Category: 260灵修

第三章

¹³ 如果你們熱心行善，有誰能害你們呢？¹⁴ 就算你們要為義受苦，也是有福的。「不要怕人的恐嚇，也不要畏懼。」¹⁵ 只要心裡尊基督為聖，以他為主；常常作好準備，去回答那些問你們為甚麼懷有盼望的人，¹⁶ 但要用溫柔敬畏的心回答。當存無愧的良心，使那些誣賴你們這在基督裡有好品行的人，在毀謗你們的事上蒙羞。¹⁷ 如果神的旨意是要你們受苦，那麼為行善受苦，總比為行惡受苦好。¹⁸ 因為基督也曾一次為你們的罪死了，就是義的代替不義的，為要領你們到神面前。就肉體的方面說，他曾死去；就靈的方面說，他復活了。

 

默想：

1. 平白地受到不公的待遇，是很讓人難受的。彼得開始時並不能理解這點，當耶穌宣講彌賽亞必須受苦，最後並要無辜受死時，彼得無法接受，他甚至試圖阻止耶穌。但在這裡，彼得已經明白，不公平的受苦確實可能帶來最驚奇的結果。彼得提醒我們，耶穌也曾受到極度不公的對待；然而因著耶穌的苦難，祂將我們帶到神的面前（18節）。神就將這樁極大的不公平事件，轉化為全人類的恩典與祝福。
2. 所以，當我們受到不合理的遭遇時，我們可以確實的知道，神並沒有忘記我們，也沒有丟棄我們。並且從這樣的過犯中，神會帶出極為美好的果效。因此，彼得在這裡說「你們……是有福的。」（13節）
3. 我是否曾因為跟隨主而受到苦難或不公平待遇？禱告，求主幫助我知道，在今天，這個星期，這個月，我當怎樣效法耶穌的榜樣，跟隨耶穌的腳蹤行。

 

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 3

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

 

MEDITATION

1. It is always difficult to suffer unjustly.  Peter did not always understand this.  When Jesus first taught that the Messiah must suffer and die unjustly, Peter attempted to stop Jesus.  However, Peter now understands that unjust suffering could bear the most surprising fruit.   Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered innocently too.  And yet through the injustice of Christ’s suffering, He brought us to God (v18).   And God turned injustice into a means of grace and of blessing for all mankind.
2. When we suffer unjustly, we can be sure that God hasn’t forgotten or forsaken us.  And out of the evil God will bring some very real good.   Therefore, Peter says that if injustice happens, “you are blessed.”
3. Have I ever experienced unjust treatment or hardship because of following the Lord?  Pray and ask God to show me how I might imitate Jesus today, this week, this month.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

¹¹ 親愛的，我勸你們作客旅和寄居的人，要禁戒肉體的私慾，這私慾是與靈魂爭戰的。¹² 你們在教外人中，應當品行端正，使那些人，雖然毀謗你們是作惡的，但因為看見你們的好行為，就要在鑒察的日子頌讚神。

¹³ 你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，無論是至尊的君王，¹⁴ 或是君王所派賞善罰惡的官員；¹⁵ 因為這是神的旨意，要藉著你們的善行，塞住糊塗無知人的口。¹⁶ 你們是自由的人，但不要用自由來掩飾邪惡，總要像神的僕人。¹⁷ 要尊重眾人，愛護弟兄，敬畏神，尊敬君王。

²¹ 你們就是為此蒙召，因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。

 

 

默想：

1. 初期信徒很多時候被人批評指責，因為他們在公開場合中不肯敬拜皇帝或其他的神明。但是，當時羅馬政府一項調查指出，在基督徒的聚會中，他們宣誓要過正直樂善的生活，為皇帝祈禱，並順從當權者。
2. 然而，過順從領袖的生活，並不表示我們就不會被人誹謗，或不會受到不公平的待遇。但是，當我們使用自己的自由，在社會上選擇過屬神兒女的生活，亦即，在社會上做個好公民，必會帶來別人的讚賞，並歸榮耀給神。
3. 我能夠在所居住的城市、省份、國家，如何做個好公民？有什麼是我應當，但尚未做到的事情？求主幫助我。

 

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 2

¹¹Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. ¹²Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

¹³Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. ¹⁶Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ¹⁷Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

 

Meditation

1. Early Christians were at times criticized as misfits because they did not take part in worship at social events honouring the Emperor or state deities.  Yet, the earliest investigation by Roman authorities reports that in Christian meetings they bound themselves by oath to live good lives, to pray for the Emperor, and to obey the authorities.
2. A life of submission to authorities will not prevent us from being slandered or unfairly treated.  But using our freedom to live as God’s servant in our society, to be good citizens in our community, will surely win praises from people and bring glory to God.
3. What can I do to be good citizen of my city, province and nation?  What are the things I need to do but haven’t done?  Ask God to help me.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第一章

¹³所以要準備好你們的心，警醒謹慎，專心盼望耶穌基督顯現的時候所要帶給你們的恩典。¹⁴你們既是順服的兒女，就不要再效法從前無知的時候放縱私慾的生活。¹⁵那召你們的既是聖潔的，你們在一切所行的事上也要聖潔。¹⁶因為聖經上記著說：“你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。”¹⁷你們既稱那不偏待人、按各人行為審判的主為父，就當存敬畏的心，過你們寄居的日子；¹⁸因為知道你們得贖，脫去你們祖先傳下的妄行，不是憑著能壞的金銀等物，¹⁹而是憑著基督的寶血，就像無瑕疵無玷污的羊羔的血。²⁰基督是在創立世界以前，是神所預知的，卻在這末後的世代才為你們顯現出來。²¹藉著他，你們信那使他從死人中復活、又給他榮耀的神，叫你們的信心和盼望都在於神。

²²你們既因順從真理，潔淨了自己的心靈，以致能真誠地愛弟兄，就應當從清潔的心裡彼此切實相愛。

 

默想：

1. 彼得對聖潔的教導可能令我們很困惑且有威脅感；因為我們常常受傳媒影響，認為「聖潔」的人就一定是沉悶、拘謹、寡慾、枯燥、自以為是、主觀、並極度偽善的。但聖經中所說的聖潔，並非如此，乃是說要成為聖潔，就是要將我們改變成基督的樣式。
2. 耶穌在世時，罪人蜂擁地靠近祂，但自以為義的宗教領袖，則盡量設法廻避祂。彼得曾親歷基督那滲入人心、充滿愛的聖潔；他雖犯了極大的過錯，他也不會離開耶穌。究竟聖潔與愛心有什麼關連？彼得的指示：「愛弟兄沒有虛假、就當從心裡彼此切實相愛」。我要怎樣活出這樣的生命？
3. 禱告，求神教導我活出獨特、分別、與世隔離的聖潔真實生活。

 

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。

I Peter

Chapter 1

¹³Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵But just as he who called you is holy, so; ¹⁶for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

¹⁷Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. ¹⁸For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

²²Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

 

Meditation:

1. Peter’s call to holiness can be confusing and intimidating.  We are often bombarded by the media depicting “holy” people as stiff, sexuality repressed, boring, lifeless, self-righteous, judgemental, and deeply hypocritical.  Yet the picture we see in the Bible is that to be holy is to be transformed into Christ’s image.
2. While Jesus was on earth, sinful people flocked to him, while self-righteous folk tended to avoid an encounter.  Peter experienced firsthand Christ’s penetrating, loving holiness, and even after his greatest mistakes he couldn’t keep away from Jesus.  How are holiness and love related?  Peter further instructed: “have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart”.
3. Pray.  Ask God to teach me to live an authentic holy life that is different and separated from the world.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第四章

¹ 我在神面前，並且在那將要審判活人死人的基督耶穌面前，憑著他的顯現和國度叮囑你： ² 務要傳道；無論時機是否適合，都要常作準備；要以多方的忍耐和教訓責備人、警戒人、勸勉人。 ³ 因為時候快要到了，人必容不下純正的道理，反而耳朵發癢，隨著自己的私慾，增添許多教師， ⁴ 而且轉離不聽真理，反倒趨向無稽之談。 ⁵ 你卻要凡事謹慎，忍受磨難、作傳福音者的工作，完成你的職務。 ⁶ 我已經被澆奠；我離世的時候也到了。 ⁷ 那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所持的信仰我已經守住了。 ⁸ 從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按公義審判的主在那日要賞給我的；不但賞給我，也賞給所有愛慕他顯現的人。

默想：

1. 保羅一生中，經歷了許多的失望，和極多的迫害。但當他回首他的一生時，他心中充滿了滿足；雖然經歷了這麼多，保羅仍然堅持服事。他打了美好的杖，跑了當跑的路，守住了所持的信仰；現在，他期望將要得到的獎賞。
2. 保羅要我們知道神也有獎賞要給我們每一個人。我們生活在這世界上，知道這些都是暫時的，其中的享樂也都會過去。我們所嚮往的並非世上的事物，而是耶穌的再來。就是這個渴慕，促使我們，以及保羅，忠心地持守神所託付我們的事工。
3. 我是否也有保羅那種對未來的盼望及眼光？唱或讀下面的短詩，作為我對神的感恩與讚美：

一切都必得償，因得見恩主；今生患難顯小，因得見主；

與主歡聚非遙，那時愁苦全消；當勇向前奔跑，直到見主。

 

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

¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

MEDITATION

1. Paul has known plenty of discouragement, and abundant persecution.  But he looked back over his life with a sense of satisfaction.  Through it all, Paul kept on serving.  He fought a good fight.  He ran a good race.  He kept the faith.  And now he looked forward to his reward. 
2. Paul wants us to know that God has the same reward for each of us.  We have lived our life here aware that this earth is temporary, and all its pleasures are passing.  We have yearned not for the things of earth, but for Jesus to return.  And this longing has kept us, as it kept Paul, faithfully committed to whatever ministry God has given us.
3. Do I share Paul’s hope and perspective for the future?  Sing or read this chorus as my thanksgiving and praise to God:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第三章

¹ 你應當知道，末後的日子必有艱難的時期來到。 ² 那時，人會專愛自己、貪愛錢財、自誇、高傲、褻瀆、悖逆父母、忘恩負義、不聖潔、 ³ 沒有親情、不肯和解、惡言中傷、不能自律、橫蠻兇暴、不愛良善、 ⁴ 賣主賣友、容易衝動、傲慢自大、愛享樂過於愛神， ⁵ 有敬虔的形式，卻否定敬虔的能力；這些人你應當避開。

¹⁵ 並且知道自己從小就明白聖經，這聖經能夠使你有智慧，可以因信基督耶穌得著救恩。¹⁶ 全部聖經都是神所默示的，在教訓、責備、矯正和公義的訓練各方面，都是有益的，¹⁷ 為要使屬神的人裝備好，可以完成各樣的善工。

默想：

1. 慢慢地讀經文，不要以為這經文是在描述別人而不是自己的行為，要認清現在的社會是個自我中心，自我宣揚，玩世不恭、以及沉溺私慾的社會。
2. 再讀一遍這段，留意第一段與第二段的極大區別：

–          聖經如何幫助我從社會流行的風氣中改變過來（16節）？

–          聖經是神默示的——是與我有親密關係的天父向我說的話語，而不是一長列的規條。想一下神 以“教訓、責備、矯正和公義的訓練”向我說話。

3. 是否能想像到，神以輕柔但堅定、或絕對正確的方式，「教訓、責備、矯正和公義的訓練」我？在我還沒有完全搞砸之前，來幫助我？求神幫助我向祂開放，並求神指出我在這時刻需要知道應當改變的細節。
4. 想像一下和神過這種互動的生活：一整天內，都能體會到祂輕柔地教訓，向我指出什麼是真實的；責備我，暴露出我的悖逆；矯正我的錯誤；訓練我活出祂的旨意來。為什麼這會是最好的生活？

 

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 3

¹But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ²People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

MEDITATION

1. Paul’s remarks here, in fact, are directed and relevant to our own age,  considering that modern culture, in general, tends to be self-absorbed, self-promoting, cynical, and addicted to lust. 
2. Read the passages again slowly.  Notice the big change from the first paragraph to the second. 

–          How does the way the Scripture moves us (v 16) help us to be different from the general culture?

–          Scripture is God-breathed – words breathed to me from our relational God, not a bunch of rules.  Picture God speaking to me in “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”.

3. Can I imagine God doing these things in ways exactly right for me?  In gentle yet firm ways?  To rescue me before I mess up?  Ask God to help me be open to him.  Ask God to show me specific details that I need to know at this moment. 
4. Imagine such an interactive life with God, one in which all day long I experience him gently showing me truth, exposing my rebellion, correcting my mistakes, and training me to live his way.  Would this be the best way to live?  Why?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

²² 你應當逃避年輕人的私慾，要和那些以清潔的心求告主的人，一同追求公義、信心、愛心、和平。 ²³ 你要拒絕愚蠢無知的問難；你知道這些事會引起爭論。 ²⁴ 但主的僕人卻不可爭論，總要待人溫和，善於教導，存心忍耐， ²⁵ 以溫柔勸導那些對抗的人，或許神給他們悔改的心，可以認識真理。 ²⁶ 他們雖然曾經被魔鬼擄去，隨從他的意思而行，或許也能醒悟過來，脫離魔鬼的陷阱。

 

默想:

1. 慢慢地讀幾遍這段經文，想像保羅就坐在身旁，對我直接說這些話。我心中有什麼感受？有那句觸動我的心？或許我在抗拒「年輕人的私慾」，或是我專門喜歡提出刁難的 問題，或是我心中尚有苦毒，總是喜歡和別人「爭論」，又或是我覺得屬靈的成熟，例如「待人溫和，善於教導，存心忍耐」對我實在是太難，太遙不可及了；又或者對某些人，我已經完全放棄希望，認為他不有可能「醒悟過來」。
2. 繼續靜默地坐在神的面前，不要心急；安靜，靜坐，留意聆聽，神在靜默中微小的聲音。可能祂要指出我心中一塊幼稚的地方，或是成熟的地方；也許祂要賜給我對某事或某人的盼望。
3. 在靜默中繼續思考神要我對祂的指示作什麼回應？我今天要怎樣活出神的指引？這個禮拜？這個月？

 

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 2

²²Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

1. Slowly read these verses.  Imagine Paul is sitting beside me, speaking these words to me directly.  How do I feel when I hear them?  What part of the passage resonates most with me?  Why?  Maybe the “evil desires of youth” seem a little patronizing.  Maybe I just like to have “foolish and stupid arguments”, or there is still bitterness in me that I get into “quarrels” a lot.  Perhaps Christian maturity such as “be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” seems impossible or defeating.  Maybe with some people I’ve lost hope that they might “come to their senses”.
2. Continue to sit in a comfortable position being as still and silent as possible.  Silent, still.  Listen for the gentle whisper of God’s voice in the midst of the silence.  Maybe he will show me a spot of childishness or one of righteousness.  Maybe he will offer me hope.
3. Continue to sit in silence and explore what God might want me to do with this instruction.  How am I to live it out today? This week? This month?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第一章

⁶ 為了這緣故，我提醒你，要把神藉著我按手給你的恩賜，像火一樣再挑旺起來。 ⁷ 因為神所賜給我們的，不是膽怯的靈，而是有能力、仁愛、自律的靈。 ⁸ 所以，不要以給我們的主作見證當作羞恥，也不要以我這為主被囚的當作羞恥，卻要為了福音的緣故，靠著神的大能，與我同受磨難。 ⁹神救了我們，以聖召呼召我們，不是按照我們的行為，卻是按照他自己的計劃和恩典；這恩典是在永世之先，在基督耶穌裡賜給了我們的， ¹⁰ 但現在藉著我們救主基督耶穌的顯現，才表明出來。他廢掉了死亡，藉著福音把生命和不朽彰顯出來。 ¹¹ 為這福音，我被派作傳道的、使徒和教師。 ¹² 為了這緣故，我也受這些苦，但我不以為恥，因為我知道我所信的是誰，也深信他能保守我所交託他的，直到那日。

 

默想:

1. 我們很稀奇有些人為了某些目標，情願犧牲受苦：運動員願意接受嚴格訓練，為要得到金牌；有些人願意受苦，以攀登高峰；有些人願意受苦，獲得魁偉的身材；還有人為賺更多錢，願意犧牲家庭生活。有些人為了兒女而犧牲一切；有人經歷一次又一次的心碎，為要尋求那理想的丈夫或妻子。
2. 保羅在這裡要求我們為更有意義的事來受磨難。福音是神賜的奇妙恩典，是藉著耶穌表明出來的；福音向人宣告神勝過死亡，並呼喚每個人來接受基督，以得到永遠的生命；這才是值得犧牲受苦的目標。況且，若我們是因為忠於作主門徒的本分而受苦，並將苦難視作學習依靠神大能的機會，這些苦難就成為塑造我們生命的重要時刻。
3. 回想一件我曾受過的苦。思想一下，神怎樣透過這個痛苦的經歷，是我的 生命得到塑造？我對神有怎樣進深的認識與體會？

 

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 1

⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

⁸So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, ⁹who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹²That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

 

MEDITATION

1. It’s amazing what some people are willing to suffer for.  Athletes are willing to suffer through training to receive a gold medal.  Some are willing to suffer to reach a mountaintop.  Some are willing to suffer to obtain certain physique.  Others sacrifice home and family to make more money on a job that takes them constantly on the road. Some sacrifice everything at the altar of their children. Others suffer through heartbreak after heartbreak as they seek “the one” perfect husband/wife.
2. Paul asks us to suffer for something far more worthwhile.  The Gospel is that amazing expression of God’s grace, revealed in Christ’s appearance, that announces God’s victory over death and invites everyone to come to Him for “life and immortality”.  Now that is something worth suffering for.  Besides, our times of suffering become spiritually significant when they are induced by faithful discipleship and when we see them as opportunities to rely on the power of God.
3. Recall one experience of suffering in the past.  Consider how God through this suffering brought transformation to my life?  What deeper understanding and appreciation of God have I gained from it?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第六章

⁶ 其實敬虔而又知足，就是得大利的途徑， ⁷ 因為我們沒有帶甚麼到世上來，也不能帶甚麼去。⁸ 只要有衣有食，就應當知足。⁹ 但那些想要發財的人，就落在試探中和陷阱裡；又落在許多無知而有害的私慾裡，使人沉淪在敗壞和滅亡中； ¹⁰ 因為貪財是萬惡之根。有人貪愛錢財，就被引誘離開真道，用許多痛苦把自己刺透了。

¹¹ 但你這屬神的人啊，應該逃避這些事，要追求公義、敬虔、信心、愛心、忍耐和溫柔。

 

默想：

1. 第10節常常被人誤用為「金錢是萬惡之根」；其實，保羅警告的是「貪財」，因為貪愛錢財會使人作出許多惡事。而且一個人一心想要致富，至終會「用許多痛苦把自己刺透」。對我們很多人來講，金錢是很大的偶像，甚至已經取代了神在我們生命中的地位。
2. 保羅告訴提摩太要逃避那些會拖垮一個人的事情，然後還要盡一切的努力去追求屬神的德行；不去貪愛錢財，反而去熱愛並「追求公義、敬虔、信心、愛心、忍耐和溫柔」。
3. 祈求聖靈向我顯明，在我心中是否有任何因為貪愛錢財，而不顧別人、不顧更重要的品德價值？當我面對困境時，「錢財」是否是我做決定的主要關鍵？
4. 再慢慢重讀這段經文，聆聽神對我的說話，並與神對話。

 

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

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

 

MEDITATION:

1. The common misquote of v 10 says “Money is the root of all evil.”  In fact, what Paul warned against is a love for money, for that passion for wealth can motivate a person to any and every sort of evil deed.  A person whose goal is to get rich is sure to be betrayed by that passion.  For many of us, money is a powerful idol that has taken the place of God in our lives.
2. Instead of a desire for money, Paul said flee this and then listed values to hold in money’s place.  What are we to love and pursue if we don’t love and pursue money?  Why, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me if there is any love for money in me that is pushing out consideration of other, more important values?  In facing a situation, is “eagerness for money” a key value to make my decision?
4. Read over this passage again and talk to God about what is revealed to me.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第五章

¹ 不要嚴厲責備老年人，卻要勸他好像勸父親；勸青年人好像勸弟兄； ² 勸年老的婦人好像勸母親；存著純潔的心，勸青年女子好像勸姊妹。³ 要敬重供養那些無依無靠的寡婦。 ⁴ 寡婦若有兒孫，就應當讓兒孫先在自己家裡學習孝道，報答親恩，因為這在神面前是蒙悅納的。

⁷ 這些事你要囑咐她們，使她們無可指摘。 ⁸ 人若不看顧自己的人，尤其不看顧自己一家的人，就是背棄信仰，比不信的人還壞。 ⁹ 寡婦登記，年紀必須到達六十歲，只作過一個丈夫的妻子， ¹⁰ 並且要有善行的見證：就如養育兒女，接待客旅，替聖徒洗腳，救濟困苦的人，盡力行各樣的善事等。

 

默想：

1. 在保羅寫這封信當時的社會背景中，寡婦是所有窮乏、無依無靠的代表。因此，提摩太前書用了不少篇幅來描述教會對她們的責任。作為基督徒，我們要操練服事，就是經常紀念我們當中，在社會上最有需要的人。
2. 服事的定義（生命陶造版聖經）：「滿有愛心和體貼，積極謀求他人的好處，並跟隨神在我們這個世界所定下的目標。我們這樣服事，便能成長，超越自我，經歷老我的日益衰微」。我當如何在這方面更多積極操練？我的小組是否可以一同採取什麼行動，來操練服事他人？

 

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

¹Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, ²older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.  ³Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

⁷Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.  ⁹No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

 

MEDITATION:

1. A church is judged by its care of its most vulnerable.  At the time the letter was written, widows were the epitome of need and dependency; therefore, 1 Timothy expends much text dealing with the community’s responsibility for them.  As Christians we are obligated to cultivate those Spiritual Disciplines that constantly call to mind the needs of the most vulnerable and form our lives in service to those needs.
2. The definition of “service” according the Spiritual Formation Bible is: Loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves.  What practical endeavors should I make in this area? Is there a way that my small group can actively take steps to serve others?

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第四章

⁶ 你若把這些事提醒弟兄們，就是基督耶穌的好僕役，常在信仰的話語上，和你所遵從美善的教訓上得著培養。 ⁷ 總要棄絕世俗以及老婦的無稽之談；要操練自己達到敬虔的地步。 ⁸ 因為操練身體，益處還少；唯獨操練敬虔，凡事有益，享有今生和來世的應許。 ⁹ 這話是可信的，是值得完全接納的。 ¹⁰ 我們也是為這緣故勞苦努力，因為我們的盼望在於永活的神。他是萬人的救主，更是信徒的救主。 ¹¹ 這些事你要囑咐人，教導人。 ¹² 不要叫人小看你年輕，總要在言語、行為、愛心、信心和純潔上，都作信徒的榜樣。 ¹³ 在我來以前，你要專心宣讀聖經、勸勉和教導。 ¹⁴ 不要忽略你所得的恩賜，就是眾長老按手時藉著預言賜給你的。 ¹⁵ 這些事你要認真實行，專心去作，使眾人看出你的長進來。 ¹⁶ 你要謹慎自己，留心自己的教訓。在這些事上要有恆心，因為你這樣作，不但能救自己，也能救那些聽你的人。

 

默想：

1. 一般人以運動來發展體能或維持健美；基督徒也要運動（操練）來達到屬靈的成長。舉重選手練習舉重，來增強他的舉重能力；基督徒希望靈命成長，就當操練信心的生活，操練愛神、愛人。
2. 在1到10 的度量表上，1代表屬靈肌肉的鬆弛，10代表屬靈肌肉的結實，我的屬靈健康是多少分？為什麼？我在下列五項中，如何以我的生命來影響他人？「言語、行為、愛心、信心和純潔」？我怎樣可以在這幾方面成為更好的榜樣？
3. 將這五個詞抄寫在一張卡片上，「言語、行為、愛心、信心和純潔」，提醒自己要常常依靠神，操練在這五方面做別人的榜樣。

 

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

⁶If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  ⁹This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance ¹⁰(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.  ¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.  ¹⁵Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

 

MEDITATION

1. People work out to develop themselves physically.  Christians are to “work out” to develop spiritually.  A weight lifter develops his skill by lifting weights.  A Christian develops his ability to live a godly life by making godly choices.  To grow spiritually, I need to concentrate on those acts which show my love for God and for others.
2. On a scale of one to ten – one being spiritual flabbiness and ten being spiritually fit – how would I rate my spiritual fitness?  Why?  How well am I “teaching believers with my life” in these five areas: “by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity”?  How could I make my life a better example for others in these areas?
3. Write these five words on an index card: word, demeanor, love, faith, and integrity.  Ask God to help me live out these areas throughout the day.

 

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 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.