Jesus answered and said, ’You do not know what you ask’ —Matthew 20:22
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
Showing posts with label Fellowship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fellowship. Show all posts
September 12, 2014
August 07, 2014
Prayer in the Father’s House
. . . they found Him in the temple . . . . And He said to them, ’. . . Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ —Luke 2:46, 49
Our Lord’s childhood was not immaturity waiting to grow into manhood— His childhood is an eternal fact. Am I a holy, innocent child of God as a result of my identification with my Lord and Savior? Do I look at my life as being in my Father’s house? Is the Son of God living in His Father’s house within me?
The only abiding reality is God Himself, and His order comes to me moment by moment. Am I continually in touch with the reality of God, or do I pray only when things have gone wrong— when there is some disturbance in my life? I must learn to identify myself closely with my Lord in ways of holy fellowship and oneness that some of us have not yet even begun to learn. “. . . I must be about My Father’s business”— and I must learn to live every moment of my life in my Father’s house.
Think about your own circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that everything comes from His hands? Is the eternal Child in you living in His Father’s house? Is the grace of His ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? Have you been wondering why you are going through certain circumstances? In fact, it is not that you have to go through them. It is because of your relationship with the Son of God who comes, through the providential will of His Father, into your life. You must allow Him to have His way with you, staying in perfect oneness with Him.
The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way He worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way He works and lives in you.
父家裡的禱告
豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼? (路二49)
主的童年是成熟的成年.祂的童年是一個永恆的事實.我是否聖潔無瑕的孩子,像我的救主一樣? 我是活在父神的家裡?這是否我對人生的看法? 神的兒子在我裡面,是否活在祂父的家裡?
永恆的真實是神自己, 祂的吩咐是時刻不斷的.我是否時刻與真實連繫? 還是事情不順遂,生命起了波瀾時才禱告? 我必須學習與我的主無間斷的聯合,這是許多人還未學會的.”我應當以我父的事為念” 生命的每一刻都活在我父家裡.
單拿你自己的環境來看,你是否與主的生命緊密地合一?單純地作神的孩子, 不斷與祂談話,又知凡事皆出於祂的手? 那永恆神的兒子在你的裡面,是否活在父的家裡? 祂事奉的生命帶來的諸般恩典,有沒有透過你在家庭,工作並親友間流露?你是否因著父神的旨意,在你的成聖上,神子與你建立的關係.讓祂作主,與祂保持完全的合一.
主代贖的生命, 要成為你純一有力的生命.昔日祂活在世人中間所作所行的,今天活在你裡面, 也要照樣行.
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的本性似乎是何等不願意思想祢恩典的深奧真理,然而,我豈可不認識與祢相交的能力和純潔?
Our Lord’s childhood was not immaturity waiting to grow into manhood— His childhood is an eternal fact. Am I a holy, innocent child of God as a result of my identification with my Lord and Savior? Do I look at my life as being in my Father’s house? Is the Son of God living in His Father’s house within me?
The only abiding reality is God Himself, and His order comes to me moment by moment. Am I continually in touch with the reality of God, or do I pray only when things have gone wrong— when there is some disturbance in my life? I must learn to identify myself closely with my Lord in ways of holy fellowship and oneness that some of us have not yet even begun to learn. “. . . I must be about My Father’s business”— and I must learn to live every moment of my life in my Father’s house.
Think about your own circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that everything comes from His hands? Is the eternal Child in you living in His Father’s house? Is the grace of His ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? Have you been wondering why you are going through certain circumstances? In fact, it is not that you have to go through them. It is because of your relationship with the Son of God who comes, through the providential will of His Father, into your life. You must allow Him to have His way with you, staying in perfect oneness with Him.
The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way He worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way He works and lives in you.
父家裡的禱告
豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼? (路二49)
主的童年是成熟的成年.祂的童年是一個永恆的事實.我是否聖潔無瑕的孩子,像我的救主一樣? 我是活在父神的家裡?這是否我對人生的看法? 神的兒子在我裡面,是否活在祂父的家裡?
永恆的真實是神自己, 祂的吩咐是時刻不斷的.我是否時刻與真實連繫? 還是事情不順遂,生命起了波瀾時才禱告? 我必須學習與我的主無間斷的聯合,這是許多人還未學會的.”我應當以我父的事為念” 生命的每一刻都活在我父家裡.
單拿你自己的環境來看,你是否與主的生命緊密地合一?單純地作神的孩子, 不斷與祂談話,又知凡事皆出於祂的手? 那永恆神的兒子在你的裡面,是否活在父的家裡? 祂事奉的生命帶來的諸般恩典,有沒有透過你在家庭,工作並親友間流露?你是否因著父神的旨意,在你的成聖上,神子與你建立的關係.讓祂作主,與祂保持完全的合一.
主代贖的生命, 要成為你純一有力的生命.昔日祂活在世人中間所作所行的,今天活在你裡面, 也要照樣行.
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的本性似乎是何等不願意思想祢恩典的深奧真理,然而,我豈可不認識與祢相交的能力和純潔?
August 05, 2014
The Bewildering Call of God
'. . . and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.' . . . But they understood none of these things . . . —Luke 18:31, 34
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
令人迷惘的呼召
先知所寫的一切事，都要成就在人子身上……他們不曉得所說的是什麼。 （路十八31、34）
神要耶穌基督所受的，似乎是徹頭徹尾的酷災。耶穌基督叫門徒親眼看他受死，領他們到心碎欲絕的境地。耶穌基督的一生，除了從神的觀點以外，無論從任何角度看來，都是絕對的慘敗。可是，在人看來的失敗，在神卻為極大的勝利，因為神的心思永遠與人的不同。在我們生命中，令人狐疑的呼召也會臨到。神的呼召永不明確的說明，乃是內蘊的。神的呼召像海洋的呼召，除了那與海有緣的人外，沒有人聽得見。神的呼召難以明說，因為他的呼召是要人作他的戰友，完成他的計劃。而考驗就是要我們相信神確知自己的目的。事情發生絕非出於偶然，一切全出於神的吩咐。因為神在進行他的計劃。
我們若與神相交，又知道他要帶我們進入他的計劃裡去，就不用再追問他的計劃到底是怎樣。我們在信主的路上愈久，久愈單純，我們不會再問－－[為什麼神讓這事發生？ ]整件事情的背後，是神莫大的催策。 [我的結局都有全能者去塑造。 ]信徒該信賴的，不是自己的智慧而是神的智慧聰明。我們若有自己的目標，就會破壞那單純與悠然的安息，而這正是神兒女該有的特徵。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，釋放我，我極之渴望與你有著單純的關係，以致能改變任何事情，並向周遭的人散播恩福和福氣。
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
令人迷惘的呼召
先知所寫的一切事，都要成就在人子身上……他們不曉得所說的是什麼。 （路十八31、34）
神要耶穌基督所受的，似乎是徹頭徹尾的酷災。耶穌基督叫門徒親眼看他受死，領他們到心碎欲絕的境地。耶穌基督的一生，除了從神的觀點以外，無論從任何角度看來，都是絕對的慘敗。可是，在人看來的失敗，在神卻為極大的勝利，因為神的心思永遠與人的不同。在我們生命中，令人狐疑的呼召也會臨到。神的呼召永不明確的說明，乃是內蘊的。神的呼召像海洋的呼召，除了那與海有緣的人外，沒有人聽得見。神的呼召難以明說，因為他的呼召是要人作他的戰友，完成他的計劃。而考驗就是要我們相信神確知自己的目的。事情發生絕非出於偶然，一切全出於神的吩咐。因為神在進行他的計劃。
我們若與神相交，又知道他要帶我們進入他的計劃裡去，就不用再追問他的計劃到底是怎樣。我們在信主的路上愈久，久愈單純，我們不會再問－－[為什麼神讓這事發生？ ]整件事情的背後，是神莫大的催策。 [我的結局都有全能者去塑造。 ]信徒該信賴的，不是自己的智慧而是神的智慧聰明。我們若有自己的目標，就會破壞那單純與悠然的安息，而這正是神兒女該有的特徵。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，釋放我，我極之渴望與你有著單純的關係，以致能改變任何事情，並向周遭的人散播恩福和福氣。
July 10, 2014
The Spiritually Lazy Saint
Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . —Hebrews 10:24-25
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The test of our spirituality comes when we come up against injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritual sluggards. We want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of retirement. We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things are effects and we try to make them causes.
"I think it meet," said Peter, ". . . to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be smitten in the ribs by some provoker of God, by someone who is full of spiritual activity. Active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work may be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – "Go tell My brethren . ." (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The test of our spirituality comes when we come up against injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritual sluggards. We want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of retirement. We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things are effects and we try to make them causes.
"I think it meet," said Peter, ". . . to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be smitten in the ribs by some provoker of God, by someone who is full of spiritual activity. Active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work may be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – "Go tell My brethren . ." (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
May 29, 2014
Untroubled Relationship
In that day you will ask in My name . . . for the Father Himself loves you . . . —John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.
“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.
無法阻止的關係
到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求……父自己愛你們。 （約十六26-27）
[到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求]，就是依神的本性祈求，並不是[用我的名作為符咒]，乃是[你既與我如此親密，就必與我合而為一]了。 [那日]不是將來的某一日，而是指此時此地。 [父自己愛你們]－－那合一是如此的完整與絕對！主並非說，人生從此就沒有逆境；而是他深知父神的心意，便藉著聖靈的洗，把我們提升到天上，在那裡將神的旨意顯明給我們。
[你們若向父求什麼……][那日]，是神與聖徒的關係不受攔阻的日子。耶穌如何站在父神面前，潔白無暇，我們也藉著聖靈的洗所產生的大能功效，同樣被提升到那關係裡去－－[使他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
[……他就必因我的名，賜給你們。 ]耶穌說，父神知道我們的禱告。何等大的挑戰！因著耶穌復活升天的大能，並神所差下來的聖靈，我們得以進到與父神至高的旨意聯合。在耶穌基督放我們在這高貴的地位上，我們得以奉他的名，以他的性情禱告；這性情也就是聖靈賜給我們的。
耶穌說：[你們奉我的名，無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。 ]耶穌基督至尊的品德，是經得起他自己話語的考驗的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天是大施恩福的日子。為著你偉大的計劃，我感謝你；噢，主啊，以你的能力和恩典來推行你的計劃。
In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.
“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.
無法阻止的關係
到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求……父自己愛你們。 （約十六26-27）
[到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求]，就是依神的本性祈求，並不是[用我的名作為符咒]，乃是[你既與我如此親密，就必與我合而為一]了。 [那日]不是將來的某一日，而是指此時此地。 [父自己愛你們]－－那合一是如此的完整與絕對！主並非說，人生從此就沒有逆境；而是他深知父神的心意，便藉著聖靈的洗，把我們提升到天上，在那裡將神的旨意顯明給我們。
[你們若向父求什麼……][那日]，是神與聖徒的關係不受攔阻的日子。耶穌如何站在父神面前，潔白無暇，我們也藉著聖靈的洗所產生的大能功效，同樣被提升到那關係裡去－－[使他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
[……他就必因我的名，賜給你們。 ]耶穌說，父神知道我們的禱告。何等大的挑戰！因著耶穌復活升天的大能，並神所差下來的聖靈，我們得以進到與父神至高的旨意聯合。在耶穌基督放我們在這高貴的地位上，我們得以奉他的名，以他的性情禱告；這性情也就是聖靈賜給我們的。
耶穌說：[你們奉我的名，無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。 ]耶穌基督至尊的品德，是經得起他自己話語的考驗的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天是大施恩福的日子。為著你偉大的計劃，我感謝你；噢，主啊，以你的能力和恩典來推行你的計劃。
April 14, 2014
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
March 25, 2014
Maintaining the Proper Relationship
. . . the friend of the bridegroom . . . —John 3:29
Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction. A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought— “What a fine person that man is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”— I am increasing all the time; He is not.
To maintain this friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we have to be more careful to have the moral and vital relationship to Him above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only task is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, seeing that nothing interferes with it. Only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. At those times when a crisis arises, we have to find out what God’s will is. Yet most of our life is not spent in trying to be consciously obedient, but in maintaining this relationship— being the “friend of the bridegroom.” Christian work can actually be a means of diverting a person’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we may become amateur providences of God to someone else, working against Him while we use His weapons.
世上最微妙的使命
新郎的朋友。 （約三29）
人的良善與純潔，不該拿來吸引人歸向自己，只該用作引人歸主的磁石。若我聖潔的目的不是歸向神，就不是真正的聖潔；這只會掀起越軌的熱情，使人偏離正路。一個卓越的聖徒，若不表彰耶穌基督，只誇耀基督為他所做的事，他就會成為別人的絆腳石。他給人的印像是－－[那人品德多麼好！ ]這不是新郎的真朋友；因[我]不斷的在興旺，而他卻不然。
為要保持對新郎的友誼和忠誠，就要留心我們和他在道德上、生命上的關係。這些比一切都重要，甚至是順服。有時沒有什麼要順服的，只要保持與耶穌基督在生命上的關係，不讓任何事物從中破壞。當然亦有需要順服的事；如有危機來到，我們便要知道神的旨意如何。可是我們大部分的生活，並非有意識的順服，而是保持與神的關係－－作新郎的朋友。基督徒所做的工作，可能會轉移別人專一向主的心，使之外鶩！我們非但不是新郎的朋友，反而往往代天行道，用神的武器，作違背他的工作。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我知道自己近來很少將生命深處對耶穌的信心實踐出來，潛藏的動機似乎經常蠢蠢欲動。求你將基督裡面的單純引進我的生命中，使我只留心要獲得你的認可。
Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction. A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought— “What a fine person that man is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”— I am increasing all the time; He is not.
To maintain this friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we have to be more careful to have the moral and vital relationship to Him above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only task is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, seeing that nothing interferes with it. Only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. At those times when a crisis arises, we have to find out what God’s will is. Yet most of our life is not spent in trying to be consciously obedient, but in maintaining this relationship— being the “friend of the bridegroom.” Christian work can actually be a means of diverting a person’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we may become amateur providences of God to someone else, working against Him while we use His weapons.
世上最微妙的使命
新郎的朋友。 （約三29）
人的良善與純潔，不該拿來吸引人歸向自己，只該用作引人歸主的磁石。若我聖潔的目的不是歸向神，就不是真正的聖潔；這只會掀起越軌的熱情，使人偏離正路。一個卓越的聖徒，若不表彰耶穌基督，只誇耀基督為他所做的事，他就會成為別人的絆腳石。他給人的印像是－－[那人品德多麼好！ ]這不是新郎的真朋友；因[我]不斷的在興旺，而他卻不然。
為要保持對新郎的友誼和忠誠，就要留心我們和他在道德上、生命上的關係。這些比一切都重要，甚至是順服。有時沒有什麼要順服的，只要保持與耶穌基督在生命上的關係，不讓任何事物從中破壞。當然亦有需要順服的事；如有危機來到，我們便要知道神的旨意如何。可是我們大部分的生活，並非有意識的順服，而是保持與神的關係－－作新郎的朋友。基督徒所做的工作，可能會轉移別人專一向主的心，使之外鶩！我們非但不是新郎的朋友，反而往往代天行道，用神的武器，作違背他的工作。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我知道自己近來很少將生命深處對耶穌的信心實踐出來，潛藏的動機似乎經常蠢蠢欲動。求你將基督裡面的單純引進我的生命中，使我只留心要獲得你的認可。
September 12, 2013
Going Through Spiritual Confusion
Jesus answered and said, ’You do not know what you ask’ —Matthew 20:22
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
August 07, 2013
Prayer in the Father’s House
. . . they found Him in the temple . . . . And He said to them, ’. . . Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ —Luke 2:46, 49
Our Lord’s childhood was not immaturity waiting to grow into manhood— His childhood is an eternal fact. Am I a holy, innocent child of God as a result of my identification with my Lord and Savior? Do I look at my life as being in my Father’s house? Is the Son of God living in His Father’s house within me?
The only abiding reality is God Himself, and His order comes to me moment by moment. Am I continually in touch with the reality of God, or do I pray only when things have gone wrong— when there is some disturbance in my life? I must learn to identify myself closely with my Lord in ways of holy fellowship and oneness that some of us have not yet even begun to learn. “. . . I must be about My Father’s business”— and I must learn to live every moment of my life in my Father’s house.
Think about your own circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that everything comes from His hands? Is the eternal Child in you living in His Father’s house? Is the grace of His ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? Have you been wondering why you are going through certain circumstances? In fact, it is not that you have to go through them. It is because of your relationship with the Son of God who comes, through the providential will of His Father, into your life. You must allow Him to have His way with you, staying in perfect oneness with Him.
The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way He worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way He works and lives in you.
父家裡的禱告
豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼? (路二49)
主的童年是成熟的成年.祂的童年是一個永恆的事實.我是否聖潔無瑕的孩子,像我的救主一樣? 我是活在父神的家裡?這是否我對人生的看法? 神的兒子在我裡面,是否活在祂父的家裡?
永恆的真實是神自己, 祂的吩咐是時刻不斷的.我是否時刻與真實連繫? 還是事情不順遂,生命起了波瀾時才禱告? 我必須學習與我的主無間斷的聯合,這是許多人還未學會的.”我應當以我父的事為念” 生命的每一刻都活在我父家裡.
單拿你自己的環境來看,你是否與主的生命緊密地合一?單純地作神的孩子, 不斷與祂談話,又知凡事皆出於祂的手? 那永恆神的兒子在你的裡面,是否活在父的家裡? 祂事奉的生命帶來的諸般恩典,有沒有透過你在家庭,工作並親友間流露?你是否因著父神的旨意,在你的成聖上,神子與你建立的關係.讓祂作主,與祂保持完全的合一.
主代贖的生命, 要成為你純一有力的生命.昔日祂活在世人中間所作所行的,今天活在你裡面, 也要照樣行.
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的本性似乎是何等不願意思想祢恩典的深奧真理,然而,我豈可不認識與祢相交的能力和純潔?
Our Lord’s childhood was not immaturity waiting to grow into manhood— His childhood is an eternal fact. Am I a holy, innocent child of God as a result of my identification with my Lord and Savior? Do I look at my life as being in my Father’s house? Is the Son of God living in His Father’s house within me?
The only abiding reality is God Himself, and His order comes to me moment by moment. Am I continually in touch with the reality of God, or do I pray only when things have gone wrong— when there is some disturbance in my life? I must learn to identify myself closely with my Lord in ways of holy fellowship and oneness that some of us have not yet even begun to learn. “. . . I must be about My Father’s business”— and I must learn to live every moment of my life in my Father’s house.
Think about your own circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that everything comes from His hands? Is the eternal Child in you living in His Father’s house? Is the grace of His ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? Have you been wondering why you are going through certain circumstances? In fact, it is not that you have to go through them. It is because of your relationship with the Son of God who comes, through the providential will of His Father, into your life. You must allow Him to have His way with you, staying in perfect oneness with Him.
The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way He worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way He works and lives in you.
父家裡的禱告
豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼? (路二49)
主的童年是成熟的成年.祂的童年是一個永恆的事實.我是否聖潔無瑕的孩子,像我的救主一樣? 我是活在父神的家裡?這是否我對人生的看法? 神的兒子在我裡面,是否活在祂父的家裡?
永恆的真實是神自己, 祂的吩咐是時刻不斷的.我是否時刻與真實連繫? 還是事情不順遂,生命起了波瀾時才禱告? 我必須學習與我的主無間斷的聯合,這是許多人還未學會的.”我應當以我父的事為念” 生命的每一刻都活在我父家裡.
單拿你自己的環境來看,你是否與主的生命緊密地合一?單純地作神的孩子, 不斷與祂談話,又知凡事皆出於祂的手? 那永恆神的兒子在你的裡面,是否活在父的家裡? 祂事奉的生命帶來的諸般恩典,有沒有透過你在家庭,工作並親友間流露?你是否因著父神的旨意,在你的成聖上,神子與你建立的關係.讓祂作主,與祂保持完全的合一.
主代贖的生命, 要成為你純一有力的生命.昔日祂活在世人中間所作所行的,今天活在你裡面, 也要照樣行.
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的本性似乎是何等不願意思想祢恩典的深奧真理,然而,我豈可不認識與祢相交的能力和純潔?
August 05, 2013
The Bewildering Call of God
'. . . and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.' . . . But they understood none of these things . . . —Luke 18:31, 34
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
令人迷惘的呼召
先知所寫的一切事，都要成就在人子身上……他們不曉得所說的是什麼。 （路十八31、34）
神要耶穌基督所受的，似乎是徹頭徹尾的酷災。耶穌基督叫門徒親眼看他受死，領他們到心碎欲絕的境地。耶穌基督的一生，除了從神的觀點以外，無論從任何角度看來，都是絕對的慘敗。可是，在人看來的失敗，在神卻為極大的勝利，因為神的心思永遠與人的不同。在我們生命中，令人狐疑的呼召也會臨到。神的呼召永不明確的說明，乃是內蘊的。神的呼召像海洋的呼召，除了那與海有緣的人外，沒有人聽得見。神的呼召難以明說，因為他的呼召是要人作他的戰友，完成他的計劃。而考驗就是要我們相信神確知自己的目的。事情發生絕非出於偶然，一切全出於神的吩咐。因為神在進行他的計劃。
我們若與神相交，又知道他要帶我們進入他的計劃裡去，就不用再追問他的計劃到底是怎樣。我們在信主的路上愈久，久愈單純，我們不會再問－－[為什麼神讓這事發生？ ]整件事情的背後，是神莫大的催策。 [我的結局都有全能者去塑造。 ]信徒該信賴的，不是自己的智慧而是神的智慧聰明。我們若有自己的目標，就會破壞那單純與悠然的安息，而這正是神兒女該有的特徵。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，釋放我，我極之渴望與你有著單純的關係，以致能改變任何事情，並向周遭的人散播恩福和福氣。
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
令人迷惘的呼召
先知所寫的一切事，都要成就在人子身上……他們不曉得所說的是什麼。 （路十八31、34）
神要耶穌基督所受的，似乎是徹頭徹尾的酷災。耶穌基督叫門徒親眼看他受死，領他們到心碎欲絕的境地。耶穌基督的一生，除了從神的觀點以外，無論從任何角度看來，都是絕對的慘敗。可是，在人看來的失敗，在神卻為極大的勝利，因為神的心思永遠與人的不同。在我們生命中，令人狐疑的呼召也會臨到。神的呼召永不明確的說明，乃是內蘊的。神的呼召像海洋的呼召，除了那與海有緣的人外，沒有人聽得見。神的呼召難以明說，因為他的呼召是要人作他的戰友，完成他的計劃。而考驗就是要我們相信神確知自己的目的。事情發生絕非出於偶然，一切全出於神的吩咐。因為神在進行他的計劃。
我們若與神相交，又知道他要帶我們進入他的計劃裡去，就不用再追問他的計劃到底是怎樣。我們在信主的路上愈久，久愈單純，我們不會再問－－[為什麼神讓這事發生？ ]整件事情的背後，是神莫大的催策。 [我的結局都有全能者去塑造。 ]信徒該信賴的，不是自己的智慧而是神的智慧聰明。我們若有自己的目標，就會破壞那單純與悠然的安息，而這正是神兒女該有的特徵。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，釋放我，我極之渴望與你有著單純的關係，以致能改變任何事情，並向周遭的人散播恩福和福氣。
July 10, 2013
The Spiritually Lazy Saint
Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . —Hebrews 10:24-25
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The test of our spirituality comes when we come up against injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritual sluggards. We want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of retirement. We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things are effects and we try to make them causes.
"I think it meet," said Peter, ". . . to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be smitten in the ribs by some provoker of God, by someone who is full of spiritual activity. Active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work may be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – "Go tell My brethren . ." (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The test of our spirituality comes when we come up against injustice and meanness and ingratitude and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritual sluggards. We want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of retirement. We utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy, that is, we do not want to realize Jesus Christ, but only our enjoyment of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things are effects and we try to make them causes.
"I think it meet," said Peter, ". . . to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be smitten in the ribs by some provoker of God, by someone who is full of spiritual activity. Active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work may be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The danger of spiritual sluggishness is that we do not wish to be stirred up, all we want to hear about is spiritual retirement. Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – "Go tell My brethren . ." (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
May 29, 2013
Untroubled Relationship
In that day you will ask in My name . . . for the Father Himself loves you . . . —John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.
“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.
無法阻止的關係
到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求……父自己愛你們。 （約十六26-27）
[到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求]，就是依神的本性祈求，並不是[用我的名作為符咒]，乃是[你既與我如此親密，就必與我合而為一]了。 [那日]不是將來的某一日，而是指此時此地。 [父自己愛你們]－－那合一是如此的完整與絕對！主並非說，人生從此就沒有逆境；而是他深知父神的心意，便藉著聖靈的洗，把我們提升到天上，在那裡將神的旨意顯明給我們。
[你們若向父求什麼……][那日]，是神與聖徒的關係不受攔阻的日子。耶穌如何站在父神面前，潔白無暇，我們也藉著聖靈的洗所產生的大能功效，同樣被提升到那關係裡去－－[使他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
[……他就必因我的名，賜給你們。 ]耶穌說，父神知道我們的禱告。何等大的挑戰！因著耶穌復活升天的大能，並神所差下來的聖靈，我們得以進到與父神至高的旨意聯合。在耶穌基督放我們在這高貴的地位上，我們得以奉他的名，以他的性情禱告；這性情也就是聖靈賜給我們的。
耶穌說：[你們奉我的名，無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。 ]耶穌基督至尊的品德，是經得起他自己話語的考驗的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天是大施恩福的日子。為著你偉大的計劃，我感謝你；噢，主啊，以你的能力和恩典來推行你的計劃。
In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.
“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.
無法阻止的關係
到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求……父自己愛你們。 （約十六26-27）
[到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求]，就是依神的本性祈求，並不是[用我的名作為符咒]，乃是[你既與我如此親密，就必與我合而為一]了。 [那日]不是將來的某一日，而是指此時此地。 [父自己愛你們]－－那合一是如此的完整與絕對！主並非說，人生從此就沒有逆境；而是他深知父神的心意，便藉著聖靈的洗，把我們提升到天上，在那裡將神的旨意顯明給我們。
[你們若向父求什麼……][那日]，是神與聖徒的關係不受攔阻的日子。耶穌如何站在父神面前，潔白無暇，我們也藉著聖靈的洗所產生的大能功效，同樣被提升到那關係裡去－－[使他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
[……他就必因我的名，賜給你們。 ]耶穌說，父神知道我們的禱告。何等大的挑戰！因著耶穌復活升天的大能，並神所差下來的聖靈，我們得以進到與父神至高的旨意聯合。在耶穌基督放我們在這高貴的地位上，我們得以奉他的名，以他的性情禱告；這性情也就是聖靈賜給我們的。
耶穌說：[你們奉我的名，無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。 ]耶穌基督至尊的品德，是經得起他自己話語的考驗的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天是大施恩福的日子。為著你偉大的計劃，我感謝你；噢，主啊，以你的能力和恩典來推行你的計劃。
April 14, 2013
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
March 25, 2013
Maintaining the Proper Relationship
. . . the friend of the bridegroom . . . —John 3:29
Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction. A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought— “What a fine person that man is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”— I am increasing all the time; He is not.
To maintain this friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we have to be more careful to have the moral and vital relationship to Him above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only task is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, seeing that nothing interferes with it. Only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. At those times when a crisis arises, we have to find out what God’s will is. Yet most of our life is not spent in trying to be consciously obedient, but in maintaining this relationship— being the “friend of the bridegroom.” Christian work can actually be a means of diverting a person’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we may become amateur providences of God to someone else, working against Him while we use His weapons.
世上最微妙的使命
新郎的朋友。 （約三29）
人的良善與純潔，不該拿來吸引人歸向自己，只該用作引人歸主的磁石。若我聖潔的目的不是歸向神，就不是真正的聖潔；這只會掀起越軌的熱情，使人偏離正路。一個卓越的聖徒，若不表彰耶穌基督，只誇耀基督為他所做的事，他就會成為別人的絆腳石。他給人的印像是－－[那人品德多麼好！ ]這不是新郎的真朋友；因[我]不斷的在興旺，而他卻不然。
為要保持對新郎的友誼和忠誠，就要留心我們和他在道德上、生命上的關係。這些比一切都重要，甚至是順服。有時沒有什麼要順服的，只要保持與耶穌基督在生命上的關係，不讓任何事物從中破壞。當然亦有需要順服的事；如有危機來到，我們便要知道神的旨意如何。可是我們大部分的生活，並非有意識的順服，而是保持與神的關係－－作新郎的朋友。基督徒所做的工作，可能會轉移別人專一向主的心，使之外鶩！我們非但不是新郎的朋友，反而往往代天行道，用神的武器，作違背他的工作。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我知道自己近來很少將生命深處對耶穌的信心實踐出來，潛藏的動機似乎經常蠢蠢欲動。求你將基督裡面的單純引進我的生命中，使我只留心要獲得你的認可。
Goodness and purity should never be traits that draw attention to themselves, but should simply be magnets that draw people to Jesus Christ. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction. A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought— “What a fine person that man is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”— I am increasing all the time; He is not.
To maintain this friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we have to be more careful to have the moral and vital relationship to Him above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only task is to maintain a vital connection with Jesus Christ, seeing that nothing interferes with it. Only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. At those times when a crisis arises, we have to find out what God’s will is. Yet most of our life is not spent in trying to be consciously obedient, but in maintaining this relationship— being the “friend of the bridegroom.” Christian work can actually be a means of diverting a person’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we may become amateur providences of God to someone else, working against Him while we use His weapons.
世上最微妙的使命
新郎的朋友。 （約三29）
人的良善與純潔，不該拿來吸引人歸向自己，只該用作引人歸主的磁石。若我聖潔的目的不是歸向神，就不是真正的聖潔；這只會掀起越軌的熱情，使人偏離正路。一個卓越的聖徒，若不表彰耶穌基督，只誇耀基督為他所做的事，他就會成為別人的絆腳石。他給人的印像是－－[那人品德多麼好！ ]這不是新郎的真朋友；因[我]不斷的在興旺，而他卻不然。
為要保持對新郎的友誼和忠誠，就要留心我們和他在道德上、生命上的關係。這些比一切都重要，甚至是順服。有時沒有什麼要順服的，只要保持與耶穌基督在生命上的關係，不讓任何事物從中破壞。當然亦有需要順服的事；如有危機來到，我們便要知道神的旨意如何。可是我們大部分的生活，並非有意識的順服，而是保持與神的關係－－作新郎的朋友。基督徒所做的工作，可能會轉移別人專一向主的心，使之外鶩！我們非但不是新郎的朋友，反而往往代天行道，用神的武器，作違背他的工作。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我知道自己近來很少將生命深處對耶穌的信心實踐出來，潛藏的動機似乎經常蠢蠢欲動。求你將基督裡面的單純引進我的生命中，使我只留心要獲得你的認可。
September 12, 2012
Going Through Spiritual Confusion
Jesus answered and said, ’You do not know what you ask’ —Matthew 20:22
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
There are times in your spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not simply to say that you should not be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.
The Shrouding of His Friendship (see Luke 11:5-8). Jesus gave the illustration here of a man who appears not to care for his friend. He was saying, in effect, that is how the heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember?He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood (see Luke 11:11-13). Jesus said that there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father?as if He were callous and indifferent— but remember, He is not. “Everyone who asks receives . . .” (Luke 11:10). If all you see is a shadow on the face of the Father right now, hang on to the fact that He will ultimately give you clear understanding and will fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into your life.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness (see Luke 18:1-8). “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Will He find the kind of faith that counts on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus said is true, although in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you are asking of Him right now.
屬靈的困惑
你們不知道所求的是什麼。 （太二十22）
在屬靈生命中，有時會有困惑的時刻；若強說沒有是解決不了問題的。這不是對或不對的問題，而是神有時要領你走一條你不明白的路，只有經過了這一段困惑時期，你才知道神想要的是甚麼。
他的友情隱藏了（路十一5-8）。耶穌比喻中的那個人，好像對他的朋友漠不關心；有時候，在我們看來，天父也好像那個人。時候到了，一切都會明朗。心中的友情被雲層遮蔽，有時連愛本身也要在痛苦與眼淚中等待那更完全契合的福氣。當神似乎完全隱藏了，你能否依然因著對他的信心而堅持？
他的父愛在陰影裡（路十一11-13）。耶穌說，天父有時像一個不近人情的父親，冷漠不仁；要記住他不是這樣的。我已告訴你：[凡祈求的就得著。 ]若此刻他的臉被陰影遮蔽，要持守到底，因為至終他必向你清楚解明，叫你知道他所容許的事都有其用意。
他信實不比尋常（路十八1-8）。 [人子來的時候，遇得見世上有信德麼？ ]他能否找到在困惑中仍緊抓著他信心的人？要在信心中起步，知道耶穌所說的是可信的，雖然當時你不明白他所作的。在你所祈求的事以外，神還有更重大更危急的事。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天我將要奉你的名傳講你的資訊，但我至今仍沒有聖靈的感動。噢，因著耶穌基督的緣故，求你將你的思想傳達至我那靈性遲緩的腦袋中。
August 07, 2012
Prayer in the Father’s House
. . . they found Him in the temple . . . . And He said to them, ’. . . Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ —Luke 2:46, 49
Our Lord’s childhood was not immaturity waiting to grow into manhood— His childhood is an eternal fact. Am I a holy, innocent child of God as a result of my identification with my Lord and Savior? Do I look at my life as being in my Father’s house? Is the Son of God living in His Father’s house within me?
The only abiding reality is God Himself, and His order comes to me moment by moment. Am I continually in touch with the reality of God, or do I pray only when things have gone wrong— when there is some disturbance in my life? I must learn to identify myself closely with my Lord in ways of holy fellowship and oneness that some of us have not yet even begun to learn. “. . . I must be about My Father’s business”— and I must learn to live every moment of my life in my Father’s house.
Think about your own circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that everything comes from His hands? Is the eternal Child in you living in His Father’s house? Is the grace of His ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? Have you been wondering why you are going through certain circumstances? In fact, it is not that you have to go through them. It is because of your relationship with the Son of God who comes, through the providential will of His Father, into your life. You must allow Him to have His way with you, staying in perfect oneness with Him.
The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way He worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way He works and lives in you.
父家裡的禱告
豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼? (路二49)
主的童年是成熟的成年.祂的童年是一個永恆的事實.我是否聖潔無瑕的孩子,像我的救主一樣? 我是活在父神的家裡?這是否我對人生的看法? 神的兒子在我裡面,是否活在祂父的家裡?
永恆的真實是神自己, 祂的吩咐是時刻不斷的.我是否時刻與真實連繫? 還是事情不順遂,生命起了波瀾時才禱告? 我必須學習與我的主無間斷的聯合,這是許多人還未學會的.”我應當以我父的事為念” 生命的每一刻都活在我父家裡.
單拿你自己的環境來看,你是否與主的生命緊密地合一?單純地作神的孩子, 不斷與祂談話,又知凡事皆出於祂的手? 那永恆神的兒子在你的裡面,是否活在父的家裡? 祂事奉的生命帶來的諸般恩典,有沒有透過你在家庭,工作並親友間流露?你是否因著父神的旨意,在你的成聖上,神子與你建立的關係.讓祂作主,與祂保持完全的合一.
主代贖的生命, 要成為你純一有力的生命.昔日祂活在世人中間所作所行的,今天活在你裡面, 也要照樣行.
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的本性似乎是何等不願意思想祢恩典的深奧真理,然而,我豈可不認識與祢相交的能力和純潔?
Our Lord’s childhood was not immaturity waiting to grow into manhood— His childhood is an eternal fact. Am I a holy, innocent child of God as a result of my identification with my Lord and Savior? Do I look at my life as being in my Father’s house? Is the Son of God living in His Father’s house within me?
The only abiding reality is God Himself, and His order comes to me moment by moment. Am I continually in touch with the reality of God, or do I pray only when things have gone wrong— when there is some disturbance in my life? I must learn to identify myself closely with my Lord in ways of holy fellowship and oneness that some of us have not yet even begun to learn. “. . . I must be about My Father’s business”— and I must learn to live every moment of my life in my Father’s house.
Think about your own circumstances. Are you so closely identified with the Lord’s life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that everything comes from His hands? Is the eternal Child in you living in His Father’s house? Is the grace of His ministering life being worked out through you in your home, your business, and in your circle of friends? Have you been wondering why you are going through certain circumstances? In fact, it is not that you have to go through them. It is because of your relationship with the Son of God who comes, through the providential will of His Father, into your life. You must allow Him to have His way with you, staying in perfect oneness with Him.
The life of your Lord is to become your vital, simple life, and the way He worked and lived among people while here on earth must be the way He works and lives in you.
父家裡的禱告
豈不知我應當在我父的家裡麼? (路二49)
主的童年是成熟的成年.祂的童年是一個永恆的事實.我是否聖潔無瑕的孩子,像我的救主一樣? 我是活在父神的家裡?這是否我對人生的看法? 神的兒子在我裡面,是否活在祂父的家裡?
永恆的真實是神自己, 祂的吩咐是時刻不斷的.我是否時刻與真實連繫? 還是事情不順遂,生命起了波瀾時才禱告? 我必須學習與我的主無間斷的聯合,這是許多人還未學會的.”我應當以我父的事為念” 生命的每一刻都活在我父家裡.
單拿你自己的環境來看,你是否與主的生命緊密地合一?單純地作神的孩子, 不斷與祂談話,又知凡事皆出於祂的手? 那永恆神的兒子在你的裡面,是否活在父的家裡? 祂事奉的生命帶來的諸般恩典,有沒有透過你在家庭,工作並親友間流露?你是否因著父神的旨意,在你的成聖上,神子與你建立的關係.讓祂作主,與祂保持完全的合一.
主代贖的生命, 要成為你純一有力的生命.昔日祂活在世人中間所作所行的,今天活在你裡面, 也要照樣行.
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的本性似乎是何等不願意思想祢恩典的深奧真理,然而,我豈可不認識與祢相交的能力和純潔?
August 05, 2012
The Bewildering Call of God
'. . . and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.' . . . But they understood none of these things . . . —Luke 18:31, 34
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
令人迷惘的呼召
先知所寫的一切事，都要成就在人子身上……他們不曉得所說的是什麼。 （路十八31、34）
神要耶穌基督所受的，似乎是徹頭徹尾的酷災。耶穌基督叫門徒親眼看他受死，領他們到心碎欲絕的境地。耶穌基督的一生，除了從神的觀點以外，無論從任何角度看來，都是絕對的慘敗。可是，在人看來的失敗，在神卻為極大的勝利，因為神的心思永遠與人的不同。在我們生命中，令人狐疑的呼召也會臨到。神的呼召永不明確的說明，乃是內蘊的。神的呼召像海洋的呼召，除了那與海有緣的人外，沒有人聽得見。神的呼召難以明說，因為他的呼召是要人作他的戰友，完成他的計劃。而考驗就是要我們相信神確知自己的目的。事情發生絕非出於偶然，一切全出於神的吩咐。因為神在進行他的計劃。
我們若與神相交，又知道他要帶我們進入他的計劃裡去，就不用再追問他的計劃到底是怎樣。我們在信主的路上愈久，久愈單純，我們不會再問－－[為什麼神讓這事發生？ ]整件事情的背後，是神莫大的催策。 [我的結局都有全能者去塑造。 ]信徒該信賴的，不是自己的智慧而是神的智慧聰明。我們若有自己的目標，就會破壞那單純與悠然的安息，而這正是神兒女該有的特徵。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，釋放我，我極之渴望與你有著單純的關係，以致能改變任何事情，並向周遭的人散播恩福和福氣。
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes.
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
令人迷惘的呼召
先知所寫的一切事，都要成就在人子身上……他們不曉得所說的是什麼。 （路十八31、34）
神要耶穌基督所受的，似乎是徹頭徹尾的酷災。耶穌基督叫門徒親眼看他受死，領他們到心碎欲絕的境地。耶穌基督的一生，除了從神的觀點以外，無論從任何角度看來，都是絕對的慘敗。可是，在人看來的失敗，在神卻為極大的勝利，因為神的心思永遠與人的不同。在我們生命中，令人狐疑的呼召也會臨到。神的呼召永不明確的說明，乃是內蘊的。神的呼召像海洋的呼召，除了那與海有緣的人外，沒有人聽得見。神的呼召難以明說，因為他的呼召是要人作他的戰友，完成他的計劃。而考驗就是要我們相信神確知自己的目的。事情發生絕非出於偶然，一切全出於神的吩咐。因為神在進行他的計劃。
我們若與神相交，又知道他要帶我們進入他的計劃裡去，就不用再追問他的計劃到底是怎樣。我們在信主的路上愈久，久愈單純，我們不會再問－－[為什麼神讓這事發生？ ]整件事情的背後，是神莫大的催策。 [我的結局都有全能者去塑造。 ]信徒該信賴的，不是自己的智慧而是神的智慧聰明。我們若有自己的目標，就會破壞那單純與悠然的安息，而這正是神兒女該有的特徵。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，釋放我，我極之渴望與你有著單純的關係，以致能改變任何事情，並向周遭的人散播恩福和福氣。
July 10, 2012
The Spiritually Lazy Saint
Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . —Hebrews 10:24-25
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The true test of our spirituality occurs when we come up against injustice, degradation, ingratitude, and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritually lazy. While being tested, we want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of finding a quiet retreat. We use God only for the sake of getting peace and joy. We seek only our enjoyment of Jesus Christ, not a true realization of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things we are seeking are simply effects, and yet we try to make them causes.
“Yes, I think it is right,” Peter said, “. . . to stir you up by reminding you . . .” (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be hit squarely in the stomach by someone being used of God to stir us up— someone who is full of spiritual activity. Simple active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work can actually be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The real danger in spiritual laziness is that we do not want to be stirred up— all we want to hear about is a spiritual retirement from the world. Yet Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement— He says, “Go and tell My brethren . . .” (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
We are all capable of being spiritually lazy saints. We want to stay off the rough roads of life, and our primary objective is to secure a peaceful retreat from the world. The ideas put forth in these verses from Hebrews 10 are those of stirring up one another and of keeping ourselves together. Both of these require initiative— our willingness to take the first step toward Christ-realization, not the initiative toward self-realization. To live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life is diametrically opposed to spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it.
The true test of our spirituality occurs when we come up against injustice, degradation, ingratitude, and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritually lazy. While being tested, we want to use prayer and Bible reading for the purpose of finding a quiet retreat. We use God only for the sake of getting peace and joy. We seek only our enjoyment of Jesus Christ, not a true realization of Him. This is the first step in the wrong direction. All these things we are seeking are simply effects, and yet we try to make them causes.
“Yes, I think it is right,” Peter said, “. . . to stir you up by reminding you . . .” (2 Peter 1:13). It is a most disturbing thing to be hit squarely in the stomach by someone being used of God to stir us up— someone who is full of spiritual activity. Simple active work and spiritual activity are not the same thing. Active work can actually be the counterfeit of spiritual activity. The real danger in spiritual laziness is that we do not want to be stirred up— all we want to hear about is a spiritual retirement from the world. Yet Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement— He says, “Go and tell My brethren . . .” (Matthew 28:10).
屬靈怠惰
又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停業聚會。 （來十24-25）
我們都有屬靈的惰性，就是不想面對生命的顛簸與艱難，只望安之樂之過退休的生活。希伯來書第十章的要點是我們彼此激勵，齊集聚會——二者都需要積極自發。這是實現基督的自發，而非實現自我的自發。若離群獨處，過著退隱的生活，這與主耶穌的屬靈教導根本相違。
當我們遇見不義、詭詐、忘恩、擾亂時，靈性便受到考驗。這些事很容易使我們陷入屬靈的怠惰中。我們以讀經禱告作為退隱的工具，利用神來取得平安喜樂。換言之，我們並不是要活出基督，而只想去享受他，這就是方向錯誤的第一步。其實這一切只是果效，我們卻把它們變作目標。
彼得說：[我自以為應當……提醒你們，激發你們。 ]神用充滿屬靈活力的使者擊打我們，是最不好受的。活躍的工作與屬靈活力的是兩回事，但前者可以假冒後者。屬靈惰性的危機在於不想被激發，只想過屬靈退隱的生活。主耶穌從不鼓勵退隱的思想，他說：[去告訴我的弟兄……]
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你的恩福今天在此地臨到我們：使我們脫離怠惰和靈性上的懶散，讓你所保證的，全然成就。
May 29, 2012
Untroubled Relationship
In that day you will ask in My name . . . for the Father Himself loves you . . . —John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.
“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.
無法阻止的關係
到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求……父自己愛你們。 （約十六26-27）
[到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求]，就是依神的本性祈求，並不是[用我的名作為符咒]，乃是[你既與我如此親密，就必與我合而為一]了。 [那日]不是將來的某一日，而是指此時此地。 [父自己愛你們]－－那合一是如此的完整與絕對！主並非說，人生從此就沒有逆境；而是他深知父神的心意，便藉著聖靈的洗，把我們提升到天上，在那裡將神的旨意顯明給我們。
[你們若向父求什麼……][那日]，是神與聖徒的關係不受攔阻的日子。耶穌如何站在父神面前，潔白無暇，我們也藉著聖靈的洗所產生的大能功效，同樣被提升到那關係裡去－－[使他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
[……他就必因我的名，賜給你們。 ]耶穌說，父神知道我們的禱告。何等大的挑戰！因著耶穌復活升天的大能，並神所差下來的聖靈，我們得以進到與父神至高的旨意聯合。在耶穌基督放我們在這高貴的地位上，我們得以奉他的名，以他的性情禱告；這性情也就是聖靈賜給我們的。
耶穌說：[你們奉我的名，無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。 ]耶穌基督至尊的品德，是經得起他自己話語的考驗的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天是大施恩福的日子。為著你偉大的計劃，我感謝你；噢，主啊，以你的能力和恩典來推行你的計劃。
In that day you will ask in My name . . . ,” that is, in My nature. Not “You will use My name as some magic word,” but—”You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me.” “That day” is not a day in the next life, but a day meant for here and now. “. . . for the Father Himself loves you . . .”— the Father’s love is evidence that our union with Jesus is complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that our lives will be free from external difficulties and uncertainties, but that just as He knew the Father’s heart and mind, we too can be lifted by Him into heavenly places through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that He can reveal the teachings of God to us.
“. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” (John 16:23). “That day” is a day of peace and an untroubled relationship between God and His saint. Just as Jesus stood unblemished and pure in the presence of His Father, we too by the mighty power and effectiveness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit can be lifted into that relationship—”. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
“. . . He will give you” (John 16:23). Jesus said that because of His name God will recognize and respond to our prayers. What a great challenge and invitation—to pray in His name! Through the resurrection and ascension power of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He has sent, we can be lifted into such a relationship. Once in that wonderful position, having been placed there by Jesus Christ, we can pray to God in Jesus’ name—in His nature. This is a gift granted to us through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said, “. . . whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” The sovereign character of Jesus Christ is tested and proved by His own statements.
無法阻止的關係
到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求……父自己愛你們。 （約十六26-27）
[到那日，你們要奉我的名祈求]，就是依神的本性祈求，並不是[用我的名作為符咒]，乃是[你既與我如此親密，就必與我合而為一]了。 [那日]不是將來的某一日，而是指此時此地。 [父自己愛你們]－－那合一是如此的完整與絕對！主並非說，人生從此就沒有逆境；而是他深知父神的心意，便藉著聖靈的洗，把我們提升到天上，在那裡將神的旨意顯明給我們。
[你們若向父求什麼……][那日]，是神與聖徒的關係不受攔阻的日子。耶穌如何站在父神面前，潔白無暇，我們也藉著聖靈的洗所產生的大能功效，同樣被提升到那關係裡去－－[使他們合而為一，像我們一樣。 ]
[……他就必因我的名，賜給你們。 ]耶穌說，父神知道我們的禱告。何等大的挑戰！因著耶穌復活升天的大能，並神所差下來的聖靈，我們得以進到與父神至高的旨意聯合。在耶穌基督放我們在這高貴的地位上，我們得以奉他的名，以他的性情禱告；這性情也就是聖靈賜給我們的。
耶穌說：[你們奉我的名，無論向父求什麼，他就賜給你們。 ]耶穌基督至尊的品德，是經得起他自己話語的考驗的。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，今天是大施恩福的日子。為著你偉大的計劃，我感謝你；噢，主啊，以你的能力和恩典來推行你的計劃。
April 14, 2012
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
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