Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Breaking Free - Week 1
Psm 119:11我將你的話藏在心裏、免得我得罪你。
119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
61:1主耶和華的靈在我身上．因為耶和華用膏膏我、叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人、〔或作傳福音給貧窮的人〕差遣我醫好傷心的人、報告被擄的得釋放、被囚的出監牢．
61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Proverb 8:13敬畏耶和華、在乎恨惡邪惡．那驕傲、狂妄、並惡道、以及乖謬的口、都為我所恨惡。
8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Jeremiah
13:15你們當聽、當側耳而聽．不要驕傲．因為耶和華已經說了。
13:16耶和華你們的 神未使黑暗來到、你們的腳、未在昏暗山上絆跌之先、當將榮耀歸給他．免得你們盼望光明、他使光明變為死蔭、成為幽暗。
13:17你們若不聽這話、我必因你們的驕傲、在暗地哭泣．我眼必痛哭流淚、因為耶和華的群眾被擄去了。
13:15Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive.
6:1當烏西雅王崩的那年、我見主坐在高高的寶座上．他的衣裳垂下、遮滿聖殿。
6:2其上有撒拉弗侍立．各有六個翅膀．用兩個翅膀遮臉、兩個翅膀遮腳、兩個翅膀飛翔．
6:3彼此呼喊說、聖哉、聖哉、聖哉、萬軍之耶和華．他的榮光充滿全地。
6:4因呼喊者的聲音、門檻的根基震動、殿充滿了煙雲。
6:5那時我說、禍哉、我滅亡了．因為我是嘴唇不潔的人、又住在嘴唇不潔的民中．又因我眼見大君王萬軍之耶和華。
6:6有一撒拉弗飛到我跟前、手裏拿著紅炭、是用火剪從壇上取下來的．
6:7將炭沾我的口、說、看哪、這炭沾了你的嘴．你的罪孽便除掉、你的罪惡就赦免了。
6:8我又聽見主的聲音說、我可以差遣誰呢、誰肯為我們去呢．我說、我在這裏、請差遣我。
6:1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
6:2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
6:3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
6:4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6:6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
6:7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
2 Peter
3:9主所應許的尚未成就、有人以為他是耽延．其實不是耽延、乃是寬容你們、不願有一人沉淪、乃願人人都悔改。
3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
4:7我們有這寶貝放在瓦器裏、要顯明這莫大的能力、是出於 神、不是出於我們。
4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Isaiah 61
61:1主耶和華的靈在我身上．因為耶和華用膏膏我、叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人、〔或作傳福音給貧窮的人〕差遣我醫好傷心的人、報告被擄的得釋放、被囚的出監牢．
61:2報告耶和華的恩年、和我們 神報仇的日子、安慰一切悲哀的人．
61:3賜華冠與錫安悲哀的人、代替灰塵、喜樂油、代替悲哀、讚美衣、代替憂傷之靈．使他們稱為公義樹、是耶和華所栽的、叫他得榮耀。
61:4他們必修造已久的荒場、建立先前淒涼之處、重修歷代荒涼之城。
61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
61:2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
61:4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Exodus
3:7耶和華說、我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦、我實在看見了．他們因受督工的轄制所發的哀聲、我也聽見了．我原知道他們的痛苦。
3:7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
Psalm
102:17他垂聽窮人的禱告、並不藐視他們的祈求。
102:18這必為後代的人記下．將來受造的民、要讚美耶和華。
102:17He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
102:18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Luke
4:14耶穌滿有聖靈的能力回到加利利、他的名聲就傳遍了四方。
4:15他在各會堂裏教訓人、眾人都稱讚他。
4:16耶穌來到拿撒勒、就是他長大的地方．在安息日、照他平常的規矩、進了會堂、站起來要念聖經。
4:17有人把先知以賽亞的書交給他、他就打開、找到一處寫著說、
4:18『主的靈在我身上、因為他用膏膏我、叫我傳福音給貧窮的人．差遣我報告被擄的得釋放、瞎眼的得看見、叫那受壓制的得自由、
4:19報告 神悅納人的禧年。』
4:20於是把書捲起來、交還執事、就坐下．會堂裏的人都定睛看他。
4:21耶穌對他們說、今天這經應驗在你們耳中了。
4:14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
4:15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
4:16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
4:17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
4:19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
4:20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
4:21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
2 Corinthians
3:17主就是那靈、主的靈在那裏、那裏就得以自由。
3:17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Colossians
2:9因為 神本性一切的豐盛、都有形有體的居住在基督裏面．
2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Jeremiah
17:9人心比萬物都詭詐、壞到極處、誰能識透呢。
17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Galatians
5:1基督釋放了我們、叫我們得以自由、所以要站立得穩、不要再被奴僕的軛挾制。
5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
61:1主耶和華的靈在我身上．因為耶和華用膏膏我、叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人、〔或作傳福音給貧窮的人〕差遣我醫好傷心的人、報告被擄的得釋放、被囚的出監牢．
61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Proverb 8:13敬畏耶和華、在乎恨惡邪惡．那驕傲、狂妄、並惡道、以及乖謬的口、都為我所恨惡。
8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Jeremiah
13:15你們當聽、當側耳而聽．不要驕傲．因為耶和華已經說了。
13:16耶和華你們的 神未使黑暗來到、你們的腳、未在昏暗山上絆跌之先、當將榮耀歸給他．免得你們盼望光明、他使光明變為死蔭、成為幽暗。
13:17你們若不聽這話、我必因你們的驕傲、在暗地哭泣．我眼必痛哭流淚、因為耶和華的群眾被擄去了。
13:15Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive.
6:1當烏西雅王崩的那年、我見主坐在高高的寶座上．他的衣裳垂下、遮滿聖殿。
6:2其上有撒拉弗侍立．各有六個翅膀．用兩個翅膀遮臉、兩個翅膀遮腳、兩個翅膀飛翔．
6:3彼此呼喊說、聖哉、聖哉、聖哉、萬軍之耶和華．他的榮光充滿全地。
6:4因呼喊者的聲音、門檻的根基震動、殿充滿了煙雲。
6:5那時我說、禍哉、我滅亡了．因為我是嘴唇不潔的人、又住在嘴唇不潔的民中．又因我眼見大君王萬軍之耶和華。
6:6有一撒拉弗飛到我跟前、手裏拿著紅炭、是用火剪從壇上取下來的．
6:7將炭沾我的口、說、看哪、這炭沾了你的嘴．你的罪孽便除掉、你的罪惡就赦免了。
6:8我又聽見主的聲音說、我可以差遣誰呢、誰肯為我們去呢．我說、我在這裏、請差遣我。
6:1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
6:2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
6:3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
6:4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6:6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
6:7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
2 Peter
3:9主所應許的尚未成就、有人以為他是耽延．其實不是耽延、乃是寬容你們、不願有一人沉淪、乃願人人都悔改。
3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
4:7我們有這寶貝放在瓦器裏、要顯明這莫大的能力、是出於 神、不是出於我們。
4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Isaiah 61
61:1主耶和華的靈在我身上．因為耶和華用膏膏我、叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人、〔或作傳福音給貧窮的人〕差遣我醫好傷心的人、報告被擄的得釋放、被囚的出監牢．
61:2報告耶和華的恩年、和我們 神報仇的日子、安慰一切悲哀的人．
61:3賜華冠與錫安悲哀的人、代替灰塵、喜樂油、代替悲哀、讚美衣、代替憂傷之靈．使他們稱為公義樹、是耶和華所栽的、叫他得榮耀。
61:4他們必修造已久的荒場、建立先前淒涼之處、重修歷代荒涼之城。
61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
61:2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
61:4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Exodus
3:7耶和華說、我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦、我實在看見了．他們因受督工的轄制所發的哀聲、我也聽見了．我原知道他們的痛苦。
3:7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
Psalm
102:17他垂聽窮人的禱告、並不藐視他們的祈求。
102:18這必為後代的人記下．將來受造的民、要讚美耶和華。
102:17He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
102:18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Luke
4:14耶穌滿有聖靈的能力回到加利利、他的名聲就傳遍了四方。
4:15他在各會堂裏教訓人、眾人都稱讚他。
4:16耶穌來到拿撒勒、就是他長大的地方．在安息日、照他平常的規矩、進了會堂、站起來要念聖經。
4:17有人把先知以賽亞的書交給他、他就打開、找到一處寫著說、
4:18『主的靈在我身上、因為他用膏膏我、叫我傳福音給貧窮的人．差遣我報告被擄的得釋放、瞎眼的得看見、叫那受壓制的得自由、
4:19報告 神悅納人的禧年。』
4:20於是把書捲起來、交還執事、就坐下．會堂裏的人都定睛看他。
4:21耶穌對他們說、今天這經應驗在你們耳中了。
4:14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
4:15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
4:16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
4:17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
4:19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
4:20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
4:21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
2 Corinthians
3:17主就是那靈、主的靈在那裏、那裏就得以自由。
3:17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Colossians
2:9因為 神本性一切的豐盛、都有形有體的居住在基督裏面．
2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Jeremiah
17:9人心比萬物都詭詐、壞到極處、誰能識透呢。
17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Galatians
5:1基督釋放了我們、叫我們得以自由、所以要站立得穩、不要再被奴僕的軛挾制。
5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
A Redemptive Walk in a Corporate World
Key Points
• The choices we make in the early years (e.g. 20’s) sets the stage for where we end up in our 40’s-50’s. Take advantage of these years to learn and gain wisdom from suffering
• Be careful/thoughtful about your ambition and career- reorient to pursue God’s purposes
• There is no security in worldly possessions
• Be other-centric instead of self-centered- Lead by example; others are impacted by it
• Understand the whole vista of life and understand why you are engaging in activities
• Realize that God is preparing you for ministry- persevere until the very end
Summary
Choices we make in our early years (e.g. 20’s) directly impact where we end up in our 40’s-50’s.
• Be careful you don’t end up as a “3rd seed Christian” (defined as someone who is unfruitful because of the worries of this world and the deceitfulness of riches).
• Andy had an “Ecclesiastes moment” after he achieved the success he desired. Key verses for him include Ecclesiastes 4:4, 5:10, and 5:19
o 4:4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
o 5:10: Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
o 5:19: Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God.
What does the Bible say about ambition?
• Ambition is not bad in itself. It is how our heart values ambition that is important. How do you view work? Work can be viewed as worldly striving for ourselves/our ego/our pride vs. as a gift to be enjoyed. Ambition comes up 7x in the New Testament in Greek
o 5 of these refer to selfish ambition. Philippians 2:3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
o Two references to God’s goal/objective e.g. Romans 5 “Christ died for the ungodly.”
• Most desire for achievement is rooted in the envy of others; striving for my own purposes. Money is not evil but it is the love of money that is a sin and reflective of a deeper heart issue.
• Move away from the language of "career" and trying to "plan your life
out"
• Live life more in the moment than by planning for each moment. Two general frameworks for a career.
Worldview:
Phase 1: growing up and getting an education- usually completed in the 20’s
Phase 2: productive years- ages 25-65
Phase 3: retirement years where most people disappear and play golf- ages 65+
Biblical view:
Phase 1: similar to above
Phase 2: time for ‘wilderness’ experiences where you gain wisdom, are being broken and learning to yield to God. Remember that God uses people who are broken and opposes the proud.
Phase 3: ministry years e.g. Abraham, Moses, Joseph. There are completely different outcomes when we rely on the Holy Spirit and God’s strength instead of our own.
Do you have selfish or kingdom ambition? Why are you doing what you are doing and whose goals/objectives are you trying to achieve?
• Think more in terms of life purpose and plans- God’s and not yours.
2 Thessalonians 1:11: With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
Planning your life out didn't work for the rich farmer.
Luke12:13-21: He built bigger barns hoping to "take life easy; eat, drink and be merry", but he was considered a fool in God's eyes.
Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Ephesians 4:1: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
• Our calling is to be disciples of Jesus Christ - no more, no less. The ‘good life’ is working for others and not for yourself. Refer to Chuck Colson’s book on apologetics called ‘The Good Life.’
As Christians, we need to be involved in redeeming work and redeeming people.
• Redeeming work: an other-centric attitude is key; do work as God wants us to do Colossians 3: ‘For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God’and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• Redeeming people: Do not get caught up in selfish, short-term decisions; important to remember that we are stewards and think for the long-term e.g. in Leviticus, things happened in 50 year cycles!
Be all about people- look at others through God’s eyes.
• God is careful about how he builds culture; we should be concerned and deliberate about the types of cultures we develop.
• What difference would it make if you actually believed that perhaps people are doing the best job they can and you show them respect’ Recognize that others have a unique set of skills and talents; imagine how well a company would run if people are doing work that is aligned with their skills, talents are desires. Also, imagine how disastrous the opposite situation would be.
Leadership is about stewardship- think beyond just servant leadership.
• We are the light in the workplace, which is under the influence of fallen man and sin under pressure.
• The workplace is a mission field. Have you asked God, ‘How do you want to use me here today’?
• Let people know you are a Christian and that you care. E.g. When asked, ‘How was your weekend’? You can plant a seed by saying, ‘Oh, I went to church on Sunday’. Your coworker might think you are nuts but if not, you will find that somehow, co-workers start to seek you out to share their problems with you. On numerous occasions, Andy was approached about personal, not work issues, and always prayed with the person. No one ever turned down prayer.
• Lead by example. People are watching and evaluating Christianity based on what you do, not what you say.
E.g. Andy fired a top performing salesman after hearing that this person inflated his expense sheet. He fired this person despite a colleague’s attempt to retain the salesman because of concerns about missing sales targets and a comment to the effect of, ‘I thought you were a Christian’ (assumption: aren’t Christians supposed to give second chances?). However, Andy did help the salesperson find another job as he made a mistake and learned from it. Word spread throughout the corporation to employees Andy did not directly interact with and earned credibility not just as CEO but as a Christian.
Pursue God’s ambition and kingdom.
• Start asking yourself what steps can you take in life to re-orient yourself to His purposes.
• Looking forward to retirement? The Bible doesn’t talk about retirement. Great men and women of faith persevere until the end.
• We are in a time of discipling each other and being disciplined to get us to a place where we are yielded to Him.
o Understand why you are going through trials and difficulties. Instead of running away from them, engage them. Consider them pure joy and realize that they do fall under God’s broader plan that extends beyond your career.
o Think more holistically. Look more deeply into His heart and faithfulness. Take the time to absorb more of who God is and realize that this is the time for getting bruises and for healing.
o God will give us wisdom which we can use in turn to mentor others. Keep both good and bad times in perspective. Do you believe God will use you more powerfully with your experience?
• The choices we make in the early years (e.g. 20’s) sets the stage for where we end up in our 40’s-50’s. Take advantage of these years to learn and gain wisdom from suffering
• Be careful/thoughtful about your ambition and career- reorient to pursue God’s purposes
• There is no security in worldly possessions
• Be other-centric instead of self-centered- Lead by example; others are impacted by it
• Understand the whole vista of life and understand why you are engaging in activities
• Realize that God is preparing you for ministry- persevere until the very end
Summary
Choices we make in our early years (e.g. 20’s) directly impact where we end up in our 40’s-50’s.
• Be careful you don’t end up as a “3rd seed Christian” (defined as someone who is unfruitful because of the worries of this world and the deceitfulness of riches).
• Andy had an “Ecclesiastes moment” after he achieved the success he desired. Key verses for him include Ecclesiastes 4:4, 5:10, and 5:19
o 4:4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
o 5:10: Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
o 5:19: Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God.
What does the Bible say about ambition?
• Ambition is not bad in itself. It is how our heart values ambition that is important. How do you view work? Work can be viewed as worldly striving for ourselves/our ego/our pride vs. as a gift to be enjoyed. Ambition comes up 7x in the New Testament in Greek
o 5 of these refer to selfish ambition. Philippians 2:3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
o Two references to God’s goal/objective e.g. Romans 5 “Christ died for the ungodly.”
• Most desire for achievement is rooted in the envy of others; striving for my own purposes. Money is not evil but it is the love of money that is a sin and reflective of a deeper heart issue.
• Move away from the language of "career" and trying to "plan your life
out"
• Live life more in the moment than by planning for each moment. Two general frameworks for a career.
Worldview:
Phase 1: growing up and getting an education- usually completed in the 20’s
Phase 2: productive years- ages 25-65
Phase 3: retirement years where most people disappear and play golf- ages 65+
Biblical view:
Phase 1: similar to above
Phase 2: time for ‘wilderness’ experiences where you gain wisdom, are being broken and learning to yield to God. Remember that God uses people who are broken and opposes the proud.
Phase 3: ministry years e.g. Abraham, Moses, Joseph. There are completely different outcomes when we rely on the Holy Spirit and God’s strength instead of our own.
Do you have selfish or kingdom ambition? Why are you doing what you are doing and whose goals/objectives are you trying to achieve?
• Think more in terms of life purpose and plans- God’s and not yours.
2 Thessalonians 1:11: With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
Planning your life out didn't work for the rich farmer.
Luke12:13-21: He built bigger barns hoping to "take life easy; eat, drink and be merry", but he was considered a fool in God's eyes.
Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Ephesians 4:1: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
• Our calling is to be disciples of Jesus Christ - no more, no less. The ‘good life’ is working for others and not for yourself. Refer to Chuck Colson’s book on apologetics called ‘The Good Life.’
As Christians, we need to be involved in redeeming work and redeeming people.
• Redeeming work: an other-centric attitude is key; do work as God wants us to do Colossians 3: ‘For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God’and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• Redeeming people: Do not get caught up in selfish, short-term decisions; important to remember that we are stewards and think for the long-term e.g. in Leviticus, things happened in 50 year cycles!
Be all about people- look at others through God’s eyes.
• God is careful about how he builds culture; we should be concerned and deliberate about the types of cultures we develop.
• What difference would it make if you actually believed that perhaps people are doing the best job they can and you show them respect’ Recognize that others have a unique set of skills and talents; imagine how well a company would run if people are doing work that is aligned with their skills, talents are desires. Also, imagine how disastrous the opposite situation would be.
Leadership is about stewardship- think beyond just servant leadership.
• We are the light in the workplace, which is under the influence of fallen man and sin under pressure.
• The workplace is a mission field. Have you asked God, ‘How do you want to use me here today’?
• Let people know you are a Christian and that you care. E.g. When asked, ‘How was your weekend’? You can plant a seed by saying, ‘Oh, I went to church on Sunday’. Your coworker might think you are nuts but if not, you will find that somehow, co-workers start to seek you out to share their problems with you. On numerous occasions, Andy was approached about personal, not work issues, and always prayed with the person. No one ever turned down prayer.
• Lead by example. People are watching and evaluating Christianity based on what you do, not what you say.
E.g. Andy fired a top performing salesman after hearing that this person inflated his expense sheet. He fired this person despite a colleague’s attempt to retain the salesman because of concerns about missing sales targets and a comment to the effect of, ‘I thought you were a Christian’ (assumption: aren’t Christians supposed to give second chances?). However, Andy did help the salesperson find another job as he made a mistake and learned from it. Word spread throughout the corporation to employees Andy did not directly interact with and earned credibility not just as CEO but as a Christian.
Pursue God’s ambition and kingdom.
• Start asking yourself what steps can you take in life to re-orient yourself to His purposes.
• Looking forward to retirement? The Bible doesn’t talk about retirement. Great men and women of faith persevere until the end.
• We are in a time of discipling each other and being disciplined to get us to a place where we are yielded to Him.
o Understand why you are going through trials and difficulties. Instead of running away from them, engage them. Consider them pure joy and realize that they do fall under God’s broader plan that extends beyond your career.
o Think more holistically. Look more deeply into His heart and faithfulness. Take the time to absorb more of who God is and realize that this is the time for getting bruises and for healing.
o God will give us wisdom which we can use in turn to mentor others. Keep both good and bad times in perspective. Do you believe God will use you more powerfully with your experience?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 24-25 節
歌羅西書 3 章 24-25 節
「因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。那行不義的必受不義的報應；主並不偏待人。」
Colossians 3:24-25
Since you know that you will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
哈利路亞！主不偏待人！祂是在暗中察看的主，也是在明處報答的神。我們常埋怨為什麼小人得志？其實不需要埋怨，重要的是你不要去作個小人。詩篇37: 8說：「不要心懷不平，以致作惡。」本來是別人作惡，但因心懷不平的結果，你也作惡，與你先前所罵的人沒有兩樣。
司布真牧師曾說：「不用去兜售你的貨色，廣告你的才能，真貨色人是懂得爭購的，我們自己不做二等貨色就好了。小斗罩不住大蠟蠋，真才終必顯露，只要你盡心竭力，時候一到，神自然為你開始，上帝是最懂得提拔人的！」約瑟的例子，就能見證神手中工作的奇妙。約瑟一生充滿踦嶇，被兄弟賣到埃及，又被主人的妻子誣告，下到監獄又被好友遺棄，在監獄裡遙遙無期。但約瑟在每個環境中尋求神的同在，忠心盡上本份，神就使他手中的工作盡都順利。後來他被法老從監獄提昇出來，成為埃及宰相，神的時候一到，就在你我身上顯明祂的信實與慈愛。
人看自己，常限於這個時刻的成功失敗，所以我們成功時何等自滿，失敗時多麼懊惱。但神看我們卻是看一生，看在一生中怎樣塑造我們，成為合神心意的人。大衛在亞杜蘭洞中避難，在非利士人面前裝瘋時，他的生命何等低沈。但是當他一次次選擇信靠神，他一次次吩咐自己的心說：「我的心哪，你要稱頌耶和華。」神至終搭救他，並且稱他是合神心意的人。所以不要灰心，也不要失望，要確信神仍坐在環境及一切遭遇的寶座上，確信神仍顧念每個屬祂的兒女，確信主必伸冤，也必供應。
你有這樣的確信嗎？你是否知道神不但是生命的主，也是生命每個過程的主？祂的眼目沒有離開過，膀臂也未曾縮短，祂乃是一位不偏待人的主。
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因你不偏待人，無論我們在你面前覺得是肥羊、壯羊、瘦羊或弱羊，你總是用手中的巧妙引導我們。求主開我們眼睛，看見你正坐在我們生命過程的寶座上，讓我們再次放心仰望你，因為你必成全關乎我們的事。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。那行不義的必受不義的報應；主並不偏待人。」
Colossians 3:24-25
Since you know that you will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
哈利路亞！主不偏待人！祂是在暗中察看的主，也是在明處報答的神。我們常埋怨為什麼小人得志？其實不需要埋怨，重要的是你不要去作個小人。詩篇37: 8說：「不要心懷不平，以致作惡。」本來是別人作惡，但因心懷不平的結果，你也作惡，與你先前所罵的人沒有兩樣。
司布真牧師曾說：「不用去兜售你的貨色，廣告你的才能，真貨色人是懂得爭購的，我們自己不做二等貨色就好了。小斗罩不住大蠟蠋，真才終必顯露，只要你盡心竭力，時候一到，神自然為你開始，上帝是最懂得提拔人的！」約瑟的例子，就能見證神手中工作的奇妙。約瑟一生充滿踦嶇，被兄弟賣到埃及，又被主人的妻子誣告，下到監獄又被好友遺棄，在監獄裡遙遙無期。但約瑟在每個環境中尋求神的同在，忠心盡上本份，神就使他手中的工作盡都順利。後來他被法老從監獄提昇出來，成為埃及宰相，神的時候一到，就在你我身上顯明祂的信實與慈愛。
人看自己，常限於這個時刻的成功失敗，所以我們成功時何等自滿，失敗時多麼懊惱。但神看我們卻是看一生，看在一生中怎樣塑造我們，成為合神心意的人。大衛在亞杜蘭洞中避難，在非利士人面前裝瘋時，他的生命何等低沈。但是當他一次次選擇信靠神，他一次次吩咐自己的心說：「我的心哪，你要稱頌耶和華。」神至終搭救他，並且稱他是合神心意的人。所以不要灰心，也不要失望，要確信神仍坐在環境及一切遭遇的寶座上，確信神仍顧念每個屬祂的兒女，確信主必伸冤，也必供應。
你有這樣的確信嗎？你是否知道神不但是生命的主，也是生命每個過程的主？祂的眼目沒有離開過，膀臂也未曾縮短，祂乃是一位不偏待人的主。
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因你不偏待人，無論我們在你面前覺得是肥羊、壯羊、瘦羊或弱羊，你總是用手中的巧妙引導我們。求主開我們眼睛，看見你正坐在我們生命過程的寶座上，讓我們再次放心仰望你，因為你必成全關乎我們的事。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Monday, October 19, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 23 節
歌羅西書 3 章 23 節
「無論做甚麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的。」
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
耶穌在登山寶訓中也曾仔細解釋這個真理，主說：「你們要小心，不可將善事行在人的面前，故意叫他們看見，你們施捨的時候，不可在你面前吹號，像那假冒為善的人。甚至你們禱告的時候，也不可像那假冒為善的人，愛站在會堂裡和十字路上禱告，故意叫人看見。」
主不是叫我們不作外表的工作，有時你是需要公開作善事，公開禱告。主的意思是不可故意叫人看見，為要得人的賞賜。動機很重要，我們是討神的喜悅，還是討人的喜悅？我們是否只為了自己的益處？到底我們能否每件事都來信靠神？
保羅勸勉作妻子的要順服丈夫，作丈夫的要愛妻子，作兒女的要聽從父母，作父母的不可惹兒女的氣，作僕人的要順從主人，不但是外表順從，更要從心裡作。在每種人際關係上，往前一步都需要冒險，因為你不知道走出第一步後對方反應如何。他會接納或是拒絕你？或者他會取笑你？若為自己而作，沒有人會走出愛與順服的第一步，因為人本性就要保護自己！所以保羅說，要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的。馬太福音5:4說「我們有一位在暗中察看的天父」，他也是一位報答我們的天父。惟有認識你有一位在暗中察看的天父，你才有確據，作善事不求回報，因為神必報答你。當你踏出愛與順服的第一步，無論對方反應如何，神必紀念。當你施捨，將自己所有擺上時，神必供應你，皆因有一位在暗中察看你的天父。
弟兄姊妹，你有這樣的確據嗎？當你有確據時，才能憑信心在所有人際關係上往前踏出去！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，求你開啟我們眼目，看見你正坐在我們生命的寶座上。求你使弟兄姊妹心中有確據，從今天開始，無論作什麼，不再只為人而作，而是從心裡作，單單為你而作。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「無論做甚麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的。」
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
耶穌在登山寶訓中也曾仔細解釋這個真理，主說：「你們要小心，不可將善事行在人的面前，故意叫他們看見，你們施捨的時候，不可在你面前吹號，像那假冒為善的人。甚至你們禱告的時候，也不可像那假冒為善的人，愛站在會堂裡和十字路上禱告，故意叫人看見。」
主不是叫我們不作外表的工作，有時你是需要公開作善事，公開禱告。主的意思是不可故意叫人看見，為要得人的賞賜。動機很重要，我們是討神的喜悅，還是討人的喜悅？我們是否只為了自己的益處？到底我們能否每件事都來信靠神？
保羅勸勉作妻子的要順服丈夫，作丈夫的要愛妻子，作兒女的要聽從父母，作父母的不可惹兒女的氣，作僕人的要順從主人，不但是外表順從，更要從心裡作。在每種人際關係上，往前一步都需要冒險，因為你不知道走出第一步後對方反應如何。他會接納或是拒絕你？或者他會取笑你？若為自己而作，沒有人會走出愛與順服的第一步，因為人本性就要保護自己！所以保羅說，要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的。馬太福音5:4說「我們有一位在暗中察看的天父」，他也是一位報答我們的天父。惟有認識你有一位在暗中察看的天父，你才有確據，作善事不求回報，因為神必報答你。當你踏出愛與順服的第一步，無論對方反應如何，神必紀念。當你施捨，將自己所有擺上時，神必供應你，皆因有一位在暗中察看你的天父。
弟兄姊妹，你有這樣的確據嗎？當你有確據時，才能憑信心在所有人際關係上往前踏出去！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，求你開啟我們眼目，看見你正坐在我們生命的寶座上。求你使弟兄姊妹心中有確據，從今天開始，無論作什麼，不再只為人而作，而是從心裡作，單單為你而作。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
A Christian view of work and vocation
A Christian view of work and vocation
by Grant Thorpe
When talking about a Christian's understanding of work and vocation, the focus is naturally on a person's major occupation, and this is where our emphasis will lie. It is necessary to keep in mind however, that all useful activities whereby we sustain or improve the life of others are work and that in this over-all context the Christian reveals his faith by his works. Vocation also refers to a 'calling' and originally in English, to a religious calling. But for the Christian, a calling is not so much to a specific occupation, religious or otherwise, but to a faith and a life-style which, of course, are reflected in a person's particular occupation. Christians are called to express the kingdom of God in the kingdom of this world.
This wider perspective becomes particularly important when we realize the varying amounts to which people are able to express themselves in their major employment. Students, artists, writers, musicians, and so on, may work so as to live, but find their major fulfillment elsewhere. Others, unable to do other than repetitive, non-creative work, need to have wider frame of reference in which to fulfill their calling to work. And, of course, this applies to some degree to all occupations. A Christian view of work is finally not taught but caught-or, rather, we are captured by it.
It is also important for Christians to understand the fundamental issues concerning their work and vocation because of our current unsettled scene. Unemployment, automation, management, worker conflicts, and economy versus quality pressures, may affect all workers to some degree, and if the Christian view of work is not clear in a person's mind, they will inevitably react to the pressures, rather than live out their Christian values.
The questions that each Christian needs to resolve are: for whom do I work? for what reasons do I work? in what manner do I work, and with what expectations? And these questions must be worked out, not just Biblical but experimentally.
For whom do I work?
All relationships derive from God and hold together only in Christ (See Acts 17:26-28, Col. 1:15-20). So work relationships are the same. Slaves were to obey earthly masters, not as men-pleasers, but fearing the Lord, and serving the Lord Christ. Masters were to treat slaves justly and fairly knowing that they had a Master in heaven (Col. 3:22-4:1 Also Eph. 6:5-9).
This question is fundamental. Christians betray their true attitude to God as much by how they work as by how they worship. If a Christian in fact works for God, to please God, knowing he will be rewarded (paid) by God, it is clear that his reasons for working and manner of working are drastically affected. (Note that other relationships are of the same order. A wife is to live 'as is fitting in the Lord' and children to live so as to please the Lord. Col. 3:18,20).
If a person can quickly reject this understanding of working, basically, for God, as unreal or idealistic, it would be good for them to ask if their relationship to God was real-or only idealistic (Brain for work, Dreams for religion?).
Parables such as the vineyard and its tenants (Matt. 21:33-44) and the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), teach that God holds man responsible for proper management of functions entrusted to him. (This includes the whole life of man, and not exclusively what may be called religious duties. The fourth commandment requires first, that in six days, man shall do all his work.) So the Christian man is answerable first to God.
It is important then to appreciate that in all relationships, authority is delegated to those in leadership roles, and that these leadership roles are to be respected because they are delegated rather than because they deserve to be respected. The New Testament is not unmindful that this on occasions will lead to injustice and affirms that the offended party is to commit his case to God. There is no mention of rejecting the authority. Means are now available whereby the power of employers can be checked, but in using these means, employees should remember that they work to please God and that it has pleased God to make leadership (ie. authority and submission) essential to work relationships. This is part of a Christian's witness (I Tim. 6:1).
Proverbs 27:18 says that he who guards his master will be honored. Mordecai did this with very significant results (Esther 2:22f.). This suggests that in a wider sphere, employees should seek the well being of their employer. Judaean captives in Babylon were told to seek the welfare of the city to which they were taken because from that would come their own welfare (Jer. 29:7). Daniel obviously maintained his place as statesman to pagan kings because he sought their welfare (Dan. 4:19). In each of these cases, the authorities were far from seeking the objectives of God, yet God's objectives were fulfilled by men meeting their obligations to their immediate employers, as far as was possible.
Those who have endless objections to their employers may in fact be reaping the reward of not seeking their employer's welfare (and probably expressing their rebellion towards God). Most employers would respond well to an employee who sought the welfare of the owner or employer. This is not 'crawling to the boss' but working with things as they are meant to be.
For what reasons do I work?
If our work, fundamentally, is for God, it is essential to know the purposes he has in mind.
Before the rebellion of man, his tilling of the ground was spoken of in terms of subduing the earth, having dominion over it, and being fruitful within it, and throughout all of it. All this arises from being created in the image of God. That is, God delegated a part of his own function as creator to man, along with the abilities required to do so, and gave the creation to him for his sustenance. This includes exploring, discovering, understanding, developing, and using the creation for ends consistent with its structure. (Gen 1:26-29).
Man's creation in God's image has directly to do with this function. That is, work is not incidental to man's being, a culinary detail, but an essential part of his purpose in being on the earth. (Gen 2:49,15).
Subsequent to man's rebellion, the requirement to till the ground is repeated, but in terms expressing difficulty and necessity (Gen. 3:17-19, 23). In Psalm 8:6, the right and duty to subdue the earth is re-affirmed. Heb. 2:8 notes that man has not yet subdued the earth, but in contrast, says that Christ is now crowned with glory and honor. That is, redemption has to do with man triumphing in his function as man. In practical terms this means that redeemed man is freed to pursue the objectives of the Father in his work. That is not to say that it will be fulfilled in this present order (Rom. 8:20), but it is the goal of the Father through the Son (I Corin. 15:28; Phil. 3:21). So the Christian, by working in harmony with his Father's objectives, and the objectives that will be fulfilled through the Son, bears testimony in the work-a-day world, as to what are the true objectives of work.
If a Christian understands that his Father wants him to marshal and utilize the earth and its operations for the sustenance of man, he can proceed to many logical implications. For example: abilities he has should be used to sustain himself and his family (I Tim. 5:8). This will be a testimony to all as to what God intended and, in fact, be away of showing love to others, ie. by not being dependent on them (I Thess. 4:9-12).
So a Christian should normally expect to be self-supporting (eg. Prov. 20:13 '. . . open your eyes and you will have plenty of bread'). If a man won't work, he ought not to eat either says Paul (II Thess. 3:6-13). In fact, the hunger of man rightly acts as a spur to his labor (Prov. 16:26). Paul set an example in laboring himself to fore-stall any criticisms (Acts 20:33f.; I Corin. 9:3-18 ). In the context of work, Paul said believers should not be weary in well-doing (II Thess. 3:13).
In normal circumstances, each should provide for himself, but when any has need, others should be able to meet that need (Gal. 6:2-10). So the thief must reverse his philosophy and work to give to those in need (Eph. 4:28). This is with a view to there being an equality in access to the earth's resources (II Corin. 8:13-15). Seed time and harvest will continue while earth remains. We could supply three times our population's necessities.
Therefore a Christian is not at liberty to limit the use of his capabilities to providing for himself, but needs to use all he has been given in ability, opportunity, and natural resources for all the objectives God has for the world. Employers need to consider whether their operation helps others meet their own needs, that is, to the limit of their capacity to manage a business.
In what manner do I work?
Proverbs has much to say about diligence in work leading to good results (10:4f.; 12:11; 24, 27; 13:4, 11; 14:23). Skill, and knowledge concerning one's affairs, and orderliness, will all be rewarded (22:29; 27:23; 30:25ff.). While diligence will include a good use of time (22:29) uses a word which can be translated as haste), a frantic use of time is of no value (21:5). The diligent man plans and does not need to be in haste. Toiling that only has in mind riches for their own sake is not wise (23:4).
If a man is diligent, he will be able to commit the results of his labors to God, and not eat the bread of anxious toil. (Psalm 127:1-2). The implication is that man may finish a day's work (that is, as God sees what is necessary to do) in a day, and rest at night (cf. Eccles 5:9-12). The Decalogue assumes that a week's work can be done in a week ('Six days your shall labor and do all your work.' Exod. 20:9) and that rest follows, as was the case with God's creation. A man may come to the end of his life knowing he has done what he was given to do (John 17:4; II Tim. 4:6f.). Birds neither sow, reap, or gather into barns, and have no need to be anxious. Man does sow, reap, and gather, but is not at liberty having done that, to be anxious (Matt. 6:25-34).
What expectations from work are appropriate?
The law and the prophets, the gospels and epistles all proclaim that work deserves pay and that the withholding of what is right will bring God's wrath. Therefore a worker may expect and petition for fair pay. If he sees that his basic commitment is to God, and the fair distribution of resources for all, there are limits to the extent that he will disrupt this purpose in the interests of insisting on his own rights (note Prov. 29:18).
In many cases however, the normal laws of sowing and reaping will apply and a person will prosper because of his diligence. Paul expected that God would honor his labor and cause it to bring results (I Thess. 3:5). 'Gifts', or abilities arise in each person, and these, with normal application, will lead a person into the areas where they can be best used (Prov. 18:16).
Whether a person can continue to find fulfillment in their work is questionable, unless they see that work in terms of God's requirements and rewards rather than man's. The preacher of Ecclesiastes learned to delight in his labor, only to realize that it was all for nothing (Eccles. 2:9-11, 18-23). Maslow's hierarchy of human needs and their effects on motivation in work indicate that it takes a lot to bring a person to fulfillment.
However, a Christian can have reason to be proud of his work (Rom. 15:17-20); whether the occupation is religious or secular should not matter because both are ordained by God. Luke was called the beloved Physician (Col. 4:14), and elders were to be esteemed highly in love because of their work (I Thess. 5:12f.). These benefits by very nature of the case, must be unsought, but they contribute significantly to the worker's fulfillment.
The Christian, having done what is his to do, can recognize that unless the Lord is in an enterprise, he labors vainly (Psalm. 127). But there is great gain in godliness with contentment (I Tim. 6:6-8), because he recognizes the limits of what his labor can produce and enjoys what is his to enjoy.
by Grant Thorpe
When talking about a Christian's understanding of work and vocation, the focus is naturally on a person's major occupation, and this is where our emphasis will lie. It is necessary to keep in mind however, that all useful activities whereby we sustain or improve the life of others are work and that in this over-all context the Christian reveals his faith by his works. Vocation also refers to a 'calling' and originally in English, to a religious calling. But for the Christian, a calling is not so much to a specific occupation, religious or otherwise, but to a faith and a life-style which, of course, are reflected in a person's particular occupation. Christians are called to express the kingdom of God in the kingdom of this world.
This wider perspective becomes particularly important when we realize the varying amounts to which people are able to express themselves in their major employment. Students, artists, writers, musicians, and so on, may work so as to live, but find their major fulfillment elsewhere. Others, unable to do other than repetitive, non-creative work, need to have wider frame of reference in which to fulfill their calling to work. And, of course, this applies to some degree to all occupations. A Christian view of work is finally not taught but caught-or, rather, we are captured by it.
It is also important for Christians to understand the fundamental issues concerning their work and vocation because of our current unsettled scene. Unemployment, automation, management, worker conflicts, and economy versus quality pressures, may affect all workers to some degree, and if the Christian view of work is not clear in a person's mind, they will inevitably react to the pressures, rather than live out their Christian values.
The questions that each Christian needs to resolve are: for whom do I work? for what reasons do I work? in what manner do I work, and with what expectations? And these questions must be worked out, not just Biblical but experimentally.
For whom do I work?
All relationships derive from God and hold together only in Christ (See Acts 17:26-28, Col. 1:15-20). So work relationships are the same. Slaves were to obey earthly masters, not as men-pleasers, but fearing the Lord, and serving the Lord Christ. Masters were to treat slaves justly and fairly knowing that they had a Master in heaven (Col. 3:22-4:1 Also Eph. 6:5-9).
This question is fundamental. Christians betray their true attitude to God as much by how they work as by how they worship. If a Christian in fact works for God, to please God, knowing he will be rewarded (paid) by God, it is clear that his reasons for working and manner of working are drastically affected. (Note that other relationships are of the same order. A wife is to live 'as is fitting in the Lord' and children to live so as to please the Lord. Col. 3:18,20).
If a person can quickly reject this understanding of working, basically, for God, as unreal or idealistic, it would be good for them to ask if their relationship to God was real-or only idealistic (Brain for work, Dreams for religion?).
Parables such as the vineyard and its tenants (Matt. 21:33-44) and the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), teach that God holds man responsible for proper management of functions entrusted to him. (This includes the whole life of man, and not exclusively what may be called religious duties. The fourth commandment requires first, that in six days, man shall do all his work.) So the Christian man is answerable first to God.
It is important then to appreciate that in all relationships, authority is delegated to those in leadership roles, and that these leadership roles are to be respected because they are delegated rather than because they deserve to be respected. The New Testament is not unmindful that this on occasions will lead to injustice and affirms that the offended party is to commit his case to God. There is no mention of rejecting the authority. Means are now available whereby the power of employers can be checked, but in using these means, employees should remember that they work to please God and that it has pleased God to make leadership (ie. authority and submission) essential to work relationships. This is part of a Christian's witness (I Tim. 6:1).
Proverbs 27:18 says that he who guards his master will be honored. Mordecai did this with very significant results (Esther 2:22f.). This suggests that in a wider sphere, employees should seek the well being of their employer. Judaean captives in Babylon were told to seek the welfare of the city to which they were taken because from that would come their own welfare (Jer. 29:7). Daniel obviously maintained his place as statesman to pagan kings because he sought their welfare (Dan. 4:19). In each of these cases, the authorities were far from seeking the objectives of God, yet God's objectives were fulfilled by men meeting their obligations to their immediate employers, as far as was possible.
Those who have endless objections to their employers may in fact be reaping the reward of not seeking their employer's welfare (and probably expressing their rebellion towards God). Most employers would respond well to an employee who sought the welfare of the owner or employer. This is not 'crawling to the boss' but working with things as they are meant to be.
For what reasons do I work?
If our work, fundamentally, is for God, it is essential to know the purposes he has in mind.
Before the rebellion of man, his tilling of the ground was spoken of in terms of subduing the earth, having dominion over it, and being fruitful within it, and throughout all of it. All this arises from being created in the image of God. That is, God delegated a part of his own function as creator to man, along with the abilities required to do so, and gave the creation to him for his sustenance. This includes exploring, discovering, understanding, developing, and using the creation for ends consistent with its structure. (Gen 1:26-29).
Man's creation in God's image has directly to do with this function. That is, work is not incidental to man's being, a culinary detail, but an essential part of his purpose in being on the earth. (Gen 2:49,15).
Subsequent to man's rebellion, the requirement to till the ground is repeated, but in terms expressing difficulty and necessity (Gen. 3:17-19, 23). In Psalm 8:6, the right and duty to subdue the earth is re-affirmed. Heb. 2:8 notes that man has not yet subdued the earth, but in contrast, says that Christ is now crowned with glory and honor. That is, redemption has to do with man triumphing in his function as man. In practical terms this means that redeemed man is freed to pursue the objectives of the Father in his work. That is not to say that it will be fulfilled in this present order (Rom. 8:20), but it is the goal of the Father through the Son (I Corin. 15:28; Phil. 3:21). So the Christian, by working in harmony with his Father's objectives, and the objectives that will be fulfilled through the Son, bears testimony in the work-a-day world, as to what are the true objectives of work.
If a Christian understands that his Father wants him to marshal and utilize the earth and its operations for the sustenance of man, he can proceed to many logical implications. For example: abilities he has should be used to sustain himself and his family (I Tim. 5:8). This will be a testimony to all as to what God intended and, in fact, be away of showing love to others, ie. by not being dependent on them (I Thess. 4:9-12).
So a Christian should normally expect to be self-supporting (eg. Prov. 20:13 '. . . open your eyes and you will have plenty of bread'). If a man won't work, he ought not to eat either says Paul (II Thess. 3:6-13). In fact, the hunger of man rightly acts as a spur to his labor (Prov. 16:26). Paul set an example in laboring himself to fore-stall any criticisms (Acts 20:33f.; I Corin. 9:3-18 ). In the context of work, Paul said believers should not be weary in well-doing (II Thess. 3:13).
In normal circumstances, each should provide for himself, but when any has need, others should be able to meet that need (Gal. 6:2-10). So the thief must reverse his philosophy and work to give to those in need (Eph. 4:28). This is with a view to there being an equality in access to the earth's resources (II Corin. 8:13-15). Seed time and harvest will continue while earth remains. We could supply three times our population's necessities.
Therefore a Christian is not at liberty to limit the use of his capabilities to providing for himself, but needs to use all he has been given in ability, opportunity, and natural resources for all the objectives God has for the world. Employers need to consider whether their operation helps others meet their own needs, that is, to the limit of their capacity to manage a business.
In what manner do I work?
Proverbs has much to say about diligence in work leading to good results (10:4f.; 12:11; 24, 27; 13:4, 11; 14:23). Skill, and knowledge concerning one's affairs, and orderliness, will all be rewarded (22:29; 27:23; 30:25ff.). While diligence will include a good use of time (22:29) uses a word which can be translated as haste), a frantic use of time is of no value (21:5). The diligent man plans and does not need to be in haste. Toiling that only has in mind riches for their own sake is not wise (23:4).
If a man is diligent, he will be able to commit the results of his labors to God, and not eat the bread of anxious toil. (Psalm 127:1-2). The implication is that man may finish a day's work (that is, as God sees what is necessary to do) in a day, and rest at night (cf. Eccles 5:9-12). The Decalogue assumes that a week's work can be done in a week ('Six days your shall labor and do all your work.' Exod. 20:9) and that rest follows, as was the case with God's creation. A man may come to the end of his life knowing he has done what he was given to do (John 17:4; II Tim. 4:6f.). Birds neither sow, reap, or gather into barns, and have no need to be anxious. Man does sow, reap, and gather, but is not at liberty having done that, to be anxious (Matt. 6:25-34).
What expectations from work are appropriate?
The law and the prophets, the gospels and epistles all proclaim that work deserves pay and that the withholding of what is right will bring God's wrath. Therefore a worker may expect and petition for fair pay. If he sees that his basic commitment is to God, and the fair distribution of resources for all, there are limits to the extent that he will disrupt this purpose in the interests of insisting on his own rights (note Prov. 29:18).
In many cases however, the normal laws of sowing and reaping will apply and a person will prosper because of his diligence. Paul expected that God would honor his labor and cause it to bring results (I Thess. 3:5). 'Gifts', or abilities arise in each person, and these, with normal application, will lead a person into the areas where they can be best used (Prov. 18:16).
Whether a person can continue to find fulfillment in their work is questionable, unless they see that work in terms of God's requirements and rewards rather than man's. The preacher of Ecclesiastes learned to delight in his labor, only to realize that it was all for nothing (Eccles. 2:9-11, 18-23). Maslow's hierarchy of human needs and their effects on motivation in work indicate that it takes a lot to bring a person to fulfillment.
However, a Christian can have reason to be proud of his work (Rom. 15:17-20); whether the occupation is religious or secular should not matter because both are ordained by God. Luke was called the beloved Physician (Col. 4:14), and elders were to be esteemed highly in love because of their work (I Thess. 5:12f.). These benefits by very nature of the case, must be unsought, but they contribute significantly to the worker's fulfillment.
The Christian, having done what is his to do, can recognize that unless the Lord is in an enterprise, he labors vainly (Psalm. 127). But there is great gain in godliness with contentment (I Tim. 6:6-8), because he recognizes the limits of what his labor can produce and enjoys what is his to enjoy.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 21-22 節
歌羅西書 3 章 21-22 節
「你們作父親的，不要惹兒女的氣，恐怕他們失了志氣。你們作僕人的，要凡事聽從你們肉身的主人，不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，總要存心誠實敬畏主。」
Colossians 3:21-22
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence of the Lord.
這乃是提醒父母，在管教兒女的事上要有原則，否則兒女將無所適從。這裡提到兒女兩種氣：首先「惹兒女的氣」是使他們有怒氣，其次「失了志氣」是使他們洩氣。「怒氣」與「洩氣」，正好刻劃出許多孩子心裡的不滿，因為作父母的在管教的事上常常沒有原則。管教兒女應有那些基本原則呢？
第一、用心對待孩子。簡單說，就是花時間陪他們。有時我們美其名陪小孩，卻心不在焉，一邊看電視上電腦一邊陪。無形中你在對孩子說，我寧願做其他事，也不願陪你玩！孩子對愛的領受永遠透過行動，一個擁抱強於一句我愛你，一起打球勝過一個禮物。千萬不要輕忽你與孩子在一起的時間，小時候若不花時間，等到將來想教已經來不及了。
第二、管教要有確定的原則。管教要及時，孩子做錯事立刻糾正，否則隔一天再來管教，他根本搞不清楚怎麼回事，這就是「惹氣」。管教也要有效，處罰就必須讓孩子感覺到被處罰，輕輕摸一下手心不能帶來任何果效。有些小孩可罰坐罰站，有些小孩要剝奪權利，作父母的必須找到有效的管教方法。管教也必須夫妻同心，否則各有各的標準，孩子更是無所適從。
第三，要將孩子帶到神面前。不只是教會主日學，要在每天生活中，透過你的言語行為，透過你的教導，把孩子的心帶到主面前。聖經說：「教養孩童，使他走當行的道，就是到老他也不偏離。」作父母的，你願意如此教導兒女嗎？
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因兒女是你所賜的產業。為每位作父母的禱告，每當我們為兒女憂慮時，求你從寶座上垂聽我們的呼求。特別在這樣一個悖逆的時代，求你賜給孩子柔軟受教的心，也求你賜下智慧使我們懂得如何教養孩子。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「你們作父親的，不要惹兒女的氣，恐怕他們失了志氣。你們作僕人的，要凡事聽從你們肉身的主人，不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，總要存心誠實敬畏主。」
Colossians 3:21-22
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence of the Lord.
這乃是提醒父母，在管教兒女的事上要有原則，否則兒女將無所適從。這裡提到兒女兩種氣：首先「惹兒女的氣」是使他們有怒氣，其次「失了志氣」是使他們洩氣。「怒氣」與「洩氣」，正好刻劃出許多孩子心裡的不滿，因為作父母的在管教的事上常常沒有原則。管教兒女應有那些基本原則呢？
第一、用心對待孩子。簡單說，就是花時間陪他們。有時我們美其名陪小孩，卻心不在焉，一邊看電視上電腦一邊陪。無形中你在對孩子說，我寧願做其他事，也不願陪你玩！孩子對愛的領受永遠透過行動，一個擁抱強於一句我愛你，一起打球勝過一個禮物。千萬不要輕忽你與孩子在一起的時間，小時候若不花時間，等到將來想教已經來不及了。
第二、管教要有確定的原則。管教要及時，孩子做錯事立刻糾正，否則隔一天再來管教，他根本搞不清楚怎麼回事，這就是「惹氣」。管教也要有效，處罰就必須讓孩子感覺到被處罰，輕輕摸一下手心不能帶來任何果效。有些小孩可罰坐罰站，有些小孩要剝奪權利，作父母的必須找到有效的管教方法。管教也必須夫妻同心，否則各有各的標準，孩子更是無所適從。
第三，要將孩子帶到神面前。不只是教會主日學，要在每天生活中，透過你的言語行為，透過你的教導，把孩子的心帶到主面前。聖經說：「教養孩童，使他走當行的道，就是到老他也不偏離。」作父母的，你願意如此教導兒女嗎？
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因兒女是你所賜的產業。為每位作父母的禱告，每當我們為兒女憂慮時，求你從寶座上垂聽我們的呼求。特別在這樣一個悖逆的時代，求你賜給孩子柔軟受教的心，也求你賜下智慧使我們懂得如何教養孩子。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Dare to be a Daniel
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Refrain
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many mighty men are lostDare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Refrain
Many giants, great and tall,Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
Refrain
Hold the Gospel banner high!On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
Refrain
Saturday, October 17, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 20 節
歌羅西書 3 章 20 節
「你們作兒女的，要凡事聽從父母，因為這是主所喜悅的。」
Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
保羅一連串地教導我們，在不同人際關係中應當如何彼此相待。可能你會覺得有點多餘，因為當時那種重男輕女、奴隸買賣的社會環境下，那有妻子不順服丈夫，兒女不聽從父母的呢？為什麼保羅要如此教導？因為他深知人本性的軟弱，許多時候雖然身處必須順服的地位，卻不見得能從心裡去順從。他在第廿三節中說，無論作什麼，都要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的。聽從不是叫你盲從，而是尊重的意思，無論我們與父母的意見何等不同，看法何等差異，我們都樂意完全接納他們。
耶穌十二歲進入聖殿，他的心被神的話吸引，就留在殿裡與律法師一同學習。他的父母在回家路上找他三天都找不到，回到聖殿看見他坐在那裡，母親對他說：「我兒，為什麼向我們這樣行呢？看哪，你父親和我傷心來找你。」耶穌對他們說：「為什麼來找我呢？豈不知我應當以我父的事為念麼？」耶穌清楚提醒馬利亞他是神兒子的身份，但另一方面他沒有因此拒絕母親，聖經說他就同父母回到拿撒勒去，順從了肉身父母的要求。
耶穌處處向我們展現順從的榜樣，他尊重父母的心願，同樣我們也應該尊重父母。特別在現代化小家庭中，一方面我們強調人必須離開父母與妻子聯合，兩個人重新建立新家庭，而這個家庭必須從父母的權柄中獨立出來。但另一方面，我們也應當尊重父母，盡力使他們快樂。因為有一天，你也會成為父母，聖經說：「要孝敬父母，使你得福，在世長壽，這是一條帶著應許的誡命。」當你尊重父母，你的孩子自然而然會尊重你，使你心情愉快，壽命自然增長。
當然有時候我們的作法不見得完全得到父母諒解，就算這樣我們仍要尊重他們。不要忘記這整段經文的中心就是，無論作什麼，都要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的。為主而作，這就是我們生活的動力！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因你為我們成了順服的榜樣。求你再次將你的愛從寶座上澆灌下來，給在我們中間作父母的及作兒女的，使為父的心轉向兒女，使兒女的心轉向父親。願你的靈使我們力量剛強，天天倚靠你而活。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「你們作兒女的，要凡事聽從父母，因為這是主所喜悅的。」
Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
保羅一連串地教導我們，在不同人際關係中應當如何彼此相待。可能你會覺得有點多餘，因為當時那種重男輕女、奴隸買賣的社會環境下，那有妻子不順服丈夫，兒女不聽從父母的呢？為什麼保羅要如此教導？因為他深知人本性的軟弱，許多時候雖然身處必須順服的地位，卻不見得能從心裡去順從。他在第廿三節中說，無論作什麼，都要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的。聽從不是叫你盲從，而是尊重的意思，無論我們與父母的意見何等不同，看法何等差異，我們都樂意完全接納他們。
耶穌十二歲進入聖殿，他的心被神的話吸引，就留在殿裡與律法師一同學習。他的父母在回家路上找他三天都找不到，回到聖殿看見他坐在那裡，母親對他說：「我兒，為什麼向我們這樣行呢？看哪，你父親和我傷心來找你。」耶穌對他們說：「為什麼來找我呢？豈不知我應當以我父的事為念麼？」耶穌清楚提醒馬利亞他是神兒子的身份，但另一方面他沒有因此拒絕母親，聖經說他就同父母回到拿撒勒去，順從了肉身父母的要求。
耶穌處處向我們展現順從的榜樣，他尊重父母的心願，同樣我們也應該尊重父母。特別在現代化小家庭中，一方面我們強調人必須離開父母與妻子聯合，兩個人重新建立新家庭，而這個家庭必須從父母的權柄中獨立出來。但另一方面，我們也應當尊重父母，盡力使他們快樂。因為有一天，你也會成為父母，聖經說：「要孝敬父母，使你得福，在世長壽，這是一條帶著應許的誡命。」當你尊重父母，你的孩子自然而然會尊重你，使你心情愉快，壽命自然增長。
當然有時候我們的作法不見得完全得到父母諒解，就算這樣我們仍要尊重他們。不要忘記這整段經文的中心就是，無論作什麼，都要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的。為主而作，這就是我們生活的動力！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因你為我們成了順服的榜樣。求你再次將你的愛從寶座上澆灌下來，給在我們中間作父母的及作兒女的，使為父的心轉向兒女，使兒女的心轉向父親。願你的靈使我們力量剛強，天天倚靠你而活。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Friday, October 16, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 19 節
歌羅西書 3 章 19 節
「你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，不可苦待她們。」
Colossians 3:19
Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
什麼是愛？愛就是用心注意你的妻子。真正的愛不在乎你送什麼，也不在乎你為她做了什麼，而在於你給她多少的注意力。許多時候，作先生的一結完婚，感覺與作妻子的大不一樣。作妻子的一結完婚覺得美滿生活從此開始，作先生的卻覺得終於了卻一樁心頭大事，從現在開始可以專於事業了！不是說事業不重要，但我要問作先生的：你有多看重自己的妻子呢？有多關心她的需要呢？
以前我常以為自己是很關心妻子的人，直到有天聽到一卷帶子，講員問了一個很簡單的問題，但卻深深扎入我的心。他說：「你今天為妻子禱告了嗎？」突然間我心裡產生極深的虧欠，我這個作牧師的常為別人禱告，甚至我與師母也一起為別人禱告，可是我卻很少為她提名禱告。容許我也問你同樣的問題：「作丈夫的，你有多關心妻子的需要，你有為她禱告嗎？」無論你的理由多麼冠冕堂皇，是為了工作、生活、家庭，甚至為了教會，但沒有一個理由足以讓你忽略對妻子的責任。
另一方面，用心去注意妻子，也是要去了解妻子。我常聽見一些作丈夫的埋怨：「真搞不懂我太太，一天到晚晴時多雲偶陣雨。」其實這正是作丈夫的責任，我們應當了解妻子的喜怒哀樂，了解她的個性、表達方式、恐懼及喜好。想想看，你花多少時間在研究足球、股票、電腦，卻只花多少時間來研究你的妻子呢？面對日漸嚴重的基督徒離婚問題，作丈夫的不能再逃避，應當學習作個真正的男子漢，勇敢擔負起家庭成敗的責任。
作丈夫的如何不苦待妻子呢？讓我提出現代的原則：
1. 不可傷害妻子，無論是言語或行動上的傷害，都不合神的心意。
2. 不可隨意貶低妻子，要記得，敬重妻子才能使你的禱告沒有阻礙。
3. 不可拒絕溝通，不要以為「沈默是金」，其實沈默是扼殺婚姻的首要原因。
在我們中間作丈夫的，你願意從今天開始就如此來愛妻子嗎？
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，我為每位作丈夫的祝福，求主將你捨己的愛賞賜給我們，不再懦弱地跟從世界的潮流及價值，而是效法你捨己的榜樣來愛妻子。主，賜給弟兄勇敢的心，能主動按你心意來建立基督化的家庭。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，不可苦待她們。」
Colossians 3:19
Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
什麼是愛？愛就是用心注意你的妻子。真正的愛不在乎你送什麼，也不在乎你為她做了什麼，而在於你給她多少的注意力。許多時候，作先生的一結完婚，感覺與作妻子的大不一樣。作妻子的一結完婚覺得美滿生活從此開始，作先生的卻覺得終於了卻一樁心頭大事，從現在開始可以專於事業了！不是說事業不重要，但我要問作先生的：你有多看重自己的妻子呢？有多關心她的需要呢？
以前我常以為自己是很關心妻子的人，直到有天聽到一卷帶子，講員問了一個很簡單的問題，但卻深深扎入我的心。他說：「你今天為妻子禱告了嗎？」突然間我心裡產生極深的虧欠，我這個作牧師的常為別人禱告，甚至我與師母也一起為別人禱告，可是我卻很少為她提名禱告。容許我也問你同樣的問題：「作丈夫的，你有多關心妻子的需要，你有為她禱告嗎？」無論你的理由多麼冠冕堂皇，是為了工作、生活、家庭，甚至為了教會，但沒有一個理由足以讓你忽略對妻子的責任。
另一方面，用心去注意妻子，也是要去了解妻子。我常聽見一些作丈夫的埋怨：「真搞不懂我太太，一天到晚晴時多雲偶陣雨。」其實這正是作丈夫的責任，我們應當了解妻子的喜怒哀樂，了解她的個性、表達方式、恐懼及喜好。想想看，你花多少時間在研究足球、股票、電腦，卻只花多少時間來研究你的妻子呢？面對日漸嚴重的基督徒離婚問題，作丈夫的不能再逃避，應當學習作個真正的男子漢，勇敢擔負起家庭成敗的責任。
作丈夫的如何不苦待妻子呢？讓我提出現代的原則：
1. 不可傷害妻子，無論是言語或行動上的傷害，都不合神的心意。
2. 不可隨意貶低妻子，要記得，敬重妻子才能使你的禱告沒有阻礙。
3. 不可拒絕溝通，不要以為「沈默是金」，其實沈默是扼殺婚姻的首要原因。
在我們中間作丈夫的，你願意從今天開始就如此來愛妻子嗎？
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，我為每位作丈夫的祝福，求主將你捨己的愛賞賜給我們，不再懦弱地跟從世界的潮流及價值，而是效法你捨己的榜樣來愛妻子。主，賜給弟兄勇敢的心，能主動按你心意來建立基督化的家庭。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Thursday, October 15, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 18 節
歌羅西書 3 章 18 節
「你們作妻子的，當順服自己的丈夫，這在主裡面是相宜的。」
Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husband, as is fitting in the Lord.
保羅在此提醒我們兩件事：
神如此教導，乃是針對男人與女人本性的軟弱提出挑戰。男人的本性其實比較容易順服，一是一、二是二，一個命令就一個動作，所以男人合適當兵。女人呢？天生就喜歡問「為什麼」，在伊甸園裡神說唯獨善惡樹上的果子不可喫。男人一聽，不喫就不喫！女人就會問「這 麼美麗可口，為什麼不可喫？」。等女人吃完，叫男人吃，他就順從地吃了，可見男人本性比較容易順服。可是叫男人全心全意去愛就很困難了！女人自然而然地會全心去愛，全心全意去持守生命中寶貴的事物。
一旦明白這點，你就不會再埋怨聖經的教導不公平。神乃是針對男人的弱點說「作丈夫的，你要全心全意地愛妻子。」祂也針對女人的弱點說「作妻子的，你要順服你的丈夫。」聖經中所說的順從不是盲從，是以神為前提的順從，是合理的。所謂在主裡的順從，其實就是對丈夫的尊重。每當我作婚姻問題解答，總有姊妹會問：「怎樣才能改變我的丈夫？」因為太太總是急於改變先生，常常變得嘮嘮叨叨。事實上嘮叨與埋怨不能使丈夫改變，真正能扭轉他的心的，是你對他的尊重。要怎麼去尊重呢？
第一、要多向他說鼓勵的話。許多妻子在先生做得好的時候，就好像沒看見一樣，可是他一做錯，馬上添油加醋地數落。其實丈夫常常等待妻子的稱讚，正好像妻子等待丈夫的稱讚一樣，所以要多說鼓勵的話！
第二、不要把他與別人比較。對男人而言，這是最傷他自尊的事。作妻子的責任，不是使丈夫更合你的心意，真正的賢內助是能看見先生能夠成就的事，而不是只看見那些他不能成就的事。所以作妻子的應當明白丈夫的恩賜與才幹，鼓勵他去發揮，使他成為合神心意的人。在我們中間作妻子的，你願意今天就如此行嗎？
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，求你再次將愛澆灌在每對夫妻心中，因你在十字架上已拆毀人與人之間一切隔牆，求你也在每個家庭裡運行，使丈夫的心轉向妻子，也使妻子的心轉向丈夫。求你的愛融化我們心中那不可能的高山，能重新進入屬神的夫妻關係中。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「你們作妻子的，當順服自己的丈夫，這在主裡面是相宜的。」
Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husband, as is fitting in the Lord.
保羅在此提醒我們兩件事：
神如此教導，乃是針對男人與女人本性的軟弱提出挑戰。男人的本性其實比較容易順服，一是一、二是二，一個命令就一個動作，所以男人合適當兵。女人呢？天生就喜歡問「為什麼」，在伊甸園裡神說唯獨善惡樹上的果子不可喫。男人一聽，不喫就不喫！女人就會問「這 麼美麗可口，為什麼不可喫？」。等女人吃完，叫男人吃，他就順從地吃了，可見男人本性比較容易順服。可是叫男人全心全意去愛就很困難了！女人自然而然地會全心去愛，全心全意去持守生命中寶貴的事物。
一旦明白這點，你就不會再埋怨聖經的教導不公平。神乃是針對男人的弱點說「作丈夫的，你要全心全意地愛妻子。」祂也針對女人的弱點說「作妻子的，你要順服你的丈夫。」聖經中所說的順從不是盲從，是以神為前提的順從，是合理的。所謂在主裡的順從，其實就是對丈夫的尊重。每當我作婚姻問題解答，總有姊妹會問：「怎樣才能改變我的丈夫？」因為太太總是急於改變先生，常常變得嘮嘮叨叨。事實上嘮叨與埋怨不能使丈夫改變，真正能扭轉他的心的，是你對他的尊重。要怎麼去尊重呢？
第一、要多向他說鼓勵的話。許多妻子在先生做得好的時候，就好像沒看見一樣，可是他一做錯，馬上添油加醋地數落。其實丈夫常常等待妻子的稱讚，正好像妻子等待丈夫的稱讚一樣，所以要多說鼓勵的話！
第二、不要把他與別人比較。對男人而言，這是最傷他自尊的事。作妻子的責任，不是使丈夫更合你的心意，真正的賢內助是能看見先生能夠成就的事，而不是只看見那些他不能成就的事。所以作妻子的應當明白丈夫的恩賜與才幹，鼓勵他去發揮，使他成為合神心意的人。在我們中間作妻子的，你願意今天就如此行嗎？
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，求你再次將愛澆灌在每對夫妻心中，因你在十字架上已拆毀人與人之間一切隔牆，求你也在每個家庭裡運行，使丈夫的心轉向妻子，也使妻子的心轉向丈夫。求你的愛融化我們心中那不可能的高山，能重新進入屬神的夫妻關係中。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 17 節
歌羅西書 3 章 17 節
「無論做甚麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父 神。」
Colossians 3:17
And, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
保羅在此提醒我們兩件事：
一、 無論作什麼都要奉主名而作，這是基督徒行事為人的準則。作一件事時，需要先想想：能奉主的名作這事嗎？如果你心裡覺得不平安，恐怕這就不是合神心意的。譬如說考試作弊，你能說我奉主的名作弊嗎？顯然不能；當你論斷別人、東家長西家短的時候，你能說我奉主的名說閒話嗎？也不行！所以保羅說，凡事都要奉主的名而行，就能幫助我們每天行在主的旨意中。
二、 要凡事謝恩。保羅提醒我們一個基本生活態度：是否能在凡事上看見神的恩典而為此感恩呢？出去郊遊，有沒有為著神所造的大自然感恩？我們很容易把周遭的事看為理所當然，不覺得有什麼值得感恩。一切難道不都是神的恩典嗎？你有多久沒有為另一半感恩？要常為另一半感謝神，因為這是祂為你預備最好的一位，想想看，除了他以外，有誰能忍受你的個性和脾氣？你有沒有為環境感恩？我唸神學時，神把我帶到賓州樂園鎮，一開始充滿埋怨，因為不但沒中國教會，有時電視都收不到，悶得要命。但後來發現神的預備真好，因為再也沒有那麼好的地方可以安靜讀書。我們真該為環境來感恩！
另一方面，當你存感恩的心，就不會與別人比較。到底什麼是成功？什麼是快樂？不要被世界的價值觀影響，唯有當你走在主的道路上，才可能有真正的滿足喜樂。感恩的心能開闊我們的心胸，成為一個充滿喜樂的人，因為能在凡事上都看見神奇妙的作為。
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
讓我們以此詩歌獻上感恩的心：感謝神賜我救贖主，感謝神豐富預備，感謝神常與我同在，感謝神一切恩惠！感謝神賜溫暖春天，感謝神淒涼秋景，感謝神抹乾我眼淚，感謝神賜我安寧！感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「無論做甚麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父 神。」
Colossians 3:17
And, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
保羅在此提醒我們兩件事：
一、 無論作什麼都要奉主名而作，這是基督徒行事為人的準則。作一件事時，需要先想想：能奉主的名作這事嗎？如果你心裡覺得不平安，恐怕這就不是合神心意的。譬如說考試作弊，你能說我奉主的名作弊嗎？顯然不能；當你論斷別人、東家長西家短的時候，你能說我奉主的名說閒話嗎？也不行！所以保羅說，凡事都要奉主的名而行，就能幫助我們每天行在主的旨意中。
二、 要凡事謝恩。保羅提醒我們一個基本生活態度：是否能在凡事上看見神的恩典而為此感恩呢？出去郊遊，有沒有為著神所造的大自然感恩？我們很容易把周遭的事看為理所當然，不覺得有什麼值得感恩。一切難道不都是神的恩典嗎？你有多久沒有為另一半感恩？要常為另一半感謝神，因為這是祂為你預備最好的一位，想想看，除了他以外，有誰能忍受你的個性和脾氣？你有沒有為環境感恩？我唸神學時，神把我帶到賓州樂園鎮，一開始充滿埋怨，因為不但沒中國教會，有時電視都收不到，悶得要命。但後來發現神的預備真好，因為再也沒有那麼好的地方可以安靜讀書。我們真該為環境來感恩！
另一方面，當你存感恩的心，就不會與別人比較。到底什麼是成功？什麼是快樂？不要被世界的價值觀影響，唯有當你走在主的道路上，才可能有真正的滿足喜樂。感恩的心能開闊我們的心胸，成為一個充滿喜樂的人，因為能在凡事上都看見神奇妙的作為。
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
讓我們以此詩歌獻上感恩的心：感謝神賜我救贖主，感謝神豐富預備，感謝神常與我同在，感謝神一切恩惠！感謝神賜溫暖春天，感謝神淒涼秋景，感謝神抹乾我眼淚，感謝神賜我安寧！感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 16 節
歌羅西書 3 章 16 節
「當用各樣的智慧，把基督的道理豐豐富富地存在心裡，用詩章、頌詞、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感歌頌 神。」
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
首先，保羅勸我們要用各樣的智慧來讀神的話。許多人讀聖經，讀一遍不懂，覺得枯燥就不再讀了；保羅卻說要用各樣的智慧來讀。人追求世界上的事，總是用盡各樣智慧，不是嗎？電腦不懂，就抱著說明書猛讀，讀不懂還是想盡辦法讀。有些人白天上班，晚上還修課，甚至還去參加電腦展，只為充實自己，能有新的突破。你有沒有想過，在讀神的話語上也應當如此下功夫呢？讀不懂，可以查參考書，再不懂，可以上主日學，甚至去參加一些特別聚會，使靈命能得以充實。作一個基督徒，你要學習為自己的靈命負責，要用各樣的智慧來讀神的話語。
其次，要把基督的道理「豐豐富富」地存在心裡，不只是一節兩節而已。神的話語在你裡面有多少？如果要你挑一節聖經來背，恐怕許多人只會背約翰福音3:16，說不定連這一節都背不完全。主耶穌在曠野受試探時，祂並沒有帶本舊約書卷翻來翻去，乃是將神的話存記在心裡，被魔鬼試探時，立刻用神的話來抵擋！弟兄姊妹，我們不但要用各樣智慧來讀聖經，更要用各樣智慧來背誦神的話。
第三，要將基督的道理存在心裡，將神的話拉進我們心裡。要常常思想主的話，想想主要我們學怎樣的功課？想想應當怎樣將主的話應用在生活中？一旦你有遵行神話語的心志，就會發現讀經不再枯燥，因為神的話開始與你息息相關，開始影響你的生活，也影響你屬靈的生命。
許多時候，我們求主來復興自己，但主的復興是與主的話語是不可分的。主的復興一定從愛慕主的話、遵行主的話開始！求主給我們一顆渴慕的心來讀祂的話語！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，求你再次開啟我的心，使我認識你話語的寶貴，幫助我用各樣的智慧把你的話豐豐富富地存在心裡。願你的話成為我腳前的燈，路上的光，引導我走正直的道路。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「當用各樣的智慧，把基督的道理豐豐富富地存在心裡，用詩章、頌詞、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感歌頌 神。」
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
首先，保羅勸我們要用各樣的智慧來讀神的話。許多人讀聖經，讀一遍不懂，覺得枯燥就不再讀了；保羅卻說要用各樣的智慧來讀。人追求世界上的事，總是用盡各樣智慧，不是嗎？電腦不懂，就抱著說明書猛讀，讀不懂還是想盡辦法讀。有些人白天上班，晚上還修課，甚至還去參加電腦展，只為充實自己，能有新的突破。你有沒有想過，在讀神的話語上也應當如此下功夫呢？讀不懂，可以查參考書，再不懂，可以上主日學，甚至去參加一些特別聚會，使靈命能得以充實。作一個基督徒，你要學習為自己的靈命負責，要用各樣的智慧來讀神的話語。
其次，要把基督的道理「豐豐富富」地存在心裡，不只是一節兩節而已。神的話語在你裡面有多少？如果要你挑一節聖經來背，恐怕許多人只會背約翰福音3:16，說不定連這一節都背不完全。主耶穌在曠野受試探時，祂並沒有帶本舊約書卷翻來翻去，乃是將神的話存記在心裡，被魔鬼試探時，立刻用神的話來抵擋！弟兄姊妹，我們不但要用各樣智慧來讀聖經，更要用各樣智慧來背誦神的話。
第三，要將基督的道理存在心裡，將神的話拉進我們心裡。要常常思想主的話，想想主要我們學怎樣的功課？想想應當怎樣將主的話應用在生活中？一旦你有遵行神話語的心志，就會發現讀經不再枯燥，因為神的話開始與你息息相關，開始影響你的生活，也影響你屬靈的生命。
許多時候，我們求主來復興自己，但主的復興是與主的話語是不可分的。主的復興一定從愛慕主的話、遵行主的話開始！求主給我們一顆渴慕的心來讀祂的話語！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，求你再次開啟我的心，使我認識你話語的寶貴，幫助我用各樣的智慧把你的話豐豐富富地存在心裡。願你的話成為我腳前的燈，路上的光，引導我走正直的道路。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Monday, October 12, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 15 節
歌羅西書 3 章 15 節
「又要叫基督的平安在你們心裡做主，你們也為此蒙召，歸為一體，且要存感謝的心。」
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
保羅說信徒行事為人的準則，就是凡事都要以基督的平安作主。這裡的平安，不只是心裡的平安，且是基督的平安，因為一個人可能心裡有平安，但不見得是基督的平安。像舊約的約拿，神吩咐他往尼尼微去傳福音，他不願去，往他施的海港想坐船逃走。沒想到神興起大風浪，全船的人都驚惶失措，可是約拿居然在船艙裡呼呼大睡，好像心裡蠻有平安的。全船人都因他沒有平安，他反而心安理得地在睡覺！
所謂基督的平安，乃是符合神旨意的平安，它不單帶給自己平安，也能為周圍的人帶來平安和諧，而且也建立在神話語的根基上。如何得著基督的平安？惟有透過等候禱告，直到你得著神話語的印證，然後這話語就要在心中產生信心的憑據。當以利亞坐在迦密山頂求主降雨時，他求了一次然後打發僕人向海觀看，僕人回來說什麼都沒看見，他就繼續禱告等候，直到第七次，僕人回來說看見一小片雲，像手掌那麼大。立刻以利亞心中得了確據，就打發僕人去告訴亞哈王說：「你要準備，因為神要降下大雨！」
既然神的心意是要降下大雨，為什麼不在以利亞第一次求的時候就降雨？為什麼要求七次？神的心意既是如此，為什麼又要我們情急迫切地祈求，才能得著？人看重的是結果，可是神看重的永遠是過程；祂看重在整個過程中，我們心意的更新與變化。在禱告中，我們信心受操練，愛心受磨練，而神就在其中校正我們的心思意念。當保羅為宣教的方向禱告時，原本他想往小亞細亞去，結果神給他看見馬其頓異象，因而轉往歐洲傳福音，就是最好的例子。
你是否面對人生抉擇，正在尋求神的心意？你是否願意基督的平安在你心裡作主？要等候禱告，若你已禱告一次兩次，不要灰心，以利亞禱告七次才得印證！總要禱告，直到你得到了心中的確據！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因為你話語一解開，就使我們的心通達。我願再次將現在所尋求、所掙扎的事交托你手中，學習以你的平安來作主。求主向我顯明你話語的憑據，好讓我行在你的旨意中，不但自己平安，也帶給周圍的人平安。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「又要叫基督的平安在你們心裡做主，你們也為此蒙召，歸為一體，且要存感謝的心。」
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
保羅說信徒行事為人的準則，就是凡事都要以基督的平安作主。這裡的平安，不只是心裡的平安，且是基督的平安，因為一個人可能心裡有平安，但不見得是基督的平安。像舊約的約拿，神吩咐他往尼尼微去傳福音，他不願去，往他施的海港想坐船逃走。沒想到神興起大風浪，全船的人都驚惶失措，可是約拿居然在船艙裡呼呼大睡，好像心裡蠻有平安的。全船人都因他沒有平安，他反而心安理得地在睡覺！
所謂基督的平安，乃是符合神旨意的平安，它不單帶給自己平安，也能為周圍的人帶來平安和諧，而且也建立在神話語的根基上。如何得著基督的平安？惟有透過等候禱告，直到你得著神話語的印證，然後這話語就要在心中產生信心的憑據。當以利亞坐在迦密山頂求主降雨時，他求了一次然後打發僕人向海觀看，僕人回來說什麼都沒看見，他就繼續禱告等候，直到第七次，僕人回來說看見一小片雲，像手掌那麼大。立刻以利亞心中得了確據，就打發僕人去告訴亞哈王說：「你要準備，因為神要降下大雨！」
既然神的心意是要降下大雨，為什麼不在以利亞第一次求的時候就降雨？為什麼要求七次？神的心意既是如此，為什麼又要我們情急迫切地祈求，才能得著？人看重的是結果，可是神看重的永遠是過程；祂看重在整個過程中，我們心意的更新與變化。在禱告中，我們信心受操練，愛心受磨練，而神就在其中校正我們的心思意念。當保羅為宣教的方向禱告時，原本他想往小亞細亞去，結果神給他看見馬其頓異象，因而轉往歐洲傳福音，就是最好的例子。
你是否面對人生抉擇，正在尋求神的心意？你是否願意基督的平安在你心裡作主？要等候禱告，若你已禱告一次兩次，不要灰心，以利亞禱告七次才得印證！總要禱告，直到你得到了心中的確據！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，感謝你，因為你話語一解開，就使我們的心通達。我願再次將現在所尋求、所掙扎的事交托你手中，學習以你的平安來作主。求主向我顯明你話語的憑據，好讓我行在你的旨意中，不但自己平安，也帶給周圍的人平安。感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Sunday, October 11, 2009
歌羅西書 3 章 13-14 節
歌羅西書 3 章 13-14 節
「倘若這人與那人有嫌隙，總要彼此包容，彼此饒恕...。在這一切之外，要存著愛心，愛心就是聯絡全德的。」
Colossians 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
現代人的心靈常被許多懷恨的思想所捆鎖，從小每個傷害、每次失敗，都使我們難以忘懷，也無法饒恕。許多人到如今仍充滿報復的意念，充滿怨恨與懷怒。但事實上，如果我們仔細看人類的光景，雖然表面上喊著要「以牙還牙」，可是心靈深處豈不都渴望得著別人的饒恕嗎？饒恕是耶穌福音的本質，也是基督徒在地上的生活方式。保羅說，總要彼此饒恕，因為主怎樣饒恕了你們，你們也要怎樣饒恕人。
一想到饒恕的道理，我們第一個反應常是：為什麼他不先向我道歉呢？實在太不公平了！明明是他犯錯，還要我饒恕他，不找他算帳就不錯了，還要我接納他、愛他？不是強人所難嗎？如果我們不饒恕別人，真正的受害者其實是自己！你晝思夜想，佔據了腦海一切思緒，使你什麼事都不能做。弟兄姊妹，你心中是否有許多憤憤不平的念頭，不得釋放呢？求主幫助我們，先來到主面前承認自己的罪，求主光照心裡的黑暗，無論那黑暗看來多麼不顯眼。
保羅說：「倘若這人與那人有嫌隙」。什麼是「嫌隙」？就是小疙瘩的意思，也就是心中一點小小的不舒服。如果我們容許那一點不舒服繼續存在發展，就會導致人與人關係破裂，甚至教會出現紛爭。我們必須從小地方就開始認真面對，最重要的就是要先來到神面前，讓祂再次來愛你，讓聖靈用主的愛來撫摸你的傷痛。安靜地享受祂的愛，一旦你經歷主的愛，就能去饒恕那些對不起你的人，因為知道主先饒恕了你。弟兄姊妹，你覺得需要主的愛來幫助你饒恕嗎？現在就到主面前來吧！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，我再次來到你愛的懷抱中，求你用你的愛醫治我、安慰我、激勵我，使我從人的破碎中重新得以完全。主，求你在我心中居首位，除去一切苦毒與怨恨，好讓你饒恕的愛重新從我身上湧流出去！感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
「倘若這人與那人有嫌隙，總要彼此包容，彼此饒恕...。在這一切之外，要存著愛心，愛心就是聯絡全德的。」
Colossians 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
現代人的心靈常被許多懷恨的思想所捆鎖，從小每個傷害、每次失敗，都使我們難以忘懷，也無法饒恕。許多人到如今仍充滿報復的意念，充滿怨恨與懷怒。但事實上，如果我們仔細看人類的光景，雖然表面上喊著要「以牙還牙」，可是心靈深處豈不都渴望得著別人的饒恕嗎？饒恕是耶穌福音的本質，也是基督徒在地上的生活方式。保羅說，總要彼此饒恕，因為主怎樣饒恕了你們，你們也要怎樣饒恕人。
一想到饒恕的道理，我們第一個反應常是：為什麼他不先向我道歉呢？實在太不公平了！明明是他犯錯，還要我饒恕他，不找他算帳就不錯了，還要我接納他、愛他？不是強人所難嗎？如果我們不饒恕別人，真正的受害者其實是自己！你晝思夜想，佔據了腦海一切思緒，使你什麼事都不能做。弟兄姊妹，你心中是否有許多憤憤不平的念頭，不得釋放呢？求主幫助我們，先來到主面前承認自己的罪，求主光照心裡的黑暗，無論那黑暗看來多麼不顯眼。
保羅說：「倘若這人與那人有嫌隙」。什麼是「嫌隙」？就是小疙瘩的意思，也就是心中一點小小的不舒服。如果我們容許那一點不舒服繼續存在發展，就會導致人與人關係破裂，甚至教會出現紛爭。我們必須從小地方就開始認真面對，最重要的就是要先來到神面前，讓祂再次來愛你，讓聖靈用主的愛來撫摸你的傷痛。安靜地享受祂的愛，一旦你經歷主的愛，就能去饒恕那些對不起你的人，因為知道主先饒恕了你。弟兄姊妹，你覺得需要主的愛來幫助你饒恕嗎？現在就到主面前來吧！
與劉彤牧師同心禱告
主耶穌，我再次來到你愛的懷抱中，求你用你的愛醫治我、安慰我、激勵我，使我從人的破碎中重新得以完全。主，求你在我心中居首位，除去一切苦毒與怨恨，好讓你饒恕的愛重新從我身上湧流出去！感謝禱告奉耶穌得勝的名祈求，阿們！
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Right Man
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23)
First we must allow our Heavenly Father to do the picking. Second, the decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectual basis before it's made on an emotional one. "What about love? Shouldn't that be the third?", you ask. No, and I'll tell you why. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9). The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does not consider things rationally and intelligently--it just loves to love! Therefore, you have to point it in the right directions: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23). Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God, check out his attributes, and then allow your heart to engage.
Dating exists not for mating; it exists for collecting data. I believe that the biblical design would be friendship, courtship, and then marriage. Friendship is two people walking together in agreement and accountability, learning and growing together. Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one another exclusively--it is the decisive turning toward the agreed-upon goal of the marriage altar. It is a period of laying a foundation and preparing your life together after marriage. But dating? Well, if you do date, use the time wisely to gather facts:
1. Check out the fabric. Is the person mate material? Does this man have an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Does he care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to God as well as another co-laborer in the faith? Accountability is an important factor. It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is your potential spouse a member of the same family--the family of God? Scripture is clear on this: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14). You need to have common interests and values and agree on the essentials of living day to day. You have a similar spiritual walk. You eat the same spiritual diet. You enjoy a lot of similar things. You have like interests, like goals in life, like opinions on basic life issues. You have had like experiences in your background.
Though there is some truth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks fare better together. Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to be married and your dreamboat isn't interested, don't waste your time. Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to get married and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guy says he's not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously. If he's not going in your direction, get off the bus and wait for the right one.
2. Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you? The man who is right for you will pursue you, and God's hand in the relationship will be clear. No guessing, no fleeces, no dead ends. Scripture says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord" (Prov. 18:22). Note--who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE. From the beginning of time, God has transported men and women across the world in order to put them together. At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he will find you. In God's perfect design, the man is the one who recognizes his mate. Adam had no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You do not need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don't have to help a guy out because he's shy! Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. The man in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price in his life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain your hand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a sign that he is not interested. Many a woman's mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry a man who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, it actually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it: "We love him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Until then, take the ultimate chill pill. You don't need a bunch of men in your life to make you feel all right about yourself. You need only one man--your man, the one God has selected to select you. And trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time. So trust God's timing in this. He is the ultimate matchmaker. Relax, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found. Again,--WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take the lead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that he is the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of the relationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you--this is your first act of submission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They should love us first, and they should lead the relationship.
3. The man in your life should not desire to move into your house, only into your heart. A man who prepares for your future has made his intentions clear. A man who is husband material has the means to take care of a wife. He is a responsible human being who understands he needs to have something to offer. In short, a man should have the means to be a suitable lover for you.
4. Check out his buddies. Everyone knows birds of the same feather flock together, yet most women fail to see the connection between a man and his friends. A man's pals tell you a lot about the person that you haven't seen yet. They reveal things about the guy's character that might be hidden when he is on good behavior. Everyone knows how to put his best foot forward. Don't stay focused on the foot, check out the rest of the body!
5. Check out his relationship with his mother. How does he treat her? This is your preview of how he will treat you. There are lots of men who, because of a negative relationship with their mothers, really don't like women, yet say they do. Unresolved issues between mother and son continue between husband and wife.
6. Remember that a man's family reveals the cloth from which he's cut. Take note and decide whether you want your future with the man in your life to look like his present family situation.
7. Check out the patterns of his life. Do you see repeated cycles of drama in his personal kingdom? Broken relationships? problems in making commitments, including the job market? mood swings? Is a problem always someone else's fault? Does he embrace responsibility or shirk it? Does he keep his promises? Is he a man of good reputation? Remember all garments look wonderful hanging in the store, but with wear, some begin to unravel. Give yourself time and space to check out the man in your life. Time will always reveal whether or not he is made of the right stuff.
8. Does this man have a vision for his life? Is he running with that vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn't need help until he is busy doing what he was created and called to do. Is the man in your life guided by sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow life to happen around him? A man who is not certain of his mission can be a most miserable person--and you'll be miserable too if you know where YOU want to go in life. A man who has vision is not intimidated by a woman whose mission statement is clear. He will be your best ally, cheerleader and assistant because he wants you both to make it! A man who cannot be supportive of your achievements because he is floundering in a sea of uncertainty over his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever. Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to get the best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent you and flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates you with. You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ. Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader in his home. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you, and provide for you. Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you to complement.
9. Complementarily. Do your talents and gifts complement his? Do his gifts complement yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the two of you as an effective team capable of bringing blessing to the lives of those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate your gifts in an attractive and effective way? This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure your hearts beat for mutual causes. When I go shopping I always consider the fabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my next purchase be a complementary addition to what I already have? If I find that I am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with a new outfit, I leave it right on the rack. It is too expensive a proposition. If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completely reinvent yourself, something is wrong. This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost. Is this relationship expensive spiritually, emotionally, or physically? Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you are in the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are? The man in your life should consider you as a rare find, a priceless jewel-because of you he is getting ready to get blessed big-time! Any relationship that causes you to feel unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirable, or that you have to work for love, is too expensive! God has called the man to cover, protect, and provide not only materially for a woman, but emotionally and spiritually as well. You should be richer in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of your dreams. The man in your life should make rich deposits into your heart and spirit, not withdrawals.
10. Does he have a healthy love & acceptance of himself? Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and has made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he will care for you. A man's relationship with God is crucial here. His love for himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is not something that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or teacher. That is out of spiritual order. In his rightful place as your personal priest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ. If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize your walk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to be distracted from your commitment to Christ, the relationship is too expensive. Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is too high a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run. If you and your man can't soar in the Spirit, when the force of your love for another is tested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not be able to survive. So you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your love worth? You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. God Himself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth His life. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus sets the example for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride. Should you expect less from a mortal man? Throughout the Biblical age, men were willing to pay the cost for the hand that they desired. The truth of the matter is, everyone knows that anything worth having, costs. And no one gets a ride in this life for free.
Our Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I confess that I have not always been as careful as I should've been with my heart. From time to time, my desire for love has caused me to leave my heart in the wrong hands. I now commit my heart into Your hands for safekeeping. Please help me to stop being so impulsive with what you deem so precious. As I learn to celebrate Your love for me, let me learn from Your example what a bridegroom should really be like. Help me to never settle for less than what you desire for me. As I embrace You as the Lover of my soul, keep my affections in the haven of Your own heart. As I rest in Your love, make me more discriminating of those who approach me. I ask that You take over this area of my life. Keep me from those You know would hurt my heart. I invite You to set a hedge around me and keep me from all who would draw me into unfruitful relationships until the day you present me to the mate that You have selected for me. Grant me the discernment to recognize him as he recognizes me. Cleanse me from the temptation to typecast the men I meet according to what I see. Help me to trust in Your knowledge and lean not on my own understanding. I know that You know what is best for me; therefore I yield to Your choice.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
First we must allow our Heavenly Father to do the picking. Second, the decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectual basis before it's made on an emotional one. "What about love? Shouldn't that be the third?", you ask. No, and I'll tell you why. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9). The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does not consider things rationally and intelligently--it just loves to love! Therefore, you have to point it in the right directions: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23). Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God, check out his attributes, and then allow your heart to engage.
Dating exists not for mating; it exists for collecting data. I believe that the biblical design would be friendship, courtship, and then marriage. Friendship is two people walking together in agreement and accountability, learning and growing together. Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one another exclusively--it is the decisive turning toward the agreed-upon goal of the marriage altar. It is a period of laying a foundation and preparing your life together after marriage. But dating? Well, if you do date, use the time wisely to gather facts:
1. Check out the fabric. Is the person mate material? Does this man have an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Does he care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to God as well as another co-laborer in the faith? Accountability is an important factor. It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is your potential spouse a member of the same family--the family of God? Scripture is clear on this: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14). You need to have common interests and values and agree on the essentials of living day to day. You have a similar spiritual walk. You eat the same spiritual diet. You enjoy a lot of similar things. You have like interests, like goals in life, like opinions on basic life issues. You have had like experiences in your background.
Though there is some truth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks fare better together. Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to be married and your dreamboat isn't interested, don't waste your time. Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to get married and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guy says he's not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously. If he's not going in your direction, get off the bus and wait for the right one.
2. Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you? The man who is right for you will pursue you, and God's hand in the relationship will be clear. No guessing, no fleeces, no dead ends. Scripture says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord" (Prov. 18:22). Note--who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE. From the beginning of time, God has transported men and women across the world in order to put them together. At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he will find you. In God's perfect design, the man is the one who recognizes his mate. Adam had no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You do not need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don't have to help a guy out because he's shy! Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. The man in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price in his life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain your hand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a sign that he is not interested. Many a woman's mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry a man who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, it actually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it: "We love him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Until then, take the ultimate chill pill. You don't need a bunch of men in your life to make you feel all right about yourself. You need only one man--your man, the one God has selected to select you. And trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time. So trust God's timing in this. He is the ultimate matchmaker. Relax, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found. Again,--WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take the lead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that he is the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of the relationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you--this is your first act of submission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They should love us first, and they should lead the relationship.
3. The man in your life should not desire to move into your house, only into your heart. A man who prepares for your future has made his intentions clear. A man who is husband material has the means to take care of a wife. He is a responsible human being who understands he needs to have something to offer. In short, a man should have the means to be a suitable lover for you.
4. Check out his buddies. Everyone knows birds of the same feather flock together, yet most women fail to see the connection between a man and his friends. A man's pals tell you a lot about the person that you haven't seen yet. They reveal things about the guy's character that might be hidden when he is on good behavior. Everyone knows how to put his best foot forward. Don't stay focused on the foot, check out the rest of the body!
5. Check out his relationship with his mother. How does he treat her? This is your preview of how he will treat you. There are lots of men who, because of a negative relationship with their mothers, really don't like women, yet say they do. Unresolved issues between mother and son continue between husband and wife.
6. Remember that a man's family reveals the cloth from which he's cut. Take note and decide whether you want your future with the man in your life to look like his present family situation.
7. Check out the patterns of his life. Do you see repeated cycles of drama in his personal kingdom? Broken relationships? problems in making commitments, including the job market? mood swings? Is a problem always someone else's fault? Does he embrace responsibility or shirk it? Does he keep his promises? Is he a man of good reputation? Remember all garments look wonderful hanging in the store, but with wear, some begin to unravel. Give yourself time and space to check out the man in your life. Time will always reveal whether or not he is made of the right stuff.
8. Does this man have a vision for his life? Is he running with that vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn't need help until he is busy doing what he was created and called to do. Is the man in your life guided by sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow life to happen around him? A man who is not certain of his mission can be a most miserable person--and you'll be miserable too if you know where YOU want to go in life. A man who has vision is not intimidated by a woman whose mission statement is clear. He will be your best ally, cheerleader and assistant because he wants you both to make it! A man who cannot be supportive of your achievements because he is floundering in a sea of uncertainty over his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever. Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to get the best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent you and flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates you with. You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ. Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader in his home. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you, and provide for you. Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you to complement.
9. Complementarily. Do your talents and gifts complement his? Do his gifts complement yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the two of you as an effective team capable of bringing blessing to the lives of those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate your gifts in an attractive and effective way? This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure your hearts beat for mutual causes. When I go shopping I always consider the fabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my next purchase be a complementary addition to what I already have? If I find that I am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with a new outfit, I leave it right on the rack. It is too expensive a proposition. If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completely reinvent yourself, something is wrong. This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost. Is this relationship expensive spiritually, emotionally, or physically? Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you are in the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are? The man in your life should consider you as a rare find, a priceless jewel-because of you he is getting ready to get blessed big-time! Any relationship that causes you to feel unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirable, or that you have to work for love, is too expensive! God has called the man to cover, protect, and provide not only materially for a woman, but emotionally and spiritually as well. You should be richer in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of your dreams. The man in your life should make rich deposits into your heart and spirit, not withdrawals.
10. Does he have a healthy love & acceptance of himself? Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and has made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he will care for you. A man's relationship with God is crucial here. His love for himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is not something that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or teacher. That is out of spiritual order. In his rightful place as your personal priest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ. If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize your walk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to be distracted from your commitment to Christ, the relationship is too expensive. Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is too high a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run. If you and your man can't soar in the Spirit, when the force of your love for another is tested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not be able to survive. So you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your love worth? You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. God Himself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth His life. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus sets the example for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride. Should you expect less from a mortal man? Throughout the Biblical age, men were willing to pay the cost for the hand that they desired. The truth of the matter is, everyone knows that anything worth having, costs. And no one gets a ride in this life for free.
Our Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I confess that I have not always been as careful as I should've been with my heart. From time to time, my desire for love has caused me to leave my heart in the wrong hands. I now commit my heart into Your hands for safekeeping. Please help me to stop being so impulsive with what you deem so precious. As I learn to celebrate Your love for me, let me learn from Your example what a bridegroom should really be like. Help me to never settle for less than what you desire for me. As I embrace You as the Lover of my soul, keep my affections in the haven of Your own heart. As I rest in Your love, make me more discriminating of those who approach me. I ask that You take over this area of my life. Keep me from those You know would hurt my heart. I invite You to set a hedge around me and keep me from all who would draw me into unfruitful relationships until the day you present me to the mate that You have selected for me. Grant me the discernment to recognize him as he recognizes me. Cleanse me from the temptation to typecast the men I meet according to what I see. Help me to trust in Your knowledge and lean not on my own understanding. I know that You know what is best for me; therefore I yield to Your choice.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Saturday, September 12, 2009
用愛心說誠實話
詩篇
39:1我曾說、我要謹慎我的言行、免得我舌頭犯罪．
39:2我默然無聲、連好話也不出口．我的愁苦就發動了。
39:3我的心在我裡面發熱．我默想的時候、火就燒起、
箴言
15:1回答柔和、使怒消退．言語暴戾、觸動怒氣。
15:2智慧人的舌、善發知識．愚昧人的口、吐出愚昧。
25:11一句話說得合宜、就如金蘋果在銀網子裏。
約翰一書
4:7親愛的弟兄阿、我們應當彼此相愛．因為愛是從神來的．
4:12從來沒有人見過神．我們若彼此相愛、神就住在我們裡面、
4:16神愛我們的心、我們也知道也信。神就是愛．
4:17這樣、愛在我們裡面得以完全、
4:18愛里沒有懼怕．愛既完全、就把懼怕除去．
4:19我們愛、因為神先愛我們。
4:20人若說、我愛神、卻恨他的弟兄、就是說謊話的．
4:21愛神的、也當愛弟兄、這是我們從神所受的命令。
腓利比書
2:1所以在基督裏若有甚麼勸勉、愛心有甚麼安慰、
2:2你們就要意念相同、愛心相同、有一樣的心思、
2:3凡事不可結黨、不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀．只要存心謙卑、
2:4各人不要單顧自己的事、也要顧別人的事。
2:5你們當以基督耶穌的心為心。
路加福音
6:41為甚麼看見你弟兄眼中有刺、卻不想自己眼中有樑木呢。
6:42你不見自己眼中有樑木．怎能對你弟兄說、
加拉太書
6:1弟兄們、若有人偶然被過犯所勝、你們屬靈的人、
6:2你們各人的重擔要互相擔當、如此、就完全了基督的律法。
6:4各人應當察驗自己的行為、這樣、他所誇的就專在自己、
6:5因為各人必擔當自己的擔子。
馬太福音
18:15倘若你的弟兄得罪你、
18:16他若不聽、你就另外帶一兩個人同去、
18:17若是不聽他們、就告訴教會．若是不聽教會、
18:21那時彼得進前來、對耶穌說、主阿、我弟兄得罪我、
18:22耶穌說、我對你說、不是到七次、乃是到七十個七次。
希伯來書
13:1你們務要常存弟兄相愛的心。
13:2不可忘記用愛心接待客旅．因為曾有接待客旅的、
13:3你們要記念被捆綁的人、好像與他們同受捆綁、
以弗所書
4:15惟用愛心說誠實話、凡事長進、連於元首基督．
4:16全身都靠他聯絡得合式、百節各按各職、照著各體的功用、
Saturday, August 1, 2009
話語的力量
1。話語如預言，象種子，在潛意識裡生根發芽。種什麼收什麼，
2。說創造性的話，期待不一樣的未來。有盼望，信心和得勝。
3。說祝福的話，相信神的工作，作神大能的管道，
約書亞記
14:10自從耶和華對摩西說這話的時候、耶和華照他所應許的、
14:11我還是強壯、像摩西打發我去的那天一樣．無論是爭戰、
士師記
6:12耶和華的使者向基甸顯現、對他說、大能的勇士阿、
6:15基甸說、主阿、我有何能拯救以色列人呢．
6:16耶和華對他說、我與你同在、你就必擊打米甸人、
雅各書
3:2原來我們在許多事上都有過失．若有人在話語上沒有過失、
3:3我們若把嚼環放在馬嘴裏、叫他順服、就能調動他的全身。
3:4看哪、船隻雖然甚大、又被大風催逼、只用小小的舵、
3:5這樣、舌頭在百體裏也是最小的、卻能說大話。看哪、
3:6舌頭就是火、在我們百體中、舌頭是個罪惡的世界、
箴言
25:11一句話說得合宜、就如金蘋果在銀網子裏。
11:11城因正直人祝福便高舉．卻因邪惡人的口就傾覆。
12:13惡人嘴中的過錯、是自己的網羅．但義人必脫離患難。
12:14人因口所結的果子、必飽得美福．人手所作的、
18:20人口中所結的果子、必充滿肚腹．他嘴所出的、
18:21生死在舌頭的權下、喜愛他的、必吃他所結的果子。
彼得前書
3:8總而言之、你們都要同心、彼此體卹、相愛如弟兄、
3:9不以惡報惡、以辱罵還辱罵、倒要祝福．因你們是為此蒙召、
3:10因為經上說、『人若愛生命、願享美福、
3:11也要離惡行善．尋求和睦、一心追趕。
路加福音
1:37因為出於神的話、沒有一句不帶能力的。
馬可福音
11:22耶穌回答說、你們當信服神。
11:23我實在告訴你們、無論何人對這座山說、
11:24所以我告訴你們、凡你們禱告祈求的、無論是甚麼、
民數記
6:22耶和華曉諭摩西說、
6:23你告訴亞倫和他兒子說、你們要這樣為以色列人祝福、說、
6:24願耶和華賜福給你、保護你。
6:25願耶和華使他的臉光照你、賜恩給你。
6:26願耶和華向你仰臉、賜你平安。
6:27他們要如此奉我的名、為以色列人祝福．
歌林多後書
13:14願主耶穌基督的恩惠、神的慈愛、聖靈的感動、
Saturday, April 11, 2009
復活節的意義
復活是基督教信仰表白之一，相信耶穌基督從死裡復活，也相信自己要與基督一同復活。基督徒在每年的三、四月間，會記念耶穌基督的受難與復活，但每年的日子總 是不同，究竟這日期如何決定？復活節對基督徒的意義何在？該如何記念耶穌的受難與復活？這是每個基督徒應該知道的基本真理。
(哥林多前書 15:12-23)
既傳基督是從死裏復活了，怎麼在你們中間有人說沒有死人復活的事呢？若沒有死人復活的事，基督也就沒有復活了。若基督沒有復活，我們所傳的便是枉然，你們所 信的也是枉然；並且明顯我們是為神妄作見證的，因我們見證神是叫基督復活了。若死人真不復活，神也就沒有叫基督復活了。因為死人若不復活，基督也就沒有復 活了。基督若沒有復活，你們的信便是徒然，你們仍在罪裏。就是在基督裏睡了的人也滅亡了。我們若靠基督，只在今生有指望，就算比眾人更可憐。但基督已經從 死裏復活，成為睡了之人初熟的果子。死既是因一人而來，死人復活也是因一人而來。在亞當裏眾人都死了；照樣，在基督裏眾人也都要復活。但各人是按疬自己的 次序復活：初熟的果子是基督；以後，在他來的時候，是那些屬基督的。
1. 復活節是在哪一天？耶穌在這一天復活，有什麼特別的意義？
＊ 從受難到復活：耶穌基督的受難到復活，都應驗舊約的預言和節期的預表。【註：舊約曆法採用陰曆】
a. 逾越節1月14日【星期五】：祂是逾越節的羔羊(林前5:7)，在逾越節被釘死在十字架(約18:39)。
b. 無酵節1月15日【星期六】：安息日耶穌身體被放在墓中(路23:50-56)，身體卻不朽壞(徒2:31)。
c. 初熟節1月16日【星期日】：七日的頭一日，耶穌復活(路24:1-7)，這天也稱安息日的次日，是祭司獻初熟禾捆為祭的日子，故稱「初熟節」。因此，「復活節」就是舊約的「初熟節」。
＊ 復活節的定義：由於「復活節」就是「初熟節」，而初熟節又是逾越節過後安息日的次日【星期日】，因此，教會公認復活節為每年春分【陽曆3月21日】後，月圓【陰曆15日】過後的第一個星期日。如果月圓那天剛好是星期日，就必須延遲一個星期。理論上，復活節在3月22日到4月25日之間。
＊ 受難節與復活節：基督在星期日復活，復活節前的星期五則稱為「基督受難日」。
□ (西2:16-17) 所以，不拘在飲食上，或節期、或月朔、安息日都不可讓人論斷你們。這些原是後事的影兒；那形體卻是基督。
□ (利23:5-11) 正 月十四日，黃昏的時候，是耶和華的逾越節。這月十五日是向耶和華守的無酵節；你們要吃無酵餅七日。第一日當有聖會，甚麼勞碌的工都不可做；…耶和華對摩西 說：「你曉諭以色列人說：你們到了我賜給你們的地，收割莊稼的時候，要將初熟的莊稼一捆帶給祭司。他要把這一捆在耶和華面前搖一搖，使你們得蒙悅納。祭司 要在安息日的次日把這捆搖一搖。」
2. 何謂初熟的果子？為什麼耶穌復活，成了睡了之人初熟的果子？
初熟的果子是作物中最早熟的，不能自己享受，必須分別為聖獻給神(申26:1-11)，神就應麻袟茠漲泵芋C對基督徒而言，死像是睡覺，都要醒來【復活】。基督從死裡復活，使凡在祂裡面的也要與祂一同復活。
□ (約12:23-24) 耶穌說：「人子得榮耀的時候到了。我實實在在地告訴你們，一粒麥子不落在地裏死了，仍舊是一粒，若是死了，就結出釵h子粒來。」
□ (帖前4:13-14) 論到睡了的人，我們不願意弟兄們不知道，恐怕你們憂傷，像那些沒有指望的人一樣。我們若信耶穌死而復活了，那已經在耶穌裏睡了的人，神也必將他與耶穌一同帶來。
□ (西1:18) 他也是教會全體之首。他是元始，是從死裏首先復生的，使他可以在凡事上居首位。
□ (來2:9-10) 惟獨見那成為比天使小一點的耶穌，因為受死的苦，就得了尊貴榮耀為冠冕，叫他因疬神的恩，為人人嘗了死味。原來那為萬物所屬為萬物所本的，要領釵h的兒子進榮耀裏去。
3. 為什麼基督徒也和耶穌基督一樣，被稱為初熟的果子？
舊約以色列人要獻兩次初熟之物，第一次是動手割大麥時【初熟節】，要將一禾捆初熟的大麥獻給神；另一次是從初熟節那天算起，到了第五十天【五旬節】，要獻細麵〔小麥〕烤的餅當作初熟之物獻給神。五旬節門徒被聖靈充滿(徒2:1-4)，活出基督的生命，也像祂一樣成為初熟之物，生命完全獻給神。
□ (利23:15-17) 你們要從安息日的次日，獻禾捆為搖祭的那日【初熟節】算起，要滿了七個安息日。到第七個安息日的次日，共計五十天，又要將新素祭獻給耶和華。要從你們的住處取出細麵伊法十分之二，加酵，烤成兩個搖祭的餅，當作初熟之物獻給耶和華。
□ (羅8:22-23) 我們知道一切受造之物一同歎息、勞苦，直到如今。不但如此，就是我們這有聖靈初結果子的，也是自己心裏歎息，等候得疬兒子的名分，乃是我們的身體得贖。
□ (雅1:18) 他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我們，叫我們在他所造的萬物中好像初熟的果子。
□ (啟14:3-4) 他們在寶座前，並在四活物和眾長老前唱歌，彷彿是新歌…這些人未曾沾染婦女，他們原是童身。羔羊無論往哪裏去，他們都跟隨他。他們是從人間買來的，作初熟的果子歸與神和羔羊。
4. 我們如何才能得著基督復活的生命？
A. 與基督同死、同葬、同活：人所種的，若不死就不能生(林前15:36)；與基督同死，才能與祂同復活。
B. 靠聖靈得生，靠聖靈行事：凡受洗歸入基督，就得著聖靈為印記，得以進入神國，為神結出果子。
□ (羅6:3-5) 豈不知我們這受洗歸入基督耶穌的人是受洗歸入他的死嗎？所以，我們藉疬洗禮歸入死，和他一同埋葬，原是叫我們一舉一動有新生的樣式，像基督藉疬父的榮耀從死裏復活一樣。我們若在他死的形狀上與他聯合，也要在他復活的形狀上與他聯合。
□ (羅7:4-6) … 你們藉疬基督的身體，在律法上也是死了，叫你們歸於別人，就是歸於那從死裏復活的，叫我們結果子給神。因為我們屬肉體的時候，那因律法而生的惡慾就在我們 肢體中發動，以致結成死亡的果子。但我們既然在捆我們的律法上死了，現今就脫離了律法，叫我們服事主，要按疬心靈〔或譯聖靈〕的新樣，不按疬儀文的舊樣。
5. 對基督徒而言，與基督一同復活是現在還是將來？
基督徒相信末後將有審判，每個人都要復活，接受審判。同時也相信現在就能經歷復活的生命，藉著信，靠著聖靈，使我們與基督同死，也與祂一同復活，現在活著的不再是我，而是基督在我裡面活著。
□ (約5:25-29) 我實實在在的告訴你們，時候將到，現在就是了，死人要聽見神兒子的聲音，聽見的人就要活了。…凡在墳墓裏的，都要聽見他的聲音，就出來：行善的，復活得生；作惡的，復活定罪。
□ (羅8:-11) 然而，叫耶穌從死裏復活者的靈若住在你們心裏，那叫基督耶穌從死裏復活的，也必藉疬住在你們心裏的聖靈，使你們必死的身體又活過來。
□ (弗2:4-6) 然而，神既有豐富的憐憫，因他愛我們的大愛，當我們死在過犯中的時候，便叫我們與基督一同活過來。你們得救是本乎恩。他又叫我們與基督耶穌一同復活，一同坐在天上。
【結論】
耶穌基督從受難埋葬，到復活升天，彰顯神的榮耀，為我們作了榜樣。基督徒蒙召也如此，叫我們捨己來跟從祂；靠基督十字架的救贖成為新造的人，並且順從聖靈，治死肉體，生命多結果子，使神得榮耀(約15:8)。沒有基督的死，就沒有基督的復活；當我們有了基督復活的生命，黑暗權勢就不能轄制我們，使我們在今生得以完全，並且在審判的日子坦然無懼；因為祂如何，我們在這世上也如何(約一4:17)。
【分享與應用】
1. 如何向世人見證耶穌基督從死裡復活，將來我也要與祂一同復活？
2. 個人受洗之後，是否有「與基督同死」，也與「基督一同復活」的經歷？請分享。
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Trust His Power
Isaiah 65:24他們尚未求告、我就應允．正說話的時候、我就垂聽。
Isaiah 26:3堅心倚賴你的、你必保守他十分平安、因為他倚靠你。
26:4你們當倚靠耶和華直到永遠．因為耶和華是永久的磐石。
Isaiah 12:2看哪、 神是我的拯救．我要倚靠他、並不懼怕．因為主耶和華是我的力、量、是我的詩歌．他也成了我的拯救。
Psalm 118:5我在急難中求告耶和華、他就應允我、把我安置在寬闊之地。
118:6有耶和華幫助我．我必不懼怕．人能把我怎麼樣呢。
118:7在那幫助我的人中、有耶和華幫助我．所以我要看見那恨我的人遭報。
Psalm 71:1耶和華阿、我投靠你．求你叫我永不羞愧。
71:2求你憑你的公義搭救我、救拔我、側耳聽我、拯救我。
71:3求你作我常住的磐石．你已經命定要救我．因為你是我的巖石、我的山寨。
71:4我的 神阿、求你救我脫離惡人的手、脫離不義和殘暴之人的手。
71:5主耶和華阿、你是我所盼望的．從我年幼你是我所倚靠的。
71:6我從出母胎被你扶持．使我出母腹的是你．我必常常讚美你。
71:7許多人以我為怪．但你是我堅固的避難所。
71:8你的讚美、你的榮耀、終日必滿了我的口。
2 Corinthians 1:9自己心裏也斷定是必死的、叫我們不靠自己、只靠叫死人復活的 神．
1:10他曾救我們脫離那極大的死亡、現在仍要救我們、並且我們指望他將來還要救我們。
Psalm 112:7他必不怕凶惡的信息．他心堅定、倚靠耶和華。
112:8他心確定、總不懼怕、直到他看見敵人遭報。
Psalm 37:39但義人得救、是由於耶和華．他在患難時作他們的營寨。
37:40耶和華幫助他們、解救他們．他解救他們脫離惡人、把他們救出來、因為他們投靠他。
Isaiah 26:3堅心倚賴你的、你必保守他十分平安、因為他倚靠你。
26:4你們當倚靠耶和華直到永遠．因為耶和華是永久的磐石。
Isaiah 12:2看哪、 神是我的拯救．我要倚靠他、並不懼怕．因為主耶和華是我的力、量、是我的詩歌．他也成了我的拯救。
Psalm 118:5我在急難中求告耶和華、他就應允我、把我安置在寬闊之地。
118:6有耶和華幫助我．我必不懼怕．人能把我怎麼樣呢。
118:7在那幫助我的人中、有耶和華幫助我．所以我要看見那恨我的人遭報。
Psalm 71:1耶和華阿、我投靠你．求你叫我永不羞愧。
71:2求你憑你的公義搭救我、救拔我、側耳聽我、拯救我。
71:3求你作我常住的磐石．你已經命定要救我．因為你是我的巖石、我的山寨。
71:4我的 神阿、求你救我脫離惡人的手、脫離不義和殘暴之人的手。
71:5主耶和華阿、你是我所盼望的．從我年幼你是我所倚靠的。
71:6我從出母胎被你扶持．使我出母腹的是你．我必常常讚美你。
71:7許多人以我為怪．但你是我堅固的避難所。
71:8你的讚美、你的榮耀、終日必滿了我的口。
2 Corinthians 1:9自己心裏也斷定是必死的、叫我們不靠自己、只靠叫死人復活的 神．
1:10他曾救我們脫離那極大的死亡、現在仍要救我們、並且我們指望他將來還要救我們。
Psalm 112:7他必不怕凶惡的信息．他心堅定、倚靠耶和華。
112:8他心確定、總不懼怕、直到他看見敵人遭報。
Psalm 37:39但義人得救、是由於耶和華．他在患難時作他們的營寨。
37:40耶和華幫助他們、解救他們．他解救他們脫離惡人、把他們救出來、因為他們投靠他。
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Praise His Might
Psalm149:1你們要讚美耶和華、向耶和華唱新歌、在聖民的會中讚美他。
Psalm 106:1你們要讚美耶和華．要稱謝耶和華、因他本為善．他的慈愛永遠長存。
106:2誰能傳說耶和華的大能、誰能表明他一切的美德。
Psalm 113:1你們要讚美耶和華。耶和華的僕人哪、你們要讚美、讚美耶和華的名。
113:2耶和華的名、是應當稱頌的、從今時直到永遠。
113:3從日出之地、到日落之處、耶和華的名是應當讚美的。
Psalm 69:30我要以詩歌讚美 神的名、以感謝稱他為大。
Psalm 57:7 神阿、我心堅定、我心堅定．我要唱詩、我要歌頌。
57:8我的靈阿、〔原文作榮耀〕你當醒起、琴瑟阿、你們當醒起．我自己要極早醒起。
57:9主阿、我要在萬民中稱謝你、在列邦中歌頌你。
Psalm 146:1你們要讚美耶和華。我的心哪、你要讚美耶和華。
146:2我一生要讚美耶和華．我還活的時候、要歌頌我的 神。
Psalm 48:1〔可拉後裔的詩歌。〕耶和華本為大、在我們 神的城中、在他的聖山上、該受大讚美。
James 1:17各樣美善的恩賜、和各樣全備的賞賜、都是從上頭來的．從眾光之父那裏降下來的．在他並沒有改變、也沒有轉動的影兒。
Psalm 63:3因你的慈愛比生命更好、我的嘴唇要頌讚你。
63:4我還活的時候要這樣稱頌你．我要奉你的名舉手。
63:5我在床上記念你、在夜更的時候思想你、我的心就像飽足了骨髓肥油．我也要以歡樂的嘴唇讚美你。
Psalm 106:1你們要讚美耶和華．要稱謝耶和華、因他本為善．他的慈愛永遠長存。
106:2誰能傳說耶和華的大能、誰能表明他一切的美德。
Psalm 113:1你們要讚美耶和華。耶和華的僕人哪、你們要讚美、讚美耶和華的名。
113:2耶和華的名、是應當稱頌的、從今時直到永遠。
113:3從日出之地、到日落之處、耶和華的名是應當讚美的。
Psalm 69:30我要以詩歌讚美 神的名、以感謝稱他為大。
Psalm 57:7 神阿、我心堅定、我心堅定．我要唱詩、我要歌頌。
57:8我的靈阿、〔原文作榮耀〕你當醒起、琴瑟阿、你們當醒起．我自己要極早醒起。
57:9主阿、我要在萬民中稱謝你、在列邦中歌頌你。
Psalm 146:1你們要讚美耶和華。我的心哪、你要讚美耶和華。
146:2我一生要讚美耶和華．我還活的時候、要歌頌我的 神。
Psalm 48:1〔可拉後裔的詩歌。〕耶和華本為大、在我們 神的城中、在他的聖山上、該受大讚美。
James 1:17各樣美善的恩賜、和各樣全備的賞賜、都是從上頭來的．從眾光之父那裏降下來的．在他並沒有改變、也沒有轉動的影兒。
Psalm 63:3因你的慈愛比生命更好、我的嘴唇要頌讚你。
63:4我還活的時候要這樣稱頌你．我要奉你的名舉手。
63:5我在床上記念你、在夜更的時候思想你、我的心就像飽足了骨髓肥油．我也要以歡樂的嘴唇讚美你。
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Listen to Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:11除了在人裏頭的靈、誰知道人的事．像這樣、除了 神的靈、也沒有人知道 神的事。
2:12我們所領受的、並不是世上的靈、乃是從 神來的靈、叫我們能知道 神開恩賜給我們的事。
2:13並且我們講說這些事、不是用人智慧所指教的言語、乃是用聖靈所指教的言語、將屬靈的話、解釋屬靈的事。〔或作將屬靈的事講與屬靈的人〕
Luke 12:12因為正在那時候、聖靈要指教你們當說的話。
Ephesians 4:15惟用愛心說誠實話、凡事長進、連於元首基督．
4:16全身都靠他聯絡得合式、百節各按各職、照著各體的功用、彼此相助、便叫身體漸漸增長、在愛中建立自己。
4:30不要叫 神的聖靈擔憂．你們原是受了他的印記、等候得贖的日子來到。
Jude 1:20親愛的弟兄阿、你們卻要在至聖的真道上造就自己、在聖靈裏禱告、
1:21保守自己常在 神的愛中、仰望我們主耶穌基督的憐憫、直到永生。
2:12我們所領受的、並不是世上的靈、乃是從 神來的靈、叫我們能知道 神開恩賜給我們的事。
2:13並且我們講說這些事、不是用人智慧所指教的言語、乃是用聖靈所指教的言語、將屬靈的話、解釋屬靈的事。〔或作將屬靈的事講與屬靈的人〕
Luke 12:12因為正在那時候、聖靈要指教你們當說的話。
Ephesians 4:15惟用愛心說誠實話、凡事長進、連於元首基督．
4:16全身都靠他聯絡得合式、百節各按各職、照著各體的功用、彼此相助、便叫身體漸漸增長、在愛中建立自己。
4:30不要叫 神的聖靈擔憂．你們原是受了他的印記、等候得贖的日子來到。
Jude 1:20親愛的弟兄阿、你們卻要在至聖的真道上造就自己、在聖靈裏禱告、
1:21保守自己常在 神的愛中、仰望我們主耶穌基督的憐憫、直到永生。
John 16:7然而我將真情告訴你們．我去是與你們有益的．我若不去、保惠師就不到你們這裏來．我若去、就差他來。
16:8他既來了、就要叫世人為罪、為義、為審判、自己責備自己．
16:9為罪、是因他們不信我．
16:10為義、是因我往父那裏去、你們就不再見我．
16:11為審判、是因這世界的王受了審判。
16:12我還有好些事要告訴你們、但你們現在擔當不了。〔或作不能領會〕
2 Peter 1:20第一要緊的、該知道經上所有的預言、沒有可隨私意解說的．
1:21因為預言從來沒有出於人意的、乃是人被聖靈感動說出 神的話來。
Roman 8:11然而叫耶穌從死裏復活者的靈、若住在你們心裏、那叫基督耶穌從死裏復活的、也必藉著住在你們心裏的聖靈、使你們必死的身體又活過來。
8:16聖靈與我們的心同證我們是 神的兒女．
8:17既是兒女、便是後嗣、就是 神的後嗣、和基督同作後嗣．如果我們和他一同受苦、也必和他一同得榮耀。
8:26況且我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助、我們本不曉得當怎樣禱告、只是聖靈親自用說不出來的歎息、替我們禱告。
8:27鑒察人心的、曉得聖靈的意思．因為聖靈照著 神的旨意替聖徒祈求。
John 14:26但保惠師、就是父因我的名所要差來的聖靈、他要將一切的事、指教你們、並且要叫你們想起我對你們所說的一切話。
Acts 1:4耶穌和他們聚集的時候、囑咐他們說、不要離開耶路撒冷、要等候父所應許的、就是你們聽見我說過的。
1:5約翰是用水施洗．但不多幾日、你們要受聖靈的洗。
1:7耶穌對他們說、父憑著自己的權柄、所定的時候日期、不是你們可以知道的。
1:8但聖靈降臨在你們身上、你們就必得著能力．並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地、和撒瑪利亞、直到地極、作我的見證。
16:8他既來了、就要叫世人為罪、為義、為審判、自己責備自己．
16:9為罪、是因他們不信我．
16:10為義、是因我往父那裏去、你們就不再見我．
16:11為審判、是因這世界的王受了審判。
16:12我還有好些事要告訴你們、但你們現在擔當不了。〔或作不能領會〕
2 Peter 1:20第一要緊的、該知道經上所有的預言、沒有可隨私意解說的．
1:21因為預言從來沒有出於人意的、乃是人被聖靈感動說出 神的話來。
Roman 8:11然而叫耶穌從死裏復活者的靈、若住在你們心裏、那叫基督耶穌從死裏復活的、也必藉著住在你們心裏的聖靈、使你們必死的身體又活過來。
8:16聖靈與我們的心同證我們是 神的兒女．
8:17既是兒女、便是後嗣、就是 神的後嗣、和基督同作後嗣．如果我們和他一同受苦、也必和他一同得榮耀。
8:26況且我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助、我們本不曉得當怎樣禱告、只是聖靈親自用說不出來的歎息、替我們禱告。
8:27鑒察人心的、曉得聖靈的意思．因為聖靈照著 神的旨意替聖徒祈求。
John 14:26但保惠師、就是父因我的名所要差來的聖靈、他要將一切的事、指教你們、並且要叫你們想起我對你們所說的一切話。
Acts 1:4耶穌和他們聚集的時候、囑咐他們說、不要離開耶路撒冷、要等候父所應許的、就是你們聽見我說過的。
1:5約翰是用水施洗．但不多幾日、你們要受聖靈的洗。
1:7耶穌對他們說、父憑著自己的權柄、所定的時候日期、不是你們可以知道的。
1:8但聖靈降臨在你們身上、你們就必得著能力．並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地、和撒瑪利亞、直到地極、作我的見證。
2 Corinthians 3:5並不是我們憑自己能承擔甚麼事、我們所能承擔的、乃是出於 神．
3:6他叫我們能承當這新約的執事．不是憑著字句、乃是憑著精意．因為那字句是叫人死、精意是叫人活。〔精意或作聖靈〕
3:17主就是那靈、主的靈在那裏、那裏就得以自由。
3:18我們眾人既然敞著臉、得以看見主的榮光、好像從鏡子裏返照、就變成主的形狀、榮上加榮、如同從主的靈變成的。
3:6他叫我們能承當這新約的執事．不是憑著字句、乃是憑著精意．因為那字句是叫人死、精意是叫人活。〔精意或作聖靈〕
3:17主就是那靈、主的靈在那裏、那裏就得以自由。
3:18我們眾人既然敞著臉、得以看見主的榮光、好像從鏡子裏返照、就變成主的形狀、榮上加榮、如同從主的靈變成的。
Monday, February 16, 2009
Come to Him in Prayer
Hebrew 4:16所以我們只管坦然無懼的、來到施恩的寶座前、為要得憐恤、蒙恩惠作隨時的幫助。
Psalms 55:17我要晚上、早晨、晌午、哀聲悲歎．他也必聽我的聲音。
Psalms 86:6耶和華阿、求你留心聽我的禱告、垂聽我懇求的聲音。
86:7我在患難之日要求告你．因為你必應允我。
1 Peter 3:12因為主的眼看顧義人、主的耳聽他們的祈禱．惟有行惡的人、主向他們變臉。』
Luke 18:1耶穌設一個比喻、是要人常常禱告、不可灰心．
Matthew 6:5你們禱告的時候、不可像那假冒為善的人、愛站在會堂裏、和十字路口上禱告、故意叫人看見．我實在告訴你們、他們已經得了他們的賞賜。
6:6你禱告的時候、要進你的內屋、關上門、禱告你在暗中的父、你父在暗中察看、必然報答你。
Job 22:27你要禱告他、他就聽你．你也要還你的願。
22:28你定意要作何事、必然給你成就．亮光也必照耀你的路。
James 1:6只要憑著信心求、一點不疑惑．因為那疑惑的人、就像海中的波浪、被風吹動翻騰。
Psalms 55:17我要晚上、早晨、晌午、哀聲悲歎．他也必聽我的聲音。
Psalms 86:6耶和華阿、求你留心聽我的禱告、垂聽我懇求的聲音。
86:7我在患難之日要求告你．因為你必應允我。
1 Peter 3:12因為主的眼看顧義人、主的耳聽他們的祈禱．惟有行惡的人、主向他們變臉。』
Luke 18:1耶穌設一個比喻、是要人常常禱告、不可灰心．
Matthew 6:5你們禱告的時候、不可像那假冒為善的人、愛站在會堂裏、和十字路口上禱告、故意叫人看見．我實在告訴你們、他們已經得了他們的賞賜。
6:6你禱告的時候、要進你的內屋、關上門、禱告你在暗中的父、你父在暗中察看、必然報答你。
Job 22:27你要禱告他、他就聽你．你也要還你的願。
22:28你定意要作何事、必然給你成就．亮光也必照耀你的路。
James 1:6只要憑著信心求、一點不疑惑．因為那疑惑的人、就像海中的波浪、被風吹動翻騰。
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Obey Him
James 1:22只是你們要行道、不要單單聽道、自己欺哄自己．
Acts 5:29彼得和眾使徒回答說、順從 神、不順從人、是應當的。
Luke 6:47凡到我這裏來、聽見我的話就去行的、我要告訴你們他像甚麼人、
6:48他像一個人蓋房子、深深的挖地、把根基安在磐石上．到發大水的時候、水沖那房子、房子總不能搖動．因為根基立在磐石上。〔有古卷作因為蓋造得好〕
6:49惟有聽見不去行的、就像一個人在土地上蓋房子、沒有根基．水一沖、隨即倒塌了、並且那房子壞的很大。
Luke 16:10人在最小的事上忠心、在大事上也忠心．在最小的事上不義、在大事上也不義。
Hebrew 12:9再者、我們曾有生身的父管教我們、我們尚且敬重他、何況萬靈的父、我們豈不更當順服他得生麼。
12:10生身的父都是暫隨己意管教我們．惟有萬靈的父管教我們、是要我們得益處、使我們在他的聖潔上有分。
1 John 2:17這世界、和其上的情慾、都要過去．惟獨遵行 神旨意的、是永遠常存。
Hebrew 10:38只是義人必因信得生、〔義人有古卷作我的義人〕他若退後、我心裏就不喜歡他。』
Acts 5:29彼得和眾使徒回答說、順從 神、不順從人、是應當的。
Luke 6:47凡到我這裏來、聽見我的話就去行的、我要告訴你們他像甚麼人、
6:48他像一個人蓋房子、深深的挖地、把根基安在磐石上．到發大水的時候、水沖那房子、房子總不能搖動．因為根基立在磐石上。〔有古卷作因為蓋造得好〕
6:49惟有聽見不去行的、就像一個人在土地上蓋房子、沒有根基．水一沖、隨即倒塌了、並且那房子壞的很大。
Luke 16:10人在最小的事上忠心、在大事上也忠心．在最小的事上不義、在大事上也不義。
Hebrew 12:9再者、我們曾有生身的父管教我們、我們尚且敬重他、何況萬靈的父、我們豈不更當順服他得生麼。
12:10生身的父都是暫隨己意管教我們．惟有萬靈的父管教我們、是要我們得益處、使我們在他的聖潔上有分。
1 John 2:17這世界、和其上的情慾、都要過去．惟獨遵行 神旨意的、是永遠常存。
Hebrew 10:38只是義人必因信得生、〔義人有古卷作我的義人〕他若退後、我心裏就不喜歡他。』
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Worship Him
Psalms 29:1〔大衛的詩。〕 神的眾子阿、你們要將榮耀能力、歸給耶和華、歸給耶和華。
29:2 要將耶和華的名所當得的榮耀歸給他．以聖潔的妝飾〔的或作為〕敬拜耶和華。
Psalms 95:6來阿、我們要屈身敬拜、在造我們的耶和華面前跪下。
95:7 因為他是我們的 神．我們是他草場的羊、是他手下的民。惟願你們今天聽他的話。
Psalms 96:9當以聖潔的妝飾、〔的或作為〕敬拜耶和華．全地要在他面前戰抖。
John 4:23時候將到、如今就是了、那真正拜父的、要用心靈和誠實拜他、因為父要這樣的人拜他。
4:24 神是個靈．〔或無個字〕所以拜他的、必須用心靈和誠實拜他。
Jeremiah 29:12你們要呼求我、禱告我、我就應允你們。
29:13 你們尋求我、若專心尋求我、就必尋見。
29:2 要將耶和華的名所當得的榮耀歸給他．以聖潔的妝飾〔的或作為〕敬拜耶和華。
Psalms 95:6來阿、我們要屈身敬拜、在造我們的耶和華面前跪下。
95:7 因為他是我們的 神．我們是他草場的羊、是他手下的民。惟願你們今天聽他的話。
Psalms 96:9當以聖潔的妝飾、〔的或作為〕敬拜耶和華．全地要在他面前戰抖。
John 4:23時候將到、如今就是了、那真正拜父的、要用心靈和誠實拜他、因為父要這樣的人拜他。
4:24 神是個靈．〔或無個字〕所以拜他的、必須用心靈和誠實拜他。
Jeremiah 29:12你們要呼求我、禱告我、我就應允你們。
29:13 你們尋求我、若專心尋求我、就必尋見。
1 Chronicles 6:11要尋求耶和華與他的能力．時常尋求他的面。
16:12 他僕人以色列的後裔、他所揀選雅各的子孫哪、你們要記念他奇妙的作為、和他的奇事、並他口中的判語。
Psalms 119:2遵守他的法度、一心尋求他的、這人便為有福。
119:3這人不作非義的事．但遵行他的道。
119:4耶和華阿、你曾將你的訓詞吩咐我們、為要我們殷勤遵守。
119:5但願我行事堅定、得以遵守你的律例。
119:6我看重你的一切命令、就不至於羞愧。
119:7我學了你公義的判語、就要以正直的心稱謝你。
119:8我必守你的律例．求你總不要丟棄我。
119:9少年人用甚麼潔淨他的行為呢．是要遵行你的話。
119:10我一心尋求了你、求你不要叫我偏離你的命令。
Psalms 63:4我還活的時候要這樣稱頌你．我要奉你的名舉手。
63:5我在床上記念你、在夜更的時候思想你、我的心就像飽足了骨髓肥油．我也要以歡樂的嘴唇讚美你。
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