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.