Love suffers long and is kind . . . —1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is not premeditated—it is spontaneous; that is, it bursts forth in extraordinary ways. There is nothing of precise certainty in Paul’s description of love. We cannot predetermine our thoughts and actions by saying, “Now I will never think any evil thoughts, and I will believe everything that Jesus would have me to believe.” No, the characteristic of love is spontaneity. We don’t deliberately set the statements of Jesus before us as our standard, but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without even realizing it. And when we look back, we are amazed at how unconcerned we have been over our emotions, which is the very evidence that real spontaneous love was there. The nature of everything involved in the life of God in us is only discerned when we have been through it and it is in our past.
The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit . . .” (Romans 5:5).
If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we really don’t love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us. And when we look back, we will not be able to determine why we did certain things, but we can know that we did them according to the spontaneous nature of His love in us. The life of God exhibits itself in this spontaneous way because the fountains of His love are in the Holy Spirit.
自發的愛
愛是恆久忍耐，又有恩慈……（林前十三4-8）
愛不是預先精打細算，而是自然流露的，是不知不覺地湧現。保羅所舉出的愛，不是清單式地計算出來。我們不能說：[好，現在我不再思想惡事，我要凡事相信。 ]愛的特質是自動自發。我們不是把耶穌的說話擺在面前，當準則去遵行；而是當他的靈在我們裡面自由作工，我們就不知不覺地照著他的標準去生活。當我們回顧過去的經歷，就會詫異某種感情是如此公正無私，這就證明有真愛自然流露在其中。神的生命在我們裡面，但每每等到我們經歷過後，才恍然發覺。
愛的泉源是在神裡面，而不是在我們裡面。若想在自己天然性情中去找神的愛，簡直是緣木求魚。只有當聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡，我們才有真正的愛。
若我們想向神證明是多麼愛他，這正表示我們並不愛他；若要證明愛他，就要讓愛自動自發地流露出來。回想起來，也說不出為何我們會這樣做，是神的愛在裡面流露，故我們有這樣的表現。神的生命是自然的彰顯，因為愛的泉源是在聖靈裡面（羅五5）
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要被你的同在所充滿和振奮。賜我在你裡面得著愉快而寧靜的信心，他正是聖靈的憑證。
April 30, 2013
April 29, 2013
Gracious Uncertainty
. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . —1 John 3:2
Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
未有確據而安之若素之恩典
將來如何，還未顯明。 （約壹三2）
我們本性喜歡一五一十地計算得清清楚楚，於是視未確定得事為壞事。我們總愛假設一個可達的目標；其實，屬靈生命的本質不是這樣的。屬靈生命的本質是在未確定的時候，便心裡堅定；因此，我們不必到處築巢，安身立命。理智會說：[唔，假如我在那情況之下……]但我們根本不能置身於自己尚未經歷過的情況。
安穩是屬世生活的表記，而在不穩定中靠主恩安詳，是屬靈生命的標誌。相信神，就意味著我們對生活各方面的事情不肯定，因為我們不曉得一天將會發生什麼事。這句話一般都是存著愁嘆來說；其實，這應該是一句滿有希望的說話才對。我們雖不知下一步如何，但我們相信神。
那隻要將自己一切交給神，並儘上本份，神就會使我們每時每刻充滿驚喜。可是，我們若只高舉一些教條，死就進來了；我們不是相信神，而是相信他的信念。耶穌說：[你們若不……變成小孩子的樣式……。 ]屬靈生命是赤子的生命。我們對神並非不肯定，乃是不肯定他下一步怎樣做。若我們只對信仰肯定，就是把自己抬高，變得嚴厲自尊，只對自己的見解下結論；但我們若與神有正常的關係，生命就充滿自然的、歡樂的期望，因為對未來的事，並沒有把握。
耶穌說：[你們也當信我。 ]他不是說：[你們要信某些關於我的事。 ]完全交託他吧！雖然不知道他何時臨到，但他必然會臨到。持守對他的忠貞吧。
祈禱◆主啊，為著過去的那段時間，我敬拜你。你讓我看見那許多的人，榮耀地與你進入正常的關係！它是那麼奇妙，使我難有足夠的言詞去讚美你。
Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
未有確據而安之若素之恩典
將來如何，還未顯明。 （約壹三2）
我們本性喜歡一五一十地計算得清清楚楚，於是視未確定得事為壞事。我們總愛假設一個可達的目標；其實，屬靈生命的本質不是這樣的。屬靈生命的本質是在未確定的時候，便心裡堅定；因此，我們不必到處築巢，安身立命。理智會說：[唔，假如我在那情況之下……]但我們根本不能置身於自己尚未經歷過的情況。
安穩是屬世生活的表記，而在不穩定中靠主恩安詳，是屬靈生命的標誌。相信神，就意味著我們對生活各方面的事情不肯定，因為我們不曉得一天將會發生什麼事。這句話一般都是存著愁嘆來說；其實，這應該是一句滿有希望的說話才對。我們雖不知下一步如何，但我們相信神。
那隻要將自己一切交給神，並儘上本份，神就會使我們每時每刻充滿驚喜。可是，我們若只高舉一些教條，死就進來了；我們不是相信神，而是相信他的信念。耶穌說：[你們若不……變成小孩子的樣式……。 ]屬靈生命是赤子的生命。我們對神並非不肯定，乃是不肯定他下一步怎樣做。若我們只對信仰肯定，就是把自己抬高，變得嚴厲自尊，只對自己的見解下結論；但我們若與神有正常的關係，生命就充滿自然的、歡樂的期望，因為對未來的事，並沒有把握。
耶穌說：[你們也當信我。 ]他不是說：[你們要信某些關於我的事。 ]完全交託他吧！雖然不知道他何時臨到，但他必然會臨到。持守對他的忠貞吧。
祈禱◆主啊，為著過去的那段時間，我敬拜你。你讓我看見那許多的人，榮耀地與你進入正常的關係！它是那麼奇妙，使我難有足夠的言詞去讚美你。
April 28, 2013
What You Will Get
I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go —Jeremiah 45:5
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
April 27, 2013
What Do You Want?
Do you seek great things for yourself? —Jeremiah 45:5
Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.
If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason-you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
你要什麼？
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ （耶四十五5）
你是否正為自己圖謀大事？你不是求成為一個偉人，而是為自己向神求大事。神盼望你與他更親密的關係，過於領受他的恩賜，他要你認識他。大事是偶發的，會來也會去；神從來不會給我們一些偶然的東西。其實，與神建立正常的關係是最容易不過的，除非我們所要的不是神，而是他所賜的東西。
你若單向神求東西，那末在撇下一切歸神的路上，你還未踏上第一步，你不過是照著自己的意思去作基督徒。 [我曾經求神給我聖靈，但他並沒有給我預期的平安與安息。 ]神馬上就會指出原因－－你根本不是尋求主，只是為自己有所圖謀。耶穌說：[你們祈求，就給你們。 ]你要的可以向神求，但是你所求的若不對，就得不著。當你與神親近，就不再是求東西了。 [你們沒有祈求以先，你們所需用的，你們的父早已知道了。 ]那麼為何還要求呢？這是要你們更認識他吧。
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ [神啊，求你以聖靈給我施洗。 ]神若不應允，乃是由於你尚未完全歸順他，你還有些事不肯做的。你肯不肯捫心自問：你向神所求的到底是什麼？為什麼要這些？神總是為了最終的完美，而不顧現今暫時的好處。他不會只令你現今快樂幸福，而是為那最終的完美而作工－－[叫他們合而為一，像我們合而為一。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，當我今天向你發聲，願你的亮光和恩典臨到我們。願我們[凡事尊榮我們救主神的道]。
Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.
If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason-you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
你要什麼？
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ （耶四十五5）
你是否正為自己圖謀大事？你不是求成為一個偉人，而是為自己向神求大事。神盼望你與他更親密的關係，過於領受他的恩賜，他要你認識他。大事是偶發的，會來也會去；神從來不會給我們一些偶然的東西。其實，與神建立正常的關係是最容易不過的，除非我們所要的不是神，而是他所賜的東西。
你若單向神求東西，那末在撇下一切歸神的路上，你還未踏上第一步，你不過是照著自己的意思去作基督徒。 [我曾經求神給我聖靈，但他並沒有給我預期的平安與安息。 ]神馬上就會指出原因－－你根本不是尋求主，只是為自己有所圖謀。耶穌說：[你們祈求，就給你們。 ]你要的可以向神求，但是你所求的若不對，就得不著。當你與神親近，就不再是求東西了。 [你們沒有祈求以先，你們所需用的，你們的父早已知道了。 ]那麼為何還要求呢？這是要你們更認識他吧。
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ [神啊，求你以聖靈給我施洗。 ]神若不應允，乃是由於你尚未完全歸順他，你還有些事不肯做的。你肯不肯捫心自問：你向神所求的到底是什麼？為什麼要這些？神總是為了最終的完美，而不顧現今暫時的好處。他不會只令你現今快樂幸福，而是為那最終的完美而作工－－[叫他們合而為一，像我們合而為一。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，當我今天向你發聲，願你的亮光和恩典臨到我們。願我們[凡事尊榮我們救主神的道]。
April 26, 2013
The Supreme Climb
Take now your son . . . and offer him . . . as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you —Genesis 22:2
A person’s character determines how he interprets God’s will (see Psalm 18:25-26). Abraham interpreted God’s command to mean that he had to kill his son, and he could only leave this traditional belief behind through the pain of a tremendous ordeal. God could purify his faith in no other way. If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief, God will break us from those traditional beliefs that misrepresent Him. There are many such beliefs which must be removed-for example, that God removes a child because his mother loves him too much. That is the devil’s lie and a travesty on the true nature of God! If the devil can hinder us from taking the supreme climb and getting rid of our wrong traditional beliefs about God, he will do so. But if we will stay true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will serve to bring us into a better knowledge of Himself.
The great lesson to be learned from Abraham’s faith in God is that he was prepared to do anything for God. He was there to obey God, no matter what contrary belief of his might be violated by his obedience. Abraham was not devoted to his own convictions or else he would have slain Isaac and said that the voice of the angel was actually the voice of the devil. That is the attitude of a fanatic. If you will remain true to God, God will lead you directly through every barrier and right into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself. But you must always be willing to come to the point of giving up your own convictions and traditional beliefs. Don’t ask God to test you. Never declare as Peter did that you are willing to do anything, even “to go . . . both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). Abraham did not make any such statement— he simply remained true to God, and God purified his faith.
攀高
你帶著你的兒子……在我所要指示你的山上，把他獻為燔祭。 （創二十二2）
一個人如何領會神的旨意，乃在於他的個性（參詩十八25-26）。亞伯拉罕對神命令的領會，就是要把兒子殺了。他只好把傳統的觀念拋在腦後，忍受極度痛苦的考驗。神只有用這個方法去煉淨他的信心。我們若存誠實的心順服神，神自然會將我們從傳統對他的誤解中釋放出來。有許多信念是我們要摒棄的，就如：神要把一個孩子取去，因為那母親太愛他了。這簡直是魔鬼的謊話，是嘲弄神的本性。魔鬼會不惜代價阻礙我們踏上登高之路，不讓我們除掉神誤解的傳統觀念。可是，只要我們忠於神，他就會帶我們經過考驗，使我們從經驗中更認識他。
亞伯拉罕對神信心的偉大處，在於他肯為神赴湯蹈火，在所不辭。他只一心聽從神，不惜違反任何觀念。亞伯拉罕並非一己信念的忠實信徒，否則他就會一意孤行，殺了以撒，說那天使的呼叫是魔鬼的聲音了。這只是狂妄者的態度。只要你保持對神的忠誠，神必領你經過一切障礙，進入內室得以認識他；但其中有個關鍵，就是放棄傳統的信念與看法。不要求神試驗你，切勿像彼得那樣宣稱：[我什麼都肯做，甚至願與你同死。 ]亞伯拉罕並沒有作此宣告，他始終對神忠誠，神也就煉淨了他的信心。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我投向你，我所感覺得到的，惟獨是你。取去我那些繁贅、誇大和衝動的謊話，讓我安靜地等候你。
A person’s character determines how he interprets God’s will (see Psalm 18:25-26). Abraham interpreted God’s command to mean that he had to kill his son, and he could only leave this traditional belief behind through the pain of a tremendous ordeal. God could purify his faith in no other way. If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief, God will break us from those traditional beliefs that misrepresent Him. There are many such beliefs which must be removed-for example, that God removes a child because his mother loves him too much. That is the devil’s lie and a travesty on the true nature of God! If the devil can hinder us from taking the supreme climb and getting rid of our wrong traditional beliefs about God, he will do so. But if we will stay true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will serve to bring us into a better knowledge of Himself.
The great lesson to be learned from Abraham’s faith in God is that he was prepared to do anything for God. He was there to obey God, no matter what contrary belief of his might be violated by his obedience. Abraham was not devoted to his own convictions or else he would have slain Isaac and said that the voice of the angel was actually the voice of the devil. That is the attitude of a fanatic. If you will remain true to God, God will lead you directly through every barrier and right into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself. But you must always be willing to come to the point of giving up your own convictions and traditional beliefs. Don’t ask God to test you. Never declare as Peter did that you are willing to do anything, even “to go . . . both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). Abraham did not make any such statement— he simply remained true to God, and God purified his faith.
攀高
你帶著你的兒子……在我所要指示你的山上，把他獻為燔祭。 （創二十二2）
一個人如何領會神的旨意，乃在於他的個性（參詩十八25-26）。亞伯拉罕對神命令的領會，就是要把兒子殺了。他只好把傳統的觀念拋在腦後，忍受極度痛苦的考驗。神只有用這個方法去煉淨他的信心。我們若存誠實的心順服神，神自然會將我們從傳統對他的誤解中釋放出來。有許多信念是我們要摒棄的，就如：神要把一個孩子取去，因為那母親太愛他了。這簡直是魔鬼的謊話，是嘲弄神的本性。魔鬼會不惜代價阻礙我們踏上登高之路，不讓我們除掉神誤解的傳統觀念。可是，只要我們忠於神，他就會帶我們經過考驗，使我們從經驗中更認識他。
亞伯拉罕對神信心的偉大處，在於他肯為神赴湯蹈火，在所不辭。他只一心聽從神，不惜違反任何觀念。亞伯拉罕並非一己信念的忠實信徒，否則他就會一意孤行，殺了以撒，說那天使的呼叫是魔鬼的聲音了。這只是狂妄者的態度。只要你保持對神的忠誠，神必領你經過一切障礙，進入內室得以認識他；但其中有個關鍵，就是放棄傳統的信念與看法。不要求神試驗你，切勿像彼得那樣宣稱：[我什麼都肯做，甚至願與你同死。 ]亞伯拉罕並沒有作此宣告，他始終對神忠誠，神也就煉淨了他的信心。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我投向你，我所感覺得到的，惟獨是你。取去我那些繁贅、誇大和衝動的謊話，讓我安靜地等候你。
April 25, 2013
"Ready in Season"
Be ready in season and out of season —2 Timothy 4:2
Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to “be ready” only “out of season.” The season does not refer to time; it refers to us. This verse says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, we should “be ready” whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. There are some people who are totally unemployable in the spiritual realm. They are spiritually feeble and weak, and they refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
One of the worst traps a Christian worker can fall into is to become obsessed with his own exceptional moments of inspiration. When the Spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, you tend to say, “Now that I’ve experienced this moment, I will always be like this for God.” No, you will not, and God will make sure of that. Those times are entirely the gift of God. You cannot give them to yourself when you choose. If you say you will only be at your best for God, as during those exceptional times, you actually become an intolerable burden on Him. You will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously aware of His inspiration to you at all times. If you make a god out of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life, never to return until you are obedient in the work He has placed closest to you, and until you have learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given you.
隨時隨地常作準備
無論得時不得時，總要專心。 （提後四2）
不少人有這一種病態情況，就是在[不得時]專心。 [時]不是指時間，乃是指我們。 [無論得時不得時]，就是不論我們喜歡或不喜歡。如果我們只做心想做的事，我們就永遠會一事無成。在屬靈的領域裡，有好些派不上用場的人；也有屬靈的老人，這等人若沒有超然的啟示，是不肯動一個指頭的。啟示要證明我們與神的關係，乃是本分，不管我們是否有感動。
作主工人最大的陷阱，就是高舉自己某一刻的特殊經歷。當神的靈給你啟示與亮光，你就說：[從此我為神持守這個地位。 ]錯了，你不能，神必使你不能如此。經歷完全是神所賜的，你不能隨私意據為己有。你若自稱必能保持高峰狀態，你就成為難以忍受的累贅；而你也要神不住地啟示感動，否則就什麼也不肯作。你若把自己超然的經歷當作神，你會發覺神將從你生命中消失，除非你肯盡你的本分，學會不再崇信自己的超然經歷。
祈禱◆主啊，我的靈魂今天最需要的，是解脫和美化。我來到你面前，我的肉身需要你成為救主和主，求你修補我對你失卻熱忱和敏銳的靈，以致我可以在這里為你發揮適當的影響力。
Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to “be ready” only “out of season.” The season does not refer to time; it refers to us. This verse says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, we should “be ready” whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. There are some people who are totally unemployable in the spiritual realm. They are spiritually feeble and weak, and they refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
One of the worst traps a Christian worker can fall into is to become obsessed with his own exceptional moments of inspiration. When the Spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, you tend to say, “Now that I’ve experienced this moment, I will always be like this for God.” No, you will not, and God will make sure of that. Those times are entirely the gift of God. You cannot give them to yourself when you choose. If you say you will only be at your best for God, as during those exceptional times, you actually become an intolerable burden on Him. You will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously aware of His inspiration to you at all times. If you make a god out of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life, never to return until you are obedient in the work He has placed closest to you, and until you have learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given you.
隨時隨地常作準備
無論得時不得時，總要專心。 （提後四2）
不少人有這一種病態情況，就是在[不得時]專心。 [時]不是指時間，乃是指我們。 [無論得時不得時]，就是不論我們喜歡或不喜歡。如果我們只做心想做的事，我們就永遠會一事無成。在屬靈的領域裡，有好些派不上用場的人；也有屬靈的老人，這等人若沒有超然的啟示，是不肯動一個指頭的。啟示要證明我們與神的關係，乃是本分，不管我們是否有感動。
作主工人最大的陷阱，就是高舉自己某一刻的特殊經歷。當神的靈給你啟示與亮光，你就說：[從此我為神持守這個地位。 ]錯了，你不能，神必使你不能如此。經歷完全是神所賜的，你不能隨私意據為己有。你若自稱必能保持高峰狀態，你就成為難以忍受的累贅；而你也要神不住地啟示感動，否則就什麼也不肯作。你若把自己超然的經歷當作神，你會發覺神將從你生命中消失，除非你肯盡你的本分，學會不再崇信自己的超然經歷。
祈禱◆主啊，我的靈魂今天最需要的，是解脫和美化。我來到你面前，我的肉身需要你成為救主和主，求你修補我對你失卻熱忱和敏銳的靈，以致我可以在這里為你發揮適當的影響力。
April 24, 2013
The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success
Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you . . . —Luke 10:20
Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go “outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). In Luke 10:20 , Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in successful service, and yet this seems to be the one thing in which most of us do rejoice. We have a commercialized view— we count how many souls have been saved and sanctified, we thank God, and then we think everything is all right. Yet our work only begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.
Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple. Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups. But Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced His words with an “if,” never with the forceful or dogmatic statement— “You must.” Discipleship carries with it an option.
放縱的警告
然而不要因鬼服了你們就歡喜。 （路十20）
作主工人的，世俗不會成為網羅，罪惡也不會成為陷阱，可是屬靈的放縱則會。這就是說，承受現今宗教潮流的模式，只專注於屬靈的成功。除了主的讚許，千萬不要追逐別的事物。要[出到營外就了他去，忍受他所受的凌辱。 ]耶穌吩咐門徒不要為事奉的成功而歡欣，但這卻偏偏是大多數人最慶幸的。我們的眼光是很商業化的－－有多少人得救、成聖、於是就感謝神，因一切都辦妥了。神的恩已立好根基，我們乃是在這根基上作工；我們不是去拯救靈魂，乃是叫他們作門徒。救恩與成聖是神無限恩典的工作；身為他的門徒，我們的工作就是要使人作門徒，直至他們全然順服神。一個全然歸神的生命，比一百個僅僅被聖靈喚醒的人，更為神所珍貴。作為神的工人，我們必須在屬靈上繁殖同類的生命，這要成為我們作神工人的明證。
神既藉著恩典把我們帶到更高的生活水平，我們就有責任使別人也達到這種水平。除非工人過的是與基督一樣藏在神裡面的生活，他勢必成為惹人討厭的獨裁者，而不是一個在主裡作門徒的人。我們不少人是獨裁者，喜歡支配人，操縱聚會，為我獨尊。耶穌卻從來沒有這樣對我們。主每逢提到作門徒，他便一定加一個[若]字，他從來不用強制的命令說[你必須]。作門徒是有選擇的餘地的。
祈禱◆我在多方面需要你！我讚美你，因為你讓人尋見。主啊，讓我尋見你；但惟有當你親自來到，我才可以尋見你。
Worldliness is not the trap that most endangers us as Christian workers; nor is it sin. The trap we fall into is extravagantly desiring spiritual success; that is, success measured by, and patterned after, the form set by this religious age in which we now live. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God, and always be willing to go “outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13). In Luke 10:20 , Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in successful service, and yet this seems to be the one thing in which most of us do rejoice. We have a commercialized view— we count how many souls have been saved and sanctified, we thank God, and then we think everything is all right. Yet our work only begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. Our work is not to save souls, but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace, and our work as His disciples is to disciple others’ lives until they are totally yielded to God. One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit. As workers for God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers. God brings us up to a standard of life through His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.
Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple. Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups. But Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced His words with an “if,” never with the forceful or dogmatic statement— “You must.” Discipleship carries with it an option.
放縱的警告
然而不要因鬼服了你們就歡喜。 （路十20）
作主工人的，世俗不會成為網羅，罪惡也不會成為陷阱，可是屬靈的放縱則會。這就是說，承受現今宗教潮流的模式，只專注於屬靈的成功。除了主的讚許，千萬不要追逐別的事物。要[出到營外就了他去，忍受他所受的凌辱。 ]耶穌吩咐門徒不要為事奉的成功而歡欣，但這卻偏偏是大多數人最慶幸的。我們的眼光是很商業化的－－有多少人得救、成聖、於是就感謝神，因一切都辦妥了。神的恩已立好根基，我們乃是在這根基上作工；我們不是去拯救靈魂，乃是叫他們作門徒。救恩與成聖是神無限恩典的工作；身為他的門徒，我們的工作就是要使人作門徒，直至他們全然順服神。一個全然歸神的生命，比一百個僅僅被聖靈喚醒的人，更為神所珍貴。作為神的工人，我們必須在屬靈上繁殖同類的生命，這要成為我們作神工人的明證。
神既藉著恩典把我們帶到更高的生活水平，我們就有責任使別人也達到這種水平。除非工人過的是與基督一樣藏在神裡面的生活，他勢必成為惹人討厭的獨裁者，而不是一個在主裡作門徒的人。我們不少人是獨裁者，喜歡支配人，操縱聚會，為我獨尊。耶穌卻從來沒有這樣對我們。主每逢提到作門徒，他便一定加一個[若]字，他從來不用強制的命令說[你必須]。作門徒是有選擇的餘地的。
祈禱◆我在多方面需要你！我讚美你，因為你讓人尋見。主啊，讓我尋見你；但惟有當你親自來到，我才可以尋見你。
April 23, 2013
Do You Worship The Work?
We are God’s fellow workers . . . —1 Corinthians 3:9
Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God’s blessing cannot rest on him.
But the opposite case is equally true–once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing–to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.
We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might . . .” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
崇拜工作
與神同工。 （林前三9）
當心別讓任何為神的工作，叫你離開對神的專注。許多主的工人敬拜自己的工作。工人唯一應該關注的，是集中於神身上，其他生活的一切，如精神、道德、靈性等等，都像赤子般的自由－－一個敬拜神的孩子，不是背逆的兒女。神的工人若沒有這種認真對神專注的心，就很容易被工作打垮，以致身體、心思、精神，沒有絲毫的自由；結果身體疲憊耗盡，心力交瘁，失去自由，生活也沒有樂趣。精神、心思、心靈被重壓到一個地步，以致神的祝福也無法臨到。另一方面，當你真的專注在神身上，生活的各方面都自由了，因只有神在掌管。工作的責任不在你身上；你唯一的責任是保持與神有活潑不斷的關係，不讓任何事物阻礙你與他合作。成聖後的自由，是兒女的自由，一切叫生命受制的東西都沒有了。但要記住，你的自由是單單為了一件事－－絕對忠於你的同工。
我們沒有權去命令神該放我們在那裡，或自作主張地要神在那方面操練我們。神安排一切；不論他放我們在那裡，我們最大的目的是要在那工作上面盡我們的忠誠。 [凡你手所當作的事，要盡力去作。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其像那沒有為午夜到訪的友人預備什麼的人！許多人正急待拯救，將責任完全承擔起來吧！願你恩慈的同在覆遍這地。
Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God’s blessing cannot rest on him.
But the opposite case is equally true–once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing–to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.
We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might . . .” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
崇拜工作
與神同工。 （林前三9）
當心別讓任何為神的工作，叫你離開對神的專注。許多主的工人敬拜自己的工作。工人唯一應該關注的，是集中於神身上，其他生活的一切，如精神、道德、靈性等等，都像赤子般的自由－－一個敬拜神的孩子，不是背逆的兒女。神的工人若沒有這種認真對神專注的心，就很容易被工作打垮，以致身體、心思、精神，沒有絲毫的自由；結果身體疲憊耗盡，心力交瘁，失去自由，生活也沒有樂趣。精神、心思、心靈被重壓到一個地步，以致神的祝福也無法臨到。另一方面，當你真的專注在神身上，生活的各方面都自由了，因只有神在掌管。工作的責任不在你身上；你唯一的責任是保持與神有活潑不斷的關係，不讓任何事物阻礙你與他合作。成聖後的自由，是兒女的自由，一切叫生命受制的東西都沒有了。但要記住，你的自由是單單為了一件事－－絕對忠於你的同工。
我們沒有權去命令神該放我們在那裡，或自作主張地要神在那方面操練我們。神安排一切；不論他放我們在那裡，我們最大的目的是要在那工作上面盡我們的忠誠。 [凡你手所當作的事，要盡力去作。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其像那沒有為午夜到訪的友人預備什麼的人！許多人正急待拯救，將責任完全承擔起來吧！願你恩慈的同在覆遍這地。
April 22, 2013
The Light That Never Fails
We all, with unveiled face, beholding . . . the glory of the Lord . . . —2 Corinthians 3:18
A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come— people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, “. . . no one stood with me, but all forsook me . . . . But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . .” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When “important” individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do— to look into the face of God for ourselves.
Allow nothing to keep you from looking with strong determination into the face of God regarding yourself and your doctrine. And every time you preach make sure you look God in the face about the message first, then the glory will remain through all of it. A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware— “. . . Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him” (Exodus 34:29).
We are never called on to display our doubts openly or to express the hidden joys and delights of our life with God. The secret of the servant’s life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.
褪去的光
我們眾人既然敞著臉，得以看見主的榮光……（林後三18）
神的僕人必須時常獨處，以致不覺得自己是孤單的。在信徒生活的初期，很容易灰心失意，本來是領導的人黯然消失，本來與我們一起事奉的人離開了。我們必須視為尋常，以致不覺得自己是孤單的。 [沒有人前來幫助，竟都離棄我…..惟有主站在我旁邊。 ]（提後四16-17）。我們的信心，不是建立在會熄滅的光上，乃是在那不滅的光。我們會為[偉人]逝世而傷心，除非明白他們是命定要過去的。那不能消逝的，只有一件，就是仰望神的臉。
別讓任何事物阻礙你仰望神，從他的面光中，去正視你自己和你的信念；每次講道之前，記得先仰望向神，把事情全擺在他臉光之下；這樣，必一直有他的榮光。主的工人必須不斷的與神面對面，然後才去向人傳道。基督工作的特色，就是有那不自覺的榮光同在。 [摩西不知道自己的面有榮光，因耶和華和他說話而使他發光。 ]神從沒有叫我們把疑惑顯示出來，也沒有叫我們把與神相交的喜樂張揚。神工人生活的秘訣，就是一直與神保持和諧的關係。
祈禱◆噢，主，我的神，你是何等的奇妙和大有能力，讓我知道救贖是偉大地把啟示實現。
A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come— people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, “. . . no one stood with me, but all forsook me . . . . But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . .” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When “important” individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do— to look into the face of God for ourselves.
Allow nothing to keep you from looking with strong determination into the face of God regarding yourself and your doctrine. And every time you preach make sure you look God in the face about the message first, then the glory will remain through all of it. A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware— “. . . Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him” (Exodus 34:29).
We are never called on to display our doubts openly or to express the hidden joys and delights of our life with God. The secret of the servant’s life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.
褪去的光
我們眾人既然敞著臉，得以看見主的榮光……（林後三18）
神的僕人必須時常獨處，以致不覺得自己是孤單的。在信徒生活的初期，很容易灰心失意，本來是領導的人黯然消失，本來與我們一起事奉的人離開了。我們必須視為尋常，以致不覺得自己是孤單的。 [沒有人前來幫助，竟都離棄我…..惟有主站在我旁邊。 ]（提後四16-17）。我們的信心，不是建立在會熄滅的光上，乃是在那不滅的光。我們會為[偉人]逝世而傷心，除非明白他們是命定要過去的。那不能消逝的，只有一件，就是仰望神的臉。
別讓任何事物阻礙你仰望神，從他的面光中，去正視你自己和你的信念；每次講道之前，記得先仰望向神，把事情全擺在他臉光之下；這樣，必一直有他的榮光。主的工人必須不斷的與神面對面，然後才去向人傳道。基督工作的特色，就是有那不自覺的榮光同在。 [摩西不知道自己的面有榮光，因耶和華和他說話而使他發光。 ]神從沒有叫我們把疑惑顯示出來，也沒有叫我們把與神相交的喜樂張揚。神工人生活的秘訣，就是一直與神保持和諧的關係。
祈禱◆噢，主，我的神，你是何等的奇妙和大有能力，讓我知道救贖是偉大地把啟示實現。
April 21, 2013
Don’t Hurt the Lord
Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? —John 14:9
Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us-astounded at how “un-simple” we are. It is our own opinions that make us dense and slow to understand, but when we are simple we are never dense; we have discernment all the time. Philip expected the future revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in Jesus, the Person he thought he already knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be-it is now, though we look for it to be revealed in the future in some overwhelming, momentous event. We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask-”Lord, show us the Father . . .” (John 14:8). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, “Can’t you see Him? He is always right here or He is nowhere to be found.” We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God only exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.
“Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (14:1, 27). Am I then hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? . If I believe in Jesus and His attributes, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to disturb my heart, or am I allowing any questions to come in which are unsound or unbalanced? I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.
不要傷主的心！
腓力，我與你們同在這樣長久，你還不認識我麼？ （約十四9）
我們的主必定時常感到驚愕，稀奇我們為何不夠單純。認得主見，常顯明自己的愚昧；我們若單純一點，就不會愚昧，就能時時懂得分辨了。腓力期望獲得神秘莫測的啟示，卻不從他所認識的主身上去找。神的奧秘並不在於將成的事，乃在現今；我們要馬上去找，不要耽延，在各種的環境中去找，就可找到。我們順服耶穌，並不遲疑；但我們所發的問題，可能傷透他的心。 [求主將父顯給我們看。 ]他立刻回答說：[他就在這裡，一直在這裡，不在別處。 ]我們期望神要向他兒女顯現，但是，神卻只在他兒女裡面彰顯他自己。別人看見他，神的兒女卻不看見。我們要感覺到神；但我們不能一面有感於自己的意識，一面又保持清晰的頭腦。我們若求神給我們的經歷，或追求感覺，就會傷主的心。我們所發的問題傷了主的心，因為那原不是兒女所發的問題。
[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]－－我是否任由我的心憂慮，傷主的心？我若真正相信主，我的生活是否與信心相稱？我有沒有讓什麼煩擾我？有什麼可怕的問題進來？我必須與主心心相印，訴合無間，以致我能接受一切臨到我的事，好像是從他而來的。神的引導從不延遲，他總是現在就引導。只要明白主是此時此地的主，就必即時大得釋放。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在這新一天，願你的恩典幫助我完全感受到你的接近和你的大能。讓我面對著你的榮耀，以致我可以[變成主的形狀，榮上加榮。 ]
Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us-astounded at how “un-simple” we are. It is our own opinions that make us dense and slow to understand, but when we are simple we are never dense; we have discernment all the time. Philip expected the future revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in Jesus, the Person he thought he already knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be-it is now, though we look for it to be revealed in the future in some overwhelming, momentous event. We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask-”Lord, show us the Father . . .” (John 14:8). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, “Can’t you see Him? He is always right here or He is nowhere to be found.” We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God only exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.
“Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (14:1, 27). Am I then hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? . If I believe in Jesus and His attributes, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to disturb my heart, or am I allowing any questions to come in which are unsound or unbalanced? I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.
不要傷主的心！
腓力，我與你們同在這樣長久，你還不認識我麼？ （約十四9）
我們的主必定時常感到驚愕，稀奇我們為何不夠單純。認得主見，常顯明自己的愚昧；我們若單純一點，就不會愚昧，就能時時懂得分辨了。腓力期望獲得神秘莫測的啟示，卻不從他所認識的主身上去找。神的奧秘並不在於將成的事，乃在現今；我們要馬上去找，不要耽延，在各種的環境中去找，就可找到。我們順服耶穌，並不遲疑；但我們所發的問題，可能傷透他的心。 [求主將父顯給我們看。 ]他立刻回答說：[他就在這裡，一直在這裡，不在別處。 ]我們期望神要向他兒女顯現，但是，神卻只在他兒女裡面彰顯他自己。別人看見他，神的兒女卻不看見。我們要感覺到神；但我們不能一面有感於自己的意識，一面又保持清晰的頭腦。我們若求神給我們的經歷，或追求感覺，就會傷主的心。我們所發的問題傷了主的心，因為那原不是兒女所發的問題。
[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]－－我是否任由我的心憂慮，傷主的心？我若真正相信主，我的生活是否與信心相稱？我有沒有讓什麼煩擾我？有什麼可怕的問題進來？我必須與主心心相印，訴合無間，以致我能接受一切臨到我的事，好像是從他而來的。神的引導從不延遲，他總是現在就引導。只要明白主是此時此地的主，就必即時大得釋放。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在這新一天，願你的恩典幫助我完全感受到你的接近和你的大能。讓我面對著你的榮耀，以致我可以[變成主的形狀，榮上加榮。 ]
April 20, 2013
Can a Saint Falsely Accuse God?
All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen . . . —2 Corinthians 1:20
Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.
The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.” Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.” A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way.
Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.
聖徒也讒謗神？
神的應許，不論有多少，在基督裡都是是的，所以藉著他也都是實在的。 （林後一20）
耶穌在馬太福音二十五章所說的比喻，是一個警告，指出我們對自己的能力也會判斷錯誤。這比喻所論到的與天然的禀賦毫不相涉，乃是指聖靈所賜給人的恩賜所言。屬靈的才幹決不是以學識或才智去衡量，而是以神的應許去衡量。我們所得的若少於神所要我們得的，過不多時，我們就會埋怨神，好像那僕人埋怨主人一樣：[你對我要求這麼高，卻沒有給我足夠的能力，你太苛求了；你放我在這崗位上，我根本無法向你效忠。 ]這涉及神的全能的問題，切勿說[我不能]。千萬別讓天然的才幹限制了你。我們若接受了聖靈，神就希望聖靈的工作在我們身上彰顯出來。
但僕人事事自以為是，反倒處處怪責主人：[你的要求，與你所賦予我的才幹，根本不成比例。 ]神說：[先求我的國和我的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 ]你竟憂愁掛慮，對神大肆謗瀆？憂慮意味著這僕人在想：[我知道你會在我遇危難時，丟下我不顧。 ]一個天生怠惰的人，總是吹毛求疵說：[我根本沒有機會。 ]一個在屬靈上怠惰的人，同樣向神吹毛求疵。懶惰的人總愛我行我素，有他獨創的主意。
不要忘記，在屬靈上的才幹，是以神的應許來量度的。神能成就他的應許麼？答案就視乎我們有沒有接受聖靈。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你今天與我們真實地同在－－願聖靈同在的極大喜樂瀰漫四周。
Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.
The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.” Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.” A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way.
Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.
聖徒也讒謗神？
神的應許，不論有多少，在基督裡都是是的，所以藉著他也都是實在的。 （林後一20）
耶穌在馬太福音二十五章所說的比喻，是一個警告，指出我們對自己的能力也會判斷錯誤。這比喻所論到的與天然的禀賦毫不相涉，乃是指聖靈所賜給人的恩賜所言。屬靈的才幹決不是以學識或才智去衡量，而是以神的應許去衡量。我們所得的若少於神所要我們得的，過不多時，我們就會埋怨神，好像那僕人埋怨主人一樣：[你對我要求這麼高，卻沒有給我足夠的能力，你太苛求了；你放我在這崗位上，我根本無法向你效忠。 ]這涉及神的全能的問題，切勿說[我不能]。千萬別讓天然的才幹限制了你。我們若接受了聖靈，神就希望聖靈的工作在我們身上彰顯出來。
但僕人事事自以為是，反倒處處怪責主人：[你的要求，與你所賦予我的才幹，根本不成比例。 ]神說：[先求我的國和我的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 ]你竟憂愁掛慮，對神大肆謗瀆？憂慮意味著這僕人在想：[我知道你會在我遇危難時，丟下我不顧。 ]一個天生怠惰的人，總是吹毛求疵說：[我根本沒有機會。 ]一個在屬靈上怠惰的人，同樣向神吹毛求疵。懶惰的人總愛我行我素，有他獨創的主意。
不要忘記，在屬靈上的才幹，是以神的應許來量度的。神能成就他的應許麼？答案就視乎我們有沒有接受聖靈。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你今天與我們真實地同在－－願聖靈同在的極大喜樂瀰漫四周。
April 19, 2013
Beware of the Least Likely Temptation
Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not defected to Absalom —1 Kings 2:28
Joab withstood the greatest test of his life, remaining absolutely loyal to David by not turning to follow after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom. Yet toward the end of his life he turned to follow after the weak and cowardly Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one person has turned back is exactly where anyone may be tempted to turn back (see 1 Corinthians 10:11-13). You may have just victoriously gone through a great crisis, but now be alert about the things that may appear to be the least likely to tempt you. Beware of thinking that the areas of your life where you have experienced victory in the past are now the least likely to cause you to stumble and fall.
We are apt to say, “It is not at all likely that having been through the greatest crisis of my life I would now turn back to the things of the world.” Do not try to predict where the temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the real danger. It is in the aftermath of a great spiritual event that the least likely things begin to have an effect. They may not be forceful and dominant, but they are there. And if you are not careful to be forewarned, they will trip you. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials— now beware of the undercurrent. Do not be abnormally examining your inner self, looking forward with dread, but stay alert; keep your memory sharp before God. Unguarded strength is actually a double weakness, because that is where the least likely temptations will be effective in sapping strength. The Bible characters stumbled over their strong points, never their weak ones.
“. . . kept by the power of God . . .”— that is the only safety. (1 Peter 1:5).
絕不可能嗎？
約押雖然沒有歸從押沙龍，卻歸從了亞多尼雅。 （王上二28）
約押在大考驗中站得住，始終對大衛絕對效忠，沒有隨從那野心勃勃、欺世惑眾的押沙龍。但到了晚年，卻跟隨了貪鄙的亞多尼雅。所以要常常提高警覺；有一個人可以這樣倒退，眾人都有這倒退的可能（林前十13）。你過了大難關嗎？現在就要在最小的事上留心。那最不為人注意的小事，要懂得留心。
我們會很隨意的說：[既然經過這樣大的考驗，就不會再回到世俗中去，留戀世事了。 ]不要自以為知道試探的來源；最不可能發生的事，往往是最致命的。在一次重大的屬靈轉變過後，那隱而不露的試探就開始出現了；這不會很昭彰明顯，卻潛藏在那裡，若不警覺，就必把你絆倒。你在烈火的考驗下曾經持守純正，向神忠貞，如今卻要當心暗潮。但不必無病呻吟，內省自疚，對前途恐懼不前，只要保持警覺，在神面前有一種清晰能力。沒有防衛看守，力量就會變弱，那暗潮便會湧入，叫防守崩陷。聖經人物很多都在優點上失敗，而不是在弱點上。
[蒙神能力保守]－－這是唯一安全之方。
祈禱◆主啊，今天我要奉你的名講道；求你使它藉著你的能力而發放。使我的靈魂確實認識你，讓我在所有深入和終極的意義上只專注於你。
Joab withstood the greatest test of his life, remaining absolutely loyal to David by not turning to follow after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom. Yet toward the end of his life he turned to follow after the weak and cowardly Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one person has turned back is exactly where anyone may be tempted to turn back (see 1 Corinthians 10:11-13). You may have just victoriously gone through a great crisis, but now be alert about the things that may appear to be the least likely to tempt you. Beware of thinking that the areas of your life where you have experienced victory in the past are now the least likely to cause you to stumble and fall.
We are apt to say, “It is not at all likely that having been through the greatest crisis of my life I would now turn back to the things of the world.” Do not try to predict where the temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the real danger. It is in the aftermath of a great spiritual event that the least likely things begin to have an effect. They may not be forceful and dominant, but they are there. And if you are not careful to be forewarned, they will trip you. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials— now beware of the undercurrent. Do not be abnormally examining your inner self, looking forward with dread, but stay alert; keep your memory sharp before God. Unguarded strength is actually a double weakness, because that is where the least likely temptations will be effective in sapping strength. The Bible characters stumbled over their strong points, never their weak ones.
“. . . kept by the power of God . . .”— that is the only safety. (1 Peter 1:5).
絕不可能嗎？
約押雖然沒有歸從押沙龍，卻歸從了亞多尼雅。 （王上二28）
約押在大考驗中站得住，始終對大衛絕對效忠，沒有隨從那野心勃勃、欺世惑眾的押沙龍。但到了晚年，卻跟隨了貪鄙的亞多尼雅。所以要常常提高警覺；有一個人可以這樣倒退，眾人都有這倒退的可能（林前十13）。你過了大難關嗎？現在就要在最小的事上留心。那最不為人注意的小事，要懂得留心。
我們會很隨意的說：[既然經過這樣大的考驗，就不會再回到世俗中去，留戀世事了。 ]不要自以為知道試探的來源；最不可能發生的事，往往是最致命的。在一次重大的屬靈轉變過後，那隱而不露的試探就開始出現了；這不會很昭彰明顯，卻潛藏在那裡，若不警覺，就必把你絆倒。你在烈火的考驗下曾經持守純正，向神忠貞，如今卻要當心暗潮。但不必無病呻吟，內省自疚，對前途恐懼不前，只要保持警覺，在神面前有一種清晰能力。沒有防衛看守，力量就會變弱，那暗潮便會湧入，叫防守崩陷。聖經人物很多都在優點上失敗，而不是在弱點上。
[蒙神能力保守]－－這是唯一安全之方。
祈禱◆主啊，今天我要奉你的名講道；求你使它藉著你的能力而發放。使我的靈魂確實認識你，讓我在所有深入和終極的意義上只專注於你。
April 18, 2013
Readiness
God called to him . . . . And he said, ’Here I am’ —Exodus 3:4
When God speaks, many of us are like people in a fog, and we give no answer. Moses’ reply to God revealed that he knew where he was and that he was ready. Readiness means having a right relationship to God and having the knowledge of where we are. We are so busy telling God where we would like to go. Yet the man or woman who is ready for God and His work is the one who receives the prize when the summons comes. We wait with the idea that some great opportunity or something sensational will be coming our way, and when it does come we are quick to cry out, “Here I am.” Whenever we sense that Jesus Christ is rising up to take authority over some great task, we are there, but we are not ready for some obscure duty.
Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Whenever any duty presents itself, we hear God’s voice as our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with the total readiness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father. “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready— he is ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the person who is ready, and it is on fire with the presence of God Himself.
常作準備
神……呼叫說……他說，我在這裡。 （出三4）
神說話的時候，我們卻像在五里霧中，毫無反應。摩西的回答，表示他站在某一崗位上。常作準備的意思，就是與神有正常的關係，又知道自己目前所站的崗位。我們往往很急切的告訴神，我們想到那裡去。但那對神工作常作準備的人，呼召一臨到，他們就奪得獎賞。我們總是等待特別的時機、特別的激情，當這臨到，我們就會迅速回答：[我在這裡。 ]耶穌基督被高舉上升，我們就願意與他一同上升；但對不為人所知的任務，我們往往不准備承擔。
為神常作準備的意思，就是事無大小，我們都樂意去做。我們行事沒有選擇的餘地；不論神的計劃怎樣，我們都樂於遵循。無論什麼任務臨到，我們聽見神的聲音，如同我們的主聽見他父的聲音一樣。我們當存著活潑的愛，作好充分準備，隨時待命而發。父怎樣對待耶穌基督，他也盼望父照樣對待我們。他可以任意差遣我們，叫我們承擔愉快的任務，或卑微的任務；因為我們與主合一，正如父與主合一一樣。 [叫他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
要隨時準備神突然來訪。一個常作準備的人是不必再作準備的了。試想想神呼召我們後，我們花多少時間去作準備！那火燒的荊棘，正像徵一個常作準備的心靈四周的景象，有神的同在，火燒得更熊。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，最能夠感受你的，可能就是我自己，願你的旨意能毫無障礙地在我裡面，並透過我得以成就。
When God speaks, many of us are like people in a fog, and we give no answer. Moses’ reply to God revealed that he knew where he was and that he was ready. Readiness means having a right relationship to God and having the knowledge of where we are. We are so busy telling God where we would like to go. Yet the man or woman who is ready for God and His work is the one who receives the prize when the summons comes. We wait with the idea that some great opportunity or something sensational will be coming our way, and when it does come we are quick to cry out, “Here I am.” Whenever we sense that Jesus Christ is rising up to take authority over some great task, we are there, but we are not ready for some obscure duty.
Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Whenever any duty presents itself, we hear God’s voice as our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with the total readiness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father. “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready— he is ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the person who is ready, and it is on fire with the presence of God Himself.
常作準備
神……呼叫說……他說，我在這裡。 （出三4）
神說話的時候，我們卻像在五里霧中，毫無反應。摩西的回答，表示他站在某一崗位上。常作準備的意思，就是與神有正常的關係，又知道自己目前所站的崗位。我們往往很急切的告訴神，我們想到那裡去。但那對神工作常作準備的人，呼召一臨到，他們就奪得獎賞。我們總是等待特別的時機、特別的激情，當這臨到，我們就會迅速回答：[我在這裡。 ]耶穌基督被高舉上升，我們就願意與他一同上升；但對不為人所知的任務，我們往往不准備承擔。
為神常作準備的意思，就是事無大小，我們都樂意去做。我們行事沒有選擇的餘地；不論神的計劃怎樣，我們都樂於遵循。無論什麼任務臨到，我們聽見神的聲音，如同我們的主聽見他父的聲音一樣。我們當存著活潑的愛，作好充分準備，隨時待命而發。父怎樣對待耶穌基督，他也盼望父照樣對待我們。他可以任意差遣我們，叫我們承擔愉快的任務，或卑微的任務；因為我們與主合一，正如父與主合一一樣。 [叫他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
要隨時準備神突然來訪。一個常作準備的人是不必再作準備的了。試想想神呼召我們後，我們花多少時間去作準備！那火燒的荊棘，正像徵一個常作準備的心靈四周的景象，有神的同在，火燒得更熊。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，最能夠感受你的，可能就是我自己，願你的旨意能毫無障礙地在我裡面，並透過我得以成就。
April 17, 2013
All or Nothing?
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment . . . and plunged into the sea —John 21:7
Have you ever had a crisis in your life in which you deliberately, earnestly, and recklessly abandoned everything? It is a crisis of the will. You may come to that point many times externally, but it will amount to nothing. The true deep crisis of abandonment, or total surrender, is reached internally, not externally. The giving up of only external things may actually be an indication of your being in total bondage.
Have you deliberately committed your will to Jesus Christ? It is a transaction of the will, not of emotion; any positive emotion that results is simply a superficial blessing arising out of the transaction. If you focus your attention on the emotion, you will never make the transaction. Do not ask God what the transaction is to be, but make the determination to surrender your will regarding whatever you see, whether it is in the shallow or the deep, profound places internally.
If you have heard Jesus Christ’s voice on the waves of the sea, you can let your convictions and your consistency take care of themselves by concentrating on maintaining your intimate relationship to Him.
不顧一切
那時西門彼得赤著身子，一聽見是主，就束上一件外衣，跳在海裡。 （約二十一7）
曾否有一次經歷叫你立意不顧一切撇下所有呢？這是意志的一關。你可能在外面碰過許多事，但對你沒有絲毫改變。要真正撇下一切的，是在裡面的改變，而不是外面的。表面上的撇棄，可能正表示你裡面仍受捆綁。
你曾否破釜沉舟地順服耶穌基督？這是一項意志的抉擇，而非感情用事；感情只是整個抉擇的附屬品。你若把感情放在首位，就永遠辦不成這項交易。不要問神這交易的後果到底是怎樣，只要就眼前可見的事來作個決定，不管這是簡單還是困難的事。
你若在波濤洶湧中聽見主的呼聲，只管乘風破浪，憑著信念出去！只要保持你與主的關係，就不用怕一切的衝擊！
祈禱◆[你們要將一切的憂慮卸給神，因為他顧念你們。 ]噢，主啊，這句話是多麼的奇妙！不良的思想總是偶爾出現，需要你經常將它們驅走。我仰賴你更新我的思想。
Have you ever had a crisis in your life in which you deliberately, earnestly, and recklessly abandoned everything? It is a crisis of the will. You may come to that point many times externally, but it will amount to nothing. The true deep crisis of abandonment, or total surrender, is reached internally, not externally. The giving up of only external things may actually be an indication of your being in total bondage.
Have you deliberately committed your will to Jesus Christ? It is a transaction of the will, not of emotion; any positive emotion that results is simply a superficial blessing arising out of the transaction. If you focus your attention on the emotion, you will never make the transaction. Do not ask God what the transaction is to be, but make the determination to surrender your will regarding whatever you see, whether it is in the shallow or the deep, profound places internally.
If you have heard Jesus Christ’s voice on the waves of the sea, you can let your convictions and your consistency take care of themselves by concentrating on maintaining your intimate relationship to Him.
不顧一切
那時西門彼得赤著身子，一聽見是主，就束上一件外衣，跳在海裡。 （約二十一7）
曾否有一次經歷叫你立意不顧一切撇下所有呢？這是意志的一關。你可能在外面碰過許多事，但對你沒有絲毫改變。要真正撇下一切的，是在裡面的改變，而不是外面的。表面上的撇棄，可能正表示你裡面仍受捆綁。
你曾否破釜沉舟地順服耶穌基督？這是一項意志的抉擇，而非感情用事；感情只是整個抉擇的附屬品。你若把感情放在首位，就永遠辦不成這項交易。不要問神這交易的後果到底是怎樣，只要就眼前可見的事來作個決定，不管這是簡單還是困難的事。
你若在波濤洶湧中聽見主的呼聲，只管乘風破浪，憑著信念出去！只要保持你與主的關係，就不用怕一切的衝擊！
祈禱◆[你們要將一切的憂慮卸給神，因為他顧念你們。 ]噢，主啊，這句話是多麼的奇妙！不良的思想總是偶爾出現，需要你經常將它們驅走。我仰賴你更新我的思想。
April 16, 2013
Can You Come Down From the Mountain?
While you have the light, believe in the light . . . —John 12:36
We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there.
Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately— do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”— just doit! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain.
Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once— go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.
信從這光
你們當趁著有光，信從這光。 （約十二36）
我們都有躊躇滿志的時刻，那時便會說：[我覺得萬事都能勝任，巴不得經常如此。 ]神的旨意並不要我們如此。那些時刻，是深入體驗的時候，藉著這種體驗，要在平淡的日子裡把真理活出來。若沒有那高超的時刻，許多人就在日常生活的輪子上，頹廢無用。我們應該把日常生活提升到靈程高處所體驗的水平。
切勿讓在高處所獲的感受如煙雲消散，也不要安於自逸的說：[如此的心境多麼美妙啊！ ]要立即行動，進入事奉。你若不甘心地做，就更該去做。若在禱告中會見神，他叫你做什麼，要立即去做。別說：[我會去做。 ]振作起來，把你與生俱來的惰性甩掉。懶惰的人總渴望想得意的時刻，總愛談怎樣攀上高峰。但是，我們要學習照著山上所見的，行在灰暗的生活中。
你一次迷惑，不必氣餒，重頭再來吧。要燒絕棧道，義不回顧，心甘情願地站在神面前，而且決不朝秦暮楚。你要認清所決志的，是根據在高山上所見的亮光。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，但願我的一切思想、情感和言語都帶著愛－－對你完全的愛，並且透過這愛去接觸人。
We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there.
Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately— do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”— just doit! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain.
Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once— go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.
信從這光
你們當趁著有光，信從這光。 （約十二36）
我們都有躊躇滿志的時刻，那時便會說：[我覺得萬事都能勝任，巴不得經常如此。 ]神的旨意並不要我們如此。那些時刻，是深入體驗的時候，藉著這種體驗，要在平淡的日子裡把真理活出來。若沒有那高超的時刻，許多人就在日常生活的輪子上，頹廢無用。我們應該把日常生活提升到靈程高處所體驗的水平。
切勿讓在高處所獲的感受如煙雲消散，也不要安於自逸的說：[如此的心境多麼美妙啊！ ]要立即行動，進入事奉。你若不甘心地做，就更該去做。若在禱告中會見神，他叫你做什麼，要立即去做。別說：[我會去做。 ]振作起來，把你與生俱來的惰性甩掉。懶惰的人總渴望想得意的時刻，總愛談怎樣攀上高峰。但是，我們要學習照著山上所見的，行在灰暗的生活中。
你一次迷惑，不必氣餒，重頭再來吧。要燒絕棧道，義不回顧，心甘情願地站在神面前，而且決不朝秦暮楚。你要認清所決志的，是根據在高山上所見的亮光。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，但願我的一切思想、情感和言語都帶著愛－－對你完全的愛，並且透過這愛去接觸人。
April 15, 2013
The Failure To Pay Close Attention
The high places were not removed from Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was loyal all his days —2 Chronicles 15:17
Asa was not completely obedient in the outward, visible areas of his life. He was obedient in what he considered the most important areas, but he was not entirely right. Beware of ever thinking, “Oh, that thing in my life doesn't matter much.” The fact that it doesn't matter much to you may mean that it matters a great deal to God. Nothing should be considered a trivial matter by a child of God. How much longer are we going to prevent God from teaching us even one thing? But He keeps trying to teach us and He never loses patience. You say, “I know I am right with God”— yet the “high places” still remain in your life. There is still an area of disobedience. Do you protest that your heart is right with God, and yet there is something in your life He causes you to doubt? Whenever God causes a doubt about something, stop it immediately, no matter what it may be. Nothing in our lives is a mere insignificant detail to God.
Are there some things regarding your physical or intellectual life to which you have been paying no attention at all? If so, you may think you are all correct in the important areas, but you are careless— you are failing to concentrate or to focus properly. You no more need a day off from spiritual concentration on matters in your life than your heart needs a day off from beating. As you cannot take a day off morally and remain moral, neither can you take a day off spiritually and remain spiritual. God wants you to be entirely His, and it requires paying close attention to keep yourself fit. It also takes a tremendous amount of time. Yet some of us expect to rise above all of our problems, going from one mountaintop experience to another, with only a few minutes’ effort.
在專誠上散漫
只是邱壇還沒有從以色列中廢去，然而亞撒的心一生誠實。 （代下十五17）
亞撒外在的順服並不完全－－他大體上是對的，但並不完全。若說[不大要緊]的事，要特別當心。對你不大要緊的，對神可能十分要緊。對神的兒女來說，沒有一件事是小的。我們阻止神來教導我們到底要多久呢？但神不會失去耐性。你說：[我知道自己對得起神。 ]可是邱壇猶在，你仍有未順服的事。你是否一面堅稱自己對得起神，一面在生活上仍有些東西令你猶豫不決？一有猶豫，要立即放手，不管這是什麼。沒有什麼事是無關重要的。
在你身體上、思想上，有沒有任何東西，叫你不能專心的？你大致上沒有問題了，但卻很隨便馬虎；那就是在專心的事上出了岔子。你的心臟不能[告假]，停止跳動，同樣的，你屬靈的專一也不能[告假]，稍有鬆懈。你德行的操練若放假一天，你的道德就墮落了；你的靈若放假一天，你就不再屬靈。神要你完全屬他，這就是說，你要警醒自守，保持最佳狀態。這實在需要很長的時間，但有些人卻以為兩三分鐘就可以一飛沖天！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的光穿透我。將你滿意的笑容和福祉賜給我，使我整個人都屬於你。
Asa was not completely obedient in the outward, visible areas of his life. He was obedient in what he considered the most important areas, but he was not entirely right. Beware of ever thinking, “Oh, that thing in my life doesn't matter much.” The fact that it doesn't matter much to you may mean that it matters a great deal to God. Nothing should be considered a trivial matter by a child of God. How much longer are we going to prevent God from teaching us even one thing? But He keeps trying to teach us and He never loses patience. You say, “I know I am right with God”— yet the “high places” still remain in your life. There is still an area of disobedience. Do you protest that your heart is right with God, and yet there is something in your life He causes you to doubt? Whenever God causes a doubt about something, stop it immediately, no matter what it may be. Nothing in our lives is a mere insignificant detail to God.
Are there some things regarding your physical or intellectual life to which you have been paying no attention at all? If so, you may think you are all correct in the important areas, but you are careless— you are failing to concentrate or to focus properly. You no more need a day off from spiritual concentration on matters in your life than your heart needs a day off from beating. As you cannot take a day off morally and remain moral, neither can you take a day off spiritually and remain spiritual. God wants you to be entirely His, and it requires paying close attention to keep yourself fit. It also takes a tremendous amount of time. Yet some of us expect to rise above all of our problems, going from one mountaintop experience to another, with only a few minutes’ effort.
在專誠上散漫
只是邱壇還沒有從以色列中廢去，然而亞撒的心一生誠實。 （代下十五17）
亞撒外在的順服並不完全－－他大體上是對的，但並不完全。若說[不大要緊]的事，要特別當心。對你不大要緊的，對神可能十分要緊。對神的兒女來說，沒有一件事是小的。我們阻止神來教導我們到底要多久呢？但神不會失去耐性。你說：[我知道自己對得起神。 ]可是邱壇猶在，你仍有未順服的事。你是否一面堅稱自己對得起神，一面在生活上仍有些東西令你猶豫不決？一有猶豫，要立即放手，不管這是什麼。沒有什麼事是無關重要的。
在你身體上、思想上，有沒有任何東西，叫你不能專心的？你大致上沒有問題了，但卻很隨便馬虎；那就是在專心的事上出了岔子。你的心臟不能[告假]，停止跳動，同樣的，你屬靈的專一也不能[告假]，稍有鬆懈。你德行的操練若放假一天，你的道德就墮落了；你的靈若放假一天，你就不再屬靈。神要你完全屬他，這就是說，你要警醒自守，保持最佳狀態。這實在需要很長的時間，但有些人卻以為兩三分鐘就可以一飛沖天！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的光穿透我。將你滿意的笑容和福祉賜給我，使我整個人都屬於你。
April 14, 2013
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
April 13, 2013
What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming
Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
April 12, 2013
Complete and Effective Dominion
Death no longer has dominion over Him. . . . the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God . . . —Romans 6:9-11
Co-Eternal Life. Eternal life is the life which Jesus Christ exhibited on the human level. And it is this same life, not simply a copy of it, which is made evident in our mortal flesh when we are born again. Eternal life is not a gift from God; eternal life is the gift of God. The energy and the power which was so very evident in Jesus will be exhibited in us by an act of the absolute sovereign grace of God, once we have made that complete and effective decision about sin.
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8)— not power as a gift from the Holy Spirit; the power is the Holy Spirit, not something that He gives us. The life that was in Jesus becomes ours because of His Cross, once we make the decision to be identified with Him. If it is difficult to get right with God, it is because we refuse to make this moral decision about sin. But once we do decide, the full life of God comes in immediately. Jesus came to give us an endless supply of life— “. . . that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Eternal life has nothing to do with time. It is the life which Jesus lived when He was down here, and the only Source of life is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even the weakest saint can experience the power of the deity of the Son of God, when he is willing to “let go.” But any effort to “hang on” to the least bit of our own power will only diminish the life of Jesus in us. We have to keep letting go, and slowly, but surely, the great full life of God will invade us, penetrating every part. Then Jesus will have complete and effective dominion in us, and people will take notice that we have been with Him.
道德上的主權
死也不再作他的主了……他活是向神活著。這樣，他們向罪也當看自己是死的，向神在基督耶穌裡，卻當看自己是活的。 （羅六9-11）
同享永生，永生是耶穌基督以人的身份所表現的生命。若我們從神而生，在這必朽的肉身所彰顯的生命，正是這種生命，而非它的副本。永生不是從神而來的恩賜，乃是神把自己賜給我們。耶穌所彰顯出來的能力與權柄，在我們對罪作道德決判時，因著神的恩典，在我們身上彰顯出來。
[聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力。 ]以－－這能力並不是從聖靈而來得恩賜，乃是聖靈本身。換言之，這並不是聖靈所賜得什麼東西。我們一旦與他的死認同後，就藉著十字架得著耶穌的生命。若覺得與神和好是件難事，那就一定是我們對罪未肯作確定得判決。只要一作決定，神豐盛的生命就立即進來。耶穌來了，是要供應永恆的生命：[叫神一切所充滿的，充滿了你們。 ]
永生與時間原不相關，永生是耶穌在地上時的生命。生命唯一的源頭就是主耶穌基督。只要肯[放手]，最軟弱的信徒也能經歷神兒子的能力。我們舊我的能力，若有任何殘餘存在，都會叫耶穌的生命受阻。我們要慢慢的放手，讓神生命的洪流湧進我們每一部分，以致人就認出我們是耶穌的門徒。
祈禱◆主啊，我感到自己渴望你的同在，並得著你極之美好和滿有喜樂的賜福。主啊，我將此心願交給你，若你認為是好的話，請賜給我。
Co-Eternal Life. Eternal life is the life which Jesus Christ exhibited on the human level. And it is this same life, not simply a copy of it, which is made evident in our mortal flesh when we are born again. Eternal life is not a gift from God; eternal life is the gift of God. The energy and the power which was so very evident in Jesus will be exhibited in us by an act of the absolute sovereign grace of God, once we have made that complete and effective decision about sin.
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8)— not power as a gift from the Holy Spirit; the power is the Holy Spirit, not something that He gives us. The life that was in Jesus becomes ours because of His Cross, once we make the decision to be identified with Him. If it is difficult to get right with God, it is because we refuse to make this moral decision about sin. But once we do decide, the full life of God comes in immediately. Jesus came to give us an endless supply of life— “. . . that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Eternal life has nothing to do with time. It is the life which Jesus lived when He was down here, and the only Source of life is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even the weakest saint can experience the power of the deity of the Son of God, when he is willing to “let go.” But any effort to “hang on” to the least bit of our own power will only diminish the life of Jesus in us. We have to keep letting go, and slowly, but surely, the great full life of God will invade us, penetrating every part. Then Jesus will have complete and effective dominion in us, and people will take notice that we have been with Him.
道德上的主權
死也不再作他的主了……他活是向神活著。這樣，他們向罪也當看自己是死的，向神在基督耶穌裡，卻當看自己是活的。 （羅六9-11）
同享永生，永生是耶穌基督以人的身份所表現的生命。若我們從神而生，在這必朽的肉身所彰顯的生命，正是這種生命，而非它的副本。永生不是從神而來的恩賜，乃是神把自己賜給我們。耶穌所彰顯出來的能力與權柄，在我們對罪作道德決判時，因著神的恩典，在我們身上彰顯出來。
[聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力。 ]以－－這能力並不是從聖靈而來得恩賜，乃是聖靈本身。換言之，這並不是聖靈所賜得什麼東西。我們一旦與他的死認同後，就藉著十字架得著耶穌的生命。若覺得與神和好是件難事，那就一定是我們對罪未肯作確定得判決。只要一作決定，神豐盛的生命就立即進來。耶穌來了，是要供應永恆的生命：[叫神一切所充滿的，充滿了你們。 ]
永生與時間原不相關，永生是耶穌在地上時的生命。生命唯一的源頭就是主耶穌基督。只要肯[放手]，最軟弱的信徒也能經歷神兒子的能力。我們舊我的能力，若有任何殘餘存在，都會叫耶穌的生命受阻。我們要慢慢的放手，讓神生命的洪流湧進我們每一部分，以致人就認出我們是耶穌的門徒。
祈禱◆主啊，我感到自己渴望你的同在，並得著你極之美好和滿有喜樂的賜福。主啊，我將此心願交給你，若你認為是好的話，請賜給我。
April 11, 2013
Complete and Effective Divinity
If we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection . . . —Romans 6:5
Co-Resurrection. The proof that I have experienced crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a definite likeness to Him. The Spirit of Jesus entering me rearranges my personal life before God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him the authority to give the life of God to me, and the experiences of my life must now be built on the foundation of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus here and now, and it will exhibit itself through holiness.
The idea all through the apostle Paul’s writings is that after the decision to be identified with Jesus in His death has been made, the resurrection life of Jesus penetrates every bit of my human nature. It takes the omnipotence of God— His complete and effective divinity— to live the life of the Son of God in human flesh. The Holy Spirit cannot be accepted as a guest in merely one room of the house— He invades all of it. And once I decide that my “old man” (that is, my heredity of sin) should be identified with the death of Jesus, the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals to me. Once I have made that important decision about sin, it is easy to “reckon” that I am actually “dead indeed to sin,” because I find the life of Jesus in me all the time (Romans 6:11). Just as there is only one kind of humanity, there is only one kind of holiness— the holiness of Jesus. And it is His holiness that has been given to me. God puts the holiness of His Son into me, and I belong to a new spiritual order.
道德上的神性
我們若在他死的形狀上與他聯合，也要在他復活的形狀上與他聯合。 （羅六5）
一同復活。要證明我的確已與耶穌同釘十字架，就是我明顯有像他的地方。耶穌的靈進入我裡面，重整了我向神的生命。耶穌的複活，使他有權柄把神的聖靈充滿我；而我這生命，是必須建造在他生命的根基上。我現在有耶穌復活的生命，在聖潔上可表明出來。
在使徒保羅的書信中，有個一貫的思想，就是決志－－作這道德上的抉擇，承認與耶穌同死後，耶穌復活的生命就充滿我每一部分。人在肉身活出神兒子的生命，必須有超人的能力才行。
聖靈絕不處於客人的地位，他是無孔不入的。我一旦決志讓舊人（罪的遺傳）與耶穌同死，聖靈就開始進襲我。他要管理一切，要我行在光中，要使我順服。我既對罪作了道德的判決，就很容易向罪死，因為耶穌的生命已經住在我裡面。
人性若只有一個印記，聖潔同樣也只有一個，就是耶穌的聖潔，而這聖潔正是他賜給我的。神把他兒子的聖潔放在我裡面，我就屬於一個新的屬靈族類。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在這新的一天，以你的恩典幫助我完全感受到你的大能，並你在我周圍。讓我面對著你的榮耀，以致我可以[變成主的形狀，榮上加榮]。
Co-Resurrection. The proof that I have experienced crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a definite likeness to Him. The Spirit of Jesus entering me rearranges my personal life before God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him the authority to give the life of God to me, and the experiences of my life must now be built on the foundation of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus here and now, and it will exhibit itself through holiness.
The idea all through the apostle Paul’s writings is that after the decision to be identified with Jesus in His death has been made, the resurrection life of Jesus penetrates every bit of my human nature. It takes the omnipotence of God— His complete and effective divinity— to live the life of the Son of God in human flesh. The Holy Spirit cannot be accepted as a guest in merely one room of the house— He invades all of it. And once I decide that my “old man” (that is, my heredity of sin) should be identified with the death of Jesus, the Holy Spirit invades me. He takes charge of everything. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He reveals to me. Once I have made that important decision about sin, it is easy to “reckon” that I am actually “dead indeed to sin,” because I find the life of Jesus in me all the time (Romans 6:11). Just as there is only one kind of humanity, there is only one kind of holiness— the holiness of Jesus. And it is His holiness that has been given to me. God puts the holiness of His Son into me, and I belong to a new spiritual order.
道德上的神性
我們若在他死的形狀上與他聯合，也要在他復活的形狀上與他聯合。 （羅六5）
一同復活。要證明我的確已與耶穌同釘十字架，就是我明顯有像他的地方。耶穌的靈進入我裡面，重整了我向神的生命。耶穌的複活，使他有權柄把神的聖靈充滿我；而我這生命，是必須建造在他生命的根基上。我現在有耶穌復活的生命，在聖潔上可表明出來。
在使徒保羅的書信中，有個一貫的思想，就是決志－－作這道德上的抉擇，承認與耶穌同死後，耶穌復活的生命就充滿我每一部分。人在肉身活出神兒子的生命，必須有超人的能力才行。
聖靈絕不處於客人的地位，他是無孔不入的。我一旦決志讓舊人（罪的遺傳）與耶穌同死，聖靈就開始進襲我。他要管理一切，要我行在光中，要使我順服。我既對罪作了道德的判決，就很容易向罪死，因為耶穌的生命已經住在我裡面。
人性若只有一個印記，聖潔同樣也只有一個，就是耶穌的聖潔，而這聖潔正是他賜給我的。神把他兒子的聖潔放在我裡面，我就屬於一個新的屬靈族類。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在這新的一天，以你的恩典幫助我完全感受到你的大能，並你在我周圍。讓我面對著你的榮耀，以致我可以[變成主的形狀，榮上加榮]。
April 10, 2013
Complete and Effective Decision About Sin
. . . our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin —Romans 6:6
Co-Crucifixion. Have you made the following decision about sin—that it must be completely killed in you? It takes a long time to come to the point of making this complete and effective decision about sin. It is, however, the greatest moment in your life once you decide that sin must die in you-not simply be restrained, suppressed, or counteracted, but crucified—just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world. No one can bring anyone else to this decision. We may be mentally and spiritually convinced, but what we need to do is actually make the decision that Paul urged us to do in this passage.
Pull yourself up, take some time alone with God, and make this important decision, saying, “Lord, identify me with Your death until I know that sin is dead in me.” Make the moral decision that sin in you must be put to death.
This was not some divine future expectation on the part of Paul, but was a very radical and definite experience in his life. Are you prepared to let the Spirit of God search you until you know what the level and nature of sin is in your life— to see the very things that struggle against God’s Spirit in you? If so, will you then agree with God’s verdict on the nature of sin— that it should be identified with the death of Jesus? You cannot “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin” (Romans 6:11) unless you have radically dealt with the issue of your will before God.
Have you entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ, until all that remains in your flesh and blood is His life? “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me . . .” (Galatians 2:20).
對罪的道德判斷
因為知道我們的舊人，和他同釘十字架，使罪身滅絕，叫我們不再作罪的奴僕（羅六6）
同釘十字架。我對罪所作的道德判決，是要花很長時間的。可是，這卻是我生命的轉捩點。我看準了，耶穌基督既為世人的罪而死，照樣地，罪也必須在我裡面死去。不是要把罪約制、壓抑或是抵擋，乃是要把它釘死在十字架上。沒有人可以使別人下這決心；我們也許會在宗教意識裡同意，但我們必須照保羅在此所強調的，作出決定。
要鼓起勇氣，振作起來，花時間與神單獨相對，作一個道德上的抉擇，對主說：[主阿，讓你的死成為我的死，直至我知道罪已在我裡面死去。 ]要斬釘截鐵，下定決心，把罪治死。
對保羅來說，這不是一種屬靈的期望，而是一個非常基本而肯定的經驗。我肯不肯讓神的靈鑑察我，直到我真知道罪的本相－－就是在我裡面與神的靈相爭的事物？若肯的話，我接受神對罪的判斷－－就是與耶穌同死嗎？我必須解決這個基本的意志問題，在神面前尋求清楚，否則不能算己[向罪死了]。
我有沒有進入與基督同釘的最高福祉裡，直到我血肉之軀，除了基督的生命以外，再無別的？ [我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的，不再是我，乃是基督在我裡面活著。 ]
祈禱◆[我的靈在生病]－－何等適切地描述我今天的狀況！求你控制它，幫助我在當中起來和超越它。
Co-Crucifixion. Have you made the following decision about sin—that it must be completely killed in you? It takes a long time to come to the point of making this complete and effective decision about sin. It is, however, the greatest moment in your life once you decide that sin must die in you-not simply be restrained, suppressed, or counteracted, but crucified—just as Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world. No one can bring anyone else to this decision. We may be mentally and spiritually convinced, but what we need to do is actually make the decision that Paul urged us to do in this passage.
Pull yourself up, take some time alone with God, and make this important decision, saying, “Lord, identify me with Your death until I know that sin is dead in me.” Make the moral decision that sin in you must be put to death.
This was not some divine future expectation on the part of Paul, but was a very radical and definite experience in his life. Are you prepared to let the Spirit of God search you until you know what the level and nature of sin is in your life— to see the very things that struggle against God’s Spirit in you? If so, will you then agree with God’s verdict on the nature of sin— that it should be identified with the death of Jesus? You cannot “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin” (Romans 6:11) unless you have radically dealt with the issue of your will before God.
Have you entered into the glorious privilege of being crucified with Christ, until all that remains in your flesh and blood is His life? “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me . . .” (Galatians 2:20).
對罪的道德判斷
因為知道我們的舊人，和他同釘十字架，使罪身滅絕，叫我們不再作罪的奴僕（羅六6）
同釘十字架。我對罪所作的道德判決，是要花很長時間的。可是，這卻是我生命的轉捩點。我看準了，耶穌基督既為世人的罪而死，照樣地，罪也必須在我裡面死去。不是要把罪約制、壓抑或是抵擋，乃是要把它釘死在十字架上。沒有人可以使別人下這決心；我們也許會在宗教意識裡同意，但我們必須照保羅在此所強調的，作出決定。
要鼓起勇氣，振作起來，花時間與神單獨相對，作一個道德上的抉擇，對主說：[主阿，讓你的死成為我的死，直至我知道罪已在我裡面死去。 ]要斬釘截鐵，下定決心，把罪治死。
對保羅來說，這不是一種屬靈的期望，而是一個非常基本而肯定的經驗。我肯不肯讓神的靈鑑察我，直到我真知道罪的本相－－就是在我裡面與神的靈相爭的事物？若肯的話，我接受神對罪的判斷－－就是與耶穌同死嗎？我必須解決這個基本的意志問題，在神面前尋求清楚，否則不能算己[向罪死了]。
我有沒有進入與基督同釘的最高福祉裡，直到我血肉之軀，除了基督的生命以外，再無別的？ [我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的，不再是我，乃是基督在我裡面活著。 ]
祈禱◆[我的靈在生病]－－何等適切地描述我今天的狀況！求你控制它，幫助我在當中起來和超越它。
April 09, 2013
Have You Seen Jesus?
After that, He appeared in another form to two of them . . . —Mark 16:12
Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.
You should always recognize the difference between what you see Jesus to be and what He has done for you. If you see only what He has done for you, your God is not big enough. But if you have had a vision, seeing Jesus as He really is, experiences can come and go, yet you will endure “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). The man who was blind from birth did not know who Jesus was until Christ appeared and revealed Himself to him (see John 9). Jesus appears to those for whom He has done something, but we cannot order or predict when He will come. He may appear suddenly, at any turn. Then you can exclaim, “Now I see Him!” (see John 9:25).
Jesus must appear to you and to your friend individually; no one can see Jesus with your eyes. And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other has not. You cannot bring your friend to the point of seeing; God must do it. Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark 16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.
O could I tell, you surely would believe it!
O could I only say what I have seen!
How should I tell or how can you receive it,
How, till He bringeth you where I have been?
我見過他麼？
這事以後，門徒中間有兩個人……耶穌變了形像向他們顯現。 （可十六12）
得救與看見耶穌，是兩回事。許多人在神的恩上有分，卻從未見過耶穌。但若見了耶穌，你就完全改觀了，其他事物再不像往日那樣吸引你。要時常分辨清楚，你看見的是耶穌本身，還是他為你成就的事。如果你只知道他為你做的事，那麼你的神還未夠偉大；要是你真看見耶穌本身，那麼，縱使經歷千變萬化，你仍能堅定不移，[如同看見那不能看見的主]。
那生來瞎眼的人，並不認識耶穌是誰，直等到主出現，又向他顯示，他才恍然大悟。耶穌為誰行事，就為誰顯現；只是我們不能規定他什麼時候顯現。他任何時刻都可能驀然出現；[如今我看見他！ ]
耶穌不但向你顯現，也向你的朋友顯現：別人不能藉著你的眼睛看見耶穌。一個人看見主，另一個沒看見，隔膜就從此形成，除非神領你的朋友到他面前來。你見過耶穌麼？要是見過，你一定盼望別人也看見他。 [他們就去告訴其餘的門徒，其餘的門徒也是不信。 ]即使他們不信，你仍要去傳。
[啊，但願我能告訴你，你一定會相信的！
啊，但願我能說出我所見的！
我怎樣說才好？你怎樣才接納？
怎麼樣？除非他帶你去嘗受我所經歷的。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我今天聽見你榮耀的聲音。噢，對我說話，以你振興的大能，在我的心靈、思想和言語中，創造屬你的安寧。
Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.
You should always recognize the difference between what you see Jesus to be and what He has done for you. If you see only what He has done for you, your God is not big enough. But if you have had a vision, seeing Jesus as He really is, experiences can come and go, yet you will endure “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). The man who was blind from birth did not know who Jesus was until Christ appeared and revealed Himself to him (see John 9). Jesus appears to those for whom He has done something, but we cannot order or predict when He will come. He may appear suddenly, at any turn. Then you can exclaim, “Now I see Him!” (see John 9:25).
Jesus must appear to you and to your friend individually; no one can see Jesus with your eyes. And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other has not. You cannot bring your friend to the point of seeing; God must do it. Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark 16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.
O could I tell, you surely would believe it!
O could I only say what I have seen!
How should I tell or how can you receive it,
How, till He bringeth you where I have been?
我見過他麼？
這事以後，門徒中間有兩個人……耶穌變了形像向他們顯現。 （可十六12）
得救與看見耶穌，是兩回事。許多人在神的恩上有分，卻從未見過耶穌。但若見了耶穌，你就完全改觀了，其他事物再不像往日那樣吸引你。要時常分辨清楚，你看見的是耶穌本身，還是他為你成就的事。如果你只知道他為你做的事，那麼你的神還未夠偉大；要是你真看見耶穌本身，那麼，縱使經歷千變萬化，你仍能堅定不移，[如同看見那不能看見的主]。
那生來瞎眼的人，並不認識耶穌是誰，直等到主出現，又向他顯示，他才恍然大悟。耶穌為誰行事，就為誰顯現；只是我們不能規定他什麼時候顯現。他任何時刻都可能驀然出現；[如今我看見他！ ]
耶穌不但向你顯現，也向你的朋友顯現：別人不能藉著你的眼睛看見耶穌。一個人看見主，另一個沒看見，隔膜就從此形成，除非神領你的朋友到他面前來。你見過耶穌麼？要是見過，你一定盼望別人也看見他。 [他們就去告訴其餘的門徒，其餘的門徒也是不信。 ]即使他們不信，你仍要去傳。
[啊，但願我能告訴你，你一定會相信的！
啊，但願我能說出我所見的！
我怎樣說才好？你怎樣才接納？
怎麼樣？除非他帶你去嘗受我所經歷的。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我今天聽見你榮耀的聲音。噢，對我說話，以你振興的大能，在我的心靈、思想和言語中，創造屬你的安寧。
April 08, 2013
His Resurrection Destiny
Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory? —Luke 24:26
Our Lord’s Cross is the gateway into His life. His resurrection means that He has the power to convey His life to me. When I was born again, I received the very life of the risen Lord from Jesus Himself.
Christ’s resurrection destiny— His foreordained purpose— was to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God. We never have exactly the same relationship to God that the Son of God has, but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship. When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life— a life He had never lived before He was God Incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before. And what His resurrection means for us is that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we will have a body like His glorious body, but we can know here and now the power and effectiveness of His resurrection and can “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Paul’s determined purpose was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).
Jesus prayed, “. . . as You have given Him authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” (John 17:2). The term Holy Spirit is actually another name for the experience of eternal life working in human beings here and now. The Holy Spirit is the deity of God who continues to apply the power of the atonement by the Cross of Christ to our lives. Thank God for the glorious and majestic truth that His Spirit can work the very nature of Jesus into us, if we will only obey Him.
他復活的目的
基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的麼？ （路二十四26）
主的十字架是進入生命的門：他的複活，表示他有能力把他的生命傳遞給我。我重生之後，就從復活的主接受他的生命。主復活的目的，為要領[許多兒子進入榮耀裡。他達成任務後，就有權柄叫我們成為神的兒女。我們從未有過神子與神的這種關係；但卻因著神子，獲得了兒子的位分。主從死裡復活，進入了一種嶄新的生命，這生命是他成肉身以前未曾有過的。他復活的生命是前所未有的；因此他的複活對我們來說，叫我們也有像他一樣復活生命，而不是我們舊有的生命。有一天，我們將有一個像他榮耀的身體。如今，我們也可享受他復活的效應，行事為人有新生的樣式，使我認識他復活的大能。
[正如你曾賜給他權柄，管理凡有血氣的，叫他將永生賜給你所賜給他的人。 ]（約十七2）在工作效果來說，[聖靈]一詞是指此時此地在人心中作工的永恆生命。聖靈就是那賜予能力的神，把救贖實現在我們的經歷裡。感謝神，只要我們順服聖靈，他就能在我們裡面陶鑄耶穌的性情，這是榮耀而嚴肅的確切事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你今天與我們真實地同在－－願聖靈同在的極大喜樂瀰漫我們。
Our Lord’s Cross is the gateway into His life. His resurrection means that He has the power to convey His life to me. When I was born again, I received the very life of the risen Lord from Jesus Himself.
Christ’s resurrection destiny— His foreordained purpose— was to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God. We never have exactly the same relationship to God that the Son of God has, but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship. When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life— a life He had never lived before He was God Incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before. And what His resurrection means for us is that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we will have a body like His glorious body, but we can know here and now the power and effectiveness of His resurrection and can “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Paul’s determined purpose was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).
Jesus prayed, “. . . as You have given Him authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” (John 17:2). The term Holy Spirit is actually another name for the experience of eternal life working in human beings here and now. The Holy Spirit is the deity of God who continues to apply the power of the atonement by the Cross of Christ to our lives. Thank God for the glorious and majestic truth that His Spirit can work the very nature of Jesus into us, if we will only obey Him.
他復活的目的
基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的麼？ （路二十四26）
主的十字架是進入生命的門：他的複活，表示他有能力把他的生命傳遞給我。我重生之後，就從復活的主接受他的生命。主復活的目的，為要領[許多兒子進入榮耀裡。他達成任務後，就有權柄叫我們成為神的兒女。我們從未有過神子與神的這種關係；但卻因著神子，獲得了兒子的位分。主從死裡復活，進入了一種嶄新的生命，這生命是他成肉身以前未曾有過的。他復活的生命是前所未有的；因此他的複活對我們來說，叫我們也有像他一樣復活生命，而不是我們舊有的生命。有一天，我們將有一個像他榮耀的身體。如今，我們也可享受他復活的效應，行事為人有新生的樣式，使我認識他復活的大能。
[正如你曾賜給他權柄，管理凡有血氣的，叫他將永生賜給你所賜給他的人。 ]（約十七2）在工作效果來說，[聖靈]一詞是指此時此地在人心中作工的永恆生命。聖靈就是那賜予能力的神，把救贖實現在我們的經歷裡。感謝神，只要我們順服聖靈，他就能在我們裡面陶鑄耶穌的性情，這是榮耀而嚴肅的確切事實。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你今天與我們真實地同在－－願聖靈同在的極大喜樂瀰漫我們。
April 07, 2013
Why We Lack Understanding
He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead —Mark 9:9
As the disciples were commanded, you should also say nothing until the Son of Man has risen in you— until the life of the risen Christ so dominates you that you truly understand what He taught while here on earth. When you grow and develop the right condition inwardly, the words Jesus spoke become so clear that you are amazed you did not grasp them before. In fact, you were not able to understand them before because you had not yet developed the proper spiritual condition to deal with them.
Our Lord doesn’t hide these things from us, but we are not prepared to receive them until we are in the right condition in our spiritual life. Jesus said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). We must have a oneness with His risen life before we are prepared to bear any particular truth from Him. Do we really know anything about the indwelling of the risen life of Jesus? The evidence that we do is that His Word is becoming understandable to us. God cannot reveal anything to us if we don’t have His Spirit. And our own unyielding and headstrong opinions will effectively prevent God from revealing anything to us. But our insensible thinking will end immediately once His resurrection life has its way with us.
“. . . tell no one . . . .” But so many people do tell what they saw on the Mount of Transfiguration— their mountaintop experience. They have seen a vision and they testify to it, but there is no connection between what they say and how they live. Their lives don’t add up because the Son of Man has not yet risen in them. How long will it be before His resurrection life is formed and evident in you and in me?
為什麼不明明告訴我們？
耶穌囑咐他們說，人子還沒有從死裡復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。 （可九9）
人子還未在你面前復活，什麼都不要說－－直到基督復活的生命完全掌管你，使你真正明白基督的教訓。當你裡面有真正的改變，耶穌所說的話就很清楚明白，以致你稀奇何以從前看不出來。你從前不明白，因為你的性情沒有地方容納他的話語。
主並沒有隱藏這些事，只是我們屬靈的生命未到一個合適的地步，所以承擔不起這些事。 [我還有好些事要告訴你們，但你們現在擔當不了。 ]我們必須與主復活的生命有了連接，才能接受他的話。耶穌復活的生命如何流注，我們有所知聞嗎？證明我們知道的證據就是：我們能夠明白他的話。我們若沒有神的靈，神是無法向我們顯明真理最大的障礙。我們若對某一項教義堅持己見，神的亮光就不再照明，我們便無法得見。可是一旦他復活的生命支配我們，這愚頑不靈的光景，就會立即終止！
[不要告訴人……]但許多人都把山上變像的事實告訴人，他們見了異象，就大作見證；可是，靈命卻未成熟，因人子還未在他們心裡復活。他什麼時候才成形在你我身上呢？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你使我們變得柔和與溫順，被你所激勵和振奮，求你提升我們進入與你榮耀相交得境地，以致我們可以捕捉你的形像。
As the disciples were commanded, you should also say nothing until the Son of Man has risen in you— until the life of the risen Christ so dominates you that you truly understand what He taught while here on earth. When you grow and develop the right condition inwardly, the words Jesus spoke become so clear that you are amazed you did not grasp them before. In fact, you were not able to understand them before because you had not yet developed the proper spiritual condition to deal with them.
Our Lord doesn’t hide these things from us, but we are not prepared to receive them until we are in the right condition in our spiritual life. Jesus said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). We must have a oneness with His risen life before we are prepared to bear any particular truth from Him. Do we really know anything about the indwelling of the risen life of Jesus? The evidence that we do is that His Word is becoming understandable to us. God cannot reveal anything to us if we don’t have His Spirit. And our own unyielding and headstrong opinions will effectively prevent God from revealing anything to us. But our insensible thinking will end immediately once His resurrection life has its way with us.
“. . . tell no one . . . .” But so many people do tell what they saw on the Mount of Transfiguration— their mountaintop experience. They have seen a vision and they testify to it, but there is no connection between what they say and how they live. Their lives don’t add up because the Son of Man has not yet risen in them. How long will it be before His resurrection life is formed and evident in you and in me?
為什麼不明明告訴我們？
耶穌囑咐他們說，人子還沒有從死裡復活，你們不要將所看見的告訴人。 （可九9）
人子還未在你面前復活，什麼都不要說－－直到基督復活的生命完全掌管你，使你真正明白基督的教訓。當你裡面有真正的改變，耶穌所說的話就很清楚明白，以致你稀奇何以從前看不出來。你從前不明白，因為你的性情沒有地方容納他的話語。
主並沒有隱藏這些事，只是我們屬靈的生命未到一個合適的地步，所以承擔不起這些事。 [我還有好些事要告訴你們，但你們現在擔當不了。 ]我們必須與主復活的生命有了連接，才能接受他的話。耶穌復活的生命如何流注，我們有所知聞嗎？證明我們知道的證據就是：我們能夠明白他的話。我們若沒有神的靈，神是無法向我們顯明真理最大的障礙。我們若對某一項教義堅持己見，神的亮光就不再照明，我們便無法得見。可是一旦他復活的生命支配我們，這愚頑不靈的光景，就會立即終止！
[不要告訴人……]但許多人都把山上變像的事實告訴人，他們見了異象，就大作見證；可是，靈命卻未成熟，因人子還未在他們心裡復活。他什麼時候才成形在你我身上呢？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你使我們變得柔和與溫順，被你所激勵和振奮，求你提升我們進入與你榮耀相交得境地，以致我們可以捕捉你的形像。
April 06, 2013
The Collision of God and Sin
. . . who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree . . . —1 Peter 2:24
The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross— He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a right-standing relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God.
The Cross was not something that happened to Jesus— He came to die; the Cross was His purpose in coming. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning without the Cross. Beware of separating “God was manifested in the flesh. . .” from “. . . He made Him. . . to be sin for us. . .” (1 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The purpose of the incarnation was redemption. God came in the flesh to take sin away, not to accomplish something for Himself. The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both.
The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the Cross of God, and it can never be fully comprehended through human experience. The Cross is God exhibiting His nature. It is the gate through which any and every individual can enter into oneness with God. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there.
The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ. The reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. The Cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.
神與罪的衝突
他被掛在木頭上親身擔當了我們的罪。 （彼前二24）
耶穌的十字架，說明神對罪惡的審判。但千萬別以為耶穌的十字架是一種殉道精神；十字架是至高無上的勝利，連地獄的根基也震動了。不論今生或是來世，再沒有比耶穌基督在十字架上所成就的，更加確實。他挽回了全人類，使他們與神恢復正常的關係。他使救贖成為人類生命的根基，也就是說，他為人開了一道通往神的途徑。
十字架並非偶然臨到耶穌的，他是為此目的而來。他是[那創世以先被殺的羔羊]。道成肉身的整個意義，就是十字架。當心別把神在肉身顯現，與人子成為罪分開來看。道成肉身的目的，正是為了顯露自己。十字架是今生與永世的中心，是兩者的謎底。
十字架不是人的十字架，是神的十字架，神的十字架永遠不能以人的經歷去體驗。十字架是神本性的顯露，是任何人得以達致與神合一的通道。我們是來到十字架面前，不是越過去；我們住在十字架所帶進來的生命裡。
救恩的中心，就是耶穌的十字架；救恩所以如此易得，是因為神付出了重大得代價。十字架是神與罪人碰頭得地方，這猛然的撞擊，開拓了生命的路；可是，這撞擊是發生在神心裡的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著你在我們最核心的問題上施行大能的救贖，我讚美你。願藉著你的大能，使我複活，進入新的生命。
The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross— He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a right-standing relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God.
The Cross was not something that happened to Jesus— He came to die; the Cross was His purpose in coming. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). The incarnation of Christ would have no meaning without the Cross. Beware of separating “God was manifested in the flesh. . .” from “. . . He made Him. . . to be sin for us. . .” (1 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The purpose of the incarnation was redemption. God came in the flesh to take sin away, not to accomplish something for Himself. The Cross is the central event in time and eternity, and the answer to all the problems of both.
The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the Cross of God, and it can never be fully comprehended through human experience. The Cross is God exhibiting His nature. It is the gate through which any and every individual can enter into oneness with God. But it is not a gate we pass right through; it is one where we abide in the life that is found there.
The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ. The reason salvation is so easy to obtain is that it cost God so much. The Cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.
神與罪的衝突
他被掛在木頭上親身擔當了我們的罪。 （彼前二24）
耶穌的十字架，說明神對罪惡的審判。但千萬別以為耶穌的十字架是一種殉道精神；十字架是至高無上的勝利，連地獄的根基也震動了。不論今生或是來世，再沒有比耶穌基督在十字架上所成就的，更加確實。他挽回了全人類，使他們與神恢復正常的關係。他使救贖成為人類生命的根基，也就是說，他為人開了一道通往神的途徑。
十字架並非偶然臨到耶穌的，他是為此目的而來。他是[那創世以先被殺的羔羊]。道成肉身的整個意義，就是十字架。當心別把神在肉身顯現，與人子成為罪分開來看。道成肉身的目的，正是為了顯露自己。十字架是今生與永世的中心，是兩者的謎底。
十字架不是人的十字架，是神的十字架，神的十字架永遠不能以人的經歷去體驗。十字架是神本性的顯露，是任何人得以達致與神合一的通道。我們是來到十字架面前，不是越過去；我們住在十字架所帶進來的生命裡。
救恩的中心，就是耶穌的十字架；救恩所以如此易得，是因為神付出了重大得代價。十字架是神與罪人碰頭得地方，這猛然的撞擊，開拓了生命的路；可是，這撞擊是發生在神心裡的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著你在我們最核心的問題上施行大能的救贖，我讚美你。願藉著你的大能，使我複活，進入新的生命。
April 05, 2013
His Agony and Our Access
Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples . . . . ’Stay here and watch with Me’ —Matthew 26:36, 38
We can never fully comprehend Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, but at least we don’t have to misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and man in one Person, coming face to face with sin. We cannot learn about Gethsemane through personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary represent something totally unique— they are the gateway into life for us.
It was not death on the cross that Jesus agonized over in Gethsemane. In fact, He stated very emphatically that He came with the purpose of dying. His concern here was that He might not get through this struggle as the Son of Man. He was confident of getting through it as the Son of God— Satan could not touch Him there. But Satan’s assault was that our Lord would come through for us on His own solely as the Son of Man. If Jesus had done that, He could not have been our Savior (see Hebrews 9:11-15). Read the record of His agony in Gethsemane in light of His earlier wilderness temptation— “. . . the devil . . . departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). In Gethsemane, Satan came back and was overthrown again. Satan’s final assault against our Lord as the Son of Man was in Gethsemane.
The agony in Gethsemane was the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Savior of the world. The veil is pulled back here to reveal all that it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony was the basis for the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ was a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Because of what the Son of Man went through, every human being has been provided with a way of access into the very presence of God.
他的痛苦與我們的相交
耶穌同門徒來到一個地方，名叫客西馬尼，就對他們說……你們在這裡等候，和我一同儆醒。 （太二十六36、38）
縱然我們無法體會主在客西馬尼的痛苦，但我們也不要誤解。這是神人一體面對罪惡的痛苦。因此就我們個人的經歷，是無法體會的。客西馬尼與各各他，是耶穌所專有的，叫我們得生命的門。
耶穌在客西馬尼，並不是因十架的死亡而恐懼；他曾強調說，他是為死而來的。他所恐懼的是不能以[人子]的身分過這一關。作為神子，耶穌絕對可以過關，撒但不能碰他分毫；但撒但要毀滅的，是他以一個孤獨的個體過這一關；就是說，使他不能成為救主。試以主受試探的情景去讀客西馬尼痛苦的禱告：[魔鬼暫時離開耶穌。 ]在客西馬尼，撒但最後向主以人子身份所施的襲擊，是在客西馬尼。
客西馬尼的痛苦，是神子為要完成他作世人救主的使命所忍受的痛苦。幔子裂開，顯示他付出何等的代價，為叫我們可以成為神的兒子。我們如此容易得救，是基於他的痛苦。基督的十字架，是人子的勝利。這不但表明我們的主已經得勝，而且帶來人類的拯救。如今人人可以來到神面前，完全因為[人子]所經歷的痛苦。
祈禱◆主啊，我對你的救贖和完全的救恩，是何其缺乏欣賞。主啊，驅使我產生豐富的感恩；讓我對主耶穌基督懷著永遠的愛。
We can never fully comprehend Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, but at least we don’t have to misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and man in one Person, coming face to face with sin. We cannot learn about Gethsemane through personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary represent something totally unique— they are the gateway into life for us.
It was not death on the cross that Jesus agonized over in Gethsemane. In fact, He stated very emphatically that He came with the purpose of dying. His concern here was that He might not get through this struggle as the Son of Man. He was confident of getting through it as the Son of God— Satan could not touch Him there. But Satan’s assault was that our Lord would come through for us on His own solely as the Son of Man. If Jesus had done that, He could not have been our Savior (see Hebrews 9:11-15). Read the record of His agony in Gethsemane in light of His earlier wilderness temptation— “. . . the devil . . . departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). In Gethsemane, Satan came back and was overthrown again. Satan’s final assault against our Lord as the Son of Man was in Gethsemane.
The agony in Gethsemane was the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Savior of the world. The veil is pulled back here to reveal all that it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony was the basis for the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ was a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Because of what the Son of Man went through, every human being has been provided with a way of access into the very presence of God.
他的痛苦與我們的相交
耶穌同門徒來到一個地方，名叫客西馬尼，就對他們說……你們在這裡等候，和我一同儆醒。 （太二十六36、38）
縱然我們無法體會主在客西馬尼的痛苦，但我們也不要誤解。這是神人一體面對罪惡的痛苦。因此就我們個人的經歷，是無法體會的。客西馬尼與各各他，是耶穌所專有的，叫我們得生命的門。
耶穌在客西馬尼，並不是因十架的死亡而恐懼；他曾強調說，他是為死而來的。他所恐懼的是不能以[人子]的身分過這一關。作為神子，耶穌絕對可以過關，撒但不能碰他分毫；但撒但要毀滅的，是他以一個孤獨的個體過這一關；就是說，使他不能成為救主。試以主受試探的情景去讀客西馬尼痛苦的禱告：[魔鬼暫時離開耶穌。 ]在客西馬尼，撒但最後向主以人子身份所施的襲擊，是在客西馬尼。
客西馬尼的痛苦，是神子為要完成他作世人救主的使命所忍受的痛苦。幔子裂開，顯示他付出何等的代價，為叫我們可以成為神的兒子。我們如此容易得救，是基於他的痛苦。基督的十字架，是人子的勝利。這不但表明我們的主已經得勝，而且帶來人類的拯救。如今人人可以來到神面前，完全因為[人子]所經歷的痛苦。
祈禱◆主啊，我對你的救贖和完全的救恩，是何其缺乏欣賞。主啊，驅使我產生豐富的感恩；讓我對主耶穌基督懷著永遠的愛。
April 04, 2013
The Way to Permanent Faith
Indeed the hour is coming . . . that you will be scattered . . . —John 16:32
Jesus was not rebuking the disciples in this passage. Their faith was real, but it was disordered and unfocused, and was not at work in the important realities of life. The disciples were scattered to their own concerns and they had interests apart from Jesus Christ. After we have the perfect relationship with God, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our faith must be exercised in the realities of everyday life. We will be scattered, not into service but into the emptiness of our lives where we will see ruin and barrenness, to know what internal death to God’s blessings means. Are we prepared for this? It is certainly not of our own choosing, but God engineers our circumstances to take us there. Until we have been through that experience, our faith is sustained only by feelings and by blessings. But once we get there, no matter where God may place us or what inner emptiness we experience, we can praise God that all is well. That is what is meant by faith being exercised in the realities of life.
“. . . you . . . will leave Me alone.” Have we been scattered and have we left Jesus alone by not seeing His providential care for us? Do we not see God at work in our circumstances? Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what He wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God? Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself. The sense of God’s blessings is fundamental
“. . . be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Unyielding spiritual fortitude is what we need.
不信的邊緣
看哪，時候將到，……你們要分散。 （約十六32）
耶穌不是在責備門徒，他們的信心是真實的，只不過受到困擾；以致在實際的事情臨到，信心沒有發生果效。他們分散，各顧各的事，而這些事不是屬基督的。我們與神有了分別為聖的關係後，就必須在實際行動上活出信心來。我們被解散，不是到工廠上去，而是到個人內心的絕境裡，叫我們體會什麼叫做向神的賜福死去。我們準備好嗎？這不是我們所揀選的，乃是神所安排的環境，帶我們進入這經歷裡去。
除非我們有了這樣的經歷，否則，我們的信心不過是建立在感覺與福氣之上，為二者所支撐而已。一旦我們到了這個地步，不論神放我們在哪裡，也不論落到怎樣的絕境，我們仍然可以讚美神，知道一切都盡善盡美，這才是信心真實地發揮出來。
[……留下我獨自一人。 ]我們有沒有因著追逐個人的嗜欲，偏離神旨，留下耶穌獨自一人？這時因為我們在所遇的環境裡看不見神嗎？黑暗來臨，也是出於神的全能。我們預備讓神照他的心意對待我們嗎？就是甘願拋棄我們能察覺的福氣嗎？除非等到耶穌基督作我們的主，否則我們總會去爭取自己的目標；我們的信心是真實的，卻仍未堅固。神從來不草率行事；只要我們等候，神必要指明。但我們所專注的不是神，而是他的賜福。只意識到神的賜福，乃是靈程的初階。 [你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 ]我們需要屬靈的剛毅。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要你！求你今天以豐盛的能力，臨到我們實際的環境中。
Jesus was not rebuking the disciples in this passage. Their faith was real, but it was disordered and unfocused, and was not at work in the important realities of life. The disciples were scattered to their own concerns and they had interests apart from Jesus Christ. After we have the perfect relationship with God, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our faith must be exercised in the realities of everyday life. We will be scattered, not into service but into the emptiness of our lives where we will see ruin and barrenness, to know what internal death to God’s blessings means. Are we prepared for this? It is certainly not of our own choosing, but God engineers our circumstances to take us there. Until we have been through that experience, our faith is sustained only by feelings and by blessings. But once we get there, no matter where God may place us or what inner emptiness we experience, we can praise God that all is well. That is what is meant by faith being exercised in the realities of life.
“. . . you . . . will leave Me alone.” Have we been scattered and have we left Jesus alone by not seeing His providential care for us? Do we not see God at work in our circumstances? Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what He wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God? Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself. The sense of God’s blessings is fundamental
“. . . be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Unyielding spiritual fortitude is what we need.
不信的邊緣
看哪，時候將到，……你們要分散。 （約十六32）
耶穌不是在責備門徒，他們的信心是真實的，只不過受到困擾；以致在實際的事情臨到，信心沒有發生果效。他們分散，各顧各的事，而這些事不是屬基督的。我們與神有了分別為聖的關係後，就必須在實際行動上活出信心來。我們被解散，不是到工廠上去，而是到個人內心的絕境裡，叫我們體會什麼叫做向神的賜福死去。我們準備好嗎？這不是我們所揀選的，乃是神所安排的環境，帶我們進入這經歷裡去。
除非我們有了這樣的經歷，否則，我們的信心不過是建立在感覺與福氣之上，為二者所支撐而已。一旦我們到了這個地步，不論神放我們在哪裡，也不論落到怎樣的絕境，我們仍然可以讚美神，知道一切都盡善盡美，這才是信心真實地發揮出來。
[……留下我獨自一人。 ]我們有沒有因著追逐個人的嗜欲，偏離神旨，留下耶穌獨自一人？這時因為我們在所遇的環境裡看不見神嗎？黑暗來臨，也是出於神的全能。我們預備讓神照他的心意對待我們嗎？就是甘願拋棄我們能察覺的福氣嗎？除非等到耶穌基督作我們的主，否則我們總會去爭取自己的目標；我們的信心是真實的，卻仍未堅固。神從來不草率行事；只要我們等候，神必要指明。但我們所專注的不是神，而是他的賜福。只意識到神的賜福，乃是靈程的初階。 [你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 ]我們需要屬靈的剛毅。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要你！求你今天以豐盛的能力，臨到我們實際的環境中。
April 03, 2013
"If You Had Known!"
If you had known . . . in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes —Luke 19:42
Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly and the city was stirred to its very foundations, but a strange god was there-the pride of the Pharisees. It was a god that seemed religious and upright, but Jesus compared it to “whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).
What is it that blinds you to the peace of God “in this your day”? Do you have a strange god-not a disgusting monster but perhaps an unholy nature that controls your life? More than once God has brought me face to face with a strange god in my life, and I knew that I should have given it up, but I didn’t do it. I got through the crisis “by the skin of my teeth,” only to find myself still under the control of that strange god. I am blind to the very things that make for my own peace. It is a shocking thing that we can be in the exact place where the Spirit of God should be having His completely unhindered way with us, and yet we only make matters worse, increasing our blame in God’s eyes.
“If you had known . . . .” God’s words here cut directly to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind them. These words imply responsibility for our own faults. God holds us accountable for what we refuse to see or are unable to see because of our sin. And “now they are hidden from your eyes” because you have never completely yielded your nature to Him. Oh, the deep, unending sadness for what might have been! God never again opens the doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut-doors which had no need to be shut. Never be afraid when God brings back your past. Let your memory have its way with you. It is a minister of God bringing its rebuke and sorrow to you. God will turn what might have been into a wonderful lesson of growth for the future.
巴不得你知道
巴不得你在這日子，知道關係你平安的事。無奈這事現在是隱藏的，叫你的眼看不出來。 （路十九42）
耶穌威武地進入耶路撒冷，合城都震動了；可是，有一個怪異的神袛在那裡，就是驕傲的法利賽主義；表面是敬虔公正，卻是[粉飾的墳墓]。在我的年日里，令我瞎了眼究竟是什麼呢？我有了一個外邦的神袛？我所指的並不是醜惡的怪物，乃是轄制我的性情。神曾經三番四次使我面對這個外邦的神袛；我知道要降服神，把它棄掉，卻始終沒有付諸實行。我咬緊牙齦要衝過難關，卻仍然受制於這古怪的神明。我看不見使我平安的事。我們可以一方面讓聖靈毫無攔阻地得著，而另一方面卻在神面前不斷責備自己，這實在是一件可怕的事。
[巴不得你知道]－－神在耶穌的眼淚裡，直接摸著人的心。這話表示罪有應得；我們看不清的事，神要我們承擔責任。 [這事現在是隱藏的，叫你的眼看不出來]－－是因為我們未曾降服。那[早該如此！ ]是多麼悲慘絕倫呀！神關了的門，就永不再開。但他開了其他的門，並提醒我們有些門是我們關的，有些門則不需要關。我們的想像力千萬不要遲鈍才好。當神把舊事重提，我們不必懼怕，讓回憶過去吧！它是神的用人，要責備、管教和追悔。神會把那[早該如此]，變成未來的優良教育。
祈禱◆主啊，對於要選擇的方向，我仍感模糊；這個決定已遠超越我的判斷能力。我並非對你懷疑，只是，眼前的一切卻是那樣全然隱蔽。
Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly and the city was stirred to its very foundations, but a strange god was there-the pride of the Pharisees. It was a god that seemed religious and upright, but Jesus compared it to “whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).
What is it that blinds you to the peace of God “in this your day”? Do you have a strange god-not a disgusting monster but perhaps an unholy nature that controls your life? More than once God has brought me face to face with a strange god in my life, and I knew that I should have given it up, but I didn’t do it. I got through the crisis “by the skin of my teeth,” only to find myself still under the control of that strange god. I am blind to the very things that make for my own peace. It is a shocking thing that we can be in the exact place where the Spirit of God should be having His completely unhindered way with us, and yet we only make matters worse, increasing our blame in God’s eyes.
“If you had known . . . .” God’s words here cut directly to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind them. These words imply responsibility for our own faults. God holds us accountable for what we refuse to see or are unable to see because of our sin. And “now they are hidden from your eyes” because you have never completely yielded your nature to Him. Oh, the deep, unending sadness for what might have been! God never again opens the doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut-doors which had no need to be shut. Never be afraid when God brings back your past. Let your memory have its way with you. It is a minister of God bringing its rebuke and sorrow to you. God will turn what might have been into a wonderful lesson of growth for the future.
巴不得你知道
巴不得你在這日子，知道關係你平安的事。無奈這事現在是隱藏的，叫你的眼看不出來。 （路十九42）
耶穌威武地進入耶路撒冷，合城都震動了；可是，有一個怪異的神袛在那裡，就是驕傲的法利賽主義；表面是敬虔公正，卻是[粉飾的墳墓]。在我的年日里，令我瞎了眼究竟是什麼呢？我有了一個外邦的神袛？我所指的並不是醜惡的怪物，乃是轄制我的性情。神曾經三番四次使我面對這個外邦的神袛；我知道要降服神，把它棄掉，卻始終沒有付諸實行。我咬緊牙齦要衝過難關，卻仍然受制於這古怪的神明。我看不見使我平安的事。我們可以一方面讓聖靈毫無攔阻地得著，而另一方面卻在神面前不斷責備自己，這實在是一件可怕的事。
[巴不得你知道]－－神在耶穌的眼淚裡，直接摸著人的心。這話表示罪有應得；我們看不清的事，神要我們承擔責任。 [這事現在是隱藏的，叫你的眼看不出來]－－是因為我們未曾降服。那[早該如此！ ]是多麼悲慘絕倫呀！神關了的門，就永不再開。但他開了其他的門，並提醒我們有些門是我們關的，有些門則不需要關。我們的想像力千萬不要遲鈍才好。當神把舊事重提，我們不必懼怕，讓回憶過去吧！它是神的用人，要責備、管教和追悔。神會把那[早該如此]，變成未來的優良教育。
祈禱◆主啊，對於要選擇的方向，我仍感模糊；這個決定已遠超越我的判斷能力。我並非對你懷疑，只是，眼前的一切卻是那樣全然隱蔽。
April 02, 2013
The Glory That’s Unsurpassed
. . . the Lord Jesus . . . has sent me that you may receive your sight . . . —Acts 9:17
When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ. His entire life and preaching from that point on were totally consumed with nothing but Jesus Christ— “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and soul except the face of Jesus Christ.
We must learn to maintain a strong degree of character in our lives, even to the level that has been revealed in our vision of Jesus Christ.
The lasting characteristic of a spiritual man is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, and the ability to explain the purposes of God to others. The overruling passion of his life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you get the feeling that he is truly a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22).
Never allow anything to divert you from your insight into Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you. Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified.
無比的榮耀
耶穌打發我來，叫你能看見。 （徒九17）
保羅回複視力後，他屬靈的眼睛就注目在耶穌基督身上，他此後的生活和傳道，就只以耶穌基督為中心－－[我在你們中間，不知道別的，只知道耶穌基督，並他釘十字架。 ]除了耶穌基督的榮面，保羅的心思意念絕不誘於任何事物，受其操縱。我們藉著耶穌基督所啟示的亮光，學習在主裡保持毫無玷污。
一個屬靈人不變的特徵，就是把主耶穌基督的人格，轉化為自己的人格，然又將神的旨意傳達與別人。他人生中所專注愛戀的，就是耶穌基督。每當你碰到一個人有這樣的素質，你就知道他是合神心意的。不要讓任何事物轉移你對耶穌基督的注意力，這是屬靈的考驗。所謂不屬靈，就是其他事物對你的吸引與日俱增。
[自我定睛注視耶穌，
塵世一切，視若無睹，
我靈注視不移，
定睛被釘的主。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主，我的神、我的力量、我的盼望和我的喜樂，縱然是緩慢，但我似乎肯定可以逐漸更清晰地辨認你。求你在今天將人世間所製造的雲霧驅散。
When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ. His entire life and preaching from that point on were totally consumed with nothing but Jesus Christ— “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and soul except the face of Jesus Christ.
We must learn to maintain a strong degree of character in our lives, even to the level that has been revealed in our vision of Jesus Christ.
The lasting characteristic of a spiritual man is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, and the ability to explain the purposes of God to others. The overruling passion of his life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you get the feeling that he is truly a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22).
Never allow anything to divert you from your insight into Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you. Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit’s vision, Gazing on the Crucified.
無比的榮耀
耶穌打發我來，叫你能看見。 （徒九17）
保羅回複視力後，他屬靈的眼睛就注目在耶穌基督身上，他此後的生活和傳道，就只以耶穌基督為中心－－[我在你們中間，不知道別的，只知道耶穌基督，並他釘十字架。 ]除了耶穌基督的榮面，保羅的心思意念絕不誘於任何事物，受其操縱。我們藉著耶穌基督所啟示的亮光，學習在主裡保持毫無玷污。
一個屬靈人不變的特徵，就是把主耶穌基督的人格，轉化為自己的人格，然又將神的旨意傳達與別人。他人生中所專注愛戀的，就是耶穌基督。每當你碰到一個人有這樣的素質，你就知道他是合神心意的。不要讓任何事物轉移你對耶穌基督的注意力，這是屬靈的考驗。所謂不屬靈，就是其他事物對你的吸引與日俱增。
[自我定睛注視耶穌，
塵世一切，視若無睹，
我靈注視不移，
定睛被釘的主。 ]
祈禱◆噢，主，我的神、我的力量、我的盼望和我的喜樂，縱然是緩慢，但我似乎肯定可以逐漸更清晰地辨認你。求你在今天將人世間所製造的雲霧驅散。
April 01, 2013
Helpful or Heartless Toward Others?
It is Christ . . . who also makes intercession for us. . . . the Spirit . . . makes intercession for the saints . . . —Romans 8:34, 27
Do we need any more arguments than these to become intercessors-that Christ “always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25), and that the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints”? Are we living in such a relationship with others that we do the work of intercession as a result of being the children of God who are taught by His Spirit? We should take a look at our current circumstances. Do crises which affect us or others in our home, business, country, or elsewhere, seem to be crushing in on us? Are we being pushed out of the presence of God and left with no time for worship? If so, we must put a stop to such distractions and get into such a living relationship with God that our relationship with others is maintained through the work of intercession, where God works His miracles.
Beware of getting ahead of God by your very desire to do His will. We run ahead of Him in a thousand and one activities, becoming so burdened with people and problems that we don’t worship God, and we fail to intercede. If a burden and its resulting pressure come upon us while we are not in an attitude of worship, it will only produce a hardness toward God and despair in our own souls. God continually introduces us to people in whom we have no interest, and unless we are worshiping God the natural tendency is to be heartless toward them. We give them a quick verse of Scripture, like jabbing them with a spear, or leave them with a hurried, uncaring word of counsel before we go. A heartless Christian must be a terrible grief to our Lord.
Are our lives in the proper place so that we may participate in the intercession of our Lord and the Holy Spirit?
Do we need any more arguments than these to become intercessors-that Christ “always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25), and that the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints”? Are we living in such a relationship with others that we do the work of intercession as a result of being the children of God who are taught by His Spirit? We should take a look at our current circumstances. Do crises which affect us or others in our home, business, country, or elsewhere, seem to be crushing in on us? Are we being pushed out of the presence of God and left with no time for worship? If so, we must put a stop to such distractions and get into such a living relationship with God that our relationship with others is maintained through the work of intercession, where God works His miracles.
Beware of getting ahead of God by your very desire to do His will. We run ahead of Him in a thousand and one activities, becoming so burdened with people and problems that we don’t worship God, and we fail to intercede. If a burden and its resulting pressure come upon us while we are not in an attitude of worship, it will only produce a hardness toward God and despair in our own souls. God continually introduces us to people in whom we have no interest, and unless we are worshiping God the natural tendency is to be heartless toward them. We give them a quick verse of Scripture, like jabbing them with a spear, or leave them with a hurried, uncaring word of counsel before we go. A heartless Christian must be a terrible grief to our Lord.
Are our lives in the proper place so that we may participate in the intercession of our Lord and the Holy Spirit?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)