2013年5月5日 星期日

2013-05-05 Devotionals Today

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得蒙寬恕,卻不肯寬恕別人

粵語 國語

第5天


讀經:   

馬太福音十八章21至35節

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賬。

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,竟去把他下在監裡,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你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。"

寬恕究竟有沒有限度呢?神為了基督的緣故,寬恕了我們多少次?當他人得罪我們,我們是否應同樣寬恕他人呢?

彼得提出這個問題,是因為他與弟兄產生了不和。我們只知道他有一個弟弟名叫安得烈,是他帶領彼得認識基督。或許彼得是跟鄰舍產生不和?

基督用了這個意味深長的故事來回答彼得的問題。這裡所講的「僕人」可以解作高級官員。這官員為何欠下巨債,我們不得而知。債項的數目相當於今天的數百萬元。

他當然不能在短期內還清債務。王體恤他的境況,非常慷慨地免除他的債務。他雖然不配得王的赦免,但王恩浩大,他現在債務全免,輕鬆做人。

然而,他後來卻因朋友欠他幾十塊錢,沒有能力立刻償還,便將朋友拉到官府,下到監中。他剛剛蒙王的赦免,免除一筆巨債,可是,他卻沒有將這種恩情銘記心中,學習並效法王那種寬宏大量的精神。

王終於知道他是一個不肯寬恕和吝嗇小器的人,一怒之下,將他投入監中,恐怕他要在監中度過餘生了。

基督講這個故事是要提出甚麼教訓呢?就是我們若要得著神的饒恕,就必須饒恕別人;反之,我們如果不肯寬恕別人,必得不到神的寬恕。一顆懷恨的心,又怎能與神親密相交,體會神對我們的白白赦免呢?

我們所欠的罪債,我們根本無力償還;但基督已為我們償清巨債,以致我們得著神的赦免。神要我們寬恕別人,是否要求太高呢?以弗所書四章32節是一個命令:「要彼此饒恕,正如神在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣。」

有沒有人是你未曾饒恕的呢?為何不今天就求神幫助你饒恕呢?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORGIVEN BUT UNFORGIVING
Day 5


Bible Reading:   

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"

22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'

29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'

34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

Is there a limit to forgiveness? How many times has God forgiven you or me for Christ's sake? Is that the way we forgive others who act wrongly against ourselves?

Peter was having trouble with his brother. We only know of Andrew, the brother who brought Peter to Christ. Or does the question include perhaps a neighbour?

Christ answered Peter's question with this remarkable story. The word servant here can mean a highly placed official. But however did this officer run up such a huge debt? The equivalent today would be millions of dollars.

He certainly could not pay that amount immediately. But when the king saw his position he cancelled the whole enormous debt.

What a wonderfully generous act. Now he was debt free. He did not deserve that. .

But what did he do in turn? He threw a man into prison who owed him only a few dollars! He had just been forgiven an incredible amount of money. But he himself couldn't pass on that kind of generosity.

His meanness, his unforgiving spirit were found out by the king. The officer spent possibly the rest of his life in jail as a result.

How did Christ use this story? His application was one which he often taught - a man must forgive in order to be forgiven. We cannot earn God's forgiveness but while an unforgiving spirit remains in our hearts we cannot truly know the fullness of fellowship with God.

We have been forgiven a debt which we could never pay but which Christ paid for us. Is it too much for God to ask us to show forgiveness to others? Ephesians 4:32 is a command. 'Forgive each other just as in Christ God forgave you.'

Is there someone you should forgive? Why not do it today?


列王紀下十一至十三章


重點: 亞他利雅篡奪猶大王國;亞他利雅死;約阿施修葺聖殿;約阿施死;約哈斯的惡行;以利沙去世。

鑰節: 無奈到了約阿施王二十三年,祭司仍未修理殿的破壞之處。(十二6)

內容: 

猶大王亞哈謝死了,他的母親亞他利雅就起來剿滅王室,自立為王,設立偶像,破壞聖殿。

約阿施在大祭司耶何耶大的保護及安排下取回政權,登基作王。此後,約阿施有心重修聖殿破壞之處,便吩咐祭司出去收集百姓所奉獻之銀子,作為修理聖殿之費用。只是經過二十三年,修殿之事還未處理。約阿施王便召了大祭司耶何耶大和眾祭司來,對他們說:「你們怎麼不修理殿的破壞之處呢?」並且終止祭司收取銀子的政策。

於是祭司耶何耶大在聖殿壇旁設立奉獻箱,讓人隨心所願,樂意將金錢投入箱去。很快就有足夠金錢,修殿之工也很快達成。

為何約阿施頒佈修殿之命達二十三年仍未成就,而耶何耶大很快就達成呢?是因為約阿施用行政命令取代了事奉的原則:奉獻是甘心樂意的,不是行政命令的;祭司是事奉神的,不是收集費用的。

當約阿施終止他的方法,耶何耶大使用事奉的原則,神賜福他們,事就很快達成了。


默想: 在教會事奉是否遇困惑?怎樣事奉才是屬神的、屬靈的、蒙神賜福的?
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狂傲女子

 
以賽亞書 三章
 
"錫安的女子狂傲……賣弄眼目……腳下叮噹……"(16節)。

以賽亞預言神會將耶路撒冷所有富有的人都一一趕盡:勇士和戰士,審判官和先知,長老,謀士和巧匠。而這真的發生了:三次不同的戰役裡,贏家巴比倫擄走一切精良的,而遺下那些卑賤的。這樣的浩劫乃出自神的手筆,不過在這一切事情發生之前,以賽亞以及其他眾先知早已給了以色列人足夠的警告,他們大可以悔改而避過這一場厄運的。

神的審判會先從長老和首領開始,因為他們"吃盡葡萄園的果子"。祂會問:"你們為何壓制我的百姓,折磨貧窮人的臉呢?"在這群唯利是圖的男人背後,有一群輕佻的女子,或只在意"香盒、符囊、戒指、鼻環、吉服……細麻花、裹頭巾、蒙身的帕子"(20-23節)。

這樣的一張清單聽起來讓人覺得驚人的熟悉──現今很多女性都崇拜時尚和明星,而不願意給患病的孩子提供一杯乾淨的水。我曾經在一間醫生診所裡等候朋友的時候翻閱了一些雜誌,覺得非常噁心,因為我所見到的並不是美麗。雖然打扮漂亮並沒有錯, 但是狂傲、目空一切、並以性為工具則是大錯特錯。這些狂傲女子在上帝鼻中所聞到的氣息,在24節裡被形象地描述為臭爛、繩子、光禿、麻衣和烙傷。

不過,有另外一些女子是讓人真正珍愛的,像德蘭修女,不管是對富者還是窮人,對黑皮膚還是白皮膚的,對神還是對人來說,她那張佈滿皺紋的臉和手不是很美麗嗎?

 

主耶穌,您在十架上被摧殘的那張臉是眾臉中最美的。願我,在敬畏中以敬拜來反映您的榮美,並成為您的新娘!

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2013年5月4日 星期六

2013-05-04 Devotionals Today

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四種土壤

粵語 國語

第4天


讀經:   

路加福音八章9至15節

9門徒問耶穌說:"這比喻是甚麼意思呢?"

10他說:" 神國的奧秘只叫你們知道;至於別人,就用比喻,叫他們看也看不見,聽也聽不明。

11這比喻乃是這樣:種子就是 神的道。

12那些在路旁的,就是人聽了道,隨後魔鬼來,從他們心裡把道奪去,恐怕他們信了得救;

13那些在磐石上的,就是人聽道,歡喜領受,但心中沒有根,不過暫時相信,及至遇見試煉就退後了;

14那落在荊棘裡的,就是人聽了道,走開以後,被今生的思慮、錢財、宴樂擠住了,便結不出成熟的子粒來;

15那落在好土裡的,就是人聽了道,持守在誠實善良的心裡,並且忍耐著結實。

這個比喻的核心,就是那四種不同的泥土,和它們對種子的接納程度。

當撒種人在泥土上撒種,種子或許會撒到路上或是田邊,那些地方卻是硬土,種子不能生長。有些人的心靈就像這些硬土;罪使他們心硬,真理無法進到他們心內。

撒但更會設法阻止神的道進入人的心中。仿如飛鳥看見種子掉到地上,便立即飛下啄食一樣,撒但也會馬上把神的道奪走,不讓它有任何生長的機會。

此外,種子也會落在石旁的淺土裡,最初還會萌芽和生長。可是,一陣熱風吹過,便馬上枯萎。

主耶穌說,這代表一些領受了種子的人,最初長得不錯,可是,當試驗臨到,他們便抵擋不住而放棄信仰。在現實中,我們經常看到這種情況。最初的成長令人振奮,但一遇考驗便立即跌倒。

另有些人是最初成長得不錯,直至「被今生的思慮、錢財、宴樂擠住了」,以致屬靈生命停滯不前,逐漸枯萎。這又是另一種悲劇。

我們不應讓任何阻礙神的道的東西填滿心靈,應該把這些東西拿走。

落在好土裡的,就是歡喜領受神的道的人,他們預備好自己的心靈,讓神的道可以茁壯茂盛地成長。種子結實之後,便可產出更多種子,息息不斷地生長。好土壤是每個農人想要的,這樣的心也是我們的主所尋找的。

你的心是哪種土壤呢?是硬土?是淺土?是被許多東西填滿的泥土?或是好土呢?

但願我們今天就說:

「主啊,我願意一直敞開自己的心,接受你的道。」這是我們的主所喜悅的。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOSE FOUR SOILS
Day 4


Bible Reading:   

Luke 8:9-15

9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"

10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that
' Seeing they may not see,
And hearing they may not understand.'
The Parable of the Sower Explained

11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

The four different kinds of soil and their reception given to the seed is really the heart of this parable.

A pathway led through the field or perhaps went along the edge. That soil, hard and unbroken, never really received the seed. Some hearts are like that. They have become hardened by sin and the truth has no chance of entering.

Then Satan makes sure about it. Like the birds who quickly spotted the seed on the path and flew down to snatch it away, Satan does exactly the same. He won't allow the Word to remain long enough to germinate and grow.

In another place there was a shallow band of soil over rock. Seed fell there too and it looked like it would grow well. Then came a dry spell and a hot wind. The little plants which looked so promising shrivelled and died.

Our Lord said this represented those who begin well but wither away at the first sign of testing. You have seen that happen haven't you? The promise is thrilling but the first test means failure spiritually.

Then there are those whose spiritual life grows well until as Christ said: 'Life's worries, riches and pleasures' grow too and the good plants are choked completely. A tragedy.

Anything that fills the heart to the exclusion of the Word of God is wrong and should be put away.

The good soil is the joy of everyone's heart. It is soil which gave full liberty to the growth of the Word. The seed here eventually reproduces itself so the process goes on. This is what the farmer wanted. This is what our Lord is looking for. By the way, how is the soil of your heart? Where does it fit into the pattern our Lord gave? Is it a pathway? Rocky soil? Pre-occupied soil? Or fruitful soil?

Why not say today 'Lord I want my heart to be constantly open to your Word'? That is what the Lord wants most of all.


列王紀下九至十章


重點: 耶戶受膏為以色列王;耶戶殺約蘭和亞哈謝;耶洗別死;耶戶滅拜巴力的人。

鑰節: 你當追想,你我一同坐車跟隨他父亞哈的時候,耶和華對亞哈所說的預言,說:「我昨日看見拿伯的血和他眾子的血,我必在這塊田上報應你。」這是耶和華說的,現在你要照著耶和華的話,把他拋在這田間。(九25-26)

內容: 

神給亞哈家的忍耐已到極點,約蘭多次領受神的恩慈和提醒,仍不悔改,神就審判亞哈家。

神膏耶戶作以色列王,作為祂結束亞哈家的器皿。耶戶便背叛約蘭,在約蘭逃跑時,用箭將他射殺;那時耶戶想起從前跟隨亞哈的時候,先知對亞哈所說的預言:「我昨日看見拿伯的血和他眾子的血,我必在這塊田上報應你。」便吩咐他的軍長照著耶和華的話,把約蘭拋在這田間。

神的話永不會落空,我們若不讀神的話,疏忽神的話,或是不信、輕慢神的話,必招致損失。

作為神所選召的僕人,按神的話而行更是理所當然的。耶戶其後除掉以色列王母后耶洗別時說:「這正應驗耶和華藉祂僕人提斯比人以利亞所說的話,說:『在耶斯列田間,狗必吃耶洗別的肉;耶洗別的屍首必在耶斯列田間如同糞土,甚至人不能說這是耶洗別。』」(36-37節)


默想: 我們有把神的話藏在心裡,反覆思想,且行在其中?
本文資料由福音團契書局提供,謹此致謝。

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至高之處

 
以賽亞書 二章
 
"驕傲的……屈膝……狂妄……降卑。唯獨耶和華被尊崇……"(17節)

你生命中的高地是什麼?有什麼東西使你感到自豪和興奮?你覺得最有價值的是什麼?你的房子還是你的花園?是食物還是衣著? 你認識的人、你的朋友還是你的家人?你的城鎮、村子還是你的國家?它的繁華還是安定?你自己的知識、能力和成就?還是你所做的工作?你的靈性?還是它帶給你的能力?瀏覽任何一本女性雜誌,都在推介著這些事項,只因為這都是大家所關心的, 正如以賽亞時代的人一樣。這些事情當中有些是好的,然而在以賽亞書裡的預言卻說,有一個獨一的空間乃是"最高之處"──  "耶和華聖殿的山"。殿是敬拜神的地方,敬拜的意思是指"尊崇祂的價值",而偶像乃是人們賦予其過高的價值、將其誤置在他們的生命裡,然而卻是自身不保的東西。

那位宣稱唯獨祂自己配受我們敬拜的上帝是一位"忌邪的上帝",乍聽起來很是負面,然而試想一下,世上若是人人都以祂為首,真的效其行徑、步其蹤跡、順從其法,那對我們可是有益無害的。如果我們都以祂為首,那麼就不會有戰事、貧窮,也沒有驕傲人欺壓其他人,也不會有懼怕──除了對神的懼怕以外。祂愛我們,並要求我們在祂的幫助下,行走在光明之中(5節)。

當神揀選以色列時,祂是要他們把那極其寶貴的國度告訴萬國,正如祂希望我們廣傳福音一樣。 在末後的日子,當萬國都歸向耶和華而不在其狂妄中相互爭吵時,那便是人間的天堂了。

 

天父,您祝福我們生命裡一切美好的事物,願我們永遠不會將您本末倒置,而是常將您放在至高之處。

文章內容由個別機構或作者提供,國證網絡只負責發佈及製作,
如欲轉載或對內容有任何意見,請聯絡有關機構或聯絡國證網絡代轉作者。

2013年5月3日 星期五

2013-5-3 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


你撒的是否好種?

粵語 國語

第3天


讀經:   

馬太福音十三章1至8節

1當那一天,耶穌從房子裡出來,坐在海邊。

2有許多人到他那裡聚集,他只得上船坐下,眾人都站在岸上。

3他用比喻對他們講許多道理,說:"有一個撒種的出去撒種。

4撒的時候,有落在路旁的,飛鳥來吃盡了;

5有落在土淺石頭地上的,土既不深,發苗最快,

6日頭出來一曬,因為沒有根,就枯乾了;

7有落在荊棘裡的,荊棘長起來,把它擠住了;

8又有落在好土裡的,就結實,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。

這裡講的種子是甚麼呢?按照路加福音的記載,基督向門徒解釋,種子是代表神的道。既然是神的道,當然值得我們隨時隨地去撒種,因為只有這個種子──神的道──能收穫永恆。

神的道頗具吸引力,可以藉著許多方式撒播。我們可以口傳與人分享;可以派發福音單張或贈閱聖經;也可以用詩歌或生活見證。神應許祝福祂的道;詩人在詩篇稱它為「寶貴的種子」。

神的種子今天如何撒在我們心中呢?也許是你的父母、朋友、主日學老師、牧者、一份福音單張、一首詩歌或一本書,將神的道播種在你的心裡。別人可能已多次向我們撒種,但我們一直沒有回應,直至某天,又有人給我們撒種、澆水,神的道在我們心裡萌芽長大,我們終於承認自己是個罪人,接受基督,並且逐漸成長。一切都全靠最初有人向我們撒種。

如今,種子交到我們手上,我們願意去撒種嗎?我們會將它撒在別人的心田中嗎?這是我們的特權,也是責任。我們有沒有抓緊機會,忠心去撒種呢?禾場廣大,需要工人去撒種;我們已有了種子,是否該趕緊去作工呢?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARE YOU SOWING THE RIGHT SEED?
Day 3


Bible Reading:   

Matthew 13:1-8

1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.

2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow.

4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.

5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.

6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.

8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

What is the seed? In the Gospel of Luke, Christ said the seed is the Word of God. That is why it is so important for it to be sown wherever and whenever possible. It is the only seed which can ever produce an eternal harvest.

The seed, the Word of God, is remarkable. It can be sown in so many ways. It can be sown by the spoken voice. It can be read in a tract or from a portion of Scripture. It can be communicated in a dozen or more ways. The Word is what God had promised to bless. The Psalmist called it 'precious seed'.

What is the application of all of this to us today? Very simply, someone, a parent, a Sunday school teacher, a pastor, an evangelist, a tract, sowed the seed of the Word of God in our hearts. How many times did we hear it before we allowed it to grow? Then one day someone else added some more seed or watered that which was there. The Word of God began to do its work in our heart, and finally we saw our position as a sinner and accepted Christ. All because someone sowed some seed.

Now in turn, can't we pass on that seed? Can't we place the Word in someone else's life? That is our privilege and responsibility. Are we being faithful to our opportunity? The field is there, waiting. We have the seed. What are we doing with it?


列王紀下六至八章


重點: 斧頭浮在水面;亞蘭(敘利亞)攻擊以色列;撒瑪利亞饑荒;以利沙的預言應驗;書念婦人重獲產業;哈薛作亞蘭王;猶大王約蘭的惡行;亞哈謝統治猶大。

鑰節: 王夜間起來,對臣僕說:「我告訴你們亞蘭人向我們如何行。他們知道我們飢餓,所以離營,埋伏在田野。」(七12)

內容: 

以色列王約蘭作王的時候,神多次向他顯出大能和憐憫,希望他們回轉歸向祂。一次,亞蘭軍大舉圍困撒瑪利亞,全國陷入饑荒中,約蘭說:「這災禍是從耶和華那裡來的,我何必再仰望耶和華呢?」(六33)

神仍然向他們施憐憫,藉以利沙對他們說:「明日約到這時候,在撒瑪利亞城門口,一細亞細麵要賣銀一舍客勒,二細亞大麥也要賣銀一舍客勒。」

神以祂的大能,使亞蘭軍聞聲色變,落荒而逃,遺下大量財物食物。四個長大痳瘋的人先享用了神的恩典,然後報信王室。只是以色列王不信,以他自己的智慧知識,推斷是敵人的詭計。

人的不信不能改變神的信實,只能困擾自己;人的智慧常是使自己產生不信。不信的人,不能討神喜悅;對神沒有信心的人,是自負重擔;對神的話不信任,是自陷困境裡,沒有平安喜樂。


默想: 我們失去平安喜樂,掛慮憂鬱,原因何在?是對神和祂的話不大信任?
本文資料由福音團契書局提供,謹此致謝。

《讀經日引》每季一本,免費贈閱。請電郵biblepathway@yahoo.com.hk索取。

意見交通,請電郵:biblepathway@yahoo.com.hk


試煉時期

 
以賽亞書 一章
 
「我養育兒女,將他們養大,他們竟悖逆我。」(2節)

我們的兒子兩歲時經常去"鬧騰"那些"不允許他做的事情",比如說將土豆扔得滿廚房都是,或者是爬到電視機上面去等,幾乎是每一件我們對他說"不"的事情他都要去做做。不過為了維護彼此間的感情,我們也在上千件他能做的事情上對他說"可以",雖然我們因此必須更提高警惕、加強防衛了。孩子在那個年齡總是特別想觸碰各種防線, 我們這個小不點兒子藉著他可愛的齜牙咧嘴以及暖暖的擁抱,使他的行為比起他後來十四歲或三十四歲時要可愛得多。

以色列和上帝之間的盟約已持續五個世紀之久。經歷過之前的"兩個苦難"時期,以色列人沒理由再違背那一位已在對他們的關愛中證明了其信實的上帝。但是他們在繁榮昌盛時卻服從烏西雅的統治而跟隨不義,墮落和罪惡直到"沒有一處完全的"(6節)。 他們的宗教禮儀使神勃然大怒。"你們不要再獻虛浮的供物!香品是我所憎惡的"(13節)。這位因愛而怒的父親道出了嚴厲的話:就算他們向祂禱告,祂也不會再聽(15節)。

就像我們不允許兒子糟蹋房子和他自己一樣,神也不許祂所愛的子民欺負他們當中弱小的,即那些無父的以及寡婦,或是那些轉向其他假神的人。但是祂依然規勸他們說:"你們的罪雖像朱紅,必變成白雪"(18節)。祂的恩典是一幅何等超自然的壯觀畫面啊!然後,祂又說:"你們若甘心聽從,必吃地上的美物"(19節)。這樣的祝福是何等奇妙啊!

讓我們保持跟神之間親密的關係,遵守祂讓我們做的兩件事情──盡心盡性盡意盡力愛祂,以及愛人如己。

 

天父,當我們背叛您時,您是何等的傷痛啊。但是,當我們一旦向您認罪,您就馬上恢復我們救恩的喜樂,以及跟我們的關係,感謝您。

文章內容由個別機構或作者提供,國證網絡只負責發佈及製作,
如欲轉載或對內容有任何意見,請聯絡有關機構或聯絡國證網絡代轉作者。

2013-05-03 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


你撒的是否好種?

粵語 國語

第3天


讀經:   

馬太福音十三章1至8節

1當那一天,耶穌從房子裡出來,坐在海邊。

2有許多人到他那裡聚集,他只得上船坐下,眾人都站在岸上。

3他用比喻對他們講許多道理,說:"有一個撒種的出去撒種。

4撒的時候,有落在路旁的,飛鳥來吃盡了;

5有落在土淺石頭地上的,土既不深,發苗最快,

6日頭出來一曬,因為沒有根,就枯乾了;

7有落在荊棘裡的,荊棘長起來,把它擠住了;

8又有落在好土裡的,就結實,有一百倍的,有六十倍的,有三十倍的。

這裡講的種子是甚麼呢?按照路加福音的記載,基督向門徒解釋,種子是代表神的道。既然是神的道,當然值得我們隨時隨地去撒種,因為只有這個種子——神的道——能收穫永恆。

神的道頗具吸引力,可以藉著許多方式撒播。我們可以口傳與人分享;可以派發福音單張或贈閱聖經;也可以用詩歌或生活見證。神應許祝福祂的道;詩人在詩篇稱它為「寶貴的種子」。

神的種子今天如何撒在我們心中呢?也許是你的父母、朋友、主日學老師、牧者、一份福音單張、一首詩歌或一本書,將神的道播種在你的心裡。別人可能已多次向我們撒種,但我們一直沒有回應,直至某天,又有人給我們撒種、澆水,神的道在我們心裡萌芽長大,我們終於承認自己是個罪人,接受基督,並且逐漸成長。一切都全靠最初有人向我們撒種。

如今,種子交到我們手上,我們願意去撒種嗎?我們會將它撒在別人的心田中嗎?這是我們的特權,也是責任。我們有沒有抓緊機會,忠心去撒種呢?禾場廣大,需要工人去撒種;我們已有了種子,是否該趕緊去作工呢?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARE YOU SOWING THE RIGHT SEED?
Day 3


Bible Reading:   

Matthew 13:1-8

1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.

2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow.

4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.

5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.

6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.

8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

What is the seed? In the Gospel of Luke, Christ said the seed is the Word of God. That is why it is so important for it to be sown wherever and whenever possible. It is the only seed which can ever produce an eternal harvest.

The seed, the Word of God, is remarkable. It can be sown in so many ways. It can be sown by the spoken voice. It can be read in a tract or from a portion of Scripture. It can be communicated in a dozen or more ways. The Word is what God had promised to bless. The Psalmist called it 'precious seed'.

What is the application of all of this to us today? Very simply, someone, a parent, a Sunday school teacher, a pastor, an evangelist, a tract, sowed the seed of the Word of God in our hearts. How many times did we hear it before we allowed it to grow? Then one day someone else added some more seed or watered that which was there. The Word of God began to do its work in our heart, and finally we saw our position as a sinner and accepted Christ. All because someone sowed some seed.

Now in turn, can't we pass on that seed? Can't we place the Word in someone else's life? That is our privilege and responsibility. Are we being faithful to our opportunity? The field is there, waiting. We have the seed. What are we doing with it?


列王紀下六至八章


重點: 斧頭浮在水面;亞蘭(敘利亞)攻擊以色列;撒瑪利亞饑荒;以利沙的預言應驗;書念婦人重獲產業;哈薛作亞蘭王;猶大王約蘭的惡行;亞哈謝統治猶大。

鑰節: 王夜間起來,對臣僕說:「我告訴你們亞蘭人向我們如何行。他們知道我們飢餓,所以離營,埋伏在田野。」(七12)

內容: 

以色列王約蘭作王的時候,神多次向他顯出大能和憐憫,希望他們回轉歸向祂。一次,亞蘭軍大舉圍困撒瑪利亞,全國陷入饑荒中,約蘭說:「這災禍是從耶和華那裡來的,我何必再仰望耶和華呢?」(六33)

神仍然向他們施憐憫,藉以利沙對他們說:「明日約到這時候,在撒瑪利亞城門口,一細亞細麵要賣銀一舍客勒,二細亞大麥也要賣銀一舍客勒。」

神以祂的大能,使亞蘭軍聞聲色變,落荒而逃,遺下大量財物食物。四個長大痳瘋的人先享用了神的恩典,然後報信王室。只是以色列王不信,以他自己的智慧知識,推斷是敵人的詭計。

人的不信不能改變神的信實,只能困擾自己;人的智慧常是使自己產生不信。不信的人,不能討神喜悅;對神沒有信心的人,是自負重擔;對神的話不信任,是自陷困境裡,沒有平安喜樂。


默想: 我們失去平安喜樂,掛慮憂鬱,原因何在?是對神和祂的話不大信任?
本文資料由福音團契書局提供,謹此致謝。

《讀經日引》每季一本,免費贈閱。請電郵biblepathway@yahoo.com.hk索取。

意見交通,請電郵:biblepathway@yahoo.com.hk


試煉時期

 
以賽亞書 一章
 
「我養育兒女,將他們養大,他們竟悖逆我。」(2節)

我們的兒子兩歲時經常去"鬧騰"那些"不允許他做的事情",比如說將土豆扔得滿廚房都是,或者是爬到電視機上面去等,幾乎是每一件我們對他說"不"的事情他都要去做做。不過為了維護彼此間的感情,我們也在上千件他能做的事情上對他說"可以",雖然我們因此必須更提高警惕、加強防衛了。孩子在那個年齡總是特別想觸碰各種防線, 我們這個小不點兒子藉著他可愛的齜牙咧嘴以及暖暖的擁抱,使他的行為比起他後來十四歲或三十四歲時要可愛得多。

以色列和上帝之間的盟約已持續五個世紀之久。經歷過之前的"兩個苦難"時期,以色列人沒理由再違背那一位已在對他們的關愛中證明了其信實的上帝。但是他們在繁榮昌盛時卻服從烏西雅的統治而跟隨不義,墮落和罪惡直到"沒有一處完全的"(6節)。 他們的宗教禮儀使神勃然大怒。"你們不要再獻虛浮的供物!香品是我所憎惡的"(13節)。這位因愛而怒的父親道出了嚴厲的話:就算他們向祂禱告,祂也不會再聽(15節)。

就像我們不允許兒子糟蹋房子和他自己一樣,神也不許祂所愛的子民欺負他們當中弱小的,即那些無父的以及寡婦,或是那些轉向其他假神的人。但是祂依然規勸他們說:"你們的罪雖像朱紅,必變成白雪"(18節)。祂的恩典是一幅何等超自然的壯觀畫面啊!然後,祂又說:"你們若甘心聽從,必吃地上的美物"(19節)。這樣的祝福是何等奇妙啊!

讓我們保持跟神之間親密的關係,遵守祂讓我們做的兩件事情──盡心盡性盡意盡力愛祂,以及愛人如己。

 

天父,當我們背叛您時,您是何等的傷痛啊。但是,當我們一旦向您認罪,您就馬上恢復我們救恩的喜樂,以及跟我們的關係,感謝您。

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