10月11日
标 题：灵性的预备
经 节：她们去买的时候，新郎到了。那预备好了的，同他进去坐席，门就关了。（马太福音廿五章10节）
灵性的预备是没有代替品的。灵性的预备装备你面对意料之外的危险及良机。如果你尚未预备好，你将容易因生命中意外事件的发生，而受到伤害。
耶稣曾经以一个比喻来教导这个真理。十个童女等待新郎的到来，好与新郎及新娘一起庆祝。其中五个童女已经为自己的灯，准备好足够的油，另外五位并没有准备好，所以她们仓促地跑出去买油。当她们离开的时候，新郎到了。那五个预备好的童女就与新郎一同进去房子里庆祝。等那五位买油的童女回来时，大门已经关上，她们无法进去一同庆祝。
倘若危险临到时，你的灵性已经预备妥当，你就不用临时再拚命去与基督创建良好的关系，好帮助自己熬过这段死荫幽谷。倘若你突然有机会向未信者分享自己的信心，你会被装备好面对这个机会。倘若在崇拜时，你的灵性已经预备好，你绝对不会错过迎见神的机会。倘若你遇见一个心灵忧伤的人，你被圣灵充满，你将能提供更多的帮助。倘若你的生命已经创建了预防措施，你将不会被试探所引诱。
基督徒失去许多经历神的机会，因为他们不愿意花时间与神创建关系。如果你尚未养成每日祷告读经的习惯，何不现在就开始呢？这么一来，你就预备好，可以面对人生的挑战。
Spiritual Preparation
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)
There is no substitute for spiritual preparation. Spiritual preparation equips you for unforeseen crises or opportunities. However, if you are unprepared you will be vulnerable in life’s unexpected events.
Jesus told a parable that teaches this truth. Ten virgins were awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom so that they could celebrate with him and his bride. Five of them prepared in advance and brought an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five were not prepared, so they rushed out to buy additional lamp oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who had planned ahead entered into the house with him, but the door was closed against the five who were not ready, and they missed the celebration.
If you are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, you will not have to try to develop instantly the quality of relationship with Christ that can sustain you. If you suddenly have an opportunity to share your faith with an unbeliever, you will be equipped to do so. If you enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, you will not miss an encounter with God. If you are spiritually filled when you meet a person in sorrow, you will have much to offer. If you have established safeguards in your life in advance, you will not give in to temptation.
Christians lose many opportunities to experience God’s activity because they have not devoted enough time to their relationship with God. If you have not yet developed the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, why not begin now, so that you will be equipped for whatever life brings?
