presentation of our body as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2) that Paul talks about concerns our holy living as an offering to worship God. We are the sacrifice itself, not the act of sacrifice, hence there's no service involved too!  Holy ...

What are they? 1. Relationship with the Father through adoption vs 5 2. Redemption through the blood of the Son vs 7 3. Reservation of the inheritance through dealing of the Holy Spirit vs 13 Praise the Lord for the abundance of His grace through His predestination and choosing of His own! Division of this section in the Eph 1:3-14 To the praise of the glory of His grace - vs 3-6 adoption - vs 7-12 redemption - vs 13-14 inheritance 

The two months of Circuit Breaker not only gave us much time for family bonding, we also realized we had many undesirable qualities whenever we offended one another. Yet, as a family, we still loved and accepted one another’s faults and weaknesses; we still loved one another even when we were unlovely. This led us to think of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. But... we weren’t even His friends when He was on the cross. Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. He has certainly paid a precious price for us. Thank you Abel for suggesting that we sing “No Greater Love” by Don Moen. The words really spoke to our hearts. ❤️

1. Paul is a debtor to the Gentiles in preaching the gospel to them Rom 1:14 2. Believers are debtors to God and not to the flesh Rom 8:12 3. Gentiles are debtors to the Jews for whom the gospel forts came Rom 14:27

Definition of sin 1. Disobeying the law (lawlessness) 1Jn 3:4 2. Unrighteousness 1Jn 5:17 3. Missing the mark and failing to do what we're supposed to do Rom 3:23 Failure to do what we are supposed to do is also a sin! 1. Exercise faith Rom 14:23 2. Do good Jam 4:17 3. Praying for others 1Sam 12:23

Giving account for... 1. How we have treated our brethren (Rom 14:10) 2. How we have contributed to God's building , the church (1Cor 3:13) 3. What we have done in our body (2Cor 5:10) Let us be press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phi 3:14

God's creation is a witness Rom 1:20  神给我们理性来明白世界有个创造者 Our conscience is a witness Rom 2:15 神给我们悟性来认识对于错、善与恶 The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God Rom 8:16 神给我们灵性来认识祂，与圣灵同正

Rom 3:25-26 God is righteous to judge because we have all fallen short of His glory and sinned God is also righteous to pass over our sins because of His redemption through Christ and the propitiation by His blood

- Justified by His blood Rom 5:9 - Coming of His Person 1The 1:10 - Hath not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 The 5:9

Rom 6:9-10 1. Christ raised from the dead and died no more, unlike the others like Lazarus 2. He died to sin once and for all 3. He lives to God forevermore  Indeed, His life of resurrection is an example for us to emulate! To die to sin and to live for God. Amen! 

1. God the Father raised Him (Rom 6:4, Gal 1:1) 2. The Son has the power to lay it down and power to take it again (John 10:18, John 2:19) 3. The Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead (Rom 8:11, 1Pet 3:18)

Rom 9 - God's sovereignty in choosing Israel for His purpose Rom 10 - God's mercy in extending salvation to all nations through Israel Rom 11 - God's mercy in preserving the remnant and saving Israel despite their failure

Luke 21:24, Rom 11:25 1. Gracious waiting for as many Gentiles to believe before condemnation (that whoever believers in Him should not perish)  2. Merciful waiting for the Israelites to repent before the great wrath (for all believing Israel will be delivered) 

1. The armour of light (Rom 13:12) is to combat the flesh 2. The armour of righteousness (2Cor 6:7) is to combat the world 3. The armour of God (Eph 6:13) is to combat the Devil

1. Authorities in the country (Rom 13:1-2) 2. Elders in the assembly  (Heb 13:17) 3. Husband in the family (Eph 5:23) But when these leadership go against God, then we ought to obey God rather than men . Acts 5:29

1. Privileged to be chosen by God to receive His oracles 2. But not all Israel (naturally descendent) are of Israel (only those believing and are spiritually born) Rom 9:6 3. Paul's prayer is that many of the Israelites will be saved. Rom 10:1 4. At the end of the day, the believing Israelites will be delivered from wrath unto the millennium kingdom. Rom 11:26

We should obey God rather than man - when the authorities disobeyed God - when the authorities have no integrity: they asked for the blood of the Lord Jesus to be on them and their children but yet they denied it now - when the authorities actually murdered their Messiah

The power from the Holy Spirit - healing - believing - scared to join them (selfish, may get into trouble) 

What we feel when we read this passage? 1. Fear of God's wrath 2. God takes sin very seriously 3. Scared because the punishment is great 4. God knows all our thoughts 

Acts 4:32-37 Evidence of the “great power” of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: 1) they were of one heart and one soul 2) they had all things in common 3) the apostles gave witness  4) Barnabas gave encouragement  5) the people gave their possessions 

野地的花 Flowers of the Field (Mat 6:25-34) 野地的花 (马太福音 6:25-34) 野地的花，穿着美丽的衣裳， 天空的鸟儿，从来不为生活忙。 慈爱的天父，天天都看顾， 祂更爱世人，为他们预备永生的路。 一切需要，天父已经都知道， 若心中烦恼，让祂为你除掉。 慈爱的天父，天天都看顾， 祂是全能的主，信靠祂的人真是有福。

Fews nights of heavy thunderstorms last week sent our little girl into our room to co-sleep with us for a couple of nights. This was not unusual with our boys too when they were at her age. Today we share with you a psalm we taught our kids. We pray they will always remember the Lord is their Shepherd. He knows their every need, cares for every pain they feel, and promises to deliver from every trial. Yes, this time we progressed a bit and tried singing in Cantonese. 在这段非常时期，希望这首歌《耶和华是爱》能带给大家平安与鼓励！因为我们的主深知我们的所需，关心我们的痛楚，并且会带领我们度过一切难关！ May this song bring peace and comfort during this time of uncertainty, for our Lord knows our needs, feels our pain and leads us out of every trial. 1:12  /  5:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

A paper cutting activity and John 3:16 剪纸活动