Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 3 月【牧者抒懷】從索契冬奧想起

【牧者抒懷】從索契冬奧想起

 

 HeadLine 1403 0B Atc

 

當我們時常想念神的時候,無論我們手上面拿著甚麼,見到甚麼,都可以聯想起神!在教會和弟兄姊妹做過這樣的一個習作功課,讀者也可以嘗試一下:不論你手上拿著一杯咖啡、一把雨傘、一張白紙,或任何東西,想一想,這物件與你與神有甚麼關係?這玩意保證令你眼界大開!

Sochi剛結束的冬奧,主辦國是俄羅斯,地點在索契 (Sochi),位於俄羅斯聯邦邊疆區,與格魯吉亞交界、黑海沿岸,是俄羅斯最狹長的城市,也是該國最受歡迎的度假勝地之一,其道路和樓房都是依山勢而建。據說,若果在這個城市乘車觀光,最能體會峰迴路轉的視覺享受。

索契靠山而建,巍然而立。讓我想起我們有一個最大的靠山!就是我們的神。問題是,我們靠不靠祂?

美國第三十九任總統卡特本來是做花生買賣的,而且十分成功。當他被選成為總統之後,他心中一喜一憂:喜的當然是成為萬人之上,憂的是他的工作關係全國人民福祉,不比經營花生那樣的自負盈虧。那時,海軍上將 Admiral Rickover 體會這位國家新元首憂慮的心情,特製了一個精緻的裝飾牌送他,牌曰:「神啊,你的海那麼大,而我的船卻是這麼小。」(Oh God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small!) 這句說話本來是法國西北部漁民的禱文,求神保守他們平安出海、平安回家。卡特總統十分珍視這份禮物,一直放在他辦公桌上,藉以提醒他凡事要仰賴神。

今年是甲午馬年,過年很多時候都要說一些吉祥話。若要增加難度,每句說話都要含一個「馬」字。不過,若果看過賀年電視節目,又或者收過一些賀年電郵的話,便會發覺原來又不是這麼困難,因為只要在一個揮春前面,加上「馬上」兩個字就可以了。馬上生意興隆,馬上學業進步,馬上身體健康,馬上龍馬精神!

套用這個方法,對我們來說,是一個極大的提醒。靠主愛人,靠主愛弟兄,靠主殷勤不可懶惰,靠主在指望中要喜樂,靠主在患難中要忍耐!當我們知道自己的有限,靠著主的無限,我們行事為人就更加能夠體會萬事都互相效力,笑看人生,笑看風雲,儼然靠山享受笑看世事峰迴路轉的感覺!

此外,索契是地球最北端的亞熱帶氣候區。大高加索山脈阻擋了北方的冷空氣,黑海又像巨大的「暖水袋」散發熱量,使索契終年溫暖濕潤,四季如春,半年時間都可以下海游泳。當地居民曾經驕傲地說,在這樣充滿天然氧的氣候裡,沒有甚麼比深呼吸更令人愜意。教會內彼此團契的生活,應該也是一個充滿著溫暖、充滿著愛的地方,讓我們可以呼吸愛!

讓我們留意一下羅馬書12章9-18節,嘗試數一下,算一下,這份團契關係的每項珍貴條件。

「9愛人不可虛假;惡要厭惡,善要親近。

10愛弟兄,要彼此親熱;恭敬人,要彼此推讓。

11殷勤不可懶惰。要心裡火熱,常常服事主。

12在指望中要喜樂,在患難中要忍耐,禱告要恆切。

13聖徒缺乏要幫補;客要一味地款待。

14逼迫你們的,要給他們祝福;只要祝福,不可咒詛。

15與喜樂的人要同樂;與哀哭的人要同哭。

16要彼此同心;不要志氣高大,倒要俯就卑微的人;不要自以為聰明。

17不要以惡報惡;眾人以為美的事要留心去做。

18若是能行,總要盡力與眾人和睦。」

哇!這個描述似不似是天堂?想著想著,這豈不就是「在地若天」的感覺嗎!?當然,在天堂裡沒有眼淚,也自然沒有哀哭的人,更不用同哭了!團契,應該是一個充滿著溫暖,充滿著愛的地方。沒有甚麼比深呼吸這份「愛」更令人愜意。我們要好好學習!

冬奧已然落幕,但正如本屆的口號 – Gateway to the future,今天的反思成為踏向前路的動力,在未來的日子,讓我們更珍惜寶貴與神與人的團契,多倚靠神,多分享愛。

從索契冬奧想起⋯⋯ 我們多蒙福,靠主福杯滿溢,與人喜樂共行。緊隨聖經教導,愛神愛人!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

Go to top