When It’s Time 时候到了
Dexu Xia
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
When my friends Al and Kathy Schiffer flew their iconic, World War II–era airplane to airshows, it was the reactions of the elderly war veterans that meant the most to them. They would come by so they could talk about the wars they served in and the airplanes they flew. Most of their battle stories were told with tears in their eyes. Many have said that the best news they received while serving their country were the words, “The war is over, boys. It’s time to go home.”
These words from an earlier generation relate to the war believers in Jesus are engaged in—our good fight of faith against the devil, the enemy of our souls. The apostle Peter warned us: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He tempts us in various ways and uses discouragement in suffering and persecution to try to draw us away from our faith in Jesus. Peter challenged his first readers and us today to “be alert and of sober mind” (1 Peter 5:8). We depend on the Holy Spirit so we won’t let the enemy cause us to surrender the fight and bring us down.
We know that one day Jesus will return. When He comes, His words will have an effect similar to that felt by wartime soldiers, bringing tears to our eyes and joy to our hearts: “The war is over, children. It’s time to go Home.” By: Anne Cetas
What help do you need from God to resist the devil’s schemes? How could your fellow believers help you?
Almighty God, You’re far greater than anyone or anything that stands against me. Please help me to rely on Your strength and power.
你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。—彼得前书5章8节
我的朋友艾尔和凯西开着他们二战时期的标志性飞机，参加了航空展。对他们而言，参展最重要的意义在于那些退伍老兵的反应。这些老兵会来观赏航空展，是因为他们可以尽情地谈论自己曾经参与过的战役，以及驾驶过的飞机。大部分的人都是含泪叙述自己的战争故事。许多人表示，在战火岁月中，他们听到最好的消息就是：“孩子们，战争结束了，回家的时候到了！”
老一辈人的战后感言，令人联想到基督徒正在经历的属灵战争──我们正与灵魂的仇敌魔鬼为真道打那美好的仗。使徒彼得警诫我们：“你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。”牠用各样的方式引诱我们，试着用苦难和迫害使我们心灰意冷，好让我们不再信靠耶稣。彼得挑战初代教会的信徒和今日的我们，“务要谨守、警醒”（彼得前书5章8节）。我们倚靠圣灵，好叫我们不让仇敌有机可趁而战败投降。
我们知道有一天耶稣会再来。到那时，祂的呼唤会让我们像战场上的士兵一样，感动得热泪盈眶、满心欢喜。“孩子们，战争结束了，回家的时候到了！”
作者： 施安妮
你需要上帝如何帮助你来抵挡魔鬼的诡计？
主内弟兄姐妹可以如何帮助你？
全能的上帝，祢远远大于一切人事物的试探。
请帮助我全然倚靠祢的大能大力！