代表着这个世界上各种权力的标志，到处都是。国旗、政府大楼，公共汽车上的标志，都在宣告高层的领导和官员的存在。警察和军官身穿的制服和装甲，代表着权威和重重的军令；公司主管在有两边大玻璃窗的办公间套房工作；即使在学校，你和哪群人埋堆，也显出你在人前的身分与地位。然而这些仅仅是外在的标志，它们不能最终决定使用这些权力之人的品格、优点，和德行。
保罗在给以弗所的书信中教导信徒要“在主里刚强”，不要汲汲追求俗世的权力。相反，要寻求内在的力量和特质，这些能展现神在你里面的能力；只有神的能力能使你们抵挡那试图将你们与主分离的邪恶属灵势力。一个与圣灵同行的生命，会寻求真理和公义，留下平安的印记，并被耶稣基督里的信仰和救恩所保守，这样的生命是被神复活的大能所点燃的生命。凡是呼求主的人，都有一个强大的内在力量的源泉。
我们不知道今天将会如何，但无论如何，我们都可以在真理、仁义、和平、信心、救恩，和神的话语中，获得能力。
主啊，求祢使我们的信心刚强，以谦卑的信心充满我们，靠祢的大能而活。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
以弗所书 6:10-20
10 我还有末了的话，你们要靠着主，倚赖他的大能大力做刚强的人。
11 要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。
12 因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。
13 所以，要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌；并且成就了一切，还能站立得住。
14 所以要站稳了，用真理当做带子束腰，用公义当做护心镜遮胸，
15 又用平安的福音当做预备走路的鞋穿在脚上。
16 此外，又拿着信德当做藤牌，可以灭尽那恶者一切的火箭；
17 并戴上救恩的头盔，拿着圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道。
18 靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求，并要在此警醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求；
19 也为我祈求，使我得着口才，能以放胆开口讲明福音的奥秘——
20 我为这福音的奥秘做了戴锁链的使者——并使我照着当尽的本分放胆讲论。
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God. . . . — Ephesians 6:10-11
Symbols of worldly power exist all around us. National flags and other symbols on government buildings and vehicles announce the presence of high-ranking leaders and officials. Uniforms and armor worn by police and military officers denote authority and a chain of command. Company executives work in corner office suites. Even at school, the group you hang out with can suggest your positioning among other students. Yet these are merely outward symbols. They do not ultimately define the character, strength, or virtue of the individuals who use them.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, instructs believers to “be strong in the Lord.” Do not worry about acquiring symbols of worldly power. Instead, seek after the inner strength and characteristics that display God’s power in you. Only God’s power will defend you against the spiritual forces of evil seeking to separate you from the Lord. A life lived in step with the Holy Spirit, seeking truth and righteousness, leaving footprints of peace, and protected by faith and salvation through Jesus Christ, is fueled by God’s resurrection power. There is a mighty source of inner strength for all who call on the Lord.
We don’t know what today will bring. But whatever comes, we can have strength in the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and Word of God.
Lord, make our faith strong and fill us with humble confidence to live by your power. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
