2009-01-31 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 基督是一家之主 粵語 國語 第31天 讀經：   路加福音十九章1至10節 當別人來到你家中，他如何曉得基督是住在你的家裡呢？看見聖經放在桌子上？牆上掛著一些基督教的象徵飾物？有某些東西？或是沒有某些東西？ 當基督進到一個家裡，那個家庭就會得著救恩。（參第9節）因此，一個基督化的家庭，必然是家中所有成員都願意接受基督為他們的救主。 撒該接待耶穌之前，他的家還不算是基督化的家庭。可是，當基督進到他的家，祂便同時進入了他的心，他整個人便即時改變了。（8節）只要人讓基督進入他的心，基督就會因著祂的榮耀使那人作出改變。（參林後五17） 當基督真正住在那個人的家中，那家人就會懂得禱告。讓我們翻到路加福音二十四章30節。你可以想像門徒在進食之前，基督先帶領他們禱告嗎？你們一家人是否經常一起禱告呢？正如有人說過：「一起禱告的家庭，將會永遠連結在一起。」 當基督在那個家庭中間，他們一家人就能彼此相愛，以及愛神家裡的人。約翰福音十一章36節提到基督愛拉撒路和他的姊妹。基督每到一個家庭作客，都總會讓人感受到祂的愛。 一對夫婦若有基督住在他們心中，他們之間便能更加相愛。一個家庭若有基督的同在，就不會聽見難聽的論斷和批評。 以基督作主的家庭，最明顯的特徵並非是家中掛有某些飾物或藏有聖經，而是家中每個人都活出以基督為首的生命。 「主啊，求你永遠作我們的一家之主。」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHRIST - THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE Day 31 Bible Reading:   Luke 19:1-10 What are some of the evidences that Christ is living in a home? Bible on the table? Mottoes on the wall? The presence of some things and the absence of others? When Christ is in a home, there is salvation in that home. (See v.9) A Christian home is where the family members have each entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Up to the time when Zacchaeus met Christ, his home could never have been called a Christian home. But when Christ came into the home, He also came into Zacchaeus' heart and immediately made a difference (v.8). Wherever Christ is allowed to enter, He will make changes - all of them for His glory (2 Co 5:17). When Christ is truly in a home, there will be prayer in that home. Take a moment to turn to Luke 24:30. Can you picture Christ praying as they commenced their meal? How often does your family pray together? As someone has said, "The family that prays together stays together." When Christ is in a home, there will be love for each other and for the Lord's people. In John 11:36, Christ's love for Lazarus (and his sisters) is mentioned. Wherever he visited in a home, he must have spread an atmosphere of love. Love between husband and wife is deepened when Christ lives in both. Criticizing of others can hardly be present when Christ is there. When Christ is head of the house, the real evidences are seen in the lives of those who live there, not merely by outward signs on the walls and tables. LORD, PLEASE BE THE HEAD OF OUR HOME, NOW AND ALWAYS.

2009-01-30 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 你的家最看重甚麼？ 粵語 國語 第30天 讀經：   歌羅西書三章15至21節 對於這個問題，每個家庭都會提供不同的答案。生活在貧困地方的家庭，他們的答案可能是「食物」；生活在富裕地方的家庭，或許會說「金錢」或「生意成功」。然而，不少人雖生意成功卻家庭失敗；有些夫妻經常在互相爭競。你的家庭又看重甚麼呢？ 或者我們又可以轉換另一個問題：你的家庭與鄰舍的家庭有甚麼分別呢？一般的家庭都會面對同樣的問題，包括經濟壓力、身體患病和管教兒女的困擾等。當你的家庭出現這些問題時，你們是否有一套固定的「機制」去面對和處理，是鄰舍的家庭所沒有的呢？ 基督徒家庭的其中一個固定「機制」就是禱告。在你的家中，禱告佔據一個怎樣的位置呢？許多基督徒只會在遇上急難時，才會向天父求助。 然而，禱告並非一個緊急的求助電話，而是一個恆常與天父保持相交的機制。為人父母可以送給後代的最大禮物，就是教導他們明白禱告的意義，以及經歷到禱告的奇妙大能。 禱告不單是唸唸有詞地說出自己的需要，卻是一個無上榮幸的特權和喜樂，因為我們可以藉著禱告與愛我們的天父相交，祂應許會顧念我們一切的需要，也喜歡應允我們的祈求。 你的家庭重視禱告嗎？你們用飯前一起禱告嗎？你們家人多久會在一起禱告？有沒有代禱事項和日程？你的孩子們回憶家庭的禱告生活時，有美好的回憶嗎？ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN YOUR HOME? Day 30 Bible Reading:   Colossians 3:15-21 It would depend on whom you ask, wouldn't it? Someone might say "Food"; others might answer "Money" or "Success in business". It is easy to succeed in business but fail at home. Some parents are constantly competing against each other. What's important at your home? What are some of the differences between your home and the home next door? They face the same basic problems of finances, illnesses, discipline and so on. In your home, are there some built-ins that are not in those other homes when these problems arise? One of those built-ins should be PRAYER. What place does it have in your home? Many Christians do pray when there is an urgent need and send a fax toward heaven. But is there a general atmosphere of prayer, rather than a stopgap remedy? One of the best contributions you can make to the lives of your children and grandchildren is to teach them the reality, the availability and the wonder of prayer. Prayer is not merely words but it is the privilege and joy of being in touch with a Heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us and who delights to answer prayer. What is your family prayer rating? Do you pray before each meal? How often do you pray together as a family? Do you follow any prayer list or calendar? What will your children remember about prayer in your home?

2009-01-29 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 榮耀全是你的 粵語 國語 第29天 讀經：   啟示錄五章9至14節 引導基督徒如何生活的最重要動力，就是懂得關心神的榮耀。我們的所言所行，以及一切的工作成就，到了最後，都要以是否榮耀神來作評價的標準。也就是說，當我們來到基督的審判台前，一切都是以「是否榮耀神」來作最終的評價。 保羅曾經教導哥林多的信徒說：「你們或吃或喝，無論作甚麼，都要為榮耀神而行。」（林前十31）我們是否以此作為生活的原則？事奉的原則？我們今天行事的原則？或者我們追求知識和開口講話的原則？ 當我們參與教會事奉的時候，是否以此為原則？我們為甚麼要做這些事呢？其中一個隱含的動機，是否為了滿足自我？我們是否只希望別人留意我們的說話、教導、唱詩或事奉，並不時給予讚賞？我們必須認識到，每個信徒都在教會發揮作用，他們都需要我們的肯定和鼓勵。保羅寫信給每間教會的信徒時，都不忘鼓勵各人。 然而，讚賞人與歸榮耀給神這兩者之間，有著明顯的分界，我們切不可將兩者混淆。在這方面，神說得很清楚：「我是耶和華，這是我的名，我必不將我的榮耀歸給假神。」（賽四十二8）我們又如何呢？我們是否將一切榮耀歸給神，抑或是歸給人呢？ 最後，是有關我們禱告的心態。我們是否只懂得向神求這求那，只是為了讓自己的生活安舒？我們是否只懂得求神祝福我們的工作，以致我們能贏得別人的讚賞？要切記，我們必須將榮耀歸給神。 這是禱文最後的祈求，但是，在我們結束禱告前，最後唸的還有兩個字，就是「阿們」。「阿們」的意思就是：誠心所願。我們也可以加上一句：「我全心全意地祈求──願一切榮耀歸給神！」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THINE IS ... THE GLORY Day 29 Bible Reading:   Revelation 5:9-14 The strongest motivation in a Christian's life should be his or her concern for the glory of God. The final test of all our work and conduct is this. It will be the test of everything at the Judgment Seat of Christ. What did Paul say to the Corinthians? "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Co 10:31) Can we write that across our lives? Across our service for Christ? Can we write it across what we have done today? Or what we have read or said? What about our church activities? Why are we doing what we are doing? Does the shadow of self over-cloud what we do? Are we only wanting others to praise the way we speak, teach, sing or work? We should recognize what the various church members are doing in the church and our recognition should be an encouragement to them. Paul encouraged everyone to whom he wrote. However, there is a fine line drawn beyond which we cannot go in praise or in encouragement. God said it so plainly, My glory will I not give unto another. (lsa 42:8) "I will not give my glory to another." What about our giving? Is it for the glory of God or for the praise of men? Lastly, what about our praying? Are we asking God for this or for that, simply to make life easier for us? Are we asking for blessing, so as to draw attention to ourselves or our work? "To God be the glory." These are the final phrases of this remarkable prayer. What is actually the very last word we use as we say this prayer? "Amen". So be it. I agree. Here is my agreement. We can add too: "This is what I desire - all for the glory of God".

2009-01-28 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 權柄全是你的 粵語 國語 第28天 讀經：   馬太福音二十八章16至20節 接續昨天的討論，我們今天要提出的第二個重點是：基督徒必須信靠神的權柄和能力。昨天所講的第一句，是承認我們是活在神的掌管之下；今天的第二句是要我們緊記，掌管我們生命的神，乃是一位擁有一切權柄、能力勝過萬有的神。 我們都知道，我們如果靠自己，並沒有能力為基督而活，也沒有能力在試探中站立得穩。我們沒有能力在壓力下挺身發言；沒有能力去愛和關心別人；更沒有能力去到最需要我們服侍的地方。正如一首詩歌中所唱「靠著耶穌的名，大有能力」。我們在任何情況下，都需要這份能力。 我們要記著，神已經藉著聖靈，將這種能力賜給每位基督徒。基督對眾門徒說：「但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力。」（徒一8）當人接受基督作為他的救主時，聖靈便會立刻進入他的心中居住。祂會讓我們經歷到祂的同在。問題是：我們是否願意讓祂按照基督的心意，在我們的生命中作工？聖靈當然有能力工作，可是，除非我們容讓祂在我們的生命中工作，否則祂不會主動作工。當然，祂可以一直帶領我們，以致我們學會順服，但祂始終要我們願意，祂才會在我們身上成就祂的工作。 有些時候，我們很難明白自己怎麼會跌倒；尋其原因，乃是因為我們倚靠自己行事。事實上，我們必須依靠聖靈的能力，方能成事。當我們為主作工之前，必須認真花時間去禱告，祈求聖靈按著基督的心意來成就祂的工作。聖靈願意在信徒身上成就祂的工作，也喜歡藉著信徒來作成祂的工，只要我們願意。 甚麼是得力的祕訣？筆者相信，祕訣是在於我們每天、甚至是每時每刻都願意順服基督和內住的聖靈。但願我們每早禱告主說：「主耶穌，我願意將自己獻上給你。願聖靈今天按著你的心意在我身上工作！」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THINE IS ... THE POWER Day 28 Bible Reading:   Matthew 28:16-20 The second point in our outline of these final phrases is: A Christian should be Confident In the Power of God. The first phrase speaks of the authority under which we live. The second phrase reminds us of the adequacy of the power under which we live. We know we need help to enable us to live for Christ. We need power to stand where we would otherwise fail. We need power to speak where often we would remain silent. We need power to love, to care, and to go where otherwise we would not go. For all of this as the chorus says, "There is power in the name of Jesus." It is adequate for any situation. But remember, that power has been given to every Christian, every believer. It has been given to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Christ said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Ac 1:8) Every believer received the Holy Spirit when he or she accepted Christ as Saviour. He is there indwelling that life now. He is there to make real to each of us what Christ has made possible. Is He being allowed to do the work He came to do? I say it reverently - the Holy Spirit does not operate automatically in our lives. He will only do what we allow Him to do. True, He will work to bring us to the place of yieldedness but He will not work unless we allow Him to do so. We wonder at times why we fail. It is because we have tried to do something in our own strength. Instead we should be relying on the Holy Spirit's power. Before we attempt any work for the Lord, we need to spend time in prayer asking that God the Holy Spirit will be free to do the work He comes to do. He wants to do it through and in God's children. He will do it if we will allow Him. What is the secret? I believe it is a daily, even hourly attitude of yielding to Christ and the indwelling Spirit. "Lord Jesus, I give myself to you for this day that your Holy Spirit may have His way in me today." Make that your morning prayer. THINE (not mine) IS THE POWER.

2009-01-27 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 因為國度全是你的 粵語 國語 第27天 讀經：   歷代志上二十九章10至13節 我們來到這篇禱文的最後一句。初期的一些聖經抄本可能沒有這句，可是，它卻是最合適的結語。 筆者從別人的省思中得到不少啟迪，希望在一連三天的查經中剖析這句結語的意思： 基督徒必須： 遵從神的旨意。 信靠神的能力。 關心神的榮耀。 遵從神的旨意 「因為國度全是你的」乃是一句信仰宣言；說出這句話的人，乃是承認神是他的王，他是活在神的管治之下。基督同樣對我們發出這個要求：「你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令。」（約十四15） 當我們說出這句話時，我們同時是承認基督是王和我們的主，祂掌有我們生命的主權。雖然此刻祂還不是全世界的王，但終有一日，當祂再來的時候，祂要作全地的王；而此刻，祂已在我們心中作王。 我們若要遵從神的旨意，就必須天天尋求祂的旨意。祂已經在祂的話語中顯明祂的旨意；因此，我們若要明白祂的旨意，就必須多讀聖經，否則便只會淪為空談。 我們需要聖靈透過神話語的光照，使我們明白神的旨意。保羅在歌羅西書一章9節為信徒祈求，願他們在一切屬靈的智慧悟性上，滿心知道神的旨意。唯有我們勤讀聖經，讓神的話語來引導我們的生活行事，我們才能遵行神的旨意。 「因為國度全是你的。你是我的王。願我能明白你為我所定的純全旨意，並且樂於去遵行。」 「因為國度全是你的。」 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM Day 27 Bible Reading:   1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Here are the last phrases of our family prayer. They may not appear in some of the earliest manuscripts but they are a fitting conclusion to this remarkable prayer. An outline for these final words, which I have come to appreciate, originated with someone else. May we look at it together for today and the next two days. Here it is: A Christian should be: 1. Controlled by the will of God. 2. Confident in the power of God. 3. Concerned for the glory of God. CONTROLLED BY THE WILL OF GOD Thine is the kingdom is a statement of belief. It is a recognition of the authority under which we live. This is what Christ asks of us - "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (Jn 14:15) In saying these words we are declaring the Kingship and the Lordship of Christ. We are stating that although He is not yet King of all the world, as one day He will be, He is King in our hearts now. If we want to be controlled by the will of God, then we must discover day by day what that will is. His will is revealed in His Word. Therefore the only way to discover His will is to spend time in His Word. We cannot do the will of God unless we know what that will is. Our need then is the enlightenment which the Spirit of God can give through the Word of God. Paul prayed for the Colossians (1:9) that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This comes about as we read the Word of God, allowing Him to apply what we read to our daily lives. Thine is the Kingdom. You are my king. May I always do those things which are in your perfect will for me! A Christian should be controlled by the will of God. THINE IS THE KINGDOM.

2009-01-26 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 不叫我們遇見試探 粵語 國語 第26天 讀經：   雅各書一章1至14節 甚麼是試探？任何東西或意念，只要是引誘我們去犯罪的，都算是試探。任何人都會遇到試探。有些試探公然地挑戰我們，另一些卻非常隱晦，令人誤入而不自知；有些試探是突然出現，另一些卻一步一步地引人誤入歧途。只要我們一日活在世間，試探都會不斷侵擾我們，直至主耶穌接我們回到天家的那一天，我們才能夠完全脫離試探。 那麼，「不叫我們遇見試探」這句祈求又是甚麼意思呢？神當然不會帶領我們進入試探之中。著名的希臘學者羅拔信博士（Dr.A.T.Robertson）將這句經文翻譯為：「不要讓我們被引誘進入試探。」奧古斯丁對這句經文的翻譯亦大致相同。我們可以禱告說：「求你保守我們，使我們不會遇見一些無力抗拒的試探，不會遭到撒但的攻擊，不會被世俗和我們本身的邪情私慾牽引和誘惑。」我們若不能像小孩子般，從內心發出這個單純的祈求，我們便很容易在毫無防備下失足跌倒。 是不是所有試探都是出於撒但的詭計？答案可以是「是」，但也可以是「否」。撒但當然會試探我們，但他還有兩位「得力助手」。首先，就是這個遠離神的世界，這個充滿貪婪和物質主義掛帥的世界。它雖然充斥著謊話、欺騙和詭詐，但它卻有莫大的吸引力，隨時會引誘我們犯罪。 然後，就是我們每個人裡面的舊本性。這種舊本性只想滿足自己，而且，它還貪愛世界、容易嫉妒、批評、憎恨別人和亂發脾氣。試探猶如星星之火，足以燃起我們的各種慾火，使我們引火自焚。 我們有甚麼出路呢？唯有呼求天父的幫助：「救我們脫離兇惡。」神當然有能力拯救我們，祂也極願意救助我們。只要我們呼求祂的幫助，祂必然為我們開一條出路。請翻到哥林多前書十章13節，重覆讀它好幾遍，直至你深深領受當中的真理。當你遇到試探的時候，切記馬上呼求主說：「主啊，求你釋放我、保護我、拯救我、堅固我、保守我，使我現在就能勝過。父啊，我是你的兒女，我信靠你的保護，謝謝你。」 牢記：只要你求救主幫助，祂必領你抵達平安之地。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION Day 26 Bible Reading:   James 1:1-14 What is temptation? It is an invitation or suggestion to sin. It touches all of us, younger and older. It can come subtly or openly. It can come suddenly or gradually. It can come persistently. It will be here with us until the Lord takes us home. But what does this phrase mean? "Lead us not into temptation"? Surely God does not lead us into temptation. Dr. A. T. Robertson, a noted Greek scholar, translated the phrase this way: "Do not allow us to be led into temptation". Saint Augustine translated it the same way. We could say, "Keep us from situations where temptation will be too strong for us. Defend us from the attacks of Satan, the attractions of the world and from our own wrong desires." When we fail to pray this simple child-like prayer from our heart, we are exposing ourselves to unnecessary upset and failure. Is Satan behind every temptation? The answer could be "Yes and No". Satan certainly brings temptation but it also has two very strong allies. One is the world around us - the world of men away from God, the world of greed and materialism. It is filled with lies, deceit and dishonesty. It can however be tremendously attractive. Then there is our old nature which is within us. It wants to please itself. It is attracted by the world. It shows up in jealousy, in a critical spirit, in bad temper and hatred. A spark of temptation can set all these things aflame. The solution? A cry to our Heavenly Father - "Deliver us from evil". He can do it. He wants to do it. He waits to do it. He is only a prayer away. Turn to 1 Corinthians 10:13 and read it over and over until its truth grips your heart. Then when you are tempted, call on your Heavenly Father. "Deliver me, Lord. Save me. Rescue me now. Strengthen me. Keep me. May I have victory now! I am your child. Thank you Father." Ask the Saviour to help you... He is willing to aid you. HE WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH.