聖誕的犧牲 (5)

聖誕的犧牲 (5)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音2:1-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月23日(五)

　那幾個星象家可能是受良好教育的有錢人，他們也許過慣了舒適的生活。
今天經文閱讀的第2節告訴我們，星象家去問人：「那出生要作猶太人的王的在哪裡？我們在東方看見了他的星，特地來朝拜他。」星象家願意離開舒適的生活長途爬涉去拜見新生王。
星象家犧牲他們的時間準備長途旅行，他們也花不少錢購買旅途所需的補給品，以及要送給耶穌的貴重禮物，這些人明白耶穌比起他們肉體的舒適或是財富更加重要。
今天就想一想這些星象家，然後問自己，耶穌是否比舒適的生活和金錢更加重要？ —GT

「他們進了屋子，看見小孩子和他的母親馬利亞，就俯伏朝拜這孩子，然後打開寶盒。」 馬太福音2:11a

禱告：上帝，求祢幫助我讓人看見耶穌在我生命居首位。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (5)
Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-11
Friday, December 23, 2016

　The wise men were probably well-educated, wealthy men. They may have been used to living a comfortable life.
Verse 2 of our Bible Reading tells us that the wise men asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.” The wise men were willing to leave their easy lifestyle in order to make a hard and long trip to see the new king.
The wise men sacrificed their time to prepare for and make the long journey. They also sacrificed much money to buy supplies for the trip and the expensive gifts for Jesus. These men understood that Jesus is more important than their physical comfort or their wealth.
Think about the wise men today. And then ask yourself if Jesus is more important than having comfort and money. —GT

“The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him.” Matthew 2:11a

PRAYER: God, help me to show others that Jesus is most important in my life. In His name. Amen.

詩篇119 (16)

詩篇119 (16)
聖經閱讀：詩篇119:121-128現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月1日（四）

我先生在搶救一場火災時失去性命，去世之後，他受封為「消防烈士」並在一場特別舉辦的追思禮拜中受表揚，我開了很久的車來參加這個追思禮拜。
在開車的時候，我有很多時間欣賞上帝的創造。那時是秋天，樹葉正在變色，我想我的先生會一定會喜歡欣賞這個美景。然後我又想到兒子，才知道我現在是一家之主，要獨力撫養兒子了，但我知道，沒有上帝的幫助我沒辦法做到，若要把兒子養大成人，我需要上帝的智慧。
今天讀的經文讓我想起當時的日子，我就像這些經節的作者一樣，我懇求上帝對我施恩慈、對我施慈愛，並賜給我智慧。
無論今天遇到什麼事，你可以倚靠上帝與你同在！—BH

「我是你的僕人；求你賜我明智，好明白你的教訓。」 詩篇119:125

禱告：主，謝謝祢永遠與我同在、賜給我祢的智慧和力量。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Psalm 119 (16)
Psalm 119 (16)
Thursday, Demember 1, 2016

　My husband died as a result of fighting a fire. After his death, he was recognized as a Fallen Firefighter and honored at a special memorial service. I drove across the country to attend this memorial service.
As I was driving, I had a lot of time to look at God's creation. It was fall time and the leaves were turning. I thought that my husband would have loved to see this beauty. Then I thought about my sons, and I realized that for the first time, I was the head of our family. I would have to raise my sons alone. But I knew that I could not do this without God’s help. I would need God’s wisdom if I was going to be successful in raising my sons.
The verses in our Bible Reading remind me of that time in my life. I was like the writer of these verses. I asked God to be good to me, to show me His love and to give me wisdom.
No matter what you are facing today, you can depend on God to be with you! —BH

“I am your servant. Give me wisdom to understand your rules.” Psalm 119:125

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for always being with me and giving me Your wisdom and strength. In Jesus' name. Amen.

詩篇119 (5)

詩篇119 (5)
聖經閱讀：詩篇119:33-40現代中譯本|合和本
2016年10月7日(五)

　我的生活一度很忙亂，我經常很忙碌，所以只能簡短地禱告，而且也不常讀經。
有一個冬天，我開車在一條街上，突然有一部車衝到我前面，我雖然避開、沒有撞到那輛車，但是我的車子打滑了好幾圈才停下來。我相信上帝讓我避免了一次嚴重的車禍。
這個經歷讓我停下來思考自己的生活，我終於明白自己並沒按上帝的旨意來做事，我並沒有效法今天經文閱讀裡的榜樣，我也沒有努力去了解上帝的教導（第34節）、遵行祂的誡命（第35節），以及謹守祂的指示（第40節），相反的，我的眼目只放在「虛幻的事」上（第37節）。
我立刻開始努力讀經、花時間禱告，然後我就可以倚靠上帝來幫助我度過每一天。今天你一定要花時間來加強你和上帝的關係！ —BH

「求你領我走你誡命的道路，因為我從它得到喜樂。」 詩篇119:35

禱告：上帝，謝謝祢讓我可以向祢禱告，以及讀祢的話語。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Psalm 119 (5)
Bible Reading: Psalm 119:33-40
Friday, October 7, 2016

There was a time when my life was very hectic. Often I was so busy that I only prayed short prayers, and I didn’t read my Bible very much.
One winter day I was driving down a street. A car came speeding onto the street in front of me. I was able to avoid hitting the car, but my car spun around several times before I could stop. I believe that God prevented me from being involved in a serious accident.
This experience made me stop and think about my life. I realized I was not doing what God wanted me to do. I was not following the example in our Bible verses today. I was not trying to understand God’s teachings (verse 34), following His commands (verse 35) and obeying His instructions (verse 40). Instead I was looking at “worthless things” (verse 37).
Right away I started reading my Bible more and spending time in prayer. Then I was ready to depend on God to help me get through each day. Be sure that you take time to strengthen your relationship with God today! —BH

“Help me to follow your commands, because that makes me happy.” Psalm 119:35

PRAYER: God, thank You that I can pray to You and read Your Word. In Jesus' name. Amen.

信仰之旅 (3)

信仰之旅 (3)
聖經閱讀：羅馬書6:3-11現代中譯本|合和本
2016年9月9日(五)

　年紀更大的時候，我不再去教會了。在認識我先生時，他還沒信主，這讓我更容易不去教會，但我的生活並不愉快。
有一個醫生告訴我們沒辦法生孩子，所以當我的兒子馬太出生時，我知道他是上帝賜給我們的特別禮物。我和先生開始參與幾間不同的教會，其中一間沒有按照聖經在教導，另一間教會沒有人跟我們說話。這使我們感到沮喪，懷疑到底有沒有遵行聖經的教會？
終於，我們找到了一間相信聖經教導的教會，那裡的傳道人幫助我們明白必須讓耶穌成為我們生命之主和救主，於是我先生和我受洗了，那是我們一生中最快樂的一天！這已經是四十年前的事了，如今我們依然讚美上帝帶領我們去一間遵行祂話語的教會。
今天閱讀的經文告訴我們可以如何跟耶穌連結，我希望你能活出新生命並事奉祂！ —DF

「如果我們跟基督同死，我們信，我們也要跟基督同活。」 羅馬書6:8

禱告：天父感謝祢，藉著你賜下耶穌給我們新生命。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Faith Journey (3)
Bible Reading: Romans 6:3-11
Friday, September 9, 2016

　When I was older, I stopped going to church. When I met my husband, he was not a Christian. So it was easy for me to not go to church. But I was not happy with my life!
A doctor told us that we could not have children. So when our son, Matthew, was born, I knew he was a special gift from God. My husband and I started attending different churches. One church taught things that were not in the Bible, and at another church, no one spoke to us. We became discouraged and wondered if there was a church that followed the Bible.
Finally, we found a Bible-believing church. The minister helped us understand that we needed to make Jesus our Lord and Savior. My husband and I were baptized. That was the happiest day of our lives! That was forty years ago, and we are still praising God for leading us to a church that followed His Word.
Our Bible verses today tell us how we can be joined with Jesus. I hope that you are living a new life and serving Him! —DF

“If we died with Christ, we know that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:8

禱告（英文）

上帝的道路

上帝的道路
聖經閱讀：撒母耳記上16:1-13 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年9月5日(一)

　要從車庫安全地倒車出來，我必須慢慢地、直直地把車子往後開，然後當車子開出車庫時，我必須用一個角度來倒車！這個方式不太一樣，但我先生教我這麼做以免開到草皮上。
有時候用不同的方式做事是困難的，世界告訴我們要努力賺很多錢，然後存下來自己用，但是上帝的方式不同，祂說我們要「施與別人」（路加福音6:38a）。有人傷害我們時，我們會想要報復，但是上帝的方式是「要愛你們的仇敵」（馬太福音5:44）。
在今天閱讀的經文中，撒母耳想要用他看到的方式選出一位新的君王，但是上帝說：「人看外表，我看內心」（第7b節）。
我們在生活中都會遇到困難，但是必須記住，我們不可能完全明白上帝對我們一生的旨意，今天就倚靠祂，上帝永遠知道什麼是對你最好的！ —PD

「上主說：我的意念不是你們的意念；我的道路不是你們的道路。」 以賽亞書55:8

禱告：親愛的上帝，我願服事祢並且永遠走在你的道路上。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

God's Way
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Monday, September 5, 2016

　To back out of my garage correctly, I need to slowly back straight out of the garage. Then when the car is out of the garage, I need to back the car at an angle. This way is different, but my husband taught me to do this so I do not drive on our grass.
Sometimes it is hard to do things differently. The world tells us to get as much money as possible and keep it for ourselves. But God's way is different. He says we should “give to others” (Luke 6:38a). When someone hurts us, we want to hurt them back. But God’s way says, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
In our Bible Reading today, Samuel thought that he would choose a new king by the way he looked. But God said, “People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7b).
We will face problems in life. But we need to remember that we won't always understand God's way for our life. Depend on Him today. God always knows what is best for you! —SAH

“The Lord says, ‘My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine.’” Isaiah 55:8

PRAYER: Dear God, I want to serve You and always follow Your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

家

家
聖經閱讀：哥林多後書5:1-8 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年7月26日(二)

　幾年前，我在家裡發生了一件不幸的事，我有很多不好的記憶，甚至讓我不想待在家裡。
星期天教會禮拜結束後，我都會去一個朋友的家，她會為我準備晚餐，我們快樂地說話談心。但是天黑時，她說：「我知道妳不想回家，但是妳還是必須回去。」幾個月後，一場暴風雨摧毁了我的房子，我必須重建它，在房子被摧毁時，我感覺好像所有不好的記憶都被沖走了。
今天的經文閱讀談到跟上帝永遠同住的家，總有一天世上的一切都會被摧毁，就連我們的肉體也一樣。「如果我們所住的這地上的帳棚拆去了，上帝會給我們天上的住宅，是他親自建造、永遠存在的」（第1b節）。
我天天遵從並跟隨耶穌，我現在已經等不及要去天上的家跟上帝永遠同住。 —SAH

「更重要的是，無論在這地上的身體裡，還是穿上屬天的身體，我們都要討主的喜悅。」 哥林多後書5:9

禱告：天父，謝謝祢預備了一個我可以跟祢同住的地方。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Home
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
Tuesday, July 26, 2016

　Many years ago, something bad happened to me in my house. I had so many bad memories that I didn't want to even be in my house.
On Sundays I went to a friend's house after church. She cooked dinner for me, and we laughed and talked. But when it became dark she said, “I know you don't want to go home, but you've got to go.” A few months later a hurricane destroyed my house, and I had to rebuild. I felt like all my bad memories were washed away when my home was destroyed.
Our Bible verses talk about our eternal home with God. One day everything here on earth will be destroyed, even our physical bodies. “But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever” (verse 1b).
I obey and follow Jesus every day. Now I can't wait to go to my heavenly home and live forever with God. —SAH

“Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9

PRAYER: Father, thank You for preparing a place where I can live with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

什麼是罪？

什麼是罪？
聖經閱讀：羅馬書3:23-26 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年7月24日(日)

　上帝在聖經裡賜給我們特別的教導，祂跟我們談到祂希望我們做的事，以及不希望我們做的事。上帝期待我們遵行祂的教導，為什麼呢？因為上帝知道什麼是對我們最好的，祂的教導幫助我們活出最美好的人生。
約翰壹書5:17a說：「一切不義的行為都是罪」，這節經文指出三件事：第一，罪就是去做上帝所說、不對的事；第二，不去做上帝告訴我們該做的事也是罪；第三，罪就是過著好像沒有上帝，或是上帝不重要的生活。
沒有一個人能夠時時刻刻完全遵行上帝的教導，不管有多麼努力，我們還是會犯罪。今天經文閱讀的第23節告訴我們：<「因為人人都犯罪，虧欠了上帝的榮耀。」這就是我們需要耶穌的原因，因為耶穌從來沒有犯罪，祂卻死在十字架上來承擔我們的罪該受的懲罰。
當犯罪時就求上帝饒恕你，然後讓祂幫助你每天遵行祂的教導。 —GT

「所以，不可再讓罪支配你們必朽的身體，使你們順服本性的情慾。」 羅馬書6:12

禱告：親愛的上帝，感謝祢赦免我的罪。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

What is Sin?
Bible Reading: Romans 3:23-26
Sunday, July 24, 2016

In the Bible God gives us special instructions. He tells us what He wants us to do and what He does not want us to do. God expects us to obey His instructions. Why? Because God knows what is best for us. His instructions help us live the best life we can.
1 John 5:17a says, “Doing wrong is always sin.” This verse means three things. First, sin is doing something that God says is wrong. Second, sin is also not doing what God says we should do. And third, sin is living as if God isn't real or isn't important.
None of us can perfectly obey all of God's instructions all the time. No matter how hard we try, we all sin. Verse 23 of our Bible Reading today tells us, “All have sinned and are not good enough to share God's divine greatness.” That is why we need Jesus. Jesus never sinned. He died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins.
Ask God to forgive you when you sin. Then let Him help you obey His instructions every day. —GT

“But don't let sin control your life here on earth. You must not be ruled by the things your sinful self makes you want to do.” Romans 6:12

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for forgiving my sin. In Jesus' name. Amen.

夏天 (8)

夏天 (8)
聖經閱讀：約翰壹書3:1-3 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年7月22日(五)

　在我成長的過程中，我們家沒有裝冷氣，在夏天有時候我覺得很熱，所以我喜歡坐在電風扇前來降溫。 另外一個降溫的方法就是晚上坐在屋子前的階梯上，這時候我會抬頭看天空，我喜歡欣賞星星和月亮，宇宙有多大讓我很難想像，當我知道上帝愛我、為我創造這一切時，我感到受寵若驚。
今天閱讀的經文跟我們談到上帝的愛。上帝的愛無止息，祂好愛我們，希望我們成為祂的兒女：「天父多麼愛我們！甚至稱我們為上帝的兒女」（第1a節）。
上帝對我的愛超過世上任何一個人，祂也愛你！你要感謝讚美祂的大愛。 —CW*

「要感謝上主，因他至善；他的慈愛永遠長存。」 詩篇118:1

禱告：天父，祢為我創造的世界真奇妙！謝謝祢愛我，謝謝祢差派耶穌為我受死。奉主的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Summer (8)
Bible Reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Friday, July 22, 2016

　My family did not have air conditioning in our home when I was growing up. Sometimes it was very hot in the summer. So I liked to sit in front of a fan to cool myself. Another way to get cool was to sit outside on the front steps of our house in the evening. During those times I would look up in the sky. I loved to watch the stars and the moon. It was hard for me to imagine how big the universe is. I felt overwhelmed when I realized that God loved me and made all this for me to enjoy.
Our Bible Reading today tells us about God's love. There is no limit to God's love. He loves us so much that He wants us to be His children. “The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much he loved us: We are called children of God” (verse 1a).
God loves me more than any person on earth could love me. And He loves you, too! Thank Him and praise Him for His great love. —CW*

“Praise the Lord because he is good! His faithful love will last forever!” Psalm 118:1

PRAYER: Father, what a wonderful world You made for me! Thank You for loving me and for sending Jesus to die for me. In His name. Amen.

夏天 (6)

夏天 (6)
聖經閱讀：創世記1:1-31 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年7月20日(三)

我的家人一直很喜歡在夏天露營，孩子還小的時候，他們會出去走一走，看看石頭、小蟲子、毛毛蟲、青蛙之類的東西，在離開營地時，我總是要確定一下孩子沒有把蟲和青蛙帶回家！
露營時，我喜歡坐在樹廕下、享受清涼的微風。我也喜歡欣賞在天空飛的鳥、湖裡的波浪。晚上的時候，當我們坐在營火旁邊時，我喜歡抬頭仰望天上的繁星。
露營一直是一個機會，讓我可以跳脫一成不變的生活並享受上帝的創造。今天讀的經文告訴我們上帝如何創造世界和其中的萬物，「上帝看他所創造的一切都很好」（第31a節）。
今天就看看你的四周，去注意一下上帝創造的許多奇妙的事物！ —CW*

「這樣，天地萬物都創造好了。在第七天，上帝因完成了他創造的工作就歇了工。」 創世記2:1-2

禱告：上帝，祢真偉大！謝謝祢創造了世界。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Summer (6)
Bible Reading: Genesis 1:1-31
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

　My family has always loved to go camping during the summer. When my children were young, they went for walks and found things like rocks, bugs, caterpillars and frogs. I always made sure when we left the campground that my children did not take the bugs and frogs home with us!
When I go camping, I love to sit under a shade tree and enjoy the cool breeze. I also enjoy watching the birds in the sky and the waves on the lake. At night I like to look at the stars as we sit around our campfire.
Camping always gave me an opportunity to get away from my normal routine and enjoy God's creation. Our Bible Reading today tells us how God made the world and everything in it. “God looked at everything he had made. And he saw that everything was very good” (verse 31a).
Look around you today and notice the many wonderful things that God has made! —CW*

“So the earth, the sky and everything in them were finished. God finished the work he was doing.” Genesis 2:1-2a

PRAYER: God, You are so awesome! Thank You for making our world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

夏天 (3)

夏天 (3)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音6:25-34現代中譯本|合和本
2016年7月17日(日)

　兩天前，我跟大家談到我父母的菜園，他們通常會種一些不同的蔬菜──白蘿蔔、紅蘿蔔、綠豆、洋葱、甜玉米和蕃茄，我們還有兩棵蘋果樹可以讓我們吃到水果。
我的家人整個夏天享用自己種的蔬菜和水果，我的母親還為我們做了幾個罐頭在夏天結束後吃，這是上帝為我們供應食物的方式之一，這些「菜園的好東西」很美味，我們好感謝能擁有這些。
上帝供應我們，祂也會供應你。在今天讀的經文中，耶穌談到這一點，祂說：「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。你們的天父知道你們需要這一切東西」（第15a和32b節）。
要記得，你可以天天信靠上帝來供應你的需要。—CW*

「你們要先追求上帝主權的實現，遵行他的旨意，他就會把這一切都供給你們。」 馬太福音6:33

禱告：親愛的上帝，祢對我真好！謝謝祢照顧我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Summer (3)
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Sunday, July 17, 2016

　Two days ago, I told you about my parents' garden. They usually planted a variety of vegetables — radishes, carrots, green beans, onions, sweet corn and tomatoes. We also had two apple trees that gave us fruit.
My family enjoyed eating the fresh vegetables and fruit all summer long. And my mother canned some of them for us to eat after the summer was finished. This was one way that God provided food for our family. Those “garden goodies” were delicious, and we were thankful to have them.
God provided for us, and He will provide for you, too. In our Bible Reading, Jesus talked about this. He said, “So I tell you, don't worry about the things you need to live — what you will eat, drink, or wear. Don't worry because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things” (verses 25a and 32b).
Remember that you can trust God to provide for you every day. —CW*

“What you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:33

PRAYER: Dear God, You are so good to me! Thank You for taking care of me. In Jesus' name. Amen.