11/12/2013保羅三度旅行佈道

經文:使徒行傳19－20章

中心思想:使徒行傳20：13-38

提要

        保羅結束了第二次旅行回來後不久，又該是他第三次旅行佈道的時候了！（回去看看使徒行傳十八章二十二、二十三節，找出這趟旅行的結果；在安提阿停留一段短暫的述職時間，然後開始下一次旅行。）在以弗所，保羅每到一處，他的福音信息都造成最大的迴響－－也掀起最尖銳的對立。後來保羅離開那個已經翻天覆地的城市，告別眾人時，不禁淚灑米利都，從那時候起，他決定前往耶路撒冷，也知道當地門徒正在等他，要好好的接待他。

每日與主同行

        上回你在一個特殊的日子給人一個意義不凡的禮物是什麼時候？你這麼做感受如何？誰比較快樂？施者（你），或受者？
        在今天的經文裏，保羅引用主耶穌的話說：「施比受更為有福。」（徒20：35）要享有立時祝福最好的方法，就是背頌這節經文。
        這樣做並不需要花錢，只消奉獻一點點你自己，也就是說分享一些上帝賜給你的才能就可以了，比方說縫補衣服、調整汽車、照顧小孩…等等，或者只是一個友善聲音、一個鼓勵的擁抱。
        當然，如果上帝在物質上祝福你，也有許多和別人分享的方法，比方說，準備一個特大號的袋子，裝滿了各式物品送給一個沒有收入的家庭，用一張問候卡附上一張小額支票，署名「一個想念你朋友」－－創意的方法真是用不盡啊！

默想

亞底米－－全球的女神
        女神亞底米專司生產，供奉她的廟宇十分富麗堂皇，是古代奇觀之一，確有供「亞西亞全地和普天下」（徒19：27）膜拜的氣派，考古學家已經發現全球有三十多個敬拜亞底米的地方。

金言

慷慨使人富足，貪婪使人貧窮。

Paul's Third Journey

Scriptures:Acts 19-20

Heart of the Passage:Acts 20:13-38

Overview

        A short time after Paul returns from his second journey, it is time to leave on the third! (Go back to 18:22-23 to pick up the conclusion of one trip, the brief period of reporting at Antioch. and the commencement of the next.) At Ephesus Paul's gospel message produces some of the greatest response— and sharpest opposition—of any of the places he visits. Leaving the city in an uproar, Paul later returns to deliver a tearful farewell at Miletus. From this point on, he is determined to visit Jerusalem ... knowing full well the reception awaiting him there.

Your Daily Walk

        When was the last lime you gave someone a special gift for an unspecial occasion? And when you did, how did it make you feel? Who was happier: the giver (you) or the recipient?
        In today's reacting Paul quotes his Master's words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (20:35). There's no better way to enjoy an instant blessing than by taking that verse to heart!
        And you needn't have money in your pocket to do so, either. Giving a piece of yourself may mean sharing a talent God has given you (for sewing a seam, tuning a car, baby-sitting a youngster, giving relief to someone who cares for an elderly relative). Or it may involve simply being there—spending time with someone who needs to hear a friendly voice or feel a reassuring embrace.
        Of course, if God has blessed you materially, there are many ways of sharing that with others as well An extra bag of groceries delivered to a family out of work ... a greeting card with a small check enclosed that says, "You have a friend who is thinking of you" ... a recreational outing for a single parent who is struggling on a bare-bones budget—the creative possibilities are endless!

Insight

Artemis, the Universal Goddess — 
        The magnificent temple of Artemis, goddess of fertility, was one of the wonders of the ancient world, truly befitting the goddess worshiped by "all Asia and the world" (19:27). Archaeologists have discovered more than 30 places around the world where Artemis was worshiped.

Adage

Charity gives itself rich; coveteousness hoards itself poor.