2008年12月20日 星期六

2008-12-20 Devotionals Today

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青草地上


信徒的教會生活

粵語 國語

第20天


讀經:   歌羅西書四章2至6節
來到書信的尾聲,保羅諄諄勸勉歌羅西的信徒要謹守幾件事:恆切禱告;行事要有智慧;珍惜光陰;說話要溫文有禮。

保羅的書信,沒有一封是沒有提到禱告的。由此可見,他極之重視禱告,而每個基督徒都應該以他為榜樣。我們若要每天與主同行,就不能不禱告;唯有藉著禱告,我們才能親近祂,和明白祂的心意。有些時候,我們會感到禱告不蒙應允,我們的祈求似乎不能上達於天,因而感到灰心。然而,正是在這個時候,我們要堅持禱告,不可放棄。

對於禱告,保羅還教導我們要「保持儆醒,時常感恩,為別人代禱,以及確切祈求。」

好了,行事要有智慧又是甚麼意思呢?保羅的意思是要指出,我們必須留意自己在信徒面前的言行舉止,否則我們的輕率無禮,很可能會成為他們信主的絆腳石。我們每天都需要主賜下智慧,來幫助我們有美好的品行。不要忘記,我們是世人眼中的「聖經」,他們在主動看聖經之前,總是先觀察我們的行為來評價我們的信仰。

愛惜光陰相當於「抓緊時機」。不要忘記,我們要得著任何東西都要付上代價。當機會出現,可能是我們最不方便的時候;我們便要衡量輕重,作出取捨。我們可能要為了服侍主而付上代價,我們很容易會推說:「我近來很忙,不能為主作工」;然而,到我們有時間的時候,機會卻消失了。

我們的說話談吐,同樣要見證基督。如果我們的話嚴苛、尖酸刻薄、喜歡挑剔批評,又怎能見證基督呢?雖然在某些時刻,我們可能要用堅定的語氣說話,但這並不表示要充滿怒氣。基督要我們持守的準則,就是「在愛中說誠實話」。

我們的言行舉止,是否符合以上的標準呢?

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STANDARDS FOR CHURCH MEMBERS
Day 20


Bible Reading:   Colossians 4:2-6
Now near the end of his epistle Paul has a few commands for the church members. Here are four of them: 1. Continue in prayer; 2. Walk in wisdom; 3. Redeem the time; 4. Speak with grace.

Paul never wrote a letter without speaking about prayer. It was very important to him and it ought to be just as important I in the life of every Christian. To maintain our daily walk with Christ we need that time of prayer. These moments spent with him somehow keep us in touch with him and what he wants us to do. Praying is not always easy. Sometimes our prayers seem unanswered and our words don't seem to be reaching heaven. But that is the time to continue, rather than stop praying.

Paul adds several words concerning prayer in these verses. He says 'Be alert or wide awake. Be thankful. Pray for others. Ask for definite requests.'

Now, what does walking in wisdom mean? Paul is saying we need to be careful how we act and how we react in front of non-Christians. It is so easy for us to do the wrong thing and perhaps put a stumbling block in front of unsaved friends. We need the Lord's wisdom day by day to behave as we should. Remember we are the 'world's Bible'. They don't read God's Word but they do watch us. ,

Redeeming the time is another way of saying 'Buy up every opportunity'. But remember buying includes payment. Often an opportunity comes when it is really inconvenient. Part of the cost of serving Christ may be found here. It is so easy to, say 'I haven't the time right now'. When we do have the time the opportunity may be gone for ever.

Our speaking too should reflect Christ. If our language is harsh or bitter or critical it will not speak of Christ. Sometimes we will have to speak firmly, but that does not mean with anger. Speaking the truth in love is the standard Christ wants us to follow.

How do we match up to this checklist for church members?

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