. . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body —2 Corinthians 4:10
We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.
逆來順受的習慣
使耶穌的生，也顯明在我們身上。 （林後四10）
要養成述說神在我們身上所成就的恩典的習慣。這不是從地獄裡得拯救的問題，而是我們得救之後，在肉身上如何彰顯神兒子的生命問題。在不愉快的事上，正顯示我們有沒有彰顯神的生命。我是流露神兒子的溫良，還是表現離開神後自我的怒氣？唯一令我欣然接受不愉快的事情的，就是神兒子的生命在我身上彰顯的熱切期望。不管事情多麼不如意，只要說：[主，我樂意在這事上遵從你。 ]神兒子即時就會出現，在我的生命中彰顯他的榮耀。
千萬不可遲疑，一旦你順服那光，神的兒子就從那裡透射出來。要是你心裡爭辯，就必叫聖靈擔憂。你必須保持內在情況良好，讓神兒子的生命彰顯出來。若給自憐留地步，你就不健康了。我們生活的環境，是表彰神兒子何等完全、何等聖潔的機會。什麼事情叫你心慌意亂，就是表彰神又一新的機會。自己選擇不愉快的事與因神的安排而有不愉快的事，是截然不同的。若神放在你那裡，祂是綽有裕餘地供應你。
保持心靈健壯，好彰顯神兒子的生命。不可沉湎在記憶裡，讓神的話活潑有力地活在你裡面吧！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求祢今天向我們彰顯祢的生命。讓這裡的每一個人，開始呼吸到自由的空氣，並歸向祢，在敬虔和恩典中得以堅固。
Showing posts with label Burdens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burdens. Show all posts
May 14, 2014
April 14, 2014
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
April 13, 2014
What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming
Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
February 19, 2014
Taking the Initiative Against Drudgery
Arise, shine . . . —Isaiah 60:1
When it comes to taking the initiative against drudgery, we have to take the first step as though there were no God. There is no point in waiting for God to help us— He will not. But once we arise, immediately we find He is there. Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue— a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed.
Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. Drudgery is work that is far removed from anything we think of as ideal work. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it. In some cases the way a person does a task makes that work sanctified and holy forever. It may be a very common everyday task, but after we have seen it done, it becomes different. When the Lord does something through us, He always transforms it. Our Lord takes our human flesh and transforms it, and now every believer’s body has become “the temple of the Holy Spirit”.
應付苦差的動力
興起發光（賽六十1）
我們踏上第一步，好像神沒有在那裡一般。空等神來幫助是無濟於事的，他不會來；然而當我們有所行動，就發現他在那裡了。神的感動往往是道德性的。我們不要老是呆在那裡，像一根方木似的，是要起來行動。只要興起發光，苦差便在神的光中變相。
苦差是磨練人最佳的試金石。苦差不是理想的工作，而是最低賤的工作。但一觸及這些工作，就立刻知道我們的屬靈情況 [屬靈的實際 ]。約翰福音十三章記載：道成肉身的神作了一 件最不討好的苦差，就是洗漁夫的腳。他說：[我是你們的主，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 ]苦差需要神的感動，有神的光照在其中。有些人做一件事，便有好的表現，使那件事染上光彩。可能是一件極普通的事，但當他們做過之後，就完全不同了。每當主叫我們做事，他總叫那事變了形象。我們的主披上了血肉之體，叫它改變形象，使之成為聖徒聖靈的殿。
祈禱◆讓神的氣息吹向我，直至我的意念和心靈能適當地調校向你。求你在我們當中和我們心內，散發自由、純潔和能力。
When it comes to taking the initiative against drudgery, we have to take the first step as though there were no God. There is no point in waiting for God to help us— He will not. But once we arise, immediately we find He is there. Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue— a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed.
Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. Drudgery is work that is far removed from anything we think of as ideal work. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it. In some cases the way a person does a task makes that work sanctified and holy forever. It may be a very common everyday task, but after we have seen it done, it becomes different. When the Lord does something through us, He always transforms it. Our Lord takes our human flesh and transforms it, and now every believer’s body has become “the temple of the Holy Spirit”.
應付苦差的動力
興起發光（賽六十1）
我們踏上第一步，好像神沒有在那裡一般。空等神來幫助是無濟於事的，他不會來；然而當我們有所行動，就發現他在那裡了。神的感動往往是道德性的。我們不要老是呆在那裡，像一根方木似的，是要起來行動。只要興起發光，苦差便在神的光中變相。
苦差是磨練人最佳的試金石。苦差不是理想的工作，而是最低賤的工作。但一觸及這些工作，就立刻知道我們的屬靈情況 [屬靈的實際 ]。約翰福音十三章記載：道成肉身的神作了一 件最不討好的苦差，就是洗漁夫的腳。他說：[我是你們的主，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 ]苦差需要神的感動，有神的光照在其中。有些人做一件事，便有好的表現，使那件事染上光彩。可能是一件極普通的事，但當他們做過之後，就完全不同了。每當主叫我們做事，他總叫那事變了形象。我們的主披上了血肉之體，叫它改變形象，使之成為聖徒聖靈的殿。
祈禱◆讓神的氣息吹向我，直至我的意念和心靈能適當地調校向你。求你在我們當中和我們心內，散發自由、純潔和能力。
May 14, 2013
The Habit of Enjoying Adversity
. . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body —2 Corinthians 4:10
We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.
逆來順受的習慣
使耶穌的生，也顯明在我們身上。 （林後四10）
要養成述說神在我們身上所成就的恩典的習慣。這不是從地獄裡得拯救的問題，而是我們得救之後，在肉身上如何彰顯神兒子的生命問題。在不愉快的事上，正顯示我們有沒有彰顯神的生命。我是流露神兒子的溫良，還是表現離開神後自我的怒氣？唯一令我欣然接受不愉快的事情的，就是神兒子的生命在我身上彰顯的熱切期望。不管事情多麼不如意，只要說：[主，我樂意在這事上遵從你。 ]神兒子即時就會出現，在我的生命中彰顯他的榮耀。
千萬不可遲疑，一旦你順服那光，神的兒子就從那裡透射出來。要是你心裡爭辯，就必叫聖靈擔憂。你必須保持內在情況良好，讓神兒子的生命彰顯出來。若給自憐留地步，你就不健康了。我們生活的環境，是表彰神兒子何等完全、何等聖潔的機會。什麼事情叫你心慌意亂，就是表彰神又一新的機會。自己選擇不愉快的事與因神的安排而有不愉快的事，是截然不同的。若神放在你那裡，祂是綽有裕餘地供應你。
保持心靈健壯，好彰顯神兒子的生命。不可沉湎在記憶裡，讓神的話活潑有力地活在你裡面吧！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求祢今天向我們彰顯祢的生命。讓這裡的每一個人，開始呼吸到自由的空氣，並歸向祢，在敬虔和恩典中得以堅固。
We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.
逆來順受的習慣
使耶穌的生，也顯明在我們身上。 （林後四10）
要養成述說神在我們身上所成就的恩典的習慣。這不是從地獄裡得拯救的問題，而是我們得救之後，在肉身上如何彰顯神兒子的生命問題。在不愉快的事上，正顯示我們有沒有彰顯神的生命。我是流露神兒子的溫良，還是表現離開神後自我的怒氣？唯一令我欣然接受不愉快的事情的，就是神兒子的生命在我身上彰顯的熱切期望。不管事情多麼不如意，只要說：[主，我樂意在這事上遵從你。 ]神兒子即時就會出現，在我的生命中彰顯他的榮耀。
千萬不可遲疑，一旦你順服那光，神的兒子就從那裡透射出來。要是你心裡爭辯，就必叫聖靈擔憂。你必須保持內在情況良好，讓神兒子的生命彰顯出來。若給自憐留地步，你就不健康了。我們生活的環境，是表彰神兒子何等完全、何等聖潔的機會。什麼事情叫你心慌意亂，就是表彰神又一新的機會。自己選擇不愉快的事與因神的安排而有不愉快的事，是截然不同的。若神放在你那裡，祂是綽有裕餘地供應你。
保持心靈健壯，好彰顯神兒子的生命。不可沉湎在記憶裡，讓神的話活潑有力地活在你裡面吧！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求祢今天向我們彰顯祢的生命。讓這裡的每一個人，開始呼吸到自由的空氣，並歸向祢，在敬虔和恩典中得以堅固。
April 14, 2013
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
April 13, 2013
What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming
Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
February 19, 2013
Taking the Initiative Against Drudgery
Arise, shine . . . —Isaiah 60:1
When it comes to taking the initiative against drudgery, we have to take the first step as though there were no God. There is no point in waiting for God to help us— He will not. But once we arise, immediately we find He is there. Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue— a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed.
Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. Drudgery is work that is far removed from anything we think of as ideal work. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it. In some cases the way a person does a task makes that work sanctified and holy forever. It may be a very common everyday task, but after we have seen it done, it becomes different. When the Lord does something through us, He always transforms it. Our Lord takes our human flesh and transforms it, and now every believer’s body has become “the temple of the Holy Spirit”
應付苦差的動力
興起發光（賽六十1）
我們踏上第一步，好像神沒有在那裡一般。空等神來幫助是無濟於事的，他不會來；然而當我們有所行動，就發現他在那裡了。神的感動往往是道德性的。我們不要老是呆在那裡，像一根方木似的，是要起來行動。只要興起發光，苦差便在神的光中變相。
苦差是磨練人最佳的試金石。苦差不是理想的工作，而是最低賤的工作。但一觸及這些工作，就立刻知道我們的屬靈情況。約翰福音十三章記載：道成肉身的神作了一件最不討好的苦差，就是洗漁夫的腳。他說：[我是你們的主，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 ]苦差需要神的感動，有神的光照在其中。有些人做一件事，便有好的表現，使那件事染上光彩。可能是一件極普通的事，但當他們做過之後，就完全不同了。每當主叫我們做事，他總叫那事變了形象。我們的主披上了血肉之體，叫它改變形象，使之成為聖徒聖靈的殿。
祈禱◆讓神的氣息吹向我，直至我的意念和心靈能適當地調校向你。求你在我們當中和我們心內，散發自由、純潔和能力。
When it comes to taking the initiative against drudgery, we have to take the first step as though there were no God. There is no point in waiting for God to help us— He will not. But once we arise, immediately we find He is there. Whenever God gives us His inspiration, suddenly taking the initiative becomes a moral issue— a matter of obedience. Then we must act to be obedient and not continue to lie down doing nothing. If we will arise and shine, drudgery will be divinely transformed.
Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. Drudgery is work that is far removed from anything we think of as ideal work. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). The inspiration of God is required if drudgery is to shine with the light of God upon it. In some cases the way a person does a task makes that work sanctified and holy forever. It may be a very common everyday task, but after we have seen it done, it becomes different. When the Lord does something through us, He always transforms it. Our Lord takes our human flesh and transforms it, and now every believer’s body has become “the temple of the Holy Spirit”
應付苦差的動力
興起發光（賽六十1）
我們踏上第一步，好像神沒有在那裡一般。空等神來幫助是無濟於事的，他不會來；然而當我們有所行動，就發現他在那裡了。神的感動往往是道德性的。我們不要老是呆在那裡，像一根方木似的，是要起來行動。只要興起發光，苦差便在神的光中變相。
苦差是磨練人最佳的試金石。苦差不是理想的工作，而是最低賤的工作。但一觸及這些工作，就立刻知道我們的屬靈情況。約翰福音十三章記載：道成肉身的神作了一件最不討好的苦差，就是洗漁夫的腳。他說：[我是你們的主，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。 ]苦差需要神的感動，有神的光照在其中。有些人做一件事，便有好的表現，使那件事染上光彩。可能是一件極普通的事，但當他們做過之後，就完全不同了。每當主叫我們做事，他總叫那事變了形象。我們的主披上了血肉之體，叫它改變形象，使之成為聖徒聖靈的殿。
祈禱◆讓神的氣息吹向我，直至我的意念和心靈能適當地調校向你。求你在我們當中和我們心內，散發自由、純潔和能力。
May 14, 2012
The Habit of Enjoying Adversity
. . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body —2 Corinthians 4:10
We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.
逆來順受的習慣
使耶穌的生，也顯明在我們身上。 （林後四10）
要養成述說神在我們身上所成就的恩典的習慣。這不是從地獄裡得拯救的問題，而是我們得救之後，在肉身上如何彰顯神兒子的生命問題。在不愉快的事上，正顯示我們有沒有彰顯神的生命。我是流露神兒子的溫良，還是表現離開神後自我的怒氣？唯一令我欣然接受不愉快的事情的，就是神兒子的生命在我身上彰顯的熱切期望。不管事情多麼不如意，只要說：[主，我樂意在這事上遵從你。 ]神兒子即時就會出現，在我的生命中彰顯他的榮耀。
千萬不可遲疑，一旦你順服那光，神的兒子就從那裡透射出來。要是你心裡爭辯，就必叫聖靈擔憂。你必須保持內在情況良好，讓神兒子的生命彰顯出來。若給自憐留地步，你就不健康了。我們生活的環境，是表彰神兒子何等完全、何等聖潔的機會。什麼事情叫你心慌意亂，就是表彰神又一新的機會。自己選擇不愉快的事與因神的安排而有不愉快的事，是截然不同的。若神放在你那裡，祂是綽有裕餘地供應你。
保持心靈健壯，好彰顯神兒子的生命。不可沉湎在記憶裡，讓神的話活潑有力地活在你裡面吧！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求祢今天向我們彰顯祢的生命。讓這裡的每一個人，開始呼吸到自由的空氣，並歸向祢，在敬虔和恩典中得以堅固。
We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.
逆來順受的習慣
使耶穌的生，也顯明在我們身上。 （林後四10）
要養成述說神在我們身上所成就的恩典的習慣。這不是從地獄裡得拯救的問題，而是我們得救之後，在肉身上如何彰顯神兒子的生命問題。在不愉快的事上，正顯示我們有沒有彰顯神的生命。我是流露神兒子的溫良，還是表現離開神後自我的怒氣？唯一令我欣然接受不愉快的事情的，就是神兒子的生命在我身上彰顯的熱切期望。不管事情多麼不如意，只要說：[主，我樂意在這事上遵從你。 ]神兒子即時就會出現，在我的生命中彰顯他的榮耀。
千萬不可遲疑，一旦你順服那光，神的兒子就從那裡透射出來。要是你心裡爭辯，就必叫聖靈擔憂。你必須保持內在情況良好，讓神兒子的生命彰顯出來。若給自憐留地步，你就不健康了。我們生活的環境，是表彰神兒子何等完全、何等聖潔的機會。什麼事情叫你心慌意亂，就是表彰神又一新的機會。自己選擇不愉快的事與因神的安排而有不愉快的事，是截然不同的。若神放在你那裡，祂是綽有裕餘地供應你。
保持心靈健壯，好彰顯神兒子的生命。不可沉湎在記憶裡，讓神的話活潑有力地活在你裡面吧！
祈禱◆噢，主啊，求祢今天向我們彰顯祢的生命。讓這裡的每一個人，開始呼吸到自由的空氣，並歸向祢，在敬虔和恩典中得以堅固。
April 14, 2012
Inner Invincibility
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.
“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.
“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.
If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.
誓不屈撓
你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式。 （太十一29）
[主所愛的他必管教。 ]我們為何常發怨言！主帶我們到一個地步，叫我們與他相交，我們卻唏噓悲嘆的說：[主啊，讓我像別人一樣吧！ ]耶穌要我們擔著軛的一頭－－[我的軛是容易的，來我這邊，我們一起挑吧。 ]你對主耶穌是否認同？若然，你會為他所加給你的壓力而感激神。
[軟弱的，他加力量。 ]神一來，就把我們從感情的枷鎖中釋放出來，使我們的怨聲化為頌讚。而唯一能認識神能力的，就是負主的軛，學他的樣式。
[因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是他們的力量。 ]聖徒的喜樂從何而來？我們若不認識某些聖徒，我們會以為：[哈，他（她）什麼重擔也沒有。 ]若把麵紗揭開，神的平安、喜樂赫然在他身上，就足以證明擔子也在那裡。
神所加給的擔子，會把葡萄壓榨成酒；但人多半只看見所榨出來的酒。天上地下沒有任何權勢，足以征服住在人心靈裡的聖靈。因那是內心的得勝者。你裡面若有怨嘆，要不留情地把它踢走。在神的能力上軟弱，簡直是一種罪行。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，在你面前，我就像一個具有人形，內裡卻是醜陋而不毛的曠野；然而，讚美你的名，因你能夠使[曠野和乾旱之地必然歡喜；……又像玫瑰花開。 ]
April 13, 2012
What To Do When Your Burden Is Overwhelming
Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .” If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with Him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.
Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with the right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ, they are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with their burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Others will see this and say, “What a sad end to something that had such a great beginning!”
“Cast your burden on the Lord . . . .” You have been bearing it all, but you need to deliberately place one end on God’s shoulder. “. . . the government will be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Commit to God whatever burden He has placed on you. Don’t just cast it aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship. But you should never try to separate yourself from your burden.
擔子沉重，如何是好？
你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華。 （詩五十五22）
我們必須分辨什麼是我們所當負的擔子，又什麼是我們不當背負的。我們千萬不要背負罪與疑惑的擔子，但有些擔子卻是神放在我們身上的。神之所以不把擔子挪開，是要我們這些擔子卸給他。 [把他放在你身上的卸給他。 ]如果我們為神承擔一份工作，卻與他失去聯絡，那責任感會壓得你透不過氣來；但我們若懂得把神放在我們身上的，轉回給他，有他的同在，那責任感的擔子就得以卸下。
不少工人憑著一腔熱血，鼓起勇氣出去，卻與耶穌基督沒有親密的相交，所以不消多久，就受壓難當。他們不知如何應付重擔，結果便產生了厭倦。人們會說：[好一個開頭，落得如何淒涼的收場！ ]
[把重擔卸給神]－－你一向自負重擔，現在要把擔子的一端放在神的肩頭上。 [政權必擔在他肩頭上。 ]把神給你的委付與神；不是把它丟掉，而是把它連自己一起交給他，與神同工，擔子便變得輕省了。切勿讓自己與擔子分開。
祈禱◆主啊，求你呼喚我的名字，讓我因那奇妙的呼喚而振奮！你一次的呼喚、一次的接觸，將會帶來何等大的改變，我們都會在狂喜之中！噢，為何你不是經常這樣做呢？
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