給以弗所教會的信 (7)

給以弗所教會的信 (7)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書6:18-20 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月30日(二)

在今天的經文中，保羅鼓勵以弗所的基督徒禱告，他說（第18a節）：「隨從聖靈的帶領禱告」。保羅希望這些人和上帝有好的溝通。 　保羅同時說：「你們要在禱告中祈求上帝的幫助」（第18b節）。保羅希望這些基督徒知道，他們可以在任何時間禱告，也可以跟上帝談任何事情。保羅的話一定大大地鼓勵了他們。 　保羅接著在第18b節說：「要不斷地為信徒們禱告。」我們必須為其他基督徒禱告，我們應該禱告祈求他們會信心堅強，並祈求上帝會供應他們日常的需要。然後在第19節，保羅要求這些人為他禱告，為什麼呢？因為這樣他才可以繼續宣講耶穌。當我們的牧師、聖經課老師和宣教士傳揚耶穌福音的時候，我們應該為他們禱告。 　你務必要留心聆聽保羅的教導，並且花時間禱告。 —CW* 「你們應該一無掛慮；要在禱告中把你們所需要的告訴上帝，用感謝的心祈求。」 腓立比書4:6 禱告：親愛的上帝，因著祢的信實和慈愛，我讚美祢。感謝祢留心聆聽我的禱告。奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (7)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:18-20
Tuesday, September 30, 2014

In our Bible verses today, Paul encouraged the Ephesian Christians to pray. He said (verse 18a), “Pray in the Spirit at all times.” Paul wanted these people to have good communication with God. 　Paul also said, “Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need” (verse 18b). Paul wanted these Christians to know that they could pray anytime and talk to God about anything. Paul’s words must have encouraged them a lot. 　Paul continued in verse 18b, “Always pray for God’s people.” We need to pray for other Christians. We should pray that they will stay strong in their faith and that God will provide their daily needs. Then in verse 19 Paul asked the people to pray for him. Why? So that he could continue preaching about Jesus. We should pray for our pastors, Bible teachers and missionaries as they share the Good News about Jesus. 　Be sure that you pay attention to Paul and take time to pray. —CW* “Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.” Philippians 4:6 PRAYER: Dear God, I praise You for Your faithfulness and love. Thank You for paying attention to my prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

給以弗所教會的信 (6)

給以弗所教會的信 (6)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書:5:5-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月29日(一)

我的眼睛瞎了，對我來說，世界看起來非常黑暗。但我並不是一直都看不見，幾年前，我有好的視力；當我的視力變差時，東西就開始看起來越來越模糊、黑暗。 　身為一個盲人，我必須很小心才不會失足跌倒，這也是為什麼我使用一根白手杖，或者使用導盲犬來幫助我。生活中充滿罪的人活在另一種黑暗中，他們是活在屬靈的黑暗裡。在今天所讀的經文中，保羅告訴以弗所的基督徒，說他們成為基督徒之前，也是活在這種黑暗之中。 　但是接著保羅告訴這些人，現在他們活在上帝的光中了。他們已經成為基督徒，而且滿有「良善、正義，和真理」（第9節）。保羅鼓勵他們繼續跟隨上帝，而且不要再回到屬靈的黑暗中。 　「所以，你們的行為要謹慎。不要像無知的人，要像智慧的人」（第15節）。今天就決定活在上帝的光中。 —CW* 「你們原是在黑暗中，可是自從成為主的信徒，你們就在光明中。你們的生活必須像光明的人。」 以弗所書5:8 禱告：上帝，我願永遠活在祢的光中，求祢幫助我學像耶穌。奉主的名禱告，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (6)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:5-17
Monday, September 29, 2014

I am blind. To me, the world looks very dark. But I have not always been blind. Years ago, I had good vision. As my eyesight became worse, things started to look more blurry and dark. 　As a blind person, I need to be very careful that I do not stumble and fall. That's why I use a white cane or my guide dog. People who have lives filled with sin live in a different kind of darkness. They live in spiritual darkness. In our Bible verses today, Paul told the Ephesian Christians that before they became Christians they lived in this kind of darkness. 　But then Paul told these people that now they were living in God's light. They had become Christians and were full of “every kind of goodness, right living, and truth” (verse 9). Paul encouraged them to continue following God and not return to spiritual darkness. 　“So be careful how you live. Live wisely, not like fools” (verse 15). Choose today to live in God's light. —CW* “In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light.” Ephesians 5:8 PRAYER: God, I want to always live in Your light. Help me to be like Jesus. In His name. Amen.

給以弗所教會的信 (5)

給以弗所教會的信 (5)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書5:1-2 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月28日(日)

你有沒有看過一個小孩嘗試去做父母所做的事？看著小女孩將她的洋娃娃包在毯子裡並且小心地照顧它，或者觀察一個小男孩推著玩具除草機越過草坪，都是有趣的事。 　孩子模仿父母的好行為是很好的，但是當他們模仿父母做壞事時就不好了。這就是為什麼我們應該持續努力去做對的事，並且為別人樹立一個好榜樣。 　保羅在今天的經文中提醒我們，我們不應該努力去跟其他人一樣，而應該努力學像完美而且總是做正確事的上帝。如果我們努力學像上帝，那麼我們總是會蒙祂喜悅，而且我們將會成為一個讓別人跟隨的好榜樣。 　我希望今天你會努力學像上帝。 —CW* 「既然你們是上帝所愛的兒女，你們必須效法他。你們的生活要處處表現愛心，正如基督愛我們，為我們捨命，作為馨香的供物和祭品獻給上帝。」 以弗所書5:1-2 禱告：親愛的天父，我願像祢一樣，求祢幫助我成為別人的好榜樣。奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (5)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-2
Sunday, September 28, 2014

Have you ever watched a small child trying to do what his parents do? It is fun to watch a little girl wrap her doll in a blanket and gently care for it or to watch a little boy push a toy lawn mower across the lawn. 　It is good when children copy the good things that their parents do. But it is not good when they try to imitate the bad things their parents do. That is why we should always try to do the right thing and set a good example for others. 　Paul reminds us in our Bible Reading that we should not try to be like other people. We should try to be like God, who is perfect and always does the right thing. If we try to be like God, then we will always please Him. And we will be a good example for other people to follow. 　I hope that you will try to be like God today. —CW* “You are God’s dear children, so try to be like him. Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave himself for us — a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be just like You. Help me to be a good example for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

給以弗所教會的信 (4)

給以弗所教會的信 (4)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書4:26-32 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月27日(六)

保羅送給以弗所基督徒一些如何跟人相處的忠告，其中保羅談到了怒氣。 　在第26和27節，保羅說：「你們若發脾氣，不可因這脾氣而犯罪；也不可生一整天的氣，不可讓魔鬼有機可乘。」保羅希望這些基督徒快速而且和平地解決他們的問題，他告訴他們，如果仍然心存怒氣，就會給魔鬼一個引誘他們去犯罪的機會。 　接著保羅提醒以弗所的基督徒去做會鼓勵別人的事情。如果遵從這個忠告，我們就不會傷害別人，也不會說讓自己後悔的壞話，我們反而會很快原諒別人，也不會留時間給魔鬼來慫恿我們犯罪。 　如果你今天對某人生氣，就遵從保羅的忠告，作一個有愛心、仁慈和饒恕別人的人。 —CW* 「要親切仁慈相對待，彼此饒恕，正如上帝藉著基督饒恕了你們一樣。」 以弗所書4:32 禱告：親愛的上帝，謝謝祢饒恕我的罪，求祢幫助我也饒恕別人。奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (4)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:26-32
Saturday, September 27, 2014

Paul gave the Ephesian Christians advice on how to get along with each other. One thing Paul talked about was anger. 　In verses 26 and 27 Paul said, “‘When you are angry, don't let that anger make you sin,' and don't stay angry all day. Don't give the devil a way to defeat you.” Paul wanted these Christians to settle their problems quickly and peacefully. He told them that if they stayed angry, that gave the devil a chance to tempt them to sin. 　Then Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians to do things that will encourage others. If we follow that advice, we will not hurt other people or say bad things that we will regret later. Instead, we will quickly forgive people and not give the devil time to encourage us to sin. 　If you become angry with someone today, follow Paul's advice. Be loving, kind and forgiving. —CW* “Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:32 PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for forgiving me of my sins. Help me to forgive other people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

給以弗所教會的信 (3)

給以弗所教會的信 (3)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書3:14-19 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月26日(五)

今天我們將會在保羅在書信中看到更多寫給以弗所基督徒的經文，在這些經文中，保羅跟這些人談到他為他們所作的禱告。 　保羅祈求上帝賜給這些人在靈裡剛強的能力，他也祈求耶穌住在他們心裡，使他們「在他的愛中有根有基」(第17b節)。 　最後，保羅禱告祈求所有上帝的子民有能力來了解「基督的愛是多麼的長闊高深」（第18節）。有時候，我們人類的頭腦並不能理解耶穌對我們的愛是多麼的大，但是我們可以明白祂是如此愛我們，以致於祂願意為我們而死。 　當我們為別人禱告時，我們應該祈求上帝幫助這些人明白上帝奇妙的愛，這樣他們也將會領受上帝特別的祝福。 —CW* 「願你們能理解基督那超越知識所能領悟的愛，好使你們能完全被上帝的完美所充滿。」 以弗所書3:19 禱告：親愛的天父，我禱告祈求所有人都會認識耶穌的愛，並且將祂看作是生命的主及拯救者來跟從祂。奉主的名禱告，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (3)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-19
Friday, September 26, 2014

Today we will look at more verses in Paul’s letter to Christians in Ephesus. In these verses Paul told the people about his prayer for them. 　Paul asked God to give these people the power to be strong in their spirits. He also asked that Jesus would live in their hearts and that they would be “strong in love and built on love” (verse 17b). 　Finally, Paul prayed that all God’s people would have the power to understand the “greatness of Christ’s love — how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is” (verse 18). Sometimes our human minds cannot understand the greatness of Jesus’ love for us. But we can understand that He loves us so much that He was willing to die for us. 　When we pray for other people, we should ask God to help them understand Jesus’ amazing love. Then they, too, will receive God’s special blessings. —CW* “Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:19 PRAYER: Dear Father, I pray that all people will know about Jesus’ love and follow Him as their Lord and Savior. In His name. Amen.

給以弗所教會的信 (2)

給以弗所教會的信 (2)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書2:1-9 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月25日(四)

今天的經文中，保羅提醒以弗所的基督徒，從前他們在靈性上是死了。為什麼呢？「因為你的罪及你所做不順服上帝的事情」（第1節）。這些人並沒有為耶穌而活，他們「隨從這世界的邪風惡俗」（第2b節）。 　接著保羅提醒這些基督徒，上帝滿有慈愛和憐憫，祂賜給他們在耶穌裡的新生命。保羅也告訴他們，他們是因著耶穌的恩典得救，這是賜給以弗所人的福音。 　今天，這個福音也要賜給我們。透過上帝的恩典，我們可以擁有赦罪之恩以及永生的應許，在第7節，保羅形容這是上帝「極大的恩典。」 　我們不能做任何事情來換得上帝的恩典──這是祂白白送給我們的禮物。希望你已經接受了這個從上帝而來的美好禮物！ —CW* 「上帝是我們的創造者；他藉著基督耶穌改造了我們，要我們行善；這是他早已計劃要我們去做的。」 以弗所書2:10 禱告：上帝，謝謝祢如此愛我，白白賜給我祢的恩典禮物。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (2)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-9
Thursday, September 25, 2014

In our Bible verses, Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians that in the past they were spiritually dead. Why? “...because of your sins and the things you did against God” (verse 1). These people were not living for Jesus. They were living “the way the world lives” (verse 2b). 　Then Paul reminded these Christians that God is full of love and mercy. He gave them a new life in Jesus. Paul also told them that they were saved by God’s grace. This was good news for the Ephesians. 　This good news is for us today, too. We can have forgiveness and the promise of eternal life through God’ grace. In verse 7 Paul described this as “the amazing richness of his grace.” 　We cannot do anything to earn God’s grace — it is His free gift to us. I hope that you have accepted this wonderful gift from God! —CW* “God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 PRAYER: God, thank You for loving me so much that You give me Your free gift of grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

給以弗所教會的信 (1)

給以弗所教會的信 (1)
聖經閱讀：以弗所書1:15-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月24日(三)

保羅旅行到許多城市去向人傳講耶穌的福音，其中的一個城市就是以弗所。新約聖經中的以弗所書是保羅寫給以弗所基督徒的一封信。 　在今天的經文中，保羅說他為以弗所的基督徒禱告，並為他們感謝上帝。保羅的禱告說，上帝會「把聖靈賜給你們。這聖靈會給你們智慧，啟示你們認識上帝」（第17b節）。 　這些經文幫助我了解保羅真的愛以弗所的基督徒。我也愛主內的弟兄姊妹，當我禱告時，我為他們感謝上帝，並祈求他們會更認識上帝。然後，藉著告訴他們我為他們代禱來鼓勵這些基督徒。 　上帝是令人敬畏、慈愛、憐憫和饒恕人的上帝，我們應該期待每一個人都更認識祂。你要為其他基督徒感謝上帝，並禱告祈求他們會更認識上帝。 —CW* 「我也求上帝開啟你們的心眼，好使你們知道：他呼召你們來得的盼望是甚麼。」 以弗所書1:18a 禱告：天父，我願更加認識祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

Letter to Ephesus (1)
Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:15-17
Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Paul traveled to many cities to tell people about Jesus. One of those cities was Ephesus. The book of Ephesians in the New Testament is a letter that Paul wrote to Christians in Ephesus. 　In our Bible Reading, Paul said that he prayed for the Christians in Ephesus and thanked God for them. Paul’s prayer was that God “will give you the Spirit, who will let you know truths about God and help you understand them, so that you will know him better” (verse 17b). 　These verses help me understand that Paul really loved the Ephesian Christians. I, too, love my brothers and sisters in Christ. When I pray, I thank God for them and ask that they will know God better. Then, I encourage these Christians by telling them that I pray for them. 　God is awesome, loving, forgiving and merciful. We should want everyone to know Him better. Thank God today for other Christians and pray that they will know God better. —CW* “I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have.” Ephesians 1:18a PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to know You better. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

忠心事奉

忠心事奉
聖經閱讀：提摩太後書4:6-8 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月23日(二)

我昨天參加了羅德的喪禮，他是一個非常好、真正為耶穌而活的基督徒。羅德得了癌症，也接受了好幾年的治療，雖然經歷所有這些苦難，羅德始終忠心事奉上帝。 　羅德喪禮中的信息是以今天的經文為基礎。保羅知道他將不久人世：「現在就是我離開人世的時刻」（第6b節）。保羅將自己的一生比喻成打一場仗或是進行一場賽跑，他正等著領取他的獎賞──與上帝共享永生。 　但是這個獎賞不只是賜給保羅，也要賜給羅德和每一個愛上帝、順服上帝的人：「不但賜給我，也要賜給所有愛慕他顯現的人」（第8b節）。 　如果你不是一個基督徒，就去跟一個可以和你分享上帝話語的人談話，學習如何跟隨並順服上帝，然後每天忠心事奉祂。 —JK 「那值得競爭的賽跑，我已經跑過；該跑的全程，我已經跑完；該守的信仰，我已經守住。」 提摩太後書 4:7 禱告：天父，有時候服事祢並不容易，求祢幫助我親近祢和祢的話語。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Serve Faithfully
Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Yesterday I attended Rod's funeral. He was a wonderful Christian man who truly lived for Jesus. Rod had cancer and had undergone several years of treaments. But through all the hard times, Rod always served God faithfully. 　Rod's funeral sermon was based on the verses from our Bible Reading today. Paul knew that he would die soon. “The time has come for me to leave this life here” (verse 6b). Paul compared his life to fighting a fight or running a race. He was waiting to receive his reward — eternal life with God. 　But that reward was not only for Paul. It is for Rod and for every other person who loves and obeys God. “Yes, he will give it to me and to everyone else who is eagerly looking forward to his coming” (verse 8b). 　If you are not a Christian, talk with someone who can share God's Word with you. Learn how you can follow and obey God. Then serve Him faithfully every day! —JK “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully.”2 Timothy 4:7 PRAYER: Father, sometimes it is not easy to serve You. Help me to stay close to You and Your Word. In Jesus' name. Amen.

基督的身體

基督的身體
聖經閱讀：哥林多前書12:12-27 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月22日(一)

今天的經文是保羅寫給哥林多教會的信，這間教會就像今天許多的教會──他們有一些問題！保羅在今天的經文裡談到這些問題的其中一個。上帝已經賜給這間教會的人不同的能力來幫助教會成長，但是有些人卻認為他們的能力比其他人的能力重要。 　保羅教導這些基督徒彼此看待的正確方式，他將教會比喻作一個人的身體。一個人的身體有許多彼此分工合作的肢體，所有的肢體都是重要的，這樣身體才可以運作良好。同理，每個人在教會都有一項重要的工作要做，「你們就是基督的身體，而每一個人都是肢體」（第27節）。 　記得，在你教會裡的每一個人都是重要的，今天就因著你可以投入來堅固並建立祂的教會的事工而感謝上帝。 —SH* 「上帝按照自己的旨意把那些不同的肢體都安置在人的身體上。……其實，肢體有許多，身體卻只是一個。」 哥林多前書12:18, 20 禱告：天上的父，我願意幫助教會增長。奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

Body of Christ
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Monday, September 22, 2014

Our Bible Reading today was written by Paul to the church in Corinth. This church was like many churches today — they had some problems! Paul talks about one of those problems in our verses today. God had given the people in this church different abilities to help the church grow. But some people thought that their abilities were more important than other people's abilities. 　Paul taught these Christians the right way to think about each other. He compared the church to a person's physical body. A person's body has many parts that all work together. All parts of the body are important so that the body can work well. In the same way, everyone in the church has an important job to do. “All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body” (verse 27). 　Remember that every person in your church is important. Thank God today for what you can do to strengthen and build His church. —SH* “God put the parts in the body as he wanted them. He made a place for each one. So there are many parts, but only one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:19b-20 PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to help the church grow. In Jesus' name. Amen.

上帝的憐憫

上帝的憐憫
聖經閱讀：以弗所書2:1-10 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年9月21日(日)

在今天的經文中，保羅寫信給以弗所的基督徒，在這些人成為基督徒之前，他們過著非常罪惡的生活，保羅說他們「隨從這世界的邪風惡俗」（第2節）。 　但是之後這些人認識了耶穌並成為基督徒。因為上帝愛他們，祂對他們施以極大的憐憫，上帝賜給他們在基督裡的新生命。保羅同時告訴這些人，上帝使他們從死裡復活，並賜給他們一個在天國居住的地方（第6節）。 　當我們成為基督徒時，上帝就對我們施憐憫，「他藉著基督耶穌改造了我們，要我們行善；這是他早已計劃要我們去做的」（第10b節）。 　今天你活著是為了讓自己快樂嗎？或者你活著是為了討上帝的喜悅呢？今天就領受上帝的憐憫和恩典，讓祂賜給你一個新的生命吧！ —DJH* 「但是，上帝有豐盛的憐憫；他對我們的愛浩大無窮。我們的靈性在違命的罪中死了的時候，他使我們跟基督一同復活；是他的恩典救了你們的。」 以弗所書 2:4-5 禱告：主啊！祢的憐憫如此美好，謝謝祢藉著耶穌賜下救恩。奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們！ (李信儀譯)

God's Mercy
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Sunday, September 21, 2014

In our Bible Reading today, Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus. Before these people became Christians, they lived very sinful lives. Paul said they “followed the ruler of the evil powers over the earth” (verse 2). 　But then these people learned about Jesus and became Christians. Because God loved them, He showed them His great mercy. God gave them a new life in Christ. Paul also told these people that God raised them from death and gave them a place in heaven (verse 6). 　When we become a Christian, God shows us His mercy. He “makes us new people so that we can spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do” (verse 10b). 　Are you living to please yourself today? Or are you living to please God? Accept God's mercy and grace today. Allow Him to give you a new life! —DJH* “But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God's grace.)” Ephesians 2:4-5 PRAYER: Lord, Your mercy is so wonderful. Thank You for salvation through Jesus. In His name. Amen.