2008-10-09 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 永不改變的救主 粵語 國語 第9天 讀經：   希伯來書十三章1至8節 希伯來書用了不少篇幅來論及信心，這顯然是全書的重要信息之一。然而，這裡所講的，不單是相信某個真理的信心，更是實踐在日常生活中的信心。 這段經文的頭幾節，便指出信徒要藉著愛護其他信徒和關心別人的需要來見證他的信心。有些基督徒只懂得用嚴厲的態度來批評其他信徒，表現得全無愛心和憐憫之心；這絕非基督想見到的。我們是不是這樣的呢？這幾節經文對我們有何啟發？ 其次，接待客旅也是信心的另一個表現。福音信息乃是一個叫人開放自己去關心別人的信息，因此，開放自己的家去接待有需要的人，以及對有困難的人表達同情與關心，便是基督徒的另一個標記。 不過，這段經文的重點是要指出，我們雖然要尊重牧者和教會領袖，但他們紿終是人，始終會離開世界；只有基督是永遠常存和永不改變的(8節)。 基督的位格永遠不變，祂永遠是神。祂怎樣往天上去，將來也必怎樣回來(徒一11)。祂的祭司職任長久不更換(來七24)。祂的能力不會減少。祂會保守我們永不失腳(猶24)。而且，祂的應許也是不會改變的。這段經文的第5節提醒我們，祂不撇下我們，也不丟棄我們。基督從不食言，以後也永不食言。 這對我們今天有何意義呢？當我們讀神的話語，尤其是讀到福音書的時候，我們當緊記，那位在加利利、在伯大尼、在各各他山上的基督，祂的位格、祭司的職任、能力和應許都是永不改變的。祂至今仍然活著；祂有能力幫助我們；祂時刻與我們同在。我們是並不孤單的。祂昨天是怎樣，今天也是怎樣，將來也必如此。我們可以放心信靠祂。 禱告： 主啊，求我幫助我去信靠你和你的應許。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUR UNCHANGING SAVIOUR Day 9 Bible Reading:   Hebrews 13:1-8 OUR UNCHANGING SAVIOUR One of the great messages of the book of Hebrews concerns faith. But faith is not merely belief in something. Faith also acts, especially in daily living. Here in the first few verses, faith shows itself in love of our fellow Christians and for those in need. Sometimes Christians allow themselves to become critical and harsh and unsympathetic toward other Christians. That is not what Christ wants to see in our lives. Does this speak to you today? Secondly, gracious hospitality is another visible sign of faith. The gospel is the message of the open door. Shouldn't that extend to our homes as well? Sympathy for those in trouble is another mark of a Christian. But the great message of this passage is that while we should respect our pastors and leaders, they are only human and therefore will pass away. Christ remains, always alive, always the same (v. 8). He never changes in his person. He will be the same when he returns (Acts 1:11). He has an unchanging, never-ending priesthood (Hebrews 7:24). His power will never be any less than it has always been. He will always be able to keep us from falling (Jude 24). Remember too his promises will never alter. Verse 5 of this passage reminds us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Christ has never broken a promise and never will. What does this mean for us today? As you read God's Word, especially the gospels, remember that the Christ of Galilee, of Bethany, of Calvary is still exactly the same today in his person, his priesthood, his power and his promises. He is alive. He is able. He is here. You are not alone. Everything he was yesterday he will be today and will be tomorrow. You can count on him. A PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord help me to count on your presence and your promises by faith today.