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第十章

¹⁹所以，弟兄們！我們憑著耶穌的血，可以坦然無懼地進入至聖所。²⁰這進入的路，是他給我們開闢的，是一條通過幔子、又新又活的路，這幔子就是他的身體。²¹我們既然有一位偉大的祭司治理神的家，²²我們良心的邪惡既然被灑淨，身體也用清水洗淨了，那麼，我們就應該懷著真誠的心和完備的信，進到神面前；²³又應該堅持我們所宣認的盼望，毫不動搖，因為那應許我們的是信實的。²⁴我們又應該彼此關心，激發愛心，勉勵行善。²⁵我們不可放棄聚會，好像有些人的習慣一樣；卻要互相勸勉。你們既然知道那日子臨近，就更應該這樣。

 

默想

1. 23節「堅持我們所宣認（承認）的盼望（指望）」，與6：19「這盼望」都提到信徒的盼望。究竟我「為甚麼懷有盼望」（彼前3:15）？基督徒在社會上多少都承受著一些壓力，覺得對身邊的人分享信仰並不容易。我上一次坦然地與人分享基督耶穌的信仰，是多久以前的事？我是否不敢開口跟人分享信仰？

1. 基督徒聚會及信徒相交，能叫我們彼此相顧，互相勸勉，激發愛心，勉勵行善。嘗試在小組中分享我對分享信仰的困難，請求組員為我禱告，以達肢體相顧勉勵的功用。
2. 今天個人獨處時，嘗試安靜心靈，求神加添力量，使我不論處於任何環境都能為主作見證。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

 

CHAPTER 10

¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Meditation

1. Both v23 and 6:19 mention the hope: “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (v23) and “this hope” (6:19).  What is “the reason for the hope” (1 Peter 3:15) that I have?  Many Christians feel the tension of being Christians in this secular society and find it difficult to share their faith with others.  When was the last time I felt free to express my faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that this gives me?
2. Christian fellowship and gatherings provide opportunities for believers to care for one another, encourage one another, etc.  This week, share in my cell meeting the difficulty I have in sharing my faith with others.  Ask the other members to pray for me and to encourage each other.
3. During my quiet time alone today take a moment to ask God for the strength to express my faith in all circumstances.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第九章

²³   照著天上樣式作的既然必須這樣去潔淨，天上物體的本身，就應該用更美的祭品去潔淨了。   ²⁴   因為基督不是進了人手所做的聖所（那不過是真聖所的表象），而是進到天上，現在替我們顯露在　神的面前。   ²⁵   他不必多次把自己獻上，好像大祭司每年帶著不是自己的血進入至聖所一樣。   ²⁶   如果這樣，他從創世以來，就必須受許多次的苦了。可是現在他在這世代的終結，只顯現一次，把自己作為祭品獻上，好除掉罪。   ²⁷   按著定命，人人都要死一次，死後還有審判。   ²⁸   照樣，基督為了擔當許多人的罪，也曾經一次把自己獻上；將來他還要再一次顯現，不是為擔當罪，而是要向那些熱切期待他的人成全救恩。

 

默想

1. 有個患腎病的人，需要靠洗腎機來維持生命，但是他還是怕見到這個機器。這個機器使他生存，但也提醒他所患的疾病。他並不自由，而是被機器綁住，要不斷的靠機器清洗他的血液。離開了機器，他的疾病就會拖倒他的身體與精神。
2. 這是希伯來書第九章描述舊約體系的情況（6-9節）。舊約不斷重復的獻祭，提醒百姓他們無法自救的情況。但是，基督一次獻祭就得了完全的勝利。基督的血已經洗凈我們一切的罪污，耶穌一次的獻祭，使我們得痊愈，且保證我們的得勝。我們就像瘸腿的，耶穌使我們跳躍跳舞；我們是瞎眼的，耶穌使我們看見；我們是耳聾的，耶穌使我們聽見。藉著耶穌一次的獻祭，我們得赦免，得痊愈，被召歡喜地面對人生，因為確知我們已經獲得勝利了。
3. 我願意讓基督一次的犧牲獻祭，釋放我，使我有信心且喜樂地生活？或是我要讓自己被過去的經歷拉回罪中？要記得，因為耶穌的緣故，我的過去對我不再有任何影響了。為此向神感謝。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

CHAPTER 9

²³It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. ²⁵Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

1. There was a kidney patient, whose dialysis machine kept him alive.  Yet he dreaded the process.  The kidney dialysis machine that kept him alive also reminded him of his illness.  He was not free, but bound to return to the machine to have his blood purified his again and again.  Away from it, his sickness quickly took hold on his body, and sapped all his strength.
2. That’s just what Hebrews 9 says about the Old Testament system (vv 6-9).  The repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament system reminded worshipers of their continuing desperate condition.  But, the one sacrifice of Christ reminds us of His total victory.  The blood of Christ has cleansed us from all sin!  By one sacrifice Jesus has made us well, and guaranteed victory!  We are the lame, called to leap and dance.  We are the blind, called to see.  We are the deaf who now hear.  By the once for all sacrifice of Jesus, we are forgiven, made well, and called to face life rejoicing in the assurance that the victory we need has already been won!
3. Do I let Christ’s one sacrifice free me to live confidently and joyously?  Do I let myself be dragged back into sin by the weight of my past?  Remember, because of Jesus, the past has no hold on me anymore.  Thank God for this.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第八章

⁸   可是神指責他們，說：「看哪，主說，日子要到了，我要與以色列家和猶大家訂立新約。   ⁹   這新約不像從前我拉他們祖先的手，領他們出埃及的日子與他們所立的約。因為他們沒有遵守我的約，我就不理會他們。這是主說的。   ¹⁰   主說：『因為在那些日子以後，我要與以色列家所立的約是這樣：我要把我的律法放在他們的心思裡面，寫在他們的心上。我要作他們的　神，他們要作我的子民。   ¹¹   他們各人必不用教導自己的鄰居，和自己的同胞，說：你要認識主。因為所有的人，從最小到最大的，都必認識我。   ¹²   我也要寬恕他們的不義，決不再記著他們的罪惡。』」   ¹³  神既然說到新的約，就是把前約當作舊的了；那變成陳舊衰老的，就快要消逝了。

 

默想

1. 廣告業老早就指出兩個強有勁的推銷詞：「新」，「免費」。這也是希伯來書作者在第八章要提出的。舊的律法體系「變成陳舊衰老，就快要消逝了」（13節）。神在基督裡與我們立的新約，要「寬恕他們的不義，決不再記著他們的罪惡」（12節）。因著耶穌所付的代價，神不再紀念我們的罪。舊的約將人無法達到的標準刻印在石板上，新的約將討神喜悅的意願刻印在我們的內心深處，並激勵我們遵行律法上的要求。
2. 「新」——那些嘗試了其他所有的方法，仍然不能成為自己希望成為的人，可以求靠耶穌，使他們罪得赦免、生命得到更新。並且是「免費」的——基督的救恩完全不需我們付任何代價！
3. 默想下面這段話：

我們應當做“大字體”的基督徒，這樣別人就不需要與我們相識很久，或透過放大鏡，才能察覺我們真是基督的門徒。我們生命的信息應該像那些大的廣告招牌，讓任何人路經過就可以看見。– F. B. Meyer

我的信徒身份是明顯的，還是隱藏的？禱告，求主使我的“信徒廣告牌”，越來越擴大，越來越明顯易見。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 8

⁸But God found fault with the and said:    “The time is coming, declares the Lord,   when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.    ⁹It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.  ¹⁰This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.  I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.   ¹¹No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.   ¹²For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” ¹³By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

MEDITATION

1. “New” and “Free” are two catchy words for any salesperson.  It also says here that the old system of Law didn’t work (vv 7, 9, 13) and was “obsolete and aging”.  The New Covenant provides total forgiveness for all our wicked acts (v 12).  Because Christ has paid the ransom, God no longer holds us accountable for our sins.  The Old Covenant engraved standards that men were unable to meet on tablets of stone.  The New Covenant engraves the desire to please God in our inmost being, and moves us to what Law demanded, but could not produce.
2. When it comes to faith, “new!” means for people who have tried everything else, and can turn to Jesus and find themselves forgiven and renewed.  And, it is “free”.  The salvation offered us in Christ, costs us nothing.
3. Meditate the following paragraph:  We ought to be Christians in large type, so that it would not be necessary for others to be long in our society, or to regard us through spectacles, in order to detect our true discipleship.  The message of our lives should resemble the big advertisements which can be read on the street by all who pass by.  – F. B. Meyer

How big is my “Disciple billboard”? Pray that the Lord will enlarge it to become more and more visible to those passing by.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

第七章

¹⁶ 他成了祭司，不是按著律法上肉身的條例，卻是按著不能毀壞的生命的大能。 ¹⁷ 因為有為他作證的說：「你永遠作祭司，是照著麥基洗德的體系。」 ¹⁸ 一方面，從前的條例因為軟弱，沒有用處，就廢棄了； ¹⁹ （因為律法從來沒有使甚麼得到完全，）另一方面，它卻帶來了更美的盼望，藉著這盼望，我們就可以親近神。

²²   耶穌既然是用誓言立的，就成了更美好的約的保證。 ²³   一方面，從前那些作祭司的，因為受死亡的限制，不能長久留任，所以人數眾多。 ²⁴   另一方面，因為耶穌是永遠長存的，就擁有他永不更改的祭司職位。 ²⁵   因此，那些靠著他進到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底；因為他長遠活著，為他們代求。 ²⁶   這樣的一位大祭司，對我們本是合適的。他是聖潔、沒有邪惡、沒有玷污、從罪人中分別出來、高過眾天的。 ²⁷   他不必像那些大祭司，天天先為自己的罪獻祭，然後為人民的罪獻祭；因為他獻上了自己，就把這事一次而永遠的成全了。 ²⁸   律法所立的大祭司，都是軟弱的人；可是在律法以後，用誓言所立的兒子，卻是成為完全直到永遠的。

 

思想

1.  「祭司」這個字拉丁文的意思是「築橋者」。在神與我們中間，有個無法跨越的鴻溝，耶穌成了我們的大祭司，就是為人築橋，使我們可以來到神面前。
2. 基督永遠為祭司對我們的意義，就是神向我們保證，藉著耶穌基督從死裡復活成為我們的大祭司，完成了神拯救的計劃，為我們「帶來了更美的盼望……我們就可以親近神。」（19節）；這表明耶穌不單拯救我們脫離罪的刑罰，祂並且每一天都在不斷拯救我們脫離罪惡對我們的思想與行為的陰險掌控，耶穌是我們罪得赦免與生命更新的源頭。  我們只要藉著信心，將自己和所有一切都交託給這位完全的大祭司，祂必能保全我們所交託祂的，直到那日（提後1：12）。
3. 想像一下，耶穌是我的「祭司——築橋者」的圖像是怎樣的？我在那裡？神在那裡？ 耶穌在那裡？有什麼感想？將心中的感受告訴耶穌。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 7

¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” ¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless ¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

²²Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.  ²³Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  ²⁶Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. ²⁸For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

MEDITATION

1. The word “priest” in Latin is pontifex, which means “bridge builder”.  There is an impassable gulf separating us from God.  Jesus Christ, being our High Priest, is the bridge builder from humans to God.
2. What does this permanent priesthood mean to us?  It is God’s promise to us that, through Jesus’ resurrection and His role as the High Priest, God’s plan for our salvation is complete and “a better hope is introduced, by which we are drawn near to God” (v19).  Note the phrase “save completely” (v25), which means that we are not only saved by Jesus from punishment for our sins, but also from sin’s insidious control of our thoughts and actions daily.  Jesus is the source of our forgiveness of sin and renewal of life.  All we need is to come to this perfect High priest in faith, and be “convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”(2Tim 1:12).
3.  Visualize the image of Jesus as my “priest – the bridge builder”.  Where do I see myself, God, and Jesus in that picture?  How does that make me feel?  Share this feeling and thought with Jesus.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第六章

¹³神應許亞伯拉罕的時候，因為沒有比自己更大的可以指著起誓，他就指著自己起誓，¹⁴說：“我必定賜福給你，必定使你的後裔繁多。”¹⁵這樣，亞伯拉罕耐心等待，終於獲得了所應許的。¹⁶因為人起誓都是指著比自己大的起誓。這誓言就了結了他們中間的一切糾紛，作為保證。¹⁷照樣，神定意向那些承受應許的人，更清楚地表明他的旨意是不更改的，就用起誓作保證。¹⁸這兩件事是不能更改的，因為神是決不說謊的。因此，我們這些逃進避難所的人，就大得安慰，抓緊那擺在我們面前的盼望。¹⁹我們有這盼望，就像靈魂的錨，又穩當又堅固，通過幔子直進到裡面。²⁰耶穌已經為我們作先鋒進入了幔子裡面；他是照著麥基洗德的體系，成了永遠的大祭司。

 

默想

1. 慢慢地出聲讀一遍這段經文。再讀一遍，留意經文對「應許」和「盼望」的強調。
2. 思想一下，我生命中是否充滿了盼望？若不是，盼望的相反就是沮喪、懷疑、憤世。這段經文怎樣說明盼望？
3. 再讀一遍這段經文。這些詞語當中：「保證、不更改、抓緊、盼望、又穩當又堅固」，是否有哪幾個詞句特別觸動我的？為什麼這個字或詞今天對我這麼特別？。
4. 今天，以一個極大期盼的態度——期待與信靠——來渡過，這就是在神國中，屬神的子女，每天的生活情況。

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

CHAPTER 6

¹³When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”¹⁵And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

¹⁶Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. ¹⁷Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION

1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and “hope”.
2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair, suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”, “unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy, anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks like.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第五章

¹¹ 論到這些事，我們有很多話要說，可是很難解釋；因為你們已經遲鈍了，聽不進去。 ¹² 到這個時候，你們應該已經作老師了；可是你們還需要有人再把神道理的初步教導你們。你們成了只能吃奶而不能吃乾糧的人！ ¹³ 凡是吃奶的，還是個嬰孩，對公義的道理沒有經歷； ¹⁴ 只有長大成人的，才能吃乾糧，他們的官能因為操練純熟，就能分辨是非了。

 

默想

1. 基督徒靈命若要成熟，就當不斷以神的話語作準繩來分辨是非善惡。不要以為擁有屬靈的知識就是成熟；能夠引述長篇經文，或作神學性的辯論都不是最重要的。信徒的成長乃表現在刻意以神的話語為原則，來作是非的分辨。「奶」與「乾糧」的區別，不在於個人認識基督教教義的膚淺或廣泛，而是在於我們怎樣處理神的話語。對那些聽了神的話卻不去遵行的，他們所知道的真理就是「奶」；但對其他聽了又去遵行神話語的，同樣的真理就成了喂飽他們的「乾糧」。
2. 從今天的經文中，我聽見神的話語嗎？有哪方面是我可以實際應用在生活中的？祈求聖靈賜我力量與勇氣，讓我可以確實地在今天或這星期中做出來？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

CHAPTER 5

¹¹We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. ¹²In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

MEDITATION

1. We become mature in our faith by constantly using the truth God has revealed to distinguish good from evil.  Don’t mistake possessing information for maturity.  The ability to quote long passages of Scripture or to argue theology is meaningless.  What brings believer to maturity is the conscious effort of distinguishing between good and evil on criteria established by God’s Word.  The difference between “milk” and “meat” is found in neither the depth nor breadth of our knowledge in Christian doctrine, but in the way we live out the Word of God.  For those who merely hear the Word but have no action, the truths they know are milk; whereas for those who not only hear but also act upon the Word of God, the same truths become solid and sustaining meat.
2. What is the one thing that I learn from God’s Word today that I can apply to my life?  How can I specifically apply it today or in this week?  Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower and remind me to truly do this one thing I’ve identified today.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

第四章

¹⁰ 因為那進入神安息的人，就歇了自己的工作，好像神歇了自己的工作一樣。 ¹¹ 所以，我們要竭力進入那安息，免得有人隨著那不順從的樣子就跌倒了。 ¹² 神的道是活的，是有效的，比一切兩刃的劍更鋒利，甚至可以刺入剖開靈與魂，關節與骨髓，並且能夠辨明心中的思想和意念。 ¹³ 被造的在神面前沒有一樣不是顯明的，萬有在他的眼前都是赤露敞開的；我們必須向他交帳。

 

默想

1. 我們大部分人都知道相信神話語的重要，但若我們真正誠實的話，我們必須承認有時候讀經只是例行公事，並非享受。想想看，究竟聖經對我有多重要？若我有一年的時間不能讀也不能聽到聖經的任何片段，我會很惦掛嗎？為什麼？「被造的在神面前沒有一樣不是顯明的」是什麼意思？我曾否在哪些方面經歷過「神的道是活的，是有效的，比一切兩刃的劍更鋒利」？
2. 感謝神所賜的話語，求神賜我更多熱愛及渴望神話語的心。容許神在前面的日子裡，藉著祂的話語使我「在他的眼前……赤露敞開」。
3. 將12-13節背起來，並經常用這兩節經文來禱告，求神使祂的話在我生命中越來越為重要。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

 

Chapter 4

¹⁰for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. ¹¹Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.  ¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

MEDITATION

1. Most of us believe that God’s word is important.  But if we are honest, reading the Bible sometimes feels like a chore – less than enjoyable.  Now, think about how important the Scripture is to me.  What if I were unable to read or hear anything from the Bible for a year?  Would I miss it?  Why or why not?  What does “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” mean to me?  In what ways have I experienced God’s Word to be precise and powerful, “sharper than any double-edged sword”?
2. Start praying by thanking God for the gift of His Word.  Ask Him to give me more passion and desire for it.  Give God permission to let His Word to make me “uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him” in the days and weeks ahead.
3. Memorize vv12-13 and use them as my prayer regularly as a way of asking God to make Scripture increasingly important in my life.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第三章

 

⁷ 所以，就像聖靈所說的：“如果你們今天聽從他的聲音， ⁸ 就不要硬著心，好像在曠野惹他發怒、試探他的日子一樣； ⁹ 在那裡，你們的祖先以試驗來試探我，觀看我的作為有四十年之久。 ¹⁰ 所以，我向那個世代的人發怒，說：‘他們心裡常常迷誤，不認識我的道路。’ ¹¹ 我就在烈怒中起誓，說：‘他們絕不可進入我的安息。’” ¹² 弟兄們，你們要小心，免得你們中間有人存著邪惡、不信的心，以致離棄了永活的神； ¹³ 趁著還有叫作“今天”的時候，總要天天互相勸勉，免得你們中間有人受了罪惡的誘惑，心裡就剛硬了。 ¹⁴ 如果我們把起初的信念堅持到底，就是有分於基督的人了。 ¹⁵ 經上說：“如果你們今天聽從他的聲音，就不要硬著心，像惹他發怒的時候一樣。” ¹⁶ 那時，聽了他的話而惹他發怒的是誰呢？不就是摩西從埃及領出來的那些人嗎？ ¹⁷ 四十年之久，神向誰發怒呢？不就是向那些犯了罪陳屍曠野的人嗎？ ¹⁸ 他又向誰起誓說，他們絕對不可以進入他的安息呢？不就是向那些不順從的人嗎？ ¹⁹ 這樣看來，他們不能進入安息，是因為不信的緣故。

 

思想

1. 這幾節經文是針對屬靈生命的兩大敵人，就是心硬（8節）與不信（12節）。昔日以色列人聽見神的話，卻硬著心，不信靠神，與神對抗的，因此不能享有安息與平安。
2. 今天我們也是一樣。任何人聽見並回應耶穌的信息，都能經歷內心完全的平安。只有當我們不願全然信靠神，且拒絕聽從神的時候，我們就無法得到內心的平安。
3. 安靜在神面前，思想我的現況：我是否已經得救卻仍痛苦？已經信主卻仍焦慮？已經悔改卻仍不得滿足？祈求聖靈幫助我看見內心深處，有沒有什麼地方我是硬著心，不願順服神的聲音？若有，求聖靈引導，賜我順服與信靠的心，來甘心聽從神。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

Chapter 3

⁷So, as the Holy Spirit says:    “Today, if you hear his voice, ⁸do not harden your hearts    as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, ⁹where your fathers tested and tried me  and for forty years saw what I did.  ¹⁰That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways. ¹¹So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

¹²See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ¹⁴We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. ¹⁵As has just been said:    “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

¹⁶Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? ¹⁷And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? ¹⁸And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? ¹⁹So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

MEDITATION

1. These verses warn against two enemies of the spiritual life: a hardened heart (v8) and unbelief(v12).  The Exodus generation heard God’s word through Moses.  However, they would not trust God and refused to obey Him.  As a result, they found neither rest nor peace.
2. This is the same with us today.  When we heard and responded to the message of Jesus, we are invited to experience a rest and complete inner peace.  However, if we are not willing to trust God completely and refuse to respond his God’s voice, then we will not experience this peace of God.
3. Quiet before the Lord and reflect: Am I saved yet miserable?  Do I believe God but still anxious?  Have I repented yet unresolved?  Could it be that I have hardened my heart, and am unwilling to obey God?  Ask for guidance and a willing spirit to trust and obey God.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

 

⁶但是有人在聖經上某一處證實說

“人算甚麼，你竟記念他？

世人算甚麼，你竟眷顧他？

⁷你使他比天使稍低微一點，

卻賜給他榮耀尊貴作冠冕，

   ⁸使萬物都服在他的腳下。

”既然萬有都服了他，就沒有剩下一樣不服他的了。但是現在我們還沒有看見萬有都服他。⁹不過，我們看見那位暫時成了比天使卑微的耶穌，因為受了死的痛苦，就得了榮耀尊貴作冠冕，好叫他因著神的恩典，為萬人嘗了死味。

¹⁰萬有因他而有、藉他而造的那位，為了要帶領許多兒子進入榮耀裡去，使救他們的元首藉著受苦而得到成全，本是合適的。

默想

1. 出聲讀出這段經文。
2. 再次慢慢地讀一遍經文，留意當中有哪些詞句觸動我的？反覆思想經文的主題與詞句。安靜一下，求神幫助我明白它們的意義，然後繼續思想這些字詞。為什麼我會被這些字詞觸動？這是否與我目前的生活狀況——感受、環境、抉擇——有關連？
3. 求主讓我能繼續不斷地被神的榮耀、神當受的尊崇，強烈地吸引。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 2

⁶But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
⁷You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
⁸ and put everything under his feet.”

In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. ⁹But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

¹⁰In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

 

Meditation

1. Read the passage aloud once.
2. Then read the passage again slowly.  What words or phrases capture my attention the most?  Pause for a moment and ask God to help me understand them and continue to meditate on them.  Why do I think those words or phrases fascinate me?  Are they related to what is going on in my life right now – feelings, circumstances, decisions, etc.?
3. Pray that I will be continually fascinated by God’s glory, honour and majesty.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第一章

 

¹神在古時候，曾經多次用種種方法，藉著先知向我們的祖先說話；²在這末後的日子，卻藉著他的兒子向我們說話。神已經立他作萬有的承受者，並且藉著他創造了宇宙（“宇宙”或譯：“諸世界”或“眾世代”）。³他是神榮耀的光輝，是神本質的真象，用自己帶有能力的話掌管萬有；他作成了潔淨罪惡的事，就坐在高天至尊者的右邊。⁴ 他所承受的名比天使的名更尊貴，所以他遠比天使崇高。

 

默想

1. 重讀幾遍這幾節經文，讓它在我心中回響，熟悉這些字句，嘗試背熟它。
2. 花些時間默想這段經文。若是可能，站在一面鏡子前面，看看自己的影像。想一想，這是多不可思議的事，耶穌來到世上，竟然是向世界反映神的形象！再想想，耶穌竟然統管著整個宇宙萬物，祂是維繫人類歷史的重要因素！我對耶穌的認識，與這裡的描述，有多少差距？
3. 再一次站在鏡子前面，看著鏡中的我，並求神賜我勇氣與指引；幫助我在世上，在每天生活中都能像鏡子一樣，反映耶穌的樣子。
4. 思想我今天當如何反映耶穌的形象，並且實際地去做出來。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

 

Hebrews (NIV)

Chapter 1

¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Meditation

1. Read these few verses a few times.  Become familiar with the words and try to memorize it.
2. Spend time meditating on the passage.  If possible, stand in front of a mirror and see my own reflection in the mirror.  How incredible it is that Jesus is to be like a mirror to reflect God’s image to the world!  Then consider the monumental act of holding everything together.   He is indeed the backbone of human history!  Is my knowledge of God different from what is described here?
3. Stand in front of the mirror and look at my own reflection again. And ask God for the courage and guidance to help me mirror Jesus to the world, reflecting him as I go about every day.
4. Consider how I might reflect Jesus today – and do it.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第一章

⁸   我在基督裡雖然可以放膽吩咐你作應作的事，   ⁹   然而像我這上了年紀的保羅，現在又是為基督耶穌被囚禁的，寧願憑著愛心請求你，   ¹⁰   就是為我在囚禁時所生的兒子歐尼西慕求你；   ¹¹   他從前對你沒有甚麼好處，但現在對你我都有好處。   ¹²   我現在打發他親自回到你那裡去；他是我所心愛的。   ¹³   我本來想把他留在我這裡，使他在我為福音被囚禁時，可以替你服事我。   ¹⁴   但還沒有得到你的同意，我就不願意這樣作，好叫你的善行不是出於勉強，而是出於甘心。   ¹⁵   也許他暫時離開你，正是為了使你永遠得著他，   ¹⁶   不再是奴僕，而是高過奴僕，是親愛的弟兄。對我固然是這樣，對你來說，不論按肉身或在主內的關係，更是這樣。   ¹⁷   所以，你要是把我看作同伴，就接納他好像接納我一樣。   ¹⁸   如果他使你受了損失，或欠你甚麼，都記在我的帳上。   ¹⁹   “我必償還”，這是我保羅親手寫的。用不著我說，甚至你的生命，你也是欠我的。   ²⁰   所以弟兄啊！讓我在主裡得到你的幫助，使我的心在基督裡得著暢快。   ²¹   我深信你會聽從，也知道你所作的必超過我所說的，因此才寫信給你。

 

默想：

1. 當我們信主後，我們與其他信徒成了弟兄姊妹。有沒有什麼基督徒，我很難接受他們為主裡的弟兄或姐妹？為什麼會這樣？花些時間來搜尋一下我的內心，究竟是因為他們的背景，族群，行為，文化或神學的差異，或是其他理由？我要怎樣改變才能接受這位為主裡的弟兄或姐妹？
2. 告訴神，我對於接受這些人的掙扎。感謝神，因祂接納我，並感謝祂，因祂看我和其他人都是祂的孩子。求神幫助我能用同樣的眼光來看其他人。
3. 這個星期，當我遇到與我不同的人時，求主提醒我，神是以“我的孩子”來看他們的——這也包括我在內。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

Philemon (NIV)

Chapter 1

⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.  ¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— ¹⁶no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.  ¹⁷So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

 

Meditation

1. Are there one or more Christians that I have a hard time accepting as brother or sister in Christ?  Why is it hard to think of this Christian this way?  Take time to explore my heart.  Is it the background, ethnicity, behavior, cultural or theological difference, or something else? What would need to change in me in order to accept this person as a Christian brother or sister?
2. Talk to God about this.  Tell Him about my struggle of accepting others.  Thank God that He accepts me and thank Him that He sees me and other believers as no less than His very own children.  Ask God to help me see others with the same eyes.
3. As I encounter people this week who are different from me, remind myself that God sees them with the label “my children” – and that means me too.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第三章

¹   你要提醒他們服從執政的和掌權的，聽從他們，隨時準備作各種善工。   ²   不可毀謗人，要與人無爭，謙恭有禮，向眾人表現充分溫柔的心。   ³   我們從前也是無知、不順服、受了迷惑、被各種私慾和逸樂所奴役，生活在惡毒和嫉妒之中，是可憎可惡的，並且互相仇視。   ⁴   然而，到了　神我們的救主顯明他的恩慈和憐愛的時候，   ⁵   他就救了我們，並不是由於我們所行的義，而是照著他的憐憫，藉著重生的洗和聖靈的更新。   ⁶   聖靈就是　神藉著我們的救主耶穌基督豐豐富富澆灌在我們身上的，   ⁷   使我們既然因著他的恩典得稱為義，就可以憑著永生的盼望成為後嗣。   ⁸   這話是可信的，我願你確實地強調這些事，使信　神的人常常留心作善工；這些都是美事，並且是對人有益的。   ⁹   你要遠避愚昧的辯論、家譜、紛爭和律法上的爭執，因為這都是虛妄無益的。   ¹⁰   分門結黨的人，警戒一兩次之後，就要和他絕交。   ¹¹   你知道這種人已經背道，常常犯罪，定了自己的罪。

 

默想：

1. 坊間流行減肥廣告的使用“前後照片”作效果宣傳 ，其實這“前後”對照的果效，對基督信仰比減肥計劃更適用，而且使用的方法也更可靠。基督在我們的生命中使我們改變，我們的生命也確實得到改變。救恩不僅是永生的事——讓我們得救可以上天堂。救恩乃是整個信仰群體的生活形態，不是個人與神的私事，而是夫妻之間，父母兒女之間，朋友之間，同事之間，牧者與會友之間的公開關係。
2. 再次慢慢地讀這段經文，用些時間來思想“前後照片” 的比喻。想想我信仰路途上“前後照片” 是怎樣的？照片上的差距很明顯嗎？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

Chapter 3

¹Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ²to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.  ³At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  ⁹But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

 

Meditation

1. The “before and after” snapshot is as applicable to Christian faith as to diet clinics.  In fact, the approach is much more reliable in faith than diet fads.  Christ in the life makes life different.  And makes us different too. Salvation is not merely a matter of eternity, of getting “saved” so we can get to heaven.  It’s a way of life for the community.  It isn’t a private matter between the soul and God but a very public matter between husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and co-workers, pastors and parishioners.
2. Slowly read through this passage again.  Take a moment to think of the metaphor of the “before and after” snapshot.  What is the “before and after” snapshot of my faith journey?  How obvious is the contrast shown?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第二章

¹¹   　神拯救萬人的恩典已經顯明出來了。   ¹²   這恩典訓練我們除去不敬虔的心，和屬世的私慾，在今生過著自律、公正、敬虔的生活，   ¹³   等候那有福的盼望，就是我們偉大的　神，救主耶穌基督榮耀的顯現。   ¹⁴   他為我們捨己，為的是要救贖我們脫離一切不法的事，並且潔淨我們作他自己的子民，熱心善工。

 

默想：

1. 保羅對提多所帶領的群羊有一連串的勸勉、批評和指責。現在他從福音的角度看，前幾節的警告應以信心的肯定來平衡。恩典是賜給眾人的，救恩卻有道德的成分：捨棄與訓練，放下舊我，才能擁抱基督裡的新我。
2. 向神禱告，求主引導我有下面一項的成長：

◊  捨棄“不敬虔的心，和屬世的私慾”

◊  穿上“自律、公正、敬虔的生活”

◊  相信“這個新生命現在就開始了”（在今生過著。。。12節）

◊  要“熱心善工”

◊  其他：_________________________________________

 

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 2 （NIV）

¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

 

Meditation

1. Paul has a rather long string of exhortations, judgments, and condemnations for the flock under Titus’ leadership.  But now he puts his rebuke in the context of the gospel.  The hard admonitions of the preceding verses ought to be balanced with this affirmation of faith.  Grace comes to all.  Yet salvation has an ethical component: renouncing and training, letting go of our old selves in order to embrace our new selves in Christ.
2. Ask God to guide me in one or all of these growth:

◊  turning my back on “ungodliness and worldly passions”

◊  taking on a “self-controlled, upright and godly” life

◊  believing that this new life is starting right now “in this present age”

◊  being “eager to do what is good”

◊  other: __________________________________________

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第一章

¹　神的僕人、耶穌基督的使徒保羅（這是為著　神選民的信心，和那合乎敬虔真理的知識；²這都是根據永生的盼望，這永生就是沒有謊言的　神在萬世以前所應許的。³到了適當的時候，　神就藉著福音的宣講，把他的道顯明出來。照著　神我們救主的命令，這宣講的使命交託了我），⁴寫信給提多，就是那在共同的信仰上作我真兒子的。願恩惠平安從父　神和我們的救主基督耶穌臨到你。

 

默想：

1. 保羅自覺自己位居一個榮耀的地位，是傳揚神永生應許的使徒。我傳福音時是否也有這樣榮耀的自覺？
2. 我是神的僕人嗎？我在從事這個榮耀的召命嗎？為什麼？我的生命要怎樣，才能在別人當中，以言說和行為來傳揚這信仰？用些時間，仔細且實際地思想這些問題，找出幾個可行的意見。
3. 禱告祈求神幫助我成為祂的僕人。然後，記得，我是以基督的僕人開始今天的一天。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 1 (NIV)

¹Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— ²a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, ³and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,  ⁴To Titus, my true son in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

 

Meditation:

1. Paul described his mission of proclaiming God’s promise of eternal life as a high calling.  Do I also share this understanding when I share the gospel?
2. Am I a servant of God? Am I engaged in this high calling?  Why or why not?  How can my life be promoting the faith among others by word and action?  Take time to consider these questions, being specific.
3. Ask Christ to help me be His servant.   Then, remember that I go into this day as a servant of Christ.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第四章

²   你們要恆切禱告，在禱告的時候存著感恩的心警醒；   ³   也要為我們禱告，求神為我們開傳道的門，宣講基督的奧祕（我就是為了這個緣故被捆鎖），   ⁴   使我照著我所應當說的，把這奧祕顯明出來。   ⁵   你們要把握時機，用智慧與外人來往。   ⁶   你們的話要常常溫和，好像是用鹽調和的，使你們知道應當怎樣回答各人。

 

默想：

1. 以生命來見證基督是很有效的見證方式，但是這並不足夠。福音是需要以話語來傳遞，並以生命來證實的；話語及生命兩者缺一不可。
2. 我在分享福音的事上，表現如何？我應當在話語或是生命方面，更加改善，以便更有效的傳揚福音？
3. 從5-6節中，我可以學習用什麼原則，來向未信的人接觸？
4. 祈求聖靈，在我所認識的人中，賜給我一、兩個熟悉的面孔，敦促我為他們的得救禱告，並找機會向他們傳福音。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 4

²Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

 

Meditation

1. Expressing Christ in my life is vital to an effective witness.  But it is not enough.  The gospel is a message delivered in words, and authenticated by life.  Both word and life must be shared.
2. How well am I doing in sharing the gospel?  Which do I need to improve (word or life) to become more effective in advancing the gospel?
3. From vv5-6, what principles do I want to build into my life as I relate to non-believers?
4. Pray and ask the Spirit to give me one or two faces of people in your life whom He wants me to pray for and share the gospel with.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第三章

¹   所以，你們既然與基督一同復活，就應當尋求天上的事，那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。   ²   你們要思念的，是天上的事，不是地上的事。   ³   因為你們已經死了，你們的生命與基督一同隱藏在神裡面。   ⁴   基督就是你們的生命，他顯現的時候，你們也要和他一同在榮耀裡顯現。   ⁵   所以要治死你們在地上的肢體，就如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪心，貪心就是拜偶像。。。。

¹²   所以，你們既然是神所揀選的，是聖潔、蒙愛的人，就要存憐憫的心腸、恩慈、謙卑、溫柔和忍耐。   ¹³   如果有人對別人有嫌隙，總要彼此寬容，互相饒恕；主怎樣饒恕了你們，你們也要照樣饒恕人。   ¹⁴   在這一切之上，還要有愛心，愛心是聯繫全德的。   ¹⁵   又要讓基督的平安在你們心裡作主；你們蒙召歸為一體，也是為了這個緣故。你們要有感謝的心。   ¹⁶   你們要讓基督的道豐豐富富地住在你們心裡，以各樣的智慧，彼此教導，互相勸戒，用詩章、聖詩、靈歌，懷著感恩的心歌頌神。   ¹⁷   凡你們所作的，無論是言語或行為，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。

 

默想：

1. 慢慢地讀這段經文，仔細的思考穿上新人過程中的幾個部分：

–          新生命是可能的 （3-4節）

–          除去舊生命（5節）

–          穿上新生命（12-14節）

–          穿上新生命所需的內心及行為的改變（15-17節）

2. 那個部分對我是特別需要的？重新回去讀那些經文，再看這個部分的哪個字詞特別觸動我？為什麼？這與其他部分有什麼關連？這又與“聯繫全德的愛心”有什麼關連？
3. 以個人化的經文來向神禱告，例：13節“如果我對別人有嫌隙，求主助我對那人寬容，並饒恕他；主怎樣饒恕了我，我也要照樣饒恕人他。”（可以將自己和對方的名字放進去來禱告。）

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

Chapter 3

¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  ⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ……

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let 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. ¹⁷And 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.

Meditation:

1. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of putting on the new life.

–          A new life is possible (vv3-4)

–          Get rid of the old life (v5)

–          Put on the new life (v12-14)

–          Inner thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life (vv15-17)

2. Which segment of this process speaks to me most right now?  Reread the verses that correspond to that segment.  What word or phrase in that segment speaks to me?  Why?  How does that idea relate to the other segments?  How does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect unit”?
3. Pray back to God the segment that speaks to me, personalizing it.  For example, based on v13, Please help me to bear with XX(someone’s name) and forgive XX for the grievances I have against XX.  Help me to forgive as the Lord forgave me.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第二章

⁸ 你們要謹慎，免得有人不照著基督，而照著人的傳統，和世俗的言論，藉著哲學和騙人的空談，把你們擄去。

¹⁶  所以不要讓人因著飲食、節期、月朔、安息日批評你們，¹⁷ 這些不過是將來的事的影子，那真體卻是屬於基督的。¹⁷這些不過是將來的事的影子，那真體卻是屬於基督的。¹⁸ 不要讓人奪去你們的獎賞，他們以故意謙卑，敬拜天使為樂；迷於自己所見過的；憑著肉體的意念，無故地自高自大；¹⁹ 不與頭緊密相連。其實全身都是藉著關節和筋絡從頭得著供應和聯繫，就照著　神所要求的，生長起來。²⁰ 你們若與基督一同死了，脫離了世俗的言論，為甚麼仍然好像活在世俗中一樣，²¹ 拘守那“不可摸、不可嘗、不可觸”的規條呢？²² （這一切東西，一經使用，就都朽壞了。）這些規條是照著人的命令和教訓而定的，²³在隨著己意敬拜，故作謙卑，和苦待己身等事上，似乎是智慧之言，其實只能叫人放縱肉體，再沒有任何價值。

 

默想：

1. 從8節開始，保羅就批判歌羅西的異端，不是照神在基督裡的啟示，而是根據「人的傳統」和「世俗的言論」所發展出來的一套哲學，是達不到生命豐盛的虛空妄言。
2. 在本段更清楚說明「世俗的言論」就是指舊約中的禮儀規條（16～17、20節）。當然這異端具多重面貌，但其基本精神，就是要靠守規條來得神喜悅，並以為藉此可以達到聖潔豐盛之境。
3. 這類異端的教導，有了根本的錯誤，自然發展出許多錯誤的表現：

   錯誤的敬拜：敬拜天使，按私意敬拜（18、23節）

   錯誤的成長之道：嚴守規條，苦待己身以求聖潔（20～23節）

   錯誤的標榜：沈迷靈異經驗，並以此為誇（18節）

   錯誤的持定：不持定基督，卻謹守舊約的律例規條（16、19節）

4. 在我自己的信仰生活中，或是我周圍的圈子中，是否察覺到有哪些錯誤的救恩教導？將它們逐一列出，帶到小組中討論，若仍有不明之處，盡快找牧者詢問。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

Chapter 2

⁸See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

¹⁶Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. ²⁰ Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ²¹ “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. ²³ Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Meditation:

1. In v8, Paul criticized the Colossian false teaching that is not based on God’s revelation in Christ but the “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world”.
2. In this passage, it was clear that the “elemental spiritual forces of this world” refer to the rituals and rules of the Old Testament (vv16-17,20).  The legalistic false teachers were probably advocating obedience to the Law of Moses for justification and sanctification.
3. From these basic mistakes, many wrong manifestations developed:

   self-imposed worship of angels, (vv18, 23); strict adhering to rules and self-denial (vv20-23); indulging in mystic experience it (v18); not focusing on Christ the head, but rule and rituals of the Old Testament (vv16,19)

4. Am I aware of any false teachings of Christ’s salvation in my own faith belief or my church or other churches?  List them down and bring for a discussion at the cell.  Bring it to the pastors if still not clear.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第一章

¹⁵   這愛子是那看不見的神的形象，是首先的，在一切被造的之上。   ¹⁶   因為天上地上的萬有：看得見的和看不見的，無論是坐王位的，或是作主的，或是執政的，或是掌權的，都是本著他造的；萬有都是藉著他，又是為著他而造的。   ¹⁷   他在萬有之先；萬有也一同靠著他而存在。   ¹⁸   他是身體的頭，這身體就是教會。他是元始，是死人中首先復生的，好讓他在凡事上居首位；   ¹⁹   因為神樂意使所有的豐盛都住在愛子裡面，   ²⁰   並且藉著他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，使萬有，無論是地上天上的，都藉著他與神和好了。

 

默想：

1. 站著開聲讀這段經文，以恭敬的姿勢表達我對神話語的尊敬和接納。
2. 這段經文是一首偉大的讚美詩，表達了基督信仰的核心真理。基督是萬有的主，超過世界上一切被造的，祂使神與一切被造物和好。我們的生活建造在其上，個人被塑造改變；藉著基督復和的工作，得以回到神面前，成為聖潔、無有瑕疵、無可指摘的人。基督的超越性表示祂是宇宙的全能統治者；道成肉身表明神的至大權能，藉著耶穌基督彰顯在世界上。基督的內住，意味神繼續透過我們，在這世界彰顯祂的能力。因為基督的內住，我們對將來有盼望；現今在世能過得勝的生活，將來必與基督同在榮耀中。
3. 重讀這段經文，讓自己沉浸在基督崇高的超越性中，思想在這偉大的宇宙主宰的心目中，竟然有我的位置，而且祂居然“內住”我心！“深哉！神豐富的智慧和知識。”（羅11：33）用這節經文作為對至高神由衷的感恩。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Colossians (NIV)

Chapter 1

¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 

Meditation

1. Stand up and read this passage aloud.  Stand prayerfully in a posture that communicates to God respect and receptivity to His word.
2. This great hymn of acclamation expresses the central truth of Christian faith.  Christ is Lord over all creation and is the reconciler between God and this creation.  Our lives are built upon it, shaped in every way by it, so that now through Christ’s reconciliation we may be given back to God as persons who are holy, blameless, and irreproachable.  Christ’s preeminence means that God is the all-powerful Ruler of heaven and earth.  The Incarnation means that God expresses His supreme power in this world of space and time in the person of Jesus.  “Christ in you” means that God still expresses His supreme power in this world – through us!  Because this Christ is in us, we do have hope for glorious things ahead.  We will triumph today and tomorrow will join Christ in glory!
3. Read this passage again.  Immerse myself in the supremacy of Christ and remember that I am in Him and He is in me!  Read this verse as a humble thanksgiving to the mighty God: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”(Rom 11:33)

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第四章

¹⁰ 我在主裡大大地喜樂，因為你們現在又再想起我來；其實你們一向都在想念我，只是沒有機會表示。 ¹¹ 我並不是因為缺乏才這樣說：我已經學會了，無論在甚麼情況之下都可以知足。 ¹² 我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處富裕；我已經得了祕訣，無論在任何情況之下，或是飽足，或是飢餓，或是富裕，或是缺乏，都可以知足。 ¹³ 我靠著那加給我能力的，凡事都能作。 ¹⁴ 然而，你們一同分擔了我的患難，實在是好的。

 

默想：

1．  一個屬靈生命成熟的信徒，他會學習無論在怎樣的經濟景況下，都能安之若素。保羅就是如此；他感謝腓立比信徒對他經濟的資助，同時他也和他們分享他的心態——他雖然對他們很感激們的慷慨，但也希望教會眾人知道，他即使身陷獄中，因為在基督裡，他可以滿足於任何的生活環境中。

2．  傅士德為“簡樸”作了這樣的定義：“從內在的真實光景，流露出來的外在生活方式”。對保羅來說，內在的真實光景是什麼呢？我的生活中有類似的經驗嗎？怎樣可以更加進步？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 4

¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for.   I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  ¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

 

Meditation:

1. One of the lessons of spiritual maturity is the secret of living well whatever our financial means.  Paul shares this lesson as he thanks the Philippians for their financial support.  Although he is grateful for their generosity, Paul wants the church to know that in Christ he can be satisfied with any standard of living, even in prison.
2. In defining simplicity, Richard Foster writes that it is “an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle” (Celebration of Discipline).  According to Paul, what is the inward reality?  How close am I to experiencing this in my life?  What can I do to encourage it?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

第三章

⁷ 然而以前對我有益的，現在因著基督的緣故，我都當作是有損的。 ⁸ 不但這樣，我也把萬事當作是有損的，因為我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。為了他，我把萬事都拋棄了，看作廢物，為了要得著基督。 ⁹ 並且得以在他裡面，不是有自己因律法而得的義，而是有因信基督而得的義，就是基於信心，從神而來的義， ¹⁰ 使我認識基督和他復活的大能，並且在他所受的苦上有分，受他所受的死； ¹¹ 這樣，我也許可以從死人中復活。

 

默想：

1．  保羅本有傲人的資歷，他的家世、教育、和宗教熱忱，本可使他穩守高位，前途無量。但保羅在與基督相遇時，徹底改變了；他傲人的履歷在主面前毫無用處，所有他以前認為有益的，如今都當作有損了；唯一要緊的，就是他與基督的關係。我們因遇見基督，也必須將一些東西看作是有損的（財產、資歷、和態度等等）。靈命的塑造過程，就是一路上學習認清並捨棄這樣的東西，如此，我們才能專心尋求得著基督。

2．  在我心目中，生命裡，有什麼東西是我引以為傲、甚為珍惜，但卻成為我走天路歷程上毫無價值，反而成為“重擔” 和“纏累的罪”（來12：1）？我當怎樣改變觀點，而將認識我主為至寶，而其他每件事都看為次等？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 3

⁷But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

 

Meditation:

1. Paul had credentials.  His family heritage, training, and zeal would have secured him a prominent place in the society.  But Paul’s encounter with Christ radically changed his values.  When Paul stood face to face with the risen Christ, his resume did nothing for him.  And all that Paul had once considered assets he now counted as losses.  What mattered now was relationship with Christ.  Spiritual formation is learning to recognize and abandon those things that must be counted as losses in light of our encounter with Christ (possessions, credentials, attitudes, etc.), so that we might focus on the “gain” of relationship with Christ.
2. What are the things that I count “gain” but actually are “loss” and may become “the weight and the sin that clings so closely” (Heb 12:1) for my heavenward journey?  How can I change my perspective and consider everything as secondary to knowing Jesus as my Lord?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

第二章

1 所以，你們在基督裡若有甚麼勸勉，有甚麼愛心的安慰，有甚麼靈裡的契通，有甚麼慈悲和憐憫， 2 就應當有同樣的思想，同樣的愛心，要心志相同，思想一致，使我充滿喜樂。 3 不要自私自利，也不要貪圖虛榮，只要謙卑，看別人比自己強； 4 各人不要單顧自己的事，也要顧別人的事。 5 你們應當有這樣的意念，這也是基督耶穌的意念。（全節或譯：“你們當以基督耶穌的心為心。”） 6 他本來有神的形象，卻不堅持自己與神平等的地位， 7 反而倒空自己，取了奴僕的形象，成為人的樣式； 8 既然有人的樣子，就自甘卑微，順服至死，而且死在十字架上。 9 因此神把他升為至高，並且賜給他超過萬名之上的名。 10 使天上、地上和地底下的一切，因著耶穌的名，都要屈膝， 11 並且口裡承認耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸給父神。

 

默想：

1．  這首教會初期的詩歌（6-11節）描述基督是“他本來有神的形象，卻不堅持自己與神平等的地位，反而倒空自己，取了奴僕的形象，成為人的樣式；既然有人的樣子，就自甘卑微，順服至死，而且死在十字架上。”詩歌繼續強調耶穌不但從死裡復活，並且被神升至最高位。

2．  保羅以此鼓勵信徒留意耶穌的謙卑態度，並以此應用在我們與人關係之中。也因此，難怪世人誤以為基督徒是軟弱、遲鈍、一絲不苟、膽卻懦弱，無法在世上出人頭地的一類。其實世人不明白，基督徒選擇謙卑，並非出於軟弱，而是出於剛強壯。

3．  所有讓我們認為高人一等，出類拔萃的理由，當我們看見耶穌的時候，都變得蒼白無力；祂甘願放棄與神同等的身份，不單成為卑微的人，並且死在十字架上。

4．  如果我秉持3-8節的教導，持續地應用在家中、教會中、工作中，事情會有怎樣的改變？有什麼是我現在就應該開始做的？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 2

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!   9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Meditation:

1．  This early church hymn (vv6-11) portrays Christ as was “in very nature God’, but emptied Himself to take on human nature and suffered a shameful death.  It affirms not only Jesus’ resurrection but His ultimate exaltation over all.

2．  Here Paul encouraged Christians to look at the attitude of humility Jesus displayed, and adopt it in our relationships with others.  It’s no wonder that Christians have been considered weak, dull, too scrupulous or too cowardly, to make it big in the world.  What the world doesn’t understand is that Christians choose humility not out of weakness, but out of strength.

3．  Whatever basis we might have for believing we are better than others, all pale to utter insignificance when we see Jesus, willing to abandon His rightful claim of full equality with God, to not only become a human being, but even to die on a cross.

4．  How would things change if I consistently applied v v3-8 in my family? Church?  Work?  Which do I need to work on now?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.