要知足

要知足
聖經閱讀:腓立比書4:10-13現代中譯本|合和本
2016年10月25日(二)

　當今的世界中，有許多人過著以債養債的生活，有些人努力找工作來清還債務，也許我們都夢想著花錢買好車、買電子產品或者去度假。
當有這些慾望卻沒有錢買時，我們就感到貧窮，這種貧窮的感覺可能讓我們不滿意現狀。在今天讀的經文中，保羅鼓勵我們要對所擁有的東西感到知足，他說，「我已經學會對現狀滿足」（第11b節）。
有一天我們跟上帝在天上所擁有的將會遠勝過在地上所擁有的任何東西，所以我們要對現狀感到知足，並且期待上帝在天上賜福我們的日子快點到來。今天要學像保羅！
要知足並倚靠耶穌來幫助你完成該做的事。 —MP*

「我已經得到祕訣，隨時隨地……豐富好，缺乏也好，我都知足。藉著基督所賜的力量，我能夠適應任何情況。」 腓立比書4:11b-12

禱告：親愛的天父，我期待永遠與祢同住。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(李信儀譯)

Be Satisfied
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-13
Tuesday, October 25, 2016

　In our world today, many people live from paycheck to paycheck. Other people struggle to find a job and pay their debts. Probably we all dream of spending our money on things like a nice car, electronic devices or a vacation trip.
When we have these desires but don't have the money to buy what we want, we feel poor. This feeling of poverty may lead us to become dissatisfied with what we have. In our Bible verses, Paul encourages us to be satisfied with what we have. “I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens” (verse 11b).
What we will have in heaven with God will be much better than anything we can have on earth. So we need to be satisfied with what we have now and look forward to when God will bless us in heaven. Be like Paul today.
Be satisfied and depend on Jesus to help you do whatever you need to do. —MP*

“I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation... when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:11b

PRAYER: Dear Father, I look forward to living forever with You. 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.

花

花
聖經閱讀：馬太福音6:25-34 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年7月8日(三)

夏天開的花好漂亮！我喜歡欣賞愛荷華野地盛開的花。野玫瑰是我特別喜愛的花，它也是愛荷華州的州花。 　當我在欣賞野花時，我想起是上帝創造了它們，也是祂讓它們一年又一年地開花。在今天閱讀的經文中，耶穌談到了野花，祂說：「看看野地的百合花怎樣生長吧！它們既不工作又不縫衣；可是我告訴你們，甚至像所羅門王那樣的榮華顯赫，他的衣飾也比不上一朵野花那樣的美麗。」（第28b-29節）。 　耶穌繼續解釋，說上帝看顧野花，祂也同樣會看顧我們。我們不必擔心今天吃什麼或穿什麼，上帝知道我們的需要，祂會看顧我們。 　今天，你要專心跟隨耶穌和祂的話語。—JK 「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：上帝，有時候倚靠祢是一件困難的事，我願信靠祢來照顧我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Flowers
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Flowers that bloom in the summertime are so beautiful! I enjoy seeing fields of wildflowers that grow in Iowa. My favorite wildflower is the wild rose, which is the official flower of Iowa. 　When I look at wildflowers, I remember that God made them and that He makes them bloom year after year. In our Bible Reading today, Jesus talked about wildflowers. He said, “Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers” (verses 28b-29). 　Jesus goes on to explain that God takes care of the wildflowers and He will take care of us, too. We do not need to worry about food or clothes today. God knows what we need and will take care of us. 　Focus on following God and His Word today. —JK “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: God, sometimes it is hard to depend on You. I want to trust You to take care of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

花 (4)

花 (4)
聖經閱讀：詩篇73:1-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年3月21日(六)

當住在紐約州北部時，我時常會看到大片的太陽花田。那些太陽花長得很高，上面頂著大大的花。 　一件很令人驚奇的事就是去觀察太陽花一天的變化。早上，花會朝向東，而在白天中，它們會慢慢地轉朝向南方的太陽。在傍晚時，太陽花就會朝向西下的太陽。這個過程被稱為「向日性」。 　上帝使太陽花需要太陽，好讓它們可以成長並產出很多種子。同理，上帝使我們需要祂！所有人──甚至是不跟隨上帝的人──都必須有祂住在他們的生命中作工。 　在今天閱讀的經文中，這詩篇的作者認為他必須像世上其他人一樣生活，但是他後來明白，他生命唯一真正需要的是上帝。今天就想一想什麼是你所需要的。 －JK 「至於我，我能夠親近上帝多麼好啊！我以至高的上主作我的避難所；我要宣揚他一切的作為。」 詩篇73:28 禱告：天父，我需要祢來充滿我的生命，我願全然倚靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Flowers (4)
Bible Reading: Psalm 73:1-28
Saturday, March 21, 2015

When I lived in upstate New York, I would often see huge fields of sunflowers. These sunflowers grew very tall, with large flower heads. 　One thing that was truly amazing was to watch the sunflower buds throughout a day. In the morning, the buds would face east. During the day, they would slowly turn to face the sun in the south. In early evening, the sunflowers would face the setting sun. This process is called heliotropism. 　God made sunflowers to need the sun so they can grow and produce many seeds. In the same way, God made us to need Him! All people — even people who do not follow God — need to have Him living and working in their lives. 　In our Bible Reading, the writer of this Psalm thought that he needed to live like other people in the world. But then he realized that all he really needed in his life was God. Think about what you need today. —JK “As for me, all I need is to be close to God. I have made the Lord God my place of safety. And, God, I will tell about all that you have done.” Psalm 73:28 PRAYER: Father, I need You to fill my life. I want to totally depend on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

花 (3)

花 (3)
聖經閱讀：路加福音12:22-31 現代中譯本|合和本
2015年3月20日(五)

凡是我住過的地方，我都種百合花。我喜歡色彩鮮豔的百合花，特別是那些橘色和黃色的。我經常在我的花園裡欣賞百合花，好奇想知道它們怎麼可以長得那麼高、那麼漂亮？ 　在今天閱讀的經文裡，耶穌談到了野花，有一些聖經版本翻譯作「百合花」而不是「野花」。第27節說：「看看百合花怎樣生長吧。它們既不工作又不縫衣，可是我告訴你們，甚至像所羅門王那樣的榮華顯赫，他的衣飾也比不上一朵野花那樣的美麗。」這些花是怎麼變得那麼美麗的？是上帝照顧著它們！ 　耶穌繼續談到上帝照顧我們，祂提醒我們不該擔心吃什麼、喝什麼，因為上帝知道我們的需要，而且祂會照顧我們。 　今天請不要擔心！上帝會與你同在並且供應你的需要。 －JK 「你們要追求上帝主權的實現，他就會把這一切都供給你們。」 路加福音12:31 禱告：親愛的上帝，祢是如此慈愛又令人敬畏！我知道今天祢會照顧我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Flowers (3)
Bible Reading: Luke 12:22-31
Friday, March 20, 2015

Wherever I have lived, I have planted lilies. I love colorful lilies, especially the orange and yellow ones. Often I look at the lilies in my garden and wonder how they can grow so tall and beautiful. 　In our Bible Reading today, Jesus talks about wildflowers. Some Bible translations use the word “lilies” instead of wildflowers. Verse 27 says, “Think about how the wildflowers grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.” How do these flowers become so beautiful? God takes care of them! 　Jesus continues talking about how God takes care of us. He reminds us that we should not worry about what we will eat or drink. Why? Because God knows what we need, and He will take care of us. 　Don’t worry today! God will be with you and provide for your needs. —JK “What you should be thinking about is God’s kingdom. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Luke 12:31 PRAYER: Dear God, You are so awesome and loving! I know that You will take care of me today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

需要

需要
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳27:1-3 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年6月8日(日)

所有人都需要食物、一個居住的地方，以及有人來愛他們。我們必須擁有這些才能過一個健康的生活。 　上帝已經應許要賜給我們所需要的一切，有時候，上帝會賜給我們滿足自我需要的能力，所以我們工作來賺錢買食物、支付房貸，以及買衣服。 　上帝也時常使用別人來供應我們的需要，這就是上帝在今天的經文中所做的，第3b節說：「猶流寬待保羅，准許他去找朋友，受朋友招待。」 　所有人都有一個只有上帝才能滿足的需要。我們需要上帝愛我們、引導我們，賜給我們智慧、保護我們，以及供應我們。我們的生活裡有上帝在其中是非常重要的。 　保羅需要朋友的幫助，但是保羅也知道他需要上帝。你也需要上帝，今天就告訴上帝，你希望祂成為你生命中最重要的部分。 －GT 「我的上帝會照著他在基督耶穌裡那豐富的福澤把你們所需要的一切賜給你們。」 腓立比書4:19 禱告：天父，我的生命需要祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (林威妮譯)

Needs
Bible Reading: Acts 27:1-3
Sunday, June 8, 2014

All people need food, a place to live and someone to love them. We must have these things so we can live a healthy life. 　God has promised to give us everything we need. Sometimes, God gives us the ability to meet our own needs. We work to earn money to buy food, pay for our house and buy clothes. 　Often God uses other people to provide for our needs. That is what God did in today’s Bible Reading. Verse 3b says, “Julius was very good to Paul and gave him freedom to go visit his friends there, who gave him whatever he needed.” 　All people have one need that only God can fill. We all need God to love us, guide us, give us wisdom, protect us and provide for us. It is very important that we include God in our lives. 　Paul needed his friends’ help. But Paul also knew that he needed God. You need God, too. Tell God today that you want Him to be the most important part of your life. —GT “My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I need You in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

耶穌與禱告 (1)

耶穌與禱告 (1)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音6:9-15 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年1月17日(五)

禱告是耶穌生命中的重要部份，祂用很多時間教導門徒如何禱告。今天和接下來的三天，我們要來看耶穌在禱告上的教導。 　在今天的經文中，耶穌給門徒作了一個禱告的示範。耶穌稱上帝是「我們的父親」作為禱告的起頭，當我們稱上帝是「父親」時，就表示我們跟祂有一個私人的關係。 　耶穌在這個禱告中教導我們，應該在生活中為上帝的旨意來禱告：「願你在世上掌權；願你的旨意實現在地上，如同實現在天上」(第10節)，而且我們也應該為我們的需要禱告：「賜給我們今天所需的飲食」(第11節)。耶穌又說，我們必須禱告祈求上帝保護我們脫離惡者：「不要讓我們遭受承擔不起的考驗；要救我們脫離那邪惡者的手」(第13節)。 　耶穌的禱告讓我們知道跟上帝說話是容易的，我們可以在任何時間、在任何地方跟祂說話。今天就花時間跟上帝溝通！ —BH 「我們在天上的父親：願人都尊崇你的聖名；」 馬太福音6:9b 禱告：天父，謝謝祢讓我可以向祢禱告。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Jesus and Prayer (1)
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:9-15
Friday, January 17, 2014

Prayer was a very important part of Jesus’ life. He spent a lot of time teaching His disciples how to pray. Today and for the next three days, we will look at Jesus’ teaching about prayer. 　In our Bible Reading, Jesus gave His disciples an example of how to pray. Jesus began this prayer by calling God “our Father.” When we call God “Father,” we show that we have a personal relationship with Him. 　Jesus taught in this prayer that we should pray for God’s will in our lives. “We pray that your kingdom will come — that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven” (verse 10). And, we should pray for our needs. “Give us the food we need for today” (verse 11). Jesus also said that we need to pray for protection from the devil. “Don’t let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One” (verse 13). 　Jesus’ prayer shows us that it is easy to talk to God. We can talk to Him any time and in any place. Take time to communicate with God today! —BH “Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9b PRAYER: Father, thank You that I can pray to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

憂慮

憂慮
聖經閱讀：馬太福音6:25-34 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年8月23日(五)

在美國現在是艱難的時刻，許多人正申請破產、失去了工作和房子。我們很容易因為經濟狀況而感到憂慮和生氣。 　當閱讀今天的經文時，我們可以知道上帝掌管這世上的一切。祂掌管我們的錢財、我們的工作，和我們的房子，並且上帝會幫助我們處理所面對的困難。 　第32b節告訴我們：「你們的天父知道你們需要這一切東西。」上帝知道我們每一天的需要，所以祂應許供應我們生活的一切必需品。 　上帝掌管我們的生命，所以我們必須相信祂，並且信任祂會照顧我們。這就好像我們從懸崖上掉下來卻不能往上再爬回去一樣，然後有人向你抛下繩索，而你就倚靠這條繩索將你拉回安全之處。 　今天不要憂慮，要倚靠上帝，祂永遠不會讓你失望。 —BP* 「因此，你們不要為明天憂慮，明天自有明天的憂慮；一天的難處一天擔當就夠了。」 馬太福音6:34 禱告：上帝，我不想要憂慮，請幫助我倚靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Worry
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Friday, August 23, 2013

It is a difficult time now in the United States. People are filing for bankruptcy and losing their jobs and houses. It is easy to become worried and upset about our economy. 　When we read our Bible verses for today, we can know that God is in control of everything in our world. He is in control of our money, our jobs and our houses. God will help us take care of the problems we face. 　Verse 32b tells us, “Don’t worry because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things.” God knows what we need every day. So He has promised to provide what is necessary for us to live. 　God is in control of our lives. So we need to put our faith in Him and trust Him to take care of us. It’s like when you fall off a cliff and can’t climb back up. Then someone throws a rope to you. You depend on that rope to get you to safety. 　Don’t worry today. Depend on God. He will never fail you. —BP* “So don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.” Matthew 6:34 PRAYER: God, I don’t want to worry. Help me to depend on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

難以理解

難以理解
聖經閱讀：詩篇73:12-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年2月26日(二)

當我環顧周遭的人們，我看到富裕並擁有很多財產的人，其中有些人驕傲又無禮，他們不跟從上帝和祂的法則。 　我每天都努力要跟從上帝，但祂並沒有用金錢和好東西來祝福我，所以，我很難理解為什麼這些壞人會富有。今天經文的第12a節是這樣說的：「邪惡的人就是這樣；他們已經富足，仍然貪而無厭。我實在徒然潔淨了我的心，徒然洗手表明無辜。」 　然後我又再次思想這些不跟從上帝的人，他們將不會與上帝永遠同住；他們也許在世上能擁有財富，但是他們將永遠與上帝隔絕。 　我同意這詩篇作者所說的，在第28節他說：「至於我，我能夠親近上帝多麼好啊！」。我不需要財富和昂貴的東西，我唯一真正需要的是上帝和祂藉由愛子耶穌所賜下的救恩。—SH* 「義人所擁有的雖少，卻勝過邪惡者的一切財富；因為上主要打斷邪惡人的膀臂；他要保護正直的人。」 詩篇37:16-17 禱告：天父，我唯一的需要是祢和祢的愛子耶穌。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (SDL譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Hard to Understand
Bible Reading: Psalm 73:12-28
Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I look around at people in the world. I see people who are wealthy and have many possessions. Some of these people are proud and rude. They do not follow God and His rules. 　I try every day to follow God. But He does not bless me with money and nice things. So it is hard for me to understand why these bad people are rich. Verse 12a of our Bible Reading says it this way: “Those proud people are wicked, but they are rich and getting richer. Clearly, then, I gain nothing by keeping my thoughts pure!” 　Then I think again about these people who do not follow God. They will not live forever with Him. They may have riches on earth, but they will be eternally separated from God. 　I agree with the writer of this psalm. He says in verse 28, “As for me, all I need is to be close to God.” I don’t need riches and fancy things. All I truly need is God and salvation through His Son, Jesus. —SH* “A few good people are better than a large crowd of those who are evil. The wicked will be destroyed, but the Lord cares for those who are good.” Psalm 37:16-17 PRAYER: Father, all I need is You and Your Son, Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

最大的需要

最大的需要
聖經閱讀：詩篇73:23-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年2月11日(一)

你和我最需要的是什麼呢？有些人可能會說，我們最需要空氣，因為如果沒有空氣我們會死；其他人可能會回答說，我們最需要健康或是愛。 　其實我們最大的需要是，透過耶穌與上帝有一個正確的關係，這是讓我們擁有永生應許的唯一方法；與上帝有正確的關係同時可以幫助我們承受世上的苦難。 　在第25節，這詩篇的作者說：「除你之外，在天上我還有誰呢？既有了你，在地上我還要誰呢？」如果我們親近上帝並且跟祂有正確的關係，我們對其他人也會有更多的愛和寬恕。 　當和上帝有深厚的關係時，我們就會成為堅強的基督徒，生活中的每一個部分都會專注在上帝和祂為我們準備的計畫上。今天你最大的需要就是上帝！ —BL 「至於我，我能夠親近上帝多麼好啊！我以至高的上主作我的避難所；我要宣揚他一切的作為。」 詩篇73:28 禱告：天父，今天我要親近祢，幫助我專注於祢和耶穌。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (KCC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

The Greatest Need
Bible Reading: Psalm 73:23-28
Monday, February 11, 2013

What do you and I need the most? Some people might say that we need air the most because we will die without air. Other people might answer that we need to have good health or love. 　But our greatest need is to have a right relationship with God through Jesus. This is the only way we can have the promise of eternal life. And having the right relationship with God helps us endure suffering here on earth. 　In verse 25, the writer of this psalm says, “In heaven, God, I have only you. And if I am with you, what on earth could I want?” If we are close to God and have a right relationship with Him, we will have more love and forgiveness for other people. 　When we have a deep relationship with God, we will be strong Christians. Every part of our lives will be focused on God and His plan for us. Your greatest need today is God! —BL “As for me, all I need is to be close to God. I have made the Lord God my place of safety. And, God, I will tell about all that you have done.” Psalm 73:28 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I need to be close to You today. Help me to focus on You and Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.