堅強和勇敢

堅強和勇敢
聖經閱讀：約書亞記1:1-9 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月31日(四)

約書亞是個好人，就算任務是困難的，他仍然遵照上帝的命令去行。摩西去世的時候，約書亞成為以色列民的領袖。要帶領這麼多人是一件責任重大的事！但是上帝應許將與約書亞同在並且幫助他。 　在今天經文的第5-6a節，上帝告訴約書亞祂永遠不會離棄他：「約書亞啊，在你有生之日，沒有人能打敗你。我要與你同在，像我與摩西同在一樣。我絕不撇下你，也不離棄你。你要堅強，要勇敢!」上帝知道約書亞的任務並不容易，但是上帝也知道約書亞愛祂、順服祂。 　你曾經害怕為上帝去做一件大事嗎？請記得，上帝必與你同在──就如同祂與約書亞同在一樣。如果你倚靠上帝，祂會幫助你並賜給你完成工作的力量。今天，就像約書亞一樣堅強和勇敢吧！ —MS 「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：天父，謝謝祢藉著差派耶穌為我們而死來向我們彰顯祢的愛。求祢幫助我今天讓人看見祢的愛。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (英家慶譯)

Strong and Brave
Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9
Thursday, July 31, 2014

Joshua was a good man. He did what God commanded, even when it was hard to do. When Moses died, Joshua became the leader of the people of Israel. It was a huge responsibility to lead so many people! But God promised He would be with Joshua and help him. 　In verses 5-6a of our Bible Reading, God told Joshua that He would never leave him. “Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you. Joshua, you must be strong and brave!” God knew that Joshua’s job would not be easy. But God knew that Joshua loved and obeyed Him. 　Have you ever been scared to do a big job for God? Remember that God will be with you — just like He was with Joshua. If you depend on God, He will help you and give you the strength to do your job. Be strong and brave like Joshua today!—MS “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: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us Your love by sending Jesus to die for us. Help me to show Your love today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

大比大

大比大
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳9:36-43 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月30日(三)

今天的經文跟我們談到大比大，她擁有從上帝而來的美好恩賜。大比大能夠為別人縫製衣服，這是大比大向其他人表達上帝之愛的方式。 　今天的經文也跟我們談到大比大死了，所有認識她的人都非常傷心。大比大的朋友拜託彼得幫助她，有了上帝的幫助，彼得能夠使大比大從死裡復活。也因著這個神蹟，更多人信了耶穌。 　你的恩賜是什麼呢？你會縫紉嗎？烹飪？修理東西？寫作？清掃？上帝已經賜給你可以去服事別人的特別技能和能力。你的恩賜或許看起來很平凡，但是上帝會幫助你使用它們去愛別人。 　我希望你今天用恩賜去幫助別人。 —GT 「無論做甚麼，你們都要專心一意，像是為主工作，不是為人工作。要知道主會把他為自己的子民所保存的賞賜給你。」 哥羅西書3:23-24a 禱告：天父，我願用我的恩賜來服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Tabitha
Bible Reading: Acts 9:36-43
Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Our Bible verses tell us about Tabitha. She had a wonderful talent from God. Tabitha was able to sew and make clothes for other people. This was how Tabitha showed God’s love to other people. 　Our Bible verses also tell us that Tabitha died. All of the people who knew Tabitha were very sad. Tabitha’s friends asked Peter to help her. With God’s help, Peter was able to raise Tabitha from the dead. Because of this miracle, many more people believed in Jesus. 　What is your talent? Can you sew? Cook? Fix things? Write? Clean? God has given you special skills and abilities that you can use to serve others. Your talents may seem ordinary, but God will help you use them to show love to other people. 　I hope you use your talents to help others today. —GT “In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what he promised his people.” Colossians 3:23-24a PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to use my talents to serve You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

信心、愛心和盼望

信心、愛心和盼望
聖經閱讀：帖撒羅尼迦前書1:2-3 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月29日(二)

在今天的經文中，保羅寫信給在帖撒羅尼迦的一群基督徒，他因著這些基督徒正在為耶穌所作的工而稱讚他們。 　首先，保羅因著這些基督徒憑信心來作工而感謝上帝，他們相信耶穌是上帝的兒子，他們的信心帶領他們為主作美好的工。其次，保羅因著他們對耶穌和彼此間的愛而所作的工感謝上帝，他們的愛激勵他們去服事並彼此勉勵。 　最後，保羅在第3b節因著他們「堅守對我們的主耶穌基督的盼望」而感謝上帝。帖撒羅尼迦的基督徒擁有與上帝永遠同住的盼望，所以他們願意耐心等候並為耶穌忍受困難。 　今天就讓你的信心、愛心和盼望來帶領你為上帝行善事！—JA* 「主的信息不僅從你們那裏傳開到馬其頓和亞該亞，你們對上帝的信心也傳到遠近各處；這實在用不著我們多說。」 帖撒羅尼迦前書1:8 禱告：天父，我愛祢，今天我願服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Faith, Love and Hope
Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Tuesday, July 29, 2014

In our Bible Reading today, Paul wrote to a group of Christians in the city of Thessalonica. He praised these Christians for the work they were doing for Jesus. 　First, Paul thanked God for the work these Christians did because of their faith. They believed in Jesus as God’s Son. Their faith led them to do good works for God. Second, Paul thanked God for their work that came from their love for Jesus and for each other. Their love prompted them to serve and encourage each other. 　Finally, Paul said in verse 3b, “And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Christians in Thessalonica had the hope of living forever with God. So they were willing to be patient and endure problems for Jesus. 　Allow your faith, love and hope to lead you to do good things for God today! —JA* “The Lord’s teaching has spread from you throughout Greece and beyond. In fact, your faith in God has become known everywhere, so we never have to tell anyone about it.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 PRAYER: Father, I love You and want to serve You today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

腓利順服上帝

腓利順服上帝
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳8:26-40 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月28日(一)

上帝希望我們去向人傳講耶穌，今天的經文告訴我們腓利向人分享耶穌福音的故事。有一個天使告訴腓利去走那條從耶路撒冷通往迦薩的路。也許腓利不明白為什麼上帝要差派他到那裡，但他還是順服。 　在路上，腓利遇見了一個從衣索匹亞來的官員，那個人正在讀以賽亞書，這時聖靈吩咐腓利去跟那個人在一起。那個衣索匹亞人並不了解正在讀的書卷，所以腓利便解釋說，以賽亞是在談有關上帝的兒子，耶穌。 　那個人相信腓利向他所傳講、關於耶穌的事蹟，所以腓利就為他施洗，「他繼續趕路，滿心快樂」（第39b節）。我們也必須順服上帝去向人傳講耶穌，今天你要傳講的對象是誰呢？ －DJH* 「『這裏有水，我不可以就在這裏接受洗禮嗎？』太監就吩咐停車；腓利跟他一同下到水裏，為他施行洗禮。」 使徒行傳4:36b-38 禱告：親愛的上帝，今天我願順服祢去向人傳講耶穌。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Philip Obeys God
Bible Reading: Acts 8:26-40
Monday, July 28, 2014

God wants us to tell other people about Jesus. Our Bible Reading today tells us about Philip, who shared the Good News about Jesus. An angel told Philip to go down a certain road that went from Gaza to Jerusalem. Probably Philip did not know why God was sending him there, but he obeyed. 　On that road, Philip met a man who was a government official from Ethiopia. This man was reading from the book of Isaiah. The Holy Spirit told Philip to stay with the man. The man from Ethiopia did not understand what he was reading. So Philip explained that Isaiah was talking about God’s Son, Jesus. 　The man believed what Philip told him about Jesus. So Philip baptized the man, who “continued on his way home. He was very happy” (verse 39b). We need to obey God and tell others about Jesus, too. Who will you tell today? —DJH* “‘Look, here is water! What is stopping me from being baptized?’ Then the official ordered the chariot to stop. Both Philip and the official went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:36b-38 PRAYER: Dear God, I will obey You and tell others about Jesus today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

以斯帖

以斯帖
聖經閱讀：以斯帖記4:12-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月27日(日)

以斯帖記是關於一個年輕猶太女子以斯帖的精采故事。亞哈隨魯王揀選了以斯帖作為他的皇后。以斯帖和她的堂哥莫底改知道了一個名叫哈曼的人想要殺害所有的猶太人，以斯帖和莫底改就幫助國王揭發哈曼的邪惡計畫。亞哈隨魯王便將哈曼吊死，拯救了以斯帖和所有的猶太人。 　在今天的經文中，末底改提醒以斯帖，上帝要使用她拯救猶太人。經文第14b節，末底改說：「誰知道，也許你被安排作王后正是為了這時刻！」 　有時候我們也許不明白上帝在我們生命中的計畫，但是我們的職責就是去順服祂、跟隨祂，祂會帶領我們並使用我們來服事祂。 　今天就學像以斯帖，讓上帝使用你去接觸那些需要認識耶穌和祂的救恩禮物的人。 －JD* 「王喜愛她勝過其他任何少女；她比其他任何一個女子更贏得王的恩寵。」 以斯帖2:17a 禱告：親愛的上帝，我願順服祢、跟隨祢，求祢讓我知道可以如何服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Esther
Bible Reading: Esther 4:12-17
Sunday, July 27, 2014

The book of Esther is a wonderful story about a young Jewish girl, Esther. King Xerxes chose Esther to be his queen. Esther and her cousin, Mordecai, learned that a man named Haman wanted to kill all the Jews. Esther and Mordecai helped the king find out about Haman’s evil plan. King Xerxes hanged Haman and saved Esther and all the Jewish people. 　In our Bible Reading today, Mordecai reminded Esther that God was using her to save the Jews. In verse 14b, Mordecai said, “...who knows, maybe you have been chosen to be the queen for such a time as this.” 　Sometimes we may not understand God’s plan for our lives. But our job is to obey and follow God. He will lead us and use us to serve Him. 　Be like Esther today. Allow God to use you to reach out to people who need to know about Jesus and His gift of salvation. —JD* “The king loved Esther more than any of the other young women, and she became his favorite. He approved of her more than any of the others.” Esther 2:17a PRAYER: Dear God, I want to obey and follow You. Show me how I can serve You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

迦瑪列

迦瑪列
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳5:29-42 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月26日(六)

當耶穌住在世上的時候，許多猶太領袖不相信耶穌是上帝的兒子。他們嘲笑耶穌、說關於祂的謊話，並且企圖設計陷害祂。 　但是有一個猶太領袖幫助在耶路撒冷的基督徒，這個人名叫迦瑪列，他是法利賽人，也是一名法律教師。其他的猶太領袖都想要殺害使徒，但是迦瑪列告訴這些領袖（第35b、38b和39節）：「……你們處理這些人的事必須謹慎！不要跟他們作對，由他們去吧！如果他們所計劃、所做的是出於人，一定失敗；如果是出於上帝，你們就不能夠擊敗他們。你們所做的，恐怕是在敵對上帝了！」 　迦瑪列阻止了猶太領袖傷害彼得和其他使徒，迦瑪列用這個方式來服事上帝並幫助在耶路撒冷的教會成長。有時候上帝會使用我們來幫助教會成長，也許我們甚至不知道上帝正在使用我們，但是我們必須順服和謙卑，並讓上帝透過我們說話。 －DVH* 「不要自私自利，不要貪圖虛名，要彼此謙讓，看別人比自己高明。」 腓立比書2:3 禱告：天父，求祢使用我來幫助教會成長。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (陳萍萍譯)

Gamaliel
Bible Reading: Acts 5:29-42
Saturday, July 26, 2014

When Jesus lived on earth, many Jewish leaders did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son. They made fun of Jesus, told lies about Him and tried to trick Him. 　But one Jewish leader helped the Christians in Jerusalem. This man was named Gamaliel. He was a Pharisee and a teacher of the law. The other Jewish leaders wanted to kill the apostles. Gamaliel told the leaders (verses 35b, 38b and 39), “...be careful of what you are planning to do to these men. Leave them alone. If their plan is something they thought up, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be fighting against God himself!” 　Gamaliel prevented the Jewish leaders from hurting Peter and the other apostles. In this way, Gamaliel served God and helped the church to grow in Jerusalem. Sometimes God uses us to help the church grow. We may not even realize that God is using us. But we need to be obedient and humble and let God speak through us. —DVH* “In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 PRAYER: Father, use me today to help the church grow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

藉著信心而行

藉著信心而行
聖經閱讀：希伯來書11:1-10 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月25日(五)

有時候我有疑問或是遇到了困難，我會非常努力去找答案或是去解決問題。當我一想再想時，我就開始擔心而且有悲觀的想法。 　最後，我決定將我的問題和憂慮交託給上帝，我禱告懇求祂回應我。當我在禱告時，我想起上帝會回應我的禱告，所以我也因著祂將賜給我的回應而感謝祂。 　今天的經文跟我們談到倚靠上帝並藉著信心而行的人。當我將問題交託給上帝時，我就是藉著信心而行。我也許不知道上帝將會如何幫助我，但是我倚靠祂並信任祂來照顧我。 　今天你遭遇到麻煩嗎？請藉著信心而行並將你的問題交託給上帝，同時不要忘記感謝祂為你所做的一切！—BH 「人沒有信心就不能得到上帝的歡心。凡是到上帝面前來的人都必須信上帝的存在，而且信他要報賞尋求他的人。」 希伯來書11:6 禱告：親愛的天父，感謝祢的愛，感謝祢使我可以永遠倚靠祢來幫助我，今天求祢幫助我藉著信心而行。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Walking by Faith
Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-10
Friday, July 25, 2014

Sometimes I have a question or problem. I work really hard to find an answer or solve my problem. As I think and think, I start to worry and think sad thoughts. 　Finally I decide to give my problems and concerns to God. I pray and ask Him to give me an answer. While I am praying, I remember that God will answer my prayers, so I thank Him, too, for the answers He will give me. 　Our Bible Reading today tells us about people who depended on God and walked by faith. When I give my problems to God, I am walking by faith. I may not know how God will help me, but I depend on Him and trust Him to take care of me. 　Are you facing troubles today? Walk by faith and give your problems to God. And don’t forget to thank Him for all He does for you! —BH “Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your love. And thank You that I can always depend on You to help me. Help me to walk by faith today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

順服上帝

順服上帝
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳 4:8-22 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月24日(四)

彼得和約翰宣講耶穌的福音，一些猶太領袖非常反感，因此就將彼得和約翰關進監牢。今天的經文告訴我們，彼得仍然繼續宣講耶穌的福音。 　猶太領袖警告彼得和約翰，「無論如何不得再藉耶穌的名發表言論或教導人」（第18b節）。然而，彼得和約翰回答他們：「聽從你們對，或是聽從上帝對呢？你們自己判斷吧！我們所看見所聽到的，不能不說出來」（第19b-20節）。 　有時候當我談論耶穌時，人們會取笑我們，或是恐嚇我們，很容易我們就會放棄並停止談論耶穌的福音，但是上帝希望我們順服祂，繼續向人傳講耶穌。當我們談論耶穌時，我們或許會遇到問題，但是上帝會與我們同在並幫助我們──就好像祂跟彼得和約翰同在一樣。 　今天就順服上帝，不要害怕去向人傳講上帝的兒子！ —ECW 「但那遵守上帝的道的人，他對上帝的愛就達到完全。那說他有上帝的生命的，應該照耶穌基督的言行生活；這樣，我們才有把握說，我們有他的生命。」 約翰一書2:5-6 禱告：親愛的上帝，當我跟別人分享耶穌的福音時，求祢幫助我順服祢、信靠祢。奉主的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Obeying God
Bible Reading: Acts 4:8-22
Thursday, July 24, 2014

Peter and John preached about Jesus. Some Jewish leaders did not like that, so they put Peter and John in jail. In our Bible verses for today, Peter continued to preach about Jesus. 　The Jewish leaders told Peter and John “not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus” (verse 18b). But Peter and John answered them, “Should we obey you or God? We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about what we have seen and heard” (verse 19b). 　Sometimes people make fun of us or threaten us when we talk about Jesus. It is easy to just give up and stop talking about Jesus. But God wants us to obey Him and tell others about Jesus. When we talk about Jesus, we may face problems. But God will be with us and help us — just like He was with Peter and John. 　Obey God today. Don’t be afraid to tell others about His Son! —ECW “But when we obey God’s teaching, his love is truly working in us. This is how we know that we are living in him. If we say we live in God, we must live the way Jesus lived.”1 John 2:5-6 PRAYER: Dear God, help me to obey and trust You as I share Jesus with others. In His name. Amen.

憐憫

憐憫
聖經閱讀：馬太福音 20:29-34 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月21日(一)

今天的經文跟我們談到，耶穌正要離開耶利哥城前往耶路撒冷，途中祂遇到了兩個盲人，他們對著耶穌大聲叫喊（第30b節）：「主啊，大衛之子，可憐我們吧！」 　那些跟隨著耶穌的人群很興奮能跟耶穌在一起，不久之後，他們將以耶穌為君王來對待祂。他們不希望這兩個盲人來打擾耶穌，所以「大家責備他們，不許他們作聲」（第31節）。 　這些人感到不高興，但是耶穌是否也不高興或生氣呢？不！「耶穌動了惻隱的心」（第34a節）。這裡的希臘原文是指耶穌對這兩個人起了深深的憐憫之心，於是耶穌摸這兩個盲人的眼睛，醫治了他們。 　這個聖經故事告訴我們，當我們傷心或難過的時候，上帝不會對我們感到生氣或惱怒，祂愛我們並且憐憫我們。 —BL 「耶穌停下來，叫他們過來，問說：『你們要我為你們做甚麼？』 他們回答說：『主啊，請你使我們的眼睛能夠看見！』」 馬太福音20:32-33 禱告：上帝，我感謝祢讓我總是可以到?面前尋求幫助。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Compassion
Bible Reading: Matthew 20:29-34
Monday, July 21, 2014

Our Bible verses today tell us that Jesus was leaving Jericho to go to Jerusalem. He met two blind men. They shouted to Jesus (verse 30b), “Lord, Son of David, please help us!” 　The crowd of people who were traveling with Jesus were excited to be with Jesus. Soon they would treat Jesus as a king. They didn’t want these blind men to bother Jesus. So the “people there criticized the blind men and told them to be quiet” (verse 31). 　The people were upset. But was Jesus upset or angry? No! “Jesus felt sorry for the blind men” (verse 34a). The Greek word that is used here means that Jesus had a deep compassion for these men. Jesus touched the men’s eyes and healed them. 　This Bible story shows us that when we are sad or hurting, God is not angry or annoyed with us. He loves us and shows us His compassion. —BL “Jesus stopped and said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They answered, ‘Lord, we want to be able to see.’” Matthew 20:32-33 PRAYER: God, I thank You that I can always come to You for help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

耶穌的愛

耶穌的愛
聖經閱讀：馬太福音8:1-4 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年7月23日(三)

在聖經故事記載的年代裡，有些人得到一種可怕、叫作痲瘋的皮膚病。根據律法，痲瘋病人被要求遠離人群，當他們真的遇見人的時候，應該要大聲喊著：「不潔淨、不潔淨！」 　今天經文中的痲瘋病人違反了這個規定，他進到人群裡並往前走向耶穌。這個痲瘋病人向耶穌下拜，說：「主啊，只要你肯，你能使我潔淨」（第2b節）。 　耶穌有責罵那個痲瘋病人或者請他離開嗎？沒有！耶穌為這個人感到難過，祂觸摸那個人並醫治了他。 　世上有許多被遺棄、孤單的人，他們需要有人去接觸他們、跟他們傳講耶穌。今天就找一個你可以用耶穌的愛去接觸的人。 —BL 「耶穌一登岸，看見這一大群人，動了惻隱的心，因為他們好像沒有牧人的羊群。他開始教導他們許多事。」 馬可福音6:34 禱告：天父，求祢用耶穌的愛充滿我，好讓我今天可以去接觸其他人。奉主的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Jesus’ Love
Bible Reading: Matthew 8:1-4
Wednesday, July 23, 2014

In Bible times, some people had a terrible skin disease called leprosy. According to the law, lepers were required to stay away from other people. When they did meet people, the lepers were supposed to shout “unclean, unclean.” 　The leper in our Bible verses broke the rules. He came into a crowd of people and walked up to Jesus. The leper bowed down before Jesus and said, “Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want” (verse 2b). 　Did Jesus scold the leper or tell him to go away? No! Jesus felt sorry for the man. He touched the man and healed him. 　There are many people in the world who are rejected and alone. They need someone to reach out to them and tell them about Jesus. Find someone today that you can touch with Jesus’ love. —BL “As Jesus stepped out of the boat, he saw a large crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd to care for them. So he taught the people many things.” Mark 6:34 PRAYER: Father, fill me with Jesus’ love so that I can reach out to others today. In His name. Amen.