{"id":11029,"date":"2025-03-20T10:06:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T15:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/?page_id=11029"},"modified":"2025-03-20T10:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T15:12:14","slug":"2025-spring-essc-familybalance-3-ia-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/2025-spring-essc-familybalance-3-ia-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u5bb6\u5ead\u5e73\u8861 \u7b2c\u4e09\u8f2a 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11029\" class=\"elementor elementor-11029\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7461b30d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7461b30d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11e526e7\" data-id=\"11e526e7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43f3afee elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"43f3afee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div class=\"trp_language_switcher_shortcode\">\n<div class=\"trp-language-switcher trp-language-switcher-container\" data-no-translation >\n    <div class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-current-language\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-disabled-language trp-ls-disabled-language\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_TW.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_TW\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\t\t<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-language\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-disabled-language trp-ls-disabled-language\"  title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_TW.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_TW\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\t\t<\/a>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029#TRPLINKPROCESSED\" title=\"English\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/en_US.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"en_US\" title=\"English\"> English        <\/a>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029#TRPLINKPROCESSED\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_CN.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_CN\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587        <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <script type=\"application\/javascript\">\n        \/\/ need to have the same with set from JS on both divs. Otherwise it can push stuff around in HTML\n        var trp_ls_shortcodes = document.querySelectorAll('.trp_language_switcher_shortcode .trp-language-switcher');\n        if ( trp_ls_shortcodes.length > 0) {\n            \/\/ get the last language switcher added\n            var trp_el = trp_ls_shortcodes[trp_ls_shortcodes.length - 1];\n\n            var trp_shortcode_language_item = trp_el.querySelector( '.trp-ls-shortcode-language' )\n            \/\/ set width\n            var trp_ls_shortcode_width                                               = trp_shortcode_language_item.offsetWidth + 16;\n            trp_shortcode_language_item.style.width                                  = trp_ls_shortcode_width + 'px';\n            trp_el.querySelector( '.trp-ls-shortcode-current-language' ).style.width = trp_ls_shortcode_width + 'px';\n\n            \/\/ We're putting this on display: none after we have its width.\n            trp_shortcode_language_item.style.display = 'none';\n        }\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br><br><br><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d6dbec3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d6dbec3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-16ed1a8f\" data-id=\"16ed1a8f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68c8e3ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"68c8e3ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Family15-ia2-EN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/p><p><strong>Family, Choices, and Returning to God<\/strong><\/p><p>Life is full of choices, and every choice we make reflects what\u2019s in our hearts. When we take a step back and think about it, we realize that what we set our eyes on shapes the direction of our lives. Are we looking at the things God wants us to see, or are we drawn to what simply looks good on the surface? This was exactly the difference between Abraham and Lot in <em>Genesis 13<\/em>.<\/p><p>Abraham and Lot weren\u2019t just two men making separate choices\u2014they were family. Abraham was Lot\u2019s uncle, but he treated him like a son, always looking out for him. When their herds and possessions grew too large for them to live together peacefully, Abraham, the elder and rightful leader, didn\u2019t demand his own way. Instead, he gave Lot the first choice of land, showing humility and love.<\/p><p>Lot, however, lifted his eyes and saw something that pleased him. The Bible tells us: <em>&#8220;And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.&#8221; (Genesis 13:10)<\/em> Lot saw the lush green land, full of potential for prosperity. But here\u2019s the key\u2014he based his decision solely on what looked good. He didn\u2019t ask God. He didn\u2019t seek wisdom. He just went for it, unknowingly moving closer to destruction.<\/p><p>On the other hand, Abraham did something different. He didn\u2019t lift his eyes until God told him to: <em>&#8220;And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: \u2018Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are\u2014northward, southward, eastward, and westward.\u2019&#8221; (Genesis 13:14)<\/em> Abraham waited for God\u2019s direction. He didn\u2019t chase after what looked appealing. Instead, he trusted God\u2019s plan for him. And because of that, God gave him and his descendants a land of eternal promise.<\/p><p>Lot\u2019s decision to follow what looked good on the outside led him toward disaster. Eventually, he found himself living in Sodom, a city full of wickedness. What started as an innocent choice turned into a trap, one that cost him dearly. Though Abraham and Lot were family, their choices led them on very different paths.<\/p><p>This reminds us of another moment in the Bible: <em>&#8220;So I said to you, \u2018Return to Me,\u2019 says the Lord of hosts, \u2018and I will return to you.\u2019&#8221; (Zechariah 1:3)<\/em> God calls us to return to Him because He knows how easily our hearts wander. The world offers plenty of things that seem appealing \u2014 success, comfort, entertainment \u2014 but not all of it is good for us spiritually. If we\u2019re not careful, we might find ourselves inching closer and closer to something that eventually pulls us away from God.<\/p><p>Instead of being like Lot, we should strive to be like Abraham. He didn\u2019t just look at what was in front of him; he trusted in God\u2019s promises, even when he couldn\u2019t see them yet. The psalmist expressed this desire beautifully: <em>&#8220;One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord.&#8221; (Psalm 27:4)<\/em><\/p><p>Where are your eyes fixed today? Are you chasing after things that only satisfy temporarily, or are you looking toward the eternal promises of God? Jesus reminds us: <em>&#8220;But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.&#8221; (Matthew 6:33)<\/em> If we return to God and focus on Him, He will take care of everything else. Let\u2019s lift our eyes\u2014not to the world, but to the One who truly provides.<\/p><p>We warmly welcome you to our upcoming Spring 2025 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) to discover how we can ensure a lasting spiritual legacy. Come, bring your family, and let\u2019s grow together in faith!<\/p><p>You can also join us for the <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/service\/live-sabbath-service\/\">Spring 2025 ESSC via online streaming<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><p>Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:50PM to 8:10PM<br \/>Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2025 9:00AM to 8:10PM<br \/>Sunday, April 20, 2025 9:00AM to 1:00PM<\/p><p>Please find our church location below:<\/p><p><strong>True Jesus Church<br \/>4N550 Church Road<br \/>Bensenville,\u00a0IL\u00a060106<br \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/True+Jesus+Church+Chicago\/@41.945266,-87.9536702,18.39z\/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x880fb39f5fbd433d:0x72d82c41e185bf3e!2s4+S+Church+Rd,+Bensenville,+IL+60106!3b1!8m2!3d41.9448745!4d-87.9534209!3m5!1s0x880fb3a1e4e2dd49:0xd44299b704de1192!8m2!3d41.9453743!4d-87.9533863!16s%2Fg%2F1tdn02z1?hl=en\"><strong>Google Maps<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/service\/live-sabbath-service\/\">services online<\/a>\u00a0or in-person.<\/p><p>Friday Evening Service:\u00a0 7:50PM \u2013 9:00PM<\/p><p>Saturday Morning Service:\u00a0 10:50AM \u2013 12:00Noon<\/p><p>Saturday Afternoon Service:\u00a0 1:30PM \u2013 2:40PM<\/p><p>Email us at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org\">ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7cc52637 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7cc52637\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f258b2c\" data-id=\"2f258b2c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fabd87a elementor-button-success elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6fabd87a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-familybalance-3\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Back to Landing Page<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Family, Choices, and Returning to God Life is full of choices, and every choice we make reflects what\u2019s in our hearts. When we take a step back and think about it, we realize that what we set our eyes on shapes the direction of our lives. Are we looking at the things God wants us [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11029","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-23 03:03:46","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11029"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11045,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11029\/revisions\/11045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}