2008-07-19 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 被內憂困擾的教會 粵語國語 第19天 讀經：啟示錄二章12至17節 　　在這裡所列的七間教會中，別迦摩教會位處最北。保羅曾到訪該處。它是古代世界其中一個最富裕的城市。基督向別迦摩教會說了些甚麼呢？ 　　基督一開始便直言：「我知道你的居所」，這豈不是很寶貴嗎？你是否居住在一個充滿引誘的城市，很難做一個切實的基督徒？你是否在這樣的一個地方工作？別迦摩的信徒便是處於這樣的境況，而基督便向他們表明祂深知這一切。你曾否歸咎環境，令你很難忠於信仰？這個根本不成理由，因為無論你身處任何環境，基督都能夠幫助你去克勝障礙，做一個盡忠的信徒。 　　別迦摩信徒所處的環境，正是撒但活躍工作的地方。我們相信撒但確實存在；據聖經所說，撒但乃是墮落的天使。他有極大的能力，可是，卻不能勝過基督。基督已經在十字架上，擊敗撒但的權勢。只要我們祈求基督的幫助，祂必能助我們擊退撒但的攻擊。 　　別迦摩教會因為接受了某些錯誤的標準和行為，以致影響他的見證。一派胡言的巴蘭，竟然將歪曲的道理教導信徒，說他們沒有理由不入鄉隨俗去吃祭偶像的物和不與非信徒結婚。然而，這種與世俗妥協的做法，卻是神所憎厭的。神只希望祂的兒女能夠過分別為聖的生活，行事為人不要追隨世俗的標準。只有這樣，我們才能向世人作美好的見證。 　　基督最後仍語重心長地給予別迦摩信徒三個寶貴的應許。嗎哪是預表基督。隱藏的嗎哪是喻意基督會幫助我們的靈命成長。白石是指到赦免和友誼；這是基督會在今天白白賜予我們的。至於石上寫著的新名，是基督親自賜給我們的──當我們接受祂的那一刻，祂便會賜予我們新名，讓我們成為屬祂的人。我們究竟有沒有竭力保守這新名的清白，不讓它沾染任何污名？ 牢記： 基督知道我們的居所。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE CHURCH THAT SUFFERED FROM WITHIN DAY 19 BIBLE READING: Revelation 2:12-17 The city of Pergamos was the northernmost of the seven church-cities. Paul had visited there. It was also one of the wealthiest cities in that part of the old world. What did Christ say to this church? 'I know where you live.' Isn't that a great thought? Do you live in a place where it is hard to be a Christian? Do you work in such a place? The Christians at Pergamos did and Christ said he knew all about it. Do you think that sometimes your circumstances excuse you from always being faithful to Christ? They do not, because Christ is able to help you no matter where you live or where you work. They lived where Satan was active. Satan is a definite person-a fallen angel. He has tremendous power, but he is not as great as Christ. Christ can deal with him because he broke Satan's power at the cross. He can do it for us now if we will allow him. The witness of this church was being spoiled by some wrong attitudes and practices. Balaam was one who had taught that there was no reason why God's people could not mingle with the world and marry unbelievers. This is a compromise which God still hates and does not want to see in his children. He wants us to be completely separate from the world In our standards even though we continue to live in this world. We are to witness to the world. In closing Christ gave three wonderful promises to the Pergamos church. Manna Is a type of Christ. Hidden manna speaks of secret nourishment for our spiritual lives. The white stone speaks of forgiveness and friendship. Christ freely gives us these today. The new name he gives us is his own-we become his when we accept him and we take his name as our own. Are we keeping that name clean? A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Christ says, " know where you live'.