Errong Leng

Persuaded by Grace to Share After listening to today’s morning sermon, I found myself lingering on a simple phrase we often say without thinking: “Sharing is caring.” I’ve heard it since childhood, and I’ve probably said it myself—sometimes to children, sometimes silently to my own heart. Yet today, that phrase was lovingly unsettled. The sermon reminded me that sharing is not automatically caring. Sometimes it can even overlook the feelings and needs of the one being asked to give. That insight opened a deeper question for me: When I share, am I responding to grace—or to pressure? Paul’s approach in 2 Corinthians 8–9 is striking. He does not command. He does not guilt. He does not manipulate. Instead, he persuades—by telling stories of grace. He points to the Macedonian churches, who gave joyfully in the midst of affliction and poverty. Their generosity did not come from abundance, but from hearts shaped by God’s grace. That challenges my assumption that generosity depends on having “...

Revelation’s Most Unusual Take on Christmas This afternoon’s sermon invited me to listen to the Christmas story from a place I rarely go: the book of Revelation. Instead of the familiar scenes of shepherds and angels, I heard of a woman clothed with the sun, a furious dragon, and a child caught up to God’s throne. The images were startling—but as I listened, they became deeply reassuring. Revelation 12 helped me hear the Christmas story from behind the curtain. It reminded me that the birth of Christ was never only a quiet moment in Bethlehem. It was a cosmic conflict. What we celebrate as Christmas is part of a much larger spiritual reality—one that still shapes our lives today. 1. Hearing of the Child’s Birth — God’s Purpose Cannot Be Stopped As the sermon unfolded, I listened to the description of the woman in Revelation 12 as the people of God—radiant with God’s glory, crowned with His promises, yet laboring in pain. From her comes the male child, Christ, the one destined to rule t...

我—耶和华是鉴察人心、试验人肺腑的，要照各人所行的和他作事的结果报应他。 (耶利米书 17:10 和合本) "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV) Photo by Max Bender / Unsplash

看你们学习的工夫，本该作师傅，谁知还得有人将　神圣言小学的开端另教导你们，并且成了那必须吃奶、不能吃干粮的人。 (希伯来书 5:12 和合本) In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! (Hebrews 5:12 NIV) 凡只能吃奶的都不熟练仁义的道理，因为他是婴孩； (希伯来书 5:13 和合本) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (Hebrews 5:13 NIV) 惟独长大成人的才能吃干粮；他们的心窍习练得通达，就能分辨好歹了。 (希伯来书 5:14 和合本) But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14 NIV) Photo by Milos Prelevic / Unsplash

然后对门徒说："我们再往犹太去吧。" (约翰福音 11:7 和合本) and then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." (John 11:7 NIV) 门徒说："拉比，犹太人近来要拿石头打你，你还往那里去吗？" (约翰福音 11:8 和合本) "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?" (John 11:8 NIV) 耶稣回答说："白日不是有十二小时吗？人在白日走路，就不至跌倒，因为看见这世上的光。 (约翰福音 11:9 和合本) Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light. (John 11:9 NIV) 若在黑夜走路，就必跌倒，因为他没有光。" (约翰福音 11:10 和合本) It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light." (John 11:10 NIV) Photo by Wes Hicks / Unsplash

不从恶人的计谋，不站罪人的道路，不坐亵慢人的座位， (诗篇 1:1 和合本) Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, (Psalms 1:1 NIV) 惟喜爱耶和华的律法，昼夜思想，这人便为有福！ (诗篇 1:2 和合本) but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalms 1:2 NIV) 他要像一棵树栽在溪水旁，按时候结果子，叶子也不枯干。凡他所做的尽都顺利。 (诗篇 1:3 和合本) That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (Psalms 1:3 NIV) 恶人并不是这样，乃像糠秕被风吹散。 (诗篇 1:4 和合本) Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. (Psalms 1:4 NIV) 因此，当审判的时候、恶人必站立不住；罪人在义人的会中也是如此。 (诗篇 1:5 和合本) Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. (Psalms 1:5 NIV) 因为耶和华知道义人的道路；恶人的道路却必灭亡。 (诗篇 1:6 和合本) For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalms 1:6 NIV) Photo ...

你们要赞美耶和华！耶和华的仆人哪，你们要赞美，赞美耶和华的名！ (诗篇 113:1 和合本) Praise the Lord . Praise the Lord , you his servants; praise the name of the Lord . (Psalms 113:1 NIV) 耶和华的名是应当称颂的，从今时直到永远！ (诗篇 113:2 和合本) Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. (Psalms 113:2 NIV) 从日出之地到日落之处，耶和华的名是应当赞美的！ (诗篇 113:3 和合本) From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. (Psalms 113:3 NIV) Photo by Melissa Askew / Unsplash

作执事的，也是如此：必须端庄，不一口两舌，不好喝酒，不贪不义之财； (提摩太前书 3:8 和合本) In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. (1 Timothy 3:8 NIV) 要存清洁的良心，固守真道的奥秘。 (提摩太前书 3:9 和合本) They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. (1 Timothy 3:9 NIV) 这等人也要先受试验，若没有可责之处，然后叫他们作执事。 (提摩太前书 3:10 和合本) They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. (1 Timothy 3:10 NIV) 女执事（原文是女人） 也是如此：必须端庄，不说谗言，有节制，凡事忠心。 (提摩太前书 3:11 和合本) In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. (1 Timothy 3:11 NIV) 执事只要作一个妇人的丈夫，好好管理儿女和自己的家。 (提摩太前书 3:12 和合本) A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. (1 Timothy 3:12 NIV) 因为善作执事的，自己就得到美好的地步，并且在基督耶稣里的真道上大有胆量。 (提摩太前书 3:13 和合本) Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their fai...

有人靠车，有人靠马，但我们要提到耶和华—我们　神的名。 (诗篇 20:7 和合本) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalms 20:7 NIV) 马是为打仗之日预备的；得胜乃在乎耶和华。 (箴言 21:31 和合本) The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord . (Proverbs 21:31 NIV) Photo by Monica Galentino / Unsplash

天起了凉风，耶和华　神在园中行走。那人和他妻子听见　神的声音，就藏在园里的树木中，躲避耶和华　神的面。 (创世记 3:8 和合本) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8 NIV) 耶和华　神呼唤那人，对他说："你在哪里？" (创世记 3:9 和合本) But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9 NIV) 他说："我在园中听见你的声音，我就害怕；因为我赤身露体，我便藏了。" (创世记 3:10 和合本) He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." (Genesis 3:10 NIV) 耶和华说："谁告诉你赤身露体呢？莫非你吃了我吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子吗？" (创世记 3:11 和合本) And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" (Genesis 3:11 NIV) 那人说："你所赐给我、与我同居的女人，她把那树上的果子给我，我就吃了。" (创世记 3:12 和合本) The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." (Genesis 3:12 NIV) 耶和华　神对女人说：...

他们中间的闲杂人大起贪欲的心；以色列人又哭号说："谁给我们肉吃呢？ (民数记 11:4 和合本) The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! (Numbers 11:4 NIV) 我们记得，在埃及的时候不花钱就吃鱼，也记得有黄瓜、西瓜、韭菜、葱、蒜。 (民数记 11:5 和合本) We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. (Numbers 11:5 NIV) 现在我们的心血枯竭了，除这吗哪以外，在我们眼前并没有别的东西。" (民数记 11:6 和合本) But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!" (Numbers 11:6 NIV) 这吗哪仿佛芫荽子，又好像珍珠。 (民数记 11:7 和合本) The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. (Numbers 11:7 NIV) 百姓周围行走，把吗哪收起来，或用磨推，或用臼捣，煮在锅中，又做成饼，滋味好像新油。 (民数记 11:8 和合本) The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. (Numbers 11:8 NIV) 夜间露水降在营中，吗哪也随着降下。 (民数记 11:9 和合本) When the dew settled on the camp at nig...

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep: May God guard me through the night And wake me with the morning light. Amen. 你们应当畏惧，不可犯罪；在床上的时候，要心里思想，并要肃静。 （细拉） (诗篇 4:4 和合本) Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. (Psalms 4:4 NIV) 我必安然躺下睡觉，因为独有你—耶和华使我安然居住。 (诗篇 4:8 和合本) In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord , make me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8 NIV) Photo by James Douglas / Unsplash

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；你们如此侍奉乃是理所当然的。 (罗马书 12:1 和合本) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV) 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。 (罗马书 12:2 和合本) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV) Photo by Eurico Craveiro / Unsplash

你们务要常存弟兄相爱的心。 (希伯来书 13:1 和合本) Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 13:1 NIV) 不可忘记用爱心接待客旅；因为曾有接待客旅的，不知不觉就接待了天使。 (希伯来书 13:2 和合本) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2 NIV) 你们要记念被捆绑的人，好像与他们同受捆绑；也要记念遭苦害的人，想到自己也在肉身之内。 (希伯来书 13:3 和合本) Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3 NIV) Photo by Diego PH / Unsplash

天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路；我的意念高过你们的意念。 (以赛亚书 55:9 和合本) "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9 NIV) 你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明， (箴言 3:5 和合本) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NIV) 在你一切所行的事上都要认定他，他必指引你的路。 (箴言 3:6 和合本) in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6 NIV) Photo by Federico Respini / Unsplash

"操练身体，益处还少；惟独敬虔，凡事都有益处，因有今生和来生的应许。" (提摩太前书 4:8 和合本) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV) Photo by Ines Álvarez Fdez / Unsplash

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, (Hebrews 10:26 NIV) 惟有战惧等候审判和那烧灭众敌人的烈火。 (希伯来书 10:27 和合本) but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:27 NIV) 人干犯摩西的律法，凭两三个见证人，尚且不得怜恤而死， (希伯来书 10:28 和合本) Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Hebrews 10:28 NIV) 何况人践踏　神的儿子，将那使他成圣之约的血当作平常，又亵慢施恩的圣灵，你们想，他要受的刑罚该怎样加重呢！ (希伯来书 10:29 和合本) How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29 NIV) 因为我们知道谁说："伸冤在我，我必报应"；又说："主要审判他的百姓。" (希伯来书 10:30 和合本) For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people....

人一生虚度的日子，就如影儿经过，谁知道什么与他有益呢？谁能告诉他身后在日光之下有什么事呢？ (传道书 6:12 和合本) For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? (Ecclesiastes 6:12 NIV) Photo by Jonatan Pie / Unsplash

耶稣过去的时候，看见一个人生来是瞎眼的。 (约翰福音 9:1 和合本) As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. (John 9:1 NIV) 门徒问耶稣说："拉比，这人生来是瞎眼的，是谁犯了罪？是这人呢？是他父母呢？" (约翰福音 9:2 和合本) His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2 NIV) 耶稣回答说："也不是这人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，是要在他身上显出　神的作为来。 (约翰福音 9:3 和合本) "Neither this man nor his parents sinned,"said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:3 NIV) 趁着白日，我们必须做那差我来者的工；黑夜将到，就没有人能做工了。 (约翰福音 9:4 和合本) As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4 NIV) 我在世上的时候，是世上的光。" (约翰福音 9:5 和合本) While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5 NIV) 耶稣说了这话，就吐唾沫在地上，用唾沫和泥抹在瞎子的眼睛上， (约翰福音 9:6 和合本) After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. (John 9:6 NIV) 对他说："你往西罗亚池子里去洗。"（西罗亚翻出来就...

节期的末日，就是最大之日，耶稣站着高声说："人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝。 (约翰福音 7:37 和合本) On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. (John 7:37 NIV) 信我的人就如经上所说：'从他腹中要流出活水的江河来。'" (约翰福音 7:38 和合本) Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:38 NIV) Photo by Michael Bomke / Unsplash