专心仰赖耶和华

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〈箴言〉3:5你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明。

阅读经文：〈箴言〉3: 1-8

1我儿，不要忘记我的法则，你心要谨守我的诫命，2因为他必将长久的日子、生命的年数与平安加给你。3不可使慈爱、诚实离开你，要系在你颈项上，刻在你心版上。4这样，你必在神和世人眼前蒙恩宠，有聪明。5你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明，6在你一切所行的事上都要认定他，他必指引你的路。7不要自以为有智慧，要敬畏耶和华，远离恶事。8这便医治你的肚脐，滋润你的百骨。

〈箴言〉3:1，「我儿，不要忘记我的法则；你心要谨守我的诫命；因为他必将长久的日子，生命的年数与平安，加给你。」能说这话的人是有福的，希望我们也能这样告诉儿子、学生、弟兄姊妹。对，我完全承认我们是罪人，信主后还是会做很多错事，但我们告诉他上帝的道是宝贵的。现在可能比较流行的说法是：「这世界的选择很多，你觉得要怎样就怎样」，我还听过一个基督徒跟他女儿讲：「你要选择作男人还是女人，随便你，这是宽大、开放、自由」。我不能说我们没有宽大开放自由，但求主帮助，圣灵让我们认识主的法则是美好的。因此，你要认得祂的声音、法则和福气，不要忘记。

〈箴言〉3:3，「不可使慈爱、诚实离开你，要系在你颈项上，刻在你心版上。」这话直接的意思是你对人一定要慈爱、诚实、正直，不要因为世道人心险恶而学得奸诈、冷漠、无爱，不要让这好东西离开你。而照上下文看，可能也在讲能这样的基础是你不要让耶和华的法则离开你，因为那是慈爱诚实的来源，祂会把一切的丰富给你。

〈箴言〉3：5，「你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明」。我们一开始就讲了，不是像很多人说的：「不要去想，不要用头脑，不要用力气，不要看重你的经验、教育，文明、思想、文化都不是好的」。（也不一定是基督徒，非基督徒像老子、卢梭，也有这种反智的倾向）。

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Before You Make That Decision

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Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 15:1-12.  Let’s go!

Acts 15:1-12 (NIV)
1  Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2  This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
3  The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.
4  When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
5  Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”……

On verses 1-12:  Since the gospel came through the Jews, with all the non-Jewish people (Gentiles) coming to faith in Jesus, it was only a matter of time before people would ask, “Does a non-Jewish convert to Christianity need to follow the Law of Moses, that is, the laws and regulations found in the first five books of the Bible (also known as the Pentateuch) just like a Jewish person does?  In order to be saved, does a non-Jewish person need to subject themselves to circumcision the way that Jewish people do?”  Christians were divided on this important issue.

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弯曲的道路

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〈箴言〉2:20  智慧必使你行善人的道，守义人的路。

阅读经文：2:15-22

15 在他们的道中弯曲，在他们的路上偏僻。 16 智慧要救你脱离淫妇，就是那油嘴滑舌的外女。 17 他离弃幼年的配偶，忘了神的盟约。 18 他的家陷入死地，他的路偏向阴间。 19 凡到他那里去的不得转回，也得不着生命的路。 20 智慧必使你行善人的道，守义人的路。 21 正直人必在世上居住，完全人必在地上存留。 22 唯有恶人必然剪除，奸诈的必然拔出。

《弯曲的道路》

「他们的道中弯曲」(箴言2:15)。

有一天，我参加一个宴会。宴会后，我要搭车回台北。宴会的主办人好意，要他的儿子开车送我去火车站。我上了车子，才知道来开车的人满身酒味。我问他：「还好吗？」他说：「没问题。」

他开车上路，我才知道酒醉的人，无法保持在直线上。车子由外线开到内线，又由内线开到外线，大部分是开在两线之间。有些经过的车子按喇叭，他也不在意，甚至愈开愈快，我对他讲：「请开慢一些。」他说：「好、好。」，仍照样快速。那时，我想到死亡的可能，将生命再一次放在主手中。

后来，车子开到火车站前，我下车前，叫他在路边休息一下，他说：「好、好。」，又开车走了。我想，他可能不知道他的道路弯曲。酒醉之下，人的道路弯曲，但是人又自以为正的，不是只有酒醉的影响。

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蒙恩者的行事

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〈箴言〉2:11   谋略必护卫你，聪明必保守你。

阅读经文：2:11-14

11谋略必护卫你，聪明必保守你，12要救你脱离恶道，脱离说乖谬话的人。13 那等人舍弃正直的路，行走黑暗的道， 14 欢喜作恶，喜爱恶人的乖僻。

《蒙恩者的行事》

「谋略必护卫你。」(箴言2:11)

当我们敬畏主，上帝赐给我们智慧，使我们有种敏锐的灵，明白上帝的心意，察觉许多事情背后的原委；认识真理，用认识真理的睿智，来待人处事。

「谋略」的意思，是敏锐与睿智。敏锐是判断事情，有正确的角度，睿智是看未来，知道主救赎的计划。这是属灵的精明，比世界的精明更精明。如同「属灵的人能看透万事。」(哥林多前书2:15) 看得准，做事合乎主的心意；看得透，为人不以世界为缠累。

「谋略」也带着计划的意思，成为基督徒的人生规划，过去的事，有主的美意。今日的事，忠心而行。明日的事，交托仰望。未来的事，荣耀主。

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No Risk, No Reward

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Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 14:13-28.  Let’s go!

Acts 14:13-17 (NIV)
13  The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
15  “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.
16  In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
17  Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

On verse 17:  When the people of Lystra try to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas thinking that they are reincarnations of their gods Hermes and Zeus, Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes to emphasize their humanity and urge them not to worship people but the living God whom they cannot see.  To persuade the crowd about God’s kindness and goodness to them, Paul and Barnabas point to evidence such as the rains that come, the crops they harvest, the food they eat and the joy that they have.

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明白上帝的旨意

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〈箴言〉2:10   智慧必入你心，你的灵要以知识为美。

阅读经文：2:8-10

8为要保守公平人的路，护庇虔敬人的道。9你也必明白仁义、公平、正直，一切的善道。10智慧必入你心，你的灵要以知识为美。

《明白上帝的旨意》

「为要保守公平人的路」(箴言2:8)。

古代的马路标示不清楚，不像现在有路名。出外旅行的人，经常要跟着车轮的路痕。但是在分岔路，有的车轮的痕迹向左，有的向右，就不容易判断。

人生不也是如此吗？我们在只有一条路时，就跟着走。在分岔路上，就难分左或右。上帝知道我们的挣扎，知道我们心里有多种看法的声音。

「公平」的意思是在法庭辩论时，替我们辩论者的声音，又称为保惠师的声音。不是我们有公平，而是祂成为我们的公平。祂的声音，引导我们走上正确的路。在我们人生重大的抉择，学习倾听保惠师在我们心中的声音，才能明白主的旨意。

很多人说他看不到上帝，怎么知道上帝的旨意？其实重要的不是我们看见上帝，而是上帝看见我们。上帝纪念我们，即使我们看不见祂。纪念的意思，就是「保守」，代表看不见时的扶持，隐藏之时的保护。

愿我们在人生重大的选择时，明白上帝的旨意，知道圣灵(保惠师)的引领。在引领的转折之处，祂留下《圣经》的话给我们。那些话是我们一生最大的收获，因为在那里，我们经历祂的保守。

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Help For My Disability

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Hi GAMErs! 

Today’s passage is Acts 14:1-12.  Let’s go!

Acts 14:1-7 (NIV)
1  At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.
2  But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
3  So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.
4  The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
5  There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.
6  But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,
7  where they continued to preach the good news.
 
On verses 1-7:  Paul and Barnabas travel to Iconium, the capital of ancient Lycaonia, about 90 miles southeast of Antioch.  There, they preach in the synagogue and the people are responding, both positively and negatively.  On one hand, a great number of Jews and Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus.  On the other hand, some oppose Paul and Barnabas by trying to lure new converts away.  Not wanting their gospel message to be misunderstood, Paul and Barnabas spend considerable time in Iconium, defending the gospel, while God would enable them to do miraculous signs and wonders to confirm the validity of their message.  Eventually some Gentiles and Jews begin plotting Paul and Barnabas’ death.  Once Paul and Barnabas hear about the death plots against their lives, they flee to Lystra, Derbe and the surrounding country and continue to preach about Jesus.
 

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我是爱叫的小羊

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〈箴言〉2:6   因为耶和华赐人智慧，知识和聪明都由祂口而出。

阅读经文：2:5-8

5你就明白敬畏耶和华，得以认识神。6因为耶和华赐人智慧，知识和聪明都由祂口而出。7他给正直人存留真智慧，给行为纯正的人做盾牌，8为要保守公平人的路，护庇虔敬人的道。

《认识上帝》

「你就明白敬畏耶和华，得以认识上帝。」(箴言2:5)。

一个人在极困难的时候，仍然以上帝为信实。在没有工作成就时，仍相信为主所做不徒然。在悲伤难过时，仍持定主是信实。在黑暗四布时，仍相信上帝是他的亮光。在死荫幽谷里，仍坚信上帝是他的拯救。这是敬畏主。

在这时人会敬畏主，是祂恩典的工作。这不是人的理性，不是人的意志，不是人的感情。敬畏认识主，是奥祕。敬畏主的人，主会让他们认识。如同彼得在大风大雨中，仍想要认识主。约瑟在情欲的试探下，仍然坚持为上帝而圣洁。亚伯拉罕打败所多玛王时，竟连一根线也不拿。

生命的转弯，在关键之处的坚持。即使我们失败，仍对主说祢是我的主。在那失败之时，我们将亲自认识主。

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Don’t Sulk, But Shake Off The Dust

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Hi GAMErs! 

Today’s passage is Acts 13:42-52.  Let’s go!

Acts 13:42-49 (NIV)
42  As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43  When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44  On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45  When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
46  Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
47  For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”
48  When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49  The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.

On verses 42-49:  Still in Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas are invited to come back and speak at the synagogue there.  Practically the entire city shows up the next week to hear Paul and Barnabas preach.  Jealous of all the attention Paul and Barnabas are getting, the Jewish leaders slander Paul and try to oppose the arguments he is making.

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How God Fulfilled His Promises

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Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Acts 13:26-41.  Let’s go!

Acts 13:26-31 (NIV)
26  “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
27  The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
28  Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29  When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
30  But God raised him from the dead,
31  and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
 
On verses 26-31:  Here Paul continues his sermon to the Jews at the synagogue in Pisidian Antoich.  Paul points out a number of ironies relating to the way Jesus was treated by the people of Jerusalem:
–             Although the people of Jerusalem would read the words of the prophets every Sabbath, they did not recognize who Jesus is (v27).
–             Although the people of Jerusalem did not see that Jesus was the one the prophets prophesied about, they unwittingly fulfilled the prophets’ prophecies about the Messiah by condemning him to death (v27, 29a).

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