好的意念

好的意念
聖經閱讀：腓立比書4:4-9 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年8月10日(日)

有好的意念對我來說經常是一件困難的事，甚至當我坐在教會裡時，我有時會開始心不在焉，其他時候我也會一再去想生命中的困難。 　在今天的經文中，保羅告訴我們要「留意那些美善和值得讚揚的事」（第8b節）。接著保羅繼續在同一節裡補充說，我們應該要去思想「一切真實、高尚、公正、純潔、可愛，和光榮的事。」如果我們想要這麼做，我們就必須操練自己的思想。 　當我開始有負面的思想時，我就努力回想曾經發生在我生命中的美好事情。我會去想上帝曾經祝福我的各種方式，我也喜歡回想我五個孩子出生時的情形，這些都是發生在我生命中的美好時光。 　當撒旦引誘你去思想壞事時，就懇求上帝幫助你回想曾發生過的美好事情。因著上帝所成就的美好事情，你要讚美祂！－JL* 「上帝所賜那超越人所能理解的平安，會藉著基督耶穌，保守你們的心懷意念。」 腓立比書4:7a 禱告：天父，我願讚美祢並思想美好的事情。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (林威妮譯)

Good Thoughts
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:4-9
Sunday, August 10, 2014

It is often hard for me to think good thoughts. Even when I am sitting in church, my mind sometimes begins to wander. Other times I think and think about bad times in my life. 　In our Bible Reading, Paul tells us to “think about what is good and worthy of praise” (verse 8b). Then Paul goes on in that verse to add that we should think about “what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” If we want to do that, we need to discipline our thoughts. 　When I start to think bad thoughts, I try to remember good things that have happened in my life. I think about the many ways God has blessed me. I also like to think about the births of my five children. Those were good times that happened in my life. 　When the devil tempts you to think about bad things, ask God to help you remember good things that have happened to you. Praise God for the good things He has done. —JL* “And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over your thoughts and feelings.” Philippians 4:7a PRAYER: Father, I want to praise You and think about good things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.