向山舉目的祈禱
2023年8月19號基督燈台協會與眾教會在康州作街頭佈道一景
在這個時刻，我們仰望聖父、聖子和聖靈三位一位的真神。神就是愛，在您有無限的慈愛和憐憫。您是我們的力量和庇護，就如詩篇121所說：「我要向山舉目，我的幫助從何而來？我的幫助從造天地的耶和華而來。」我們深信，在您面前，任何法老和凱撒的壓制都會被打破，任何黑暗都會被您的光明所驅散。
您曾經引領以色列人脫離埃及，呼召他們向西奈山舉目，如今您也引領我們擺脫壓迫和束縛。西奈山是神向摩西顯現並傳授誡命和典章的聖地，在禰彰顯出聖潔和權威。現在，我們懇求您的聖靈光照我們，讓我們深入地理解您的旨意，並按照您的正道行走。以色列人跟隨著神人摩西，我們也渴望緊隨著你的腳蹤前行，尋求真理和自由的生命。願您保守和引導我們，使我們能夠憑借信心與勇氣克服一切困難，並在生活中找到真正屬於禰的旨意！
2023年8月10日「從五月花號到大覺醒之旅」團員攝於普利茅茨信心雕像前
加略山是您無限慈愛的展現，是世人蒙救贖的高地。在十字架上，您獻上了寶貴的犧牲，使我們能夠洗清罪孽與神和好。讓我們銘記這長闊高深的恩典，並謙卑地尋求您的寬恕。我們願時刻感受到您的愛與庇佑。幫助我們，如同您幫助以色列人走出埃及，克服一切壓制。讓您的真理和公義在我們的生活中彰顯，讓我們成為光和鹽，照亮這個世界，傳遞您的愛和慈悲。
今天，讓我們要默想彼得前書2:11-17的經文，願聖靈保惠師堅固我們作為基督徒的責任和角色：
親愛的弟兄啊，你們是客旅，是寄居的。我勸你們要禁戒肉體的私慾，這私慾是與靈魂爭戰的。 你們在外邦人中應當品行端正，叫那些毀謗你們是作惡的，因看見你們的好行為，便在鑒察的日子歸榮耀給神。
“你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。 因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊塗無知人的口。你們雖是自由的，卻不可藉著自由遮蓋惡毒 ，總要做神的僕人。 務要尊敬眾人，親愛教中的弟兄，敬畏神，尊敬君王。”
聖靈上帝啊，提醒我們，雖然我們身處世界，但我們的身份是屬天的。我們蒙召要在世界中分別為聖，抵擋世俗的誘惑和罪惡的侵襲。正如西奈山上的神聖律法教導我們如何生活，這段經文也教導我們要遠離那些攻擊我們靈魂的事物。
使徒彼得要我們以端正的行為來回應世俗的毀謗。這意味著基督徒的生活應該就是一個分別為聖的見證，能夠榮耀神，讓人看到我們的好行為，無從輕看或譴責我們。正如耶穌在加略山上犧牲自己的生命來拯救我們一樣，我們也應該為愛和真理而奉獻，以此來榮耀神。
此外，彼得也提醒我們在外邦人中要作美善的見證，尤其是在行為愚昧的人面前。這是因為我們在基督裡是自由的子民，我們的行為可以彰顯出我們與世界的不同。我們不應該因害怕或受到壓力而放棄我們對信仰的實踐，反而應該堅守真理，為神的國度而努力。
願我們在價值混亂的世界中依然尊敬眾人，愛弟兄，敬畏神，尊敬地上的權勢。這是神對基督徒的行為和態度的要求。人人都有神的形象和樣式，我們本應該尊重所有人，無論他們的地位和生命的光景如何。我們立志在愛中待人。同時，我們也敬畏神，尊重和服從合法的政府權威，因為所有權威都是由神所設立的。
親愛的天父，我們祈求您的幫助，使我們以聖潔、愛心和敬畏神的態度來生活。在這個世界中，讓我們成為您的見證人，照亮這個世界，彰顯您的榮耀。我們奉耶穌基督的名祈禱，阿們。
2023年8月11號走訪波士頓自由之徑
The Triune God, the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit are all present. Our God is love, and we find infinite compassion and mercy in You. You are our strength and refuge. As Psalm 121 says: “I lift my eyes to the hills.” Where do I find help? From the LORD who created heaven and earth. In front of You, we believe the oppression of pharaohs and Caesars will abe broken, and Your light will dispel the darkness.
When you led the Israelites out of Egypt, you urged them to lift their gaze toward Mount Sinai. Our Father, just as You showed Your holiness and authority to Moses on that sacred mountain, we now pray for the influence of Your Holy Spirit upon us. May You give us a deeper understanding of Your will and guide us to walk in Your righteous path. As the Israelites followed Moses, we aspire to follow You, seeking freedom and truth. I pray that You will protect and lead us, enabling us to overcome all difficulties and discover our true purpose in life.
As the pinnacle of Your boundless love, Golgotha is where humanity found redemption. Your sacrifice on the cross cleansed us from our sins and reconciled us with God. We should never forget this profound grace and ask for forgiveness humbly. Thank you for protecting us and keeping us feeling Your love. Please help us overcome all oppression as You did for the Israelites when they fled Egypt. Make us lights and salts, illuminating this world and conveying Your mercy and love through our lives.
In today’s meditation, let’s examine 1 Peter 2:11-17, which reminds us of Christians’ responsibilities:
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
God’s Holy Spirt reminds us that our identity is heavenly, even though we are on earth. As Christians, we are called to live a sanctified life, resisting temptation and attack from the world. Likewise, this passage teaches us to distance ourselves from anything threatening our souls, just as the Law was given at Mount Sinai.
According to Peter, we should respond to worldly accusations with honorable conduct. As Christians, our lives should glorify God, allowing people to witness our good deeds rather than condemn them. As Jesus sacrificed Himself on Golgotha to save us, we should also sacrifice ourselves to bring glory to God through love and truth.
Furthermore, Peter encourages us to be a shining example of goodness among the Gentiles, particularly in the presence of those who act foolishly. Because of Christ, we are free, and our behavior can reveal our differences from the world. Rather than compromising our faith due to fear or pressure, we should stand firm in the truth and seek the kingdom of God.
May we honor everyone, love our brothers and sisters, fear God, and respect earthly authorities. Christians must behave and act this way according to God’s will. We should respect all people, regardless of their status or life circumstances, since every person bears the image and likeness of God. Let us resolve to treat others with respect and love. As we fear God, we should also show reverence and submission to the legitimate authorities on Earth, recognizing that he establishes all authority.
God, help us live according to the guidance of 1 Peter 2:11-17, with lives marked by holiness, love, and reverence for You. Help us to be Your witnesses in this world, shining light in the dark and manifesting Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
