《感恩節靈修默想》:「我們應當靠著耶穌,常常以頌讚為祭獻給神。這就是那承認主名之人嘴唇的果子。」﹝來13:15﹞

默想一:基督徒感恩的基石是什麼?就是耶穌基督的救恩。沒有經歷耶穌基督的救恩就不會懂得感謝神,更不要說他會見證神的奇異恩典。想到祂為我們所作的,為我們所犧牲的愛,為我們所捨的命,為我們所流的寶血,向我們所顯的慈愛與忍耐,我們難道不要向神獻上感恩嗎?

默想二:在舊約時代没有人可以空手來敬拜神,每個人都必須按著各人的能力帶著祭物來敬拜神,但只有祭司才能獻祭。到了新約時代,因著神的羔羊主耶稣基督背負了世人的罪孽,在十字架上所完成的救贖大功,所有蒙恩得救的人,當存感恩與奉獻的心來到神面前。神應許我們:「凡以感謝獻上為祭的便是榮耀我。那按正路而行的,我必使他得著我的救恩。」(詩50:23)

禱告:感謝天父上帝,因「袮是配得榮耀、尊貴、權柄的!因袮創造了萬物,並且萬物是因袮的旨意被創造而有的」(啟4:11)。神要的不是我們的金錢、才幹、時間、精力、服事,而是我們那因聽命與順從而獻上的讚美祭。求袮教導我,不僅要經常存感恩的心,還要有奉獻的行動。奉耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們!

《Thanksgiving Season Meditation》:  “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” (Heb 13:15)

Meditation one: What is the cornerstone of Christians’ gratitude? It is the salvation of Jesus Christ. You will never realize how to thank God without experiencing the salvation of Jesus Christ, let alone witness God’s amazing grace. Think of what He has done for us, the love He has sacrificed for us, the life He has​​sacrificed for us, the blood He has shed for us, and the kindness and patience He has shown to us, Shouldn’t we give thanks to God?

Meditation two: In the era of the Old Testament, no one could worship God empty handed. Everyone had to according to his or her capacity and brought sacrifices to worship God, but only priests were allowed to offer sacrifices. In the New Testament era, because the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, has borne the sins of the world, and completed the salvation on the cross, all those who are saved will come to God with thankfulness and devotion. God promises us: “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” (Psa 50:23)

Prayer: Thank God heavenly Father, for “You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being” (Rev 4:11). What God wants is not our wealth, talents, time, energy, service, but the sacrifice of our praising offering with submission and obedience. Please teach me not only having a thankful heart all the time, but also have the deeds of giving. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

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