《感恩節靈修默想》:「凡事謝恩,因為這是神在基督耶穌裡向你們所定的旨意。」(帖前5:18)

默想一:感恩的真正意義是什麼?感恩節Thanksgiving,是由Thanks感恩與Giving給與兩字組合的,不僅用口Thanks感恩,還要用行動Giving。這說明真誠的感恩一定會帶出行善和樂捐奉獻的事來。神要我們不僅用嘴唇來讚美神,祂要我們以實際的愛心行動來表達我們感恩的心。感恩的心是我們屬靈生命長進的標記或試金石。

默想二:基督徒無論遇到什麼事都要「凡事謝恩」嗎?是的!不論是順利或不順利;如意或不如意;健康或疾病、禍福得失,我們都要感謝主,因祂應許:「應當一無罣慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求、和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。」(腓4:6-7)我們相信上帝掌管我們生命的一切大小事,即使我們遇到最糟糕的事也要感謝神,因我們相信神容許萬事臨到,目的是要叫我們得益處。

禱告:感謝神,因唯有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死,袮的愛就在此向我們顯明了(羅5:8)。如今我蒙了光照作神兒女,也不斷地經歷袮豐盛的恩典。為了回報袮的愛,求袮的聖靈引導我,並操練我如何靠袮「常常喜樂,凡事謝恩」。讓我的感恩不是在感恩季節裡,乃是在每時每刻裡;不僅在心裡,也在行動裡。奉主耶穌寶貴的名禱告,阿們!

《Thanksgiving Season Meditation》:  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (5:18)

Meditation one: What is the true meaning of thanksgiving? The word Thanksgiving is a combination of Thanks and Giving. Not only say Thanks, but also act in Giving. This shows that sincere gratitude will certainly bring about doing good things, donating and giving. God wants us not just to praise God with our lips; He also wants us to express our grateful hearts with practical acts of love. A grateful heart is a mark or touchstone of our spiritual growth.

Meditation two: Do Christians “give thanks in all circumstances” no matter what happens? Yes! Whether it is smooth or bumpy; wishful or disappointing; healthy or sickly, prosperous or unfortunate, profitable or unbeneficial, we all should thank the Lord for His promise: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Php 4: 6-7) We believe that God rules all things, major and minor, in our lives. We want to thank God even if we encounter the worst, because we believe that God allows all things to happen and works for the good of us. 

Prayer: Thank God because He shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5: 8) Now I am enlightened as Your child, and I have experienced Your abundant grace all the time. In return for Your love, please have Your Holy Spirit to guide and train me how I can rely on You to “rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances.” Let me be grateful not just in the season of Thanksgiving, but in every moment; not only in my heart, but also in my deeds. I pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus. Amen!    

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