第九天（15/08/12）

我们如果真的很喜欢、很爱、很在乎一个人，我们很自然的就会很喜欢跟他在一起，争取时间跟他见面，跟他一起聊天，喜欢听他说话；做什么、去哪里，都会喜欢有他在身边，不是吗？

我们对耶稣是这样吗？我们祷告、赞美敬拜、来教会、读圣经等等，只都是执行“基督教”信仰的任务，还是因为我们真的很在乎主、纯粹是因为喜欢和他在一起。。。？我们跟上帝到底有没有很真实的感情？求主怜悯。。。

耶稣再怎么累、怎么忙，他也会亲近父，我想不是为了求祝福、求恩膏，或执行宗教任务，只是因为他跟天父有很真实的爱的关系。。。

^“散了众人以后，他就独自上山去祷告。到了晚上，只有他一人在那里。”
～ 太 14：23 ～

Day 9 (15/08/12)

If we really do like, love or feel for someone, then very naturally we would love to be with that person, find time to spend with him, to talk with him and to listen to him talk; whatever we do or wherever we go, we would love to have that person beside us, is that not so?

Is that the way we are towards Jesus? Do we pray, praise, worship, come to church, read the Bible etc just to execute our “Christian” duties, or are we really concerned about spending time with Him, and just because we like to be with Him…? Do we really have a real relationship with God? May God have mercy…

No matter how tired or busy He was, Jesus would always come near to the Father, I think not because of wanting blessings or anointing, or to fulfill His religious responsibilities, but all because He has a very real loving relationship with the Father…

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone”
~ Matthew 14:23 ~

第八天（14/08/12）

保罗说：
“¹⁵ 有的传基督是出于嫉妒纷争，也有的是出于好意。 ¹⁶ 这一等是出于爱心，知道我是为辩明福音设立的； ¹⁷ 那一等传基督是出于结党，并不诚实，意思要加增我捆锁的苦楚。 ¹⁸ 这有何妨呢？或是假意，或是真心，无论怎样，基督究竟被传开了。为此我就欢喜，并且还要欢喜。”
～ 腓立比书1:15-18 ～

我非常非常喜欢保罗的这个态度，唯愿我也能有这样的心胸，毫无自己的血气和意念，单单只为主的名而事奉和努力，不管别人说什么，也不要说别人什么。说真的，我们身为所谓的基督徒所做和所讲的，很多时候太没有主的心胸和样式了。

主耶稣要我们去传福音、建立门徒，而不是叫我们成天注意与论断别的教会或牧者在做什么，专挑别教会的毛病，指点他们的不是。。。主耶稣根本都没呼召我们来做这些！太多时候基督徒太不懂主的心了！这种态度，若到了天堂该怎么办？还是大家都到不了天堂了。。。

真的，本是同根生、相煎何太急？

有时候我们会很潇洒或很有个性的说：我要做什么是我的自由，不需要跟任何人交待；我为自己活，只要问心无愧、不伤天害理，我什么都敢，也可以做。。。我只需要向自己负责任等等。。。

这样的说法有对也有错，这要按情形和其它因素而定。事实是，有一些事情虽然对得起良心，或也没有什么对错，但却会“绊倒”或影响一些单纯或软弱的人的信心，这些不是故意要跟你找碴或论断你的人，他们只是灵命还不够成熟或稳定，有一些你做的事他们有可能会误解，或者他们可能会学习你，但却做得比你更超过或做法错误而掉进试探和罪里，那就不好了。

所以，保罗才会说：

“凡事都可行，但不都有益处；凡事都可行，但不都造就人。 无论何人，不要求自己的益处，乃要求别人的益处。”
～ 林前 10:23-24 ～

Sometimes we can be very carefree and self-confident in saying: whatever I want do is my freedom, I don’t need to be accountable to anyone; I live for myself, as long as my conscience is clear and it is not sinful, I dare to and can do anything… I am only responsible to myself etc…

Well, this kind of statement can be right and wrong, it all depends on the situation and some other reasons. The truth is, our conscience might be clear in certain things, or there is really not a right or wrong issue, but it may “stumble” or affect the faith of some genuine people or those whose faith is weak, and these are not people who try to find fault with you or to purposely judge you. They are people who are not so mature or stable spiritually, so they might misconstrue certain things you do, or they might learn from you but overly do the same thing or do it in the wrong way and fall into temptations and sins, that will be bad.

That is why Paul said:

““Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. “
~ 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 ~

很多时候，我们看到别人跌倒，或他们的软弱或缺点，我们都喜欢议论纷纷、指指点点，特别是我们觉得那件事我们绝对没有问题或可以轻易胜过。其实，神从来就没有要我们看到别人的软弱而批评论断，或心里有优越感，因这些都是骄傲，而骄傲就会绊倒自己。

在这段禁食期间，让我们发现少吃一点点，我们都头昏脑胀，精神不振等等。。。原来我们都很软弱！若不是神的保守和怜悯，谁能够胜过这世界各式各样的试探呢？

“所以，自己以为站得稳的须要谨慎，免得跌倒。”
～ 林前 10:12 ～

Many times, seeing others fall, or their weaknesses and faults, we tend to criticize and give a lot of comments, especially when we feel we do not have any problem in that area or we can easily overcome that. Actually, God has never wanted us to judge or criticize others’ weaknesses, or feel in our hearts that we are much better, because all these are just pride and pride will stumble us.

During this time of fasting, let us discover that to eat just slightly less, we are already feeling dizzy or losing concentration etc… we are actually so very weak! If not for God’s protection and mercy, who can overcome all kinds of temptations in this world?

^“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
~ 1 Corinthians 10:12 ~

耶稣的付出、摆上、牺牲，他所做的一切，到底什么促使他有这个永不言弃、直到一切都成就的动力？为什么他能够那么甘心、那么愿意、至死不渝？

答案就在于他跟父神亲密的关系：父的心就是他的心，父的心跳就是他的心跳，他脑子里想的也尽都是要父神喜悦，要父神得荣耀，没想过自己的需要。那就是真正的爱的关系，那就是爱的力量。

唯愿我们的服事，所谓的“付出”和“摆上”，那微不足道的一点禁食祷告，也出自于在乎耶稣和爱耶稣的心，不是单单因为要国家进步，不是单单因为要教会复兴，更不是单单因为个人蒙福和利益。

主啊，帮助我们所做的一切都真的真的是因为爱你、在乎你、喜欢跟你在一起。。。

“他就稍往前走，俯伏在地，祷告说：“我父啊！倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我！然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。”
～ 太26：39 ～

The sacrifice, offering up of Himself, price He paid, and all that Jesus did, what was the thing that motivated Him to never give up till everything was accomplished? What made Him so willing, giving His all to the point of death?

The answer lies in His intimate relationship with Father God: Father God’s heart was His heart, Father God’s heartbeat was His heartbeat, all that was in His mind was to please Father God and to bring glory to Father God, never considered anything for Himself. That is a true love relationship, such is the power of love.

If only our serving, the so-called “sacrifice” and “price we pay”, and that meagre fast and prayer, are really all because of our thought and love for Jesus, and not just because we want our country to improve, or our church to have revival, and even more so, not because of personal blessings and benefits.

O Lord, help us to truly truly do everything because we love You, think of You and love to be with You…

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.””
~ Matthew 26:39 ~

圣经很清楚告诉我们，主耶稣已为我们立了榜样，叫我们学习他，跟随他的脚踪行。。。耶稣走过的路，也有崎岖和辛苦的，所以让我们不要被肉体和世界价值观给蒙蔽，以为十架的道路就是轻松舒服，以为遇到困难就是没有主的恩宠。反而，神的话清楚告诉我们绝对会有困难和考验，所以我们非常需要主的恩典和力量扶持我们渡过。

唯愿我们走这条路时，不要盲目的看到前面有脚踪就跟随，也可不要忘记时刻都抬头看看带路的还是不是主，还是我们已经偏行己路或跟错人了。。。

“你们蒙召原是为此，因基督也为你们受过苦，给你们留下榜样，叫你们跟随他的脚踪行。”
～ 彼前2:21 ～

The Bible very clearly tells us, the Lord Jesus had set an example for us to learn from Him and to follow His footsteps… The path that Jesus had walked on was not always easy and smooth, so let us not be deceived by our own flesh and worldly values to think that the journey of the cross is always light and easy, and misunderstanding that encountering difficulties means we have lost God’s favour. Instead the Word of God clearly tells us there will be difficulties and trials, that is why we so need God’s grace and strength to carry us through.

May we all as we walk on this journey, not to follow blindly just because we see footsteps in front, but rather always remember to lift up your head to see whether it is still Jesus leading the way, or we have already gone wayward to our own path or are actually following others…

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
~ 1 Peter 2:21 ~

我相信很爱我们的天父很愿意赐福给我们，让我们在地上的生活无忧无虑。。。但物质上再怎么蒙福，那些也都是短暂的！因此让我们不要在很“蒙福”的时候而迷失方向，开始体贴肉体，只追求舒适生活，最后选择走宽敞道路，失去纪律，而忘记了主耶稣的警告。。。

^“你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。”
～太7:13-14～

I believe our Heavenly Father who loves us very much is very willing to bless us, so our lives on earth are free of worries and anxieties… but no matter how blessed you are materially, it is still temporary! Therefore, let us not lose our direction while being very “blessed” and start pleasing our flesh and desiring a comfortable life only, ending up choosing the wide and easy road, losing discipline and forgetting the warning of our Lord Jesus…

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
~ Matthew 7:13-14 ~

今天是一年一度全国教会一起为国家禁食四十天的第一天，这一次我们没有“全禁”，我们教会选择每天只吃一餐，而那一餐也不吃我们通常爱吃的肉类与淀粉类食物。神没有强迫我们一定要禁食，禁食也跟个人救恩无关，所以尽管你今生从未禁食过一次，只要是真实悔改信主，你依然是得救的。

然而，圣经却也让我们清楚看到禁食的属灵原则，它仿佛是上帝预备给基督徒的其中一个特别福份与神迹，不强迫你一定要拿的额外好处，其属灵效果是无法否认的，耶稣也从没否决禁食的重要。所以，我们虽不强迫弟兄姊妹禁食，但会兴奋鼓励大家参与，它是一个特别的学习经历，当中可以有很多体会和领受。其中一个就是学习顺服神，以及拒绝自己的一些渴望和享受，这样遇到一些试探和考验时，也能靠上帝的恩典站得稳，当然对身体健康也很有帮助。。。

^“于是，耶稣对门徒说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。”
～太16：24～

Today is the first day of our annual national 40-day fast when we fast together with all the other churches in the country to pray for our nation. We are not on a “total fast” this time, our church has chosen to eat just a meal a day, and for that meal, we do not eat meat and starchy food which are normally our favourites. God does not compel us to go on a mandatory fast, fasting has nothing to do with your personal salvation as well. So even if you have not fasted once in your entire life, you are still saved as long as you have truly repented and believed in the Lord.

However, the Bible does show us clearly the spiritual principle too. It is as though one of the special blessings and miracles God has prepared for Christians, a bonus reserved for you though you are not forced to take. You cannot deny its spiritual impact, Jesus never disregarded the importance of fasting too. So, even though we do not compel brothers and sisters to fast, we excitedly encourage them to participate. It is a very special learning experience, we can have many realizations and revelations in the midst of it. One of which is to learn obedience to God, and to reject some of our own desires and enjoyment, so that by God’s grace we may be able to stand firm when trials and temptations come, and of course it is a great help to our health as well…

^“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
~Matt 16:24~

第二天：10月4日(二)
早上领受的经文：
耶穌說：”你們上去吧。。。我現在不上去，因為我的時候還沒有滿。” ~約7：8~

＊＊体会到有很多事情，尤其是重要的决定，包括事奉神、该做的事、很好的事情等等。。。我们都要等候上帝的时间，有时候不能等待反而会破坏好事，也破坏了神原本的计划。。。

Day 2 : Oct 4th (Tue)
The verse that spoke to me in the morning:
Jesus said : “You go… I am not yet going, because for me the right time has not yet come.” ~John7:8~

** This makes me realize that for many things, especially important decisions, including serving God, things ought to be done, good things etc… we need to wait for God’s timing. Sometimes our inability to wait would spoil something good, and even God’s original plan for us…

中午领祷告时的感动：
与其一直想着“还要挨饿几天”，我们当思想及求这40天我们要经历什么，求每一天都经历新的事情、经历神的真，和让他透过各种方式跟我们说话，有这样的期待就不会被肉体的饥饿影响。。。
也向神求这40天成为我们这一辈子每天进入神同在的开始～

The conviction I received while leading the noon-time prayer today:
Instead of thinking all the time about “how many more days of hunger do I still have to go through”, we should think about and pray as to what we want to experience these 40 days, pray that we experience everyday something new and God’s reality, and that He will speak to us in all sorts of ways. With this kind of expectation, you will not be affected by the hunger of your flesh…
And ask God to make these 40 days the beginning of our life-long entering into His presence everyday~