260靈修 Feb. 23, 2012: 希伯來書 第三章Hebrew 3

第三章

 

7 所以,就像聖靈所說的:“如果你們今天聽從他的聲音, 8 就不要硬著心,好像在曠野惹他發怒、試探他的日子一樣; 9 在那裡,你們的祖先以試驗來試探我,觀看我的作為有四十年之久。 10 所以,我向那個世代的人發怒,說:‘他們心裡常常迷誤,不認識我的道路。’ 11 我就在烈怒中起誓,說:‘他們絕不可進入我的安息。’” 12 弟兄們,你們要小心,免得你們中間有人存著邪惡、不信的心,以致離棄了永活的神; 13 趁著還有叫作“今天”的時候,總要天天互相勸勉,免得你們中間有人受了罪惡的誘惑,心裡就剛硬了。 14 如果我們把起初的信念堅持到底,就是有分於基督的人了。 15 經上說:“如果你們今天聽從他的聲音,就不要硬著心,像惹他發怒的時候一樣。” 16 那時,聽了他的話而惹他發怒的是誰呢?不就是摩西從埃及領出來的那些人嗎? 17 四十年之久,神向誰發怒呢?不就是向那些犯了罪陳屍曠野的人嗎? 18 他又向誰起誓說,他們絕對不可以進入他的安息呢?不就是向那些不順從的人嗎? 19 這樣看來,他們不能進入安息,是因為不信的緣故。

 

思想

  1. 這幾節經文是針對屬靈生命的兩大敵人,就是心硬(8節)與不信(12節)。昔日以色列人聽見神的話,卻硬著心,不信靠神,與神對抗的,因此不能享有安息與平安。
  2. 今天我們也是一樣。任何人聽見並回應耶穌的信息,都能經歷內心完全的平安。只有當我們不願全然信靠神,且拒絕聽從神的時候,我們就無法得到內心的平安。
  3. 安靜在神面前,思想我的現況:我是否已經得救卻仍痛苦?已經信主卻仍焦慮?已經悔改卻仍不得滿足?祈求聖靈幫助我看見內心深處,有沒有什麼地方我是硬著心,不願順服神的聲音?若有,求聖靈引導,賜我順服與信靠的心,來甘心聽從神。

 

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

7So, as the Holy Spirit says:    “Today, if you hear his voice, 8do not harden your hearts    as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, 9where your fathers tested and tried me  and for forty years saw what I did.  10That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways. 11So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said:    “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

16Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

MEDITATION

  1. These verses warn against two enemies of the spiritual life: a hardened heart (v8) and unbelief(v12).  The Exodus generation heard God’s word through Moses.  However, they would not trust God and refused to obey Him.  As a result, they found neither rest nor peace.
  2. This is the same with us today.  When we heard and responded to the message of Jesus, we are invited to experience a rest and complete inner peace.  However, if we are not willing to trust God completely and refuse to respond his God’s voice, then we will not experience this peace of God.
  3. Quiet before the Lord and reflect: Am I saved yet miserable?  Do I believe God but still anxious?  Have I repented yet unresolved?  Could it be that I have hardened my heart, and am unwilling to obey God?  Ask for guidance and a willing spirit to trust and obey God.

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. 22, 2012: 希伯來書 第二章Hebrew 2

第二章

 

6但是有人在聖經上某一處證實說

“人算甚麼,你竟記念他?

世人算甚麼,你竟眷顧他?

7你使他比天使稍低微一點,

卻賜給他榮耀尊貴作冠冕,

   8使萬物都服在他的腳下。

”既然萬有都服了他,就沒有剩下一樣不服他的了。但是現在我們還沒有看見萬有都服他。9不過,我們看見那位暫時成了比天使卑微的耶穌,因為受了死的痛苦,就得了榮耀尊貴作冠冕,好叫他因著神的恩典,為萬人嘗了死味。

10萬有因他而有、藉他而造的那位,為了要帶領許多兒子進入榮耀裡去,使救他們的元首藉著受苦而得到成全,本是合適的。

默想

  1. 出聲讀出這段經文。
  2. 再次慢慢地讀一遍經文,留意當中有哪些詞句觸動我的?反覆思想經文的主題與詞句。安靜一下,求神幫助我明白它們的意義,然後繼續思想這些字詞。為什麼我會被這些字詞觸動?這是否與我目前的生活狀況——感受、環境、抉擇——有關連?
  3. 求主讓我能繼續不斷地被神的榮耀、神當受的尊崇,強烈地吸引。

 

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

6But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
7You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and put everything under his feet.”

In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

 

Meditation

  1. Read the passage aloud once.
  2. Then read the passage again slowly.  What words or phrases capture my attention the most?  Pause for a moment and ask God to help me understand them and continue to meditate on them.  Why do I think those words or phrases fascinate me?  Are they related to what is going on in my life right now – feelings, circumstances, decisions, etc.?
  3. Pray that I will be continually fascinated by God’s glory, honour and majesty.

 

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. 21, 2012: 希伯來書 第一章Hebrew 1

第一章

 

1神在古時候,曾經多次用種種方法,藉著先知向我們的祖先說話;2在這末後的日子,卻藉著他的兒子向我們說話。神已經立他作萬有的承受者,並且藉著他創造了宇宙(“宇宙”或譯:“諸世界”或“眾世代”)。3他是神榮耀的光輝,是神本質的真象,用自己帶有能力的話掌管萬有;他作成了潔淨罪惡的事,就坐在高天至尊者的右邊。4 他所承受的名比天使的名更尊貴,所以他遠比天使崇高。

 

默想

  1. 重讀幾遍這幾節經文,讓它在我心中回響,熟悉這些字句,嘗試背熟它。
  2. 花些時間默想這段經文。若是可能,站在一面鏡子前面,看看自己的影像。想一想,這是多不可思議的事,耶穌來到世上,竟然是向世界反映神的形象!再想想,耶穌竟然統管著整個宇宙萬物,祂是維繫人類歷史的重要因素!我對耶穌的認識,與這裡的描述,有多少差距?
  3. 再一次站在鏡子前面,看著鏡中的我,並求神賜我勇氣與指引;幫助我在世上,在每天生活中都能像鏡子一樣,反映耶穌的樣子。
  4. 思想我今天當如何反映耶穌的形象,並且實際地去做出來。

 

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。

 

 

 

Hebrews (NIV)

Chapter 1

1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Meditation

  1. Read these few verses a few times.  Become familiar with the words and try to memorize it.
  2. Spend time meditating on the passage.  If possible, stand in front of a mirror and see my own reflection in the mirror.  How incredible it is that Jesus is to be like a mirror to reflect God’s image to the world!  Then consider the monumental act of holding everything together.   He is indeed the backbone of human history!  Is my knowledge of God different from what is described here?
  3. Stand in front of the mirror and look at my own reflection again. And ask God for the courage and guidance to help me mirror Jesus to the world, reflecting him as I go about every day.
  4. Consider how I might reflect Jesus today – and do 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 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Feb. 20, 2012: 腓利門書第一章Philemon 1

第一章

8   我在基督裡雖然可以放膽吩咐你作應作的事,   9   然而像我這上了年紀的保羅,現在又是為基督耶穌被囚禁的,寧願憑著愛心請求你,   10   就是為我在囚禁時所生的兒子歐尼西慕求你;   11   他從前對你沒有甚麼好處,但現在對你我都有好處。   12   我現在打發他親自回到你那裡去;他是我所心愛的。   13   我本來想把他留在我這裡,使他在我為福音被囚禁時,可以替你服事我。   14   但還沒有得到你的同意,我就不願意這樣作,好叫你的善行不是出於勉強,而是出於甘心。   15   也許他暫時離開你,正是為了使你永遠得著他,   16   不再是奴僕,而是高過奴僕,是親愛的弟兄。對我固然是這樣,對你來說,不論按肉身或在主內的關係,更是這樣。   17   所以,你要是把我看作同伴,就接納他好像接納我一樣。   18   如果他使你受了損失,或欠你甚麼,都記在我的帳上。   19   “我必償還”,這是我保羅親手寫的。用不著我說,甚至你的生命,你也是欠我的。   20   所以弟兄啊!讓我在主裡得到你的幫助,使我的心在基督裡得著暢快。   21   我深信你會聽從,也知道你所作的必超過我所說的,因此才寫信給你。

 

默想:

  1. 當我們信主後,我們與其他信徒成了弟兄姊妹。有沒有什麼基督徒,我很難接受他們為主裡的弟兄或姐妹?為什麼會這樣?花些時間來搜尋一下我的內心,究竟是因為他們的背景,族群,行為,文化或神學的差異,或是其他理由?我要怎樣改變才能接受這位為主裡的弟兄或姐妹?
  2. 告訴神,我對於接受這些人的掙扎。感謝神,因祂接納我,並感謝祂,因祂看我和其他人都是祂的孩子。求神幫助我能用同樣的眼光來看其他人。
  3. 這個星期,當我遇到與我不同的人時,求主提醒我,神是以“我的孩子”來看他們的——這也包括我在內。

 

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。

 

Philemon (NIV)

Chapter 1

8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.  12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.  17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

 

Meditation

  1. Are there one or more Christians that I have a hard time accepting as brother or sister in Christ?  Why is it hard to think of this Christian this way?  Take time to explore my heart.  Is it the background, ethnicity, behavior, cultural or theological difference, or something else? What would need to change in me in order to accept this person as a Christian brother or sister?
  2. Talk to God about this.  Tell Him about my struggle of accepting others.  Thank God that He accepts me and thank Him that He sees me and other believers as no less than His very own children.  Ask God to help me see others with the same eyes.
  3. As I encounter people this week who are different from me, remind myself that God sees them with the label “my children” – and that means me too.

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.

260靈修 Feb. 17, 2012: 提多書第三章Titus 3

第三章

1   你要提醒他們服從執政的和掌權的,聽從他們,隨時準備作各種善工。   2   不可毀謗人,要與人無爭,謙恭有禮,向眾人表現充分溫柔的心。   3   我們從前也是無知、不順服、受了迷惑、被各種私慾和逸樂所奴役,生活在惡毒和嫉妒之中,是可憎可惡的,並且互相仇視。   4   然而,到了 神我們的救主顯明他的恩慈和憐愛的時候,   5   他就救了我們,並不是由於我們所行的義,而是照著他的憐憫,藉著重生的洗和聖靈的更新。   6   聖靈就是 神藉著我們的救主耶穌基督豐豐富富澆灌在我們身上的,   7   使我們既然因著他的恩典得稱為義,就可以憑著永生的盼望成為後嗣。   8   這話是可信的,我願你確實地強調這些事,使信 神的人常常留心作善工;這些都是美事,並且是對人有益的。   9   你要遠避愚昧的辯論、家譜、紛爭和律法上的爭執,因為這都是虛妄無益的。   10   分門結黨的人,警戒一兩次之後,就要和他絕交。   11   你知道這種人已經背道,常常犯罪,定了自己的罪。

 

默想:

  1. 坊間流行減肥廣告的使用“前後照片”作效果宣傳 ,其實這“前後”對照的果效,對基督信仰比減肥計劃更適用,而且使用的方法也更可靠。基督在我們的生命中使我們改變,我們的生命也確實得到改變。救恩不僅是永生的事——讓我們得救可以上天堂。救恩乃是整個信仰群體的生活形態,不是個人與神的私事,而是夫妻之間,父母兒女之間,朋友之間,同事之間,牧者與會友之間的公開關係。
  2. 再次慢慢地讀這段經文,用些時間來思想“前後照片” 的比喻。想想我信仰路途上“前後照片” 是怎樣的?照片上的差距很明顯嗎?

 

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

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.  3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

 

Meditation

  1. The “before and after” snapshot is as applicable to Christian faith as to diet clinics.  In fact, the approach is much more reliable in faith than diet fads.  Christ in the life makes life different.  And makes us different too. Salvation is not merely a matter of eternity, of getting “saved” so we can get to heaven.  It’s a way of life for the community.  It isn’t a private matter between the soul and God but a very public matter between husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and co-workers, pastors and parishioners.
  2. Slowly read through this passage again.  Take a moment to think of the metaphor of the “before and after” snapshot.  What is the “before and after” snapshot of my faith journey?  How obvious is the contrast shown?

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.


260靈修 Feb. 16, 2012: 提多書第二章Titus 2

第二章

11    神拯救萬人的恩典已經顯明出來了。   12   這恩典訓練我們除去不敬虔的心,和屬世的私慾,在今生過著自律、公正、敬虔的生活,   13   等候那有福的盼望,就是我們偉大的 神,救主耶穌基督榮耀的顯現。   14   他為我們捨己,為的是要救贖我們脫離一切不法的事,並且潔淨我們作他自己的子民,熱心善工。

 

默想:

  1. 保羅對提多所帶領的群羊有一連串的勸勉、批評和指責。現在他從福音的角度看,前幾節的警告應以信心的肯定來平衡。恩典是賜給眾人的,救恩卻有道德的成分:捨棄與訓練,放下舊我,才能擁抱基督裡的新我。
  2. 向神禱告,求主引導我有下面一項的成長:

◊  捨棄“不敬虔的心,和屬世的私慾”

◊  穿上“自律、公正、敬虔的生活”

◊  相信“這個新生命現在就開始了”(在今生過著。。。12節)

◊  要“熱心善工”

◊  其他:_________________________________________

 

 

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 (NIV)

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

 

Meditation

  1. Paul has a rather long string of exhortations, judgments, and condemnations for the flock under Titus’ leadership.  But now he puts his rebuke in the context of the gospel.  The hard admonitions of the preceding verses ought to be balanced with this affirmation of faith.  Grace comes to all.  Yet salvation has an ethical component: renouncing and training, letting go of our old selves in order to embrace our new selves in Christ.
  2. Ask God to guide me in one or all of these growth:

◊  turning my back on “ungodliness and worldly passions”

◊  taking on a “self-controlled, upright and godly” life

◊  believing that this new life is starting right now “in this present age”

◊  being “eager to do what is good”

◊  other: __________________________________________

 

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.

 

260靈修 Feb. 15, 2012: 提多書第一章Titus 1

第一章

1 神的僕人、耶穌基督的使徒保羅(這是為著 神選民的信心,和那合乎敬虔真理的知識;2這都是根據永生的盼望,這永生就是沒有謊言的 神在萬世以前所應許的。3到了適當的時候, 神就藉著福音的宣講,把他的道顯明出來。照著 神我們救主的命令,這宣講的使命交託了我),4寫信給提多,就是那在共同的信仰上作我真兒子的。願恩惠平安從父 神和我們的救主基督耶穌臨到你。

 

默想:

  1. 保羅自覺自己位居一個榮耀的地位,是傳揚神永生應許的使徒。我傳福音時是否也有這樣榮耀的自覺?
  2. 我是神的僕人嗎?我在從事這個榮耀的召命嗎?為什麼?我的生命要怎樣,才能在別人當中,以言說和行為來傳揚這信仰?用些時間,仔細且實際地思想這些問題,找出幾個可行的意見。
  3. 禱告祈求神幫助我成為祂的僕人。然後,記得,我是以基督的僕人開始今天的一天。

 

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 (NIV)

1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,  4To Titus, my true son in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

 

Meditation:

  1. Paul described his mission of proclaiming God’s promise of eternal life as a high calling.  Do I also share this understanding when I share the gospel?
  2. Am I a servant of God? Am I engaged in this high calling?  Why or why not?  How can my life be promoting the faith among others by word and action?  Take time to consider these questions, being specific.
  3. Ask Christ to help me be His servant.   Then, remember that I go into this day as a servant of 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.

260靈修 Feb. 14, 2012: 歌羅西書第四章Colossians 4

第四章

2   你們要恆切禱告,在禱告的時候存著感恩的心警醒;   3   也要為我們禱告,求神為我們開傳道的門,宣講基督的奧祕(我就是為了這個緣故被捆鎖),   4   使我照著我所應當說的,把這奧祕顯明出來。   5   你們要把握時機,用智慧與外人來往。   6   你們的話要常常溫和,好像是用鹽調和的,使你們知道應當怎樣回答各人。

 

默想:

  1. 以生命來見證基督是很有效的見證方式,但是這並不足夠。福音是需要以話語來傳遞,並以生命來證實的;話語及生命兩者缺一不可。
  2. 我在分享福音的事上,表現如何?我應當在話語或是生命方面,更加改善,以便更有效的傳揚福音?
  3. 從5-6節中,我可以學習用什麼原則,來向未信的人接觸?
  4. 祈求聖靈,在我所認識的人中,賜給我一、兩個熟悉的面孔,敦促我為他們的得救禱告,並找機會向他們傳福音。

 

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

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

 

Meditation

  1. Expressing Christ in my life is vital to an effective witness.  But it is not enough.  The gospel is a message delivered in words, and authenticated by life.  Both word and life must be shared.
  2. How well am I doing in sharing the gospel?  Which do I need to improve (word or life) to become more effective in advancing the gospel?
  3. From vv5-6, what principles do I want to build into my life as I relate to non-believers?
  4. Pray and ask the Spirit to give me one or two faces of people in your life whom He wants me to pray for and share the gospel with.

 

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.

 

260靈修 Feb. 13, 2012: 歌羅西書第三章Colossians 3

第三章

1   所以,你們既然與基督一同復活,就應當尋求天上的事,那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。   2   你們要思念的,是天上的事,不是地上的事。   3   因為你們已經死了,你們的生命與基督一同隱藏在神裡面。   4   基督就是你們的生命,他顯現的時候,你們也要和他一同在榮耀裡顯現。   5   所以要治死你們在地上的肢體,就如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪心,貪心就是拜偶像。。。。

12   所以,你們既然是神所揀選的,是聖潔、蒙愛的人,就要存憐憫的心腸、恩慈、謙卑、溫柔和忍耐。   13   如果有人對別人有嫌隙,總要彼此寬容,互相饒恕;主怎樣饒恕了你們,你們也要照樣饒恕人。   14   在這一切之上,還要有愛心,愛心是聯繫全德的。   15   又要讓基督的平安在你們心裡作主;你們蒙召歸為一體,也是為了這個緣故。你們要有感謝的心。   16   你們要讓基督的道豐豐富富地住在你們心裡,以各樣的智慧,彼此教導,互相勸戒,用詩章、聖詩、靈歌,懷著感恩的心歌頌神。   17   凡你們所作的,無論是言語或行為,都要奉主耶穌的名,藉著他感謝父神。

 

默想:

  1. 慢慢地讀這段經文,仔細的思考穿上新人過程中的幾個部分:

–          新生命是可能的 (3-4節)

–          除去舊生命(5節)

–          穿上新生命(12-14節)

–          穿上新生命所需的內心及行為的改變(15-17節)

  1. 那個部分對我是特別需要的?重新回去讀那些經文,再看這個部分的哪個字詞特別觸動我?為什麼?這與其他部分有什麼關連?這又與“聯繫全德的愛心”有什麼關連?
  2. 以個人化的經文來向神禱告,例:13節“如果對別人有嫌隙,求主助我對那人寬容,並饒恕他;主怎樣饒恕了我,我也要照樣饒恕人他。”(可以將自己和對方的名字放進去來禱告。)

 

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

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ……

12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Meditation:

  1. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of putting on the new life.

–          A new life is possible (vv3-4)

–          Get rid of the old life (v5)

–          Put on the new life (v12-14)

–          Inner thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life (vv15-17)

  1. Which segment of this process speaks to me most right now?  Reread the verses that correspond to that segment.  What word or phrase in that segment speaks to me?  Why?  How does that idea relate to the other segments?  How does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect unit”?
  2. Pray back to God the segment that speaks to me, personalizing it.  For example, based on v13, Please help me to bear with XX(someone’s name) and forgive XX for the grievances I have against XX.  Help me to forgive as the Lord forgave 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.

 

260靈修 Feb. 10, 2012: 歌羅西書第二章Colossians 2

第二章

8 你們要謹慎,免得有人不照著基督,而照著人的傳統,和世俗的言論,藉著哲學和騙人的空談,把你們擄去。

16  所以不要讓人因著飲食、節期、月朔、安息日批評你們,17 這些不過是將來的事的影子,那真體卻是屬於基督的。17這些不過是將來的事的影子,那真體卻是屬於基督的。18 不要讓人奪去你們的獎賞,他們以故意謙卑,敬拜天使為樂;迷於自己所見過的;憑著肉體的意念,無故地自高自大;19 不與頭緊密相連。其實全身都是藉著關節和筋絡從頭得著供應和聯繫,就照著 神所要求的,生長起來。20 你們若與基督一同死了,脫離了世俗的言論,為甚麼仍然好像活在世俗中一樣,21 拘守那“不可摸、不可嘗、不可觸”的規條呢?22 (這一切東西,一經使用,就都朽壞了。)這些規條是照著人的命令和教訓而定的,23在隨著己意敬拜,故作謙卑,和苦待己身等事上,似乎是智慧之言,其實只能叫人放縱肉體,再沒有任何價值。

 

默想:

  1. 從8節開始,保羅就批判歌羅西的異端,不是照神在基督裡的啟示,而是根據「人的傳統」和「世俗的言論」所發展出來的一套哲學,是達不到生命豐盛的虛空妄言。
  2. 在本段更清楚說明「世俗的言論」就是指舊約中的禮儀規條(16~17、20節)。當然這異端具多重面貌,但其基本精神,就是要靠守規條來得神喜悅,並以為藉此可以達到聖潔豐盛之境。
  3. 這類異端的教導,有了根本的錯誤,自然發展出許多錯誤的表現:

    錯誤的敬拜:敬拜天使,按私意敬拜(18、23節)

    錯誤的成長之道:嚴守規條,苦待己身以求聖潔(20~23節)

    錯誤的標榜:沈迷靈異經驗,並以此為誇(18節)

    錯誤的持定:不持定基督,卻謹守舊約的律例規條(16、19節)

  4. 在我自己的信仰生活中,或是我周圍的圈子中,是否察覺到有哪些錯誤的救恩教導?將它們逐一列出,帶到小組中討論,若仍有不明之處,盡快找牧者詢問。

 

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

8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Meditation:

  1. In v8, Paul criticized the Colossian false teaching that is not based on God’s revelation in Christ but the “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world”.
  2. In this passage, it was clear that the “elemental spiritual forces of this world” refer to the rituals and rules of the Old Testament (vv16-17,20).  The legalistic false teachers were probably advocating obedience to the Law of Moses for justification and sanctification.
  3. From these basic mistakes, many wrong manifestations developed:

    self-imposed worship of angels, (vv18, 23); strict adhering to rules and self-denial (vv20-23); indulging in mystic experience it (v18); not focusing on Christ the head, but rule and rituals of the Old Testament (vv16,19)

  4. Am I aware of any false teachings of Christ’s salvation in my own faith belief or my church or other churches?  List them down and bring for a discussion at the cell.  Bring it to the pastors if still not clear.

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.