讀經:提摩太前書第五章

默想:『那善於管理教會的長老,當以為配受加倍的敬奉;那勞苦傳道教導人的,更當如此。』(提前5:17) 

默想一:信徒為什麼要敬重神的僕人或牧者?因為他們在你們中間是為神國勞苦的人,是受神的呼召來牧養、治理、教導、培訓、關懷、勸誡你們的人。他們獻身為主就是回應神崇高的呼召。他們是基督的使者,因此我們當以基督耶穌的心為心,在愛裡格外地愛護他們,用實際行動來順服敬重神的僕人。 

默想二:我們怎麼為牧者(神的僕人)代禱?求神使他有膽量傳講神的話,使他帶著神的能力為主作工。也求神使他的家庭蒙恩、和諧,使他無後顧之憂。更求神保守他不受撒旦的攻擊。神的僕人在屬靈的戰場上經常是打前鋒,是撒旦攻擊的目標。撒旦知道牧者被擊倒了,他在教會的事奉就失敗,神的名虧損。事實上,我們為牧者代禱,就是與神的僕人同工。 

禱告:天父上帝,感謝袮奇妙的救贖大工。若不是袮呼召人向我傳福音,我將一直在救恩的門外。求袮賜我感恩的心,我願在教會裡全心地敬重袮選召的僕人,主動地關心、支持。經常地為他們禱告,並樂於與他們同工。就像保羅說的「弟兄們,我們勸你們敬重那在你們中間勞苦的人,就是在主裏面治理你們、勸戒你們的」(帖前5:12)。奉主耶穌得勝的名,阿們! 

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 5.

Insight:“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1Ti 5:17)

Insight one: Why should God’s servants or shepherds are worthy of believers’ acknowledgement? Because they are among you who are laboring for the kingdom of God, who are called by God to shepherd, govern, teach, train, care, and admonish you. Their dedication to the Lord is to answer God’s noble call. They are the messengers of Christ, so we should have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, take special care of them in love, and use practical actions to obey the servants who honor God. 

Insight two: How do we pray for the shepherd (servant of God)? Pray for God to give him the courage to preach the word of God, so that he can work for the Lord with the power of God. Also ask God to give his family grace and harmony, so that he will have no worries. Pray that God will protect him from Satan’s attack. The servants of God are often forwards on the spiritual warfare and are the targets of Satan’s attacks. Satan knows that when the shepherd has been knocked down, his ministry in the church will fail and the name of God will suffer loss. In fact, when we intercede for the shepherd, we are working together with the servant of God. 

Prayer: God heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing work of redemption. Had you not called people to preach the gospel to me, I would have been outside the door of salvation. Please give me a heart of thanksgiving. I am willing to acknowledge, with all my heart, the servants whom you have called in the church, and actively care, support, pray for them always and be willing to work with them. As Paul said, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you” (1Th 5:12). I pray in the victorious name of the Lord Jesus, Amen! 

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