在乎當時的機會（傳九）中英bilingual

我又轉念：見日光之下，快跑的未必能贏；力戰的未必得勝；智慧的未必得糧食；明哲的未必得資財；靈巧的未必得喜悅。所臨到眾人的是在乎當時的機會。（傳 9：11）  

傳道書是所羅門王的老年作品，可說是歷經人生各式磨練，累積人生各種智慧，體驗人生各層經驗，享受人生各樣豐富所結晶的智言智語！ 

原來凡臨到眾人的事都是一樣：義人和惡人都遭遇一樣的事；好人，潔淨人和不潔淨人，獻祭的與不獻祭的，也是一樣。好人如何，罪人也如何；起誓的如何，怕起誓的也如何。（傳 9：2）以我們的視野，角度，面向，價值觀，所追求的是線性，是片面的；但以神的宏觀，無限，公義，慈愛卻是個球體，是無死角的！神給我們的機會都是一樣的！我們一定要學會正視機會，且洞察機會，然後抓住機會，並把握機會！ 

當我們能給時，千萬別輕視那一杯涼水，或許是別人的荒漠甘泉； 

當我們能說時，千萬別吝嗇那一句鼓勵，或許是別人的心靈雞湯； 

當我們能愛時，千萬別害臊那一個擁抱，或許是別人的冬夜暖火； 

當我們能聽時，千萬別竊取那一段時間，或許是別人的絕境出口； 

看看現在的自己，無論在信仰與生活是否把握機會？ 是責無旁貸還是推託卸責？是身體力行還是出一張嘴？ 

盼望我們都能在看見教會的不足，聖工的缺乏，挺身而出，勇往直前，因為經上如此說： 與一切活人相連的，那人還有指望，因為活著的狗比死了的獅子更強。（傳 9：4）不單單指著肉體生命，更直指屬靈生命！你的衣服當時常潔白，你頭上也不要缺少膏油。（傳 9：8）保守聖潔無瑕，追求聖靈充滿，跟隨主，在這通往窄門的小路上，不偏左右！  

By陳義得

真耶穌教會石牌教會、天母教會線上講道

石牌教會https://www.youtube.com/@TJChurchShipai

天母教會https://www.youtube.com/c/TJC_Tianmu/featured

For Time and Chance Overtake Them All

(​Ecclesiastes 9)

​"I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all." (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

​The book of Ecclesiastes is the work of King Solomon’s later years. It is a collection of distilled wisdom from a man who endured life's many trials, accumulated vast knowledge, experienced every level of human existence, and enjoyed every kind of abundance.

​"It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear an oath." (Ecclesiastes 9:2). From our limited perspective and values, we see things in a linear and partial way. But from God’s macroscopic, infinite, righteous, and loving perspective, everything is like a ball—completely without blind spots. The opportunities God gives us are the same! We must learn to face, discern, seize, and cherish every opportunity.

​When you can give, never despise that cup of cold water; it may be someone else’s "Streams in the Desert."

​When you can speak, do not be stingy with a word of encouragement; it may be someone else’s "Chicken Soup for the Soul."

​When you can love, do not be shy about that embrace; it may be someone else’s warm fire on a winter night.

​When you can listen, do not steal away that time; it may be the exit for someone in a desperate situation.

​Look at yourself now—are you seizing opportunities in both your faith and your daily life? Are you taking responsibility, or are you making excuses? Are you taking action, or just talking?

​Hoping that when we see the needs of the church and the lack in holy work, we can step forward and press on. For the Scripture says: "For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion." (Ecclesiastes 9:4). This refers not only to physical life but directly to our spiritual life. "Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head." (Ecclesiastes 9:8). Keep yourself holy and blameless, pursue the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and follow the Lord on this narrow path without turning to the left or the right.

​By Chen Yi-de