火炬

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當我看見奧運火炬傳送被干擾，手無寸鐡的火炬手的安全受到威脅，施襲者甚至連坐輪椅的中國女火 炬手金晶也不放過，欺凌弱小的行為使我感到氣憤。表達意見的方式往往影響別人對意見的接納程度，言行一致才能取信於人。可惜，將世界簡單二分為「屬靈」和 「屬世」也令不少信徒陷入表裡不一的網羅中。主的榮耀又豈止限於教會的事工？修理、看守，是造物主給予人類最原始和榮耀的職事（創世記2:16）。　神 「安置」我們在不同的場景，不是要我們分門別類，乃是分工合作，互相配搭。若是回應上帝的呼召，士農工商與祈禱傳道同樣高貴，值得尊崇。 　　一位弟兄於一間國內的工廠身居要職，一次從香港進口的原材料因報關時的疏忽，被國內海關扣查， 說是走私貨物，要罰款八萬。不過有關員提出，給他三千便能代為好好處理。那位弟兄吩咐下屬按實情解釋，如不被接納，寧可繳交八萬元罰款，也不會付三千元的 賄款。同事們也驚訝他這個「反常」的決定。公司最終雖然賠了八萬，卻傳遞了一個重要訊息，就是公司的管理階層是行為正直、絕不會以行賄的手段來掩飾過失 的。這見證換來報關部同事的尊敬和對公司的投入，他們更加積極工作，確保不再有任何細微的誤差，免得有人再有機會找麻煩。他們的認真後來更贏得海關的信 任，認定為「信得過」的企業。 　　另一位朋友告訴我，有一次因為運輸的延誤，貨物要在下班時間之後才能運到香港，需要負責的同事 加班留在公司接收。那同事以需要參加教會祈禱會為理由拒絕加班（只是參加，不是負責），還加上一句：「順從　神不順從人是應該的。」我的朋友百思不得其 解，問我：為什麼你們這些基督徒那麼奇怪？ 　　火炬的傳送過程除了遇到人為的障礙，也經歷天災的艱難。國家的實力不在乎經濟起飛，而是人民在 面對困難時的韌力和溫情。同樣，信徒生命的質素也不在乎外表是否被人尊敬。要見證信仰便要敢於在罪惡的世代活出一個與別不同、分別出來的生命。這生命能超 越法律的限制，在不容許我們見證的地方也可以見證福音。相反，敵我分明和對信仰活動不必要的執著只會令人退避三舍。 　　我們為鹽為光，好像火炬一般，別人看見便知有訊息要傳遞。他們若被吸引便會問個究竟，每當「有 人問你們心中盼望的緣由，就要常作準備，以溫柔敬畏的心回答各人。」（彼得前書3：15下） 　　同行者，你是一把傳送佳美訊息、把人引到基督台前的火炬，還是一枝只有一團無情烈火、到處把旁 人燒傷的火把呢？ 你的同行者 馮景賢

2008-06-30 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 庇護城 粵語國語 第30天 讀經：約書亞記二十章1至9節 　　回顧以色列人的歷史，其中一個最為人羡慕的事實，就是神對他們的眷顧簡直是無微不至。祂賜給他們糧食、清水、救贖、能力、住處、衣服等等，還有最重要的，是祂願意成為他們的神。 　　當他們進入應許地之後，神對他們的看顧並沒有止息。從祂吩咐他們設立「逃城」，讓那些因無心之失而誤殺人者可以逃到那裡，獲得暫時的庇護，便可見祂的看顧真是無微不至。我們藉此可看見神對罪人的大愛和憐憫。 　　作祭司的利未支派共分得48座城，神要將當中的6座城用作逃城之用，讓那些誤殺人者，可以逃到那裡，逃避死者家人的報復。 　　在約旦河的兩岸分別設有3座逃城。一座在北部，一座在南部，一座在中部。換言之，兩岸的居民若然需要逃城的庇護，都無須走到對岸；而且，無論他在那裡犯事，他頂多需要走半天的路程，就可以跑到最接近的那座逃城。此外，周圍都要設置清楚的路標，指示逃城的位置；逃城的大門也永不關上。連非猶太人的寄居者，也可以跑到逃城尋求庇護。 　　基督豈不像我們的逃城？我們在基督裡面，可以得著生命、成聖、與神的相交、安全感、盼望、永生、赦罪，以及各種美好的賜予。神自約書亞的時代，已經為人開啟了救恩之門；如今，基督已成了人類的救恩之門，只要我們從祂的大門進入，我們便得著一切。讓我們祈求神的加力，讓我們能夠帶領未認識基督的人，進入基督這個救恩的大門。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE CITIES OF REFUGE DAY 30 BIBLE READING: Joshua 20: 1-9 One of the outstanding facts in the history of the Children of Israel was the completeness of God's provision for them. He gave them food, water, deliverance, strength, shelter, clothes and everything we could think of. Most of all he gave them himself. When they entered the land he had promised them, his care did not stop. One wonderful provision he made for them was the setting aside of certain cities as places of refuge for anyone who had accidentally killed another person. It is a wonderful story of God's love and mercy for the guilty sinner. Six cities were set aside out of the 48 that God gave to the Levities, the priestly tribe. They were given, as the name suggests, as a refuge for the manslayer. They would stop revenge killing and protect those who accidentally killed another person. There were to be three cities on each side of the river Jordan. One in the north, one in the south and one in the centre. This meant that the man running to them did not have to cross a mountain range or a river to get a place of safety. It would be no more than half a day's journey to any city of refuge no matter where a person lived. Signposts had to be kept clearly marked. The gates of the city of refuge were never closed. Even strangers who were not Jews, could run to them for safety. Isn't that like Christ our great refuge? What do we need? Life, holiness, deliverance, fellowship, security, hope, heaven, eternal life as well as forgiveness. All these things are found in Jesus Christ and much more besides. God opened the door of salvation for the man needing it in the days of Joshua. Christ is the door now to all that we need. Can we ask God today to use us to show men and women the way to that door - the greatest door in all the world?

2008-06-29 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 建立神的殿 粵語國語 第29天 讀經：約書亞記十八章1至10節 　　本章的第1節標示著以色列民的敬拜生活，進入了一個新的里程碑。那個象徵著神與他們同在的約櫃，好像長時期留在吉甲，百姓要經常回到裡去敬奉神。此外，他們還在以巴路山設立了祭壇，並在那裡把摩西所寫的律法抄寫在石頭上(八章)。 　　但如今，以色列民卻要將會幕固定地設立在示羅。眾民一定是非常歡喜快樂；就如一座新建成的教會舉行獻堂禮一樣。回想過往，他們在曠野飄流期間，會幕一直放在全營的中心，被十二支派的營帳圍著。如今來到示羅的情況也大致一樣，因為示羅是在他們領地的中央。眾民就圍繞著會幕建立永久的家園。直至所羅門作王的時候，以色列民才興建了一座聖殿來取代會幕成為眾民的敬拜中心。那時的聖殿就建在耶路撒冷了。 　　回顧過去，他們為了征服迦南地，總共爭戰了漫長的七年。在這七年裡面，神一直信實地看顧和祝福他們。如今，全民都聚集在示羅，會幕將成為他們的敬拜中心。示羅的名意是「平安」和「休息」的意思，是雅各為將來的彌賽亞所起的名字。因此，這個地方便成了基督的預表，眾民都要聚集一起來敬拜祂。基督永遠是我們的生活和敬拜中心。 　　然而，約書亞卻在這個時候，向眾支派講了一番措辭嚴厲的說話：「我們在這裡高興夠了。你們當中的一些支派，還未分到地業。你們不能一直留在示羅。你們要回去，走遍那地，劃明地勢，再回到我這裡來分地。」 　　以色列民雖然都站神的應許地，可是，卻有些未能獲得完全的喜樂。迦南當然遠勝曠野。可是神已經為他們預備了本身的產業，可惜他們還未親自進入那片屬於自己的地業。 　　今天，許多基督徒的光景也是如此。他們已蒙救贖，並與神的子民一起相交；可是，他們卻未進入神為他們所預備的完全境地。讓我們反躬自問：我們的屬靈經驗還是處於初信的階段？還是已愈益進深，邁向更完全的境地？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SETTING UP GOD'S HOUSE DAY 29 BIBLE READING: Joshua 18:1-10 The opening verse of this chapter marks an important point for the Children of Israel. It seems as though the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence, had remained most of the time at Gilgal and the people had returned there again and again. There was also altar on Mt Ebal on which Joshua had written the Ten Commandments (chapter 10). But now the Tabernacle was to be set up. What a wonderful day of rejoicing that must have been. It would be like a church opening. During the wilderness wanderings, the Tabernacle had always been the centre of the camp with all the tribes camped around it. Now it was almost the same, as Shiloh was near the centre of the land they were possessing. Around the Tabernacle, as we find in the story of Eli and Samuel. Later in Solomon's time, a temple was built to replace the old Tabernacle. That of course was in Jerusalem. Seven years of fighting lay behind them. God had been so good and faithful. Now it seemed they could settle down with Shiloh and the Tabernacle as their spiritual centre. Shiloh means 'peace' or 'rest'. It was the name given by Jacob to the coming Messiah. So this place became a type of Christ with his people gathered around him. Christ must always be the centre of our lives and our worship. But Joshua had a strong word to say to some tribes. 'Some of you rejoicing here today have not yet really begun to possess the land God has given you. You can't stay here for ever at Shiloh. There is need back in your own home country and you haven't done anything about it. These people were in the land God had promised, but did not know the full joy and experience of it all. Canaan was certainly better than the wilderness. But there was more that God had prepared for them and somehow they weren't entering into it. That is true of many believers. They have been redeemed and are in fellowship with God's people, but still haven't entered into all that God has for them. Let's stop and ask ourselves today - where are we in spiritual experience? Still close to where we entered this new life? Or are we really growing in Christ?

2008-06-28 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 老而彌堅 粵語國語 第28天 讀經：約書亞記十四章6至15節 　　昨天，我們看到以色列的十二支派如何按照神的吩咐分配土地；今天，突然有一個八十五歲的長者出現，打擾了分地的過程。這位長者報上自己所屬的支派名字之後，便大膽地走到約書亞的面前，要求分得最大的山地！ 　　這個長者，就是上一代以色列人中，唯一能與約書亞一同進入應許地的迦勒。迦勒要求分得的山地，仍然屬於迦南人的佔領範圍；但迦勒卻全不理會，因為他相信神必按照應許，把那塊山地賜給他。 　　試想，一個八十五歲的長者仍然夢想著佔領一塊山地；而且，他還表示自己可以親自作戰，去奪取那地！迦勒還是昔日那個與眾不同的迦勒；他的年紀愈大，對神的信心就似乎愈強，屬靈的視野亦似乎愈遠。他讓我們明白到，一些重要的人生經歷，可以在人的晚年發生；而且，在事奉神的工作上，根本沒有固定的退休年齡。我們有時稱晚年是「?昏之年」，然而，無限的美景卻往往是在日落的?昏！ 　　讓我們想像迦勒的對話：「將那塊山地給我。」「可是，迦勒，那地的居民都是身材魁梧的巨人。」「那又如何？」迦勒說，「神必與我同在。」「那裡還有堅居的城牆。」「那又如何？」迦勒說，「任何城牆都擋不住神。」「然而，迦勒，你已經八十五歲了！」「年齡有甚麼關係？」迦勒說，「我已經等了四十五年，才等到今天。現在是神所定的時間，我的年齡怎會對神造成困難？」 　　有些長者認為自己已被別人遺忘，但迦勒卻從來不會讓別人遺忘自己。他是一個活生生的例子，見證新約的教導說：「外體雖然毀壞，內心卻一天新似一天」(林後四16)。 　　迦勒究竟要求分得哪塊地？那就是亞伯拉罕稱為「希伯崙」的地方。當亞伯拉罕從埃及回來的時候，他便在希伯崙遇見神，並得到神的祝福。迦勒想要的，正是這塊地。神曾經應許把那地賜給他，他只是想照著神的應許獲得那地。 　　讓我們都以迦勒作為榜樣：他對神的信心堅定不移，堅決信靠神必成就祂的應許，不會因外在環境的因素而動搖信心。 禱告： 「主啊，無論我到了甚麼年紀，求你使我能像迦勒一樣地全然信靠你。」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A GRAND OLD MAN OF FAITH DAY 28 BIBLE READING: Joshua 14: 6-15 Yesterday we were reading about the division of the land among the 12 tribes. Now suddenly the picture is interrupted by a grand old man of 85. He stepped out of the ranks of his tribe and boldly walked up to Joshua and asked for the biggest mountain anyone could see! It didn't matter to Caleb that the mountain was still possessed by the Canaanites. He believed God was on his side and would give him what he had promised. Imagine it! 85 years old and wanting to take on a whole mountain. He even said he was a man of war - at 85. But Caleb was different from all the others. He always had been. The passing years only seemed to make him grow stronger in faith and in spiritual vision. He shows us how some of the greatest things in life can take place even in old age and that there is no fixed retiring age in God's service. 'Sunset years' we sometimes call old age. But the sun is never more beautiful than when it is setting. What did Caleb say? 'Give me this mountain.' 'But Caleb there are giant there.' 'So what!', 'So what!', says Caleb, 'God is greater than any fenced city'. 'But Caleb you are 85 now. 'What has that got to do with it?', asked Caleb. 'I have waited 45 years for this and now it is in sight. Now is God's time and my age doesn't with God.' Some old people think they are forgotten. Caleb never let anyone forget him. He was a living example of what the New Testament says, 'though the outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day'. What was the place Caleb wanted? It was the place Abraham had called Hebron. It was where Abraham was wonderfully blessed when God met him as he returned from Egypt. Caleb wanted that place. God had promised it to him and he wanted what God had promised. Remember Caleb, the man with the vision of what God can do. He had a faith that believed God could do anything and a heart that would not be turned aside. A Prayer: Lord make us more like Caleb whether we are young or old.'

『天糧100』仍需支持

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			『天糧 100』仍需支持 親愛的同行者： 還記得數個月前我們曾發起『天糧100』的呼籲嗎？有些同行者關心我們的經濟狀況有否因而改善，謝謝你們的關 心和代禱，也想借此機會和大家交代一下。 『天糧100』的回應，不及我們的期望。可能很多弟兄姊妹覺得寄支票很麻煩，甚至已經沒有支票簿了。這個我們 也是明白的，所以我們正準備增設供自動轉賬的奉獻方式。儘管『天糧100』反應不如預期，但我們畢竟得到一定數額的支持，可支撐數個月的支出。無論你是否 有奉獻，只要你曾經關心過這個活動，我都想說一聲感謝。 至於現時的經濟狀況，相信因為不少肢體盡力支援四川地震的緣故，我們近期的奉獻額急跌至從未試過的新低。畢竟 每人的收入有限，不可能無止境的加大奉獻數目；而面對四川地震的需要，我們的情況也算不得甚麼了。故此我們採取了節流的方式，七月中將會有一位同工離職， 其他同工會承擔餘下的工作，以及更借重義工的力量。幸好神為我們安排了很好的義工，他們有非常專業的技能，更有一顆不計較的心，付出自己的時間金錢為我們 配音、校對、上載文章、製作配圖、混音等等。沒有他們，國證網絡這幾名小子（其實是1名小子和2名小女子），實在連四份一的工作也作不成。所以神雖然沒有 在『天糧100』的活動上答應我們，卻有祂更美好的安排，實在感恩不盡。 而我們也藉著這個機會，重新檢視一次我們的運作，有那些地方可以更有效率、更有發展空間，以能騰出空間開展其 他計劃。我們仍在仰望七月份的供應，但並不因缺乏而停步，現正籌備數個新計劃，望能為教會及其他機構提供更適切的資源。請多為我們代禱。如你有興趣多知道 我們計劃中的事工，也歡迎以電郵和我們聯絡。 我願意為國證網絡的事工經費奉獻 需要你繼續支持的 黃偉 國證網絡副執行主任 2008年6月27日

聖經時代的食物（終結篇）- 約亞拿杏仁粗蛋糕

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2008-06-27 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 神給各人的境界 粵語國語 第27天 讀經：約書亞記十三章1至7節、33節 　　這段經文未必很有趣，卻對我們有很多寶貴的提醒。對不少基督徒來說，他們的一個最大問題，是無法接受神將他們放置在某個境況，特別是在某個事奉崗位。當我們得悉某些基督徒陷於某些困難的光景，我們就不禁質疑神為何不領他們離開。然而，就在這個時刻，我們應該默然信靠神，知道祂叫萬事互相?力，叫我們得著益處，而且，祂已為我們各人定下了計劃和劃定了境界。 　　我們在約書亞記十三章至十五章，看到神怎樣把以色列民安放在迦南地的不同境界；一直至第二十二章，以色列人才完成了整個分地的過程。這時的以色列民已經攻佔了遼闊的土地，可是，還有不少土地仍有待征服。雖然神已應許幫助他們去佔領整片應許之地，可是眾民卻一直耽延，我們在第十八章便看見約書亞需要不斷鼓勵眾民去征服未得之地。 　　好了，當來到分配土地的時候，以色列民便把每塊領地和每個支派的名字分別寫在坭版上；然後眾民便求問神該如何分配。他們用這種稱為「拈鬮」的方法來分配土地。這種方式與抽獎不同，它並沒有運氣的成分，也沒有贏家或輸家。各支派只是藉著這種方式，來獲得自己的土地。箴言十六章33節告訴我們：「籤放在懷裡，定事由耶和華」。換言之，凡事都有神的帶領，我們只要信靠祂。 　　當約書亞和眾長老經過禱告，小心奕奕地抽出每個支派的名字和領土的範圍時，每個支派的代表一定是既緊張又興奮了。他們都會樂於接受拈鬮的結果。沒有人會說：「不公平！」，否則，豈不表示他們認為自己比神更加公平？ 　　我們為何會出現憂慮呢？豈不因為我們擔心神給我們的不夠好？我們為何不能放心相信神一定將最好的給予我們？歸根究底，神豈不是最清楚知道甚麼對我們最好嗎？讓我們學習信靠神吧！ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE PLACE GOD GIVES TO EACH ONE DAY 27 BIBLE READING: Joshua 13: 1-7, 33 This chapter may not seem interesting, but it has some wonderful lessons for us. One of the most difficult problems for many Christians is to accept the place where God has put them, particularly their place of service. We all know stories of Christians in difficult places and we wonder why God has allowed them to remain there. Yet there is always the quiet assurance that God overrules for our good in spite of everything and that he has a place and plan for us. Here in Joshua chapters 13 to 15 we have the tremendously interesting story of God placing his people in their various sections throughout the land of Canaan---the land he had promised to them. It continues right through to chapter 22. They had conquered large sections of the country and even though there was still quite a lot to be possessed God said, 'Divide it all by faith'. In chapter 18 you will see how Joshua had to stir up the people to complete the conquest, in spite of God's help and command to do just that. The land was divided and the name of each section written down on a piece of stone or clay. Then the name of each tribe was written on another piece of stone or clay. Then the name of each tribe prayed asking God to guide in the selection of each tribe and the piece of land that tribe should have. This was called 'casting lots'. It was not like a lottery which is a selfish way of trying to get something by luck or chance. With lotteries there are few winners and many losers. God is not present nor does he guide the results. But with this division of land, each tribe was to receive their own portion. Proverbs 16:33 tells us that God guided in these choices and we can believe that he did. It must have been a wonderful scene as Joshua and the elders carefully and prayerfully drew out each tribe's name and the name of each lot of land. Each tribe had to accept what God gave them. No tribe could say, 'We haven't been treated fairly'. If they did, they would be speaking against God. They would be saying, 'We know better than God'. What is sorry? Is it fear that God won't give you what you want? Why not trust him to make decisions for you? After all he does know best, doesn't he?