2008-05-31 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 信心的禱告 粵語 國語 第 31 天 讀經：雅各書五章13至20節 　　各給予我們的最後一項提醒，是關於禱告的大能和果效。他藉著以利亞的例子來告訴我們，以利亞跟我們一樣是普通人，但是，他因為憑著信心向神禱告，所以得著神的應允，按他所求的成就。因此，我們若同樣憑著信心向神禱告，應該也一樣得到神的應允。 　　然而，我們的禱告確實會出現阻礙。那就是罪所造成的障礙──尤其是信徒之間互相得罪對方。雅各勸告我們，要趕快彼此認罪，互相代求；當認罪之後，我們將驚訝地發覺禱告又再暢通無阻。 　　雅各也教導我們藉著為病者禱告，來使他得著醫治。然而，有些人卻曲解這裡的教訓，認為患病的人未能痊癒，是因為他沒有足夠的信心。這完全是歪曲了真理。 　　神有時讓我們患病，甚或是長期抱病，是要讓我們在軟弱中經歷祂的恩典。歷世歷代的信徒，包括使徒保羅，也經歷過這種磨練，然而，他們仍能見證神的恩典。 　　無論如何，我們都應該為患病的肢體代禱，甚至是全教會的會眾一同為他禱告。神往往會垂聽我們同心合意的祈禱，讓病者痊癒。這時，我們就一定不可忘記將榮耀歸給神。 　　最後，雅各提醒我們，不可忘記自己有責任去看顧其他信徒，特別是當肢體陷入罪中的時候，更要設法將他挽回，幫助他尋求基督的赦免。這才是真正實踐基督徒的愛心，以及過真正的相交生活。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE PRAYER OF FAITH Day 31 BIBLE READING: James 5: 13-20 The last challenge James gives us centres around prayer. He reminds us of the mighty power of prayer and uses the story of Elijah to tell us what God will do when we pray in faith. He also reminds us that Elijah was a man just like we are. Therefore there is no reason why we couldn't have the same results when we pray. There is one thing, however, that can stand in a way of answers to prayer. That is sin, particularly sin against a fellow believer. James says 'get that kind of sin taken care of and you don't have enough faith. Nothing could be further from the truth. God sometimes allows sickness to come and even remain, so that in those circumstances we might learn about his grace in a new way. That was the case with Paul and it has been so with many of God's saints through the ages. But we certainly should pray for those who are sick. The whole church should pray for them. Very often God does raise up the one we have prayed for. Then we need to remember to give him the glory. James finishes with a reminder of our duty toward one another, especially to a fellow believer who has fallen into sin. The most wonderful thing we can do for that person is to point them to the way of forgiveness in Christ. That is Christian love in action and Christian fellowship at its best.

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2008-05-30 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 忍耐到底 粵語 國語 第 30 天 讀經：雅各書五章7至11節 　　作為信徒，你最想求神賜你甚麼？求神賜下更大的能力去為祂工作？求神讓你有大的勇氣去為祂作見證？求神賜你更大的愛，去愛你身邊的人？又或是，求神讓你賺更多的錢，讓你可以奉獻更多，去支持教會的工作？ 　　信徒確有需要求這一切；可是，雅各在這裡提醒我們，信徒還必須求神賜予忍耐的心。信徒一直盼望的事，將會在基督再來的時候便實現；但如今在等候之際，信徒必須忍耐。 　　他舉了兩個例子來說明這個教訓。農夫播種之後，當然要辛勤地耕種，但與此同時，他卻要等候穀物的生長，到成熟之後才能收割。 　　此外，雅各還舉了舊約的聖徒為例，約伯更是當中的佼佼者。約伯經歷了人生的慘變，受盡心身的折磨，但經過痛苦之後，他才漸漸明白，一切經歷的背後都有神的心意。同樣地，對於今天發生在我們身上的事情，我們可能無法理解，但是，當耶穌再來的時候，一切的謎團便可以解開。 　　在這個等候的時刻，我們縱然未能看清前路，我們卻要以信心去忍耐，相信神的計劃必然成就。天父必引領我們的前路──而且，雅各在第11節提醒我們緊記，我們的天父是滿心憐憫，大有慈悲的。 終有一天，一切都解開謎團； 終有一天，祂與我將面對面； 終有一天，我的罪全獲赦免； 終有一天，天堂之門將顯現。 牢記： 主再來的日子已經近了。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT IS OUR GREATEST NEED? Day 30 BIBLE READING: James 5: 7-11 What would you say are some of our greatest needs as Christians? Some would say we need more prayer, or more power, or more boldness, or more love, or even more money to help support God's work. All those things are needed, but here James says that one of our greatest needs is patience. He says that everything we have longed for will come to pass when Christ returns. Until then, we need to be patient. He gives us two examples, both of which point out the same thing. The farmer sows the seed and then all he can do, besides caring for the crop, is to wait for it to grow and ripen ready for harvest. Then James reminds us of the Old Testament prophets and saints, particularly Job. What happened to Job? Do you remember all the troubles he had? It wasn't until after it was over, that Job began to understand why God allowed it all. It may not be until the time when Jesus comes again that we will understand some of the reasons behind the circumstances of our lives. In the meantime we need to be patient and trust God to work out his plans and purposes even if we cannot see the way ahead. It is our heavenly Father who is guiding our lives and, as James says in verse 11, God is full of compassion and mercy. Do you know the words of this song? 'Someday He'll make it plain to me; Someday when I his face shall see. Someday from sin I shall be free; Someday I shall understand.' REMEMBER: The coming of the Lord is drawing near.

2008-05-29 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 神若願意 粵語 國語 第 29 天 讀經：雅各書四章11至17節 　　你對明天發生的事，究竟有多大把握呢？為未來計劃，是我們生活的一部分；很多人都習慣把明天要做的工作仔細列出來，以免有任何遺漏。預先計劃雖然是好事，可是，我們卻必須緊記，我們的生命是掌握在神的手中。神的計劃，可能有別於我們的計劃，即使是今天發生的事，也可能會出乎我們的意料之外。當我們發現我們的計劃行不通的時候，我們究竟是否願意跟從神的帶領？ 　　雅各在這裡是要指出，信徒若然只是我行我素地議定未來的計劃，完全沒有考慮到神的心意，那麼，他就根本就與世俗的人無異。箴言三章5至6節教導我們，屬神的人應該：「專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，在你一切所行的事上，都要認定他，他必指引你的路。」 　　雅各不是叫我們不可為未來計劃，他只是提醒我們，我們在構想任何計劃的時候，都應該尋求神的心意，並且謙卑地祈求祂的帶領；故此，當計劃受阻或需要作出改變時，我們便以一顆順服的心，去接受神的心意。其實，我們在計劃的一開始，就尋求神的帶領和賜福，豈不是更能安心地去實行計劃嗎？ 　　最後，雅各指出，基督徒往往知道甚麼是該作的，可是，卻沒有去作，這就是罪。雅各的指責非常嚴厲，然而，他是在聖靈的感動下寫下這句話的，所以，這句話便是真理。換言之，無論我們作甚麼，或不作甚麼，最重要是遵行神的心意。人生在世，轉瞬即逝，遵行神的旨意，就是永生之道。 反思： 神說過：「我必時常引導你，在乾旱之地，使你心滿意足。」（以賽亞書五十八章11節） ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IF THE LORD WILLS Day 29 BIBLE READING: James 4:11-17 How much do you know about what will happen tomorrow? We sometimes make a list of the things we are going to do tomorrow. While it is good to plan ahead, we need to remember that as Christians our lives are in God's hands. What he has planned for us, even for today, may be very different from what we have thought about. Are we willing to let God have this way today? James says we are just like the world if we make our plans and leave God out of them. Proverbs 3:5, 6, tells us what a Christian should do. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.' Isn't it easy to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them? Wouldn't it be better to quietly ask God to guide us in the making of those plans. Then we must be ready to have our plans changed or interrupted if that is what God wants at any point in our day or in our lives? James says in the last verse of this chapter that a Christian very often know what he ought to do, but doesn't do it. That is sin. Those are strong words, but James is speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Therefore what he says is absolutely true, now and always. Life is short. While we live here on earth, the most important thing in our lives ought to be the will of God. A THOUGHT: God says, 'I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things.'(Isaiah 58:11)

2008-05-28 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持

2008-05-27 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 嫉妒的心 粵語 國語 第 27 天 讀經：雅各書三章13至18節 　　嫉妒是一種非常可怕的情緒，當我們的內心出現嫉妒的時候，無論對己對人都會造成傷害。相信我們每個人都嚐過妒忌人或被人嫉妒的滋味，那種感覺絕不好受。然而，聖經卻教導信徒，不可心存嫉妒，反要時刻充滿愛心。 　　嫉妒的心會驅使人做出可怕的行為，最嚴重者，甚至會釀成謀殺。即使在基督徒的群體之中，也會因為嫉妒而出現冷言冷語的攻擊，甚或是誣蔑的中傷。舊約的約瑟，便因為兄長的妒忌而被賣為奴隸。但以理亦因為貴胄的嫉妒，而被推下獅子坑中。甚至是我們的基督，祂之所以受到審訊和定罪，其中一個原因也是因為宗教領袖對祂的妒忌。 　　然而，基督徒卻有能力去驅除妒忌的心。究竟是何妙法？方法只有一個，就是信靠基督。假設你想參與教會某個事奉崗位，可是，教會卻請了另一位信徒出任，此刻，你便隱隱泛起嫉妒之心。但就在這一刻，你必須來到基督的面前，向祂禱告說：「主啊，我的生命在你的手中，你知道我的心思和意念。如果你想我在那個崗位去事奉你，你一定會給我機會；可是你沒有，一定是有你的原因。我相信你的心意一定是為我好的。」或許神已另有安排，要你去做其他工作，只是你暫時不知道吧了！這刻，就是我們學習信靠神的時間，而不要一味嫉妒別人。 　　雅各再一次談到智慧，智慧在這卷書信中究竟有何意思？智慧就是一種辨明事理的能力──知道在一切事情的背後，都有神的計劃在掌管。這種智慧必然帶來一顆安靜和信靠的心。哪裡有嫉妒，哪裡就有擾亂和苦毒。哪裡有智慧和信靠，哪裡就有平安與和睦。我們究竟嚮往甚麼呢？ 反思： 一個內心充滿嫉妒的人，其實對自己的傷害最大。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHEN JEALOUSLY COMES IN Day 27 BIBLE READING: James 3: 13-18 One of the most terrible emotions in the human heart is jealousy. We all know what it is to be jealous of someone or for someone to be jealous of us. But jealousy should have no place in a Christian's heart. Love is the emotion that should always be first for us. Jealous people have done some terrible things to other people. Some have been murdered because of jealousy. Cruel and untrue statements have been made about fellow Christians simply because of jealousy. Joseph was sold into slavery through the jealous princes. Jealousy played a large part in the trial and condemnation of Christ. But in the life of a Christian, jealousy can be controlled. How? By our trust in Christ. Suppose someone else has been given the position in the church that you wanted. Jealousy could easily arise in your heart. But right then is the time to say 'Lord my life is in your hands. You could have given that position to me, but you didn't. I accept that as from you.' Who knows - God may give you a far better position when you learn to trust him and not be jealous of someone else. Once again James speaks about wisdom. What does that mean here in his epistle? It is being able to see God's hand behind everything that comes into our lives. The result of that, of course, is peace. Where there is jealousy, there can only be unrest and bitterness. Where there is trust, there is peace. Which do you want today? A THOUGHT: A jealous person actually hurts themselves the most.

2008-05-26 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 星星之火 粵語 國語 第 26 天 讀經：雅各書三章1至12節 　　我們早已說過，雅各書的信息完全沒有時代的隔膜，它對我們今天的適切性，絕不下於對第一世紀的信徒。正如雅各在本章第2節說：「我們在許多事上都有過失」，我們今天豈不是一樣？當我們犯錯的時候，傷害的不單是別人，連自己也深受其苦。 　　雅各在這裡指出，我們在日常生活中，最容易是出言不慎而傷害別人。相信我們每個人都經歷過被人用言語傷害，有的甚至事隔多年仍難以忘記。一句中傷的話，可以使人的生命變質。我們自知說過一些不該說的話，傷害了別人；但同時，我們又因別人說過一些傷害我們的話，而感到難以釋懷。 　　雅各說得對，舌頭是人體的一個細小器官，可是，它的破壞力卻是非常巨大。它就像放在馬嘴裡的一個小嚼環，或是一艘大船的小小的舵──體積雖小，威力卻很大。 　　然而，我們如何才能控制舌頭呢？那就得靠我們的心；因為只有我們的心，才能控制舌頭。那麼心又靠甚麼去控制呢？當我們的心由基督和聖靈掌管，心就會有能力去控制舌頭。 　　而且，當我們的心由基督掌管，心就可以指揮我們的舌頭發揮正面的威力，用作事奉基督。例如，我們可以運用舌頭去作見證、說安慰人和鼓勵人的話。最重要的，是基督喜悅我們用舌頭去事奉祂，所以祂必賜下力量，使我們能夠好好控制和運用舌頭來榮耀祂。你希望舌頭能榮耀基督嗎？那麼，將你的心交給基督掌管吧！ 禱告： 耶和華啊，求你禁止我的口，把守我的嘴。（詩篇一四一3） ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK Day 26 BIBLE READING: James 3:1-12 We have been saying that James has a message for us today just as much as he had for first century Christians. Isn't it interesting that we today are the same kind of people they were? As James said in verse 2 'We all stumble in many ways'. And in stumbling, we hurt other people as well as ourselves. James speaks about one thing in our lives which can hurt people most of all. We all know that the sting of one wrong word can be felt for years afterwards. One short statement can turn another life sour. We can all look back and remember things we should never have said, or we remember something someone else has said about us that has stayed on in our minds and hearts. James says that the tongue is one of the smaller parts of our bodies, but it can do more damage than many of the larger parts. It is like the small bit in a horse's mouth or like the smaller rudder of a large ship - small but tremendously powerful. How then, can we control our tongues? Behind the tongue is the heart. When the heart is controlled by Christ and his Holy Spirit, we are on the way toward controlling this strong member, the tongue. Remember that our tongues can be just as powerful in the service of Christ as they can be any other use. They can be used for witnessing, for words of love and comfort and encouragement. Our tongues are ours to use for Christ and for his service. Best of all Christ is willing to help us use them for his glory. Why not make that our ambition now and always. A DAILY PRAYER: Set a guard O Lord over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.(Psalm 141:3.)