讀經:希伯來書第十章

默想:「你們不可停止聚會,好像那些停止慣了的人,倒要彼此勸勉,既知道(原文是看見)那日子臨近,就更當如此。」(來10:25)

默想一:基督徒的靈命在怎樣的情況下容易變得怠惰、軟弱無力?就是當他們停止聚會,漸漸和教會少接觸,失去弟兄姊妹的勸勉和鼓勵。或者是即使到教會,他們所追求的,只是享受耶穌,而非更認識耶穌;他們是為了自我實現,而不是為了活出基督;他們是要得人的榮耀,而不是榮耀神。追求的動機不對,靈命遲早會懈怠,不進則退。

默想二:聖經為什麼要命令基督徒『不可停止聚會』?因為不參加聚會,就等於放棄其他基督徒的鼓勵和幫助。弟兄姐妹在聚會裡互相激勵,互相扶持,在愛中成長。基督再來的時候,基督徒會面對更多屬靈的掙扎、苦難,甚至逼迫。我們不應該以困難作為不參加教會聚會的藉口。在遇到百般試煉時,我們更要靠主站穩,以忠心地參與聚會見證主。

禱告:親愛的主,感謝袮建立教會並呼召袮的兒女,袮安排弟兄姐妹跟我們同走天國的窄路。也感謝袮常把我放在艱難而複雜的環境中,使我經歷到萬事互相效力,叫愛神的人得益處。求袮堅固我,在亂世裡,勇往直前,永不退後,珍惜每個親近神的聚會。奉主耶穌基督的名祈求,阿們!

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10

Insight:  “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:25)

Insight one: Under what circumstances does a Christian’s spiritual life tend to become idle and weak? It is when they give up meeting together, and gradually lose contact with the church, and lose brothers’ and sisters’ exhortation and encouragement. Or even if they go to the church, what they are seeking for is to benefit from Jesus, not to know Jesus better; they are for self-realization, not for living out Christ; they are for the glory of man, not for the glory of God. If the motivation for pursuing is wrong, sooner or later spiritual life will be slack, and if you do not advance, you will step back.

Insight two: Why does the Bible command Christians “not giving up meeting together “? Because not meeting together is practically the same as giving up the encouragement and help of other Christians. Brothers and sisters encourage each other, uphold each other, and build up one another in love during the time of gathering. In the era of Christ’s return, Christians will face more spiritual struggles, suffering, and even persecutions. We should not use difficulties as an excuse for not attending church meetings. When encountering all kinds of trials, we must rely on the Lord to stand firm and to participate faithfully in the gathering to witness the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for establishing the church and calling Your children. You make the brothers and sisters to walk together along the narrow way towards heaven. Thank You also for often placing me in a difficult and complicate environment so I can experience that all things work together for good for those who love God. Please strengthen me, in this troubled era, move forward courageously, never step back, and cherish every gathering opportunity to draw near to God. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

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