2016年1月1日
或在今年 This Could Be the Year
读经: 帖撒羅尼迦前書4章13-18節
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
以後我們這活著還存留的人必⋯⋯在空中與主相遇。這樣，我們就要和主永遠同在。-帖撒羅尼迦前書4章17節
We who are still alive and are left will . . . meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.- 1 Thessalonians 4:17
全年读经: 創世記1-3章;馬太福音1章
Bible in a Year: Genesis 1–3; Matthew 1
家父是位牧師，每年的第一個主日，他講道的主題都是關於基督的再來，通常他都會引用帖撒羅尼迦前書4章的經文。他的重點每年都一樣：「今年可能就是耶穌再來的時候，你們已經準備好了嗎？」我永遠不會忘記在6歲那年，聽他講這篇道的時候，我心裡不由自主地想著：如果祂今年真的來了，我能夠像其他人一樣被祂接到天堂嗎？
我相信爸媽一定能去天堂，而我也想和他們一樣。因此，等父親從教會回家之後，我便問他怎麼能夠確定自己可以進天堂。他翻開聖經，讀了些經節給我聽，提到我需要一位救主，並且讓我清楚地看見自己的罪。那天，我父親領我決志相信基督，接受祂成為我的救主，這讓我永遠感激父親將這些真理栽種在我心深處。
生活在這個日益混亂的世界中，想到耶穌可能今年就會再來，多麼令人充滿盼望。更讓我們感到欣慰的，是所有因信靠祂而得救贖的人，將被召聚在一起，脫離世上一切的苦難、悲傷和懼怕。而最美好的事，莫過於我們將永遠與主同住！
主啊！讓我時時謹記祢必要再來。
謝謝祢讓我們明白，我們並不是只有今生，
因為所有信靠祢的人，必將得著蒙福的永生。
也許就是今天！–馬汀·狄漢醫生
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My dad was a pastor, and on the first Sunday of each new year he preached about the return of Christ, often quoting from 1 Thessalonians 4. His point was always the same: "This could be the year that Jesus will return. Are you ready to meet Him?" I'll never forget hearing that sermon at age 6, thinking, If that's true, I'm not sure I will be among those He's coming for.
I felt certain that my parents would be going to heaven, and I wanted to go too. So, when my dad came home after church, I asked how I could be sure. He opened the Bible, read some verses to me, and talked to me about my need for a Savior. It didn't take much to convince me of my sins. That day, my dad led me to Christ. I will be forever grateful to him for planting these truths in my heart.
In an increasingly chaotic world, what a hopeful thought that this could be the year Jesus returns. More comforting still is the anticipation that all who trust Him for salvation will be gathered together, relieved from this world's suffering, sorrow, and fear. Best of all, we'll be with the Lord forever!
Lord, keep me always mindful of Your inevitable return. Thanks for the assurance that this world is not all we have but that a blessed eternity awaits all who trust in You.
Perhaps today! Dr. M. R. De Haan