【译文】

习惯是一种强迫性重复的行为，会给人的一生带来积极或者消极的影响。杰夫·希曼牧师写道：”有些人是工作的奴隶，有些人是嫉妒的奴隶，有些人是闲言碎语的奴隶，有些人是他人观点的奴隶“……这些都是同一种束缚的不同形式。习惯性行为常常会影响一个人的幸福感。有些习惯是好事，比如坚持锻炼；有些习惯则是坏事，比如吸烟或者吸毒。我们常常把这些习惯叫做“成瘾”（但是，显然，成瘾不仅仅是一个“习惯”而已！）通常一个不良习惯很难改，因为它是精神和情感上的奴役形式。作为耶稣的跟随者，我追崇的是“摆脱、免于”某物，而不是“受奴役于”某物。

当您冥思默想神的话时，圣灵将在您心里作工。今天的圣经章节摘自于【历代志上】第十六章第28-30节：”民中的万族阿，你们要将荣耀能力归给耶和华，都归给耶和华。要将耶和华的名所当得的荣耀归给他，拿供物来奉到他面前。当以圣洁的妆饰敬拜耶和华。全地要在他面前战抖，世界也坚定不得动摇。“

休憩之时，愿神的慈爱伴您安然入睡。神祝福您。

亲切的问候，

杰夫牧师

【Original】

A habit is any activity that a person repeats compulsively that can have either positive or negative consequences to a person’s whole life. Pastor Jeff Seaman writes, “Some people are slaves to work, some people are slaves to jealousy, and some people are slaves to gossip, some people are slaves to people’s opinions” … different forms of the same bondage. Habitual activities usually affect a person’s well-being. For instance, some habits are good things to have, like consistent exercise. Some habits are bad things to have, like smoking or drugs. We often call those habits “addictions” (but obviously there’s often far more to an addiction than that it’s “just” a habit!). But a bad “habit” is often difficult to break and it’s form mental and emotional enslavement. As a follower of Jesus I’m about “freedom from” and not “slavery to” something.

The Holy Spirit will work in your heart to inspire you as you meditate on the Scripture section. It’s from 1 Chronicles 16:28-30, “O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.”

As you rest, be confident in God’s loving kindness. God bless you.

Kind regards,

Pastor Jeff