關於 all my hope is in you scripture ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

Celebration of the Father

“Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?” One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”” (Luke‬ ‭24:13-18, 25-27, 32-34‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Did you ever wonder why out of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, only one of them was named while the other remained anonymous?

Therefore, I believe that the name “Cleopas” is crucial to understanding the significance of this passage.

Cleopas is an abbreviated form of the name Cleopatros, made of the two Greek words “kleos” (to celebrate) and pater (father). Cleopas means “celebration of the father”.

Let us see what Jesus did in the passage. He told the two discouraged disciples all about the things concerning Himself in the Old Testament Scriptures, and how He fulfilled them all at the cross.

It was a celebration of the Father, praising Him for His glorious plan of salvation that was once hidden and is now revealed through the prophets, apostles, and the other writers of the Scriptures.

When Jesus celebrated the Father with the two disciples, their hearts “burned”, likely with faith, hope, and love in response to the love and grace of God. They experienced an “Emmaus” (meaning: hot springs) in their hearts, washing away the unbelief and refreshing their spirits.

They were no longer depressed and despondent. Instead, they were filled with hope, and energized in their bodies and souls. Having just walked a long way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they immediately set off on a journey back to announce the good news they had seen and heard.

This world needs “Cleopas”—a celebration of the Father. They need to hear about a Father God who is gracious and full of love, who freely offers salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. They need to hear that He wants to be a Father near to them and not a Judge far off; that He is reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus, welcoming them home.

“But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:18-21‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Anytime you are feeling down, you can initiate a celebration of the Father. It will cleanse you from unbelief, refresh your spirit, fill your heart with hope, and energize your body and soul!

If you are new to reading the four gospels for yourself, or you have some questions about difficult passages in there, I would like to recommend you read my four-ebook bundle called “Understand the Four Gospels Through the Lens of Grace”.

As you read it, many confusing pieces of Scripture will be unlocked to you, and things that used to scare you will be read in the right light. Order the bundle and you can download and read it right away:
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Teaching our Children

“Therefore you shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them your children, talking of them, when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates; that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭11:18-21‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

God wants us (parents) to teach our children. Nowadays there are many ways to outsource education, but we cannot leave our children completely in the hands of the secular education system.

The most important thing to teach our children from infancy is : God’s word. Teaching is not about seating them in front of a desk with a thick Bible and going through chapter by chapter.

Be led by the Holy Spirit, and whenever an appropriate teaching moment arises, use the chance to talk about Jesus and make the faith real and practical in your children’s lives.

For example, if your child fell down and scraped his knee, just comfort him and pray together, declaring that Jesus’ healing power is entering the wound to fix it.

Before each meal, thank Jesus for the food and declare it sanctified in Jesus’ name. Tell your children that the Lord is specially preparing the food to be clean, good, and healthy for them.

Whenever possible, quote portions of Scripture to etch it in your children’s hearts. “Wow look at all these gifts that we received! Praise Jesus—the Lord is truly our Shepherd, and we shall not lack!”

Teach them Gospel truths—what is applicable under the New Covenant of Grace. Definitely don’t make them recite or memorize the Ten Commandments of the Law.

The Gospel has a prospering effect. It has the power to save from every trouble. As a parent, and especially if you are a father, you are also entrusted with the role of leading your children in their spiritual growth.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs‬ ‭22:6‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

By the leading of the Holy Spirit, build a strong foundation of faith for your children, and they will greatly benefit from it throughout their lives!

When I wrote the book “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever” the compiled truths within were designed for the whole family. It is so important that our children know from young that we do our best in life for the Lord’s sake, to worship Him, and that He is the one who will reward us. There is no need to live for the praise of men. This belief alone will save them from many disappointments and heartaches.

There are so many great lessons about eternal rewards in the book. I hope you can get it (either the eBook or a paperback copy) and share the truths with your children in a relatable way, after digesting the revelations yourself: http://bit.ly/sandcastlesdontlastforever

Everlasting Grace and Mercy

““For a small moment I have forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you. In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Yahweh your Redeemer. “For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not be removed,” says Yahweh who has mercy on you.” Isaiah‬ ‭54:7-10‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

Mercy is when you are spared from the punishment that you deserve, and Grace is when you receive goodness and favor that you do not deserve.

In the passage above, the Lord speaks to Israel, of which we born-again believers are now considered citizens of.

At the cross, God’s wrath towards sin has been fully poured out on Jesus. For believers, God has no more wrath because Jesus has paid their sin debt and satisfied God’s holiness.

We can now enjoy His “great mercies” and “everlasting loving kindness”.

“Loving kindness” (in Hebrew, pronounced as “hesed”) is the Old Testament word for “grace” that is revealed in the New Testament.

God wants us to be so settled in our hearts about this, such that He swore to never be angry with us nor punish us. God cannot break His vow.

He swore that His grace will never depart from us, and the covenant of peace (the New Covenant of Grace) will never be removed from us.

“Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

You will never lose your salvation, and you will never fall out of God’s favor. His love towards you never changes. You have peace with God.

Believe this, and you will keep receiving His grace without the supply of grace being blocked by your own unbelief.

“But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

To keep being transformed into Jesus’ image, meditate on beautiful passages like the one in Isaiah 54–see His love, grace, and mercy. Such portions of Scripture acts as a mirror to show you who you (the born-again spirit) have become in Christ. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.

As you behold the Lord in His abundant grace, you will be transformed in body and soul from glory to glory!

If you loved this devotional, you will enjoy “Younger and Younger: 31 Days of God’s Youth Renewal Promises” like these readers have:

“Thank you Milton. I love this book. It has helped me to keep my eyes on Jesus. As He is, so am I in this world. I am getting younger and younger too. I have known the delivery man for many years but recently he has started to call me beautiful when he sees me. I smile and praise the Lord. This book has helped me to receive the blessing of renewing my youth to be younger and younger. All glory to Jesus. He is beautiful, lovely and young. So am I in Him.” - Cynthia Lim

“Hi Milton, your book is beautifully written with deep spiritual insight. It opened my spiritual eyes to the fact that I don’t have to settle for the natural aging process of my body which I kind of took for granted. Through Jesus’ finished work I can enjoy youth renewal. Your daily devotional and scriptures illustrates that very clearly. For which I sincerely thank you! Your book is a “must” for all Seniors who like me focus more on the natural aging than on the spiritual truth! All glory to Jesus!” - Ilva S.

“Hi Milton, I am very very pleased with Younger and Younger. I especially like the Declarations that you speak!! I listen to them several times a day!!! I love that I can just play them whenever I like. Even if I’m not totally paying attention to them, I know that they are still getting into my spirit and mind. Thank you so very much! God Bless!” - Sheree Kleinhuizen

Download your copy of “Younger and Younger” here: https://bit.ly/younger-and-younger