260靈修 Jan.30, 2012: 以弗所書第三章Ephesians 3

第三章

14 因此,我在父面前屈膝, 15 (天上地上所有的家族都是由他命名的,) 16 求他按著他榮耀的豐盛,藉著他的靈,用大能使你們內在的人剛強起來, 17 使基督藉著你們的信,住在你們心裡,使你們既然在愛中扎根建基, 18 就能和眾聖徒一同領悟基督的愛是多麼的長闊高深, 19 並且知道他的愛是超過人所能理解的,使你們被充滿,得著神的一切豐盛。 20 願榮耀歸給神,就是歸給那能照著運行在我們裡面的大能,充充足足地成就一切,超過我們所求所想的。 21 願榮耀在教會中和基督耶穌裡歸給他,直到萬代,永世無窮。阿們。

 

默想:

  1. 保羅這裡所說的“愛”並非神的愛或對神的愛,而是家庭的愛—即在基督裡信徒彼此的愛。保羅熱切地希望神的百姓“愛心有根有基(在愛中扎根建基)”,以致我們“能和眾聖徒一同明白(領悟)基督的愛是何等長闊高深”(18-19節)我們怎樣能領悟明白愛呢?就是在家庭的環境中,藉著相愛和珍惜,培育和支持,關心和分享,來學習體驗基督的愛的長闊高深。
  2. “基督如今在地上,除了你的身體,祂沒有身體,

你的手是祂唯一的手,祂可用來工作,

你的腳是祂唯一的腳,祂可以走遍世界,

你的眼是祂唯一的眼,可以將祂的關愛照耀在困苦的世界,

基督如今在地上,除了你的身體,祂沒有身體。——大德蘭

  1. 今天一個真正屬靈教會的標記仍然是“彼此相愛”。用這段經文來為教會及信徒禱告,求主使我的教會家庭有“彼此相愛”的標記,能深刻體驗並明白基督的愛是何等長闊高深。

 

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 3

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

 

Meditation

  1. The “love” Paul spoke of here isn’t the love of God, or love for God.  His theme was family love –love for one another in Christ.  Paul earnestly desired that God’s people be “rooted and established in love” in order that we have power “together with all the saints” to grasp and know the love of Christ (vv18-19).  How can we grasp or understand love?  In the context of the family that loves and cherishes, that nurtures and supports, that cares and shares, we are to learn by experience the width and length and height and depth of the love of Christ.
  2. “Christ has no body now on earth but yours;

Yours are the only hands with which He can do His work,

Yours are the only feet with which He can go about the world,

Yours are the only eyes through which His compassion can shine forth upon a troubled world,

Christ has no body now on earth but yours” – Teresa of Avila

  1. The mark of a truly spiritual church is still, “See how they love one another.”  With this passage in mind, pray for my church that we, as a church family, may bear the mark of “loving one another” and may experience deeply the love of Christ.

 

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.

260靈修 Jan.27, 2012: 以弗所書第二章Ephesians 2

第二章

1 你們因著自己的過犯和罪惡,原是死的。 2 那時你們在過犯和罪惡中行事為人,隨著時代的潮流,也服從空中掌權的首領,就是現今在悖逆的人身上運行的靈。 3 我們從前也都和他們在一起,放縱肉體的私慾,隨著肉體和心意所喜好的去行;我們與別人一樣,生來都是可怒的兒女。 4 然而神滿有憐憫,因著他愛我們的大愛, 5 就在我們因過犯死了的時候,使我們與基督一同活過來,(你們得救是靠著恩典,) 6 又使我們在基督耶穌裡,與他一同復活,一同坐在天上, 7 為的是要在將來的世代中,顯明他在基督耶穌裡賜給我們的恩典,是多麼的豐盛。 8 你們得救是靠著恩典,藉著信心。這不是出於自己,而是神所賜的; 9 這也不是出於行為,免得有人自誇。 10 我們原是神所作成的,是在基督耶穌裡創造的,為的是要我們行各樣的善事,就是神預先所安排的。

 

默想:

1.  行善之於信仰,就如呼氣之於吸氣,是一進一出、一前一後的;我們的善行使得神的救恩在我們身上得以完全。我們不是以行善來贏取救恩,而是用善行來表明我確實接受了救恩。跟從耶穌的人,長久以來,都因為信心和行為之間的關係困惑不已;但其實我們所追隨的主是這樣說的,“你們既知道這事,若是去行就有福了。”(約13:17)

2.  我的行為是否清楚向別人說明我對主耶穌的信心?有什麼是我“既知道”但尚未去做的“善行”?求聖靈光照,讓我知道並能實際去做。

 

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 2

1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

Meditation

1.  Works are to faith as exhaling is to inhaling.  They complete the gift of salvation.  Good works are not what we do to win salvation; they are what we do to demonstrate and enjoy it.  Followers of Jesus have for the longest time been perplexed by the relationship between faith and works.  However, Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”(John 13:17)

2.  Does my behaviour demonstrate to others my faith in Jesus Christ?  What are the things that I know but have not done?  Ask the Holy Spirit to show me how to actually do these good works.

 

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.

 

260靈修 Jan.26, 2012: 以弗所書第一章Ephesians 1

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.

260靈修 Jan.25, 2012: 馬可福音第十六章 Mark 16

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.

 

260靈修 Jan.24, 2012: 馬可福音第十五章 Mark 15

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.

260靈修 Jan.23, 2012: 馬可福音第十四章 Mark 14

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.

 

260靈修 Jan.20, 2012: 馬可福音第十三章 Mark 13

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.


260靈修 Jan.19, 2012: 馬可福音第十二章 Mark 12

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.

 

 


260靈修 Jan.18, 2012: 馬可福音第十一章 Mark 11

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.


260靈修 Jan.17, 2012: 馬可福音第十章 Mark 10

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.