預備

預備
聖經閱讀：約翰福音11:1-5 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年2月13日(四)

運動員經過長時間練習跑步後才能贏得比賽；小提琴手經過多年的練習後才能在音樂會中演奏；考生在苦讀後才能在考試中正確答題。任何的成功都需要很多的預備。 　今天的經文是關於兩個姊妹，馬利亞和馬大。經文的第3節告訴我們，她們的弟弟拉撒路就要死了，所以「那兩姊妹打發人去見耶穌，說：『主啊，你所愛的朋友病了。』」 　聖經並沒有告訴我們馬利亞和馬大抱怨拉撒路生病了，或感到自憐，她們反而請求耶穌來幫助她們，為什麼呢？因為她們知道耶穌有能力幫助拉撒路。 　我們必須像馬利亞和馬大一樣。藉著讀經、禱告，並跟其他基督徒團契，我們可以有所預備，然後當危機發生時，我們就能準備好信靠上帝來幫助我們勝過問題。 －BL 「……信靠上主的人卻有慈愛環繞他。」 詩篇32:10b 禱告：親愛的天父，今天我相信祢並倚靠祢來幫助我面對問題。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Preparation
Bible Reading: John 11:1-5
Thursday, February 13, 2014

An athlete wins a race after many hours of exercise and running. A violinist plays a concert after many years of practice. A person taking a test chooses the correct answers after much studying. Any victory requires a lot of preparation! 　Our Bible Reading today is about two sisters, Mary and Martha. Verse 3 tells us that their brother, Lazarus, was dying. So “Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, ‘Lord, your dear friend Lazarus is sick.’” 　The Bible does not tell us that Mary and Martha complained about Lazarus being sick or felt sorry for themselves. Instead, they asked Jesus to help them. Why? Because they knew that Jesus had the power to help Lazarus. 　We need to be like Mary and Martha. We can be prepared to face problems by reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshiping with other Christians. Then when times of crisis happen, we will be ready to trust God to help us have victory over our problems. —BL “...the Lord’s faithful love will surround those who trust in him.” Psalm 32:10b PRAYER: Dear Father, I trust You and depend on You to help me face my problems today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.