投资你的时间，不要只是消耗它Invest Your Time—Don’t Just Spe...

sky5107

投资你的时间，不要只是消耗它

你们要谨慎行事，不要像愚昧人，当像智慧人，要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶。不要作糊涂人，要明白主的旨意如何。不要醉酒，酒能使人放荡，乃要被圣灵充满。当用诗章、颂词、灵歌，彼此对说、口唱心和地赞美主。凡事要奉我们主耶稣基督的名，常常感谢父 神；又当存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服（以弗所5:15-21）   

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，时间是最为珍贵的日用必需，因为它不可逆转又无可替代，所以我们要谨慎思考该如何度过我们的每一天。时间是上帝的恩赐，这就意味着我们不是时间的拥有者，而是管理者。委托我们的时间，有一天上帝要追究我们的使用责任。根据以弗所5:15（你们要谨慎行事，不要像愚昧人，当像智慧人）所述，生活只可能有两种方式，即智慧和愚昧。

让我们先思考，怎样是智慧地使用时间。那些认识到他们的年日属于上帝的基督徒，会谨慎度日。他们的生命目标是要懂得上帝的旨意，并且调整他们行事的时间表，要与上帝的旨意保持一致统一。当他们每天通过与上帝的亲密关系（研读并服从上帝的话语和祷告），来寻求上帝的带领时，他们属灵的眼睛就被打开，能够辨清哪些是出于天父的机会，哪些不是祂对我们旨意的一部分。

使徒保罗希望，他的读者能将他们在基督肢体里的新生命，确实活出在他们所处的真实世界。所以他指示以弗所的基督徒，要弃绝谎言，不要被怒气所胜；要劳力做工，才有可能为有所需的人提供援助（先是主内弟兄姊妹，其次是非基督徒）；要除去一切败坏的言语，只按照圣经讲造就人的话，并且彼此宽恕；凡事都效法基督，祂舍弃自己，作为馨香的祭物献与 神。

而愚昧人，就没有充分思考该如何生活。有些人变得无所事事和懒散，生活只是为了自己的喜乐，所以错失了上帝对他们生命的旨意。而另一些人，按照世俗的标准，可能非常忙碌和成功，但是如果他们只是精力充沛地为非上帝旨意的生活而忙碌，那么他们就是在浪费时间。

今天与保罗的时代一样，依然有众多声音呼吁我们去效忠。因此，保罗在以弗所5:5-9说：“因为你们确实的知道，无论是淫乱的、是污秽的、是有贪心的，在基督和 神的国里都是无分的。有贪心的，就与拜偶像的一样。不要被人虚浮的话欺哄，因这些事 神的忿怒必临到那悖逆之子，所以你们不要与他们同伙。从前你们是暗昧的，但如今在主里面是光明的，行事为人就当像光明的子女；光明所结的果子，就是一切良善、公义、诚实。”

要极其重视你现今的机会，将每一天都献给上帝，降服于祂的旨意，祈求祂来引导你的生活。

我们作为真基督徒必须懂得，总是有那些假冒不敬虔的牧师、传道人和圣经老师的声音，呼吁我们效忠他们。但是我们行进要按照正确的鼓点，就是只回归圣经，坚行耶稣基督的窄门和窄路。因为我们是基督作为馨香的供物和祭物赎回的，所以我们与世界不同。因此，我们要作智慧人，不要作愚昧人。我们作为基督的肢体要辨明，怎样做才能给我们的主和王带来荣耀。我们不要做结不出果实的无用事，就是我们的生命没有基督时，所行的那些黑暗、隐藏、羞耻的事。我们每一天的生活都要睁开智慧之眼，警觉周围发生的事情，凡事都寻求上帝的旨意，并按照上帝的旨意而行。

Invest Your Time—Don’t Just Spend It

Ephesians 5: 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the SPIRIT, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the LORD, 20 always giving thanks to GOD the FATHER for everything, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for CHRIST.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Time is a most valuable commodity. Since it’s irreversible and irreplaceable, we ought to give careful consideration to how we spend our days—and even our minutes. Time is a gift from GOD. That means we are not owners but stewards and will one day be held accountable for how we used what was entrusted to us. According to verse Eph.5: 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, there are only two possible ways to live: wisely or foolishly.

Let’s first consider what is involved in using our time wisely. Those who realize that their days belong to GOD are careful how they live. Their goal is to understand the LORD’s will and align their schedules and activities with HIS purposes. As they seek guidance each day through intimate fellowship with HIM in the WORD and prayer, their spiritual eyes are opened to discern which opportunities are from the FATHER and which are not a part of HIS plans for them.

Apostle Paul wanted his readers to make a connection between their new life in the body of CHRIST and the real world in which they lived. And so he instructed the Ephesians to put off falsehood, not to let anger get the best of them, to work so that they may contribute to the need of others (first to brothers and sisters in CHRST then to the none believers), to replace any unwholesome talk with the words taught in the Scripture that build up and to forgive one another. And in all these things to imitate CHRIST who gave HIMSELF up as a fragrant offering to GOD.

But those who are foolish do not give adequate thought to the way they live. Some become unproductive and lazy, living for their own pleasures while missing out on GOD’s purpose for their lives. However, others may be very busy and extremely successful by worldly standards, but if their days are occupied with activities that aren’t GOD’s will for them, they’re wasting their time.

Today, as in the time of Paul, there are many voices that call for our allegiance. Therefore Paul says in Ephesians 5: 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of CHRIST and of GOD. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things GOD’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the LORD. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

To make the most of your opportunities, begin each day with the LORD, submitting to HIS will and asking that HE direct your activities.

As true Christians we must know that there will always be voices of the false and unholy pastors, preachers and missionaries call for our allegiance. But we are marching to the beat of a different drummer. As those who have been redeemed by CHRIST’s fragrant offering and sacrifice, we are different. And so, we must be wise – not unwise. We must discern as the body of CHRIST what will bring honour and glory to our LORD and KING. We must let go of the unfruitful works of darkness, the hidden, shameful behaviours of our former life without CHRIST. We must live our daily lives with our eyes wide open. We must be aware of the things that are happening in society around us, and we must seek GOD’s will and behave accordingly.

sky5107

符合上帝旨意的时间表

心中的谋算在乎人，舌头的应对由于耶和华。人一切所行的，在自己眼中看为清洁，惟有耶和华衡量人心。你所作的要交托耶和华，你所谋的就必成立（箴言16:1-3）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，上帝希望我们能够实现我们的全部潜能，就是成为祂计划要我们成为的人，完成祂计划要我们去完成的任务。在这个充满压力的社会，如果我们想要按照上帝的旨意生活，那么我们就需要有一个符合上帝旨意的时间表。当我们的生活有任何一方面没有符合上帝的旨意，那么同时，我们与上帝、与人的关系就会受到负面影响，我们侍奉基督的效力也会受到削减。

1）我们最先要做的，就是每一天都有充足的时间用来亲近上帝，发展与祂的关系，并且得到祂的带领。

2）有与家人和朋友相处的时间，这也是必要的，因为人际关系是上帝对我们生命计划的重要部分。

3）最有可能使我们脱离上帝旨意的，就是我们的工作。尽管上帝不喜悦我们懒惰，但是祂也不希望我们把生命过度消耗在事业上。

4）如果我们想在生命中成就上帝的旨意，那么我们就需要照顾好自己的身体，也要分配适当的时间用来运动、休息和休闲。

5）圣经也明确吩咐，基督徒要定期聚会敬拜（希伯来10:24-25 又要彼此相顾，激发爱心，勉励行善。你们不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人，倒要彼此劝勉。既知道那日子【审判之日】临近，就更当如此）。虽然有些人利用各种因素阻碍聚会，但是我们中大多数人没有任何借口，以忙碌来拒绝通过聚会得到上帝真道的喂养。

这日常的几方面全都需要占用你的时间，但是我无法告诉你具体该怎样分配。上帝对每个人都有特别的计划，只有祂才能精准地管理你的时间表。寻求上帝的带领，听从祂的声音，让祂来引导你改变你的意念。

A Balanced Schedule

Proverbs 16:

1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the LORD.

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
    and HE will establish your plans.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The LORD wants us to reach our full potential—to become the people HE’s designed us to be and achieve the tasks HE’s planned for us to do. In our pressurized society, we need to have balanced schedules if we’re going to live according to GOD’s purposes. When any area is out of balance, our relationship with the LORD and others will be affected, diminishing our effectiveness as servants of CHRIST.

1. Our top priority is spending private time with the LORD each day to develop our relationship with HIM and receive guidance.

2. Time with family and friends is also essential because relationships are such an important part of GOD’s plans for our lives.

3. The area in which we are most likely to become imbalanced is our work. Although the LORD doesn’t approve of laziness, HE doesn’t want us to be overly consumed with our careers either.

4. If we are to accomplish the LORD’s purposes in our lives, we need to take care of our bodies, allocating adequate time for exercise, rest, and recreation.

5. The Scriptures also clearly command meeting together regularly with other believers for worship (Heb. 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day [Judgement Day] approaching.). While some people have limitations that hinder doing this, most of us have no excuse for being too busy for meeting together with other believers to be fed by the WORD of GOD.

These general areas all need space in your life, but I cannot tell you how to allocate time for them. The LORD has specific plans for each person, and HE is the only one who can accurately direct your schedule. Seek HIS guidance, listen for HIS voice, and make the changes HE brings to your mind.

sky5107

按照主的教训和警戒来养育你的孩子

你们作儿女的，要在主里听从父母，这是理所当然的。要孝敬父母，使你得福、在世长寿，这是第一条带应许的诫命。你们作父亲的，不要惹儿女的气，只要照着主的教训和警戒，养育他们（以弗所6:1-4）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，你与你的孩子关系深厚吗？作为父母，对上帝的服从与否，将会对儿女产生深远的影响，尤其是通过父亲。那么你的生命是如何彰显上帝的形象的呢？

很多男人挣扎于作父亲的角色，因为他们自己的父亲要么就是没有在身边或情感上陪伴他们成长，要么就是作了灵命贫乏的榜样。然而不管一个人过去的经历是怎样，现为人父，他们能够做的最好的事情，就是效法天父上帝的榜样。可是，我们怎样才能真切地认识上帝呢？

认识上帝的最好方法，就是定睛祂的儿子。主耶稣对祂的门徒说：“我就是道路、真理、生命。若不借着我，没有人能到父那里去。人看见了我，就是看见了父。”（约翰福音14:6 耶稣说：“我就是道路、真理、生命。若不借着我，没有人能到父那里去。”14:9 耶稣对他说：“腓力，我与你们同在这样长久，你还不认识我么？人看见了我，就是看见了父，你怎么说‘将父显给我们看呢’？”）基督不仅是我们能与上帝关联的惟一道路，也是我们能够认识天父真实品性的途径。

当我们定睛主耶稣的生命时，看到的是什么？祂对所有人都是充满着仁慈、耐心、柔和、怜悯、宽容和美善（马太福音9:10-13 耶稣在屋里坐席的时候，有好些税吏和罪人来，与耶稣和祂的门徒一同坐席。法利赛人看见，就对耶稣的门徒说：“你们的先生为甚么和税吏并罪人一同吃饭呢？”耶稣听见就说：“康健的人用不着医生，有病的人才用得着。经上说‘我喜爱怜恤、不喜爱祭祀’，这句话的意思你们且去揣摩。我来，本不是召义人，乃是召罪人”）。这位救主医治病人，为有需求的提供所需，并且付出了无限地宽恕，即使对那些害祂的人也是如此（马太福音14:14-21耶稣出来，见有许多的人，就怜悯他们，治好了他们的病人。天将晚的时候，门徒进前来说：“这是野地，时候已经过了，请叫众人散开，他们好往村子里去，自己买吃的。”耶稣说：“不用他们去，你们给他们吃吧。”门徒说：“我们这里只有五个饼，两条鱼。”耶稣说：“拿过来给我。”于是吩咐众人坐在草地上，就拿着这五个饼、两条鱼望着天祝福，擘开饼，递给门徒。门徒又递给众人，他们都吃，并且吃饱了。把剩下的零碎收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。吃的人除了妇女孩子，约有五千；路加福音23:34 当下耶稣说：“父阿，赦免他们。因为他们所作的，他们不晓得。”兵丁就拈阄分他的衣服）。但是，当人们需要管教的时候，因为爱，所以祂会毫不犹豫地训导和纠正他们。

你的孩子最需要的远超过一个可靠的学历或物质的财富，他们需要的是父母委身上帝的实在榜样，就是活出一个祷告、读经和圣洁的生命。如果你将认识天父并服从天父，作为你生命的首要任务，那么你就决不会为能否做好一个父母而担忧了。

Bring Your Children up in the Training and Instruction of The LORD

Ephesians 6: 1 Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right. 2 “Honour your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Do you have a strong relationship with your children? The way we first think about GOD has much to do with how we were parented—especially by our father. What image of the LORD are you portraying?

Many men struggle in their role as dads because their own fathers were either absent—physically or emotionally— or poor examples. But regardless of what a person experienced in the past, the best thing any parent can do is imitate GOD the FATHER. But how do we know who HE really is?

We get our best glimpse of what the heavenly FATHER is like by looking at HIS SON. Speaking with the disciples, JESUS said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME . . . He who has seen ME has seen the FATHER” (John 14: 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ; 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?). Not only is CHRIST our path to relationship with GOD; HE is also the way we come to know the FATHER’s true character.

When we look at JESUS’ life, what do we see? HE was merciful, patient, gentle, compassionate, kind, and full of goodness toward all people (Matt. 9: 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with HIM and HIS disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked HIS disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, JESUS said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’”). The SAVIOUR healed the sick, provided for needs, and offered forgiveness—regardless of the offense (Matt. 14: 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. ; Luke 23: 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.). But in love, HE didn’t hesitate to discipline or correct others when required.

More than a solid education or material possessions, your child’s greatest need is a role model of devotion to GOD through prayer, Bible reading, and holy living. If you make knowing and following the heavenly FATHER your first priority, you won’t have to worry about what kind of parent you will be.

sky5107

对后代的责任

诗篇78:1 我的民哪，你们要留心听我的训诲、侧耳听我口中的话。  
78:2 我要开口说比喻，我要说出古时的谜语；
78:3 是我们所听见、所知道的，也是我们的祖宗告诉我们的。  
78:4 我们不将这些事向他们的子孙隐瞒，要将耶和华的美德和祂的能力、并祂奇妙的作为，述说给后代听。  
78:5 因为祂在雅各中立法度、在以色列中设律法，是祂吩咐我们祖宗要传给子孙的。  
78:6 使将要生的后代子孙可以晓得，他们也要起来告诉他们的子孙，
78:7 好叫他们仰望 神，不忘记 神的作为，惟要守祂的命令。  
78:8 不要像他们的祖宗，是顽梗悖逆、居心不正之辈，向着 神心不诚实。

在任何时候，我们都应该作为率先服从上帝的一代人。想想看，如果我们停止与儿女分享主耶稣的真理，那么我们的国家将会怎样？答案就是：后代没有了圣经的根基（例如当一个国家没有以上帝的教导为根基，那这个国家就会沦为一个认同同性恋、乱伦滥交、嗜酒吸毒等犯罪频频的国家）。

这个观点可能听起来有些偏激，但是纵观美国的近代史，我们就能看到一个[关键词屏蔽]不安的趋势。多年之前，美国原本是以圣经原则为建国的根基。那时，人们通常都会带儿女去教会，也会在家里朗读圣经。然而，随着时间的推移，美国人变得富裕和忙碌，但是却推开了上帝。现在，很多孩子就读美国的学校，在那里上帝甚至不被提及，除非是因为虚荣而利用上帝的名。

从诗篇78章我们看到，我们被赋予了神圣的使命，就是要将上帝的真理教导儿女们---通过亲身效法神性的生命而活、亲自教导上帝的话语和分享我们关于上帝的供应和带领的见证。我们服从上帝，以真理来培育下一代，这样做将决定我们整个国家和社会未来的道德根本。

所有真基督徒都扮演着重要的角色，从讲堂上直接传讲的圣经老师，到给自己的儿女和青年团契宣读圣经的父母。尤其作为父母，是肩负着重任，要按照 神的义来培育他们的儿女。

亲爱的兄弟姐妹们，你是一位父母或祖父母吗？或者，在你的影响圈里有其他的孩子吗？想一想，怎样教导这些孩子们与基督同行。因为没有任何工作，能比造就后代的生命更有必要和更有意义。


Obligation to Future Generations

Psalm 78: 1 My people, hear my teaching;
    listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
    things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
    and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors—
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
    whose spirits were not faithful to Him. . . . . . .

At any time, we are just one generation away from being a pagan nation. Consider what could happen to our country if we stopped sharing the truth about JESUS with our children: the next generation would exist with no biblical foundation.

This idea may sound extreme, but the American recent history shows an unsettling tendency. Years ago, America was founded upon scriptural principles. It was common for people to take their children to church and read the Bible aloud at home. As time went on, though, Americans became affluent and busy, pushing the LORD aside. Now, many children attend schools in America where GOD is not even mentioned—unless HIS name is used in vain.

As we see in Psalm 78, we have been given divine instruction to teach the truth to our children. We do this by modelling a godly life, teaching the WORD, and sharing our testimony of the FATHER’s provision and leading. Our obedience concerning the training of children will determine the future moral character of our nation.

All true believers have an important role to play in this—from Bible teachers who instruct directly in a classroom; to the parents who read the Bible to their children and to the youth groups. Parents in particular have the enormous responsibility to train their daughters and sons in righteousness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Are you a parent or grandparent? Or are there other children within your circle of influence? Think about ways that you are purposefully teaching them how to walk with CHRIST. There is no task quite as essential or fulfilling as investing in the lives of the next generation.