Prepared to Help 预备好去帮助他人

[Dexu Xia]

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 Today’s Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:10

Today's Insights   The creation account in Genesis says that “God created mankind in his own image” (1:27). Ephesians 2:10 also declares that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Jesus set the example for us during His earthly ministry by doing “many good works from the Father” (John 10:32). Peter elaborates and says: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, . . . he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38). The fruit of the Spirit’s work in us is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). As believers in Christ, the Spirit will provide the opportunities and empowerment to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and do good works.

Today's Devotion  My friend needed to practice parallel parking before her driving test that was coming up soon. I was prayerfully looking for a safe place to teach her when the idea came to go to a neighborhood church with an ample parking lot. After we set up what turned out to be a less-than-ideal practice parking space using folding chairs, she made her first attempt to back into the spot between the chairs.

Then the pastor came out with orange cones in hand, similar to the kind used in a driving test. He introduced himself and asked, “Could you use these cones?” He explained that just last week their church family had discussed ways to help neighbors new to the community. “We talked about letting people use these cones in our parking lot for parking practice.” They had prepared to help others, and what a blessing they were for my friend.

Prepared to help others. That’s exactly what God did for us and in us. He “prepared in advance” for us to do good works and care for others (Ephesians 2:10). The apostle Paul says, “We are God’s handiwork” (v. 10), so we serve under His direction and for His purposes. Salvation is a gift from God (v. 8), who is “rich in mercy” (v. 4). Our good works are a work of God through us. He’s prepared us and will give us the compassion and wisdom we need to reach out to others.

Reflect & Pray

How has God gifted you? In what ways could you join with others to serve people in your community?  Dear God, please help me to see others’ needs and know what You want me to do so You may be seen.by Anne Cetas

我们是神的工作，在基督耶稣里造成的，为要叫我们行善。（以弗所书 2:10）

今日经文：以弗所书 2章1-10 节

今日洞见： 创世记中关于创造的记载提到：“神就照着自己的形像造人”（1:27）。以弗所书2章10节也宣告说：“我们是神的工作，在基督耶稣里造成的，为要行善，就是神所预备叫我们行的。”耶稣在世传道期间为我们树立了榜样，祂行了“许多从父而来的善事”（约翰福音 10:32）。彼得进一步阐述道：“神怎样以圣灵和能力膏拿撒勒人耶稣……他周流四方行善事，医好凡被魔鬼压制的人，因为神与他同在”（使徒行传 10:38）。圣灵在我们生命中结出的果子是“仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制”（加拉太书 5:22-23）。作为基督的信徒，圣灵会赐予我们机会和能力，让我们能跟随耶稣的脚踪去行善。

今日灵修 我的朋友即将参加驾驶考试，需要练习侧方停车。我一边祷告一边寻找一个安全的地方教她。这时我想到可以去附近一间拥有宽敞停车场的教会。我们用折叠椅设置了一个练习停车位（尽管那个位置并不太理想），随后她便尝试倒车进入两把椅子之间的空档。 这时，一位牧师手里拿着几个橙色交通锥（类似于驾考时使用的那种）走了出来。他做了自我介绍，并问道：“你们需要用这些交通锥吗？”他解释说，就在上周，教会的弟兄姊妹还在讨论如何帮助刚搬到社区的邻居。“我们当时谈到，可以让人们在我们的停车场使用这些交通锥来练习停车。”他们早已预备好去帮助他人，这对我的朋友来说真是一份极大的祝福。

  预备好去帮助他人，这正是神为我们所做、以及在我们要生命中所成就的事。祂“预先安排”让我们行善并关怀他人（以弗所书 2:10）。使徒保罗说：“我们是神的工作”（10节），因此我们在祂的指引下、按祂的旨意去服事。救恩是神的恩赐（8节），而祂是“有丰富的怜悯”的神（4节）。我们的善行是神借着我们所成就的工。祂已预备了我们，并将赐予我们所需的怜悯与智慧，去关怀和帮助他人。

 反思与祷告 神赐予了你什么恩赐？你可以如何与他人联手，去服事社区里的人？亲爱的神，求祢帮助我看见他人的需要，并明白祢希望我做什么，好让人们能看见祢。

作者：安妮·塞塔斯