彩金

彩金
聖經閱讀：傳道書5:10-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月30日(六)

今天的頭條新聞之一是關於一筆累積超過173億元的樂透彩金，有好幾百萬人排隊數小時要買樂透彩券，這讓我看見我們的世界是何等的「金錢至上」！ 　今天的經文是所羅門王在數千年前所寫的，他也許是人類有史以來最有錢的一個人。所羅門擁有他所想要的任何東西。 　雖然所羅門擁有巨大的財富，但是他說：「貪愛錢財的人總不知足」(第10a節)，然後在第12節，他又說：「勞工不管吃飽吃不飽，總是睡得香甜。有錢人的財產使他不能成眠。」 　我們也許夢想能成為有錢人，而所羅門曾經很有錢，但是他的結論是，財富會帶來悲痛、憂傷、麻煩、病痛，以及怒氣 (第17節)。所以，不要專注在積聚更多的金錢和財產，反而要定睛在上帝並服事祂。 —JK 「總結一句：要敬畏上帝，謹守他的命令。」 傳道書12:13b 禱告：上帝，今天我願專心服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Jackpot
Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
Saturday, November 30, 2013

One of the headlines in today’s newspaper is about a lottery jackpot of more than $579 million. Millions of people stood in line for hours to buy lottery tickets. This shows me how “money-centered” our world is! 　Our Bible verses were written by King Solomon thousands of years ago. He may have been the wealthiest person who has ever lived. Solomon had everything he could ever want. 　Even though Solomon had great wealth, he said, “Those who love money will never be satisfied with the money they have” (verse 10a). Then in verse 12, Solomon added, “Those who work hard all day come home and sleep in peace...the rich worry about their wealth and are not able to sleep.” 　We might dream about having great wealth, but Solomon experienced it. His conclusion was that wealth brings sadness, sorrow, trouble, sickness and anger (verse 17). So don’t focus on gathering more money and possessions. Instead, focus on God and serving Him. —JK “The most important thing a person can do is to respect God and obey his commands.” Ecclesiastes 12:13b PRAYER: God, I will focus on serving You today. 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.

感恩 (4)

感恩 (4)
聖經閱讀：詩篇107:1-9 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月28日(四)

今天是美國的感恩節，很多人會跟家人和朋友團聚，他們會跟詩篇107:1的作者一樣說出：「要感謝上主，因他至善；他的慈愛永遠長存。」 　當那些清教徒慶祝他們的感恩節時，他們會吃像是鴨肉、鹿肉、魚、蛤蜊、莓果、李子，以及南瓜之類東西，也許今天的晚餐你就會吃到其中一些相同的食物。 　當時的清教徒遭遇到許多的困境，但上帝不停地照顧他們、祝福他們，而我們或許也面臨了一些問題，但是當我們懇求上帝幫助我們時，祂將會供應我們的需要。 　無論你是否慶祝感恩節，今天你仍然可以用一些時間，因著上帝賜給你的一切來感謝祂。你可以感謝上帝賜給你家人、賜給你一個家，以及賜給你食物、衣服，尤其最重要的是，要感謝上帝賜給你耶穌，是祂給了我們赦罪和永生的應許。—IMJ 「他們要感謝上主的慈愛，要稱頌他所做的奇事。他使乾渴的人得到滿足，使飢餓的人飽餐美食。」 詩篇107:8-9 禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜下祢的獨生子，耶穌。奉主的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Giving Thanks (4)
Bible Reading: Psalm 107:1-9
Thursday, November 28, 2013

Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. Many people will gather today with their families and friends. They will join with the writer of Psalm 107:1 and say, “Praise the Lord, because he is good! His faithful love will last forever!” 　When the Pilgrims celebrated their day of thanks, they ate foods like duck, venison, fish, clams, berries, plums and pumpkins. Maybe you will eat some of the same foods for your dinner today. 　The Pilgrims faced many difficult situations, but God continued to take care of them and bless them. We, too, may face problems, but when we ask God to help us, He will provide for us. 　Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving Day or not, you can still take time today to thank God for what He has given you. You can thank Him for your family, your home and food, clothing, and most of all, for Jesus who gives us the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. Happy Thanksgiving! —IMJ “Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus. In His name. Amen.

感恩 (3)

感恩 (3)
聖經閱讀：申命記8:6-14 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月27日(三)

在今天的經文中，我們可以讀到摩西在以色列民準備好要進入一片新土地時，他所給的一些教導。摩西告訴他們，這片新土地將是一個適合生活的好地方，而上帝也會照顧他們。 　清教徒在美洲度過的第一個冬天是很可怕的，他們面對寒冷、風雪和飢餓，在冬天將要結束時，只有不到50個清教徒活下來。但是上帝使用印地安人來祝福他們，這些印地安人幫助他們學會種植作物，以及如何在新土地上生活。 　他們在秋天有很好的收成，並且因著上帝所賜給他們的一切，這些清教徒就用感謝上帝的心來慶祝。許多年以後，在美國有一個特別的日子就被訂為「感恩節」，讓每一個人都可以感謝上帝所賜下的祝福。 　因著上帝每天用許多的方式祝福你，今天就用一些時間來感謝祂。 —IMJ 「你們會吃得飽，且要感謝上主─你們的上帝，因為他把富饒的土地賜給你們。」 申命記8:10 禱告：主，我要謝謝祢每天賜給我奇妙美好的祝福。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Giving Thanks (3)
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 8:6-14
Wednesday, November 27, 2013

In our Bible Reading for today we can read some instructions that Moses gave to the Israelites as they were ready to go into a new land. Moses told them that the new land would be a good place to live and that God would take care of them. 　The first winter that the Pilgrims spent in America was terrible. They faced cold, snow and starvation. At the end of the winter, less than fifty Pilgrims were alive. But God blessed them with Indians who helped them learn more about planting crops and living in the new land. 　The harvest in the fall was good, and the Pilgrims celebrated by thanking God for all that He had given to them. Many years later, a special day of Thanksgiving was set up in America so everyone could thank God for His blessings. 　Take time today to thank God for the many ways that He blesses you each day. —IMJ “You will have all that you want to eat. Then you will praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” Deuteronomy 8:10 PRAYER: I thank You, Lord, for the wonderful blessings that You give me every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

感恩 (2)

感恩 (2)
聖經閱讀：詩篇116:1-19 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月26日(二)

這趟到美洲的旅程，其困難度大概遠超過這些清教徒的想像。那艘船並不是被造來載運旅客的，但是船上卻擠滿了人，而大部份人都只能待在甲板下的船艙裡，那裡一點隱私也沒有。海上經常波濤洶湧，大部份人都暈船，有些人甚至在暴風雨的顛簸中受傷。 　這些清教徒忍受這些可怕的狀況有65天之久，為什麼呢？因為他們期待著可以在美洲大陸上敬拜上帝的日子。 　我想像著這群清教徒用了大部份的時間向上帝禱告，祈求上帝會讓他們保持健康和安全。在今天的經文中，作者說：「我愛上主，因為他垂聽我；他垂聽我的禱告。我每次求告他，他都垂聽我」(第1-2節)。 　今天上帝就與你同在，你要感謝祂留心聆聽你的禱告。 —IMJ 「上主仁慈至善；我們的上帝滿有憐憫。上主保護單純的人；我在危難時，他救了我。」 詩篇116:5-6 禱告：天父，我愛祢！謝謝祢留心聆聽我的禱告。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Giving Thanks (2)
Bible Reading: Psalm 116:1-19
Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The journey to America was probably much more difficult than the Pilgrims imagined it would be. The ship was not built to carry passengers. It was crowded, and most people spent their time below deck where there was no privacy. The ocean was often rough, and many people became seasick. Some were even injured when they were tossed around during a storm. 　The Pilgrims endured these terrible conditions for sixty-five days. Why? Because they were looking forward to the day when they could worship God in America. 　I imagine that the Pilgrims spent much of their time praying that God would keep them healthy and safe. In our Bible verses today, the writer says, “I love the Lord for hearing me, for listening to my prayers. Yes, he paid attention to me, so I will always call to him whenever I need help” (verses 1-2). 　God is with you today. Thank Him for paying attention to your prayers. —IMJ “The Lord is good and merciful; our God is so kind. The Lord takes care of helpless people. I was without help, and he saved me.” Psalm 116:5-6 PRAYER: Father, I love You! Thank You for paying attention to my prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

感恩 (1)

感恩 (1)
聖經閱讀：詩篇56:1-13 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月25日(一)

在今天的經文中，作者說他信靠上帝(第4節)。今天，以及接下來的三天，我們要來談一群人的故事，這群人他們信靠上帝來照顧他們。 　1620年，有一群人他們從英國的普利茅斯出發，航向美洲大陸。這些人常被稱為「清教徒」，他們希望能在新的地方找到信仰的自由。共有102位乘客在那艘名叫「五月花」的船上。 　這趟到美洲的旅程非常的艱辛，船上又溼又冷，很多人都病了，而且在他們11月11日抵達陸地之前就有兩個人不幸死亡。這些人願意面對這麼惡劣的環境，為的是可以自由地敬拜上帝。 　全世界有很多人並沒有敬拜上帝的自由，就為這些人代禱，請求上帝帶領他們，讓他們可以親近祂。 —IMJ 「你要記住我的命令：要堅強，要勇敢！不害怕，不沮喪；因為你無論到哪裏，我、上主─你的上帝一定與你同在。」 約書亞記1:9 禱告：上帝，我信靠祢來照顧我，謝謝祢讓我可以敬拜祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Giving Thanks (1)
Bible Reading: Psalm 56:1-13
Monday, November 25, 2013

In our Bible Reading today, the writer says that he trusted God (verse 4). Today and for the next three days we will talk about a group of people who trusted God to take care of them. 　In 1620 a group of people left Plymouth, England to sail to America. These people are often called “Pilgrims.” They hoped to find religious freedom in the new land. One hundred and two passengers sailed on the ship called the Mayflower. 　The journey to America was very hard. The conditions on the ship were cold and damp. Many people became sick and two died before they reached land on November 11th. These people were willing to face these bad conditions so they could be free to worship God. 　Many people around the world do not have the freedom to worship God. Pray for these people. Ask God to guide them and keep them close to Him. —IMJ “Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 PRAYER: God, I trust You to take care of me. Thank You that I can worship You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

懲罰

懲罰
聖經閱讀：詩篇89:30-37 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月24日(日)

今天的經文談到不遵從上帝的人們。上帝會如何處置違背祂的律法並且不再遵從祂命令的人呢？第32節給了我們上帝的答案：「我就要因他們的罪懲罰他們；我要因他們的過犯鞭打他們。」 　沒有一個人喜歡被懲罰，但是上帝也同時有好消息要給我們。接下來的幾個經節告訴我們，上帝也許會懲罰我們，但是祂不會停止愛我們，也不會打破對我們的承諾。 　如果有一個人偷了東西，法律說這人應該被關進監牢，但這並不表示上帝就停止愛這個人；上帝甚至會幫助這個人利用在監獄裡的時間來改變他的生命，讓他更親近祂。 　有時候，上帝會利用我們受懲罰的時間訓練並塑造我們，使我們更加愛祂、更多事奉祂。今天就信靠上帝，並且請求祂幫助你在生活中作好的選擇。 —SH* 「上主啊，我永遠要歌頌你的慈愛；我代代要傳揚你的信實。我知道，你的慈愛永遠長存；你的信實如天永固。」 詩篇89:1-2 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢的愛和信實，請幫助我每天更加信靠祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Punishment
Bible Reading: Psalm 89:30-37
Sunday, November 24, 2013

Our Bible verses for today talk about people who disobey God. What will He do to people who break His laws and stop obeying His commands? Verse 32 gives us God’s answer, “I will punish them severely for their sins and wrongs.” 　No one likes to be punished. But God has good news, too. The next few verses tell us that God may punish us, but He will never stop loving us or break His promises to us. 　If a man steals something, the law says he will go to jail. But that does not mean that God stops loving the man. God will even help that man to use the jail time as a way to change his life and be closer to Him. 　Sometimes God uses times of punishment as a way to train and mold us to love and serve Him more. Trust God today and ask Him to help you make good choices in life. —SH* “I will sing forever about the Lord’s love. I will sing about his faithfulness forever and ever! I will say, ‘Your faithful love will last forever. Your loyalty is like the sky — there is no end to it!’” Psalm 89:1-2 PRAYER: God, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Help me to trust You more each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

耶穌是彌賽亞

耶穌是彌賽亞
聖經閱讀：馬太福音16:13-19 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月23日(六)

上帝告訴祂的子民以色列人，有一天祂會差派一個人來拯救他們，這個人要被稱為「彌賽亞」。舊約聖經的許多經節都談到了彌賽亞，這些經節描述了彌賽亞將要做的事情。 　在今天的經文中，耶穌問祂的門徒(第13b節)：「一般人說人子是誰？」他們回答耶穌說，有些人認為祂是施洗約翰、以利亞，或是耶利米，然後在第15節，耶穌再問門徒：「那麼，你們說我是誰？」 　彼得回答說：「你是基督，是永生上帝的兒子」(第16節)。彼得知道耶穌是被上帝所揀選及差派來的，我們必須像彼得一樣，並且說出：我們知道耶穌是上帝的兒子，耶穌是我們的救贖者，藉著祂，我們才有永生的應許。 　你會說耶穌是誰呢？祂只是一個活在很久以前的好人嗎？或者，祂是你生命的主和救贖者呢？ —JA* 「馬大回答：『主啊，是的！我信你就是那要到世上來的基督，是上帝的兒子。』」 約翰福音11:27 禱告：天父，謝謝祢差派耶穌成為彌賽亞，就是那一位祢所揀選的。奉主的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Jesus, the Messiah
Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
Saturday, November 23, 2013

God told His people, the Israelites, that someday He would send a person to save them. This person was called the Messiah. There are many Old Testament verses that talk about the Messiah. These verses also describe what the Messiah will do. 　In our Bible Reading today, Jesus asked His disciples (verse 13b), “Who do people say I am?” They told Jesus that some people thought He was John the Baptizer, Elijah or Jeremiah. Then in verse 15 Jesus asked His disciples, “And who do you say I am?” 　Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16). Peter knew that Jesus was chosen and sent by God. We need to be like Peter and say that we know that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus is our Savior. Through Him we have the promise of eternal life. 　Who do you say Jesus is? Is He just a good man who lived long ago? Or is He your Lord and Savior? —JA* “Martha answered, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God. You are the one who was coming to the world.’” John 11:27 PRAYER: Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be the Messiah, the One chosen by You. In His name. Amen.

天父的愛

天父的愛
聖經閱讀：約翰福音1:1-13 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月22日(五)

在英文中，有某些字會有好幾個意思，舉例來說，如果我說：「我可以跑(run)到房間的盡頭」， run（跑）這個字的意思是「很快地過去」。但是，如果我說：「我車子的油已經用完了(run out of)」，這句話是指油箱已經空了。 　「愛」(love)這個字同樣有很多意思，今天經文的第12節說：「然而，凡接受他的，就是信他的人，他就賜給他們特權作上帝的兒女。」當信主之後，我們就成為上帝的兒女，在這樣的關係裡，上帝愛我們就像一個父親愛他的孩子一樣，這是一種非常特別的愛。 　世上的一些父親並沒有關愛他們的孩子，但是上帝不同，祂每天都祝福祂的兒女。祂給孩子們最好的祝福就是藉著祂的兒子耶穌，賜下赦罪之恩及永生。 　今天就感謝上帝讓你可以成為祂的兒女，並領受祂的祝福！ —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：天父，謝謝祢成為我最好的父親！奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

The Father’s Love
Bible Reading: John 1:1-13
Friday, November 22, 2013

In English some words have several meanings. For example, if I say, “I can run to the end of the room,” the word “run” means to go very fast. But if I say, “My car has run out of gas,” that means that the gas tank is empty. 　The word “love” has many meanings, too. Verse 12 of our Bible Reading says, “But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God.” When we become a Christian, we become God’s child. In this relationship, God loves us like a father loves his children. This is a very special kind of love. 　Some earthly fathers do not show love to their children. But God is different. He blesses His children every day. The best way that He blesses His children is by offering them forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus. 　Thank God today that you can be His child and receive His blessings! —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: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the best Father of all! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

親近上帝 (4)

親近上帝 (4)
聖經閱讀：詩篇73:23-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2013年11月21日(四)

我喜歡唱古老的聖歌，這些聖歌裡面的詞常常能表達出我對上帝的感覺，其中一首我最喜愛的聖歌是「靠近神的懷中」。 　這首聖歌其中的一些歌詞是：「有一安息恬靜之處，靠近神的懷中；有一平安喜樂充滿之處，靠近神的懷中。」當親近上帝時，我會感到更平安，緊張不安減少了，而且更加的快樂，我的心也感覺到安息。 　但是，當我嘗試去過沒有上帝的生活時，我就感受不到安全、快樂，和平靜。今天經文的第25節說：「除你之外，在天上我還有誰呢？既有了你，在地上我還要誰呢？」這些話語說明了為什麼當我親近上帝時會感到更快樂。 　上帝希望我們去感受祂的力量和平安，祂希望我們處在一個安息之地，就是靠近祂的懷中。我希望你今天會想要親近上帝。 —CW* 「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：親愛的天父，我很愛祢，今天我願親近祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Near to God (4)
Bible Reading: Psalm 73:23-28
Thursday, November 21, 2013

I enjoy singing old hymns. Often the words of these hymns explain how I feel about God. One of these favorite hymns is “Near to the Heart of God.” 　Some of the words to that song are, “There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.” When I am near to God, I feel more peaceful. I am less nervous and much happier. My heart feels at rest. 　But when I try to live my life without God, I do not feel secure, happy or peaceful. Verse 25 of our Bible Reading says, “In heaven, God, I have only you. And if I am with you, what on earth could I want?” These words explain why I am happier when I am close to God. 　God wants us to feel His strength and peace. He wants us to be in a place of quiet rest, near to His heart. I hope that you want to be close to God today. —CW* “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: Dear Heavenly Father, I love You so much. I want to be close to You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.