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Lesson For The Week (Dec. 22)

Jesus Is Emmanuel
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalms 34:18)
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Lily's Story
It was December 1997, the coldest winter of my life. My marriage had just ended in divorce. While people all around me were celebrating the Christmas holiday, my heart was filled with pain and bitterness. I didn’t know how to get on with life. I often asked myself: “Why did this happen?” “Why me?” I was angry at how naïve I had been. How could I not have known my ex-husband was a homosexual?
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I was filled with hatred toward him and other people who had hurt me. I even hated myself. Life seemed so unfair. I was depressed and worried about the future. I lost my confidence completely and was frightfully lonely. I felt no comfort, no hope, anywhere. Then, at this lowest and darkest time of my life, I met Jesus.
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My best friend suggested we go to a place where we could improve our English. The price was right—it was free! So in the autumn of 1998, we started attending Studio Classroom’s Bible Study. Previously, I had disliked the Christian religion, especially because it said there was only one God. But this time I felt different. Each song we sang touched my heart and made me cry. I felt I was not alone in my troubles, but that God was there with me, even weeping with me. He knew the pain behind each tear.
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As I studied the Bible, I learned about my own pride and sin. But I also learned how precious and special I was in God’s eyes. God’s love for me was unconditional. And no matter what I had gone through, He still loved me and forgave me.
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I continued to ask questions to learn more about Jesus. Finally in 1999, I made the decision to receive Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, and I was baptized at House of Praise Church.
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In Jesus, I experienced new life. God’s love healed my broken heart and brought peace to my wounded soul. He helped me to accept and deal with my bitter past. He gave me the love and courage to forgive—even to forgive myself. He replaced my pride with humility and helped me to love others.
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It has been almost ten years since I made the decision to follow Christ. Today, I am blessed with many good friends, a challenging job and my very own apartment. And, just recently, God blessed me with a marriage to a wonderful man.
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Of course, my life still has difficulties. But God walks with me through them and uses them to help me grow. I still have so much learn, but God is always with me. He always has been. He is Emmanuel!
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God's Word
Psalms 34:18:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Isaiah 41:10:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Matthew 6:14-15:
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Ephesians 4:32:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
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Download the lesson (English) - word file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/doc/2006/20061222_L5_JesusIsEmmanuel.doc
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Download the lesson (English) - pdf file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061222_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061222_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Kevin's Riddle Time (Dec.1)

Do You Speak Hamlet? (Proverb)
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Gina, my friend Jim has been staying with me for three weeks.

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I'm finding him very difficult.

A: _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ stink after three days.

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s*The answers are in the comment section.*

Lesson For The Week (Dec. 9)

Jesus Is the Savior
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
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Philip's Story
Not long after I got married, I became addicted to drugs. I told myself I could quit, but the truth was—I couldn’t. The more I took drugs the stronger the desire became. I wasted much of my family’s money supporting my habit. Even worse, I was emotionally out of control. Unfortunately, my wife and children were often the victims of my anger.
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One night, I overdosed and lost control. Holding my daughter, I waved a kitchen knife and threatened to kill my family. The next day, Wendy and my daughters were gone. At work, my boss found out I was taking drugs and fired me. My drug addiction had caused me to lose my family and job.
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Soon after, Doris Brougham, the founder of ORTV, where Wendy worked, prevented me from seeing my family unless I went to a Christian drug rehabilitation center in Hualian. I didn’t want to go, but there was nothing else I could do. I wanted to see Wendy and my girls again so badly.
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I missed my family so much. I would often go for walks in the bamboo forest near the center. Once, on one of these walks, I became overwhelmed with homesickness. My sadness felt like a heavy burden pressing down on my chest. Suddenly, I heard the Lord say: “Do not fear! I love you.” At that moment, I was set free. I realized I had hope in Jesus. I could change! With God’s help, I could beat my drug addiction and be reunited with my family.
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I began to attend the worship service held at the center. Every time I thought of my family, I prayed to God: “Make me into a good husband and father.”
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One day, four months later, my family came to see me. I can still remember when I first saw Wendy. She was standing at a distance, holding the two children by her side. She was so tiny, yet her hands held the children firmly. I was reminded of her firm commitment to our wedding vows. Nearly everyone had advised her to divorce me. But she firmly believed that I could change. After a year I had, and I returned home. That was eight years ago. Since then, Wendy and I have experienced many difficulties, but—hand in hand—we’ve gotten through them together. I am so thankful to God. He gave me my family back. He used people like Doris Brougham and those at the center to turn my life around. I had been a slave to drugs, and ruined my life because of it. But God saved me. God can also save you—if you give him the chance.
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God's Word
Romans 7:18, 24-25:
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
John 8:34-36:
34 I tell you the truth; everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Philippians 4:13:
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
2 Corinthians 7:10:
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
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Download the lesson (English) - word file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/doc/2006/20061208_L4_JesusIstheSavior.doc
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Download the lesson (English) - pdf file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061209_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061209_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Lesson For The Week (Dec. 1)

Jesus Is the Truth
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31~32)
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Steve's Story
It’s not uncommon today to read news stories about careless young people who surf the Internet for long periods of time. I remember one report about a young Japanese man who locked himself in his bedroom to play on the computer. Days later, when he finally came out of his room, he dropped dead right in front of his horrified mother.

As a young boy, I too lived a careless life. I was unconcerned about people, including my friends and family. Being alone was what I liked. One reason was because it was easy – I didn’t have to worry about other people’s feelings. I felt no duty to help others and felt no accountability as to how I behaved. People didn’t really mean that much to me and, in a twisted sort of way, I was proud of that. When I needed something, I simply looked inside myself. The problem was, every time I looked inward, all I found was emptiness.

As time went on, this habit of depending only on myself caused increased depression and apathy. Like the young Japanese man who locked himself in his room and neglected himself, I continued to separate myself from others, not realizing I too was slowly dying on the inside.

It was during high school, thankfully, that the Lord Jesus interrupted my life. After confessing my need for Jesus, he began to change my thoughts, and he lifted me out of my depression. The Bible says Jesus is the Truth. Included in that statement is the fact that Jesus is also the revealer of truth, including the truth about ourselves. One important truth Jesus has shown me is that I was designed to live in community with others and in relationship with God, my Creator.

Friends, we need people and we need God. I denied these truths for many years, only to realize I wasn’t truly living. And my separation didn’t just affect myself; it hurt others, which was something I couldn’t see at the time. I’m still in the process of putting this truth into practice but am forever thankful to know that fullness of life – true love, joy and peace – is found in relationship with God and others, not in my lonely world.

Jesus reveals many truths about ourselves. Why not trust him? After all, if he created us, doesn’t it make sense that he knows us and knows what we need?
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God's Word
Mark 12:28b, 30-31:
Of all the commandments, which is the most important? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
Hebrew 4:13:
There is nothing that can be hidden from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves.
Psalms 42:5:
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
John 14:6:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 8:31-32:
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
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Download the lesson (English) - word file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/doc/2006/20061201_L3_JesusIstheTruth.doc
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Download the lesson (English) - pdf file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061201_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061201_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Lesson For The Week (Nov. 24)

God Is the Way
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6)
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Winston's Story
Owning a big company and being a “big boss” had been my dream since childhood. In order to make that dream come true, I worked so hard that I sacrificed everything, even my sweet family life and my health. I did this until one day I lost everything in my business. I realized then that my dreams of becoming a “big boss” would never come true. I felt as if I were standing at the edge of a high cliff. There was no way for me to continue living like this any longer. I was terrified of facing the consequences of the collapse of my entire business.

Just a few days after this tragic event, my wife invited me to attend a Bible study class held at Studio Classroom. The topic of the lesson was “There Is Only One God.” Even though I did not accept Jesus that evening, I began to think about the supreme power of the Creator. The next week when I attended the Bible study class, I was so attracted to the verse where Jesus says: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” I suddenly realized that I had wasted so many years wandering without knowing the truth, and that I had lost my life to a childhood dream. I had a strong desire to find the answer to how a human being could live a meaningful life in this world. That night I accepted Jesus as my Savior and started to learn how to trust and lean on Him. Little by little, I began to understand that my life was a gift from the Creator and that He had a wonderful plan for me.

After I made the decision to follow Christ and the teachings found in the Bible, I began to see real changes in my life. My failing marriage was made strong again. God worked miracles in my company. He not only intervened to take care of the existing problems but also paved a brand new way that brought quick growth and expansion to my business. It was as if my company had been raised from death to life, just like my spirit!
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Over the years, I have learned that only when I seek God and follow His plans can I find real peace and satisfaction in my life. He is the Almighty God and bigger than any problem I could ever face! I lost almost everything in my pursuit of a dream, but Jesus came into my broken life and gave me a new one. He can do the same for you. No matter what problem you face, He is bigger! If you invite Him into your heart, you will experience His power and love. He will give you a fresh start and life that is abundant, just as He has for me.
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God's Word
Matthew 16:26:
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
John 14:6:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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Download the lesson (English) - word file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/doc/2006/20061124_L2_GodIstheWay.doc
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Download the lesson (English) - pdf file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061124_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061124_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Kevin's Riddle Time (Nov.18)

I wrote down your name on the sky,

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and the _ _ _ _ blew it away.

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I wrote down your name in the sand,

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and the sea b _ _ _ _ ed it away.

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I wrote down your name on every corner,

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and the _ _ _ took me away.

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s*The answers are in the comment section.*

Lesson For The Week (Nov. 17)

God Is Life
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”(John 10:10)
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Vickie's Story
I had many questions about life while I was growing up. While it seemed my sisters and many of my friends knew exactly what they wanted to do with their lives, I had no idea. I didn’t understand what my purpose in life was. I often wondered why I was even born. I didn’t feel that my life was very meaningful. And, I wasn’t able to enjoy life like so many others. I began to search for things that would make my life happier but nothing I tried brought satisfaction – sports, school, relationships, parties – nothing! I felt like an empty shell. I existed but there was no life in me.

At 17, I moved into an apartment with two friends. We all planned to go to school half days and work part time. Instead, we slept until noon, and partied all night. My life was headed down a very slippery road. I began to grow desperate wondering about my future.

Then, I don’t know why, but I asked my parents to give me a Bible for Christmas. As I began reading it, my heart was stirred. I began to wonder if maybe God did have a plan and purpose for my life. And, if he did, what I should do about it. While I was searching for answers to these questions, my parents became Christians. They began to pray for me. Then, they started to share with excitement the things God was doing in their lives. I was so shocked to see the change in their lives and the enthusiasm with which they spoke. I had never experienced that kind of excitement or enthusiasm about anything! I quickly discovered that this was what was missing in my life – a relationship with the God who created me and knew everything about me.

I decided I wanted to follow God. I prayed for his forgiveness and asked him to come into my life. I asked him to give my life meaning and purpose. The moment I prayed that prayer, I felt different. The weeks and months that followed were amazing! I began to see in the Bible God’s plan for my life. I had a feeling of joy and peace I had never felt before. And, my confidence began to grow. I began to see that this was what God had desired for me all along. In fact, this is what he desires for all of us. He wants all of us to have relationship with him and to live according to his plans and purposes for our lives. It is only then that we can truly experience the abundant life he offers us.
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God's Word
v 1 John 5:12: He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
v John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
v John 17:3: Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
v John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
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Download the lesson (English) - word file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/doc/2006/20061117_L1_GodIsLife.doc
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Download the lesson (English) - pdf file
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061117_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061117_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Kevin's Riddle Time (Nov.11)

What is long and slim,

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Works in the light,

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Has only one eye,

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And an awful bite.

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N _ _ _ _ _

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s*The answer is in the comment section.*

Lesson For The Week (Nov. 10)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples Again
Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:19b)
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Bible Reading (John 21)
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1 After this, Jesus appeared once more to his disciples at Lake Tiberias. This is how it happened. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together. 3 Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.”

“We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing. 4 As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?”

“Not a thing,” they answered. 6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish. 7 The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples came to shore in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. They were not very far from land, about a hundred yards away. 9 When they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three in all; even though there were so many, still the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish. 14 This, then, was the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.

15 After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” 16 A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” and so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep. 18 I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned around and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved—the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus answered him, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23 So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die; he said, “If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?” 24 He is the disciple who spoke of these things, the one who also wrote them down; and we know that what he said is true. 25 Now, there are many other things that Jesus did. If they were all written down one by one, I suppose that the whole world could not hold the books that would be written.
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Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061110_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061110_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Kevin's Riddle Time (Nov.3)

By the river bank there's a green house,

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And in the green house there's a white house,

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And in the white house there's a red house,

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And in the red house,

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There are a lot of little black and white babies.
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W _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ n

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s*The answer is in the comment section.*

The potter`s hand - Darlene Zschech

Love this song! Beautiful!

You Raise Me Up - Selah

Lesson For The Week (Nov. 3)

Jesus Is Alive!
But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life. (John 20:31)00
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Bible Reading (John 20)
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1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance. 2 She went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb. 4 The two of them were running, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and saw the linen cloths, but he did not go in. 6 Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there 7 and the cloth which had been around Jesus’ head. It was not lying with the linen cloths but was rolled up by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.) 10 Then the disciples went back home. 11 Mary stood crying outside the tomb. While she was still crying, she bent over and looked in the tomb 12 and saw two angels there dressed in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 “Woman, why are you crying?” they asked her.

She answered, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!” 14 Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who is it that you are looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, “If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (This means “Teacher.”) 17 “Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” 18 So Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to them what he had told her.

19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!” 30 In his disciples’ presence Jesus performed many other miracles, which are not written down in this book. 31 But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.

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Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061103_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061103_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Lesson For The Week (Oct. 27)

Jesus Is Crucified
Jesus said, “It is finished!” (Note: The word “finished” here means “paid in full.” Jesus paid the full penalty of our sins!) (John 19:30)00

Bible Reading (John 19:17~42)
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17 He went out, carrying his cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull,” as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called “Golgotha.”) 18 There they crucified him; and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them.

19 Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. 20 Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am the King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.” 23 After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier. They also took the robe, which was made of one piece of woven cloth without any seams in it. 24 The soldiers said to one another “Let’s not tear it; let’s throw dice to see who will get it.” This happened in order to make the scripture come true: “They divided my clothes among themselves and gambled for my robe.” And this is what the soldiers did. 25 Standing close to Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home. 28 Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A bowl was there, full of cheap wine; so a sponge was soaked in the wine, put on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted up to his lips. 30 Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31 Then the Jewish authorities asked Pilate to allow them to break the legs of the men who had been crucified, and to take the bodies down from the crosses. They requested this because it was Friday, and they did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses on the Sabbath, since the coming Sabbath was especially holy. 32 So the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear into Jesus’ side, and at once blood and water poured out. 35 (The one who saw this happen has spoken of it, so that you also may believe. What he said is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth.) 36 This was done to make the scripture come true: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And there is another scripture that says, “People will look at him whom they pierced.”

38 After this, Joseph, who was from the town of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus’ body. (Joseph was a follower of Jesus, but in secret, because he was afraid of the Jewish authorities.) Pilate told him he could have the body, so Joseph went and took it away. 39 Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. 40 The two men took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices according to the Jewish custom of preparing a body for burial. 41 There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been put to death, and in it there was a new tomb where no one had ever been buried. 42 Since it was the day before the Sabbath and because the tomb was close by, they placed Jesus’ body there.

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Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061027_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061027_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Kevin's Riddle Time (Oct. 20)

Halving Seven

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Can you prove that seven is half of twelve?

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7 + 7 = 12

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sxds
*The answer is in the comment section.*

O Happy Day

(Can ) Father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt

A glimpse of the remarkable father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt, and their inspirational journey together in a triathlon and life itself. The goal of Team Hoyt is to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life. One way to accomplish this is to educate the able-bodied, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day. Another is by actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Team Hoyt targets both of these areas.

Song: "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me

(from YouTube)



Download the video

Lesson For The Week (Oct. 20)

Jesus Stands Trial Before Pilate
“I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me.”(John 18:37b)00

Bible Reading (John 18:28~40;19:1~16)
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18:28~40
28 Early in the morning Jesus was taken from Caiaphas’ house to the governor’s palace. The Jewish authorities did not go inside the palace for they wanted to keep themselves ritually clean, in order to be able to eat the Passover meal. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and asked, “What do you accuse this man of?” 30 Their answer was, “We would not have brought him to you if he had not committed a crime.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Then you yourselves take him and try him according to your own law.”

They replied, “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.” 32 (This happened in order to make come true what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he would die.) 33 Pilate went back into the palace and called Jesus. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus answered, “Does this question come from you or have others told you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “Do you think I am a Jew? It was your own people and the chief priests who handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world; if my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. No, my kingdom does not belong here!” 37 So Pilate asked him, “Are you a king, then?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me.” 38 “And what is truth?” Pilate asked.
Then Pilate went back outside to the people and said to them, “I cannot find any reason to condemn him. 39 But according to the custom you have, I always set free a prisoner for you during the Passover. Do you want me to set free for you the king of the Jews?” 40 They answered him with a shout, “No, not him! We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a bandit.)

19:1~16
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2 The soldiers made a crown out of thorny branches and put it on his head; then they put a purple robe on him 3 and came to him and said, “Long live the King of the Jews!” And they went up and slapped him.
4 Pilate went back out once more and said to the crowd, “Look, I will bring him out here to you to let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Look! Here is the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the Temple guards saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “You take him, then, and crucify him. I find no reason to condemn him.” 7 The crowd answered back, “We have a law that says he ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid. 9 He went back into the palace and asked Jesus, “Where do you come from?”

But Jesus did not answer. 10 Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucified.” 11 Jesus answered, “You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God. So the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a worse sin.” 12 When Pilate heard this, he tried to find a way to set Jesus free. But the crowd shouted back, “If you set him free, that means that you are not the Emperor’s friend! Anyone who claims to be a king is a rebel against the Emperor!” 13 When Pilate heard these words, he took Jesus outside and sat down on the judge’s seat in the place called “The Stone Pavement.” (In Hebrew the name is “Gabbatha.”) 14 It was then almost noon of the day before the Passover. Pilate said to the people, “Here is your king!” 15 They shouted back, “Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!”

Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “The only king we have is the Emperor!”
16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took charge of Jesus.
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Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061020_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061020_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Kevin's Riddle Time (Oct. 13)

These omnivores are among the top animal hunters in the world.

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Sometimes they eat food from food chains in nature.

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Sometimes they control their own food chains

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to make sure they have the food they want and need.

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What are they?
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H _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S

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omnivores (n.) 雜食動物;雜食的人

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*The answer is in the comment section.*

Moon Festival Special

Hehe... since today is the Moon Festival, let's have some moony mood. So.. here are two moon songs that fit the theme well (or so I think = P).
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Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra

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Moon River - Barbra Streisand

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Moon River - Frank Sinatra

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Fly Me To The Moon

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Fly me to the moon

And let me sing among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words hold my hand

In other words baby kiss me

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Fill my heart with song

And let me sing forevermore

You are all I long for

All I worship and adore

In other words please be true

In other words I'm in love with you

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I really love its beginning.. the soothing basanova.

And the ending is quite cute, too.

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Moon River

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Moon river, wider than a mile

I'm crossin' you in style some day

Old dream maker, you heartbreaker

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

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Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see

We're after the same rainbow's end,

waitin' 'round the bend

My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me

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Hmm.. I just love listen to these old songs late at night like this. Both singers are my favorites. Anyway, have a great holiday!

Lesson For The Week (Oct. 13)

Jesus Is Arrested
Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?”(John 18:11)00

Bible Reading (John 18:1-27)
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1 After Jesus had said this prayer, he left with his disciples and went across Kidron Brook. There was a garden in that place, and Jesus and his disciples went in. 2 Judas, the traitor, knew where it was, because many times Jesus had met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas went to the garden, taking with him a group of Roman soldiers, and some Temple guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees; they were armed and carried lanterns and torches. 4 Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward and asked them, “Who is it you are looking for?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.

“I am he,” he said. Judas, the traitor, was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they moved back and fell to the ground. 7 Again Jesus asked them, “Who is it you are looking for?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 “I have already told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “If, then, you are looking for me, let these others go.” 9 (He said this so that what he had said might come true: “Father, I have not lost even one of those you gave me.”) 10 Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the High Priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. The name of the slave was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! Do you think that I will not drink the cup of suffering which my Father has given me?” 12 Then the Roman soldiers with their commanding officer and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus, tied him up,

13 and took him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish authorities that it was better that one man should die for all the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That other disciple was well known to the High Priest, so he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest’s house, 16 while Peter stayed outside by the gate. Then the other disciple went back out, spoke to the girl at the gate, and brought Peter inside. 17 The girl at the gate said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of the disciples of that man?”

“No, I am not,” answered Peter. 18 It was cold, so the servants and guards had built a charcoal fire and were standing around it, warming themselves. So Peter went over and stood with them, warming himself. 19 The High Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 Jesus answered, “I have always spoken publicly to everyone; all my teaching was done in the synagogues and in the Temple, where all the people come together. I have never said anything in secret. 21 Why, then, do you question me? Question the people who heard me. Ask them what I told them—they know what I said.” 22 When Jesus said this, one of the guards there slapped him and said, “How dare you talk like that to the High Priest!” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have said anything wrong, tell everyone here what it was. But if I am right in what I have said, why do you hit me?” 24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the High Priest. 25 Peter was still standing there keeping himself warm. So the others said to him, “Aren’t you also one of the disciples of that man?”
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But Peter denied it. “No, I am not,” he said. 26 One of the High Priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, spoke up. “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” he asked. 27 Again Peter said “No”—and at once a rooster crowed.
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Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061013_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20061013_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Keven's Riddle Time (Sep. 29)

1. Timetables.

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Sch _ _ _ _ _ _

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2. A friend at school.

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Sch _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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3. Money that top students receive to continue studying.

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Sch _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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4. An old-fashioned word for school teacher.

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Sch _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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5. A person who has a serious mental illness.

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Sch _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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s
*The answers are in the comment section.*

Lesson For The Week (Sep. 29)

Jesus Prays for His Disciples
“And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.”(John 17:3)00

Bible Reading (John 17:1-26)
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1 After Jesus finished saying this, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son may give glory to you. 2 For you gave him authority over all people, so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him. 3 And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent. 4 I have shown your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do. 5 Father! Give me glory in your presence now, the same glory I had with you before the world was made.

6 I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They have obeyed your word, 7 and now they know that everything you gave me comes from you. 8 I gave them the message that you gave me, and they received it; they know that it is true that I came from you, and they believe that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those you gave me, for they belong to you. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine; and my glory is shown through them.

11 And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I protected them, and not one of them was lost, except the man who was bound to be lost—so that the Scripture might come true. 13 And now I am coming to you, and I say these things in the world so that they might have my joy in their hearts in all its fullness. 14 I gave them your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One. 16 Just as I do not belong to the world, they do not belong to the world.

17 Dedicate them to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth. 18 I sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world. 19 And for their sake I dedicate myself to you, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to you.

20 I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. 21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I gave them the same glory you gave me, so that they may be one, just as you and I are one: 23 I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me.
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24 Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made. 25 Righteous Father! The world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you sent me. 26 I made you known to them, and I will continue to do so, in order that the love you have for me may be in them, and so that I also may be in them.”
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Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20060929_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20060929_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm

Update

YAY~~ I’ve made some changes on this blog. It took me a while to do this, and I'm not yet finished. Some of the old features are lost, while some new ones are added. I hope these changes can make this place a more convenient resource to use. Have a great time using this website!

Keven's Riddle Time (Sep. 22)

1. A group of fish.

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Sch _ _ _

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2. A student who receives payment for his schooling.

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Sch _ _ _ _

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3. A large sailing boat.

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Sch _ _ _ _ _

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*The answers are in the comment section.*

Beautiful by David Tao

Just in case you're interested! ; )

You Raise Me Up by Rex

July 21, 2006 @ Bible Study

Flute by Angus

Lesson For The Week (Sep.22)

The Joy and Victory to Come
“The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”(John 16:33b)00

Bible Reading (John 16:16-33; Hebrews 10:19-23)
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John 16:16-33
16 “In a little while you will not see me any more, and then a little while later you will see me.” 17 Some of his disciples asked among themselves, “What does this mean? He tells us that in a little while we will not see him, and then a little while later we will see him; and he also says, ‘It is because I am going to the Father.’ 18 What does this ‘a little while’ mean? We don’t know what he is talking about!” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said to them, “I said, ‘In a little while you will not see me, and then a little while later you will see me.’ Is this what you are asking about among yourselves? 20 I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into gladness. 21 When a woman is about to give birth, she is sad because her hour of suffering has come; but when the baby is born, she forgets her suffering, because she is happy that a baby has been born into the world. 22 That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you. 23 When that day comes, you will not ask me for anything. I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete. 25 I have used figures of speech to tell you these things. But the time will come when I will not use figures of speech, but will speak to you plainly about the Father. 26 When that day comes, you will ask him in my name; and I do not say that I will ask him on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you. He loves you because you love me and have believed that I came from God.
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28 I did come from the Father, and I came into the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 Then his disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly, without using figures of speech. 30 We know now that you know everything; you do not need to have someone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32 The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered, each of you to your own home, and I will be left all alone. But I am not really alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

Hebrews 10:19-23
19 We have, then, my friends, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. 20 He opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain—that is, through his own body. 21 We have a great priest in charge of the house of God. 22 So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. 23 Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.

Download the lesson (English):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20060922_e.pdf

Download the lesson (Chinese):
http://www.ortv.com/chinese/ebs_c/pdf/2006/20060922_c.pdf

Past Lessons:
http://www.ortv.com/english/ebs_c/ebs_e.htm