2008-11-30 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 神的偉大 粵語國語 第30天 讀經：   以賽亞書四十章12-18節、25、26節 「你真偉大」這首詩歌，很能夠引發我們的共鳴，同頌神的偉大。以賽亞書第四十章也會產生相同的效果，我們可以嘗試一口氣讀畢全章，必能深受鼓舞和激勵。 請讀第12節。有甚麼東西比得上海洋的浩翰廣大？有甚麼東西比得上太空的遼闊無崖？有誰能秤稱地和山的重量？然而，這些在人眼中最偉大的東西，在神面前卻頓見渺少，因為神比它們更偉大，它們全是神創造出來的。 神創造萬物的時候，有誰能夠指教祂呢？然是沒有了！神的能力已足以創造一切，根本不需要任何幫忙。而且，神更是在祂創造萬物之後，到最後才造出人類，來享受祂所創造的世界。 世上的所謂「強國」，又能否與神相比？你曾否見過從水桶邊緣滴下的一滴水？那些所謂強國的力量，若與神的能力相比，就仿如那小水滴一樣。 請看第26節。偉大的神可以個別地按名呼叫眾星出來。但不要忘記，天文學家告訴我們，天空有超過十億個分隔很遠且大小不同的星系。我們要找出每個星系的位置，已是天方夜譚；但神卻能夠為它們每個定位，連一個也不失落！ 有人可能會說：神既然那麼偉大，又怎會留意我們這些渺少的人類呢？但請翻看第11節。靜心思想這節經文為我們勾勒的神，是何等慈愛和無微不至。祂就像牧羊人照顧羊群那樣地看顧我們，不單供應我們的一切所需，還會乳養軟弱的小羊。祂會了解個別的需要，提供特別的關顧；祂總是無微不至地照顧我們。 思想神的偉大，將有助我們懂得更緊地倚靠神。神曾經很嚴厲地對待你嗎？那可能是愛的管教，為的是糾正和挽回你。當管教過後，我們總是會體察到管教的價值，都會感謝神的及時管教。總的而言，神是無可比擬的偉大，也是無可比擬的慈愛；讓我們為此而頌讚和感謝祂吧！ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD Day 30 Bible Reading:   Isaiah 40:12-18, 25, 26 One of the most thrilling songs that has been written in recent years is known by one line 'How great thou art'. Something of the same thought comes to us as we read these verses. You could read this whole chapter today. You would be thrilled and blessed by all that it has to say about our God. Notice verse 12. What is as vast as the ocean? What is greater than space? What is the weight of the earth and the mountains? Yet God is greater than all these things. In fact he created them all. Who told God how to create the earth? No-one! And he did not need any help. It was only later that he created man to enjoy what God had already brought into being. What about the so-called mighty nations of the earth? Did you ever see one drop of water falling from the edge of an otherwise empty bucket? That little drop is what the mighty nations are really like in comparison with the power of God. Look at verse 26. God is so great he calls all the stars by their separate names. Yet astronomers tell us that there are more than 100 million different systems of stars with enormous distances between them. It is beyond our imagination to think of travelling to them. Yet God keeps everyone of them in place. Not one is missing. Does that mean God is so great he can't be bothered with caring for you and me? Turn back to verse 11. Think through the beautiful picture given to us of the loving kindness and care of our God. We are told he will care for his children like a shepherd cares for his sheep, meeting every need. He will give special care to the Iambs-the young ones. In fact he will carry them when they need to be carried. For those who have special needs he will give special attention. He will be gentle with them all. Isn't it a blessing to your heart to think of the gentleness of God? Has God ever dealt with you harshly? He may have disciplined you but he did it in love as you did it for your children. You thanked him for it afterwards, didn't you? This is our God-so great, there is no-one greater, so loving, there is no-one kinder. Thank him today for what he is.

2008-11-29 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 神的旨意永遠堅立 粵語 國語 第29天 讀經：   以賽亞書四十章3至8節 我們昨天已讀過這段經文，不過，當中還有另一個值得我們留意的信息，那就是：主將要降臨。這個信息可同時指到祂的第一次降臨和祂的再來。當中包含了一個屬靈的教訓。倘若主將要豐豐富富地降臨，並進入我們的心中；那麼，我們就要做好準備，迎接祂的來臨。神願意為我們做好這準備工作，只要我們願意，神就可以動工。我們若要得著主的賜福，就要清除阻路的石頭，並要預備主的道路。 我們若想知道有甚麼石頭擋路，主必告訴我們。辛普森(A. B. Simpson)曾經說過：「我們若想知道有甚麼石頭攔路，以致妨礙我們得到完全的祝福，神必向我們顯明，更賜我們力量去把它們一一清除。然後，祂便會進入我們的心裡，透過我們的心，去把祂豐盛的祝福帶進另一個人的心中。」 神首先提到要把一切山谷填平。我們的生命是否有某些方需要提昇，以致與神有更好的相交和更能順服神？此外，有沒有一些彎曲、扭曲的地方需要修正？扭曲神的心意來配合自己的意思，正是聖經所指的「罪」。 我們的生命中有沒有一些會刺傷別人的尖刺？如果我們願意，主必幫助我們削平。還有其他的石頭攔阻我們得到神的祝福嗎？例如是與其他信徒的爭競和嫌隙？忽略神的話語及禱告？在奉獻上虧欠神？ 當路障一一清除之後，會有甚麼後果呢？就是主的榮耀必得顯現(5節)。我們如何得知呢？因為它是主自己說的。餘下的經文告訴我們，主的話語是永不改變和永遠堅立的。草必枯乾，花必凋謝，這乃宇宙的定理。事實上，屬於人世間的一切都會轉瞬即逝，然而，請留意最後那節經文的寶貴應許：惟有我們神的話，必永遠立定。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO Day 29 Bible Reading:   Isaiah 40:3-8 We read these verses yesterday, but there is another word for us in them for today. The Lord is coming. Those words refer to more than his first coming or his second coming. There is spiritual teaching here for us. If the Lord is going to come in all his fullness into our hearts, there is a work of preparation that must be done. God is waiting to do it, if we will allow him. The stumbling blocks to blessing must be removed and the way for the Lord prepared. If we want to know what these stumbling blocks are, the Lord will show us. A. B. Simpson said, 'If we want to know, God will show us what hinders the fullness of blessing and he will make us both willing and able to put it aside. Then he will come into our hearts and through our hearts into the hearts of others in the fullness of his blessing.' God spoke of the valleys first-the low places. Are there places in our lives which should be raised to higher levels of fellowship and obedience? Are there crooked, twisted places which need to be made straight? Twisting the will of God to make it fit our own wills is called iniquity in God's Word. Are there rough places that rub against other people and which need to be made smooth? The Lord will do this if we let him. Is there strife and strain with fellow- Christians? Is there neglect of the Word of God and prayer? Are we robbing God in our giving? Are any of these the stumbling blocks to blessing? What would happen if they were taken away? The glory of the Lord would be revealed (v. 5). How do we know this? The mouth of the Lord has spoken it. The remaining verses tell us how wonderful and how faithful is that same Word of the Lord. The grass of our fields and pastures withers away within a year or less. How true this is. Flowers that looked so beautiful yesterday are withered and brown tomorrow. Everything belonging to man is temporary-BUT, and here is the wonderful promise of these verses, THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOR EVER.

2008-11-28 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 預備主的道路 粵語 國語 第28天 讀經：   以賽亞書四十章1至8節 以賽亞書餘下的篇章，包含了一些我們經常在講道中聽到的寶貴信息。它論到父神的偉大、神子的工作，以及聖靈的澆灌。 在第四十章，先知向以色列民發出了一篇安慰的信息，預言被擄到巴比倫的以色列民，必有重回故國的機會──雖然這事差不多要在二百年後才發生。這是一篇預言的信息，因為當時百姓還未曾經歷被擄，但先知卻已預言他們必得歸回。而且，先知還預言到，作為耶穌基督先驅的施洗約翰，以及耶穌基督本人的出生及事奉。 安慰的信息最能夠幫助人。聖經記載了許多神安慰祂兒女的說話。神是滿有憐憫和恩典的父，當祂的兒女面對憂傷的時候，祂終必安慰。 人若要得安慰，首先必要解決罪的問題。先知在第1節說神要安慰百姓，第2節便說神已赦免他們的罪。聖經一再強調，當罪惡、罪疚和恐懼在我們與神中間阻隔，我們就不能與神相交，也不能得著神的安慰。 早在以色列民要面對被擄之苦的很久之前，先知以賽亞便預告了神的赦免和安慰。亨利(Matthew Henry)在他的注釋中指出：「神在百姓經歷被擄之前，神便已經賜給他們寶貴的應許，讓它成為他們痛苦中的力量和安慰。我們試想像一下，當他們置身在黑暗歲月的時候，這預言將會在他們的心中發出何等榮耀的光輝；當他們在巴比倫的河邊痛哭的時候，這應許如何能抹乾他們的眼淚。」 神在今天，豈不是以同樣方式來幫助我們嗎？遠在苦難發生之前，恩慈的主便提醒我們人生充滿苦難，但與此同時，祂又賜下各種應許來安慰和加力給我們。因此，我們無論落入任何境況，都應緊握祂的應許、信靠祂的話語；祂必帶領我們經過。 牢記： 神守信承諾，凡遵從祂的，必得祂的賜福。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PREPARING THE WAY OF THE LORD Day 28 Bible Reading:   Isaiah 40:1-8 The remaining chapters of Isaiah contain some of the most wonderful passages in the Bible. They speak of the greatness of God the Father, the ministry of God the Son and the outpouring of God the Holy Spirit. This amazing 40th chapter looks forward to the return of the Children of Israel from Babylon-a return that was still almost 200 years ahead. Isaiah projects himself to the end of a captivity that had not yet begun. He speaks also of the coming and ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and of Christ himself. One of the most helpful messages anyone can give is a message of comfort when it is needed. God is often spoken of in the Bible as the one who comforts his children. He is the God of all-comfort and the God of all-grace. In other words he offers grace to meet every need. The first condition for receiving comfort is that sin must be dealt with and put away. Verse 1 speaks of comfort and verse 2 tells Israel her sin has been pardoned. God's Word teaches constantly that there can be no fellowship and therefore no comfort while sin, guilt and fear hang between us and God. Isaiah prophesied these words long before the time they speak of. Can you see how that is just like God? Matthew Henry comments: 'Before God sent his people into captivity he furnished them with precious promises for their support and comfort in their trouble. We may well imagine of what great use the glorious light of this prophecy was to them in that dark and cloudy day and how much it helped to dry up their tears by the waters of Babylon. Isn't that just what God does for us today? Before an event happens, the Lord graciously prepares us for it and often gives us a promise that will see us through whatever may come. So whatever your circumstances claim his promises, believe his Word. He will see you through. REMEMBER: God keeps all his promises to those who obey him.

2008-11-27 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 神應允希西家的祈求 粵語 國語 第27天 讀經：   以賽亞書三十七章21至23節，30至38節 昨天，我們看到希西家王接到亞述王的信，威脅要摧毀耶路撒冷城。希西家看完信後，便立即跑到聖殿，將問題向神陳明，並祈求神的幫助。 今天，我們看到神差派先知以賽亞去見希西家，告訴他神已應允他的禱告。我們可以把這段經文稱為「信心得蒙拯救」。 神怎?回應希西家的禱告呢？首先，神要審判亞述王的驕橫自大，以及竟敢詆毀耶路撒冷城──它是神所揀選的城！神在第24、25節指出，亞述王以為自己所向無敵，所以目空一切，卻不認識到其實是神用他來成就祂的計劃(26-27節)。如今，因著他的驕橫跋扈，神必要審判他。 神作了兩個應許──一個是給祂的百姓，一個是給亞述王；我們將會看見，這兩個應許後來都奇妙地應驗了。 首先，神應許祂的百姓，祂必看顧他們，賜予他們一切所需(30、31節)。第31節給我們描繪了一幅美麗的圖畫。以色列人要「往下扎根，往上生長」。我們今天豈不也需要這樣嗎？我們豈不需要更深地在基督裡扎根，然後在生活中結出聖靈的果子？這節經文將成為我們的勉勵。 接著，神也應許亞述王「他必不得來到這(耶路撒冷)城」(33節)。他從那條路來，也必從那條路回去，卻不能攻擊這城，因神親自守衛著它。這關係到神的尊榮和尊名，神必保衛自己的名。我們今天可以同樣靠著神的名得勝。 雖然神幾乎要在20年後，才對亞述王作出最終的審判；但神的應許卻如實地應驗：希西家王得到神的幫助，亞述王卻連番敗北。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOD'S ANSWER TO HEZEKIAH'S PRAYER Day 27 Bible Reading:   Isaiah 37:21-23, 30-38 Yesterday we read that Hezekiah had received a letter from the King of Assyria threatening to destroy the city of Jerusalem. Do you remember how Hezekiah dealt with it? He took the letter and spread it out before the Lord asking God to answer it himself. Now God sent Isaiah to Hezekiah with the answer to the letter and to Hezekiah's prayer. We could call this the 'Deliverance of Faith'. How was God going to answer? How was his power to be sent? Firstly God judged the King of Assyria's pride and the fact that he dared to speak against the city of Jerusalem, God's own chosen place. God mentions in verses 24,25 how the king thought he had done everything himself, not realising that God had been using him to accomplish God's purposes (v. 26, 27). Now because the king had become arrogant and full of pride, God was going to deal with him. God made two promises-one to his people and one to the king of Assyria. Both were remarkably fulfilled. God promised his people that he would watch over them and care for them and provide every need (v. 30, 31). There is a beautiful picture in verse 31. Israel would 'take root downward and bear fruit upward'. Isn't that still our need today? Don't we need to take root more and more deeply in Christ and the things of God and then see the results in the fruit of the Spirit showing itself in our lives? What a great example that is for us. Then God promised that the King of Assyria would never enter Jerusalem (v. 33). He would go back along the road that he came and would never be allowed to attack the city because God was defending it. God's honour and his name were at stake. God will always defend his name. It is still the same today. We can claim victory from God on the basis of his name and the fact we bear that name as his children. The final fulfilment of God's judgment on the heathen king did not come for a few years-possibly even 20-but God's Word is always fulfilled. Hezekiah found help in God, while the King of Assyria found only defeat.

2008-11-26 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 得勝的信心 粵語 國語 第26天 讀經：   以賽亞書三十七章14至20節 神真是值得我們去信靠嗎？神真是會垂聽人的禱告嗎？在三十六至三十八章所記述的故事中，我們找到其中一個對應這兩個問題的重要答案。藉著這件事例，我們可以看見當神聽見祂的兒女向祂呼求時，祂願意幫助他們到怎樣的一個地步。我們今天所讀的經文，正是這個故事的核心。 話說希西家王接到亞述王的一封信，信中說到他遲一些會回來摧毀耶路撒冷。希西家沒有想過要回信給他，反而跑到聖殿，將信件在神面前展開。他祈求神去處理這個危急的情況。他從經驗得知，亞述王的軍力是何等強大，若以人的計算，一定會說：「沒有用的，反抗也沒有用，還是照他所說的去做吧！」今天，撒但還是經常在神兒女的耳邊說類似的話。 希西家怎樣做呢？(14節)他立即去到聖殿禱告。一個對神有信心的人，便會懂得即時去到神的面前求助。詩篇四十六篇是希西家所寫的，他在詩的一開始便說：「神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助」。 留意希西家怎樣祈求神。他並不是籠統地向神祈求；反而他承認神的偉大，他求神垂聽他的祈禱，把難題告訴祂，並求神「求你立即懲罰這些惡人」。神看重希西家的信心，應允了他的禱告。 在你的人生中，你曾經遇過一些危急的關頭，不知該如何處理嗎？學習憑信心和禱告，將它帶到神的面前吧！將整件事情，在神面前一一陳明吧，並求祂為你去解決。 不要聽撒但的說話，他會不斷地對你說：「沒有用的，放棄吧！神不會聽你的禱告，更不會應允你的祈求」。撒但最擅長在我們的腦海中散播這些思想。然而，我們必須學習希西家，將一切問題交在神的手裡，等候神為我們解決問題。我們願意學習嗎？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH Day 26 Bible Reading:   Isaiah 37:14-20 Is it really worthwhile to trust in God? Does God really answer prayer? In this story (chapters 36-38) we find one of the great answers in the Bible to these questions. This incident can teach us how much God will do for a child of his who prays. The verses we have read are the heart of the story. Hezekiah had received a letter from the King of Assyria saying that he would return later to destroy Jerusalem. Hezekiah did not try to answer the letter. He took it into the Temple and spread it out before the Lord. He asked God to deal with the situation. Experience had shown how tremendously powerful the King of Assyria was and human wisdom would have said, 'It's no use-just do what he asks'. Satan very often says that to God's people today. What did Hezekiah do (v.14)? He went up into the house of God to pray. Faith turns to God immediately and instinctively. It was Hezekiah who wrote the 46th Psalm which begins 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'. Notice how Hezekiah asked God to do certain things. He did not just say 'Lord do whatever you can'. He recognised the greatness of God. He asked God to hear his prayer. He told God the problem and then said, 'Lord deal with these people and do it now'. God answered Hezekiah and honoured his faith. Have there been circumstances like this in your life, perhaps even today? Is there something facing you for which you do not have the answer? Take it to the Lord in faith and prayer. Spread the whole matter out before him. Ask him to deal with it. Don't listen to the voice of Satan. He will say 'It's no use-you may as well give it all up. God doesn't listen to you. He won't answer.' Satan is so very clever in putting thoughts like these in our minds. But the Christian must, as Hezekiah did, put the whole creation in God's hands and watch him answer. Why not do that right now?

2008-11-25 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 這是你的見證嗎？ 粵語 國語 第25天 讀經：   以賽亞書二十五章1至4、8、9節 在這之前的十章經文，以賽亞一直講述神將會如何審判以色列的周遭列國。如今，他突然唱出一首頌讚的詩歌，它其實是他的見證。以賽亞雖然是代表以色列民對神發出頌讚，但它卻是從他的心底發出來的。 唯有當以色列人真正認識神和祂的兒子耶穌基督，他們才能夠唱出這首詩歌。我們也是一樣，唯有當我們承認耶穌基督是我們的救主和主，我們才能夠發自內心地唱出一首新歌及頌讚神。 作者是為到神在過去所成就的一切，並將來要行的一切而發出由衷的感恩。我們可以按著個人的經歷，發出類似前兩節的頌讚： 「主啊，我要再次向你表明，唯獨你是我的神。我要為到你的偉大，和你為我所成就的一切頌讚你。主啊，我看見你的作為奇妙，在我還未認識你之前，你已經為到我的生命定下了救恩的計劃，並且在歷史中一步步地成就它。主啊，感謝你的信實不變。」 這是你的見證嗎？在你決志相信祂的時候，你可能還未認識到神為你所做的一切。但當你回望過去，你卻清楚看見祂的恩手如何一直帶領你。祂的其中一個目標，是要領你愈來愈緊靠祂。 許多釋經家都相信，以色列人終必來到這個境地，就是承認神是他們的神，以致他們會親口唱出以賽亞書這篇詩歌。但我們又如何呢？我們能否今天就唱出這首詩歌呢？我們能否從心底頌讚這位深愛我們的神，知道祂在我們身上成就的一切，都是為著我們的好處和為著彰顯祂的榮耀？ 禱告： 主耶穌，求你加添我的信心，使我能唯獨信靠你。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IS THIS YOUR TESTIMONY? Day 25 Bible Reading:   Isaiah 25:1-4, 8, 9 In the previous ten chapters Isaiah has been telling how God was going to deal with the various nations around Israel. Now he breaks out in a song which is really a testimony. It is spoken on behalf of Israel but is also very personal from the heart of Isaiah himself. However Israel could only sing these verses when it had come to truly recognise God-what he is-who he is and that his Son is Jesus Christ. So it is with us. Only when we come to recognise Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord does he put a new song in our hearts, even praise to our God. These words were spoken out of deep gratitude to God for all he had done and was going to do. We could put the first two verses out of our own experience something like this: 'Oh Lord I want to tell you again that you and you alone are my God. I want to praise you for all you have meant to me and all you have done for me. I can see now all that you have been doing. You made your plan for my life long ago and you have been working it out day by day even when I could not see or tell what you were doing. Thank you for your faithfulness.' Is that your testimony today? You may not have understood all that God was doing but you have come to trust him. As you look back you can see the way his hand has led. His one purpose has been to lead you closer to himself. Many Bible teachers believe that Israel will yet come to this place of recognition of God as their God and that they will yet sing this song from Isaiah. But what about ourselves? Can we make these words our own today? Can we in a fresh way put our trust in the God who loves us and wants our good knowing he will only allow what is for our best and for his glory. CAN WE SAY IN A NEW WAY TODAY: I am trusting thee Lord Jesus, trusting only thee.