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.

聖靈的果子

聖靈的果子
聖經閱讀：加拉太書5:22-23 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年3月18日(五)

　當我們成為基督徒時，聖靈就進來住在我們裡面，保羅跟我們說，我們可以知道聖靈正住在我們裡面。
如果聖靈住在我們裡面，我們就會顯露出今天經文閱讀中所提到的聖靈的果子：「仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制。」聖靈在我們的生命中動工，使我們從有罪的舊人改變成在耶穌裡的新人。
不久之後，基督徒就要慶祝耶穌從死裡復活的日子。每年大約這個時候，基督徒會常常省思自己的生命，思考要如何改變才能讓自己更親近上帝。

基督徒應該要不斷地改變自己，來讓自己符合上帝的期待，這就是上帝賜下聖靈的原因，是要聖靈幫助我們成長而更像耶穌。
今天你有改變嗎？你是否有顯露出更多聖靈的果子？ —JM

「既然聖靈賜給我們新生命，我們就該讓他引導我們的生活。」 加拉太書5:25

禱告：主，謝謝祢賜下祢的靈來改變我，求祢幫助我讓聖靈在我的生命中動工。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(林煜茹譯)

Fruit of the Spirit
Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-23
Friday, March 18, 2016

When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Paul tells us that we can know that the Holy Spirit is living in us.
If the Holy Spirit is living in us, we will show the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in our Bible Reading today: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The Holy Spirit works in our lives to change us from the old person of sin to a new person in Jesus.
Soon Christians will celebrate the day that Jesus arose from the dead. Around this time of year, Christians often think about their lives and how they should change so they can live closer to God.
Christians should always be changing to become what God wants them to be. That's why God sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us grow and be more like Jesus.
Are you changing today? Are you showing more fruit of the Spirit? —JM

“We get our new life from the Spirit. So we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for sending Your Spirit to change me. Help me to let the Holy Spirit work in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

活水 (3)

活水 (3)
聖經閱讀：約翰福音3:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年3月10日(四)

　今天閱讀的經文中，有一位猶太宗教領袖去見耶穌，這個人的名字叫尼哥德慕。
耶穌對尼哥德慕說，要成為上帝國的一份子，我們就必須重生，但尼哥德慕不懂這話是什麼意思，他只想到肉體的出生，而無法想像靈性的重生。於是耶穌就進一步向尼哥德慕說：「我鄭重地告訴你，人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能成為上帝國的子民」（第5節）。

重生唯一的方法是透過生命的活水耶穌，以及聖靈。耶穌除掉了我們的罪，此外，聖靈在我們的生活中幫助我們成長，並且保護我們免受魔鬼的攻擊。
就信靠耶穌來挪去你的罪，並賜給你跟祂永遠同住的生命。 —SAH

「這樣的人不是由血統關係，不是由人的性慾，也不是由男人的意願生的，而是由上帝生的。」 約翰福音1:13

禱告：親愛的上帝，謝謝祢賜下耶穌，祂透過自己賜給我新生命。奉主的名，阿們！

(周維音譯)

Living Water (3)
Bible Reading: John 3:1-7
Thursday, March 10, 2016

　In our Bible Reading, a Jewish religious leader came to Jesus. This man's name was Nicodemus.
Jesus explained to Nicodemus that to be part of God's kingdom, we must be born again. Nicodemus did not understand. He was only thinking about physical birth, not a spiritual birth. Jesus explained more to Nicodemus. “Believe me when I say that everyone must be born from water and the Spirit. Anyone who is not born from water and the Spirit cannot enter God's kingdom” (verse 5).

The only way to be born again is through Jesus, the Living Water, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus removes our sins, and the Holy Spirit works in our lives to help us grow and to protect us against attacks by the devil.
Trust Jesus to take away your sins and give you eternal life with Him. —SAH

“They became God's children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself.” John 1:13

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Jesus who gives me new life through Him. In His name. Amen.

充足的水

充足的水
聖經閱讀：詩篇1:1-6 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年1月20日(三)

有一個夏天，我們種了一大片菜園，菜園的絶大部份，我們撒下了不同種類的蔬菜種子，但是在一個角落，我撒了萬壽菊的種子。
我們在水管上裝了灑水器，這樣就可以為菜園澆水了，但是儘管關了水，還是會有一些水滴到萬壽菊的種子上。
那個夏天非常乾熱，我們盡可能為菜園澆水，但是產出的蔬果不如預期，然而萬壽菊卻長得又高又美。為什麼呢？因為那些一直滴下來的水給了萬壽菊充足的水分來幫助它們成長。

今天的經文閱讀提醒了我們，溪邊的樹會長得又高又壯，同理，如果我們每天閱讀上帝的話語、對祂說話，我們就能在靈裡剛強。 —BH 　

「他只愛慕上主的法律，日夜默誦不倦。他像移植溪水邊的果樹，按季節結果子，葉子也不凋零。」 詩篇1:2-3a

禱告：主，我願在靈裡剛強，求祢幫助我持守跟祢連結的關係。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Plenty of Water
Bible Reading: Psalm 1:1-6
Wednesday, January 20, 2016

　One summer we planted a big garden. In most of the garden, we planted different kinds of vegetable seeds. But in one corner of the garden, I planted some marigold seeds.
We hooked up a hose with a rotating sprinkler so we could water the garden. But even when the hose was turned off, there was still a small drip of water that fell on the marigold seeds.
That summer was very hot and dry. We watered the garden when we could, but we did not have as many vegetables as we had hoped for. But the marigolds were tall and beautiful. Why? Those steady drops of water gave the marigolds plenty of moisture to help them grow.

Our Bible Reading reminds us that a tree by a stream of water will grow strong and tall. In the same way, if we are reading God's Word and talking to Him every day, we will be spiritually strong. —BH

“Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream.” Psalm 1:2-3a

PRAYER: Lord, I want to be spiritually strong. Help me stay connected to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

使壞變好 (3)

使壞變好 (3)
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳 7:54-60 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年1月3日(日)

司提反是另一個遭遇困境的人，使徒行傳6:5形容司提反是「一個信心堅定、被聖靈充滿的人。」使徒行傳6:8告訴我們：「司提反充滿著上帝的恩賜和能力，在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。」
當司提反宣講耶穌的事蹟時，有一些猶太人非常生氣，這些人將司提反帶到一個猶太議員的會議中，在使徒行傳7:1-53，我們可以讀到司提反對議會說的話，在今天閱讀的經文中，我們得知這些人對司提反感到憤怒，以致於用石頭打死他。
上帝藉著司提反的死引發一些很棒的事，讓很多耶路撒冷的基督徒因為害怕而搬到其他城市，當這些基督徒搬到新的地方後，他們向更多人傳講耶穌，然後這些人就信了耶穌並跟隨祂。
今天就感謝上帝在你的生命中動工，讓壞事變成好事。 —JK

「那些分散的信徒到各地傳福音。」 使徒行傳8:4

禱告：親愛的上帝，謝謝祢今天在我的生命中動工。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Good from Bad (3)
Bible Reading: Acts 7:54-60
Sunday, January 3, 2016

　Stephen was another person who faced a bad situation. Acts 6:5b describes Stephen as “a man with great faith and full of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 6:8 tells us that “Stephen received a great blessing. God gave him power to do great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.” When Stephen preached about Jesus some Jews became very angry. These men brought Stephen to a meeting of the Jewish council. In Acts 7:1-53 we can read what Stephen said to the council. In our Bible verses today, we learn that these men were so angry with Stephen that they stoned him to death.
God brought about some very good things because of Stephen’s death. Many of the Christians in Jerusalem were afraid. So they moved to other cities. When these Christians moved to new places, they told more people about Jesus. Then those people believed in Jesus and followed Him.
Thank God today for the way He works in your life and brings good from bad. —JK

“They were scattered everywhere, and in every place they went, they told people the Good News.” Acts 8:4

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for working in my life today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

活水

活水
聖經閱讀：約翰福音4:7-15 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年8月6日(四)

每一天醒來的時候，我會喝一杯水。在喝水時，我感謝上帝創造水讓我有活力並維持生命。 　在今天閱讀的經文中，耶穌跟一個撒馬利亞的女人說話，耶穌告訴那女人，說祂可以賜給她「活水」。耶穌的意思是說，祂會賜下永恆的生命給跟隨並順服祂的人：「但是，誰喝了我所給的水，誰就永遠不再渴。我給的水要在他裡面成為泉源，不斷地湧出活水，使他得到永恆的生命」（第14節）。 　當我們跟隨並順服耶穌時，就是領受了祂的「活水」，我們就會改變並找到人生的新目標。上帝賜給我們祂的聖靈來引導我們、安慰我們，當每天服事上帝時，我們就被祂的平安所充滿並期盼永遠與祂同住！ 　我希望你已經接受了耶穌的活水，並且天天服事祂！ －CG 「人要是渴了，就該到我這裡來喝。聖經上說：『那信我的人有活水的河流要從他心中湧流出來。』」 約翰福音:7:37b-38 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢賜下救贖計劃，我祈求所有人都跟從祢並榮耀祢的名。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Living Water
Bible Reading: John 4:7-15
Thursday, August 6, 2015

Every day when I get up, I drink a glass of water. As I drink the water, I thank God for making water to refresh me and keep me alive. 　In our Bible Reading today, Jesus talked with a woman from Samaria. Jesus told the woman that He could give her “living water.” What Jesus meant was that He will give eternal life to people who follow and obey Him. “But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life” (verse 14). 　When we follow and obey Jesus, we accept His “living water.” We change and find a new purpose in life. God gives us His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us. As we serve God every day, we are filled with His peace and look forward to living forever with Him! 　I hope that you have accepted Jesus’ living water and are serving Him every day! —CG “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.” John 7:37b-38 PRAYER: God, thank You for Your plan of salvation. I pray that all people will follow You and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

我們的身體

我們的身體
聖經閱讀：哥林多前書6:18-20 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年7月25日(六)

現今有很多人認為他們可以用自己的身體來做任何想做的事，他們吃喝太多、嗑藥，或捲入性犯罪中，所有這些事都會傷害我們的身體。 　在今天閱讀的經文中，保羅提醒我們，說我們的身體對上帝是非常特別的：「你們不知道你們的身體就是聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈住在你們裏面，是上帝所賜的。你們不屬於自己」（第19節）。如果你是基督徒，你是屬於上帝的，因為祂透過耶穌的死來買贖你，祂的聖靈就住在你裡面。 　我們應當保持身體的潔淨，好讓聖靈有一個好的地方可以住。我們可以藉著遠離會傷害我們身體、導致我們犯罪的事來做到這樣，我們也可以運動、吃健康的食物。 　今天就感謝上帝賜下透過祂的兒子耶穌而來的救恩，請用你的身體來榮耀祂、讚美祂。 －BP* 「因為他用重價買了你們。所以，你們要用身體來榮耀上帝。」 哥林多前書6:20 禱告：親愛的天父，我願用我身體來榮耀祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Our Bodies
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Saturday, July 25

Many people today think that they can do anything they want with their bodies. They eat or drink too much, take drugs or become involved in sexual sins. All of these things can hurt our bodies. 　In our Bible verses today, Paul reminds us that our bodies are very special to God. “You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don't own yourselves” (verse 19). If you are a Christian, you belong to God. He bought you through the death of Jesus, and His Holy Spirit lives in you. 　We should keep our bodies clean and pure so that the Holy Spirit has a good place to live. We can do that by staying away from things that hurt our bodies and cause us to sin. We can also exercise and eat healthy foods. 　Thank God today for salvation through His Son, Jesus. Use your body to glorify and praise Him! —BP* “God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I want to use my body to glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

需要幫助

需要幫助
聖經閱讀：羅馬書8:26-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年5月30日(六)

世上有許多人需要眼鏡來幫助他們看東西，有些人需要助聽器來改善他們的聽力，但是有些人會害怕或不好意思戴上眼鏡或裝助聽器，所以他們就繼續這樣子，看不清楚或聽不見。 　有時候我們的禱告生活需要幫助，但是我們卻害怕或不好意思承認我們需要幫助。明白上帝的旨意從來不是一件容易的事情，所以上帝就賜下幫助來加強我們的禱告生活。 　上帝賜給我們的幫助就是聖靈，經文閱讀的第26節告訴我們：「……我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助。我們原不知道該怎樣禱告；可是聖靈親自用言語所不能表達的歎息為我們向上帝祈求。」 　上帝的聖靈是一份奇妙的禮物！不要害怕或覺得不好意思，當你向上帝禱告的時候，就請求聖靈幫助你。 －PD* 「洞察人心的上帝知道聖靈的意思，因為聖靈依照上帝的旨意，替他的子民祈求。」 羅馬書8:27 禱告：天父，感謝祢賜下幫助我向祢禱告的聖靈。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Needing Help
Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Saturday, May 30, 2015

Many people in the world need glasses to help them see or hearing aids to help them hear. But some people are afraid or embarrassed to wear glasses or hearing aids. So they go on in life, not being able to see or hear well. 　Sometimes we need help in our prayer life. But we are afraid or embarrassed to admit that we need help. It is not always easy for us to know God’s will. So God has given us help to strengthen our prayer life. 　This help that God gives us is His Holy Spirit. Verse 26 of our Bible Reading tells us, “...the Spirit helps us. We are very weak, but the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We don’t know how to pray as we should but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. He begs God for us, speaking to him with feelings too deep for words.” 　God’s Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift! Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you pray to God. —PD “God already knows our deepest thoughts. And he understands what the Spirit is saying, because the Spirit speaks for his people in the way that agrees with what God wants.” Romans 8:27 PRAYER: Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit Who helps me pray to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

聖經的奧祕 (7)

聖經的奧祕 (7)
聖經閱讀：歌羅西書1:24-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年4月25日(六)

今天閱讀的經文跟我們談到另一個聖經的奧祕，保羅把這個奧祕分享給歌羅西的基督徒，「這奧祕是：基督在你們的生命裡」（第27b節）。 　我不記得在舊約聖經裡有任何經節跟我們談到上帝住在人的生命裡，上帝一般都被說成是尊貴而崇高的，不會住在人裡面。 　但是透過耶穌，我們可以知道祂住我們的生命裡──在我們心中、意念中，也在我們的生活中。耶穌從來不遠離我們，祂天天在我們裡面。 　當知道耶穌住在我們的生命裡時，我們就擁有與祂永遠同住的盼望，而且每過一天，這個盼望就更加真實。今天就因著耶穌還活著並住在你的裡面而讚美上帝！ —HLN 「就是他歷代以來向人類隱藏著的奧祕；這奧祕現在己經向他的子民顯明出來了。」 歌羅西書1:26 禱告：親愛的主，每一天的分分秒秒我都願牢記耶穌住在我裡面。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (江惠蓉譯)

Bible Mysteries (7)
Bible Reading: Colossians 1:24-27
Saturday, April 25, 2015

Our Bible verses today tell us about another Bible mystery. Paul shared this mystery with the Christians in the city of Colossae. “That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people” (verse 27b). 　I cannot think of any Old Testament verses that tell us that God lived in someone. God was generally spoken of as being exalted, lifted up and high, not living in someone. 　But through Jesus, we can know that He lives within us — in our hearts, our minds and our lives. Jesus is never far away. He is in us every day. 　When we know that Jesus lives in us, we have hope of living forever with Him. With every day that passes, that hope becomes more real. Praise God that Jesus is alive and lives within you today! —HLN “This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people.” Colossians 1:26 PRAYER: Dear Lord, every minute of every day I want to remember that Jesus lives within me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

聖幕 (10)

聖幕 (10)
聖經閱讀：希伯來書9:23-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年3月7日(六)

過去的九天，我們談了上帝命令摩西和以色列民建造的聖幕。這個聖幕對以色列人非常重要，為什麼呢？因為這是上帝居住、以及他們的罪得赦免的地方。 　也許你會納悶這一切對今天的基督徒有什麼意義？首先，知道上帝赦免以色列人過犯的方式，使我記得不必擔心要犧牲動物的生命，或者要請一個大祭司在一個櫃子上灑血。當耶穌死在十字架上時，所有這些猶太律法就都被放到一邊，基督徒有了一個新的方式來親近上帝──透過耶穌。 　其次，我很高興現今上帝不住在帳幕裡面，哥林多前書3:16說：「你們一定曉得，你們是上帝的殿，上帝的靈住在你們裏面。」今天上帝就住在那些跟隨並順服耶穌的人裡面。 　因著上帝賜下祂的奇妙救贖計劃並且住在你裡面，今天就讚美祂！—JK 「倚靠他，你們也同被建造，成為上帝藉著聖靈居住的地方。」 以弗所書2:22 禱告：天父，我很高興祢住在我裡面，我願自己的身體成為祢居住的聖所。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Holy Tent (10)
Bible Reading: Hebrews 9:23-28
Saturday, March 7, 2015

For the past nine days we have talked about the Holy Tent which God commanded Moses and the Israelites to build. The Holy Tent was very important to the Israelites. Why? That was where God lived and where their sins were forgiven. 　Maybe you are wondering what all this means to Christians today. First, learning about the way God forgave the sins of the Israelites makes me remember that I don’t have to worry about sacrificing animals or having a high priest sprinkle blood on a box. When Jesus died and arose, all of the Jewish laws were put aside. Christians have a new way to come close to God — through Jesus. 　Second, I am happy that God does not live in a tent today. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “You should know that you yourselves are God’s temple. God’s Spirit lives in you.” Today God lives in people who follow and obey Jesus. 　Praise God today for His wonderful plan of salvation and that He lives within you! —JK “And in Christ you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 PRAYER: Father, I am glad that You live in me. I want my body to be a holy place where You live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.