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第廿一章

10 我們在那裡多住了幾天。有一個先知，名叫亞迦布，從猶太下來。11 到了我們這裡，就拿保羅的腰帶捆上自己的手腳，說：「聖靈說：『猶太人在耶路撒冷要如此捆綁這腰帶的主人，把他交在外邦人手裡。』 」 12 我們和那本地的人聽見這話，都苦勸保羅不要上耶路撒冷去。13 保羅說：「你們為甚麼這樣痛哭，使我心碎呢？我為主耶穌的名，不但被人捆綁，就是死在耶路撒冷也是願意的。」 14 保羅既不聽勸，我們便住了口，只說「願主的旨意成就「便了。15 過了幾日，我們收拾行李上耶路撒冷去。16 有凱撒利亞的幾個門徒和我們同去，帶我們到一個久為（註：「久為」或作「老」）門徒的家裡，叫我們與他同住；他名叫拿孫，是塞浦路斯人。

 

默想     

1. 凱撒利亞的信徒苦勸保羅不要回去耶路撒冷，卻沒有果效，便說「願主的旨意成就」。將這句話，與主禱文中「願你的國降臨，願你的旨意[成就]」，以及耶穌在客西馬尼園禱告時說「願你的旨意成就」，有什麼異同？
2. 這個禱告如何說明人的生命應該由誰掌管？我的生命是誰在掌管？

 

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 21

¹⁰After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”  ¹²When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”  ¹⁵After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Manson, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

 

Meditation

1. Believers in Caesarea pleaded Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but to no avail.  So, they said, “The Lord’s will be done.”  Compare this with the Lord’s Prayer: “your kingdom come, your will be done”; and Jesus’ prayer “Not my will, but your will be done” in Gethsemane.  Is there any similarity and difference?
2. How would this prayer explain who’s really in control of my life.  Now, who’s in charge of my life?  Is God in his rightful place in my life, or is there another “god” seated on that throne?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

第二十章

17 保羅從米利都打發人往以弗所去，請教會的長老來。18 他們來了，保羅就說：「你們知道，自從我到亞西亞的日子以來，在你們中間始終為人如何，19 服事主凡事謙卑，眼中流淚，又因猶太人的謀害，經歷試煉。20 你們也知道，凡與你們有益的，我沒有一樣避諱不說的。或在眾人面前，或在各人家裡，我都教導你們。21 又對猶太人和希臘人證明當向　神悔改，信靠我主耶穌基督。

22 現在我往耶路撒冷去，心甚迫切（註：原文作「心被捆綁」），不知道在那裡要遇見甚麼事。23但知道聖靈在各城裡向我指證，說有捆鎖與患難等待我。24 我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明　神恩惠的福音。

 

默想     

1. 保羅和以弗所教會長老道別時，形容自己「服事主凡事謙卑，眼中流淚」。《生命陶造版》聖經給「服事」的定義為：「滿有愛心和體貼，積極謀求他人的好處，並努力促使神的旨意在世上通行無阻。我們這樣服事，便能成長，超越自我，經歷老我的日益消亡。」
2. 對保羅向主的委身，在那一方面最令我受感動？
3. 在這一週內，我能做些什麼，效法保羅的服事，力求他人的好處，並促使神的旨意實現在世上？

 

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 20

¹⁷From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ¹⁸When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. ¹⁹I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. ²⁰You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.  ²²“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

 

Meditation

1. In his farewell to the elders of Ephesus, Paul describes himself as “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears.”  The Spiritual Formation Bible has the definition of Service as: loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.
2. What impresses me the most in Paul’s commitment to the Lord?
3. How can I follow Paul’s example of service to “promote the good of others and the causes of God in our world” this week?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十九章

13 那時，有幾個遊行各處、念咒趕鬼的猶太人，向那被惡鬼附的人擅自稱主耶穌的名，說：「我奉保羅所傳的耶穌，敕令你們出來！」 14 做這事的，有猶太祭司長士基瓦的七個兒子。15 惡鬼回答他們說：「耶穌我認識，保羅我也知道。你們卻是誰呢？」 16 惡鬼所附的人就跳在他們身上，勝了其中二人，制伏他們，叫他們赤著身子受了傷，從那房子裡逃出去了。17 凡住在以弗所的，無論是猶太人，是希臘人，都知道這事，也都懼怕，主耶穌的名從此就尊大了。18 那已經信的，多有人來承認訴說自己所行的事。19 平素行邪術的，也有許多人把書拿來，堆積在眾人面前焚燒。他們算計書價，便知道共合五萬塊錢。20 主的道大大興旺，而且得勝，就是這樣。

 

默想     

1. 擅自妄稱耶穌的名字，並不是得到超然能力的關鍵；最主要的關鍵是需要與耶穌建立個人的關係，並願意為神所用，且學習隨處觀察神的作為。
2. 我有沒有隨意的呼喚耶穌的名？
3. 我家裡是否還有與偶像、邪術有關的符咒和其他物品？我願意全部丟掉嗎？

 

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 19

¹³Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵(One day) the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ¹⁶Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.  ¹⁷When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. ¹⁹A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. ²⁰In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

 

Meditation

1. Uttering or chanting the name of Jesus is no key to supernatural power.  The key is having a personal relationship with Jesus, being available to Him and learning to see where He is at work.
2. Do I use Jesus’ name lightly?
3. Is there still something in my life that belongs to the idols or witchcraft?  Am I willing to get rid of them all?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十八章

24 有一個猶太人，名叫亞波羅，來到以弗所。他生在亞歷山大，是有學問的，最能講解聖經（註：「學問」或作「口才」）。25 這人已經在主的道上受了教訓，心裡火熱，將耶穌的事詳細講論教訓人；只是他單曉得約翰的洗禮。26 他在會堂裡放膽講道，百基拉、亞居拉聽見，就接他來，將　神的道給他講解更加詳細。27 他想要往亞該亞去，弟兄們就勉勵他，並寫信請門徒接待他（註：或作「弟兄們就寫信勸門徒接待他」）。他到了那裡，多幫助那蒙恩信主的人，28 在眾人面前極有能力，駁倒猶太人，引聖經證明耶穌是基督。

 

默想     

1. 亞波羅熟讀聖經，口才了得，心裡火熱，為人謙卑，不介意受教於織帳篷的百基拉和亞居拉，應邀去到亞波羅家中，聆聽他們將神的道向他詳加解釋，澄清他的觀念與認知。
2. 當我看見別人犯錯時，我的反應為何？是否有百基拉和亞居拉的愛心與智慧，來指正並教導？
3. 我是否像亞波羅那樣有謙卑受教的心，虛心接受別人的指正？

對我，並不是你教我的真理，

對你那麼清楚，對我卻模糊不清；

但當你到我這裡來時，

你帶了祂來！

從你的眼中祂呼喚我，

從你的心裡流出祂的愛；

直到我不再看見你，

卻看到了基督。

 

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 18

²⁴Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.  ²⁷When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Meditation

1. Apollos is characterized positively for knowledge of Scripture, eloquence, and spirit, and yet he was willing to learn from the tentmakers.  Priscilla and Aquila invited him over and explained to him the way of God more accurately and clearly.
2. When I see someone making mistakes, what is my reaction?  Do I have the love and wisdom to correct and to teach?
3. Do I have a humble and receptive spirit for other people’s teaching and correction?

For me ‘twas not the truth you taught,

To you so clear, to me so dim,

But when you came to me you brought

A sense of Him!

And from your eyes He beckons me,

And from your heart His love is shed,

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

第十七章

22 保羅站在亞略巴古當中，說：眾位雅典人哪，我看你們凡事很敬畏鬼神。 23 我遊行的時候，觀看你們所敬拜的，遇見一座壇，上面寫著未識之神。你們所不認識而敬拜的，我現在告訴你們。 24 創造宇宙和其中萬物的神，既是天地的主，就不住人手所造的殿， 25 也不用人手服事，好像缺少甚麼；自己倒將生命、氣息、萬物，賜給萬人。 26 他從一本（有古卷作血脈）造出萬族的人，住在全地上，並且預先定準他們的年限和所住的疆界， 27 要叫他們尋求神，或者可以揣摩而得，其實他離我們各人不遠； 28 我們生活、動作、存留，都在乎他。就如你們作詩的，有人說：我們也是他所生的。 29 我們既是神所生的，就不當以為神的神性像人用手藝、心思所雕刻的金、銀、石。 30 世人蒙昧無知的時候，神並不監察，如今卻吩咐各處的人都要悔改。 31 因為他已經定了日子，要藉著他所設立的人按公義審判天下，並且叫他從死裡復活，給萬人作可信的憑據。

默想     

1. 保羅在亞略巴谷山的講章，以希臘人明白的事例來開始，為獨一真正的神建立論據。雅典人設立名為「未識之神」一個偶像，因他們唯恐因少拜這神而失去祝福或受到懲罰。保羅以此「未識之神」打開與雅典人的溝通之門，用此作為切入點，見證獨一的真神（22-23節）。接著他從他們對神虔誠的觀點，引用希臘詩人的詞句，建立共同立場，詳述神是宇宙萬物和人類的創造者，因此我們最終都要向祂交待；將金、銀、寶石所做的偶像當作神是無知的（24-29節）。最後，保羅強調神使耶穌從死裡復活，要證明將有審判日的來到，且基督將憑公義審判世人（30-31節）。
2. 今天的社會絕大部分人仍然未認識神，我是否學習好如何向人介紹基督，並清楚說明耶穌基督為全人類所成就的救恩？求神幫助我效法保羅：運用例子、建立共同立場，引導人作出決定，接受基督。

 

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 17

²²Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.  ²⁴“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’  ²⁹“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. ³⁰In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. ³¹For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

Meditation

1. Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill (Areopagus) began by drawing on pagan Greek poets to establish a point of contact, and then went on to proclaim God’s truth.  Paul had caught glimpses of God’s truth in the religion and culture of those people but knew that they needed to be pointed to the one who says “I am the truth”. So Paul’s quotes connected him with the Athenians and set the stage for his teaching.  That message directly confronted the worldview of his listeners.  God is the Creator of the world.  God is the Creator of all men, and all are responsible to Him. It is ignorant to think of the divine Being in terms of gold, silver, or stone idols.  A day of judgment is coming, and the proof is that God has raised Jesus from the dead.  And He will judge one day.
2. 2.        Majority of the people today still doesn’t know the true God.  Am I equipped to share the gospel effectively and clearly?  Have I studied the culture that surrounds me, asking God to help me see those glimpses of truth that I can use to begin conversations with others around life, meaning, and ultimately God?  Ask God’s help to be prepared to be His witness to unbelieving folks around 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十六章

22 眾人就一同起來攻擊他們（保羅和西拉）。官長吩咐剝了他們的衣裳，用棍打； 23 打了許多棍，便將他們下在監裡，囑咐禁卒嚴緊看守。24 禁卒領了這樣的命，就把他們下在內監裡，兩腳上了木狗。

25 約在半夜，保羅和西拉禱告唱詩讚美　神，眾囚犯也側耳而聽。26 忽然地大震動，甚至監牢的地基都搖動了，監門立刻全開，眾囚犯的鎖鏈也都鬆開了。27 禁卒一醒，看見監門全開，以為囚犯已經逃走，就拔刀要自殺。28 保羅大聲呼叫說：「不要傷害自己！我們都在這裡。」

29 禁卒叫人拿燈來，就跳進去，戰戰兢兢地俯伏在保羅、西拉面前，30 又領他們出來，說：「二位先生，我當怎樣行才可以得救？」

31 他們說：「當信主耶穌，你和你一家都必得救。」 32 他們就把主的道講給他和他全家的人聽。33 當夜，就在那時候，禁卒把他們帶去，洗他們的傷；他和屬乎他的人立時都受了洗。34 於是禁卒領他們上自己家裡去，給他們擺上飯。他和全家，因為信了神，都很喜樂。

35 到了天亮，官長打發差役來說：「釋放那兩個人吧！」 36 禁卒就把這話告訴保羅，說：「官長打發人來叫釋放你們。如今可以出監，平平安安地去吧！」

 

默想

1. 為什麼獄卒因為保羅和西拉的行為，會有這麼大的反應和轉變？想一下這樣幾乎不可思議的情景：獄卒接待囚犯到家中；保羅和西拉為全家人施洗；大家在不知明天保羅和西拉會有怎樣的下場的情況下，一起飽享一頓豐富的午夜餐。
2. 告訴神，這段經文中最感動我的是什麼？這說明我需要向神求什麼？現在就向神求。
3. 保羅這句話「你和你一家都必得救」並非應許每個孩子都必定得救，而是說，孩子們和我們一樣，都可以因著信主而得到拯救。我是否常為家中的成員逐一提名為他們的得救禱告？現在就一一提名為他們禱告吧！

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 16

²²The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. ²³After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  ²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. ²⁷The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”  ²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  ³¹They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.  ³⁵When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” ³⁶The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

Meditation

1. Why was the jailer so dramatically affected by Paul and Silas’ behavior?  Picture these scenes: the jailer making his prisoners feel at home with his family, Paul and Silas baptizing the family, the group eating a festive meal together, not knowing what would happen to Paul and Silas the next day.
2. Talk to God about what touches me the most in this passage.  What does that tell me about what I need from God?  Ask God for that.
3. Paul’s words on salvation to “you and your household” is not a blanket assurance that one’s children will someday be saved, but as assurance that they, like us, can find salvation through faith in the Lord.  Do I often pray for the salvation of my family members and mention their names to the Lord?  Pray for each one of them NOW!

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

第十五章

7 辯論已經多了，彼得就起來，說：「諸位弟兄，你們知道　神早已在你們中間揀選了我，叫外邦人從我口中得聽福音之道，而且相信。 8 知道人心的　神也為他們作了見證，賜聖靈給他們，正如給我們一樣； 9 又藉著信潔淨了他們的心，並不分他們我們。 10 現在為甚麼試探　神，要把我們祖宗和我們所不能負的軛放在門徒的頸項上呢？ 11 我們得救乃是因主耶穌的恩，和他們一樣，這是我們所信的。」

12 眾人都默默無聲，聽巴拿巴和保羅述說　神藉他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟奇事。13 他們住了聲，雅各就說：「諸位弟兄，請聽我的話。 14 方才西門述說　神當初怎樣眷顧外邦人，從他們中間選取百姓歸於自己的名下； 15 眾先知的話也與這意思相合。

 

默想

1. 耶路撒冷會議是處理教會內紛爭的好榜樣：正視問題，聽取各方面的論點，不可偏私，要由靈命成熟的領袖帶領討論，作出明智決定；並且決定一出，人人都樂意遵守。
2. 在我們教會中，是否曾出現過問題紛爭？當時是怎樣處理的？與耶路撒冷會議的處理方式相比，我們有什麼可以學習的？
3. 目前我的小組中，有沒有什麼問題？我應當如何作？如何處理？

 

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 15

⁷After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? ¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”  ¹²The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. ¹³When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. ¹⁵The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

 

Meditation

1. The Jerusalem council is a good model of handling conflicts within a church: to face the problem, listen to all sides, try to show no partiality, appoint spiritually mature leaders to lead the discussion, to make wise decision, and when the decision is made that the community will obey.
2. In our church’s brief history, has there been any problem or conflict?  How was it handled?  Compare it with the Jerusalem Council, what can we learn from them?
3. Is there any problem in my cell?  What should I do or how to handle it?

 

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十四章

20 門徒正圍著他，他就起來，走進城去。第二天，同巴拿巴往特庇去。

21 對那城裡的人傳了福音，使好些人作門徒；就回路司得、以哥念、安提阿去， 22 堅固門徒的心，勸他們恆守所信的道，又說：“我們進入　神的國，必須經歷許多艱難。”

23 二人在各教會中選立了長老，又禁食禱告，就把他們交託所信的主。

 

 

默想

1. 對保羅來說，事奉的目的就是要「堅固」信徒（22節），「成全聖徒」，裝備他們（弗4:12-13）。主不但吩咐我們領人作祂的門徒，且要教訓他們遵守主一切的命令。今天許多教會都忽略了大使命中的這個部分，成為我們「大使命中的一大疏忽」(Great Omission from the Great Commission)。
2. 我是否知道，目前教會中有那些裝備的事工，供信徒投入參與學習？
3. 信主以來，我接受了多少「裝備」？我是否願接受更多的靈命成長和事奉的裝備？
4. 「與主有約260」，就是一個裝備的機會。為這個學習的機會感謝神，也求主幫助自己能堅持完成這個學習。

 

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 14

²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

 

Meditation

Paul believed that the purpose of ministry was to “strengthen believers’ souls” (v22) and “equip the saints” (Eph 4:12-13).  We are commanded by Jesus not only to make disciples, but also to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded.  This is the “Great Omission from the Great Commission” in many churches.

How much do I know of the various Equipping opportunities at my church?  What have I been committed in?

Recalling my own Christian journey, how much equipping have I received?  Am I willing to receive training for spiritual growth and ministry preparation?

This “260 Appointments with God” is an Equipping opportunity.  Thank the Lord for this exercise, and pray that God will help me persevere to the finish line.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第十三章

1 在安提阿的教會中有幾位先知和教師，就是巴拿巴和稱呼尼結的西面、古利奈人路求，與分封之王希律同養的馬念，並掃羅。

2 他們事奉主，禁食的時候，聖靈說：“要為我分派巴拿巴和掃羅，去做我召他們所做的工。”

3 於是禁食禱告，按手在他們頭上，就打發他們去了。

 

默想

1. 在揀選、按立巴拿巴和掃羅為宣教士的過程中，敬拜、禱告和禁食缺一不可。今天一般的教會，在按立牧師、差派宣教士的典禮中，敬拜和禱告都是不可缺少的，禁食卻不常見到，為什麼呢？是否可以建議教會下一次按牧或差傳聚會中，或是在下次舉行全教會性有關將來計劃的會議時，將禁食加在聚會程序中？
2. 仔細重覆地閱讀下列定義，直到有更清楚的了解。並在本週內找機會來操練其中一項。

禁食：為了專注屬靈的事，自願禁戒某些正常的活動，最常見的例子是不進食；或是不上網，不看電視，球賽，不吃最愛的食物等。

禱告：與神對話，交流彼此的想法，討論共同合作的事情。因此，有我說，也有神說，我就安靜不語，聆聽神。

敬拜：用言語、音樂、禮儀和靜默的崇敬，來表述神的偉大和美善，並藉著這些方式進入神奇妙的榮耀中。

 

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 13

¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Meditation

1.        In this passage, worship, prayer and fasting are integrated into the selection and installation of Barnabas and Saul as missionaries.  Today worship and prayer are common in the ordination of pastors and installation of missionaries, but fasting is not.  Why has fasting been dropped from the preparation for these times of consecration?  How possible would it be to suggest that fasting be part of the next ordination or installation service in our church?  Or for the next church-wide meeting regarding future planning?

2.        Read carefully and repeatedly the definition of these three elements until a better understanding is gained.  Find ways to implement one of these this week.  (Source: Spiritual Formation Bible)

Fasting: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal function – most often eating – for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Other examples include websurfing, TV, favourite food, sports, etc .

Prayer: Interactive conversation with God about what we and God are thinking and doing together. Therefore, there is talking and also the silently listening.

Worship: Expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supernatural reality of the glory, of 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十二章

4 希律拿了彼得，收在監裡，交付四班兵丁看守，每班四個人，意思要在逾越節後把他提出來，當著百姓辦他。 5 於是彼得被囚在監裡；教會卻為他切切的禱告神。

6 希律將要提他出來的前一夜，彼得被兩條鐵鍊鎖著，睡在兩個兵丁當中；看守的人也在門外看守。 7 忽然，有主的一個使者站在旁邊，屋裡有光照耀，天使拍彼得的肋旁，拍醒了他，說：快快起來！那鐵鍊就從他手上脫落下來。

8 天使對他說：束上帶子，穿上鞋。他就那樣做。天使又說：披上外衣，跟著我來。 9 彼得就出來跟著他，不知道天使所做是真的，只當見了異象。 10 過了第一層第二層監牢，就來到臨街的鐵門，那門自己開了。他們出來，走過一條街，天使便離開他去了。

11 彼得醒悟過來，說：我現在真知道主差遣他的使者，救我脫離希律的手和猶太百姓一切所盼望的。 12 想了一想，就往那稱呼馬可的約翰、他母親馬利亞家去，在那裡有好些人聚集禱告。 13 彼得敲外門，有一個使女，名叫羅大，出來探聽， 14 聽得是彼得的聲音，就歡喜的顧不得開門，跑進去告訴眾人說：彼得站在門外。

15 他們說：你是瘋了！使女極力的說：真是他！他們說：必是他的天使！ 16 彼得不住的敲門。他們開了門，看見他，就甚驚奇。 17 彼得擺手，不要他們作聲，就告訴他們主怎樣領他出監；又說：你們把這事告訴雅各和眾弟兄。於是出去，往別處去了。

 

默想

是否必須有堅強的信心，禱告才蒙應允？當教會聚集齊心禱告時，他們當然希望神會拯救彼得。但當彼得站在門外敲門時，他們根本不信！

我是否經常向神祈求，但當神真的工作時，我卻非常震驚或不信？這表明我的禱告是帶著怎樣的信心？

我對神有什麼祈求——並且全心地相信祂會應允？今天開始放膽地以信心及盼望來禱告，知道神是大能的，且會聽我的禱告。

 

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 12

⁴After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.  ⁵So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  ⁶The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.  ⁸Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. ⁹Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.  ¹¹Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”   ¹²When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” ¹⁵“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”  ¹⁶But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

Meditation

Does getting an answer to prayer depend on firm belief?  The gathered church certainly hoped that God would save Peter but they didn’t even believe it when Peter stood outside knocking!

How often do I pray for God to work and, when he does, react with shock or disbelief? What does this reveal about my faith?

What can I pray that God will do – and wholeheartedly believe that he will answer? Pray for that today, and continue to do so, with bold confidence and hope, knowing that God is powerful and is listening to my prayer.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十一章

19 那些因司提反的事遭患難四散的門徒直走到腓尼基和塞浦路斯，並安提阿；他們不向別人講道，只向猶太人講。 20 但內中有塞浦路斯和古利奈人，他們到了安提阿也向希臘人傳講主耶穌（有古卷作：也向說希臘話的猶太人傳講主耶穌）。 21 主與他們同在，信而歸主的人就很多了。 22 這風聲傳到耶路撒冷教會人的耳中，他們就打發巴拿巴出去，走到安提阿為止。 23 他到了那裡，看見神所賜的恩就歡喜，勸勉眾人，立定心志，恆久靠主。 24 這巴拿巴原是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心。於是有許多人歸服了主。 25 他又往大數去找掃羅， 26 找著了，就帶他到安提阿去。他們足有一年的工夫和教會一同聚集，教訓了許多人。門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。

 

默想

1. 巴拿巴似乎在保羅影下是一個無足輕重的配角，他將賣了田地的錢交給使徒做慈善之用（4：37）；又鼓勵耶路撒冷信徒接納曾迫害基督徒的保羅（9：27）；他與保羅一同旅行佈道、教導關顧各處的信徒。這裡，巴拿巴被稱為「是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心」。在使徒行傳中，巴拿巴靜悄悄地出現又消失，卻使我們想到耶穌的話，「你們中間誰願為大，就必作你們的用人」（太20：26）。
2. 回想一下，誰在我生命中留下最深刻的烙印？是誰像巴拿巴一樣，在我最需要時，信任我、支持我、堅固我的心、勸我恆守所信的道？
3. 巴拿巴可被譽為施予者——捨棄自己的金錢、時間、精力、權位，而施予他人。這些對我來說，哪一樣是最難捨棄的？此時此刻，神希望我捨棄什麼？施予什麼？
4. 我如何學效巴拿巴，對他人給予鼓勵、看見他們的潛力，激發他們熱心傳揚基督福音？

 

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 11

¹⁹Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. ²⁰Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  ²²News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.  ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Meditation

Barnabas appears as a minor character taking a backseat to Paul.  His name means “son of encouragement.”  He brought the money, having sold a field, to the apostles for charity use (4:37).  Later he encouraged the believers to accept Paul(9:27).  Paul and Barnabas began an itinerary ministry, teaching, caring and evangelizing.  Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24).  The last time they minister together, they had a fierce disagreement and they separated (Ch 15).  Though Barnabas enters and disappears in Acts quietly, we hear echoes of Jesus: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26).

Who in my life has impacted me most deeply?  Who was like Barnabas that has believed in me, supported me when I sorely needed it? Who, as Barnabas did, “strengthened (my) souls… and encouraged (me) to continue in the faith” (14:22)?

Barnabas could be characterized as a giver – he gave of his money, time, energy, and position.  Which of these types of giving is most difficult for me?  In what way might God be asking me to give right now?

How can I imitate Barnabas as an encourager of others, seeing their potential, and spurring them on in proclaiming the good news of Jesus?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十章

9 第二天，他們行路將近那城。彼得約在午正，上房頂去禱告， 10 覺得餓了，想要吃。那家的人正預備飯的時候，彼得魂遊象外， 11 看見天開了，有一物降下，好像一塊大布，繫著四角，縋在地上， 12 裡面有地上各樣四足的走獸和昆蟲，並天上的飛鳥； 13 又有聲音向他說：彼得，起來，宰了吃！ 14 彼得卻說：主啊，這是不可的！凡俗物和不潔淨的物，我從來沒有吃過。 15 第二次有聲音向他說：神所潔淨的，你不可當作俗物。 16 這樣一連三次，那物隨即收回天上去了。 17 彼得心裡正在猜疑之間，不知所看見的異象是甚麼意思。哥尼流所差來的人已經訪問到西門的家，站在門外， 18 喊著問：有稱呼彼得的西門住在這裡沒有？ 19 彼得還思想那異象的時候，聖靈向他說：有三個人來找你。

27 彼得和他說著話進去，見有好些人在那裡聚集， 28 就對他們說：你們知道，猶太人和別國的人親近來往本是不合例的，但神已經指示我，無論甚麼人都不可看作俗而不潔淨的。

 

默想

我的信仰生活中，是否有些因文化、背景、風俗、教育、習慣、興趣等的因素，阻礙或限制了我與他人的密切相交，或與人分享福音？

當我向朋友傳福音時，需要克服那些社會上或文化上的障礙？

反省一下我的禱告生活，神是否曾經透過禱告，幫助我突破在靈命和生活上的盲點、或固執持守的習慣？並更深經歷神的大能和引領？

 

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 10

⁹About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹²It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  ¹⁴“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  ¹⁵The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  ¹⁶This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  ¹⁷While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

 

Meditation

Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, interest) that have limited or prohibited me of true fellowship or reaching out to others?

Reflect on my prayer experiences.  In what areas have I experienced God’s guidance in prayer?

What are some of the social and cultural barriers that I need to break through as I seek to reach out to my friends for the gospel?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第九章

1掃羅仍然向主的門徒口吐威嚇兇殺的話，去見大祭司， 2 求文書給大馬士革的各會堂，若是找著信奉這道的人，無論男女，都准他捆綁帶到耶路撒冷。 3 掃羅行路，將到大馬士革，忽然從天上發光，四面照著他； 4 他就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對他說：掃羅！掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？

5 他說：主啊！你是誰？主說：我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。 6 起來！進城去，你所當做的事，必有人告訴你。

7 同行的人站在那裡，說不出話來，聽見聲音，卻看不見人。 8 掃羅從地上起來，睜開眼睛，竟不能看見甚麼。有人拉他的手，領他進了大馬士革； 9 三日不能看見，也不吃也不喝。

 

默想

1. 這是掃羅在基督裡新生命的開始，這奇妙經歷的中心就是耶穌基督。掃羅不單看見異象，而且親自遇見復活的基督（4-5節）。掃羅認耶穌為主，承認自己的罪，將生命交給耶穌，並決心順服。真正的悔改始於與耶穌的相遇，並與耶穌建立關係，而開始的新生命。
2. 再次回想當初我與主相遇的情景：怎樣認耶穌為主，承認自己的罪，將生命交給耶穌，並決心順服，與耶穌建立個人關係，開始我的新生命。
3. 為我得救的每一個環節，每一個經歷感謝神，並再次將自己奉獻給神，立志為主過順服的生活。

 

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 9

¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  ⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

 

Meditation

1. This is the beginning of Saul’s new life in Christ.  The focus of this marvelous experience is Jesus Christ.  Saul not only saw a vision, he personally met the risen Christ (vv4-5). He recognized that Jesus was the Son of God and changed the direction of his life. True repentance came through a personal encounter with Jesus, when a relationship with Jesus was established and new life began.
2. Recall my encounter with Jesus: how I acknowledged Jesus as my Lord, repent my sin, gave my life to Jesus, determined to live an obedient life, established a personal relationship with Jesus and began a new life.
3. Thank God for my conversion experience.  And dedicate myself to God once again to live an obedient life for 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第八章

27 ……有一個衣索匹亞（即古實，見以賽亞十八章一節）人，是個有大權的太監，在衣索匹亞女王干大基的手下總管銀庫，他上耶路撒冷禮拜去了。 28 現在回來，在車上坐著，念先知以賽亞的書。 29 聖靈對腓利說：你去！貼近那車走。 30 腓利就跑到太監那裡，聽見他念先知以賽亞的書，便問他說：你所念的，你明白嗎？ 31 他說：沒有人指教我，怎能明白呢？於是請腓利上車，與他同坐。 32 他所念的那段經，說：

他像羊被牽到宰殺之地，又像羊羔在剪毛的人手下無聲；他也是這樣不開口。 33 他卑微的時候，人不按公義審判他（原文是他的審判被奪去）；誰能述說他的世代，因為他的生命從地上奪去。

34 太監對腓利說：請問，先知說這話是指著誰？是指著自己呢？是指著別人呢？ 35 腓利就開口從這經上起，對他傳講耶穌。

 

默想

1. 司提反殉道後，教會大遭迫害，信徒由耶路撒冷四散各地。聖靈叫腓利走進衣索匹亞太監的馬車，太監聽完腓利講解，很快就相信，且要馬上受洗。這個例子表明，很多人都不認識耶穌，也不明白何謂作耶穌的門徒，只是單單想遇見神，腓利扶他們一把，就簡單直接地將基督介紹給他們。
2. 腓利的生命提醒我們宣揚基督：是聖靈的愛激勵我們去接觸真誠尋求神的人；聖靈之前已經動工，並且在我們完工後繼續作工。我們可以效法腓利，向尋求神的人傳講耶穌，相信聖靈會使人得著救恩。
3. 在我所熟識的人中，我可以開始為什麼人的得救禱告？有什麼已經開始向我詢問“屬靈”的問題，有關生命的意義，信仰，人生目標等等？將他/她的名字寫在 “靈程筆記”簿上，經常定時地為他/她禱告；體察聖靈在他/她生命中有什麼工作？並求神賜我智慧，把握機會來向他/她作見證，傳講耶穌的福音。

 

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 8

^27………  an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  ³⁰Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.  ³¹“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  ³²The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,  so he did not open his mouth. ³³In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?      For his life was taken from the earth.”

³⁴The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Meditation

1. After Stephen was martyred, persecution of the Church increased and Christians scattered.  Philip went to Samaria to speak of Jesus Christ, people believed quickly and many were baptized.  Later, the Spirit led Philip to the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch.  The eunuch too believed quickly and wanted to be baptized.  In both instances, they didn’t know Jesus and did not understand what it meant to become a disciple of Jesus.  They simply wanted to meet God and Philip told them of Christ
2. Philip’s life reminds us of what it really means to proclaim Christ.  We come in the love of the Holy Spirit to those who honestly seek God, trusting that the Spirit began the work before we did and will carry it on after us.  We can all be like Philip, speaking Jesus to those who seek God, trusting that the Spirit can draw souls to salvation.
3. Who, among my closely acquainted, can I begin to pray for his/her salvation?  Is there anyone around me who has been asking “spiritual” questions—questions about life’s meaning, belief, purpose, etc.?  Write the name down and pray regularly, taking note of the Holy Spirit’s work and asking for wisdom to share the gospel 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第七章

51 你們這硬著頸項、心與耳未受割禮的人，常時抗拒聖靈！你們的祖宗怎樣，你們也怎樣。 52 那一個先知不是你們祖宗逼迫呢？他們也把預先傳說那義者要來的人殺了；如今你們又把那義者賣了，殺了。 53 你們受了天使所傳的律法，竟不遵守。

54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。 55 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在神的右邊， 56 就說：我看見天開了，人子站在神的右邊。

57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。

59 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ 60 又跪下大聲喊著說：主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。

 

默想

1. 不要以為司提反因為放肆說話，因此冒犯了當權派而喪命。正如耶穌被釘十架，司提反的殉道也是神拯救計劃中的一部分。其實，神經常將人認為「壞」的事轉變為意料之外的「美好」。
2. 我有沒有經歷過一些事情，當時看來是很倒霉、很悲慘、很不公。。。但後來卻有了出人意外的美好結果？這樣的經歷怎樣幫助我認識神的旨意？
3. 我是否願意有司提反這樣的態度，正如保羅在腓立比書一章所說，“我活著是基督，死了就有益處”？

 

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

⁵¹“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵²Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

⁵⁴When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  ⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  ⁵⁹While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Meditation

1. Don’t think Stephen’s boldness was a mistake that cost his life.  In fact, just like the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen’s martyrdom was part of God’s plan for saving His people. God has a habit of turning “bad” things into unexpected good outcome.
2. Have I had any experience that was terrible, disappointing, unfair…, but in the end, there was an unexpected good result?  How does this help me understand God’s will?
3. Am I willing to be like Stephen and, as Paul says in Philippians 1, have the attitude that “to live is Christ and to die is gain”?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第六章

1那時，門徒增多，有說希臘話的猶太人向希伯來人發怨言，因為在天天的供給上忽略了他們的寡婦。 2 十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。 3 所以弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理這事。 4 但我們要專心以祈禱、傳道為事。

5 大眾都喜悅這話，就揀選了司提反，乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人，又揀選腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿，並進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉， 6 叫他們站在使徒面前。使徒禱告了，就按手在他們頭上。

7 神的道興旺起來；在耶路撒冷門徒數目加增的甚多，也有許多祭司信從了這道。

 

默想

1. 當我看到初期教會的生活中充滿神蹟、慷慨分享、信徒相交時，可能也會很希望自己成為這「完美」教會的一分子。事實上，初期教會也和現今的教會一樣，也是有問題的；沒有教會是完美的，惟有等到基督再來與信徒聯合，教會才會成為完美、毫無瑕疵的。
2. 若我經常會為自己教會的缺點而苦惱，我是否願意花同樣的精力來為教會及傳道人禱告？
3. 現在就花些時間為教會，牧者，其他信徒，及事工禱告。

 

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

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  ⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

 

Meditation

1. The life of Early Church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship.  How wonderful it would have been to be a member of this “Perfect” church.  In fact, the Early Church also had problems just like today.  There is no perfect church until the coming of Christ in union with believers.
2. If I have been frustrated with my church, am I willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for my church and pastors?
3. Spend a few minutes to pray for my church, pastors, ministries and other believers.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第五章

1有一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，同他的妻子撒非喇賣了田產， 2 把價銀私自留下幾分，他的妻子也知道，其餘的幾分拿來放在使徒腳前。

3 彼得說：亞拿尼亞！為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？ 4 田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的麼？既賣了，價銀不是你作主麼？你怎麼心裡起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了。

5 亞拿尼亞聽見這話，就仆倒，斷了氣；聽見的人都甚懼怕。 6 有些少年人起來，把他包裹，抬出去埋葬了。

7 約過了三小時，他的妻子進來，還不知道這事。 8 彼得對她說：你告訴我，你們賣田地的價銀就是這些嗎？她說：就是這些。

9 彼得說：你們為甚麼同心試探主的靈呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的腳已到門口，他們也要把你抬出去。

10 婦人立刻仆倒在彼得腳前，斷了氣。那些少年人進來，見她已經死了，就抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁邊。 11 全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。

默想

1. 亞拿尼亞和撒非喇所犯的罪並不是吝嗇或是留下部分金錢；變賣田地以及奉獻多少乃是出於自己的抉擇。他們的罪是欺騙神和神的教會。這種罪行受到那麼嚴厲的懲罰，是因為欺騙和貪婪會破壞教會，影響聖靈工作的效果。他們一心只為了博取別人的認同和讚許，卻未能隨從聖靈的引導，自由和誠實地奉獻，反而要利用捐贈財物來提高自己的聲譽。神不能容許這些動機，來污染聖靈在早期信徒中的大能作為。
2. 撒但會藉著我性格上的弱點，進入我的內心，控制我的行為。我當在那方面警醒，保守自己的行為，思想？

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

¹Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ²With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.  ³Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”  ⁵When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  ⁷About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”  ⁹Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”  ¹⁰At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Meditation

1. The sin that Ananias and Sapphira committed wasn’t that they’ve kept some money for themselves.  After all, the sale of the property and the amount to donate were their decisions.  They sinned in deceiving God and His people.  They were severely punished for deception for greed will corrupt the church and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It seems Ananias and Sapphira were bound by their desire for approval or acclaim.  They couldn’t give freely and honestly as led by the Holy Spirit, but rather needed to use their giving to increase their reputation.  God could not allow such motives to pollute the powerful work of his Spirit in this first body of Christians.
2. Satan will use my weaknesses to come into my heart and influence my decisions.  In what ways should I be alert in guarding my actions and thoughts?

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第四章

8 那時彼得被聖靈充滿，對他們說： 9 治民的官府和長老啊，倘若今日因為在殘疾人身上所行的善事查問我們他是怎麼得了痊癒， 10 你們眾人和以色列百姓都當知道，站在你們面前的這人得痊癒是因你們所釘十字架、神叫他從死裡復活的拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。

11 他是你們匠人所棄的石頭，…… 已成了房角的頭塊石頭。 12 除他以外，別無拯救；因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名，我們可以靠著得救。

13 他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的； 14 又看見那治好了的人和他們一同站著，就無話可駁。 15 於是吩咐他們從公會出去，就彼此商議說： 16 我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢？因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟，凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道，我們也不能說沒有。 17 惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間，我們必須恐嚇他們，叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。

18 於是叫了他們來，禁止他們總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。 19 彼得、約翰說：聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！ 20 我們所看見所聽見的，不能不說。

 

默想

1. 我心中有沒有一個「不能不說」的信息(20節)？我的信息和彼得的信息——「除祂以外，別無拯救」(12節)一樣嗎？
2. 求主賜我好像彼得一樣熱切的心，去向別人見證神在我身上的作為。

 

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 4

 ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, ¹⁰then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹He is   ” ‘the stone you builders rejected,      which has become the capstone.’ ¹²Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

¹³When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. ²⁰For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

Meditation

1. Do I have a message that I “cannot help but speaking” (v20)?  Is my message the same as Peter’s –that there is “no other name by which we must be saved”? (v12)
2. Pray that God will grant me the same zeal and passion to share with others what God has done 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第三章

1申初禱告的時候，彼得、約翰上聖殿去。 2 有一個人，生來是瘸腿的，天天被人抬來，放在殿的一個門口，那門名叫美門，要求進殿的人賙濟。 3 他看見彼得、約翰將要進殿，就求他們賙濟。 4 彼得約翰定睛看他；彼得說：你看我們！ 5 那人就留意看他們，指望得著甚麼。 6 彼得說：金銀我都沒有，只把我所有的給你：我奉拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名，叫你起來行走！ 7 於是拉著他的右手，扶他起來；他的腳和踝子骨立刻健壯了， 8 就跳起來，站著，又行走，同他們進了殿，走著，跳著，讚美神。 9 百姓都看見他行走，讚美神； 10 認得他是那素常坐在殿的美門口求賙濟的，就因他所遇著的事滿心希奇、驚訝。 11 那人正在稱為所羅門的廊下，拉著彼得、約翰；眾百姓一齊跑到他們那裡，很覺希奇。 12 彼得看見，就對百姓說：以色列人哪，為甚麼把這事當作希奇呢？為甚麼定睛看我們，以為我們憑自己的能力和虔誠使這人行走呢？ 13 亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神，就是我們列祖的神，已經榮耀了他的僕人（或作：兒子）耶穌；你們卻把他交付彼拉多。彼拉多定意要釋放他，你們竟在彼拉多面前棄絕了他。 14 你們棄絕了那聖潔公義者，反求著釋放一個兇手給你們。 15 你們殺了那生命的主，神卻叫他從死裡復活了；我們都是為這事作見證。 16 我們因信他的名，他的名便叫你們所看見所認識的這人健壯了；正是他所賜的信心，叫這人在你們眾人面前全然好了。

 

默想

跛腳乞丐乞討零錢，但彼得給他更好的——使他的腳復原能行走。我也可能只想神替我解決一些眼前的小問題，但祂希望賜給我新的生命，並且幫助我解決所有問題。當我求神時，祂也許會說：「我預備更好的東西要賜給你。」

我是否曾經向神禱告，將心中想要的告訴祂，結果得到的與心中所想的並不同，當時是驚喜？還是失望？

把心中的感受告訴神，並在今天一天中繼續的等候，聆聽神對我的回答。

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

¹One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ²Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  ⁶Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  ¹¹While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹²When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Meditation

1. The crippled man was begging for some change, but Peter gave him something much better – the full recovery of his legs.  Similarly, I may wish that God would solve some of my problems, but His plan is much bigger as he desires to give me new life and help resolve the real problem.  When I ask Him for help, He may say, “I’ve prepared something better for you.”
2. Have I ever prayed to God for certain things but the result was totally different?  What was my response?  Surprised or disappointed?
3. Tell God my feelings, and continue to listen to God’s words for me today.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第二章

37 眾人聽見這話，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說：弟兄們，我們當怎樣行？

38 彼得說：你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈；

39 因為這應許是給你們和你們的兒女，並一切在遠方的人，就是主─我們神所召來的。

40 彼得還用許多話作見證，勸勉他們說：你們當救自己脫離這彎曲的世代。 41 於是領受他話的人就受了洗。那一天，門徒約添了三千人， 42 都恆心遵守使徒的教訓，彼此交接，擘餅，祈禱。

 

默想

那些人聽到彼得被聖靈充滿所傳講的信息後。都深受感動，他們問：「我們當怎樣行呢」？這是每個初信主的人，都要問的基本問題，單單為自己的罪而難過是不夠的，必須求神赦免。當我們悔改時，神不單塗抹我們的罪，更讓我們的靈得到更新，可以活出蒙赦免的新生命。

回想一下，神曾否提醒我日常生活中的過錯？我是怎麼回答的？我現今是活出新的生命嗎？

 

 

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

³⁷When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

³⁹The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

 

 

 

Meditation

1. Those that heard Peter’s Spirit-filled message were moved.  They asked, “What shall we do?”  This is the basic question every new believer will ask.  It’s not enough to feel sorry for the sins we have committed, we need to ask for God’s forgiveness.  When we repent, God will not only wipe away our sins, He will renew us spiritually so that we may live out the forgiven new life.
2. Recall a time when God reminded me of my wrongs.  What was my response?  Am I living a new life now?  The Bible tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

6 他們聚集的時候，問耶穌說：主啊，你復興以色列國就在這時候嗎？ 7 耶穌對他們說：父憑著自己的權柄所定的時候、日期，不是你們可以知道的。 8 但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力，並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地，和撒馬利亞，直到地極，作我的見證。 9 說了這話，他們正看的時候，他就被取上升，有一朵雲彩把他接去，便看不見他了。 10 當他往上去，他們定睛望天的時候，忽然有兩個人身穿白衣，站在旁邊，說： 11 加利利人哪，你們為甚麼站著望天呢？這離開你們被接升天的耶穌，你們見他怎樣往天上去，他還要怎樣來。

12 有一座山，名叫橄欖山，離耶路撒冷不遠，約有安息日可走的路程。當下，門徒從那裡回耶路撒冷去， 13 進了城，就上了所住的一間樓房；在那裡有彼得、約翰、雅各、安得烈、腓力、多馬、巴多羅買、馬太、亞勒腓的兒子雅各、奮銳黨的西門，和雅各的兒子（或作：兄弟）猶大。 14 這些人同著幾個婦人和耶穌的母親馬利亞，並耶穌的弟兄，都同心合意的恆切禱告。

 

默想：

1. 向人傳福音作見證，並非要顯示我們能夠為神做些甚麼，而是要向人傳講神為我們做了甚麼。耶穌要門徒先等候聖靈的降臨（參路24:29），然後才向萬民作見證（參太28:19-20）。
2. 同樣的，今天神若吩咐我為祂工作，我也必須倚靠聖靈的能力，才去工作。我是否常常憑自己的能力和熱心去作事，卻不知等候是神計劃的一部分？
3. 禱告，求聖靈光照，在我目前所做的事情中，有什麼是我不耐煩去等待神，而跑在神前頭去做我認為好的、對的事情？

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 1

⁶So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  ⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  ⁹After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  ¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

 

Meditation:

1. Witnessing to others about Jesus is not to show what we can do for God but to tell what God has done for us.  Jesus instructed His disciples to witness to the world, but they must first wait for the Holy Spirit.
2. Similarly, when God entrusts me with a task, I need to first depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.  Do I like to get ahead of God and try to depend on my own abilities and enthusiasm, not knowing that WAITING is also part of God’s plan?
3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to show me specific areas where I am “impatient to wait” and have gone ahead of God with my own ideas of what is good.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

第廿八章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

16 十一個門徒往加利利去，到了耶穌約定的山上。17 他們見了耶穌就拜他，然而還有人疑惑。18 耶穌進前來，對他們說：「天上地下所有的權柄都賜給我了。19 所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗（或譯：給他們施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名）。20 凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」

 

默想：

1. 十一個門徒照吩咐前往加利利，耶穌也在那裡向他們顯現。祂不但向門徒有託附和授權（18節下至20節上），並應許與他們同在（「以馬內利」參1:23），讓他們經歷神的能力、同在和智慧，直到這世代終結。
2. 耶穌為什麼要與門徒同在直到世界的末了？耶穌今天用怎樣的方式與我同在？
3. 選擇耶穌同在的一個方式，在未來的星期中，特別留意「以馬內利」耶穌怎樣與我同在。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 28

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Meditation:

1. The eleven did go to Galilee, and Jesus appeared as promised. He authorized His disciples to make disciples of all nations, and promised to be with them (Immanuel) as the divine power, presence, and Wisdom of God until the close of the age.
2. Why did Jesus tell the disciples that He would be with them to the end of the age? In what way is Jesus Christ with me today?
3. Consider choosing one of the ways and attempting to be especially sensitive to Jesus’ presence (Immanuel) with me this week.

第廿七章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

45 從午正到申初，遍地都黑暗了。46 約在申初，耶穌大聲喊著說：「以利！以利！拉馬撒巴各大尼？」就是說：「我的　神！我的　神！為甚麼離棄我？」47 站在那裏的人，有的聽見就說：「這個人呼叫以利亞呢！」48 內中有一個人趕緊跑去，拿海絨蘸滿了醋，綁在葦子上，送給他喝。49 其餘的人說：「且等著，看以利亞來救他不來。」50 耶穌又大聲喊叫，氣就斷了。51 忽然，殿裏的幔子從上到下裂為兩半，地也震動，磐石也崩裂，52 墳墓也開了，已睡聖徒的身體多有起來的。53 到耶穌復活以後，他們從墳墓裏出來，進了聖城，向許多人顯現。54 百夫長和一同看守耶穌的人看見地震並所經歷的事，就極其害怕，說：「這真是　神的兒子了！」

默想：

1. 基督教信仰的中心,竟是我們的神極致的受辱，並忍受最深的痛苦。祂自己的同胞要求處死祂，祂的朋友離棄祂，連最親密的父都轉面不顧祂。
2. 花些時間用心與腦來深思，為什麼全能者要選擇這樣的道路。多讀幾遍耶穌的話來貼近祂的經歷。
3. 我心中此時漲溢的是什麼？死亡？驚奇？難過？漠不關心？把從心中浮上來的，一一告訴耶穌。輕輕地把自己拉回耶穌的犧牲與受死上，再讀一遍經文。讓自己深深地沉浸在整個事件中，繼續體會自己的反應，再繼續與主交談。
4. 天找個安靜的地方去散步，或靜坐片刻，設好預定時間的鬧錶來作提醒，讓自己忘記時間，放鬆地默想基督為我做的犧牲，並等待祂要我從祂那接受的。

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 27

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

⁴⁵From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ⁴⁷When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” ⁴⁸Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” ⁵⁰And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ⁵¹At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. ⁵²The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. ⁵⁴When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Meditation:

1. The central event of the Christian faith is the immense humiliation of our God. And His anguish is deeper than we can imagine. His own people demanded his death, his friends deserted him. And now even his loving Father has turned away.
2. Spend time wrestling with why the Almighty would choose such a path. Reread Jesus’ own words a few times to get closer to his experience.
3. What wells up inside me as I spend time with Jesus’ death? Death? Wonder? Grief? Distractedness? Tell Jesus about what surfaces. Then gently pull my thoughts back to His sacrifice and death, reading the passage again if needed. Allow myself to sink into the event deeply, again being aware of my reaction and talking to Jesus about it.
4. Find a new place to be silent. For example, walk in a quiet place or sit in an empty church sanctuary. Bring a wristwatch and set the alarm so I can forget the time until it reminds me. Meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice for me, and then wait for what He would have me receive from Him.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第廿六章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

36 耶穌同門徒來到一個地方，名叫客西馬尼，就對他們說：「你們坐在這裏，等我到那邊去禱告。」37 於是帶著彼得和西庇太的兩個兒子同去，就憂愁起來，極其難過，38 便對他們說：「我心裏甚是憂傷，幾乎要死；你們在這裏等候，和我一同警醒。」39 他就稍往前走，俯伏在地，禱告說：「我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫這杯離開我。然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。」40 來到門徒那裏，見他們睡著了，就對彼得說：「怎麼樣？你們不能同我警醒片時嗎？41 總要警醒禱告，免得入了迷惑。你們心靈固然願意，肉體卻軟弱了。」42 第二次又去禱告說：「我父啊，這杯若不能離開我，必要我喝，就願你的意旨成全。」43 又來，見他們睡著了，因為他們的眼睛困倦。44 耶穌又離開他們去了。第三次禱告，說的話還是與先前一樣。45 於是來到門徒那裏，對他們說：「現在你們仍然睡覺安歇吧（吧：或譯嗎？）！時候到了，人子被賣在罪人手裏了。46 起來！我們走吧。看哪，賣我的人近了。」

 

默想：

1. 這裡記載了三次耶穌的禱告，非常清晰的描述了耶穌身心靈的掙扎，由問神可否叫這杯（藉著十字架表明神的審判）離開祂，到「若不能」，「願你的旨意成全」；並且都用「我父」這最親密的稱呼。而且這時候，祂的門徒們沒有一個能夠做到祂的要求——和祂一同警醒禱告。
2. 默想基督的受苦。低吟這首「泰澤」詩歌「陪著我」

在這等我，同我在這裡，警醒禱告，警醒禱告。http://www.thevigils.co.uk/vigils/chants.html (#2)

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 26

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³⁶Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” ³⁹Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” ⁴⁰Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” ⁴²He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” ⁴³When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. ⁴⁵Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

 

Meditation:

1. Here recorded three times of Jesus’ prayer. It clearly portrayed Jesus wrestling with God’s will and then finally accepting it. It started with Jesus asking if it is possible for the cup (referring to the expression of God’s judgment in and by the cross) to be removed from him. The next two times He says, “If this cannot … your will be done”(v42). In all cases, Jesus addresses God in the most intimate terms as “my Father”(vv39,42). The disciples, including even Peter, were unable to watch and pray with him.
2. Meditate on Christ’s suffering. Quietly sing this Taize song:

Stay with me, remain here with me
watch and pray, watch and pray. http://www.thevigils.co.uk/vigils/chants.html (#2)

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.