Refresh our strength by God’s Provision (Spirit-empowered)

        Last week I asked the question, “How is your soul?” Sometimes we choose to quickly look away, because we don’t like what we see, and deem the work towards renewal is far and too difficult. 

       "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but give us power, love and self-discipline."   (2 Tim. 1:7)

       Part of our definition of being a disciple is “Spirit-empowered”. Just as we believe by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), let us also walk by faith. That faith is trusting that what God has for us, is not just good – but the best. What did God give us? The Word of God, and the Spirit to empower us to live it.

        "Blessed is the one...whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do propsers."  (Plsam 1:2-3)

          His Word! It’s not a burden, but God’s Word is a steady flowing stream of fresh cool water (while the outside world is a burning inferno of 40⁰C!) Can you imagine this:  The Holy Spirit – which we received when we wholeheartedly received Jesus as our Lord and Savior; His Spirit indwells in us! But do we seek to let the Spirit fill us?  (Eph. 5:18) 

          "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."            (Romans 8:11)

           Imagine the strength we would have if we let our lives be under the Spirit’s control: And both the Word and Spirit are meant to be lived out in God’s community of faith – so that we encourage each other in this journey. Disconnect from any of that, and we will just be like a fridge that is not plugged in, powerless to serve the purpose. 

                                                           

                                                            藉著神的供應更新我們的力量（以聖靈為能力）  

        上週我問了一個問題：「你的屬靈生命現在是什麼景況？」

        有時我們因為不喜歡我們所看見的，便選擇快速地轉移視線，認定得着更新的工夫太難太遠。

        因為神賜給我們不是膽怯的心，乃是剛強、仁愛、謹守的心。 提摩太後書 1:7        

        我們作主門徒的其中含義是「以聖靈為能力」。

        正如以弗所書2:8-9所說「你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信....」，我們要因信而行。  

       此等信是信神為我們預備的，不僅是好，乃是最好。   

       神賜了什麼給我們？神的話語和聖靈，賦予我們力量去實踐。

      唯喜愛耶和華的律法，晝夜思想，這人便為有福！他要像一棵樹，栽在溪水旁，按時候結果子，葉子也不枯乾，凡他所做的，盡都順利。                  詩篇1:2-3       

       祂的話！主的話語並不是一個重擔，乃是一股湧流不斷的清泉（不管外面仍是攝氏四十度的世界！）你試想像這個：    

        聖靈---當我們全心接受主耶穌為我們的神和救主的時候便進入我們的心，聖靈住在我們裡面! 以弗所書5:18說「乃要被聖靈充滿」,但我們是否尋求讓聖靈充滿我們？

       然而叫耶穌從死裡復活者的靈若住在你們心裡，那叫基督耶穌從死裡復活的，也必藉著住在你們心裡的聖靈，使你們必死的身體又活過來。                                                   羅馬書8:11  

        如果我們容讓聖靈掌管我們的生命，試想像我們能擁有的能力：    

        這兩者都是為了叫我們在神的屬靈群體中有能地活出來---好讓屬靈的同路人彼此勉勵。兩者中若有任何缺失，我們就會像沒有接駁上電源的冰箱一樣，變得無能為力。

 

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