失蹤的孩子

失蹤的孩子
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:41-50 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月14日(三)

　在我們這個地區有兩個人企圖要抓走一個年輕女孩，幸好這個女孩擺脫了這兩個人，她爬進門廊的地板下，她的狗嚇跑了兩個壞人，後來這兩個歹徒被逮補關進監獄裡。
我實在無法想像孩子遭受攻擊或失蹤後，他們的父母心有多痛，這讓我想起馬利亞和約瑟前往耶路撒冷時的感受。今天的經文閱讀跟我們談到，在他們回家鄉的途中，發現耶穌沒有跟他們在一起，於是他們就返回耶路撒冷尋找耶穌。
第46節告訴我們：「三天後，他們才在聖殿裡找到他。他正坐在猶太教師們中間，邊聽邊問。」馬利亞和約瑟在知道耶穌安全無虞後一定鬆了一口氣。
為人父母並不容易，這也是為什麼父母必須倚靠上帝賜給他們智慧、引導他們。如果你是父母親，要信靠上帝來幫助你在主裡面養育孩子。—PD

「我一再聽見上帝說過，權力都屬於他。」 詩篇62:11

禱告：上帝，謝謝祢在父母教導兒女時幫助他們。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Missing Child
Bible Reading: Luke 2:41-50
Wednesday, December 14, 2016

　Two men tried to grab a young girl in our area. The girl was able to get away from the men. She crawled under her porch, and her dog scared the men away. The two men were captured and put in jail.
I cannot even imagine the heartache of a parent whose child is attacked or missing. This reminds me of how Mary and Joseph must have felt when they went to Jerusalem. Our Bible Reading tells us that as they traveled home, they realized that Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem to search for Jesus.
Verse 46 tells us, “After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, listening and asking them questions.” Mary and Joseph must have been relieved to know that Jesus was safe.
It is not easy to be a parent. That's why parents need to depend on God to give them wisdom and guidance. If you are a parent, trust God to help you raise your children in the Lord. —PD

“God says there is one thing you can really depend on, and I believe it: ‘Strength comes from God!’” Psalm 62:11

PRAYER: God, thank You for helping parents as they teach and guide their children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

孩子 (4)

a孩子 (4)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音21:12-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年8月14日(日)

　今天是最後一篇談關於小孩子的靈修文，聖經告訴我們，大人可以從觀察小孩子來學習讚美的重要功課，大部份的孩子在人前不會害怕敬拜上帝。
我曾經在兒童事工和假期聖經學校工作過，那裡的孩子會大聲唱歌讚美上帝，他們會禱告、背誦經文，他們會對上帝為他們所做的事感到興奮。
在今天閱讀的經文中，耶穌在聖殿附近醫治了失明和跛腳的人，又有「兒童在聖殿裏呼喊：『頌讚歸於大衛之子！』」（第15b節）這讓猶太領袖很生氣，但是耶穌提醒他們也要讚美上帝。
下一次上帝若為你行了奇妙的事，你要花時間讚美祂，並且去告訴別人上帝為你成就的事。唱一首歌或寫一首詩，不要害羞去感謝讚美祂為你所做的事！ —PD

「聖經上所說『你使兒童和嬰兒發出完美的頌讚』」 馬太福音21:16b

禱告：上帝，我讚美祢差派耶穌為我死，謝謝祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Children (4)
Bible Reading: Matthew 21:12-17
Sunday, August 14, 2016

　Today is our last devotion about children. The Bible shows us that adults can learn important lessons about praise by watching children. Most children are not afraid to worship God in front of other people.
I have worked in childcare ministries and Vacation Bible Schools where children sang loudly to God. They prayed and repeated Bible verses. They are excited about what God has done for them. In our Bible verses for today, Jesus healed blind and crippled people in the temple area. The children that were there praised God. “The children were shouting, ‘Praise to the Son of David’” (verse 15b). This made the Jewish leaders angry. But Jesus reminded them that they should be praising God, too.
The next time God does something wonderful for you, take time to praise Him. Tell other people what God has done for you. Sing a song. Write a poem. Don’t be ashamed to thank and praise God for what He has done for you! —PD

“Yes, the Scriptures say, ‘You have taught children and babies to give praise.’” Matthew 21:16b

PRAYER: God, I praise You because You sent Jesus to die for me. Thank You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

孩子 (3)

孩子 (3)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音9:13-15 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年8月13日(六)

　我的教會出去拜訪一個有小孩將要出生的家庭，在小孩出生後，牧師鼓勵孩子的父母將孩子獻給上帝。
獻兒禮拜是一個敬拜、感恩和慶賀的時間，牧師鼓勵新手父母養育孩子成為愛上帝、跟隨上帝的人。牧師還送給孩子的父母一個插著一朵小玫瑰花苞的花瓶，不久之後，這朵小玫瑰花苞就綻放成一朵花，這象徵著孩子應該要在基督裡長大成熟。
今天閱讀的經文跟我們談到許多人帶他們的孩子到耶穌面前，祂祝福這些孩子並為他們禱告。教導孩子認識上帝和耶穌永遠不會嫌太早，在搖孩子入睡時要歌頌上帝的愛，開車跟孩子一起旅行時要在車子裡背誦經文。
在生活中一定要為孩子禱告，讓他們知道如何為耶穌成長、為祂而活。 —PD

「教導兒童走正路，他自幼到老終生不忘。」 箴言22:6

禱告：天父，求祢在我教導孩子認識祢和祢的愛時帶領我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Children (3)
Bible Reading: Matthew 19:13-15
Saturday, August 13, 2016

　My church has an outreach to families who are expecting the birth of a baby. After the baby is born, the pastor encourages the parents to dedicate their child to God.
A baby's dedication service is a time for worship, thanksgiving and celebration. Our pastor encourages the new parents to raise their child to love and follow God. Our pastor also gives the parents a tiny rosebud in a vase. Later, the rosebud opens and becomes a flower. This is a symbol of how a child should grow and mature in Christ.
Our Bible Reading today tells us that some people brought their children to Jesus. He blessed the children and prayed for them. It is never too early to start teaching children about God and Jesus. Sing about God's love as you rock a baby to sleep. Repeat Bible verses as you travel in the car with young children.
Be sure to pray for the children in your life, and show them how to grow and live for Jesus. —PD

“Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path.” Proverbs 22:6

PRAYER: Father, guide me as I teach a child about You and Your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

孩子 (2)

孩子 (2)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音18:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年8月12日(五)

　今天我們要繼續來談孩子。在聖經記錄的年代裡，有些人認為孩子不是很重要，但是在今天的經文閱讀中，耶穌用一個小孩子來教導信徒認識上帝的國度。
第2和第3節告訴我們：「耶穌叫了一個小孩子來，讓他站在他們中間，說：『我實在告訴你們，除非你們回轉，變成像小孩子一樣，你們絕不能成為天國的子民。』」孩子是基督徒的好榜樣，為什麼呢？因為小孩子是謙卑、滿有愛心和可靠的。
耶穌了解信徒的心，其中有些人並不謙卑、也沒有愛心，他們內心充滿了驕傲和仇恨。耶穌希望祂的信徒明白，他們必須改變，好讓自己可以在上帝的國度裡有份。
我希望今天你會像小孩子一樣，是一個謙卑、有愛心和可靠的人。 —PD

「像這個小孩子那樣謙卑的，在天國裡就是最偉大的。」 馬太福音18:4

禱告：親愛的天父，求祢饒恕我，並且幫助我天天用謙卑的心來服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Children (2)
Bible Reading: Matthew 18:1-7
Friday, August 12, 2016

　We will continue today to talk about children. Some people in Bible times thought that children were not very important. But in our Bible Reading today, Jesus used a little child to teach His followers about God's kingdom.
Verses 2 and 3 tell us that “Jesus called a little child to come to him. He stood the child in front of the followers. Then he said, ‘The truth is, you must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don't do this, you will never enter God's kingdom.’” Children are good examples for Christians. Why? Because children are humble, loving and trusting. Jesus knew the hearts of His followers. Some of them were not humble and loving. They were filled with pride and hate. Jesus wanted His followers to understand that they needed to change so they could be part of God's kingdom.
I hope you will be humble, loving and trusting like a child today. —PD

“The greatest person in God's kingdom is the one who makes himself humble like this child.” Matthew 18:4

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me and help me be humble as I serve You each day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

聖經中的父親 (1)

聖經中的父親 (1)
聖經閱讀：創世記24:1-8 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年6月19日(日)

　幾個星期前，我們談到幾個聖經中的母親，今天既然是美國的父親節，我們就來讀聖經中一些父親的故事。
我們要讀的第一位父親是亞伯拉罕，他的兒子以撒出生時他已經100歲了！當以撒長大、需要為他找一位妻子時，亞伯拉罕並不希望以撒娶當地的女子，為什麼呢？因為這些女子不愛上帝、也不敬拜祂。
今天閱讀的經文告訴我們，亞伯拉罕差派他的僕人回到他的家鄉為以撒找妻子，僕人就回到亞伯拉罕親戚所居住的地方，第24章其餘的部份告訴我們，那個僕人為以撒找到了妻子。
鼓勵我們的孩子、孫子尋找基督徒作另一半是一件重要的事，這樣他們就可以一起服事上帝。今天就為我們的兒女、孫兒女來禱告，懇求上帝幫助他們親近祂。 —JK

「你一定要回到我的故鄉，在我親族當中替我兒子以撒娶個妻子。」 創世記24:4

禱告：親愛的上帝，求祢保守我生命中的孩子。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(周維音譯)

Bible Fathers (1)
Bible Reading: Genesis 24:1-8
Sunday, June 19, 2016

　Several weeks ago, we talked about some mothers in the Bible. Since today is Father's Day in America, we will read about some Bible fathers.
Our first Bible father is Abraham. He was 100 years old when his son, Isaac, was born! Isaac grew up, and it was time for him to find a wife. But Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a woman from the country where they lived. Why? Because those women did not love and worship God.
Our Bible Reading tells us that Abraham sent his servant to Abraham's homeland to find a wife for Isaac. The servant traveled to the place where Abraham's relatives lived. The rest of chapter 24 tells us that the servant found a wife for Isaac.
It is important that we encourage our children and grandchildren to find a Christian husband or wife. Then they both can work together to serve God. Pray for your children and grandchildren today. Ask God to help them stay close to Him. —JK

“Go back to my country, to my own people, to find a wife for my son Isaac. Bring her here to him.” Genesis 24:4

PRAYER: Dear God, bless the children in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

聖經中的母親 (2)

聖經中的母親 (2)
聖經閱讀：撒母耳記上1:9-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年5月9日(一)

　我有兩個已經長大的孩子，我一直很喜歡扮演母親的角色！所以我可以想像哈娜沒有孩子有多麼傷心。
今天閱讀的經文告訴我們，哈娜向上帝禱告祈求賜給她一個兒子，她告訴上帝（第11b節）：「如果你賜給我一個兒子，我許願把他終生獻給你。」上帝回應哈娜的禱告，她生下了撒母耳。
當撒母耳年紀夠大了，哈娜將他帶到示羅，那裡是祭司以利事奉上帝的地方。撒母耳和以利住在一起，上帝使用撒母耳做了許多奇妙的事情。對哈娜來說，把她的兒子留在示羅一直是件不容易的事情，但是她信守了對上帝的承諾。之後，上帝賜福哈娜，讓她又生了三個兒子和兩個女兒（撒母耳記上2:21）。

想一想你的孩子、你的孫子，或是住在附近的孩子，今天就想辦法教導他們愛上帝、事奉上帝的事情。 －JK

「因此，我要把他獻給上主；他要終生歸屬上主。」 撒母耳記上1:28a

禱告：天父，感謝祢在我的生命中賜下孩子，求祢幫助我教導他們愛祢並事奉祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(林威妮譯)

Bible Mothers (2)
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1:9-28
Monday, May 9, 2016

　I have two grown children. I have always loved being a mother! So I can imagine how sad Hannah felt when she didn't have any children.
Our Bible Reading tells us that Hannah prayed and asked God to give her a son. She told God (verse 11b), “If you will give me a son, then I will give him to you.” God answered Hannah's prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel.
When Samuel was old enough, Hannah took him to Shiloh. This was where Eli, the priest, served God. Samuel stayed with Eli. God used Samuel to do many wonderful things. It must have been difficult for Hannah to leave her son at Shiloh. But she kept her promise to God. Later, God blessed Hannah with three more sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21).
Think about your children, your grandchildren or the children in your neighborhood. Look for ways today to teach them about loving and serving God. —JK

“And now I give this child to the Lord. He will serve the Lord all his life.” 1 Samuel 1:28a

PRAYER: Father, thank You for the children in my life. Help me to teach them to love and serve You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

上帝的兒女

上帝的兒女
聖經閱讀：加拉太書4:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年1月7日(四)

　我的朋友艾達跟我說了一件她遭遇的特別事情。艾達的妹妹在生下兒子後就去世了，而艾達的妹夫就在孩子出生前死去，所以這個孩子沒有父母。
艾達跟她的先生阿特向法官請求這男孩的監護權，法官答應了他們，然後他做了一件很特別的事，他給了他們孩子的出生證明，上面寫明艾達和阿特是孩子的親生父母──就好像這嬰孩是他們的親生兒子一樣。

上帝也為我們做了特別的事情，今天閱讀的經文跟我們談到上帝為我們所成就的事。上帝差派祂的兒子耶穌來到世上，為什麼上帝要這麼做呢？祂是要 「使我們獲得上帝兒女的名份」（第5b節）。上帝是我們在天上的父，當我們遵從並跟隨耶穌時，我們就成為上帝特別的兒女。

今天就感謝上帝使你可以成為祂的兒女！ —JL*

「這樣，你不再是奴僕，而是兒子；既然是上帝的兒子，上帝就以你為繼承人。」 加拉太書4:7

禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜給我作祢兒女的機會。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

God's Children
Bible Reading: Galatians 4:1-7
Thursday January 7, 2016

My friend, Ida, told me about something special that happened in her life. Ida’s sister died right after giving birth to a son. Ida's brother-in-law had died right before the baby was born, so the baby had no parents.
Ida and her husband, Art, asked a judge to give them custody of the baby boy. The judge gave them custody, and then he did something very special. He gave them the baby's birth certificate. Ida and Art were listed on the certificate as the birth parents — just as if the baby boy was their natural-born son.

God has done something special for us, too. The verses in our Bible Reading tell us what God has done for us. God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. Why did God to that? “God's purpose was to make us his children” (verse 5b). God is our Heavenly Father. When we obey and follow Jesus, we become God's special children.

Thank God today that you can be one of His children! —JL*

“Now you are not slaves like before. You are God's children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.” Galatians 4:7

PRAYER: Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity to be Your child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

小孩子 (5)

小孩子 (5)
聖經閱讀：約翰福音6:1-13 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年12月31日(四)

　今天我們要來談小孩子的最後一個特質。大多數的孩子都無憂無慮，他們倚靠父母來處理生活中發生的任何問題。
在今天經文閱讀中的小男孩去聽耶穌講道，當時有5,000多人去向耶穌學習。到了吃飯時間，耶穌的門徒不知道該如何餵飽這麼多人，其中一個門徒安得烈看見小男孩的午餐有五個大麥餅和兩條魚，那個男孩很願意跟大家分享他的午餐，而他似乎不擔心自己要吃什麼。

耶穌在新約中好幾次告訴我們，說我們不要擔心吃什麼、穿什麼。在馬太福音第6章，耶穌說我們要像天上的飛鳥和地上的花一樣無憂無慮，因為上帝使花美麗，祂也餵飽飛鳥。
今天請不要憂慮，上帝會照顧你。 —JK

「所以我告訴你們，不要為了生活上所需的飲食，或者身上所穿的衣服操心。難道生命不比飲食重要，身體不比衣服重要嗎？」 馬太福音6:25

禱告：上帝，我願倚靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(周維音譯)

Children (5)
Bible Reading: John 6:1-13
Thursday, December 31,2015

Today we will talk about one last characteristic of children. Most children do not worry. They depend on their parents to take care of any problems that happen in their lives.
The boy in our Bible Reading came to listen to Jesus. More than 5,000 people came to learn from Jesus. When it was time to eat, Jesus' followers did not know how they could feed so many people. A disciple, Andrew, saw that this boy had a lunch of five barley loaves and two little fish. The boy was willing to share his lunch with other people. He did not seem to be worried about what he would eat.

Jesus tells us several times in the New Testament that we should not worry about clothes or food. In Matthew, chapter 6, Jesus said that we should be like birds and flowers. They don’t worry. God makes flowers beautiful, and He provides food for the birds.
Don't worry today. God will take care of you. —JK

“So I tell you, don't worry about the things you need to live — what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it.” Matthew 6:25

PRAYER: God, I want to depend on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

小孩子 (1)

小孩子 (1)
聖經閱讀：創世記22:1-13 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年12月27日(日)

在馬可福音10:13-16，我們讀到有人帶小孩去見耶穌，第14節，耶穌說：「……上帝國的子民正是像他們這樣的人。」所以，如果我希望成為上帝國的一份子，就必須要具備一些跟小孩一樣的特質。接下來的幾天，我們要來談談這些特質。

今天我們要來談「信靠」。大部份的小孩都很容易信靠人，他們信靠父母會為他們做最好的安排。
在今天的經文閱讀中，我們讀到上帝吩咐亞伯拉罕殺死兒子以撒作為獻祭，以撒問他的父親：「獻祭的羔羊在哪裡呢？」亞伯拉罕回答說（第8b節）：「獻祭的小羊上帝會親自預備！」 當亞伯拉罕預備好要殺死兒子以撒，但主的天使阻止了他，然後上帝就預備了一隻公羊給亞伯拉罕作為獻祭。聖經並沒有記載以撒的感受，但是我認為以撒信靠他的父親會為他做最好的安排。

我們應該要像以撒一樣，在生活中的每一天都信靠上帝來為我們成就最美好的事。
—JK

「要把你自己交託上主；信靠他，他會幫助你。」
詩篇37:5

禱告：上帝，我願永遠信靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Children (1)
Bible Reading: Genesis 22:1-13
Sunday, December 27, 2015

In Mark 10:13-16, we read that people brought their children to Jesus. In verse 14, Jesus said, “...God's kingdom belongs to people that are like these little children.” So, if I want to be part of God's kingdom, I should have some of the same characteristics that children have. For the next several days, we will talk about these characteristics.

Today we will talk about trust. Most children are very trusting. They trust their parents to do what is best for them.
In our Bible Reading, we read that God told Abraham to kill his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Isaac asked his father (verse 7b), “...where is the lamb we will burn as a sacrifice?” Abraham answered (verse 8b), “God himself is providing the lamb for the sacrifice.”
Abraham was ready to kill Isaac, but an angel of the Lord stopped him. Then God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice. The Bible does not say how Isaac felt. But I think that Isaac trusted his father to do what was best for him.

We should be like Isaac. We should trust God to do what is best for us every day of our lives. —JK

“Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5

PRAYER: God, I want to always trust You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

學像小孩子

學像小孩子
聖經閱讀：馬太福音18:1-5 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年3月4日(二)

小孩明白什麼是愛，甚至在學會說話或使用手語之前，小孩子就能感受到父母的愛並領受它。小孩子並不需要去了解為什麼父母親要愛他，他只需要去感受他們的愛。 　今天的經文給了我們一個耶穌的簡易教導。在第3節，祂說：「我實在告訴你們，除非你們回轉，變成像小孩子一樣，你們絕不能成為天國的子民。」這句話並不是說我們的舉動必須像小孩子一樣，它的意思是我們應該要有像小孩子般的信心，我們應該愛上帝，並且跟從上帝和祂的話語──聖經。 　耶穌的這個教導是如此的簡單，以致於很多人拒絶相信。這些人認為他們需要了解上帝的一切，但是，我們不可能完全了解上帝。所以我們就必須有信心，而且願意去領受上帝的愛和恩惠。 　今天就謙卑下來，接受上帝的愛和藉著耶穌而來的救恩。 －RK* 「像這個小孩子那樣謙卑的，在天國裏就是最偉大的。」 馬太福書18:4 禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜下慈愛，我謙卑地領受它並跟從祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Be Like a Child
Bible Reading: Matthew 18:1-5
Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A little child understands love. Even before he can talk or sign, a child feels his parents’ love and accepts it. A child does not need to understand why his parents love him. He just needs to feel their love. 　Our Bible verses today give us a simple lesson from Jesus. In verse 3, He said, “The truth is, you must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don’t do this, you will never enter God’s kingdom.” This does not mean that we need to act like children. It means that we should have a child-like faith. We should love and follow God and His Word, the Bible. 　This lesson from Jesus is so simple that many people refuse to believe it. These people think that they need to understand everything about God. But we cannot completely understand God. So, we need to have faith and be willing to receive God’s love and goodness. 　Be humble today. Accept God’s love and salvation through Jesus. —RK* “The greatest person in God’s kingdom is the one who makes himself humble like this child.” Matthew 18:4 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love. I humbly accept it and will follow You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.