Category: 260灵修

第廿三章

1 保羅定睛看著公會的人，說：「弟兄們，我在　神面前行事為人都是憑著良心，直到今日。」2 大祭司亞拿尼亞就吩咐旁邊站著的人打他的嘴。3 保羅對他說：「你這粉飾的牆，　神要打你！你坐堂為的是按律法審問我，你竟違背律法，吩咐人打我嗎？」 4 站在旁邊的人說：「你辱罵　神的大祭司嗎？」 5 保羅說：「弟兄們，我不曉得他是大祭司。經上記著說：『不可毀謗你百姓的官長。』」 6 保羅看出大眾一半是撒都該人，一半是法利賽人，就在公會中大聲說：「弟兄們，我是法利賽人，也是法利賽人的子孫。我現在受審問，是為盼望死人復活。」 7 說了這話，法利賽人和撒都該人就爭論起來，會眾分為兩黨。8 因為撒都該人說沒有復活，也沒有天使和鬼魂；法利賽人卻說兩樣都有， 9 於是大大地喧嚷起來。有幾個法利賽黨的文士站起來爭辯說：「我們看不出這人有甚麼惡處，倘若有鬼魂或是天使對他說過話，怎麼樣呢？」 10 那時大起爭吵，千夫長恐怕保羅被他們扯碎了，就吩咐兵丁下去，把他從眾人當中搶出來，帶進營樓去。11 當夜，主站在保羅旁邊說：「放心吧！你怎樣在耶路撒冷為我作見證，也必怎樣在羅馬為我作見證。」

 

默想

1. 為什麼大祭司對保羅這麼粗魯（參21：21，28）？保羅如何表明他遵守猶太人的律法（1-5節）？
2. 之後保羅將論證的焦點從他是否遵守律法，轉向他對復活的盼望。由於法利賽人與撒督該人在此論點上的爭執，當時公會聽證堂裡很可能會演變成什麼情況？這對保羅的案件有何影響（7-10節）？
3. 神上次對保羅說話是18章9-10節，在他經歷一連串的挫折後。這時11節神再次向他說話，對他有何意義？如何會讓他想起神對亞拿尼亞說的話（9:15-16）？
4. 回想一次神與我特別親近的經歷。是什麼令我有這種神同在的感覺？這對我有什麼影響？

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 23

¹Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” ²At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. ³Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”  ⁴Those who were standing near Paul said, “You dare to insult God’s high priest?”  ⁵Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'”  ⁶Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” ⁷When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)  ⁹There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” ¹⁰The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

Meditation

1. Why would the high priest react so violently to Paul’s statement in v1 (see 21:21, 28)?  Why and how does Paul show his respect for the Jewish Law (vv1-5)?
2. Paul then changed the focus of attention from whether he has kept the law to his hope in the resurrection.  Given the tension on this issue between the Pharisees and Sadducees, what must the next few minutes of the assembly have been like?  What effect does the split have on Paul’s cases (vv7-10)?
3. The last time God spoke to Paul was in 18:9-10, after he had experienced a series of setbacks.  How would the Lord’s message here (v11) help Paul again?  How might this help Paul remember what the Lord said about him to Ananias in 9:15-16?
4. Describe a time when I felt the Lord especially near to me.  What circumstances caused this sense of the Lord’s presence?  What were the impacts on me?

 

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.

 

 

第廿二章

1諸位父兄請聽，我現在對你們分訴。 2 眾人聽他說的是希伯來話，就更加安靜了。

3 保羅說：我原是猶太人，生在基利家的大數，長在這城裡，在迦瑪列門下，按著我們祖宗嚴緊的律法受教，熱心事奉神，像你們眾人今日一樣。 4 我也曾逼迫奉這道的人，直到死地，無論男女都鎖拿下監。 5 這是大祭司和眾長老都可以給我作見證的。我又領了他們達與弟兄的書信，往大馬士革去，要把在那裡奉這道的人鎖拿，帶到耶路撒冷受刑。

6 我將到大馬士革，正走的時候，約在晌午，忽然從天上發大光，四面照著我。 7 我就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對我說：掃羅！掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？

8 我回答說：主啊，你是誰？他說：我就是你所逼迫的拿撒勒人耶穌。 9 與我同行的人看見了那光，卻沒有聽明那位對我說話的聲音。

10 我說：主啊，我當做甚麼？主說：起來，進大馬士革去，在那裡，要將所派你做的一切事告訴你。

 

默想

1. 保羅是在大馬士革的路上奇妙地開始他信心之旅，他很勇敢地講述他的故事，也就是神與人的故事。這段經文簡要地解說了保羅信主前的情況，如何遇見主，以及信主後的改變。
2. 思想一下我自己的故事——我信主前是怎樣的？怎樣遇見基督的？自從遇見基督後，我生命有怎樣的改變？是否有其他人因為我與主的相遇，使得他們的生命也得到改變？
3. 想想我可以怎樣描述與神相遇、生命改變的經歷？然後用兩、三個段落寫下我的信心故事。最後，找一位主內的朋友幫助潤飾，將最恰當的細節寫進去。
4. 禱告。求神在要來的一週內，給我機會可以向一個人分享我與神的故事。當我留意到面前有個敞開的門時，求主給我勇敢去與人分享。

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 22

¹“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” ²When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.    Then Paul said: ³“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. ⁴I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ⁵as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.  ⁶“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. ⁷I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’  ⁸” ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.    ” ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ⁹My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.  ¹⁰“‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.    “‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’

Meditation

1. Paul’s faith began in an amazing way on the road to Damascus.  He was bold to share his story and ultimately The Story, the one of God and man.  This passage gives us a thorough yet succinct explanation of the person Paul was before he met Christ, how he met Christ, and the person he became after he met Christ.
2. Reflect on my story –Who was I before Christ?  What was meeting Christ like?  In what ways is my life different now as a result of meeting him?  Are other people different today because of my interaction with Jesus?
3. Think about how I might describe my life-altering encounter with the Living God and my faith journey.  Now write my story of faith in just two or three paragraphs.  Finally, ask someone to help me hone it to include the most appropriate details.
4. Pray that God will provide me an opportunity to present my story of God and me with another person in the coming week.  When I sense the open door plainly before me, take the risk and share the stories.

 

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.

 

 

第廿一章

10 我們在那裡多住了幾天。有一個先知，名叫亞迦布，從猶太下來。11 到了我們這裡，就拿保羅的腰帶捆上自己的手腳，說：「聖靈說：『猶太人在耶路撒冷要如此捆綁這腰帶的主人，把他交在外邦人手裡。』 」 12 我們和那本地的人聽見這話，都苦勸保羅不要上耶路撒冷去。13 保羅說：「你們為甚麼這樣痛哭，使我心碎呢？我為主耶穌的名，不但被人捆綁，就是死在耶路撒冷也是願意的。」 14 保羅既不聽勸，我們便住了口，只說「願主的旨意成就「便了。15 過了幾日，我們收拾行李上耶路撒冷去。16 有凱撒利亞的幾個門徒和我們同去，帶我們到一個久為（註：「久為」或作「老」）門徒的家裡，叫我們與他同住；他名叫拿孫，是塞浦路斯人。

 

默想     

1. 凱撒利亞的信徒苦勸保羅不要回去耶路撒冷，卻沒有果效，便說「願主的旨意成就」。將這句話，與主禱文中「願你的國降臨，願你的旨意[成就]」，以及耶穌在客西馬尼園禱告時說「願你的旨意成就」，有什麼異同？
2. 這個禱告如何說明人的生命應該由誰掌管？我的生命是誰在掌管？

 

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 21

¹⁰After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”  ¹²When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”  ¹⁵After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Manson, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

 

Meditation

1. Believers in Caesarea pleaded Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but to no avail.  So, they said, “The Lord’s will be done.”  Compare this with the Lord’s Prayer: “your kingdom come, your will be done”; and Jesus’ prayer “Not my will, but your will be done” in Gethsemane.  Is there any similarity and difference?
2. How would this prayer explain who’s really in control of my life.  Now, who’s in charge of my life?  Is God in his rightful place in my life, or is there another “god” seated on that throne?

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

第二十章

17 保羅從米利都打發人往以弗所去，請教會的長老來。18 他們來了，保羅就說：「你們知道，自從我到亞西亞的日子以來，在你們中間始終為人如何，19 服事主凡事謙卑，眼中流淚，又因猶太人的謀害，經歷試煉。20 你們也知道，凡與你們有益的，我沒有一樣避諱不說的。或在眾人面前，或在各人家裡，我都教導你們。21 又對猶太人和希臘人證明當向　神悔改，信靠我主耶穌基督。

22 現在我往耶路撒冷去，心甚迫切（註：原文作「心被捆綁」），不知道在那裡要遇見甚麼事。23但知道聖靈在各城裡向我指證，說有捆鎖與患難等待我。24 我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明　神恩惠的福音。

 

默想     

1. 保羅和以弗所教會長老道別時，形容自己「服事主凡事謙卑，眼中流淚」。《生命陶造版》聖經給「服事」的定義為：「滿有愛心和體貼，積極謀求他人的好處，並努力促使神的旨意在世上通行無阻。我們這樣服事，便能成長，超越自我，經歷老我的日益消亡。」
2. 對保羅向主的委身，在那一方面最令我受感動？
3. 在這一週內，我能做些什麼，效法保羅的服事，力求他人的好處，並促使神的旨意實現在世上？

 

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 20

¹⁷From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ¹⁸When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. ¹⁹I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. ²⁰You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.  ²²“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

 

Meditation

1. In his farewell to the elders of Ephesus, Paul describes himself as “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears.”  The Spiritual Formation Bible has the definition of Service as: loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.
2. What impresses me the most in Paul’s commitment to the Lord?
3. How can I follow Paul’s example of service to “promote the good of others and the causes of God in our world” this week?

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十九章

13 那時，有幾個遊行各處、念咒趕鬼的猶太人，向那被惡鬼附的人擅自稱主耶穌的名，說：「我奉保羅所傳的耶穌，敕令你們出來！」 14 做這事的，有猶太祭司長士基瓦的七個兒子。15 惡鬼回答他們說：「耶穌我認識，保羅我也知道。你們卻是誰呢？」 16 惡鬼所附的人就跳在他們身上，勝了其中二人，制伏他們，叫他們赤著身子受了傷，從那房子裡逃出去了。17 凡住在以弗所的，無論是猶太人，是希臘人，都知道這事，也都懼怕，主耶穌的名從此就尊大了。18 那已經信的，多有人來承認訴說自己所行的事。19 平素行邪術的，也有許多人把書拿來，堆積在眾人面前焚燒。他們算計書價，便知道共合五萬塊錢。20 主的道大大興旺，而且得勝，就是這樣。

 

默想     

1. 擅自妄稱耶穌的名字，並不是得到超然能力的關鍵；最主要的關鍵是需要與耶穌建立個人的關係，並願意為神所用，且學習隨處觀察神的作為。
2. 我有沒有隨意的呼喚耶穌的名？
3. 我家裡是否還有與偶像、邪術有關的符咒和其他物品？我願意全部丟掉嗎？

 

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 19

¹³Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵(One day) the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ¹⁶Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.  ¹⁷When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. ¹⁹A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. ²⁰In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

 

Meditation

1. Uttering or chanting the name of Jesus is no key to supernatural power.  The key is having a personal relationship with Jesus, being available to Him and learning to see where He is at work.
2. Do I use Jesus’ name lightly?
3. Is there still something in my life that belongs to the idols or witchcraft?  Am I willing to get rid of them all?

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十八章

24 有一個猶太人，名叫亞波羅，來到以弗所。他生在亞歷山大，是有學問的，最能講解聖經（註：「學問」或作「口才」）。25 這人已經在主的道上受了教訓，心裡火熱，將耶穌的事詳細講論教訓人；只是他單曉得約翰的洗禮。26 他在會堂裡放膽講道，百基拉、亞居拉聽見，就接他來，將　神的道給他講解更加詳細。27 他想要往亞該亞去，弟兄們就勉勵他，並寫信請門徒接待他（註：或作「弟兄們就寫信勸門徒接待他」）。他到了那裡，多幫助那蒙恩信主的人，28 在眾人面前極有能力，駁倒猶太人，引聖經證明耶穌是基督。

 

默想     

1. 亞波羅熟讀聖經，口才了得，心裡火熱，為人謙卑，不介意受教於織帳篷的百基拉和亞居拉，應邀去到亞波羅家中，聆聽他們將神的道向他詳加解釋，澄清他的觀念與認知。
2. 當我看見別人犯錯時，我的反應為何？是否有百基拉和亞居拉的愛心與智慧，來指正並教導？
3. 我是否像亞波羅那樣有謙卑受教的心，虛心接受別人的指正？

對我，並不是你教我的真理，

對你那麼清楚，對我卻模糊不清；

但當你到我這裡來時，

你帶了祂來！

從你的眼中祂呼喚我，

從你的心裡流出祂的愛；

直到我不再看見你，

卻看到了基督。

 

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 18

²⁴Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.  ²⁷When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Meditation

1. Apollos is characterized positively for knowledge of Scripture, eloquence, and spirit, and yet he was willing to learn from the tentmakers.  Priscilla and Aquila invited him over and explained to him the way of God more accurately and clearly.
2. When I see someone making mistakes, what is my reaction?  Do I have the love and wisdom to correct and to teach?
3. Do I have a humble and receptive spirit for other people’s teaching and correction?

For me ‘twas not the truth you taught,

To you so clear, to me so dim,

But when you came to me you brought

A sense of Him!

And from your eyes He beckons me,

And from your heart His love is shed,

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.

 

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.

 

 

 

第十七章

22 保羅站在亞略巴古當中，說：眾位雅典人哪，我看你們凡事很敬畏鬼神。 23 我遊行的時候，觀看你們所敬拜的，遇見一座壇，上面寫著未識之神。你們所不認識而敬拜的，我現在告訴你們。 24 創造宇宙和其中萬物的神，既是天地的主，就不住人手所造的殿， 25 也不用人手服事，好像缺少甚麼；自己倒將生命、氣息、萬物，賜給萬人。 26 他從一本（有古卷作血脈）造出萬族的人，住在全地上，並且預先定準他們的年限和所住的疆界， 27 要叫他們尋求神，或者可以揣摩而得，其實他離我們各人不遠； 28 我們生活、動作、存留，都在乎他。就如你們作詩的，有人說：我們也是他所生的。 29 我們既是神所生的，就不當以為神的神性像人用手藝、心思所雕刻的金、銀、石。 30 世人蒙昧無知的時候，神並不監察，如今卻吩咐各處的人都要悔改。 31 因為他已經定了日子，要藉著他所設立的人按公義審判天下，並且叫他從死裡復活，給萬人作可信的憑據。

默想     

1. 保羅在亞略巴谷山的講章，以希臘人明白的事例來開始，為獨一真正的神建立論據。雅典人設立名為「未識之神」一個偶像，因他們唯恐因少拜這神而失去祝福或受到懲罰。保羅以此「未識之神」打開與雅典人的溝通之門，用此作為切入點，見證獨一的真神（22-23節）。接著他從他們對神虔誠的觀點，引用希臘詩人的詞句，建立共同立場，詳述神是宇宙萬物和人類的創造者，因此我們最終都要向祂交待；將金、銀、寶石所做的偶像當作神是無知的（24-29節）。最後，保羅強調神使耶穌從死裡復活，要證明將有審判日的來到，且基督將憑公義審判世人（30-31節）。
2. 今天的社會絕大部分人仍然未認識神，我是否學習好如何向人介紹基督，並清楚說明耶穌基督為全人類所成就的救恩？求神幫助我效法保羅：運用例子、建立共同立場，引導人作出決定，接受基督。

 

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 17

²²Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.  ²⁴“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’  ²⁹“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. ³⁰In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. ³¹For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

Meditation

1. Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill (Areopagus) began by drawing on pagan Greek poets to establish a point of contact, and then went on to proclaim God’s truth.  Paul had caught glimpses of God’s truth in the religion and culture of those people but knew that they needed to be pointed to the one who says “I am the truth”. So Paul’s quotes connected him with the Athenians and set the stage for his teaching.  That message directly confronted the worldview of his listeners.  God is the Creator of the world.  God is the Creator of all men, and all are responsible to Him. It is ignorant to think of the divine Being in terms of gold, silver, or stone idols.  A day of judgment is coming, and the proof is that God has raised Jesus from the dead.  And He will judge one day.
2. 2.        Majority of the people today still doesn’t know the true God.  Am I equipped to share the gospel effectively and clearly?  Have I studied the culture that surrounds me, asking God to help me see those glimpses of truth that I can use to begin conversations with others around life, meaning, and ultimately God?  Ask God’s help to be prepared to be His witness to unbelieving folks around me.

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.

 

第十六章

22 眾人就一同起來攻擊他們（保羅和西拉）。官長吩咐剝了他們的衣裳，用棍打； 23 打了許多棍，便將他們下在監裡，囑咐禁卒嚴緊看守。24 禁卒領了這樣的命，就把他們下在內監裡，兩腳上了木狗。

25 約在半夜，保羅和西拉禱告唱詩讚美　神，眾囚犯也側耳而聽。26 忽然地大震動，甚至監牢的地基都搖動了，監門立刻全開，眾囚犯的鎖鏈也都鬆開了。27 禁卒一醒，看見監門全開，以為囚犯已經逃走，就拔刀要自殺。28 保羅大聲呼叫說：「不要傷害自己！我們都在這裡。」

29 禁卒叫人拿燈來，就跳進去，戰戰兢兢地俯伏在保羅、西拉面前，30 又領他們出來，說：「二位先生，我當怎樣行才可以得救？」

31 他們說：「當信主耶穌，你和你一家都必得救。」 32 他們就把主的道講給他和他全家的人聽。33 當夜，就在那時候，禁卒把他們帶去，洗他們的傷；他和屬乎他的人立時都受了洗。34 於是禁卒領他們上自己家裡去，給他們擺上飯。他和全家，因為信了神，都很喜樂。

35 到了天亮，官長打發差役來說：「釋放那兩個人吧！」 36 禁卒就把這話告訴保羅，說：「官長打發人來叫釋放你們。如今可以出監，平平安安地去吧！」

 

默想

1. 為什麼獄卒因為保羅和西拉的行為，會有這麼大的反應和轉變？想一下這樣幾乎不可思議的情景：獄卒接待囚犯到家中；保羅和西拉為全家人施洗；大家在不知明天保羅和西拉會有怎樣的下場的情況下，一起飽享一頓豐富的午夜餐。
2. 告訴神，這段經文中最感動我的是什麼？這說明我需要向神求什麼？現在就向神求。
3. 保羅這句話「你和你一家都必得救」並非應許每個孩子都必定得救，而是說，孩子們和我們一樣，都可以因著信主而得到拯救。我是否常為家中的成員逐一提名為他們的得救禱告？現在就一一提名為他們禱告吧！

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 16

²²The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. ²³After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  ²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. ²⁷The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”  ²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  ³¹They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.  ³⁵When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” ³⁶The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

Meditation

1. Why was the jailer so dramatically affected by Paul and Silas’ behavior?  Picture these scenes: the jailer making his prisoners feel at home with his family, Paul and Silas baptizing the family, the group eating a festive meal together, not knowing what would happen to Paul and Silas the next day.
2. Talk to God about what touches me the most in this passage.  What does that tell me about what I need from God?  Ask God for that.
3. Paul’s words on salvation to “you and your household” is not a blanket assurance that one’s children will someday be saved, but as assurance that they, like us, can find salvation through faith in the Lord.  Do I often pray for the salvation of my family members and mention their names to the Lord?  Pray for each one of them NOW!

 

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.

 

 

第十五章

7 辯論已經多了，彼得就起來，說：「諸位弟兄，你們知道　神早已在你們中間揀選了我，叫外邦人從我口中得聽福音之道，而且相信。 8 知道人心的　神也為他們作了見證，賜聖靈給他們，正如給我們一樣； 9 又藉著信潔淨了他們的心，並不分他們我們。 10 現在為甚麼試探　神，要把我們祖宗和我們所不能負的軛放在門徒的頸項上呢？ 11 我們得救乃是因主耶穌的恩，和他們一樣，這是我們所信的。」

12 眾人都默默無聲，聽巴拿巴和保羅述說　神藉他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟奇事。13 他們住了聲，雅各就說：「諸位弟兄，請聽我的話。 14 方才西門述說　神當初怎樣眷顧外邦人，從他們中間選取百姓歸於自己的名下； 15 眾先知的話也與這意思相合。

 

默想

1. 耶路撒冷會議是處理教會內紛爭的好榜樣：正視問題，聽取各方面的論點，不可偏私，要由靈命成熟的領袖帶領討論，作出明智決定；並且決定一出，人人都樂意遵守。
2. 在我們教會中，是否曾出現過問題紛爭？當時是怎樣處理的？與耶路撒冷會議的處理方式相比，我們有什麼可以學習的？
3. 目前我的小組中，有沒有什麼問題？我應當如何作？如何處理？

 

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 15

⁷After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? ¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”  ¹²The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. ¹³When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. ¹⁵The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

 

Meditation

1. The Jerusalem council is a good model of handling conflicts within a church: to face the problem, listen to all sides, try to show no partiality, appoint spiritually mature leaders to lead the discussion, to make wise decision, and when the decision is made that the community will obey.
2. In our church’s brief history, has there been any problem or conflict?  How was it handled?  Compare it with the Jerusalem Council, what can we learn from them?
3. Is there any problem in my cell?  What should I do or how to handle 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十四章

20 門徒正圍著他，他就起來，走進城去。第二天，同巴拿巴往特庇去。

21 對那城裡的人傳了福音，使好些人作門徒；就回路司得、以哥念、安提阿去， 22 堅固門徒的心，勸他們恆守所信的道，又說：“我們進入　神的國，必須經歷許多艱難。”

23 二人在各教會中選立了長老，又禁食禱告，就把他們交託所信的主。

 

 

默想

1. 對保羅來說，事奉的目的就是要「堅固」信徒（22節），「成全聖徒」，裝備他們（弗4:12-13）。主不但吩咐我們領人作祂的門徒，且要教訓他們遵守主一切的命令。今天許多教會都忽略了大使命中的這個部分，成為我們「大使命中的一大疏忽」(Great Omission from the Great Commission)。
2. 我是否知道，目前教會中有那些裝備的事工，供信徒投入參與學習？
3. 信主以來，我接受了多少「裝備」？我是否願接受更多的靈命成長和事奉的裝備？
4. 「與主有約260」，就是一個裝備的機會。為這個學習的機會感謝神，也求主幫助自己能堅持完成這個學習。

 

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 14

²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

 

Meditation

Paul believed that the purpose of ministry was to “strengthen believers’ souls” (v22) and “equip the saints” (Eph 4:12-13).  We are commanded by Jesus not only to make disciples, but also to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded.  This is the “Great Omission from the Great Commission” in many churches.

How much do I know of the various Equipping opportunities at my church?  What have I been committed in?

Recalling my own Christian journey, how much equipping have I received?  Am I willing to receive training for spiritual growth and ministry preparation?

This “260 Appointments with God” is an Equipping opportunity.  Thank the Lord for this exercise, and pray that God will help me persevere to the finish line.

 

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.