Love suffers long and is kind . . . —1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is not premeditated—it is spontaneous; that is, it bursts forth in extraordinary ways. There is nothing of precise certainty in Paul’s description of love. We cannot predetermine our thoughts and actions by saying, “Now I will never think any evil thoughts, and I will believe everything that Jesus would have me to believe.” No, the characteristic of love is spontaneity. We don’t deliberately set the statements of Jesus before us as our standard, but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without even realizing it. And when we look back, we are amazed at how unconcerned we have been over our emotions, which is the very evidence that real spontaneous love was there. The nature of everything involved in the life of God in us is only discerned when we have been through it and it is in our past.
The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit . . .” (Romans 5:5).
If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we really don’t love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us. And when we look back, we will not be able to determine why we did certain things, but we can know that we did them according to the spontaneous nature of His love in us. The life of God exhibits itself in this spontaneous way because the fountains of His love are in the Holy Spirit.
自發的愛
愛是恆久忍耐，又有恩慈……（林前十三4-8）
愛不是預先精打細算，而是自然流露的，是不知不覺地湧現。保羅所舉出的愛，不是清單式地計算出來。我們不能說：[好，現在我不再思想惡事，我要凡事相信。 ]愛的特質是自動自發。我們不是把耶穌的說話擺在面前，當準則去遵行；而是當他的靈在我們裡面自由作工，我們就不知不覺地照著他的標準去生活。當我們回顧過去的經歷，就會詫異某種感情是如此公正無私，這就證明有真愛自然流露在其中。神的生命在我們裡面，但每每等到我們經歷過後，才恍然發覺。
愛的泉源是在神裡面，而不是在我們裡面。若想在自己天然性情中去找神的愛，簡直是緣木求魚。只有當聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡，我們才有真正的愛。
若我們想向神證明是多麼愛他，這正表示我們並不愛他；若要證明愛他，就要讓愛自動自發地流露出來。回想起來，也說不出為何我們會這樣做，是神的愛在裡面流露，故我們有這樣的表現。神的生命是自然的彰顯，因為愛的泉源是在聖靈裡面（羅五5）
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我何等需要被你的同在所充滿和振奮。賜我在你裡面得著愉快而寧靜的信心，他正是聖靈的憑證。
April 30, 2012
April 29, 2012
Gracious Uncertainty
. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . —1 John 3:2
Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
未有確據而安之若素之恩典
將來如何，還未顯明。 （約壹三2）
我們本性喜歡一五一十地計算得清清楚楚，於是視未確定得事為壞事。我們總愛假設一個可達的目標；其實，屬靈生命的本質不是這樣的。屬靈生命的本質是在未確定的時候，便心裡堅定；因此，我們不必到處築巢，安身立命。理智會說：[唔，假如我在那情況之下……]但我們根本不能置身於自己尚未經歷過的情況。
安穩是屬世生活的表記，而在不穩定中靠主恩安詳，是屬靈生命的標誌。相信神，就意味著我們對生活各方面的事情不肯定，因為我們不曉得一天將會發生什麼事。這句話一般都是存著愁嘆來說；其實，這應該是一句滿有希望的說話才對。我們雖不知下一步如何，但我們相信神。
那隻要將自己一切交給神，並儘上本份，神就會使我們每時每刻充滿驚喜。可是，我們若只高舉一些教條，死就進來了；我們不是相信神，而是相信他的信念。耶穌說：[你們若不……變成小孩子的樣式……。 ]屬靈生命是赤子的生命。我們對神並非不肯定，乃是不肯定他下一步怎樣做。若我們只對信仰肯定，就是把自己抬高，變得嚴厲自尊，只對自己的見解下結論；但我們若與神有正常的關係，生命就充滿自然的、歡樂的期望，因為對未來的事，並沒有把握。
耶穌說：[你們也當信我。 ]他不是說：[你們要信某些關於我的事。 ]完全交託他吧！雖然不知道他何時臨到，但他必然會臨到。持守對他的忠貞吧。
祈禱◆主啊，為著過去的那段時間，我敬拜你。你讓我看見那許多的人，榮耀地與你進入正常的關係！它是那麼奇妙，使我難有足夠的言詞去讚美你。
Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.
Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
未有確據而安之若素之恩典
將來如何，還未顯明。 （約壹三2）
我們本性喜歡一五一十地計算得清清楚楚，於是視未確定得事為壞事。我們總愛假設一個可達的目標；其實，屬靈生命的本質不是這樣的。屬靈生命的本質是在未確定的時候，便心裡堅定；因此，我們不必到處築巢，安身立命。理智會說：[唔，假如我在那情況之下……]但我們根本不能置身於自己尚未經歷過的情況。
安穩是屬世生活的表記，而在不穩定中靠主恩安詳，是屬靈生命的標誌。相信神，就意味著我們對生活各方面的事情不肯定，因為我們不曉得一天將會發生什麼事。這句話一般都是存著愁嘆來說；其實，這應該是一句滿有希望的說話才對。我們雖不知下一步如何，但我們相信神。
那隻要將自己一切交給神，並儘上本份，神就會使我們每時每刻充滿驚喜。可是，我們若只高舉一些教條，死就進來了；我們不是相信神，而是相信他的信念。耶穌說：[你們若不……變成小孩子的樣式……。 ]屬靈生命是赤子的生命。我們對神並非不肯定，乃是不肯定他下一步怎樣做。若我們只對信仰肯定，就是把自己抬高，變得嚴厲自尊，只對自己的見解下結論；但我們若與神有正常的關係，生命就充滿自然的、歡樂的期望，因為對未來的事，並沒有把握。
耶穌說：[你們也當信我。 ]他不是說：[你們要信某些關於我的事。 ]完全交託他吧！雖然不知道他何時臨到，但他必然會臨到。持守對他的忠貞吧。
祈禱◆主啊，為著過去的那段時間，我敬拜你。你讓我看見那許多的人，榮耀地與你進入正常的關係！它是那麼奇妙，使我難有足夠的言詞去讚美你。
April 28, 2012
What You Will Get
I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go —Jeremiah 45:5
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him— “I will give your life to you . . . .” What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. “. . . your life . . . as a prize . . .” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go— the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize . . . .” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.
你要得著什麼？
但你無論往那裡去，我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 （耶四十五5）
主對信靠他的人，有一個堅定不移的秘密，就是[我要把你的生命給你]。除了生命，人好要什麼呢？生命是最重要的。 [以自己的命為掠物]，意思是不論你到那裡去，甚至進入地獄，你仍然能夠帶著生命出來，沒有任何事物能害你的。我們多半被事物的榮美所吸引；啟示受吸引的不該是屬物質的產業，而是所蒙的祝福。一切都會過去；但有一樣比這些更榮美，且永不過去－－就是[與基督一同藏在神裡面的生命]。
你是否願意與神聯合，不再注目於你所謂的[大事]上？你願否盡棄所有，付之東流？放棄一切就是不再問：[那末，這個又怎麼辦？ ]要提防一切的假設。一旦容讓[怎麼辦]，就是意味著你仍未肯放棄一切，仍未肯完全信靠神。只要你肯放下一切，就不再擔心神會怎樣辦。你若完全撇下給神，他就立即說：[我必使你以自己的命為掠物。 ]人對生命厭倦的原因，是神沒有賞給他們什麼，他們並未得著生命的掠物。要脫離這景況，就要完全向神降服。若向神完全順服，你會成為地上最驚喜的人；神完全得著你，是把生命賜給你。但如果你尚未到達這地步，可能是你不肯順服，也可能是你不夠單純。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我的靈魂因著信靠你而發出讚美，願我的靈魂緊隨這你的撫摸和笑容，除去我任何混亂的思想或幻想，免致我在基督裡的真純遭受污染。
April 27, 2012
What Do You Want?
Do you seek great things for yourself? —Jeremiah 45:5
Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.
If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason-you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
你要什麼？
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ （耶四十五5）
你是否正為自己圖謀大事？你不是求成為一個偉人，而是為自己向神求大事。神盼望你與他更親密的關係，過於領受他的恩賜，他要你認識他。大事是偶發的，會來也會去；神從來不會給我們一些偶然的東西。其實，與神建立正常的關係是最容易不過的，除非我們所要的不是神，而是他所賜的東西。
你若單向神求東西，那末在撇下一切歸神的路上，你還未踏上第一步，你不過是照著自己的意思去作基督徒。 [我曾經求神給我聖靈，但他並沒有給我預期的平安與安息。 ]神馬上就會指出原因－－你根本不是尋求主，只是為自己有所圖謀。耶穌說：[你們祈求，就給你們。 ]你要的可以向神求，但是你所求的若不對，就得不著。當你與神親近，就不再是求東西了。 [你們沒有祈求以先，你們所需用的，你們的父早已知道了。 ]那麼為何還要求呢？這是要你們更認識他吧。
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ [神啊，求你以聖靈給我施洗。 ]神若不應允，乃是由於你尚未完全歸順他，你還有些事不肯做的。你肯不肯捫心自問：你向神所求的到底是什麼？為什麼要這些？神總是為了最終的完美，而不顧現今暫時的好處。他不會只令你現今快樂幸福，而是為那最終的完美而作工－－[叫他們合而為一，像我們合而為一。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，當我今天向你發聲，願你的亮光和恩典臨到我們。願我們[凡事尊榮我們救主神的道]。
Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.
If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason-you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.
Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).
你要什麼？
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ （耶四十五5）
你是否正為自己圖謀大事？你不是求成為一個偉人，而是為自己向神求大事。神盼望你與他更親密的關係，過於領受他的恩賜，他要你認識他。大事是偶發的，會來也會去；神從來不會給我們一些偶然的東西。其實，與神建立正常的關係是最容易不過的，除非我們所要的不是神，而是他所賜的東西。
你若單向神求東西，那末在撇下一切歸神的路上，你還未踏上第一步，你不過是照著自己的意思去作基督徒。 [我曾經求神給我聖靈，但他並沒有給我預期的平安與安息。 ]神馬上就會指出原因－－你根本不是尋求主，只是為自己有所圖謀。耶穌說：[你們祈求，就給你們。 ]你要的可以向神求，但是你所求的若不對，就得不著。當你與神親近，就不再是求東西了。 [你們沒有祈求以先，你們所需用的，你們的父早已知道了。 ]那麼為何還要求呢？這是要你們更認識他吧。
你為自己圖謀大事麼？ [神啊，求你以聖靈給我施洗。 ]神若不應允，乃是由於你尚未完全歸順他，你還有些事不肯做的。你肯不肯捫心自問：你向神所求的到底是什麼？為什麼要這些？神總是為了最終的完美，而不顧現今暫時的好處。他不會只令你現今快樂幸福，而是為那最終的完美而作工－－[叫他們合而為一，像我們合而為一。 ]
祈禱◆主啊，當我今天向你發聲，願你的亮光和恩典臨到我們。願我們[凡事尊榮我們救主神的道]。
April 26, 2012
The Supreme Climb
Take now your son . . . and offer him . . . as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you —Genesis 22:2
A person’s character determines how he interprets God’s will (see Psalm 18:25-26). Abraham interpreted God’s command to mean that he had to kill his son, and he could only leave this traditional belief behind through the pain of a tremendous ordeal. God could purify his faith in no other way. If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief, God will break us from those traditional beliefs that misrepresent Him. There are many such beliefs which must be removed-for example, that God removes a child because his mother loves him too much. That is the devil’s lie and a travesty on the true nature of God! If the devil can hinder us from taking the supreme climb and getting rid of our wrong traditional beliefs about God, he will do so. But if we will stay true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will serve to bring us into a better knowledge of Himself.
The great lesson to be learned from Abraham’s faith in God is that he was prepared to do anything for God. He was there to obey God, no matter what contrary belief of his might be violated by his obedience. Abraham was not devoted to his own convictions or else he would have slain Isaac and said that the voice of the angel was actually the voice of the devil. That is the attitude of a fanatic. If you will remain true to God, God will lead you directly through every barrier and right into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself. But you must always be willing to come to the point of giving up your own convictions and traditional beliefs. Don’t ask God to test you. Never declare as Peter did that you are willing to do anything, even “to go . . . both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). Abraham did not make any such statement— he simply remained true to God, and God purified his faith.
攀高
你帶著你的兒子……在我所要指示你的山上，把他獻為燔祭。 （創二十二2）
一個人如何領會神的旨意，乃在於他的個性（參詩十八25-26）。亞伯拉罕對神命令的領會，就是要把兒子殺了。他只好把傳統的觀念拋在腦後，忍受極度痛苦的考驗。神只有用這個方法去煉淨他的信心。我們若存誠實的心順服神，神自然會將我們從傳統對他的誤解中釋放出來。有許多信念是我們要摒棄的，就如：神要把一個孩子取去，因為那母親太愛他了。這簡直是魔鬼的謊話，是嘲弄神的本性。魔鬼會不惜代價阻礙我們踏上登高之路，不讓我們除掉神誤解的傳統觀念。可是，只要我們忠於神，他就會帶我們經過考驗，使我們從經驗中更認識他。
亞伯拉罕對神信心的偉大處，在於他肯為神赴湯蹈火，在所不辭。他只一心聽從神，不惜違反任何觀念。亞伯拉罕並非一己信念的忠實信徒，否則他就會一意孤行，殺了以撒，說那天使的呼叫是魔鬼的聲音了。這只是狂妄者的態度。只要你保持對神的忠誠，神必領你經過一切障礙，進入內室得以認識他；但其中有個關鍵，就是放棄傳統的信念與看法。不要求神試驗你，切勿像彼得那樣宣稱：[我什麼都肯做，甚至願與你同死。 ]亞伯拉罕並沒有作此宣告，他始終對神忠誠，神也就煉淨了他的信心。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我投向你，我所感覺得到的，惟獨是你。取去我那些繁贅、誇大和衝動的謊話，讓我安靜地等候你。
A person’s character determines how he interprets God’s will (see Psalm 18:25-26). Abraham interpreted God’s command to mean that he had to kill his son, and he could only leave this traditional belief behind through the pain of a tremendous ordeal. God could purify his faith in no other way. If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief, God will break us from those traditional beliefs that misrepresent Him. There are many such beliefs which must be removed-for example, that God removes a child because his mother loves him too much. That is the devil’s lie and a travesty on the true nature of God! If the devil can hinder us from taking the supreme climb and getting rid of our wrong traditional beliefs about God, he will do so. But if we will stay true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will serve to bring us into a better knowledge of Himself.
The great lesson to be learned from Abraham’s faith in God is that he was prepared to do anything for God. He was there to obey God, no matter what contrary belief of his might be violated by his obedience. Abraham was not devoted to his own convictions or else he would have slain Isaac and said that the voice of the angel was actually the voice of the devil. That is the attitude of a fanatic. If you will remain true to God, God will lead you directly through every barrier and right into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself. But you must always be willing to come to the point of giving up your own convictions and traditional beliefs. Don’t ask God to test you. Never declare as Peter did that you are willing to do anything, even “to go . . . both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). Abraham did not make any such statement— he simply remained true to God, and God purified his faith.
攀高
你帶著你的兒子……在我所要指示你的山上，把他獻為燔祭。 （創二十二2）
一個人如何領會神的旨意，乃在於他的個性（參詩十八25-26）。亞伯拉罕對神命令的領會，就是要把兒子殺了。他只好把傳統的觀念拋在腦後，忍受極度痛苦的考驗。神只有用這個方法去煉淨他的信心。我們若存誠實的心順服神，神自然會將我們從傳統對他的誤解中釋放出來。有許多信念是我們要摒棄的，就如：神要把一個孩子取去，因為那母親太愛他了。這簡直是魔鬼的謊話，是嘲弄神的本性。魔鬼會不惜代價阻礙我們踏上登高之路，不讓我們除掉神誤解的傳統觀念。可是，只要我們忠於神，他就會帶我們經過考驗，使我們從經驗中更認識他。
亞伯拉罕對神信心的偉大處，在於他肯為神赴湯蹈火，在所不辭。他只一心聽從神，不惜違反任何觀念。亞伯拉罕並非一己信念的忠實信徒，否則他就會一意孤行，殺了以撒，說那天使的呼叫是魔鬼的聲音了。這只是狂妄者的態度。只要你保持對神的忠誠，神必領你經過一切障礙，進入內室得以認識他；但其中有個關鍵，就是放棄傳統的信念與看法。不要求神試驗你，切勿像彼得那樣宣稱：[我什麼都肯做，甚至願與你同死。 ]亞伯拉罕並沒有作此宣告，他始終對神忠誠，神也就煉淨了他的信心。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，我投向你，我所感覺得到的，惟獨是你。取去我那些繁贅、誇大和衝動的謊話，讓我安靜地等候你。
April 25, 2012
"Ready in Season"
Be ready in season and out of season —2 Timothy 4:2
Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to “be ready” only “out of season.” The season does not refer to time; it refers to us. This verse says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, we should “be ready” whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. There are some people who are totally unemployable in the spiritual realm. They are spiritually feeble and weak, and they refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
One of the worst traps a Christian worker can fall into is to become obsessed with his own exceptional moments of inspiration. When the Spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, you tend to say, “Now that I’ve experienced this moment, I will always be like this for God.” No, you will not, and God will make sure of that. Those times are entirely the gift of God. You cannot give them to yourself when you choose. If you say you will only be at your best for God, as during those exceptional times, you actually become an intolerable burden on Him. You will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously aware of His inspiration to you at all times. If you make a god out of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life, never to return until you are obedient in the work He has placed closest to you, and until you have learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given you.
隨時隨地常作準備
無論得時不得時，總要專心。 （提後四2）
不少人有這一種病態情況，就是在[不得時]專心。 [時]不是指時間，乃是指我們。 [無論得時不得時]，就是不論我們喜歡或不喜歡。如果我們只做心想做的事，我們就永遠會一事無成。在屬靈的領域裡，有好些派不上用場的人；也有屬靈的老人，這等人若沒有超然的啟示，是不肯動一個指頭的。啟示要證明我們與神的關係，乃是本分，不管我們是否有感動。
作主工人最大的陷阱，就是高舉自己某一刻的特殊經歷。當神的靈給你啟示與亮光，你就說：[從此我為神持守這個地位。 ]錯了，你不能，神必使你不能如此。經歷完全是神所賜的，你不能隨私意據為己有。你若自稱必能保持高峰狀態，你就成為難以忍受的累贅；而你也要神不住地啟示感動，否則就什麼也不肯作。你若把自己超然的經歷當作神，你會發覺神將從你生命中消失，除非你肯盡你的本分，學會不再崇信自己的超然經歷。
祈禱◆主啊，我的靈魂今天最需要的，是解脫和美化。我來到你面前，我的肉身需要你成為救主和主，求你修補我對你失卻熱忱和敏銳的靈，以致我可以在這里為你發揮適當的影響力。
Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to “be ready” only “out of season.” The season does not refer to time; it refers to us. This verse says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, we should “be ready” whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. There are some people who are totally unemployable in the spiritual realm. They are spiritually feeble and weak, and they refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
One of the worst traps a Christian worker can fall into is to become obsessed with his own exceptional moments of inspiration. When the Spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, you tend to say, “Now that I’ve experienced this moment, I will always be like this for God.” No, you will not, and God will make sure of that. Those times are entirely the gift of God. You cannot give them to yourself when you choose. If you say you will only be at your best for God, as during those exceptional times, you actually become an intolerable burden on Him. You will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously aware of His inspiration to you at all times. If you make a god out of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life, never to return until you are obedient in the work He has placed closest to you, and until you have learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given you.
隨時隨地常作準備
無論得時不得時，總要專心。 （提後四2）
不少人有這一種病態情況，就是在[不得時]專心。 [時]不是指時間，乃是指我們。 [無論得時不得時]，就是不論我們喜歡或不喜歡。如果我們只做心想做的事，我們就永遠會一事無成。在屬靈的領域裡，有好些派不上用場的人；也有屬靈的老人，這等人若沒有超然的啟示，是不肯動一個指頭的。啟示要證明我們與神的關係，乃是本分，不管我們是否有感動。
作主工人最大的陷阱，就是高舉自己某一刻的特殊經歷。當神的靈給你啟示與亮光，你就說：[從此我為神持守這個地位。 ]錯了，你不能，神必使你不能如此。經歷完全是神所賜的，你不能隨私意據為己有。你若自稱必能保持高峰狀態，你就成為難以忍受的累贅；而你也要神不住地啟示感動，否則就什麼也不肯作。你若把自己超然的經歷當作神，你會發覺神將從你生命中消失，除非你肯盡你的本分，學會不再崇信自己的超然經歷。
祈禱◆主啊，我的靈魂今天最需要的，是解脫和美化。我來到你面前，我的肉身需要你成為救主和主，求你修補我對你失卻熱忱和敏銳的靈，以致我可以在這里為你發揮適當的影響力。
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