中文 Vanity or Significant

Recently, I was at a small town in Malaysia called ‘Yong Peng’. I was en-route to Kuala Lumpur, but the coach I was in decided to pull over so that we could have lunch at this popular hawker centre. While I was ordering my lunch, a Singaporean woman near me collapsed and was unconscious. The people around her tried various methods to revive her but to no avail. A westerner who was there even tried using cardiopulmonary resuscitation but she was still unconscious. She was slowly turning black. The local police came and proclaimed her dead. I wish I’d had the faith to raise her from the dead and declare the testimony in this newsletter. What a wonderful testimony that would  make, but I had to admit, I did not have that faith. I could only watch helplessly as the police cordoned off the area of incident. I continued with my journey towards Kuala Lumpur. It was a long ride. A most thought-provoking, long ride.

James wrote, “What is life? Life is but a vapor. It is here today and gone tomorrow…” The preacher said in his book, Ecclesiastes, that “all is vanity.” Is everything truly vain? Are our lives in vain or could there be something more than this? Can our lives be worth the living? Is it possible that we can move from mundane and mediocre to being significant? My mind races back to different times during the history of the church where a single person or a group of individuals decided to put their lives in the hands of a living God and the Lord did, indeed, raise them up in their generation to be significant. The advance of Christianity is essentially the story of how God has used young men and women to make a difference in this dying world. As I thought through these things, the torch seems to be passing to us. Are we ready to run with the gospel?

In 1729, the Moravians would begin a prayer meeting for world missions that went non-stop for a hundred years!

In 1783, God raised William Carey, to challenge Christians of his generation to see a bigger world. It was this this young pastor that preached the thought provoking message, “attempt great things for God and expect great things from God!” Later this young pastor would become a missionary to the Indian subcontinent and become known as the father of modern missions.

Can this generation be significant? Yes they can in the hands of an almighty God. We can expect great things from God and we can attempt great things for God!

In 1806, The Haystack Prayer Meeting at Williams College was the spark that lit the mission movement in the U.S. This prayer meeting would eventually send out thousands of missionaries from the U.S. to the unreached. The American Bible Society was a result of this prayer meeting.

In 1840, Dr David Livingstone heard missionary to Africa, Robert Moffat, say that at dusk he could look inland and “see the smoke of a thousand villages” without the gospel. And in 1841, Livingstone changed his life’s focus and went to Africa.

In 1850, teenager Hudson Taylor committed his life to serve Christ in China and four years later, Taylor left England and would later found the China Inland Mission. The influence of Taylor’s life continues to be felt throughout China today.

In 1882, D.L. Moody preached in Cambridge and a revival for missions swept through the place. Among those who committed their lives to Christ at Moody’s meetings was a young athlete named C.T. Studd. He gave up his huge inherited fortune to finance his missions work and later began the World Evangelization Crusade.

In 1933, Dawson Trotman founded the Navigators.

In 1944, Billy Graham and Torrey Johnson, a young evangelist and a young pastor, formed Youth for Christ.

In 1951, a young seminary student, Bill Bright, started Campus Crusade for Christ.

The list just goes on and on of ordinary people in the hands of an extraordinary God. We are living in perilous times. The world is crying out for a savior. We have been passed the torch. Can our lives be significant? Yes, we can, but only in the hands of an almighty God. My friends, today, we are living in unprecedented times. The Lord is opening tremendous doors. We need to pray like never before. We cannot do it alone and the Lord is asking you to be that person that He can use. It is truly our honor that we can stand with all of you to reach this generation for Christ. Keep being significant.

Hubert

未開發國家

前陣子我在馬來西亞往檳城的途中，巴士在一個叫Yong Peng的小城稍停留，讓大家下來在當地有名的小吃區用午餐。就在我點餐之時，身旁有位新加坡籍婦女突然昏倒，隨後失去知覺。她身邊許多試了各種方法急救，想使她恢復知覺，但是都白費力氣。甚至還有西方人士以心肺復甦術急救，亦未見效。該婦女臉色逐漸發黑，等到警方到來時，逕行宣佈死亡。我希望自己當時有足夠信心，跳出來行死裡復生的奇蹟。這樣，我現在可以分享的就是榮神的神蹟見證。但老實說，我當時信心實在不夠。只能在旁默不出聲，呆看警方圍上這起意外事件的 封鎖線。後來我繼續搭巴士前往檳城。途中的我感慨萬千，更加深旅途漫長難熬。

雅各書四章14節說：「你們的生命是甚麼呢？你們原來是一片雲霧，出現少時就不見了。」傳道書裡的先知也說：「一切都是虛空。」真的是這樣嗎？ 我們的年歲真的是虛空的虛空？還是有更上層的意義呢？生命值得努力活出意義嗎？有可能將平凡的世俗提昇得有意義嗎？一連串的問題，不禁將我的思緒拉回教會歷史裡各個世代。想起不同時期中，不論是單獨一人或一羣人決心將自己交在大能的神手中。賜生命的主也的確讓他們活出不同於該世代的意義與氣度。基督教世界得以擴展，就是靠這些年輕男女願為主所用，為必死的世界注入活水泉源。想到別人，看看自己。現在，宣揚的使命火炬已交在我們的手裡，我們準備好為福音開跑了嗎？

1729年，Moravians教派舉辦了場禱告會，開啓後來綿延一百餘年的世界宣道風潮。

1783年，神感動William Carey，鼓勵當時的基督徒定睛在更寬廣的世界。這位年輕牧師傳講發人深省的信息“為主做不凡的工，主便會賜下不凡的果效”。他後來前往印度地區宣教，成為現代宣教運動之父。

當今世代的我們，也能效法十八世紀的基督徒嗎？當然可以，在神沒有不能成就的事。我們立志為主做大工，祂便會成就不凡的大事。

1806年在美國Williams College舉行的Haystack禱告會，點燃了美國宣教運動的火花。之後數以千計的宣教士前往世界各福音未竟之地。美國聖經學會就是該次禱告會後成立的。

1840年，李文斯敦聽到宣教士Robert Moffat分享的非洲事工。Moffat 提及在傍晚時分放眼望去，上千個村落炊烟繚繞的景色，提醒他福音未到之地之廣大。次年，李文斯敦便決定以非洲宣教為一生之職志。

1850年，當時還未成年的戴德生已決志到中國為主作工。四年後他如願離開英國前往中國。隨即創辦內地會。戴德生一生對中國奉獻的影響力，仍延續至今日。

1882年，慕迪向劍橋學生傳講宣道概念，後來宣教運動便在當地復興。當時受感動的一羣年輕人中有位C.T. Studd，他自願放棄大筆遺產財富，轉而用在他參與的宣教事工。就是後來的“世界宣教運動”。

1933年， 道生卓門創立福音機構“基督教導航會”。

1944年，年輕佈道家葛理翰與牧師強生，共同創立“青年歸主”。

1951年， 當時還是神學生的白利得，創辦了“學園傳道會”。

舉凡類似的例子，不勝枚舉，平凡的人將自己交在超凡的神手中。在此危急的世代，這世界在迫切呼求一位救主。傳承的火炬已經交棒到我們手上，我們可以活出有意義、有影響力的生命嗎？可以的，只要把自己交在全能神的手中。我的朋友們，今天我們活在一個前所未有的時代，主正為我們開出許多我們意想不到的門，我們更要熱切極力的禱告。我們沒有人能夠獨力承當，主正呼召你成為他所能使用的那個人。我們何等榮幸與你們並肩同工，向這世代傳講耶穌。讓我們不間斷，努力活出有意義的人生。

Hubert

中文 Undeveloped Countries, 07-10

Undeveloped Countries

“But as it is written: to whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” Romans 15:21

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

It has been eight weeks since we started an ‘all Lao’ English Church. Yes, they are all Lao nationality and the service is in English, without interpretation. As I stand before the small congregation, I could just see the faces of my friends smiling to themselves in jest. Among my peers, friends and people that I have trained, I am known to be the least suitable candidate to be a pastor. I tend to agree with them. One of my friends even jokingly said, “Being a pastor is Hubert’s greatest fear.” Actually, it’s my second. My first is ‘to be knocked over by a slow moving ice cream truck.’

At the time of this writing, we have seen two sisters give their life to Jesus in the service and we baptized a brother in water earlier today. Vientiane City Hope Church, as we are calling her, is a church that aims to reach the unreached and to empower the faithful (Reaching the Unreached, Empowering the Faithful).

As we are in the pioneering stage, we do covet your prayers. Thank you once again my friends.

Hubert
未開發國家
「就如經上所記：未曾聞知他信息的，將要看見；未曾聽過的，將要明白。」羅馬書十五章21節

「你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那中心能教導別人的人。」提摩太後書二章2節

我們開拓了一個全是寮國人的英文教會，聚會八個禮拜了。是的，他們全都是寮國人，而整個聚會全是用英文，不用翻譯。當我站著面對這一小群會眾，我可以看到我的朋友們臉上帶著一抹玩笑的表情。在我的同儕、朋友和我所訓練過的人當中，大家都認為我是最不適合當牧師的人，我也這麼認為。我有一位朋友甚至開玩笑說：「當牧師是 Hubert 最大的恐懼。」其實這是第二大恐懼，我的第一恐懼是“被一輛緩慢行駛的冰淇淋車撞倒”。

寫這篇文章之時，我們看到兩位姊妹在聚會中將自己的生命交給耶穌，今天為一位弟兄施洗。這個教會名為「越南城巿盼望教會」，目標是要將福音傳給未得之民，使主忠心的僕人得著能力（得未得者，助忠心者）。

處於開創時期，我們非常需要你們的禱告，再一次謝謝你們，我的朋友。

Hubert

中文 Undeveloped Countries, 06-10

“And these signs will follow them that believe…” Mark 16:17

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses…” Acts 1:8

The Jeng Tribe

The Jeng Tribe is a tribe that is described by missiologists as a completely unreached group. According to different mission books, there are no known Christians among them. They live at the southern-most tip of Laos, along the mountain ranges of Vietnam and Laos.

In January, we had the privilege to visit this group and, as it turns out, there are brethren among this group. As we were encouraging these brethren with the Word of God, a young man walked right up to the front and asked for prayer, we could see that behind this man was a trail of blood. We asked him what was wrong with him. The young man replied and said that he has a condition whereby the skin would bleed and the blood would leak out. He said he had this condition for eight years and he has lived in pain for eight years. We laid our hands on him, prayed and left.

A month later, my good friend and brother, Matthew Geppert, came to visit me and also to make a trip to the south. Because we had time, we decided that we should return to the Jeng tribe and continue to encourage them. When we arrived at one of the house churches of the Jeng Tribe, the pastor eagerly took me aside and told me that the young man who had the issue of blood had been healed the very day we prayed. This tribe may not be as well known as some other tribes in Laos but they are definitely not forgotten by our Lord.

The Khmu Tribe

The Khmu Tribe is the indigenous tribe of Laos. They are also the largest tribe in Laos with many sub-tribes and clans under them. The names of each clan are usually associated with the name of a bird.

At about the same time that the Lord touched the young man in the Jeng Tribe, the Lord was about to perform another miracle among the Khmu tribe to show us why His Name is called “Jehovah Rohi, the Lord our shepherd,” the Lord that will lead and protect us. It started when a young girl was playing by the roadside. Due to some incident, she stepped into the path of an oncoming 10-wheeler truck. The driver of the truck could not step on the brake in time and rammed head-on toward that girl. The truck knocked the girl down and ran her over. Her grandfather, who is a pastor, quickly rushed to her but she was not moving. He then quickly but gently brought her to the nearest hospital. The girl, who was still unconscious, was then examined by the doctor that was on duty.

It was two months after this incident that other good friends of mine, Andy Sim and his wife, came to visit me. We decided to stop at this particular village first, to greet the Khmu pastor before going to the Northwest. The pastor, excited to see us, immediately told us what had happened. Then he beckoned a girl to come over and told us that this was the girl that the Lord had spared. Her name was Ruth. I recognized that name but I had not seen Ruth since when she was a baby. About eight years ago, the Khmu pastor asked me to dedicate his newborn granddaughter to the Lord. I did and committed her life into His hands. Now, eight years later, the doctor who did a full body check up on Ruth, could not find any abnormalities in Ruth after the accident. How could a 10-wheeler truck collide with an eight-year-old girl, knock her down, run her over, denting the front bumper of the truck, but the girl survived the whole accident with no cracked skull or broken bones? It is nothing short of a miracle of the Lord, declaring that He is un-rivaled in being our shepherd and protector.

The Tai Dam Tribe

“Tai Dam” literally means “Black Tai.” They are called that because of the Black River in the north of Vietnam, while the “Tai” people living alongside the Red River are called “Red Tai.” Though the Tai Dam Tribe are mainly found in the northern region of Laos, there are some Tai Dam villages in Vientiane City.

In February of this year, in a certain Tai Dam village a few miles outside of Vientiane City, a group of onlookers, both believers and non-believeres, watched as a sick two-year-old boy slowly slipped into the abyss of death. Finally, the boy turned greenish black and life left him. The father was devastated and the mother was crying uncontrollably.

It was at this moment, that a pastor who was present, prayed a very simple prayer. “Lord, if this be your will, let life come back into the child.” Immediately after the prayer, color and life came back into the child and he awoke. And in that place, one could hear the praises of Jesus being lifted high.

These are three testimonies of our Lord in Laos and we are witnesses to His amazing grace.

Once again, we would like to thank you, my friends, for participating in prayer and sowing into Laos and the Garden of Hope. Your prayers and gifts are making a difference

Hubert

未開發國家
“信的人必有神蹟隨著他們。” 馬可福音十六章17節

“但聖靈降在你們身上，你們就必得著能力，‥‥作我的見證”使徒行傳一章8節

Jeng 族

根據不同宣教研究書籍的記載，Jeng 族是一個完全沒有接觸過福音的族群，他們當中從來不曾有過一個基督徒。他們住在寮國最南端，越南和寮國交界的山嶺。

一月份，我們有幸造訪這個族群，結果發現，他們當中有幾位弟兄。當我們用神的話勸勉這些弟兄時，有一個年輕人走到前面來，請我們為他禱告。我們看到他的身後有一道血跡，問他怎麼了，他回答說，他的皮膚會充血，血會從皮滲出來。他得這怪病八年了，這八年來都活中痛苦之中。我們按手在他身上，為他禱告，然後就離開了。

一個月之後，我的好友並弟兄 Matthew Geppert 來看我，我們一起到南邊去。因為還有時間，我們決定回到 Jeng 族，繼續勸勉他們。當我們到達其中一個家庭教會時，那裡的牧師急切地把我拉到一旁，告訴我，那個流血不止的年輕人在我們為他禱告的當天就得了醫治。這個族群也許不像寮國其他一些族群那樣為人所知，但他們絕對沒有被神遺忘。

Khmu 族

Khmu 族是寮國的土著，也是最大的一族，其下有許多分族與支派，每一支派的名字通都與一種鳥的名字有關。

就在神觸摸 Jeng 族的那年輕人之同時，主在 Khmu 族又施行了另一個神蹟，向我們顯明祂的名之所以稱為“耶和華 Rohi，主是我們的牧者”，祂帶領、保護我們。

事情是這樣的：有個小女孩在路邊玩，不小心到了路中間，一輛十輪大卡車迎面駛來，司機來不及踩煞車，衝向那女孩，把她撞倒，從她身上碾過。她的父親是一位牧師，立即衝到她身旁，但她已經不動了。他快速且輕輕地把她帶到距離最近的醫院。這女孩不省人事，值班的醫生為她進行檢查。

這起意外之後兩個月，我的兩位好朋友 Andy Sim 和他的妻子來看我，我們決定先到這個村莊去探訪這位 Khmu 族牧師，然後才到西北邊去。這位牧師見到我們非常興奮，馬上告訴我們所發生的事。然後他把一個女孩叫過來，告訴我們這就是主所救回來的女兒。她名字 Ruth。我記得這名字，但從她還是嬰孩時見過一次，就沒有再看過她。八年前，有位 Khm 族牧師請我為他初生的孫女行奉獻禮，我將她的生命交在主的手中。八年之後，發生了這樣嚴重的車禍，醫生作全身檢查， 在 Ruth 身上卻找不到任何異狀。被一輛十輪大卡車撞倒、碾過，連卡車前面的保險槓都有凹陷，這女孩卻能存活，而且沒有顱裂或骨折，這怎麼可能？這無疑是主的神蹟，宣告祂是我們的牧者與保護者，無人能與祂相比。

Tai Dam 族

“Tai Dam” 字面上的意思就是“黑泰”，這名字的由來是越南北部的黑河，沿著紅河居住的泰人則稱為“紅泰”。雖然 Tai Dam 族人通常住在寮國北部，在 Vientiane 巿也有一些 Tai Dam 村

今年二月，在 Vientiane 巿外圍幾哩的某個 Tai Dam 村，一群旁觀者 ─當中有基督徒也有非基督徒─ 眼睜睜看著一個生病的兩歲小男孩慢慢滑入死亡深谷，最後，這男孩變成青黑色，生命離開了他。當場，孩子的父親完全崩潰，母親無法抑制地哭號。

這時，在場的一位牧師作了一個非常簡單的禱告：“主啊，若這是你的旨意，請讓生命回到這孩子裡面。”一禱告完，血色和氣息就回到孩子身上，他醒了。就在那裡，人可以聽到高聲讚美耶穌的聲音。

這是我們主在寮國作為的見證，我們都是祂奇異恩典的見證人。

我的朋友們，再一次謝謝你們，同心禱告，使我們能在寮國撒種，建立希望之園。你們的代禱與資助意義重大，影響深遠。

Hubert

中文 Undeveloped Countries, 05-10

As I looked through the doorway, I knew once again that my faith was going to be tested. No one knew better than me, that if not for the grace of God and His loving hand upon my life, how many times I might have denied Him. I did a quick text message to my brother who was about to preach at the night service in Taiwan. I knew Mark well enough to know that he will say a prayer for me even if he is busy. Many times, in tight situations, all I need is someone with the same heart to agree with me in prayer. And that is probably the extent of my prayer requests. (This is not to disrespect the work of intercessors or prayer requests, but in frontline work, we can’t always afford to wait for the prayer letters to get out). The prayer of faith in agreement is very powerful. I said a little prayer to the Lord, took a deep breath and walked through the doorway.

I was in one of the nicest houses in Champasak Province. The Governor of the province had invited me to stay a couple of days in his mansion at the request of his mother who happened to be the former first lady of Lao PDR. It was the first day of Lao New Year. Mrs. Siphandone had adopted me to be her Godson. I walked and sat down on the couch. Mr. Khamtay Siphandone, the former president of Lao PDR, was sitting on the couch in the other side of the room talking to an abbot. In Laos, during Lao New Year and in the presence of dignitaries, there are certain customs and etiquettes that needed to be performed and paid close attention to. That is where the dilemma was. “Lord, I pray that you deliver me from having to go through this ceremony.” I said quietly, again, under my breath.

Suddenly, my mind drifted back to the different times that the Lord had performed miraculous deeds in Laos — from the time the Lord placed me in Laos to the time the Lord saved me from certain death, to as recent as 3 months ago where the Lord raised a 2-year-old boy from the dead in a certain village. And, I could just hear His voice speaking to me and asking me all these rhetorical questions just as He asked Job. “Who opened the door for you to Laos?” “Who brought the students to you?” “Who released you when you were caught?” “Who protected you when your bus fell off the  mountain?” “Who granted you favor with these government officials?” “Who raised the child from the dead?” and the list goes on. The answer to all these questions is obvious. It is the Lord. Jesus is on the throne and the heart of the king is in His hands. Like the psalmist says that to see a lizard in the Kings palace is amazing (NIV). We are better than a lizard and our God is a faithful God.

So, the time came when it should be my turn to go through this “Baci” ceremony. I took a deep breath and walk to the other side of the room. Of course, after the ceremony, I did apologize and explain myself. But wouldn’t you know it, my Godma understood (she knew I was a Christian) and even Mr. Khamtay was not offended.

Once again, I stand amazed and mesmerized at His grace. I am writing this article because in these perilous times, I just wanted to say that we need to put our faith in God even more. His grace is sufficient for us.

Hubert

未開發國家

從大門看進去，我知道自己的信心將要受到考驗。沒有人比我更清楚，若沒有神的恩典，若不是祂慈愛的手在我的生命裡，我早不知幾次不認主了。我傳了一個簡訊給我的弟兄 Mark，他人在台灣，正要開始在一場晚上的聚會講道。不管多忙，他都會為我禱告，這是我深知道。許多次，在緊要的情況下，我所需要的只是有人與我同心禱告。我的代禱事項差不多就是這樣。（這不是輕看代禱者的工作或代禱事項的作用，實在是在前線工作的，不能總是等到代禱信登出來。）同心合意出於信心的禱告是大有能力的。我向主作了一個小小的禱告，深呼吸一口，走進了那道門。

我在 Champasak 省的一幢華宅裡。應他母親的要求，省長邀我到他的官邸住幾天，而他的母親則是寮國的前第一夫人。這是寮國新年的第一天。Siphandone 夫人認我作她的義子，我走進大廳，坐在長沙發上。寮國前總統 Khamtay Siphandone 先生坐在大廳另一邊的長沙發上，在和一位修道院院長說話。在寮國，逢新年期間以在尊位者面前，有一些必須遵守的習俗與禮儀。這就是讓我進退兩難的地方。「主啊，求你搭救我，使我不必行這儀式。」我在心裡默禱著。

突然間，我的心思轉到過去許多主在寮國所行的神蹟 — 從主如何把我放在寮國，到主在我必死的時候救活了我，還有三個月前主在一個村莊使一名兩歲的男孩從死裡復活。我可以聽見祂的聲音在對我說話，問我一連串的問題，就像祂問約伯的一樣：「是誰把這些學生帶來你這裡？」「在你被捕的時候，是誰使你得釋放？」「當你搭乘的巴士從山崖上掉下去時，是誰保護你？」「是誰使你得到這些政府官員的支持？」「是誰使那孩子從死裡復活？」‥‥這些問題的答案都很明顯，是主祂自己。耶穌在寶座上，君王的心在祂的手裡。就如《箴言》所說，看到蜥蜴在王宮裡很希奇（30:28），我們比蜥蜴寶貴，而我們的神是信實的神。

所以，當輪到我該行那 “Baci ”儀式時，我深吸呼一口氣，走到大廳的另一端。儀式之後，我向主人道歉，解釋我沒有去行禮的原因。你知道嗎？我的義母表示理解（她知道我是一個基督徒），而且連 Khamtay 先生也沒有覺得被冒犯

再一次，我因祂的恩典驚奇眩目。我之所以寫這篇文章，是因為在這些緊要的時刻，我們更必須把信心放在神身上。祂的恩典夠我們用。

Hubert

中文 Undeveloped Countries, 04-10

Recently, I had a discourse with certain Christian businessmen in Laos. They were not of Lao nationality but were in Laos doing business and helping the brethren here whenever they can. One of the subjects that was constantly mentioned was the culture of Laos. They were having to deal with the realities of the Lao culture versus Kingdom culture.

As a minister of the Gospel and a missionary to the unreached peoples of Asia, I often see this cultural road block. Culture is very contrary to the Bible. Whether it is American culture, Chinese culture, Singaporean culture or any other culture, it is the reason why many of the unreached peoples remain unreached. Culture is the reason why earning money is more important than God. It is the reason why filial piety to ancestors is above honoring God. It is the reason why changing their faith is taboo. Jesus, in the book of Matthew, compared the culture of this world against the culture of His heavenly Father in chapters 5-7.

Psalms 112, tells us of the blessings that will come to a righteous man. There are two aspects of righteousness. The first is the gift of righteousness. When we first open our hearts to believe and follow Jesus, the gift of righteousness is a part of salvation. Jesus was righteous before God and also before the laws of man. So, because He is righteous, He gives us righteousness when we receive Him.

The second aspect is doing the right thing. Though we have been made righteous by His blood, there is still the act of righteousness. As Christians, we need to strive to do the right things and live according to the Word of God. Sometimes we like to justify ourselves by doing something which looks like it is spiritual but, in fact, it is just feeding into our egos. Jesus says, if you have offended a brother then leave the altar first and make peace with him. The altar talks about spirituality, but making peace talks about doing the right thing. It may not be easy. It may be against our desires. We may not like it, but let us be Christians first before we are anything else.

So, as the conversation came to a close with my friends, we realized that this is precisely the reason why the Lord has placed us here. So that we are able to instruct others in the ways of righteousness, by our lives, by our words and by our actions that they, too, may know Jesus and be blessed by God.

My friends, no matter where you are, no matter what race or nationality you are, never forget the greatest testimony of Jesus is the testimony of our lives that He so radically changed.

Hubert

未開發國家
最近我和寮國的一些基督徒商人談話，他們不是寮國人，而在寮國做生意，盡他們所能幫助弟兄姊妹。談話中常被提及的一個主題是寮國的文化。他們必須面對現實上寮國文化與天國文化的衝突。

身為福音的職事以及亞洲未得之民中的宣教士，我常看到這樣的文化路障。文化與聖經是相當抵觸的，無論是美國文化、中國文化、新加坡文化、或任何文化，這是為什麼許多未得之民如今仍未被觸及。因文化之故，賺取錢財比神更重要；因文化之故，拜祖先盡孝高過尊榮神；因文化之故，改變信仰是禁忌。馬太福音第五章到第七章，耶穌將這世上的文化與祂天父的文化作對比。

詩篇一百一十二篇告訴我們那會臨到義人的祝福。公義有兩個層面：第一是賜予的義。當我們打開心相信並跟隨耶穌，所得的救恩就包括這賜予的義。耶穌在神面前與在人的律法面前都是公義，因著祂的義，我們接受祂時，祂就將祂的義賜予我們。

第二個層是行義。雖然我們已經因祂的寶血稱義，還是要有義行。身為基督徒，我們必須盡力做對的事，按神的話語而活。有時我們會做一些看似屬靈的事來顯自己為義，其實那只是在餵養我們的自我。耶穌說，如果你得罪了一位弟兄，就要先離開祭壇，與那弟兄和好。祭壇是關乎屬靈的，而和好是指做對的事。這並不容易，可能還會違反我們的意願，我們可能不會喜歡，但是，我們要先作基督徒，再談別的。

因此，當我和這些朋友們談話結束前，我們體認到，這正是為什麼主把我們擺在這裡，讓我們得以用自己的生活與言行來教導他人行義路，使他們能認識耶穌，為神所祝福。

我的朋友，不論你在哪裡，不論你是什麼種族或國籍，不要忘記，為耶穌所作的最大見證是我們徹底被祂改變的生命。

Hubert

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