Ark Channel

In Weariness and Toil! Sunday Hope 200920 2 Cor 11

… in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (v26b)

Identify the origin of suffering!
1. Has our pursuit of the Lord degenerated from purity of heart to bitterness and complaint?
2. Serving the Lord is a high-risk job. Especially perilous are attacks and frame-ups from false brethren!

2 Corinthians 11

* Corinna/陳明恩 is a cheerful performance artist. She is a missionary kid born and raised in Hong Kong after her parents moved to live here. She speaks standard Cantonese. Listen to this interview of reflections on her wonderful journey (by GoodNews Communication International Ltd.)

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Let Us Glory in the Lord! – Ark Channel 190920 Sat 2 Cor 10

… bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (v. 5)

1. Weapons of an apostle – humility, courage, gentleness, peace, might (v1-6)
2. Authority of an apostle – Experience in the Lord for edifying the Church (v7-11)
3. Territory of an apostle – defined and entrusted by the God (v12-18)
* Power abuse of God’s worker. Horrible!
Random attack at God’s servant. Detestable!

2 Corinthians 10

* Mild and genteel TUNG Yuk-yiu/佟毓耀once cheated on his wife. Read his journey from rejection to reunion, the story of a man’s heart:the story of a man’s heart

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

He gave wealth to lift the poor! – Ark Channel 180920 Fri 2 Cor 9

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness (v.10)

We are rich so to give cheerfully (v.8):
1. God makes all grace abound toward us.
2. He gives us contentment in all things.
3. So that we have an abundance for every good work.

2 Corinthians 9

* Turning from Muhammad to Christ, Dr. Nabeel Qureshi passed away at an early age, but left a wonderful testimony. We found a recent interview by his widow Michelle Qureshi, in which she shares her struggles, questions of God, and heavenly joy.-

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Through His Poverty We Become Rich! – Ark Channel 170920 Thu 2 Cor 8

…their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity (v.2)

How to lift up the churches in poverty and the Body (v.1-7):
1. Give generously!
2. Be sincere!
* This is the example the Lord gave to us!

2 Corinthians 8

* The outgoing and bubbly Shujuan/淑娟 was abandoned when she was young, and endured a nightmarish childhood with no warmth. She had no high school diploma, but worked and studied part-time to become a general manager in a market-listed firm, managing thousands of people. How did she step on to a path of service?
tvpluz.gcc.org.hk/gnci-channels/innermostwords/885-20200903-chan.html(A video by GoodNews TV; Cantonese.)

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Made Sorrowful According To God’s Will! Ark Channel 160920 Wed 2 Cor 7

But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus (v6)

Support Your Brothers Through Prayers!
1. Surrounded on all sides, pressure from within and outside, danger and worries; what can one do?
2. Giving hope to life and in serving God is the church, the brothers!

2 Corinthians 7

* Pastor Philip Yeung/楊錫鏘 has served the Lord more than 40 years and on 15th Sep the Lord received him to his heavenly home with his family by his side. The Lord comforts his family. From his medical practice to teaching and shepherding, he left us precious spiritual life. Give Me This Mountain (2019 Mar)

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

As Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing! Ark Channel 150920 Tue 2 Cor 6

…“At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.”… (v2)

The Lord’s Servant – A Wonderful Life!
1. With endurance, wide opened heart, purity (v3-7:1)
2. With peace, perseverance and broad minded (v7:2-4)

2 Corinthians 6

* From Melbourne: Thanks be to God, everyone here is well. Working in the community, I am responsible for maternal and child healthcare. Each day I meet 7-8 families one-on-one. The pandemic has added pressures on families and I encourage them to have positive thinking, to count their blessings, to praise God in all things. Apart from listening, I also provide help or referral. Our church meet online and we listen to messages in the HK Bible Conference. Melbourne has experienced the longest lockdown of any city and meetings are prohibited. Brothers and sisters care for one another over the phone. The elderly living alone are connected over the phone for online meetings. – Wei Shan/偉珊 family in Australia

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

God Who Prepared Us! Ark Channel 140920 Mon 2 Cor 5

For indeed in this house we groan, longing… our dwelling from heaven. (v2)

The Motivation For God’s Servants:
1. Fear of the Lord – always living in the light of God’s the judgment seat (5:11)
2. Love of Christ – never to receive the grace of God in vain (5:14/6:1)

2 Corinthians 5

Caring for the weak in love, a light shining in the ward – She has seen life, death, sickness but always in thankfulness encourages the weak and tired. Story of Ng Chun Yuen / 吳親緣

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Everlasting Glory! – Sunday Hope 130920 2 Cor 4

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (v7)

Serving God, my glory in life!
1. Earthen vessel vs the treasure – Our outward man is perishing, but our inward man is going strong day after day (4:1-15)
2. Temporary vs eternal – He who walks by faith and not by sight, being led by the Holy Spirit, will be the ultimate winner (4:16-5:10)

2 Corinthians 4

* Music master Beethoven suffered from serious intestinal disease in his later years. With deep reflection from his near death experience he composed the sublime Heiliger Dankgesang . He penned this note on the musical score “a holy song of thanksgiving of a convalescent to the Deity”. Amid the pandemic lockdown and isolation, it can be soothing to listen again to this masterpiece and offer gratitude to the God of Most High.

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Our sufficiency is from God! Ark Channel 120920

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (v17)

Ministry of the New Testament, Our Work:
1. Not by ourselves – but by God and His calling, by His deep grace
2. Not by letter – but by the Spirit, a ministry of the spirit rather than of death
3. No more condemnation – but a ministry of righteousness, where we are justified by grace
4. Not passing away – but a ministry that remains with eternal value.

2 Corinthians 3

* A sermon on the Book of Daniel by Mr LEUNG Kwok Kuen /梁國權: (The Most High Rules the Kingdoms of Men)至高者在人的國中掌權

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Surely he took up our pain! – Ark Channel 110920 Fir 2 Cor 2

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. (v.14)

Our offering – the fragrance given to God:
1. In good and bad times we give thanks to God always!
2. We give our bodies as sacrifices, and do good works (Hebrews 13:16）
3. We give up our repentant hearts as a sacrifice (Psalms 52:17）
4. Our faith, and our living of the gospel, as a sacrifice (Philippians 2:17, Romans 15:16）

2 Corinthians 2

* The HK Bible Conference recap : Day 2, on Ezekiel (Be awake and keep watch/警醒守望), the afternoon session on Psalms 0119 (God will help me leave fear behind/神能使我脫離恐懼), and the evening session on Ephesians (What a glorious Church/何等榮耀的教會)

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

We look forward to the time He will save us! – Ark Channel 100920 Thu 2 Cor 1

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us… (v.21)

We live the rest of our lives in His grace!
1. In this life we have troubles, but we also have God’s salvation! (v.10)
2. In suffering, we love our fellow saints in the church, and God will protect us. (v.15-20)
* What positive contributions are those who publicly slander and are jealous of God’s work making today?

2 Corinthians 1

* James rovers USA (5) – The Lord has led me from from the Far East to North America, and has given me the chance to travel through cities preaching the gospel. I am now at 19 cities, 76 venues! Praise the Lord, from Virginia’s beaches to Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and now Maine. In every church, through preaching and communion, we strengthen the believers, and bring people to Christ. May the Lord remember this, and save many souls.

* 方舟台 – 版權所有 *

Two Good Deeds – Forever Caring, Ardent Teaching!

1. Touch and teach the lost ones with the amazing love of Christ!
2. Testify as a church and seek to love one another!

今日聖經: 2 Co 13
_____________________________________

* In his ZQ HUANG/黃志强 autobiography “Legendary Years/傳奇歲月”, he recalls his reunion with mother whom he has been separated for 45 years. He used every opportunity to be the Lord’s witness to his relatives, neighbors and villagers. They were all captivated and everyone blessed. The full story can be found in CITIC published “Legendary Years” (in Chinese)

_____________________________________

* Freely Sing Your Praise
As the Lord Jesus remembers me, He is my trust and glory. He is great and worthy of all praises.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Distress Turns Into Pleasure, Weakness Turns Into Strength

1. In distress, with God’s presence, we can sing with joy.
2. In weakness, rest on the power of Christ, we can stand up strong.

今日聖經: 2 Co 12
_____________________________________

* In his ZQ HUANG/黃志强 autobiography “Legendary Years/傳奇歲月”, he recalls his reunion with mother whom he has been separated for 45 years. He used every opportunity to be the Lord’s witness to his relatives, neighbors and villagers. They were all captivated and everyone blessed. The full story can be found in CITIC published “Legendary Years” (in Chinese)

_____________________________________

I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys. As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters. (Song of Solomon 2:1-2)
Song of Solomon 1-4: Rose and lily are only wild flowers but in the eye of the one who loves us, we are distinctly different.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

When Others Fall, Am I Indignant?

1. People are restricted by time, energy and talent; if there are weak ones, we ought to sympathize with them.
2. To those who have lost their way in their faith, we ought to have concern for them, and rescue them back.

今日聖經: 2 Co 11
_____________________________________

*Sis. Ellen LEUNG/梁愛綸 (HK) is currently in Watoto Church’s of Uganda’s capitol Kampala’s serving in children’s ministry. Please pray that the Lord will fill her with the Holy Spirit, and that she may serve in peace. Video of the orphans praising God

_____________________________________

*…the wise and their deeds are din the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. (Ecclesiastes 9:1)
Ecclesiastes 9-12: The dilemma of life: There is God, He holds our lives in His hands, but the mystery is: how does He prescribe our future?

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

How To Overcome Absurd Thoughts:

1. With God’s word and His power, pray and seek His guidance.
2. Pride blinds; explain with patience and guide with wisdom.

今日聖經: 2 Co 10
_____________________________________

* Lego is the most successful toy company in history. Founded by a devout brother, Ole Kirk Christiansen, he trusted God in all things. Lego means “fun to play with” and in Latin mean “I assemble”. You can assemble Lego into anything just like our Father intricately created all things

_____________________________________

* Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
Ecclesiastes 5-8: Life is short. Learn to rejoice in daily living, to appreciate that all things are not a given but are blessings from God.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

God Is Pleased With Those Who Display The Blessings Of His Love

1. Those who give stingily are the poorest, those who give generously are the richest!
2. Willingly we give, unbounded blessings do we receive!

今日聖經: 2 Co 9
_____________________________________

* To continue with yesterday’s story of Ah Qin/阿卿 – she turned from depression and into courage, studying theology. One day on a train to Singapore, there was a sudden barrage of bullets attacking the carriage, but Ah Qin was safe. On another occasion, the fan in her office came crashing down next to her. Twice her life was kept safe. Ah Qin worked hard to minister to lambs, as her way of thanking God.
_____________________________________

*Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
Ecclesiastes 1-4: A handful of quietness leads to contentment, that we do not strive for excessiveness. This is wisdom on how to be content and happy in this short life on earth.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

The Outpour Of True Love:

1. Giving with love is the most effective way to touch people to turn to God and to love God.
2. A church blessed with gifts from God should manifest the true love of Christ all the more.

今日聖經: 2 Co 8
_____________________________________

* In Shanghai, when Ah Qing was still young, she was sick and lost her left eye. Since then, she shut herself up, constantly crying and suicidal… Thanks to all the missionaries from UK, Australia, New Zealand sending her God’s good news of life, she was so deeply touched by Isaiah 53:4-6 that she accepted the Lord and consecrated her life to God, becoming a faithful servant, helping countless people. Let’s also look up Isaiah 53:4-6 and see what it says.
_____________________________________

Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him. (Proverbs 30:5)
Proverbs 29-31: “Tried” is being able to withstand the test of time and circumstances. This is the quality of God’s Word being forever true and the most trust-worthy.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Godly Sorrow Work Repentance Unto Salvation! Sorrow Of The World Works Death!

1. The repentance of our sin will make us holy and is valued by God!
2. With repentance we will be forgiven and renewed, with strength to continue on the path of righteousness!

今日聖經: 2 Co 7
_____________________________________

* Thanks to all your prayer support, my cancer index has dropped from 173 to 32, making good progress. I have returned to work last week and resumed serving in the sign language service. May the Lord grant me strength and my humble serving be acceptable to God! – /李妙玲, HK
_____________________________________

Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. (Proverbs 28:14)
Proverbs 25-28: “Hardeneth his heart” is to make one’s stiffness at heart, into an uncontrolled state, which will certainly corrupt.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Sincere My Dedication:

1. With ambitious goals, the work achieved by God will also be greater!
2. Be it safe or peril, live with God!

今日聖經: 2 Co 5
_____________________________________

* In recent years, co-workers for the Ark Channel have faced significant difficulties. The web site cannot be refreshed. This month, a young brother has joined our serving to gradually make the material available on the web. Check out www.arkchannel.org. Please cease not in praying for the team.
_____________________________________

The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)
Proverbs 21-24: “The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah” has been proven over and over throughout history and it is also why God’s children can remain unaffected midst the ups and downs of times.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Being Consumed Each Day But Renewed When In Him

1. Our external body and health are decaying with each passing day.
2. But our internal souls are growing and transformed by God each day.

今日聖經: 2 Co 4
_____________________________________

*Letter from Toronto-This morning, my sister Shirley WANG/歐陽瑛 passed away in her home in Geneva, leaving peacefully. She has believed in the Lord for many years, and now returns into His embrace. We are thankful for all the saints on Ark Channel who pray for her, God will remember it. Thank you again. – Sister Zhao/歐陽璧
_____________________________________

*Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. (Prov. 19:2)
Proverbs 17-20: Knowledge enables us to discern worldly events, discern evil from good, and control our steps in life – this is a spiritual quality seen in those who are God fearing.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Lord! May Your Light Of Glory Brighten My Heart!

1. May I continually turn to the Lord and let all filth and sin be kept away from me!
2. May I be fully drenched by the Holy Spirit and granted the strength to give glory to God!

今日聖經: 2 Co 3
_____________________________________

* ZQ HUANG/黃志强, a brother faithful in gospel ministry all his life, has many adventures to share. Back in 1988, he visited the house of SUN Li-Jen孫立人, a renowned general whom he followed when young. HUANG testified to the old man how he became a pastor and led him to pray. SUN, at the time almost 90 years old, was greatly touched and burst in tears. HUANG went around the world seeking for lost sheep, he also led the seventy-third generation grand-daughter of Confucius to salvation in the Lord.
_____________________________________

* A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident. (Proverbs 14:16)
Proverbs13-16: “fearth” is a sensation of dread in making a wrong move in life. For the wise, it is a defense mechanism, saving him from blending with the evil

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Only With Love Can We Spread The Fragrance Of Jesus Christ:

1. To those who have repented, generously forgive and forget.
2. Through showing the Lord’s great love, we bring sinners into a community of love and acceptance.

今日聖經: 2 Co 2
_____________________________________

*Every year, about 18000 Hong Kong students study in England. Jason HO/何霆軒
was dedicated to God while still in his mother’s womb. He will be flying to England to further his studies, please pray that he will meet God, know God, follow God and glorify God while at Exeter, that he will study hard and meet in gatherings, and play less.
_____________________________________

*Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9:6)
Proverbs 9-12: To walk in the “way of insight” is to walk with direction; simpletons do not lack intellect, they lack insight into life.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Last Words

1. Prayer – Clear conscience before God, comfort by God, brothers in oneness and harmony – these are the conditions for God’s presence. (v11)

2. Blessing – The grace of the Lord, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit – are the holy trio, accompanying us through life. (v14)

Scripture of the Day (NT): II Corinthians 13

________________________________

* Letter from the church in Yunnan after the earthquake: “All is well. My wife and I can be of the same mind. The children adapts well in school.” – Brother One, Kunming, Yunnan

________________________________

* …If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, He would utterly be contemned. (Song of Solomon 8:7)

Song of Solomon 5-8: Love by its very nature is freely given and freely accepted, same like God’s love towards man.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

A Thorn In The Flesh

1. Attack – Paul knows well that this thorn is out of power of darkness. Paul knows even better about the fact that God is the ultimate authority over all things. (v7)

2. Power – “…my power…“ This is how the Lord responds. He does not take away the thorn but He does give Paul the power to bear with it. (v9)

Scripture of the Day (NT): II Corinthians 12

____________________________________

* There is much resonance from saints to Ark Channel’s sharing of how good stewards of God should keep our wedding simple and not be extravagant and wasteful.  Let’s be faithful custodian over the wealth God entrusts us and accumulate eternal treasure in heaven. The purpose of worldly wealth, besides providing our livelihood, is three fold: contribute to the church, help the poor, the widowed, the sick, for the expansion of the kingdom of God (such as providing for pastors, missionaries, gospel ministries).

Rick WARREN/華里克, Author of “Purpose Driven Life”/標竿人生 rich as he is, heads his family to lead a humble living, not wasting on new houses or cars. Let’s learn from his testimony

http://christiantimes.org.hk/Common/Reader/News/ShowNews.jsp?Nid=36172&Pid=6&Version=0&Cid=150&Charset

_____________________________________

* Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; ….Draw me;…  (Song of Songs 1:2a, 4a)

Song of Songs 1-4: The greatest wish in a Christian is to partake the intimate presence of the Lord, desires for the ever growing and never diminishing love of the Lord

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Jealousy

1. Paul’s Jealousy – “I am jealous…a godly jealousy”. It is man’s betrayal of God that stirred up Paul’s spirit. (v2)

2. Paul’s Mission – “for I espoused you to one husband”.  Paul devoted his life to match-make this spiritual marriage. (v3)

Scripture of the Day (NT):  II Corinthians 11

__________________________________

* Explorer, Brother Bear GRYLLS talks about the survival in the Arctic: keep warm, build a shelter, make snow rod and snow shoes, never lose faith. He referred to the air disaster in the Andes back in 1972. 16 survivors were able to get through 72 days in the snow, all because one man suggested to build a snow wall to keep out the strong wind and survived. Now, living in the cold end times, if we leave God’s given shelter – the church, it is like committing suicide!

__________________________________

* …eat thy bread with joy, and drink…with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works. (Ecclesiastes 9:7)

Ecclesiastes 9-12: Life is short and unpredictable. Death reminds us: seize the moment while you can, this is God’s gift.

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *

Spiritual Authority

1. Foundation — “By the humility and gentleness of Christ” is the foundation of an apostle’s authority; Christ’s love is the authority. (v1)

2. Essence — Paul emphasizes that his authority is not based on the flesh; God is his energy, and nobody can stop him. (v4)

Scripture of the Day (NT):  II  Corinthians 10

____________________________________

* Continuing Legend  〈video, Cantonese〉

FS YEUNG/楊梵成, legend in the Hong Kong insurance industry, recalls that everything that he has built is by God.

____________________________________

* Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools… (Ecclesiastes 5:1)

Ecclesiastes 5-8: There are many changes in life that are hard to grasp, therefore we ought to be discerning in front of God, and, with a God fearing heart, listen with care!

* Copyright © ArkChannel and the authors *