书中之书

默想：提摩太后书3章14至17节

心得：《圣经》是世界上最畅销的书，是书中之书。阅读圣经能使人知罪、得着启发、认识真理，并引导我们走在上帝的心意中。正如提摩太后书3章16至17节描述说，“圣经都是上帝所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，叫属上帝的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事”。

耶稣是谁？

默想：以赛亚书7章14节；9章2至7节 

心得：耶稣是谁？祂是那位在以赛亚书7章14节中被称为“以马内利”的婴孩。“以马内利”既是“神与我们同在”的意思。因此，若没有耶稣在我生命中，就没有神的同在；若有耶稣在我生命中，就有神的同在。

不但如此，按照以赛亚书9章6节的预言，祂要被称为“奇妙的策士、全能的神、永在的父及和平之君”。这样的头衔真令人敬畏，耶稣就是天地的大君王，并且祂必以“公平公义”治理祂的国度（以赛亚书9章7节）。

爱要行动 Love must Act

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《罗 Ro 5:1-10》 

罗马书5章8节是一节耳熟能详的经文，“惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。” 在此基督给我们立下了一个好榜样——爱要行动，为我们的罪钉死在十架上。正如常言道 ，“行动总比言语更有说服力”。求主帮助我们，叫我们能言行一致地见证基督的福音。

Romans 5: 8 is a familiar verse, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Here Christ made a good example for us, "love must act”, crucified on the cross for our sins. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words. ” Ask the Lord to help us, so that we can witness the gospel of Christ in good faith, actions correspond with our words.

 

最大满足 Greatly Satisfied

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《诗 Ps 63: 1-11》 

大卫在诗篇63篇5节写道，“我的心满足，就像饱享了骨髓肥油；我要用欢乐的嘴唇赞美祢。”想像一下，大卫王是否正在王宫享受着山珍海味、美味佳肴而感到全然满足？不是的，大卫此刻是在旷野躲避他的儿子押沙龙。当时他又饥又渴，困顿疲乏。他面临不确定的未来，可能会失去他的财产、权力和家庭。

在这种处境中，便能看透大卫心中最重要的渴慕。他所渴望的不是食欲上的满足，而是在上帝里面得到满足。在诗篇63篇1节，他说：“上帝啊！你是我的上帝，我要切切寻求你；在乾旱、疲乏、无水之地，我的心，我的身，都渴想你，切慕你。”

David wrote in Psalm 63  verse 5, “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. ” Imagine whether King David was feeling completely satisfied at the palace enjoying the tasty seafood and delicious cuisine. No, David was in the desert, hiding from his son Absalom.  David was hungry, thirsty and tired. He faced an uncertain future where he might lose his wealth, power and family.

In this situation, you can see through David's most important desire. What he desired was not satisfied in appetite,  but gratified in God.  In Psalm 63,  verse 1,  he said, "God!  You are my God, and I will seek you, and in a dry, tired, waterless place, my heart, my body, will miss you and admire you.  

圣诞主角 Protagonist of Christmas

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《来 Heb 1: 1-9》 

主耶稣，圣诞节的主角。

祂是神的话语; 宇宙的创造者、掌管者，万有的承受者。

祂是神荣耀的光辉，是神本质的真像。

祂成就了洁净罪恶的事，就坐在高天至尊者的右边。

在那儿，众天使都要俯伏敬拜祂。

Jesus, the protagonist of Christmas.

He is the Word of God; the creator and controller of the universe, the heir of all things.

He is the glory of God, the true image of God's essence.

He had provided purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Over there, all the angels bow down and worship him.

诚心忠告 Sincere Advice

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《提后 1Ti 2: 22-26》 

保罗给年轻传道者提摩太的忠告：（1）要逃避年轻人的私欲，要和那些以清洁的心求告主的人，一同追求公义、信心、爱与和平。（2）要拒绝愚蠢无知的问难、不要争论，总要和蔼待人，善于教导，存心忍耐，谦和地指正那些对抗的人。或许神会赐给他们悔改的心认识真理。他们虽然曾经被魔鬼掳去并随其意而行，或许也能醒悟过来，脱离魔鬼的网罗。

Paul's advice to the young preacher, Timothy: (1) Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2) Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, do not quarrel,  but be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged, humbly correct   those who are offensive, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 

神的恩宠 God’s Favor

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《诗 Ps 8: 1-8》 

创造宇宙万有的上帝，祢完全认识我、顾念我。我虽渺小，祢还赐我尊贵荣耀为冠冕，使我有份参与祢伟大创造管理之工。我只能像诗人回应说：“耶和华我们的主啊，祢的名在全地何其美！”

God who created the universe, who knows me thoroughly and cares about me. Although I am little, I have also been given the crown of honor and glory, and have a share of participation in the management of your great creation.  I can only respond like the psalmist : “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” 

面对挑战 Facing Challenges

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《创 Ge 32: 24-32》 

天父，求祢帮助我，将生命中的难处和挑战，视为祢赐给我在祷告中寻求祢的机会，并且使我越来越认识祢。

Father, help me to see that life’s difficulties and challenges are opportunities for me to seek You in prayer and to grow in my understanding of who You are. 

圣诞礼物 Christmas Gift

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《腓Php 2: 1-11》 

心得：最宝贵的圣诞礼物是耶稣基督。祂为了拯救世人脱离罪恶的权势、撒旦的魔爪、世界的败坏；祂毅然放下至尊与神同等的身份，降卑为人，成为神的奴仆，甘心顺服并死在十字架，为了要拯救我这迷羊。祂的爱、祂的恩，是我一生歌颂的焦点。

Insight:  The most precious Christmas gift is the Jesus Christ. In order to save the world from the power of sin, Satan's claws, the decay of the world; He resolutely put down the supremacy and God's identity, humble himself as a man, became God's servant, willing and obedient to die in the cross, in order to save me as a lost sheep. His love and grace is the focus of praising in my life.

有福的人 A Blessed Man

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《诗篇Psalms 1: 1-3》 

心得：有福的人绝不把自己的人生搞砸，绝不听从恶人的谎言并与他们同流合污。他乃是喜爱昼夜默想神的话，他的人生就要像一棵树栽在溪水旁，按时结果子，叶子也不枯干；凡他所作的都顺利。

Insight:  A blessed man never mess up his life, and listen to the lies of the sinners and associate with them. He is loving to meditate the word of God day and night, and his life will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 

好好的活 Live Well

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《帖前 5: 1-11、16-18》 

心得：我是光明之子，在世上寄居的日子，总要警醒祷告；积极地生活——常常喜乐，凡事谢恩。在主内肢体中，要互相尊重，彼此鼓励与建立。

Insight:  I am the son of light, in the days of living in this world, always be alert to pray; live a positive life---rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. In the body of the Lord, respect, encourage and build up one another. 

自觉不洁 Feeling Guilty

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《以赛亚书Isaiah 6: 1-7》 

心得：倘若荣耀的主，在异象中向我显现，我第一个反应会是怎样呢？我想我会心惊胆跳，充满战兢。

然而，当以赛亚先知在圣殿中看见主坐在高高的宝座上，荣耀充满全地，其上有六个翅膀的撒拉弗（天使）敬拜祂，彼此呼喊说："圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！万军之耶和华，他的荣光充满全地！"的时候，以赛亚却呐喊地说："祸哉！我灭亡了！因为我是嘴唇不洁的人，又住在嘴唇不洁的民中；又因我眼见大君王万军之耶和华。"

在此，以赛亚在圣洁之主面前，恐惧战兢，自觉污秽最明显的事情，即是“嘴唇不洁”。

从他的回应中使我想起两处经文：

“我们在许多的事上都有过错，假如有人在言语上没有过错，他就是完全的人，也能够控制全身。”（雅3:2，新译本）

“凡人所说的闲话，当审判的日子，必要句句供出来；因为要凭你的话定你为义，也要凭你的话定你有罪。” (太12: 36-37）

试问，有谁在言语上毫无过失呢？即使这么虔诚的以赛亚先知也自觉“嘴唇不洁”，更何况我呢？主啊，求祢怜悯，求祢施恩，洁净我。

感谢主，当以赛亚因见主而而引发自己沉重的罪疚时，其中一位撒拉弗飞到他跟前，用火剪从坛上取出红炭，用炭沾他的口说："看哪，这炭沾了你的嘴，你的罪孽便除掉，你的罪恶就赦免了。"

注：“殿中坛上的火炭，通常覆盖着刚宰杀之羔羊的血，这羔羊的血预示着耶稣的牺牲。当上帝的羔羊死在十架上，我们的罪恶和过犯就归到祂身上（彼得前书2章24节）。” ---取自《灵命日粮》

Insight:  If the glorious Lord were appears to me in the vision, what would be my first reaction? I think I will be scared and full of trembling.

However, when the Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne in the temple, the glory filled the earth, and seraphs (angels) with six wings worshipped him and shouted to one  another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the time, Isaiah cried, "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

In front of the Holy Lord,  Isaiah was terrified and felt himself very guilty, the most obvious expression is, “I am a man of unclean lips.”

From his response, I am reminded of two scriptures:

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. ” (Jas 3:2)

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Mt 12:36-37)

May I ask, who is not at fault in words? Even such a godliness prophet, Isaiah confessed his iniquity,  “I am a man of unclean lips.”  Then, how about me, Lord? Have mercy on me, Lord. May your grace shine upon me and clean me.

Thank the Lord, when Isaiah caused his own guilt by seeing the Lord, one of the seraphs, flew to him, took a live coal out of the altar with forceps, and touched his mouth with it and said,  “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” (Isa 6:7, NASB)

Remarks:- “The coals in the temple altar were  often covered by the blood of recently-slaughtered lambs that foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus. When the Lamb of God died on the cross, our sin and guilt were  transferred to Him (1 Peter 2:24). ” ---Taken from <Our Daily Bread> 

绝不吃亏! Never Lose！

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 提摩太前书 1 Timothy 6: 6-10, 17-19

心得：

敬虔不是伪善、贪图虚浮为己利，而是敬畏神、遵循真理。

知足不是懒惰、无需努力求上进，而是不贪心、懂得感恩。

敬虔加上知足，就是人生的大利、人生的大乐，绝不吃亏！

Insight:

Godliness is not pretense, crave for self-interest, but in awe of God and follow his truth.

Contentment is not lazy, do not need to strive for improvement, but not greedy and know how to be grateful.

Godliness with contentment is the great gain and the great joy of life, it will never lose. 

爱的动力 The Power of Love

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《约翰一书 1 John 3: 16-18》 

心得： “说爱易，行爱难。” 虽然如此，主的舍命是我的榜样，主的牺牲是我帮助有需要者的动力。

Insight: “It’s easy to say love, but hard to love in action.” However, the Lord’s sacrifice is my example and motivation to help those in need.  

伟大的祈祷 Great Prayer

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《历代志上 1 Chronicles 29: 11-19》 

心得： 伟大的祈祷都是源自对上帝的认识。祂是天地的主宰，充满伟大、能力、荣耀、得胜与威严。祂是创造万有、统管万有的主，一切的丰盛都是从祂而来。在此，我要赞美称谢祂，甘心乐意献与祂，凭着信心向祂祈求，在有生的年日可以看见祂的大作为，也愿我的儿子献与祂、认识祂、事奉祂，荣耀祂的圣名。

Insight: Great prayer comes from an understanding of God. He is the master of heaven and earth, full of greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty. He is the Lord who created and controls all, and all the abundance came from him. Here, I would like to praise and thank him, offer to him willingly, and pray by faith that I may see his  greatness in the day of my life, and may my sons dedicate to him, knowing and serving him, and honor his holy name.

求显一个预兆 Ask for a Sign

默想圣经 Meditate on Scripture: 《以赛亚书Isaiah 7: 10-14》 

心得：那称为“以马内利”的主啊，感谢祢无时无刻的同在。虽然我的头发越来越稀少，但我不求头发重新生长茂盛的预兆，我愿祢亲自显一个预兆，即是叫祢的教会越发兴旺。

Insight: The Lord who called ‘Immanuel’, thank you for being with me all the time. Although my hair is getting lesser, I do not ask for a sign of flourish hair, I rather the Lord shows a sign that your church is thriving.

陪伴痛苦者 Accompany the sufferer

默想圣经：Meditate on Scripture: 《约伯记Job 2: 11-13》 

心得：“在痛苦悲伤时，神的同在与陪伴是我的安慰和力量。然而，也求主赐我智慧懂得去关爱痛苦中人。”

Insight: "God's companionship is my comfort and strength in the moment of pain and sorrow. However, I ask the Lord to give me wisdom to care those in sorrow. "