双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：5月9日 神的国度

5月9日

神的国度

“你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。”

马太福音6:33

我深信圣经所说的是对的，就是上帝塑造了我们的心灵。在今天的世界，无论在语言上、文化上还是种族上，我们都在分裂。我们只是邻居，而不再是兄弟。然而，有一个领域我确信我们是相似的：那就是精神层面。我相信人心都是一样的。我们深层的需求，在全世界都一样，因为它来自内心，那就是：我们需要上帝。

也许对你来说，一个福音宣教士在世界各地宣讲十字架听起来有点偏执和狭窄。没错，因为耶稣说了，天国的门是窄的。从数学和化学上看，我们也是狭窄的，是严苛的。否则，我们就会搞得一塌糊涂。我们必须狭窄严苛。这就是为什么飞行员不能马虎大意，不能随心所欲地飞进机场。

那为什么我们在道德和属灵层面上不应该狭窄呢？我相信基督是与众不同的，祂是独一无二的。我相信祂是永生神的儿子，祂改变了我的生命。

许多知识分子都在问，历史将要走向何方？他们在猜测世界的结局。我相信基督的祷告：愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。这是你我都会的祷告。这个祷告会得到神的回答。当人类走到堕落的边缘，将要自我灭亡的时候，我相信神要再次干预历史。任何一个地上的领袖都不可能谱写历史的最后一章。我相信神自己将书写历史。我相信未来的国度是神的国度，人类的命运会远远超出我们的想象。但是，那将是神的国度，也要按照神的旨意和计划实现。

今日祷告：

天父，我借着对耶稣基督的信心，来到祢的面前。我满心喜乐祢为我们开辟了一条道路，我知道这是唯一的道路，它给我们带来希望和未来。愿祢帮助我宣扬真理；奉耶稣的名，阿门。

May 9

GOD AND HISTORY

But seek ye first the kingdom of God,and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you.Matthew 6:33

I have become confirmed in my belief that the Bible is right in saying that God has fashioned the hearts of men alike.We are not together in today’s world linguistically,culturally,or racially.We are divided.We have become a neighborhood without being a brotherhood.Yet there is one area in which I am convinced we are all alike-the spiritual dimension.I believe the hearts of all of us are the same.Our deep needs are identical the world over,for they come from within.Our need is God.

Probably it sounds a bit intolerant and narrow to you for an evangelist to go around the planet preaching the Cross-and you are right;for Jesus said that the gate to the kingdom of heaven is narrow.But we are narrow also in mathematics and in chemistry.If we weren’t narrow in chemistry we would be blowing the place up.We have to be narrow.I am glad that pilots are not so broad-minded that they come into an airport any way they want.

Why then should we not be narrow when it comes to moral laws and spiritual dimensions?I believe that Christ is different;that He is unique.I believe that He is the Son of the living God and that He did change my life.

Many intellectuals are asking where history is going;they are speculation on what the end will be.I believe that Christ’s prayer,“Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done on earth,as it is in heaven”-the prayer that you and I often pray-is going to be answered.And when the human race stands at the edge of the abyss,ready to blow itself apart,I believe God will intervene in history again.I don’t believe any world leader will write the last chapter of history.I believe God will write it.I believe that the future kingdom is to be the kingdom of God,that there is a destiny for the human race far beyond anything we can dream.But it will be God’s kingdom and will come in God’s way.

Pray for the Day:

Father,I come to You on Your terms,through faith in Jesus Christ.I know that that is the only way,and I rejoice that You have made a way,that we have hope and we have a future.I pray that you will help me to declare that way;in Jesus’Name,Amen.