2008-09-08 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 信徒的準備 粵語 國語 第8天 讀經：   彼得前書四章7至11節 初期教會的信徒經常思念著主耶穌基督的再來。因此，使徒的書信便不斷呼籲信徒要作好準備，隨時迎接主的再來。 彼得勸勉各信徒要： 1. 謹慎自守──7節。 2. 恆切禱告──7節。 3. 彼此切實相愛──8節。 4. 在家中彼此款待──9節。 5. 運用神給我們的恩賜──10節。 6. 一切都為榮耀神而作──11節。 留意第9節。彼得教導我們要懷著一顆喜樂的心，開放自己的家來款待弟兄姊妹。這是信徒相交生活的一部分。初信者尤其需要親切的接待。他們因信主的緣故，可能與昔日的一些壞朋友斷絕交往；如果他們不能獲得信徒群體的親切接待，他們會有甚麼感覺呢？你有否讓主使用你的家呢？ 此外，我們也必須運用神分給各人的恩賜。我們各人都是以管家的身分來運用這些恩賜，為的是讓我們建立教會和彼此服侍。信徒絕不可將恩賜留為己用，用來滿足自己。 例如，擁有講道恩賜的人，並不是為了使自己揚名或受人讚賞，反之，是為了帶領眾人來到主的面前。總的而言，我們事奉神絕不是為了要贏得別人的感謝和欣賞，而是為了讓人認識神。 反思： 我們是否太忙，以致極少在家中接待弟兄姊妹或朋友？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT WE ALL NEED Day 8 Bible Reading:   1 Peter 4:7-11 The second coming of Christ was never far away from the minds and hearts of those in the early church. It was repeatedly used to urge the Christians to live as they should for Christ, in case he should return that day. Peter says to us all: 1. We need a balanced mind-verse 7. 2. We must pray continually-verse 7. 3. We must love each other warmly-verse 8. 4. We need to share our home with others-verse 9. 5. We must use the gifts God has given us-verse 10. 6. We must do all things for the glory of God-verse 11. Notice verse 9. We are to keep open house for all with a glad heart. That is part of Christian fellowship. New Christians in particular need help. They have been separated from their former friends. How will they feel if their new friends (the Christians) do not warmly welcome them? In what ways are you using your home for the Lord? Equally important is the need to be faithful in exercising our God-given gifts. Everyone has a gift. Everyone should be using it. We are only stewards of these gifts. God has loaned them to us to be used for the benefit of the whole church and for the blessing of everyone. They. are never just for ourselves. Preaching is not done so the preacher may be seen or heard, but so that men and women might be brought face to face with God. We should never serve God so we will receive thanks from people, but so that we will turn others toward God. A QUESTION: How long is it since anyone found real help and fellowship in your home-are you top busy for that?