7月22日──當你懷疑時  When you suspect

讀　　經：以弗所書6章 10-20 節

(New living translation)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

金　　句：「拿起上帝所賜的全付武裝。」（以弗所書6章13節）

全年讀經：以賽亞書46-48章

你是否曾經懷疑過聖經是否可靠？蘇格蘭宗教改革家約翰•諾克斯（John Knox）坦承說，他曾經經歷過一段黑暗的時期，那時候他靈魂裡充滿了「憤怒，心懷憤慨來反對上帝，對他的應許深感質疑。」
　

Have you ever suspected the Bible whether is reliable? Scotland religion crusader John Knox said frankly, he had experienced a period of dark times, in that time his soul filled with " Anger, opposing against God with resentment, doubting deeply about His promises."

你有時是否會懷疑上帝的存在呢？忠誠的清教徒，馬塞（Increase Mather）在他的日記中寫說，他曾經「被誘惑大大地騷擾，走向無神論。」

Have you sometimes suspected God's existence? Devotional Puritan, Marseilles, in his diary said, he was once "enticed by great harasses, moving towards the atheism."

你是否曾經也充滿疑問，有時覺得自己像一個非信徒。馬丁路德悲傷地承認說：「曾經有一個多星期的時間，基督好像消失了，我因沮喪而動搖心志，並且褻瀆了上帝。」

Had you ever filled with questions, and sometimes thought yourself like as a non- follower. Martin Luther sadly acknowledged: " Having once more than one week time, Christ seemed like vanished, I lost my faith due to depression, and blasphemed against God.

假如你經歷過相似的困境，不必驚訝！身為基督的追隨者，我們的戰鬥對象是上帝的敵人、魔鬼和謊言之父（約翰福音8章44節）。我們與那「管轄這幽靈世界的」魔鬼戰鬥。當我們遭到疑問攻擊時，上帝給我們提供了兩件武器，那就是「真理」與「信仰的盾牌」，它們可以「盡滅那惡者一切的火箭」。（14-16節）

If you have experienced the similar difficult situation, needless to be surprised! As the Christ follower, our fight target is God's enemy, the devil and the father of falsity. (John 8:44).  We fight with the devil who "controls over the evil spirit world" . When we encounter the disbelief attacking, God has provided two weapons to us, that is "the truth" and "the belief shield", and they may "stop the fiery arrows of the devil.". (14-16)

當我們專注於上帝的話語時，我們的信仰就得到堅固。當疑問襲擊我們時，我們就可以站立得穩。

When we concentrate God's words, our belief would get firmly. When the doubts attack us, we may stand steadily.

那魔鬼是狡猾、善騙且偷偷摸摸的；

他是狡黠且用詭計要引我們輕易地相信他的謊言，
但我們確定可以辨識他狡詐的方法，
就是藉著把上帝的警告當做我們日常關切的事。
　

That devil is sly, adept in cheats and furtive;

He is cunning and wants to swindle us easily to believe his tricks,

But we confirm to recognize his deceitful method,

That is by God's warning as our daily concern.

要對付撒旦謊言的最好方法就是了解上帝的真理。

The best method to cope with Satan's tricks is to know God's truth.