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永遠的彩虹之約

2020-09-10 in /by

創世記九章12-16節   神說：「我與你們並你們這裡的各樣活物所立的永約，是有記號的。我把虹放在雲彩中，這就可做我與地立約的記號了。我使雲彩蓋地的時候，必有虹現在雲彩中，我便記念我與你們和各樣有血肉的活物所立的約，水就再不氾濫，毀壞一切有血肉的物了。虹必現在雲彩中，我看見，就要記念我與地上各樣有血肉的活物所立的永約。」

因為神看世界敗壞了，人思想的盡都是惡，地上滿了強暴，所以祂決定除滅祂造的各種活物，只留下挪亞一家和有限的活物。經過四十晝夜的大雨，大淵的泉源都裂開了，天上的窗戶也敞開了，在山上蓋的方舟也飄浮起來。人以為不可能的事終於發生了，大水淹沒了世界上最高的山，人想要進方舟逃難，方舟的門卻己經被神關閉，連挪亞也打不開。

滅世洪水水勢浩大，在地上共150天。今年長江流域洪水肆虐，也有幾個月的時間，加上暴雨，在兩個月裡淹沒了莊稼和眾多社區，中國防汛抗旱總指揮部秘書長周學文說，至少有6300萬人受到影響，5.4萬座房屋被毀。他說至少有219人死亡或失蹤。最近美國西岸大面積森林慘遭焦燒，以加州為主的沿岸城市，多日來被數百公里之外飄來的大火煙霧籠罩，導至數千人疏散。即使這些天災人禍十分慘烈，也不及當時滅世洪水的幾分，因為人無處可躲，無地可逃。

Listening to God’s Word Means

2020-09-10 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Luke 8:16-25.  Let’s go!
 
Luke 8:16-18 (NIV) 
16  “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 
17  For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 
18  Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

On verses 16-18:  After telling a parable about the importance of having a hungry, humble heart when listening to God’s word (verses 1-15), what is Jesus talking about in verses 16-18?  When Jesus says in verse 18, “Thereforeconsider carefully how you listen”, this suggests to me that verses 16, 17 and 18 are also talking about how to listen to God’s word.
 

為祢癫狂

2020-09-09 in /by

創世記6章14-16/22節    神就對挪亞說：「你要用歌斐木造一隻方舟，分一間一間地造，裡外抹上松香。 方舟的造法乃是這樣：要長三百肘，寬五十肘，高三十肘。方舟上邊要留透光處，高一肘。方舟的門要開在旁邊。方舟要分上、中、下三層。」 挪亞就這樣行。凡神所吩咐的，他都照樣行了。

最近有人在臉書上分享，他的牧師叫他們要為主癫狂。當然這主要的意思是要他們去傳福音，可是我發現為主癫狂的最佳例子是挪亞。因為神要他做的事，當代人一定都覺得這人真的是癫狂了，大晴天在高山上建方舟，逢人就說有滅世的大洪水要來。大家都活得好好地，又娶又嫁，日子過得好緊湊，只有他不幹正事，去蓋什麼方舟？蓋了方舟賣給誰？有錢賺嗎？一點錢途也沒有，盡幹儍事!

但是挪亞排除眾議，開始按著神的吩咐去搜集歌斐木和松香，然後像現代人蓋房子一樣，根據神給的藍圖，一層層一間間地建。在大陽光下，挪亞帶著三個兒子搬著一棵棵的大樹，削掉樹皮，抹上松香，不停地忙碌。

張文亮教授說，根據《聖經》的記載，有一些專家認為歌斐木應該是大樹，是在當地森林裡常見的樹種，且材質堅硬，又能夠自樹中提取松香油；並且古人早己知道，樹幹底部的黑色膠油，塗在木頭表面，是防水與防腐的上好材料，這些膠油與近代的瀝青相似，皆稱為松香類。

張教授也指出，方舟尺寸的長寬比是6:1，長高比為10:1，是船隻在水中穩定航行的最佳比例，表示方舟的重心較低，乘客較為舒服。方舟分上、中、下三層，可能使較重的生物住在下層，體重中等的在中層，體重較輕的大概住上層，這可以增加方舟的穩定度。

Jesus and Women ( 4 Heart Conditions)

2020-09-09 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Luke 8:1-15.  Let’s go!

Luke 8:1-3 (NIV) 
1  After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 
2  and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 
3  Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
 
On verses 1-3:  In addition to Jesus’ 12 disciples, here in verses 2-3 we get our first look at the women who walked alongside Jesus as he ministered from town to town.  These women came from various backgrounds – Mary Magdalene came from a broken past; Joanna was a high ranking administrator who managed King Herod’s household.  However, one thing they all had in common was that they all were impacted by Jesus’ ministry in some way: some had been battling demons which Jesus delivered them from; others had diseases which Jesus healed.  What touches me in verse 3 is that many women supported Jesus’ ministry out of their own means.

耶和華神的後悔

2020-09-09 in /by

創世記六章3節    耶和華說：「人既屬乎血氣，我的靈就不永遠住在他裡面，然而他的日子還可到120年。」

現在我的孫女很小，才一歲半，很可愛，整天都想親她抱她。在散步時看到許多小小孩，也有這樣的感覺。有一天看到新聞，說有一個七歲的小男孩因為太調皮，被親娘送去給一個會功夫的師傅管教。因為小男孩經常說謊，被功夫師傅打得七零八落，被人發現打抱不平而上了新聞。找到親娘，親娘竟說記者大驚小怪。這則新聞讓我沉思好久。

有誰不愛自己的孩子呢？我是講一般正常的父母，那些不正常的不在這裡討論了。通常父母一知道懷上孩子，就開心得預備一切來迎接嬰兒的來臨。嬰兒時期的一舉一動都是父母眼中喜樂的來源。我有個年輕的朋友生了第一胎，天天把孩子的相片放上臉書，天天幾十張。看來看去好像都是一個姿態，但是在她眼裡，每一張都有不同的趣味。幾個月了，這個小模特兒還是她母親臉書上的主角。而且不是只有她如此，其他好幾對父母也是如此比拚，祖父母或外祖父母也是不停地張貼那些小可愛的一舉一動。

但是當孩子再大一點之後，父母對孩子的期望提高了，就不再像孩子小時候那麼有耐心。以前是又抱又親，大一點就是：「你再不乖，我就不愛你了! 」再大一點惹得老師不開心或考試成績不好：「我怎麼會生了你這樣的孬種？」「我上輩子一定欠了你的，才會生出你這樣的孩子」，很多難聽的話不斷地轟炸小孩。那個抱著嬰兒的慈父愛母好像變臉似地，找不回當初那種愛了。

我有時在想，神的後悔是否也是如此？神後悔造人在地上，心中憂傷，以致於祂決定要將所造的人和走獸並昆蟲，以及空中的飛鳥，都從地上除滅。這是一種怎樣的後悔呢？有個父母生了個兒子，長大後原本進了牙醫學院，相當有前途，可惜後來吸毒販毒又同性戀，後來也查出患了愛滋病。他販毒被抓後，他的父母決定讓這個兒子留在監牢裡，希望他在監牢裡有改過的機會。他的母親不停地為他禱告，最後他在獄中悔改回轉，提早獲釋，成為神學教授和青年人工作者，在世界各地分享從絕境到蒙福的經過。這就是袁幼軒教授的見證。

The Key to Loving Jesus A Lot

2020-09-08 in /by

Hi GAMErs,
 
Today’s passage is Luke 7:24-35.  Let’s go!

Luke 7:36-50 (NIV) 
36  Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 
37  When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 
38  and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 
39  When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is–that she is a sinner.” 
40  Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. ……

On verses 36-50:  Here we see one of the most beautiful and intimate acts of worship that anyone would show Jesus during his time on earth.  While Jesus is having dinner at the home of a Pharisee called Simon, a woman shows up having come from a notoriously sinful past and brings with her an alabaster jar of expensive perfume.  She wets Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them and pours perfume on them.  Simon the Pharisee is appalled by this woman and also by the way Jesus receives her offering.  In response, Jesus tells Simon a parable about forgiving debts and how the more we realize just how much God has forgiven us, the more we will respond to God with humble service and great affection.

都死了？

2020-09-07 in /by

創世記五章28-29節 拉麥活到一百八十二歲，生了一個兒子，給他起名叫挪亞，說：「這個兒子必為我們的操作和手中的勞苦安慰我們，這操作勞苦是因為耶和華咒詛地。」

〈創世記〉第五章的前幾節是很有盼望的：「當神造人的日子，是照著自己的樣式造的，並且造男造女。在他們被造的日子，神賜福給他們，稱他們為人。(創5:2-3)」所以人可以肯定，自己的形象來自神，而不是猿猴。

但是接下去的經文讓人看了就很沮喪：亞當共活了930歲就死了。塞特共活了912歲就死了。以挪士共活了905就死了。該南共活了910歲就死了。瑪勒列共活了895歲就死了。雅列共活了962歲就死了。以諾共活了365歲。 以諾與神同行，神將他取去，他就不在世了。瑪土撒拉共活了969歲就死了。拉麥共活了777歲就死了。

記得在新冠肺炎流行以前，在媒體或網路上經常看到有某人因為長壽而被採訪的新聞，那時有一種感覺，只要我們也照著做，說不定可以活得更長。 巿面上也流行養生長壽之道，大家都希望能夠一直活下去。目前宣稱最長壽的，是一名居於印尼爪哇的老人說自己146歲，是世上最長壽的人。但是他也死了。

但是新冠肺炎一來，再長壽的也死了。有很多經歷過第一次和第二次世界大戰的老人，也靜靜地走了。因為一開始最多染病的多在老人院，美國有些老人院的屍體堆到無處可放，那情形十分恐怖。許多地方連屍袋都不夠用，焚化爐也日夜不停地燒。那一個時期的新聞真的是慘不忍讀。

我們開始明白，生命的主權不在我們手裡。吃再多靈芝也會死，經常運動也會死，飲食節制吃七分飽會死，不節制吃十二分飽也會死；放縱會死，不放縱也會死。

Living for Heaven’s Praise

2020-09-07 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Luke 7:24-35.  Let’s go!

Luke 7:24-27 (NIV) 
24  After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
25  If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
26  But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27  This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 

On verses 24-27:  Jesus’ friendship with John was one typified by mutual honour and respect.  Despite both of them being the most prolific preachers Israel had ever seen, there was seemingly no competition between Jesus and John.  Whether in private or in public, Jesus and John honoured one another. We see an example of this here as Jesus backs up his cousin John at a time when John was imprisoned for speaking out against King Herod’s incestuous relationship with Herodias.  Many in the crowd listening to Jesus were likely followers of John who were now following Jesus, just as John encouraged them to do (John 1:35-37).  Listen to what Jesus says of John.

該隱和亞伯

2020-09-07 in /by

創世記四章1-2節    有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就懷孕，生了該隱，便說：「耶和華使我得了一個男子。」又生了該隱的兄弟亞伯。亞伯是牧羊的，該隱是種地的。

離開了伊甸園，亞當和夏娃開始用自己的勞力換取食物。他們或許生了很多孩子，只是沒有一一記載；在這章裡該隱所說的其他人，也有可能是他們的後裔。亞當活了930歲，不可能只生下三個孩子，那時還沒有生育計劃。其他的孩子可能陸續長大後就出外獨立了。在第五章都只用一個兒子作為代表，所以該隱和亞伯算是代表作吧。

該隱是種地的，亞伯是牧羊的。當時神給人類的食物還是以蔬菜水果為主，該隱的工作是為了民生；亞伯牧羊是為了有羊皮給人作衣服，並不是拿來吃的。神看中亞伯的獻祭，不看中該隱的獻祭，並不是神愛吃葷或素，因為在〈利未記〉裡，不管是燔祭，贖罪祭或是素祭都是神聖的祭。

當然，獻祭給神不是為了要給神吃，而是為了解決人的罪的問題，好讓人依然有機會可以和神溝通。所以〈希伯來書〉九章22 節說：「按著律法，凡物差不多都是用血潔淨的，若不流血，罪就不得赦免了。」

〈希伯來書〉11章4 節說：「亞伯因著信獻祭於神，比該隱所獻的更美，因此便得了稱義的見證，就是神指他禮物作的見證。」亞伯為何蒙稱讚呢？因為亞伯將他羊群中頭生的和羊的脂油獻上。他所獻的合乎神的教導和神的心意，他特地選了羊群中頭生的，還有羊的脂油。

Jesus > Death (Also, How to Handle Your Doubts)

2020-09-06 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Luke 7:11-23.  Let’s go!

Luke 7:11-16 (NIV) 
11  Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.
12  As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out–the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
13  When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
14  Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”
15  The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16  They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

On verses 11-16:  So far in Luke’s gospel we have seen Jesus’ supremacy over evil spirits, over sickness, over nature, and over the Sabbath.  Now here we see Jesus’ supremacy over death.