The parched ground shall become a pool . . . —Isaiah 35:7
We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.
Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.
異象與現實
發光的沙，要變為水池。 （賽三十五7）
在一件事實現以前，我們往往有異象。當我們發現異象雖然真確，但在我們身上卻未實現時，撒旦的試探就來了。我們很容易放棄，認為繼續也無濟於事。異象未能實現，並且來到自卑的山谷中。
[生命不是無人開採的礦藏，乃是地心暗處掘出來的鐵塊，經千錘百煉，為要模造成合用的器皿。 ]
神給我們異象，然後帶我們到山谷去錘煉，捏成該異象的形狀。不少人就是在山谷中仆倒放棄。只要忍耐，每一個異像都要實現。想想神無窮的閒暇！他從不匆忙，而我們卻總是忙得喘不過氣來。在異象的榮光中，我們一鼓作氣去作工，可是，那異像還未在我們裡面成為真實。所以，神必須帶我們到山谷中，經過水火的模造，直至神可以叫異象確切地在我們身上實現。自從我們有了這異象，神就一直作工，要使我們成為理想得模樣，只是我們一次又一次地從他手中逃脫，想模造成自己的形象。
異象不是空中樓閣，乃是神對你的心意。讓他把你放在旋盤中，照他意思去轉動陶造。這樣，神是神，你是你，你就必然變成與異像一模一樣的形狀。在這過程中，不要灰心。只要真見過神的異象，無論你怎樣設法滿足於次一等的狀況，神也不會放過你。
祈禱◆主啊，願我們全然交在你的手中，幫助我們能夠選擇你的帶領，[就是我們的神以我們配得所受的呼召]。
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
July 06, 2014
April 29, 2014
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。
February 11, 2014
Is Your Mind Stayed on God?
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You —Isaiah 26:3
Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).
Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.
“We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . .” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
你對神的盼望弱如垂死？
堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安。（堅心倚賴：有把心思意念寄放在神身上的意思。）（賽二十六3）
你的想像力是停留在神身上，還是逐漸衰退消失？叫主工人生命枯槁衰竭最主要的原因，就是缺乏想像力。你若從來未運用想像力來到神面前，現在就開始吧。老等神來是無濟於事的，你必須把想像力從偶像的臉上轉移到神身上，以致得救。想像力是神給我們最大的恩賜，理當全然獻給他。你若已經將所有的心思奪回，順服基督，當試煉臨到，你的信心就有了寶貴的資產，因為你可以與神的靈同心同工。要學習把一切合神心意的思想，同自然界所發生的事連繫起來——太陽的出沒，日月 星辰的運轉，四時的變換。這樣，你的想像力就不會受別的影響，而是受神的支配，為神而用。
[我們和我們的列祖犯 罪……忘記了……]——這樣就要放一把匕首在你沉睡的地方（意即枕戈待旦，不眠不休的等候神）。 [神現時不和我說話]，但其實他是時常和我說話的。要記住你是屬於誰，你事奉的是誰。挑起回憶，你愛神的心勢必增添十倍。你的想像力也不再呆滯，而是變得活潑、熱切；你的盼望也必光輝燦爛不可言狀了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，隨著自然界春天的來臨，我的靈渴望你那旺盛的生命力能流進我的生命，不住不住地湧流。然而，我是何其醜陋、何其不像基督！不過，這並非情緒低落的感受，而是我在奇異的盼望中看見這情況。
Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).
Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.
“We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . .” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
你對神的盼望弱如垂死？
堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安。（堅心倚賴：有把心思意念寄放在神身上的意思。）（賽二十六3）
你的想像力是停留在神身上，還是逐漸衰退消失？叫主工人生命枯槁衰竭最主要的原因，就是缺乏想像力。你若從來未運用想像力來到神面前，現在就開始吧。老等神來是無濟於事的，你必須把想像力從偶像的臉上轉移到神身上，以致得救。想像力是神給我們最大的恩賜，理當全然獻給他。你若已經將所有的心思奪回，順服基督，當試煉臨到，你的信心就有了寶貴的資產，因為你可以與神的靈同心同工。要學習把一切合神心意的思想，同自然界所發生的事連繫起來——太陽的出沒，日月 星辰的運轉，四時的變換。這樣，你的想像力就不會受別的影響，而是受神的支配，為神而用。
[我們和我們的列祖犯 罪……忘記了……]——這樣就要放一把匕首在你沉睡的地方（意即枕戈待旦，不眠不休的等候神）。 [神現時不和我說話]，但其實他是時常和我說話的。要記住你是屬於誰，你事奉的是誰。挑起回憶，你愛神的心勢必增添十倍。你的想像力也不再呆滯，而是變得活潑、熱切；你的盼望也必光輝燦爛不可言狀了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，隨著自然界春天的來臨，我的靈渴望你那旺盛的生命力能流進我的生命，不住不住地湧流。然而，我是何其醜陋、何其不像基督！不過，這並非情緒低落的感受，而是我在奇異的盼望中看見這情況。
July 06, 2013
Visions Become Reality
The parched ground shall become a pool . . . —Isaiah 35:7
We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.
Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.
異象與現實
發光的沙，要變為水池。 （賽三十五7）
在一件事實現以前，我們往往有異象。當我們發現異象雖然真確，但在我們身上卻未實現時，撒旦的試探就來了。我們很容易放棄，認為繼續也無濟於事。異象未能實現，並且來到自卑的山谷中。
[生命不是無人開採的礦藏，乃是地心暗處掘出來的鐵塊，經千錘百煉，為要模造成合用的器皿。 ]
神給我們異象，然後帶我們到山谷去錘煉，捏成該異象的形狀。不少人就是在山谷中仆倒放棄。只要忍耐，每一個異像都要實現。想想神無窮的閒暇！他從不匆忙，而我們卻總是忙得喘不過氣來。在異象的榮光中，我們一鼓作氣去作工，可是，那異像還未在我們裡面成為真實。所以，神必須帶我們到山谷中，經過水火的模造，直至神可以叫異象確切地在我們身上實現。自從我們有了這異象，神就一直作工，要使我們成為理想得模樣，只是我們一次又一次地從他手中逃脫，想模造成自己的形象。
異象不是空中樓閣，乃是神對你的心意。讓他把你放在旋盤中，照他意思去轉動陶造。這樣，神是神，你是你，你就必然變成與異像一模一樣的形狀。在這過程中，不要灰心。只要真見過神的異象，無論你怎樣設法滿足於次一等的狀況，神也不會放過你。
祈禱◆主啊，願我們全然交在你的手中，幫助我們能夠選擇你的帶領，[就是我們的神以我們配得所受的呼召]。
We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.
Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.
異象與現實
發光的沙，要變為水池。 （賽三十五7）
在一件事實現以前，我們往往有異象。當我們發現異象雖然真確，但在我們身上卻未實現時，撒旦的試探就來了。我們很容易放棄，認為繼續也無濟於事。異象未能實現，並且來到自卑的山谷中。
[生命不是無人開採的礦藏，乃是地心暗處掘出來的鐵塊，經千錘百煉，為要模造成合用的器皿。 ]
神給我們異象，然後帶我們到山谷去錘煉，捏成該異象的形狀。不少人就是在山谷中仆倒放棄。只要忍耐，每一個異像都要實現。想想神無窮的閒暇！他從不匆忙，而我們卻總是忙得喘不過氣來。在異象的榮光中，我們一鼓作氣去作工，可是，那異像還未在我們裡面成為真實。所以，神必須帶我們到山谷中，經過水火的模造，直至神可以叫異象確切地在我們身上實現。自從我們有了這異象，神就一直作工，要使我們成為理想得模樣，只是我們一次又一次地從他手中逃脫，想模造成自己的形象。
異象不是空中樓閣，乃是神對你的心意。讓他把你放在旋盤中，照他意思去轉動陶造。這樣，神是神，你是你，你就必然變成與異像一模一樣的形狀。在這過程中，不要灰心。只要真見過神的異象，無論你怎樣設法滿足於次一等的狀況，神也不會放過你。
祈禱◆主啊，願我們全然交在你的手中，幫助我們能夠選擇你的帶領，[就是我們的神以我們配得所受的呼召]。
April 29, 2013
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。
February 11, 2013
Is Your Mind Stayed on God?
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You —Isaiah 26:3
Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).
Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.
“We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . .” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
你對神的盼望弱如垂死？
堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安。 （堅心倚賴：有把心思意念寄放在神身上的意思。）（賽二十六3）
你的想像力是停留在神身上，還是逐漸衰退消失？叫主工人生命枯槁衰竭最主要的原因，就是缺乏想像力。你若從來未運用想像力來到神面前，現在就開始吧。老等神來是無濟於事的，你必須把想像力從偶像的臉上轉移到神身上，以致得救。想像力是神給我們最大的恩賜，理當全然獻給他。你若已經將所有的心思奪回，順服基督，當試煉臨到，你的信心就有了寶貴的資產，因為你可以與神的靈同心同工。要學習把一切合神心意的思想，同自然界所發生的事連繫起來——太陽的出沒，日月星辰的運轉，四時的變換。這樣，你的想像力就不會受別的影響，而是受神的支配，為神而用。
[我們和我們的列祖犯罪……忘記了……]——這樣就要放一把匕首在你沉睡的地方（意即枕戈待旦，不眠不休的等候神）。 [神現時不和我說話]，但其實他是時常和我說話的。要記住你是屬於誰，你事奉的是誰。挑起回憶，你愛神的心勢必增添十倍。你的想像力也不再呆滯，而是變得活潑、熱切；你的盼望也必光輝燦爛不可言狀了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，隨著自然界春天的來臨，我的靈渴望你那旺盛的生命力能流進我的生命，不住不住地湧流。然而，我是何其醜陋、何其不像基督！不過，這並非情緒低落的感受，而是我在奇異的盼望中看見這情況。
Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).
Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.
“We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . .” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
你對神的盼望弱如垂死？
堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安。 （堅心倚賴：有把心思意念寄放在神身上的意思。）（賽二十六3）
你的想像力是停留在神身上，還是逐漸衰退消失？叫主工人生命枯槁衰竭最主要的原因，就是缺乏想像力。你若從來未運用想像力來到神面前，現在就開始吧。老等神來是無濟於事的，你必須把想像力從偶像的臉上轉移到神身上，以致得救。想像力是神給我們最大的恩賜，理當全然獻給他。你若已經將所有的心思奪回，順服基督，當試煉臨到，你的信心就有了寶貴的資產，因為你可以與神的靈同心同工。要學習把一切合神心意的思想，同自然界所發生的事連繫起來——太陽的出沒，日月星辰的運轉，四時的變換。這樣，你的想像力就不會受別的影響，而是受神的支配，為神而用。
[我們和我們的列祖犯罪……忘記了……]——這樣就要放一把匕首在你沉睡的地方（意即枕戈待旦，不眠不休的等候神）。 [神現時不和我說話]，但其實他是時常和我說話的。要記住你是屬於誰，你事奉的是誰。挑起回憶，你愛神的心勢必增添十倍。你的想像力也不再呆滯，而是變得活潑、熱切；你的盼望也必光輝燦爛不可言狀了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，隨著自然界春天的來臨，我的靈渴望你那旺盛的生命力能流進我的生命，不住不住地湧流。然而，我是何其醜陋、何其不像基督！不過，這並非情緒低落的感受，而是我在奇異的盼望中看見這情況。
July 06, 2012
Visions Become Reality
The parched ground shall become a pool . . . —Isaiah 35:7
We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.
Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.
異象與現實
發光的沙，要變為水池。 （賽三十五7）
在一件事實現以前，我們往往有異象。當我們發現異象雖然真確，但在我們身上卻未實現時，撒旦的試探就來了。我們很容易放棄，認為繼續也無濟於事。異象未能實現，並且來到自卑的山谷中。
[生命不是無人開採的礦藏，乃是地心暗處掘出來的鐵塊，經千錘百煉，為要模造成合用的器皿。 ]
神給我們異象，然後帶我們到山谷去錘煉，捏成該異象的形狀。不少人就是在山谷中仆倒放棄。只要忍耐，每一個異像都要實現。想想神無窮的閒暇！他從不匆忙，而我們卻總是忙得喘不過氣來。在異象的榮光中，我們一鼓作氣去作工，可是，那異像還未在我們裡面成為真實。所以，神必須帶我們到山谷中，經過水火的模造，直至神可以叫異象確切地在我們身上實現。自從我們有了這異象，神就一直作工，要使我們成為理想得模樣，只是我們一次又一次地從他手中逃脫，想模造成自己的形象。
異象不是空中樓閣，乃是神對你的心意。讓他把你放在旋盤中，照他意思去轉動陶造。這樣，神是神，你是你，你就必然變成與異像一模一樣的形狀。在這過程中，不要灰心。只要真見過神的異象，無論你怎樣設法滿足於次一等的狀況，神也不會放過你。
祈禱◆主啊，願我們全然交在你的手中，幫助我們能夠選擇你的帶領，[就是我們的神以我們配得所受的呼召]。
We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but is not yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.
Life is not as idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And battered by the shocks of doom
To shape and use.
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience. Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.
異象與現實
發光的沙，要變為水池。 （賽三十五7）
在一件事實現以前，我們往往有異象。當我們發現異象雖然真確，但在我們身上卻未實現時，撒旦的試探就來了。我們很容易放棄，認為繼續也無濟於事。異象未能實現，並且來到自卑的山谷中。
[生命不是無人開採的礦藏，乃是地心暗處掘出來的鐵塊，經千錘百煉，為要模造成合用的器皿。 ]
神給我們異象，然後帶我們到山谷去錘煉，捏成該異象的形狀。不少人就是在山谷中仆倒放棄。只要忍耐，每一個異像都要實現。想想神無窮的閒暇！他從不匆忙，而我們卻總是忙得喘不過氣來。在異象的榮光中，我們一鼓作氣去作工，可是，那異像還未在我們裡面成為真實。所以，神必須帶我們到山谷中，經過水火的模造，直至神可以叫異象確切地在我們身上實現。自從我們有了這異象，神就一直作工，要使我們成為理想得模樣，只是我們一次又一次地從他手中逃脫，想模造成自己的形象。
異象不是空中樓閣，乃是神對你的心意。讓他把你放在旋盤中，照他意思去轉動陶造。這樣，神是神，你是你，你就必然變成與異像一模一樣的形狀。在這過程中，不要灰心。只要真見過神的異象，無論你怎樣設法滿足於次一等的狀況，神也不會放過你。
祈禱◆主啊，願我們全然交在你的手中，幫助我們能夠選擇你的帶領，[就是我們的神以我們配得所受的呼召]。
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。
February 11, 2012
Is Your Mind Stayed on God?
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You —Isaiah 26:3
Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).
Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.
“We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . .” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
你對神的盼望弱如垂死？
堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安。 （堅心倚賴：有把心思意念寄放在神身上的意思。）（賽二十六3）
你的想像力是停留在神身上，還是逐漸衰退消失？叫主工人生命枯槁衰竭最主要的原因，就是缺乏想像力。你若從來未運用想像力來到神面前，現在就開始吧。老等神來是無濟於事的，你必須把想像力從偶像的臉上轉移到神身上，以致得救。想像力是神給我們最大的恩賜，理當全然獻給他。你若已經將所有的心思奪回，順服基督，當試煉臨到，你的信心就有了寶貴的資產，因為你可以與神的靈同心同工。要學習把一切合神心意的思想，同自然界所發生的事連繫起來——太陽的出沒，日月星辰的運轉，四時的變換。這樣，你的想像力就不會受別的影響，而是受神的支配，為神而用。
[我們和我們的列祖犯罪……忘記了……]——這樣就要放一把匕首在你沉睡的地方（意即枕戈待旦，不眠不休的等候神）。 [神現時不和我說話]，但其實他是時常和我說話的。要記住你是屬於誰，你事奉的是誰。挑起回憶，你愛神的心勢必增添十倍。你的想像力也不再呆滯，而是變得活潑、熱切；你的盼望也必光輝燦爛不可言狀了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，隨著自然界春天的來臨，我的靈渴望你那旺盛的生命力能流進我的生命，不住不住地湧流。然而，我是何其醜陋、何其不像基督！不過，這並非情緒低落的感受，而是我在奇異的盼望中看見這情況。
Is your mind stayed on God or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life. If you have never used your mind to place yourself before God, begin to do it now. There is no reason to wait for God to come to you. You must turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of idols and look to Him and be saved (see Isaiah 45:22).
Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a time of trial comes, because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together. When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with all that happens in nature-the rising and the setting of the sun, the shining of the moon and the stars, and the changing of the seasons. You will begin to see that your thoughts are from God as well, and your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to God.
“We have sinned with our fathers . . . [and] . . . did not remember . . .” (Psalm 106:6-7). Then prod your memory and wake up immediately. Don’t say to yourself, “But God is not talking to me right now.” He ought to be. Remember whose you are and whom you serve. Encourage yourself to remember, and your affection for God will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.
你對神的盼望弱如垂死？
堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安。 （堅心倚賴：有把心思意念寄放在神身上的意思。）（賽二十六3）
你的想像力是停留在神身上，還是逐漸衰退消失？叫主工人生命枯槁衰竭最主要的原因，就是缺乏想像力。你若從來未運用想像力來到神面前，現在就開始吧。老等神來是無濟於事的，你必須把想像力從偶像的臉上轉移到神身上，以致得救。想像力是神給我們最大的恩賜，理當全然獻給他。你若已經將所有的心思奪回，順服基督，當試煉臨到，你的信心就有了寶貴的資產，因為你可以與神的靈同心同工。要學習把一切合神心意的思想，同自然界所發生的事連繫起來——太陽的出沒，日月星辰的運轉，四時的變換。這樣，你的想像力就不會受別的影響，而是受神的支配，為神而用。
[我們和我們的列祖犯罪……忘記了……]——這樣就要放一把匕首在你沉睡的地方（意即枕戈待旦，不眠不休的等候神）。 [神現時不和我說話]，但其實他是時常和我說話的。要記住你是屬於誰，你事奉的是誰。挑起回憶，你愛神的心勢必增添十倍。你的想像力也不再呆滯，而是變得活潑、熱切；你的盼望也必光輝燦爛不可言狀了。
祈禱◆噢，主啊，隨著自然界春天的來臨，我的靈渴望你那旺盛的生命力能流進我的生命，不住不住地湧流。然而，我是何其醜陋、何其不像基督！不過，這並非情緒低落的感受，而是我在奇異的盼望中看見這情況。
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