聖誕的犧牲 (4)

聖誕的犧牲 (4)
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:8-16 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月22日(四)

　今天我們要來談牧羊人所作的犧牲，路加福音2:8說，在耶穌誕生的那一晚，「在伯利恆郊外，有些牧羊人夜間露宿，輪流看守羊群。」
這些牧羊人有任務在身，他們要照顧羊群、保護牠們，但是在天使向他們顯現並告訴他們耶穌誕生的事之後，他們毫不遲疑就動身前往伯利恆，「於是他們急忙趕去，找到了馬利亞、約瑟，和躺在馬槽裡的嬰兒」（第16節）。
聖經並沒有告訴我們這些牧羊人是否有留一些人來照顧羊群，但是我們確實知道他們決定立刻動身前去探望新生兒。牧羊人犧牲他們的時間（也許整晚沒睡！）去到伯利恆。
牧羊人迫不及待要見到那位作為他們的救主、彌賽亞和生命之主的嬰孩（第11節）。我希望你也願意犧牲自己，好讓自己可以天天跟隨並服事耶穌！ —GT

「牧羊人回去，為他們所聽見所看到的事讚美歌頌上帝。」 路加福音2:20a

禱告：親愛的主，我願捨棄我所有的一切好讓我可以服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (4)
Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-16
Thursday, December 22, 2016

　Today we will talk about the sacrifices made by the shepherds. Luke 2:8 says that the night Jesus was born “some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep.”
These shepherds had responsibilities. They had flocks of sheep to take care of and protect. But after the angel appeared to them and told them about Jesus' birth, they did not hesitate to go to Bethlehem. They “went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box” (verse 16).
The Bible does not tell us if these shepherds left someone in charge of the sheep. But we do know that they chose to go right away and see the new baby. The shepherds sacrificed their time (and probably a night's sleep!) to go to Bethlehem.
The shepherds were anxious to see the baby who was their Savior, Messiah and Lord (verse 11). I hope you are willing to make sacrifices so you can follow and serve Jesus every day! —GT

“The shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard.”
Luke 2:20a

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am willing to give up all I have so I can serve You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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.

聖誕的犧牲 (2)

聖誕的犧牲 (2)
聖經閱讀：路加福音1:26-38 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月20日(二)

　今天我們要來談馬利亞所作的犧牲。今天的經文閱讀告訴我們，上帝差派一個天使來找馬利亞，但馬利亞「十分驚惶不安」（第29節）。 天使告訴馬利亞，聖靈的能力使她懷了身孕，天使還跟馬利亞說，她的孩子是上帝的兒子。馬利亞知道，如果她順服上帝的計劃就會犧牲自己的名聲，人們會注意她、會說她的壞話。
馬利亞也必須犧牲她的身體作為嬰兒耶穌成長的地方，就像約瑟一樣，馬利亞必須犧牲她的時間、精力來養育耶穌，教導祂愛上帝、事奉上帝，但是馬利亞願意作這樣的犧牲。
因為馬利亞願意犧牲，耶穌才能誕生，祂長大成人並死在十架上，然後從死裡復活。透過耶穌的死和復活，你和我才能擁有與上帝共享永生的應許！ —GT

「馬利亞說：『我是主的婢女；願你的話成就在我身上。』」 路加福音1:38a

禱告：天上的父，謝謝祢透過耶穌賜下永生。奉主的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (2)
Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Tuesday, December 20, 2016

　Today we will talk about the sacrifices that Mary made. Our Bible verses tell us that God sent an angel to Mary. But Mary was “very confused” (verse 29).
The angel told Mary that the power of the Holy Spirit would cause her to be pregnant. The angel also told her that her baby would be the Son of God. Mary knew that if she obeyed God's plan, she would have to sacrifice her reputation. People might stare at her and call her names.
Mary also had to sacrifice her body as a place where baby Jesus could grow. And like Joseph, Mary had to sacrifice her time and energy to raise Jesus and teach Him to love and serve God. But Mary was willing to make these sacrifices.
Because Mary was willing to make those sacrifices, Jesus was born. He grew up and died on the cross. Then He rose from death. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, you and I can have the promise of eternal life with God! —GT

“Mary said, ‘I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me!’” Luke 1:38a

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for eternal life through Jesus. In His name. Amen.

聖誕的犧牲 (1)

聖誕的犧牲 (1)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音1:18-25 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月19日(一)

　每年的這個時候，大部份人不會想到的一件事是「犧牲」，但是聖誕故事告訴我們，因為許多人的犧牲才讓耶穌得以誕生。今天和接下來幾天，我們要來談這些犧牲。
今天我們要來談約瑟，他和馬利亞訂婚，約瑟得知馬利亞懷了身孕，今天經文閱讀的第19節告訴我們，約瑟「不願意公開羞辱她，卻有意要秘密解除婚約。」後來有一個天使在夢裡對約瑟說話，他告訴約瑟那個嬰孩是從聖靈來的，天使吩咐約瑟要娶馬利亞為妻。
如果約瑟娶馬利亞，他可能會在自己住的地方失去人們的尊敬，但是約瑟願意犧牲自己的名聲來順服上帝。約瑟還犧牲時間、精神和財物來成為耶穌在世上的父親。
今天你願意為上帝犧牲嗎？ —GT

「約瑟一醒過來，就照主的天使所吩咐的去做，跟馬利亞成婚。」 馬太福音1:24

禱告：天父，我願捨棄一切好讓我可以跟隨祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (1)
Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Monday, December 19, 2016

　One thing most people do not think about at this time of year is sacrifice. But the Christmas story tells us about several people who made sacrifices so that Jesus could be born. Today and for the next few days we will talk about these sacrifices.
Today we will talk about Joseph. He was engaged to Mary. Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant. Verse 19 of our Bible Reading tells us that Joseph “did not want to cause her public disgrace, so he planned to divorce her secretly.” But then an angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph that the baby was from the Holy Spirit. The angel told Joseph to accept Mary as his wife.
When Joseph married Mary, he might have lost the respect of some people in the community. But Joseph was willing to sacrifice his reputation in order to obey God. Joseph also sacrificed his time, energy and possessions to be an earthly father to Jesus.
Are you willing to make sacrifices for God today? —GT

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord's angel told him to do. He married Mary.” Matthew 1:24

PRAYER: Father, I am willing to give up everything so I can follow You. In Jesus' name. Amen.