Belle’s Belief 贝尔的信仰
Dexu Xia
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life. John 3:36
Today's Scripture John 3:1-6, 9-16, 36
Today's Insights Nicodemus genuinely didn’t understand Jesus’ challenge that only those who were “born again” could see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). The language of rebirth, though it might be familiar to us today, was strange to the Pharisee, and his follow-up questions highlight his confusion (v. 4). With great patience, Christ unpacks His meaning for Nicodemus, culminating in verse 16, one of the most dearly loved verses in the Bible. The impact on him is inescapable. He advocated for Jesus to receive a fair hearing (7:50-51) and helped prepare Him for burial (19:39-41). Nicodemus’ fledgling faith in Christ prompted his love for the Savior and challenges us to also extend His love to others
Today's Devotional Belle wanted nothing to do with her parents’ faith in Jesus. In college, she proclaimed herself an agnostic and sought to live without God. But a breakup with her boyfriend and growing depression sent her on a downward spiral. She thought of ending her life.
In those depths of despair, she thought of her parents’ joy in Christ and, despite her struggles, eventually trusted Jesus as Savior. Later, she heard a man speak about a people group in China who’d never heard the gospel. She wanted to go there to tell them, but some people discouraged her because of the danger. She went anyway. Together with a young man she met in college and whom she later married, Belle spent the rest of her life taking the gospel to people in China and Thailand. Thousands of people trusted Jesus, and the legacy of this woman, Isobel Kuhn, lives on in those lands.
Who gave a young woman a new life and hope and walked with her as she dealt with difficult life challenges? Jesus.
Are you wondering what life is about? Perhaps questioning your existence? Turn to Christ—“God’s one and only son” (John 3:18) who died for you (Romans 5:8). He loves you enough to provide life that lasts forever (John 3:16). Yes, “whoever believes in [Jesus] the Son has eternal life” (3:36). And when we believe in Him, as Belle did, He will be with us as we face life’s challenges and help us extend His love to others.
Reflect & Pray
How does God provide purpose for your life? What does it mean for you to find hope in Christ?
Dear Jesus, thank You for the purpose and plans You have for me! By Dave Branon
“凡信子的人有永生；凡不信子的人得不着永生。（约翰福音 3:36）
今日经文：约翰福音 3:1-6, 9-16, 36
今日洞见： 尼哥底母确实不明白耶稣所说的“只有重生的人才能见神的国”（约翰福音 3:3）。重生的语言，虽然今天我们可能很熟悉，但对这位法利赛人来说却很陌生，他随后的提问也凸显了他的困惑（第4节）。基督以极大的耐心向尼哥底母解释，最终在第16节达到高潮，这节经文是圣经中最受基督徒喜爱的经文之一。尼哥底母无法回避这段经文对他的影响。他努力为耶稣争取公正的审判（7:50-51），并帮助预备耶稣的安葬（19:39-41）。尼哥底母对基督最初的信激发了他对救主的爱，也激励我们把祂的爱传递给他人。
今日灵修 贝尔对父母的耶稣信仰毫无兴趣。大学期间，她自称不可知论者，试图过一种没有上帝的生活。但与男友分手以及日益加重的抑郁症使她陷入了低谷。她甚至想过结束自己的生命。在绝望的深渊中，她想起了父母在基督里的喜乐，尽管内心挣扎，最终还是信靠了耶稣为救主。后来，她听到一位男士讲述中国一个从未听过福音的族群。她想去那里传福音，但有些人因为危险而劝阻她。她还是去了。贝尔与她在大学里认识的一位年轻人一起（此人后来成为她的丈夫），用余生在中国和泰国向人们传福音。成千上万的人信靠了耶稣，这位名叫伊莎贝尔·库恩的女子，她的生命传承至今仍在这些土地上延续。
是谁给了这位年轻女子新的生命和希望，并在她面对人生艰难挑战时陪伴在她身边？是耶稣。 你是否在思考人生的意义？或许你也在质疑自己的存在？转向基督，“上帝的独生子”（约翰福音 3:18），祂为你而死（罗马书 5:8）。祂爱你，赐予你永生（约翰福音 3:16）。是的，“凡信祂子的人，就有永生”（约翰福音 3:36）。当我们像贝儿一样信靠祂时，祂会与我们同在，帮助我们面对人生的挑战，并将祂的爱传递给他人。
反思与祷告 上帝如何赋予你人生的意义？在基督里找到盼望对你来说意味着什么？ 亲爱的耶稣，感谢你为我预备的人生意义和计划！——戴夫·布兰农