受苦

受苦
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳14:21-28 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年6月29日(日)

今天我們讀到保羅和巴拿巴回到幾間他們以前曾經拜訪過的教會，為什麼呢？因為「他們到處堅固門徒的心，鼓勵他們堅守信仰」（第14:22a節）。 　保羅和巴拿巴還告訴這些人，他們為上帝的國度將會遭受苦難。有時候，人們會以為成為基督徒之後，就會事事順利，不會再遇到苦難，但如果我們真的跟隨耶穌，我們是會遭遇苦難和迫害的。 　做沙拉時，我不會只將生菜丟到碗裡就吃它，我會加其他蔬菜和佐料讓沙拉更好吃。我們的信心也是如此，它建立在我們所面對的苦難，以及快樂的事情上。 　當你在基督徒的生活中受苦時請不要驚訝，就使用這些日子來讓你的信心更加剛強。 —SH* 「誰能夠使我們跟基督的愛隔絕呢？是患難嗎？困苦嗎？迫害嗎？……在這一切事情上面，我們靠著愛我們的主已經獲得完全的勝利！」 羅馬書8:35, 37 禱告：天父，我信靠祢，懇求祢賜給我力量來面對苦難的日子。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Suffering
Bible Reading: Acts 14:21-28
Sunday, June 29, 2014

Today we read that Paul and Barnabas went back to several churches they had visited before. Why? “In those cities they helped the followers grow stronger in their faith and encouraged them to continue trusting God” (verse 22a). 　Paul and Barnabas also told these people that they would face suffering for God’s kingdom. Sometimes people think that when they become a Christian, everything will be fine and they will not face hard times. But if we are truly following Jesus, we will face suffering and persecution. 　When I make a salad, I don’t just throw lettuce in the bowl and eat it. I add other vegetables and things that make a good salad. Our faith is like that. It is built on the suffering we face as well as the good times. 　Don’t be surprised when you experience suffering in your Christian life. Use those times to make your faith grow stronger. —SH* “Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love?...But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us.” Romans 8:35, 37 PRAYER: Father, I trust You. Give me strength to face hard times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.