聖誕的犧牲 (5)

聖誕的犧牲 (5)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音2:1-11 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月23日(五)

　那幾個星象家可能是受良好教育的有錢人，他們也許過慣了舒適的生活。
今天經文閱讀的第2節告訴我們，星象家去問人：「那出生要作猶太人的王的在哪裡？我們在東方看見了他的星，特地來朝拜他。」星象家願意離開舒適的生活長途爬涉去拜見新生王。
星象家犧牲他們的時間準備長途旅行，他們也花不少錢購買旅途所需的補給品，以及要送給耶穌的貴重禮物，這些人明白耶穌比起他們肉體的舒適或是財富更加重要。
今天就想一想這些星象家，然後問自己，耶穌是否比舒適的生活和金錢更加重要？ —GT

「他們進了屋子，看見小孩子和他的母親馬利亞，就俯伏朝拜這孩子，然後打開寶盒。」 馬太福音2:11a

禱告：上帝，求祢幫助我讓人看見耶穌在我生命居首位。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (5)
Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-11
Friday, December 23, 2016

　The wise men were probably well-educated, wealthy men. They may have been used to living a comfortable life.
Verse 2 of our Bible Reading tells us that the wise men asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.” The wise men were willing to leave their easy lifestyle in order to make a hard and long trip to see the new king.
The wise men sacrificed their time to prepare for and make the long journey. They also sacrificed much money to buy supplies for the trip and the expensive gifts for Jesus. These men understood that Jesus is more important than their physical comfort or their wealth.
Think about the wise men today. And then ask yourself if Jesus is more important than having comfort and money. —GT

“The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him.” Matthew 2:11a

PRAYER: God, help me to show others that Jesus is most important in my life. In His name. Amen.

聖誕的犧牲 (4)

聖誕的犧牲 (4)
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:8-16 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月22日(四)

　今天我們要來談牧羊人所作的犧牲，路加福音2:8說，在耶穌誕生的那一晚，「在伯利恆郊外，有些牧羊人夜間露宿，輪流看守羊群。」
這些牧羊人有任務在身，他們要照顧羊群、保護牠們，但是在天使向他們顯現並告訴他們耶穌誕生的事之後，他們毫不遲疑就動身前往伯利恆，「於是他們急忙趕去，找到了馬利亞、約瑟，和躺在馬槽裡的嬰兒」（第16節）。
聖經並沒有告訴我們這些牧羊人是否有留一些人來照顧羊群，但是我們確實知道他們決定立刻動身前去探望新生兒。牧羊人犧牲他們的時間（也許整晚沒睡！）去到伯利恆。
牧羊人迫不及待要見到那位作為他們的救主、彌賽亞和生命之主的嬰孩（第11節）。我希望你也願意犧牲自己，好讓自己可以天天跟隨並服事耶穌！ —GT

「牧羊人回去，為他們所聽見所看到的事讚美歌頌上帝。」 路加福音2:20a

禱告：親愛的主，我願捨棄我所有的一切好讓我可以服事祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (4)
Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-16
Thursday, December 22, 2016

　Today we will talk about the sacrifices made by the shepherds. Luke 2:8 says that the night Jesus was born “some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep.”
These shepherds had responsibilities. They had flocks of sheep to take care of and protect. But after the angel appeared to them and told them about Jesus' birth, they did not hesitate to go to Bethlehem. They “went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box” (verse 16).
The Bible does not tell us if these shepherds left someone in charge of the sheep. But we do know that they chose to go right away and see the new baby. The shepherds sacrificed their time (and probably a night's sleep!) to go to Bethlehem.
The shepherds were anxious to see the baby who was their Savior, Messiah and Lord (verse 11). I hope you are willing to make sacrifices so you can follow and serve Jesus every day! —GT

“The shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard.”
Luke 2:20a

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am willing to give up all I have so I can serve You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

聖誕的犧牲 (3)

聖誕的犧牲 (3)
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:1-7 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月21日(三)

　羅馬皇帝奧古斯都命令所有人回到家鄉辦理戶口登記，約瑟和馬利亞前往約瑟的的家鄉伯利恆。
伯利恆一定有很多人，今天的經文閱讀告訴我們，當約瑟和馬利亞到那裡時，「客棧裡沒有地方讓他們住」（第7b節），所以約瑟和馬利亞就待在一個飼養牲畜的地方。我們不知道這地方是一個穀倉或是一個洞穴，但第7節告訴我們，馬利亞「在馬槽裡」生下了耶穌。
我們不知道是誰幫約瑟和馬利亞找到住的地方，也許是客棧的老闆，這個人必須犧牲自己的時間來找一個可以讓馬利亞生孩子的地方。
這似乎只是一個小小犧牲，但是上帝有時候只需要我們一點點的付出，這些小小的犧牲對上帝在我們生命中的計劃仍然是重要的。今天你真的願意跟隨並順服上帝嗎？ —GT

「不可忘記行善和幫助別人，因為這樣的祭物是上帝所喜歡的。」 希伯來書13:16

禱告：天父，今天我願意服事祢、順服祢。奉主的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (3)
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Wednesday, December 21, 2016

　Augustus Caesar ordered all people to go to their hometowns to be counted. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, which was Joseph’s hometown.
There must have been a lot of people in Bethlehem. Our Bible verses tell us that when Joseph and Mary arrived there, “the guest room was full” (verse 7b). So Joseph and Mary stayed in a place where cattle lived. We do not know if this place was a barn or a cave, but verse 7 tells us that Mary laid baby Jesus “in a box where cattle are fed.”
We do not know who found Joseph and Mary a place to stay. It may have been the owner of the guest house. But that person had to sacrifice their time to find a place where Mary could give birth to her baby.
This may have seemed like a small sacrifice. But sometimes God asks us to make small sacrifices. These small sacrifices are still important to God’s plan for our lives. Are you willing to really follow and obey God today? —GT

“And don't forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16

PRAYER: Father, I am willing to serve and obey You today. In His name. Amen.

聖誕的犧牲 (2)

聖誕的犧牲 (2)
聖經閱讀：路加福音1:26-38 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月20日(二)

　今天我們要來談馬利亞所作的犧牲。今天的經文閱讀告訴我們，上帝差派一個天使來找馬利亞，但馬利亞「十分驚惶不安」（第29節）。 天使告訴馬利亞，聖靈的能力使她懷了身孕，天使還跟馬利亞說，她的孩子是上帝的兒子。馬利亞知道，如果她順服上帝的計劃就會犧牲自己的名聲，人們會注意她、會說她的壞話。
馬利亞也必須犧牲她的身體作為嬰兒耶穌成長的地方，就像約瑟一樣，馬利亞必須犧牲她的時間、精力來養育耶穌，教導祂愛上帝、事奉上帝，但是馬利亞願意作這樣的犧牲。
因為馬利亞願意犧牲，耶穌才能誕生，祂長大成人並死在十架上，然後從死裡復活。透過耶穌的死和復活，你和我才能擁有與上帝共享永生的應許！ —GT

「馬利亞說：『我是主的婢女；願你的話成就在我身上。』」 路加福音1:38a

禱告：天上的父，謝謝祢透過耶穌賜下永生。奉主的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (2)
Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Tuesday, December 20, 2016

　Today we will talk about the sacrifices that Mary made. Our Bible verses tell us that God sent an angel to Mary. But Mary was “very confused” (verse 29).
The angel told Mary that the power of the Holy Spirit would cause her to be pregnant. The angel also told her that her baby would be the Son of God. Mary knew that if she obeyed God's plan, she would have to sacrifice her reputation. People might stare at her and call her names.
Mary also had to sacrifice her body as a place where baby Jesus could grow. And like Joseph, Mary had to sacrifice her time and energy to raise Jesus and teach Him to love and serve God. But Mary was willing to make these sacrifices.
Because Mary was willing to make those sacrifices, Jesus was born. He grew up and died on the cross. Then He rose from death. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, you and I can have the promise of eternal life with God! —GT

“Mary said, ‘I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me!’” Luke 1:38a

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for eternal life through Jesus. In His name. Amen.

聖誕的犧牲 (1)

聖誕的犧牲 (1)
聖經閱讀：馬太福音1:18-25 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月19日(一)

　每年的這個時候，大部份人不會想到的一件事是「犧牲」，但是聖誕故事告訴我們，因為許多人的犧牲才讓耶穌得以誕生。今天和接下來幾天，我們要來談這些犧牲。
今天我們要來談約瑟，他和馬利亞訂婚，約瑟得知馬利亞懷了身孕，今天經文閱讀的第19節告訴我們，約瑟「不願意公開羞辱她，卻有意要秘密解除婚約。」後來有一個天使在夢裡對約瑟說話，他告訴約瑟那個嬰孩是從聖靈來的，天使吩咐約瑟要娶馬利亞為妻。
如果約瑟娶馬利亞，他可能會在自己住的地方失去人們的尊敬，但是約瑟願意犧牲自己的名聲來順服上帝。約瑟還犧牲時間、精神和財物來成為耶穌在世上的父親。
今天你願意為上帝犧牲嗎？ —GT

「約瑟一醒過來，就照主的天使所吩咐的去做，跟馬利亞成婚。」 馬太福音1:24

禱告：天父，我願捨棄一切好讓我可以跟隨祢。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Christmas Sacrifices (1)
Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Monday, December 19, 2016

　One thing most people do not think about at this time of year is sacrifice. But the Christmas story tells us about several people who made sacrifices so that Jesus could be born. Today and for the next few days we will talk about these sacrifices.
Today we will talk about Joseph. He was engaged to Mary. Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant. Verse 19 of our Bible Reading tells us that Joseph “did not want to cause her public disgrace, so he planned to divorce her secretly.” But then an angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph that the baby was from the Holy Spirit. The angel told Joseph to accept Mary as his wife.
When Joseph married Mary, he might have lost the respect of some people in the community. But Joseph was willing to sacrifice his reputation in order to obey God. Joseph also sacrificed his time, energy and possessions to be an earthly father to Jesus.
Are you willing to make sacrifices for God today? —GT

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord's angel told him to do. He married Mary.” Matthew 1:24

PRAYER: Father, I am willing to give up everything so I can follow You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

感恩的心

感恩的心
聖經閱讀：路加福音17:11-17 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月18日(日)

　在採購日用品時我看見兩個帶著小孩的媽媽，其中一個媽媽將一盒午餐肉放進購物車裡，她的小男孩就開始大叫：「給我！給我一塊肉！」 然後我看見另外一個媽媽，她的女兒坐在購物車裡，當媽媽將一件買給小女孩的東西放進購物車裡時，女孩很小聲地說：「媽媽，謝謝妳！」 這兩種反應讓我思考我對上帝的態度，我是不是一直求上帝賜給我東西呢？或者，對於上帝賜給我的一切，我是否心存感恩呢？
今天的經文閱讀跟我們談到有十個患麻瘋病的人，耶穌醫治了這十個人，但是只有其中一個人感謝耶穌，在第17節，耶穌說：「得到醫治的有十個人，其他的九個在哪裡呢？」
在經歷了這一天之後，思考一下你對上帝的態度，你是否一直跟上帝要求東西呢？或者你對上帝的祝福內心充滿感恩？ —NM

「在任何環境中都要感謝。這是上帝為你們這些屬於基督耶穌的人所定的旨意。」 帖撒羅尼迦前書5:18

禱告：主，祢為我成就的美事我願永遠心存感恩。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Thankfulness
Bible Reading: Luke 17:11-17
Sunday, December 18, 2016

　While grocery shopping I saw two mothers with their children. One mother placed a package of lunch meat in the cart. The little boy started yelling loudly, “Give me! Give me a piece of meat!” Then I saw another mother, with her daughter in the cart. The mother placed an item in the cart that she was purchasing for the little girl. The girl said very quietly, “Thanks, Mama!” These two responses made me think about my attitude toward God. Am I always asking God to give me things? Or do I have an attitude of thanks for all God has given to me?
Our Bible verses tell us about ten men who were sick with leprosy. Jesus healed all ten men, but only one man thanked Jesus. In verse 17 Jesus said, “Ten men were healed; where are the other nine?”
As you go through this day, think about your attitude toward God. Are you always asking for things? Or are you filled with thankfulness for all of God’s blessings? —NM

“Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

PRAYER: Lord, I want to always be thankful for the wonderful things You have done for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

小事

小事
聖經閱讀：馬可福音12:41-44 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月17日(六)

　我花六個月的時間從事工作上的一項計劃，完成的時候，沒有人稱讚我或跟我說做得很棒。在家裡，我花三十分鐘跟我的小女兒做了一件手工藝品，完成的時候，我們都感到很滿意，內心充滿了喜悅。
現代人會稱讚那些很棒、很偉大的事物，但是下面哪一件事比較棒呢？是得到致勝分的明星球員，還是養育孩子愛上帝、跟隨上帝的單親父母呢？有時候，我們在生活中所做的、不被注意的小事才是最棒的。
今天的經文閱讀談到發生在聖殿的一件小事：「後來一個窮寡婦上來，投進兩個小銅板，約等於一文錢」（第42節），而耶穌卻稱讚她所做的事：「可是她已經很窮，卻把自己全部的生活費用都獻上了」（第44b節）。
無論今天你做什麼事，要為上帝而做，上帝會被你取悅並祝福你！ —BL

「無論做甚麼，說甚麼，你們都要奉主耶穌的名。」 哥羅西書3:17a

禱告：上帝，今天我願在所做的各樣事上討祢喜悅。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Small Things
Bible Reading: Mark 12:41-44
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I spent six months working on a project for my job. When it was completed, no one praised me or told me I did a good job. At home, I worked for thirty minutes making a craft project with my young daughters. When we were done with the craft, we were all satisfied and filled with joy.
People today admire the great and the spectacular. But which is really greater — the star athlete who scores a winning goal or the single parent who raises her children to love and follow God? Sometimes it is the small and unnoticed things we do in life that are the greatest.
Our Bible Reading today talks about a small thing that happened at the Temple. “Then a poor widow came and put in two very small cooper coins, worth less than a penny” (verse 42). Jesus praised this woman for what she did. “This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had” (verse 44b).
Whatever you do today, do it for God. God will be pleased with you and bless you! —BL

“Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord.” Colossians 3:17a

PRAYER: God, I want to please You today in everything I do. In Jesus' name. Amen.

為主而活

為主而活
聖經閱讀：馬可福音7:14-23 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月16日(五)

　世上有許多人用特別的方式節食，也許他們想要減肥，也許希望有更健康的身體。有一本雜誌最近報導，說美國人每年花超過600億美元在節食上。
哇！我希望所有人都很在意是否為主而活就像他們關心自己的飲食一樣，這也是耶穌在今天的經文閱讀中所談的。在第15節，耶穌說：「那從外面進到人裡面的不會使人不潔淨；相反地，那從人裡面出來的才會使人不潔淨。」
耶穌接著列舉人會有的、不好的心思意念，然後在第23節，祂說：「這一切的邪惡都是從人裡面出來而真正使人不潔淨的。」
今天你要小心審視自己的心思意念，就像注意自己的體重一樣。你要遵從上帝，去做蒙祂喜悅的事來尊榮祂的名。 —SH*

「耶穌對他們說：『你們也跟他們一樣不明白嗎？你們不曉得嗎？那從外面進到人裡面去的不會使他不潔淨』」 馬可福音7:18

禱告：天父，求祢今天幫助我服事祢、蒙祢喜悅。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Living for God
Bible Reading: Mark 7:14-23
Friday, December 16, 2016

　Many people in the world are on special diets. Maybe they want to lose weight, or maybe they want to have healthier bodies. A magazine recently reported that Americans spend more than $60 billion every year on diets. Wow! I wish that all people were as concerned about living for God as they are about what they eat. That's what Jesus talks about in our Bible verses for today. In verse 15 Jesus says, “There is nothing people can put in their mouth that will make them wrong. People are made wrong by what comes from inside them.”“These evil things come from inside a person. And these are the things that make people unacceptable to God.”
Be careful today to watch your heart and your mind as much as you watch your weight. Obey God and do things that please Him and bring honor to His name. —SH*

“He said, ‘Do you still have trouble understanding? Surely you know that nothing that enters the mouth from the outside can make people unacceptable to God.’” Mark 7:18

PRAYER: Father, help me today to serve and please You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

詩篇119 (20)

詩篇119 (20)
聖經閱讀：詩篇119:153-160 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月15日(四)

在1980年代，我曾經向一家婚紗店求職，跟我面談的是其中一家店的經理，後來我被錄用了，但我並沒有見到擁有所有店的大老闆。
在我被錄用後不久，大老闆開始打電話給我，他並沒有問我工作上的問題，反而是問我基督信仰的問題。這幾通電話開始讓我覺得困擾，終於有一位員工告訴我，大老闆不是基督徒，但是他注意到我曾經就讀一所基督教大學，他希望僱用我後好讓他可以考驗我的基督信仰。
在今天閱讀的經文中，作者談到了苦難，然後他向上帝說：「求你為我伸冤，釋放我」（第154a節），這就是我上班的感受，每一次我被挑戰時，上帝就與我同在，賜給我力量。
今天也許會有同工或是朋友挑戰你的信仰，要懇求上帝賜給你力量，幫助你堅定不移。 —BH

「求你俯視我的苦難，求你救我，因為我沒有忽略你的法律。」 詩篇119:153

禱告：主，當別人挑戰我的信仰時，求祢與我同在。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Psalm 119 (20)
Bible Reading: Psalm 119:153-160
Thursday, December 15, 2016

　During the 1980s I applied for a job at a wedding dress shop. I interviewed with the manager of one of the stores, and I was hired. I did not meet the man who owned all of the stores.
Soon after I was hired, the owner started calling me. He did not ask me questions about my job. Instead, he asked me questions about my Christian faith. These phone calls started to bother me. Finally another employee told me that the owner was not a Christian. He had noticed on my resume that I attended a Christian college and wanted to hire me so he could test my Christian faith.
In our Bible verses today, the writer talks about suffering and says to God, “Argue my case, and set me free” (verse 154a). That is how I felt in my job. Every time I was challenged, God was with me and gave me strength.
Maybe a coworker or friend will challenge your faith today. Ask God to give you strength and help you stand strong. —BH

“Look at my suffering and rescue me. I have not forgotten your teachings.” Psalm 119:153

PRAYER: Lord, please be with me when other people challenge my faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

失蹤的孩子

失蹤的孩子
聖經閱讀：路加福音2:41-50 現代中譯本|合和本
2016年12月14日(三)

　在我們這個地區有兩個人企圖要抓走一個年輕女孩，幸好這個女孩擺脫了這兩個人，她爬進門廊的地板下，她的狗嚇跑了兩個壞人，後來這兩個歹徒被逮補關進監獄裡。
我實在無法想像孩子遭受攻擊或失蹤後，他們的父母心有多痛，這讓我想起馬利亞和約瑟前往耶路撒冷時的感受。今天的經文閱讀跟我們談到，在他們回家鄉的途中，發現耶穌沒有跟他們在一起，於是他們就返回耶路撒冷尋找耶穌。
第46節告訴我們：「三天後，他們才在聖殿裡找到他。他正坐在猶太教師們中間，邊聽邊問。」馬利亞和約瑟在知道耶穌安全無虞後一定鬆了一口氣。
為人父母並不容易，這也是為什麼父母必須倚靠上帝賜給他們智慧、引導他們。如果你是父母親，要信靠上帝來幫助你在主裡面養育孩子。—PD

「我一再聽見上帝說過，權力都屬於他。」 詩篇62:11

禱告：上帝，謝謝祢在父母教導兒女時幫助他們。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(尤榮輝譯)

Missing Child
Bible Reading: Luke 2:41-50
Wednesday, December 14, 2016

　Two men tried to grab a young girl in our area. The girl was able to get away from the men. She crawled under her porch, and her dog scared the men away. The two men were captured and put in jail.
I cannot even imagine the heartache of a parent whose child is attacked or missing. This reminds me of how Mary and Joseph must have felt when they went to Jerusalem. Our Bible Reading tells us that as they traveled home, they realized that Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem to search for Jesus.
Verse 46 tells us, “After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, listening and asking them questions.” Mary and Joseph must have been relieved to know that Jesus was safe.
It is not easy to be a parent. That's why parents need to depend on God to give them wisdom and guidance. If you are a parent, trust God to help you raise your children in the Lord. —PD

“God says there is one thing you can really depend on, and I believe it: ‘Strength comes from God!’” Psalm 62:11

PRAYER: God, thank You for helping parents as they teach and guide their children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.