使徒保罗写给歌罗西教会的书信中涵盖了几个重要的议题：祷告、耶稣的位格和工作，以及教会。保罗也鼓励他的读者“在正路上互相教导和彼此帮助，怀着喜乐的心，以诗篇、圣诗、基督教歌曲来歌颂神”（J.B. Phillips译本），以此显出他们在基督里的活泼的生命。
在古时，歌唱对神的百姓十分重要，今日也如此。你如何能使用歌唱使自己及身边的人，得着丰盛的真智慧呢？
我想起自己在非洲曾有幸到访过的一个家庭。那家的父母亲会在每顿饭后带领他们的三个小孩子唱两三首歌，这些诗歌使基督的教导深入孩子们的心里。你也可以选择在车上用收音机或iPod播放基督教音乐。又或是轻轻哼唱一首圣诗来鼓励一个生病的朋友。
今天不妨花点时间想想，如何使用歌曲来鼓舞别人与主同行。当记住，这些歌曲也多次在你痛苦、疑惑，和忍受试探的日子中激励你，使你与主更靠近。
亲爱的主，感谢祢赐下音乐这宝贵的礼物，也感谢祢赐下歌曲，使我们能每天向祢表达心中的感恩。奉祢的名祷告。阿们。
歌罗西书 3:12-17
12所以，你们既是神的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔、忍耐的心。
13倘若这人与那人有嫌隙，总要彼此包容，彼此饶恕；主怎样饶恕了你们，你们也要怎样饶恕人。
14在这一切之外，要存着爱心，爱心就是联络全德的。
15又要叫基督的平安在你们心里作主；你们也为此蒙召，归为一体；且要存感谢的心。
16当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理丰丰富富地存在心里，用诗章、颂词、灵歌，彼此教导，互相劝戒，心被恩感，歌颂神。
17无论做什么，或说话或行事，都要奉主耶稣的名，藉着他感谢父神。
"Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." — Colossians 3:16
The apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians covers some significant topics: prayer, the person and work of Jesus, and the church. Paul also encourages his readers to show evidence that they are alive in Christ as they "teach and help one another along the right road with . . . psalms and hymns and Christian songs, singing God's praises with joyful hearts" (J.B. Phillips translation).
Singing was important to God's people in ancient times, and it is still very important today. How can you use singing to make your own life or that of others around you rich in true wisdom today?
I am reminded of a family in Africa with whom I was privileged to stay. The mother and father led their three little children in singing two or three songs after every meal. These songs brought the teachings of Christ to live in their hearts. You might choose to play Christian music on your car radio or iPod. Or perhaps you might quietly sing a hymn to encourage a friend who is sick.
Take a moment today to think of how you can use songs to encourage someone in their walk with the Lord. Be reminded of how often the words of a song have encouraged you to walk more closely with God during times of struggle, doubt, or temptation.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of music. Thank you for giving us songs to express our gratitude to you every day. In your name we pray. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
