詩篇119 (8)

詩篇119 (8)
聖經閱讀：詩篇119:57-64 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年10月24日(一)

<今天經文閱讀的第62a節讓我回想起很久以前的一段經歷，這節經文說：「我在半夜起來，頌讚你公義的律例。」 我兒子還是嬰兒的時候，我以為他感冒了，半夜時他感到很不舒服，於是我打電話給醫生，醫生要我馬上帶兒子去醫院。我開車送兒子到醫院，看著醫生和護士照顧著他，我感到很無助，只能站在外面的走道上禱告。
終於，我可以帶兒子回家了，醫生教我一些特別的方法來照顧兒子，好幾個晚上我睡在他旁邊，我感到非常疲倦，還要努力忍住不哭。 我兒子慢慢地好起來，有一個晚上醒來時，我發現兒子好很多了，於是我下床禱告，感謝上帝在他生病時一直幫助他。
當生命遇到患難時，要懇求上帝幫助你、安慰你，也不要忘記感謝上帝回應你的禱告。—BH

「上主啊，我要頌讚你，因為你垂聽我。」 詩篇118:21a

禱告：親愛的主，感謝祢照顧我和我的家人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Psalm 119 (8)
Bible Reading: Psalm 119:57-64
Monday, October 24, 2016

Verse 62a of our Bible Reading reminds me of an experience I had a long time ago. This verse says, “In the middle of the night, I get up to thank you.” When my son was a baby, I thought he had a cold. During the night he became very sick. I called our doctor, and he told me to take my son to the hospital right away. I drove my son to the hospital and watched as doctors and nurses took care of him. I felt helpless. All I could do was stand out of the way and pray.
Finally I was allowed to take my son home. The doctor had given me special instructions on how to take care of my son. I slept beside my son for several nights. I was very tired and kept trying not to cry. Slowly my son improved. One night I woke up and noticed that my son looked a lot better. I got up and prayed and thanked God for helping my son through this sickness.
When you face bad times in your life, ask God to help and comfort you. And don’t forget to thank Him for answering your prayer. —BH

“Lord, I thank you for answering my prayer.” Psalm 118:21a

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for taking care of me and my family. In Jesus' name. Amen.

信仰之旅 (9)

信仰之旅 (9)
聖經閱讀：詩篇77:1-4, 10-14 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年9月15日(四)

我兒子住在亞利桑那州鳳凰城，有一天他騎單車去上班，被一輛迴轉的卡車撞到，我兒子飛到空中、在7公尺遠的地方落地，他的手肘粉碎性骨折，緊急送到醫院開刀。
我先生和我再一次開車去陪兒子，看著他受苦是一件難過的事情，他的手臂看起來很糟糕。那天晚上我流淚向上帝禱告，我告訴上帝，我知道祂看著耶穌在十字架上受苦時一定很難受，我求上帝憐憫、照顧我兒子。
隔天早上我兒子告訴我，「昨天晚上發生一件奇怪的事情，突然間傷口不再那麼痛了。」我告訴兒子，我一直為這件事禱告，而這就是上帝的回應。 這個經歷讓我想起今天閱讀的經文，第1節說：「我向上帝哀叫呼求；我高聲呼叫，他垂聽了我。」當我向上帝禱告而得到祂的回應和安慰時，我的信心成長了。 —DF

「上帝是我們的避難所和力量，是我們患難中隨時的幫助。」 詩篇46:1

禱告：主，謝謝祢垂聽我的禱告、帶給我安慰。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Faith Journey (9)
Bible Reading: Psalm 77: 1-4, 10-14
Thursday, September 15, 2016

My son was living in Phoenix, AZ. One day he rode his bike to work. A truck made a u-turn and hit him. My son flew through the air and landed 25 feet away. His elbow was shattered, and he was rushed to surgery.
Again my husband and I drove to be with him. It was hard to watch him suffer. His arm looked terrible. That night I cried and prayed to God. I told God that I knew it must have been hard for Him to watch Jesus suffer on the cross. I asked God to be merciful and take care of my son.
The next morning my son told me, “A strange thing happened last night. All of a sudden the pain got better.” I told my son that I had been praying and that this was an answer to my prayer.
This experience made me think about our verses for today. Verse 1 says, “I cry out to God for help. I cry out to you, God: listen to me!” As I prayed to God and received His answer and comfort, my faith grew. —DF

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for answering my prayers and for giving me comfort. In Jesus' name. Amen.

信仰之旅 (7)

信仰之旅 (7)
聖經閱讀：詩篇123:1-4現代中譯本|合和本
2016年9月13日(二)

　我母親過世四個月之後，兒子在一次跳水意外中傷到頸椎，我們開了整夜的車，早上才到達醫院，在見到了兒子、又知道他的腿可以動時我就放心了。
醫生告訴我們，兒子需要在頭上戴特殊護具三個月來固定脖子，但是三個月後，醫生卻說還要再等一個月。我感到很失望，不想再等下去了！ 再一次，上帝賜給我平安和耐心，祂幫助我知道一切都會沒事，也許這就是今天經文閱讀的作者寫下這句話時的心情：「上主啊，我頌讚你，因為你救了我，你已將我的哀哭變為跳舞」（第1a和11a節）。
不管今天你會遇到什麼事，記得要時時倚靠上帝，讓你的信心持續成長。 —DF

「所以我不緘默，我要歌唱頌讚你；上主─我的上帝啊，我要永遠感謝你』」 詩篇30:12

禱告：親愛的上帝，我知道我可以永遠倚靠祢，求祢今天看顧我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Faith Journey (7)
Bible Reading: Psalm 123:1-4
Tuesday, September 13, 2016

　Four months after my mother died, my son broke his neck in a diving accident. We drove all night and arrived at the hospital in the morning. I was so relieved to see my son and learn that he could move his legs.
The doctor told us that my son would need to wear a special device on his head for three months to keep his neck from moving. But at the end of the three months, the doctor said we would have to wait another month. I was very disappointed. I didn't want to wait any longer!
Once again, God gave me peace and patience. He helped me understand that things would work out okay. Maybe that is how the writer of our Bible verses felt when he wrote, “Lord, you lifted me out of my troubles. You have changed my sorrow into dancing” (verses 1a and 11a).
No matter what you will face today, remember to always depend on God and keep your faith growing. —DF

“You wanted me to praise you and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever!” Psalm 30:12

PRAYER: Dear God, I know I can always depend on You. Please take care of me today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

水的神蹟 (3)

水的神蹟 (3)
聖經閱讀：出埃及記17:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年4月20日(三)

　上帝還為以色列民行了更多神蹟，有一次祂供應了嗎哪和鵪鶉給他們食用。在今天閱讀的經文中，我們得知以色列民在利非訂紮營，但是那裡沒有水，於是那些人怎麼做呢？他們還記得上帝是如何照顧他們的嗎？不！那些以色列民開始抱怨，然後跟摩西爭吵。
上帝吩咐摩西拿起他的拐杖擊打何烈山的一塊磐石，當摩西這麼做的時候，水就從石頭裡流出來，讓以色列民有足夠的水可以喝。這是上帝照顧祂的百姓所行的另一個神蹟。
今天我們可以讀經並知道上帝會照顧我們，但是當患難臨到時，我們常常會抱怨──就像以色列民一樣，對發生的事抱怨、發牢騷，而不倚靠上帝來幫助我們度過難關。遭逢患難的時候，要記得感謝上帝並且倚靠祂。 —JK

「你們的天父知道你們需要這一切東西。」 馬太福音6:32b

禱告：上帝，我不要擔心，我想要倚靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(林煜茹譯)

Water Miracles (3)
Bible Reading: Exodus 17:1-7
Wednesday, April 20, 2016

　God did many more miracles for the Israelites. One time He provided food — manna
and quail —for them. In our Bible Reading, we learn that the Israelites camped at Rephidim. But there was no water there. What did the people do? Did they remember how God had taken care of them? No! The Israelites started complaining. Then they argued with Moses.
God told Moses to take his walking stick and hit a rock on Mt. Horeb. When Moses did this, water came out of the rock, and the Israelites had enough water to drink. This was another miracle that God did to take care of His people.
Today we can read the Bible and learn that God will take care of us. But when troubles come, we often complain — just like the Israelites. Instead of depending on God to help us through bad times, we complain and whine about what is happening to us. When bad times happen, remember to thank God and depend on Him. —JK

“Don't worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:32b

PRAYER: God, I don't want to worry. Instead, I want to depend on You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

七教會 (8)

七教會 (8)
聖經閱讀：啟示錄3:7-13現代中譯本|合和本
2016年4月8日(五)

　非拉鐵非的意思是「兄弟情」，這個城市位於亞細亞撒狄東南方64公里。在西元17年，非拉鐵非被一場地震完全摧毀，之後被皇帝提比略重建。很多非拉鐵非人崇拜異教的酒神和生育之神。
耶穌讚許非拉鐵非的基督徒，祂對他們說：「…你遵守了我的話，也對我忠誠」（第8b節），並且「你遵守了我的命令，忍耐到底」（第10a節）。
因為這些人忠心於耶穌，祂說祂會使仇敵在他們腳前下拜（第9節），並且在患難臨到世界時保守他們（第10節）。
如果我們對上帝忠心並且遵行祂的話，我們就會像非拉鐵非教會一樣。今天就對上帝忠心，並且「要持守你所有的」（第11b節）。 —DF

「那洗淨自己衣服的人多麼有福啊！他們有權吃生命樹上的果子，並且可以從城門進入城裏。」 啟示錄22:14

禱告：主，謝謝祢賜下應許給那些對祢忠心的人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(周維音譯)

Seven Churches (8)
Bible Reading: Revelation 3:7-13
Friday, April 8, 2016

　The name Philadelphia means “brotherly love.” This city in Asia was 40 miles southeast of Sardis. In 17 A.D. Philadelphia was completely destroyed by an earthquake and later rebuilt by Emperor Tiberius. Many people in Philadelphia worshiped the pagan god of wine and fertility.
Jesus praised the Christians in the city of Philadelphia. He said to them, “...you have followed my teaching. You were not afraid to speak my name” (verse 8b) and “You have followed my command to endure patiently” (verse 10a).
Because these people were faithful to Jesus, He said that He would make their enemies bow at their feet (verse 9) and protect them from a time of trouble (verse 10).
If we are faithful to God and obedient to His Word, we are like the church in Philadelphia. Be faithful to God today and hold “on to the faith you have” (verse 11b). —DF

Great blessings belong to those who have washed their robes. They will have the right to eat the food from the tree of life. They can go through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your promises to those who are faithful. In Jesus' name. Amen.

宣教士 (8)

宣教士 (8)
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳27:13-44 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年3月1日(二)

　保羅在宣講耶穌的旅程中經歷了許多有趣的事，今天的經文跟我們談到保羅在一艘前往羅馬的船上，「好些日子我們看不見太陽和星星；風浪繼續催逼，我們終於放棄了獲救的希望」（第20 節）。
有一位天使告訴保羅，船上沒有一個人會死，最後，這艘船「衝到沙洲擱淺，船頭膠住，不能轉動，船尾被大浪猛力衝擊，破損不堪」（第41b節）。船毀了，但是保羅和其他的乘客都平安無事。
保羅以宣教士的身分旅行時遇到了許多不好的事，他好幾次被毆打、被關進監牢裡，但是保羅相信上帝會照顧自己，於是上帝就賜給保羅能夠剛強的勇氣。
今天你也可以成為一名宣教士，你要記得上帝會一直與你同在，並且幫助你剛強。 —JK

「所以，各位可以放心；我相信上帝必定實現他對我說的話。」 使徒行傳27:25

禱告：上帝，我知道今天當我向人分享耶穌時，祢會與我同在。奉主的名，阿們！

(林煜茹譯)

Missionaries (8)
Bible Reading: Acts 27:13-44
Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Paul
had many interesting experiences as he traveled and told people about Jesus. Our Bible verses tell us that Paul was on a ship to Rome. “For many days we could not see the sun or the stars. The storm was very bad. We lost all hope of staying alive — we thought we would die” (verse 20).
An angel told Paul that no one
on the ship would die. Finally, the ship “hit a sandbank. The front of the ship stuck there and could not move. Then the big waves began to break the back of the ship to pieces” (verse 41b). The ship was destroyed, but Paul and the other passengers were safe.
Paul faced many other bad
things while he was traveling as
a missionary. He was beaten and put in jail several times. But Paul trusted God to take care of him. And God gave Paul courage to be strong.
You can be a missionary today. Remember that God will always be with you and help you be strong. —JK

So men, there is nothing to worry about. I trust God and I am sure everything will happen just as his angel told me.” Acts 27:25

PRAYER: God, I know You will be with me today as I share Jesus with others. In His name. Amen.

帖撒羅尼迦後書 (1)

帖撒羅尼迦後書 (1)
聖經閱讀：帖撒羅尼迦後書1:1-10 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年1月13日(三)

今天和接下來幾天的靈修文章會根據新約的帖撒羅尼迦後書來寫。
在今天閱讀的經文中，我們得知在帖撒羅尼迦的基督徒正遭受迫害，城裡充斥著假教師，以及崇拜異教神明的人，但在第3、4節，我們看到這些基督徒為耶穌堅定站立。
或許你的生命也正遭受迫害，也許你的朋友或同事因你信耶穌而戲弄你、嘲笑你，但你要堅定不移！為什麼呢？因為「上帝要執行公義。他要使那些迫害你們的人遭受患難；他要使你們這些受苦的人得到釋放」（第6-7a節）。這些字句都是當我們遭受逼迫時的鼓勵。
每天都要在愛和信心中持續成長，要為耶穌和祂的話堅定不移！—JS*

「你們的信心大有進步，彼此相愛的心也大為增進。」 帖撒羅尼迦後書1:3b

禱告：親愛的上帝，請賜給我祢的力量，讓我可以為祢堅定站立。奉耶穌的名。阿們！

(周維音譯)

2 Thessalonians (1)
Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

　Today and for the next few days our devotions will be based on verses from the New Testament book of 2 Thessalonians.
In our Bible verses we learn that the Christians in Thessalonica were facing times of persecution. The city was filled with false teachers and people who worshiped pagan gods. These people wanted to destroy the church. But in verses 3 and 4 we learn that these Christians were standing strong for Jesus.
Maybe you are facing times of persecution in your life. Maybe a friend or co-worker mocks you or laughs at you because you follow Jesus. Stand strong! Why? Because “God will do what is right. He will punish those who are causing you trouble. And he will bring relief to you who are troubled” (verses 6-7a). These are encouraging words when we are facing persecution.
Continue to grow in love and faith every day. Stand strong for Jesus and His Word. —JS*

“Your faith is growing more and more. And the love that every one of you has for each other is also growing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3b

PRAYER: Dear God, give me Your strength so I can stand strong for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

使壞變好 (5)

使壞變好 (5)
聖經閱讀：羅馬書5:1-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年1月5日(二)

約瑟、司提反和保羅都遭遇患難，耶穌也是。人們在耶穌的事奉過程中對祂做惡事，但是上帝卻讓善事發生，有人得醫治、有人從死裡復活，很多人因此相信耶穌確實是上帝的兒子。
最後，猶太人捉拿了耶穌，他們鞭打祂、取笑祂、作假見證陷害祂並對祂吐口水，然後這些人殺害了耶穌。上帝怎麼能將這件壞事轉變成好事呢？耶穌死去的三天後，祂復活了！因著祂的死和復活，我們可以得著救恩和永生的應許。

今天閱讀的經文告訴我們，「由於他的死，我們現在得以跟上帝有合宜的關係」（第9節），第10節又說：「我們原是上帝的仇敵，但是藉著他兒子的死叫我們得以跟他和好。」我們可以成為上帝的朋友！

上帝是化惡為善的專家，今天祂會與你同在並祝福你！ —JK

「當我們還軟弱的時候，基督就按照上帝特定的時機為罪人死。」 羅馬書5:6

禱告：上帝，我願永遠是祢的朋友！奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Good from Bad (5)
Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-11
Tuesday, January 5, 2016

　Joseph, Stephen and Paul faced bad times, and Jesus faced bad times, too. People did bad things to Jesus throughout His ministry. But God made good things happen. People were healed and raised from the dead. Many people believed that Jesus truly was God's Son.
Finally, the Jews arrested Jesus. They beat Him, made fun of Him, told lies about Him and spit on Him. Then these people killed Jesus. How could God make something good happen from this bad thing? Three days after Jesus died, He arose. Because of His death and resurrection, we can have salvation and the promise of eternal life.

Our Bible verses today tell us that we “have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ” (verse 9). Verse 10 says that “while we were God's enemies, he made friends with us through his Son's death.” We can become friends with God!

God is an expert at bringing good out of bad. He will be with you and bless you today! —JK

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6

PRAYER: God, I want to always be Your friend! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

使壞變好 (4)

使壞變好 (4)
聖經閱讀：哥林多後書 11:24-33 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年1月4日(一)

　保羅四處旅行、建立教會並鼓勵基督徒，但是保羅旅行的過程中也遇到許多困境。
在今天閱讀的經文中，保羅提到了一些發生在他身上的不幸遭遇──鞭打、船難、下到監牢，和一些危險的狀況。雖然保羅遭逢不幸，他的事奉卻幫助很多人認識耶穌。
使徒行傳第28章告訴我們，保羅被帶到羅馬並被下到監牢裡，這是一件不幸的事，但是，上帝再一次從這個經歷引發了美事。雖然保羅被下到監牢，但他被容許住到另外一個房子， 「凡來訪問的人，他都接待。他大膽地宣揚上帝國的信息，教導有關主耶穌基督的事，沒有受到甚麼阻礙」（使徒行傳28:30b-31）。

今天就花點時間想一想自己生命中發生的美事，懇求上帝幫助你大膽向人傳講耶穌的事。 —JK

「我為了福音的緣故做這些事，目的是在跟別人分享福音的好處。」 哥林多前書9:23

禱告：天父，我願向人傳講祢和耶穌。奉主的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Good from Bad (4)
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:24-33
Monday, January 4, 2016

Paul traveled, started churches and encouraged Christians. But as Paul traveled, he also faced many bad times.
In our Bible verses today, Paul listed some of the bad things that happened to him — beatings, shipwrecks, prison and dangerous situations. Even though Paul faced these bad things, his ministry helped many people know about Jesus.
Acts, chapter 28, tells us that Paul was taken to Rome and put in prison. That was a bad thing. But again, God brought about good things from this experience. Even though Paul was in prison, he was allowed to stay in a house. “He welcomed all the people who came and visited him. He told them about God's kingdom and taught them about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very bold, and no one tried to stop him from speaking” (Acts 28:30b-31).
Take time today to think about the good things that have happened in your life. Ask God to help you be bold as you tell others about Jesus. —JK

“I do all this to make the Good News known. I do it so that I can share in the blessings of the Good News.” 1 Corinthians 9:23

PRAYER: Father, I want to tell others about You and Jesus. In His name. Amen.

上行之詩 (1)

上行之詩 (1)
聖經閱讀：詩篇120:1-7; 129:1-8 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年9月10日(四)

今天我們會開始一系列的靈修文章來談詩篇第120到134篇，這些詩篇常常被稱為「上行之詩」。 　這些詩篇被稱為「上行之詩」乃是因為它們是朝聖者──旅行到特別宗教聖地的人──所唱的讚美詩。這些朝聖者要去耶路撒冷慶祝猶太節日，當這些人起程時，他們會唱詩篇第120篇，接著繼續唱下一篇，然後再下一篇，直到他們唱到詩篇第134篇時，正好抵達耶路撒冷。 　在詩篇第120篇，朝聖者唱到跟不遵從上帝的人相處的經驗：「我跟厭惡和平的人相處太久了。我愛好和平；我講和平，他們卻要戰爭」（第6-7節）。接著在詩篇第129篇，他們唱到遭遇患難的情形，但是上主行了公義（第4a節）。 　我們必須學像這些朝聖者，知道上帝會與我們同在，即便我們遭遇患難，上帝會幫助我們做正確的事。 －BH 「我在患難中求告上主，他就答應我。」 詩篇120:1 禱告：上帝，我讚美祢與我同在──甚至在我遭遇患難時。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Pilgrim Psalms (1)
Bible Reading: Psalm 120:1-7;129:1-8
Thursday, September 10, 2015

Today we will begin a series of devotions that will look at Psalms 120 through 134. These Psalms are often called “pilgrim psalms.” 　These chapters are called “pilgrim psalms” because they were sung by pilgrims — people who traveled to a special religious place. These pilgrims went to Jerusalem to celebrate Jewish feasts. As these people started their journey, they would sing Psalm 120. Then they would sing the next Psalm and continue until they sang Psalm 134 as they arrived in Jerusalem. 　In Psalm 120, the pilgrims sang about being among people who did not follow God. “I have lived too long with those who hate peace. I ask for peace, but they want war” (verses 6-7). Then again in Psalm 129 they sang about facing troubles, but “the Lord does what is right” (verse 4a). 　We need to be like these pilgrims and realize that God will be with us. Even though we face troubles, God will help us and do what is right. —BH “I was in trouble. I called to the Lord for help, and he answered me!” Psalm 120:1 PRAYER: God, I praise You that You are with me — even when I face times of trouble. In Jesus' name. Amen.