On June 10, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared online from Psalm 8, on the topic of church revival. She talked about overcoming circumstances, which involved suffering and trials, and which is the way and principle for church revival.
1. Test Your Faith in Suffering
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:20-21)
Job lost his wealth, then ten children, who left the world in an instant. No one would be able to be calm in these kinds of disasters, but Job could. He regarded everything as given by God, so it was normal for Him to take them back. There was no need to complain. However, how many people nowadays would be able to truly understand this? Does God have the right to reward us or to take it back? When suffering comes to us, does faith fail?. The reflection and choices one makes best reflects one's faith. This is the reason why, since ancient times, the church has grown during times of persecution. Each bout of persecution is a touchstone to test whether our faith is true or not.
Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. “For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. “(John 6:62-64)
When Jesus was doing miracles, there were many people who followed Him. However,when Jesus spoke the truth, many people retreated, since they thought that there was no benefit in listening to the truth. Jesus asked his disciples if they would also retreat. But Peter responded by saying, "Who could we follow if only You have eternal life?" Through it all, Peter's true faith was evident. He had built his foundation on the rock that was Jesus Christ.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. (John 6:25-26)
The church grew in persecution, the same as every Christian. That is the reason we should be thankful for circumstances and for persecution.
2. Know the True God From Our Circumstances
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” (Genesis 28:16)
Although Jacob was from a family who had a tradition of fearing God, he himself had no personal relationship with God. Only through experience can many of us truly understand that God is with us all the time. So, be willing to accept all kinds of circumstances. When there are some setbacks, believe that God has the power to guide us out of them and make us have a deeper understanding of Him.
Do not complain or hate the circumstances and relationships. Instead, believe that these are under His permission and arrangement. Learn to live for the Lord and to understand the truth of God through these circumstances.
3. Distinguish the Devil's Strategy from the Circumstances
No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. (Genesis 39:9-10)
For some people, the test is not in adversity, but in prosperity. People are most likely to become proud and forget when they succeed. Joseph's promotion from slavery to stewardship was the easiest time to become proud and be attacked by Satan. Luckily, he saw it well. He said that he should not cause shame to his master nor to God.
Many Christians ask for safety and certainty in their life, and not to go through trials. This is not wrong but should not be called for, because it would make us greedy for an easy life and we would refuse to bear His cross. Without experiencing trials, we would not see the true God with our own eyes and only hear of Him. Without experiencing trials, we would not be able to see through Satan's deception and unconsciously fall into his trap. Therefore, circumstances are a fertile ground for God to give life to His children, and a way for us to know God.
- Translated By Elaina Wu
白玉娥牧师谈教会复兴（八）
6月10日，白玉娥牧师在线上分享了教会复兴的第八篇。讲述了战胜环境是教会复兴的途径，也是教会复兴的原则。苦难和试炼就是所说的环境。
一、苦难能考验自己的信仰
约伯便起来，撕裂外袍，剃了头，伏在地上下拜，说：“我赤身出于母胎，也必赤身归回；赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华。耶和华的名是应当称颂的。”(约伯记 1:20-21 )
约伯从家财万贯落到一无所有，然后失去儿女，十个孩子在一瞬间就离开了世界。这一连串的灾难任谁也不能淡定了，可是约伯却想的透彻，这一切本是神所赐的，如今上帝收回，也是正常的，因此他没有埋怨。今天的人们，有几个真正能够明白自己所拥有的，是从神而来的，神有权赏赐他也有也有权收回呢？当考验临到我们的时候，信仰便不是靠嘴说的了。环境中的反映和抉择最能够反映信仰的真实出来，所以从古到今教会都是在逼迫中成长的，每一次的逼迫都是一个试金石，就是要考验我们的信仰是真是假，到底有没有参杂。
倘或你们看见人子升到他原来所在之处，怎么样呢？叫人活着的乃是灵，肉体是无益的。我对你们所说的话就是灵，就是生命。只是你们中间有不信的人。”耶稣从起头就知道谁不信他，谁要卖他。(约翰福音 6:62-64 )
耶稣在地上行神迹的时候，前仰后合跟随的人非常多，但当耶稣讲到真理的时候却有很多人退去了。这些人认为听真理没有什么好处。耶稣对门徒说，你们也要退去吗？彼得回应了神的话说，主啊，你有永生之道我们还跟从谁呢。通过这处经文让我们看到彼得信仰中真实的心——把根基立在耶稣基督的磐石上。
既在海那边找着了，就对他说：“拉比，是几时到这里来的？”耶稣回答说：“我实实在在地告诉你们，你们找我，并不是因见了神迹，乃是因吃饼得饱。(约翰福音 6:25-26 )
教会是在逼迫中成长的，而且每一个基督徒也是在逼迫中走向成熟的，所以我们应该感谢环境，感谢逼迫。
二、 环境能使我们认识真实的上帝
雅各睡醒了，说：“耶和华真在这里，我竟不知道！”(创世记 28:16 )
以往的雅各，虽然处于家族的传统中敬畏神，但是却和神没有个人的关系。今天我们很多人都是经历之后才会真正明白神是时刻都能与我们同在。所以今天我们不要拒绝各种的环境，我们的人生中会经历一些挫败，这时便要珍惜，神有力量使我们去超越，让我们对神有更深的认识。
我们要对我们周遭环境、人的关系不抱怨、不怀恨，反倒要明白这都是神的许可和安排。我们要学会为主而活，透过环境来认识神的真实。
三、 环境能分辨魔鬼的计谋
在这家里没有比我大的；并且他没有留下一样不交给我，只留下了你，因为你是他的妻子。我怎能作这大恶，得罪神呢？”后来她天天和约瑟说，约瑟却不听从她，不与她同寝，也不和她在一处。(创世记 39:9-10 )
对于有些人来说，考验不是在逆境当中，而是在顺境当中，人在成功的时候最容易膨胀和迷失。约瑟从奴隶一点点提升到管家的地位，是最容易把握不住自己骄傲膨胀的时候，也是最容易被撒旦攻击试探的时候。约瑟看得很透彻，他说自己第一不能愧对主人的信任，第二不能做这等不仁不义的、愧对人、愧对神的事。
很多基督徒所求的就是自己的信仰与生活要平安稳妥，不经历环境试炼，这一点不能说是错但是也不能提倡，因为这会使我们贪于安逸，不肯再背主的十字架。不经历环境我们就不能亲眼看见真实的上帝，只会一直停留在听闻有神的阶段，不经历环境我们就不能识破撒旦的诡计，就会不知不觉地落入他的陷阱。因此，环境是神给他儿女生命成长的沃土，是给我们认识神的途径。
On June 10, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared online from Psalm 8, on the topic of church revival. She talked about overcoming circumstances, which involved suffering and trials, and which is the way and principle for church revival.
1. Test Your Faith in Suffering
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:20-21)
Job lost his wealth, then ten children, who left the world in an instant. No one would be able to be calm in these kinds of disasters, but Job could. He regarded everything as given by God, so it was normal for Him to take them back. There was no need to complain. However, how many people nowadays would be able to truly understand this? Does God have the right to reward us or to take it back? When suffering comes to us, does faith fail?. The reflection and choices one makes best reflects one's faith. This is the reason why, since ancient times, the church has grown during times of persecution. Each bout of persecution is a touchstone to test whether our faith is true or not.
Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. “For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. “(John 6:62-64)
When Jesus was doing miracles, there were many people who followed Him. However,when Jesus spoke the truth, many people retreated, since they thought that there was no benefit in listening to the truth. Jesus asked his disciples if they would also retreat. But Peter responded by saying, "Who could we follow if only You have eternal life?" Through it all, Peter's true faith was evident. He had built his foundation on the rock that was Jesus Christ.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. (John 6:25-26)
The church grew in persecution, the same as every Christian. That is the reason we should be thankful for circumstances and for persecution.
2. Know the True God From Our Circumstances
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” (Genesis 28:16)
Although Jacob was from a family who had a tradition of fearing God, he himself had no personal relationship with God. Only through experience can many of us truly understand that God is with us all the time. So, be willing to accept all kinds of circumstances. When there are some setbacks, believe that God has the power to guide us out of them and make us have a deeper understanding of Him.
Do not complain or hate the circumstances and relationships. Instead, believe that these are under His permission and arrangement. Learn to live for the Lord and to understand the truth of God through these circumstances.
3. Distinguish the Devil's Strategy from the Circumstances
No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. (Genesis 39:9-10)
For some people, the test is not in adversity, but in prosperity. People are most likely to become proud and forget when they succeed. Joseph's promotion from slavery to stewardship was the easiest time to become proud and be attacked by Satan. Luckily, he saw it well. He said that he should not cause shame to his master nor to God.
Many Christians ask for safety and certainty in their life, and not to go through trials. This is not wrong but should not be called for, because it would make us greedy for an easy life and we would refuse to bear His cross. Without experiencing trials, we would not see the true God with our own eyes and only hear of Him. Without experiencing trials, we would not be able to see through Satan's deception and unconsciously fall into his trap. Therefore, circumstances are a fertile ground for God to give life to His children, and a way for us to know God.
- Translated By Elaina Wu
Pastor: Overcoming Our Circumstances is Way to Church Revival
