2007-02-11 21:34:54Jacky
牆外
讀 經：加拉太書6：1－10
金 句：「所以，有了機會，就當向眾人行善。」（加拉太書6：10）
全年讀經：利未記8－10章
彩虹是上帝與我們立約的一個記號，他應允不再用洪水滅絕我們（創世記9：11－17）。但是對於身處美國北達科達州大叉郡這地方的人而言，1997年的4月，彩虹這道立約的記號，卻不意味著任何寬解心靈的安慰。連續八場大風暴，一次的大冰雪，加上春雨及提早臨到的融雪，使得大叉郡陷入一片水鄉澤國，迫使居民必須離開他們舒適的家、學校、商店、與教會。
國際救援組織的救災協調官哈歐生（Hal. Olsen）聞訊後，立即調派了八大卡車的生活必需品及福音單張，運入該地並通過教會分發給當地的居民。
在這次救援的過程當中，有一人深深為此而感動。此人曾對街對面的教會懷有敵意，並曾試圖阻止教會的建築興建在其鄰里當中。但是當他目睹教會如何供應居民的需要時，此人熱淚盈眶的說：「我現在才從牆外見到了什麼是教會」。
基督徒不應僅滿足於在教會的牆內生活。是的！我們是需要來自主內弟兄姐妹的鼓勵、團契與幫助（加拉太書6：2），但是我們亦應將基督的愛以言語、行動擴展到牆外─到眾人當中（加拉太書6：10）。你和你的教會都是如此行動的嗎？DJD
愛，需要以愛為基礎的行動；
仔細觀察弟兄們的需要，
告訴他們你是真心愛他們，
並以實際行動證實對照。YYY
絕望的世界需要願意關懷的教會。
金 句：「所以，有了機會，就當向眾人行善。」（加拉太書6：10）
全年讀經：利未記8－10章
彩虹是上帝與我們立約的一個記號，他應允不再用洪水滅絕我們（創世記9：11－17）。但是對於身處美國北達科達州大叉郡這地方的人而言，1997年的4月，彩虹這道立約的記號，卻不意味著任何寬解心靈的安慰。連續八場大風暴，一次的大冰雪，加上春雨及提早臨到的融雪，使得大叉郡陷入一片水鄉澤國，迫使居民必須離開他們舒適的家、學校、商店、與教會。
國際救援組織的救災協調官哈歐生（Hal. Olsen）聞訊後，立即調派了八大卡車的生活必需品及福音單張，運入該地並通過教會分發給當地的居民。
在這次救援的過程當中，有一人深深為此而感動。此人曾對街對面的教會懷有敵意，並曾試圖阻止教會的建築興建在其鄰里當中。但是當他目睹教會如何供應居民的需要時，此人熱淚盈眶的說：「我現在才從牆外見到了什麼是教會」。
基督徒不應僅滿足於在教會的牆內生活。是的！我們是需要來自主內弟兄姐妹的鼓勵、團契與幫助（加拉太書6：2），但是我們亦應將基督的愛以言語、行動擴展到牆外─到眾人當中（加拉太書6：10）。你和你的教會都是如此行動的嗎？DJD
愛，需要以愛為基礎的行動；
仔細觀察弟兄們的需要，
告訴他們你是真心愛他們，
並以實際行動證實對照。YYY
絕望的世界需要願意關懷的教會。
Outside The Walls
Read: Galatians 6:1-10
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all. --Galatians 6:10
A rainbow is a sign of God's promise never again to destroy the earth by a flood (Gen. 9:11-17). But that was little comfort to the people of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in April of 1997. Eight blizzards, an ice storm, spring rains, and an early thaw had relocated their comfortable homes, schools, stores, and churches into a world of water.
Hal Olsen, the disaster relief coordinator for International Aid, immediately arranged to "flood" the area with eight truckloads of life-sustaining supplies and gospel tracts. They were distributed by churches in the region.
One man was deeply affected by this help. He had been very hostile to a church across the street from his house and had even tried to block it from being built in his neighborhood. But when he saw how that church responded to people in need, he said tearfully, "Now I've seen the church outside its walls."
Christians must not be content to stay within the walls of their church. Yes, we all need the encouragement, fellowship, and help from our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Gal. 6:2). But we also need to extend the love of Christ in word and deed outside the walls--to all people (v.10). Is your church doing that? Are you? --DJD
Love demands your loving deeds;
Look upon your brothers' needs,
Tell them that you love them true,
Prove it by the deeds you do. --Anon.
A world in despair needs churches that care.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Can We Break The Silence?
What Is Real Love?
Read: Galatians 6:1-10
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all. --Galatians 6:10
A rainbow is a sign of God's promise never again to destroy the earth by a flood (Gen. 9:11-17). But that was little comfort to the people of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in April of 1997. Eight blizzards, an ice storm, spring rains, and an early thaw had relocated their comfortable homes, schools, stores, and churches into a world of water.
Hal Olsen, the disaster relief coordinator for International Aid, immediately arranged to "flood" the area with eight truckloads of life-sustaining supplies and gospel tracts. They were distributed by churches in the region.
One man was deeply affected by this help. He had been very hostile to a church across the street from his house and had even tried to block it from being built in his neighborhood. But when he saw how that church responded to people in need, he said tearfully, "Now I've seen the church outside its walls."
Christians must not be content to stay within the walls of their church. Yes, we all need the encouragement, fellowship, and help from our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Gal. 6:2). But we also need to extend the love of Christ in word and deed outside the walls--to all people (v.10). Is your church doing that? Are you? --DJD
Love demands your loving deeds;
Look upon your brothers' needs,
Tell them that you love them true,
Prove it by the deeds you do. --Anon.
A world in despair needs churches that care.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Can We Break The Silence?
What Is Real Love?