Category: 260靈修

第七章

8雖然我在那封信上使你們憂傷，但我現在並不後悔；其實我曾經有點後悔，因為知道那封信使你們憂傷，雖然只是暫時的。9現在我快樂，不是因為你們憂傷，而是因為你們的憂傷帶來了悔改。你們依照神的意思憂傷，凡事就不會因我們受到虧損。10因為依照神的意思而有的憂傷，可以生出沒有懊悔的悔改，以致得救；世俗的憂傷卻會招致死亡。11看哪，你們依照神的意思憂傷，在你們中間就產生了怎樣的熱情、申訴、憤慨、戰兢、渴望、熱誠、正義；你們在各方面都表明了自己在那事上是清白的。12因此，從前我雖然寫過信給你們，卻不是為了那虧負人的，也不是為了那受害的，而是在神面前把你們對我們的熱情，向你們顯現出來。13因此，我們得了安慰。在這安慰之外，我們因提多的喜樂就更加歡喜，因為他的心從你們眾人那裡得到暢快。

 

默想

1. 世人的傷心是一種“很難過，我被抓到了”的難過；也為自己，和現在要付的後果難過。屬神的傷痛是為做錯的事而懊悔 — 力求從錯誤中轉回。這樣，才會帶來屬靈的見識和成熟。
2. 我有沒有曾經經歷過這種深度的屬神的憂傷？是為自己？是為別人？

 

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

⁸Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹²So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ¹³By all this we are encouraged.

MEDITATION

1. The world’s sorrow is an “I’m sorry I got caught” kind of sorrow.  The individual is sorry for himself, and the consequences he now has to pay.  Godly sorrow is grief about the original act, and repentance – a commitment to turn from wrongdoing and to turn back toward God.  We grieve, like Isaiah does in Isaiah 6, not only for ourselves, but also because we belong to a people who are sinful.  With this comes spiritual insight and maturity.
2. Have I ever experienced this deep godly grief, for myself, or for others?

 

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

14你們和不信的人不可共負一軛，義和不法有甚麼相同呢？光明和黑暗怎能相通呢？15基督和彼列（「彼列」是撒但的別名）怎能和諧呢？信的和不信的有甚麼聯繫呢？16神的殿和偶像怎能協調呢？我們就是永生神的殿，正如神說：「我要住在他們中間，在他們中間來往；我要作他們的神，他們要作我的子民。」17所以，「主說：你們要從他們中間出來，和他們分開，不可觸摸不潔淨的東西，我就收納你們。」18「我要作你們的父親，你們要作我的兒女。這是全能的主說的。」

 

默想

1. 基督徒要完全分別歸神，這分別像光明與黑暗，基督與撒但，神的殿與偶像之間的尖銳、絕對。因此信徒「應該潔淨自己，除去身體和心靈上的一切污穢」（7:1）。神是我們的父親，但是當我們犯罪，罪的污染將我們與神隔絕，神就不能再用那種親密的方式與我們來往。同樣的，人與人之間親密的關係中，當罪行、欺騙、虛假滲入，立刻會像眼中入沙一般，關係必會受破壞。所以問題不在我能不能與非信徒交往，而在乎我要不要與神保持親密美好的關係。慈愛的天父向我們發出祂的心聲、呼喚：「我要作你們的父親，你們要作我的兒女。」我會怎樣回應神？
2. 想像我正在花園中與主散步，這時候我會對主說什麼？主在聆聽，慢慢地向主傾訴，也細聽主的心聲。

 

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

¹⁴Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
¹⁷“Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
¹⁸“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

MEDITATION

1. Christians are to be completely separated unto the Lord, with that separation as sharp as the dividing line between light and darkness, between Christ and Satan, and between the temple of God and a shrine where idols are worshiped.  In short, we are to “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.” (7:1) God is our Father, but when we sin, sin’s contamination separates us from God.  He is not able to be a Father to us in the same, intimate way He would if we were in close fellowship with Him.  Similarly, when sin comes into a relationship between two people, it’ll be felt like a grain of sand entering into the eye, the relationship will be affected.  So, the issue isn’t whether I could have intimate relationship with non-Christians, rather, if I want to maintain this close relationship with God the Father.  Our loving father is calling us: “I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters.”  How do I respond?
2. Imagine I am taking a walk with the Lord in the garden.  What would I say to him right now?  The Lord is listening.  Speak to him slowly and listen to his talking, too.

 

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我們知道，如果我們在地上的帳棚拆毀了，我們必得著從神而來的居所。那不是人手所造的，而是天上永存的房屋。2我們現今在這帳棚裡面歎息，渴望遷到那天上的住處，好像換上新的衣服；3如果穿上了，就不會赤身出現了。4我們這些在帳棚裡面的人，勞苦歎息，是由於不願意脫去這個，卻願意穿上那個，使這必死的被生命吞滅。5那在我們身上完成了工作，使我們達成這目標的，就是神。他已經把聖靈賜給我們作憑據。6我們既然一向都是坦然無懼的，又知道住在身內就是與主分開7（因為我們行事是憑著信心，不是憑著眼見），8現在還是坦然無懼，寧願與身體分開，與主同住。9因此，我們立定志向，無論住在身內或是與身體分開，都要討主的喜悅。10因為我們眾人都必須在基督的審判臺前顯露出來，使各人按著本身所行的，或善或惡，受到報應。

 

默想

1. 信徒有勇氣持守基督的呼召，像保羅一樣向世界的價值觀挑戰，是因為知道現今暫時的苦難與最終的獎賞相比，實在微不足道。當我們竭力為神那「更美的道路」奔走，而受到誤會或輕視時，我們仍然有盼望，在神的同在（以馬內利）我們可以全然欣喜。此外，我們亦因在神的智慧上的成長而歡欣。所以我們雖然在地上嘆息勞苦，等候身體得贖（羅8:23），但確實是有益的。
2. 在整理裝扮自己地上的帳棚（身體），和預備天上永存的房屋，這兩件事上，我比較著重的是什麼？若我在自己地上的日子是幾十年，但在天上卻是億萬年，我該花較多的心思在那裡？

 

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 we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ²Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, ³because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

⁶Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷We live by faith, not by sight. ⁸We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

MEDITATION

1. Courage to endure the radical call of the Christian claim on our lives comes from the belief that the eventual reward will outweigh the temporary suffering we incur by challenging the world’s values as Jesus and Paul did.  When our valiant struggle for God’s better way goes unappreciated and misunderstood, we have the hope of the Emmanuel God—God with us—utter delight at being in the divine presence.  But we also have the happiness of experiencing our own growth into the splendour of divine wisdom, so that our groaning here for the redemption of our bodies is not without reward in its own right.
2. Which do I spend more time preparing and thinking, my earthly tent (body) or my heavenly dwelling?  If I only spend several decades in my earthly tent, but millions of years in heaven, which one should I devote more thoughts and energy on?

 

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

7我們有這寶貝在瓦器裡，是要顯明這極大的能力是屬於神，不是出於我們。8我們雖然四面受壓，卻沒有壓碎；心裡作難，卻不至絕望，9受到迫害，卻沒有被丟棄；打倒了，卻不至死亡。10我們身上常常帶著耶穌的死，好讓耶穌的生也在我們的身上顯明出來。11我們這些活著的人，為耶穌的緣故常常被人置於死地，好讓耶穌的生也在我們必死的身上顯明出來。12這樣看來，死在我們身上運行，生卻在你們的身上運行。

 

默想

1. 保羅在本段裡，將傳道者軟弱的性情徹底表明。他處在高壓、困惑、受迫、打倒的底下。這些經歷提醒他，他所有輝煌事工的能力，完全不是從他而來的，而是來自耶穌，他雖軟弱，卻不遭壓迫，也不被厭棄。
2. 不要讓一絲的軟弱阻止我事奉神；事實上，我的軟弱正是神的大能彰顯的環境。
3. 輕聲唱（或讀）這首詩歌，作為今天的禱告：

我本軟弱主剛強，求主保守離罪網；

心靈滿足無憂傷，當我走，求領我近你旁。

主，我願更親近你，與主相親樂無比；

每日同行更親密，親愛主，求你，懇求你。

 

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

⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. ¹²So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

 

MEDITATION

1. Paul was contrasting the weak and ordinary character of the messenger with the overwhelming power of the message.  Paul found himself under pressure, perplexed, persecuted, knocked to the ground.  Everything in his experience reminded him that the dynamic power that had marked his ministry had no source in him.  He credited Jesus, who saves all those who believe in Him, with the fact that despite his weaknesses he had not been crushed, nor drowned in despair, nor abandoned or destroyed.
2. Don’t let a sense of personal weakness keep you from serving God.  The fact that we are weak is the backdrop against which the incomparable power of God is revealed.
3. Sing (or read) quietly this hymn as a prayer to God:

I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee oh let it be dear Lord let it be.

 

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

¹²   所以，我們既然有這樣的盼望，就大大地放膽行事，   ¹³   不像摩西那樣，把帕子蒙在臉上，使以色列人看不見那短暫的榮光的結局。   ¹⁴   但是他們的心思遲鈍，因為直到今日，他們誦讀舊約的時候，這帕子仍然存在，沒有揭開，唯有在基督裡才能把這帕子廢掉。   ¹⁵   可是直到今日，他們每逢誦讀摩西的書的時候，這帕子還蓋在他們的心上。   ¹⁶   但他們甚麼時候歸向主，這帕子就甚麼時候除掉了。17主就是那靈；主的靈在哪裡，哪裡就有自由。18我們眾人臉上的帕子既然已經揭開，反映主的榮光（「反映主的榮光」或譯：「對著鏡子看見主的榮光」），就變成主那樣的形象，大有榮光。這是主所作成的，他就是那靈。

 

默想

1. 當我們安息在神的榮光中，就發現自己改變，漸漸地沾上神的榮耀，而這榮耀開始充滿我們。這是聖靈的工作，引領我們成長，逐漸轉化成祂美好和榮耀的樣式，為要榮耀神。
2. 雖然我的生命中還有很多的瑕疵污點，但我裡面的生命在不斷的成長、改變，當轉化的榮光越來越光明時，我看見了耶穌在我生命中，為此我要感謝天父。

 

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

¹²Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. ¹⁴But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 

MEDITATION

1. When we rest in the splendour of God revealed by Christ, we find ourselves changed by it.  Gradually, by degrees, we incline toward the divine glory and it begins to overtake us.  This is by the power of the Spirit, which prepared us for such growth beginning at baptism.  We are being transformed into his likeness, the way that God had intended for us to be when he created us.
2. Though there are still warts and blemishes all too visible, I am growing and changing.  In the ever-increasing glory of the transformation taking place, “The Christian is the person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.”  Lord, help me to reflect more of your glory and to become easier for others to believe in you.

 

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

5如果有人使人憂愁，他不是使我憂愁，而是使你們眾人都有一點憂愁；我只說有一點，是避免說得過分。6這樣的人受了許多人的責備，也就夠了，7倒不如饒恕他，安慰他，免得他因憂愁過度而受不了。8所以，我勸你們要向他確實顯明你們的愛心。9為這緣故，我寫了那封信，要考驗你們是不是凡事都順從。10你們饒恕誰，我也饒恕誰；我所饒恕了的（如果我饒恕過甚麼），是為了你們在基督面前饒恕的，11免得撒但有機可乘，因為我們並不是不曉得他的詭計。

 

默想

1. 保羅勸勉哥林多信徒要重新接納他們當中一位犯罪的弟兄，因為教會群體已經有一段時間拒絕他。時間久了，羞恥就會蠶食一個人的心靈，保羅不希望見到那人沮喪。教會群體必須嘗試安慰那些失腳跌倒的人，以免他們絕望。要分辨，何時懲罰對人有幫助，何時需要饒恕和愛，這并不容易。但信徒蒙召，就是為要這樣彼此服事。
2. 目前有沒有信徒需要教會群體重新接納，安慰，讓他可以再次在主裡站得起來？若有，求主賜教會或小組有智慧與愛心，將跌倒的肢體挽回神的家中。

 

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 2

⁵If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. ⁷Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. ¹⁰If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

 

MEDITATION

1. The Corinthian church here has punished one of its members and Paul writes to them, encouraging them to forgive and comfort him.  The point of Paul’s writing is not to focus on the punishment, but rather to encourage the congregation to care for the health of the whole community.  It is important for the community to pursue forgiveness in order to prevent Satan from accomplishing his schemes against the Church.
2. Do I know any believer that may need to re-enter the church community right now?  If so, ask God for wisdom and love to forgive, comfort and restore this person into God’s family.

 

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.

 

第一章

3我們主耶穌基督的父神是應當稱頌的。他是滿有憐憫的父，賜各樣安慰的神。4我們在一切患難中，神都安慰我們，使我們能用他所賜的安慰，去安慰那些在各樣患難中的人。5我們既然多受基督所受的痛苦，就靠著基督多得安慰。6如果我們遭遇患難，那是要使你們得著安慰，得著拯救；如果我們得到安慰，也是要使你們得到安慰。這安慰使你們能夠忍受我們所受那樣的痛苦。7我們對你們的盼望是堅定的，因為知道你們既然一同受痛苦，也必照樣同得安慰。8弟兄們，我們在亞西亞遭受的患難，我們很想讓你們知道。那時我們受到了過於我們所能忍受的壓力，甚至活下去的希望都沒有了，9而且斷定自己是必死的了；然而，這正是要我們不倚靠自己，只倚靠那叫死人復活的神。10他救我們脫離了那極大的死亡，而且他還要救我們，我們希望他將來仍要救我們。11請你們一同用禱告支持我們，好使許多人為著我們所蒙的恩獻上感謝。這恩是藉著許多人的代求而得到的。

 

默想

1. 基督徒因為順服神在他生命中的引導，而會遭受患難，卻是充滿喜樂的，因為有神的旨意在其中，且要完成神與人和好的善工。他遭患難，卻使他在其他受苦的人心中帶來信賴度，以致有敞開的門進入受苦人的心中，分享耶穌的福音。
2. 我上次是什麼時候覺得處在壓力鍋裡？是什麼事情？
3. 我周圍的人中，有誰最近有很大的壓力？保羅會要我怎樣為他/她禱告？用幾分鐘為這位朋友禱告。過幾天，不妨給他打個電話，寫封電郵，問候一下，告訴他我在為他禱告。

 

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 1

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ⁶If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

⁸We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 

MEDITATION

1. Christians may suffer because of the faith that we have.  But when we suffer and are persecuted because of Jesus, we can also be comforted because we know that God is at work, seeking reconciliation between God and men and that Christ is the one who comforts us.  When we suffer for the gospel, we are put into a position of needing to be dependent on God.
2. When was the last time I felt like in a pressure cooker?  What happened?
3. Whom do I know that is under pressure right now?  How would Paul encourage me to pray for him/her this week?  Spend a few minutes praying for this person.  Give this person a call, in a few days, or write him/her an email asking how things are and telling him/her that you are praying for 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.

第十六章

13 你們要警醒，要在信仰上站立得穩，要作大丈夫，要剛強。 14 你們所作的一切，都要憑愛心去作。 15 弟兄們，你們知道司提反一家人是亞該亞初結的果子，他們專心地服事聖徒。 16 我勸你們要順服這樣的人，和所有與他們一同工作一同勞苦的人。 17 司提反、福徒拿都和亞該古都來了，所以我很快樂，因為他們補上了你們的不足， 18 使我和你們的心都得著暢快。這樣的人你們要敬重他們。 19 亞西亞的眾教會都問候你們。亞居拉和百基拉，以及他們家裡的教會在主裡再三問候你們。 20 所有的弟兄都問候你們。你們要用聖潔的親嘴彼此問安。 21 我保羅親筆問候你們。 22 如果有人不愛主，他就該受咒詛。主啊，願你來！ 23 願主耶穌基督的恩惠與你們同在。 24 我的愛在基督耶穌裡也與你們同在。（有古卷加“阿們”。）

 

默想

1. 哥林多教會是一間問題重重的教會。保羅以無比的愛心和勇氣，提出處理各樣的問題的原則與方法，並且敦促他們回到基督那裡。哥林多前書教導我們：教會內的合一和愛心，遠較領導者和名聲更為重要。
2. 在給哥林多信徒最後的指引中，保羅首先吩咐他們“憑愛心而作”(14節)，然後鼓勵他們像司提反一家那樣服事別人。以愛服事聖徒應是常規，而非例外。在過去幾年中，我曾經怎樣服事聖徒？在未來又可以怎樣服事他們？有什麼是這個星期，或這個月我就可以服事的？主啊，求你指示，我願順服。

 

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

¹³Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ¹⁴Do everything in love.

¹⁵You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, ¹⁶to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. ¹⁷I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Final Greetings

¹⁹The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. ²⁰All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

²²If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!

²³The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

²⁴My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Meditation

1. The Corinthian Church has many problems.  Paul, with much love and courage, pointed out principles and methods to deal with these problems and urged them to go back to Christ.  I Corinthians taught us that Unity and Love in church is far more important than leadership and reputation.
2. In these final instructions to the Christians at Corinth, Paul first charges them to let all that they do “be done in love”(v14) and then to put themselves “at the service” of such people as the household of Stephanas.
3. Loving service to the saints seems to be the norm, not the exception.  In what ways have I “served the saints” during the past year?  In what ways can I serve them in the future?  What could I serve in this week or this month?  Lord, show me and I will obey.

 

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 

50 弟兄們，我告訴你們，血肉之體不能承受神的國，必朽壞的也不能承受那不朽壞的。 51 我現在把一個奧祕告訴你們：我們不是都要睡覺，而是在一剎那，眨眼之間，就是號角最後一次吹響的時候，我們都要改變；因為號角要吹響，死人要復活，成為不朽壞的，我們也要改變。 53 這必朽壞的必須穿上不朽壞的，這必死的必須穿上不死的； 54 這必朽壞的既穿上了不朽壞的，這必死的既穿上了不死的，那時，經上的話就應驗了：“勝利了！死亡已經被吞滅。 55 死亡啊！你的勝利在哪裡？死亡啊！你的毒刺在哪裡？” 56 死的毒刺就是罪，罪的權勢就是律法。 57 感謝神，他藉著我們的主耶穌基督，把勝利賜給我們。 58 所以，我親愛的弟兄們，你們務要堅固，不可動搖，常常竭力多作主工，因為知道你們的勞苦，在主裡面不是徒然的。

 

默想

1. 若今天有人替我訃聞信，內容會有些什麼？我希望別人怎樣寫這封信？把心中的感受與想法，一點一點地告訴神，等候聖靈在心中工作、說話。

 

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 15

⁵⁰I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵²in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
⁵⁵“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

Meditation

1. If someone is writing a tribute for my memorial, what would be written in it?  How would I like people to write the letter announcing my death?
2. Tell Jesus all my thoughts and emotions right now.  Stay quiet to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to me 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.

 

第十四章

6弟兄們，你們想想，如果我到你們那裡去，只說方言，不向你們講有關啟示、知識、預言，或教訓的話，那我對你們有甚麼益處呢？ 7甚至那些沒有生命卻能發聲的東西，例如簫或琴，如果音調不分，怎能使人知道所彈所奏的是甚麼呢？ 8又如果軍號所發的聲音不清楚，誰會準備作戰呢？ 9你們也是這樣，如果用舌頭發出人聽不懂的話來，人怎會知道你所講的是甚麼呢？這樣，你們就是向空氣說話了。 10世上有那麼多種語言，但沒有一種是沒有意義的。11我若不明白某一種語言的意思，在那講的人來看，我就是個外國人；在我來說，那講話的人也是個外國人。12 你們也是這樣，你們既然熱切地渴慕屬靈的恩賜，就應當追求多多得著造就教會的恩賜。 13 所以，說方言的應當祈求，使他能把方言翻譯出來。 14 我若用方言禱告，是我的靈在禱告，我的理智並沒有作用。 15 那麼我應當怎樣行呢？我要用靈禱告，也要用理智禱告；我要用靈歌唱，也要用理智歌唱。 16 不然，如果你用靈讚美，在場那些不明白的人，因為不知道你在說甚麼，怎能在你感謝的時候說“阿們”呢？ 17 你感謝固然是好，但別人卻得不著造就。

 

默想

1. 基督徒聚集時就是要彼此服事，在禱告、讚美、教導、分享中，神可以，也確實會使用我們口中所說的，來建立祂的身體。因此，恩賜的擁有並非有什麼利益，而是為了建立基督的教會及教會所服事的群體。
2. 我有什麼恩賜，可以在哪方面服事信徒，並協助教會的建立？

 

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

⁶Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? ⁷Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? ⁹So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. ¹²So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.   ¹³For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. ¹⁶If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand^[e] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

 

Meditation

1. When Christians gather we minister to each other.  In prayer, praise, teaching, and sharing, God can and does use what we say to build up His church.  Therefore, spiritual gifts are not given for the benefit of the possessor.  The purpose of all spiritual gifts is to build up the whole Body of Christ and those the Body serves.
2. What gifts do I have and what can I do to serve fellow-believers and help build up the church?

 

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

4 愛是恆久忍耐，又有恩慈。愛是不嫉妒，不自誇，不張狂； 5 不作失禮的事，不求自己的益處，不輕易動怒，不計較人的過犯； 6 不喜歡不義，只喜歡真理。 7 愛是凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。 8 愛是永存不息的。先知的講道終必過去，方言終必停止，知識終必消失。 9 因為我們現在所知道的，只是一部分；所講的道也只是一部分； 10 等那完全的來到，這部分的就要過去了。 11 我作孩子的時候，說話像孩子，心思像孩子，想法像孩子，既然長大了，就把孩子的事都丟棄了。 12 我們現在是對著鏡子觀看，模糊不清，到那時就要面對面了。我現在所知道的只是一部分，到那時就完全知道了，好像主完全知道我一樣。 13 現在常存的有信、望、愛這三樣，其中最大的是愛。

 

默想

1. 真正的屬靈，並非在乎一個人的恩賜如何，或有多少訓練，或講台上的表現如何。真正屬靈的人，他的態度和行為都會表現出愛來。
2. 將4-7節抄在一張卡片上，將它背起來，並隨時拿出來溫習。同時，也隨時省察自己的態度，行為，有沒有愛心的表現。

 

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

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

Meditation

1. True spirituality has nothing to do with one’s gifts, training, or performing skills.  The truly spiritual person is the individual whose attitude and actions express love.
2. Copy verses 4-7 on an index card, memorize it, or bring it out to review often.  Examine my own attitude and actions often to see if there is any love expressed.

 

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

12 正如身體是一個，卻有許多肢體，而且肢體雖然很多，身體仍是一個；基督也是這樣。 13 我們無論是猶太人，是希臘人，是作奴隸的，是自由的，都在那一位聖靈裡受了洗，成為一個身體，都飲了那一位聖靈。 14 原來身體有許多肢體，並不是只有一個肢體。 15 假如腳說：“我不是手，所以我不屬於身體。”它不能因此就不屬於身體。 16 假如耳朵說：“我不是眼睛，所以我不屬於身體。”它也不能因此就不屬於身體。 17 假如整個身體只是眼睛，怎樣聽呢？假如整個身體只是耳朵，怎樣聞味呢？ 18 但現在神按照自己的意思，把肢體一一放在身體上。 19 假如所有的只是一個肢體，怎能算是身體呢？ 20 但現在肢體雖然很多，身體卻只是一個。 21 眼睛不能對手說：“我不需要你。”頭也不能對腳說：“我不需要你們。” 22 相反地，身體上那些似乎比較軟弱的肢體，更是不可缺少的。 23 我們認為身體上不大體面的部分，就更加要把它裝飾得體面；不大美觀的部分，就更加要使它美觀。 24 我們身體上美觀的部分，就不需要這樣了。但神卻這樣把身體組成了：格外地把體面加給比較有缺欠的肢體， 25 好使肢體能夠互相照顧，免得身體上有了分裂。 26 如果一個肢體受苦，所有的肢體就一同受苦；如果一個肢體得榮耀，所有的肢體就一同快樂。

 

默想

1. 保羅以人的身體來解釋信徒彼此之間的關係，都是基督的身體。不論我是誰，我有什麼恩賜，對自己的教會或是整體的教會來說，我都是“不可缺少的”（22節）。
2. 當身邊的基督徒得榮耀時，我的反應如何？當有基督徒受苦時，我的反應又如何？我會與喜樂的人同樂，與哀傷的人同哭嗎（參羅 12:15）？

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

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized byone Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

 

Meditation

1. Paul used the image of the body to explain our relation to one another.  We’re all parts of the body of Christ.  Whoever you are or whatever your spiritual gifts are, you are “indispensable” (v22) to the others in your church, and in the church.
2. What is my reaction when some other Christian gets recognition and honour？ Or when someone is suffering?  Do I rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Rm 12:15)? Or am I jealous of those who rejoice and apathetic to the weeping?

 

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

23 我當日傳交給你們的，原是從主領受的，就是主耶穌被出賣的那一夜，他拿起餅來， 24 祝謝了，就擘開，說：“這是我的身體，為你們擘開的；你們應當這樣行，為的是記念我。”25 飯後，照樣拿起杯來，說：“這杯是用我的血所立的新約，你們每逢喝的時候，應當這樣行，為的是記念我。”26 你們每逢吃這餅，喝這杯，就是宣揚主的死，直等到他來。 27 因此，無論甚麼人若用不合適的態度吃主的餅，喝主的杯，就是得罪主的身體、主的血了。 28 所以人應當省察自己，然後才吃這餅，喝這杯。 29 因為那吃喝的人，如果不辨明是主的身體，就是吃喝定在自己的身上的罪了。 30 因此，你們中間有許多人是軟弱的，患病的，而且死了的也不少。 31 我們若仔細省察自己，就不會受審判了。 32 然而我們被主審判的時候，是受他的管教，免得和世人一同被定罪。

 

默想

1. 守聖餐是為紀念。以色列人吃逾越節晚餐，每個家庭都重溫祖先的經歷。今天，透過聖餐餅與杯，我們被帶回十字架底下。所以，我們因著信與基督聯合，在聖餐聚會中，我們一同進入祂的死，也與他一同復活。“紀念”就是邀請我們來經歷救恩得勝的偉大時刻；“紀念”也是邀請我們來經歷聖潔的神，並向祂獻上我們的感恩、敬拜、讚美。
2. 若可能，跪下來向聖潔的神禱告，獻上我的感恩、敬拜、讚美。下次聖餐聚會時，記得在領聖餐時，“紀念”耶穌犧牲的大愛。

 

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

²³For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

²⁷Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. ²⁹For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. ³⁰That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ³¹But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ³²When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

 

Meditation

1. The communion service is a memorial.  As the Israelites ate the Passover meal, each family relived the experience of its ancestors.  Today through the bread and cup, we return to the foot of the cross.  So, in the communion service, as we are united with Christ through faith, we share His death and His resurrection.   “Do this in remembrance” invites us to experience the awesome moment when our salvation was won.  It invites us to experience the holy God and to offer Him our thanks, our worship, and our praise.
2. If possible, kneel down to pray.  Tell God all my gratitude and other emotions for all that Jesus has done on the cross for me.  During next communion service, remember to take Communion “in remembrance” of Jesus and His Sacrificial Love.

 

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

1 弟兄們，我不願意你們不知道，我們的祖宗都曾經在雲下，都曾經從海中經過， 2 都曾經在雲裡在海裡受洗歸於摩西。 3 他們都吃了一樣的靈糧， 4 都喝了一樣的靈水；他們所喝的，是從那隨著他們的靈磐石那裡來的，這磐石就是基督。 5 但他們大多數的人，都得不到神的喜悅，因此他們都死在曠野。 6 這些事都是我們的鑒戒，叫我們不要貪戀惡事，像他們那樣。 7 你們也不可拜偶像，像他們有些人那樣；正如經上所記：“人民坐下吃喝，起來玩樂。” 8 我們也不可淫亂，像他們有些人那樣，一天就死了二萬三千人。 9 我們也不可試探主，像他們有些人那樣，結果就被蛇咬死了。 10 你們也不可發怨言，像他們有些人那樣，就被那毀滅者所滅。 11 這些事發生在他們身上，作為鑒戒，並且記下來，為了要警戒我們這些末世的人。 12 所以，那自以為站得穩的，應當謹慎，免得跌倒。 13 你們所受的試探，無非是人受得起的；神是信實的，他必不容許你們受試探過於你們抵受得住的，而且在受試探的時候，必定給你們開一條出路，使你們能忍受得住。

 

默想

1. 試探就是一股壓力，驅使自己要走自己的路，放縱自己，踢開神，陷入懷疑沮喪，色情，憤怒，受自己感受的左右，讓個人的價值決定於別人的評價……。試探是一直存在的，有時來自外在，有時來自內心。保羅說，不要擔心，因為神不會拋棄我們，也不會讓我們過了界限，祂總是在，並且隨時幫助我們。
2. 有什麼試探是我不斷地面對的？13節經文對我是鼓勵還是無奈？為什麼？告訴耶穌我的困境，請求祂的幫助，與我同在，幫助我勝過這個試探。

 

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

¹For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. ²They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³They all ate the same spiritual food ⁴and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.   ⁶Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” ⁸We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ⁹We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.   ¹¹These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. ¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

Meditation

1. Temptation is the pressure to take our own way, to indulge ourselves, to spurn God, to plunge into doubt or despair, lust or anger, to give in to our own feelings and let them draw conclusions about our worth based on what other people say about us or what we say about ourselves.  It’s an ever-present pressure.  Sometimes it’s from others, and other times it’s from within.  But Paul says not to worry for God will never let us down, never let us pushed past our limit.  He will be there.  Always.  Not as a lecturer but as a Helper.
2. What temptations do I most consistently have to face? Does v13 encourage or frustrate me? Why?
3. Tell it to Jesus and ask His help in acknowledge His ever-presence with me and helping me to overcome this particular temptation.

 

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

23 我所作的一切，都是為了福音的緣故，好讓我與別人同享福音的好處。 24 難道你們不知道，在場上賽跑的人，雖然大家都跑，但得獎的只有一個人嗎？你們都應當這樣跑，好叫你們可以得獎。 25 凡參加運動比賽的，在一切事上都有節制；他們這樣作，不過要得到能壞的冠冕，我們卻是要得不朽的冠冕。 26 所以，我奔跑不像無定向的；我鬥拳不像打空氣的。 27 我要克制自己的身體，叫身體服我，免得我傳了給別人，自己反而落選了

 

默想

1. 我是否能體會保羅為這場傳福音的競賽而產生的急迫情緒？在這場賽跑中，我目前的位置是參賽選手，還是看台上的觀賽者？我是否切慕將來主要賞賜我的冠冕？
2. 告訴主我的現況，求主幫助我成為積極鍛煉的參賽者。

 

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

²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel,  that I may share in its blessings.

²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

 

Meditation

1. Can I appreciate the urgency Paul shows for this race of the gospel? Right now, am I a runner or a spectator?  Do I long for the crown (trophy) that God is going to reward me?
2. Talk to God about my role right now, ask Him to help me prepare for the race.

 

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

1關於祭過偶像的食物，我們曉得我們都有知識。但知識會使人自高自大，唯有愛心能造就人……6然而我們只有一位神，就是父；萬物都是從他而來，我們也為了他而活。我們也只有一位主，就是耶穌基督；萬物都是藉著他而有的，我們也是藉著他而有的。7不過，這種知識不是人人都有的。有些人直到現在習慣了拜偶像的事，因此他們吃的時候，就把這些食物看作是真的獻過給偶像的；他們的良心既然軟弱，就被污穢了。8其實食物不能使我們親近神，我們不吃也無損，吃也無益。9然而你們要謹慎，免得你們這自由成了軟弱的人的絆腳石。10因為如果有人看見你這有知識的人，在偶像的廟裡吃飯，他的良心若是軟弱，他不就放膽去吃那祭過偶像的食物嗎？11因此，基督已經為他死了的那軟弱的弟兄，就因你的知識而滅亡了。12你們這樣得罪弟兄，傷了他們軟弱的良心，就是得罪基督了。13所以，如果食物使我的弟兄跌倒，我就永遠不再吃肉，免得使我的弟兄跌倒了。

 

默想

1. 我生命中，有那件事，是我的自由，卻成為別人的絆腳石？飲酒？穿著？音樂？生活形態？政治立場？
2. 主啊，是否有人因我的自由而跌倒？當我在此靜默時，求主將這人帶進我心中……。

 

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 8

¹Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ²The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. ³But the man who loves God is known by God.   ⁴So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. ⁵For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.   ⁷But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. ⁸But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.   ⁹Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. ¹⁰For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? ¹¹So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. ¹²When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

 

MEDITATION

1. Is there something in my life that when I exercise my freedom, it becomes a stumbling block for others?  Drinking? Clothing? Music? Lifestyle? Political viewpoints? Legalism?
2. Lord, is there someone stumbled because of my freedom?  As I pause to listen, bring the person to mind…

 

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

17不過，主怎樣分給各人，神怎樣呼召各人，各人就要照著去行事為人。我也這樣吩咐各教會。18   有人受了割禮而蒙召的嗎？他就不要遮掩割禮的記號。有人未受割禮而蒙召的嗎？他就不要受割禮。19割禮算不得甚麼，沒有割禮也算不得甚麼，要緊的是遵守神的命令。20各人蒙召的時候怎樣，他就應當保持原來的情況。21你蒙召的時候是作奴僕的嗎？不要為此煩惱。但如果你能夠得到自由，就要把握這機會。22因為作奴僕的蒙了主的呼召，就是屬於主的自由人了；照樣，自由的人蒙了呼召，他就是基督的奴僕了。23你們是用重價買來的，不要作人的奴僕。24弟兄們，你們各人蒙召的時候怎樣，就應當在神面前保持這原來的情況。

 

默想

1. 我們常以結婚與否、工作貴賤、財富多寡，來斷定自己的身份；但這些都只是神用來塑造我們的原料。所以，保羅勸導他們不要希望換個環境、或配偶等，因為是神，而不是結婚與否，或其他因素，來決定我們的身份與價值。
2. 我目前有些怎樣的困境，我希望能有改變的？第17，19節是否給我一些指引、原則？將心中的困境向神訴說。若有需要，可以詢問教會傳道人，並尋求屬靈指引。

 

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

¹⁷Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ¹⁸Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. ²¹Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²²For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. ²³You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

 

MEDITATION

1. We’d like to think that our married status, vocational status, economic status make us who we are.  These are important but not essential raw materials which God uses to shape his life in us.  So, Paul told them don’t wish to be someplace else or with someone else.  God, not your marital status or any other thing, defines your life (v17).
2. What are some of the things that I’d like to have changed in my life?  Would verses 17 & 19 provide some direction and principle?  Tell God about it and, if needed, contact your pastor for further help.

 

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

9 你們不知道不義的人不能承受神的國嗎？不要自欺，無論是行淫亂的、拜偶像的、姦淫的、作孌童的、親男色的、 10 偷竊的、貪心的、醉酒的、辱罵人的或勒索的，都不能承受神的國。 11 你們有些人從前也是這樣的，但現在藉著我們主耶穌基督的名，靠著我們神的靈，都已經洗淨了，聖潔了，稱義了。 要用身體榮耀神 12 甚麼事我都可以作，但不是都有益處。甚麼事我都可以作，但我不要受任何事的轄制。 13 食物是為了肚腹，肚腹是為了食物；但神卻要把這兩樣都廢掉。身體不是為了淫亂，而是為了主，主也是為了身體。 14 神不但使主復活了，也要用他的能力使我們復活。 15 你們不知道你們的身體就是基督的肢體嗎？這樣，我們可以把基督的肢體當作娼妓的肢體嗎？當然不可以！ 16 你們不知道那跟娼妓苟合的，就是與她成為一體了嗎？因為經上說：“二人要成為一體。”17 但那與主聯合的，就是與他成為一靈了。 18 你們要逃避淫亂的事。人所犯的，無論是甚麼罪，都是在身體以外，唯有行淫亂的，是觸犯自己的身體。 19 你們不知道你們的身體就是那位住在你們裡面的聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈是你們從神那裡領受的。你們不是屬於自己的， 20 因為你們是用重價買來的。所以你們務要用自己的身體榮耀神。

 

默想

1. 在每天的報紙、電視、路邊廣告牌等各種傳媒，都充塞著色情的暗示，我怎樣看這些事？照看不誤，不認為有任何不妥？心中有些不安，不悅，但也無奈，畢竟到處都是？非常厭惡，轉換看別的，或索性走開？
2. 安靜禱告，默想我的身子，是神的，是屬神的，也是與神聯合的。聆聽聖靈在心中對我說的話，指出我在身子上有什麼不潔、不義的行為、思想？求主赦免，並求主幫助，使我能“用自己的身體榮耀神”。

 

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

⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. ¹³ You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” ¹⁷ But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

 

MEDITATION

1. The newspaper, television and roadside billboard are all covered with sexual images.  How do I see these things?  Nothing wrong? Uneasy but couldn’t help it? Disgusted and turned away?
2. Silently think of my own body.  It’s for God and belongs to God and united with God.  Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to me, pointing out any unclean, unjust behaviour or thought.  Ask for forgiveness and God’s help to “glorify God in my body”.

 

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

6 你們這樣自誇是不好的。你們不知道一點麵酵能使全團麵發起來嗎？ 7 你們既是無酵的麵，就應當把舊酵除淨，好讓你們成為新的麵團；因為我們逾越節的羊羔基督已經被殺獻祭了。 8 所以我們守這節，不可用舊酵，也不可用又邪又惡的酵，而是要用純潔真實的無酵餅。 9 我以前寫信告訴你們，不可與淫亂的人來往。 10 這話當然不是指這世上行淫亂的、貪心的、勒索的，或拜偶像的人；如果是這樣，你們就非脫離這世界不可。 11 但現在我寫信告訴你們，如果有稱為弟兄，卻是行淫亂、貪心、拜偶像、辱罵人、醉酒或勒索的，這樣的人，不可和他來往，連和他吃飯都不可。

 

默想

1. 神的話是毫不妥協的，有罪必須要面對，無論是什麼罪，都要認真的面對，並果斷的處理。若肢體中有病的部分不去求醫，不單那部分的肢體有可能逐漸壞死，更可能讓整個身體都受到威脅危險（麵酵的效果）。保羅命令哥林多教會的信徒，與教會中那些犯罪的人（11節）斷絕來往，目的主要是要保護教會，不陷入同樣罪的陷阱中。
2. 在我想要指出我認為教會或小組中的弟兄姊姊不恰當的行為時, 求主讓我先反省自己的行為與心態，並心存深切“哀痛”（2節）地為他們禱告。
3. 當為他們的罪哀痛禱告時，我心中對他們及其他弟兄姐妹會產生怎樣的態度？這對防止罪的“麵酵效應”有什麼作用？

 

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

⁶Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? ⁷Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. ⁸Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. ¹¹But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

 

MEDITATION

1. The Word of God is relentless.  It insists that we face up to our sin.  Whether that sin is indolence, idolatry, or immorality, we must face it squarely and deal with it decisively.  For if that diseased part of the body is not dealt with, not only is the individual member of the body at risk of dying, but it also puts the entire body at risk.  Paul urged them to sever all relationships with those sinning people.  His purpose is for the protection of the church lest they be led into the same sinful trap.
2. When I wanted to point out inappropriate behaviours of someone in the church or cell group, Lord God, please remind me to examine my own behaviour and thought life first.  Then, give me a deep mourning for them and their sins.
3. What will happen to my attitude when I mourn for them and others?  How would this affect the prevention of sin’s “yeast effect”?

 

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 你們已經滿足了，已經豐富了，不需要我們，自己作王了。我恨不得你們真的作了王，讓我們也可以跟你們一同作王！ 9 我想神是把我們作使徒的列在最後，好像定了死刑的人，因為我們成了一臺戲給宇宙觀看，就是給天使和世人觀看！10 我們為基督的緣故，成了愚笨的；你們在基督裡，倒成了聰明的。我們軟弱，你們倒強壯；你們受人尊敬，我們倒被輕視。 11 直到現在，我們還是又飢又渴，衣不蔽體，又挨打，又沒有棲身的地方， 12 並且勞苦，親手作工。被人咒罵，我們就祝福；遭受迫害，我們就忍受； 13 被人毀謗，我們卻好好地勸導；直到現在，人還是把我們當作世上的垃圾，萬物的渣滓。

 

默想

1. 保羅諷刺哥林多信徒自以為靈裡已完全，並將他們的境況對比保羅自己為福音所受的苦。信徒往往因為內心沒有安全感，或是害怕生命中出現失控的情況，就容易產生屬靈上的自信（相信自己而非相信神）。但若相信神絕對的可靠，就能在憂傷時得幫助，一帆風順時得指引。
2. “相信神是可靠的”對我來說，是什麼意思？我曾經驗過神的信實嗎？是什麼事？再次為這個經驗感謝神，並求主增加我對神的信心。

 

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

⁸Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! ⁹For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

 

MEDITATION

1. Paul mocks the Corinthian Christians’ claim that they’ve achieved spiritual perfection by contrasting their condition with his suffering for the gospel.  Spiritual pride is an indication that we are insecure or afraid of life’s uncontrollable ambiguities.  Trust in God’s absolute reliability will aid in times of sorrow and serves as a guide when all is well.
2. What does “trust in God’s absolute reliability” mean to me?  Have I experienced God’s faithfulness?  What was it?  Thank God for that experience again.  Pray for the increase of my trust in 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.

 

 

第三章

10 我照著神賜給我的恩典，就像一個聰明的工程師，立好了根基，別人在上面建造。各人要注意怎樣在上面建造， 11 因為除了那已經立好的根基以外，沒有人能立別的根基。那根基就是耶穌基督。 12 如果有人用金、銀、寶石、草、木、禾秸，在這根基上建造， 13 各人的工程將來必要顯露，因為那日子必把它顯明出來。有火要把它顯露出來，那火要考驗各人的工程是怎樣的。 14 如果有人在這根基上建造的工程存得住，他就要得到賞賜； 15 如果有人的工程被燒毀，他就要受虧損；自己卻要得救，只是要像從火裡經過一樣。

默想

1. 這個建造的比喻指出，一方面我們與神同工，一同建造；另一方面我們也是神的工作。我們是教會的建築工人，同時也是神所建造的教會。當我們將生命傾倒在神的工作中，我們實際成了神所建造的教會的材料。在總工程師——神的指導下，我們不斷地得到塑造，原本毫不起眼的小磚塊，也能變成美麗建築物的一部分，為要使神得到榮耀。
2. 禱告——求神幫助我成為祂忠心的工人，建造祂的教會。也求神幫助我，配合神不斷地塑造，使我的生命越來越有基督的榮美。

 

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

¹⁰By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

 

MEDITATION

1. The metaphor of the building indicates that, first, we’re workers with God.  And second, we’re worked upon by God.  We’re both the builders of the church and simultaneously part of the church that is being built.  We’re constantly in a state of both being the church and becoming the church.  When we pour our lives into the work and we become the actual materials for the church that God is building.  Under the direction of the Master Builder, we are being transformed.  An insignificant and even a rather ugly brick becomes a significant part of a beautiful structure, built to the glory of God.
2. Pray — Ask God help me to be his faithful worker in building his church, also to cooperate with his formation work in me to become more and more like Christ.

 

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

10 但神卻藉著聖靈把這些向我們顯明了，因為聖靈測透萬事，連神深奧的事也測透了。 11 除了在人裡面的靈，誰能知道人的事呢？同樣，除了神的靈，也沒有人知道神的事。 12 我們所領受的，不是這世界的靈，而是從神來的靈，使我們能知道神開恩賜給我們的事。 13 我們也講這些事，不是用人的智慧所教的言語，而是用聖靈所教的言語，向屬靈的人解釋屬靈的事。 14 然而屬血氣的人不接受神的靈的事，因為他以為是愚笨的；而且他也不能夠明白，因為這些事，要有屬靈的眼光才能領悟。 15 屬靈的人能看透萬事，卻沒有人能看透他， 16 如經上所記：“誰曾知道主的心意，能夠指教他呢？”但我們已經得著基督的心意了。

 

默想

1. 在我的身邊是否有些非基督徒，他們不認識神，拒絕神的信息？不管他們是何等聰明，都難以明白基督的救恩，反而認為我跟隨基督這個決定，是很不明智的做法。
2. 我怎樣面對這些家人或親友？將心中的想法與感受告訴神。

 

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

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

 

MEDITATION

1. Are there some non-Christians around me who don’t know God and refuse God’s message?  No matter how smart they are, it’s difficult for them to understand the meaning of Christ’s salvation.  They may often think my decision to follow Christ is foolish.
2. How do I face these people, especially my family and relatives?

 

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.

第一章

20 智慧人在哪裡？經學家在哪裡？今世的辯士在哪裡？神不是使屬世的智慧變成了愚笨嗎？ 21 因為在神的智慧裡，世人憑自己的智慧，既然不能認識神，神就樂意藉著所傳的愚笨的道理，去拯救那些信的人。22 猶太人要求神蹟，希臘人尋找智慧，23 我們卻傳揚釘十字架的基督；在猶太人看來是絆腳石，在外族人看來是愚笨的，24 但對那些蒙召的人，不論是猶太人或希臘人，基督是神的能力，神的智慧。 25 因為神的愚笨總比人智慧，神的軟弱總比人剛強。 26 弟兄們，你們想想，你們這些蒙召的，按人來看有智慧的不多，有權勢的不多，出身尊貴的也不多。 27 但是神卻揀選了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。他也揀選了世上軟弱的，使那些剛強的羞愧。 28 他也揀選了世上卑賤的和被人輕視的，以及算不得甚麼的，為了要廢棄那些自以為是的， 29使所有的人在神面前都不能自誇。 30 你們因著神得以在基督耶穌裡，他使基督成了我們的智慧；就是公義、聖潔和救贖， 31 正如經上所說的：“誇口的應當靠著主誇口。”

 

默想

1. 當我想到有權、有勢的成功人士時，那是怎樣形像的人？這樣的想法對我跟隨主的心態有衝突嗎？我會將世上的智慧和神的智慧混淆起來嗎？
2. 我是否曾經體驗過，神使用軟弱的、低微的、被輕視的人，來完成祂的救恩計劃？

 

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

 ²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

²⁶Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

 

MEDITATION

1. What pictures come to mind when thinking about powerful, successful people?  How do these ideas sometimes conflict with following Christ?  How have I confused the world’s wisdom with God’s wisdom?
2. Have I witnessed a situation where God used the weak, lowly, and despised to fulfil his plan of salvation?

 

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.

第二十四章

13 正當那日，門徒中有兩個人往一個村子去；這村子名叫以馬忤斯，離耶路撒冷約有二十五里。 14 他們彼此談論所遇見的這一切事。 15 正談論相問的時候，耶穌親自就近他們，和他們同行； 16 只是他們的眼睛迷糊了，不認識他。 17 耶穌對他們說：「你們走路彼此談論的是甚麼事呢？」他們就站住，臉上帶著愁容。 18 二人中有一個名叫革流巴的回答說：「你在耶路撒冷作客，還不知道這幾天在那裏所出的事嗎？」 19 耶穌說：「甚麼事呢？」他們說：「就是拿撒勒人耶穌的事。…………

25 耶穌對他們說：「無知的人哪，先知所說的一切話，你們的心信得太遲鈍了。 26 基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的嗎？」 27 於是從摩西和眾先知起，凡經上所指著自己的話都給他們講解明白了。 28 將近他們所去的村子，耶穌好像還要往前行， 29 他們卻強留他，說：「時候晚了，日頭已經平西了，請你同我們住下吧！」耶穌就進去，要同他們住下。 30 到了坐席的時候，耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，擘開，遞給他們。 31 他們的眼睛明亮了，這才認出他來。忽然耶穌不見了。 32 他們彼此說：「在路上，他和我們說話，給我們講解聖經的時候，我們的心豈不是火熱的嗎？」

默想：                 

1. 多少次我們懷著破碎的心蹣跚而行，由於意想不到的事情發生，令我們因期望幻滅而痛苦失望。這樣的心情，即使我們所期望的真的出現，也認不出，因我們的心傷痛，我們的盼望破滅。這兩個門徒在耶穌擘開餅祝謝時看見了，破碎的心再度火熱起來。
2. 我們也可能在意想不到的情況下得著所期望的祝福；但神很少在我們期望的時間、地點和方式下出現。他以隱藏的身份來，在風暴最猛，恐懼最深，全然失去盼望時，他就來到；這就是神。沒有各各他（痛苦死亡），就沒有復活；沒有客西馬尼（掙扎黑暗），就沒有自由釋放。
3. 把心中的痛苦，破碎的心靈，破滅的盼望，全都向主說。然後靜候神微小的回答，以及他在我生命中的工作。

 

Luke 24

¹³Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶but they were kept from recognizing him.  ¹⁷He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”  They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  ¹⁹“What things?” he asked.  “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²²In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”  ²⁵He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  ²⁸As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³²They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

 

Meditation:

1. How many times have we lurched with broken spirits because the unexpected seized the place of the expected and that with a wrenching disappointment?  In such moods even if what was expected comes to us, we cannot see it.  It is unrecognizable to our pain and our splintered hopes and wishes.  The two disciples saw it when Jesus broke the bread and blessed it.  Their hearts began to burn.
2. So we too can be surprised and blessed by the God who is expected, but rarely appears where and when and how we imagine.  It is God’s way to come cloaked.  It is his way to come when the storm is peaking or fear deepest or when hope is almost gone or, if we are honest, utterly gone.  It has always been his way.  No resurrection without Golgotha.  No freedom without Gethsemane.
3. Tell it all to Jesus, all the heartaches, broken spirit, dashed expectations.  Then, wait quietly for God’s whispering and His hidden cloaked work.

Family Time

Play a game of “Blind man’s buff” in a safe space for 5 min.  Gather everyone in.  Discuss what being blind means.  Ask, “is it also possible even though we can see but sometimes we don’t see the things in front of us?”    That’s what happened to these two disciples.  How did they see finally?  What did they see?  How did they feel then?  What did they do afterward?

第二十三章

26 帶耶穌去的時候，。。。。32 又有兩個犯人，和耶穌一同帶來處死。 33 到了一個地方，名叫「髑髏地」，就在那裏把耶穌釘在十字架上，又釘了兩個犯人：一個在左邊，一個在右邊。 34 當下耶穌說：「父啊！赦免他們；因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。」兵丁就拈鬮分他的衣服。 35 百姓站在那裏觀看。官府也嗤笑他，說：「他救了別人；他若是基督，　神所揀選的，可以救自己吧！」 36 兵丁也戲弄他，上前拿醋送給他喝， 37 說：「你若是猶太人的王，可以救自己吧！」 38 在耶穌以上有一個牌子（有古卷加：用希臘、羅馬、希伯來的文字）寫著：「這是猶太人的王。」 39 那同釘的兩個犯人有一個譏笑他，說：「你不是基督嗎？可以救自己和我們吧！」 40 那一個就應聲責備他，說：「你既是一樣受刑的，還不怕　神嗎？ 41 我們是應該的，因我們所受的與我們所做的相稱，但這個人沒有做過一件不好的事。」 42 就說：「耶穌啊，你得國降臨的時候，求你記念我！」 43 耶穌對他說：「我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」

默想：

1. 耶穌在十字架上，承受無比的痛苦；跟隨基督的道路就是十字架的道路，必須準備受苦和捨命，正如耶穌一樣。我害怕嗎？我仍會走下去嗎？
2. 耶穌臨死時的禱告，求神赦免那些把他置於死地的人──猶太領袖們、羅馬的政客和軍人、圍觀的人。其實，我對主的態度有時也和那些人一樣，頂撞、背逆、忽略、甚至厭棄；因此，我也同樣地參與在將耶穌致於死地的群眾中，而耶穌的禱告也包括了赦免我這個罪人。
3. 繼續默想這個意念，向神獻上感恩的禱告。

 

Luke 23

²⁶As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰Then ” ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ‘ ³¹For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”  ³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  ³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”  ³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  ³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  ⁴³Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus bore much suffering on the cross.  The road to follow Christ is one of the cross.  We must be prepared to suffer and even to die just as Jesus did.  Am I afraid?  Will I continue to go on this road?
2. Just before his death, Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.  Come to think of it, isn’t my attitude toward Jesus similar to those people that day, rebellious, neglecting, even rejecting Him?  Indeed, I was among the crowd putting Jesus to death.  So, Jesus’ prayer has included forgiveness for me, the sinner.
3. Continue to meditate on this thought.  Afterward, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Family Time

While on the cross, Jesus made several statements.  Here Jesus asked forgiveness for those crucifying him.  Discuss what it means to forgive.  Is it possible to forgive and forget?  Which is more difficult: to ask for forgiveness or to forgive?  Compare the way God forgives us with the way we forgive others.

 

第二十二章

14 時候到了，耶穌坐席，使徒也和他同坐。 15 耶穌對他們說：「我很願意在受害以先和你們吃這逾越節的筵席。 16 我告訴你們，我不再吃這筵席，直到成就在　神的國裏。」 17 耶穌接過杯來，祝謝了，說：「你們拿這個，大家分著喝。 18 我告訴你們，從今以後，我不再喝這葡萄汁，直等　神的國來到。」 19 又拿起餅來，祝謝了，就擘開，遞給他們，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的，你們也應當如此行，為的是記念我。」 20 飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。 21 看哪，那賣我之人的手與我一同在桌子上。 22 人子固然要照所預定的去世，但賣人子的人有禍了！」 23 他們就彼此對問，是哪一個要做這事。

默想：

1. 最後的晚餐中，耶穌的動作包括「拿起、祝謝、擘開、遞給」，人從主那裡領受餅和杯，這就是他的恩典。聖餐是一個紀念，通過聖餐的餅和杯代表耶穌的身體和血，我們再一次回到十字架的腳下。在聖餐禮拜中，我們再次藉著信心，與基督聯合，與他同死並同復活，經歷救恩成就的奇妙時刻。
2. 聖餐對我有什麼意義？每次領聖餐時，我都在想些什麼？
3. 禱告：主啊，赦免我的罪，我常忽略你說的話，沒有遵從你的吩咐。當我舉杯、擘餅的時候，經常對你的受死無動於衷。主啊，感謝你奇妙的大愛；你為我所出了極重的代價，使我獲得自由。我感謝你！

 

Luke 22

¹⁴When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”  ¹⁷After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  ¹⁹And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  ²⁰In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. ²²The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Meditation:

1. The actions of the Lord’s Supper – taking, giving thanks, breaking, and giving – are actions that those who eat the meal receive from the Lord as gifts of grace.  Communion is a memorial, a remembrance.  It’s an experience as we return, through the bread and cup that represent the body and blood of Jesus, to the foot of the cross.  In the communion service we are united with Christ through faith to share His death and His resurrection and to experience the awesome moment when our salvation was accomplished.
2. What does sharing in Communion mean to me?  What do I think about during communion?
3. Prayer:  Oh, Lord, forgive me for I have often neglected your word and didn’t obey your commands.  When I participate in the communion, I was unmoved by your death.  Thank you, Jesus, for your wonderful love.  You paid a terrific price for my freedom.

 

Family Time

The Lord’s Supper is a central moment in Christian worship.  Ask the family to tell what taking the Lord’s Supper means personally.  Explain the meaning of “bread” and “cup”.  Sing hymns about Jesus death and resurrection.  Plan a time when the family can celebrate the supper together.  Testify to one another about the meaning of this worship service.

第二十一章

25 「日、月、星辰要顯出異兆，地上的邦國也有困苦；因海中波浪的響聲，就慌慌不定。 26 天勢都要震動，人想起那將要臨到世界的事，就都嚇得魂不附體。 27 那時，他們要看見人子有能力，有大榮耀駕雲降臨。 28 一有這些事，你們就當挺身昂首，因為你們得贖的日子近了。」
29-30 耶穌又設比喻對他們說：「你們看無花果樹和各樣的樹；它發芽的時候，你們一看見，自然曉得夏天近了。 31 這樣，你們看見這些事漸漸地成就，也該曉得　神的國近了。 32 我實在告訴你們，這世代還沒有過去，這些事都要成就。 33 天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。」
34 「你們要謹慎，恐怕因貪食、醉酒，並今生的思慮累住你們的心，那日子就如同網羅忽然臨到你們； 35 因為那日子要這樣臨到全地上一切居住的人。 36 你們要時時警醒，常常祈求，使你們能逃避這一切要來的事，得以站立在人子面前。」 37 耶穌每日在殿裏教訓人，每夜出城在一座山，名叫橄欖山住宿。 38 眾百姓清早上聖殿，到耶穌那裏，要聽他講道。

默想：

1. 耶穌列出了即將來臨的逼迫以及自然災害，他要門徒們不要害怕，因為當這些事情發生時，他們就知道彌賽亞回來的時間近了，到那時，他將以公義與和平統治全地。
2. 耶穌又警告門徒，要時常警醒等候他回來；雖然耶穌說這些話以後已經過了差不多二千年，但這些真理仍然不變；耶穌必要回來，信徒應當警醒準備迎接他，忠心完成神的托負，不要沉迷於吃喝玩樂，也不要被生活的憂慮所壓傷。
3. 面對近年來層出不窮的天災人禍，經濟危機，政治混亂，我是否滿有信心地期盼基督的回來？或是因這世界不斷快速發生的驚人變化而害怕驚恐？我是否真的相信耶穌基督就快回來？我的日常生活，飲食娛樂，生活形態等，表現出我對“耶穌再來”的信心有多少？若是真心相信，我應當有哪些改變及調整？

Luke 21

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  ²⁹He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  ³²“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  ³⁴“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus recites a list of persecutions and disasters that are to come.  Then he said,”stand up and lift up your heads (ie.  don’t be frightened)” because this means that Messiah is coming back soon.  He will rule the earth with righteousness and peace.
2. Jesus told his disciples to be alert to wait for His coming back.  Though it’s been 2,000 years, it’s still true, He is coming soon.  We need to be prepared to welcome Him, to accomplish His commands faithfully and not get lost in drinking, eating and entertainment.  Nor should we be crushed under the heavy weight of worries for our lives.
3. What do the numerous disasters in recent years have to do with Jesus’ words in this passage?  Am I waiting for Christ’s return with hope and anticipation?  Or am I afraid of what’s happening in the world?  If I truly believe that Christ is coming back soon, what does this fact change my daily life?  God, please help me to be alert in preparation for your return.

 

Family Time

Name some of the big happenings in the world this year, (tsunami, earthquake, war, famine, etc.)  What does Jesus tell his disciples what would happen Jesus comes back again?  He wants his disciples to be alert and to prepare for his coming.  What do you think of Jesus’ coming?  What should you do to prepare for Jesus’ coming again?  Is there anything you want to do so that you may be prepared for Jesus?  (Parents, be sensitive to your children’s reaction.  In needed, talk to them individually and lead them in salvation prayer if appropriate.)

 

第二十章

19 文士和祭司長看出這比喻是指著他們說的，當時就想要下手拿他，只是懼怕百姓。 20 於是窺探耶穌，打發奸細裝作好人，要在他的話上得把柄，好將他交在巡撫的政權之下。 21 奸細就問耶穌說：「夫子，我們曉得你所講所傳都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是誠誠實實傳　神的道。 22 我們納稅給凱撒，可以不可以？」 23 耶穌看出他們的詭詐，就對他們說： 24 「拿一個銀錢來給我看。這像和這號是誰的？」他們說：「是凱撒的。」 25 耶穌說：「這樣，凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，　神的物當歸給　神。」 26 他們當著百姓，在這話上得不著把柄，又希奇他的應對，就閉口無言了。

默想：

1. 耶穌在此說明雖然國家的要求和神的要求並不一樣，我們是可以同時滿足兩者要求的；但這並不是說服從其中一方，就等於服從另一方。因為耶穌時代的信徒在這事件之後不久，就要面對“若是他順從神，他就不能再順從羅馬帝國的君王”。初期教會也與當時宗教領袖對抗：“順從神不順從人是應當的”（徒5：29）。
2. 在對國家的納稅要求上，和對神的教會奉獻，及其他慈善捐獻上，我是怎樣順從或是不順從神的命令？
3. 在將我自己奉獻給神的事上，比照稅率的計算，我是15%，30%， 50% 或是100%的捐獻自己給神？

Luke 20

¹⁹The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. ²⁰Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²²Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  ²³He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”  ²⁵“Caesar’s,” they replied.   He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  ²⁶They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Meditation:

1. Jesus explained here that the demands of the state and the demands of God are not the same.  He suggests it is possible to meet both at the same time, but he never suggests that obeying one is exactly the same as obeying the other.  In fact, very soon, obedience to God would mean disobedience to the Roman emperor.  The early church has defied the Jewish authorities, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29).
2. On the demand of the state of personal income tax, and the demand of tithing and offering for God’s church, how obedient am I?
3. In giving myself to God, am I in the 15%, 30%, 50% or 100% “tax bracket”?

 

Family Time

Jesus was constantly being challenged by the teachers of the law and the chief priests.  Their question on paying taxes to Caesar was another attempt to trap Jesus so they could discredit him in front of the people.  Discuss as a family the meaning of Jesus’ answer.  How do people make fun of you?  What can be done about it in the spirit of Jesus?

 

第十九章

45 耶穌進了殿，趕出裏頭做買賣的人， 46 對他們說：「經上說：我的殿必作禱告的殿，你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」 47 耶穌天天在殿裏教訓人。祭司長和文士與百姓的尊長都想要殺他， 48 但尋不出法子來，因為百姓都側耳聽他。

默想：

1. 我們的教會是許多有意義的事情之中心，但禱告是否教會中最重要關注的事，或僅僅是額外的點綴，聚會的“序曲”？在我們教會裡聚會的信徒，他們是以禱告為信仰生活的核心嗎？新約中信徒就是神的殿，我們就是禱告之殿。但有多少時候我們真正地成為禱告的殿呢？我心裡是否仍在盤算買賣交易、未完成的工作、家中不能解決的糾紛？耶穌非常看重神的殿應當是禱告的地方，若是沒有與父神親密的相交，做任何其他的事都不會有果效，失喪的不能被尋回，被罪捆綁的不會得釋放。
2. 我是否與耶穌一樣，認為在我肉身這個殿中，禱告真是重要不可缺少？我是否認為禱告是這麼關鍵性，若不禱告，一切的事都會有問題？
3. 我每天都遵照萬民堂的每週的祈禱週誌，為所列事項忠心禱告嗎？若還沒有，這個星期開始，將主日崇拜的秩序單帶回家，每天按著所列事情，為教會，各項事工，信徒需要，以及遠近的宣教士等禱告，使我我成為真實的禱告殿。

Luke 19

⁴⁵Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. ⁴⁶“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'”  ⁴⁷Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. ⁴⁸Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

MEDITATION

1. Our churches are centers for many good things, but is prayer an overriding concern or simply a nice extra?  Is it the heart and soul of the body of believers who meet here?  It is the people who are the temple of God in the New Testament; it is us who are the house of prayer.  But how much of a house of prayer are we?  Are we full of buying and selling?  Are we a place where spiritual greed, theft, and religious sleight of hand are firmly lodged?  Jesus thought it very important.  Perhaps he felt without that communion with God the Father nothing else would ever make any difference, the lost would never be found, those enslaved would never be freed.
2. Do I share that same passion for prayer in my body, the temple of God?  Do I believe it is so critical, so essential that everything else is at risk without it?
3. Do I pray faithfully according to the PGC prayer calendar?  If not, then starting from this week, always remember to bring the Sunday Worship Bulletin home.  Use the Weekly Prayer Guide to pray for our church, the different ministries, people’s needs, missionaries, and other matters.  May I become a true “house of prayer”.

 

Family Time

V38 is a hymn of praise to God originally found in Psalm 118:26.  Let each family member choose a favorite hymn of praise and explain why it is his or her favorite hymn.  Sing one verse of each hymn.  Close your family worship with sentence prayers that thank God for who he is.

 

第十八章

9 耶穌向那些仗著自己是義人，藐視別人的，設一個比喻， 10 說：「有兩個人上殿裏去禱告：一個是法利賽人，一個是稅吏。 11 法利賽人站著，自言自語地禱告說：『　神啊，我感謝你，我不像別人勒索、不義、姦淫，也不像這個稅吏。』 12 我一個禮拜禁食兩次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』 13 那稅吏遠遠地站著，連舉目望天也不敢，只捶著胸說：『　神啊，開恩可憐我這個罪人！』 14 我告訴你們，這人回家去比那人倒算為義了；因為，凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」

默想：

1. 那法利賽人到聖殿去不是為了要向神禱告，而是要向周圍的人表揚自己的善行與美德；而稅吏去，是為認罪，並求憐憫。我的禱告，比較像哪個人的禱告？
2. 真正的悔改不是來自我們自己，而是神的賜予，給一切向他祈求的人。我們不斷地以稅吏的禱告（13節）向神呼求，懇求神賜下悔改的恩典，這是流著眼淚的禱告；會帶領我們得到神所賜的赦免、潔凈、與醫治。
3. 稅吏的禱告，就是本書第2頁底“五個簡短禱告”的第二個（主耶穌，求你可憐我），在過去的操練中，有什麼體驗？
4. 在今日結束禱告時，以及一日中的任何時間，都可以重覆用這短禱向神懇求悔改的恩典。

Luke 18

⁹To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  ¹³“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  ¹⁴“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

MEDITATION

1. This Pharisee went to the temple not to pray to God but to show off his own good conduct.  On the other hand, the tax collector went to confess and to ask for mercy.  Which person’s prayer is more like my prayer?
2. Repentance does not happen on our own.  It is a gift from God and He delights to give to all who ask.  We pray this sinner’s prayer constantly to ask for the grace of repentance.  This is the prayer of tears.  It will lead us to receive God’s gift of forgiveness, cleansing and healing.
3. The sinner’s prayer “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  This is the second short prayer of the five that we’ve been practicing (p2).  In my regular practicing of this prayer, what have I experienced?
4. To conclude the QT today, pray this short prayer repeatedly.  Practice to pray this prayer often for a spirit of repentance in my heart.

 

Family Time

Compare the attitude of the Pharisee with the attitude of the tax collector?  Why did God accept the “bad” tax collector rather than the “good” Pharisee?  How would people in your church classify your family?  How would Jesus classify you?