聖誕的犧牲 (3)

聖誕的犧牲 (3)
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月21日(三)

　羅馬皇帝奧古斯都命令所有人回到家鄉辦理戶口登記，約瑟和馬利亞前往約瑟的的家鄉伯利恆。
伯利恆一定有很多人，今天的經文閱讀告訴我們，當約瑟和馬利亞到那裡時，「客棧裡沒有地方讓他們住」（第7b節），所以約瑟和馬利亞就待在一個飼養牲畜的地方。我們不知道這地方是一個穀倉或是一個洞穴，但第7節告訴我們，馬利亞「在馬槽裡」生下了耶穌。
我們不知道是誰幫約瑟和馬利亞找到住的地方，也許是客棧的老闆，這個人必須犧牲自己的時間來找一個可以讓馬利亞生孩子的地方。
這似乎只是一個小小犧牲，但是上帝有時候只需要我們一點點的付出，這些小小的犧牲對上帝在我們生命中的計劃仍然是重要的。今天你真的願意跟隨並順服上帝嗎？ —GT

「不可忘記行善和幫助別人，因為這樣的祭物是上帝所喜歡的。」 希伯來書13:16

禱告：天父，今天我願意服事祢、順服祢。奉主的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (3)
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Wednesday, December 21, 2016

　Augustus Caesar ordered all people to go to their hometowns to be counted. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, which was Joseph’s hometown.
There must have been a lot of people in Bethlehem. Our Bible verses tell us that when Joseph and Mary arrived there, “the guest room was full” (verse 7b). So Joseph and Mary stayed in a place where cattle lived. We do not know if this place was a barn or a cave, but verse 7 tells us that Mary laid baby Jesus “in a box where cattle are fed.”
We do not know who found Joseph and Mary a place to stay. It may have been the owner of the guest house. But that person had to sacrifice their time to find a place where Mary could give birth to her baby.
This may have seemed like a small sacrifice. But sometimes God asks us to make small sacrifices. These small sacrifices are still important to God’s plan for our lives. Are you willing to really follow and obey God today? —GT

“And don't forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16

PRAYER: Father, I am willing to serve and obey You today. In His name. Amen.