Category: 260灵修

第一章

¹⁵因此，我聽到你們在主耶穌裡的信心，和對眾聖徒的愛心，¹⁶就不住地為你們獻上感謝。我禱告的時候，常常提到你們，¹⁷求我們主耶穌基督的神，榮耀的父，賜給你們智慧和啟示的靈，使你們充分地認識他，¹⁸並且使你們心靈的眼睛明亮，可以知道他的呼召有怎樣的盼望；他基業的榮耀，在聖徒中是多麼的豐盛；¹⁹神照著他強大的力量，向我們信他的人顯出的能力，是何等的浩大。²⁰這力量運行在基督身上，使他從死人中復活，並且在天上坐在自己的右邊，²¹遠超過一切執政的、掌權的、有能的、作主的，和今生來世所能舉出的一切名銜。²²神又使萬有都歸服在他的腳下，並且使他作教會至高的元首。²³教會是他的身體，是那充滿萬有者所完全充滿的。

 

默想：

1. 保羅在這段為信徒的禱告中提到，神已經賜給我們一切所需的，使我們可以過豐盛的基督徒生活，是充滿喜樂和信心的生活。
2. 安靜地讀這段經文（17節起），將保羅的禱告變成為自己的禱告，例：求我主耶穌基督的神，榮耀的父，賜給（我的名字）智慧和啟示的靈，使我充分地認識他。。。體會保羅在寫這段當時激動的情緒感受；嘗試用同樣的心情，向這樣榮耀、偉大、尊貴、全知、全能、全在的神，為自己作這樣的禱告。
3. 這樣的禱告，對神，和對自己有什麼新的體驗？

 

 

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

¹⁵For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

 

Meditation

1. Paul is saying that we already have everything we need for living the Christian life. We don’t have to wait for something additional to happen before we can live joyfully and confidently.
2. Read the passage silently.  Make Paul’s prayer in this passage my own.  For example, I ask you – the God of my Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make me intelligent and discerning in knowing you personally.  And so on.  Try to imagine Paul’s emotion when he wrote this passage.  Then pray to the same awesome, glorious, mighty, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God according to this passage.
3. What new insight or awareness about God and myself do I get from such prayer?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第十六課

1過了安息日，抹大拉的馬利亞和雅各的母親馬利亞並撒羅米，買了香膏要去膏耶穌的身體。 2 七日的第一日清早，出太陽的時候，她們來到墳墓那裡， 3 彼此說：「誰給我們把石頭從墓門滾開呢？」 4 那石頭原來很大，她們抬頭一看，卻見石頭已經滾開了。 5 她們進了墳墓，看見一個少年人坐在右邊，穿著白袍，就甚驚恐。 6 那少年人對她們說：「不要驚恐！你們尋找那釘十字架的拿撒勒人耶穌，他已經復活了，不在這裡。請看安放他的地方。 7 你們可以去告訴他的門徒和彼得，說：『他在你們以先往加利利去。在那裡你們要見他，正如他從前所告訴你們的。』」 8 她們就出來，從墳墓那裡逃跑，又發抖又驚奇，甚麼也不告訴人，因為她們害怕。  

 

默想：

1. 這幾位婦女完全沒有想過耶穌有可能復活的，所以當天使告訴他們耶穌已經復活時，時她們的反應是「從墳墓那裡逃跑，又發抖又驚奇，甚麼也不告訴人，因為她們害怕」(8節)。
2. 多少時候我們就像墓旁的婦女，當我們經歷了神奇妙意想不到的作為時，也會驚訝得不能自己，這表示我們所熟悉的生活已經結束，即將開始的是我們的未知；不再是我為神做什麼，而是神為我做；不再是我因需要來親近神，而是神以祂的慈悲親近我。我不再主控，是神在掌管。
3. 沒有死亡就沒有復活。在我生命中，有哪些方面神可能想要使它們死去，但我卻一直抗拒要使它繼續苟延活著？若我將這方面的掌控權交給神，會有什麼改變？有什麼新生命會冒出來？新的信心？新的希望，新的愛，新的喜樂？

 

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。

 

Mark 16

¹When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ²Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  ⁴But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  ⁶“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”  ⁸Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

 

Meditation

1. Jesus’ resurrection is totally different from what these ladies experienced and expected.  Therefore when the angel told them that Jesus was indeed risen from the dead, the ladies were “[t]rembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”(v8)
2. Often we are just like the women at the tomb.  When we experienced God’s wonderful, unexpected work in our lives, we would be totally astounded.  This means the end of our familiar life and the beginning of our unknown.  No longer am I doing something for God; he is doing something for me.  No longer am I drawn by my needs to God; he is drawn by his compassion to me, whether I’m ready for him or not, whether I feel anything for him or not.  That means you and I are not in charge; he is
3. There can’t be a resurrection without a death.  What area of my life is God perhaps trying to put to death that I am trying to keep alive?  What would happen if I relinquished control of it and simply let ie die?  What new life might come out of it?  What new faith?  What new hope, new love, new joy?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十五章

33 從午正到申初，遍地都黑暗了。 34 申初的時候，耶穌大聲喊著說：「以羅伊！以羅伊！拉馬撒巴各大尼？」（翻出來就是：我的神！我的神！為甚麼離棄我？） 35 旁邊站著的人，有的聽見就說：「看哪，他叫以利亞呢！」 36 有一個人跑去，把海絨蘸滿了醋，綁在葦子上，送給他喝，說：「且等著，看以利亞來不來把他取下。」 37 耶穌大聲喊叫，氣就斷了。 38 殿裡的幔子從上到下裂為兩半。 39 對面站著的百夫長看見耶穌這樣喊叫（有古卷沒有喊叫二字）斷氣，就說：「這人真是神的兒子！」 40 還有些婦女遠遠地觀看；內中有抹大拉的馬利亞，又有小雅各和約西的母親馬利亞，並有撒羅米， 41 就是耶穌在加利利的時候，跟隨他、服事他的那些人，還有同耶穌上耶路撒冷的好些婦女在那裡觀看。 42 到了晚上，因為這是預備日，就是安息日的前一日， 43 有亞利馬太的約瑟前來，他是尊貴的議士，也是等候神國的。他放膽進去見彼拉多，求耶穌的身體； 44 彼拉多詫異耶穌已經死了，便叫百夫長來，問他耶穌死了久不久。 45 既從百夫長得知實情，就把耶穌的屍首賜給約瑟。 46 約瑟買了細麻布，把耶穌取下來，用細麻布裹好，安放在磐石中鑿出來的墳墓裡，又滾過一塊石頭來擋住墓門。 47 抹大拉的馬利亞和約西的母親馬利亞都看見安放他的地方。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌的死，在四卷福都有記述。當中不同的人有不同的行動和反應。若我親歷其中，我會有何反應、感受？
2. 禱告：慢慢地讀下面這首詩，揣摩當中的意思及詩人的心態，再以緩慢的速度，懷著感恩的心，將這篇詩讀出來，作為對主的禱告。

您已給了我太多，

懇求再給我一樣 —— 一顆感恩的心；

不是當我高興時才感恩，

好像您的祝福有停止的時刻；

而是一顆心，

它的跳動就是對您的讚美。                            – – George Herbert

 

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。

 

Mark 15

³³At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. ³⁴And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  ³⁵When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”  ³⁶One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.  ³⁷With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  ³⁸The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”  ⁴⁰Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. ⁴²It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. ⁴⁴Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. ⁴⁵When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. ⁴⁷Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Meditation

1. The death of Jesus has been recorded in all four gospels.  Different people reacted differently.  If I were there in person, what would be my reaction and my emotion?
2. With a prayerful heart, read the following poem slowly.  Then, with a grateful heart, read it very slowly as a prayer to God.

Thou has given so much to me, 

Give me one more thing – a grateful heart. 

Not thankful when it pleases me,  

As if Thy blessings had spare days. 

But such a heart 

Whose pulse may be Thy praise.                       – George Herbert

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第十四章

3 耶穌在伯大尼長大痲瘋的西門家裡坐席的時候，有一個女人拿著一玉瓶至貴的真哪噠香膏來，打破玉瓶，把膏澆在耶穌的頭上。 4 有幾個人心中很不喜悅，說：「何用這樣枉費香膏呢？ 5 這香膏可以賣三十多兩銀子賙濟窮人。」他們就向那女人生氣。 6 耶穌說：「由她吧！為甚麼難為她呢？她在我身上做的是一件美事。 7 因為常有窮人和你們同在，要向他們行善隨時都可以；只是你們不常有我。 8 她所做的，是盡她所能的；她是為我安葬的事把香膏預先澆在我身上。 9 我實在告訴你們，普天之下，無論在甚麼地方傳這福音，也要述說這女人所做的，以為記念。」

 

默想：

1. 當我想要送一樣禮物給我心愛的人時，我會有哪些考慮？
2. 我如何可以像這個女人這般地，向神作同樣奢侈的奉獻？有什麼阻礙我這樣作的呢？
3. 繼續思考上題問題。容許聖靈來光照我，顯明我不能對神慷慨的癥結何在。靜候神的指示，讓我知道下一步該如何走，來克服這個問題。

 

 

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。

 

Mark 14

³While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  ⁴Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.  ⁶“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. ⁸She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

 

Meditation

1. When I want to give a special gift to someone I love, which kind of thing do I look for?
2. What can I do for God that would be as lavish?  Are there things that keep me from doing it?
3. Continue to reflect on the last question.  Allow the Holy Spirit to show me my problems to be generous to God.  Wait for God’s direction for me to take the step in overcoming it.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十三章

32 但那日子，那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟有父知道。 33 你們要謹慎，儆醒祈禱，因為你們不曉得那日期幾時來到。 34 這事正如一個人離開本家，寄居外邦，把權柄交給僕人，分派各人當作的工又吩咐看門的儆醒。 35 所以，你們要儆醒；因為你們不知道家主甚麼時候來，或晚上，或半夜，或雞叫，或早晨； 36 恐怕他忽然來到，看見你們睡著了。 37 我對你們所說的話，也是對眾人說：要儆醒！

 

默想：

1. 對我來說，基督的再來最令我興奮的是什麼？最令我沮喪的是什麼？當我見到耶穌時，我希望問耶穌什麼問題？
2. 慢慢地讀這段話。用這段話來作為期待和盼望基督再來的禱告。
   基督再來的真理將我整個生命觀改變過來；它破除了世界的權柄及它在我身上的野心，并在最令人失望的情況下，使我生命充滿了最燦爛的樂觀。– R. A. Torrey

 

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。

 

Mark 13

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert^[e]! You do not know when that time will come.³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.   ³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Meditation

1. What is the most exciting thing to me about the second coming?  The most depressing?  What questions would I like to ask Jesus about it?
2. Read slowly this paragraph.  Make this a prayer of anticipation and hope for Christ’s coming again.
   The truth of the second coming of Christ transformed my whole idea of life; it broke the power of the world and its ambition over me, and filled my life with the most radiant optimism even under the most discouraging of circumstances. – R. A. Torrey

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第十二章

41 耶穌對銀庫坐著，看眾人怎樣投錢入庫。有好些財主往裡投了若干的錢。 42 有一個窮寡婦來，往裡投了兩個小錢，就是一個大錢。 43 耶穌叫門徒來，說：「我實在告訴你們，這窮寡婦投入庫裡的，比眾人所投的更多。 44 因為，他們都是自己有餘，拿出來投在裡頭；但這寡婦是自己不足，把她一切養生的都投上了。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌警告那些文士律法師，他們喜歡穿長袍招搖過市，喜歡人家在公共場所向他們致敬問安，又喜歡坐在會堂裏的特別座位和宴會上的首座；他們一方面貪婪地暗吞了寡婦的家產，卻在會堂中公開發表長篇的禱文。這樣的人，耶穌說「要受更嚴厲的懲罰」。相反地，耶穌卻讚揚一個女人，甘心地將自己全部的生活費用都獻上了。
2. 這是價值觀的問題：貪婪的富人，貪得無厭，而窮寡婦卻甘心獻上所有。“大人物”被社會尊重，而默默無聞的女人，卻被神所讚賞。
3. 我可能並不富也不窮，但我日常的抉擇都是被這兩者之一（富有的律法師或窮寡婦）所左右。我願意選擇效法哪一個？

 

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。

 

Mark 12

⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. ⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

 

Meditation

1. Jesus warned against those teachers of the Law who paraded themselves openly, whose prayers were a pious show, and whose greed was so great they would “devour widow’s houses”.  Such men, Jesus said, “will be punished most severely.”  For contrast, Jesus praised a woman who freely placed her last coins in the treasury.
2. What a study in values.  The greedy rich man, who always wanted more, and the poor widow willing to give all.  The “great man” viewed with respect by society, and the insignificant woman, held in high regard only by God.
3. While I may be neither rich nor poor, my choices are likely to be governed by the values expressed by one of these two.  Which of the two will I choose to be most like?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

第十一章

1耶穌和門徒將近耶路撒冷，到了伯法其和伯大尼，在橄欖山那裡；耶穌就打發兩個門徒， 2 對他們說：「你們往對面村子裡去，一進去的時候，必看見一匹驢駒拴在那裡，是從來沒有人騎過的，可以解開，牽來。 3 若有人對你們說：『為甚麼做這事？』你們就說：『主要用牠。』那人必立時讓你們牽來。」 4 他們去了，便看見一匹驢駒拴在門外街道上，就把牠解開。 5 在那裡站著的人，有幾個說：「你們解驢駒做甚麼？」 6 門徒照著耶穌所說的回答，那些人就任憑他們牽去了。 7 他們把驢駒牽到耶穌那裡，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶穌就騎上。 8 有許多人把衣服鋪在路上，也有人把田間的樹枝砍下來，鋪在路上。 9 前行後隨的人都喊著說：和散那（和散那：原有求救的意思，在此乃是稱頌的話）！奉主名來的是應當稱頌的！ 10 那將要來的我祖大衛之國是應當稱頌的！高高在上和散那！ 11 耶穌進了耶路撒冷，入了聖殿，周圍看了各樣物件。天色已晚，就和十二個門徒出城，往伯大尼去了。

 

默想：

1. 眾人歡呼，稱頌耶穌是彌賽亞—他們的救主（9-10節）。 但未多幾時，他們卻成為吶喊釘耶穌十字架的兇手。當環境似乎很順利、我們的禱告得到應允、身邊的人也都支持我們的信仰的時候，我們就比較容易跟從神、讚美神。但當這些支持和假想開始消失時，我們的信心就會受到考驗。
2. 我對主的信心，有沒有因為時間、地方、群體的改變而受到考驗？我是如何走過的？
3. 在教會或小組中，有沒有什麼人，正在經歷這樣的考驗，至今還沒有走出來？將他/她的名字寫下來，在這個月中，固定且認真為他/她定時的禱告。若可能，打個電話，寫個電郵，或寄張卡片，去鼓勵他，陪伴他走過來。

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。

 

Mark 11

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ²saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”  ⁴They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,    “Hosanna!”    “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
¹⁰“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”    “Hosanna in the highest!”  ¹¹Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

 

Meditation

1. The crowd shouted and waved and praised Jesus as their Messiah – the savior (v9-10).  But soon after, they became the crowd that wanted to nail Jesus on the cross.  It is easier to follow and praise God when everything seems to be going well, when God is meeting our expectations, and when faith is supported by those all around us.  The strength of our faith is tested when all of these supports and assumptions begin to fall away.
2. Has my faith in God been tested through changes of time, location, community?
3. Anyone at church or cell is going through this testing process and has not come out yet?  Write down his/her name on this page.  Commit to pray for him/her regularly for the whole month.  If possible, give him/her a call, write an email or send a card to encourage him/her and to accompany him/her to come through this process.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第十章

35 西庇太的兒子雅各、約翰進前來，對耶穌說：「夫子，我們無論求你甚麼，願你給我們做。」 36 耶穌說：「要我給你們做甚麼？」 37 他們說：「賜我們在你的榮耀裡，一個坐在你右邊，一個坐在你左邊。」 38 耶穌說：「你們不知道所求的是甚麼，我所喝的杯，你們能喝嗎？我所受的洗，你們能受嗎？」 39 他們說：「我們能。」耶穌說：「我所喝的杯，你們也要喝；我所受的洗，你們也要受； 40 只是坐在我的左右，不是我可以賜的，乃是為誰預備的，就賜給誰。」 41 那十個門徒聽見，就惱怒雅各、約翰。 42 耶穌叫他們來，對他們說：「你們知道，外邦人有尊為君王的，治理他們，有大臣操權管束他們。 43 只是在你們中間，不是這樣。你們中間，誰願為大，就必作你們的用人； 44 在你們中間，誰願為首，就必作眾人的僕人。 45 因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命作多人的贖價。」

默想：

1. 耶穌對雅各和約翰的要求沒有譏諷或惱怒，卻拒絕他們的要求。我們可以向神求任何東西，不過神不見得會將我們所求的給我們，但祂卻要把最好的賜給我們。因此，有時為了我們的好處，祂會拒絕我們的請求。
2. 回想一下，有什麼禱告，是神至今沒有答應，或是已經拒絕的？現在憑著信心，為著神已經、或將要將最好的賜給我來感謝神。
3. 在基督的國度裡，「服事」才是成功之路，這是主留給我們美好的榜樣。祈禱是服事的一種，我是否留意萬民堂每星期的祈禱週誌，忠實地每天為教牧同工、教會、社區、弟兄姊妹的需要祈禱？求主幫助我。

 

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。

 

Mark 10

³⁵Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  ³⁶“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.  ³⁷They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”  ³⁸“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”  ³⁹“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, ⁴⁰but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”  ⁴¹When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴²Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

Meditation

1. Jesus didn’t laugh or getting angry at James or John, but He did reject their requests.  We may want to ask for anything from God, but God wants to give us the best and not just anything we asked for.  So, it’s for our good that He may reject our requests.
2. Take a time to reflect.  Is there any prayer request of mine that God still hasn’t answered, or has refused?  Right now, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God, for He has or will have given me the best.
3. In the kingdom of Christ, “serving” is the way to success.  This is the model Christ left us.  Prayer is one of the services for believers.  Have I noticed the PGC weekly prayer letter? Lord, help me to pray faithfully daily for pastors, the church, our community, needs of brothers and sister.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第九章

30 他們離開那地方，經過加利利；耶穌不願意人知道。 31 於是教訓門徒，說：人子將要被交在人手裡，他們要殺害他；被殺以後，過三天他要復活。 32 門徒卻不明白這話，又不敢問他。 33 他們來到迦百農，耶穌在屋裡問門徒說：你們在路上議論的是甚麼？ 34 門徒不作聲，因為他們在路上彼此爭論誰為大。 35 耶穌坐下，叫十二個門徒來，說：若有人願意作首先的，他必作眾人末後的，作眾人的用人。 

 

默想：

1. 耶穌知道在耶路撒冷將要發生的事情，祂再次告訴門徒祂將要受死，並要復活。然而，門徒對耶穌將面對的死亡與復活漠不關心，卻在爭辯在將來的國度裡，各人的地位與前途如何。
2. 我們每個人都會為自己在某個群體中的地位與身份而掙扎奮鬥：我怎樣融入這個群體？
   在這群體中我有什麼重要？究竟耶穌的成功形式與今天我所經歷到的，有什麼不同？
3. 我要如何才能將35-37節的真意，實現在我的家中，工作場合？有什麼動機使我會如此作？

祈求聖靈來幫助我，謙卑地服事他人，而不求被服事。

 

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。

 

Mark 9

³⁰ They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, ³¹ because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” ³² But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. ³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. ³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

 

Meditation

1. In view of what lay ahead in Jerusalem, Jesus again prepared them by telling them that He would suffer execution and experience resurrection.  Rather than discussing Jesus’ coming death and resurrection, the disciples had been arguing about their own futures in the kingdom.
2. All of us struggle with the question of status and identity within a group.  Where do I fit?  How important am I to this group?
   How does Jesus’ style of success differ from the ideas of success that press on me today?
3. What would it mean for me to reflect vv35-37 in my family? My work?  What is the incentive to do so?

Ask the Holy Spirit to help me to humbly serve others rather than to be served.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

第八章

27 耶穌和門徒出去，往凱撒利亞‧腓立比村莊去；在路上問門徒說：「人說我是誰？」 28 他們說：「有人說是施洗的約翰；有人說是以利亞；又有人說是先知裡的一位。」 29 又問他們說：「你們說我是誰？」彼得回答說：「你是基督。」 30 耶穌就禁戒他們，不要告訴人。 31 從此，他教訓他們說：「人子必須受許多的苦，被長老、祭司長，和文士棄絕，並且被殺，過三天復活。」 32 耶穌明明地說這話，彼得就拉著他，勸他。 33 耶穌轉過來，看著門徒，就責備彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！因為你不體貼神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」 34 於是叫眾人和門徒來，對他們說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。」35 因為，凡要救自己生命（或作：靈魂；下同）的，必喪掉生命；凡為我和福音喪掉生命的，必救了生命。 36 人就是賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？ 37 人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？ 38 凡在這淫亂罪惡的世代，把我和我的道當作可恥的，人子在他父的榮耀裡，同聖天使降臨的時候，也要把那人當作可恥的。

 

默想：

1. 當彼得承認耶穌「你是基督」，開口認耶穌為主，為救主，那僅僅是踏出信仰的第一步。下一步便是一生之久的旅程，就是完完全全、真真實實地活出彼得在此時口中所表明的知識。
2. 基督徒也是如此，在我們開口認耶穌為我們的救主與主宰之後，耶穌告訴我們，祂呼召我們要活出這樣的生命：「捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我」。
3. 在一生信仰的旅途上，我踏出了第幾步？是還在第一步徘徊？或是已經朝向成聖的境地邁進？我膽怯、害怕的是什麼？
4. 為自己走信仰路程的勇氣與信心禱告，求主牽引，讓我跟隨。

 

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。

 

Mark 8

²⁷Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”  ²⁸They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”  ²⁹“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”  ³⁰Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. ³¹He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³²He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  ³³But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  ³⁴Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ³⁷Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

 

Meditation

1. When Peter made this confession of faith “You are the Christ”, he has only taken the first step.  The next step is a lifelong journey to live out this confession fully and authentically.
2. That’s the same with us.  After our confession of faith, Jesus calls us to live a life to “deny himself and take up his cross and follow” Jesus.
3. In my journey of faith, which step have I taken?  Am I still lingering at the first step?  Or am I walking toward the goal of being sanctified and made holy?  What is it that has kept me from moving ahead?  What am I afraid of?
4. Pray for courage and faith to walk on this journey.  Ask for God’s guidance that I may willingly follow.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.