2008-07-31 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 聖靈的果子 粵語國語 第31天 讀經：加拉太書五章22至25節 　　我們今天將繼續昨天選讀的經文。讓我們看聖靈所結的其他果子。 　　有一位作者將每種果子，都與愛連上關係： 喜樂是歡欣的愛。 和平是信心的愛。 忍耐是沉著的愛。 恩慈是體恤的愛。 信實是恆久的愛。 溫柔是妥貼的愛。 節制是得勝的愛。 　　我們若想深入了解每種果子的含意，可逐一研究每個字詞的意思，一定對我們帶來很多啟發。 　　例如，讓我們看看溫柔。溫柔並不表示軟弱，反之，它表示一顆願意順服或受教的心，願意放下自己，學習別人的優點。 　　溫柔可以是一種堅韌的力量。聖經稱摩西是一個溫柔謙卑的人；但他卻是帶領二百萬人逃難的剛強領袖。基督也是柔和謙卑的，可是，當祂遇到敵人的攻擊時，卻表現得無比的剛強。聖靈有否在我們心裡培養這種基督的特性呢？ 　　我們要記著，聖靈的心意，是要在我們的生命中結出全部的果子。它們全都反照出基督的形象；全都要在我們的生命中生根成長。最重要的，是我們只要容讓聖靈在我們心裡工作，祂就會替我們悉心培養這些果子。 禱告： 「聖善的靈，求你使我變得愈來愈像主。」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT DAY 31 BIBLE READING: Galatians 5:22-25 We have read again today part of yesterday's reading. Let's look at some of the other things mentioned here as being produced by the Holy Spirit in our lives. One writer has related all the fruit to love. Joy is love's cheerfulness. Peace is love's confidence. Long-suffering is love's composure. Kindness is love's consideration. Goodness is love's character. Faithfulness is love's constancy. Meekness is love's comeliness. Self-control is love's conquest. You could take each of these words and make a study of them. They all have much to say to us. Look at the word meekness. It does not mean weakness. It means to be submissive, or teachable, not too proud to learn from someone else. Meekness can mean great strength. Moses is described as the meekest man, yet he was the strong leader of over two million people. Christ was meek, but he could say strong words when they are needed. Has the Holy Spirit been allowed to develop this part of Christ's character in us yet? Remember the Holy Spirit wants to produce all of these characteristics in us. All of them speak of Christ. All of them need to be developed in us. The wonder of it all is, the Holy Spirit will do it if we allow him. A PRAYER: 'O Holy Spirit, please make me more like Christ today.'

2008-07-30 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 聖靈的果子 粵語國語 第30天 讀經：加拉太書五章19至25節 　　「果子」是指到甚麼？一棵長大成熟的植物或樹，會自然生出果子。有些植物結果子的速度較快，但另一些卻需要較長時間，但無論如此，大多數植物只要培植得宜，都會按時結出果子。 　　聖靈的果子是聖靈在人生命結出的果子，用以見證基督。別人藉著結出來的果子，便看見耶穌基督在那人生命中的作為。 　　今天，讓我們看看經文所列的頭三個果子。仁愛、喜樂與和平全出於人的內心；它們更是三種最基本的特質，也是信徒其他表現之本。 　　仁愛所指的，不是我們一般所講的愛心，而是基督之愛。聖靈幫助我們更多明白基督對我們的愛，激發我們更多愛主。而且，藉著聖靈所賜的愛，我們還懂得愛那些不可愛的人，甚或是我們的仇敵，那是我們原初所辦不到的。 　　喜樂也不是單純的快樂。它是對神的一種默然信靠，樂意把一切交在神的手中，以致無論處於任何環境，也會有從心底裡生出喜樂。 　　同樣地，和平的心境也並非僅限於事事順利的時候才出現，反之，因著神的同在，以致我們能得著神所賜的平安，去面對各種境況。 　　當我們自我省察的時候，若發現自己沒有仁愛、喜樂與和平，那麼，就證明聖靈在我們的生命中的工作有限了。哪是甚麼緣故呢？是否我們攔阻聖靈的工作？我們必須反躬自問，找出真正的答案。 反思： 基督徒的生命會自然成長。我們能否察覺自己在過去一年有多少成長呢？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT DAY 30 BIBLE READING: Galatians 5:19-25 What do we mean by 'fruit'? Fruit is produced naturally by a plant or a tree showing that the tree or plant has reached maturity. On some plants fruit takes a long time to form. Other plants or trees produce fruit quickly. The fruit of the Spirit is what the Spirit produces in a life yielded to Jesus Christ. It gives a picture of Jesus Christ, in that life. Let's look at just the first three mentioned. Love, joy and peace all belong to our inner life or experience. From these three qualities all the rest of our life seems to flow. The love referred to is not human love, but Christ's love. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand more of Christ's love for us and so our love for Christ increases. He does more than that, however. He gives us a love for the unlovely and even for our enemies. That is not natural is it? But the Spirit of God can do it if we will allow him. Joy is not merely being happy about everything. It is quiet confidence that we are in God's hands so we are happy in all circumstances. Peace, too, is something which comes, not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God. It underlies all the rest of our lives. If we don't have love, joy and peace, then the Spirit of God Is not being allowed to work in our lives. Who is stopping him? Could we look in a mirror and see the answer? A THOUGHT: Growth is part of Christian experience. How much have we grown this year?

給你同行者－驕陽下的微笑

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車子在清晨六點四十五分到達我們下榻的小旅館，比預約的時間晚到了十五分鐘。 望著那輛有點殘舊的小麵包車，我內心不禁冒起一個問號：這樣的車能夠跑上公路直驅綿陽市嗎？這是我第一次到訪綿陽災區，雖然不知道公路的情況會怎麼樣？ 但知道從成都出發最低限度需要兩個小時的車程，而這車的外觀實在激發不起人的信心，沒有辦法不懷疑它對任重道遠的承受能力。司機是三十歲上下的年輕人，個子不高、臉帶倦容，我上前跟他打個招呼問聲好，他坦率的告訴我已經有兩個晚上沒睡好，所以今天起床後感到特別疲勞。我聽了心底再一愣：這樣的司機，如何能夠跟著我們這夥人去翻山越嶺、長途跋涉？車子看來不太有保障、司機又聲稱不舒服，這將是一個怎麼樣的行程？ 開始上路了，市區的交通燈較為頻仍，車子的引擎一遇上紅燈就自動跟著停了下來，也就是說沒跑幾分鐘的路程司機就得重新把它發動一次；就這樣停停走走、走走停停，車子速度不快、機器聲聽起來也不順暢，我實在按捺不住心裡的忐忑而問司機，這車真能夠跟著我們跑一天嗎？司機不隱瞞的回答，他原來的車被公司調換了，現在這車不是他的，它的確是有毛病需要修理。 由成都到綿陽一路的景色很優美，特別是對我這個來自乾旱的澳洲大陸的人來說，路兩旁墨綠的山、油綠的田，那種久違了的親切令人目不暇給，但是由於聽到司機證實汽車的不妥，我惟有放棄欣賞難得的田園風光，本來一上車就不斷的默禱，這時更沒法不帶著焦急將行程恭敬的再次交托給天上的父神，今天一整天的安排本是緊湊的，但是車子如果半路拋錨的話，那麼神所要我們這夥人在耽擱延誤中學習的功課將是什麼呢？禱告以後我的心從焦慮轉變成好奇的期待。 車子終於在綿陽市的外圍找到修理的地方。在那近幾荒野之處竟然別有洞天隱藏了一個小修車廠。我們一行人在開始炎熱起來的陽光下等待，沒有不安、沒有焦慮或煩躁，大夥兒寧靜的心顯示出順服以及對神的信任，我安靜的向神獻上種種的感謝，顯然的我們的路程並不孤單，因為神正與我們緊緊同行。幾經周折，我們終於在中午時分抵達安縣，然而司機卻一再重複表示他實在太勞累，沒有辦法繼續支撐下去了，團長和領隊的弟兄基於體恤司機的難處，二話不說漂亮的付了錢就囑咐他回去好好休息。氣溫很高，我們只好耐心等待另一輛小麵包車來協助展開計劃中的工作。 整個下午，我們汗流浹背地穿梭在藍色帳篷和整齊的活動板房之間，受災人親切、禮貌的回應我們的探望，山坡上臨時學校活潑的孩童們乖巧、有禮的對答、志願者老師們在樹蔭下專注的引領著孩子們唱歌、排舞…溫馨的景象背後是多少無名英雄默默的耕耘！湧入眼簾這一幅幅感人的畫面裡充滿的是堅毅、是愛、是無私的付出、還有的是明天的希望；熱淚在我眼眶裡不停的流動，領隊弟兄的電話卻幾乎沒停的一響再響，有誰會料到，已經離去的司機，竟然會顧念到我們回程的困難而鍥而不捨的來電，堅持要回頭來把我們送回成都？ 黃昏的驕陽依然高掛天邊，我們疲憊不堪的回到綿陽，早上的司機耐心的守候著我們的出現，一見面，他就急不及待的道歉：我非常內疚，我實在太對你們不起了…我問他：你好點兒了嗎？他說：睡了一下午，我還能不好嗎？望著他那誠摯、歉疚的表情，一股暖流湧上大夥兒的心頭，人間有情，大家都泛起了欣然的微笑，包括那忠厚的司機先生。 唐昕

 

2008-07-29 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 被聖靈充滿 粵語國語 第29天 讀經：以弗所書五章15至21節 　　神已經將聖靈賜給祂的每個兒女，使我們能藉著聖靈得著神的一切應許，和基督為我們成就的一切工作。 　　我們已認識聖靈在我們信主之初的工作。但保羅在今天的經文卻教導信徒要被聖靈充滿，那是甚麼意思呢？ 　　我們一定有過被恐懼充滿的經驗。當我們被恐懼所控制的時候，我們會不能動彈，或是不能作出正常的反應。同樣地，當我們充滿了愛，或信心，或憎恨的時候，我們也會出現與平常不同的反應。 　　被聖靈充滿，就是被聖靈控制；根據上述的推論，我們是否被聖靈充滿，可透過我們的行動和反應顯示出來。一個被聖靈充滿的信徒，他的生命將會愈來愈像基督。 　　經文繼續指出，我們的生命有那幾方面能見證基督。首先，可從我們與其他信徒的關係中反映出來；接著，是透過我們向神的頌讚和感恩。此外，我們在基督裡彼此順服，也是聖靈充滿的明證。 　　問題的關鍵，是在於我們是否願意被聖靈充滿？抑或我們仍要掌握自己的生命？我們必須先願意，才能接受聖靈的充滿。只要我們祈求聖靈的充滿，就必能得著。 禱告： 願我們每天都這樣禱告說：「主耶穌，我願意將自己交給你，以致聖靈能夠充滿我和主宰我今天的生活。」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE FULNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT DAY 29 BIBLE READING: Ephesians 5:15-21 The Holy Spirit has been given to every child of God to make real to him all that God has promised and all that Christ has made possible. We have seen something of the work of the Holy Spirit as we begin the Christian life. Here in these verses we are told to be filled with the Spirit. What does this mean? We know what it is to be filled with fear. We are so controlled by fear that we either can't move or we react in some way that is different from our normal life. In the same way, we can be controlled by or filled with love or faith, or even with hate. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be so controlled by the Holy Spirit that our actions and our reactions show it. The result will be that Christ will be seen more and more in our lives. The verses which follow mention several areas of our lives where Christ will be seen. First he will be seen in our relationships with fellow-Christians; then in our praise and thankfulness to God. Also he will be seen in our willingness to submit to each other in Christ. Do we want this filling? Do we want this control? We must want if first of all before we can have it. But if we ask for it, it will be ours. Each morning pray this prayer: 'Lord Jesus, I give myself to you for this day so that your Holy Spirit can fill me and control me today.'

2008-07-28 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 被洗歸入基督的身體 粵語國語 第28天 讀經：哥林多前書十二章1至4節和12至14節 　　保羅非常關心哥林多的信徒，他希望他們能清楚認識聖靈在教會及信徒生命中的工作。在他的書信中，我們找到幾篇論及聖靈的重要經文。 　　保羅在這段經文中論及基督的身體，即教會。他指出聖靈將不同的恩賜分給信徒；而最重要的，是他描述我們是如何進入基督的身體。 　　當我們相信耶穌基督是救主，我們就得著重生。神赦免我們的罪，並接納我們是祂的兒女。聖靈進入我們心中，然後便引領我們進入基督的身體。聖靈這個行使主權的行動，我們稱為「聖靈的洗」。那意味著聖靈在我們心裡的工作是那麼的深邃、那麼的奇妙，以致我們仿似在基督的身體裡被浸淫著一樣。這就是「聖靈的洗」(13節)。 　　聖經沒有教導我們要追求這種聖靈的洗，而且，我們根本不用去追求，因為聖靈會主動做這工作。凡接受耶穌基督是救主的人，都會得到這聖靈的洗。 　　你若然接受基督作為你的救主，那麼，你便屬於基督的身體。你已經成為祂身體的一部分，而你的生命也要永遠服事主。你有沒有盡上你的本分去服事基督和教會呢？ 頌讚： 我能夠成為神家中的一分子，是何等榮幸的事。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BAPTISED INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST DAY 28 BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 12:1-4 and 12-14 Paul was very anxious that the Corinthian Christians should know exactly what the work of the Spirit of' God really is, both in the church and in the individual believer. He actually gave several chapters to this tremendous subject. Here in this passage Paul spoke about the body of Christ, the true Church. He mentions the fact that there are various gifts the Spirit of God gives believers. Best of all, he tells us how we enter the body of Christ. When we believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour, we are born again. Our sins are forgiven and we become children of God. The Spirit enters our bodies. Then he takes us and puts us into the body of Christ. This sovereign action of the Holy Spirit is described as baptism; That' means the Holy Spirit's work in us is so deep, so wonderful, that it would seem as if we were immersed into the body of Christ. So it is called the baptism of the Spirit (v.13). We are never told to ask for this baptism. Nor do we need to ask for it. The Holy Spirit does this on his own initiative. He does it for everyone who comes to Jesus Christ, by accepting him as Saviour. This is the one and only baptism of the Spirit. If you have accepted Christ as your Saviour, then you are part of the body of Christ. You have been put there forever for a life of service for Christ. Are you doing your part for Christ and his church? A PRAISE NOTE: 'I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.'

2008-07-27 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 重生 粵語國語 第27天 讀經：約翰福音三章1至8節 　　當人認同聖靈在他心中的說話，接受耶穌基督作為他的救主，他就得著重生，或可說是從靈生的。聖靈會將新生賜給他，他將永遠與基督聯合，且成為神家中的一分子。 　　當聖靈進入人生命的那一刻，聖靈就會住在人的心中。聖靈將一直與那人同在，直至他被接回榮耀的天家。 　　新約一再告訴我們，當我們接受基督的時候，我們就接受了父神。當我們接受基督，就等於相信父神。對聖靈而言也是一樣。我們接受基督，就等於接受聖靈。我們不可能將三位一體神分開。我們不可以只接受一位，而將其他兩位摒諸生命的門外。 　　這正是基督與尼哥底母談及的內容，但尼哥底母卻覺得很難理解。基督說聖靈的工作好像風的吹動。當聖靈工作的時候，就如無形的風在吹動一般，人雖然看不見，卻沒有人可以使之停止。 　　基督指出，人最初由母腹生出來，與後來藉聖靈重生，是兩件截然不同的事。一個真正的基督徒必須經過重生。 　　使人重生是聖靈的工作。聖靈首先使人知罪，並知道自己需要一位救主，然後祂便賜人新的生命，以及永遠住在人的心中。 　　請記著基督在約翰福音十四章16節的話：「保惠師(即聖靈)必永遠與你們同在」。這是基督給我們的應許，而祂的應許是永不改變的。 反思： 聖靈已進入我的心中，且永遠與我同在。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BORN AGAIN DAY 27 BIBLE READING: John 3:1-8 When a person agrees with what the Holy Spirit has been saying to his heart and accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour, he is born again, or born from above, by the Spirit of God. A new life is given to him by the Holy Spirit and he is eternally united with Christ. He also becomes a member of the family of God. In that same moment the Holy Spirit comes into his body and from then on the Holy Spirit indwells that heart and life. He seals that life with his own presence and remains with that believer until he is taken home to glory. In the New Testament we are repeatedly told that when we receive Christ, we receive the Father. When we believe in one, we believe in the other also. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. You cannot divide the Trinity. You cannot have one without the other two living in your life also. Christ spoke to Nicodemus about all of this, but Nicodemus found it hard to understand. Christ said the action of the Holy Spirit is like the movement of the wind. It blows and you cannot stop it. When (the Spirit of God works, silently and as invisible as the wind, no-one can stop him. Christ said there is a great difference between being born the first time and being born the second time by the Holy Spirit. A true Christian is one who has been born twice. This is the second work of the Spirit in a life. First he convicts of sin and the need of a Saviour, then he gives new life and enters that heart to stay forever. Remember the words of Christ in John 14:16-8The Comforter (the Holy Spirit) will abide with you forever'. This is the promise of Christ and his words are always true. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The Comforter (helper) has come to my heart to remain with me always.

2008-07-26 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 聖靈的工作 粵語國語 第26天 讀經：約翰福音十六章7至14節 　　在接著的幾天，我們將會認識聖靈的工作。我們選讀的經文將會來自不同的新約書卷，不過，全都是關係到聖靈在地上、在教會裡面及信徒生命中的工作。 　　我們必須認識聖靈的位格和工作。從人的角度來看，若沒有聖靈，我們就沒有聖經、沒有基督徒的信仰經歷、無從明白神的話語，以及毫無能力。按照基督的描述，聖靈將會滿足我們一切的需要。 　　我們首次接觸聖靈，是當祂來敲我們的心門，詢問我們是否願意接受耶穌基督進入我們心中的那一刻。祂會讓我們知道自己有罪，需要一位救主。只有祂才能喚醒我們的心知罪，因為這正是祂的工作。 　　至於祂會繼續敲門，抑或與主耶穌基督一同進入我們心中，則在乎我們的決定了，祂不會勉強進入，也不會拂袖而去。 　　我們若持續不斷地抗拒聖靈，祂也許會離去。但因著神願意萬人得救，所以，只要我們一日還活在世上，我們還有機會接受基督為救主。 　　我們只要接受聖靈的呼喚，迎接基督進入我們心中，我們就會得著新生和永生。而且，聖靈還會住在我們心裡，使我們成為基督的身體──教會──的一分子。這就是聖靈的其中一項工作，是否很奇妙呢？ 牢記： 當聖靈住在我們心裡，祂便會滿足我們的心靈，而且，祂更要掌管我們的心，使我們所言所行都能榮耀基督。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT DOING TODAY? DAY 26 BIBLE READING: John 16:7-14 For the next few days we will be reading about the work of the Holy Spirit. The readings will come from various places in the New Testament, but all will refer to his ministry in the world, in the church and in the believer. We need to recognize the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Without him, humanly speaking, we would have no Bible, no Christian experience, no understanding of God's Word and no power. Christ spoke of him as the one who would meet our every need. We first meet the Holy Spirit when he comes to the door of our hearts asking if Jesus Christ can enter. He speaks to us about our sin and about our need .of a Saviour. This is his work of conviction. His is the only voice which will get through to men's hearts. Depending on the response he receives he will either go on knocking or else come in, together with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is possible of course to resist the voice of the Holy Spirit. It may be if this has continued over a long period of time, he will go away from that heart. At the same time, God wants everyone to be saved and while we are alive on this earth, there is always the opportunity to accept Christ. If we accept what the Holy Spirit says to our hearts, we are given new life, eternal life, immediately. The Holy Spirit takes up his residence in our hearts. He makes us members of the body of Christ. Isn't that wonderful? REMEMBER: If the Holy Spirit is in your heart, he wants to fill it and control it for the glory of Christ.