親愛的弟兄姊妹:
這幾年，總是想起這樣的一句話：「今年是過去十年最壞的一年，卻是未來十年最好的日子。」這幾天，在告別2022時，以複雜的心情迎接2023。這句話，仍然未能放下。
地球經歷了那最可怕的大洪水後，挪亞一家步出方舟，獻上燔祭感謝神。耶和華聞那馨香之氣、就心裡說：「地還存留，稼穡、寒暑、冬夏、晝夜，永不停息。」祂並以彩虹為立約的記號，應許不再以洪水毀滅大地。但神未曾應許天色常藍、人生路途花香常漫，常晴無雨，常樂無痛苦，常安無虞；卻曾應許我們屬神的人，生活有力，行路有亮光，作工得息，試煉得恩助，危難有賴，無限的體諒，不死的愛！
一年過去、一年又來，我們怎樣數算自己的日子呢？「神啊！求祢教導我們，賜我們智慧活好今天。因為現今的世代邪惡，求祢教導我們愛惜光陰、把握時機，好好活在地上。無論遇上什麼情境，藉著祢的恩典，作鹽作光見證主耶穌，並歸榮耀給祢。」花園的紫玉蘭和白梅花，雖身處寒冬，未忘含蕾，守候春天的來臨。
2023年的第一日，適逢七日的第一日，在紀念主耶穌復活的日子，讓我們把「第一日」奉獻給主，來到神的面前事奉敬拜祂。奉獻時間就是奉獻我們的人生，就是將我們的身體、心思、意志、言語、舉止、行為等等都奉獻給主。
舊約神的僕人約書亞給我們立下了好的榜樣：「至於我和我家，我們必定事奉耶和華。」
祝願大家在新的一年，身體健康，靈命進步!
主內
王 興
30/12/2022
30th December, 2022
Dear brothers and sisters,
I always think of such a phrase in the past few years: “This year was the worst in the past ten years, but it will be the best in the next ten years.” I greet 2023 with mixed feelings while saying goodbye to 2022. That phrase still lingers in my mind.
After the flood, Noah and his family came out of the ark and sacrificed burnt offerings to thank God. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night
will never cease.” He also set the rainbow as the sign of the covenant, that He would never destroy the earth with floods. God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labour, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Time comes and goes, how do we count our days? “Lord, please grant us wisdom to live well today. Because the days are evil, please teach us how to make the most of every opportunity and live well on earth. In all circumstances, by God’s grace, let us be salt and light to witness our Lord Jesus, and to glorify You.” The magnolia and plum blossom trees in the garden, although in the cold winter, are budding and waiting for the coming of spring.
The 2023 New Year Day is the first day of the week. To commemorate resurrection of the Lord Jesus, let us dedicate the “first day” to the Lord and come before God to worship Him. Offering our time is to consecrate all our life, our body, mind, will, speech, behaviour to the Lord.
Joshua the servant of God has set a good example for us: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Wishing you all good health and spiritual growth in the new year.
In Christ,
Sam Wong