Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt —Psalm 123:3
What we must beware of is not damage to our belief in God but damage to our Christian disposition or state of mind. “Take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives.
Beware of “the cares of this world . . .” (Mark 4:19). They are the very things that produce the wrong attitudes in our soul. It is incredible what enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention away from God. Refuse to be swamped by “the cares of this world.”
Another thing that distracts us is our passion for vindication. St. Augustine prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” Such a need for constant vindication destroys our soul’s faith in God. Don’t say, “I must explain myself,” or, “I must get people to understand.” Our Lord never explained anything— He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves.
When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with God. God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.
使信徒分心的事
耶和華啊，求你憐憫我們，憐憫我們因為我們被藐視已到極處。 （詩一二三3）
最要當心的，不是那些破壞我們對神信仰的事，而是破壞我們基督徒性情的事。 [所以當謹守你們的心，不可行詭詐。 ]心智的影響至大，它是直透人心靈的仇敵，叫人的心偏離神。心智的某些傾向，是絕不容稍有放任的；若放任，就使我們對神的信心偏離。除非回复在神面前安息的心，否則我們對他的信心就盡失，掌管我們的只是對肉體和智慧的信心。提防[今生的憂慮]，因為這些事叫心靈產生錯誤的性情。很細微的事也足以分散我們對神的心，其能力之大，叫人詫異。要拒絕被今生的掛慮所佔有。
另一分心的事，就是好辯的慾念。聖奧古斯丁禱告說：[主啊，就我脫離自我辯護的情慾。 ]心智的傾向，會破壞對神的信心。 [我一定要為自己解釋清楚，我一定要叫人明白。 ]主從來不解釋什麽；他讓自己更正錯處。我們有時察覺別人的屬靈生命停滯不前，接著就批評起來；這樣，我們就阻塞了通往神的道路。神給我們洞悉力，並不是要我們批評，乃是要我們代求。
祈禱◆多少時候，我發現在我裡面的是[驢]，而不是我的智力，[看見耶和華的使者而跨進田間]。主啊，求你加添我屬靈的敏銳，以致我可以察覺到你最微小的舉動。
Showing posts with label Trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trials. Show all posts
November 23, 2014
November 05, 2014
Partakers of His Suffering
. . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings . . . —1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that person.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered “according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”
與基督一同受苦
倒要歡喜，因為你們是與基督一同受苦。 （彼前四13）
如果你要蒙神使用，你便要經歷許多事；不是為你本身而遭遇，乃是要把你造成神手中合用的器皿，使你明白別人心裡的景況，以致不會因所遇見的感到詫異。 [唉，我不能應付那個人。 ]為什麽不能？神讓你有足夠的機會在他面前學習這功課，只是你故意避開，認為這樣花時間太愚蠢了。
基督受的苦不是普通人的苦，他乃是按神的旨意受苦，不是照人的看法受苦。只有當我們與基督連合，才會明白神的用意。基督教化的一部分，就是要明白神的目的。在教會歷史中，可以見到人逃避與主一同受苦的傾向；人總是想用自己的捷徑，以求完成神的使命。可是，神的道路卻必定是那漫長受苦的路。
我們有分於基督的受苦麽？我們肯不肯讓神把個人的野心除掉？肯不肯藉生命的改變，把個人的志向毀掉？這不是說可以完全明白為何神領我們這樣走：這樣會叫我們成為屬靈的自大者。當時我們無法知道神的心意，我們會或多或少有點誤解；過後，卻全恍然大悟，說：[看，神把我裝備了，我竟然不察覺！ ]
祈禱◆主啊，願那些在肉身上擔負重壓的人，能藉著你的支持來繼續承擔。願你使他們能避免敵人的嚴苛對待，願主的喜樂能奇妙地成為他們的力量。
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that person.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered “according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”
與基督一同受苦
倒要歡喜，因為你們是與基督一同受苦。 （彼前四13）
如果你要蒙神使用，你便要經歷許多事；不是為你本身而遭遇，乃是要把你造成神手中合用的器皿，使你明白別人心裡的景況，以致不會因所遇見的感到詫異。 [唉，我不能應付那個人。 ]為什麽不能？神讓你有足夠的機會在他面前學習這功課，只是你故意避開，認為這樣花時間太愚蠢了。
基督受的苦不是普通人的苦，他乃是按神的旨意受苦，不是照人的看法受苦。只有當我們與基督連合，才會明白神的用意。基督教化的一部分，就是要明白神的目的。在教會歷史中，可以見到人逃避與主一同受苦的傾向；人總是想用自己的捷徑，以求完成神的使命。可是，神的道路卻必定是那漫長受苦的路。
我們有分於基督的受苦麽？我們肯不肯讓神把個人的野心除掉？肯不肯藉生命的改變，把個人的志向毀掉？這不是說可以完全明白為何神領我們這樣走：這樣會叫我們成為屬靈的自大者。當時我們無法知道神的心意，我們會或多或少有點誤解；過後，卻全恍然大悟，說：[看，神把我裝備了，我竟然不察覺！ ]
祈禱◆主啊，願那些在肉身上擔負重壓的人，能藉著你的支持來繼續承擔。願你使他們能避免敵人的嚴苛對待，願主的喜樂能奇妙地成為他們的力量。
September 18, 2014
His Temptation and Ours
We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin —Hebrews 4:15
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in James 1:14, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” But through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our Lord faced. The temptations of Jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our Lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become His brothers. The temptations of Jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of God as Man. Through regeneration, the Son of God is formed in us (see Galatians 4:19), and in our physical life He has the same setting that He had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our Lord explainable. After Jesus’ baptism, having accepted His mission of being the One “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) He “was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet He did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation “without sin,” and He retained all the possessions of His spiritual nature completely intact.
他的試探與我們的試探
因我們的大祭司，並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。 （來四15）
未重生之前，我們唯一的試探是雅各所說的：[各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。 ]可是重生之後，便被提升到另一範圍的試探，就是面對主所受的試探。主耶穌受的試探對我們並不吸引，再人性中全無地位。主的試探與我們的試探是兩個完全不同的領域，直等到我們重生了，成為他的弟兄。主耶穌的試探不是人的試探，乃是神成為人的試探。我們重生之後，神的兒子在我們裡面成形，他在我們的肉身生命中，面對他昔日在地上所面對的。撒旦並不引誘我們去做壞事，乃是要我們失去神藉重生放進我們裡面的生命，就是在神手中成為貴重合用的潛能。它並不是要引誘人犯罪，乃是要改變人的觀點。惟有聖靈才可以偵察出這是魔鬼的試探。
試探是外在勢力對人的考驗，要攻擊人性中所擁有的。這就解明了主耶穌所受的試探。耶穌受洗之後，接受了除去世人罪孽的責任，神的靈就立即把他放在魔鬼的考驗場裡。不過他沒有被打倒，他經過試探，卻沒有犯罪，仍然保持他人格的完整。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，對於與你一同守望、與你一同經歷試探的意義，我所了解的是何等膚淺。願你在今天早上吸引我靠近你，以你的大能使我專注於你，直至我的生活言談只為了你。
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in James 1:14, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” But through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our Lord faced. The temptations of Jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our Lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become His brothers. The temptations of Jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of God as Man. Through regeneration, the Son of God is formed in us (see Galatians 4:19), and in our physical life He has the same setting that He had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our Lord explainable. After Jesus’ baptism, having accepted His mission of being the One “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) He “was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet He did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation “without sin,” and He retained all the possessions of His spiritual nature completely intact.
他的試探與我們的試探
因我們的大祭司，並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。 （來四15）
未重生之前，我們唯一的試探是雅各所說的：[各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。 ]可是重生之後，便被提升到另一範圍的試探，就是面對主所受的試探。主耶穌受的試探對我們並不吸引，再人性中全無地位。主的試探與我們的試探是兩個完全不同的領域，直等到我們重生了，成為他的弟兄。主耶穌的試探不是人的試探，乃是神成為人的試探。我們重生之後，神的兒子在我們裡面成形，他在我們的肉身生命中，面對他昔日在地上所面對的。撒旦並不引誘我們去做壞事，乃是要我們失去神藉重生放進我們裡面的生命，就是在神手中成為貴重合用的潛能。它並不是要引誘人犯罪，乃是要改變人的觀點。惟有聖靈才可以偵察出這是魔鬼的試探。
試探是外在勢力對人的考驗，要攻擊人性中所擁有的。這就解明了主耶穌所受的試探。耶穌受洗之後，接受了除去世人罪孽的責任，神的靈就立即把他放在魔鬼的考驗場裡。不過他沒有被打倒，他經過試探，卻沒有犯罪，仍然保持他人格的完整。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，對於與你一同守望、與你一同經歷試探的意義，我所了解的是何等膚淺。願你在今天早上吸引我靠近你，以你的大能使我專注於你，直至我的生活言談只為了你。
August 29, 2014
The Unsurpassed Intimacy of Tested Faith
Jesus said to her, ’Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ —John 11:40
Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, “It’s all a lie”? When you are on the mountaintop, it’s easy to say, “Oh yes, I believe God can do it,” but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42). Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, “I believe ’God shall supply all [my] need,’ ” the testing of my faith begins (Philippians 4:19). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?
Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” Matthew 11:6). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . .” (Hebrews 3:14). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
無比的親密
我不是對你說過，你若信，就必看見神的榮耀麼？ （約十一40）
每次你憑信心出去闖蕩，總會發覺在常理的環境下，有些事物是完全違反你的信心的。常理並不是信心，信心也不是常理，二者的關係就是天然生命與屬靈生命之間的關係。當理性叫你不能信靠主，你仍能堅信他麼？當生活中的事實高呼這是[謊話]，你能否依然信靠主的話勇往直前？在山上很容易說：[我相信神會成就。 ]但你必須下到鬼附的山谷去，面對諷刺的現實－－對你山上變像信念當面譏諷的現實。每次在我清楚自己有信心時，就必遇到與信心互相抵觸的事情。我若說相信神會供給我需用的一切，然後不名一文，又沒有出路，那我能否通得過這信心得考驗？還是會倒退？
信心必須受試驗，只有經過爭戰，信心才能成為你個人得產業。你的信心如今遇何試煉？這試煉或證明你的信心正確，或會置之於死地。 [凡不因我跌倒的，就有福了。 ]最終的目標是對主的信靠。堅定信靠他，一切反對的事物智慧更堅定你的信心。信心的生活要不斷經歷考驗，而最後最大的考驗，就是死。求神保守我們常裝備好去作戰：信心是對神說不出來的信任，絕不去想神不支持我們。
祈禱◆噢，我驚訝自己竟那麼遲緩去發出讚美；願你使我快速而正確地讚美你。願你賜給我適當的感覺，強烈地認知到你的美善，以致我能使你的內心充滿喜樂滿足。
Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, “It’s all a lie”? When you are on the mountaintop, it’s easy to say, “Oh yes, I believe God can do it,” but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42). Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, “I believe ’God shall supply all [my] need,’ ” the testing of my faith begins (Philippians 4:19). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?
Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” Matthew 11:6). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . .” (Hebrews 3:14). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
無比的親密
我不是對你說過，你若信，就必看見神的榮耀麼？ （約十一40）
每次你憑信心出去闖蕩，總會發覺在常理的環境下，有些事物是完全違反你的信心的。常理並不是信心，信心也不是常理，二者的關係就是天然生命與屬靈生命之間的關係。當理性叫你不能信靠主，你仍能堅信他麼？當生活中的事實高呼這是[謊話]，你能否依然信靠主的話勇往直前？在山上很容易說：[我相信神會成就。 ]但你必須下到鬼附的山谷去，面對諷刺的現實－－對你山上變像信念當面譏諷的現實。每次在我清楚自己有信心時，就必遇到與信心互相抵觸的事情。我若說相信神會供給我需用的一切，然後不名一文，又沒有出路，那我能否通得過這信心得考驗？還是會倒退？
信心必須受試驗，只有經過爭戰，信心才能成為你個人得產業。你的信心如今遇何試煉？這試煉或證明你的信心正確，或會置之於死地。 [凡不因我跌倒的，就有福了。 ]最終的目標是對主的信靠。堅定信靠他，一切反對的事物智慧更堅定你的信心。信心的生活要不斷經歷考驗，而最後最大的考驗，就是死。求神保守我們常裝備好去作戰：信心是對神說不出來的信任，絕不去想神不支持我們。
祈禱◆噢，我驚訝自己竟那麼遲緩去發出讚美；願你使我快速而正確地讚美你。願你賜給我適當的感覺，強烈地認知到你的美善，以致我能使你的內心充滿喜樂滿足。
August 02, 2014
The Teaching of Adversity
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world —John 16:33
The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . .” (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.
苦難的操練
在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 （約十六33）
一般人都以為基督徒的人生，是沒有苦難的。其實並非如此，基督徒乃是患難中得拯救。 [住在至高者隱密處得，必住在全能者得蔭下……禍患必不臨到你。 ]沒有災難能臨到你與神合一的處所。你若是神的兒女，必定會遭遇困難，但主耶穌說不必驚奇：[在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 ]意思就是沒有什麼值得你害怕。在信主前不屑談苦難的人，重生後往往變得軟弱無力，因為他們對作聖徒有錯誤的理解。
神沒有給我們勝過一切的生命；卻在我們誇勝時，賜給生命。壓力就是力量。沒有壓力，就沒有力量。你求神賜生命、自由與喜樂嗎？除非你肯接受壓力，否則他無法把這些賜給你。你一面對壓力，就得力量。勝過膽怯，踏上那一步，神就讓你得吃生命樹得果子，你就得著滋養。你若消耗體力，會覺得疲憊；但若你在屬靈上愈用力，便愈發得力。神從來不賜明天得力量，也不賜下一刻的力量，他只給你勝過現今壓力的力量。我們很容易以常理去面對困難；但聖徒若被苦難壓透，反會大大喜樂，因為事情是這樣困難，除了神以外，根本沒有人能有辦法。
祈禱◆主啊，你的思想是何等令人驚服！可是，我何時才發現自己順服的心，全然被你所佔據？我似乎已被本身的渺小，自私和罪惡弄得毫無力量。
The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . .” (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.
苦難的操練
在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 （約十六33）
一般人都以為基督徒的人生，是沒有苦難的。其實並非如此，基督徒乃是患難中得拯救。 [住在至高者隱密處得，必住在全能者得蔭下……禍患必不臨到你。 ]沒有災難能臨到你與神合一的處所。你若是神的兒女，必定會遭遇困難，但主耶穌說不必驚奇：[在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 ]意思就是沒有什麼值得你害怕。在信主前不屑談苦難的人，重生後往往變得軟弱無力，因為他們對作聖徒有錯誤的理解。
神沒有給我們勝過一切的生命；卻在我們誇勝時，賜給生命。壓力就是力量。沒有壓力，就沒有力量。你求神賜生命、自由與喜樂嗎？除非你肯接受壓力，否則他無法把這些賜給你。你一面對壓力，就得力量。勝過膽怯，踏上那一步，神就讓你得吃生命樹得果子，你就得著滋養。你若消耗體力，會覺得疲憊；但若你在屬靈上愈用力，便愈發得力。神從來不賜明天得力量，也不賜下一刻的力量，他只給你勝過現今壓力的力量。我們很容易以常理去面對困難；但聖徒若被苦難壓透，反會大大喜樂，因為事情是這樣困難，除了神以外，根本沒有人能有辦法。
祈禱◆主啊，你的思想是何等令人驚服！可是，我何時才發現自己順服的心，全然被你所佔據？我似乎已被本身的渺小，自私和罪惡弄得毫無力量。
July 04, 2014
One of God’s Great “Don’ts”
Do not fret— it only causes harm —Psalm 37:8
Fretting means getting ourselves “out of joint” mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, “Do not fret,” but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. This “Do not” must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.
Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.
Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.
神的[不要]
不要心懷不平，以致作惡。 （詩三十七8）
心懷不平就是思想上或靈性上的反抗狀態。口頭上說不要心懷不平，與內心真的沒有不平是兩回事。說[安息在主裡]、[忍耐等候主]多麼容易，但風浪一至，生活落在困逼苦惱中，真能安息在主裡麼？若這個[不要]在此行不通，在其他方面就更無功效。這[不要]不但要在平安無事的日子行得通，也必須在煩惱的日子行得通，否則，這就完全沒有意義。再者，若在你身上行不通，就別希冀在別人身上行得通了。安心靠主是完全不仗賴外在得環境，只在乎你與神的關係。
不安結果總變成罪。我們以為一點點的焦慮憂心是表示自己的聰明，其實這正顯示我們的劣根性。不安不平是從偏行己路而來的。我們的主從不焦慮，從不憂心，因為他來到世上並非為了自己，乃是要實現神的旨意。你若是神的兒女，心懷不平是壞透了的。
你是否認為當前的處境連神也難倒道了？這個思想是否支撐著你愚頑的心？把所有[假如]放在一旁，住在全能者的蔭下。鄭重的對神說你不再為那事心懷不平。一切的不平與掛慮，其實是離開神而自作打算。
祈禱◆主啊，我自覺深切地渴慕你和你的生命，我從詩篇九十一篇中找到保證——[他必救你]。主啊，我對它深信不疑，並且，為著你保護看顧我，我感謝你。
Fretting means getting ourselves “out of joint” mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, “Do not fret,” but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. This “Do not” must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.
Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.
Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.
神的[不要]
不要心懷不平，以致作惡。 （詩三十七8）
心懷不平就是思想上或靈性上的反抗狀態。口頭上說不要心懷不平，與內心真的沒有不平是兩回事。說[安息在主裡]、[忍耐等候主]多麼容易，但風浪一至，生活落在困逼苦惱中，真能安息在主裡麼？若這個[不要]在此行不通，在其他方面就更無功效。這[不要]不但要在平安無事的日子行得通，也必須在煩惱的日子行得通，否則，這就完全沒有意義。再者，若在你身上行不通，就別希冀在別人身上行得通了。安心靠主是完全不仗賴外在得環境，只在乎你與神的關係。
不安結果總變成罪。我們以為一點點的焦慮憂心是表示自己的聰明，其實這正顯示我們的劣根性。不安不平是從偏行己路而來的。我們的主從不焦慮，從不憂心，因為他來到世上並非為了自己，乃是要實現神的旨意。你若是神的兒女，心懷不平是壞透了的。
你是否認為當前的處境連神也難倒道了？這個思想是否支撐著你愚頑的心？把所有[假如]放在一旁，住在全能者的蔭下。鄭重的對神說你不再為那事心懷不平。一切的不平與掛慮，其實是離開神而自作打算。
祈禱◆主啊，我自覺深切地渴慕你和你的生命，我從詩篇九十一篇中找到保證——[他必救你]。主啊，我對它深信不疑，並且，為著你保護看顧我，我感謝你。
May 15, 2014
The Habit of Rising to the Occasion
. . . that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . —Ephesians 1:18
Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.
You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.
May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.
把握機會，面對現實
使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望。 （弗一18）
要記得你蒙拯救的目的是什麼－－是叫神兒子的生命在你必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。要殫精竭慮，去體會成為神兒女的恩召；要每次正面面對所遭遇的。
你雖然沒有辦法救自己，卻必須有所事事，以表彰所得的救恩。你要把神做在你身上的表揚出來。你有沒有用舌頭、腦筋、精神去努力表揚？你若仍然是昔日可憐的老樣子，孤行己意，那麼你說神已拯救你，並叫你成聖，這不過是謊話。
神是大工程師，他容許困難臨到你身上，要看你能否越過－－[我靠著神跳過牆垣]。神不會放鬆對他兒女的要求。彼得說：[有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪。 ]把握機會，面對現實，付諸行動！不管痛苦多大，只要身有機會藉著你彰顯他自己就好了。
但願神不再看見我們裡面的怨嘆，卻看見我們充滿屬靈的果敢與奮勇，準備面對任何從神而來的事物。我們必須操練自己，叫神兒子可以在我們必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。生命唯一的目標，就是彰顯神的兒子，並且不再向神發號施令。我們的主從來沒有指揮他的父，我們在此也不得指揮神；我們在世上是要順服他的旨意，使他能在我們身上成就他所要成就的。我們若明白這點，神就會使我們成為擘開的餅，傾出來的酒，去餵養與滋潤別人。
祈禱◆主啊，你已經啟示了很多真理，還有不少事情要告訴我們，可是，我感到自己的生活太少按著你所指示的去行。主啊，加力給我，讓我彰顯你的榮耀。
Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.
You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.
May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.
把握機會，面對現實
使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望。 （弗一18）
要記得你蒙拯救的目的是什麼－－是叫神兒子的生命在你必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。要殫精竭慮，去體會成為神兒女的恩召；要每次正面面對所遭遇的。
你雖然沒有辦法救自己，卻必須有所事事，以表彰所得的救恩。你要把神做在你身上的表揚出來。你有沒有用舌頭、腦筋、精神去努力表揚？你若仍然是昔日可憐的老樣子，孤行己意，那麼你說神已拯救你，並叫你成聖，這不過是謊話。
神是大工程師，他容許困難臨到你身上，要看你能否越過－－[我靠著神跳過牆垣]。神不會放鬆對他兒女的要求。彼得說：[有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪。 ]把握機會，面對現實，付諸行動！不管痛苦多大，只要身有機會藉著你彰顯他自己就好了。
但願神不再看見我們裡面的怨嘆，卻看見我們充滿屬靈的果敢與奮勇，準備面對任何從神而來的事物。我們必須操練自己，叫神兒子可以在我們必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。生命唯一的目標，就是彰顯神的兒子，並且不再向神發號施令。我們的主從來沒有指揮他的父，我們在此也不得指揮神；我們在世上是要順服他的旨意，使他能在我們身上成就他所要成就的。我們若明白這點，神就會使我們成為擘開的餅，傾出來的酒，去餵養與滋潤別人。
祈禱◆主啊，你已經啟示了很多真理，還有不少事情要告訴我們，可是，我感到自己的生活太少按著你所指示的去行。主啊，加力給我，讓我彰顯你的榮耀。
April 28, 2014
What You Will Get
I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go —Jeremiah 45:5
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
April 20, 2014
Can a Saint Falsely Accuse God?
All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen . . . —2 Corinthians 1:20
Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.
The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.” Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.” A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way.
Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.
聖徒也讒謗神？
神的應許，不論有多少，在基督裡都是是的，所以藉著他也都是實在的。 （林後一20）
耶穌在馬太福音二十五章所說的比喻，是一個警告，指出我們對自己的能力也會判斷錯誤。這比喻所論到的與天然的禀賦毫不相涉，乃是指聖靈所賜給人的恩賜所言。屬靈的才幹決不是以學識或才智去衡量，而是以神的應許去衡量。我們所得的若少於神所要我們得的，過不多時，我們就會埋怨神，好像那僕人埋怨主人一樣：[你對我要求這麼高，卻沒有給我足夠的能力，你太苛求了；你放我在這崗位上，我根本無法向你效忠。 ]這涉及神的全能的問題，切勿說[我不能]。千萬別讓天然的才幹限制了你。我們若接受了聖靈，神就希望聖靈的工作在我們身上彰顯出來。
但僕人事事自以為是，反倒處處怪責主人：[你的要求，與你所賦予我的才幹，根本不成比例。 ]神說：[先求我的國和我的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 ]你竟憂愁掛慮，對神大肆謗瀆？憂慮意味著這僕人在想：[我知道你會在我遇危難時，丟下我不顧。 ]一個天生怠惰的人，總是吹毛求疵說：[我根本沒有機會。 ]一個在屬靈上怠惰的人，同樣向神吹毛求疵。懶惰的人總愛我行我素，有他獨創的主意。
不要忘記，在屬靈上的才幹，是以神的應許來量度的。神能成就他的應許麼？答案就視乎我們有沒有接受聖靈。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你今天與我們真實地同在－－願聖靈同在的極大喜樂瀰漫四周。
Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities, but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.
The servant justified himself, while condemning his lord on every point, as if to say, “Your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave to me.” Have we been falsely accusing God by daring to worry after He has said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”? (Matthew 6:33). Worrying means exactly what this servant implied— “I know your intent is to leave me unprotected and vulnerable.” A person who is lazy in the natural realm is always critical, saying, “I haven’t had a decent chance,” and someone who is lazy in the spiritual realm is critical of God. Lazy people always strike out at others in an independent way.
Never forget that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on, the promises of God. Is God able to fulfill His promises? Our answer depends on whether or not we have received the Holy Spirit.
聖徒也讒謗神？
神的應許，不論有多少，在基督裡都是是的，所以藉著他也都是實在的。 （林後一20）
耶穌在馬太福音二十五章所說的比喻，是一個警告，指出我們對自己的能力也會判斷錯誤。這比喻所論到的與天然的禀賦毫不相涉，乃是指聖靈所賜給人的恩賜所言。屬靈的才幹決不是以學識或才智去衡量，而是以神的應許去衡量。我們所得的若少於神所要我們得的，過不多時，我們就會埋怨神，好像那僕人埋怨主人一樣：[你對我要求這麼高，卻沒有給我足夠的能力，你太苛求了；你放我在這崗位上，我根本無法向你效忠。 ]這涉及神的全能的問題，切勿說[我不能]。千萬別讓天然的才幹限制了你。我們若接受了聖靈，神就希望聖靈的工作在我們身上彰顯出來。
但僕人事事自以為是，反倒處處怪責主人：[你的要求，與你所賦予我的才幹，根本不成比例。 ]神說：[先求我的國和我的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。 ]你竟憂愁掛慮，對神大肆謗瀆？憂慮意味著這僕人在想：[我知道你會在我遇危難時，丟下我不顧。 ]一個天生怠惰的人，總是吹毛求疵說：[我根本沒有機會。 ]一個在屬靈上怠惰的人，同樣向神吹毛求疵。懶惰的人總愛我行我素，有他獨創的主意。
不要忘記，在屬靈上的才幹，是以神的應許來量度的。神能成就他的應許麼？答案就視乎我們有沒有接受聖靈。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，願你今天與我們真實地同在－－願聖靈同在的極大喜樂瀰漫四周。
March 07, 2014
The Source of Abundant Joy
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us —Romans 8:37
Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.
Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things”; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4).
The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
不朽的喜樂
然而靠著愛我們的主，在這一切的事上，已經得勝有餘了。 （羅八37）
保羅列舉許多的事情，似乎會把聖徒與神的愛隔開；但奇特的是，沒有任何事物可以將聖徒與神的愛隔絕。這些事可以而且實際的進入人的事奉操練中，隔開了神，叫個人的生命與神分開。但是，絕沒有一樣能插入神的愛與聖徒的心靈中間。我們信仰的基石，就是神在加略十架上彰顯出來那高深莫測、奇妙無比的愛，這愛是我們永遠不配得的。保羅說正因為這緣故，我們在這一切事上已經得勝有餘，成為超然的得勝者。正在那似乎要把我們制服的事上，獲得無比的喜樂。
游泳者所懼怕的波濤，對滑浪者卻是駕浪凌空的賞心樂事。應用在我們的身上，這些事——患難、困苦、逼迫——在我們裡面卻生出喜樂來；這些事不是我們爭鬥的物件、藉著他，我們在這一切困擾裡面，已經得勝有餘。不是[儘管]有這些也得勝，乃是置身其中仍然得勝。信徒從來不會因為[徒有]患難，就體會主裡的喜樂，乃是由於在患難之中而體會到的。保羅說：[我在患難中格外喜樂。 ]
不朽的喜樂，並不建築在短暫的事上，乃是在神永不改變的愛上。人生的經歷不論是可怕的或是單調的，都無法影響神的愛，這愛是在我們的主基督耶穌裡的。
祈禱◆主啊，為著如今在我生命中的喜樂——妻兒之愛、所教的學生、聖靈的恩惠——我讚美你。它們所帶來的喜樂和福氣，是何等奇妙！
Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.
Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things”; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4).
The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
不朽的喜樂
然而靠著愛我們的主，在這一切的事上，已經得勝有餘了。 （羅八37）
保羅列舉許多的事情，似乎會把聖徒與神的愛隔開；但奇特的是，沒有任何事物可以將聖徒與神的愛隔絕。這些事可以而且實際的進入人的事奉操練中，隔開了神，叫個人的生命與神分開。但是，絕沒有一樣能插入神的愛與聖徒的心靈中間。我們信仰的基石，就是神在加略十架上彰顯出來那高深莫測、奇妙無比的愛，這愛是我們永遠不配得的。保羅說正因為這緣故，我們在這一切事上已經得勝有餘，成為超然的得勝者。正在那似乎要把我們制服的事上，獲得無比的喜樂。
游泳者所懼怕的波濤，對滑浪者卻是駕浪凌空的賞心樂事。應用在我們的身上，這些事——患難、困苦、逼迫——在我們裡面卻生出喜樂來；這些事不是我們爭鬥的物件、藉著他，我們在這一切困擾裡面，已經得勝有餘。不是[儘管]有這些也得勝，乃是置身其中仍然得勝。信徒從來不會因為[徒有]患難，就體會主裡的喜樂，乃是由於在患難之中而體會到的。保羅說：[我在患難中格外喜樂。 ]
不朽的喜樂，並不建築在短暫的事上，乃是在神永不改變的愛上。人生的經歷不論是可怕的或是單調的，都無法影響神的愛，這愛是在我們的主基督耶穌裡的。
祈禱◆主啊，為著如今在我生命中的喜樂——妻兒之愛、所教的學生、聖靈的恩惠——我讚美你。它們所帶來的喜樂和福氣，是何等奇妙！
March 06, 2014
Taking the Next Step
. . . in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses —2 Corinthians 6:4
When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.
Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17.
瑣務纏身
就如在許多的忍耐、患難、窮乏、困苦。 （林後六4）
沒有異象，沒有觀眾，要踏上下一步，實在需要全能神的恩典。奉獻的下一步，求學的下一步，讀書的下一步，烹飪的下一步，工作的下一步，沒有從神來的異象，沒有熱情的洶湧，也沒有觀眾。這時比傳福音更需要神的厚恩，更需要刻意地從神支取，才能走下一步。
每一個信徒要有分於道成肉身的精義，就必須腳踏實地，付諸行動，用十個指頭去實踐。我們在沒有異象，沒有刺激，日復一日平凡無奇的生活下，容易萎靡不振。其實，至終為神與人所共認的，是那些在暗中堅忍耐勞的工作。若要生命不至於受摧壓，唯一的方法是仰望神而活。
求神使你心靈的眼睛注目於復活的主，這樣，一切的辛勞就無法擊敗你了。要從你心思中不斷的除掉繁瑣的事物，專心思想約翰福音十三章。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，懇求你繼續賜下力量和純真的喜樂。讓我的動機和心思，都能夠保持謙卑，不會自以為是優越的人。
When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.
Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17.
瑣務纏身
就如在許多的忍耐、患難、窮乏、困苦。 （林後六4）
沒有異象，沒有觀眾，要踏上下一步，實在需要全能神的恩典。奉獻的下一步，求學的下一步，讀書的下一步，烹飪的下一步，工作的下一步，沒有從神來的異象，沒有熱情的洶湧，也沒有觀眾。這時比傳福音更需要神的厚恩，更需要刻意地從神支取，才能走下一步。
每一個信徒要有分於道成肉身的精義，就必須腳踏實地，付諸行動，用十個指頭去實踐。我們在沒有異象，沒有刺激，日復一日平凡無奇的生活下，容易萎靡不振。其實，至終為神與人所共認的，是那些在暗中堅忍耐勞的工作。若要生命不至於受摧壓，唯一的方法是仰望神而活。
求神使你心靈的眼睛注目於復活的主，這樣，一切的辛勞就無法擊敗你了。要從你心思中不斷的除掉繁瑣的事物，專心思想約翰福音十三章。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，懇求你繼續賜下力量和純真的喜樂。讓我的動機和心思，都能夠保持謙卑，不會自以為是優越的人。
February 17, 2014
Taking the Initiative Against Depression
Arise and eat—1 Kings 19:5
The angel in this passage did not give Elijah a vision, or explain the Scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable. He simply told Elijah to do a very ordinary thing, that is, to get up and eat. If we were never depressed, we would not be alive—only material things don’t suffer depression. If human beings were not capable of depression, we would have no capacity for happiness and exaltation. There are things in life that are designed to depress us; for example, things that are associated with death. Whenever you examine yourself, always take into account your capacity for depression.
When the Spirit of God comes to us, He does not give us glorious visions, but He tells us to do the most ordinary things imaginable. Depression tends to turn us away from the everyday things of God’s creation. But whenever God steps in, His inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things-things we would never have imagined God was in, but as we do them we find Him there. The inspiration that comes to us in this way is an initiative against depression. But we must take the first step and do it in the inspiration of God. If, however, we do something simply to overcome our depression, we will only deepen it. But when the Spirit of God leads us instinctively to do something, the moment we do it the depression is gone. As soon as we arise and obey, we enter a higher plane of life.
衝破苦悶的動力
起來吃罷。 （王上十九5）
天使沒有給以利亞異象，沒有向他解釋聖經，也沒有做什麼特殊的事；他只吩咐以利亞做一件最簡單的事——起來吃罷。我們若從不曾沮喪，就不是真正生活過的人；只有水晶體才從不會沮喪。人，是會苦悶低沉的，就是會死亡的東西；你對自己的估評裡，總要把沮喪的可能性計算在內。
神來臨，並不是給我們異象，只是吩咐我們做最尋常的事。沮喪往往令我們轉離神創造的尋常事物，但神來到，卻感動人做最簡單的事。我們以為神絕不會在那些事物裡面，誰知稍有行動，就發現他在那裡。這樣的感動臨到我們，就是對抗苦悶低沉的一種動力；要跟著做該做的，依神的感動去做。反之，若我們故意做什麼，企圖去勝過沮喪，就只會變本加厲；我們若照神的吩咐去做，沮喪就會消失。隨即可以起來，遵神的旨意去行。這時，已進入生命的另一更高境界了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，令我感到驚訝的是，在我外在的生活中，我幾乎是完全無力去彰顯你和你的美善。願主我的神的美善，在今天臨到我身上。
The angel in this passage did not give Elijah a vision, or explain the Scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable. He simply told Elijah to do a very ordinary thing, that is, to get up and eat. If we were never depressed, we would not be alive—only material things don’t suffer depression. If human beings were not capable of depression, we would have no capacity for happiness and exaltation. There are things in life that are designed to depress us; for example, things that are associated with death. Whenever you examine yourself, always take into account your capacity for depression.
When the Spirit of God comes to us, He does not give us glorious visions, but He tells us to do the most ordinary things imaginable. Depression tends to turn us away from the everyday things of God’s creation. But whenever God steps in, His inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things-things we would never have imagined God was in, but as we do them we find Him there. The inspiration that comes to us in this way is an initiative against depression. But we must take the first step and do it in the inspiration of God. If, however, we do something simply to overcome our depression, we will only deepen it. But when the Spirit of God leads us instinctively to do something, the moment we do it the depression is gone. As soon as we arise and obey, we enter a higher plane of life.
衝破苦悶的動力
起來吃罷。 （王上十九5）
天使沒有給以利亞異象，沒有向他解釋聖經，也沒有做什麼特殊的事；他只吩咐以利亞做一件最簡單的事——起來吃罷。我們若從不曾沮喪，就不是真正生活過的人；只有水晶體才從不會沮喪。人，是會苦悶低沉的，就是會死亡的東西；你對自己的估評裡，總要把沮喪的可能性計算在內。
神來臨，並不是給我們異象，只是吩咐我們做最尋常的事。沮喪往往令我們轉離神創造的尋常事物，但神來到，卻感動人做最簡單的事。我們以為神絕不會在那些事物裡面，誰知稍有行動，就發現他在那裡。這樣的感動臨到我們，就是對抗苦悶低沉的一種動力；要跟著做該做的，依神的感動去做。反之，若我們故意做什麼，企圖去勝過沮喪，就只會變本加厲；我們若照神的吩咐去做，沮喪就會消失。隨即可以起來，遵神的旨意去行。這時，已進入生命的另一更高境界了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，令我感到驚訝的是，在我外在的生活中，我幾乎是完全無力去彰顯你和你的美善。願主我的神的美善，在今天臨到我身上。
November 23, 2013
The Distraction of Contempt
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt —Psalm 123:3
What we must beware of is not damage to our belief in God but damage to our Christian disposition or state of mind. “Take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives.
Beware of “the cares of this world . . .” (Mark 4:19). They are the very things that produce the wrong attitudes in our soul. It is incredible what enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention away from God. Refuse to be swamped by “the cares of this world.”
Another thing that distracts us is our passion for vindication. St. Augustine prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” Such a need for constant vindication destroys our soul’s faith in God. Don’t say, “I must explain myself,” or, “I must get people to understand.” Our Lord never explained anything— He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves.
When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with God. God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.
使信徒分心的事
耶和華啊，求你憐憫我們，憐憫我們因為我們被藐視已到極處。 （詩一二三3）
最要當心的，不是那些破壞我們對神信仰的事，而是破壞我們基督徒性情的事。 [所以當謹守你們的心，不可行詭詐。 ]心智的影響至大，它是直透人心靈的仇敵，叫人的心偏離神。心智的某些傾向，是絕不容稍有放任的；若放任，就使我們對神的信心偏離。除非回复在神面前安息的心，否則我們對他的信心就盡失，掌管我們的只是對肉體和智慧的信心。提防[今生的憂慮]，因為這些事叫心靈產生錯誤的性情。很細微的事也足以分散我們對神的心，其能力之大，叫人詫異。要拒絕被今生的掛慮所佔有。
另一分心的事，就是好辯的慾念。聖奧古斯丁禱告說：[主啊，就我脫離自我辯護的情慾。 ]心智的傾向，會破壞對神的信心。 [我一定要為自己解釋清楚，我一定要叫人明白。 ]主從來不解釋什麽；他讓自己更正錯處。我們有時察覺別人的屬靈生命停滯不前，接著就批評起來；這樣，我們就阻塞了通往神的道路。神給我們洞悉力，並不是要我們批評，乃是要我們代求。
祈禱◆多少時候，我發現在我裡面的是[驢]，而不是我的智力，[看見耶和華的使者而跨進田間]。主啊，求你加添我屬靈的敏銳，以致我可以察覺到你最微小的舉動。
What we must beware of is not damage to our belief in God but damage to our Christian disposition or state of mind. “Take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives.
Beware of “the cares of this world . . .” (Mark 4:19). They are the very things that produce the wrong attitudes in our soul. It is incredible what enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention away from God. Refuse to be swamped by “the cares of this world.”
Another thing that distracts us is our passion for vindication. St. Augustine prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” Such a need for constant vindication destroys our soul’s faith in God. Don’t say, “I must explain myself,” or, “I must get people to understand.” Our Lord never explained anything— He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves.
When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with God. God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.
使信徒分心的事
耶和華啊，求你憐憫我們，憐憫我們因為我們被藐視已到極處。 （詩一二三3）
最要當心的，不是那些破壞我們對神信仰的事，而是破壞我們基督徒性情的事。 [所以當謹守你們的心，不可行詭詐。 ]心智的影響至大，它是直透人心靈的仇敵，叫人的心偏離神。心智的某些傾向，是絕不容稍有放任的；若放任，就使我們對神的信心偏離。除非回复在神面前安息的心，否則我們對他的信心就盡失，掌管我們的只是對肉體和智慧的信心。提防[今生的憂慮]，因為這些事叫心靈產生錯誤的性情。很細微的事也足以分散我們對神的心，其能力之大，叫人詫異。要拒絕被今生的掛慮所佔有。
另一分心的事，就是好辯的慾念。聖奧古斯丁禱告說：[主啊，就我脫離自我辯護的情慾。 ]心智的傾向，會破壞對神的信心。 [我一定要為自己解釋清楚，我一定要叫人明白。 ]主從來不解釋什麽；他讓自己更正錯處。我們有時察覺別人的屬靈生命停滯不前，接著就批評起來；這樣，我們就阻塞了通往神的道路。神給我們洞悉力，並不是要我們批評，乃是要我們代求。
祈禱◆多少時候，我發現在我裡面的是[驢]，而不是我的智力，[看見耶和華的使者而跨進田間]。主啊，求你加添我屬靈的敏銳，以致我可以察覺到你最微小的舉動。
November 05, 2013
Partakers of His Suffering
. . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings . . . —1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that person.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered “according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”
與基督一同受苦
倒要歡喜，因為你們是與基督一同受苦。 （彼前四13）
如果你要蒙神使用，你便要經歷許多事；不是為你本身而遭遇，乃是要把你造成神手中合用的器皿，使你明白別人心裡的景況，以致不會因所遇見的感到詫異。 [唉，我不能應付那個人。 ]為什麽不能？神讓你有足夠的機會在他面前學習這功課，只是你故意避開，認為這樣花時間太愚蠢了。
基督受的苦不是普通人的苦，他乃是按神的旨意受苦，不是照人的看法受苦。只有當我們與基督連合，才會明白神的用意。基督教化的一部分，就是要明白神的目的。在教會歷史中，可以見到人逃避與主一同受苦的傾向；人總是想用自己的捷徑，以求完成神的使命。可是，神的道路卻必定是那漫長受苦的路。
我們有分於基督的受苦麽？我們肯不肯讓神把個人的野心除掉？肯不肯藉生命的改變，把個人的志向毀掉？這不是說可以完全明白為何神領我們這樣走：這樣會叫我們成為屬靈的自大者。當時我們無法知道神的心意，我們會或多或少有點誤解；過後，卻全恍然大悟，說：[看，神把我裝備了，我竟然不察覺！ ]
祈禱◆主啊，願那些在肉身上擔負重壓的人，能藉著你的支持來繼續承擔。願你使他們能避免敵人的嚴苛對待，願主的喜樂能奇妙地成為他們的力量。
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that person.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered “according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”
與基督一同受苦
倒要歡喜，因為你們是與基督一同受苦。 （彼前四13）
如果你要蒙神使用，你便要經歷許多事；不是為你本身而遭遇，乃是要把你造成神手中合用的器皿，使你明白別人心裡的景況，以致不會因所遇見的感到詫異。 [唉，我不能應付那個人。 ]為什麽不能？神讓你有足夠的機會在他面前學習這功課，只是你故意避開，認為這樣花時間太愚蠢了。
基督受的苦不是普通人的苦，他乃是按神的旨意受苦，不是照人的看法受苦。只有當我們與基督連合，才會明白神的用意。基督教化的一部分，就是要明白神的目的。在教會歷史中，可以見到人逃避與主一同受苦的傾向；人總是想用自己的捷徑，以求完成神的使命。可是，神的道路卻必定是那漫長受苦的路。
我們有分於基督的受苦麽？我們肯不肯讓神把個人的野心除掉？肯不肯藉生命的改變，把個人的志向毀掉？這不是說可以完全明白為何神領我們這樣走：這樣會叫我們成為屬靈的自大者。當時我們無法知道神的心意，我們會或多或少有點誤解；過後，卻全恍然大悟，說：[看，神把我裝備了，我竟然不察覺！ ]
祈禱◆主啊，願那些在肉身上擔負重壓的人，能藉著你的支持來繼續承擔。願你使他們能避免敵人的嚴苛對待，願主的喜樂能奇妙地成為他們的力量。
September 18, 2013
His Temptation and Ours
We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin —Hebrews 4:15
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in James 1:14, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” But through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our Lord faced. The temptations of Jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our Lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become His brothers. The temptations of Jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of God as Man. Through regeneration, the Son of God is formed in us (see Galatians 4:19), and in our physical life He has the same setting that He had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our Lord explainable. After Jesus’ baptism, having accepted His mission of being the One “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) He “was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet He did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation “without sin,” and He retained all the possessions of His spiritual nature completely intact.
他的試探與我們的試探
因我們的大祭司，並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。 （來四15）
未重生之前，我們唯一的試探是雅各所說的：[各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。 ]可是重生之後，便被提升到另一範圍的試探，就是面對主所受的試探。主耶穌受的試探對我們並不吸引，再人性中全無地位。主的試探與我們的試探是兩個完全不同的領域，直等到我們重生了，成為他的弟兄。主耶穌的試探不是人的試探，乃是神成為人的試探。我們重生之後，神的兒子在我們裡面成形，他在我們的肉身生命中，面對他昔日在地上所面對的。撒旦並不引誘我們去做壞事，乃是要我們失去神藉重生放進我們裡面的生命，就是在神手中成為貴重合用的潛能。它並不是要引誘人犯罪，乃是要改變人的觀點。惟有聖靈才可以偵察出這是魔鬼的試探。
試探是外在勢力對人的考驗，要攻擊人性中所擁有的。這就解明了主耶穌所受的試探。耶穌受洗之後，接受了除去世人罪孽的責任，神的靈就立即把他放在魔鬼的考驗場裡。不過他沒有被打倒，他經過試探，卻沒有犯罪，仍然保持他人格的完整。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，對於與你一同守望、與你一同經歷試探的意義，我所了解的是何等膚淺。願你在今天早上吸引我靠近你，以你的大能使我專注於你，直至我的生活言談只為了你。
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in James 1:14, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” But through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our Lord faced. The temptations of Jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our Lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become His brothers. The temptations of Jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of God as Man. Through regeneration, the Son of God is formed in us (see Galatians 4:19), and in our physical life He has the same setting that He had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what God has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to God. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our Lord explainable. After Jesus’ baptism, having accepted His mission of being the One “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) He “was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet He did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation “without sin,” and He retained all the possessions of His spiritual nature completely intact.
他的試探與我們的試探
因我們的大祭司，並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。 （來四15）
未重生之前，我們唯一的試探是雅各所說的：[各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。 ]可是重生之後，便被提升到另一範圍的試探，就是面對主所受的試探。主耶穌受的試探對我們並不吸引，再人性中全無地位。主的試探與我們的試探是兩個完全不同的領域，直等到我們重生了，成為他的弟兄。主耶穌的試探不是人的試探，乃是神成為人的試探。我們重生之後，神的兒子在我們裡面成形，他在我們的肉身生命中，面對他昔日在地上所面對的。撒旦並不引誘我們去做壞事，乃是要我們失去神藉重生放進我們裡面的生命，就是在神手中成為貴重合用的潛能。它並不是要引誘人犯罪，乃是要改變人的觀點。惟有聖靈才可以偵察出這是魔鬼的試探。
試探是外在勢力對人的考驗，要攻擊人性中所擁有的。這就解明了主耶穌所受的試探。耶穌受洗之後，接受了除去世人罪孽的責任，神的靈就立即把他放在魔鬼的考驗場裡。不過他沒有被打倒，他經過試探，卻沒有犯罪，仍然保持他人格的完整。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，對於與你一同守望、與你一同經歷試探的意義，我所了解的是何等膚淺。願你在今天早上吸引我靠近你，以你的大能使我專注於你，直至我的生活言談只為了你。
August 29, 2013
The Unsurpassed Intimacy of Tested Faith
Jesus said to her, ’Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ —John 11:40
Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, “It’s all a lie”? When you are on the mountaintop, it’s easy to say, “Oh yes, I believe God can do it,” but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42). Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, “I believe ’God shall supply all [my] need,’ ” the testing of my faith begins (Philippians 4:19). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?
Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” Matthew 11:6). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . .” (Hebrews 3:14). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
無比的親密
我不是對你說過，你若信，就必看見神的榮耀麼？ （約十一40）
每次你憑信心出去闖蕩，總會發覺在常理的環境下，有些事物是完全違反你的信心的。常理並不是信心，信心也不是常理，二者的關係就是天然生命與屬靈生命之間的關係。當理性叫你不能信靠主，你仍能堅信他麼？當生活中的事實高呼這是[謊話]，你能否依然信靠主的話勇往直前？在山上很容易說：[我相信神會成就。 ]但你必須下到鬼附的山谷去，面對諷刺的現實－－對你山上變像信念當面譏諷的現實。每次在我清楚自己有信心時，就必遇到與信心互相抵觸的事情。我若說相信神會供給我需用的一切，然後不名一文，又沒有出路，那我能否通得過這信心得考驗？還是會倒退？
信心必須受試驗，只有經過爭戰，信心才能成為你個人得產業。你的信心如今遇何試煉？這試煉或證明你的信心正確，或會置之於死地。 [凡不因我跌倒的，就有福了。 ]最終的目標是對主的信靠。堅定信靠他，一切反對的事物智慧更堅定你的信心。信心的生活要不斷經歷考驗，而最後最大的考驗，就是死。求神保守我們常裝備好去作戰：信心是對神說不出來的信任，絕不去想神不支持我們。
祈禱◆噢，我驚訝自己竟那麼遲緩去發出讚美；願你使我快速而正確地讚美你。願你賜給我適當的感覺，強烈地認知到你的美善，以致我能使你的內心充滿喜樂滿足。
Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, “It’s all a lie”? When you are on the mountaintop, it’s easy to say, “Oh yes, I believe God can do it,” but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42). Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, “I believe ’God shall supply all [my] need,’ ” the testing of my faith begins (Philippians 4:19). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?
Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” Matthew 11:6). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . .” (Hebrews 3:14). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
無比的親密
我不是對你說過，你若信，就必看見神的榮耀麼？ （約十一40）
每次你憑信心出去闖蕩，總會發覺在常理的環境下，有些事物是完全違反你的信心的。常理並不是信心，信心也不是常理，二者的關係就是天然生命與屬靈生命之間的關係。當理性叫你不能信靠主，你仍能堅信他麼？當生活中的事實高呼這是[謊話]，你能否依然信靠主的話勇往直前？在山上很容易說：[我相信神會成就。 ]但你必須下到鬼附的山谷去，面對諷刺的現實－－對你山上變像信念當面譏諷的現實。每次在我清楚自己有信心時，就必遇到與信心互相抵觸的事情。我若說相信神會供給我需用的一切，然後不名一文，又沒有出路，那我能否通得過這信心得考驗？還是會倒退？
信心必須受試驗，只有經過爭戰，信心才能成為你個人得產業。你的信心如今遇何試煉？這試煉或證明你的信心正確，或會置之於死地。 [凡不因我跌倒的，就有福了。 ]最終的目標是對主的信靠。堅定信靠他，一切反對的事物智慧更堅定你的信心。信心的生活要不斷經歷考驗，而最後最大的考驗，就是死。求神保守我們常裝備好去作戰：信心是對神說不出來的信任，絕不去想神不支持我們。
祈禱◆噢，我驚訝自己竟那麼遲緩去發出讚美；願你使我快速而正確地讚美你。願你賜給我適當的感覺，強烈地認知到你的美善，以致我能使你的內心充滿喜樂滿足。
August 02, 2013
The Teaching of Adversity
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world —John 16:33
The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . .” (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.
苦難的操練
在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 （約十六33）
一般人都以為基督徒的人生，是沒有苦難的。其實並非如此，基督徒乃是患難中得拯救。 [住在至高者隱密處得，必住在全能者得蔭下……禍患必不臨到你。 ]沒有災難能臨到你與神合一的處所。你若是神的兒女，必定會遭遇困難，但主耶穌說不必驚奇：[在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 ]意思就是沒有什麼值得你害怕。在信主前不屑談苦難的人，重生後往往變得軟弱無力，因為他們對作聖徒有錯誤的理解。
神沒有給我們勝過一切的生命；卻在我們誇勝時，賜給生命。壓力就是力量。沒有壓力，就沒有力量。你求神賜生命、自由與喜樂嗎？除非你肯接受壓力，否則他無法把這些賜給你。你一面對壓力，就得力量。勝過膽怯，踏上那一步，神就讓你得吃生命樹得果子，你就得著滋養。你若消耗體力，會覺得疲憊；但若你在屬靈上愈用力，便愈發得力。神從來不賜明天得力量，也不賜下一刻的力量，他只給你勝過現今壓力的力量。我們很容易以常理去面對困難；但聖徒若被苦難壓透，反會大大喜樂，因為事情是這樣困難，除了神以外，根本沒有人能有辦法。
祈禱◆主啊，你的思想是何等令人驚服！可是，我何時才發現自己順服的心，全然被你所佔據？我似乎已被本身的渺小，自私和罪惡弄得毫無力量。
The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . .” (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.
苦難的操練
在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 （約十六33）
一般人都以為基督徒的人生，是沒有苦難的。其實並非如此，基督徒乃是患難中得拯救。 [住在至高者隱密處得，必住在全能者得蔭下……禍患必不臨到你。 ]沒有災難能臨到你與神合一的處所。你若是神的兒女，必定會遭遇困難，但主耶穌說不必驚奇：[在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。 ]意思就是沒有什麼值得你害怕。在信主前不屑談苦難的人，重生後往往變得軟弱無力，因為他們對作聖徒有錯誤的理解。
神沒有給我們勝過一切的生命；卻在我們誇勝時，賜給生命。壓力就是力量。沒有壓力，就沒有力量。你求神賜生命、自由與喜樂嗎？除非你肯接受壓力，否則他無法把這些賜給你。你一面對壓力，就得力量。勝過膽怯，踏上那一步，神就讓你得吃生命樹得果子，你就得著滋養。你若消耗體力，會覺得疲憊；但若你在屬靈上愈用力，便愈發得力。神從來不賜明天得力量，也不賜下一刻的力量，他只給你勝過現今壓力的力量。我們很容易以常理去面對困難；但聖徒若被苦難壓透，反會大大喜樂，因為事情是這樣困難，除了神以外，根本沒有人能有辦法。
祈禱◆主啊，你的思想是何等令人驚服！可是，我何時才發現自己順服的心，全然被你所佔據？我似乎已被本身的渺小，自私和罪惡弄得毫無力量。
July 04, 2013
One of God’s Great “Don’ts”
Do not fret— it only causes harm —Psalm 37:8
Fretting means getting ourselves “out of joint” mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, “Do not fret,” but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. This “Do not” must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.
Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.
Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.
神的[不要]
不要心懷不平，以致作惡。 （詩三十七8）
心懷不平就是思想上或靈性上的反抗狀態。口頭上說不要心懷不平，與內心真的沒有不平是兩回事。說[安息在主裡]、[忍耐等候主]多麼容易，但風浪一至，生活落在困逼苦惱中，真能安息在主裡麼？若這個[不要]在此行不通，在其他方面就更無功效。這[不要]不但要在平安無事的日子行得通，也必須在煩惱的日子行得通，否則，這就完全沒有意義。再者，若在你身上行不通，就別希冀在別人身上行得通了。安心靠主是完全不仗賴外在得環境，只在乎你與神的關係。
不安結果總變成罪。我們以為一點點的焦慮憂心是表示自己的聰明，其實這正顯示我們的劣根性。不安不平是從偏行己路而來的。我們的主從不焦慮，從不憂心，因為他來到世上並非為了自己，乃是要實現神的旨意。你若是神的兒女，心懷不平是壞透了的。
你是否認為當前的處境連神也難倒道了？這個思想是否支撐著你愚頑的心？把所有[假如]放在一旁，住在全能者的蔭下。鄭重的對神說你不再為那事心懷不平。一切的不平與掛慮，其實是離開神而自作打算。
祈禱◆主啊，我自覺深切地渴慕你和你的生命，我從詩篇九十一篇中找到保證——[他必救你]。主啊，我對它深信不疑，並且，為著你保護看顧我，我感謝你。
Fretting means getting ourselves “out of joint” mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, “Do not fret,” but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It’s easy to say, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to “rest in the Lord” then? If this “Do not” doesn’t work there, then it will not work anywhere. This “Do not” must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.
Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.
Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.
神的[不要]
不要心懷不平，以致作惡。 （詩三十七8）
心懷不平就是思想上或靈性上的反抗狀態。口頭上說不要心懷不平，與內心真的沒有不平是兩回事。說[安息在主裡]、[忍耐等候主]多麼容易，但風浪一至，生活落在困逼苦惱中，真能安息在主裡麼？若這個[不要]在此行不通，在其他方面就更無功效。這[不要]不但要在平安無事的日子行得通，也必須在煩惱的日子行得通，否則，這就完全沒有意義。再者，若在你身上行不通，就別希冀在別人身上行得通了。安心靠主是完全不仗賴外在得環境，只在乎你與神的關係。
不安結果總變成罪。我們以為一點點的焦慮憂心是表示自己的聰明，其實這正顯示我們的劣根性。不安不平是從偏行己路而來的。我們的主從不焦慮，從不憂心，因為他來到世上並非為了自己，乃是要實現神的旨意。你若是神的兒女，心懷不平是壞透了的。
你是否認為當前的處境連神也難倒道了？這個思想是否支撐著你愚頑的心？把所有[假如]放在一旁，住在全能者的蔭下。鄭重的對神說你不再為那事心懷不平。一切的不平與掛慮，其實是離開神而自作打算。
祈禱◆主啊，我自覺深切地渴慕你和你的生命，我從詩篇九十一篇中找到保證——[他必救你]。主啊，我對它深信不疑，並且，為著你保護看顧我，我感謝你。
May 15, 2013
The Habit of Rising to the Occasion
. . . that you may know what is the hope of His calling . . . —Ephesians 1:18
Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.
You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.
May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.
把握機會，面對現實
使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望。 （弗一18）
要記得你蒙拯救的目的是什麼－－是叫神兒子的生命在你必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。要殫精竭慮，去體會成為神兒女的恩召；要每次正面面對所遭遇的。
你雖然沒有辦法救自己，卻必須有所事事，以表彰所得的救恩。你要把神做在你身上的表揚出來。你有沒有用舌頭、腦筋、精神去努力表揚？你若仍然是昔日可憐的老樣子，孤行己意，那麼你說神已拯救你，並叫你成聖，這不過是謊話。
神是大工程師，他容許困難臨到你身上，要看你能否越過－－[我靠著神跳過牆垣]。神不會放鬆對他兒女的要求。彼得說：[有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪。 ]把握機會，面對現實，付諸行動！不管痛苦多大，只要身有機會藉著你彰顯他自己就好了。
但願神不再看見我們裡面的怨嘆，卻看見我們充滿屬靈的果敢與奮勇，準備面對任何從神而來的事物。我們必須操練自己，叫神兒子可以在我們必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。生命唯一的目標，就是彰顯神的兒子，並且不再向神發號施令。我們的主從來沒有指揮他的父，我們在此也不得指揮神；我們在世上是要順服他的旨意，使他能在我們身上成就他所要成就的。我們若明白這點，神就會使我們成為擘開的餅，傾出來的酒，去餵養與滋潤別人。
祈禱◆主啊，你已經啟示了很多真理，還有不少事情要告訴我們，可是，我感到自己的生活太少按著你所指示的去行。主啊，加力給我，讓我彰顯你的榮耀。
Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way.
You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you.
God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.
May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.
把握機會，面對現實
使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望。 （弗一18）
要記得你蒙拯救的目的是什麼－－是叫神兒子的生命在你必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。要殫精竭慮，去體會成為神兒女的恩召；要每次正面面對所遭遇的。
你雖然沒有辦法救自己，卻必須有所事事，以表彰所得的救恩。你要把神做在你身上的表揚出來。你有沒有用舌頭、腦筋、精神去努力表揚？你若仍然是昔日可憐的老樣子，孤行己意，那麼你說神已拯救你，並叫你成聖，這不過是謊話。
神是大工程師，他容許困難臨到你身上，要看你能否越過－－[我靠著神跳過牆垣]。神不會放鬆對他兒女的要求。彼得說：[有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪。 ]把握機會，面對現實，付諸行動！不管痛苦多大，只要身有機會藉著你彰顯他自己就好了。
但願神不再看見我們裡面的怨嘆，卻看見我們充滿屬靈的果敢與奮勇，準備面對任何從神而來的事物。我們必須操練自己，叫神兒子可以在我們必朽的肉身上彰顯出來。生命唯一的目標，就是彰顯神的兒子，並且不再向神發號施令。我們的主從來沒有指揮他的父，我們在此也不得指揮神；我們在世上是要順服他的旨意，使他能在我們身上成就他所要成就的。我們若明白這點，神就會使我們成為擘開的餅，傾出來的酒，去餵養與滋潤別人。
祈禱◆主啊，你已經啟示了很多真理，還有不少事情要告訴我們，可是，我感到自己的生活太少按著你所指示的去行。主啊，加力給我，讓我彰顯你的榮耀。
April 28, 2013
What You Will Get
I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go —Jeremiah 45:5
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
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