敬爱的以便以谢家人
思想上帝奇妙的作为
新冠病毒、气候变化、从俄乌战争到中美紧张局势的冲突，我们生活在一个充满冲突，危机重重的世界。若不小心，一个人很容易被卷入这些 “危机状态”里。 当我们步入又一个崭新的一年时，让我们被提醒 “要站立思想 神奇妙的事。”（约伯记 37:14）。
虽然我们不知道2023 年会面对什么问题但我们知道耶稣在掌权, 如果我们选择依靠他,他必然知道我们所经历的肯定会与我们并肩作战。耶稣应许我们 “神是我们的避难所，是我们的力量，是我们在患难中随时都可得到的帮助。”（诗篇 46:1）这并不意味着我们不会遇到困难，事实上，使徒保罗说： “我们虽然四面受压，却没有压碎；心里作难，却不至绝望，受到迫害，却没有被丢弃；打倒了，却不至死亡。” （林后4:8-9）这为信徒的生活奠定了基础，即上帝与我们同在，纵然困难临头，我们仍然可以在上帝里找到盼望。
当我们“数算主恩”时，我们会惊讶祂在 2022 年在我们的教会和家庭所赐下的诸多祝福！ 我感谢教会有一批忠心又火热事奉的同工，他们的团队和牺牲精神，确保教会运作可以顺畅无阻；他们彼此间发挥的友爱和委身是献给主的馨香之气。一位新来教会的姐妹说 “以便以谢有温度”，我希望这种教会温暖的气氛文化永远是我们教会的标志。虽然难免会有 “文化”差异，但我们将以敬虔和基督化的方式和解。此外，有16位弟兄姐妹在年终感恩聚会中分享他们对上帝的良善和信实的见证（尽管有些人仍面临挑战），我真的深受鼓舞。
2023年会是怎样的一年？这里留下这些题为 “面对 2023年的 5F” 的经文彼此勉励：
无所畏惧：耶稣随即对他们说：“放心吧！ 是我，别怕。 （马太福音 14:27）愿上帝帮助我们勇敢的面对困难和挫折，因为我们知道上帝永远与我们同在。
彼此宽恕：要互相友爱，存温柔的心，彼此饶恕，就像 神在基督里饶恕了你们一样。 （以弗所书 4:32）不要怀恨在心，拥抱宽恕，因为上帝已经宽恕了我们！
忠心职守：对于管家的要求，就是要他忠心。（哥林多前书 4:2）让我们全心全意地爱上帝和我们的教会，即使当我们看到教会有不完美的地方时，也要忠于她。
财务金钱：你要把你的财物，和一切初熟的农作物，敬奉耶和华。（箴言 3:9）我们都可以操练以奉献金钱来尊荣和敬拜上帝，并从中体验神的祝福。
多结果子：你必吃你亲手劳碌得来的，你必享福，事事顺利。（诗篇128:2）只要我们存正直的心与神同行，我们就会享受在主里结果累累的祝福。
主仆，刘世丰牧师敬上
以便以谢播道会
Dear Ebenezer’s Family
Consider The Wondrous Works of God
Covid-19, climate change, conflicts from Russia–Ukraine war to the tensions between China and US, we live in a shock-prone world where the world is rivaling from crisis to crisis and how easy it is for one to be sucked into all these “crisis mode” if we are not careful. As we step into another brand-new year, let’s be reminded to “stop and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). While we do not know what 2023 has for us, we know Jesus is in control, and He knows what will occur in our lives and will be there for us if we choose to include Him in our lives. Jesus promises us that He will be “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) That doesn’t mean we will not face problems and in fact, the apostle Paul says: “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor 4:8-9) This sets the stage of a believer’s life that God is with us and while we may be affected when hardships befall us, we can still find hope in God.
As the hymn “Count Your Blessings” exhorts us to recount God’s goodness, we will be amazed at the many blessings He has bestowed on our Church and family in 2022! I am grateful to our people who have laboured faithfully and fervently, the team spirit and the sacrifices by many of you to ensure the Church runs smoothly and grows in strength; and the love and the dedication you have for each other is a sweet aroma unto the Lord. A recent newcomer commented that “there is temperature in Ebenezer” and I hope such a warmth will always be the hallmark of a Church that seeks to exhibit Christ’s love for people across generations worshipping and serving God unitedly. While there will be “cultural” differences, we shall seek to face and resolve differences in a Godly and Christlike manner. Furthermore, I am truly inspired and in awe of hearing 16 brothers and sisters testified of God’s goodness and faithfulness in their lives (even though some are still facing challenges) at the year-end Thanksgiving Service.
What will 2023 unfold? May I leave you with these bible verses entitled “5Fs in Facing 2023”:
Fearless: But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) May God help us to face our hardships and setbacks with boldness, for we know God will always be with us.
Forgiving: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) Do not harbour hatred and embrace forgiveness as God has forgiven us!
Faithful: Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (1 Cor 4:2) Let us love God wholeheartedly and our Church by being faithful to her even when we see imperfections in the Church.
Finance: Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; (Proverbs 3:9) We can all learn to honour and worship God with our giving and experience His blessings in return.
Fruitful: You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. (Psalm 128:2) As we walk uprightly with Him, we shall enjoy God’s bountiful blessing.
In Christ, Rev Sherman Low
Ebenezer Evangelical Free Church