第四章

¹⁰ 我在主裡大大地喜樂，因為你們現在又再想起我來；其實你們一向都在想念我，只是沒有機會表示。 ¹¹ 我並不是因為缺乏才這樣說：我已經學會了，無論在甚麼情況之下都可以知足。 ¹² 我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處富裕；我已經得了祕訣，無論在任何情況之下，或是飽足，或是飢餓，或是富裕，或是缺乏，都可以知足。 ¹³ 我靠著那加給我能力的，凡事都能作。 ¹⁴ 然而，你們一同分擔了我的患難，實在是好的。

 

默想：

1．  一個屬靈生命成熟的信徒，他會學習無論在怎樣的經濟景況下，都能安之若素。保羅就是如此；他感謝腓立比信徒對他經濟的資助，同時他也和他們分享他的心態——他雖然對他們很感激們的慷慨，但也希望教會眾人知道，他即使身陷獄中，因為在基督裡，他可以滿足於任何的生活環境中。

2．  傅士德為“簡樸”作了這樣的定義：“從內在的真實光景，流露出來的外在生活方式”。對保羅來說，內在的真實光景是什麼呢？我的生活中有類似的經驗嗎？怎樣可以更加進步？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

 

 

Chapter 4

¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for.   I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  ¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

 

Meditation:

1. One of the lessons of spiritual maturity is the secret of living well whatever our financial means.  Paul shares this lesson as he thanks the Philippians for their financial support.  Although he is grateful for their generosity, Paul wants the church to know that in Christ he can be satisfied with any standard of living, even in prison.
2. In defining simplicity, Richard Foster writes that it is “an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle” (Celebration of Discipline).  According to Paul, what is the inward reality?  How close am I to experiencing this in my life?  What can I do to encourage it?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.