Category: 260灵修

第十三章

1 在安提阿的教會中有幾位先知和教師，就是巴拿巴和稱呼尼結的西面、古利奈人路求，與分封之王希律同養的馬念，並掃羅。

2 他們事奉主，禁食的時候，聖靈說：“要為我分派巴拿巴和掃羅，去做我召他們所做的工。”

3 於是禁食禱告，按手在他們頭上，就打發他們去了。

 

默想

1. 在揀選、按立巴拿巴和掃羅為宣教士的過程中，敬拜、禱告和禁食缺一不可。今天一般的教會，在按立牧師、差派宣教士的典禮中，敬拜和禱告都是不可缺少的，禁食卻不常見到，為什麼呢？是否可以建議教會下一次按牧或差傳聚會中，或是在下次舉行全教會性有關將來計劃的會議時，將禁食加在聚會程序中？
2. 仔細重覆地閱讀下列定義，直到有更清楚的了解。並在本週內找機會來操練其中一項。

禁食：為了專注屬靈的事，自願禁戒某些正常的活動，最常見的例子是不進食；或是不上網，不看電視，球賽，不吃最愛的食物等。

禱告：與神對話，交流彼此的想法，討論共同合作的事情。因此，有我說，也有神說，我就安靜不語，聆聽神。

敬拜：用言語、音樂、禮儀和靜默的崇敬，來表述神的偉大和美善，並藉著這些方式進入神奇妙的榮耀中。

 

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 13

¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Meditation

1.        In this passage, worship, prayer and fasting are integrated into the selection and installation of Barnabas and Saul as missionaries.  Today worship and prayer are common in the ordination of pastors and installation of missionaries, but fasting is not.  Why has fasting been dropped from the preparation for these times of consecration?  How possible would it be to suggest that fasting be part of the next ordination or installation service in our church?  Or for the next church-wide meeting regarding future planning?

2.        Read carefully and repeatedly the definition of these three elements until a better understanding is gained.  Find ways to implement one of these this week.  (Source: Spiritual Formation Bible)

Fasting: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal function – most often eating – for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Other examples include websurfing, TV, favourite food, sports, etc .

Prayer: Interactive conversation with God about what we and God are thinking and doing together. Therefore, there is talking and also the silently listening.

Worship: Expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supernatural reality of the glory, of 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.

 

第十二章

4 希律拿了彼得，收在監裡，交付四班兵丁看守，每班四個人，意思要在逾越節後把他提出來，當著百姓辦他。 5 於是彼得被囚在監裡；教會卻為他切切的禱告神。

6 希律將要提他出來的前一夜，彼得被兩條鐵鍊鎖著，睡在兩個兵丁當中；看守的人也在門外看守。 7 忽然，有主的一個使者站在旁邊，屋裡有光照耀，天使拍彼得的肋旁，拍醒了他，說：快快起來！那鐵鍊就從他手上脫落下來。

8 天使對他說：束上帶子，穿上鞋。他就那樣做。天使又說：披上外衣，跟著我來。 9 彼得就出來跟著他，不知道天使所做是真的，只當見了異象。 10 過了第一層第二層監牢，就來到臨街的鐵門，那門自己開了。他們出來，走過一條街，天使便離開他去了。

11 彼得醒悟過來，說：我現在真知道主差遣他的使者，救我脫離希律的手和猶太百姓一切所盼望的。 12 想了一想，就往那稱呼馬可的約翰、他母親馬利亞家去，在那裡有好些人聚集禱告。 13 彼得敲外門，有一個使女，名叫羅大，出來探聽， 14 聽得是彼得的聲音，就歡喜的顧不得開門，跑進去告訴眾人說：彼得站在門外。

15 他們說：你是瘋了！使女極力的說：真是他！他們說：必是他的天使！ 16 彼得不住的敲門。他們開了門，看見他，就甚驚奇。 17 彼得擺手，不要他們作聲，就告訴他們主怎樣領他出監；又說：你們把這事告訴雅各和眾弟兄。於是出去，往別處去了。

 

默想

是否必須有堅強的信心，禱告才蒙應允？當教會聚集齊心禱告時，他們當然希望神會拯救彼得。但當彼得站在門外敲門時，他們根本不信！

我是否經常向神祈求，但當神真的工作時，我卻非常震驚或不信？這表明我的禱告是帶著怎樣的信心？

我對神有什麼祈求——並且全心地相信祂會應允？今天開始放膽地以信心及盼望來禱告，知道神是大能的，且會聽我的禱告。

 

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”簿上面。

 

Chapter 12

⁴After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.  ⁵So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  ⁶The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.  ⁸Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. ⁹Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.  ¹¹Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”   ¹²When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” ¹⁵“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”  ¹⁶But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

Meditation

Does getting an answer to prayer depend on firm belief?  The gathered church certainly hoped that God would save Peter but they didn’t even believe it when Peter stood outside knocking!

How often do I pray for God to work and, when he does, react with shock or disbelief? What does this reveal about my faith?

What can I pray that God will do – and wholeheartedly believe that he will answer? Pray for that today, and continue to do so, with bold confidence and hope, knowing that God is powerful and is listening to my 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第十一章

19 那些因司提反的事遭患難四散的門徒直走到腓尼基和塞浦路斯，並安提阿；他們不向別人講道，只向猶太人講。 20 但內中有塞浦路斯和古利奈人，他們到了安提阿也向希臘人傳講主耶穌（有古卷作：也向說希臘話的猶太人傳講主耶穌）。 21 主與他們同在，信而歸主的人就很多了。 22 這風聲傳到耶路撒冷教會人的耳中，他們就打發巴拿巴出去，走到安提阿為止。 23 他到了那裡，看見神所賜的恩就歡喜，勸勉眾人，立定心志，恆久靠主。 24 這巴拿巴原是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心。於是有許多人歸服了主。 25 他又往大數去找掃羅， 26 找著了，就帶他到安提阿去。他們足有一年的工夫和教會一同聚集，教訓了許多人。門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。

 

默想

1. 巴拿巴似乎在保羅影下是一個無足輕重的配角，他將賣了田地的錢交給使徒做慈善之用（4：37）；又鼓勵耶路撒冷信徒接納曾迫害基督徒的保羅（9：27）；他與保羅一同旅行佈道、教導關顧各處的信徒。這裡，巴拿巴被稱為「是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心」。在使徒行傳中，巴拿巴靜悄悄地出現又消失，卻使我們想到耶穌的話，「你們中間誰願為大，就必作你們的用人」（太20：26）。
2. 回想一下，誰在我生命中留下最深刻的烙印？是誰像巴拿巴一樣，在我最需要時，信任我、支持我、堅固我的心、勸我恆守所信的道？
3. 巴拿巴可被譽為施予者——捨棄自己的金錢、時間、精力、權位，而施予他人。這些對我來說，哪一樣是最難捨棄的？此時此刻，神希望我捨棄什麼？施予什麼？
4. 我如何學效巴拿巴，對他人給予鼓勵、看見他們的潛力，激發他們熱心傳揚基督福音？

 

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 11

¹⁹Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. ²⁰Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  ²²News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.  ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Meditation

Barnabas appears as a minor character taking a backseat to Paul.  His name means “son of encouragement.”  He brought the money, having sold a field, to the apostles for charity use (4:37).  Later he encouraged the believers to accept Paul(9:27).  Paul and Barnabas began an itinerary ministry, teaching, caring and evangelizing.  Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24).  The last time they minister together, they had a fierce disagreement and they separated (Ch 15).  Though Barnabas enters and disappears in Acts quietly, we hear echoes of Jesus: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26).

Who in my life has impacted me most deeply?  Who was like Barnabas that has believed in me, supported me when I sorely needed it? Who, as Barnabas did, “strengthened (my) souls… and encouraged (me) to continue in the faith” (14:22)?

Barnabas could be characterized as a giver – he gave of his money, time, energy, and position.  Which of these types of giving is most difficult for me?  In what way might God be asking me to give right now?

How can I imitate Barnabas as an encourager of others, seeing their potential, and spurring them on in proclaiming the good news of Jesus?

 

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.

 

第十章

9 第二天，他們行路將近那城。彼得約在午正，上房頂去禱告， 10 覺得餓了，想要吃。那家的人正預備飯的時候，彼得魂遊象外， 11 看見天開了，有一物降下，好像一塊大布，繫著四角，縋在地上， 12 裡面有地上各樣四足的走獸和昆蟲，並天上的飛鳥； 13 又有聲音向他說：彼得，起來，宰了吃！ 14 彼得卻說：主啊，這是不可的！凡俗物和不潔淨的物，我從來沒有吃過。 15 第二次有聲音向他說：神所潔淨的，你不可當作俗物。 16 這樣一連三次，那物隨即收回天上去了。 17 彼得心裡正在猜疑之間，不知所看見的異象是甚麼意思。哥尼流所差來的人已經訪問到西門的家，站在門外， 18 喊著問：有稱呼彼得的西門住在這裡沒有？ 19 彼得還思想那異象的時候，聖靈向他說：有三個人來找你。

27 彼得和他說著話進去，見有好些人在那裡聚集， 28 就對他們說：你們知道，猶太人和別國的人親近來往本是不合例的，但神已經指示我，無論甚麼人都不可看作俗而不潔淨的。

 

默想

我的信仰生活中，是否有些因文化、背景、風俗、教育、習慣、興趣等的因素，阻礙或限制了我與他人的密切相交，或與人分享福音？

當我向朋友傳福音時，需要克服那些社會上或文化上的障礙？

反省一下我的禱告生活，神是否曾經透過禱告，幫助我突破在靈命和生活上的盲點、或固執持守的習慣？並更深經歷神的大能和引領？

 

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 10

⁹About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹²It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  ¹⁴“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  ¹⁵The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  ¹⁶This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  ¹⁷While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

 

Meditation

Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, interest) that have limited or prohibited me of true fellowship or reaching out to others?

Reflect on my prayer experiences.  In what areas have I experienced God’s guidance in prayer?

What are some of the social and cultural barriers that I need to break through as I seek to reach out to my friends for the gospel?

 

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.

 

第九章

1掃羅仍然向主的門徒口吐威嚇兇殺的話，去見大祭司， 2 求文書給大馬士革的各會堂，若是找著信奉這道的人，無論男女，都准他捆綁帶到耶路撒冷。 3 掃羅行路，將到大馬士革，忽然從天上發光，四面照著他； 4 他就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對他說：掃羅！掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？

5 他說：主啊！你是誰？主說：我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。 6 起來！進城去，你所當做的事，必有人告訴你。

7 同行的人站在那裡，說不出話來，聽見聲音，卻看不見人。 8 掃羅從地上起來，睜開眼睛，竟不能看見甚麼。有人拉他的手，領他進了大馬士革； 9 三日不能看見，也不吃也不喝。

 

默想

1. 這是掃羅在基督裡新生命的開始，這奇妙經歷的中心就是耶穌基督。掃羅不單看見異象，而且親自遇見復活的基督（4-5節）。掃羅認耶穌為主，承認自己的罪，將生命交給耶穌，並決心順服。真正的悔改始於與耶穌的相遇，並與耶穌建立關係，而開始的新生命。
2. 再次回想當初我與主相遇的情景：怎樣認耶穌為主，承認自己的罪，將生命交給耶穌，並決心順服，與耶穌建立個人關係，開始我的新生命。
3. 為我得救的每一個環節，每一個經歷感謝神，並再次將自己奉獻給神，立志為主過順服的生活。

 

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 9

¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  ⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

 

Meditation

1. This is the beginning of Saul’s new life in Christ.  The focus of this marvelous experience is Jesus Christ.  Saul not only saw a vision, he personally met the risen Christ (vv4-5). He recognized that Jesus was the Son of God and changed the direction of his life. True repentance came through a personal encounter with Jesus, when a relationship with Jesus was established and new life began.
2. Recall my encounter with Jesus: how I acknowledged Jesus as my Lord, repent my sin, gave my life to Jesus, determined to live an obedient life, established a personal relationship with Jesus and began a new life.
3. Thank God for my conversion experience.  And dedicate myself to God once again to live an obedient life for 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.

 

第八章

27 ……有一個衣索匹亞（即古實，見以賽亞十八章一節）人，是個有大權的太監，在衣索匹亞女王干大基的手下總管銀庫，他上耶路撒冷禮拜去了。 28 現在回來，在車上坐著，念先知以賽亞的書。 29 聖靈對腓利說：你去！貼近那車走。 30 腓利就跑到太監那裡，聽見他念先知以賽亞的書，便問他說：你所念的，你明白嗎？ 31 他說：沒有人指教我，怎能明白呢？於是請腓利上車，與他同坐。 32 他所念的那段經，說：

他像羊被牽到宰殺之地，又像羊羔在剪毛的人手下無聲；他也是這樣不開口。 33 他卑微的時候，人不按公義審判他（原文是他的審判被奪去）；誰能述說他的世代，因為他的生命從地上奪去。

34 太監對腓利說：請問，先知說這話是指著誰？是指著自己呢？是指著別人呢？ 35 腓利就開口從這經上起，對他傳講耶穌。

 

默想

1. 司提反殉道後，教會大遭迫害，信徒由耶路撒冷四散各地。聖靈叫腓利走進衣索匹亞太監的馬車，太監聽完腓利講解，很快就相信，且要馬上受洗。這個例子表明，很多人都不認識耶穌，也不明白何謂作耶穌的門徒，只是單單想遇見神，腓利扶他們一把，就簡單直接地將基督介紹給他們。
2. 腓利的生命提醒我們宣揚基督：是聖靈的愛激勵我們去接觸真誠尋求神的人；聖靈之前已經動工，並且在我們完工後繼續作工。我們可以效法腓利，向尋求神的人傳講耶穌，相信聖靈會使人得著救恩。
3. 在我所熟識的人中，我可以開始為什麼人的得救禱告？有什麼已經開始向我詢問“屬靈”的問題，有關生命的意義，信仰，人生目標等等？將他/她的名字寫在 “靈程筆記”簿上，經常定時地為他/她禱告；體察聖靈在他/她生命中有什麼工作？並求神賜我智慧，把握機會來向他/她作見證，傳講耶穌的福音。

 

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

^27………  an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  ³⁰Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.  ³¹“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  ³²The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,  so he did not open his mouth. ³³In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?      For his life was taken from the earth.”

³⁴The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Meditation

1. After Stephen was martyred, persecution of the Church increased and Christians scattered.  Philip went to Samaria to speak of Jesus Christ, people believed quickly and many were baptized.  Later, the Spirit led Philip to the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch.  The eunuch too believed quickly and wanted to be baptized.  In both instances, they didn’t know Jesus and did not understand what it meant to become a disciple of Jesus.  They simply wanted to meet God and Philip told them of Christ
2. Philip’s life reminds us of what it really means to proclaim Christ.  We come in the love of the Holy Spirit to those who honestly seek God, trusting that the Spirit began the work before we did and will carry it on after us.  We can all be like Philip, speaking Jesus to those who seek God, trusting that the Spirit can draw souls to salvation.
3. Who, among my closely acquainted, can I begin to pray for his/her salvation?  Is there anyone around me who has been asking “spiritual” questions—questions about life’s meaning, belief, purpose, etc.?  Write the name down and pray regularly, taking note of the Holy Spirit’s work and asking for wisdom to share the gospel with him/her.

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

51 你們這硬著頸項、心與耳未受割禮的人，常時抗拒聖靈！你們的祖宗怎樣，你們也怎樣。 52 那一個先知不是你們祖宗逼迫呢？他們也把預先傳說那義者要來的人殺了；如今你們又把那義者賣了，殺了。 53 你們受了天使所傳的律法，竟不遵守。

54 眾人聽見這話就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。 55 但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在神的右邊， 56 就說：我看見天開了，人子站在神的右邊。

57 眾人大聲喊叫，摀著耳朵，齊心擁上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。

59 他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：求主耶穌接收我的靈魂！ 60 又跪下大聲喊著說：主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。

 

默想

1. 不要以為司提反因為放肆說話，因此冒犯了當權派而喪命。正如耶穌被釘十架，司提反的殉道也是神拯救計劃中的一部分。其實，神經常將人認為「壞」的事轉變為意料之外的「美好」。
2. 我有沒有經歷過一些事情，當時看來是很倒霉、很悲慘、很不公。。。但後來卻有了出人意外的美好結果？這樣的經歷怎樣幫助我認識神的旨意？
3. 我是否願意有司提反這樣的態度，正如保羅在腓立比書一章所說，“我活著是基督，死了就有益處”？

 

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

⁵¹“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵²Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

⁵⁴When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  ⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  ⁵⁹While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Meditation

1. Don’t think Stephen’s boldness was a mistake that cost his life.  In fact, just like the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen’s martyrdom was part of God’s plan for saving His people. God has a habit of turning “bad” things into unexpected good outcome.
2. Have I had any experience that was terrible, disappointing, unfair…, but in the end, there was an unexpected good result?  How does this help me understand God’s will?
3. Am I willing to be like Stephen and, as Paul says in Philippians 1, have the attitude that “to live is Christ and to die is gain”?

 

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

1那時，門徒增多，有說希臘話的猶太人向希伯來人發怨言，因為在天天的供給上忽略了他們的寡婦。 2 十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。 3 所以弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理這事。 4 但我們要專心以祈禱、傳道為事。

5 大眾都喜悅這話，就揀選了司提反，乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人，又揀選腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿，並進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉， 6 叫他們站在使徒面前。使徒禱告了，就按手在他們頭上。

7 神的道興旺起來；在耶路撒冷門徒數目加增的甚多，也有許多祭司信從了這道。

 

默想

1. 當我看到初期教會的生活中充滿神蹟、慷慨分享、信徒相交時，可能也會很希望自己成為這「完美」教會的一分子。事實上，初期教會也和現今的教會一樣，也是有問題的；沒有教會是完美的，惟有等到基督再來與信徒聯合，教會才會成為完美、毫無瑕疵的。
2. 若我經常會為自己教會的缺點而苦惱，我是否願意花同樣的精力來為教會及傳道人禱告？
3. 現在就花些時間為教會，牧者，其他信徒，及事工禱告。

 

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”簿上面。

 

Chapter 6

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  ⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

 

Meditation

1. The life of Early Church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship.  How wonderful it would have been to be a member of this “Perfect” church.  In fact, the Early Church also had problems just like today.  There is no perfect church until the coming of Christ in union with believers.
2. If I have been frustrated with my church, am I willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for my church and pastors?
3. Spend a few minutes to pray for my church, pastors, ministries and other believers.

 

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

1有一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，同他的妻子撒非喇賣了田產， 2 把價銀私自留下幾分，他的妻子也知道，其餘的幾分拿來放在使徒腳前。

3 彼得說：亞拿尼亞！為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？ 4 田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的麼？既賣了，價銀不是你作主麼？你怎麼心裡起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了。

5 亞拿尼亞聽見這話，就仆倒，斷了氣；聽見的人都甚懼怕。 6 有些少年人起來，把他包裹，抬出去埋葬了。

7 約過了三小時，他的妻子進來，還不知道這事。 8 彼得對她說：你告訴我，你們賣田地的價銀就是這些嗎？她說：就是這些。

9 彼得說：你們為甚麼同心試探主的靈呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的腳已到門口，他們也要把你抬出去。

10 婦人立刻仆倒在彼得腳前，斷了氣。那些少年人進來，見她已經死了，就抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁邊。 11 全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。

默想

1. 亞拿尼亞和撒非喇所犯的罪並不是吝嗇或是留下部分金錢；變賣田地以及奉獻多少乃是出於自己的抉擇。他們的罪是欺騙神和神的教會。這種罪行受到那麼嚴厲的懲罰，是因為欺騙和貪婪會破壞教會，影響聖靈工作的效果。他們一心只為了博取別人的認同和讚許，卻未能隨從聖靈的引導，自由和誠實地奉獻，反而要利用捐贈財物來提高自己的聲譽。神不能容許這些動機，來污染聖靈在早期信徒中的大能作為。
2. 撒但會藉著我性格上的弱點，進入我的內心，控制我的行為。我當在那方面警醒，保守自己的行為，思想？

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

¹Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ²With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.  ³Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”  ⁵When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  ⁷About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”  ⁹Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”  ¹⁰At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Meditation

1. The sin that Ananias and Sapphira committed wasn’t that they’ve kept some money for themselves.  After all, the sale of the property and the amount to donate were their decisions.  They sinned in deceiving God and His people.  They were severely punished for deception for greed will corrupt the church and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It seems Ananias and Sapphira were bound by their desire for approval or acclaim.  They couldn’t give freely and honestly as led by the Holy Spirit, but rather needed to use their giving to increase their reputation.  God could not allow such motives to pollute the powerful work of his Spirit in this first body of Christians.
2. Satan will use my weaknesses to come into my heart and influence my decisions.  In what ways should I be alert in guarding my actions and thoughts?

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 那時彼得被聖靈充滿，對他們說： 9 治民的官府和長老啊，倘若今日因為在殘疾人身上所行的善事查問我們他是怎麼得了痊癒， 10 你們眾人和以色列百姓都當知道，站在你們面前的這人得痊癒是因你們所釘十字架、神叫他從死裡復活的拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。

11 他是你們匠人所棄的石頭，…… 已成了房角的頭塊石頭。 12 除他以外，別無拯救；因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名，我們可以靠著得救。

13 他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的； 14 又看見那治好了的人和他們一同站著，就無話可駁。 15 於是吩咐他們從公會出去，就彼此商議說： 16 我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢？因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟，凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道，我們也不能說沒有。 17 惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間，我們必須恐嚇他們，叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。

18 於是叫了他們來，禁止他們總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。 19 彼得、約翰說：聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！ 20 我們所看見所聽見的，不能不說。

 

默想

1. 我心中有沒有一個「不能不說」的信息(20節)？我的信息和彼得的信息——「除祂以外，別無拯救」(12節)一樣嗎？
2. 求主賜我好像彼得一樣熱切的心，去向別人見證神在我身上的作為。

 

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

 ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, ¹⁰then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹He is   ” ‘the stone you builders rejected,      which has become the capstone.’ ¹²Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

¹³When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

¹⁸Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. ²⁰For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

Meditation

1. Do I have a message that I “cannot help but speaking” (v20)?  Is my message the same as Peter’s –that there is “no other name by which we must be saved”? (v12)
2. Pray that God will grant me the same zeal and passion to share with others what God has done in my life.

 

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.