Author: admin

第一章

20 智慧人在哪裡？經學家在哪裡？今世的辯士在哪裡？神不是使屬世的智慧變成了愚笨嗎？ 21 因為在神的智慧裡，世人憑自己的智慧，既然不能認識神，神就樂意藉著所傳的愚笨的道理，去拯救那些信的人。22 猶太人要求神蹟，希臘人尋找智慧，23 我們卻傳揚釘十字架的基督；在猶太人看來是絆腳石，在外族人看來是愚笨的，24 但對那些蒙召的人，不論是猶太人或希臘人，基督是神的能力，神的智慧。 25 因為神的愚笨總比人智慧，神的軟弱總比人剛強。 26 弟兄們，你們想想，你們這些蒙召的，按人來看有智慧的不多，有權勢的不多，出身尊貴的也不多。 27 但是神卻揀選了世上愚笨的，使那些有智慧的羞愧。他也揀選了世上軟弱的，使那些剛強的羞愧。 28 他也揀選了世上卑賤的和被人輕視的，以及算不得甚麼的，為了要廢棄那些自以為是的， 29使所有的人在神面前都不能自誇。 30 你們因著神得以在基督耶穌裡，他使基督成了我們的智慧；就是公義、聖潔和救贖， 31 正如經上所說的：“誇口的應當靠著主誇口。”

 

默想

1. 當我想到有權、有勢的成功人士時，那是怎樣形像的人？這樣的想法對我跟隨主的心態有衝突嗎？我會將世上的智慧和神的智慧混淆起來嗎？
2. 我是否曾經體驗過，神使用軟弱的、低微的、被輕視的人，來完成祂的救恩計劃？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。

 

CHAPTER 1

 ²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

²⁶Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

 

MEDITATION

1. What pictures come to mind when thinking about powerful, successful people?  How do these ideas sometimes conflict with following Christ?  How have I confused the world’s wisdom with God’s wisdom?
2. Have I witnessed a situation where God used the weak, lowly, and despised to fulfil his plan of salvation?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二十四章

13 正當那日，門徒中有兩個人往一個村子去；這村子名叫以馬忤斯，離耶路撒冷約有二十五里。 14 他們彼此談論所遇見的這一切事。 15 正談論相問的時候，耶穌親自就近他們，和他們同行； 16 只是他們的眼睛迷糊了，不認識他。 17 耶穌對他們說：「你們走路彼此談論的是甚麼事呢？」他們就站住，臉上帶著愁容。 18 二人中有一個名叫革流巴的回答說：「你在耶路撒冷作客，還不知道這幾天在那裏所出的事嗎？」 19 耶穌說：「甚麼事呢？」他們說：「就是拿撒勒人耶穌的事。…………

25 耶穌對他們說：「無知的人哪，先知所說的一切話，你們的心信得太遲鈍了。 26 基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的嗎？」 27 於是從摩西和眾先知起，凡經上所指著自己的話都給他們講解明白了。 28 將近他們所去的村子，耶穌好像還要往前行， 29 他們卻強留他，說：「時候晚了，日頭已經平西了，請你同我們住下吧！」耶穌就進去，要同他們住下。 30 到了坐席的時候，耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，擘開，遞給他們。 31 他們的眼睛明亮了，這才認出他來。忽然耶穌不見了。 32 他們彼此說：「在路上，他和我們說話，給我們講解聖經的時候，我們的心豈不是火熱的嗎？」

默想：                 

1. 多少次我們懷著破碎的心蹣跚而行，由於意想不到的事情發生，令我們因期望幻滅而痛苦失望。這樣的心情，即使我們所期望的真的出現，也認不出，因我們的心傷痛，我們的盼望破滅。這兩個門徒在耶穌擘開餅祝謝時看見了，破碎的心再度火熱起來。
2. 我們也可能在意想不到的情況下得著所期望的祝福；但神很少在我們期望的時間、地點和方式下出現。他以隱藏的身份來，在風暴最猛，恐懼最深，全然失去盼望時，他就來到；這就是神。沒有各各他（痛苦死亡），就沒有復活；沒有客西馬尼（掙扎黑暗），就沒有自由釋放。
3. 把心中的痛苦，破碎的心靈，破滅的盼望，全都向主說。然後靜候神微小的回答，以及他在我生命中的工作。

 

Luke 24

¹³Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶but they were kept from recognizing him.  ¹⁷He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”  They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  ¹⁹“What things?” he asked.  “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²²In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”  ²⁵He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  ²⁸As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³²They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

 

Meditation:

1. How many times have we lurched with broken spirits because the unexpected seized the place of the expected and that with a wrenching disappointment?  In such moods even if what was expected comes to us, we cannot see it.  It is unrecognizable to our pain and our splintered hopes and wishes.  The two disciples saw it when Jesus broke the bread and blessed it.  Their hearts began to burn.
2. So we too can be surprised and blessed by the God who is expected, but rarely appears where and when and how we imagine.  It is God’s way to come cloaked.  It is his way to come when the storm is peaking or fear deepest or when hope is almost gone or, if we are honest, utterly gone.  It has always been his way.  No resurrection without Golgotha.  No freedom without Gethsemane.
3. Tell it all to Jesus, all the heartaches, broken spirit, dashed expectations.  Then, wait quietly for God’s whispering and His hidden cloaked work.

Family Time

Play a game of “Blind man’s buff” in a safe space for 5 min.  Gather everyone in.  Discuss what being blind means.  Ask, “is it also possible even though we can see but sometimes we don’t see the things in front of us?”    That’s what happened to these two disciples.  How did they see finally?  What did they see?  How did they feel then?  What did they do afterward?

第二十三章

26 帶耶穌去的時候，。。。。32 又有兩個犯人，和耶穌一同帶來處死。 33 到了一個地方，名叫「髑髏地」，就在那裏把耶穌釘在十字架上，又釘了兩個犯人：一個在左邊，一個在右邊。 34 當下耶穌說：「父啊！赦免他們；因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。」兵丁就拈鬮分他的衣服。 35 百姓站在那裏觀看。官府也嗤笑他，說：「他救了別人；他若是基督，　神所揀選的，可以救自己吧！」 36 兵丁也戲弄他，上前拿醋送給他喝， 37 說：「你若是猶太人的王，可以救自己吧！」 38 在耶穌以上有一個牌子（有古卷加：用希臘、羅馬、希伯來的文字）寫著：「這是猶太人的王。」 39 那同釘的兩個犯人有一個譏笑他，說：「你不是基督嗎？可以救自己和我們吧！」 40 那一個就應聲責備他，說：「你既是一樣受刑的，還不怕　神嗎？ 41 我們是應該的，因我們所受的與我們所做的相稱，但這個人沒有做過一件不好的事。」 42 就說：「耶穌啊，你得國降臨的時候，求你記念我！」 43 耶穌對他說：「我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裏了。」

默想：

1. 耶穌在十字架上，承受無比的痛苦；跟隨基督的道路就是十字架的道路，必須準備受苦和捨命，正如耶穌一樣。我害怕嗎？我仍會走下去嗎？
2. 耶穌臨死時的禱告，求神赦免那些把他置於死地的人──猶太領袖們、羅馬的政客和軍人、圍觀的人。其實，我對主的態度有時也和那些人一樣，頂撞、背逆、忽略、甚至厭棄；因此，我也同樣地參與在將耶穌致於死地的群眾中，而耶穌的禱告也包括了赦免我這個罪人。
3. 繼續默想這個意念，向神獻上感恩的禱告。

 

Luke 23

²⁶As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰Then ” ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ‘ ³¹For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”  ³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  ³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”  ³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  ³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  ⁴³Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus bore much suffering on the cross.  The road to follow Christ is one of the cross.  We must be prepared to suffer and even to die just as Jesus did.  Am I afraid?  Will I continue to go on this road?
2. Just before his death, Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.  Come to think of it, isn’t my attitude toward Jesus similar to those people that day, rebellious, neglecting, even rejecting Him?  Indeed, I was among the crowd putting Jesus to death.  So, Jesus’ prayer has included forgiveness for me, the sinner.
3. Continue to meditate on this thought.  Afterward, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Family Time

While on the cross, Jesus made several statements.  Here Jesus asked forgiveness for those crucifying him.  Discuss what it means to forgive.  Is it possible to forgive and forget?  Which is more difficult: to ask for forgiveness or to forgive?  Compare the way God forgives us with the way we forgive others.

 

第二十二章

14 時候到了，耶穌坐席，使徒也和他同坐。 15 耶穌對他們說：「我很願意在受害以先和你們吃這逾越節的筵席。 16 我告訴你們，我不再吃這筵席，直到成就在　神的國裏。」 17 耶穌接過杯來，祝謝了，說：「你們拿這個，大家分著喝。 18 我告訴你們，從今以後，我不再喝這葡萄汁，直等　神的國來到。」 19 又拿起餅來，祝謝了，就擘開，遞給他們，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的，你們也應當如此行，為的是記念我。」 20 飯後也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我血所立的新約，是為你們流出來的。 21 看哪，那賣我之人的手與我一同在桌子上。 22 人子固然要照所預定的去世，但賣人子的人有禍了！」 23 他們就彼此對問，是哪一個要做這事。

默想：

1. 最後的晚餐中，耶穌的動作包括「拿起、祝謝、擘開、遞給」，人從主那裡領受餅和杯，這就是他的恩典。聖餐是一個紀念，通過聖餐的餅和杯代表耶穌的身體和血，我們再一次回到十字架的腳下。在聖餐禮拜中，我們再次藉著信心，與基督聯合，與他同死並同復活，經歷救恩成就的奇妙時刻。
2. 聖餐對我有什麼意義？每次領聖餐時，我都在想些什麼？
3. 禱告：主啊，赦免我的罪，我常忽略你說的話，沒有遵從你的吩咐。當我舉杯、擘餅的時候，經常對你的受死無動於衷。主啊，感謝你奇妙的大愛；你為我所出了極重的代價，使我獲得自由。我感謝你！

 

Luke 22

¹⁴When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”  ¹⁷After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  ¹⁹And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  ²⁰In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. ²²The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Meditation:

1. The actions of the Lord’s Supper – taking, giving thanks, breaking, and giving – are actions that those who eat the meal receive from the Lord as gifts of grace.  Communion is a memorial, a remembrance.  It’s an experience as we return, through the bread and cup that represent the body and blood of Jesus, to the foot of the cross.  In the communion service we are united with Christ through faith to share His death and His resurrection and to experience the awesome moment when our salvation was accomplished.
2. What does sharing in Communion mean to me?  What do I think about during communion?
3. Prayer:  Oh, Lord, forgive me for I have often neglected your word and didn’t obey your commands.  When I participate in the communion, I was unmoved by your death.  Thank you, Jesus, for your wonderful love.  You paid a terrific price for my freedom.

 

Family Time

The Lord’s Supper is a central moment in Christian worship.  Ask the family to tell what taking the Lord’s Supper means personally.  Explain the meaning of “bread” and “cup”.  Sing hymns about Jesus death and resurrection.  Plan a time when the family can celebrate the supper together.  Testify to one another about the meaning of this worship service.

第二十一章

25 「日、月、星辰要顯出異兆，地上的邦國也有困苦；因海中波浪的響聲，就慌慌不定。 26 天勢都要震動，人想起那將要臨到世界的事，就都嚇得魂不附體。 27 那時，他們要看見人子有能力，有大榮耀駕雲降臨。 28 一有這些事，你們就當挺身昂首，因為你們得贖的日子近了。」
29-30 耶穌又設比喻對他們說：「你們看無花果樹和各樣的樹；它發芽的時候，你們一看見，自然曉得夏天近了。 31 這樣，你們看見這些事漸漸地成就，也該曉得　神的國近了。 32 我實在告訴你們，這世代還沒有過去，這些事都要成就。 33 天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。」
34 「你們要謹慎，恐怕因貪食、醉酒，並今生的思慮累住你們的心，那日子就如同網羅忽然臨到你們； 35 因為那日子要這樣臨到全地上一切居住的人。 36 你們要時時警醒，常常祈求，使你們能逃避這一切要來的事，得以站立在人子面前。」 37 耶穌每日在殿裏教訓人，每夜出城在一座山，名叫橄欖山住宿。 38 眾百姓清早上聖殿，到耶穌那裏，要聽他講道。

默想：

1. 耶穌列出了即將來臨的逼迫以及自然災害，他要門徒們不要害怕，因為當這些事情發生時，他們就知道彌賽亞回來的時間近了，到那時，他將以公義與和平統治全地。
2. 耶穌又警告門徒，要時常警醒等候他回來；雖然耶穌說這些話以後已經過了差不多二千年，但這些真理仍然不變；耶穌必要回來，信徒應當警醒準備迎接他，忠心完成神的托負，不要沉迷於吃喝玩樂，也不要被生活的憂慮所壓傷。
3. 面對近年來層出不窮的天災人禍，經濟危機，政治混亂，我是否滿有信心地期盼基督的回來？或是因這世界不斷快速發生的驚人變化而害怕驚恐？我是否真的相信耶穌基督就快回來？我的日常生活，飲食娛樂，生活形態等，表現出我對“耶穌再來”的信心有多少？若是真心相信，我應當有哪些改變及調整？

Luke 21

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  ²⁹He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  ³²“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  ³⁴“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus recites a list of persecutions and disasters that are to come.  Then he said,”stand up and lift up your heads (ie.  don’t be frightened)” because this means that Messiah is coming back soon.  He will rule the earth with righteousness and peace.
2. Jesus told his disciples to be alert to wait for His coming back.  Though it’s been 2,000 years, it’s still true, He is coming soon.  We need to be prepared to welcome Him, to accomplish His commands faithfully and not get lost in drinking, eating and entertainment.  Nor should we be crushed under the heavy weight of worries for our lives.
3. What do the numerous disasters in recent years have to do with Jesus’ words in this passage?  Am I waiting for Christ’s return with hope and anticipation?  Or am I afraid of what’s happening in the world?  If I truly believe that Christ is coming back soon, what does this fact change my daily life?  God, please help me to be alert in preparation for your return.

 

Family Time

Name some of the big happenings in the world this year, (tsunami, earthquake, war, famine, etc.)  What does Jesus tell his disciples what would happen Jesus comes back again?  He wants his disciples to be alert and to prepare for his coming.  What do you think of Jesus’ coming?  What should you do to prepare for Jesus’ coming again?  Is there anything you want to do so that you may be prepared for Jesus?  (Parents, be sensitive to your children’s reaction.  In needed, talk to them individually and lead them in salvation prayer if appropriate.)

 

第二十章

19 文士和祭司長看出這比喻是指著他們說的，當時就想要下手拿他，只是懼怕百姓。 20 於是窺探耶穌，打發奸細裝作好人，要在他的話上得把柄，好將他交在巡撫的政權之下。 21 奸細就問耶穌說：「夫子，我們曉得你所講所傳都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是誠誠實實傳　神的道。 22 我們納稅給凱撒，可以不可以？」 23 耶穌看出他們的詭詐，就對他們說： 24 「拿一個銀錢來給我看。這像和這號是誰的？」他們說：「是凱撒的。」 25 耶穌說：「這樣，凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，　神的物當歸給　神。」 26 他們當著百姓，在這話上得不著把柄，又希奇他的應對，就閉口無言了。

默想：

1. 耶穌在此說明雖然國家的要求和神的要求並不一樣，我們是可以同時滿足兩者要求的；但這並不是說服從其中一方，就等於服從另一方。因為耶穌時代的信徒在這事件之後不久，就要面對“若是他順從神，他就不能再順從羅馬帝國的君王”。初期教會也與當時宗教領袖對抗：“順從神不順從人是應當的”（徒5：29）。
2. 在對國家的納稅要求上，和對神的教會奉獻，及其他慈善捐獻上，我是怎樣順從或是不順從神的命令？
3. 在將我自己奉獻給神的事上，比照稅率的計算，我是15%，30%， 50% 或是100%的捐獻自己給神？

Luke 20

¹⁹The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. ²⁰Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²²Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  ²³He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”  ²⁵“Caesar’s,” they replied.   He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  ²⁶They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Meditation:

1. Jesus explained here that the demands of the state and the demands of God are not the same.  He suggests it is possible to meet both at the same time, but he never suggests that obeying one is exactly the same as obeying the other.  In fact, very soon, obedience to God would mean disobedience to the Roman emperor.  The early church has defied the Jewish authorities, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29).
2. On the demand of the state of personal income tax, and the demand of tithing and offering for God’s church, how obedient am I?
3. In giving myself to God, am I in the 15%, 30%, 50% or 100% “tax bracket”?

 

Family Time

Jesus was constantly being challenged by the teachers of the law and the chief priests.  Their question on paying taxes to Caesar was another attempt to trap Jesus so they could discredit him in front of the people.  Discuss as a family the meaning of Jesus’ answer.  How do people make fun of you?  What can be done about it in the spirit of Jesus?

 

第十九章

45 耶穌進了殿，趕出裏頭做買賣的人， 46 對他們說：「經上說：我的殿必作禱告的殿，你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」 47 耶穌天天在殿裏教訓人。祭司長和文士與百姓的尊長都想要殺他， 48 但尋不出法子來，因為百姓都側耳聽他。

默想：

1. 我們的教會是許多有意義的事情之中心，但禱告是否教會中最重要關注的事，或僅僅是額外的點綴，聚會的“序曲”？在我們教會裡聚會的信徒，他們是以禱告為信仰生活的核心嗎？新約中信徒就是神的殿，我們就是禱告之殿。但有多少時候我們真正地成為禱告的殿呢？我心裡是否仍在盤算買賣交易、未完成的工作、家中不能解決的糾紛？耶穌非常看重神的殿應當是禱告的地方，若是沒有與父神親密的相交，做任何其他的事都不會有果效，失喪的不能被尋回，被罪捆綁的不會得釋放。
2. 我是否與耶穌一樣，認為在我肉身這個殿中，禱告真是重要不可缺少？我是否認為禱告是這麼關鍵性，若不禱告，一切的事都會有問題？
3. 我每天都遵照萬民堂的每週的祈禱週誌，為所列事項忠心禱告嗎？若還沒有，這個星期開始，將主日崇拜的秩序單帶回家，每天按著所列事情，為教會，各項事工，信徒需要，以及遠近的宣教士等禱告，使我我成為真實的禱告殿。

Luke 19

⁴⁵Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. ⁴⁶“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'”  ⁴⁷Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. ⁴⁸Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

MEDITATION

1. Our churches are centers for many good things, but is prayer an overriding concern or simply a nice extra?  Is it the heart and soul of the body of believers who meet here?  It is the people who are the temple of God in the New Testament; it is us who are the house of prayer.  But how much of a house of prayer are we?  Are we full of buying and selling?  Are we a place where spiritual greed, theft, and religious sleight of hand are firmly lodged?  Jesus thought it very important.  Perhaps he felt without that communion with God the Father nothing else would ever make any difference, the lost would never be found, those enslaved would never be freed.
2. Do I share that same passion for prayer in my body, the temple of God?  Do I believe it is so critical, so essential that everything else is at risk without it?
3. Do I pray faithfully according to the PGC prayer calendar?  If not, then starting from this week, always remember to bring the Sunday Worship Bulletin home.  Use the Weekly Prayer Guide to pray for our church, the different ministries, people’s needs, missionaries, and other matters.  May I become a true “house of prayer”.

 

Family Time

V38 is a hymn of praise to God originally found in Psalm 118:26.  Let each family member choose a favorite hymn of praise and explain why it is his or her favorite hymn.  Sing one verse of each hymn.  Close your family worship with sentence prayers that thank God for who he is.

 

第十八章

9 耶穌向那些仗著自己是義人，藐視別人的，設一個比喻， 10 說：「有兩個人上殿裏去禱告：一個是法利賽人，一個是稅吏。 11 法利賽人站著，自言自語地禱告說：『　神啊，我感謝你，我不像別人勒索、不義、姦淫，也不像這個稅吏。』 12 我一個禮拜禁食兩次，凡我所得的都捐上十分之一。』 13 那稅吏遠遠地站著，連舉目望天也不敢，只捶著胸說：『　神啊，開恩可憐我這個罪人！』 14 我告訴你們，這人回家去比那人倒算為義了；因為，凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。」

默想：

1. 那法利賽人到聖殿去不是為了要向神禱告，而是要向周圍的人表揚自己的善行與美德；而稅吏去，是為認罪，並求憐憫。我的禱告，比較像哪個人的禱告？
2. 真正的悔改不是來自我們自己，而是神的賜予，給一切向他祈求的人。我們不斷地以稅吏的禱告（13節）向神呼求，懇求神賜下悔改的恩典，這是流著眼淚的禱告；會帶領我們得到神所賜的赦免、潔凈、與醫治。
3. 稅吏的禱告，就是本書第2頁底“五個簡短禱告”的第二個（主耶穌，求你可憐我），在過去的操練中，有什麼體驗？
4. 在今日結束禱告時，以及一日中的任何時間，都可以重覆用這短禱向神懇求悔改的恩典。

Luke 18

⁹To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  ¹³“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  ¹⁴“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

MEDITATION

1. This Pharisee went to the temple not to pray to God but to show off his own good conduct.  On the other hand, the tax collector went to confess and to ask for mercy.  Which person’s prayer is more like my prayer?
2. Repentance does not happen on our own.  It is a gift from God and He delights to give to all who ask.  We pray this sinner’s prayer constantly to ask for the grace of repentance.  This is the prayer of tears.  It will lead us to receive God’s gift of forgiveness, cleansing and healing.
3. The sinner’s prayer “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  This is the second short prayer of the five that we’ve been practicing (p2).  In my regular practicing of this prayer, what have I experienced?
4. To conclude the QT today, pray this short prayer repeatedly.  Practice to pray this prayer often for a spirit of repentance in my heart.

 

Family Time

Compare the attitude of the Pharisee with the attitude of the tax collector?  Why did God accept the “bad” tax collector rather than the “good” Pharisee?  How would people in your church classify your family?  How would Jesus classify you?