一份來自上帝的禮物

一份來自上帝的禮物
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳16:25-34 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月30日(二)

在今天經文閱讀的第30節中，有一個人問保羅和西拉一個重要的問題，他說：「兩位先生，我該做甚麼才能得救呢？」這個人還不明白上帝的救贖計畫，也許這個人認為他必須用買的、或用賺的才能得到上帝的救恩。 　保羅和西拉「向他和他全家的人講解主的道。」 (第32節) 「他和他的一家立刻都受了洗禮。」(第33b節) 　保羅在以弗所書2:8中說：「你們是靠上帝的恩典、憑信心而得救的；這不是出於你們自己的行為，而是上帝的恩賜。」保羅教導我們必須相信耶穌降生、受死、和復活，這樣的信心會引導我們去跟隨並且遵從耶穌。 　我希望你相信耶穌並跟從祂，也希望你已經求祂赦免你的罪，並幫助你天天為祂而活。—GT 「他們說：『信主耶穌，你和你一家人就會得救。』」 使徒行傳16:31 禱告：天父上帝，謝謝祢賜下救恩給所有相信並遵從主耶穌的人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (SDL譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

A Gift from God
Bible Reading: Acts 16:25-34
Tuesday, April 30, 2013

In verse 30 of our Bible Reading today, a man asked Paul and Silas an important question. He said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” This man did not yet understand about God’s plan of salvation. Probably the man thought that he had to buy or earn his salvation. 　Paul and Silas “told the message of the Lord to the jailer and all the people who lived in his house” (verse 32). “Then the jailer and all his people were baptized” (verse 33b). 　Paul says in Ephesians 2:8, “I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.” Paul is teaching us that we need to have faith that Jesus lived and died and arose. This faith leads us to follow and obey Jesus. 　I hope that you believe in Jesus and follow Him. And I hope that you have asked Him to forgive your sins and help you live for Him each day. —GT “They said to him, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved — you and all who live in your house.’” Acts 16:31 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for offering salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus and obeys Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

我們到了嗎？

我們到了嗎？
聖經閱讀：約翰一書2:20-25 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月29日(一)

我出遠門去探訪住在喬治亞、維吉尼亞、馬里蘭、和賓夕法尼亞等州的親人。當我開車返回佛羅里達時，我已經厭倦一直坐在車子裡。我很焦急地想趕回家，我就好像我的四歲孫子一樣，一直問：「我們到了嗎？」 　這個問題讓我思考自己的生命，在世上的生活就好像我開車的旅程。家庭、金錢、工作、和健康上的問題會讓我們感到疲倦和焦慮，我們很想知道什麼時候我們的問題才會結束、什麼時候我們才可以跟上帝同享永生。 　今天的聖經閱讀談到上帝永生的應許，第25節說：「這就是基督親自應許給我們的永恆生命。」這世界並不是我們真正的家，當我們在世上的工作完成時，上帝就會接我們去跟祂永遠同住，那時我們就可以問：「我們到了嗎？」，而答案會是，「是的！」 　上帝希望你跟祂永遠同住，今天就跟隨祂、服事祂。—SAH 「那麼，你們必須謹守當初所聽到的信息。如果你們謹守當初所聽到的信息，你們就會常常活在聖子和聖父的生命裏。」 約翰一書2:24 禱告：天父，謝謝祢藉由耶穌賜下永生的應許。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (KCC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Are We There Yet?
Bible Reading: 1 John 2:20-25
Monday, April 29, 2013

I traveled to visit relatives in Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. As I drove back to Florida, I became tired of sitting in the car. I was very anxious to get home. I was like my four-year-old grandson who often asks, “Are we there yet?” 　That question makes me think about my life. Living here on earth is like my driving trip. Problems with family, money, jobs and health can make us tired and anxious. We wonder when our problems will be over and we will be able to spend eternity with God. 　Our Bible Reading today talks about God’s promise of eternal life. Verse 25 says, “And this is what the Son promised us — eternal life.” The earth is not our real home. When our work here on earth is finished, God will take us to live with Him forever. Then we can ask, “Are we there yet?” and the answer will be, “Yes!” 　God wants you to live with Him forever. Follow and serve Him today. —SAH “Be sure that you continue to follow the teaching you heard from the beginning. If you do that, you will always be in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24 PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your promise of eternal life through Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

敵人

敵人
聖經閱讀：詩篇 6:1-10 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月28日(日)

我有一個敵人，這個敵人非常殘酷，絲毫不會考慮我的感受。我的敵人想要傷害我，他很有勢力，而且當我遇難時，牠就好開心。你知道我的敵人是誰嗎？就是魔鬼。 　魔鬼也可能是你的敵人，牠希望所有人都犯罪而且不順服上帝。當魔鬼引誘我犯罪時，我就需要呼求上帝幫助我抵擋試探。上帝的力量大大超過魔鬼，因此祂會幫助我在這場爭戰中勝過魔鬼。 　今天聖經閱讀的第4節說：「主啊！請回到我身邊並使我強壯，拯救我因為你是忠實良善的。」這段經文提醒我，上帝的愛永不止息，當我們跟魔鬼打仗時，我們可以永遠倚靠上帝賜給我們力量。 　魔鬼今天就會攻擊你，你要倚靠上帝的幫助，並且為祂剛強。—CW* 「上主垂聽孤苦無助者的呼求；他救他們脫離一切患難。上主的天使保護敬畏他的人，救他們脫離危險。」 詩篇34:6-7 禱告：親愛的上帝，謝謝祢幫助我剛強。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (SDL譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

The Enemy
Bible Reading: Psalm 6:1-10
Sunday, April 28, 2013

I have an enemy. My enemy is very cruel. He does not care about my feelings. My enemy wants to hurt me. He is very powerful, and he is happy when I am in trouble. Do you know who my enemy is? He is the devil. 　The devil is probably your enemy, too. He wants all people to sin and disobey God. When the devil tempts me to sin, I need to ask God to help me resist the temptation. God is much stronger than the devil, so He will help me win the battle against the devil. 　Verse 4 of our Bible Reading says, “Lord, come back and make me strong again. Save me because you are so loyal and kind.” This verse reminds me that God’s love will never fail. We can always depend on God to give us strength as we battle against the devil. 　The devil will attack you today. Depend on God’s help and stand strong for Him. —CW* “As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles. The Lord’s angel builds a camp around his followers, and he protects them.” Psalm 34:6-7 PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for helping me stand strong. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

審判

審判
聖經閱讀：詩篇75:1-10 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月27日(六)

一個有智慧的老師會事先告訴她的學生，不久將有一個考試，並告訴他們要讀哪些資料。一個有智慧的學生會研讀這些資料並作好考試的準備。今天我們閱讀的經文中，上帝告訴我們祂將會審判我們，也告訴我們祂要我們做什麼。如果我們有智慧，就會為上帝的審判作好準備。 　在4到7節的經文中，上帝談到驕傲的人。驕傲的人誇耀自己，他們希望別人仰慕他們。但是，只有上帝才能決定未來誰才是重要的人，第7b節說：「他判某些人有罪，某些人無罪。」我們必須確定，我們是謙卑而不是驕傲的。 　當我們「宣揚雅各的上帝」並「歌頌讚美他」(第9節)時，我們才是謙卑的。當我們看重上帝和其他人超過看重自己時，我們才是謙卑的。 　我希望你是謙卑的，並為上帝的審判作好準備。 —SH* 「上主至尊無上，但他看顧卑微的人；狂傲的人無法在他面前藏匿。」 詩篇138:6 禱告：天父，幫助我使我謙卑。我願尊榮祢，高過世上所有的一切。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Judgment
Bible Reading: Psalm 75:1-10
Saturday, April 27, 2013

A wise teacher tells her students that there will be a test and what material they should study. A wise student will study the material and be ready for the test. In our Bible Reading today, God tells us that He will judge us. He also tells us what He wants us to do. If we are wise, we will prepare for this judgment. 　In verses 4 through 7, God talks about proud people. Proud people brag about themselves and want other people to admire them. But God is the only one who can decide who will be important. “He lifts one person up and brings another down” (verse 7b). We need to make sure that we are humble, not proud. 　We are humble when we “tell people how great God is” and “sing praise to God” (verse 9). And we are humble when we think about God and other people more than we think about ourselves. 　I hope you are humble and ready for God’s judgment. —SH* “The Lord has the highest place above all others, but he still cares for the humble. Even from there, so high above, he knows what the proud do.” Psalm 138:6 PRAYER: Father, help me to be humble. I want to honor You above all other things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

倚靠上帝

倚靠上帝
聖經閱讀：詩篇16:1-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月26日(五)

聖經閱讀的第1節說：「上帝啊，求你保護我，因為我投靠你。」為什麼詩篇第16篇的作者要這麼說呢? 因為他周圍的人嘴上說上帝的好話，但實際上卻敬拜假神並且向它們獻祭。這詩篇的作者想要人們知道他仍然敬拜及服事上帝。 　這位作者也談到當他倚靠上帝時，上帝是如何祝福他。首先，上帝賜給他一切所需 (第5節)；第二，祂教導作者如何生活 (第7節)；第三，上帝親近他 (第8節)；以及第四，與上帝同在帶給他幸福 (第11節)。 　我也想要有這些祝福，而我要如何才能擁有這些來自上帝的祝福呢？我可以天天倚靠上帝。當我倚靠上帝時，我就會快樂並且感到安全。 　因著上帝每天在各方面都祝福你，今天就謝謝上帝。你要親近上帝，並使祂成為你生命中最重要的部分。—JK 「上主啊，你是我一切福份的源頭；你掌握我的生命。你的賞賜多麼佳美！多麼令人喜愛！」 詩篇16:5-6 禱告：天父，我願永遠倚靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Depend on God
Bible Reading: Psalm 16:1-11
Friday, April 26, 2013

Verse 1 of our Bible Reading says, “Protect me, God, because I depend on you.” Why did the writer of Psalm 16 say that? Because people around him were saying good things about God. But they were worshiping false gods and offering sacrifices to them. The writer wanted people to know that he still worshiped and served God. 　The writer also talks about how God blesses him when he depends on Him. First, God gave him all he needed (verse 5). Second, He taught the writer how to live (verse 7). Third, God stayed close to Him (verse 8). And fourth, being with God brought him happiness (verse 11). 　I would like to have those blessings, too. How can I have those blessings from God? I can depend on Him every day. When I depend on God I will be happy and feel safe. 　Thank God today for the many ways that He blesses you every day. Stay close to God and make Him most important in your life. —JK “Lord, you give me all that I need. You support me. You give me my share. My share is wonderful. My inheritance is very beautiful.” Psalm 16:5-6 PRAYER: Father, I want to always depend on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

患難

患難
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳2:42-47 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月25日(四)

我曾經有許多的患難。我的母親中風了，所以我和姊姊一起照顧她和我們的父親。接著，我的兒子弄壞了我們的車，我的工作也不是很順利，而我們的財務也出了問題。 　同一期間，當有一天我回到家，院子裡停滿了車子，我才知道我的房子被閃電擊中、引起了一場火災，我的先生和一些鄰居用毯子把火滅了。後來，他們試著用洗衣機洗毯子，但閃電也弄壞了洗衣機，當他們開始用洗衣機時，水就漏出來並湧進了房子。 　我那時的感覺就好像詩篇第三篇的作者，在第1節他說：「上主啊，我竟然有這麼多仇敵！有這麼多的人攻擊我！」但是這位作者明白只有上帝才能幫助他，他說：「但上主啊，你是衛護我的盾牌；你讓我得勝，使我抬得起頭。」 (第3節) 　上帝看顧我，一路帶我走過所有的患難，並且賜給我平安。祂一樣也會看顧你。—ES 「我躺下睡覺，我睡醒起來，上主都保護我。」 詩篇3:5 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢一直幫助我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Troubles
Bible Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Thursday, April 25, 2013

I had many troubles. My mother had a stroke, so my sister and I took care of her and our father. Then my son wrecked our car. Things were not going well at my job, and we were having financial problems. 　At that same time, I came home one day, and the yard was full of cars. I learned that my house had been struck by lightning. This caused a fire. My husband and some neighbors put the fire out with blankets. They tried to wash the blankets in our washer, but the lightning had also damaged the washer. When they used the washer, water leaked out and flooded the house. 　I felt like the writer of Psalm 3. In verse 1 he said, “Lord, I have so many enemies. So many people have turned against me.” But the writer realized that his only help would come from God. “But you, Lord, protect me. You bring me honor; you give me hope” (verse 3). 　God took care of me through all my troubles and gave me peace. He will take care of you, too. —ES “I can lie down to rest and know that I will wake up, because the Lord covers and protects me.” Psalm 3:5 PRAYER: God, thank You for always being there to help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

團契生活

團契生活
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳2:42-47 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月24日(三)

我最美好回憶的一部份是年輕時跟教會的青年團契一起出遊。我最喜愛的行程是到科羅拉多州的落磯山國家公園，我們會在那裡住幾天，欣賞群山的美景，以及圍著營火用餐。 　那裡的景色令人驚嘆，食物很棒，而且山上清涼的空氣讓人心曠神怡，但是這次出遊最棒的事情是基督徒的團契。我們彼此分享上帝如何為我們創造一個美麗的世界，我們談到上帝如何改變我們的生命，我們也禱告祈求將來有機會可以服事上帝。 　我想早期的教會應該很像我們青年團契出遊時的生活。今天的聖經閱讀告訴我們，以前的基督徒會互相分享所有，他們會一起用餐，也會一起禱告 (第42b節)。 　請找一些方法跟其他基督徒團契和分享，上帝會祝福你，並且當你和其他弟兄姊妹在基督裡聚會時，上帝也會使你堅強。—JK 「他們同心合意，天天在聖殿裏聚會」 使徒行傳2:46a 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢賜下機會和基督徒團契交流。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (KCC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Fellowship
Bible Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Some of my best memories are of times when I was part of a church youth group trip. My favorite trip was to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. We spent several days there enjoying the beauty of the mountains and eating our meals around a campfire. 　The places I saw were breathtaking. The food was great, and the cool mountain air was invigorating. But the best thing about this trip was the Christian fellowship. We shared about how God had made a beautiful world for us. We talked about how God had changed our lives. And we prayed about opportunities to serve God in the future. 　I think that the early church was much like my youth group trips. Our Bible verses today tell us that these Christians shared things, they ate together and they prayed together (verse 42b). 　Look for ways to fellowship with other Christians. God will bless and strengthen you as you meet with your brothers and sisters in Christ. —JK “The believers shared a common purpose, and every day they spent much of their time together.” Acts 2:46a PRAYER: God, thank You for opportunities to fellowship with Christians. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

上帝的計畫

上帝的計畫
聖經閱讀：詩篇25:4-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月23日(二)

陶匠是使用泥土做出瓶子或盤子之類東西的人，有一首我最喜歡的詩歌提到我們就像泥土而上帝就像陶匠。上帝要我們讓祂來塑造我們，好使我們符合祂為我們生命所安排的計畫。 　詩篇第25篇的作者請求上帝帶領他並且教導他，他說：「上主啊，求你指示我你的道路，把你的途徑告訴我」(第4b節)。我們必須學習上帝的真理，並且知道我們的救恩是從上帝而來。但有時候，我們會想要去告訴上帝我們應該怎麼生活，相反的，我們應該求祂告訴我們祂的心意，然後祂就會引導我們、祝福我們。 　我們常常會固執而且不遵從上帝的計畫，但上帝並不會離棄我們。祂包容我們並且滿有慈愛，祂等候我們從錯誤中學習，然後知道祂的方法比我們自己的更好。 　你要請求上帝原諒你，並讓你知道祂為你生命所安排的計畫。—MP 「上主至善、公義；他指示罪人該走的路。他引領謙卑的人走正路，把自己的旨意教導他們。他用信實不變的愛帶領所有遵守他的約和命令的人。」 詩篇25:8-10 禱告：天父，謝謝祢愛我、包容我。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

God’s Plan
Bible Reading: Psalm 25:4-11
Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A potter is a person who uses clay to make things like jars and dishes. One of my favorite hymns says that we are like clay and God is like a potter. God wants us to let Him mold us to fit the plan He has for our lives. 　The writer of Psalm 25 asks God to guide and teach him. “Show me how you want me to live” (verse 4b). We need to learn God’s truth and know that our salvation comes from Him. But sometimes we want to tell God how we should live our lives. Instead, we should ask Him to show us His will. Then He will lead us and give us His blessings. 　Often we are stubborn and we don’t follow God’s plan. But God will not leave us. He is patient and loving. He waits for us to learn from our mistakes and to know that His ways are better than our own. 　Ask God to forgive you and show you His plan for your life. —MP “The Lord is good and does what is right. He shows sinners the right way to live. He teaches his ways to humble people. He leads them with fairness. The Lord is kind and true to those who obey what he said in his agreement.” Psalm 25:8-10 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and being patient with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

親近上帝

親近上帝
聖經閱讀：詩篇73:23-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月22日(一)

如果我看著遠方的山，它們看起來似乎很小，但如果有一隻小蜘蛛爬過我的眼鏡，牠看起來就會像一隻巨大的怪物。一件事物的大小是由我們靠它多近來決定。 　有時候，當我們遇到問題時，我們卻讓上帝離我們很遠。我們不讀聖經、也不禱告或敬拜上帝，上帝在我們的生活中似乎變得微小而且不重要。或許我們也會把心思放在問題上，而且無時無刻地想著它們，然後，我們的問題就會像在眼鏡上的蜘蛛一樣。這樣，我們的問題好像很大，而上帝似乎變得很小。 　當然，我們知道上帝真實地大過我們任何的問題，我們需要親近祂，這樣我們才能明白祂是多麼大有能力而且令人敬畏。今天我們讀到的第28節經文說: 「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。」 　今天請務必親近上帝。—BL 「然而，我仍然跟你在一起；你不斷地用手扶持我。你以勸告輔導我，最後還要接待我，使我得光榮。」 詩篇73:23-24 禱告：親愛的上帝，我願我的心思和意念都親近祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (CCS譯)

Close to God
Bible Reading: Psalm 73:23-28
Monday, April 22, 2013

If I see mountains far away in the distance, they seem small to me. But if a tiny spider crawls across my eyeglasses, it seems like a giant monster. How big something seems to us depends on our closeness to it. 　Sometimes when we face problems, we keep God far away from us. We don’t read the Bible, pray or worship God. God seems to be small and unimportant in our lives. We may also focus on our problems and think about them all the time. Then our problems are like the spider on our eyeglasses. Our problems seem big, and God seems small. 　Of course, we know that God is really greater than any of our problems. We need to keep Him close to us so we understand how powerful and awesome He is. Verse 28 of our Bible Reading today says, “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.” 　Be sure to keep God close to you today. —BL “...I am always with you. You hold my hand. You lead me and give me good advice, and later you will lead me to glory.” Psalm 73:23-24 PRAYER: Dear God, I want to keep You close to my heart and my thoughts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

我的頭髮

我的頭髮
聖經閱讀：馬太福音10:26-31 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年4月21日(日)

最近我從收音機聽到一個人的談話，他說他和家人剛從東岸搬到西岸。這個人忙著為女兒在新的學校註冊，他必須準備好女兒的出生證明、在之前學校的記錄、以及最新的病歷資料。這個人說：「我必須向新學校證明我的女兒的確存在。」 　這個人接下來談到了天堂，他說：「當有一天我們上了天堂，我們不用向上帝證明我們真的存在，這不是很棒嗎？祂已經知道我們每個人的名字了！」我同意這個人的說法。知道上帝愛我並且認識我的名字真是很棒的事情。 　在今天閱讀的經文中，我們學到，上帝知道我們的一切。第30節說：「至於你們，連你們的頭髮也都數過了。」哇！ 　上帝愛你並且知道你的一切。今天祂不要你擔心任何事，上帝只要你倚靠祂來照顧你。—JK 「要把一切憂慮都卸給他，因為他關心你們。」 彼得前書5:7 禱告：親愛的上帝，今天我倚靠祢。謝謝祢！奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (SDL譯/台南聖教會團契)

Hairs on My Head
Bible Reading: Matthew 10:26-31
Sunday, April 21, 2013

Recently I heard a man talk on the radio. He had just moved his family from the east coast to the west coast. This man was busy enrolling his daughter in a new school. He had to have his daughter’s birth certificate, past school records and her current medical records. The man said, “I had to prove to the new school that my daughter really exists.” 　The man went on to talk about heaven. He said, “Isn’t it nice to know that when we get to heaven, we won’t have to prove to God that we exist? He already knows each one of us by name!” I agree with that man. It is wonderful to know that God loves me and knows my name. 　In our Bible Reading today, we learn that God knows all about us. Verse 30 says, “God even knows how many hairs are on your head.” Wow! 　God loves you and knows all about you. He doesn’t want you to worry about anything today. God just wants you to depend on Him to take care of you. —JK “Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.”1 Peter 5:7 PRAYER: Dear God, I depend on You today. Thank You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.