以巴弗

以巴弗
聖經閱讀：歌羅西書4:12-18 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年12月11日(四)

有時候我很想知道初代教會的基督徒會是什麼樣子，他們是永遠不會做錯事的「超級基督徒」嗎？或者他們只是像你我一樣的人？ 　今天的經文告訴我們一個名叫以巴弗的人的一些事情，我認為他就像今天很多人一樣。以巴弗大概也像我們一樣在生活中遇到了困難，但是我們確實知道他是「基督耶穌的僕人」（第12節）。 　這些經節同時提供我們更多以巴弗的訊息。首先，他為其他基督徒代禱。其次，第12節告訴我們，以巴弗希望其他人「作為成熟的基督徒，完全順服他的旨意。」以及第三，以巴弗努力事奉上帝（第13節）。 　我們應該會想要學像以巴弗，我們也有聖靈的力量和上帝的話語幫助我們。今天就效法以巴弗的榜樣！ —SH* 「我為你們禱告的是：你們的愛心會不斷地跟真知識和判斷力一齊增進」 腓立比書1:9 禱告：天父，我願作祢的僕人並為人代禱。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (尤榮輝譯)

Epaphras
Bible Reading: Colossians 4:12-18
Thursday, December 11, 2014

Sometimes I wonder what the Christians in the early church were like. Were they super-Christians who never did anything wrong? Or were they people like you and me? 　Our Bible Reading today tells a little about a man named Epaphras. I think he was like many people today. Epaphras probably had struggles in life just like we do. But we do know that he was a “servant of Jesus Christ”(verse 12). 　These verses also give us more information about Epaphras. First, he prayed for other Christians. Second, verse 12 tells us that Epaphras wanted other Christians to “grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God” wanted for them. And third, Epaphras worked hard at serving God (verse 13). 　We should want to be like Epaphras. We, too, have the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word to help us. Follow the example of Epaphras today! —SH* “This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love.” Philippians 1:9 PRAYER: Father, I want to be Your servant and pray for others. In Jesus' name. Amen.