Category: 260灵修

第八章

1關於祭過偶像的食物，我們曉得我們都有知識。但知識會使人自高自大，唯有愛心能造就人……6然而我們只有一位神，就是父；萬物都是從他而來，我們也為了他而活。我們也只有一位主，就是耶穌基督；萬物都是藉著他而有的，我們也是藉著他而有的。7不過，這種知識不是人人都有的。有些人直到現在習慣了拜偶像的事，因此他們吃的時候，就把這些食物看作是真的獻過給偶像的；他們的良心既然軟弱，就被污穢了。8其實食物不能使我們親近神，我們不吃也無損，吃也無益。9然而你們要謹慎，免得你們這自由成了軟弱的人的絆腳石。10因為如果有人看見你這有知識的人，在偶像的廟裡吃飯，他的良心若是軟弱，他不就放膽去吃那祭過偶像的食物嗎？11因此，基督已經為他死了的那軟弱的弟兄，就因你的知識而滅亡了。12你們這樣得罪弟兄，傷了他們軟弱的良心，就是得罪基督了。13所以，如果食物使我的弟兄跌倒，我就永遠不再吃肉，免得使我的弟兄跌倒了。

 

默想

1. 我生命中，有那件事，是我的自由，卻成為別人的絆腳石？飲酒？穿著？音樂？生活形態？政治立場？
2. 主啊，是否有人因我的自由而跌倒？當我在此靜默時，求主將這人帶進我心中……。

 

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 8

¹Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ²The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. ³But the man who loves God is known by God.   ⁴So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. ⁵For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.   ⁷But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. ⁸But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.   ⁹Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. ¹⁰For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? ¹¹So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. ¹²When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

 

MEDITATION

1. Is there something in my life that when I exercise my freedom, it becomes a stumbling block for others?  Drinking? Clothing? Music? Lifestyle? Political viewpoints? Legalism?
2. Lord, is there someone stumbled because of my freedom?  As I pause to listen, bring the person to mind…

 

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.

第七章

17不過，主怎樣分給各人，神怎樣呼召各人，各人就要照著去行事為人。我也這樣吩咐各教會。18   有人受了割禮而蒙召的嗎？他就不要遮掩割禮的記號。有人未受割禮而蒙召的嗎？他就不要受割禮。19割禮算不得甚麼，沒有割禮也算不得甚麼，要緊的是遵守神的命令。20各人蒙召的時候怎樣，他就應當保持原來的情況。21你蒙召的時候是作奴僕的嗎？不要為此煩惱。但如果你能夠得到自由，就要把握這機會。22因為作奴僕的蒙了主的呼召，就是屬於主的自由人了；照樣，自由的人蒙了呼召，他就是基督的奴僕了。23你們是用重價買來的，不要作人的奴僕。24弟兄們，你們各人蒙召的時候怎樣，就應當在神面前保持這原來的情況。

 

默想

1. 我們常以結婚與否、工作貴賤、財富多寡，來斷定自己的身份；但這些都只是神用來塑造我們的原料。所以，保羅勸導他們不要希望換個環境、或配偶等，因為是神，而不是結婚與否，或其他因素，來決定我們的身份與價值。
2. 我目前有些怎樣的困境，我希望能有改變的？第17，19節是否給我一些指引、原則？將心中的困境向神訴說。若有需要，可以詢問教會傳道人，並尋求屬靈指引。

 

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 7

¹⁷Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ¹⁸Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ²⁰Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. ²¹Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²²For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. ²³You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

 

MEDITATION

1. We’d like to think that our married status, vocational status, economic status make us who we are.  These are important but not essential raw materials which God uses to shape his life in us.  So, Paul told them don’t wish to be someplace else or with someone else.  God, not your marital status or any other thing, defines your life (v17).
2. What are some of the things that I’d like to have changed in my life?  Would verses 17 & 19 provide some direction and principle?  Tell God about it and, if needed, contact your pastor for further help.

 

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.

 

第六章

9 你們不知道不義的人不能承受神的國嗎？不要自欺，無論是行淫亂的、拜偶像的、姦淫的、作孌童的、親男色的、 10 偷竊的、貪心的、醉酒的、辱罵人的或勒索的，都不能承受神的國。 11 你們有些人從前也是這樣的，但現在藉著我們主耶穌基督的名，靠著我們神的靈，都已經洗淨了，聖潔了，稱義了。 要用身體榮耀神 12 甚麼事我都可以作，但不是都有益處。甚麼事我都可以作，但我不要受任何事的轄制。 13 食物是為了肚腹，肚腹是為了食物；但神卻要把這兩樣都廢掉。身體不是為了淫亂，而是為了主，主也是為了身體。 14 神不但使主復活了，也要用他的能力使我們復活。 15 你們不知道你們的身體就是基督的肢體嗎？這樣，我們可以把基督的肢體當作娼妓的肢體嗎？當然不可以！ 16 你們不知道那跟娼妓苟合的，就是與她成為一體了嗎？因為經上說：“二人要成為一體。”17 但那與主聯合的，就是與他成為一靈了。 18 你們要逃避淫亂的事。人所犯的，無論是甚麼罪，都是在身體以外，唯有行淫亂的，是觸犯自己的身體。 19 你們不知道你們的身體就是那位住在你們裡面的聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈是你們從神那裡領受的。你們不是屬於自己的， 20 因為你們是用重價買來的。所以你們務要用自己的身體榮耀神。

 

默想

1. 在每天的報紙、電視、路邊廣告牌等各種傳媒，都充塞著色情的暗示，我怎樣看這些事？照看不誤，不認為有任何不妥？心中有些不安，不悅，但也無奈，畢竟到處都是？非常厭惡，轉換看別的，或索性走開？
2. 安靜禱告，默想我的身子，是神的，是屬神的，也是與神聯合的。聆聽聖靈在心中對我說的話，指出我在身子上有什麼不潔、不義的行為、思想？求主赦免，並求主幫助，使我能“用自己的身體榮耀神”。

 

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 6

⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. ¹³ You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” ¹⁷ But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

 

MEDITATION

1. The newspaper, television and roadside billboard are all covered with sexual images.  How do I see these things?  Nothing wrong? Uneasy but couldn’t help it? Disgusted and turned away?
2. Silently think of my own body.  It’s for God and belongs to God and united with God.  Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to me, pointing out any unclean, unjust behaviour or thought.  Ask for forgiveness and God’s help to “glorify God in my body”.

 

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.

 

 

第五章

6 你們這樣自誇是不好的。你們不知道一點麵酵能使全團麵發起來嗎？ 7 你們既是無酵的麵，就應當把舊酵除淨，好讓你們成為新的麵團；因為我們逾越節的羊羔基督已經被殺獻祭了。 8 所以我們守這節，不可用舊酵，也不可用又邪又惡的酵，而是要用純潔真實的無酵餅。 9 我以前寫信告訴你們，不可與淫亂的人來往。 10 這話當然不是指這世上行淫亂的、貪心的、勒索的，或拜偶像的人；如果是這樣，你們就非脫離這世界不可。 11 但現在我寫信告訴你們，如果有稱為弟兄，卻是行淫亂、貪心、拜偶像、辱罵人、醉酒或勒索的，這樣的人，不可和他來往，連和他吃飯都不可。

 

默想

1. 神的話是毫不妥協的，有罪必須要面對，無論是什麼罪，都要認真的面對，並果斷的處理。若肢體中有病的部分不去求醫，不單那部分的肢體有可能逐漸壞死，更可能讓整個身體都受到威脅危險（麵酵的效果）。保羅命令哥林多教會的信徒，與教會中那些犯罪的人（11節）斷絕來往，目的主要是要保護教會，不陷入同樣罪的陷阱中。
2. 在我想要指出我認為教會或小組中的弟兄姊姊不恰當的行為時, 求主讓我先反省自己的行為與心態，並心存深切“哀痛”（2節）地為他們禱告。
3. 當為他們的罪哀痛禱告時，我心中對他們及其他弟兄姐妹會產生怎樣的態度？這對防止罪的“麵酵效應”有什麼作用？

 

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 5

⁶Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? ⁷Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. ⁸Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. ¹¹But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

 

MEDITATION

1. The Word of God is relentless.  It insists that we face up to our sin.  Whether that sin is indolence, idolatry, or immorality, we must face it squarely and deal with it decisively.  For if that diseased part of the body is not dealt with, not only is the individual member of the body at risk of dying, but it also puts the entire body at risk.  Paul urged them to sever all relationships with those sinning people.  His purpose is for the protection of the church lest they be led into the same sinful trap.
2. When I wanted to point out inappropriate behaviours of someone in the church or cell group, Lord God, please remind me to examine my own behaviour and thought life first.  Then, give me a deep mourning for them and their sins.
3. What will happen to my attitude when I mourn for them and others?  How would this affect the prevention of sin’s “yeast effect”?

 

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.

 

第四章

8 你們已經滿足了，已經豐富了，不需要我們，自己作王了。我恨不得你們真的作了王，讓我們也可以跟你們一同作王！ 9 我想神是把我們作使徒的列在最後，好像定了死刑的人，因為我們成了一臺戲給宇宙觀看，就是給天使和世人觀看！10 我們為基督的緣故，成了愚笨的；你們在基督裡，倒成了聰明的。我們軟弱，你們倒強壯；你們受人尊敬，我們倒被輕視。 11 直到現在，我們還是又飢又渴，衣不蔽體，又挨打，又沒有棲身的地方， 12 並且勞苦，親手作工。被人咒罵，我們就祝福；遭受迫害，我們就忍受； 13 被人毀謗，我們卻好好地勸導；直到現在，人還是把我們當作世上的垃圾，萬物的渣滓。

 

默想

1. 保羅諷刺哥林多信徒自以為靈裡已完全，並將他們的境況對比保羅自己為福音所受的苦。信徒往往因為內心沒有安全感，或是害怕生命中出現失控的情況，就容易產生屬靈上的自信（相信自己而非相信神）。但若相信神絕對的可靠，就能在憂傷時得幫助，一帆風順時得指引。
2. “相信神是可靠的”對我來說，是什麼意思？我曾經驗過神的信實嗎？是什麼事？再次為這個經驗感謝神，並求主增加我對神的信心。

 

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  4

⁸Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! ⁹For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

 

MEDITATION

1. Paul mocks the Corinthian Christians’ claim that they’ve achieved spiritual perfection by contrasting their condition with his suffering for the gospel.  Spiritual pride is an indication that we are insecure or afraid of life’s uncontrollable ambiguities.  Trust in God’s absolute reliability will aid in times of sorrow and serves as a guide when all is well.
2. What does “trust in God’s absolute reliability” mean to me?  Have I experienced God’s faithfulness?  What was it?  Thank God for that experience again.  Pray for the increase of my trust in God.

 

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.

 

 

第三章

10 我照著神賜給我的恩典，就像一個聰明的工程師，立好了根基，別人在上面建造。各人要注意怎樣在上面建造， 11 因為除了那已經立好的根基以外，沒有人能立別的根基。那根基就是耶穌基督。 12 如果有人用金、銀、寶石、草、木、禾秸，在這根基上建造， 13 各人的工程將來必要顯露，因為那日子必把它顯明出來。有火要把它顯露出來，那火要考驗各人的工程是怎樣的。 14 如果有人在這根基上建造的工程存得住，他就要得到賞賜； 15 如果有人的工程被燒毀，他就要受虧損；自己卻要得救，只是要像從火裡經過一樣。

默想

1. 這個建造的比喻指出，一方面我們與神同工，一同建造；另一方面我們也是神的工作。我們是教會的建築工人，同時也是神所建造的教會。當我們將生命傾倒在神的工作中，我們實際成了神所建造的教會的材料。在總工程師——神的指導下，我們不斷地得到塑造，原本毫不起眼的小磚塊，也能變成美麗建築物的一部分，為要使神得到榮耀。
2. 禱告——求神幫助我成為祂忠心的工人，建造祂的教會。也求神幫助我，配合神不斷地塑造，使我的生命越來越有基督的榮美。

 

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

¹⁰By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

 

MEDITATION

1. The metaphor of the building indicates that, first, we’re workers with God.  And second, we’re worked upon by God.  We’re both the builders of the church and simultaneously part of the church that is being built.  We’re constantly in a state of both being the church and becoming the church.  When we pour our lives into the work and we become the actual materials for the church that God is building.  Under the direction of the Master Builder, we are being transformed.  An insignificant and even a rather ugly brick becomes a significant part of a beautiful structure, built to the glory of God.
2. Pray — Ask God help me to be his faithful worker in building his church, also to cooperate with his formation work in me to become more and more like 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

10 但神卻藉著聖靈把這些向我們顯明了，因為聖靈測透萬事，連神深奧的事也測透了。 11 除了在人裡面的靈，誰能知道人的事呢？同樣，除了神的靈，也沒有人知道神的事。 12 我們所領受的，不是這世界的靈，而是從神來的靈，使我們能知道神開恩賜給我們的事。 13 我們也講這些事，不是用人的智慧所教的言語，而是用聖靈所教的言語，向屬靈的人解釋屬靈的事。 14 然而屬血氣的人不接受神的靈的事，因為他以為是愚笨的；而且他也不能夠明白，因為這些事，要有屬靈的眼光才能領悟。 15 屬靈的人能看透萬事，卻沒有人能看透他， 16 如經上所記：“誰曾知道主的心意，能夠指教他呢？”但我們已經得著基督的心意了。

 

默想

1. 在我的身邊是否有些非基督徒，他們不認識神，拒絕神的信息？不管他們是何等聰明，都難以明白基督的救恩，反而認為我跟隨基督這個決定，是很不明智的做法。
2. 我怎樣面對這些家人或親友？將心中的想法與感受告訴神。

 

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

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

 

MEDITATION

1. Are there some non-Christians around me who don’t know God and refuse God’s message?  No matter how smart they are, it’s difficult for them to understand the meaning of Christ’s salvation.  They may often think my decision to follow Christ is foolish.
2. How do I face these people, especially my family and relatives?

 

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.