Sacrifices offered to God are opportunities to showcase His love.

为上帝付出的牺牲，是展现主爱的好时机。

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians

因我活着就是基督，我死了就有益处。-腓立比书1章21节

Dr. William Wallace was serving as a missionary surgeon in Wuzhou, China, in the 1940s when Japan attacked China. Wallace, who was in charge of Stout Memorial Hospital at the time, ordered the hospital to load his equipment on barges and continue to function as a hospital while floating up and down rivers to avoid infantry attacks. 

在1940年代日本侵华时期，华理士（William Wallace）医师到中国梧州从事医疗宣教。当时，他是思达医院的负责人，为了避免步兵不定时的攻击，他要求医院将他的医疗设备搬上驳船，成为往返河面的行动医院，继续救治民众。

During dangerous times, Philippians 1:21—one of Wallace’s favorite verses—reminded him that if he lived, he had work to do for the Savior; but if he died, he had the promise of eternity with Christ. The verse took on special meaning when he died while falsely imprisoned in 1951.

华理士医师最喜爱的经文是腓立比书1章21节，在紧急危难的时刻，这段经文提醒他活着就当为主做工，倘若他死了，也有永远与基督同在的应许。1951年，他遭到非法囚禁，在狱中过世，他的死体现了这节经文的意义。

Paul’s writing reflects a deep devotion we can aspire to as followers of Jesus, enabling us to face trials and even danger for His sake. It is devotion enabled by the Holy Spirit and the prayers of those closest to us (v. 19). It’s also a promise. Even when we surrender ourselves to continued service under difficult circumstances, it is with this reminder: when our life and work end here, we still have the joy of eternity with Jesus ahead of us.

保罗所写的这节经文，反映了自己因为爱主，而愿意全然献上，这也是我们这些耶稣的追随者当努力追求的。这种爱主的心能帮助我们为了耶稣，勇敢面对试炼甚或艰难危险。我们能如此献上自己，乃源自于圣灵的帮助和弟兄姐妹的代祷（19节）。同时这节经文也是一个应许。我们即使必须在艰困的环境中顺服主，继续服事，请不要忘了这个应许：我们的生命和服事虽然在地上走到终点，但前方等着我们的，是与耶稣同在的永恒喜乐。

In our hardest moments, with hearts committed to walking with Christ now, and with our eyes firmly fixed on the promise of eternity with Him, may our days and our acts bless others with the love of God. 

但愿我们能在最艰难的时刻，立定心志今世与基督同行，并且定睛于上帝永远同在的应许，让我们能靠着上帝的爱，以生命和言行为别人带来祝福。

Make of me, Father, a willing servant in times of weakness and times of strength.

亲爱的天父，求祢帮助我成为一个甘心服事的仆人，刚强之时如此，软弱之时亦然。

Philippians 1:19-26    NIV

1 For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ,which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

腓立比书 1:19-26

1 因为我知道，这事借着你们的祈祷和耶稣基督之灵的帮助，终必叫我得救。 20 照着我所切慕、所盼望的，没有一事叫我羞愧，只要凡事放胆，无论是生是死，总叫基督在我身上照常显大。21 因我活着就是基督，我死了就有益处。 22 但我在肉身活着，若成就我工夫的果子，我就不知道该挑选什么。 23 我正在两难之间，情愿离世与基督同在，因为这是好得无比的； 24 然而我在肉身活着，为你们更是要紧的。 25 我既然这样深信，就知道仍要住在世间，且与你们众人同住，使你们在所信的道上又长进又喜乐， 26 叫你们在基督耶稣里的欢乐因我再到你们那里去，就越发加增。

INSIGHT

灵粮透视

When a believer dies, we often comfort the grieving with these words: “He/she is now home with the Lord.” Paul affirmed this same certainty when he boldly declared that when he dies he will “depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23). Paul’s assurance is built upon the very words of our Lord Jesus. As Christ was dying on the cross for our sins, He promised the believing thief, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

当一个信徒去世时，我们经常用这些话来安慰悲伤的人：“他/她现在与主同在了。”保罗也有同样的确信，且大胆地宣称，当他去世时，乃是“离世与基督同在”（腓立比书1章23节）。保罗的坚信是建立在主耶稣的话语上。当基督为我们的罪被钉在十字架上时，祂应许那个信靠祂的强盗说：“我实在告诉你：今日你要同我在乐园里了。”（路加福音23章43节）

What do we know about heaven? Paul saw it, but wasn’t permitted to say anything about it (2 Corinthians 12:3–4), and John saw it but only cryptically described it in Revelation 21–22. But when Jesus described it as “my Father’s home” (John 14:2), He spoke of the welcome, warmth, and intimacy we’ll find there with Him.

我们对天堂了解多少呢？保罗亲眼看见了，但却被禁止谈论（哥林多后书12章3-4节）。约翰也看到了，但只是在启示录21-22章隐晦地加以描述。不过，耶稣说天堂是“我父的家”（约翰福音14章2节），祂的意思是说，当我们与祂同在天堂时，将得到欢迎接纳，有像家人一般温暖亲密的关系。

整理：于姊妹