愛你的敵人

愛你的敵人
聖經閱讀：路加福音6:27-36 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月30日(日)

我是在一所啟聰學校裡長大的，我有好成績，也參與了許多運動項目。然後，我上了一所專為聽障者辦的大學，那時我開始跟來自全美國各地的聽障學生交往。 　在大學時，我開始做一些以前從沒做過的事，不久之後，我就染上了毒癮。我的生活一團糟，我知道我正讓魔鬼來控制我。 　然後，我認識了耶穌，也成為基督徒，那條把我跟魔鬼綁在一起的鍊條就不見了！在耶穌裡我得著了自由。 　但是，在我的感覺裡，那些曾經鼓勵我去做壞事的人都像是我的敵人。然後，我讀了今天聖經閱讀裡的經文，在這些經節裡，耶穌告訴我們應該要愛我們的敵人，並且為他們禱告。當我開始愛我的敵人時，我感覺一副重擔就從我的生命中被提走。 　而你呢？你願不願意去愛你的敵人、原諒他們並為他們禱告呢？—DG* 「但是，你們這些聽我話的，我告訴你們，要愛你們的仇敵，善待恨惡你們的；」 路加福音6:27 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢賜下耶穌，也謝謝祢教導我愛我的敵人。奉祂的名，阿們！ (EHI譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Love Your Enemies
Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-36
Sunday, June 30 2013

I grew up in a deaf school. I got good grades and participated in sports. Then I went to a college for deaf people. I started socializing with deaf students from all over the United States. 　At college I started doing things that I had not done before. Soon I was addicted to drugs. My life fell apart. I realized that I was allowing the devil to control me. 　Then I learned about Jesus, and I became a Christian. The chains that had bound me to the devil were gone! I was free in Jesus. 　But I felt like the people who had encouraged me to do bad things were my enemies. Then I read the verses from our Bible reading today. In these verses, Jesus tells us that we should love our enemies and pray for them. When I started loving my enemies, I felt that a burden had been lifted from my life. 　What about you? Are you willing to love your enemies, forgive them and pray for them? —DG* “But I say to you people who are listening to me, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.” Luke 6:27 PRAYER: God, thank You for Jesus and for teaching me to love my enemies. In His name. Amen.

寄託於耶穌的盼望

寄託於耶穌的盼望
聖經閱讀：馬太福音12:15-21 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月29日(六)

對於擁有寄託於耶穌的盼望，我感到興奮。我禱告祈求過去幾天的靈修內容也能幫助你感到興奮。 　今天，我們要來看一些馬太福音的經節，其中的一些經節是引自舊約聖經的以賽亞書。以賽亞是在耶穌來到世上的許多年前寫下這些話，但是上帝幫助了以賽亞把關於耶穌的事實說出來。 　今天聖經閱讀的第21節說：「全世界的人民都要把希望寄託於他！」這句話是在談耶穌。也許你認為，不是所有人都相信並跟隨耶穌。這是事實，但耶穌是所有人唯一的盼望。在約翰福音14:6b中，耶穌告訴祂的信徒：「我就是道路、真理、生命；要不是藉著我，沒有人能到父親那裏去。」 　唯一能擁有這個盼望的方法就是藉著耶穌。現在，每一個人必須決定是要接受這個盼望、或是拒絶它？而你會怎麼做呢？ —JK 「看哪，他是我所揀選的僕人；我鍾愛他，喜歡他。我要把我的靈賜給他；他要向萬民宣告我的審判。」 馬太福音12:18 禱告：天父，今天請教導我如何為祢作光。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (EHI譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Hope in Jesus
Bible Reading: Matthew 12:15-21
Saturday, June 29 2013

I am excited about the hope that I have in Jesus. I pray that the devotions for the past few days have helped you be excited, too. 　Today we will look at some verses from Matthew. Part of these verses are a quotation from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Isaiah wrote these words many years before Jesus came to earth. But God helped Isaiah speak true things about Jesus. 　Verse 21 of our Bible Reading says, “All people will hope in him.” This is talking about Jesus. Maybe you think that all people do not trust and follow Jesus. That is true. But, Jesus is the ONLY hope for all people. In John 14:6b, Jesus told His followers, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” 　The only way to have that hope is through Jesus. Now everyone must decide to accept that hope or reject it. What will you do? —JK “Here is my servant, the one I have chosen. He is the one I love, and I am very pleased with him. I will fill him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations.” Matthew 12:18 PRAYER: Father, please show me how I can be a light for You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

一個更好的盼望

一個更好的盼望
聖經閱讀：希伯來書7:18-19 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月28日(五)

在舊約聖經中，猶太人必須為他們的罪獻祭。但是這些罪並不會被移除，而只是不停地向前滾動，直到耶穌死在十字架的時候。當耶穌死了，祂為這些罪償付了懲罰的代價。 　當耶穌死時，很多事情都改變了。世上有了一個新的赦罪方法，人們不再被要求去遵守舊約聖經中的律法。所以，這也是為什麼希伯來書的作者在第18節中說：「這樣，舊的條例被廢棄；因為它軟弱無能，沒有用處。」 　另外一件改變的事是，我們有了一個更好的盼望。第19b節告訴我們：「現在我們有了更好的盼望，藉著它，我們可以接近上帝。」這個盼望是什麼呢？這個盼望就跟我們前幾天一直談的永生盼望是一樣的。 　如果你是一個基督徒，你就擁有了這個更好的盼望。今天就因著祂為你成就的事而感謝上帝。—JK 「所以，他始終能夠拯救那些藉著他親近上帝的人；因為他永遠活著，替他們求告上帝。」 希伯來書7:25 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢藉著耶穌賜下赦免。奉祂的名，阿們！ (EHI譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

A Better Hope
Bible Reading: Hebrews 7:18-19
Friday, June 28 2013

In the Old Testament, the Jews had to make sacrifices for their sins. But these sins were not removed. They were just rolled ahead until the time when Jesus died on the cross. Then when Jesus died, He paid the penalty for those sins. 　Many things changed when Jesus died. There was a new way to forgive sins. People were no longer required to obey the Old Testament laws. So, that is why the writer of Hebrews says in verse 18, “The old rule is now ended because it was weak and worthless.” 　Another thing that changed was that we have a better hope. Verse 19b tells us, “But now a better hope has been given to us. And with that hope we can come near to God.” What is that hope? This is the same hope of eternal life that we have been talking about for the past few days. 　If you are a Christian, you have this better hope. Thank God today for what He has done for you. —JK “So Christ can save those who come to God through him. Christ can do this forever, because he always lives and is ready to help people when they come before God.” Hebrews 7:25 PRAYER: God, thank You for forgiveness through Jesus. In His name. Amen.

你所擁有的盼望

你所擁有的盼望
聖經閱讀：彼得前書3:8-16 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月27日(四)

在今天閱讀的經文中，彼得告訴我們一些基督徒應該做的事情。在第8節，他說我們應該「要同心，互相同情，親愛如手足，以仁慈謙讓相待」。 　彼得接著列出基督徒應該做的、以及不應該做的事情。然後在第15b節，他說：「有人要求你們解釋心裏的盼望，要隨時準備答辯」。 　基督徒跟世上其他人不同。因為上帝的愛和平安，他們用不同的方式來處理各種遭遇。未信主的人也許會注意到一個正經歷困難的基督徒，並驚訝為什麼這個基督徒不生氣、也不責怪上帝。然後，這個基督徒就有機會去解釋他們在耶穌裡所擁有的盼望。 　要留意、時常去做上帝希望你做的事情。就找一些方法來跟其他人分享你的救恩和對未來的盼望。—JK 「可是要以謙恭溫和的態度回答。要有清白的良心，讓那些侮辱你們、對你們作為基督徒所表現的好品行妄加毀謗的人，自己覺得慚愧。」 彼得前書3:16 禱告：天父，今天請幫助我成為好榜樣。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

The Hope You Have
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-16
Thursday, June 27 2013

In our Bible Reading today, Peter tells us some things that Christians should do. In verse 8 he says that we should live together in peace, try to understand each other, love each other and be kind and humble. 　Peter continues to list things that Christians should do and things that they should not do. Then in verse 15b, he says, “Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have.” 　Christians are different from the rest of the world. Because of God’s love and peace, they handle situations differently. People who are not Christians may notice a Christian who is going through a bad time and wonder why the Christian is not upset and blaming God. Then that Christian has the opportunity to explain about the hope they have in Jesus. 　Be careful to always do what God wants you to do. Look for ways to share with other people about your salvation and hope for the future. —JK “But answer them in a gentle way with respect. Keep your conscience clear. Then people will see the good way you live as followers of Christ.” 1 Peter 3:16a PRAYER: Father, help me to be a good example today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

永不止息的盼望

永不止息的盼望
聖經閱讀：帖撒羅尼迦後書2:13-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月26日(三)

你是否記得曾經在做某件事的時候卻不想結束？這也許是一個特別的家庭聚餐、一個假期、或是一趟遊樂園的旅程。這一切終究必須結束讓你感到難過。 　在今天的聖經閱讀中，保羅談到藉著耶穌的救恩而被揀選的事情。保羅的意思不是說有些人被揀選為基督徒、而有些人沒有。保羅是說，上帝揀選了所有人來領受祂白白給的救恩禮物。 　當我們領受救恩時，我們也同時領受了上帝的愛、恩典、盼望和安慰，而且保羅說，這些都是永不止息的。這不是很奇妙嗎？上帝的愛、恩典、盼望和安慰會永遠跟我們同在！ 　也許今天你會有一些事情出了差錯。你也許會犯錯、也許有人會取笑你、或者你可能會遇到困難，所有這些事情總有一天會結束。但是記得，上帝賜給我們的一切會持續到永遠。－JK 「他呼召你們來分享我們的主耶穌基督的榮耀。」 帖撒羅尼迦後書2:14b 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢的愛、恩典、盼望和安慰。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Hope That Has No End
Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Wednesday, June 26 2013

Can you remember a time when you were doing something and you didn’t want it to end? Maybe it was a special family meal or a vacation or a trip to an amusement park. You were sad that it had to end. 　In our Bible verses today, Paul talks about being chosen for salvation through Jesus. Paul does not mean that some people are chosen to be Christians and others are not chosen. Paul is saying that God chooses all people to accept His free gift of salvation. 　When we receive salvation, we also receive God’s love, grace, hope and comfort. And Paul says that these things have no end. Isn’t that wonderful? God’s love, grace, hope and comfort will be with us forever! 　Probably some things will go wrong for you today. You may make a mistake or someone may make fun of you or you may face a problem. All of those things will someday come to an end. But remember that the things God gives us will continue forever. —JK “You were chosen so that you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14b PRAYER: God, thank You for Your love, grace, hope and comfort. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

不要放棄盼望

不要放棄盼望
聖經閱讀：歌羅西書1:21-23 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月25日(二)

當我知道懷了第一個孩子的時候，我和我的先生都很興奮，每一天我們都期待著兒子的出生。 　我們盼望兒子出生時是既強壯又健康，我們這樣的盼望是從什麼時候開始的呢？是在我們知道可能會有小孩之前開始的嗎？不！是在我們知道小孩即將在11月出生時開始的。 　在一個人認識耶穌並受洗成為基督徒之前，他並不會有任何救恩的盼望。但是，當這個人跟隨並遵從耶穌時，他就有了與上帝同享永生的盼望。今日聖經閱讀的第23a節，保羅說：「你們必須持守信仰，堅立在鞏固的基礎上；不要放棄當初領受福音時所得到的盼望。」 　如果你是一個基督徒，不要放棄當你開始跟隨耶穌時所領受的盼望，你要剛強並持守對上帝的信心！－JK 「你們的信心和愛心都是以那為你們保存在天上的盼望為根據的。這福音不但傳到你們那裏，也傳遍全世界，不斷地生長，結果子，正像當初你們聽見而且真正認識上帝的恩典時，生長，結果子一樣。」 歌羅西書1:5b-6 禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜給我們那因著福音而來的盼望。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Don’t Give Up The Hope
Bible Reading: Colossians 1:21-23
Tuesday, June 25 2013

When I learned that I was pregnant with my first child, my husband and I were very excited. Every day we looked forward to the birth of our son. 　We hoped that our son would be born strong and healthy. When did our hope begin? Did it begin before we knew that we would have a baby? No! It began when we learned that a baby was coming in November. 　Before a person learns about Jesus and becomes a Christian, he does not have any hope of salvation. But when that person follows and obeys Jesus, he has hope of eternal life with God. In verse 23b of our Bible Reading, Paul says, “You must remain strong and sure in your faith. You must not let anything cause you to give up the hope that became yours when you heard the Good News.” 　If you are a Christian, don’t give up the hope that you received when you started following Jesus. Be strong and keep your faith in God! —JK “Your faith and love continue because you know what is waiting for you in heaven — the hope you have had since you first heard the true message, the Good News that was told to you.” Colossians 1:5-6a PRAYER: Father, thank You for the hope we have because of the Good News. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

遺忘上帝──沒有盼望

遺忘上帝──沒有盼望
聖經閱讀：約伯記8:11-20 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月24日(一)

如果你想要找一件可以牢牢地抓住你、支撐你的東西，你會使用蜘蛛網嗎？為甚麼不會呢？今天的聖經閱讀的第15節給了我們答案：「他們倚靠絲線，絲線能支持他們嗎？他們抓住蜘蛛網，蜘蛛網能使他們站穩嗎？」 　當今世人一直在找一個他們可以信任的人，他們想要一個可以倚靠來幫助他們、拯救他們的人。這些人常常忘了上帝，相反的，他們倚靠假的宗教，或是去倚靠有錢、有名的人。 　第12節將這些人比喻為還沒收成就枯萎的作物。此外，在第13節也說，這些人沒有盼望。遺忘上帝的人就沒有蒙上帝祝福和救贖的盼望。 　今天就是你作決定的日子。你想要遺忘上帝而沒有任何可期待的事嗎？或者，你想要服事祂，並且從現在開始直到永遠，經歷祂的美好祝福？－JK 「但邪惡的人左右觀望，找不到逃避的出路；他們惟一的希望就是死的臨到。」 約伯記11:20 禱告：上帝，我不想要忘記祢，求祢幫助我每天都親近祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Forget God - No Hope
Bible Reading: Job 8:11-20
Monday, June 24 2013

If you want to find something that will hold you up and support you, would you use a spider’s web? Why not? Verse 15 of our Bible Reading gives us the answer. “When they lean against it, it will break. When they reach out for it, it will not hold them up.” 　People in the world today are searching for someone they can trust. They want someone they can depend on to help them and save them. Often these people forget God. Instead, they depend on leaders of false religions or people who have wealth and fame. 　Verse 12 compares these people to plants that dry up before the harvest. And verse 13b says that they have no hope. People who forget God have no hope of His blessings or salvation. 　It’s your decision today. Do you want to forget God and have nothing to look forward to? Or do you want to serve Him and experience His wonderful blessings, now and forever? —JK “Evil people might look for help, but they will not escape their troubles. Their hope leads only to death.” Job 11:20 PRAYER: God, I do not want to forget You. Help me to stay close to You every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

跟上帝有合宜的關係

跟上帝有合宜的關係
聖經閱讀：加拉太書5:1-6 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月23日(日)

今天閱讀的經文是保羅其中一封書信的部份，這封信是寫給在加拉太的基督徒，他們其中有些人說基督徒必須遵守猶太律法。但在這封信裡，保羅告訴他們不一定要遵守這些律法，保羅說，他們對上帝的信心才是最重要的。 　第5節中，保羅說：「至於我們所熱切盼望著的，是上帝會使我們跟他有合宜的關係；這是聖靈的力量藉著我們的信心達成的。」舊約聖經裡的猶太人知道，當他們遵守上帝的律法時，他們就跟祂有著合宜的關係。但是身為基督徒，我們的合宜關係是藉由信心而來。 　當我們跟上帝有合宜的關係時，我們會盼望和祂共享永生。當我們在等待永生的同時，聖靈會不斷提醒我們那藉著耶穌而來的救恩。 　我希望你會想要跟上帝有一個合宜的關係，記得「惟有那以愛的行動表現出來的信心才算重要」 (第6b節)－JK 「想倚靠遵守法律而得以跟上帝有合宜關係的人就是跟基督切斷了關係，自絕於上帝的恩典。」 加拉太書5:4 禱告：親愛的上帝，感謝祢讓我能跟祢有合宜的關係。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Being Right with God
Bible Reading: Galatians 5:1-6
Sunday, June 23 2013

Our Bible verses today are part of a letter that Paul wrote to Christians in Galatia. Some of these people said that Christians had to obey the Jewish laws. In this letter Paul tells them that they do not need to obey those laws. Paul says that their faith in God is most important. 　In verse 5, Paul says, “I say this because our hope of being right with God comes through faith. And the Spirit helps us feel sure as we wait for that hope.” The Jews in the Old Testament knew that when they obeyed God’s laws, they had a right relationship with Him. But as Christians, our right relationship comes through faith. 　When we have a right relationship with God, we look forward to eternal life with Him. While we are waiting for that, the Holy Spirit keeps reminding us about our salvation through Jesus. 　I hope that you want to have a right relationship with God. Remember that the “important thing is faith — the kind of faith that works through love” (verse 6b) —JK “If you try to be made right with God through the law, your life with Christ is finished — you have left God’s grace.” Galatians 5:4 PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that I can have a right relationship with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

耶穌，我們的盼望

耶穌，我們的盼望
聖經閱讀：提摩太前書1:1 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月22日(六)

今天我們的聖經閱讀只有一節：「我是保羅；我奉我們的救主上帝和我們的盼望基督耶穌的命令，作基督耶穌的使徒。」但這節經文告訴我們很多關於保羅的事情。 　有一個地方我們可以讀到關於保羅的生命，那是在使徒行傳第26章。在這些經節裡，我們知道保羅是一個對基督徒做了壞事的猶太人，但耶穌告訴保羅，他並不蒙上帝喜悅。之後，保羅便成為基督徒，並開始真心地跟隨上帝。 　當保羅成為基督徒時，在他的生命中就擁有了一個新的盼望，他擁有了在地上蒙上帝祝福、在天上得著永生的盼望。耶穌確實就是保羅的盼望，生活中的每一件事情，保羅都倚靠祂。 　保羅並不怕去告訴大家，耶穌就是他的盼望、他的救世主。我們也應該去跟所遇見的人分享耶穌就是我們的盼望，那麼他們也會想要讓耶穌成為自己的盼望。－JK 「雖然我從前毀謗過他，逼迫侮辱他。可是上帝憐憫我；因為那時候我不信他，不知道我在做些甚麼。我們的主賜給我格外的恩典，使我有信心和愛心，這是因跟基督耶穌連結而有的。」 提摩太前書1:13-14 禱告：上帝，感謝祢賜下耶穌，我的盼望。奉祂的名，阿們！ (PPC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Jesus, Our Hope
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1:1
Saturday, June 22 2013

Our Bible Reading for today is only one verse. “Greetings from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope.” But this verse tells us a lot about Paul. 　One place we can read about Paul’s life is in Acts, chapter 26. In these verses we learn that Paul was a Jew who did bad things to Christians. But Jesus told Paul that he was not pleasing God. Then Paul became a Christian and started truly following God. 　When Paul became a Christian, he had a new hope in his life. He had the hope of God’s blessings on earth and eternal life in heaven. Jesus truly was Paul’s hope. Paul depended on Him for everything in his life. 　Paul was not afraid to tell everyone that Jesus was his hope and his Savior. We should share with people we meet that Jesus is our hope. Then they will want to have Jesus as their hope, too. —JK “In the past I insulted Christ. As a proud and violent man, I persecuted his people...But our Lord gave me a full measure of his grace. And with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”1 Timothy 1:13-14 PRAYER: God, thank You for Jesus, my hope. In His name. Amen.

得到所盼望的

得到所盼望的
聖經閱讀：希伯來書6:4-12 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年6月21日(五)

在今天的聖經閱讀中，希伯來書的作者談到一些跟隨耶穌、但後來又轉身離開的人。作者說，那些完全離棄耶穌的人將不會得著上帝永生的應許。 　第8節接著描述那些不再跟隨耶穌的人，他們好像「田地長出來的是無用的荊棘和蒺藜，它就有被詛咒的危險，且要被火燒毀。」 　在其餘的經文裡，作者鼓勵讀者持續跟隨並服事上帝，第11節說：「我們最大的願望是：你們每一個人自始至終熱心，好使你們所盼望的一切事都能實現。」基督徒所盼望的是什麼呢？基督徒盼望與上帝永遠同住。 　如果你是一個基督徒，就持續跟隨並服事耶穌，然後你將會得到你所盼望的——與上帝同在的永生。—JK 「不要懶惰，要仿效那些信而有恆的人，來領受上帝的應許。」 希伯來書6:12 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢美好的應許。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (KCC譯/台南聖教會英語團契)

Get What You Hope For
Bible Reading: Hebrews 6:4-12
Friday, June 21 2013

In our Bible Reading today, the writer of Hebrews talks about people who follow Jesus but then turn away. The writer says that people who completely turn away from Jesus will not receive God’s promise of eternal life (verses 4-6). 　Verse 8 continues to describe these people who stop following Jesus. They are “like land that grows only thorns and weeds. It is worthless and in danger of being cursed by God. It will be destroyed by fire.” 　In the rest of the verses, the writer encourages his readers to continue following and serving God. Verse 11 says, “We want each of you to be willing and eager to show your love like that the rest of your life. Then you will be sure to get what you hope for.” What do Christians hope for? Christians hope to live forever with God. 　If you are a Christian, continue following and serving Jesus. Then you will get what you hope for — eternal life with God. —JK “We don’t want you to be lazy. We want you to be like those who, because of their faith and patience, will get what God has promised.” Hebrews 6:12 PRAYER: God, thank You for Your wonderful promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.