《今日靈修默想》:「人若不看顧親屬,就是背了真道,比不信的人還不好,不看顧自己家裏的人,更是如此。」(提前5:8)
默想一:基督徒的家庭責任是什麼?除了關心家人的靈魂得救,也關心家人在物質上的需要,包括供養自己的父母在內。任何人若不關顧自己的親屬,特別是自己家裏的人,就等於否定了信心的內涵。有信心卻沒有行為,神不會祝福。
默想二:對還未信主的家人怎麼辦?帶領家人信主確實難,但我們能靠着主的恩典,在生活上為神發光,好好地在家人中過屬神的生活,對家人盡我們的本分,不斷地在主前為他們提名代求。神應許我們;「靠著那加給我力量的,凡事都能做」(腓4:13)。
禱告:天父上帝,感謝袮的揀選,讓我有份於建立基督化家庭的責任。求袮饒恕我,因為很多的時候,我忽略了對家人、對親屬的關愛。求袮幫助我,讓我在家庭中、在親朋好友中作光作鹽,發揮像鹽調和、防腐的作用,並發出真光來照亮一家的人。奉主耶稣基督的名禱告,阿們!
《Today’s spiritual meditation》: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1Ti 5:8)
Meditation one: What is Christians’ family responsibility? It is not only to care about saving the souls of the family members, but also to concern about their physical needs, including support of their parents. Believers, who do not provide for their relatives, and especially for those in their own household, are equivalent to have denied the spirit of their faith. If people claim to have faith but have no deeds, God will not bless them.
Meditation two: What about family members who have not yet believed in the Lord? To lead family members to believe in the Lord is quite challenge, but, through the grace of the Lord, we can shine for God in our daily lives, live out godly lives among our family members, do our parts for our families, and bring their names to the Lord in our prayers. God has promised us; “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Php 4:13)
Prayer: God heavenly Father, thank You for taking me to join the responsibilities of establishing a Christian family. I ask for Your forgiveness, because many times, I have overlooked the love and care needed by my families and relatives. Please help me, let me be the light among my family, friends, and relatives, be the salt of seasoning and preserving, and bring the true light to enlighten my entire family members. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!