倚靠上帝

倚靠上帝
聖經閱讀:箴言3:5-8 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年11月18日(五)

　有些人不喜歡接受別人的幫助，認為倚靠別人是軟弱的表現，他們甚至在需要幫助時也拒絕請求協助。
身為基督徒，我們需要倚靠上帝，唯有祂不會讓我們失望或難過。今天經文閱讀的第5節提醒我們「要專心信賴上主，不可倚靠自己的聰明。」這節經文讓我們學到什麼是該做的事、什麼是不該做的事。
首先，我們每天都要倚靠上帝，我們可以永遠信靠祂的幫助。上帝愛我們，希望把最好的賞賜給我們，祂會在大事上都幫助我們，也會在小事上幫助我們。其次，我們不可倚靠自己的聰明。有時候我自認該做的事卻是錯的，上帝知道祂對我一生的完整計畫，這也是為什麼我們要完全倚靠祂的原因。
今天你需要幫助嗎？就倚靠上帝吧！ —PD

「無論做甚麼事，都要以上主的旨意為依歸，他就會指示你走正路。」 箴言3:6

禱告：天父，今天我要倚靠祢的帶領。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Depend on God
Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:5-8
Friday, November 18, 2016

Some people do not want anyone’s help. These people think that depending on someone else shows that they are weak. They refuse to ask for help, even when they need it.
As Christians, we need to depend on God. He is the only one who will never fail us or let us down. Verse 5 of our Bible Reading today reminds us of this. “Trust the Lord completely, and don't depend on your own knowledge.” In this verse we learn something that we should do and something that we should not do.
First, we should depend on God every day. We can always trust Him to help us. God loves us and wants what is best for us. He will help us with our big problems and with our small problems. Second, we should not depend on our own knowledge. Sometimes what I think I should do is wrong. God knows His whole plan for our lives. That's why we should completely depend on Him.
Do you need help today? Depend on God! —PD

“With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:6

PRAYER: Father, I will depend on You to guide me today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

保羅的問題

保羅的問題
聖經閱讀：哥林多後書12:7-10現代中譯本|合和本
2016年6月3日(五)

　我們今天讀的經文中，保羅提到他有一個疼痛的問題，為什麼保羅要說他有這個問題呢？因為這樣他就不會認為自己比別人好（第7b節）。
保羅請求上帝移除這個疼痛，「他卻回答我：『你只要有我的恩典就夠了；因為我的能力在你軟弱的時候顯得最剛強』」（第9a節）。上帝並沒有除去保羅的問題，因為祂希望保羅完全倚靠祂。
生活中我們都有軟弱，這些軟弱可能是肉體上的問題，或是各種的誘惑，我們不能靠自己剛強，我們需要上帝的恩典來度過困難的情況。
保羅說他很高興自己有軟弱，因為這樣他就可以讚美上帝幫助他剛強起來。保羅是我們的好榜樣，我們應該感謝上帝的恩典並且天天倚靠祂！ —CS

「因此，我特別喜歡誇耀我的軟弱，好使我覺得基督的能力在保護我。」 哥林多後書12:9

禱告：天父，謝謝祢使我透過你的恩典剛強。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(王熙瑤譯)

Paul's Problem
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Friday, June 3, 2016

In our Bible Reading today, Paul said that he had a painful problem. Why did Paul say he had this problem? So that he would not think that he was better than anyone else (verse 7b).
Paul asked God to remove this painful problem. “But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power’” (verse 9a). God did not remove Paul's problem because He wanted Paul to depend on Him completely.
All of us have weaknesses in our lives. These weaknesses may be physical problems or areas of temptation. We can't be strong by ourselves. We need God’s grace to help us get through difficult situations.
Paul said that he was glad to have weaknesses because then he could praise God for helping him be strong. Paul is a good example for us. We should thank God for His grace and depend on Him every day! —CS

“So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can stay in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9b

PRAYER: God, thank You for making me strong through Your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

上帝可以使用你

上帝可以使用你
聖經閱讀：士師記6:11-16 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年5月27日(三)

今天閱讀的經文跟我們談到基甸的故事。上帝的天使告訴基甸，祂希望基甸去幫忙擊退米甸人的軍隊，基甸回答說：「主啊，我怎能解救以色列呢？我屬於瑪拿西支族最弱的宗族；我是家裏最不重要的人」（第15b節）。 　雖然基甸認為自己是軟弱的人，但是上帝知道他有一顆願意順服的心，上帝告訴基甸：「我一定與你同在。你將輕易擊敗米甸人，好像擊打一人一樣」（第16節）。 　因為上帝大有能力，祂甚至能夠使用最軟弱的人來作祂的工。很多重要的聖經人物都有軟弱──摩西、大衛王、保羅，還有其他許多人，但是上帝知道這些人有信心，所以祂透過他們來成就大事。 　上帝也可以使用你，你要繼續相信祂，祂會向你顯明你可以為祂做的大事。 －JP* 「我沒有足夠的時間去提基甸、巴拉、參孫、耶弗他、大衛、撒母耳，和先知們的事蹟呢。他們藉著信心，戰勝了周圍的國家。」 希伯來書 11:32b-33a 禱告：主，我會永遠相信祢、順從祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

God Can Use You
Bible Reading: Judges 6:11-16
Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Our Bible verses today tell us about Gideon. God’s angel told Gideon that He wanted Gideon to help defeat the Midianite army. Gideon answered, “How can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the youngest one in my family” (verse 15b). 　Even though Gideon thought he was weak, God knew his heart and his willingness to obey. God told Gideon, “I will be with you, so you can defeat the Midianites as easily as if they were only one man” (verse 16). 　Because God is so powerful, He is able to use even the weakest person to do His work. Many important Bible people had weaknesses — Moses, King David, Paul and many others. But God knew these people had faith, and He did great things through them. 　God can use you, too. Keep trusting Him, and He will show you the great things you can do for Him. —JP* “I don’t have enough time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. All of them had great faith. And with that faith they defeated kingdoms.” Hebrews 11:32b-33a PRAYER: Lord, I will always trust You and obey You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

上帝的僕人

上帝的僕人
聖經閱讀：士師記6:11-24 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年6月16日(一)

在今天的經文中，我們認識了基甸。上帝揀選他成為以色列人的領袖。 　但是基甸不確定自己會是一個好領袖，於是他求問上帝的天使：「我怎能解救以色列呢？我屬於瑪拿西支族最弱的宗族；我是家裏最不重要的人」（第15b節）。基甸甚至兩次求上帝賜給他上帝會與他同在的憑據。 　最後，基甸決定事奉上帝，並且忠心帶領以色列軍隊戰勝米甸人。基甸甚至在希伯來書第11章中被稱作是一個忠心的人。有時候我覺得自己就像基甸；我是一個安靜又害羞的人，我不認為上帝可以使用我成為祂的僕人，但是上帝能夠讓最軟弱的人事事順利。 　聖經告訴我們許多自認為不配成為上帝僕人的人卻服事上帝的故事。上帝已經使用了我，祂也可以使用你。今天就順服祂並且成為祂的僕人吧！—DB* 「……他們藉著信心，戰勝了周圍的國家。他們施行正義，領受上帝的應許。」 希伯來書11:33b 禱告：親愛的上帝，求祢使用我成為祢的僕人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (盧姵茹譯)

God’s Servant
Bible Reading: Judges 6:11-24
Monday, June 16, 2014

In our Bible Reading today, we learn about Gideon. God chose him to be a leader of the Israelites. 　But Gideon was not sure that he would be a good leader. He asked the angel of the Lord, “How can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the youngest one in my family” (verse 15b). Gideon even asked God two times to give him proof that He would be with him. 　Finally, Gideon decided to serve God, and he faithfully led the Israelite army to defeat the Midianites. Gideon is even mentioned in Hebrews, chapter 11, as a man of faith. Sometimes I feel like Gideon. I am quiet and shy. I do not think that God can use me to be His servant. But God can make even the weakest person successful. 　The Bible tells us about many people who served God even though they thought they were not good enough to be God’s servant. God has used me, and He can use you, too. Submit to Him and become His servant today! —DB* “...with that faith they defeated kingdoms. They did what was right, and God helped them in the ways he promised.” Hebrews 11:33b PRAYER: Dear God, use me to be Your servant. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

展現上帝的愛

展現上帝的愛
聖經閱讀：哥林多前書13:1-13 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月29日(五)

我曾經在三個基督教的幼兒園工作過，我發現，所有學齡前的孩子都會有做出不好行為的時候，這讓老師和家長很傷腦筋，他們用管教和包容努力要將孩子的壞行為轉變成好行為。 　身為基督徒，我們就是上帝的兒女，但有時候，我們也會有不好的行為，我們也許會自私、粗魯無禮，或者會驕傲，或是很容易生氣。我們要倚靠聖靈來幫助我們改變自己的行為，這樣我們才可以向其他人展現上帝的愛。 　今天經文的第4和第5節告訴我們身為上帝兒女該有的行為：「愛是堅忍的，仁慈的；有愛就不嫉妒，不自誇，不驕傲，不做鹵莽的事，不自私，不輕易動怒，不記住別人的過錯。」 　今天就信靠聖靈來幫助你向人分享上帝的愛。 —PD 「不喜歡不義，只喜愛真理。愛能包容一切，對一切有信心，對一切有盼望，能忍受一切。」 哥林多前書13:6-7 禱告：天父，我願向其他人展現祢的愛。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Show God’s Love
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Friday, November 29, 2013

I have worked at three Christian childcare centers. One thing I have found is that all pre-school children have times of bad behavior. This makes it difficult for staff members and parents. With discipline and patience, they try to change a child’s bad behavior into good actions. 　As Christians, we are God’s children. Sometimes we, too, have bad behavior. We may be selfish or rude or proud or get angry easily. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to help us change our behavior so we can show God’s love to others. 　Verses 4 and 5 of our Bible Reading show us how we should act as God’s children. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it.” 　Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you share God’s love with people today. —PD “Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.”1 Corinthians 13:6-7 PRAYER: Father, I want to show Your love to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

受苦與剛強

受苦與剛強
聖經閱讀：哥林多後書12:1-10 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年3月25日(一)

今天，我們經常會讀到一些人有「瀕死經驗」的消息，這些人說，他們感受到上帝用一種無法解釋的方式與他們同在，而這些經歷用令人驚訝的方式改變了人們的生命。 　在三十年前的一場嚴重車禍後，我也有類似的經歷，那個時候並沒有人會去談這些瀕死的經驗，但在我讀過了今天經文中保羅的經歷後，我終於明白在我身上發生什麼事了。 　上帝原本可以選擇醫治我身上的傷，但祂沒有，就像保羅被賜予「一根刺」(第7節) 的痛苦，同樣的痛苦讓我不敢驕傲並教導我不倚靠自己的力量。 　沒有人會喜歡遇到問題和受苦，但是就在這段痛苦的時間裡，我們確實學會倚靠上帝。你是軟弱的嗎？那麼就歡呼吧！然後學像保羅說：「我樂意忍受軟弱、侮慢、困苦、艱難，和迫害；因為我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強。」(第10b節) —JKS 「他卻回答我：『你只要我的恩典就夠了；因為我的能力在你軟弱的時候顯得最剛強。』」 哥林多後書12:9a 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢教導我要倚靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (EHI譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Suffering and Strength
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Monday, March 25, 2013

Today we often read about people who have “near death” experiences. These people say that they felt God’s presence in ways they can’t explain. These experiences change people’s lives in amazing ways. 　I had a similar experience after a serious car accident thirty years ago. Back then people did not talk about these experiences. After I read about Paul’s experience in today’s Bible Reading, I finally understood what had happened to me. 　God could have chosen to heal me from my injuries, but He did not. Like Paul, I was given a “painful problem” (verse 7) and suffering. This suffering has kept me from becoming proud and taught me that I can’t depend on my own strength. 　No one enjoys problems and suffering. But it is during those times that we really rely on God. Are you weak? Then rejoice! And like Paul, learn to say, “I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong” (verse 10b). —JKS “But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9a PRAYER: God, thank You for teaching me to rely on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

高麗菜心

高麗菜心
聖經閱讀：詩篇86:1-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年2月12日(二)

我的女兒珍不喜歡吃高麗菜心，所以每當生命中遇到很多問題時，她就會說：「我感覺像是上帝給我吃了一大盤高麗菜心！」 　我們當中大部份人都會經歷困難的時刻，這時好像每一件事情都不對勁──車子故障，孩子又生病，同時繳稅的期限也到了。當這種情況發生時，我們可能會因所有這些問題感到挫折，而希望上帝只讓好事發生在我們身上。 　詩篇第86篇的作者稱自己是「軟弱無助」的人 (第1節)，他也提到人們攻擊他並且想要殺害他 (第14節)。這個人過去有一些很嚴重的問題，但是在第12節，他對上帝說：「我要一心頌讚你。」 　今天你也面臨了一些問題嗎？要繼續讚美上帝並且與祂保持親近，祂是「不輕易發怒，充滿信實慈愛」的上帝。(第15節) —NM 「主啊，求你指示我該走的道路，我要順服你的真理；求你教導我怎樣敬畏你。」 詩篇86:11 禱告：親愛的上帝，今天我可能有許多的問題，但是我仍然愛祢、讚美祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (KCC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Brussels Sprouts
Bible Reading: Psalm 86:1-17
Tuesday, February 12, 2013

My daughter, Jean, does not like brussels sprouts. So when she has a lot of problems in her life, she will say, “I feel like God has given me a big dish of brussels sprouts to eat!” 　Most of us experience times when everything seems to go wrong — the car breaks down, the kids are sick and taxes are due. When this happens, we may become frustrated with all the problems we have. We want God to only allow good things to happen to us. 　The writer of Psalm 86 calls himself a “poor, helpless man” (verse 1). He also says that people are attacking him and trying to kill him (verse 14). This man was had some very bad problems. But in verse 12 he says to God, “I praise you with all my heart.” 　Are you facing problems today? Keep on praising God and staying close to Him. He will be “patient, loyal, and full of love” (verse 15b). —NM “Lord, teach me your ways, and I will live and obey your truths. Help me make worshiping your name the most important thing in my life.” Psalm 86:11 PRAYER: Dear God, I may have many problems today. But I still love You and praise You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

上帝的幫助

上帝的幫助
聖經閱讀：詩篇121:1-8
2012年11月14日(三)

我喜歡欣賞群山峻嶺，它們是如此美麗！今天的詩篇談到「山」，第1節說：「我舉目觀望群山；我的幫助從哪裏來？」 　「山」是大而且堅固的，當感到軟弱時，我想也許能從某一個堅強的東西得著力量。但是，「山」並不能幫助我們，當我們沮喪、孤單和軟弱時，只有上帝能真正幫助我們。 　今天的詩篇繼續談到上帝的大能和幫助，第3節說：「他不會讓你跌倒；你的保護者不會打盹。」上帝總是準備好要幫助我們，祂一天24小時都等著我們，我們可以永遠信靠祂。 　現今有很多人依靠藥物、酒精，或者靠人脈關係來得到幫助，但是真正有用的幫助來自上帝。今天，你要祈求上帝保護你，並且賜給你面對問題的力量。—ECW 「你進你出，上主都保護你，從現在直到永遠。」 詩篇121:8 禱告：上帝，我願永遠仰望祢，使我得著力量與保護。今天，謝謝祢幫助我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (EHI譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

God’s Help
Bible Reading: Psalm 121:1-8
Wednesday, November 14, 2012

I love to look at mountains and hills. They are so beautiful! Our psalm today talks about hills. Verse 1 says, “I look up to the hills for help. But where will my help really come from?” 　Hills are big and strong. When I feel weak, I might think that I can receive strength from something that is strong. But hills or mountains cannot help us. Only God can truly help us when we are depressed and lonely and weak. 　This psalm continues to talk about God’s power and help. “God will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep” (verse 3). God is always ready to help us, twenty-four hours a day. We can always depend on Him. 　Many people today look for help from drugs, alcohol or relationships. But real help comes from God. Ask Him to protect and give you strength to face your problems today. —ECW “The Lord will protect your soul. The Lord will help as you come and go. The Lord will help you now and forever!” Psalm 121:8 PRAYER: God, I want to always look to You for my strength and protection. Thank You for helping me today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.