The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him . . . —1 Corinthians 2:14
The gospel of God creates the sense of need for the gospel. Is the gospel hidden to those who are servants already? No, Paul said, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe . . .” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The majority of people think of themselves as being completely moral, and have no sense of need for the gospel. It is God who creates this sense of need in a human being, but that person remains totally unaware of his need until God makes Himself evident. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). But God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He wants to withhold something from us, but that is the plan He has established for the way of redemption. Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was nonexistent until we asked. The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies.
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
救贖創造需要，也滿足需要
然而屬血氣的人不領會神聖靈的事，反倒以為愚拙。 （林前二14）
神的福音能叫人產生對福音的需要。保羅說：[如果我們的福音蒙蔽。 ]是對那些惡人蒙蔽嗎？不是的。 [蒙蔽在滅亡的人身上，此等不信之人，被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼。 ]大多數人都有自己持守的道德觀念，覺得不需要福音。神於是造出這個需要來；他若不彰顯自己，根本沒有人覺得有此需要。耶穌說：[祈求，就給你們。 ]但人未祈求，神就不能給。不是他保留不給，但這是他根據救贖所定下的原則。正因我們求，神就作工，為我們創造那些未求之前不存在的東西。救贖的精義，就是不斷的創造。救贖既在我們裡面創造了神的生命，也創造屬於那生命的東西。惟有叫人產生這需要的，才能滿足這需要。這就是救贖的意思－－它創造，它也滿足。
[人子若從地上被舉起來，就必吸引萬人來歸我。 ]我們傳講自己的經歷，別人雖感興趣，可是卻不喚起他的需要。若耶穌基督被舉起來，神的靈便叫人覺得需要基督。在傳揚福音的背後，是神不斷創造的救贖大工在人心裡動工。個人見證絕對不能拯救人。 [我對你們說的話，就是靈，就是生命。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其渴望看見你、聽見你、默想你和愈來愈像你！你曾經說過：[又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。 ]
Showing posts with label Blessings From. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blessings From. Show all posts
December 17, 2014
September 07, 2014
Fountains of Blessings
The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life —John 4:14
The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life (John 7:38).
We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.
Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.
福泉
我所賜的水，要在他裡頭成為泉源。 （約四14）
主所描寫的，不是一條河道，乃是一個活泉。 [要被充滿]，這樣，聖徒與主耶穌生命關係的甜美，就會豐富不絕地湧流，正如主傾倒給他的一樣。你若發現生命並不能如意地湧流，問題一定是在你身上；一定是有阻塞的障礙物。要保持與源頭接駁，這樣你就會大得福祉？不，你會有活水江流湧流，是無法歇止的生命。
我們要成為活水湧流的江河，讓主耶穌湧流而出，使每個人得福。有些人像死海，只接受而不付出，因為他們與主耶穌得關係並不和諧。我們接受他的生命，是肯定的；這樣，他透過我們湧流，也該是肯定的。主若沒有暢順的湧流，你與他的關係必然有了缺陷。你與他之間有何阻隔？什麼阻攔你對他的信念？若沒有，耶穌說：[你要湧流出活水江河。 ]不是福氣的傳遞，不是經驗的申述，乃是江河的湧流。要持定源頭，謹守對主的信心和與他的關係，這樣，你就有不住 的水供應別人，不枯乾，也不死涸。
個別信徒要湧流出江河，是否誇張之言？你會說：[我看不見江河。 ]記著不要從[我是什麼人？ ]的觀點來看自己。神工作的歷史，往往是從隱藏的、不為人知的、被人忽視的，但對主耶穌基督堅貞不移的人開始。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我重拾那因你與我同在而有的獨特喜樂，使我在這個地方全屬於你。我似乎不適宜作任何事情，惟獨等候你。噢，主啊，給我顯示一個永久的標記。
The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life (John 7:38).
We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.
Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.
福泉
我所賜的水，要在他裡頭成為泉源。 （約四14）
主所描寫的，不是一條河道，乃是一個活泉。 [要被充滿]，這樣，聖徒與主耶穌生命關係的甜美，就會豐富不絕地湧流，正如主傾倒給他的一樣。你若發現生命並不能如意地湧流，問題一定是在你身上；一定是有阻塞的障礙物。要保持與源頭接駁，這樣你就會大得福祉？不，你會有活水江流湧流，是無法歇止的生命。
我們要成為活水湧流的江河，讓主耶穌湧流而出，使每個人得福。有些人像死海，只接受而不付出，因為他們與主耶穌得關係並不和諧。我們接受他的生命，是肯定的；這樣，他透過我們湧流，也該是肯定的。主若沒有暢順的湧流，你與他的關係必然有了缺陷。你與他之間有何阻隔？什麼阻攔你對他的信念？若沒有，耶穌說：[你要湧流出活水江河。 ]不是福氣的傳遞，不是經驗的申述，乃是江河的湧流。要持定源頭，謹守對主的信心和與他的關係，這樣，你就有不住 的水供應別人，不枯乾，也不死涸。
個別信徒要湧流出江河，是否誇張之言？你會說：[我看不見江河。 ]記著不要從[我是什麼人？ ]的觀點來看自己。神工作的歷史，往往是從隱藏的、不為人知的、被人忽視的，但對主耶穌基督堅貞不移的人開始。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我重拾那因你與我同在而有的獨特喜樂，使我在這個地方全屬於你。我似乎不適宜作任何事情，惟獨等候你。噢，主啊，給我顯示一個永久的標記。
September 06, 2014
The Far-Reaching Rivers of Life
He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water —John 7:38
A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.
A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.
生命的擴散力
活水……江河。 （約七38）
河流所到之處，是源頭無法可知的。耶穌說我們若領受了他的豐盛，不管我們的生命多微小，也能像活水江河，造福地極。這湧流不是我們的功勞－－[信……這就是神的工作……]。神很少讓一個人知道自己給別人帶來多大的祝福。河流是百折不撓的，能克服一切障礙。它順流而下，遇到障礙物，停滯一下，不一會又會繞過它繼續湧流。有時河流好像突然消失好幾里，但一下子又再复現，變得又大又寬闊。你看見神在使用很多人的生命，但你的生命卻出現了障礙物，你覺得自己毫無用處。這時要注目源頭，神會帶你繞道而行，或是把障礙挪開。不要注目在難處上，只要對準源頭，難處對於從你裡面流出的江河，是毫無辦法的。不要讓任何事物，包括感情與經歷，介入你與主耶穌之間；不要讓任何事物，使你與那最高的總源頭隔開。
想想你裡頭孕育著何等光遠而又具醫治力的河流！神向我們敞開他奇妙的真理，每一個敞開處，都表示他要把江河更大的能力透過我們湧流，你若相信主耶穌，就必發現神正在你裡面培育強而有力的水流，要成為別人的祝福。
祈禱◆[你不要怕他們，因那為你爭戰的是耶和華－－你的神。 ]主啊，今早當我讀經，這句話一直浮現在我腦海中。我何等完全地仰賴你！
A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.
A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.
生命的擴散力
活水……江河。 （約七38）
河流所到之處，是源頭無法可知的。耶穌說我們若領受了他的豐盛，不管我們的生命多微小，也能像活水江河，造福地極。這湧流不是我們的功勞－－[信……這就是神的工作……]。神很少讓一個人知道自己給別人帶來多大的祝福。河流是百折不撓的，能克服一切障礙。它順流而下，遇到障礙物，停滯一下，不一會又會繞過它繼續湧流。有時河流好像突然消失好幾里，但一下子又再复現，變得又大又寬闊。你看見神在使用很多人的生命，但你的生命卻出現了障礙物，你覺得自己毫無用處。這時要注目源頭，神會帶你繞道而行，或是把障礙挪開。不要注目在難處上，只要對準源頭，難處對於從你裡面流出的江河，是毫無辦法的。不要讓任何事物，包括感情與經歷，介入你與主耶穌之間；不要讓任何事物，使你與那最高的總源頭隔開。
想想你裡頭孕育著何等光遠而又具醫治力的河流！神向我們敞開他奇妙的真理，每一個敞開處，都表示他要把江河更大的能力透過我們湧流，你若相信主耶穌，就必發現神正在你裡面培育強而有力的水流，要成為別人的祝福。
祈禱◆[你不要怕他們，因那為你爭戰的是耶和華－－你的神。 ]主啊，今早當我讀經，這句話一直浮現在我腦海中。我何等完全地仰賴你！
August 26, 2014
Are You Ever Troubled?
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you . . . —John 14:27
There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:27).
你曾煩擾不安嗎？
我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。 （約十四27）
有時我們感覺平安，是因為無知；但當我們醒悟人生的現實，內心平安就消失了。除非我們從主耶穌得著平安，否則就不能有內在的平安。主耶穌說平安，他就成就平安。他的話永遠是[靈和生命]。我有接受他所說的話麼？ [我將我的平安賜給你們。 ]－－這平安是由於定睛在他臉上，體會他那不能動搖的安穩而來的。
你如今是否因困擾而痛苦？在神的允許下，你正受著風浪的衝擊，雖然翻開信心的礁石，卻仍找不著平安、喜樂與安慰。一切都絕望了，你該仰望主，接受他那無法動搖的平安。你若能彰顯他的平安，便證明你與神有正確的關係，因為你可以自由地把心轉向他。要是你與神的關係不對勁，你的心除了轉向自己之外，便無路可通。若讓任何事物掩蔽主的臉，你不是沒有平安，就是活在虛假的穩妥裡。
你現今是否仰望耶穌？在你逼近眉睫的事上，去接受他的平安？若然，他要藉著你，也要在你裡面，成為最美妙平安的福氣。可是你若擔憂，就攔阻了他，那你受的苦，就是咎由自取了。我們受困擾，是因為未有想到他。人一與主相會，困惑就必離開，因為在他沒有困惑的事。我們唯一要注意的，是住在他裡面。把一切鋪陳在他面前，在一切困難、傷痛、愁苦之中，聽他說：[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，願你的臉光臨到我，並賜給我平安。你的平安，深如無法測度的大海，高如難以量度的高天。願你在此刻感動我，直至光明、生命和自由穿透我。
There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:27).
你曾煩擾不安嗎？
我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。 （約十四27）
有時我們感覺平安，是因為無知；但當我們醒悟人生的現實，內心平安就消失了。除非我們從主耶穌得著平安，否則就不能有內在的平安。主耶穌說平安，他就成就平安。他的話永遠是[靈和生命]。我有接受他所說的話麼？ [我將我的平安賜給你們。 ]－－這平安是由於定睛在他臉上，體會他那不能動搖的安穩而來的。
你如今是否因困擾而痛苦？在神的允許下，你正受著風浪的衝擊，雖然翻開信心的礁石，卻仍找不著平安、喜樂與安慰。一切都絕望了，你該仰望主，接受他那無法動搖的平安。你若能彰顯他的平安，便證明你與神有正確的關係，因為你可以自由地把心轉向他。要是你與神的關係不對勁，你的心除了轉向自己之外，便無路可通。若讓任何事物掩蔽主的臉，你不是沒有平安，就是活在虛假的穩妥裡。
你現今是否仰望耶穌？在你逼近眉睫的事上，去接受他的平安？若然，他要藉著你，也要在你裡面，成為最美妙平安的福氣。可是你若擔憂，就攔阻了他，那你受的苦，就是咎由自取了。我們受困擾，是因為未有想到他。人一與主相會，困惑就必離開，因為在他沒有困惑的事。我們唯一要注意的，是住在他裡面。把一切鋪陳在他面前，在一切困難、傷痛、愁苦之中，聽他說：[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，願你的臉光臨到我，並賜給我平安。你的平安，深如無法測度的大海，高如難以量度的高天。願你在此刻感動我，直至光明、生命和自由穿透我。
May 16, 2014
The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision
. . . you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . —2 Peter 1:4
We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.
Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . .” (2 Corinthians 9:8)— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.
常覺富足的習慣
與神的性情有分。 （彼後一4）
我們既是憑應許與神的性情有分，就必須習慣地把神的性情[運用]在我們的人性裡。這樣，首先要養成的習慣，就是明白神的供給。我們說：[呀！我沒有這能力，買不起哩！ ]這句話藏著最大的謊話。在大自然裡談金錢，頗令人覺得不是味道；在屬靈上也是如此。在我們說話裡，似乎說神對我們非常的吝嗇！我們以為在一天結束時說[好了，這天剛好夠用，總算掙扎過去]，這樣才是真的謙遜，其實在主耶穌裡，全能的神的一切都是我們的。我們若順服神，他可以吩咐最後一粒沙，最遠的一顆星來祝福我們。環境困苦又有何妨？難道環境不可以困難麼？我們若縱容自己自憐自憫，享受自怨自艾的淒涼，就是棄絕神給我們的豐盛，也攔阻別人得著他得供應。沒有罪比自憐的罪更大，因為它遮掩了神，把自我放在寶座上。它叫我們口吐怨言，使我們的生命成為不知足的屬靈海綿，一點也不美，也不大方。
當神開始對我們滿意，他就會把一切虛浮的財富挪開，直至我們認識一切泉源都在他裡面。神的恩惠、權能，若不能在我們身上彰顯（我們不自覺的），神就要追究我們。 [神能將各樣的恩惠，多多的加給你們。 ]所以要學習把神的恩惠施予別人。身上常帶著神的印記，這樣，神的祝福必常藉你流露。
祈禱◆主啊，讓你能力的甜美和完全，在今天臨到我。讓我得著偉大、豐富、充滿恩慈和喜樂的屬神生命。
We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.
Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . .” (2 Corinthians 9:8)— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.
常覺富足的習慣
與神的性情有分。 （彼後一4）
我們既是憑應許與神的性情有分，就必須習慣地把神的性情[運用]在我們的人性裡。這樣，首先要養成的習慣，就是明白神的供給。我們說：[呀！我沒有這能力，買不起哩！ ]這句話藏著最大的謊話。在大自然裡談金錢，頗令人覺得不是味道；在屬靈上也是如此。在我們說話裡，似乎說神對我們非常的吝嗇！我們以為在一天結束時說[好了，這天剛好夠用，總算掙扎過去]，這樣才是真的謙遜，其實在主耶穌裡，全能的神的一切都是我們的。我們若順服神，他可以吩咐最後一粒沙，最遠的一顆星來祝福我們。環境困苦又有何妨？難道環境不可以困難麼？我們若縱容自己自憐自憫，享受自怨自艾的淒涼，就是棄絕神給我們的豐盛，也攔阻別人得著他得供應。沒有罪比自憐的罪更大，因為它遮掩了神，把自我放在寶座上。它叫我們口吐怨言，使我們的生命成為不知足的屬靈海綿，一點也不美，也不大方。
當神開始對我們滿意，他就會把一切虛浮的財富挪開，直至我們認識一切泉源都在他裡面。神的恩惠、權能，若不能在我們身上彰顯（我們不自覺的），神就要追究我們。 [神能將各樣的恩惠，多多的加給你們。 ]所以要學習把神的恩惠施予別人。身上常帶著神的印記，這樣，神的祝福必常藉你流露。
祈禱◆主啊，讓你能力的甜美和完全，在今天臨到我。讓我得著偉大、豐富、充滿恩慈和喜樂的屬神生命。
April 09, 2014
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。
February 04, 2014
The Compelling Majesty of His Power
The love of Christ compels us . . . —2 Corinthians 5:14
Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us . . . .” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.
When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8). Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane-he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.
無以抗拒的大能
原來基督的愛激勵我們。 （林後五14）
保羅說他被基督的愛統管支配，如同給鉗子鉗住一樣。很少人知道被神的愛抓緊是怎麼一回事，因我們往往被自己的經歷所約制。但約制保羅的只有一件，就是神的愛，除此便別無所見。 [基督的愛激勵我們]，信徒身上有沒有這個音符，一聽便知。在這些人的生命裡，聖靈通行無阻。
當聖靈重生了我們，我們作見證的重點在神為我作了什麼，這是對的。但受了聖靈的洗，這些就成為過去的經驗，我們才開始了解耶穌說[你們是我的見證]的意思了。不是見證耶穌能夠做什麼，那是初步的見證，而是[見證我]。我們要視所有的事，都是發生在他身上，不論是稱許或指責，是逼迫或讚賞。人若未曾被他能力的威嚴所感召，絕不能為他站立。只是最要緊的事，而奇怪的，這卻是基督工人最忽略的。保羅說他被神的愛抓住了，就成 了他一生行事的動力。
人說他瘋狂，說他拘謹，他也毫不介意。他只為一件事而活，就是叫人相信神的審判和基督的愛。這種為基督的愛丟棄萬事的人生，才可以結出生命的果子，將神聖潔與大能的形象刻在人心裡。這是神的聖潔，絕不是我們個人的聖潔。
祈禱◆﹝在柱頂上刻著百合花。 ]噢，主啊，這句話在我的腦海中，尤其是我對那粗糙、不起眼的[百合花]是何其無知。願我藉著表達和經歷你的恩典，能屬於你。
Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us . . . .” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.
When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8). Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane-he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.
無以抗拒的大能
原來基督的愛激勵我們。 （林後五14）
保羅說他被基督的愛統管支配，如同給鉗子鉗住一樣。很少人知道被神的愛抓緊是怎麼一回事，因我們往往被自己的經歷所約制。但約制保羅的只有一件，就是神的愛，除此便別無所見。 [基督的愛激勵我們]，信徒身上有沒有這個音符，一聽便知。在這些人的生命裡，聖靈通行無阻。
當聖靈重生了我們，我們作見證的重點在神為我作了什麼，這是對的。但受了聖靈的洗，這些就成為過去的經驗，我們才開始了解耶穌說[你們是我的見證]的意思了。不是見證耶穌能夠做什麼，那是初步的見證，而是[見證我]。我們要視所有的事，都是發生在他身上，不論是稱許或指責，是逼迫或讚賞。人若未曾被他能力的威嚴所感召，絕不能為他站立。只是最要緊的事，而奇怪的，這卻是基督工人最忽略的。保羅說他被神的愛抓住了，就成 了他一生行事的動力。
人說他瘋狂，說他拘謹，他也毫不介意。他只為一件事而活，就是叫人相信神的審判和基督的愛。這種為基督的愛丟棄萬事的人生，才可以結出生命的果子，將神聖潔與大能的形象刻在人心裡。這是神的聖潔，絕不是我們個人的聖潔。
祈禱◆﹝在柱頂上刻著百合花。 ]噢，主啊，這句話在我的腦海中，尤其是我對那粗糙、不起眼的[百合花]是何其無知。願我藉著表達和經歷你的恩典，能屬於你。
January 26, 2014
Look Again and Consecrate
If God so clothe the grass of the field . . . shall He not much more clothe you? — Matthew 6:30
A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.
“Look at the birds of the air . . .” (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your “feathers” too.
“Consider the lilies of the field . . .” (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the “much more” He promised? If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries. How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him? Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?
專心審查，重新奉獻
野地裡的草……神還給它這樣的妝飾，何況你們呢？ （太六30）
A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.
“Look at the birds of the air . . .” (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your “feathers” too.
“Consider the lilies of the field . . .” (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the “much more” He promised? If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries. How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him? Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?
專心審查，重新奉獻
野地裡的草……神還給它這樣的妝飾，何況你們呢？ （太六30）
這是耶穌一句很簡單的說話，若果我們不單純，就會大惑不解。我們怎樣才能像耶穌那樣單純呢？接受他的靈，承認他，依靠他，順服他所傳遞神的話語，這樣，生命就會變得單純了。耶穌說：[試想，天父怎樣妝飾野地裡的草，你若與他親近，他豈不更加照樣妝飾你？ ]每次我們靈性上後退，都是因為妄自尊大，以為自己比主耶穌懂得更多。我們讓世界的憂慮進來，忘記了天父的[何況……]
[你們看那天上的飛鳥]——它們主要的任務就是服從那生命的律， 神便看顧它們了。耶穌說如果你與他有好的關係，同時又順服聖靈，神自然照顧你。
[你們看那天上的飛鳥]——它們主要的任務就是服從那生命的律， 神便看顧它們了。耶穌說如果你與他有好的關係，同時又順服聖靈，神自然照顧你。
[你想野地裡的百合花]——它們被放置在那裡，就生長在那裡。我們不少人不肯在所處的地方生長，因此無法紮根。耶穌說，如果我們順服神，他便會料理其他的
一切。耶穌基督撒了謊嗎？我們若未經驗到那[何況]，是因為我們尚未順服神，自討煩惱，落在諸般憂慮裡。我們花多少時間向神發問，叫他擔憂，而其實我們該
毫無束縛地獻身在他的工作上？獻身就是為某特定的目標，不斷地把自己投上。獻身不是一次便解決的事。我是否每天不斷地把自己分別出來，以神為念？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著你透過主耶穌的恩典，將你至高無上的父性向我顯明，我讚美你。噢，我可以成為天父的孩子了！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著你透過主耶穌的恩典，將你至高無上的父性向我顯明，我讚美你。噢，我可以成為天父的孩子了！
December 17, 2013
Redemption— Creating the Need it Satisfies
The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him . . . —1 Corinthians 2:14
The gospel of God creates the sense of need for the gospel. Is the gospel hidden to those who are servants already? No, Paul said, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe . . .” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The majority of people think of themselves as being completely moral, and have no sense of need for the gospel. It is God who creates this sense of need in a human being, but that person remains totally unaware of his need until God makes Himself evident. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). But God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He wants to withhold something from us, but that is the plan He has established for the way of redemption. Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was nonexistent until we asked. The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies.
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
救贖創造需要，也滿足需要
然而屬血氣的人不領會神聖靈的事，反倒以為愚拙。 （林前二14）
神的福音能叫人產生對福音的需要。保羅說：[如果我們的福音蒙蔽。 ]是對那些惡人蒙蔽嗎？不是的。 [蒙蔽在滅亡的人身上，此等不信之人，被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼。 ]大多數人都有自己持守的道德觀念，覺得不需要福音。神於是造出這個需要來；他若不彰顯自己，根本沒有人覺得有此需要。耶穌說：[祈求，就給你們。 ]但人未祈求，神就不能給。不是他保留不給，但這是他根據救贖所定下的原則。正因我們求，神就作工，為我們創造那些未求之前不存在的東西。救贖的精義，就是不斷的創造。救贖既在我們裡面創造了神的生命，也創造屬於那生命的東西。惟有叫人產生這需要的，才能滿足這需要。這就是救贖的意思－－它創造，它也滿足。
[人子若從地上被舉起來，就必吸引萬人來歸我。 ]我們傳講自己的經歷，別人雖感興趣，可是卻不喚起他的需要。若耶穌基督被舉起來，神的靈便叫人覺得需要基督。在傳揚福音的背後，是神不斷創造的救贖大工在人心裡動工。個人見證絕對不能拯救人。 [我對你們說的話，就是靈，就是生命。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其渴望看見你、聽見你、默想你和愈來愈像你！你曾經說過：[又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。 ]
The gospel of God creates the sense of need for the gospel. Is the gospel hidden to those who are servants already? No, Paul said, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe . . .” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The majority of people think of themselves as being completely moral, and have no sense of need for the gospel. It is God who creates this sense of need in a human being, but that person remains totally unaware of his need until God makes Himself evident. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). But God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He wants to withhold something from us, but that is the plan He has established for the way of redemption. Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was nonexistent until we asked. The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies.
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
救贖創造需要，也滿足需要
然而屬血氣的人不領會神聖靈的事，反倒以為愚拙。 （林前二14）
神的福音能叫人產生對福音的需要。保羅說：[如果我們的福音蒙蔽。 ]是對那些惡人蒙蔽嗎？不是的。 [蒙蔽在滅亡的人身上，此等不信之人，被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼。 ]大多數人都有自己持守的道德觀念，覺得不需要福音。神於是造出這個需要來；他若不彰顯自己，根本沒有人覺得有此需要。耶穌說：[祈求，就給你們。 ]但人未祈求，神就不能給。不是他保留不給，但這是他根據救贖所定下的原則。正因我們求，神就作工，為我們創造那些未求之前不存在的東西。救贖的精義，就是不斷的創造。救贖既在我們裡面創造了神的生命，也創造屬於那生命的東西。惟有叫人產生這需要的，才能滿足這需要。這就是救贖的意思－－它創造，它也滿足。
[人子若從地上被舉起來，就必吸引萬人來歸我。 ]我們傳講自己的經歷，別人雖感興趣，可是卻不喚起他的需要。若耶穌基督被舉起來，神的靈便叫人覺得需要基督。在傳揚福音的背後，是神不斷創造的救贖大工在人心裡動工。個人見證絕對不能拯救人。 [我對你們說的話，就是靈，就是生命。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其渴望看見你、聽見你、默想你和愈來愈像你！你曾經說過：[又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。 ]
September 07, 2013
Fountains of Blessings
The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life —John 4:14
The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life (John 7:38).
We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.
Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.
福泉
我所賜的水，要在他裡頭成為泉源。 （約四14）
主所描寫的，不是一條河道，乃是一個活泉。 [要被充滿]，這樣，聖徒與主耶穌生命關係的甜美，就會豐富不絕地湧流，正如主傾倒給他的一樣。你若發現生命並不能如意地湧流，問題一定是在你身上；一定是有阻塞的障礙物。要保持與源頭接駁，這樣你就會大得福祉？不，你會有活水江流湧流，是無法歇止的生命。
我們要成為活水湧流的江河，讓主耶穌湧流而出，使每個人得福。有些人像死海，只接受而不付出，因為他們與主耶穌得關係並不和諧。我們接受他的生命，是肯定的；這樣，他透過我們湧流，也該是肯定的。主若沒有暢順的湧流，你與他的關係必然有了缺陷。你與他之間有何阻隔？什麼阻攔你對他的信念？若沒有，耶穌說：[你要湧流出活水江河。 ]不是福氣的傳遞，不是經驗的申述，乃是江河的湧流。要持定源頭，謹守對主的信心和與他的關係，這樣，你就有不住 的水供應別人，不枯乾，也不死涸。
個別信徒要湧流出江河，是否誇張之言？你會說：[我看不見江河。 ]記著不要從[我是什麼人？ ]的觀點來看自己。神工作的歷史，往往是從隱藏的、不為人知的、被人忽視的，但對主耶穌基督堅貞不移的人開始。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我重拾那因你與我同在而有的獨特喜樂，使我在這個地方全屬於你。我似乎不適宜作任何事情，惟獨等候你。噢，主啊，給我顯示一個永久的標記。
The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life (John 7:38).
We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.
Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.
福泉
我所賜的水，要在他裡頭成為泉源。 （約四14）
主所描寫的，不是一條河道，乃是一個活泉。 [要被充滿]，這樣，聖徒與主耶穌生命關係的甜美，就會豐富不絕地湧流，正如主傾倒給他的一樣。你若發現生命並不能如意地湧流，問題一定是在你身上；一定是有阻塞的障礙物。要保持與源頭接駁，這樣你就會大得福祉？不，你會有活水江流湧流，是無法歇止的生命。
我們要成為活水湧流的江河，讓主耶穌湧流而出，使每個人得福。有些人像死海，只接受而不付出，因為他們與主耶穌得關係並不和諧。我們接受他的生命，是肯定的；這樣，他透過我們湧流，也該是肯定的。主若沒有暢順的湧流，你與他的關係必然有了缺陷。你與他之間有何阻隔？什麼阻攔你對他的信念？若沒有，耶穌說：[你要湧流出活水江河。 ]不是福氣的傳遞，不是經驗的申述，乃是江河的湧流。要持定源頭，謹守對主的信心和與他的關係，這樣，你就有不住 的水供應別人，不枯乾，也不死涸。
個別信徒要湧流出江河，是否誇張之言？你會說：[我看不見江河。 ]記著不要從[我是什麼人？ ]的觀點來看自己。神工作的歷史，往往是從隱藏的、不為人知的、被人忽視的，但對主耶穌基督堅貞不移的人開始。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我重拾那因你與我同在而有的獨特喜樂，使我在這個地方全屬於你。我似乎不適宜作任何事情，惟獨等候你。噢，主啊，給我顯示一個永久的標記。
September 06, 2013
The Far-Reaching Rivers of Life
He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water —John 7:38
A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.
A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.
生命的擴散力
活水……江河。 （約七38）
河流所到之處，是源頭無法可知的。耶穌說我們若領受了他的豐盛，不管我們的生命多微小，也能像活水江河，造福地極。這湧流不是我們的功勞－－[信……這就是神的工作……]。神很少讓一個人知道自己給別人帶來多大的祝福。河流是百折不撓的，能克服一切障礙。它順流而下，遇到障礙物，停滯一下，不一會又會繞過它繼續湧流。有時河流好像突然消失好幾里，但一下子又再复現，變得又大又寬闊。你看見神在使用很多人的生命，但你的生命卻出現了障礙物，你覺得自己毫無用處。這時要注目源頭，神會帶你繞道而行，或是把障礙挪開。不要注目在難處上，只要對準源頭，難處對於從你裡面流出的江河，是毫無辦法的。不要讓任何事物，包括感情與經歷，介入你與主耶穌之間；不要讓任何事物，使你與那最高的總源頭隔開。
想想你裡頭孕育著何等光遠而又具醫治力的河流！神向我們敞開他奇妙的真理，每一個敞開處，都表示他要把江河更大的能力透過我們湧流，你若相信主耶穌，就必發現神正在你裡面培育強而有力的水流，要成為別人的祝福。
祈禱◆[你不要怕他們，因那為你爭戰的是耶和華－－你的神。 ]主啊，今早當我讀經，這句話一直浮現在我腦海中。我何等完全地仰賴你！
A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.
A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.
生命的擴散力
活水……江河。 （約七38）
河流所到之處，是源頭無法可知的。耶穌說我們若領受了他的豐盛，不管我們的生命多微小，也能像活水江河，造福地極。這湧流不是我們的功勞－－[信……這就是神的工作……]。神很少讓一個人知道自己給別人帶來多大的祝福。河流是百折不撓的，能克服一切障礙。它順流而下，遇到障礙物，停滯一下，不一會又會繞過它繼續湧流。有時河流好像突然消失好幾里，但一下子又再复現，變得又大又寬闊。你看見神在使用很多人的生命，但你的生命卻出現了障礙物，你覺得自己毫無用處。這時要注目源頭，神會帶你繞道而行，或是把障礙挪開。不要注目在難處上，只要對準源頭，難處對於從你裡面流出的江河，是毫無辦法的。不要讓任何事物，包括感情與經歷，介入你與主耶穌之間；不要讓任何事物，使你與那最高的總源頭隔開。
想想你裡頭孕育著何等光遠而又具醫治力的河流！神向我們敞開他奇妙的真理，每一個敞開處，都表示他要把江河更大的能力透過我們湧流，你若相信主耶穌，就必發現神正在你裡面培育強而有力的水流，要成為別人的祝福。
祈禱◆[你不要怕他們，因那為你爭戰的是耶和華－－你的神。 ]主啊，今早當我讀經，這句話一直浮現在我腦海中。我何等完全地仰賴你！
August 26, 2013
Are You Ever Troubled?
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you . . . —John 14:27
There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:27).
你曾煩擾不安嗎？
我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。 （約十四27）
有時我們感覺平安，是因為無知；但當我們醒悟人生的現實，內心平安就消失了。除非我們從主耶穌得著平安，否則就不能有內在的平安。主耶穌說平安，他就成就平安。他的話永遠是[靈和生命]。我有接受他所說的話麼？ [我將我的平安賜給你們。 ]－－這平安是由於定睛在他臉上，體會他那不能動搖的安穩而來的。
你如今是否因困擾而痛苦？在神的允許下，你正受著風浪的衝擊，雖然翻開信心的礁石，卻仍找不著平安、喜樂與安慰。一切都絕望了，你該仰望主，接受他那無法動搖的平安。你若能彰顯他的平安，便證明你與神有正確的關係，因為你可以自由地把心轉向他。要是你與神的關係不對勁，你的心除了轉向自己之外，便無路可通。若讓任何事物掩蔽主的臉，你不是沒有平安，就是活在虛假的穩妥裡。
你現今是否仰望耶穌？在你逼近眉睫的事上，去接受他的平安？若然，他要藉著你，也要在你裡面，成為最美妙平安的福氣。可是你若擔憂，就攔阻了他，那你受的苦，就是咎由自取了。我們受困擾，是因為未有想到他。人一與主相會，困惑就必離開，因為在他沒有困惑的事。我們唯一要注意的，是住在他裡面。把一切鋪陳在他面前，在一切困難、傷痛、愁苦之中，聽他說：[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，願你的臉光臨到我，並賜給我平安。你的平安，深如無法測度的大海，高如難以量度的高天。願你在此刻感動我，直至光明、生命和自由穿透我。
There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:27).
你曾煩擾不安嗎？
我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。 （約十四27）
有時我們感覺平安，是因為無知；但當我們醒悟人生的現實，內心平安就消失了。除非我們從主耶穌得著平安，否則就不能有內在的平安。主耶穌說平安，他就成就平安。他的話永遠是[靈和生命]。我有接受他所說的話麼？ [我將我的平安賜給你們。 ]－－這平安是由於定睛在他臉上，體會他那不能動搖的安穩而來的。
你如今是否因困擾而痛苦？在神的允許下，你正受著風浪的衝擊，雖然翻開信心的礁石，卻仍找不著平安、喜樂與安慰。一切都絕望了，你該仰望主，接受他那無法動搖的平安。你若能彰顯他的平安，便證明你與神有正確的關係，因為你可以自由地把心轉向他。要是你與神的關係不對勁，你的心除了轉向自己之外，便無路可通。若讓任何事物掩蔽主的臉，你不是沒有平安，就是活在虛假的穩妥裡。
你現今是否仰望耶穌？在你逼近眉睫的事上，去接受他的平安？若然，他要藉著你，也要在你裡面，成為最美妙平安的福氣。可是你若擔憂，就攔阻了他，那你受的苦，就是咎由自取了。我們受困擾，是因為未有想到他。人一與主相會，困惑就必離開，因為在他沒有困惑的事。我們唯一要注意的，是住在他裡面。把一切鋪陳在他面前，在一切困難、傷痛、愁苦之中，聽他說：[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，願你的臉光臨到我，並賜給我平安。你的平安，深如無法測度的大海，高如難以量度的高天。願你在此刻感動我，直至光明、生命和自由穿透我。
May 16, 2013
The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision
. . . you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . —2 Peter 1:4
We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.
Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . .” (2 Corinthians 9:8)— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.
常覺富足的習慣
與神的性情有分。 （彼後一4）
我們既是憑應許與神的性情有分，就必須習慣地把神的性情[運用]在我們的人性裡。這樣，首先要養成的習慣，就是明白神的供給。我們說：[呀！我沒有這能力，買不起哩！ ]這句話藏著最大的謊話。在大自然裡談金錢，頗令人覺得不是味道；在屬靈上也是如此。在我們說話裡，似乎說神對我們非常的吝嗇！我們以為在一天結束時說[好了，這天剛好夠用，總算掙扎過去]，這樣才是真的謙遜，其實在主耶穌裡，全能的神的一切都是我們的。我們若順服神，他可以吩咐最後一粒沙，最遠的一顆星來祝福我們。環境困苦又有何妨？難道環境不可以困難麼？我們若縱容自己自憐自憫，享受自怨自艾的淒涼，就是棄絕神給我們的豐盛，也攔阻別人得著他得供應。沒有罪比自憐的罪更大，因為它遮掩了神，把自我放在寶座上。它叫我們口吐怨言，使我們的生命成為不知足的屬靈海綿，一點也不美，也不大方。
當神開始對我們滿意，他就會把一切虛浮的財富挪開，直至我們認識一切泉源都在他裡面。神的恩惠、權能，若不能在我們身上彰顯（我們不自覺的），神就要追究我們。 [神能將各樣的恩惠，多多的加給你們。 ]所以要學習把神的恩惠施予別人。身上常帶著神的印記，這樣，神的祝福必常藉你流露。
祈禱◆主啊，讓你能力的甜美和完全，在今天臨到我。讓我得著偉大、豐富、充滿恩慈和喜樂的屬神生命。
We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement. We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus! And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him. Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.
Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so-called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, “All my springs are in You” (Psalm 87:7). If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance . . .” (2 Corinthians 9:8)— then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.
常覺富足的習慣
與神的性情有分。 （彼後一4）
我們既是憑應許與神的性情有分，就必須習慣地把神的性情[運用]在我們的人性裡。這樣，首先要養成的習慣，就是明白神的供給。我們說：[呀！我沒有這能力，買不起哩！ ]這句話藏著最大的謊話。在大自然裡談金錢，頗令人覺得不是味道；在屬靈上也是如此。在我們說話裡，似乎說神對我們非常的吝嗇！我們以為在一天結束時說[好了，這天剛好夠用，總算掙扎過去]，這樣才是真的謙遜，其實在主耶穌裡，全能的神的一切都是我們的。我們若順服神，他可以吩咐最後一粒沙，最遠的一顆星來祝福我們。環境困苦又有何妨？難道環境不可以困難麼？我們若縱容自己自憐自憫，享受自怨自艾的淒涼，就是棄絕神給我們的豐盛，也攔阻別人得著他得供應。沒有罪比自憐的罪更大，因為它遮掩了神，把自我放在寶座上。它叫我們口吐怨言，使我們的生命成為不知足的屬靈海綿，一點也不美，也不大方。
當神開始對我們滿意，他就會把一切虛浮的財富挪開，直至我們認識一切泉源都在他裡面。神的恩惠、權能，若不能在我們身上彰顯（我們不自覺的），神就要追究我們。 [神能將各樣的恩惠，多多的加給你們。 ]所以要學習把神的恩惠施予別人。身上常帶著神的印記，這樣，神的祝福必常藉你流露。
祈禱◆主啊，讓你能力的甜美和完全，在今天臨到我。讓我得著偉大、豐富、充滿恩慈和喜樂的屬神生命。
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。
February 04, 2013
The Compelling Majesty of His Power
The love of Christ compels us . . . —2 Corinthians 5:14
Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us . . . .” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.
When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8). Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane-he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.
無以抗拒的大能
原來基督的愛激勵我們。 （林後五14）
保羅說他被基督的愛統管支配，如同給鉗子鉗住一樣。很少人知道被神的愛抓緊是怎麼一回事，因我們往往被自己的經歷所約制。但約制保羅的只有一件，就是神的愛，除此便別無所見。 [基督的愛激勵我們]，信徒身上有沒有這個音符，一聽便知。在這些人的生命裡，聖靈通行無阻。
當聖靈重生了我們，我們作見證的重點在神為我作了什麼，這是對的。但受了聖靈的洗，這些就成為過去的經驗，我們才開始了解耶穌說[你們是我的見證]的意思了。不是見證耶穌能夠做什麼，那是初步的見證，而是[見證我]。我們要視所有的事，都是發生在他身上，不論是稱許或指責，是逼迫或讚賞。人若未曾被他能力的威嚴所感召，絕不能為他站立。只是最要緊的事，而奇怪的，這卻是基督工人最忽略的。保羅說他被神的愛抓住了，就成了他一生行事的動力。
人說他瘋狂，說他拘謹，他也毫不介意。他只為一件事而活，就是叫人相信神的審判和基督的愛。這種為基督的愛丟棄萬事的人生，才可以結出生命的果子，將神聖潔與大能的形象刻在人心裡。這是神的聖潔，絕不是我們個人的聖潔。
祈禱◆﹝在柱頂上刻著百合花。 ]噢，主啊，這句話在我的腦海中，尤其是我對那粗糙、不起眼的[百合花]是何其無知。願我藉著表達和經歷你的恩典，能屬於你。
Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us . . . .” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.
When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8). Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane-he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.
無以抗拒的大能
原來基督的愛激勵我們。 （林後五14）
保羅說他被基督的愛統管支配，如同給鉗子鉗住一樣。很少人知道被神的愛抓緊是怎麼一回事，因我們往往被自己的經歷所約制。但約制保羅的只有一件，就是神的愛，除此便別無所見。 [基督的愛激勵我們]，信徒身上有沒有這個音符，一聽便知。在這些人的生命裡，聖靈通行無阻。
當聖靈重生了我們，我們作見證的重點在神為我作了什麼，這是對的。但受了聖靈的洗，這些就成為過去的經驗，我們才開始了解耶穌說[你們是我的見證]的意思了。不是見證耶穌能夠做什麼，那是初步的見證，而是[見證我]。我們要視所有的事，都是發生在他身上，不論是稱許或指責，是逼迫或讚賞。人若未曾被他能力的威嚴所感召，絕不能為他站立。只是最要緊的事，而奇怪的，這卻是基督工人最忽略的。保羅說他被神的愛抓住了，就成了他一生行事的動力。
人說他瘋狂，說他拘謹，他也毫不介意。他只為一件事而活，就是叫人相信神的審判和基督的愛。這種為基督的愛丟棄萬事的人生，才可以結出生命的果子，將神聖潔與大能的形象刻在人心裡。這是神的聖潔，絕不是我們個人的聖潔。
祈禱◆﹝在柱頂上刻著百合花。 ]噢，主啊，這句話在我的腦海中，尤其是我對那粗糙、不起眼的[百合花]是何其無知。願我藉著表達和經歷你的恩典，能屬於你。
January 26, 2013
Look Again and Consecrate
If God so clothe the grass of the field . . . shall He not much more clothe you? — Matthew 6:30
A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.
“Look at the birds of the air . . .” (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your “feathers” too.
“Consider the lilies of the field . . .” (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the “much more” He promised? If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries. How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him? Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?
專心審查，重新奉獻
野地裡的草……神還給它這樣的妝飾，何況你們呢？ （太六30） 這是耶穌一句很簡單的說話，若果我們不單純，就會大惑不解。我們怎樣才能像耶穌那樣單純呢？接受他的靈，承認他，依靠他，順服他所傳遞神的話語，這樣，生命就會變得單純了。耶穌說：[試想，天父怎樣妝飾野地裡的草，你若與他親近，他豈不更加照樣妝飾你？ ]每次我們靈性上後退，都是因為妄自尊大，以為自己比主耶穌懂得更多。我們讓世界的憂慮進來，忘記了天父的[何況……]
[你們看那天上的飛鳥]——它們主要的任務就是服從那生命的律，神便看顧它們了。耶穌說如果你與他有好的關係，同時又順服聖靈，神自然照顧你。 [你想野地裡的百合花]——它們被放置在那裡，就生長在那裡。我們不少人不肯在所處的地方生長，因此無法紮根。耶穌說，如果我們順服神，他便會料理其他的一切。耶穌基督撒了謊嗎？我們若未經驗到那[何況]，是因為我們尚未順服神，自討煩惱，落在諸般憂慮裡。我們花多少時間向神發問，叫他擔憂，而其實我們該毫無束縛地獻身在他的工作上？獻身就是為某特定的目標，不斷地把自己投上。獻身不是一次便解決的事。我是否每天不斷地把自己分別出來，以神為念？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著你透過主耶穌的恩典，將你至高無上的父性向我顯明，我讚美你。噢，我可以成為天父的孩子了！
A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.
“Look at the birds of the air . . .” (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your “feathers” too.
“Consider the lilies of the field . . .” (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the “much more” He promised? If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries. How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him? Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?
專心審查，重新奉獻
野地裡的草……神還給它這樣的妝飾，何況你們呢？ （太六30） 這是耶穌一句很簡單的說話，若果我們不單純，就會大惑不解。我們怎樣才能像耶穌那樣單純呢？接受他的靈，承認他，依靠他，順服他所傳遞神的話語，這樣，生命就會變得單純了。耶穌說：[試想，天父怎樣妝飾野地裡的草，你若與他親近，他豈不更加照樣妝飾你？ ]每次我們靈性上後退，都是因為妄自尊大，以為自己比主耶穌懂得更多。我們讓世界的憂慮進來，忘記了天父的[何況……]
[你們看那天上的飛鳥]——它們主要的任務就是服從那生命的律，神便看顧它們了。耶穌說如果你與他有好的關係，同時又順服聖靈，神自然照顧你。 [你想野地裡的百合花]——它們被放置在那裡，就生長在那裡。我們不少人不肯在所處的地方生長，因此無法紮根。耶穌說，如果我們順服神，他便會料理其他的一切。耶穌基督撒了謊嗎？我們若未經驗到那[何況]，是因為我們尚未順服神，自討煩惱，落在諸般憂慮裡。我們花多少時間向神發問，叫他擔憂，而其實我們該毫無束縛地獻身在他的工作上？獻身就是為某特定的目標，不斷地把自己投上。獻身不是一次便解決的事。我是否每天不斷地把自己分別出來，以神為念？
祈禱◆噢，主啊，為著你透過主耶穌的恩典，將你至高無上的父性向我顯明，我讚美你。噢，我可以成為天父的孩子了！
December 17, 2012
Redemption— Creating the Need it Satisfies
The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him . . . —1 Corinthians 2:14
The gospel of God creates the sense of need for the gospel. Is the gospel hidden to those who are servants already? No, Paul said, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe . . .” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The majority of people think of themselves as being completely moral, and have no sense of need for the gospel. It is God who creates this sense of need in a human being, but that person remains totally unaware of his need until God makes Himself evident. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). But God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He wants to withhold something from us, but that is the plan He has established for the way of redemption. Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was nonexistent until we asked. The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies.
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
救贖創造需要，也滿足需要
然而屬血氣的人不領會神聖靈的事，反倒以為愚拙。 （林前二14）
神的福音能叫人產生對福音的需要。保羅說：[如果我們的福音蒙蔽。 ]是對那些惡人蒙蔽嗎？不是的。 [蒙蔽在滅亡的人身上，此等不信之人，被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼。 ]大多數人都有自己持守的道德觀念，覺得不需要福音。神於是造出這個需要來；他若不彰顯自己，根本沒有人覺得有此需要。耶穌說：[祈求，就給你們。 ]但人未祈求，神就不能給。不是他保留不給，但這是他根據救贖所定下的原則。正因我們求，神就作工，為我們創造那些未求之前不存在的東西。救贖的精義，就是不斷的創造。救贖既在我們裡面創造了神的生命，也創造屬於那生命的東西。惟有叫人產生這需要的，才能滿足這需要。這就是救贖的意思－－它創造，它也滿足。
[人子若從地上被舉起來，就必吸引萬人來歸我。 ]我們傳講自己的經歷，別人雖感興趣，可是卻不喚起他的需要。若耶穌基督被舉起來，神的靈便叫人覺得需要基督。在傳揚福音的背後，是神不斷創造的救贖大工在人心裡動工。個人見證絕對不能拯救人。 [我對你們說的話，就是靈，就是生命。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其渴望看見你、聽見你、默想你和愈來愈像你！你曾經說過：[又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。 ]
The gospel of God creates the sense of need for the gospel. Is the gospel hidden to those who are servants already? No, Paul said, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe . . .” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The majority of people think of themselves as being completely moral, and have no sense of need for the gospel. It is God who creates this sense of need in a human being, but that person remains totally unaware of his need until God makes Himself evident. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). But God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He wants to withhold something from us, but that is the plan He has established for the way of redemption. Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was nonexistent until we asked. The inner reality of redemption is that it creates all the time. And as redemption creates the life of God in us, it also creates the things which belong to that life. The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need. This is the meaning of redemption— it creates and it satisfies.
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). When we preach our own experiences, people may be interested, but it awakens no real sense of need. But once Jesus Christ is “lifted up,” the Spirit of God creates an awareness of the need for Him. The creative power of the redemption of God works in the souls of men only through the preaching of the gospel. It is never the sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
救贖創造需要，也滿足需要
然而屬血氣的人不領會神聖靈的事，反倒以為愚拙。 （林前二14）
神的福音能叫人產生對福音的需要。保羅說：[如果我們的福音蒙蔽。 ]是對那些惡人蒙蔽嗎？不是的。 [蒙蔽在滅亡的人身上，此等不信之人，被這世界的神弄瞎了心眼。 ]大多數人都有自己持守的道德觀念，覺得不需要福音。神於是造出這個需要來；他若不彰顯自己，根本沒有人覺得有此需要。耶穌說：[祈求，就給你們。 ]但人未祈求，神就不能給。不是他保留不給，但這是他根據救贖所定下的原則。正因我們求，神就作工，為我們創造那些未求之前不存在的東西。救贖的精義，就是不斷的創造。救贖既在我們裡面創造了神的生命，也創造屬於那生命的東西。惟有叫人產生這需要的，才能滿足這需要。這就是救贖的意思－－它創造，它也滿足。
[人子若從地上被舉起來，就必吸引萬人來歸我。 ]我們傳講自己的經歷，別人雖感興趣，可是卻不喚起他的需要。若耶穌基督被舉起來，神的靈便叫人覺得需要基督。在傳揚福音的背後，是神不斷創造的救贖大工在人心裡動工。個人見證絕對不能拯救人。 [我對你們說的話，就是靈，就是生命。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，我何其渴望看見你、聽見你、默想你和愈來愈像你！你曾經說過：[又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。 ]
September 07, 2012
Fountains of Blessings
The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life —John 4:14
The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life (John 7:38).
We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.
Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.
福泉
我所賜的水，要在他裡頭成為泉源。 （約四14）
主所描寫的，不是一條河道，乃是一個活泉。 [要被充滿]，這樣，聖徒與主耶穌生命關係的甜美，就會豐富不絕地湧流，正如主傾倒給他的一樣。你若發現生命並不能如意地湧流，問題一定是在你身上；一定是有阻塞的障礙物。要保持與源頭接駁，這樣你就會大得福祉？不，你會有活水江流湧流，是無法歇止的生命。
我們要成為活水湧流的江河，讓主耶穌湧流而出，使每個人得福。有些人像死海，只接受而不付出，因為他們與主耶穌得關係並不和諧。我們接受他的生命，是肯定的；這樣，他透過我們湧流，也該是肯定的。主若沒有暢順的湧流，你與他的關係必然有了缺陷。你與他之間有何阻隔？什麼阻攔你對他的信念？若沒有，耶穌說：[你要湧流出活水江河。 ]不是福氣的傳遞，不是經驗的申述，乃是江河的湧流。要持定源頭，謹守對主的信心和與他的關係，這樣，你就有不住 的水供應別人，不枯乾，也不死涸。
個別信徒要湧流出江河，是否誇張之言？你會說：[我看不見江河。 ]記著不要從[我是什麼人？ ]的觀點來看自己。神工作的歷史，往往是從隱藏的、不為人知的、被人忽視的，但對主耶穌基督堅貞不移的人開始。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我重拾那因你與我同在而有的獨特喜樂，使我在這個地方全屬於你。我似乎不適宜作任何事情，惟獨等候你。噢，主啊，給我顯示一個永久的標記。
The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” (Ephesians 5:18) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life (John 7:38).
We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.
Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.
福泉
我所賜的水，要在他裡頭成為泉源。 （約四14）
主所描寫的，不是一條河道，乃是一個活泉。 [要被充滿]，這樣，聖徒與主耶穌生命關係的甜美，就會豐富不絕地湧流，正如主傾倒給他的一樣。你若發現生命並不能如意地湧流，問題一定是在你身上；一定是有阻塞的障礙物。要保持與源頭接駁，這樣你就會大得福祉？不，你會有活水江流湧流，是無法歇止的生命。
我們要成為活水湧流的江河，讓主耶穌湧流而出，使每個人得福。有些人像死海，只接受而不付出，因為他們與主耶穌得關係並不和諧。我們接受他的生命，是肯定的；這樣，他透過我們湧流，也該是肯定的。主若沒有暢順的湧流，你與他的關係必然有了缺陷。你與他之間有何阻隔？什麼阻攔你對他的信念？若沒有，耶穌說：[你要湧流出活水江河。 ]不是福氣的傳遞，不是經驗的申述，乃是江河的湧流。要持定源頭，謹守對主的信心和與他的關係，這樣，你就有不住 的水供應別人，不枯乾，也不死涸。
個別信徒要湧流出江河，是否誇張之言？你會說：[我看不見江河。 ]記著不要從[我是什麼人？ ]的觀點來看自己。神工作的歷史，往往是從隱藏的、不為人知的、被人忽視的，但對主耶穌基督堅貞不移的人開始。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，讓我重拾那因你與我同在而有的獨特喜樂，使我在這個地方全屬於你。我似乎不適宜作任何事情，惟獨等候你。噢，主啊，給我顯示一個永久的標記。
September 06, 2012
The Far-Reaching Rivers of Life
He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water —John 7:38
A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.
A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.
生命的擴散力
活水……江河。 （約七38）
河流所到之處，是源頭無法可知的。耶穌說我們若領受了他的豐盛，不管我們的生命多微小，也能像活水江河，造福地極。這湧流不是我們的功勞－－[信……這就是神的工作……]。神很少讓一個人知道自己給別人帶來多大的祝福。河流是百折不撓的，能克服一切障礙。它順流而下，遇到障礙物，停滯一下，不一會又會繞過它繼續湧流。有時河流好像突然消失好幾里，但一下子又再复現，變得又大又寬闊。你看見神在使用很多人的生命，但你的生命卻出現了障礙物，你覺得自己毫無用處。這時要注目源頭，神會帶你繞道而行，或是把障礙挪開。不要注目在難處上，只要對準源頭，難處對於從你裡面流出的江河，是毫無辦法的。不要讓任何事物，包括感情與經歷，介入你與主耶穌之間；不要讓任何事物，使你與那最高的總源頭隔開。
想想你裡頭孕育著何等光遠而又具醫治力的河流！神向我們敞開他奇妙的真理，每一個敞開處，都表示他要把江河更大的能力透過我們湧流，你若相信主耶穌，就必發現神正在你裡面培育強而有力的水流，要成為別人的祝福。
祈禱◆[你不要怕他們，因那為你爭戰的是耶和華－－你的神。 ]主啊，今早當我讀經，這句話一直浮現在我腦海中。我何等完全地仰賴你！
A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe. . .” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others.
A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. Do you see God using the lives of others, but an obstacle has come into your life and you do not seem to be of any use to God? Then keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.
Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.
生命的擴散力
活水……江河。 （約七38）
河流所到之處，是源頭無法可知的。耶穌說我們若領受了他的豐盛，不管我們的生命多微小，也能像活水江河，造福地極。這湧流不是我們的功勞－－[信……這就是神的工作……]。神很少讓一個人知道自己給別人帶來多大的祝福。河流是百折不撓的，能克服一切障礙。它順流而下，遇到障礙物，停滯一下，不一會又會繞過它繼續湧流。有時河流好像突然消失好幾里，但一下子又再复現，變得又大又寬闊。你看見神在使用很多人的生命，但你的生命卻出現了障礙物，你覺得自己毫無用處。這時要注目源頭，神會帶你繞道而行，或是把障礙挪開。不要注目在難處上，只要對準源頭，難處對於從你裡面流出的江河，是毫無辦法的。不要讓任何事物，包括感情與經歷，介入你與主耶穌之間；不要讓任何事物，使你與那最高的總源頭隔開。
想想你裡頭孕育著何等光遠而又具醫治力的河流！神向我們敞開他奇妙的真理，每一個敞開處，都表示他要把江河更大的能力透過我們湧流，你若相信主耶穌，就必發現神正在你裡面培育強而有力的水流，要成為別人的祝福。
祈禱◆[你不要怕他們，因那為你爭戰的是耶和華－－你的神。 ]主啊，今早當我讀經，這句話一直浮現在我腦海中。我何等完全地仰賴你！
August 26, 2012
Are You Ever Troubled?
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you . . . —John 14:27
There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:27).
你曾煩擾不安嗎？
我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。 （約十四27）
有時我們感覺平安，是因為無知；但當我們醒悟人生的現實，內心平安就消失了。除非我們從主耶穌得著平安，否則就不能有內在的平安。主耶穌說平安，他就成就平安。他的話永遠是[靈和生命]。我有接受他所說的話麼？ [我將我的平安賜給你們。 ]－－這平安是由於定睛在他臉上，體會他那不能動搖的安穩而來的。
你如今是否因困擾而痛苦？在神的允許下，你正受著風浪的衝擊，雖然翻開信心的礁石，卻仍找不著平安、喜樂與安慰。一切都絕望了，你該仰望主，接受他那無法動搖的平安。你若能彰顯他的平安，便證明你與神有正確的關係，因為你可以自由地把心轉向他。要是你與神的關係不對勁，你的心除了轉向自己之外，便無路可通。若讓任何事物掩蔽主的臉，你不是沒有平安，就是活在虛假的穩妥裡。
你現今是否仰望耶穌？在你逼近眉睫的事上，去接受他的平安？若然，他要藉著你，也要在你裡面，成為最美妙平安的福氣。可是你若擔憂，就攔阻了他，那你受的苦，就是咎由自取了。我們受困擾，是因為未有想到他。人一與主相會，困惑就必離開，因為在他沒有困惑的事。我們唯一要注意的，是住在他裡面。把一切鋪陳在他面前，在一切困難、傷痛、愁苦之中，聽他說：[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，願你的臉光臨到我，並賜給我平安。你的平安，深如無法測度的大海，高如難以量度的高天。願你在此刻感動我，直至光明、生命和自由穿透我。
There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always “spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “. . . My peace I give to you. . .”— a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:27).
你曾煩擾不安嗎？
我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們。 （約十四27）
有時我們感覺平安，是因為無知；但當我們醒悟人生的現實，內心平安就消失了。除非我們從主耶穌得著平安，否則就不能有內在的平安。主耶穌說平安，他就成就平安。他的話永遠是[靈和生命]。我有接受他所說的話麼？ [我將我的平安賜給你們。 ]－－這平安是由於定睛在他臉上，體會他那不能動搖的安穩而來的。
你如今是否因困擾而痛苦？在神的允許下，你正受著風浪的衝擊，雖然翻開信心的礁石，卻仍找不著平安、喜樂與安慰。一切都絕望了，你該仰望主，接受他那無法動搖的平安。你若能彰顯他的平安，便證明你與神有正確的關係，因為你可以自由地把心轉向他。要是你與神的關係不對勁，你的心除了轉向自己之外，便無路可通。若讓任何事物掩蔽主的臉，你不是沒有平安，就是活在虛假的穩妥裡。
你現今是否仰望耶穌？在你逼近眉睫的事上，去接受他的平安？若然，他要藉著你，也要在你裡面，成為最美妙平安的福氣。可是你若擔憂，就攔阻了他，那你受的苦，就是咎由自取了。我們受困擾，是因為未有想到他。人一與主相會，困惑就必離開，因為在他沒有困惑的事。我們唯一要注意的，是住在他裡面。把一切鋪陳在他面前，在一切困難、傷痛、愁苦之中，聽他說：[你們心裡不要憂愁。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，願你的臉光臨到我，並賜給我平安。你的平安，深如無法測度的大海，高如難以量度的高天。願你在此刻感動我，直至光明、生命和自由穿透我。
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