时不再来的良机A Passing Opportunity

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时不再来的良机

到了耶利哥，耶稣同门徒并许多人出耶利哥的时候，有一个讨饭的瞎子，是底买的儿子巴底买，坐在路旁。他听见是拿撒勒的耶稣，就喊着说：“大卫的子孙耶稣阿，可怜我吧。”有许多人责备他，不许他做声，他却越发大声喊着说：“大卫的子孙哪，可怜我吧! ”耶稣就站住说：“叫他过来。”他们就叫那瞎子，对他说：“放心，起来，祂叫你啦。”瞎子就丢下衣服，跳起来，走到耶稣那里。耶稣说：“要我为你作什么？”瞎子说：“拉波尼，我要能看见。”耶稣说：“你去吧，你的信救了你了。”瞎子立刻看见了，就在路上跟随耶稣（马可福音10:46-52）

I．前言：当我们作出决定，选择紧握一个确实的良机，那么就会收获一个正面的果效，这都是出于上帝的恩赐。

但遗憾的是，我们常常让良机从身边流走，没有认识到它是天父的恩赐。我们怎样才能避免错失上帝为我们准备的良机呢？圣经教导我们，一个名叫“巴底买”的瞎眼乞丐，意想不到地经历了主耶稣的爱，那么我们也可以像巴底买一样，这就需要我们保持敏锐的洞察力，洞悉上帝在我们里面及我们周围的运作，这样才能确保我们不会错失上帝对我们生命的计划。

II．学习巴底买的事迹

A．在主耶稣的时代，人们相信一个人失明或有疾病，必是因为他或他的父母犯罪导致（约翰福音9:2门徒问耶稣说：“拉比，这人生来是瞎眼的，是谁犯了罪，是这人呢？是他父母呢？”）。但是我们的救主是看重每一个人，包括残障的人，救主不是以他们身体的缺陷为犯罪的象征，而是将其作为彰显祂天父大能的机会（约翰福音9:3耶稣回答说：“也不是这人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，是要在他身上显出 神的作为来”）

B．当时正值逾越节前夕，所以会有很多人路过耶利哥去耶路撒冷。巴底买听说过拿撒勒人耶稣的名，也知道耶稣治好了瞎子并行过很多神迹，但他没抱希望能有机会与主耶稣见面。

C．我们怎样才能敏锐地确定来自上帝的机会呢？可以通过观察旧约和新约里人物们的事迹，或观察你周围人的生命来认识上帝的运作，并且上帝会透过圣灵在你里面运作，使你能够敏锐地听到祂的声音。

D．一旦我们得知上帝在运作，那么我们就必须选择靠着有行动的信心坚定而行，就像巴底买所做的。按常理说，巴底买自然认为，无论是自己痊愈还是见到上帝的儿子，这都是不可能的事情。然而机会临到，当他得知耶稣路过时，立刻就充满希望地不住呼求（马可福音10:47他听见是拿撒勒的耶稣，就喊着说：“大卫的子孙耶稣啊，可怜我吧”），不管别人如何地责备他，不让他出声。

E．主耶稣是以仁慈来回应这个贫穷人的祈求，这是整件事的关键。由此表明：主耶稣愿意听到我们向祂呼求，不论我们处在什么样的境况中。

F．请注意，主耶稣问巴底买：“要我为你作什么？”（马可福音10:51耶稣说：“要我为你作什么？”瞎子说：“拉波尼，我要能看见”）。从这里你是否意识到，主耶稣可能也是很多次地对你讲这句话？就像巴底买一样，主耶稣也希望你告诉祂你所需要的。在上帝眼里，没有一个人是无足轻重的。上帝想要跟你讲话，因为祂爱你，祂渴望能和自己的儿女有一个亲密的关系。

G．主耶稣以治好巴底买的瞎眼来回应他的信心，于是巴底买立刻就看见了，并且开始跟从主耶稣。

III．我们的责任是什么？

上帝给我们创造机会，是为了成就祂对我们生命的旨意和目的（以弗所2:10我们原是祂的工作，在基督耶稣里造成的，为要叫我们行善，就是 神所豫备叫我们行的）。那么我们的责任是什么呢？

我们需要做的是：

A．问自己：上帝为我所做的一切是什么？

B． 懂得：上帝赐给我们机会，就必定会透过圣灵的大能来供应我们成就祂旨意的一切所需。

C．立定心志，跟从上帝的声音。

D． 坚定而决不放弃，不管被众人怎样地抨击。

E． 成为紧握并善用上帝所赐每一个机会的人。

IV．结论

事实上，除了这一次，主耶稣再没有任何机会为巴底买而路过耶利哥，所以这是巴底买惟一的一次机会，而且这也是主耶稣去耶路撒冷受难前，最后一次去耶利哥。

我们作为上帝的儿女，每一天都有充满希望的新征程。但是我们必须作出决定：我们要委身信奉上帝吗？我们想探究上帝为我们都准备了什么吗？如果回答是肯定的，那么就紧握并善用每一个珍稀又令人振奋的良机，是上帝专为你而设计的。我的朋友，若你真的这样去做，那么我向你保证，上帝决不会让你失望。

A Passing Opportunity

Mark10:46-52 Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

46 Then they came to Jericho. And as HE was leaving Jericho with HIS disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was JESUS the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “JESUS, SON of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “SON of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And JESUS stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! HE is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to JESUS. 51 And answering him, JESUS said, “What do you want ME to do for you?” And the blind man said to HIM, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And JESUS said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following HIM on the road.

I. Introduction: An opportunity is defined as a favorable occasion when we have the option of making a decision that could have a positive impact. Times like this are a gift from the LORD.

But too often, we let opportunities pass us by, failing to recognize the heavenly FATHER sent them. So how can we avoid missing what HE has in store for us? The Bible teaches us about a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who experienced JESUS’ love in an unexpected way. We, too, need to remain sensitive to GOD’s activity in and around us. That way, we can be sure to not miss what HE has planned for our lives.

II. Learning from the Story of Bartimaeus

A. In JESUS’ day, people believed that a person’s blindness or disease was caused by sin—either his own or his parents’ (John 9:2 - And His disciples asked HIM, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” ). But our SAVIOR values everyone, including the disabled. HE sees their impairments not as an indication of sinfulness, but as a chance for HIS FATHER’s power to be revealed ( John 9:3 - JESUS answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of GOD might be displayed in him.)

B. Because it was right before the Passover, many people were walking through Jericho to Jerusalem. Bartimaeus had heard of a man from Nazareth named JESUS, who was known for healing the blind and performing many other miracles. But he didn’t expect to have the opportunity to meet HIM in person.

C. How do we sharpen our ability to identify the opportunities GOD brings? Observe how the LORD worked in the lives of people from Old and New Testament stories. Also, look at how HE works in the lives of others around you. God will work through the HOLY SPIRIT to make you sensitive to His voice.

D. Once we learn how GOD operates, we must choose to walk in faith, as Bartimaeus did. He could easily have believed that it was impossible either to be healed or to meet the SON of GOD. But Bartimaeus cried out in hope (Mark 10:47 - When he heard that it was JESUS the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “JESUS, SON of David, have mercy on me!” ), even though others in the crowd tried to hush him.

E. JESUS’ reply to this poor man’s plea for mercy is crucial. It demonstrates that HE is willing to listen to our cries for help, no matter what condition we’re in.

F. Notice that JESUS asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want ME to do for you?” ( Mark 10:51 -And answering him, JESUS said, “What do you want ME to do for you?” And the blind man said to HIM, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”). Do you realize that JESUS has probably said that to you many times? Like Bartimaeus, HE wants you to tell HIM what you need. Nobody is insignificant in the eyes of GOD. HE wants to speak to you because HE loves you and desires a personal, intimate relationship with all HIS children.

G. In response to Bartimaeus’s faith, JESUS healed his blindness. Immediately upon regaining his eyesight, Bartimaeus began following JESUS.

III. What Is Our Responsibility?

The LORD creates opportunities for us to fulfill HIS plan and purpose for our lives ( Eph 2:10 - For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them). But what is our responsibility?

We need to:  

A. Ask ourselves what GOD has already done for us.  

B. Recognize that HE will not give opportunities without providing all we need to fulfill them through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.  

C. Make a decision to follow the voice of the LORD.

D. Persist without giving up, even if others criticize us.  

E. Be people who take advantage of every GOD-given opportunity.

IV. Conclusion

JESUS’ walk through Jericho was not just any opportunity for Bartimaeus—it was his only chance. It was the last time the LORD would walk that way to Jerusalem before HIS crucifixion.

For us as children of GOD, there are promising new roads to take every day. But we have to decide: Do we believe the LORD? Do we want to explore what HE has to offer us? Take advantage of the unique and exciting opportunities GOD has planned just for you. My friend, I promise you will not regret it.

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怎样使整个生命保持常青又硕果累累

服从上帝的话语，是保持生命常青又硕果累累的惟一途径。

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，

（诗篇92:12-15）12节“如棕树、如香柏树”：这里是把所有真正的基督徒比作是公义之树，他们是强壮、富有活力又多结硕果的树。

13节“他们栽于耶和华的殿中”：义人发旺的根源不在于自己，因为他们不是种在普通的土壤里，而是栽于天堂、耶和华的殿中。上帝的树能够栽在祂的殿中，这是出于祂的恩典，而义人透过祂的话语和祂的灵来获取所有的树液和美德，使他们保持活力又硕果累累（真正的基督徒是把自己置于圣洁的典章中，并扎根其上，在神圣的保守之下，使他们为上帝的荣耀结出丰硕果实）。

14节“年老的时候，仍要结果子，要满了汁浆而常发青”：义人的旺盛和身量好像棕树（雅歌7:7），并且枝叶繁茂（利未记23:40）。时候一到，他们会结出令人喜悦的硕果，这里特别指出他们是常青的。真正的基督徒作为棕榈树，有长久的生命力，就是在冬天也不会有改变。棕榈树越被压制就长得越旺盛，所以义人虽在重压之下却越发兴旺，越多苦难却越多结硕果。

15节“耶和华是正直的”：上帝必恪守承诺，祂所讲的每个字都是信实的，祂所开始的工决不更改。

How to stay young and fruitful all your life.

Obey the WORD of GOD is the only way to stay young and fruitful all your life.

Shalom Brothers n Sisters,

Ps. 92:12-15

V12 . . . like the palm tree . . . like a cedar, all the true followers are here represented as trees of righteousness. They are strong, vital and productive trees.

V13  They are planted in the house of the LORD . . . The source of vitality of the righteous is not themselves, they are planted, not in common soil, but in paradise, in the house of the LORD.  GOD's trees are said to be planted in HIS house because it is from HIS grace, by HIS WORD and SPIRIT, that they receive all the sap and virtue that keep them alive and make them fruitful. (The true Christians fix themselves to holy ordinances, take root in them, put themselves under the divine protection and bring forth all their fruits to GOD's honor and glory.)

V14 . . . bear fruit in old age . . . stay fresh and green. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree, which has a stately body (Song 7:7) and large boughs, (Lev. 23:40). Dates, the fruit of it, are very pleasant, but it is especially alluded to here being ever green. The true followers as the palm-tree, which is long-lived and which the winter does not change. The more the palm-tree is press down the more it grows; so the righteous flourish under their burdens; the more they are afflicted the more they multiply.

V15 . . . The LORD is upright . . . The LORD is true to HIS promises and faithful to every word that HE  has spoken and constant to the work HE has begun.

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听从上帝

平安弟兄姊妹们！

关于狄波拉，除了她被称为先知、是以色列最受尊敬的士师、是拉比多的妻子之外，圣经里没有告诉我们更多她的事情。然而，我们知道狄波拉爱上帝，是忠心地侍奉上帝。我们也知道，以色列人信任她，就是军队首领巴拉，也是敬重她的统领。

从狄波拉的例子表明：要成为上帝有用的仆人，不需要得到某一特定的文凭，上帝会使用那些听祂话并且服从祂的人。“狄波拉完完全全降服于上帝，作上帝可用的仆人；上帝使狄波拉得胜”（士师记5:7）

Listen and obey GOD

Shalom Brothers n Sisters,

The Bible doesn't tell us much about Deborah other than to call her a prophetess, a highly esteemed judge of Israel, and the wife of Lappidoth. But we do know that Deborah loved GOD and served HIM faithfully. And we do know the people of Israel trusted her and that even the commander of the army, Barak respected her leadership.

Deborah's example indicates that it doesn't take a certain set of credentials to become an effective servant of GOD. The LORD uses the person who listens to HIM and obeys. Deborah made herself available to GOD, and GOD made her victorious (Judges 5:7).