《今日靈修默想》:「凡事要奉我們主耶穌基督的名,常常感謝父神。」(弗5:20)

默想一:「凡事奉主耶穌基督的名」所講的「凡事」是指任何事嗎?是包括到賭場作樂?熬夜打麻將?合伙行騙或陷害人?當然不是!凡被聖靈充滿並順從聖靈引導的人,不可能做與神的旨意相反的事。他在聖靈的管理下,必然會知道什麼是榮耀主名的事。我們之所以凡事要奉主的名禱告,因主的名代表主自己和主的權威,我們是信靠主的名得救,又奉主的名禱告,並憑主的名領受各種屬靈的福分。

默想二:基督徒為什麼要『常常感謝天父上帝』?因祂配得我們的感恩!自人類犯罪墮落之後,人就活在黑暗的世界裡心靈空虛,痛苦絕望。但我們的神是愛,就差祂的愛子耶穌來拯救世人!祂為我們的罪被釘在十字架,因祂受的刑罰,我們得平安;因祂受的鞭傷,我們得醫治。也因祂的復活,使我們得新生命。想到神偉大的拯救,人怎能不常常感謝?

禱告:感謝天父上帝,因祢所賜的應許,並賜我榮耀的特權,就是『凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將所要告訴神』(腓4:6)。求祢指教我,讓我善用禱告而不是濫用。也幫助我的每天都靠袮「常常喜樂,不住地禱告,凡事謝恩」(帖前5:16-18)。奉主耶穌得勝的名禱告。阿們!

《Today’s spiritual meditation》:  “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph 5:20)

Meditation one: While saying “always in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”, does the word “always” mean any occasion? Does it include having fun in a casino, staying up late playing mahjong, partnering to cheat, or ensnaring? Of course it is not! It is not possible for anyone who has been filled with the Holy Spirit and follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit to do something against God’s will. Under the authority of the Holy Spirit, one surely knows what deeds can glorify the name of the Lord. The reason why we pray in the name of the Lord for everything is because the name of the Lord represents the Lord Himself and the Lord’s sovereignty. We are saved in the name of the Lord, and pray in the name of the Lord, as well as receive all the spiritual blessings in the name of the Lord.

Meditation two: Why should Christians “always give thanks to God the Father”? Because He is worthy of our thanks! Since the fall of human being, people have lived in a dark world with emptiness, pain and despair. But our God is love, so He sent His beloved son Jesus to save the world! He was crucified on the cross for our sins, and the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. And because of His resurrection, we have new life. Thinking of God’s great salvation, how can people not always giving thanks?

Prayer: Thank God heavenly Father for Your promise and the glorious privilege, which is “in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Php 4:6). Please teach me, so that my prayer is comely instead of abusive. Also help me, through You, on each day I can “rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances” (1Th 5:16-18). I pray in the victorious name of Jesus. Amen!

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