Spiritual Thought for the Week 2009/7/12

DATE: 2009/7/12
本周默想分享
保羅說，“又恐怕我因所得的啟示甚大，就過於自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉體上，就是撒但的差役要攻擊我，免得我過於自高。”（林後12：7）
聖經裏有缺陷的人多不勝數。讓我們看一看保羅怎樣面對他的缺陷。保羅禱告他的麻煩可以被挪開。他懇切求主讓他得釋放。向主求助比靠自己掙扎會更好。承認軟弱不是一件羞恥的事。但你會說，“上帝沒有聽保羅的禱告替他把缺陷挪去啊！” 你說得不錯。但你要學他。看他怎樣帶著他的刺，在那艱辛孤單的傳道旅程上不斷的抵受折磨。看啊，與他同行的原來是他的救主，他十字架的戰友，用溫柔的聲音對他說，“我的恩典夠你用”（林後12：9）。
保羅一面為他的缺陷禱告，一面繼續在他的路程向前奔跑。他叫這根刺做“撒但的差役要攻擊我”。但抵著攻擊他仍然越戰越勇。這很重要。你或者曾經憑著應許開始你的基督徒生涯。隨著日子你的好處一件一件被奪去。你的機會一個一個的幻滅。你覺得生命已把你壓碎變成殘廢。但你豈不是還有一條鉉線可以彈出勝利的音調嗎？彈吧！保羅彈了。怎樣彈是很重要的。有人在鋼琴上可以彈出衝突的響聲，有人卻在鋼琴上奏出和諧的音樂。不能說是鋼琴的錯誤。生命也有衝突的響聲與和諧的音樂。努力學習彈出正確的音韻。這就能帶出美和善。
保羅不但能夠不住的禱告和不停的奔路，並且他能取得勝利。他說，“那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按著公義審判的主到了那日要賜給我的；不但賜給我也賜給凡愛慕他顯現的人。”（提後4：7-8）這個勇敢的使徒背負著他的缺陷走過高低順逆直到終點。過程中和過程最後，他的表現都是同樣精彩。你是有缺陷嗎？你當然是！保羅和無數表現精彩的基督徒也是。讓我們學他們一樣：禱告，奔跑，最後得到那冠冕。
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Paul said, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” II Cor.12:7.
There are so many handicapped people in the Bible we cannot count them all. Let us recall how Paul handled his. Paul prayed that his trouble be removed. He besought the Lord diligently that he be delivered. How much better that a man ask the Lord for help than to try defiantly to beat his way through life alone. It is no shameful thing to admit weakness. But you say, “God did not answer Paul’s prayer that his handicap be removed.” Indeed, you are right. But follow Paul. See him trudging along some lonely road on a missionary tour, that “thorn in the flesh” pricking him at every turn, furnishing irritation, suffering, and misery. Behold, there walks beside him the Savior, his comrade of the cross, saying in accents of infinite tenderness, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (II Cor. 12:9).
Paul not only prayed about his disadvantage; he kept plodding on in spite of it. He called it a “messenger of Satan to buffet” him. But in spite of all the buffeting, he battled on; he kept going. That is important. Perhaps you are someone who started out in the Christian life with much promise, but one by one the years seem to have stolen away your gifts; one by one your opportunities have vanished. You feel life has sadly handicapped you. Yet have you not one string on which you may play some melody of triumph? Play! Paul did. How we play is important. One man gets only discord out of his piano; another, harmony. No one claims the piano is at fault. Life has discord and harmony. Work hard to play it correctly; it will give forth beauty.
Paul not only prayed and kept going, but he also achieved a great triumph. He said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed fro his appearing.”(II Tim. 4:7-8.) this brave apostle carried his handicap with him through thick and thin to the end. The end was as glorious as the journey. Are you handicapped? Of course you are. So were Paul and countless other Christians who lived victoriously. Let us do as they did: pray, struggle on, and finally achieve the crown.
--End—

CALL TO WORSHIP: Ps. 91:1-2
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HYMNS: 1. # 434 Count Your Blessings
2. # 436 God Be with You Till We Meet Again
SCRIPTURE READING: Matt. 18:21-22
SERMON: Our Story Has Not Finished…
講道題目: 我們的故事還沒有完…

CONGREGATION & CHURCH CONCERNS:
(English)
1. Church council meeting is scheduled for July 15 (this Wednesday) 7:45 pm at the board room. All council members please attend.
2. The church has planned and organized the following summer events. We welcome all members and friends to join us. - On July 18, church outing to Lac Philippe. Contact person: Brother Shupang Chou. - On Aug 2 to 4, church group camping at the Logos Land park. So far we have 20 families joining this event. Contact person: brother Frank Pan.
3. Our minister Rev. Wilson Chan had requested for a change in pastoral relationship with our church effective August 6th 2009 for the purpose of seeking a new call or appointment. This request has been approved by the Presbytery and accepted by the Church Council. Reason: God has a good plan for this church and for Rev. Chan. This Sunday is the last Sunday we will hear Rev. Chan preach and conduct service in our church before he takes off for the remainder of his vacations.

会友与教会关怀：
1. 堂會會議定於七月十五日（星期三）下午七點四十五分在會議室舉行。請各堂會職員出席。
2. 教会已安排组织了丰富多彩的夏季活动，和一些特别聚会。欢迎大家踊跃 报名參加：*七月十八日，教会将组织去Philippe公园游玩。联系人：周树邦弟兄.*八月二日至四日，教会将在Logos Land公园团体野营。目前已有20 个家庭报名参加，还有个别余额营地。联系人：潘文弟兄。
3. 本堂主任陈伟甡牧师已经提出从2009年8月6日起改变与本堂牧职关系以寻找新牧职或新任命，并且得到区会的同意和堂会的接纳。原因：神对本堂和陈牧师都有美好的计划。本主日是陳牧師最後一次在本堂講道和主持崇拜,之後他便享受他餘下的假期。