260靈修 Dec.1, 2011: 哥林多後書第六章2Corinthians 6

第六章

14你們和不信的人不可共負一軛,義和不法有甚麼相同呢?光明和黑暗怎能相通呢?15基督和彼列(「彼列」是撒但的別名)怎能和諧呢?信的和不信的有甚麼聯繫呢?16神的殿和偶像怎能協調呢?我們就是永生神的殿,正如神說:「我要住在他們中間,在他們中間來往;我要作他們的神,他們要作我的子民。」17所以,「主說:你們要從他們中間出來,和他們分開,不可觸摸不潔淨的東西,我就收納你們。」18「我要作你們的父親,你們要作我的兒女。這是全能的主說的。」

 

默想

  1. 基督徒要完全分別歸神,這分別像光明與黑暗,基督與撒但,神的殿與偶像之間的尖銳、絕對。因此信徒「應該潔淨自己,除去身體和心靈上的一切污穢」(7:1)。神是我們的父親,但是當我們犯罪,罪的污染將我們與神隔絕,神就不能再用那種親密的方式與我們來往。同樣的,人與人之間親密的關係中,當罪行、欺騙、虛假滲入,立刻會像眼中入沙一般,關係必會受破壞。所以問題不在我能不能與非信徒交往,而在乎我要不要與神保持親密美好的關係。慈愛的天父向我們發出祂的心聲、呼喚:「我要作你們的父親,你們要作我的兒女。」我會怎樣回應神?
  2. 想像我正在花園中與主散步,這時候我會對主說什麼?主在聆聽,慢慢地向主傾訴,也細聽主的心聲。

 

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

14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
17“Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
18“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

MEDITATION

  1. Christians are to be completely separated unto the Lord, with that separation as sharp as the dividing line between light and darkness, between Christ and Satan, and between the temple of God and a shrine where idols are worshiped.  In short, we are to “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.” (7:1) God is our Father, but when we sin, sin’s contamination separates us from God.  He is not able to be a Father to us in the same, intimate way He would if we were in close fellowship with Him.  Similarly, when sin comes into a relationship between two people, it’ll be felt like a grain of sand entering into the eye, the relationship will be affected.  So, the issue isn’t whether I could have intimate relationship with non-Christians, rather, if I want to maintain this close relationship with God the Father.  Our loving father is calling us: “I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters.”  How do I respond?
  2. Imagine I am taking a walk with the Lord in the garden.  What would I say to him right now?  The Lord is listening.  Speak to him slowly and listen to his talking, 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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.


260靈修 Nov.30, 2011: 哥林多後書第五章2Corinthians 5

第五章

1我們知道,如果我們在地上的帳棚拆毀了,我們必得著從神而來的居所。那不是人手所造的,而是天上永存的房屋。2我們現今在這帳棚裡面歎息,渴望遷到那天上的住處,好像換上新的衣服;3如果穿上了,就不會赤身出現了。4我們這些在帳棚裡面的人,勞苦歎息,是由於不願意脫去這個,卻願意穿上那個,使這必死的被生命吞滅。5那在我們身上完成了工作,使我們達成這目標的,就是神。他已經把聖靈賜給我們作憑據。6我們既然一向都是坦然無懼的,又知道住在身內就是與主分開7(因為我們行事是憑著信心,不是憑著眼見),8現在還是坦然無懼,寧願與身體分開,與主同住。9因此,我們立定志向,無論住在身內或是與身體分開,都要討主的喜悅。10因為我們眾人都必須在基督的審判臺前顯露出來,使各人按著本身所行的,或善或惡,受到報應。

 

默想

  1. 信徒有勇氣持守基督的呼召,像保羅一樣向世界的價值觀挑戰,是因為知道現今暫時的苦難與最終的獎賞相比,實在微不足道。當我們竭力為神那「更美的道路」奔走,而受到誤會或輕視時,我們仍然有盼望,在神的同在(以馬內利)我們可以全然欣喜。此外,我們亦因在神的智慧上的成長而歡欣。所以我們雖然在地上嘆息勞苦,等候身體得贖(羅8:23),但確實是有益的。
  2. 在整理裝扮自己地上的帳棚(身體),和預備天上永存的房屋,這兩件事上,我比較著重的是什麼?若我在自己地上的日子是幾十年,但在天上卻是億萬年,我該花較多的心思在那裡?

 

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

1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

MEDITATION

  1. Courage to endure the radical call of the Christian claim on our lives comes from the belief that the eventual reward will outweigh the temporary suffering we incur by challenging the world’s values as Jesus and Paul did.  When our valiant struggle for God’s better way goes unappreciated and misunderstood, we have the hope of the Emmanuel God—God with us—utter delight at being in the divine presence.  But we also have the happiness of experiencing our own growth into the splendour of divine wisdom, so that our groaning here for the redemption of our bodies is not without reward in its own right.
  2. Which do I spend more time preparing and thinking, my earthly tent (body) or my heavenly dwelling?  If I only spend several decades in my earthly tent, but millions of years in heaven, which one should I devote more thoughts and energy on?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

260靈修 Nov.29, 2011: 哥林多後書第四章2Corinthians 4

第四章

7我們有這寶貝在瓦器裡,是要顯明這極大的能力是屬於神,不是出於我們。8我們雖然四面受壓,卻沒有壓碎;心裡作難,卻不至絕望,9受到迫害,卻沒有被丟棄;打倒了,卻不至死亡。10我們身上常常帶著耶穌的死,好讓耶穌的生也在我們的身上顯明出來。11我們這些活著的人,為耶穌的緣故常常被人置於死地,好讓耶穌的生也在我們必死的身上顯明出來。12這樣看來,死在我們身上運行,生卻在你們的身上運行。

 

默想

  1. 保羅在本段裡,將傳道者軟弱的性情徹底表明。他處在高壓、困惑、受迫、打倒的底下。這些經歷提醒他,他所有輝煌事工的能力,完全不是從他而來的,而是來自耶穌,他雖軟弱,卻不遭壓迫,也不被厭棄。
  2. 不要讓一絲的軟弱阻止我事奉神;事實上,我的軟弱正是神的大能彰顯的環境。
  3. 輕聲唱(或讀)這首詩歌,作為今天的禱告:

我本軟弱主剛強,求主保守離罪網;

心靈滿足無憂傷,當我走,求領我近你旁。

主,我願更親近你,與主相親樂無比;

每日同行更親密,親愛主,求你,懇求你。

 

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

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

 

MEDITATION

  1. Paul was contrasting the weak and ordinary character of the messenger with the overwhelming power of the message.  Paul found himself under pressure, perplexed, persecuted, knocked to the ground.  Everything in his experience reminded him that the dynamic power that had marked his ministry had no source in him.  He credited Jesus, who saves all those who believe in Him, with the fact that despite his weaknesses he had not been crushed, nor drowned in despair, nor abandoned or destroyed.
  2. Don’t let a sense of personal weakness keep you from serving God.  The fact that we are weak is the backdrop against which the incomparable power of God is revealed.
  3. Sing (or read) quietly this hymn as a prayer to God:

I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee oh let it be dear Lord let it be.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Nov.28, 2011: 哥林多後書第三章2Corinthians 3

第三章

12   所以,我們既然有這樣的盼望,就大大地放膽行事,   13   不像摩西那樣,把帕子蒙在臉上,使以色列人看不見那短暫的榮光的結局。   14   但是他們的心思遲鈍,因為直到今日,他們誦讀舊約的時候,這帕子仍然存在,沒有揭開,唯有在基督裡才能把這帕子廢掉。   15   可是直到今日,他們每逢誦讀摩西的書的時候,這帕子還蓋在他們的心上。   16   但他們甚麼時候歸向主,這帕子就甚麼時候除掉了。17主就是那靈;主的靈在哪裡,哪裡就有自由。18我們眾人臉上的帕子既然已經揭開,反映主的榮光(「反映主的榮光」或譯:「對著鏡子看見主的榮光」),就變成主那樣的形象,大有榮光。這是主所作成的,他就是那靈。

 

默想

  1. 當我們安息在神的榮光中,就發現自己改變,漸漸地沾上神的榮耀,而這榮耀開始充滿我們。這是聖靈的工作,引領我們成長,逐漸轉化成祂美好和榮耀的樣式,為要榮耀神。
  2. 雖然我的生命中還有很多的瑕疵污點,但我裡面的生命在不斷的成長、改變,當轉化的榮光越來越光明時,我看見了耶穌在我生命中,為此我要感謝天父。

 

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

12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 

MEDITATION

  1. When we rest in the splendour of God revealed by Christ, we find ourselves changed by it.  Gradually, by degrees, we incline toward the divine glory and it begins to overtake us.  This is by the power of the Spirit, which prepared us for such growth beginning at baptism.  We are being transformed into his likeness, the way that God had intended for us to be when he created us.
  2. Though there are still warts and blemishes all too visible, I am growing and changing.  In the ever-increasing glory of the transformation taking place, “The Christian is the person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.”  Lord, help me to reflect more of your glory and to become easier for others to believe in you.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Nov.25, 2011: 哥林多後書第二章2Corinthians 2

第二章

5如果有人使人憂愁,他不是使我憂愁,而是使你們眾人都有一點憂愁;我只說有一點,是避免說得過分。6這樣的人受了許多人的責備,也就夠了,7倒不如饒恕他,安慰他,免得他因憂愁過度而受不了。8所以,我勸你們要向他確實顯明你們的愛心。9為這緣故,我寫了那封信,要考驗你們是不是凡事都順從。10你們饒恕誰,我也饒恕誰;我所饒恕了的(如果我饒恕過甚麼),是為了你們在基督面前饒恕的,11免得撒但有機可乘,因為我們並不是不曉得他的詭計。

 

默想

  1. 保羅勸勉哥林多信徒要重新接納他們當中一位犯罪的弟兄,因為教會群體已經有一段時間拒絕他。時間久了,羞恥就會蠶食一個人的心靈,保羅不希望見到那人沮喪。教會群體必須嘗試安慰那些失腳跌倒的人,以免他們絕望。要分辨,何時懲罰對人有幫助,何時需要饒恕和愛,這并不容易。但信徒蒙召,就是為要這樣彼此服事。
  2. 目前有沒有信徒需要教會群體重新接納,安慰,讓他可以再次在主裡站得起來?若有,求主賜教會或小組有智慧與愛心,將跌倒的肢體挽回神的家中。

 

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

5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

 

MEDITATION

  1. The Corinthian church here has punished one of its members and Paul writes to them, encouraging them to forgive and comfort him.  The point of Paul’s writing is not to focus on the punishment, but rather to encourage the congregation to care for the health of the whole community.  It is important for the community to pursue forgiveness in order to prevent Satan from accomplishing his schemes against the Church.
  2. Do I know any believer that may need to re-enter the church community right now?  If so, ask God for wisdom and love to forgive, comfort and restore this person into God’s family.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Nov.24, 2011: 哥林多後書第一章2Corinthians 1

第一章

3我們主耶穌基督的父神是應當稱頌的。他是滿有憐憫的父,賜各樣安慰的神。4我們在一切患難中,神都安慰我們,使我們能用他所賜的安慰,去安慰那些在各樣患難中的人。5我們既然多受基督所受的痛苦,就靠著基督多得安慰。6如果我們遭遇患難,那是要使你們得著安慰,得著拯救;如果我們得到安慰,也是要使你們得到安慰。這安慰使你們能夠忍受我們所受那樣的痛苦。7我們對你們的盼望是堅定的,因為知道你們既然一同受痛苦,也必照樣同得安慰。8弟兄們,我們在亞西亞遭受的患難,我們很想讓你們知道。那時我們受到了過於我們所能忍受的壓力,甚至活下去的希望都沒有了,9而且斷定自己是必死的了;然而,這正是要我們不倚靠自己,只倚靠那叫死人復活的神。10他救我們脫離了那極大的死亡,而且他還要救我們,我們希望他將來仍要救我們。11請你們一同用禱告支持我們,好使許多人為著我們所蒙的恩獻上感謝。這恩是藉著許多人的代求而得到的。

 

默想

  1. 基督徒因為順服神在他生命中的引導,而會遭受患難,卻是充滿喜樂的,因為有神的旨意在其中,且要完成神與人和好的善工。他遭患難,卻使他在其他受苦的人心中帶來信賴度,以致有敞開的門進入受苦人的心中,分享耶穌的福音。
  2. 我上次是什麼時候覺得處在壓力鍋裡?是什麼事情?
  3. 我周圍的人中,有誰最近有很大的壓力?保羅會要我怎樣為他/她禱告?用幾分鐘為這位朋友禱告。過幾天,不妨給他打個電話,寫封電郵,問候一下,告訴他我在為他禱告。

 

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 1

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 

MEDITATION

  1. Christians may suffer because of the faith that we have.  But when we suffer and are persecuted because of Jesus, we can also be comforted because we know that God is at work, seeking reconciliation between God and men and that Christ is the one who comforts us.  When we suffer for the gospel, we are put into a position of needing to be dependent on God.
  2. When was the last time I felt like in a pressure cooker?  What happened?
  3. Whom do I know that is under pressure right now?  How would Paul encourage me to pray for him/her this week?  Spend a few minutes praying for this person.  Give this person a call, in a few days, or write him/her an email asking how things are and telling him/her that you are praying for him/her.

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

260靈修 Nov.23, 2011: 哥林多前書第十六章1Corinthians 16

十六

13 你們要警醒,要在信仰上站立得穩,要作大丈夫,要剛強。 14 你們所作的一切,都要憑愛心去作。 15 弟兄們,你們知道司提反一家人是亞該亞初結的果子,他們專心地服事聖徒。 16 我勸你們要順服這樣的人,和所有與他們一同工作一同勞苦的人。 17 司提反、福徒拿都和亞該古都來了,所以我很快樂,因為他們補上了你們的不足, 18 使我和你們的心都得著暢快。這樣的人你們要敬重他們。 19 亞西亞的眾教會都問候你們。亞居拉和百基拉,以及他們家裡的教會在主裡再三問候你們。 20 所有的弟兄都問候你們。你們要用聖潔的親嘴彼此問安。 21 我保羅親筆問候你們。 22 如果有人不愛主,他就該受咒詛。主啊,願你來! 23 願主耶穌基督的恩惠與你們同在。 24 我的愛在基督耶穌裡也與你們同在。(有古卷加“阿們”。)

 

默想

  1. 哥林多教會是一間問題重重的教會。保羅以無比的愛心和勇氣,提出處理各樣的問題的原則與方法,並且敦促他們回到基督那裡。哥林多前書教導我們:教會內的合一和愛心,遠較領導者和名聲更為重要。
  2. 在給哥林多信徒最後的指引中,保羅首先吩咐他們“憑愛心而作”(14節),然後鼓勵他們像司提反一家那樣服事別人。以愛服事聖徒應是常規,而非例外。在過去幾年中,我曾經怎樣服事聖徒?在未來又可以怎樣服事他們?有什麼是這個星期,或這個月我就可以服事的?主啊,求你指示,我願順服。

 

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 16

13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.

15You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, 16to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. 17I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Final Greetings

19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

22If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!

23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Meditation

  1. The Corinthian Church has many problems.  Paul, with much love and courage, pointed out principles and methods to deal with these problems and urged them to go back to Christ.  I Corinthians taught us that Unity and Love in church is far more important than leadership and reputation.
  2. In these final instructions to the Christians at Corinth, Paul first charges them to let all that they do “be done in love”(v14) and then to put themselves “at the service” of such people as the household of Stephanas.
  3. Loving service to the saints seems to be the norm, not the exception.  In what ways have I “served the saints” during the past year?  In what ways can I serve them in the future?  What could I serve in this week or this month?  Lord, show me and I will obey.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.


 

260靈修 Nov.22, 2011: 哥林多前書第十五章1Corinthians 15

十五 

50 弟兄們,我告訴你們,血肉之體不能承受神的國,必朽壞的也不能承受那不朽壞的。 51 我現在把一個奧祕告訴你們:我們不是都要睡覺,而是在一剎那,眨眼之間,就是號角最後一次吹響的時候,我們都要改變;因為號角要吹響,死人要復活,成為不朽壞的,我們也要改變。 53 這必朽壞的必須穿上不朽壞的,這必死的必須穿上不死的; 54 這必朽壞的既穿上了不朽壞的,這必死的既穿上了不死的,那時,經上的話就應驗了:“勝利了!死亡已經被吞滅。 55 死亡啊!你的勝利在哪裡?死亡啊!你的毒刺在哪裡?” 56 死的毒刺就是罪,罪的權勢就是律法。 57 感謝神,他藉著我們的主耶穌基督,把勝利賜給我們。 58 所以,我親愛的弟兄們,你們務要堅固,不可動搖,常常竭力多作主工,因為知道你們的勞苦,在主裡面不是徒然的。

 

默想

  1. 若今天有人替我訃聞信,內容會有些什麼?我希望別人怎樣寫這封信?把心中的感受與想法,一點一點地告訴神,等候聖靈在心中工作、說話。

 

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 15

50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

Meditation

  1. If someone is writing a tribute for my memorial, what would be written in it?  How would I like people to write the letter announcing my death?
  2. Tell Jesus all my thoughts and emotions right now.  Stay quiet to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to me now.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

260靈修 Nov.21, 2011: 哥林多前書第十四章1Corinthians 14

十四

6弟兄們,你們想想,如果我到你們那裡去,只說方言,不向你們講有關啟示、知識、預言,或教訓的話,那我對你們有甚麼益處呢? 7甚至那些沒有生命卻能發聲的東西,例如簫或琴,如果音調不分,怎能使人知道所彈所奏的是甚麼呢? 8又如果軍號所發的聲音不清楚,誰會準備作戰呢? 9你們也是這樣,如果用舌頭發出人聽不懂的話來,人怎會知道你所講的是甚麼呢?這樣,你們就是向空氣說話了。 10世上有那麼多種語言,但沒有一種是沒有意義的。11我若不明白某一種語言的意思,在那講的人來看,我就是個外國人;在我來說,那講話的人也是個外國人。12 你們也是這樣,你們既然熱切地渴慕屬靈的恩賜,就應當追求多多得著造就教會的恩賜。 13 所以,說方言的應當祈求,使他能把方言翻譯出來。 14 我若用方言禱告,是我的靈在禱告,我的理智並沒有作用。 15 那麼我應當怎樣行呢?我要用靈禱告,也要用理智禱告;我要用靈歌唱,也要用理智歌唱。 16 不然,如果你用靈讚美,在場那些不明白的人,因為不知道你在說甚麼,怎能在你感謝的時候說“阿們”呢? 17 你感謝固然是好,但別人卻得不著造就。

 

默想

  1. 基督徒聚集時就是要彼此服事,在禱告、讚美、教導、分享中,神可以,也確實會使用我們口中所說的,來建立祂的身體。因此,恩賜的擁有並非有什麼利益,而是為了建立基督的教會及教會所服事的群體。
  2. 我有什麼恩賜,可以在哪方面服事信徒,並協助教會的建立?

 

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 14

6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.   13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand[e] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

 

Meditation

  1. When Christians gather we minister to each other.  In prayer, praise, teaching, and sharing, God can and does use what we say to build up His church.  Therefore, spiritual gifts are not given for the benefit of the possessor.  The purpose of all spiritual gifts is to build up the whole Body of Christ and those the Body serves.
  2. What gifts do I have and what can I do to serve fellow-believers and help build up the church?

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.


260靈修 Nov. 18, 2011: 哥林多前書第十三章1Corinthians 13

十三

4 愛是恆久忍耐,又有恩慈。愛是不嫉妒,不自誇,不張狂; 5 不作失禮的事,不求自己的益處,不輕易動怒,不計較人的過犯; 6 不喜歡不義,只喜歡真理。 7 愛是凡事包容,凡事相信,凡事盼望,凡事忍耐。 8 愛是永存不息的。先知的講道終必過去,方言終必停止,知識終必消失。 9 因為我們現在所知道的,只是一部分;所講的道也只是一部分; 10 等那完全的來到,這部分的就要過去了。 11 我作孩子的時候,說話像孩子,心思像孩子,想法像孩子,既然長大了,就把孩子的事都丟棄了。 12 我們現在是對著鏡子觀看,模糊不清,到那時就要面對面了。我現在所知道的只是一部分,到那時就完全知道了,好像主完全知道我一樣。 13 現在常存的有信、望、愛這三樣,其中最大的是愛。

 

默想

  1. 真正的屬靈,並非在乎一個人的恩賜如何,或有多少訓練,或講台上的表現如何。真正屬靈的人,他的態度和行為都會表現出愛來。
  2. 將4-7節抄在一張卡片上,將它背起來,並隨時拿出來溫習。同時,也隨時省察自己的態度,行為,有沒有愛心的表現。

 

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

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

Meditation

  1. True spirituality has nothing to do with one’s gifts, training, or performing skills.  The truly spiritual person is the individual whose attitude and actions express love.
  2. Copy verses 4-7 on an index card, memorize it, or bring it out to review often.  Examine my own attitude and actions often to see if there is any love expressed.

 

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 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.