260靈修 Mar. 8, 2012: 希伯來書 第十三章Hebrew 13

第十三章

5 你們為人不要貪愛錢財,要以現在所有的為滿足;因為神親自說過:“我決不撇下你,也不離棄你。” 6所以我們可以放膽說:“主是我的幫助,我決不害怕,人能把我怎麼樣呢?” 7你們要記念那些領導過你們,把神的道傳給你們的人;你們要觀察他們一生的成果,要效法他們的信心。 8耶穌基督昨天、今天、一直到永遠都是一樣的。 9你們不要被各樣怪異的教訓勾引去了。人心靠著恩典,而不是靠著食物得到堅定,才是好的;因為那些拘守食物的人,從來沒有得過益處。

默想

  1. 出聲讀這段經文。花些時間思考作者所寫有關貪愛錢財、物質,以及相信神不會撇下我們,不會離棄我們,這兩方面的敘述。你認為這兩者有什麼關連嗎?
  2. 花些時間反省我的生命,我對物質事物的看法是什麼?我是否常常希望更多的擁有?我是否覺得我擁有的越多,就越有安全感?若是神不照我的祈求應允,我會有何反應?「知足」對我是什麼意義?和神交談這些話題,仔細地聆聽神的回應。
  3. 禱告。神啊,求你助我不貪愛金錢,而以我所有的為滿足;因為你說過「我決不撇下你,也不離棄你」。留意我的內心,求神改變我的不甘與不願。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 13

5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,  “Never will I leave you;   never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence,    “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.   What can man do to me?”   7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.   9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

MEDITATION

  1. Read the passage aloud.  Spend time pondering the connection the writer is making between obsession with material possessions and the belief that God will never leave us or let us down.  What do you make of this?  How are the two ideas related to each other?
  2. Take several minutes to explore my life in light of this instruction.  How do I relate to material things?  Do I often wish I had more?  Do I feel that nothing can harm me because of what I have?  What fears do I have about God letting me down?  What would it be like to “be content with what I have”?  Talk with Him about this subject.  Attentively listen for his input.
  3. Prayer.  May I keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have, for You have said, “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you.”   Pause to notice my internal reaction to what I’m saying.  Ask God to change my reluctance and unwillingness.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

260靈修 Mar. 7, 2012: 希伯來書 第十二章Hebrew 12

第十二章

 

7為了接受管教,你們要忍受,因為神待你們好像待兒子一樣;哪有兒子不受父親管教的呢? 8作兒子的都受過管教。如果你們沒有受管教,就是私生子,不是兒子了。 9還有,肉身的父親管教我們,我們尚且敬重他們;何況那萬靈的父,我們不是更要順服他而得生嗎? 10肉身的父親照著自己的意思管教我們,只有短暫的日子;唯有神管教我們,是為著我們的好處,使我們在他的聖潔上有分。 11但是一切管教,在當時似乎不覺得快樂,反覺得痛苦;後來卻為那些經過這種操練的人,結出平安的果子來,就是義。

 

默想

  1. 慢慢地出聲讀兩遍這段經文。
  2. 神怎樣使用「所遇的困難」來訓練(管教)我?不要急於回答,安靜的坐一會兒,看看神會讓我想到些什麼?我如何在這個經歷中,更與神合作?慢慢地思想,慢慢地聆聽。
  3. 禱告。請求聖靈搜索我的內心,將我尚未認的罪顯露出來。向神認罪,並感謝祂的赦免。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 12

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

MEDITATION

  1. Read the passage aloud slowly.  Read the passage again.
  2. How might God use the “trouble you’re in” to train you?  Don’t jump on the first thing that comes to mind.  Sit quietly for a while and see what God brings to mind.  How might I cooperate better with God in this training?  Once again, the first thing that comes to mind might not be from God, but an old tape from the past.  So take time to listen.
  3. Pray.  Ask the Spirit to search my heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.  Take some time to confess and repent before the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

260靈修 Mar. 6, 2012: 希伯來書 第十一章Hebrew 11

第十一章

1 信就是對所盼望的事的把握,是還沒有看見的事的明證。 2 因著這信心,古人得到了稱許。 3 因著信,我們就明白宇宙(“宇宙”或譯:“諸世界”或“眾世代”)是因著神的話造成的。這樣,那看得見的就是從那看不見的造出來的。

39 所有這些人都藉著信得了稱許,卻還沒有得著所應許的; 40 因為神已經為我們預備了更美的事,使他們若不跟我們在一起,就不能完全。

默想

  1. 若時間許可,將十一章全部讀一遍,但專注在1-3及39-40節。
  2. 本章可說是“信心偉人名人榜”,所羅列的人物,有些為要榮耀神,而作了很大的犧牲。作者首先給信心作了定義,「信就是對所盼望的事的把握,是還沒有看見的事的明證」。
  3. 禱告:我願意存著信心生活到底,雖然知道在世不可能得著神所應許的,「只是從遠處看見,就表示歡迎」。我承認我在世上「是異鄉人,是客旅。但是我所嚮往的,是一個更美的、在天上的家鄉。所以,神不以我稱祂為神而覺得羞恥;因為祂已經為我預備了一座城。願我看為基督受的羞辱,比世界的財物更寶貴,因為我切盼期待將來的賞賜。」

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

CHAPTER 11

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.  3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

 

MEDITATION

  1. If time allows, read all Hebrews 11, but focus on verses 1-3 and 39-40.
  2. This familiar passage is often called the Faith Hall of Fame.  Some of the people listed made great personal sacrifices to bring glory to God.  We’ve all heard, and possibly even uttered, the saying “seeing is believing”.  The writer of Hebrews begins with a definition of faith.  Faith, he writes, is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.  So, really, not seeing… is believing.
  3. Pray: By God’s grace I want to live to the end in faith, knowing that I will not receive the promises on earth, but seeing them and welcoming them from a distance, I confess that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth.  Instead, I long for a better country, a heavenly one.  In this way, God will not be ashamed to be called my God, for He has prepared a city for me.  Like Moses, may I esteem reproach for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of this world, because I am looking to the reward.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Mar. 5, 2012: 希伯來書 第十章Hebrew 10

第十章

19所以,弟兄們!我們憑著耶穌的血,可以坦然無懼地進入至聖所。20這進入的路,是他給我們開闢的,是一條通過幔子、又新又活的路,這幔子就是他的身體。21我們既然有一位偉大的祭司治理神的家,22我們良心的邪惡既然被灑淨,身體也用清水洗淨了,那麼,我們就應該懷著真誠的心和完備的信,進到神面前;23又應該堅持我們所宣認的盼望,毫不動搖,因為那應許我們的是信實的。24我們又應該彼此關心,激發愛心,勉勵行善。25我們不可放棄聚會,好像有些人的習慣一樣;卻要互相勸勉。你們既然知道那日子臨近,就更應該這樣。

 

默想

  1. 23節「堅持我們所宣認(承認)的盼望(指望)」,與6:19「這盼望」都提到信徒的盼望。究竟我「為甚麼懷有盼望」(彼前3:15)?基督徒在社會上多少都承受著一些壓力,覺得對身邊的人分享信仰並不容易。我上一次坦然地與人分享基督耶穌的信仰,是多久以前的事?我是否不敢開口跟人分享信仰?
  1. 基督徒聚會及信徒相交,能叫我們彼此相顧,互相勸勉,激發愛心,勉勵行善。嘗試在小組中分享我對分享信仰的困難,請求組員為我禱告,以達肢體相顧勉勵的功用。
  2. 今天個人獨處時,嘗試安靜心靈,求神加添力量,使我不論處於任何環境都能為主作見證。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

 

CHAPTER 10

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Meditation

  1. Both v23 and 6:19 mention the hope: “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (v23) and “this hope” (6:19).  What is “the reason for the hope” (1 Peter 3:15) that I have?  Many Christians feel the tension of being Christians in this secular society and find it difficult to share their faith with others.  When was the last time I felt free to express my faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that this gives me?
  2. Christian fellowship and gatherings provide opportunities for believers to care for one another, encourage one another, etc.  This week, share in my cell meeting the difficulty I have in sharing my faith with others.  Ask the other members to pray for me and to encourage each other.
  3. During my quiet time alone today take a moment to ask God for the strength to express my faith in all circumstances.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Mar. 2, 2012: 希伯來書 第九章Hebrew 9

第九章

23   照著天上樣式作的既然必須這樣去潔淨,天上物體的本身,就應該用更美的祭品去潔淨了。   24   因為基督不是進了人手所做的聖所(那不過是真聖所的表象),而是進到天上,現在替我們顯露在 神的面前。   25   他不必多次把自己獻上,好像大祭司每年帶著不是自己的血進入至聖所一樣。   26   如果這樣,他從創世以來,就必須受許多次的苦了。可是現在他在這世代的終結,只顯現一次,把自己作為祭品獻上,好除掉罪。   27   按著定命,人人都要死一次,死後還有審判。   28   照樣,基督為了擔當許多人的罪,也曾經一次把自己獻上;將來他還要再一次顯現,不是為擔當罪,而是要向那些熱切期待他的人成全救恩。

 

默想

  1. 有個患腎病的人,需要靠洗腎機來維持生命,但是他還是怕見到這個機器。這個機器使他生存,但也提醒他所患的疾病。他並不自由,而是被機器綁住,要不斷的靠機器清洗他的血液。離開了機器,他的疾病就會拖倒他的身體與精神。
  2. 這是希伯來書第九章描述舊約體系的情況(6-9節)。舊約不斷重復的獻祭,提醒百姓他們無法自救的情況。但是,基督一次獻祭就得了完全的勝利。基督的血已經洗凈我們一切的罪污,耶穌一次的獻祭,使我們得痊愈,且保證我們的得勝。我們就像瘸腿的,耶穌使我們跳躍跳舞;我們是瞎眼的,耶穌使我們看見;我們是耳聾的,耶穌使我們聽見。藉著耶穌一次的獻祭,我們得赦免,得痊愈,被召歡喜地面對人生,因為確知我們已經獲得勝利了。
  3. 我願意讓基督一次的犧牲獻祭,釋放我,使我有信心且喜樂地生活?或是我要讓自己被過去的經歷拉回罪中?要記得,因為耶穌的緣故,我的過去對我不再有任何影響了。為此向神感謝。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

CHAPTER 9

23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

  1. There was a kidney patient, whose dialysis machine kept him alive.  Yet he dreaded the process.  The kidney dialysis machine that kept him alive also reminded him of his illness.  He was not free, but bound to return to the machine to have his blood purified his again and again.  Away from it, his sickness quickly took hold on his body, and sapped all his strength.
  2. That’s just what Hebrews 9 says about the Old Testament system (vv 6-9).  The repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament system reminded worshipers of their continuing desperate condition.  But, the one sacrifice of Christ reminds us of His total victory.  The blood of Christ has cleansed us from all sin!  By one sacrifice Jesus has made us well, and guaranteed victory!  We are the lame, called to leap and dance.  We are the blind, called to see.  We are the deaf who now hear.  By the once for all sacrifice of Jesus, we are forgiven, made well, and called to face life rejoicing in the assurance that the victory we need has already been won!
  3. Do I let Christ’s one sacrifice free me to live confidently and joyously?  Do I let myself be dragged back into sin by the weight of my past?  Remember, because of Jesus, the past has no hold on me anymore.  Thank God for this.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Mar. 1, 2012: 希伯來書 第八章Hebrew 8

第八章

8   可是神指責他們,說:「看哪,主說,日子要到了,我要與以色列家和猶大家訂立新約。   9   這新約不像從前我拉他們祖先的手,領他們出埃及的日子與他們所立的約。因為他們沒有遵守我的約,我就不理會他們。這是主說的。   10   主說:『因為在那些日子以後,我要與以色列家所立的約是這樣:我要把我的律法放在他們的心思裡面,寫在他們的心上。我要作他們的 神,他們要作我的子民。   11   他們各人必不用教導自己的鄰居,和自己的同胞,說:你要認識主。因為所有的人,從最小到最大的,都必認識我。   12   我也要寬恕他們的不義,決不再記著他們的罪惡。』」   13  神既然說到新的約,就是把前約當作舊的了;那變成陳舊衰老的,就快要消逝了。

 

默想

  1. 廣告業老早就指出兩個強有勁的推銷詞:「新」,「免費」。這也是希伯來書作者在第八章要提出的。舊的律法體系「變成陳舊衰老,就快要消逝了」(13節)。神在基督裡與我們立的新約,要「寬恕他們的不義,決不再記著他們的罪惡」(12節)。因著耶穌所付的代價,神不再紀念我們的罪。舊的約將人無法達到的標準刻印在石板上,新的約將討神喜悅的意願刻印在我們的內心深處,並激勵我們遵行律法上的要求。
  2. 「新」——那些嘗試了其他所有的方法,仍然不能成為自己希望成為的人,可以求靠耶穌,使他們罪得赦免、生命得到更新。並且是「免費」的——基督的救恩完全不需我們付任何代價!
  3. 默想下面這段話:

我們應當做“大字體”的基督徒,這樣別人就不需要與我們相識很久,或透過放大鏡,才能察覺我們真是基督的門徒。我們生命的信息應該像那些大的廣告招牌,讓任何人路經過就可以看見。– F. B. Meyer

我的信徒身份是明顯的,還是隱藏的?禱告,求主使我的“信徒廣告牌”,越來越擴大,越來越明顯易見。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 8

8But God found fault with the and said:    “The time is coming, declares the Lord,   when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.    9It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.  10This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.  I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.   11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.   12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

MEDITATION

  1. “New” and “Free” are two catchy words for any salesperson.  It also says here that the old system of Law didn’t work (vv 7, 9, 13) and was “obsolete and aging”.  The New Covenant provides total forgiveness for all our wicked acts (v 12).  Because Christ has paid the ransom, God no longer holds us accountable for our sins.  The Old Covenant engraved standards that men were unable to meet on tablets of stone.  The New Covenant engraves the desire to please God in our inmost being, and moves us to what Law demanded, but could not produce.
  2. When it comes to faith, “new!” means for people who have tried everything else, and can turn to Jesus and find themselves forgiven and renewed.  And, it is “free”.  The salvation offered us in Christ, costs us nothing.
  3. Meditate the following paragraph:  We ought to be Christians in large type, so that it would not be necessary for others to be long in our society, or to regard us through spectacles, in order to detect our true discipleship.  The message of our lives should resemble the big advertisements which can be read on the street by all who pass by.  – F. B. Meyer

How big is my “Disciple billboard”? Pray that the Lord will enlarge it to become more and more visible to those passing by.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

260靈修 Feb. 29, 2012: 希伯來書 第七章Hebrew 7

第七章

16 他成了祭司,不是按著律法上肉身的條例,卻是按著不能毀壞的生命的大能。 17 因為有為他作證的說:「你永遠作祭司,是照著麥基洗德的體系。」 18 一方面,從前的條例因為軟弱,沒有用處,就廢棄了; 19 (因為律法從來沒有使甚麼得到完全,)另一方面,它卻帶來了更美的盼望,藉著這盼望,我們就可以親近神。

22   耶穌既然是用誓言立的,就成了更美好的約的保證。 23   一方面,從前那些作祭司的,因為受死亡的限制,不能長久留任,所以人數眾多。 24   另一方面,因為耶穌是永遠長存的,就擁有他永不更改的祭司職位。 25   因此,那些靠著他進到神面前的人,他都能拯救到底;因為他長遠活著,為他們代求。 26   這樣的一位大祭司,對我們本是合適的。他是聖潔、沒有邪惡、沒有玷污、從罪人中分別出來、高過眾天的。 27   他不必像那些大祭司,天天先為自己的罪獻祭,然後為人民的罪獻祭;因為他獻上了自己,就把這事一次而永遠的成全了。 28   律法所立的大祭司,都是軟弱的人;可是在律法以後,用誓言所立的兒子,卻是成為完全直到永遠的。

 

思想

  1.  「祭司」這個字拉丁文的意思是「築橋者」。在神與我們中間,有個無法跨越的鴻溝,耶穌成了我們的大祭司,就是為人築橋,使我們可以來到神面前。
  2. 基督永遠為祭司對我們的意義,就是神向我們保證,藉著耶穌基督從死裡復活成為我們的大祭司,完成了神拯救的計劃,為我們「帶來了更美的盼望……我們就可以親近神。」(19節);這表明耶穌不單拯救我們脫離罪的刑罰,祂並且每一天都在不斷拯救我們脫離罪惡對我們的思想與行為的陰險掌控,耶穌是我們罪得赦免與生命更新的源頭。  我們只要藉著信心,將自己和所有一切都交託給這位完全的大祭司,祂必能保全我們所交託祂的,直到那日(提後1:12)。
  3. 想像一下,耶穌是我的「祭司——築橋者」的圖像是怎樣的?我在那裡?神在那裡? 耶穌在那裡?有什麼感想?將心中的感受告訴耶穌。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 7

15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.  23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  26Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

MEDITATION

  1. The word “priest” in Latin is pontifex, which means “bridge builder”.  There is an impassable gulf separating us from God.  Jesus Christ, being our High Priest, is the bridge builder from humans to God.
  2. What does this permanent priesthood mean to us?  It is God’s promise to us that, through Jesus’ resurrection and His role as the High Priest, God’s plan for our salvation is complete and “a better hope is introduced, by which we are drawn near to God” (v19).  Note the phrase “save completely” (v25), which means that we are not only saved by Jesus from punishment for our sins, but also from sin’s insidious control of our thoughts and actions daily.  Jesus is the source of our forgiveness of sin and renewal of life.  All we need is to come to this perfect High priest in faith, and be “convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”(2Tim 1:12).
  3.  Visualize the image of Jesus as my “priest – the bridge builder”.  Where do I see myself, God, and Jesus in that picture?  How does that make me feel?  Share this feeling and thought with Jesus.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Feb. 28, 2012: 希伯來書 第六章Hebrew 6

第六章

13神應許亞伯拉罕的時候,因為沒有比自己更大的可以指著起誓,他就指著自己起誓,14說:“我必定賜福給你,必定使你的後裔繁多。”15這樣,亞伯拉罕耐心等待,終於獲得了所應許的。16因為人起誓都是指著比自己大的起誓。這誓言就了結了他們中間的一切糾紛,作為保證。17照樣,神定意向那些承受應許的人,更清楚地表明他的旨意是不更改的,就用起誓作保證。18這兩件事是不能更改的,因為神是決不說謊的。因此,我們這些逃進避難所的人,就大得安慰,抓緊那擺在我們面前的盼望。19我們有這盼望,就像靈魂的錨,又穩當又堅固,通過幔子直進到裡面。20耶穌已經為我們作先鋒進入了幔子裡面;他是照著麥基洗德的體系,成了永遠的大祭司。

 

默想

  1. 慢慢地出聲讀一遍這段經文。再讀一遍,留意經文對「應許」和「盼望」的強調。
  2. 思想一下,我生命中是否充滿了盼望?若不是,盼望的相反就是沮喪、懷疑、憤世。這段經文怎樣說明盼望?
  3. 再讀一遍這段經文。這些詞語當中:「保證、不更改、抓緊、盼望、又穩當又堅固」,是否有哪幾個詞句特別觸動我的?為什麼這個字或詞今天對我這麼特別?。
  4. 今天,以一個極大期盼的態度——期待與信靠——來渡過,這就是在神國中,屬神的子女,每天的生活情況。

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 6

13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION

  1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and “hope”.
  2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair, suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
  3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”, “unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
  4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy, anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks like.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Feb. 27, 2012: 希伯來書 第五章Hebrew 5

第五章

11 論到這些事,我們有很多話要說,可是很難解釋;因為你們已經遲鈍了,聽不進去。 12 到這個時候,你們應該已經作老師了;可是你們還需要有人再把神道理的初步教導你們。你們成了只能吃奶而不能吃乾糧的人! 13 凡是吃奶的,還是個嬰孩,對公義的道理沒有經歷; 14 只有長大成人的,才能吃乾糧,他們的官能因為操練純熟,就能分辨是非了。

 

默想

  1. 基督徒靈命若要成熟,就當不斷以神的話語作準繩來分辨是非善惡。不要以為擁有屬靈的知識就是成熟;能夠引述長篇經文,或作神學性的辯論都不是最重要的。信徒的成長乃表現在刻意以神的話語為原則,來作是非的分辨。「奶」與「乾糧」的區別,不在於個人認識基督教教義的膚淺或廣泛,而是在於我們怎樣處理神的話語。對那些聽了神的話卻不去遵行的,他們所知道的真理就是「奶」;但對其他聽了又去遵行神話語的,同樣的真理就成了喂飽他們的「乾糧」。
  2. 從今天的經文中,我聽見神的話語嗎?有哪方面是我可以實際應用在生活中的?祈求聖靈賜我力量與勇氣,讓我可以確實地在今天或這星期中做出來?

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

CHAPTER 5

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

MEDITATION

  1. We become mature in our faith by constantly using the truth God has revealed to distinguish good from evil.  Don’t mistake possessing information for maturity.  The ability to quote long passages of Scripture or to argue theology is meaningless.  What brings believer to maturity is the conscious effort of distinguishing between good and evil on criteria established by God’s Word.  The difference between “milk” and “meat” is found in neither the depth nor breadth of our knowledge in Christian doctrine, but in the way we live out the Word of God.  For those who merely hear the Word but have no action, the truths they know are milk; whereas for those who not only hear but also act upon the Word of God, the same truths become solid and sustaining meat.
  2. What is the one thing that I learn from God’s Word today that I can apply to my life?  How can I specifically apply it today or in this week?  Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower and remind me to truly do this one thing I’ve identified today.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

260靈修 Feb. 24, 2012: 希伯來書 第四章Hebrew 4

第四章

10 因為那進入神安息的人,就歇了自己的工作,好像神歇了自己的工作一樣。 11 所以,我們要竭力進入那安息,免得有人隨著那不順從的樣子就跌倒了。 12 神的道是活的,是有效的,比一切兩刃的劍更鋒利,甚至可以刺入剖開靈與魂,關節與骨髓,並且能夠辨明心中的思想和意念。 13 被造的在神面前沒有一樣不是顯明的,萬有在他的眼前都是赤露敞開的;我們必須向他交帳。

 

默想

  1. 我們大部分人都知道相信神話語的重要,但若我們真正誠實的話,我們必須承認有時候讀經只是例行公事,並非享受。想想看,究竟聖經對我有多重要?若我有一年的時間不能讀也不能聽到聖經的任何片段,我會很惦掛嗎?為什麼?「被造的在神面前沒有一樣不是顯明的」是什麼意思?我曾否在哪些方面經歷過「神的道是活的,是有效的,比一切兩刃的劍更鋒利」?
  2. 感謝神所賜的話語,求神賜我更多熱愛及渴望神話語的心。容許神在前面的日子裡,藉著祂的話語使我「在他的眼前……赤露敞開」。
  3. 將12-13節背起來,並經常用這兩節經文來禱告,求神使祂的話在我生命中越來越為重要。

 

禱告與筆錄:

繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

 

Chapter 4

10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.  12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

MEDITATION

  1. Most of us believe that God’s word is important.  But if we are honest, reading the Bible sometimes feels like a chore – less than enjoyable.  Now, think about how important the Scripture is to me.  What if I were unable to read or hear anything from the Bible for a year?  Would I miss it?  Why or why not?  What does “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” mean to me?  In what ways have I experienced God’s Word to be precise and powerful, “sharper than any double-edged sword”?
  2. Start praying by thanking God for the gift of His Word.  Ask Him to give me more passion and desire for it.  Give God permission to let His Word to make me “uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him” in the days and weeks ahead.
  3. Memorize vv12-13 and use them as my prayer regularly as a way of asking God to make Scripture increasingly important in my life.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.