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第七章

45 差役回到祭司長和法利賽人那裏。他們對差役說：「你們為甚麼沒有帶他來呢？」 46 差役回答說：「從來沒有像他這樣說話的！」 47 法利賽人說：「你們也受了迷惑嗎？ 48 官長或是法利賽人豈有信他的呢？ 49 但這些不明白律法的百姓是被咒詛的！」 50 內中有尼哥底母，就是從前去見耶穌的，對他們說： 51 「不先聽本人的口供，不知道他所做的事，難道我們的律法還定他的罪嗎？」 52 他們回答說：「你也是出於加利利嗎？你且去查考，就可知道加利利沒有出過先知。」

 

默想：

1. 差役因耶穌的話留下深刻印象（46），竟沒有捉拿他；那個夜訪耶穌的法利賽人尼哥底母（參3章），顯然已暗地裡成為信徒，即使很多法利賽人憎恨耶穌，並想殺害祂，但尼哥底母仍不顧自己的聲譽地位，冒險為耶穌說話，抨擊法利賽人不守自己的規條，暴露了他們虛偽的動機。
2. 當我聽到周圍的人（或是親友或是不認識的人）批評毀謗耶穌時，我會有怎樣的反應？
3. 安靜坐在主面前，揣摩當年耶穌的遭遇，被人惡意攻擊、甚至經常有遭殺身之禍的危險臨頭，心頭湧上怎樣的感受？告訴耶穌，與祂對話，聆聽祂的回應。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 7

⁴⁵Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”  ⁴⁶“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared.  ⁴⁷“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. ⁴⁸“Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹No! ut this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”  ⁵⁰Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, ⁵¹“Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”  ⁵²They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

Meditation:

1. The temple guards impressed with Jesus’ teaching didn’t arrest Jesus.  Nicodemus, the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night (ch 3) had apparently became a believer, despite the overwhelming hatred of Jesus from his fellowmen.  He risked his reputation and defended for Jesus.  He attacked them for breaking their own rules and exposed their hypocritical motive.
2. How do I respond when I hear people around me (relatives or strangers) criticizing or blaspheming Jesus?
3. Sit quietly before the Lord.  Try to imagine what Jesus encountered, vicious attack and murder threat.  What feelings are stirred up in me?  Talk to Jesus and listen to His response.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第六章

35 耶穌說：「我就是生命的糧。到我這裏來的，必定不餓；信我的，永遠不渴。 36 只是我對你們說過，你們已經看見我，還是不信。 37 凡父所賜給我的人必到我這裏來；到我這裏來的，我總不丟棄他。 38 因為我從天上降下來，不是要按自己的意思行，乃是要按那差我來者的意思行。 39 差我來者的意思就是：他所賜給我的，叫我一個也不失落，在末日卻叫他復活。 40 因為我父的意思是叫一切見子而信的人得永生，並且在末日我要叫他復活。」 41 猶太人因為耶穌說「我是從天上降下來的糧」，就私下議論他， 42 說：「這不是約瑟的兒子耶穌嗎？他的父母我們豈不認得嗎？他如今怎麼說『我是從天上降下來的』呢？」 43 耶穌回答說：「你們不要大家議論。 44 若不是差我來的父吸引人，就沒有能到我這裏來的；到我這裏來的，在末日我要叫他復活。 45 在先知書上寫著說：『他們都要蒙　神的教訓。』凡聽見父之教訓又學習的，就到我這裏來。 46 這不是說有人看見過父，惟獨從　神來的，他看見過父。 47 我實實在在地告訴你們，信的人有永生。 48 我就是生命的糧。 49 你們的祖宗在曠野吃過嗎哪，還是死了。 50 這是從天上降下來的糧，叫人吃了就不死。 51 我是從天上降下來生命的糧；人若吃這糧，就必永遠活著。我所要賜的糧就是我的肉，為世人之生命所賜的。」 52 因此，猶太人彼此爭論說：「這個人怎能把他的肉給我們吃呢？」

默想：

1. 有些人「希望」他們有永生，有些人「相信他們將會有」永生，還有人堅持認為「要到死的時候才會知道」，還有人會說「你憑什麼認為你比我好，你有永生，我沒有？」停頓一下，自問，我對永生的了解與相信是什麼？
2. 耶穌在談到確據的事情，祂要我們知道我們是有永生的。「到我這裏來的，我總不丟棄他」（37節）。當我們接受基督之後，神會保守我們到永遠。在39-40節中，耶穌繼續說到天父的心意是「叫一切見子而信的人得永生，並且在末日我要叫他復活」（40節）。不是「將要有」永生，不是「可能會有」永生，也不是「也許會有」，而是「信的人有永生」（47節）。
3. 既然耶穌說我有永生，我就信祂的話。花點時間感謝神賜我救恩以及永生。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 6

³⁵Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”  ⁴¹At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴²They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”  ⁴³“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. ⁴⁴“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. ⁴⁸I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. ⁵⁰But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. ⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  ⁵²Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

 

Meditation:

1. Some folks “hope” they have eternal life.  Others “trust they will have” eternal life.  And other folks insist “How can you know until you’re dead?”  Others will say, “What makes you think you’re so much better than me?”  Pause for a moment and ask myself: what is my understanding or belief about eternal life?
2. Jesus wants us to know that we have eternal life (v37).  After we responded to God, He will keep us safe, forever.  Again, in vv 39-40, it’s not “will have” eternal life, not “may have”, and not “maybe has”.  It’s “he who believes has everlasting life.”(v47)
3. Since Jesus says I have eternal life and I can take His word for it. Take the time to thank God for His salvation and eternal life for me.

 

Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第五章

1這事以後，到了猶太人的一個節期，耶穌就上耶路撒冷去。 2 在耶路撒冷，靠近羊門有一個池子，希伯來話叫作畢士大，旁邊有五個廊子； 3 裏面躺著瞎眼的、瘸腿的、血氣枯乾的許多病人。（有古卷加：等候水動； 4 因為有天使按時下池子攪動那水，水動之後，誰先下去，無論害甚麼病就痊癒了。） 5 在那裏有一個人，病了三十八年。 6 耶穌看見他躺著，知道他病了許久，就問他說：「你要痊癒嗎？」 7 病人回答說：「先生，水動的時候，沒有人把我放在池子裏；我正去的時候，就有別人比我先下去。」 8 耶穌對他說：「起來，拿你的褥子走吧！」 9 那人立刻痊癒，就拿起褥子來走了。

默想：

1. 讀這段經文，有什麼特別吸引我的地方？是否因為我最近所受的傷害，而深切希望得到心靈的醫治？或是我質疑耶穌是否真能醫治肉身的疾病——我的或是別人的？
2. 詢問神，祂有什麼要我祈求得到醫治的地方？聆聽神，並和祂對話。（允許耶穌來醫治時，我有幾種可能的狀況：可能還沒能夠將緊握或執著的事放開；也可能希望自由和痊癒，但覺得被困，受綁，無法自拔；或是我已經可以接受醫治了。）
3. 若是今天與主有約的時間內，對我的痊癒有小小的進步，為此歡喜！若沒有，不要在意。繼續告訴耶穌我的情況，並警覺神為我作的工作。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 5

¹Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. ²Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesdaand which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. ³Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. ⁵One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”  ⁷“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”  ⁸Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.       The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

 

 Meditation:

1. What stands out and draws my attention in this passage?  Do I deeply desire to experience wholeness of mind or spirit because of my wounded-ness lately?  Or do I find myself questioning whether Jesus really can heal a physical sickness – either my own or someone else’s?
2. Ask Jesus what he has specifically for me that calls for healing.  Talk to God about what I hear.  (Allowing Jesus to bring healing might require letting go of something that may hurt a lot to release, and may not think I’m ready for it right now.  Or I desire freedom and wholeness, but feel stuck, imprisoned, fragmented.  Or in this moment I find myself ready for my healing.)
3. If the time with Jesus and God’s message today moved me the tiniest bit closer to wholeness, rejoice.  If not, simply let things be.  Continue talking to Jesus about my situation, being alert to what he has for me.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第四章

43 過了那兩天，耶穌離了那地方，往加利利去。 44 因為耶穌自己作過見證說：「先知在本地是沒有人尊敬的。」 45 到了加利利，加利利人既然看見他在耶路撒冷過節所行的一切事，就接待他，因為他們也是上去過節。 46 耶穌又到了加利利的迦拿，就是他從前變水為酒的地方。有一個大臣，他的兒子在迦百農患病。 47 他聽見耶穌從猶太到了加利利，就來見他，求他下去醫治他的兒子，因為他兒子快要死了。 48 耶穌就對他說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」 49 那大臣說：「先生，求你趁著我的孩子還沒有死就下去。」 50 耶穌對他說：「回去吧，你的兒子活了！」那人信耶穌所說的話就回去了。 51 正下去的時候，他的僕人迎見他，說他的兒子活了。 52 他就問甚麼時候見好的。他們說：「昨日未時熱就退了。」 53 他便知道這正是耶穌對他說「你兒子活了」的時候；他自己和全家就都信了。 54 這是耶穌在加利利行的第二件神蹟，是他從猶太回去以後行的。

 

默想：

1. 當這位焦急的父親找到耶穌時，耶穌好像漠不關心，卻對他說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信」。而當這父親再次求耶穌時，耶穌只說：「回去吧，你的兒子活了！」
2. 這就是信心的困境；一方面神回應我們急迫的懇求，對我們說：「作好了，回去吧，病人已經痊愈了」！信心就是這樣，我們懇切地來向神求救恩，神說：「你可以走了！」工作已經完成了，你已經得痊癒了。我們雖然沒有證據，卻憑著信心，就照耶穌所說的，平安的走了。
3. 反思：當我將問題帶給耶穌時，我通常是接受耶穌的應許，還是不斷地擔心，愁煩？我的生活中，是否表現出確實相信神在掌管一切，並且要將最好的賜給我？與神對話，並聆聽神的回應。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 4

⁴³After the two days he left for Galilee. ⁴⁴(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) ⁴⁵When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.  ⁴⁶Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.  ⁴⁸“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”  ⁴⁹The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”  ⁵⁰Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”       The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. ⁵²When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.”  ⁵³Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed.  ⁵⁴This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

 

Meditation

1. When the anxious father came, Jesus seemed quite indifferent and said to the father: “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe.”   And when the father asked Jesus again, Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”
2. This is the dilemma of faith.  God, in response to our desperate appeals, speaks to us and says, “It’s done.  Go home and you’ll find the sick healed.”  Faith is very much the same.  We come to God desperate for salvation.  And all He said is, “you may go.”  The work is done, your healing accomplished.  And, though we lack evidence, in faith, we walk away as Jesus said.
3. Reflect: When I bring my problem to God, do I tend to accept his word or keep fretting and fussing?   Do I actually live out my life in a way that demonstrates that I really believe God is in control and wants the best for me?   Talk to God about this and listen to His response.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第三章

16 「　神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不致滅亡，反得永生。 17 因為　神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪（或譯：審判世人；下同），乃是要叫世人因他得救。 18 信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信　神獨生子的名。 19 光來到世間，世人因自己的行為是惡的，不愛光，倒愛黑暗，定他們的罪就是在此。 20 凡作惡的便恨光，並不來就光，恐怕他的行為受責備。 21 但行真理的必來就光，要顯明他所行的是靠　神而行。」

默想：

1. 尼哥底母是個法利賽人，他在一個晚上來找耶穌，向他求問。在這晚的問答中，尼哥底母才開始真正地明白耶穌的教導，並得到幫助「出黑暗」進入新生命的「光」中。女作家Kathleen Norris 曾寫道：「我開始明白到，即使我多年來一直把神不知丟到哪裡去，神卻從來沒有丟失我」。我怎麼看自己過去在黑暗中，可能是抗拒得救的那段流蕩的日子？
2. 再讀這段經文，有沒有任何字或句特別觸動我？為什麼？究竟神要對我說什麼
3. 將這段經文中令我困惑，或是令我興奮的詞句告訴神，和神對話。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 3:16-21

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. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

 

Meditation:

1. Nicodemus who was a Pharisee, one night he decided to speak to Jesus and question him. It was through this line of questioning that Nicodemus truly began to understand the teachings of Jesus and was helped “out of the dark” and into a new life of “light.”  Kathleen Norris wrote “I came to understand that God hadn’t lost me, even if I seemed for years to have misplaced God.”  How do I view the time I have spent wandering in darkness, maybe struggling against new birth?
2. Read through the passage. Are there any words or phrases that stand out to me? Why? What do I think God is trying to tell me?
3. Talk to God about both the phrases that confused me and those that really captivated me.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

3 酒用盡了，耶穌的母親對他說：「他們沒有酒了。」 4 耶穌說：「母親（原文是婦人），我與你有甚麼相干？我的時候還沒有到。」 5 他母親對用人說：「他告訴你們甚麼，你們就做甚麼。」

11 這是耶穌所行的頭一件神蹟，是在加利利的迦拿行的，顯出他的榮耀來；他的門徒就信他了。

23 當耶穌在耶路撒冷過逾越節的時候，有許多人看見他所行的神蹟，就信了他的名。 24 耶穌卻不將自己交託他們；因為他知道萬人， 25 也用不著誰見證人怎樣，因他知道人心裏所存的。

 

默想：

1. 6-12節是第一個神蹟，進一步證明耶穌所行的，是繼續神的工作。耶穌的神蹟與其他很多的神蹟（如：神七日的創造），都是幫助我們認識到，神仍然在祂所創造的地上工作。無論我們是否意識到，神今天仍然工作，在祂所作的每一件事情上，彰顯祂的美善和榮耀。
2. 當我了解到，所有的神蹟都是向我表明神的榮耀，神的大能，與神的存在時，我還要怎樣抗拒神醫治的大能與豐富的供應呢？在我的與神同行的屬靈歷程上，我曾見證過哪些神蹟（神的作為）？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

CHAPTER 2

³When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”  ⁴“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.”  ⁵His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

¹¹This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

²³Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. ²⁴But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. ²⁵He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

Meditation:

1. This is Jesus’ first sign that is further proof of the actions of Jesus continuing the act of God. This sign along with many others (i.e. seven days of creation) help us to realize that God is still at work in this land that he has created. And whether or not we see it, he is still working today revealing his goodness and glory in everything he does.
2. When I truly understand that all signs point me to God’s glory, power and existence, will I still resist God’s healing and provision? What signs have I witnessed in my journey with God?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第一章

12 凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄作　神的兒女。 13 這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從　神生的。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 15 約翰為他作見證，喊著說：「這就是我曾說：『那在我以後來的，反成了在我以前的，因他本來在我以前。』」 16 從他豐滿的恩典裏，我們都領受了，而且恩上加恩。 17 律法本是藉著摩西傳的；恩典和真理都是由耶穌基督來的。 18 從來沒有人看見　神，只有在父懷裏的獨生子將他表明出來。

 

默想：

1. 反復讀幾遍這段經文，讓經文滲入內心，有什麼觸動我的字句？
2. 14節「道成了肉身，住在我們中間」。若是神搬到我這條街住，或和我共用一個工作室，我會覺得怎樣？若是神搬到我家附近，這個社區環境會有什麼不同？我的生命會有什麼改變？
3. 默想這段經文：「生命在他裏頭，這生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗裏，黑暗卻不接受光」（4-5節）。

 

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

DEVOTION

Gospel of John

CHAPTER 1 (NIV)

¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  ¹⁵John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ” ¹⁶From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ¹⁷For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

 

Meditation:

1. Read over this passage a few times taking the time to let it sink in. What strikes me the most in the passage?
2. When it says the “Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (v14) , how does that make me feel? What would my life be like if God moved to my street or shared the workspace with me?  How would the environment of my neighbourhood be different if God had moved in? How might my life be different?
3. Meditate on these words “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John1:4-5)

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

猶大書

³ 親愛的，我曾經迫切地想寫信給你們，論到我們共享的救恩；現在我更覺得必須寫信勸勉你們，要竭力維護從前一次就全交給了聖徒的信仰，⁴ 因為有人已經混進你們中間，他們就是早被判定受刑的不敬虔的人。這些人把我們神的恩典當作放縱情慾的藉口，並且否認獨一的主宰我們的主耶穌基督。⁵ 雖然這一切事情你們都早已知道，我仍然要提醒你們：從前主從埃及地把人民救出來，跟著就把那些不信的人除滅了。⁶ 還有，那不守本位擅離自己居所的天使，主用永遠的鎖鍊把他們拘留在黑暗裡，直到那大日子的審判。⁷ 又像所多瑪、蛾摩拉和周圍城市的人，與他們一樣的淫亂，隨從反常的情慾，以致遭受永火的刑罰，成了後世的鑒戒。⁸ 雖然是這樣，這些醉生夢死的人還是照樣玷污身體，藐視主權，毀謗尊榮。

 

 

默想：

1. 「恩典」（4節）就是當我犯了罪，若誠心認罪，神必赦免，並仍然接納我為祂的兒女。但若認為反正有神的恩典來赦免、包容、接納、祝福，信徒就可以「為所欲為」的犯罪，而且更加變本加厲的行在罪惡黑暗當中，這就是猶大的警告，我們要警剔那些滲入教會的假教師的錯謬主張。
2. 安靜地坐著，回想過去自己曾經「為所欲為」——只顧自己的想法、喜歡，只會悖逆、頂撞——的經歷。再回想曾經接受「恩典」——被接納、饒恕、包容、祝福——的經驗。專注在一件事上，回憶當時的細節，周圍環境如何？我內心如何？有什麼感覺？
3. 在今天的一天當中，不斷地思想神的「恩典」。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

Jude 3-8

³Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ⁴For certain men whose condemnation was written aboutlong ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.  ⁵Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lorddelivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. ⁷In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.  ⁸In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

 

Meditation:

1. “Grace”(v4) means when I have sinned, if I confess, God will forgive and will still receive me as His child.  But what if I reason that I can do whatever I feel like and turn my back on what is right, after all, I have God’s grace to forgive, to accept and to bless, and to indulge more in this kind of lifestyle.  This is the false teaching Jude is warning against that has infiltrated Christ’s church.
2. Sit in silence and think back on previous experiences when I’ve done whatever I felt like, turning my back on what was right.  Now consider experiences I’ve had with grace.  Ask God to show me one of these experiences to focus on.  Recall the details.  What was it like for me?  What was going on around me?  What was I feeling?
3. Walk through today pondering the grace of this experience.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第三章

⁸ 親愛的，這一件事你們不可忘記：在主看來，一日如千年，千年如一日。⁹ 主決不耽延他的應許，像有些人以為他是耽延的一樣；其實他是寬容你們，不願有一人滅亡，卻願人人都悔改。¹⁰ 但主的日子必要像賊一樣來到。在那日，天必轟然一聲地消失，所有元素都因烈火而融化；地和地上所有的，都要被燒毀。¹¹ 這一切既然都要這樣融化，你們應當怎樣為人，過著聖潔和敬虔的生活，¹² 等候並催促神的日子降臨呢？因為在那日，天要被火焚燒就融化了，所有元素都因烈火而融解！¹³ 但是我們按照他所應許的，等候新天新地，有公義在那裡居住。

 

默想：

1. 「基督至今尚未回來，為什麼主要延遲？」彼得提醒說，對我們是很長的一段時間，在神只是一瞬間；並且我們要等候這個一段很長的時間，是因為神的寬容，祂不願有一人「沉淪」。
2. 有人曾這樣說過：成為基督的樣式，是「人類最緩慢的動作」。我們很容易對自己失去耐性，而懷疑到底我是否能將某個習性改掉？能不能學會去愛？有沒有勇氣離開我的安樂窩？是否總是這樣害怕，或這樣自私？彼得的話提醒我們，神並不倉促急躁。祂知道我們的本性，屬靈生命像一場馬拉松長跑，而不是短跑衝刺；神十分樂意與我們一同奔跑，或在我們疲乏時與我們同行。
3. 思想：在我屬靈的生命成長中，有那方面的改變是非常緩慢的？感謝神對我這般的寬容；求神助我與祂合作，來完成在我生命中變成基督樣式的巨大工程。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

Chapter 3

⁸But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will melt in the heat.  ¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

 

Meditation

1. Many in Peter’s audience were concerned and dismayed that Christ’s second coming had not yet occurred.  Peter reminded his readers that a very long time for us is a very short time for God.  Peter comments that God’s patience is responsible for the long wait for His coming.  God has no desire for anyone to “perish” (v9).
2. Someone has commented that transformation into the image of Christ “is the slowest of all human movements.”  Too easily we become impatient with ourselves, confused, disappointed, and angered over how long it takes to change.  Will I ever conquer this habit?  Will I ever learn to love?  Will I ever be willing to leave my comfort zone?  Will I always be so fearful?  Or selfish?  Or self-deceived?  Peter’s words remind us that God is in no rush.  He knows what we are made of.  The spiritual life is more a marathon than a sprint, and God is more than willing to run alongside of us or to walk with us if we grow weary.
3. Reflect.  What is the area of my spiritual growth that is the slowest to change?  Thank God for His patience for me.  Ask God to help me cooperate with Him to finish the enormous life transformation project going on in my life.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

¹ 從前在人民中，曾有假先知出來；照樣，將來在你們中間，也必有假教師出現。他們偷偷把使人滅亡的異端引進來，甚至否認那曾經買贖他們的主，迅速地自取滅亡。² 許多人會隨從他們的淫行，因此真理的道，就因他們的緣故被人毀謗。³ 他們因為有貪心，就用捏造的話，想在你們身上圖利；懲罰他們的，自古以來就沒有鬆懈；毀滅他們的，也不會打盹。

¹⁸ 因為他們說虛妄誇大的話，用肉體的私慾和邪蕩的事，引誘那些剛剛逃脫了錯謬生活的人。¹⁹ 他們應許給人自由，自己卻作了敗壞的奴僕；因為人給誰制伏了，就作誰的奴僕。

 

 

默想：

1. 彼得強調說，願意凡事順服神的人，才能找到真正的自由。假教師宣稱：「我們是自由的，因為我們可以隨心所欲地做任何事情。我們從所有的束縛、規限或控制中得到自由」，但他們的真實情況卻恰恰相反。神創造我們，是為賜給我們自由，但我們只有順從神並遵行祂的旨意，才能找到真自由。假教師漠視神的道，因此在世漫無目標地徘徊。
2. 在我所認識，所關心的人中，是否有人自以為過著自由的生活，卻生活在捆綁、愁苦之中？為什麼？
3. 為這位不願跟隨神的道去享受真自由的人，與神一同為他憂傷；也特別為他禱告，求神賜機會讓我可以和他分享真自由。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

CHAPTER 2

¹But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ²Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

¹⁸For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

Jude 3-8

 

Meditation

1. Peter insists genuine freedom is found in willingly submitting to God in all things.  The false teachers declare, “We are free because we do whatever we please.  We are free from all boundaries, restrictions, restraints.”  Exactly the opposite is true.  We have been created for freedom, but we discover our freedom only by submitting to God and obeying Him.  False teachers ignore God’s way, and are wandering aimlessly.
2. Among the people I know and care, is there anyone who is living in so-called “freedom” but actually in bondage and bitterness?  Why?
3. Grieve with God over this person’s unwillingness to follow God’s way to enjoy genuine freedom.  Pray specifically for this person.  Pray also for an opportunity that I may share the true freedom with him/her.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

1   你們要稱謝耶和華，因他本是良善的；他的慈愛永遠長存。

2   願以色列說：“他的慈愛永遠長存。”

4   願敬畏耶和華的說：“他的慈愛永遠長存。”

22   建築工人所棄的石頭，成了房角的主要石頭；

23   這是耶和華作的，在我們眼中看為希奇。

24   這是耶和華所定的日子，我們要在這一日歡喜快樂。

25   耶和華啊！求你施行拯救；耶和華啊！求你使我們亨通。

26   奉耶和華的名來的是應當稱頌的，我們從耶和華的殿中給你們祝福。

27   耶和華是　神，他光照了我們。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：使徒行傳4：1-12

彼得和約翰被捕在公會前受審

 

¹  Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

² Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”

⁴ Let those who fear the Lord now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”

²² The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
²³ This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
²⁷ God is the Lord,
And He has given us light;

 

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Easter Week additional devotional reading: Acts 4:1-12
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

1   你們要稱謝耶和華，求告他的名；在萬民中傳揚他的作為。

2   你們要向他歌唱，歌頌他，講論他一切奇妙的作為。

3   你們要以他的聖名誇耀；願尋求耶和華的人都心裡歡喜。

4   你們要追求耶和華與他的能力，常常尋求他的面。

5   記念他所作的奇事、他的神蹟，和他口裡的判詞。

6   他僕人亞伯拉罕的後裔啊！他所揀選的人，雅各的子孫哪！

7   他是耶和華我們的　神，他的判詞充滿全地。

8   他永遠記念他的約，他記念他所吩咐的話，直到千代，

9   就是與亞伯拉罕所立的約，向以撒所起的誓。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：使徒行傳3：11-26

彼得對眾人講論醫治瘸腿的因由

 

¹ Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
² Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
³ Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
⁴ Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

⁵ Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
⁶ you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
⁷ He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

⁸ He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
⁹ the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Easter Week additional devotional reading: Acts 3:11-26
Peter speaks to the onlookers

1   義人哪！你們要靠著耶和華歡呼；正直人讚美主是合宜的。

2   你們要彈琴稱謝耶和華，用十弦瑟歌頌他。

3   你們要向他唱新歌，在歡呼聲中巧妙地彈奏。

4   因為耶和華的話是正直的，他的一切作為都是誠實的。

5   耶和華喜愛公義和公正，全地充滿耶和華的慈愛。

18   耶和華的眼睛看顧敬畏他的人，和那些仰望他慈愛的人；

19   要搭救他們的性命脫離死亡，使他們在饑荒中可以存活。

20   我們的心等候耶和華，他是我們的幫助、我們的盾牌。

21   我們的心因他歡樂，因為我們倚靠他的聖名。

22   耶和華啊！求你照著我們所仰望你的，向我們施慈愛。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：使徒行傳3：1-10

彼得醫治瘸腿的乞丐

 

 

1   　神啊！求你保守我，因為我投靠你。

2   我（“我”有古抄本作“你”）曾對耶和華說：“你是我的主，我的好處不在你以外。”

5   耶和華是我的產業，是我杯中的分；我所得的業分，你親自為我持守。

6   準繩量給我的是佳美之地，我的產業實在令我喜悅。

7   我要稱頌那指導我的耶和華，我的心在夜間也勸戒我。

8   我常常把耶和華擺在我面前，因他在我右邊，我必不會動搖。

9   為此我的心快樂，我的靈（“靈”或譯：“榮耀”或“肝”；與30:12，57:8，108:1同）歡欣，我的肉身也必安然居住。

10   因為你必不把我的靈魂撇在陰間，也必不容你的聖者見朽壞。

11   你必把生命的路指示我，在你面前有滿足的喜樂，在你的右手中有永遠的福樂。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：使徒行傳2：36-41

多人感動信主

 

Psalm 16 (NIV)

¹ Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.

² I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”

⁵ LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
⁷ I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Easter Week additional devotional reading: Acts 2:36-41
Many were moved and believed

1   耶和華我們的主啊！你的名在全地是多麼威嚴，你把你的榮美彰顯在天上。

 

4   啊！人算甚麼，你竟記念他？世人算甚麼，你竟眷顧他？

5   你使他比天使（“天使”或譯：“　神”）低微一點，卻賜給他榮耀尊貴作冠冕。

6   你叫他管理你手所造的，把萬物都放在他的腳下，

7   就是所有的牛羊、田間的走獸、

8   空中的飛鳥、海裡的魚，和海裡游行的水族。

9   耶和華我們的主啊！你的名在全地是多麼威嚴。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：使徒行傳2：14，22-33

彼得在五旬節的講道

 

 

¹ LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
in the heavens.
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

⁵ You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Easter Week additional devotional reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost

 

52：13   看哪！我的僕人必行事亨通，他必受尊崇，被高舉，成為至高。

14   許多人怎樣因你而驚奇（因為他的容貌毀損得不像人，他的形狀毀損得不像世人），

15   照樣，他也必使多國的人驚異，君王要因他閉口不言，因為從未向他們述說過的事，他們必看見；他們從未聽過的，他們要明白。

53：1   誰會相信我們所傳的？耶和華的膀臂向誰顯露呢？

2   他在耶和華面前如嫩芽生長起來，像根出於乾旱之地；他沒有佳形，也沒有威儀，好叫我們仰慕他；他也沒有美貌，使我們被他吸引。

3   他被藐視，被人拒絕，是個多受痛苦，熟悉病患的人。他像個被人掩面不看的人一樣；他被藐視，我們也不重視他。

4   原來他擔當了我們的病患，背負了我們的痛苦；我們卻以為他受責打，被　神擊打和苦待了。

5   然而他是為了我們的過犯被刺透，為了我們的罪孽被壓傷；使我們得平安的懲罰加在他身上，因他受了鞭傷，我們才得醫治。

6   我們眾人都如羊走迷了路，各人偏行己路；耶和華卻把我們眾人的罪孽，都歸在他身上。

7   他被虐待，受痛苦的時候，他並不開口；他像羊羔被牽去屠宰，又像羊在剪羊毛的人面前寂然無聲，他也是這樣不開口。

8   他受拘禁和審判以後被帶走；至於他那個世代的人中，有誰想到從活人之地被剪除，被擊打，是因我子民的過犯呢？

9   雖然他從來沒有行過強暴，他的口裡也沒有詭詐，人還是使他與惡人同埋，但死的時候與財主同葬。

10   耶和華卻喜悅把他壓傷，使他受痛苦；耶和華若以他的性命作贖罪祭，他必看見後裔，並且得享長壽；耶和華所喜悅的，必在他手中亨通。

11   他受了生命之苦以後，必看見光明，並且心滿意足；我的義僕必使許多人因認識他而得稱為義，他也必背負他們的罪孽。

12   所以，我要使他與偉大的人同分，他必與強盛的均分擄物，因為他把自己的性命傾倒，以致於死。他被列在罪犯之中，卻擔當了多人的罪，又為罪犯代求。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

另外讀經：約翰福音18至19章

耶穌的受苦

 

 

^52:13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
¹⁴ Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness— ¹⁵ so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

^53:1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.  He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. ³ He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.  Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. ⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. ⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. ⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,  and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,  he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. ¹¹ After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

Suggested Passion Week additional devotional reading: John Chs 18-19
Jesus’ Passion

1   逾越節以前，耶穌知道自己離開這世界回到父那裡去的時候到了。他既然愛世上屬於自己的人，就愛他們到底。

2   吃晚飯的時候（魔鬼已經把出賣耶穌的意念放在西門的兒子加略人猶大的心裡），

3   耶穌知道父已經把萬有交在他手中，並且知道自己從　神而來，又要回到　神那裡去，

4   就起身離席，脫去外衣，拿一條手巾束腰。

5   然後他倒了一盆水，洗門徒的腳，並且用束腰的手巾擦乾。

6   輪到西門．彼得，彼得就說：“主啊，你要洗我的腳嗎？”

7   耶穌回答：“我所作的，你現在不知道，以後就會明白。”

8   彼得說：“不行，你千萬不可洗我的腳！”耶穌說：“如果我不洗你的腳，你就與我沒有關係了。”

9   西門．彼得說：“主啊，那就不單洗我的腳，連我的手和頭都洗吧！”

10   耶穌說：“洗過澡的人，全身都潔淨，只需要洗腳就可以了。你們是潔淨的，但不是人人都是這樣。”

11   原來耶穌知道誰要出賣他，所以他說“你們不是人人都是潔淨的”。

12   耶穌洗完了門徒的腳，就穿上外衣，再坐下來，對他們說：“我給你們作的，你們明白嗎？

13   你們呼我‘老師，主’，你們說得對，我本來就是。

14   我是主，是老師，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也應當彼此洗腳。

15   我作了你們的榜樣，是要你們也照著我所作的去行。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

另外讀經：出埃及記12：1-8，11-14
逾越節的緣由與預表

 

¹ It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Passion Week additional devotional reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Join Jesus and his disciples in the Sabbath celebration and remember the Lamb being slaughtered to allow us to live.

4   主耶和華賜給了我一個受教者的舌頭，使我知道怎樣用言語扶助疲乏的人；主每天清晨喚醒我，他每天清晨喚醒我的耳朵，使我能像受教者一樣靜聽。

5   主耶和華開啟了我的耳朵，我並沒有違抗，也沒有後退。

6   我把我的背給打我的人打，把我的腮頰給拔我鬍鬚的人拔；我並沒有掩面躲避人的羞辱和人的唾液。

7   但主耶和華必幫助我，所以我必不羞愧，因此我板著臉好像堅硬的燧石，我也知道我必不會蒙羞。

8   那稱我為義的，與我相近；誰與我爭訟呢？讓我們一同站起來吧！誰是指控我的？讓他就近我來。

9   看哪！主耶和華幫助我，誰能定我有罪呢？看哪！他們都要像衣服漸漸破舊，蛀蟲必把他們吃光。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：馬太福音26：14-25

耶穌與門徒的逾越節筵席

⁴ The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
⁵ The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears;
I have not been rebellious,
I have not turned away.
⁶ I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
⁷ Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
⁸ He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
⁹ It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Passion Week additional devotional reading: Matthew 26:14-25
Jesus and his disciples at the last Passover Feast

1   眾海島啊！你們要聽我的話。遠方的萬族啊！你們要留心聽。我在母胎的時候，耶和華就呼召了我；我出母腹的時候，他就提了我的名。

2   他使我的口如快刀，把我藏在他手的陰影之下；他又使我成為磨亮的箭，把我藏在他的箭袋裡。

3   他對我說：“你是我的僕人以色列，我要藉著你得榮耀。”

4   但我說：“我勞碌是徒然的；我用盡氣力，是虛無虛空的；然而我當得的公理是在耶和華那裡，我的賞賜是在我的　神那裡。”

5   現在，耶和華說：（他自我還在母胎的時候，就造了我作他的僕人，好使雅各回轉歸向他，使以色列可以聚集到他那裡；我在耶和華眼中被看為尊貴，我的　神是我的力量。）

6   “你作我的僕人，使雅各眾支派復興，使以色列中得保全的歸回，只是小事，我還要使你作列國的光，使我的救恩傳到地極。”

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，在内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：約翰福音13：21-38

最後晚餐，耶穌預指賣祂的人。

 

¹ Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me;
from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
² He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.
³ He said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
⁴ But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.”

⁵ And now the LORD says—
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD
and my God has been my strength—
⁶ he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening for the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Passion Week additional devotional reading: John 13:21-38
Jesus predicts his betrayal.

1   看哪！這是我的僕人，我扶持他；我所揀選的，我的心喜悅他；我已經把我的靈賜給他，他必把公理帶給萬國。

2   他不呼喊，也不揚聲，也不叫人在街上聽見他的聲音。

3   壓傷的蘆葦，他不折斷；將熄滅的燈火，他不吹滅；他忠實地傳出公理。4   他不灰心，也不沮喪，直到他在地上設立公理，眾海島的人都等候他的教訓。

5   那創造諸天，展開穹蒼，鋪張大地和大地所出的一切，賜氣息給地上的眾人，又賜靈性給在地上行的人的耶和華　神這樣說：

6   “我耶和華憑著公義呼召了你；我必緊拉著你的手，我必保護你，立你作人民的約，作列國的光，

7   為要開瞎子的眼，領被囚的出牢獄，領住在黑暗中的出監牢。

 

誦讀：以敞開的心緩慢，柔和地讀，小心地聆聽一字一句，細細體味誦讀的每一部分。注意哪些字、句的部分是今天特別為自己的。

默想：在誦讀中，如果發現某一字或某一句對自己有個別意義，就要對這字或句子反覆思想；可能是感動，欣慰，難過等等。

禱告：然後跟神說話。和神互動時，就像你與愛你、接納你的人交往一樣。告訴神你在默想時，内心深處的自我覺察和發現。

安歇：最後，安歇在神的愛內；在愛我的神的臨在中，我歡愉地安歇著，無論是對話，或是我無言寂靜地安歇著（詩篇131：2）。

筆錄：將心中的思想，剛才的體驗，或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

另外讀經：約翰福音12：1-11

耶穌在伯大尼被膏抹

 

¹ “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
² He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
³ A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
⁴ he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

⁵ This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
⁶ “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
⁷ to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

 

Read slowly and gently through the passage.  Savor each portion of the reading, listening to the “still, small voice” of a word or phrase that somehow says, “I am for you today.”

TAKE in the word or phrase that touches you. Memorize it and slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories and ideas.

SPEAK to God.  Interact with God as you would with one who loves and accepts you. And give to Him what you have discovered in reading and reflection.

REST in God. Rejoicing in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence, in spiritual activity and inner receptivity.

Journaling: Write down your experience, any thought, and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Suggested Passion Week additional devotional reading: John 12:1-11
Jesus anointed at Bethany

第一章

^3神以他神聖的能力，因著我們確實認識那位用自己的榮耀和美善呼召我們的，把一切有關生命和敬虔的事，都賜給了我們。⁴ 藉著這些，他把又寶貴又極大的應許賜給了我們，好叫你們既然逃脫世上因私慾而來的敗壞，就可以分享神的本性。⁵ 正因這緣故，你們要多多努力：有了信心，又要增添美德；有了美德，又要增添知識；⁶ 有了知識，又要增添節制；有了節制，又要增添忍耐；有了忍耐，又要增添敬虔；⁷ 有了敬虔，又要增添弟兄的愛；有了弟兄的愛，還要增添神聖的愛。⁸ 因為你們有了這幾樣，並且繼續增長，就必叫你們在確實認識我們的主耶穌基督上，不至於閒懶不結果子。⁹ 人若沒有這幾樣，就是近視，簡直是瞎眼的，忘記他過去的罪已經得了潔淨。

 

默想：

1. 現代中文譯本第3節的翻譯為：「上帝的神能已經把我們過敬虔生活所需的一切給了我們；這恩賜是藉著認識那位呼召我們來分享他自己的榮耀和善德的上帝而得的。」。彼得教導我們說道：接受福音認識基督後，神就將自己神聖的性情放在我們裡面，並使我們經歷神的能力，能夠「逃脫世上因私慾而來的敗壞」（4節），來過敬虔的生活。
2. 接著彼得提醒我們「要多多努力」，來過基督徒的生活，也就是由基本的信心開始，我們需要繼續培養下面的品格 ：美德，屬靈知識，節制，忍耐，敬虔，弟兄的愛，神聖的愛（愛眾人的心）。當我們不斷在這些方面繼續成長時，我們就不會「閒懶」也不會「不結果子」。
3. 花些時間思想每一個品格，再想想那些我做的不錯，那些我需要改進。
4. 向神承認我需要祂的指引與幫助。求神幫助我在最需要改進的幾方面來成長。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

Chapter1

³His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

 

Meditation

1. Through believing the promise of the gospel, God implants his own divine nature in us, and we experience His spiritual power.  In knowing Christ, we have everything we need to “escape the corruption in the world” that is caused by “evil desires” (v4).  And God has given us His power to live godly lives.
2. Peter than reminded us to make every effort to live a Christian life (v5) means we begin with faith and we go on to develop the other Christian virtues: Good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, generous love.  These qualities “in increasing measure” will help us from being “ineffective and unproductive” (v8).
3. Take time to ponder each character trait.  Then think about those I am doing well in.  Think about those I need to grow in.
4. Admit my need for God’s guidance and help in my growth in him.  Ask him to help me grow in those areas where I recognize I need the most improvement.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第五章

⁶ 所以你們要謙卑，服在神大能的手下，到了時候，他必叫你們升高。⁷ 你們要把一切憂慮卸給神，因為他顧念你們。

⁸ 你們要謹守、警醒。你們的仇敵魔鬼，好像吼叫的獅子走來走去，尋找可以吞吃的人；⁹ 你們要用堅強的信心抵擋他，因為知道你們在世上的弟兄，也經歷過同樣的苦難。

¹⁰ 但滿有恩典的神，就是在基督裡召你們進入他永遠榮耀的那一位，在你們受了短暫的苦難之後，必定親自成全你們，堅固你們，賜力量給你們，建立你們。¹¹ 願權能歸給他，直到永遠。阿們。

 

默想：

1. 當我們受苦時，很難不去擔憂；在焦慮煩躁中，要我們把每一件事都交托給神，似乎是件很困難的事。但彼得說，我們所受的苦難只是短暫的，之後神必要「成全我們，堅固我們」。並且到時候，必要接我們到天堂，在那裡永遠與祂在神的榮耀裡。所以，無論今天的苦難是什麼，不要憂慮，神應許賜給我們力量與永遠榮耀的盼望。
2. 思想一下，我心頭上還有什麼煩惱？將它們一項項寫下來。重讀這段經文，學習將這一切的憂慮卸給神一一地將我的煩惱告訴神，並請求神眷顧與引導。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

Chapter 5

⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Meditation

1. It’s hard not to be anxious when we’re suffering.  Leaving everything to God when we are desperate and stressed out seems difficult indeed.  But Peter has a promise that will help.  Suffering lasts only for a little while.  God will restore you, and make you strong.  And in His time will call you up to heaven to share in His own eternal glory.  Whatever today’s pain, we have the promise of strength, and the prospect of glory – forever.
2. Many things in today’s life cause anxiety for us – finances, jobs, school, illness, conflict.
3. What anxieties do I have?  Write them down.  Read this passage again.  Cast the cares upon God by telling Him my worries one by one and ask for His guidance and care.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第四章

¹ 基督既然在肉身受過苦，你們也應當以同樣的心志裝備自己（因為在肉身受過苦的，就已經與罪斷絕了），² 好叫你們不再隨從人的私慾，只順從神的旨意，在世上度餘下的光陰。³ 因為你們過去隨從教外人的心意，行邪淫、私慾、醉酒、荒宴、狂飲和可憎拜偶像的事，時候已經夠了。⁴ 他們見你們不再與他們同奔那縱情放蕩的路，就覺得奇怪，毀謗你們。⁵ 他們必要向那位預備要審判活人死人的主交帳。⁶ 因此，那些死人也曾有福音傳給他們，好使他們的肉體受了人要受的審判，他們的靈卻靠神活著。

 

 

默想：

1. 彼得所生活的那時代的羅馬世界是個失去理智的社會。暴力、壓迫、殘忍、濫權、性變態等罪行，比比皆是。這正如在今天，我們這性慾橫流的社會裡，信徒是否有可能保持聖潔的性觀念呢？學校裡，同學嘲諷基督徒 不參與飲酒與濫交的活動；公司裡同事不明白，為何我們不與他們一起在星期五晚上去飲酒狂歡。而很多非基督徒很誠懇地問道：究竟你們有什麼娛樂消遣？他們很不解為何我們不與他們一同閑遊浪蕩。
2. 不但如此，彼得還警告道：他們見我們「不再與他們同奔那縱情放蕩的路，就覺得奇怪，毀謗你們」；這就是我們所處的社會。當遇見這樣的情況，要記住，世界一直就是這樣的；但我改變了。有神的幫助，無論要付多大的代價，我決心不再犯罪。神呼召我，「只順從神的旨意」，向那些尚未認識基督的人，傳講福音的真理。
3. 在神面前安靜思想，世界的潮流與文化，對我有多大的影響？我如何活出不同於周圍的人的生命，一心追求神的使命，為要在他們中間，與他們重建破裂的關係？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

Chapter 4

¹Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. ²As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

 

Meditation

1. Peter describes the Roman world of his day as a society that has lost its mind in excess.  Violence, oppression, cruelty, the abuse of power, and sexual insanity dominate the landscape.  How is it possible for Christians to maintain sexual sanity in a sexually overheated society?  At school, teens ridicule Christian young people for not being involved in drinking and premarital sex.  Coworkers can’t understand why we don’t stop off at the local bar after work to get drunk on Friday night.  And yet so many non-Christians quite sincerely ask, “What do you do for fun?” They think it strange that we don’t plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation.
2. And, as Peter warned, they “heap abuse on you.”  When that happens, remember that you have been transformed by the love of Jesus.  With God’s help, I will determine to be done with sin.  And my calling is to do the “will of God”(v2)—to speak the truth of the gospel into the lives of those who do not  yet know Christ as Lord.
3. Take some time to be silent before God and reflect:  How big is the influence of the world, its trend, culture or value, to me? How can I live my life out in contrast with those around me, but continue to pursue God’s mission in building restored relationships with them?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第三章

¹³ 如果你們熱心行善，有誰能害你們呢？¹⁴ 就算你們要為義受苦，也是有福的。「不要怕人的恐嚇，也不要畏懼。」¹⁵ 只要心裡尊基督為聖，以他為主；常常作好準備，去回答那些問你們為甚麼懷有盼望的人，¹⁶ 但要用溫柔敬畏的心回答。當存無愧的良心，使那些誣賴你們這在基督裡有好品行的人，在毀謗你們的事上蒙羞。¹⁷ 如果神的旨意是要你們受苦，那麼為行善受苦，總比為行惡受苦好。¹⁸ 因為基督也曾一次為你們的罪死了，就是義的代替不義的，為要領你們到神面前。就肉體的方面說，他曾死去；就靈的方面說，他復活了。

 

默想：

1. 平白地受到不公的待遇，是很讓人難受的。彼得開始時並不能理解這點，當耶穌宣講彌賽亞必須受苦，最後並要無辜受死時，彼得無法接受，他甚至試圖阻止耶穌。但在這裡，彼得已經明白，不公平的受苦確實可能帶來最驚奇的結果。彼得提醒我們，耶穌也曾受到極度不公的對待；然而因著耶穌的苦難，祂將我們帶到神的面前（18節）。神就將這樁極大的不公平事件，轉化為全人類的恩典與祝福。
2. 所以，當我們受到不合理的遭遇時，我們可以確實的知道，神並沒有忘記我們，也沒有丟棄我們。並且從這樣的過犯中，神會帶出極為美好的果效。因此，彼得在這裡說「你們……是有福的。」（13節）
3. 我是否曾因為跟隨主而受到苦難或不公平待遇？禱告，求主幫助我知道，在今天，這個星期，這個月，我當怎樣效法耶穌的榜樣，跟隨耶穌的腳蹤行。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

Chapter 3

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

 

MEDITATION

1. It is always difficult to suffer unjustly.  Peter did not always understand this.  When Jesus first taught that the Messiah must suffer and die unjustly, Peter attempted to stop Jesus.  However, Peter now understands that unjust suffering could bear the most surprising fruit.   Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered innocently too.  And yet through the injustice of Christ’s suffering, He brought us to God (v18).   And God turned injustice into a means of grace and of blessing for all mankind.
2. When we suffer unjustly, we can be sure that God hasn’t forgotten or forsaken us.  And out of the evil God will bring some very real good.   Therefore, Peter says that if injustice happens, “you are blessed.”
3. Have I ever experienced unjust treatment or hardship because of following the Lord?  Pray and ask God to show me how I might imitate Jesus today, this week, this month.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.