蘋果樹

蘋果樹
聖經閱讀：哥林多前書12:4-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年10月7日(二)

我曾經開車經過一個蘋果園，我看到那些樹長得很不一樣，有些樹的枝幹長得又高又直，而有的樹已經很老，扭曲的樹幹上長滿了樹瘤。這些蘋果樹都長得不一樣，但是我的確看見了一個共同點：所有的樹都長出了多汁的紅蘋果！這些樹的年齡或外表似乎不重要，因為它們都可以結出果子。 　在教會裡也是一樣。也許有位先生不會講道，但是他的笑容可以鼓勵其他人。也許有位女士因為關節炎而不能站著唱歌，但是她的教導幫助其他人了解上帝的話。 　在今天的經文中，保羅談到上帝賜給信徒的恩賜：「為了使大家都得到好處，聖靈在我們每一個人身上所彰顯的也各不相同」（第7節）。教會中的每一個人也許看起來都不太一樣，但是上帝已經將恩賜賞賜給每一個人來拓展祂的教會。 　今天就使用你的恩賜來服事上帝。 —NM 「恩賜有多種，卻是同一位聖靈所賜；事奉有多種，卻是同一位主所賜。」 哥林多前書12:4-5 禱告：上帝，求祢幫助我今天能服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (林煜茹譯)

Apple Trees
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Tuesday, October 7, 2014

I was driving by an apple orchard. I noticed that the trees were very different. Some had tall and straight branches, while others were old and gnarled with twisting limbs. The apple trees were different, but I did see one thing that was the same. All of the trees were producing juicy red apples! The age or appearance of the trees didn't seem to matter. They were all making fruit. 　It is the same in the church. Maybe a man can't preach a sermon, but his smile can encourage others. Maybe a woman with arthritis can't stand to sing a song, but her teaching helps others understand God's Word. 　In our Bible verses, Paul talks about the spiritual gifts that God gives to believers. “Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person. The Spirit gives this to each one to help others” (verse 7). Every person in the church may look different, but God has given each one gifts to grow His church. 　Use your gifts to serve God today. —NM “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve, but we serve the same Lord.”1 Corinthians 12:4-5 PRAYER: God, help me to serve You today. In Jesus' name. Amen.