跨越鴻溝

跨越鴻溝
聖經閱讀：提摩太前書2:1-6 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月30日(三)

2012年6月15日，尼克瓦倫達走鋼索越過尼加拉瓜瀑布，這一道瀑布是位在美國和加拿大之間、寬約500公尺的峽谷中。對走鋼索來說，這是一條漫長的路！但是尼克有信心，那條鋼索會撐住他，而且不會斷掉。 　自從亞當和夏娃在伊甸園犯了罪以來，人跟上帝之間就有了一道鴻溝，人們嘗試用各種方法，想要藉著自己的好表現來跨過這一道溝，但是我們無法靠自己來越過這道溝，唯一可以使我們親近上帝的方法就是藉著耶穌。 　在今天的經文中，保羅告訴提摩太人們能夠穿越那道溝的方法，第5a節說：「只有一位上帝，在上帝和人之間有一位中間人，就是成為人的基督耶穌。」 　魔鬼會想盡辦法防止你接觸耶穌，那麼就在上帝的話語上堅固信心，一生讓耶穌來帶領你。 —CE 「耶穌說：『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。』」 約翰福音14:6 禱告：天父，謝謝祢賜下耶穌。奉主的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Across the Gap
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-6
Wednesday, April 30, 2014

On June 15, 2012, Nik Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. The distance across the falls is an 1800-foot gap between the United States and Canada. That is a long way to walk on a tightrope! But Nik was confident that the rope would hold him and would not break. 　Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, there has been a gap between people and God. People have tried many ways to get across that gap by their own good works. But we cannot cross that gap by ourselves. The only way we can come close to God is through Jesus. 　In our Bible Reading today, Paul told Timothy how people can get across that gap. Verse 5a says, “There is only one God, and there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus.” 　The devil will try to keep you from reaching God. But stand strong on God’s Word and let Jesus lead you through life. —CE “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.’” John 14:6 PRAYER: Father, thank You for Jesus. In His name. Amen.

暴風

暴風
聖經閱讀：馬太福音8:23-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月29日(二)

我騎腳踏車到鄉下一個特別的地方。我坐在一條小溪邊，聽著鳥叫聲，享受上帝創造的美好。 　通常溪水都會緩緩流過溪中的石頭，但是那一天，水流很急，沿途夾帶著樹枝和泥土。我知道幾天之後，溪水會再一次恢復平靜。 　我們的生命也時常像這條小溪流一樣。在我們的生活中，有時候一切都平靜安穩，然後我們會面臨一些「暴風」，像是疾病、死亡或是家庭問題。在這些困難的期間，耶穌幫助我們平靜下來──就像在今天的經文中祂平息風浪一樣：「於是他起來，斥責風和浪，風浪就平靜了」（第26b節）。 　當苦難來臨時，我們不需要擔心或害怕，我們只需要信靠耶穌，祂會幫助我們面對問題，並帶給我們平安。 —NM 「我留下平安給你們，我把我的平安賜給你們。我所給你們的，跟世人所給的不同。你們心裏不要愁煩，也不要害怕。」 約翰福音14:27 禱告：天父，謝謝祢藉著耶穌賜下平安的應許。奉主的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Storms
Bible Reading: Matthew 8:23-27
Tuesday, April 29, 2014

I rode my bicycle to a special place in the country. I sat beside a small creek, listening to the birds and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. 　Usually the creek flowed calmly over the rocks. But that day, it rushed by me, moving sticks and dirt in its path. I knew that in a few days, the water would once again become calm and peaceful. 　Often our lives are like that small creek. Sometimes things are calm and peaceful in our lives. And then we face “storms” like sickness, death or family problems. During those times, Jesus helps us be calm — just like He calmed the stormy waters in our Bible Reading today. “Then he stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. The wind stopped, and the lake became very calm” (verse 26b). 　When bad times come, we don’t need to be afraid or worry. We just need to trust Jesus. He will help us face our problems and bring us peace. —NM “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:27 PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your promise of peace through Jesus. In His name. Amen.

耶穌的門徒

耶穌的門徒
聖經閱讀：馬太福音26:31-38 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月28日(一)

在今天的經文中，耶穌跟門徒待在一個園子裡，祂知道祂很快就會死。耶穌也同時知道，祂一些特別的門徒會離棄祂。 　這些經節告訴我們，當耶穌在園子裡禱告時，耶穌的門徒甚至沒有保持清醒。不久之後，猶大就將耶穌交給猶太的掌權者，並且彼得三次不認耶穌。就連十二個特別的門徒都辜負了祂，耶穌一定感到非常的失望。 　耶穌知道，當祂離開世上時，這些門徒會成為新教會的領袖，福音的傳揚將會倚靠這些人。或許耶穌也想知道，祂是否可以信任他們來領人接受救恩。 　我們都是罪人，我們都辜負了耶穌，但是祂仍然愛我們，希望我們盡全力來跟從祂。就求上帝赦免你，並幫助你來服事祂。 —NW 「彼得對耶穌說：『……我絕不離棄你！』耶穌對彼得說：『我告訴你，今天晚上，雞叫以前，你會三次不認我。』……其他的門徒也都這樣說。」 馬太福音26:33-35 禱告：天父，當我們讓祢失望時，求祢赦免我們。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Jesus’ Followers
Bible Reading: Matthew 26:31-38
Monday, April 28, 2014

In our Bible Reading, Jesus was in a garden with His followers. He knew that soon He would die. Jesus also knew that some of His special followers would reject Him. 　These verses tell us that Jesus’ followers could not even stay awake while He prayed in the garden. Soon after this, Judas gave Jesus to the Jewish authorities and Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus must have been very disappointed that even His twelve special followers failed Him. 　Jesus knew that when He left the earth, these followers would be leaders of the new church. The spread of the Good News would depend on these men. Maybe Jesus wondered if He could trust them to lead others to salvation. 　We are all sinners. And we all disappoint Jesus. But He still loves us and wants us to do our best to follow Him. Ask God to forgive you and help you serve Him. —NW “ Peter answered, ‘...my faith will never be shaken.’ Jesus answered, ‘The truth is, tonight you will say you don’t know me. You will deny me three times before the rooster crows’...And all the other followers said the same thing.” Matthew 26:33-35 PRAYER: Father, forgive us when we fail. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

耶穌的受洗

耶穌的受洗
聖經閱讀：馬太福音3:13-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月27日(日)

今天的經文談到當耶穌準備好要宣講救恩的福音時所發生的事情。祂要求施洗約翰為祂施洗，而約翰並不認為他應該為耶穌施洗，約翰說，反而應該是耶穌為他施洗。耶穌就解釋為什麼祂想要約翰為祂施洗：「『現在就這樣做吧，因為這樣做是實行上帝的要求。』於是約翰答應了」（第15b節）。 　耶穌的受洗是祂生命中的一個特別時刻。上帝，祂的父親，深深以祂為榮，「接著，從天上有聲音說：『這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他』」（第17節）；當我們受洗時，上帝也喜愛我們。受洗是我們可以表明我們願意向有罪的老我生命死，並且相信耶穌會賜給我們新生命的一種方式。 　耶穌受洗後，祂開始了宣講上帝和祂的國度的事工。我希望你在耶穌裡擁有新的生命，今天，你是否已經準備好去向其他人分享耶穌的福音呢？ —PD 「從那時開始，耶穌宣講信息說：『悔改吧，因為天國快實現了！』」 馬太福音4:17 禱告：天父，祢的兒子耶穌順服祢，我也願順服於祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Jesus’ Baptism
Bible Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
Sunday, April 27, 2014

Our Bible Reading today talks about when Jesus was ready to teach the Good News about salvation. He asked John the Baptizer to baptize Him. John did not think that he should baptize Jesus. John said that Jesus should baptize him instead. Jesus explained why He wanted John to baptize Him. “’Let it be this way for now. We should do whatever God says is right.’ Then John agreed” (verse 15b). 　Jesus’ baptism was a special time in His life. God, His Father, was very proud of Him. “A voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the one I love. I am very pleased with him’” (verse 17). When we are baptized, God is pleased with us, too. Baptism is a way we can show that we want to die to our old life of sin and trust Jesus to give us new life. 　After Jesus’ baptism, He began His ministry of teaching about God and His kingdom. I hope that you have new life in Jesus. Are you ready to share the Good News about Jesus with others today? —PD “From that time Jesus began to tell people his message: ‘Change your hearts and lives, because God’s kingdom is now very near.’” Matthew 4:17 PRAYER: Father, Your Son, Jesus, obeyed You, and I want to obey You, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

愛與饒恕 (2)

愛與饒恕 (2)
聖經閱讀：路加福音23:26-49 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月26日(六)

昨天，我們讀到耶穌說要愛並饒恕仇敵的教導。今天我們會讀到，當仇敵傷害耶穌時，耶穌做了什麼。 　今天的經文告訴我們那些人對耶穌所做的可怕事情。是耶穌做了什麼錯事、犯了罪嗎？不，祂是無辜的，祂不曾犯過罪。但是，祂的仇敵鞭打祂、嘲笑祂、向祂吐口水、將荊棘作的冠冕戴在祂的頭上，並把祂釘在十字架上。 　而耶穌做了什麼呢？祂有咒詛這些人，或是求上帝殺死他們嗎？沒有！第34節告訴我們耶穌做了什麼：「耶穌說：『父親哪，赦免他們，因為他們不曉得自己在做甚麼。』」耶穌愛並饒恕那些殺害祂的人。 　今天也許有人因為你是基督徒而取笑你，你會怎麼做呢？你會像耶穌一樣愛人並饒恕人嗎？ —ECW 「兵士也同樣譏笑他。他們上前，拿酸酒給他，說：『你若是猶太人的王，救救你自己吧！』」 路加福音23:36-37 禱告：天上的父，感謝祢賜下耶穌饒恕的榜樣，求祢幫助我學像祂。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Love and Forgiveness (2)
Bible Reading: Luke 23:26-49
Saturday, April 26, 2014

Yesterday we read what Jesus said about loving and forgiving our enemies. Today we will read what Jesus did when His enemies were hurting Him. 　Our Bible Reading tells us the terrible things that people did to Jesus. Was Jesus guilty of doing something wrong? No, He was innocent. He never sinned. But His enemies beat Him, mocked Him, spit on Him, put a crown of thorns on His head, and nailed Him to a cross. 　What did Jesus do? Did He curse those people or ask God to kill them? No! Verse 34 tells us what Jesus did. “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.’” Jesus loved and forgave the people who killed Him. 　Today there may be people who make fun of you because you are a Christian. What will you do? Will you be loving and forgiving like Jesus? —ECW “Even the soldiers laughed at Jesus and made fun of him. They came and offered him some sour wine. They said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!’” Luke 23:36-37 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus’ example of forgiveness. Help me to be like Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

愛與饒恕 (1)

愛與饒恕 (1)
聖經閱讀：路加福音6:27-38 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月25日(五)

當耶穌在世上時，祂教導了許多關於愛和饒恕的功課。在今天的經文中，耶穌談到愛和饒恕仇敵的教導。 　在這些經文中，耶穌提到了幾件我們應該要為仇敵做的事情。首先，我們必須愛他們、恩待他們。然後，我們應該為他們禱告，求上帝祝福他們。 　對我們來說，做這些事或許很困難。我們常常會想要去傷害那些正在傷害我們的人，或者去說那些批評我們的人的壞話，但是在第35a節，耶穌說：「你們要愛仇敵，善待他們……你們將得到豐富的獎賞，而且將成為至高上帝的兒女。」 　是否有些人討厭你或是想要對你做壞事呢？上帝希望你愛他們、饒恕他們，「你們要仁慈，正像你們的天父是仁慈的」（第36節）。—ECW 「不要評斷人，上帝就不審斷你們；不要定人的罪，上帝就不定你們的罪；要饒恕人，上帝就饒恕你們。」 路加福音6:37 禱告：親愛的上帝，我願成為慈愛並能寬恕別人的人。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Love and Forgiveness (1)
Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-38
Friday, April 25, 2014

While Jesus was on earth, He taught a lot about love and forgiveness. In our Bible Reading today, Jesus talked about loving and forgiving our enemies. 　In these verses, Jesus mentioned several things that we should do for our enemies. First, we should love them and do good things for them. Then, we should pray for them and ask God to bless them. 　It may be hard for us to do those things. Often we want to hurt people who are hurting us or say bad things about those who criticize us. But in verse 35a Jesus said, “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them…If you do this, you will receive a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God.” 　Are there people who hate you or try to do bad things to you? God wants you to love and forgive them. “Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy” (verse 36). —ECW “Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 PRAYER: Dear God, I want to be loving and forgiving. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

耶穌捨命

耶穌捨命
聖經閱讀：約翰福音6:25-40 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月24日(四)

在一個炎熱的夏日，我的車子壞了，我唯一的選擇就是走路去找人幫忙。不久之後，我就累了，而且又饑又渴。終於有一部車停了下來，車上的人跟我要去的地方是同一個方向，他們說可以載我一程。上車後，他們送給我一些飲料和點心。我真的很感謝可以搭便車，又有東西可以吃。 　約翰福音第6章的第一個部份記載了耶穌餵飽5000多人。在今天的經文中，同樣的這些人問耶穌一些問題。也許他們想要耶穌再次餵飽他們，但耶穌說（第32b-33節）：「……從天上來的真食糧是我父親賜給你們的。因為上帝所賜的食糧就是那從天上降下來、把生命給了世界的那一位。」 　耶穌告訴那些人，祂是真食糧，而且祂是唯一可以滿足屬靈渴望的那一位。你想要擁有耶穌賜下的平安和滿足嗎？就去尋求祂，並且讓祂賜給你永生。 －BH 「我就是生命的食糧；到我這裏來的，永遠不餓；信我的，永遠不渴。」 約翰福音6:35b 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢賜給我們生命的靈糧，耶穌。奉主的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Jesus Gives Life
Bible Reading: John 6:25-40
Thursday, April 24, 2014

My car broke down one summer day. My only choice was to walk and find help. After a while, I was tired, thirsty and hungry. Finally a car stopped. The people in the car were going the same direction I needed to go and said they would take me. After I got in the car, they gave me a drink and a snack. I was so thankful that I had a ride and also some food. 　In the first part of John, chapter 6, Jesus fed more than 5000 people. In our Bible Reading, those same people asked Jesus some questions. Probably they wanted Jesus to feed them again. Jesus said (verses 32b-33), “…my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. God’s bread is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 　Jesus told the people that He was the true bread and that He was the only One who could satisfy their spiritual hunger. Do you want the peace and contentment that Jesus gives? Turn to Him and let Him give you eternal life. —BH “I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.” John 6:35b PRAYER: God, thank You for Jesus, our spiritual bread of life. In His name. Amen.

天堂

天堂
聖經閱讀：啟示錄21:1-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月23日(三)

今天的經文給了我們一個天堂像什麼樣子的精彩描述。關於天堂，我想有兩件事會讓人感到興趣：一、它看起來會是什麼樣子？以及二、那裡不會有什麼？ 　天堂會是什麼樣子呢？第11節經文告訴我們，它會「閃耀像碧玉寶石」，那裡將會有12道門，整座城是建立在12塊基石上，這些基石會用各種貴重的寶石裝飾，而且城裡的街道是純金的！ 　然而天堂不會有什麼呢？那裡不會有死亡、悲傷、哭泣或是痛苦；天堂不會有聖殿、太陽或月亮。「主─全能的上帝和羔羊就是這城的聖殿。……有上帝的榮光照耀著」（第22b-23a節）。此外，第27b節說：「行為可憎或撒謊的，都不能進去」。 　天堂將會是一個超越我們想像、令人驚嘆地方！我期待永遠住在那裡，我希望你也是！ －JTZ* 「上帝的家在人間了！他要和人住在一起，而他們要作他的子民。上帝要親自與他們同在，要作他們的上帝。」 啟示錄21:3b 禱告：主，謝謝祢造了一個我可以永遠與祢同住的地方。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Heaven
Bible Reading: Revelation 21:1-27
Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Our Bible Reading today gives us a wonderful description of what heaven will be like. There are two things that I think will be interesting about heaven: 1) What it will look like, and 2) What will not be there. 　What will heaven look like? Verse 11 tells us that it will be shining bright “like a very expensive jewel.” There will be 12 gates and the city is built on 12 foundation stones. These foundations stones will have expensive jewels in them. And the streets of the city will be pure gold! 　What will not be in heaven? There will be no death, sadness, crying or pain. There will be no temple or sun or moon in heaven. “The Lord All-Powerful and the Lamb were the city’s temple…the glory of God gave the city light” (verses 22b-23a). Also, verse 27b says “no one who does shameful things or tells lies” will be there. 　Heaven will be the most amazing place we could ever imagine! I am looking forward to living there forever. I hope you are, too! —JTZ* “Now God’s home is with people. He will live with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God.” Revelation 21:3b PRAYER: Lord, thank You for making a place where I can live forever with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

永遠在那裡

永遠在那裡
聖經閱讀：詩篇46:1-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月22日(二)

在一年多前，我有一筆多出來的現金，所以我將它放進一個信封，然後藏到一本書裡。後來，我太太問起了這筆錢，我甚至不記得有藏過這筆錢。然後在幾個月之後，在我翻書時，我發現了那個信封和那筆錢。 　就算我已經忘記了那筆錢，但是它永遠在同一個地方，而且永遠等著我去拿。上帝的應許也是這樣，我們也許忘了它們、忽略它們或者懷疑它們，但是上帝的應許永遠在那裡等著我們去領受。 　在聖經中，上帝賜給了我們很多的應許，今天的經文提醒我們其中的一個。上帝已經應許成為「我們的避難所和力量」（第1a節），而這個應許永遠存在，好讓我們可以記得並緊緊抓住。 　今天，不要忘記上帝的應許！祂愛你並想要祝福你。 －BL 「上帝……是我們患難中隨時的幫助。因此，縱使大地震動。高山崩坍，墜入大洋；縱使怒濤澎湃，群山震撼，我們也不驚惶。」 詩篇46:1b, 3 禱告：親愛的上帝，謝謝祢賜下應許。求祢幫助我記得祢永遠與我同在。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Always There
Bible Reading: Psalm 46:1-11
Tuesday, April 22, 2014

More than a year ago, I had some extra cash. So I put it in an envelope and hid it in a book. Later my wife asked me about the money. I didn’t even remember hiding the money. Then a few months later I was looking through my books and I found the envelope and the money. 　Even though I had forgotten about the money, it was always in the same place. And it was always available for me to take. God’s promises are the same way. We may forget about them, ignore them or doubt them, but God’s promises are always there for us to accept. 　God has given us many promises in the Bible. Our Bible Reading reminds us about one promise. God has promised to be our “protection and source of strength” (verse 1a). That promise is always there for us to remember and hold onto. 　Don’t forget God’s promises today! He loves you and wants to bless you. —BL “He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble.” Psalm 46:1b, 3 PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your promises. Help me to remember You are always with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

走另一條路

走另一條路
聖經閱讀：箴言4:10-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年4月21日(一)

今天早上，當我看到前面有道路施工的號誌時，只離聽障事工辦公室才幾哩路。我可以看見工人叫車子停下來等待，讓車子排成一條長長的隊伍。我知道如果我排隊等待的話，上班就會遲到，所以我決定下高速公路，改走另一條路到辦公室。 　有時候在生命中，我們也必須停下來改走另一條路。也許我們看見朋友正在帶我們離開耶穌，那麼我們就必須另外找一些跟從耶穌的新朋友。或許我們了解到，花在電腦上的時間太多，讓我們不能好好讀經，所以我們就必須限制使用電腦的時間，並安排時間來研讀上帝的話語。 　今天的經文提醒我們，當我們跟隨做錯事的人，我們應該「要躲避邪惡，不要跟從；只管走你的路，拒絕同流合污」（第15節），那麼，我們就是走在通往救恩和天國永生的道路上。 －JK 「對所計劃的事要有把握，你所做的就不至於差錯。要排除邪惡，朝著前面直走，不要離開正路一步。」 箴言4:26-27 禱告：親愛的上帝，我願走在通往祢的道路上。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Go Another Way
Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:10-27
Monday, April 21, 2014

I was only a few miles from the Deaf Missions office this morning when I noticed road construction signs ahead. I could see that the workers were stopping traffic and making them wait in a long line. I knew that if I waited, I would be late for work. So I decided to turn off the highway and go another way to the office. 　Sometimes in life we need to stop and go another way. Maybe we see that our friends are leading us away from Jesus. Then we need to find new friends who follow Jesus. Or maybe we realize that our time on the computer is keeping us from studying the Bible. So we need to limit our time on the computer and make time to read and study God’s Word. 　Our Bible Reading today reminds us that when we are following people who do wrong things, we should “turn around and go another way” (verse 15). Then we will be on the way that leads to salvation and eternal life in heaven. —JK “Make sure you are going the right way, and nothing will make you fall. Don’t go to the right or to the left, and you will stay away from evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27 PRAYER: Dear God, I want to stay on the way that leads to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.