Category: 260灵修

第廿五章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

14 「天國又好比一個人要往外國去，就叫了僕人來，把他的家業交給他們，15 按著各人的才幹給他們銀子：一個給了五千，一個給了二千，一個給了一千，就往外國去了。16 那領五千的隨即拿去做買賣，另外賺了五千。17 那領二千的也照樣另賺了二千。18 但那領一千的去掘開地，把主人的銀子埋藏了。19 過了許久，那些僕人的主人來了，和他們算帳。20 那領五千銀子的又帶著那另外的五千來，說：『主啊，你交給我五千銀子。請看，我又賺了五千。』21 主人說：『好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理；可以進來享受你主人的快樂。』22 那領二千的也來，說：『主啊，你交給我二千銀子。請看，我又賺了二千。』23 主人說：『好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理；可以進來享受你主人的快樂。』24 那領一千的也來，說：『主啊，我知道你是忍心的人，沒有種的地方要收割，沒有散的地方要聚斂，25 我就害怕，去把你的一千銀子埋藏在地裏。請看，你的原銀子在這裏。』26 主人回答說：『你這又惡又懶的僕人，你既知道我沒有種的地方要收割，沒有散的地方要聚斂，27 就當把我的銀子放給兌換銀錢的人，到我來的時候，可以連本帶利收回。28 奪過他這一千來，給那有一萬的。29 因為凡有的，還要加給他，叫他有餘；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪過來。30 把這無用的僕人丟在外面黑暗裏；在那裏必要哀哭切齒了。』」

 

默想：

1. 神給每個信徒都有不同的恩賜，可能是財富、才幹、時間、或機會。神要我們盡用每樣恩賜來服事神。
2. 主人稱讚頭兩個僕人，因他們盡了他們的努力，主人看他們的努力比成果更重要。但還有一個僕人，用最少的功夫，來確保自己不需勞力，又可保護自己。耶穌指出這個僕人並不關心主人的利益，也不願意服事主人。
3. 我的雙手承載著很多神給的恩賜，祂期待我有智慧地並完全地為祂使用。我有沒有好好地運用這些恩賜？當主再來時，我拿什麼呈獻給主？想一想，今天，這個星期，有什麼實際的事情，使我能運用到我的恩賜？並求神幫助我，為祂好好地做。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 25

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁴“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. ¹⁸But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ ²¹“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ²²“The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ ²³“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ²⁴“Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ ²⁶“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. ²⁸” ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. ²⁹For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ³⁰And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Meditation:

1. God gives gifts to all his disciples, wealth, skills, time or opportunities. God wants us to use them completely. This is how we can serve him.
2. The master praised two of the slaves for they had done their best. Not the other slave. This slave was doing the safest thing, and the least work, to protect himself from hard work and punishment if he lose it.
3. God also expects me to use my gifts wisely and completely for Him. How am I doing? Think of one way I can use my gift today and this week. Ask God to help me do it well for His sake.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第廿四章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

3 耶穌在橄欖山上坐著，門徒暗暗地來說：「請告訴我們，甚麼時候有這些事？你降臨和世界的末了有甚麼預兆呢？」4 耶穌回答說：「你們要謹慎，免得有人迷惑你們。5 因為將來有好些人冒我的名來，說：『我是基督』，並且要迷惑許多人。6 你們也要聽見打仗和打仗的風聲，總不要驚慌；因為這些事是必須有的，只是末期還沒有到。7 民要攻打民，國要攻打國；多處必有饑荒、地震。8 這都是災難（災難：原文是生產之難）的起頭。9 那時，人要把你們陷在患難裏，也要殺害你們；你們又要為我的名被萬民恨惡。10 那時，必有許多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨惡；11 且有好些假先知起來，迷惑多人。12 只因不法的事增多，許多人的愛心才漸漸冷淡了。13 惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。14 這天國的福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證，然後末期才來到。」

 

 

默想：

1. 耶穌基督將要再臨這個世界，想到這個應許會使我快樂嗎？或對我是件有威脅性的事？拿張紙，將我在耶穌再來那天會失去的東西列出來，再將我在那天將得到的列出來。為什麼有些基督徒對耶穌的再臨，會覺得很難相信？
2. 假想一下，如果我們知道耶穌在一個月後將要回來，我們的教會將會有怎樣的不同？我自己呢？
3. 讓這個問題盤旋在我心中，靜坐一會兒，等候神指示我應當如何準備迎接耶穌的再來。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 24

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

⁴Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ⁶You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸All these are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. ¹⁰At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹²Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

 

Meditation:

1. Think about the fact that Jesus Christ will return to this earth. Does this promise make me happy? Or is it like a danger to me? Make a list of what I might lose on that great day. Then make a list of what I will gain. Why is it hard for some Christians to believe that Jesus will return?
2. Imagine that Jesus will return in a month’s time. What would be different in my church? What would I
3. Let this question linger in my heart for a while. Wait for God to show me how I may get ready for Jesus’ coming.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第廿三章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1那時，耶穌對眾人和門徒講論，2 說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，3 凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行。但不要效法他們的行為；因為他們能說，不能行。4 他們把難擔的重擔捆起來，擱在人的肩上，但自己一個指頭也不肯動。5 他們一切所做的事都是要叫人看見，所以將佩戴的經文做寬了，衣裳的繸子做長了，6 喜愛筵席上的首座，會堂裏的高位，7 又喜愛人在街市上問他安，稱呼他拉比（拉比就是夫子）。8 但你們不要受拉比的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的夫子；你們都是弟兄。9 也不要稱呼地上的人為父，因為只有一位是你們的父，就是在天上的父。10 也不要受師尊的稱呼，因為只有一位是你們的師尊，就是基督。11 你們中間誰為大，誰就要作你們的用人。12 凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌吩咐門徒不要接受拉比、父或教師的稱號，因為世上只有一位最終極、最具權威的教師——不是摩西或所羅門，而是基督（10節）。因此，跟從耶穌的人，要一生做學生。凡高舉自己的必降為卑，謙卑的人必升為高（12節）。耶穌反復多次責備「假冒為善」，其意思就是「做戲」的行為。文士和法利賽人外表與實質不一致、說話與行為不配合，引致耶穌嚴厲的批評（13-33節）。
2. 文士和法利賽人相當於現代的教授。他們研讀聖經非常仔細入微，又背誦大量篇幅的經文。即使如此，亦未能使他們完全遵從所研讀的教訓。我要怎樣避免成為假冒為善，說一套，做一套的人呢？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 23

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ²“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. ⁵“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries^[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ ⁸“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. ⁹And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.^{[b] 11}The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Meditation:

1. Jesus’ disciples are commanded not to accept the title rabbi, father, or teacher, for there is only one final and authoritative teacher – not Moses or Solomon, but the Christ (v10). Thus, Jesus’ followers must always remain learners. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and vice versa (v12). Jesus repeated condemns play-acting, which is what the word we translate “hypocrite” actually means. The dichotomy between appearance and reality, between word and deed, draws Jesus’ criticism (vv13-33).
2. The scribes and Pharisees were the professors of their time. They studied Scripture in minute detail and memorized huge chunks of it. Yet all of their study and memorization didn’t keep them from doing things contrary to what they were studying. How can I keep from being hypocrite: teaching one thing and doing another?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

Family Time:

第廿二章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

34 法利賽人聽見耶穌堵住了撒都該人的口，他們就聚集。35 內中有一個人是律法師，要試探耶穌，就問他說：36 「夫子，律法上的誡命，哪一條是最大的呢？」37 耶穌對他說：「你要盡心、盡性、盡意愛主─你的　神。38 這是誡命中的第一，且是最大的。239 其次也相倣，就是要愛人如己。40 這兩條誡命是律法和先知一切道理的總綱。」

 

默想：

1. 整個律法全繫於兩個核心的命令，就是愛神和愛人；所有的律法和先知所說的，都是要培養我們對神和對鄰舍的愛。人要盡心愛神，這是最大的誡命；但沒有神幫助，人不可能做到。因此希坡的奧古斯丁說「主啊，求你把你所吩咐的賜給我，然後吩咐我遵行你的旨意。」
2. 現今我的愛心需要在那方面來成長？對神？對家人？對有需要/窮困的？對自己？我當怎樣著手學習？將上列奧古斯丁的禱告，作為我的心聲，並真誠的向神禱告。

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 22

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

³⁴Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Meditation:

1. The entire law hinges on its central commands to love God and neighbor. All the law and the prophets spoke was intended to nurture love for God and love for one’s neighbor. God is to be loved wholeheartedly, which is the greatest commandment. But this is impossible without the aid of God; hence the words of Augustine of Hippo, “Give what you command, Lord, and then command whatever you will”.
2. In what way do I want to grow in love right now: Toward God? Toward those in my family? Toward the needy? Toward myself? How would I do it? Use the above prayer of Augustine of Hippo as a prayer and ask God to help me to grow in love in the specific way shown by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第廿一章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

12 耶穌進了神的殿，趕出殿裏一切做買賣的人，推倒兌換銀錢之人的桌子，和賣鴿子之人的凳子，13 對他們說：「經上記著說：我的殿必稱為禱告的殿，你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」14 在殿裏有瞎子、瘸子到耶穌跟前，他就治好了他們。15 祭司長和文士看見耶穌所行的奇事，又見小孩子在殿裏喊著說：「和散那歸於大衛的子孫！」就甚惱怒，16 對他說：「這些人所說的，你聽見了嗎？」耶穌說：「是的。經上說『你從嬰孩和吃奶的口中完全了讚美』的話，你們沒有念過嗎？」17 於是離開他們，出城到伯大尼去，在那裏住宿。

 

默想：

1. 這些商人和兌換錢幣的人，向遠道而來的朝聖者牟取暴利；使神的殿變成奸商謀利的跳蚤市場，妨礙人們前來敬拜神，難怪耶穌勃然大怒。如果耶穌今天來到我的教會，祂會有何反應？
2. 如果耶穌今天來拜訪我的教會，祂會在那些地方「推倒……桌子」？如果耶穌今天來拜訪我，又會怎樣？（豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎﹖這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裡頭的；並且你們不是自己的人。林前6:19）

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 21

 

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹²Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'” ¹⁴The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. ¹⁶“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ” ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?” ¹⁷And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

 

Meditation:

1. These merchants and money exchangers were extorting the pilgrims and making a big profit on the trade. They have turned the temple into a high profit lucrative business enterprise. No wonder Jesus was furious and drove them out.
2. If Jesus were to visit my church today, where might He begin “turning over tables”? What about my life if Jesus comes to visit my heart? (I Cor 6:19)

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第廿章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1「因為天國好像家主清早去雇人進他的葡萄園做工，2 和工人講定一天一錢銀子，就打發他們進葡萄園去。3 約在巳初出去，看見市上還有閒站的人，4 就對他們說：『你們也進葡萄園去，所當給的，我必給你們。』他們也進去了。5 約在午正和申初又出去，也是這樣行。6 約在酉初出去，看見還有人站在那裏，就問他們說：『你們為甚麼整天在這裏閒站呢？』7 他們說：『因為沒有人雇我們。』他說：『你們也進葡萄園去。』8 到了晚上，園主對管事的說：『叫工人都來，給他們工錢，從後來的起，到先來的為止。』9 約在酉初雇的人來了，各人得了一錢銀子。10 及至那先雇的來了，他們以為必要多得；誰知也是各得一錢。11 他們得了，就埋怨家主說：12 『我們整天勞苦受熱，那後來的只做了一小時，你竟叫他們和我們一樣嗎？』13 家主回答其中的一人說：『朋友，我不虧負你，你與我講定的不是一錢銀子嗎？14 拿你的走吧！我給那後來的和給你一樣，這是我願意的。15 我的東西難道不可隨我的意思用嗎？因為我作好人，你就紅了眼嗎？』16 這樣，那在後的，將要在前；在前的，將要在後了。（有古卷加：因為被召的人多，選上的人少。）」

默想：

1. 這個比喻困擾了很多人，這個園主是很明顯的不公平。耶穌是要說明有些人將他們與神的關係看為「工人得工價」的關係，這些人認為神必會因他們的忙碌、勞苦、功績，而賞賜他們。
2. 但是，神以恩典，而非我們的工作，來與我們建立關係。我們屬靈的生命也不會因忙碌事奉而得成長。
3. 我是否太過忙於為神工作，而忘了單單地愛神？我是否忘了停頓下來，聆聽別人的心聲，回應他們的需要？我是否靈裡已經枯乾，但仍不停地花費精力，沒有果效的作事？神在對我說什麼？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 20

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. ²He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. ³“About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. ⁶About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ⁷” ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ ⁸“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ ⁹“The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹²‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ ¹³“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ ¹⁶“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 

Meditation:

1. This story troubles many. It’s obvious that the owner of the vineyard wasn’t fair. Jesus is saying that some people want to put relationship with God on a work-for-hire basis. And these folks often assume they’ll be rewarded for being so busy.
2. Relationship with God is based on His generosity (v15), His grace, not our works. We don’t advance spiritually by being busy.
3. Am I becoming so caught up in doing things for God that I forget to simply love Him? Do I forget to stop, listen to people, and try to respond to their needs? Am I actually drying up spiritually but still spending my energies in an unproductive way? What is God telling me?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

 

第十九章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

16 有一個人來見耶穌，說：「夫子（有古卷：良善的夫子），我該做甚麼善事才能得永生？」17 耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼以善事問我呢？只有一位是善的（有古卷：你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了　神以外，沒有一個良善的）。你若要進入永生，就當遵守誡命。」18 他說：「甚麼誡命？」耶穌說：「就是不可殺人；不可姦淫；不可偷盜；不可作假見證；19 當孝敬父母；又當愛人如己。」20 那少年人說：「這一切我都遵守了，還缺少甚麼呢？」21 耶穌說：「你若願意作完全人，可去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」22 那少年人聽見這話，就憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。

 

默想：

1. 耶穌單刀直入的指出少年人對永生的誤解，有哪些誤解是我也有的？
2. 這段故事中，耶穌再次將我們一向持有的價值觀顛倒過來：財富不一定代表祝福，相反還可能阻礙人成為主真正的門徒。
3. 我愛主超過其他一切嗎？還有什麼我看為寶貴的事物，攔阻我成為主的真門徒？

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 19

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹⁶Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” ¹⁷“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” ¹⁸“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, ¹⁹honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'” ²⁰“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” ²¹Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 

Meditation:

1. Jesus very bluntly pointed to the young man his misunderstanding of the eternal life. What is it? Do I share similar misunderstanding?
2. In this passage, Jesus once again turned upside down the traditional view of wealth being a sign of blessing. Wealth, in fact, can be a hindrance to proper discipleship as in this case.
3. Do I love God above all else? Is there anything hindering me to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第十八章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

21 那時，彼得進前來，對耶穌說：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以嗎？」22 耶穌說：「我對你說，不是到七次，乃是到七十個七次。23 天國好像一個王要和他僕人算帳。24 才算的時候，有人帶了一個欠一千萬銀子的來。25 因為他沒有甚麼償還之物，主人吩咐把他和他妻子兒女，並一切所有的都賣了償還。26 那僕人就俯伏拜他，說：『主啊，寬容我，將來我都要還清。』27 那僕人的主人就動了慈心，把他釋放了，並且免了他的債。28 「那僕人出來，遇見他的一個同伴欠他十兩銀子，便揪著他，掐住他的喉嚨，說：『你把所欠的還我！』29 他的同伴就俯伏央求他，說：『寬容我吧，將來我必還清。』30 他不肯，竟去把他下在監裏，等他還了所欠的債。31 眾同伴看見他所做的事就甚憂愁，去把這事都告訴了主人。32 於是主人叫了他來，對他說：『你這惡奴才！你央求我，我就把你所欠的都免了，33 你不應當憐恤你的同伴，像我憐恤你嗎？』34 主人就大怒，把他交給掌刑的，等他還清了所欠的債。35 你們各人若不從心裏饒恕你的弟兄，我天父也要這樣待你們了。」

 

默想：

1. 耶穌以一個比喻來回答彼得提出有關饒恕的問題，並且給了饒恕最強有力的原因。這比喻說到一個僕人，欠了主人無以償還的巨額債款，主人動了慈心，免了他的債。但這僕人後來見到另一位欠他極少數額的債款，卻將他扔到監裡，直到他償還為止。主人非常生氣，因為這個被赦免這麼多債務的僕人，竟然不肯憐恤欠他這麼少數額的夥伴。
2. 這對我們有很大的提醒，當弟兄姐妹重復多次傷害我們後，我們的心就變得僵硬；但神我們的主宰，卻早已饒恕了我們全然無法償還的罪債。
3. 有誰是我到現在仍然很不容易饒恕的人？思想以下我從神所得的饒恕，想像我是比喻中第一個欠了巨額的僕人，求神賜下饒恕他人的恩典給我，來徹底地饒恕此人。

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 18

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²²Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ²³“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. ²⁵Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. ²⁶“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. ²⁸“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. ²⁹“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ ³⁰“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. ³²“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. ³⁵“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus gave us the most compelling reason of all to forgive one another in the parable. A servant owed a king a huge debt and couldn’t pay back. The king forgave the debt and let him go. Then the servant met another servant who owned him a small sum, but he threw that man into prison until the debt was paid. This angered the king as it was hardly appropriate for one who had been forgiven so much to make such an issue of a debt which was so little.
2. What a reminder when we find our hearts hardening toward a brother or sister after a few repeated hurts. God, the great King, has forgiven us an absolutely unpayable debt, our sins.
3. Who is the one I find it hard to forgive? Meditate on the forgiveness I have received from the Lord. Imagine myself as the first servant. Ask for grace to forgive the other person.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

第十七章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

1過了六天，耶穌帶著彼得、雅各，和雅各的兄弟約翰，暗暗地上了高山，2 就在他們面前變了形像，臉面明亮如日頭，衣裳潔白如光。3 忽然，有摩西、以利亞向他們顯現，同耶穌說話。4 彼得對耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座棚，一座為你，一座為摩西，一座為以利亞。」5 說話之間，忽然有一朵光明的雲彩遮蓋他們，且有聲音從雲彩裏出來，說：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的。你們要聽他！」6 門徒聽見﹐就俯伏在地，極其害怕。7 耶穌進前來，摸他們，說：「起來，不要害怕！」8 他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏。9 下山的時候，耶穌吩咐他們說：「人子還沒有從死裏復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。」10 門徒問耶穌說：「文士為甚麼說以利亞必須先來？」11 耶穌回答說：「以利亞固然先來，並要復興萬事；12 只是我告訴你們，以利亞已經來了，人卻不認識他，竟任意待他。人子也將要這樣受他們的害。」13 門徒這才明白耶穌所說的是指著施洗的約翰。

 

默想：

1. 彼得、雅各，和約翰三個人在高山上親眼目睹了一件非常特殊的事件，以致他們仆倒在變了相的耶穌面前。當他們抬頭時，「他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏」。何等奇妙的山頂經驗，耶穌熟悉的臉面明亮如日頭，衣裳潔白如光，在光明的雲彩遮蓋他們時，他們聽見有聲音宣佈，耶穌是神的愛子，他們窺見了耶穌的榮耀。所以他們就全然地沉浸在敬拜的當中。
2. 回想自己信主的歷程中，我在什麼情況下承認「耶穌是超越一切，我應當聽從祂」？神怎樣向我宣佈：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的」？我有怎樣的回應？

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 17

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

¹After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. ⁴Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. ⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ¹⁰The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹²But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Meditation:

1. Peter, James and John witnessed a special event on the mountaintop. They fell down before the transformed Jesus and when they looked up “they saw no one except Jesus”. What a mountaintop experience that was. In the rays that blazed from His familiar form, in the bright cloud that enveloped them, and in the voice announcing Jesus as God’s Son, Christ’s essential glory was glimpsed. They were deeply, completely, totally immersed in worship.
2. How did I ever come to realize that Jesus was the one above all others that I should listen to? How has God said to me, “This is my child, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased”? What was my response?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

第十六章

最好能將全章略讀一遍，再專注於以下經文段落：

 

21 從此，耶穌才指示門徒，他必須上耶路撒冷去，受長老、祭司長、文士許多的苦，並且被殺，第三日復活。22 彼得就拉著他，勸他說：「主啊，萬不可如此！這事必不臨到你身上。」23 耶穌轉過來，對彼得說：「撒但，退我後邊去吧！你是絆我腳的；因為你不體貼　神的意思，只體貼人的意思。」24 於是耶穌對門徒說：「若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。25 因為，凡要救自己生命（生命：或譯靈魂；下同）的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。26 人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？人還能拿甚麼換生命呢？27 人子要在他父的榮耀裏，同著眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。28 我實在告訴你們，站在這裏的，有人在沒嘗死味以前必看見人子降臨在他的國裏。」

 

默想：

1. 彼得不希望耶穌面對十架的死亡，因此他要求耶穌去避開。但耶穌嚴厲地斥責彼得，因他不是從神的眼光來看事情。每個主的門徒都當學習以神的眼光來看自己的生命，並「背…十字架來跟從」。這並不是說，我們都要被釘十架，我們的十架並不代表是受苦或死亡，乃是代表神對我們每個人的計劃與目的，這是需要我們去尋找並實踐。
2. 我們常以為遵行神的旨意，就表示會「喪掉生命」。其實，只有在每天生活中遵行神的旨意，我們才能「得到生命」，並且是更豐盛的生命。
3. 從耶穌「得與失」的教導中，我對自己目前的生活優次，有什麼提醒，察覺到神對我的生命的看法如何？

 

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”本上面。

 

Chapter 16

If possible, read the whole chapter to see the full picture of what is happening here. Then focus on the following section:

²¹From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” ²⁴Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. ²⁸I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

 

Meditation:

1. Peter didn’t like the idea of Christ facing death by crucifixion. So he urged Jesus to avoid it! Jesus angrily pushed him away for he lacked the perspective of God. Every disciple must learn to look at his or her life from God’s perspective and “take up his cross and follow”. Not that we will literally be crucified, our cross doesn’t represent suffering or death. Instead, the cross represents the plan and purpose of God for each of us that we need to find and do, just like Jesus did.
2. It often seems to us that if we do the will of God, we will “lose our life”. However, the truth is that we will only “gain” our life and become what we most desire to be when we do the will of God each day.
3. What perspective do I gain on my current priorities from Jesus’ “gain and lose” teaching (vv25-26)?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little while 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.

 

Family Time: