(512) 「灵粮主题 TODAY’s Topic」做神要你知足的仆人, 不要为自己的地位和利益所困扰 Be the Servant God Wants You to be Contented with, and Not be Troubled by Your Own Status and interests

「灵粮经节 TODAY’s Verses」：「“若有人传异教，不服从我们主耶稣基督纯正的话与那合乎敬虔的道理， 他是自高自大，一无所知，专好问难，争辩言词，从此就生出嫉妒、分争、毁谤、妄疑，并那坏了心术、失丧真理之人的争竞。他们以敬虔为得利的门路。然而，敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了；因为我们没有带甚麽到世上来，也不能带甚麽去。只要有衣有食，就当知足; If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 」（提摩太前书 1 Timothy 6: 3-8 节）

「灵粮分享 TODAY’s Sharing」： 在今日灵粮的经节中，使徒保罗提醒我们，在教会机构中执行主大使命的工作人员，应该具备属灵事奉的态度和责任感，特别是在做传道牧会的， 与在教会机构服务的同工同僚执事们； 他们必须避免成为侍奉牧养人群的假教师，有些人甚至可能在不知不觉中保留世俗的文化和荣誉习惯。 他觊觎教会机构中的领导地位、声誉、名誉等，因此无法满足自己岗位的需求而堕落。 因此也忽视了他自己灵性的成长，缺乏能力去回应神赋予他的伟大托付和事奉呼召，也就是要带领人信主所带来的委身和责任。

今晨在「荒漠甘泉 Wells of Grace 」里，读到考门夫人 Rev. Lettie Cowman 的专栏，写了一篇有关， “学会在什么景况都可以知足” 的分享。牧者在专栏里引用腓立比书 Philippians 4:

11 节，描述保罗做一个传福音的使徒，也都学会看透世俗肉体上的追求与虚荣，和日常生活上争取权力的渴求。当他自己为着传福音被同族同乡的人控告欺压时，就是在监狱中受刑也没有忘记给那些在教会里认真事奉的信徒，写出了在腓立比书里的那几句属灵的经节和劝勉的话，更示范了他自己对事奉的真正意义，述说他做使徒传道人所经历的实话。他并不是因在事奉生活里感到缺乏什么而发出牢骚说这些话；无论在甚麽景况之下，保罗都能学会了知足，因为他相信神是我们在生活传福音里有着的随时供应主和帮助。他认为神都会给我们预备传福音的能力和在日常生活中的一切事奉需要。这也就是「今日灵粮 Spiritual FOOD TODAY」主题所要分享的, “做神要你知足的仆人, 不要为自己的地位和利益所困扰” ，避免在教会机构中有排弃他人与妒忌的纷争，珍惜神给我们有机会事奉人群，成为一个教会的牧羊好管家，也就是给神传福音的好器皿。

牧者接着举了许多比喻与例子解释着说：有一个故事讲到一位国王，一天早晨独自到他的花园中散步，发现所有的花草树木都枯萎了。园中充满死象，毫无生气。国王非常诧异，就问园门中的一棵橡树，这里究竟出了什么岔子。原来，橡树因自怨不像松树那样高大俊秀，生出厌世之心，不想活下去。松树则恨自己不能像葡萄那样多结果子。但是，葡萄藤也将自尽，因为它终日匍伏在地不能直立，又不能像桃树那样开美丽可爱的花。牵牛花也病倒了，因为它叹自己没有像紫丁香的芬芳。

其余的植物也都垂头丧气，怨自己不如人，只有一枝顶小的心安草 Heart's-ease， 也叫三色堇仍在喷香吐艳。国王高兴极了，就对它说：“心安草，看见你我真欢喜，别的草木都悲观厌世，只有你这枝小草是这样勇敢。你似乎一点都没有沮丧。” 小草儿回答说：“王啊，我并不灰心，也一点都不失望。我虽然算不得什么，可是我知道，如果你需要橡树、松树、葡萄、桃树、牵牛花，或紫丁香，你自会去种植。我知道你只要我做一枝小小的心安草，所以我就尽力做一枝小小的心安草，并为此心满意足。”

那些不为自身地位烦扰的事奉者，在万事上都能知足有福的。因为他们只愿意做神所愿意的，也只做神要他们做的。他们脱去一切世俗的贪心，妒忌，和烦恼。在这样赤裸裸的教会团体组织生活中事奉，让你找到生活百倍的喜乐，是神赐给你的恩赐和事奉机会。 因为我们没有给这个世界带来什么，也没有什么可以带走。 在服务岗位和生活的必需品上，只要有吃有穿，就应该知足。 在事奉的岗位上，你要努力追求成为神喜悦的牧羊好管家，等候将来神赐给你的永生盼望， 领取你该得有的奖赏。 大家周五快乐，周末愉快！

「灵粮祷告 TODAY’s Prayer」：当一切都说完了，在本期分享的总结里「今日灵粮 Spiritual Food TODAY」也就引用腓立比书 2: 2-5 节，让大家在主的爱里互相祷告、互相勉励：“做神要你知足的仆人, 不要为自己的地位和利益所困扰。” 在这节经文中，使徒保罗劝勉我们作为弟兄姐妹，尤其是神的仆人和同工，在教会中，也就是神住在我们中间的殿里，你们必须谦卑、有礼貌、有爱心，效法拯救世人的救主耶稣。 作为神的仆人和使者，弘扬仁慈和自我牺牲的精神来服务大众，展示神爱这个世界，而你作为仆人也要开展这项服务，注重爱人如己的博爱精神， 说：“你们就要意念相同，爱心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念，使我的喜乐可以满足。凡事不可结党，不可贪图虚浮的荣耀；只要存心谦卑，各人看别人比自己强。各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事。你们当以基督耶稣的心为心。” 求神帮助我们，让我们凡事听从你的呼召，凡事都遵行你的旨意，使我们能讨你的喜悦，服侍别人。 奉主名祷告，阿门！

In today’s verses of spiritual food, the apostle Paul reminds us that church workers who carry out the Lord’s Great Commission in the church institutions should have an attitude and sense of responsibility for spiritual service, especially those who are serving as pastors, together with their church elders, and fellow deacons who serve; they must avoid becoming false teachers who herd, and guard over their church people, some of whom may even unknowingly retain worldly cultural and honorary practices. He coveted the leadership position, reputation, status, etc. in the church institution, so he was unable to meet the demands of his position and fell. Therefore, he may also neglect his own spiritual growth and lacked the ability to respond to the great commission and call of service given to him by God, which is the commitment and responsibility that comes with leading people to believe in the Lord.

This morning in "荒漠甘泉 Wells of Grace", I read Rev. Lettie Cowman's column, where she shared an article about "Learning to be content in any situation." In the sharing, the pastor quoted Philippians 4: 11, describing how Paul, as an apostle who preached the gospel, also learned to see through the pursuit and vanity of the worldly flesh and the desire for power in daily life. When he was accused and oppressed by his fellow countrymen for preaching the gospel, even when he was being locked up in prison, he did not forget to write those few spiritual sentences in Philippians to those believers who were serving seriously in the church. The verses and words of exhortation further demonstrated his own true meaning of service and told the truth about his experience as an apostle and preacher. He did not complain and say these words because he felt lacking something in his service life; no matter what the situation, Paul could learn to be content because he believed that God is the ready provider and Lord that we have in our life and evangelism with his help. He believes that God will prepare us with the ability to preach the gospel and all the service needs in our daily lives. This is what the theme of "今日灵粮 Spiritual FOOD TODAY" is about to share, "Be the Servant God Wants You to be Contented with, and Not be Troubled by Your Own Status and interests ", and avoid conflicts that exclude others and are jealous in church institutions, cherish the opportunity God gives us to serve people and become good shepherds and stewards of a church, which is also becoming a good vessel for God in delivering good news and preach the gospel.

The pastor then explained with many metaphors and examples: There is a story about a king who walked alone in his garden one morning and found that all the flowers, plants and trees were withered. The garden was full of dead, and lifeless. The king was very surprised and asked an oak tree in the garden gate what was wrong here. It turns out that due to self-pity, the oak tree is not as tall and handsome as the pine tree, and it has developed a world-weary heart and does not want to live anymore. The pine tree hates that it cannot bear as much fruit as the grape. However, the grapevine will also commit suicide because it lies on the ground all day long and cannot stand upright, and it cannot bloom as beautiful and lovely flowers as the peach tree. The morning glory also fell ill, because it lamented that it had no fragrance like the lilac.

The rest of the plants were dejected, complaining that they were inferior to others, except for a tiny branch of Heart's-ease, also called a pansy, which was still fragrant and beautiful. The king was so happy that he said to it: " Heart's-ease, I'm so happy to see you. Other plants and trees are pessimistic and world-weary, but you are the only grass that is so brave. You don't seem to be depressed at all." Heart's-ease replied: "O king, I am not discouraged, nor am I disappointed at all. Although I am nothing, I know that if you need oak trees, pine trees, grape trees, peach trees, morning glories, or lilacs, you will plant them. I know that you only want me to make a small heartbreak, so I will try my best to make a little heartbreak, and I will be satisfied with it."

Those who serve without worrying about their status will be content and blessed in all things. Because they only want to do what God wants and what God wants them to do. They put off all worldly greed, jealousy, and worries. Serving in such a naked church organization life will allow you to find a hundredfold joy in return. It is a gift and service opportunity given to you by God. Because we have brought nothing to this world and have nothing to take away. In terms of service positions and the necessities of life, as long as you have food and clothing, you should be content. In your position of service, you must strive to become a good steward of the sheep that pleases God, wait for the hope of eternal life that God will give you in the future, and receive the rewards you deserve. Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend!

When everything is said and done, in the summary shared in this issue, "今日灵粮 Spiritual FOOD TODAY" would like to quote Philippians 2: 2-5. allowing everyone to pray and encourage each other in the love of the Lord: "Be the Servant God Wants You to be Contented with and Not be Troubled by Your Own Status and interests.” In this verse, the apostle Paul exhorts us as brothers and sisters, especially God’s servants and co-workers in the church, where God resides among us in the temple, you must be humble, courteous and caring, imitate the Savior Jesus who saves the world as God’s servant and messenger, promote the spirit of kindness and self-sacrifice to serve the public, show that God loves this world, and you must also carry out this service as a servant and focus on the spirit of loving others as yourself, saying : "then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Pray that God, you will help us and grant us to obey yours calling and your will be done in everything, so that we may please you and serve others. Pray in the name of the Lord, Amen!

(512) Whisper, Dr. John 张皇卿博士编写于 at 脸书网站：https://www.facebook.com/johnking9999 和 and 维克斯网站：http://johnking9999.wixsite.com/website Edmonton, AB, Canada Friday 01. 26. 2024.