七月一日

冬夏都是如此。(亚14:8) 撒迦利亚书 14:8 撒迦利亚书 14

从耶路撒冷流出来的活水江河在炎夏之时不会因烈日而涸干，在严冬之时也不会因寒风而冻结。我的心哪!你当快乐，因为神存留你，为是是要你见证他的信实。季候改变，你也改变，但神永远是一样的，他的爱河永远是深广而又富的。为世事思虑愁烦，因苦难忧心如焚而有了极大的热度时，我需要神恩典的河水使我清凉下来；我当即刻就到取不尽，用不竭的泉边畅饮，因为无分冬夏它都常流不息。上泉永不缺乏，该当赞美神的名，但下泉也永无穷尽；以利亚所喝的基立溪虽然干了，但耶各华仍是眷顾人的神。约伯说他的弟兄好似诡诈的溪水，但他却知道他的神是一条安慰的江河。尼罗河是埃及所仰仗的，但它的洪流是有改变的，我们的神却是永远一样的。古列王因为改变了幼发拉底河的河道而攻占了巴比伦城，但人间和阴间的权柄却不能变更神恩的河流。古代江河的河床都干涸荒废了，但从神的权能和至爱之山所流出的河流必然常常涨溢到两岸。一代一代的虽然都过去了，但神恩典的河道是不会改变的；神的河必然永远涌流不止。我的哪！你得以在这平静的河流中是多么有福呀！不要再到其他溪流，免得你的神责备你说：“现今你为何在埃及的路上，要喝西曷（污泥的意思）的水呢？”“生命活水永远长流，生命活水自长流！”

七月一日

经文: 天起了凉风，耶和华上帝在园中行走。（创世记三：8）创世记 3:8 创世记 3

起凉风的时刻来临了，请你安静片刻，倾听上帝的声音，只要你准备去聆听，祂随时准备向你说话，若有任何交通的阻碍，问题绝不在祂那一方，因为祂已站在门外敲门。祂的百姓苦打开心门，祂会高兴地进入。但是我心的状态是怎样呢？是我主的花园吗？是否修剪整齐，灌溉充分，是否为祂结出美果？若没有，祂将要责备，但是我仍然要求祂进来。唯有正义的太阳出现，在祂的翼下有医治，才能将我的心带至正常的情况。来吧，我主我上帝，我的灵恳切邀请祢来，迫切等待祢进来。求祢在我的园中栽种鲜花，如同那些我已见过，在祢无以伦比本性中完美的花朵！以祢的温柔和智慧对付我，降雨在我的全人上，如同黄昏的露珠湿润斗地。主啊，请说，祢的仆人在听。啊，祂愿意与我同行。我已准备将全部心思意念交付给祂。我确知祂愿与我相交，因祢已赐下圣灵永住我心。每颗星星闪亮像天空中的眼精，清冷的微光是何等甜美；凉风习习如同祂大爱的呼吸！我的父，我的长兄，我甜美的安慰者啊，请以仁慈向我说话，因祢已经开启我的耳朵。

Evening, July 1

Scripture: “The voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.”(Genesis 3:8)

My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee when thou art prepared to hear. If there be any slowness to commune it is not on his part, but altogether on thine own, for he stands at the door and knocks, and if his people will but open he rejoices to enter. But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord's garden? May I venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered, and is bringing forth fruit fit for him? If not, he will have much to reprove, but still I pray him to come unto me, for nothing can so certainly bring my heart into a right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in his wings. Come, therefore, O Lord, my God, my soul invites thee earnestly, and waits for thee eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus, my well-beloved, and plant fresh flowers in my garden, such as I see blooming in such perfection in thy matchless character! Come, O my Father, who art the Husbandman, and deal with me in thy tenderness and prudence! Come, O Holy Spirit, and bedew my whole nature, as the herbs are now moistened with the evening dews. O that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth! O that he would walk with me; I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to him, and every other thought is hushed. I am only asking what he delights to give. I am sure that he will condescend to have fellowship with me, for he has given me his Holy Spirit to abide with me for ever. Sweet is the cool twilight, when every star seems like the eye of heaven, and the cool wind is as the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in lovingkindness, for thou hast opened mine ear and I am not rebellious.

《竭诚为主》 7月1日

"我實在告訴你：若有一文錢沒有還清，你斷不能從那裡出來" 马太福音 5:26  马太福音 5 

“没有一个天堂有一个地狱的角落。”神一心要使你纯洁、正直、无暇，就一刻不容你离开圣灵的监察。他催逼你一知罪，便立刻接受审判。可是你不肯，于是后果就来了，你如今在监牢中，必须还清每一文钱，才可以出来。你会说：“这岂是慈悲仁爱的神吗？”从神那方面看来，这正是他荣耀的爱。神要叫你出来时圣洁无暇；同时他要你看透自己的本性－－就是要抓紧权利。一旦你肯让神改变你，他再造的大能就产生功效。一旦你明白神的用心，是要你与他有正确的关系，也与其他人有正确的关系，神就会用尽宇宙一切的权能，助你走上正途。

请你现在立志－－“我肯，主啊，今晚我必定写那封信”；“我现在就与那人和好”。

耶稣基督这信息是对你的意志与良心而讲的，而不是对你的理智而发出。你若拿登山宝训去强辩，就会把心中的呼召声冲淡了。

“我不明白为什么与神没有进展？”你有没有偿还神心目中的债？你一直拖延的事，现在就做吧。每一个道德呼声背后，都有一个“应该”。

祈祷◆噢，主啊，但愿我能看见你的面容，认识你的能力和那使人兴奋的恩典。愿你靠近我这个已完全复原的生命，并且求你宽恕我忽略了你如何使我复原。

July 1 The Inevitable Penalty

“Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the uttermost farthing.” Matthew 5:26

There is no heaven with a little corner of hell in it. God is determined to make you pure and holy and right; He will not allow you to escape for one moment from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit. He urged you to come to judgment right away when He convicted you, but you did not; the inevitable process began to work and now you are in prison, and you will only get out when you have paid the uttermost farthing. “Is this a God of mercy, and of love?” you say. Seen from God's side, it is a glorious ministry of love. God is going to bring you out pure and spotless and undefiled; but He wants you to recognize the disposition you were showing – the disposition of your right to yourself. The moment you are willing that God should alter your disposition, His recreating forces will begin to work. The moment you realize God's purpose, which is to get you rightly related to Himself and then to your fellow men, He will tax the last limit of the universe to help you take the right road. Decide it now – “Yes, Lord, I will write that letter to-night”; “I will be reconciled to that man now.”

These messages of Jesus Christ are for the will and the conscience, not for the head. If you dispute the Sermon on the Mount with your head, you will blunt the appeal to your heart.

七月一日 信心的支票簿Faith’s check book

神同在

经文:「但 神必与你们同在。」（创世记48︰21）创世记 48:21 创世记 48

雅各年纪老迈，即将归天家，但他一点也不挂虑，他很有信心地对约瑟说︰「 神必与你们同在。」同样，当我们至亲好友行将离世之际，我们大可安慰自己，知道神必不离开我们，祂要永远与我们同在。

若神与我们同在，即使我们贫穷，又受人藐视，也算不得什么。若神与我同在，我们总得保全，因为在神的荫疪下，任何祸害不会临及。喔！这是何等大的喜乐， 神不仅现在与我同在，而且将一直与我同在。祂以教会、家庭、密友的形式，与我们同在。这不就是祂的名以马内利﹖ 神与人同在！这岂非世间最好的事﹖ 神与人同在！让我们勇气十足，信心百倍，知道真理必要得胜，凡事必得亨通，因为神必要与那想与祂同在的人在一起。

愿今天每位信徒读到《信心支票簿》中这句甜美经文时，无不心中欢喜快乐。人间再没有任何福乐，比神与我同在更甘甜！

God with Us

Scripture: "God shall be with you"(Genesis 48:21).

Good old Jacob could no more be with Joseph, for his hour had come to die: but he left his son without anxiety, for he said with confidence, "God shall be with you." When our dearest relations or our most helpful friends are called home by death, we must console ourselves with the reflection that the LORD is not departed from us but lives for us and abides with us forever.

If God be with us, we are in ennobling company, even though we are poor and despised. If God be with us, we have all-sufficient strength, for nothing can be too hard for the LORD. If God be with us, we are always safe, for none can harm those who walk under His shadow. Oh, what a joy we have here! Not only is God with us, but He will be with us. With us as individuals; with us as families; with us as churches. Is not the very name of Jesus, Immanuel -- God with us? Is not this the best of all, that God is with us? Let us be bravely diligent and joyously hopeful. Our cause must prosper, the truth must win, for the LORD is with those who are with Him. All this day may this sweet word be enjoyed by every believer who turns to "Faith's Check Book." No greater happiness is possible.

七月一日

信徒当常回到主里面，安静休息；主是信徒得力量的泉源，也是信徒退休的地方。若是在主之外另求安息之所，安息在自己的家庭中，或是安息在娱乐场中，就很难作一个有能力的信徒。信徒必须从世界中出来，然后再进入世界，才能作好救人的工作。世上的人都象沉浮在水中的人，我们若是和世人一同沉浮，如何能救别人呢？

　　我们必须是在岸上的人，然后下到水中去，才能拯救水中的人。必须自己站稳了，才能扶别人起来；必须自己刚强，才能扶持软弱的人。

　　先知耶利米说：「我没有坐宴乐人的会中，也没有欢乐；我因祢的感动，独自静坐。」（耶十五17）不但先知耶利米一人如此，凡在神面前有力量的仆人，都是在神面前另有一个心志。

　　神对耶利米说：「你若归回，我就将你再带来，使你站在我面前；你若将宝贵的，和下贱的分别出来，你就可以当作我的口，他们必归向你，你却不可归向他们。」（耶十五19）

　　所以属神的人，必须回到神面前，先充实自己，然后才能合神心意。摩西制造会幕之前，先到神前住了两个四十昼夜，听明白了神所指示的图样；制造的时候件件东西都是照著神的指示。不但神的仆人当有与神相交的工夫，每一位信徒都必须与神有亲密的相交，才能作一个蒙神喜悦的人，凡主用宝血所救赎的，都应当分别归神为圣。

　　「惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。」（彼前二9）

《荒漠甘泉》7月1日

　　“主对他所说的话，都要应验。”（路1章45节）

　　“到了时候，这话必然应验。”（路1章20节）

　　亨利马太(Henry Mathew)说：“当我们四面的出路都被封了起来，对于神的应许发生了疑问的时候，就该想神的应许，是不能不应验的。因为“神的应许，不论有多少，在基督都是是的。所以藉着他也都是实在的，叫神因我们得荣耀。”（林后1章20节）

七日二日

我们的心必靠他欢喜。（诗 33：21）诗篇 33:21 诗篇 33

基督徒在苦难的极深处仍然欢喜，真是一件有福的事；困难虽然环绕着他们，他们仍能歌唱；并且像善唱的鸟儿一样，在它们的巢中高唱不休。波浪虽或淹没他们，但他们的灵魂不久就升出水面，看到神面的荣光；有一种浮力使他们的头永远高过汹涌的波浪，并使他们在浪潮当中仍能高唱“神仍与我同在”。荣耀要归给谁呢？要归给耶稣——那都是因着耶稣。苦难不一定带给信徒什么安慰，但有神的儿子与他同在烈火的窑中，他的心就满了快乐；当患病受苦时，耶稣必眷顾他并为他铺床；当他临终时，约旦河的水虽然冰冷地没到他的颈颈，但耶稣必伸出他的双手怀抱他说：“我所爱的门徒啊！不要怕，死是蒙福的事，死流的源头乃在天堂；它们并不是苦的，而是甜如蜂蜜，因为它们是从神的宝座那里流出来的。”行将离去的圣徒涉过河流时，巨浪环绕着他，心力疲弱至极，他的耳中仍可听到相同的话说：“不要惧怕，因为我与你同在；不要惊惶，因为我是你的神。”当他临近无限奥秘之门，几乎怕进入那奥境，耶稣说：“不要惧怕，因为你们的父，乐意把国赐给你们。”信徒因此便可得到力量和安慰，就不怕死了。不仅如此，他甚至愿意离世，因为他可以看到耶稣，像明亮的晨星，他切望看到他力量的源头耶稣。真的，只要耶稣与我们同在，就是我们所期望的天堂了。他是我们白天的荣耀，晚间的安慰。

七月二日

经文: 耶和华阿，我要求告祢。我的磐石阿，不要向我缄默。倘若祢向我闭口，我就如将死的人一样。（诗篇二十八：1）诗篇 28:1 诗篇 28

呼求是忧伤的自然表现，也是忧伤时适当之言语，特别在所有的其它表示方法皆不生效时。但是呼求必须直接向主而发，因为向人求告只是浪费时间。当我们知道主随时准备聆听，并且祂有能力帮助我们时，我们就明白应将所有的困难立即向救恩的上帝陈述。在审判之日向山岩呼求是无用的，可是我们的磐石随时听我们的呼求。“不要向我闭口”。那些只有祈祷行动的人，即使祈祷未蒙垂听也可能感到心安，但是真正的恳求者不能，祂必要得到从天而来的确实答覆，否则不能安息。祂渴望能即时得到答覆，即使上帝静默片刻也会令祂害怕。上帝的声音有时甚可怕，会震撼旷野，偍是上帝的静默也同样令人生畏。上帝似乎闭耳不听时，我们更需恳切呼求。当我们的声音因迫切和忧伤变得尖锐时，祂不会让我们久待，拒绝垂听。祂若对我们的祈求永久沉默，我们将陷入何等可怕的景况啊！“倘若祢向我闭口，我就如将死的人一样。”倘若不能享受应允祈祷的上帝，我们将比在坟墓中的死人更为可怜，很快就会下沉至地狱中，如同那些失丧的人一样。我们必须要得到祈祷的回应，因为我们面临的是紧急事件。主必然会向我们受搅的头脑说出平安的话，因为祂不会让他所爱的儿女灭亡。

Evening, July 2

Scripture: “Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.”(Psalm 28:1)

A cry is the natural expression of sorrow, and a suitable utterance when all other modes of appeal fail us; but the cry must be alone directed to the Lord, for to cry to man is to waste our entreaties upon the air. When we consider the readiness of the Lord to hear, and his ability to aid, we shall see good reason for directing all our appeals at once to the God of our salvation. It will be in vain to call to the rocks in the day of judgment, but our Rock attends to our cries.“Be not silent to me.” Mere formalists may be content without answers to their prayers, but genuine suppliants cannot; they are not satisfied with the results of prayer itself in calming the mind and subduing the will－they must go further, and obtain actual replies from heaven, or they cannot rest; and those replies they long to receive at once, they dread even a little of God's silence. God's voice is often so terrible that it shakes the wilderness; but his silence is equally full of awe to an eager suppliant. When God seems to close his ear, we must not therefore close our mouths, but rather cry with more earnestness; for when our note grows shrill with eagerness and grief, he will not long deny us a hearing. What a dreadful case should we be in if the Lord should become for ever silent to our prayers? “Lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” Deprived of the God who answers prayer, we should be in a more pitiable plight than the dead in the grave, and should soon sink to the same level as the lost in hell. We must have answers to prayer: ours is an urgent case of dire necessity; surely the Lord will speak peace to our agitated minds, for he never can find it in his heart to permit his own elect to perish.

《竭诚为主》 7月2日

人到我这里来，若不爱我胜过……就不能作我的门徒。

（路十四26、27、33）路加福音 14:26-33 路加福音 14

耶稣基督说人生中最亲密的关系，若与他的要求相冲突的话，就必须立刻选择顺服他。作门徒的意思，就是把自己诚意地奉献给一位——我们的主耶稣基督。对一个有位格的主奉献，与对一个原则或运动献身，并不相同。我们的主从没有宣告一项运动，他宣告的乃是叫人对他个别的献身。作门徒就是做主忠诚的爱奴。我们这些自称基督徒的人，许多根本就不专心爱主。除非圣灵把爱浇灌给人，否则世上没有一个人懂得热诚爱主。我们也许会仰慕他、尊敬他，但却不会爱他。唯一爱耶稣的就是圣灵，是他把神的爱倾泻入我们心中。圣灵一见有荣耀耶穌耶稣的机会，就会占有你的心、你整个的人，使你在主耶稣的热爱中燃烧发光。

基督徒的生命，都盖上了“自然的道德创造力”的印记，所以门徒像主耶稣一样被人指责为：矛盾不一。其实，主耶稣时刻对神都是如一。信徒也该对神的儿子始终如一，而不是在死硬的教条上持守。人把自己倾进教条里去，神却要把人的偏见炸毁，叫他们懂得专心爱他。

祈祷◆我何等需要看见你那威严、大能和荣耀的作为！我们所有人都只需要你的触摸，使一切事物都变成崭新而奇妙，并且抗衡任何不属于你的影响和标准。愿你的同在使我们得以洁净和满有能力。

July 2 The Conditions Of Discipleship

“If any man come to Me, and hate not . . . he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26, also 27, 33

If the closest relationships of life clash with the claims of Jesus Christ, He says it must be instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person, Our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a difference between devotion to a Person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause; He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself. To be a disciple is to be a devoted love-slave of the Lord Jesus. Many of us who call ourselves Christians are not devoted to Jesus Christ. No man on earth has this passionate love to the Lord Jesus unless the Holy Ghost has imparted it to him. We may admire Him, we may respect Him and reverence Him, but we cannot love Him. The only Lover of the Lord Jesus is the Holy Ghost, and He sheds abroad the very love of God in our hearts. Whenever the Holy Ghost sees a chance of glorifying Jesus, He will take your heart, your nerves, your whole personality, and simply make you blaze and glow with devotion to Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is stamped by 'moral spontaneous originality', consequently the disciple is open to the same charge that Jesus Christ was, viz., that of inconsistency. But Jesus Christ was always consistent to God, and the Christian must be consistent to the life of the Son of God in him, not consistent to hard and fast creeds. Men pour them selves into creeds, and God has to blast them out of their prejudices before they can become devoted to Jesus Christ.

七日二日 信心的支票簿Faith’s check book

安然入睡

经文:「惟有耶和华所亲爱的，必叫他安然睡觉。」（诗篇127︰2） 诗篇 127:2 诗篇 127

基督徒的生活是既快乐，又充满信心，而不是忧虑悲观的。天上的父总是一无所缺地供应祂子女的需要，甚至在我们还未开口求以先，祂就知道我们的需要。我们尽管安然入睡，何苦熬夜自己在那冥思苦想、忧心筹划﹖若我们学会完全交托给 神，就不会夜夜不眠，让忧虑啃噬我们的心。我们只要时常默想 神必感到甜美，便将忧虑卸给祂， 祂必使我们安然入睡。

再没有比成为 神所爱的，更加美好的事了；当我们拥有了 神的爱，便将不再有野心的欲望，每一自私的念头也必悄然安静。任何事都不能与 神的爱相比，即使在天上，也没有什么值得眷恋的。喔，我的灵啊，安歇吧，你已经拥有了一切。

若非 神自己赐下祂的安息和安息的理由，我们则时常辗转反侧，难以成眠；然而， 神诚然这么做了，并且耶稣本身就是我们心中的平安、安息，一切。无论或生活死，在 祂的怀抱中，是最稳妥不过的事。

耶稣赦罪的宝血给我新生，使我安息在神的怀抱，救主的胸前。

Refreshing Sleep

Scripture: "So He giveth His beloved sleep"(Psalm 127:2).

Ours is not a life of anxious care but of happy faith. Our heavenly Father will supply the wants of His own children, and He knoweth what we have need of before we ask Him. We may therefore go to our beds at the proper hour and not wear ourselves out by sitting up late to plot, and plan, and contrive. If we have learned to rely upon our God, we shall not lie awake with fear gnawing at our hearts; but we shall leave our care with the LORD, our meditation of Him shall be sweet, and He will give us refreshing sleep.

To be the LORD's beloved is the highest possible honor, and he who has it may feel that ambition itself could desire no more, and therefore every selfish wish may go to sleep. What more is there even in heaven than the love of God? Rest, then, O soul, for thou hast all things. Yet we toss to and fro unless the LORD Himself gives us not only the reasons for rest but rest itself. Yea, He doth this. Jesus Himself is our peace, our rest, our all. On His bosom we sleep in perfect security, both in life and in death.

Sprinkled afresh with pardoning blood,

I lay me down to rest

As in the embraces of my God,

Or on my Saviour's breast.

七月二日

信徒当常回到主里面，安静休息；主是信徒得力量的泉源，也是信徒退休的地方。若是在主之外另求安息之所，安息在自己的家庭中，或是安息在娱乐场中，就很难作一个有能力的信徒。信徒必须从世界中出来，然后再进入世界，才能作好救人的工作。世上的人都象沉浮在水中的人，我们若是和世人一同沉浮，如何能救别人呢？

　　我们必须是在岸上的人，然后下到水中去，才能拯救水中的人。必须自己站稳了，才能扶别人起来；必须自己刚强，才能扶持软弱的人。

　　先知耶利米说：「我没有坐宴乐人的会中，也没有欢乐；我因祢的感动，独自静坐。」（耶十五17）不但先知耶利米一人如此，凡在神面前有力量的仆人，都是在神面前另有一个心志。

　　神对耶利米说：「你若归回，我就将你再带来，使你站在我面前；你若将宝贵的，和下贱的分别出来，你就可以当作我的口，他们必归向你，你却不可归向他们。」（耶十五19）　　所以属神的人，必须回到神面前，先充实自己，然后才能合神心意。摩西制造会幕之前，先到神前住了两个四十昼夜，听明白了神所指示的图样；制造的时候件件东西都是照著神的指示。不但神的仆人当有与神相交的工夫，每一位信徒都必须与神有亲密的相交，才能作一个蒙神喜悦的人，凡主用宝血所救赎的，都应当分别归神为圣。

　　「惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。」（彼前二9）

《荒漠甘泉》7月2日

　　“你行走，脚步必不至狭窄。”（箴4章12节）

　　神从来不替我们预先建筑一架信心的桥梁来等待我们经过的，必须等我们走到那里，他才为我们开路；如果他先替我们建筑好了，那就不能称作“信心的桥梁”了，眼见的不能算作信心。

　　一个花园大门旁边有一种出口的小门。当我们行近那门的时候，它一点都没有变动。我们在它旁边站立一天，仍旧不见它打开一点。但是如果我们向前走去，门上的机轮，经了人体的推动，就会向左转动；这样，便给我们一个出口。

　　走信心的道路，也是如此。无论我们的拦阻是江河，是铜门，是高山，我们只要大着胆向前走去就是了。如果是一道江河，当我们脚一入水的时候，江河便会变成干地。如果是一扇铜门，当我们向前推进的时候，铜门便会自动开展。如果是一座高山，当我们奋勇前进的时候，高山便会倒入海中。

　　读者，你的道路上现在有没有东西在拦阻你前进？你只要奉主的名向前走去，一切的拦阻都会冰消瓦解了。——崔伦保（Henry Clay Trumbull）

七月三日

这又丑陋又干瘦的七只母牛吃尽了那又美好又肥壮的七只母牛。法老就醒了。（创41：4）创世记 41:4 创世记 41

法老睡时的梦常是我醒时的经验。我懒惰的日子常把我热心时辛勤工作果效毁坏净尽；我冷淡的时期常把火热兴奋时，适于生长的温暖冻结起来；世事的缠绕常使我属神的生命不能向前生长。我必须留心干瘦的祷告、干瘦的赞美、干瘦的工作和干瘦经验，因为这些要把我肥壮的安慰和平安吞吃净尽。若我忽略我的祷告，总是敷衍塞责、匆忙仓惶的话，我就必丧失我所已经得到的灵福；若我不从天上时时取得新鲜的营养，不久我仓中的一点陈粮必因我灵魂的大饥荒消耗枯竭起来。当冷淡的毛虫、世俗的害虫和放纵的蝗虫，使我的心田荒芜贫瘠时，我的灵魂就枯萎凋零起来，我以前在恩典中的果子和长进就算不得什么了。我切愿我没有干瘦的日子，没有丑陋的时候！若我每天向着我的标竿奔跑，不久我就必会到达，但是退后的力量常使我不能得到那从上面召我来得的奖赏，并把我辛勤所作的工作夺去。使我的日子能像“肥壮”的母牛一样的惟一方法是在适当的草场喂养它们，用那些日子来服侍神，在他的工作上，在与他的灵交上，在敬畏他的事上，并在他的道路上服付侍他。为什么不该在爱心、功效和快乐上本年比往年更富足呢？我已更近属天的山峰，我已有更多认识主的经验，我就应当更像他。主啊！使我的灵命不受干瘦的咒诅；使永不叫我说：“我消瘦了，我消瘦了，我有祸了！”（改译）而让我在你的家中得到饱足和和营养，好叫我赞美你的名。

七月三日

经文: 我们若能忍耐，也必和祂一同作王。（提摩太后书二：12）提摩太后书 2:12

 提摩太后书 2

倘若我们并不在祂里面，就不可能想像自己能为基督受苦和能与基督同受苦难。你是否单单信靠耶稣？若否，在世上无论你在哀痛的是什么，都不是“与基督同受苦难”。这类受苦不能带给你将来在天和祂一同作王的盼望。我们不能下结论，认为基督徒所受的苦难都是与基督一同受苦。他必须是蒙上帝呼召去受苦。我们若轻率、卤莽陷入一些状况，其中并没有为我们预备上帝的保佑和恩典，我们就必须自问是犯罪或是与耶稣相交。我们若让自己的感情代替判断，容许自我意旨代替圣经的权威，就是用魔鬼的武器去为主争战。倘若我们在争战中受伤，那是不必惊讶的。若因犯罪的结果使我们陷入麻烦，不要梦想以为自己是与基督一同同苦。上帝所接纳的受苦最终必须有上帝的荣耀。若为了赢得美名或称赞而受苦，我们所得的赏赐是法利赛人所能得的赏赐。所有忍凡包容的原因必须是出于爱耶稣并且爱我们的兄弟姊妹。我们应当在谦卑、温柔和饶恕上彰显基督的本性。让我们鉴察自己的心，看看是否真正与耶稣一同受苦。我们若与祂一同受苦，所遭遇的轻微苦难比起和祂一同作王，何足挂齿？与基督一同受炉火煎熬是一种福气，与祂一同受讥谨、受辱骂是一种荣耀。即使将来没有赏赐，处在目前的荣耀中我们也已算够幸运了。但是赏赐是无限的、超过我们所能预期的，我们岂不该心甘情愿地背起十字架，欢欢喜喜继续前进？

Evening, July 3

Scripture: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”(2 Timothy 2:12)

We must not imagine that we are suffering for Christ, and with Christ, if we are not in Christ. Beloved friend, are you trusting to Jesus only? If not, whatever you may have to mourn over on earth, you are not “suffering with Christ,” and have no hope of reigning with him in heaven. Neither are we to conclude that all a Christian's sufferings are sufferings with Christ, for it is essential that he be called by God to suffer. If we are rash and imprudent, and run into positions for which neither providence nor grace has fitted us, we ought to question whether we are not rather sinning than communing with Jesus. If we let passion take the place of judgment, and self-will reign instead of Scriptural authority, we shall fight the Lord's battles with the devil's weapons, and if we cut our own fingers we must not be surprised. Again, in troubles which come upon us as the result of sin, we must not dream that we are suffering with Christ. When Miriam spoke evil of Moses, and the leprosy polluted her, she was not suffering for God. Moreover, suffering which God accepts must have God's glory as its end. If I suffer that I may earn a name, or win applause, I shall get no other reward than that of the Pharisee. It is requisite also that love to Jesus, and love to his elect, be ever the mainspring of all our patience. We must manifest the Spirit of Christ in meekness, gentleness, and forgiveness. Let us search and see if we truly suffer with Jesus. And if we do thus suffer, what is our “light affliction” compared with reigning with him? Oh it is so blessed to be in the furnace with Christ, and such an honour to stand in the pillory with him, that if there were no future reward, we might count ourselves happy in present honour; but when the recompense is so eternal, so infinitely more than we had any right to expect, shall we not take up the cross with alacrity, and go on our way rejoicing?

《竭诚为主》 7月3日

祸哉，我灭亡了。因为我是嘴唇不洁的人。（赛六5）以赛亚书 6:5 以赛亚书 6

我来到神面前，自觉是个罪人。那意识不会是模棱两可的，我必然是意识到我生命的某一方面有罪。人可以很容易地说：“是的，我是个罪人。”但当他一旦来到神面前，就不能凭这句话轻轻逃过去。那知罪的意念会集中在——“我这个不是，那个不对。”人来到神面前总有这个标记。罪的意识不会模糊不清，一定是集中在个人的某一些事上。神起初总是藉圣灵指控我们心中的某一件事，我们若在这件事上承认自己有罪，他便把我们引进下面最大的罪根性区。我们若是在神面前，他总是这样对付我们。

这个把罪恶集中的经历，不论在最伟大的圣徒或最渺小的罪人身上，都毫无分别。在这经历第一级阶梯上的人会说：“我不知过错何在，但神的灵必会指出我在哪一件事上犯了错。”以赛亚看见圣洁的神，他就察觉自己是嘴唇不洁的人。“将炭沾我的口说，看哪，这炭沾了你的嘴，你的罪孽便除掉，你的罪恶就赦免了。”洁净的火必要施于罪恶集中之处。

祈祷◆主啊，愿你的纯洁渗透我们的思想、身体和感情；让我们完全认知和迅速彰显你那活泼而使人充满生气的作为。愿你那丰富的能力，进入我们的生活中。

July 3 The Concentration Of Personal Sin

“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips.” Isaiah 6:5

When I get into the presence of God, I do not realize that I am a sinner in an indefinite sense; I realize the concentration of sin in a particular feature of my life. A man will say easily – ‘Oh, yes, I know I am a sinner’; but when he gets into the presence of God he cannot get off with that statement. The conviction is concentrated on – I am this, or that, or the other. This is always the sign that a man or woman is in the presence of God. There is never any vague sense of sin, but the concentration of sin in some personal particular. God begins by convicting us of the one thing fixed on in the mind that is prompted by His Spirit; if we will yield to His conviction on that point, He will lead us down to the great disposition of sin underneath. That is the way God always deals with us when we are consciously in His presence.

This experience of the concentration of sin is true in the greatest and the least of saints as well as in the greatest and the least of sinners. When a man is on the first rung of the ladder of experience, he may say – I do not know where I have gone wrong; but the Spirit of God will point out some particular definite thing. The effect of the vision of the holiness of the Lord on Isaiah was to bring home to him that he was a man of unclean lips. “And he laid it upon my mouth, and said Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” The cleansing fire had to be applied where the sin had been concentrated.

七月三日 信心的支票簿Faith’s check book

最佳向导

经文:「祂必作我们引路的，直到死时。」（诗篇48︰14）诗篇 48:14 诗篇 48

我们需要一个引路的。有时我们甚至愿倾家荡产，只为求得有人指点迷津，知道何去何从。尤其在十字路口时，我们更需要有个引路者，指示我们正确的方向。

我主我 神，从天降世，为要做我们的引路人，祂知道那路，且引领我们平安地渡到人生的彼岸。我们绝不希望误入歧途，走冤枉路。我们只要将自己完全地降服在 神的引导下，必不会走错路。让我们尊主为大，找到祂做我们的向导。若我们遵行祂的律法，便不会偏离人生正确的道路，但首先我们得学习所行的每一步都要紧紧地跟随祂。

我们得安慰，只因祂是我们永在的 神，是我们永远的向导，甚至离世时祂也将引领我们到天家与祂永居，不再分离。这是神引导的应许，是一生之久的保证︰立刻的救恩，一生的引导，无穷的福份。我们岂不该趁着年轻赶紧寻见祂；在中年时得享喜乐；好在老年静候进入天家﹖今天在我们出门前，让我们信靠祂的引导与带领！

A Guide All the Way

Scripture: "He will be my guide even unto death"(Psalm 48:14).

We need a guide. Sometimes we would give all that we have to be told exactly what to do and where to turn. We are willing to do right, but we do not know which one of two roads we are to follow. Oh, for a guide!

The LORD our God condescends to serve us as guide. He knows the way and will pilot us along it till we reach our journey's end in peace. Surely we do not desire more infallible direction. Let us place ourselves absolutely under His guidance, and we shall never miss our way. Let us make Him our God, and we shall find Him our guide. If we follow His law we shall not miss the right road of life, provided we first learn to lean upon Him in every step that we take.

Our comfort is that as He is our God forever and ever, He will never cease to be with us as our guide. "Even unto death" will He lead us, and then we shall dwell with Him eternally and go no more out forever. This promise of divine guidance involves lifelong security: salvation at once, guidance unto our last hour, and then endless blessedness. Should not each one seek this in youth, rejoice in it in middle life, and repose in it in old age? This day let us look up for guidance before we trust ourselves out-of-doors.

七月三日

主说：「你们祈求，就给你们；寻找，就寻见；叩门，就给你们开门。因为凡祈求的，就得著；寻找的，就寻见；叩门的，就给他开门。」（太七7至8）

　　这是主耶稣论到人到神面前可以自由得著神的一切，无论是谁都可以得。这也是一个定律，在甚么事上祈求，就在甚么事上得著；在甚么事上叩门，就在甚么事上开门；在甚么事上寻找，就在甚么事上寻见。

　　有一位姊妹，从前在音乐上追求，就在音乐上长进；当她追求的时候，音乐就进入她的里面，成为她的产业，她进入音乐中，音乐也进入她心中，她与音乐合而为一了。后来她在基督里追求，基督就带著祂的丰富进到她的心中，她与基督合而为一，她在基督里面，基督在她里面。音乐是无形体的死东西，神是永活的灵；每日与神相交，与神联合，藉着圣经的启发认识祂，祂就在我们里面天天加增，我们也天天在神里面进深。　　我们所得著基督的丰富，就是我们永存的基业，即便身体与万物同化，我们所得著的仍然存在，并且所得著的都要显现在荣耀中。不但将来要显现，今天也要实现在我们的生活中；神的能力不断地在那里吞灭我们的肉体。与神联合起来的人，他的进步是何等的迅速呢！他的工作是何等有果效呢！一点不费自己的力量，一切都是神的能力所推动的。因为我们向神叩门，向神祈求，向神寻找，神就给我们开门，就叫我们得著，就叫我们寻见。

《荒漠甘泉》7月3日

　　“那耕地为要撒种的，岂是常常耕地呢？”（赛28章24节）

　　一天初夏，我走过一块美丽的草场。上面的青草非常柔软，浓厚，纯粹，真象一块东方的绿色大地毯。草场的一隅栽着一棵佳美的古树，树上停着无数美丽的野鸟；晴爽的空中充满了它们悦耳的歌声。两只母牛躺卧在凉爽的树荫下，洋洋得意。

　　路旁种着黄色的蒲公英，蒲公英中间，又夹着紫色的紫罗兰。

　　我倚着竹篱呆望了好久，尽量饱享了一顿眼福，心中想着：神所造的宇宙中，没有一处能比这里更美丽更可爱了。

　　第二天我又走过那条路，看啊！那幅美丽的图画全被拆毁了。一个农夫扶着铁犁，站在畦间，在一天之内造成了这一个大破坏！绿色的青草没有了，留着的只是一片丑陋光秃的黄土；歌唱的野鸟不见了，却换来了几只抓土啄虫的老母鸡。路旁的蒲公英，美丽的紫罗兰，一概都不见了。我忧忧愁愁地自语着：“这样美丽的东西，也有人忍心损害吗？”

　　那时全能的手打开了我的眼睛，叫我看见已熟的禾稼等待人去收割。我能够看见巨大迟笨的草人巍立在日光之下；我能够听见秋风掠过麦穗的响声。我就领悟到：若不经过那块丑陋光秃的黄土，就得不到收割禾稼的光荣。

七月四日

求你用真理使他们成圣。（约17：17）约翰福音 17:17 约翰福音 17

成圣始于重生之时。神的灵赐人新生命和新的人生观叫他在基督耶稣里成为“新造的人”。这种工作从新生之后就开始了，有两种方式：一是攻克，就是制服肉体的情欲；二是激励，使神赐我的生命在我里面成为活水的泉源，直涌到永生。这种工作可说是“持守”（弗6：18为警醒不倦）的工作，当天天继续，基督徒因此才能保守并继续在恩典当中，也能在善工上多结好果子使神得到颂赞和荣耀；至终必在“荣耀”里得以完全，当灵魂完全被洗净之后，就被接到至高神的右边与众圣同列。因此成圣的工作是出于神的灵，但还有一种看得见的方法，也是不可忘记的。耶稣说：“求你用真理使他们成圣，你的道就是真理。”有很多经文可以证明，神的话实在是使我们成圣的一种工具。神的灵使我们的心明白真理的意义和教义，并赐能力叫我们能应用 真理。我们把神的话听在耳中，存在心里，它们就在我们里面动工，叫我们所愿所行的都以使神喜悦为目的。真理使我们成圣，但我们若不听不念这真理，我们就不能使成圣的生活有所长进。我们在长进的时候，必须有健全的知识才能有健全的生活。“你的话是我脚前的灯，是我路上的光。”不要错解神的话，这并不是一件可以随人意解释的事；一个人的判断若有错误，迟早所行出来的也必发生错误。要坚守真理，因为你这样持守真道，神的灵必使你成圣。

七月四日

经文: 就是手洁心清，不向虚妄，起誓不怀诡诈的人。（诗篇二十四：4） 诗篇 24:4 诗篇 24

圣洁的外貌是恩典的宝贵记号。许多人曲解因信称义的教义以致轻视行善。在审判日，祂将接受永远的眨降。我们的手若不清洁，让我们在耶稣的宝血中将手洗净，以致能向上帝举起清洁的双手。但是清洁的手尚且不足，必须与清洁的心想连。真正的宗教是心灵的工作。我们可以洗净杯子的外部并洗净碟子，若是内部污秽，在上帝的眼中我们仍是污秽的。我们的真正生命是内在的本性，这也是内心需要清洁的原因。清心的人必得见上帝（参阅太五：8），其他的都是瞎眼的。为天国而生的人“不向虚妄”。所有的人都喜欢心灵向上。不相信的人向往肉体的欢乐，那不过是空虚浮华；圣徒却在主的道中欢欣。满足于豆荚的，将被置于猪群之中。世界能让你满足吗？若是，你就已经得着今生的报酬了。尽情享受吧，因为你没有其它欢乐了。 圣徒是受尊重的人物。基督徒所说的话就是他唯一的誓言，他所起的一个誓比别人所起的二十个誓言更好。虚假的话将在天国以外，因为说谎的人不能进入上帝的家。今晚，这节经文是否定你的罪？或是，今晚你盼望能登上主的山吗？

Evening, July 4

Scripture: “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”(Psalm 24:4)

Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus’ precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But “clean hands” will not suffice, unless they are connected with “a pure heart.” True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are; the very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure in heart shall see God, all others are but blind bats.The man who is born for heaven “hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity.” All men have their joys, by which their souls are lifted up; the worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities; but the saint loves more substantial things; like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He who is content with husks, will be reckoned with the swine. Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and portion in this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy.“Nor sworn deceitfully.” The saints are men of honour still. The Christian man's word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty oaths of other men. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not enter into God's house, whatever may be his professions or doings. Reader, does the text before us condemn thee, or dost thou hope to ascend into the hill of the Lord?

《竭诚为主》 7月4日

不要心怀不平，以致作恶。（诗三十七8）诗篇 37:8 诗篇 37

心怀不平就是思想上或灵性上的反抗状态。口头上说不要心怀不平，与内心真的没有不平是两回事。说“安息在主里”、“忍耐等候主”多么容易，但风浪一至，生活落在困逼苦恼中，真能安息在主里吗？若这个“不要”在此行不通，在其他方面就更无功效。这“不要”不但要在平安无事的日子行得通，也必须在烦恼的日子行得通，否则，这就完全没有意义。再者，若在你身上行不通，就别希冀在别人身上行得通了。安心靠主是完全不仗赖外在的环境，只在乎你与神的关系。

不安结果总变成罪。我们以为一点点的焦虑忧心是表示自己的聪明，其实这正显示我们的劣根性。不安不平是从偏行己路而来的。我们的主从不焦虑，从不忧心，因为他来到世上并非为了自己，乃是要实现神的旨意。你若是神的儿女，心怀不平是坏透了的。

你是否认为当前的处境连神也难倒了？这个思想是否支撑着你愚顽的心？把所有“假如”放在一旁，住在全能者的荫下。郑重的对神说你不再为那事心怀不平。一切的不平与挂虑，其实是离开神而自作打算。

祈祷◆主啊，我自觉深切地渴慕你和你的生命，我从诗篇九十一篇中找到保证——“他必救你”。主啊，我对它深信不疑，并且，为着你保护看顾我，我感谢你。

One Of God's Great Don'ts

“Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil doing.” Psalm 37:8 (R.V.)

Fretting means getting out at elbows mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say “Fret not,” but a very different thing to have such a disposition that you find yourself able not to fret. It sounds so easy to talk about “resting in the Lord” and “waiting patiently for Him” until the nest is upset – until we live, as so many are doing, in tumult and anguish, is it possible then to rest in the Lord? If this “don't” does not work there, it will work nowhere. This “don't” must work in days of perplexity as well as in days of peace, or it never will work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work in anyone else's case. Resting in the Lord does not depend on external circumstances at all, but on your relationship to God Himself.

Fussing always ends in sin. We imagine that a little anxiety and worry are an indication of how really wise we are; it is much more an indication of how really wicked we are. Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and He was never anxious, because He was not “out” to realize His own ideas; He was “out” to realize God's ideas. Fretting is wicked if you are a child of God.

Have you been bolstering up that stupid soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God? Put all “supposing” on one side and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about that thing. All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.

七月四日 信心的支票簿Faith’s check book

圣经是必备的灵粮

经文: 「人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。」（马太福音4︰4） 马太福音 4:4 马太福音 4

若神真肯这么做，我们可以不用吃而活；耶稣就曾四十天没吃饭；但若没有神的话，我们就不得存活。我们被造就是借着神的话；并且借着神的话托住万有，我们也才得以存活。当然，我们也需要食物得饱，但这是第二因素，神的话是我们生存的第一因素。无论有没有第二因素，神都可以自行工作，我们不能以自己有限的认知去限定神的作为。我们应当切慕那看不见的神，而不要太在意那看得见的食物。我们曾经听过这样的见证，有人在极端贫困中，神让他们食欲降低；也有人在三餐不继时，神差人及时送上食物。

但我们必须依靠神的话，有了它，我们才能抵挡魔鬼。失去神的话，我们就落入仇敌的势力中，很快便站立不住。只有圣经的话，可以使我们的灵魂饱足，世上任何书，或任何讲员，都无法真正满足我灵里的饥渴。只有神口中的话才能喂饱信徒。主啊，多多赐下这灵粮！让我们珍视您的话语胜过国王的珍馐。

The Word, Necessary Food

Scripture: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God"(Matthew 4:4).

If God so willed it we could live without bread, even as Jesus did for forty days; but we could not live without His Word. By that Word we were created, and by it alone can we be kept in being, for he sustaineth all things by the Word of His power. Bread is a second cause; the LORD Himself is the first source of our sustenance. He can work without the second cause as well as with it; and we must not tie Him down to one mode of operation. Let us not be too eager after the visible, but let us look to the invisible God. We have heard believers say that in deep poverty, when bread ran short, their appetites became short, too; and to others, when common supplies failed, the LORD has sent in unexpected help.

But we must have the Word of the LORD. With this alone we can withstand the devil. Take this from us, and our enemy will have us in his power, for we shall soon faint. Our souls need food, and there is none for them outside of the Word of the LORD. All the books and all the preachers in the world cannot furnish us a single meal: it is only the Word from the mouth of God that can fill the mouth of a believer. LORD, evermore give us this bread. We prize it above royal dainties.

七月四日

我们在灵性上贫穷，是因为我们不肯在基督里追求；我们缺乏，并不是神供给的不足。我们在基督里追求甚么：就得著甚么：追求圣洁，就得著圣洁；追求公义，就得著公义；追求爱，就得著爱；追求智慧，就得著智慧；追求能力，就得著能力。各样的美德都是属灵的实体，丰丰富富地藏在基督里面。今天我们得了多少，将来就显现多少；今天进到甚么地步，将来就止在甚么地步。在属灵的世界中，惟有属灵的东西可以存在，何不趁著今日有限的光阴，努力追求无限的实际？因为黑夜来到，就没有人能作工了！为何贪恋至暂至轻的福乐而丢弃了至重无比永远的荣耀呢？为何看重了这必朽坏的东西而忘记了真实的基业呢？

　　无限丰富的泉源啊！祢无边无际的伟大，足以供应一切爱祢之人的享受，正如祢以五饼二鱼饱足了多少饥饿的人，他们都随著各人所要求的饱足了。谁能测度祢无限量的伟大呢？谁能明白祢智慧的深奥呢？藉着祢所造天上的万象、地上的生灵，也仅仅使我们观看了祢的权能、荣耀、智慧的一隅，有一天我们要看见祢荣耀的全面，并且要住在祢的荣耀中。今天求祢打通我们心中的障碍，让祢的丰富无阻止地流入我们里面。使我们不再可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身。

　　「正因这缘故，你们要分外的殷勤；有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知识；有了知识，又要加上节制；有了节制，又要加上忍耐，有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬；有了虔敬，又要加上爱弟兄的心；有了爱弟兄的心，又要加上爱众人的心。」（彼后一5至7）

《荒漠甘泉》7月4日

　　“因为这默示有一定的日期，…虽然迟延，还要等候。因为必然临到，不再迟延。”（哈2章3节）

　　有一本美丽的小书，名叫《期望所》（Expectation Corner），里面讲到斯罗门（Adam slowman）在异象中进入神的储藏室，在那里他看见了许多奇异的东西。在许多奇异的东西中间，有一间“延福室。”（Delayed Blessings Office），里面藏着人们向神求告的一切东西，神将那些东西留在储藏室内，等候相当的时日赐给人们。

　　许多人不明白，“迟延”不是“拒绝”。他们不能领会，“迟延”是神的慈爱和智慧！以赛亚三十章十八节说：“耶和华必然等候，要赐恩给你们。”你所遭遇的患难，他都知道；他必定不是叫过于你能忍受的试炼临到你；他必须等到你里面的废物都烧尽了，才来救助你。

　　读者，你不要怀疑神的慈爱来伤神的慈心。你应当为着正在途中的拯救抬起头来赞美他；这样，你一定会得到更丰富的报偿。

七月五日

奉召作圣徒。（罗1：7）罗马书 1:7 罗马书 1

我们每每以为使徒时代的圣徒比神其他的儿女特别些。凡神所恩召、圣灵所分别的人都是“圣徒”；但我们常是把使徒看作是一些非常的人，其实他们也像我们一样地发软弱，受试探。有这存心的人忘记了一个真理，一个人的生活越靠近神，越为自己邪恶的心感到难过，神越在他服侍主的工作上尊崇他，他天天受邪情私欲的滋扰和困惑也越多。事实是这样，若我们曾看见过使徒保罗，我们必知道他和神家里的其他人是一样的可贵；若我们曾和他谈过话，我们必会说：“我们发现他的经验和我们的是一样的。他更忠心，更圣洁，灵历更深，但他所忍受的试炼和我们却是一样的。不，从另一些方面看来，他所受的苦比我们更大。”所以不要以外古圣徒能免去灾祸和罪恶，不要盲目地过于崇拜他们像拜偶像一样。他们怎样圣洁，我们也能达到那种境地。我们“奉召作圣徒”和他们是一样的，他们因圣召而得到崇高的地位，那召我们的声音是一样的。得以列在圣徒当中是每一位基督徒的责任；若圣徒的灵历比我们更高超，当然他们是很高超的，那麽让我们急起直追；让我们赶上他们的热诚和圣洁。我们所得的亮光和他们一样，我们也能得到同样的恩典，若我们的灵性不能像他们一样，我们能够知足，能够安怀吗？他们与耶稣同活，他们为耶稣而活，因此他们像耶稣。让我们靠着同一位圣灵而活，正如他们一样，“仰望主耶稣”，那麽不久我们就显明自己是圣徒了。

七月五日

经文: 你们当依靠耶和华直到永远，因为耶稣华是永久的磐石。（以赛亚书二十六：4）以赛亚书 26

有这样一位值得信靠的上帝，我们可以安息在祂里面。让我们决心驱出所有的不信。排除损伤我们安息的疑惑和恐惧。上帝是我们依靠的根基，我们绝无恐惧的理由。孩子若不信靠他的父母，父母将会何等忧伤啊！天父永不会也永不愿使我们失望，但是我们对祂没有信心，这是何等卑劣、何等残酷的行为啊！疑惑应该从上帝的家中被驱逐出去。偍是“老旧的不信”今日仍然活跃，如同诗人在问：“难道祂的慈爱永远穷尽，祂的应许世世废弃么？”（诗七十七：8）纵使疑惑来试探，我们应当述说上帝的好处。天上地上没有一人像祂。“那圣者说，你们将谁比我，叫他与我相等呢？”（赛四十：25）没有一磐石像雅各的磐石。我们的仇敌也明白这一点。不能容许疑惑活在我们心中，却要像以利亚对付巴力的先知般，将全部极可恶的罪，在河边杀尽。我们要在圣泉旁杀尽它们，此泉乃是从我们救主受伤之处涌出。我们曾经历许多试验，但是在上帝里面，我们总可以找到一切所需。让我们得鼓励永远依靠主，因祂曾经是，也永远是我们的力量，是我们的帮助，是我们的山寨。

Evening, July 5

Scripture: “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”(Isaiah 26:4)

Seeing that we have such a God to trust to, let us rest upon him with all our weight; let us resolutely drive out all unbelief, and endeavour to get rid of doubts and fears, which so much mar our comfort; since there is no excuse for fear where God is the foundation of our trust. A loving parent would be sorely grieved if his child could not trust him; and how ungenerous, how unkind is our conduct when we put so little confidence in our heavenly Father who has never failed us, and who never will. It were well if doubting were banished from the household of God; but it is to be feared that old Unbelief is as nimble nowadays as when the psalmist asked, “Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Will he be favourable no more?” David had not made any very lengthy trial of the mighty sword of the giant Goliath, and yet he said, “There is none like it.” He had tried it once in the hour of his youthful victory, and it had proved itself to be of the right metal, and therefore he praised it ever afterwards; even so should we speak well of our God, there is none like unto him in the heaven above or the earth beneath; “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” There is no rock like unto the rock of Jacob, our enemies themselves being judges. So far from suffering doubts to live in our hearts, we will take the whole detestable crew, as Elijah did the prophets of Baal, and slay them over the brook; and for a stream to kill them at, we will select the sacred torrent which wells forth from our Saviour's wounded side. We have been in many trials, but we have never yet been cast where we could not find in our God all that we needed. Let us then be encouraged to trust in the Lord for ever, assured that his ever lasting strength will be, as it has been, our succour and stay.

《竭诚为主》 7月5日

当将你的事交托耶和华，并倚靠他，他就必成全。（诗三十七5）诗篇 37

别在神以外筹算，我们很多时候为事情筹算，却没有把神放在里面；在这情况下，神往往用他奇妙的方法破坏我们的计划。我们闯进不是神所安排的环境里去，才猛然发觉自己在神以外行事，没有让神成为生活的主导。若要除去忧虑，唯一的办法是把神带到我们一切的筹算里，让他成为最大的动因。

在宗教上，我们晓得该把神放在首位，但在实际的日常生活里，却无法把他放在第一位。若我们必须披上星期日的精神状态才来亲近神，那么我们就永不会亲近神。我们必须按自己的本相来到神面前。

不要计算恶事，神真要我们不计算恶事吗？“爱……不计算人的恶。”爱并非不知恶的存在，而是不把恶计算。离开了神，我们便会计算恶；我们会从恶的立场去筹算、去推断。

别为未来的困境筹算，你若信靠主耶穌，就不会为未来筹谋。耶穌说：“你们心里不要忧愁。”神不会叫你的心没有忧愁，而是“不要……”，那是一项命令。因此一日之中，尽管是一百零一次，总要逼自己遵行，直至养成习惯，事事把神放在首位，一切的筹算有他在内。

祈祷◆“你们奉我的名无论求什么，我必成就。”噢，主啊，那是多么的奥妙，又是多么的简单——我祈求，同时相信你会藉着我的祷告，创造一些前所未有的东西，来答允我的祈求。

July 5 Don't Calculate Without God

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

Don't calculate without God.

God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the things we have calculated on without taking Him into account. We get into circumstances which were not chosen by God, and suddenly we find we have been calculating without God; He has not entered in as a living factor. The one thing that keeps us from the possibility of worrying is bringing God in as the greatest factor in all our calculations.

In our religion it is customary to put God first, but we are apt to think it is an impertinence to put Him first in the practical issues of our lives. If we imagine we have to put on our Sunday moods before we come near to God, we will never come near Him. We must come as we are.

Don't calculate with the evil in view.

Does God really mean us to take no account of the evil? “Love . . . taketh no account of the evil.” Love is not ignorant of the existence of the evil, but it does not take it in as a calculating factor. Apart from God, we do reckon with evil; we calculate with it in view and work all our reasonings from that standpoint.

Don't calculate with the rainy day in view.

You cannot lay up for a rainy day if you are trusting Jesus Christ. Jesus said – “Let not your heart be troubled.” God will not keep your heart from being troubled. It is a command – “Let not . . .” Haul yourself up a hundred and one times a day in order to do it, until you get into the habit of putting God first and calculating with Him in view.

七月五日 信心的支票簿Faith’s check book

完全的释放

经文:「耶和华说：到那日我必拯救你，你必不至交在你所怕的人手中。」（耶利米书39︰17）耶利米书 39

当　神忠心的仆人们为主受苦时，他们会从　神那儿得着甜蜜的爱的话语。有时，他们会带好消息给那些同情和帮助他们的人。以伯米勒只不过是被人瞧不起的古实人，但他对耶利米很好，所以　神借着先知的口，向他传递这特别的应许。让我们常常关怀被逼迫的　神仆人，　神会奖赏我们。

以伯米勒是一个卑微的人，但耶和华眷顾他，必不把他交在他所怕的人手中。上千的人已被迦勒底人屠杀，但这卑微的仆人，　神却看顾他，使他免于受害。我们也一样，也会害怕那些仗势凌人，与我们为敌者。但在患难时，我们若对主的事业忠心，祂会亲自眷顾我们。毕竟，若没有　神的允许，人又能对我们怎么样呢？　神在狂怒者的口中放置嚼环，用辔头罩有权者的头。让我们敬畏　神。这样，我们将别无畏惧。？即使是端给受轻视的先知的一杯水，　神都必奖赏。总之，我们若站在耶稣这边，耶稣也必站在我们这边。

Complete Deliverance

Scripture: "But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD; and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid"(Jeremiah 39:17).

When the LORD's faithful ones are suffering for Him, they shall have sweet messages of love from Himself, and sometimes they shall have glad tidings for those who sympathize with them and help them. Ebed-melech was only a despised Ethiopian, but he was kind to Jeremiah, and so the LORD sent him this special promise by the mouth of His prophet. Let us be ever mindful of God's persecuted servants, and He will reward us.

Ebed-melech was to be delivered from the men whose vengeance he feared. He was a humble man, but Jehovah would take care of him. Thousands were slain by the Chaldeans, but [he] could not be hurt. We, too, may be fearful of some great ones who are bitter against us; but if we have been faithful to the LORD's cause in the hour of persecution, He will be faithful to us. After all, what can a man do without the LORD's permission? He puts a bit into the mouth of rage and a bridle upon the head of power. Let us fear the LORD, and we shall have no one else to fear. No cup of cold water given to a despised prophet of God shall be without its reward; and if we stand up for Jesus, Jesus will stand up for us.

七月五日

信徒向世界死，向主活著，是真实的死和活，不是空洞的理论，也不是比喻。主为我们死是真实的，我们与主同死也是真实的；主为我们复活是真实的，我们与主同活也是真实的；我们信主死，是我们死的起头；我们信主复活，是我们复活的开始；我们一面死，一面活；所死去的，又活过来。在这边是渐渐死了，在那边是渐渐活了；在亚当里死去的，都在基督里活过来；主也是死去了亚当的形体，在肉身中定了罪案，但祂复活以后成了灵体。

　　主耶稣死而复活，打败了撒但的权势，从黑暗中把我们迁到神爱子的国里，为我们开了一条又新又活的路，将祂复活的灵赐给我们，又将我们放在这条又新又活的路上跟随祂走，我们就在祂死的形状上与祂联合，又在祂复活的形状上与祂联合；死是对著在亚当里所领受的旧人，复活是对著在基督里所重生的新人。

　　这死而复活的道路就是信徒在世上得胜罪恶、得著丰盛生命的道路。因为在亚当里倾向罪恶的旧人已经死去，因此就不犯罪；从基督所领受的生命活泼了，所以就爱幕良善，爱慕真理，爱慕圣洁，爱慕公义，爱慕一切属天的美德。这就是基督伟大的救恩，在今天所显出的能力。祂不但已经救我们，且不停止地救我们，直到把我们救进荣耀中，就是身体得赎。

　　「那些日子以后，我与以色列家所立的约乃是这样；我要将我的律法放在他们里面，写在他们心上……他们不用各人教导自己的乡邻，和自己的弟兄……因为他们从最小的到至大的，都必认识我。」（来八10至11）

《荒漠甘泉》7月5日

　　“…我必劝导他，领他到旷野，对他说安慰的话。从那里我必赐他葡萄园，又赐他亚割谷作为指望的门，他必在那里歌唱，与幼年的日子一样。。”（何2章14-15节，直译）

　　在什么地方找到“葡萄园？”在“旷野”里！真奇怪，在一个连出路也难找的“旷野”里找到“葡萄园”！读者，这给我们看见：我们属灵的丰富能在“旷野”里——寂静的地方——找到。不但能找到“葡萄园”，也能找到“亚割谷（亚割意译苦难）作为指望的门”。“他必在那里歌唱，与幼年的日子一样！”

　　是的，神知道我们需要旷野的经历。他知道在什么地方能生出忍耐来，他也知道怎样能生出忍耐来。我们的心是叛逆的，善于崇拜偶像的，最会忘记神，也最会固执地说：“我要随从我所爱的。。”（5节，直译）到我们绝了望被人弃绝的时候，神却说：“我必劝导他，领他到旷野，对他说安慰的话。”啊，我们的神是一个爱的神啊！

七月六日

惟有听从我的，必安然居住，得享安静，不怕灾祸。（箴1：33）箴言 1

神的爱在审判之时更能清楚地照射出来。从浓云密布的裂隙中透出来的一颗星星更加光辉灿烂；沙漠中的一片绿洲有多美丽好看，盛怒之中的爱也是这样美好光明。以色列人因为一再拜偶像，神便刑罚他们，使雨露不降在地上，因此饥荒便临到了那地；但神在行这事的时候 ，他仍然看顾他所拣选的人，保全他们。一切溪水都干了，但神还留下一条 ，为的是保全以利亚；这一条也干了之后 ，神还安排 一个保全他的地方；不仅这样，神不只有一个“以利亚”，他还有一些余留的蒙恩召的先知，共一百名，每五十名藏在一个洞里，虽然遍地都满了饥荒，这些人仍然有东西吃，而且是吃亚哈王的饮食，因为他的忠心敬畏神的家宰俄巴底奉养他们。我们从这一件事就可以看出，无论什么事来临，神的子民总是安全平稳的。任凭地震动，纵然天破裂，信徒在天翻地覆之中和平静稳妥之时一样的安全。若神不能在天下救拔他的子民，他必在天上拯救他们。若是世界容不下他们，天上必有平安稳妥的地方等待迎接他们。因此在听见打仗和打仗的风声时，要存着信心。你不要因变动而担心受怕，但要远避恶行。无论什么临到地上，你，在耶和华宽广的翅膀底下必然安然无惧。你要投靠他的应许，依赖他的信实，不管将来是多么黑暗，因为必没有什么 使你骇怕。你要留意向世人表现出来听从智慧的言语是有福的。

七月六日

经文: 我的罪孽和罪过有多少呢？（约伯记十三：23） 约伯记 13:23 约伯记 13

你曾否想过百姓的罪孽有多么重呢？请想想你自己过犯的严重性。即使上帝儿女中最圣洁的，在生活中也有多少罪过啊！将每个人的罪乘以蒙救的人数，“有许多的人，没有人能数过来”（启七：9），你就可以对那么多人、那么大的罪有一些概念，而耶稣就是为这么重的罪流出了祂的宝血。这么一来我们对如此多的罪所需付出的伟大救赎就有较正确的观念了。那是上帝唯一，也是最爱的儿子，那稣基督的宝血！祂是上帝的儿子，天使将祂的冠冕掷在祂脚前面！天上所有的合唱交响乐音环绕着祂荣耀的宝座。祂是“在万有之上，永远可称颂的上帝，阿门。”（罗九：5）然而，祂却成为仆人的样式，被鞭打、被刺伤，被压碎、被撕裂，最后被钉在十字架上。除了上帝儿子道成肉身的宝血以外，别无他物可以赦免我们的过犯。人的头脑无法估量这种神圣牺牲的无限价值。上帝百姓的罪恶是如此重大，要除去这些罪的赎价更是无法测量。因此，罪虽如洪水汹涌，回忆过去是痛苦的，但是信徒能站在伟大圣洁上帝的发光宝座前，大声说：“谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活”（罗八：34）。虽然回顾他的罪使他充满羞耻和悔恨，但他却可以此来表明上帝怜恤之伟大。罪如黑夜，但是神圣之爱的明亮晨星在其中散发着安祥的光辉。

Evening, July 6

Scripture: “How many are mine iniquities and sins?”(Job 13:23)

Have you ever really weighed and considered how great the sin of God's people is? Think how heinous is your own transgression, and you will find that not only does a sin here and there tower up like an alp, but that your iniquities are heaped upon each other, as in the old fable of the giants who piled Pelian upon Ossa, mountain upon mountain. What an aggregate of sin there is in the life of one of the most sanctified of God's children! Attempt to multiply this, the sin of one only, by the multitude of the redeemed, “a number which no man can number,” and you will have some conception of the great mass of the guilt of the people for whom Jesus shed his blood. But we arrive at a more adequate idea of the magnitude of sin by the greatness of the remedy provided. It is the blood of Jesus Christ, God's only and well-beloved Son. God's Son! Angels cast their crowns before him! All the choral symphonies of heaven surround his glorious throne. “God over all, blessed for ever. Amen.” And yet he takes upon himself the form of a servant, and is scourged and pierced, bruised and torn, and at last slain; since nothing but the blood of the incarnate Son of God could make atonement for our offences. No human mind can adequately estimate the infinite value of the divine sacrifice, for great as is the sin of God's people, the atonement which takes it away is immeasurably greater. Therefore, the believer, even when sin rolls like a black flood, and the remembrance of the past is bitter, can yet stand before the blazing throne of the great and holy God, and cry, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea rather, that hath risen again.” While the recollection of his sin fills him with shame and sorrow, he at the same time makes it a foil to show the brightness of mercy－guilt is the dark night in which the fair star of divine love shines with serene splendour.

《竭诚为主》 7月6日

发光的沙，要变为水池。（赛三十五7）以赛亚书 35:7 以赛亚书 35

在一件事实现以前，我们往往有异象。当我们发现异象虽然真确，但在我们身上却未实现时，撒旦的试探就来了。我们很容易放弃，认为继续也无济于事。异象未能实现，并且来到自卑的山谷中。

“生命不是无人开采的矿藏，乃是地心暗处掘出来的铁块，经千锤百炼，为要模造成合用的器皿。”

神给我们异象，然后带我们到山谷去锤炼，捏成该异象的形状。不少人就是在山谷中仆倒放弃。只要忍耐，每一个异象都要实现。想想神无穷的闲暇！他从不匆忙，而我们却总是忙得喘不过气来。在异象的荣光中，我们一鼓作气去作工，可是，那异象还未在我们里面成为真实。所以，神必须带我们到山谷中，经过水火的模造，直至神可以叫异象确切地在我们身上实现。自从我们有了这异象，神就一直作工，要使我们成为理想的模样，只是我们一次又一次地从他手中逃脱，想模造成自己的形象。

异象不是空中楼阁，乃是神对你的心意。让他把你放在旋盘中，照他意思去转动陶造。这样，神是神，你是你，你就必然变成与异象一模一样的形状。在这过程中，不要灰心。只要真见过神的异象，无论你怎样设法满足于次一等的状况，神也不会放过你。

祈祷◆主啊，愿我们全然交在你的手中，帮助我们能够选择你的带领，“就是我们的神以我们配得所受的呼召”。

July 6 Vision And Reality

“And the parched ground shall become a pool.” Isaiah 35:7

We always have visions, before a thing is made real. When we realize that although the vision is real, it is not real in us, then is the time that Satan comes in with his temptations, and we are apt to say it is no use to go on. Instead of the vision becoming real, there has come the valley of humiliation.

“Life is not as idle ore,

But iron dug from central gloom,

And batter'd by the shocks of doom

To shape and use.”

God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. Every vision will be made real if we will have patience. Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry. We are always in such a frantic hurry. In the light of the glory of the vision we go forth to do things, but the vision is not real in us yet; and 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 place where He can trust us with the veritable reality. Ever since we had the vision God has been at work, getting us into the shape of the ideal, and over and over again we escape from His hand and try to batter ourselves into our own shape.

The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. Don't lose heart in the process. If you have ever had the vision of God, you may try as you like to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never let you.

七月六日 信心的支票簿Faith’s check book

神爱的礼物──祂的儿子

经文: 「　神那么爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生。」（约翰福音3︰16 改译）约翰福音 3

仰望星空，浩瀚宇宙，其中北极星对航海者最有用。这节经文也像北极星那样，引导许多灵魂得到救恩。在众多的应许经文中，这个应许就像北极星那样，是众星之冠。

这经文虽是寥寥数语，却充满无比的光辉。你瞧，　神是「那么爱世人」，在爱字之前有“那么”二字，强调这爱之伟大而无法测量。其次，　神将这宝贵的礼物白白赐给我们。这礼物是　神的儿子。这独一、无价的礼物彰显了　神的爱。而这爱本来是永远无法充分显明的；然而，　神的独生子降生在世、为罪人受死，就将这爱彰显完全了。光凭这三点，就够震憾人心的！

经文中接下来，对罪人只有一个简单的要求，就是「信祂」，这为罪人指出了一条得蒙救赎的恩典之路。而且救恩的对象是一个宽泛的范围，即”所有信祂的人”。换任何一个字眼，都会有人觉得自己被排除在外，但是，“所有人”包括你我。

经文中再接下来是那伟大的应许：所有信耶稣的人不至灭亡，反得永生。这对那些知道自己终将灭亡而无法救赎自己的人，岂不是极大的福音？真的，只要相信救主耶稣，就有永生。

His Love; His Gift; His Son

Scripture: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life"(John 3:16).

Of all the stars in the sky, the pole-star is the most useful to the mariner. This text is a pole-star, for it has guided more souls to salvation than any other Scripture. It is among promises what the Great Bear is among constellations.

Several words in it shine with peculiar brilliance. Here we have God's love with a "so" to it, which marks its measureless greatness. Then we have God's gift in all its freeness and greatness. This also is God's Son, that unique and priceless gift of a love which could never fully show itself till heaven's Only-begotten had been sent to live and die for men. These three points are full of light.

Then there is the simple requirement of believing, which graciously points to a way of salvation suitable for guilty men. This is backed by a wide description -- "whosoever believeth in him." Many have found room in "whosoever" who would have felt themselves shut out by a narrower word. Then comes the great promise, that believers in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is cheering to every man who feels that he is ready to perish and that he cannot save himself. We believe in the LORD Jesus, and we have eternal life.

七月六日

主死而复活的路，对我们说并不是难走的；不象在律法下，千头万绪，总找不到一个成功的途径。主为我们开辟的新路，凡愿意走在其上的都可以得著成功；当我们走上主所预备的道路，就是活在基督里的时候；也可以说基督活在我们的心中，与基督合而为一的时候；我们的心就是基督的心，我们的生活就是基督的生活；我们的心没有犯罪的倾向，好象里面已经失去了犯罪的本能，不是不敢犯罪，乃是不愿犯罪。

　　世界上的名誉、尊贵、光荣、财富，都失掉了它们吸引的力量，因为心中的贪欲没有了，好象不爱吃肉的人不吃肉一样，不是禁止不去享受，乃是不愿意去享受。世上的穷困、患难、逼迫、羞辱，也成了不足介意的东西。就好象遇到一个刚会说话的孩子骂一个大人，那大人根本不在意，并且向小孩子笑一笑。----心中却充满了基督的仁爱、和平、圣洁、公义，属天的各样美德，就是肉体的脸面，也能透出属天的荣光，从他衰老的皱纹中，画出了满足的微笑。不用说话就作了基督的见证。这样的生活，凡愿意走在这条路中的都可以得著。

　　神的旨意就是叫我们今生在地上得以成圣。

　　「亲爱的啊！我们既有这等应许，就当洁净自己，除去身体灵魂一切的污秽，敬畏神，得以成圣。」（林后七1）「求祢用真理使他们成圣；祢的道就是真理……我为他们的缘故，自己分别为圣，叫他们也因真理成圣。」（约十七17至19）

《荒漠甘泉》7月6日

　　“我们也不知道怎样行，我们的眼目，单仰望你。”（代下20章12节）

　　以色列人中，有人因为未奉神命，轻易用人手去扶住约柜，以致遭了击杀。虽然他去的目的顶好——为着要按住约柜的震动——但是他的僭越使他丧失了生命。

　　信心的生活是怎样的生活呢？就是自己一点不管，让神去负全责。

　　如果我们已经将一件事情完全交托了神，我们自己就不该再去过问；全能的神难道还需要我们的帮助吗？他所作的难道还不及我们吗？诗篇三十七篇七节说：“你当默然倚靠耶和华，耐性等候他。不要因那道路通达的，和那恶谋成就的，心怀不平。”

　　也许你看见事情越过越糟了，但是我们既知道，神哪里会不知道呢？如果我们真心完全托付他，让他按照他自己的方法和时间去成就，他一定会在适当的时间起来的。在许多事情上，我们能完全不动，真是莫大的帮助；反之，如果我们自己仍不息地工作着，却是一个极大的阻碍。

七月七日

请弟兄们为我们祷告。（贴前5：25）帖撒罗尼迦前书 5

今天我要用保罗的话，提醒各位读者恳切地为教牧师们祷告。我们的工作至关重大，千万人的祸福安危系于我们；我们为神引领人的灵魂乃是一种不朽的事业，我们的话或作了活的香气叫人活，或作了死的香气叫人死。我们担负着一个重大的责任，等到主来的时候 ，我们的手在一切人的血上都干干净净，那才是一个非同小可的恩典哪！我们好像是基督军兵中的指战员，是人和鬼所攻击所注目的特别标的；他们趁我们松懈的时候，追踪我们的脚跟大做工夫。我们的圣召有很多受试探的机会，而是你们所可避免的。我们常因牧养和职务上的工作，自己反不能饱尝真道的滋味。我们逢见一切烦难的问题，我们便觉智有所不逮，力有所不能，心有所不及；我们看到有人退后，我们的心就难过伤痛；我们看见无数的人灭亡，我们的精神就消沉焦急。我们愿意使我们所传讲的能帮助你们；我们切望能使你们的儿女蒙福；我们也盼望对于圣徒和罪人都有所供献。因此，亲爱的朋友！应当为我们祈求神。若我们失去你们的祷告，我们就成了一些可怜虫；但我们若有你们代祷的支持就鼓舞欢欣。你们并不是仰望我们，而是仰望主赐你们属灵的福气，但有很多时候他也藉着服侍他的仆人赐福于你们；因此当常常求神把他的福音的宝贝装在我们的瓦器里。我们，包括一切宣教士、牧师、传道人、神学生，都在耶稣里切切求你们：“请弟兄们为我们祷告。”（贴前5：25）

七月七日

经文: 我从你旁边经过，……对你说，……仍可存活。（以西结书十六：6）以西结书 16:6 以西结书 16

蒙救的人，请以感恩的心来思考这句充满怜悯的话。请注意上帝这个命令是威严的。在这节经文中，我们发现一个罪人，除罪恶以外，一无所有，他所能期盼的不是别的，只是上帝的忿怒。但是永生的主带着荣耀经过他的身旁。祂看到他，停下来，然后宣告这简单却带能力的话──仍可存活。这个命令有多重意思。当祂说：“仍可存活”这话中包括许多事情。这个罪人正在等待定罪，但是全能者说：“你可存活”，他被饶恕、被赦免了。命令使人得着属灵的生命。我们并不认识耶稣。我们的眼睛不能看见基督，我们的耳朵也听不到祂的声音。耶和华说：“活吧！”，我们这些死在罪恶过犯中的人就活过来了。这命令包括荣耀的生命，就是属灵生命的完美。“就对你说……仍可存活。”那话继续在他身上，终其一生。在死亡的阴影之中，仍可以听到主的声音：“存活！”在复活的凌晨，天使长以相同的话声回响：“复活了”。蒙救赎之灵升上高天，要在上帝的荣耀中接受永远的祝福时，也是靠着这相同的话“活了”的能力。这是一个不可抗拒的命令。大数的扫罗要往大马色去逮捕上帝的众圣徒时，从天上有声音向他说话，并且天上发出比太阳更明亮的光。扫罗说：“主阿，我当作什么？”（徒二十二：10）这命令也是一个无价的恩典。罪人蒙救，只是因为上帝要彰显祂无价的、非买来的、非寻找可得的恩典。基督徒啊，将你自己的地位视为债主所赐的恩典吧。以恳切的心来过像基督的生活，以此显示你的感恩吧。

Evening, July 7

Scripture: “When I passed by thee, I said unto thee, Live.”(Ezekiel 16:6)

Saved one, consider gratefully this mandate of mercy. Note that this fiat of God is majestic. In our text, we perceive a sinner with nothing in him but sin, expecting nothing but wrath; but the eternal Lord passes by in his glory; he looks, he pauses, and he pronounces the solitary but royal word, “Live.” There speaks a God. Who but he could venture thus to deal with life and dispense it with a single syllable? Again, this fiat is manifold. When he saith “Live,” it includes many things. Here is judicial life. The sinner is ready to be condemned, but the mighty One saith, “Live,” and he rises pardoned and absolved. It is spiritual life. We knew not Jesus－our eyes could not see Christ, our ears could not hear his voice－Jehovah said “Live,” and we were quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Moreover, it includes glory-life, which is the perfection of spiritual life. “I said unto thee, Live:” and that word rolls on through all the years of time till death comes, and in the midst of the shadows of death, the Lord's voice is still heard, “Live!” In the morning of the resurrection it is that self-same voice which is echoed by the arch-angel, “Live,” and as holy spirits rise to heaven to be blest for ever in the glory of their God, it is in the power of this same word, “Live.” Note again, that it is an irresistible mandate. Saul of Tarsus is on the road to Damascus to arrest the saints of the living God. A voice is heard from heaven and a light is seen above the brightness of the sun, and Saul is crying out, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” This mandate is a mandate of free grace. When sinners are saved, it is only and solely because God will do it to magnify his free, unpurchased, unsought grace. Christians, see your position, debtors to grace; show your gratitude by earnest, Christlike lives, and as God has bidden you live, see to it that you live in earnest.

《竭诚为主》 7月7日

“你们要进窄门。因为……引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。”马太福音7：13－14 马太福音 7:13-14 马太福音 7

如果我们准备像耶稣的门徒那样去生活，我们就要记住所有崇高的事情都是艰难的事。基督徒的生活是极为艰难的，但是这艰难不是让我们软弱投降，而是要激起我们去战胜困难。我们是否深深感激耶稣基督那无比的救恩而竭尽全力为他而活呢？

神因着他至高无上的恩典，藉着耶稣的挽回祭拯救人；我们立志行事都是他在我们里面运行，为要讨他的喜悦；但我们必须在实际的生活里把这救恩行出来。一旦我们开始站在他救赎的根基上去遵行他的命令，我们会发现我们是可以做到的。如果我们失败了，这是因为我们还不够老练。危机会揭露出我们是否一直在实践他的命令。如果我们顺服神的灵，并在我们肉身里实行神藉着他的灵放在我们里面的命令，当危机来的时候，我们就会发现我们的本性和神的恩典都会支援我们过去。

感谢神给了我们困难的事情去做！他的拯救是令人高兴的，但同时也是伟大的、圣洁的。它测试我们是否配得。耶稣要把许多“儿子”带进荣耀里，神不会让我们逃避作为“儿子”的要求。神的恩典使人转变成为耶稣基督的样式，而不是成为一个懦夫。在实际的生活中活出耶稣门徒的生命需要许许多多的操练。成为高尚是需要付出努力的。

July 7 All Noble Things Are Difficult

“Enter ye in at the strait gate . . because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way. . .” Matthew 7:13-14

If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all noble things are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but the difficulty of it does not make us faint and cave in, it rouses us up to overcome. Do we so appreciate the marvellous salvation of Jesus Christ that we are our utmost for His highest?

God saves men by His sovereign grace through the Atonement of Jesus; He works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure; but we have to work out that salvation in practical living. If once we start on the basis of His Redemption to do what He commands, we find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not practised. The crisis will reveal whether we have been practising or not. If we obey the Spirit of God and practise in our physical life what God has put in us by His Spirit, then when the crisis comes, we shall find that our own nature as well as the grace of God will stand by us.

Thank God He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a glad thing, but it is also a heroic, holy thing. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is bringing many “sons” unto glory, and God will not shield us from the requirements of a son. God's grace turns out men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not milk sops. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the noble life of a disciple of Jesus in actual things. It is always necessary to make an effort to be noble.

七月七日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

众山欢呼

经文: 「诸天哪，应当欢呼！大地啊，应当快乐！众山哪，应当发声歌唱！因为耶和华已经安慰祂的百姓，也要怜恤祂困苦之民。」（以赛亚书49︰13）以赛亚书 49

　神的安慰是多么甜美，滋润人心，不仅圣徒要大声赞美，连天地都要发声歌唱。要让山唱歌不容易，但先知要发号施令，使众山欢呼。黎巴嫩、希连、巴珊及摩押地诸山啊，　神的恩典已临到锡安，你们要高声欢唱！我们不也应将像山那般沉重的困难、试炼、苦难，化为向　神赞美祷告的内容？「众山哪，应当发声歌唱！」

　神应许要怜悯祂困苦之民，这是使圣民歌唱、众山欢呼的关键点。听听他们的歌声吧：“欢唱！““要大大地喜乐！”“要发声歌唱！“因为　神以不变的爱来爱我们，我们就觉得快乐幸福，心中充满希望。祂不愿我们悲伤、疑惑。只要我们以一颗单纯的信心敬拜祂，祂就要以完全的爱环绕我们。我们为什么要暗自叹息、哭泣，好像怀疑　神真会这么做吗？喔，弟兄姊妹们，让我们像调好的乐器，像　神宝座前的天使，尽情地在宝座前发声赞美　神吧！

A Mountain Choir

Scripture: "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted"(Isaiah 49:13).

So sweet are the comforts of the LORD, that not only the saints themselves may sing of them, but even the heavens and the earth may take up the song. It takes something to make a mountain sing; and yet the prophet summons quite a choir of them. Lebanon, and Sirion, and the high hills of Bashan and Moab, He would set them all singing because of Jehovah's grace to His own Zion. May we not also make mountains of difficulty, and trial, and mystery, and labor become occasions for praise unto our God? "Break forth into singing, O mountains!"

This word of promise, that our God will have mercy upon His afflicted, has a whole peal of bells connected with it. Hear their music -- "Sing!""Be joyful!""Break forth into singing." The LORD would have His people happy because of His unfailing love. He would not have us sad and doubtful; He claims from us the worship of believing hearts. He cannot fail us: why should we sigh or sulk as if He would do so? Oh, for a well-tuned harp! Oh, for voices like those of the cherubim before the throne!

七月七日

主耶稣死而复活之先，世上一切求「好」的人，都走在律法之下。因为那条又新又活的路还未开通，律法的道路就是全人类求「好」的唯一道路；直到今天，社会的秩序仍旧是靠律法来维持；连古时以色列人虽然他们比世上的一切人更认识神，也是在律法之下来对付罪，靠著律法积存善行；不过以色列人的律法是神所颁布的；外邦人的律法，是从是非之心所产生的。

　　人的罪性原来隐伏在肉体中，因此律法衹作了洪堤，作些防堵泛滥的工作，当心中犯罪的能力大过律法规条束缚的时候，律法的堤防就溃决了。罪如洪水涨溢泛滥，直到完全败坏。

　　所以在律法之下的人不犯罪，不是从心里不知罪，是因惧怕律法而不敢犯罪，但在神的眼中是已经犯了罪。行善也不是甘心行的，是因有所惧怕而行善，有所企图而行善，不是为名誉就是为积功累德，一切都是出自律法的压力，而不是出自没有律法的本性。

　　但那有了基督生命的人，又行在基督所成功之道路中的人，乃是从基督之生命的本性中来好善恶恶。好善恶恶是自然的趋向，不再被看守在律法之下，也不用规条的约束，是被神儿子所释放的人，是有自由的人。这是神用祂百般的智慧和大能为我们所成全的奇妙的救恩。神把自己的生命赐给世人，用自己的生命拯救世人。

　　真如保罗的话：「在那灭亡的人为愚拙；在我们得救的人却为神的大能。」（林前一18）

　　「但在那蒙召的，无论是犹太人、希利尼人，基督总为神的能力、神的智慧。」（林前一24）

《荒漠甘泉》7月7日

　　“他使我成为磨亮的箭。”（赛49章2节，直译）

　　在美国加里福尼亚州派司开特罗地方，有一个着名的“卵石滩。”滩上的石子时时受着海滨大浪的冲击，有时被残酷大浪卷去抛掷，有时被抛在尖锐的峭壁上受到擦磨。它们日夜受着这样的磨练，得到怎样的结果呢？

　　全世界的游客蜂拥着到那里去采集圆滑美丽的石子，采集了回去，将它们谨谨慎慎地安置在陈列室中，装饰在客室的壁板上。

　　但是你如果到冲破海浪的峭壁尖顶去看，或者到风雨侵蚀不到的凹处去找，你能够看见大量从来没有人去搜寻的卵石。

　　为什么这些卵石总没有人来采集呢？唯一的原因就是因为它们没有经过海浪的冲击擦磨，它们平静的生活使它们变得又粗糙，又丑陋。啊，原来光泽是由苦难磨出来的！

　　神知道我们配做哪种器皿，他就将我们磨成哪种器皿。他知道我们要去担任的是哪种工作，他就照我们所需要的磨练我们，给我们相当的准备，我们只要完全信靠他就是了。

七月八日

求你告诉我，你因何有这么大力气。（士16：6）士师记 16:6 士师记 16

信心力量的诀窍在于什么呢？乃是在于喂养它的食物；信心学着知道应许是什么——是神恩的流露，是神伟大心胸的广布；信心便说：“这应许是出于神的爱和恩，因此他必成全他的话。”信心也必想：“谁赐下这应许呢？”它并不多想到那应许有多大，而想到“谁是应许者”。信心必定牢记神是不会说谎的——全能的神，不变的神；因此得到一个结论，深信应许必定要成全，且在这坚定不移的信念上前进。信心知道，为什么有应许。——就是，为了神的荣耀，信心也确切感到神的荣耀是可靠的，他不能以己之矛攻己之盾，也不能使他的冠冕暗淡无光；因此他的应许必定站立不动。信心也会因基督所成就的奇妙工作清楚证明父必成全他的话。“神既不爱惜自己的儿子为我们众人舍了，岂不也把万物和他一同白白地赐给我们吗？”不但如此，信心还回顾过去 ，信心因为经过许多争战的锻炼，所以力量更增强壮大起来，信心因着胜利更加鼓勇向前了。信心从记忆中知道神是不会使它失望的，并且神没有一次使他的儿女失望过。信心记得当大祸临头的，神的救援也随之面来；到了山穷水尽，最急需的时候，信心的日子怎样，他的力量也必怎样，他必会说：“不，我现在绝不以为他能改变，他决不会把他的仆人置之不理的。神既然帮助了我，他必仍要帮助我。”因此信心每逢看到一个应许，就想到赐应许的神；因为如此，所以信心能确实地说：“我一生一世必有恩惠慈爱随着我！”

七月八日

经文: 求祢以祢的真理引导我、教训我。因为祢是救我的上帝，我终日等候祂。（诗篇二十五：5）诗篇 25

人初信主时，战战兢兢地行走在主的道路上。他恳求上帝引导，如同一个幼童被他父母援助的手扶持着。他渴望在真理的初阶中学习更多。今晚经文中的祈求是教导圣徒们有关属上帝的事物。大卫已经了解甚多，但他仍觉得自己无知。他仍然渴望进入主的学校。在两节经文中，他四次提出申请进入恩典的学校。信徒应该寻求上帝真理的正途，来取代随从自己的方法或为自己开出思想的新路。他需要来取代随从自己的方法或为自己开出思想的新路。他需要恳求圣灵赐他成圣的领悟力和受教的心灵。“因为祢是救我的上帝”。耶和华是祂子民救恩的创始者和完全者。祂是你的救恩之上帝吗？你是否在圣父的怜悯中、在圣子的赎罪中、和在圣灵的鼓舞中，找到你永远盼望的全部根基？主若已经拣选了你要拯救你，祂必不会拒绝以祂的方法教导你。我们能用大卫在此所显示的信心向主说话。在祈求中这句话给我们大能力，在试验中给我们安慰。“我终日等候祢。”忍耐是信心的女儿。我们高兴地等待，因为确知必不白白等候。在事奉中、在敬拜中、在期待中，在信靠中、在生命中的所有年日里，我们的责任和特权就是等候主。我们的信心若是真实的，就能忍受不断的试验，决不妥协。我们若记得祂曾经何等耐心、何等厚恩的等待我们，我们在等候上帝时就不致疲倦。

Evening, July 8

Scripture: “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”(Psalm 25:5)

When the believer has begun with trembling feet to walk in the way of the Lord, he asks to be still led onward like a little child upheld by its parent's helping hand, and he craves to be further instructed in the alphabet of truth. Experimental teaching is the burden of this prayer. David knew much, but he felt his ignorance, and desired to be still in the Lord's school: four times over in two verses he applies for a scholarship in the college of grace. It were well for many professors if instead of following their own devices, and cutting out new paths of thought for themselves, they would enquire for the good old ways of God's own truth, and beseech the Holy Ghost to give them sanctified understandings and teachable spirits. “For thou art the God of my salvation.” The Three-One Jehovah is the Author and Perfecter of salvation to his people. Reader, is he the God of your salvation? Do you find in the Father's election, in the Son's atonement, and in the Spirit's quickening, all the grounds of your eternal hopes? If so, you may use this as an argument for obtaining further blessings; if the Lord has ordained to save you, surely he will not refuse to instruct you in his ways. It is a happy thing when we can address the Lord with the confidence which David here manifests, it gives us great power in prayer, and comfort in trial. “On thee do I wait all the day.” Patience is the fair handmaid and daughter of faith; we cheerfully wait when we are certain that we shall not wait in vain. It is our duty and our privilege to wait upon the Lord in service, in worship, in expectancy, in trust all the days of our life. Our faith will be tried faith, and if it be of the true kind, it will bear continued trial without yielding. We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously he once waited for us.

《竭诚为主》 7月8日

“……今日就可以选择所要事奉的。” 约书亚记24：15 约书亚记 24:15 约书亚记 24

意志是全人的活动。我不能放弃我的意志，我必须要训练我的意志。我必须要立志顺服，立志接受上帝的灵。当上帝给了我们真理的异像时，他要做什么不是一个问题，问题是我们要做什么。主已经把一些大的任务摆在我们面前，最好要做的事是回想从前被上帝感动的时候你做了什么？就是在你得救的时候，或者第一次看到耶穌，或者认识到一些真理。那时候对上帝顺服忠心是容易的。当上帝的灵把一些新的任务带到你面前时，现在就回想从前的那些时候吧。

“今日就可以选择所要事奉的。”这是经过深思熟虑的计算，不是你可以容易进入的事情；其他一切都被暂时搁置，直到你做出决定。这任务是在你与上帝之间的，不要和属血气的商量这事。对于每一个新的任务，其他人会越来越远离它，这正是压力来的地方。上帝允许他的圣徒的意见影响到你，但你被带领到越来越远，别人无法确实理解你所走的路。你不用去发现上帝把你带到哪里，上帝唯一要向你解释的事就是他自己。

向他宣告：“我要忠心。”一旦你选择了向耶穌基督忠心，你就不再是你自己的见证。不要咨询别的基督徒，只要在他面前宣告——我要服侍你。立志忠心——并且也为别人的忠心而赞许他们。

July 8 The Will To Loyalty

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15

Will is the whole man active. I cannot give up my will, I must exercise it. I must will to obey, and I must will to receive God's Spirit. When God gives a vision of truth it is never a question of what He will do, but of what we will do. The Lord has been putting before us all some big propositions, and the best thing to do is to remember what you did when you were touched by God before – the time when you were saved, or first saw Jesus, or realized some truth. It was easy then to yield allegiance to God; recall those moments now as the Spirit of God brings before you some new proposition.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” It is a deliberate calculation, not something into which you drift easily; and everything else is in abeyance until you decide. The proposition is between you and God; do not confer with flesh and blood about it. With every new proposition other people get more and more “out of it,” that is where the strain comes. God allows the opinion of His saints to matter to you, and yet you are brought more and more out of the certainty that others understand the step you are taking. You have no business to find out where God is leading, the only thing God will explain to you is Himself.

Profess to Him – ‘I will be loyal.’ Immediately you choose to be loyal to Jesus Christ, you are a witness against yourself. Don't consult other Christians, but profess before Him – I will serve Thee. Will to be loyal – and give other people credit for being loyal too.

七月八日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book

天使安营

经文: 「耶和华的使者在敬畏祂的人四围安营，搭救他们。」（诗篇34︰7） 诗篇 34 

我们看不见天使，但天使能看得见我们，这就足够了。有一位最大的神的使者，就是与我们立永约的那位，我们虽未见过祂，却是爱祂。而且，祂的眼目昼夜看顾我们。祂手下有众多的天使，祂差遣他们服事圣徒，守护他们免受恶者干扰。若恶者真敢对我们怎样，天使们就要动手干预。

注意这经文，主的使者，不是随兴来去，乃是在敬畏祂的人四围安营。信靠永生之　神的人在哪里，这救世军的总部就设在哪里。除非仇敌能够穿过天使所设的重围，否则恶势力无论从哪个角度都无法攻击信徒。我们有着永久的保障、坚固的营垒。因为被　神使者的这些哨所环绕，我们不会被突来的袭击吓到，也不会被猛烈的攻势吞灭。在这节经文中，　神应许要搭救我们——这搭救是来自万军之耶和华。我们还将一次又一次的被搭救，直到我们要打的仗打完，刀光剑影的战场变为可安歇的家园。

An Angel Encampment

Scripture: "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them"(Psalm 34:7).

We cannot see the angels, but it is enough that they can see us. There is one great Angel of the Covenant, whom not having seen we love, and His eye is always upon us both day and night. He has a host of holy ones under Him, and He causes these to be watchers over His saints and to guard them from all ill. If devils do us mischief, shining ones do us service.

Note that the LORD of angels does not come and go and pay us transient visits, but He and His armies encamp around us. The headquarters of the army of salvation is where those live whose trust is in the living God. This camp surrounds the faithful so that they cannot be attacked from any quarter unless the adversary can break through the entrenchments of the LORD of angels. We have a fixed protection, a permanent watch. Sentineled by the messengers of God, we shall not be surprised by sudden assaults nor swallowed up by overwhelming forces. Deliverance is promised in this verse -- deliverance by the great Captain of our salvation, and that deliverance we shall obtain again and again until our warfare is accomplished and we exchange the field of conflict for the home of rest.

七月八日

?有一个换魂的故事。一个人死了又苏醒过来，一切的言语行动都改变了，虽然是原有的面貌，和从前完全不同了，似乎另外换了一个人，连他的妻子也不认识了，所以他再活过来就不是原来的人了。

　　但我们这些信了基督的人，确乎在我们的旧生命之外又有了基督的生命，若是给基督的生命发展的机会，就在我们的生活中起了很大的改变，说话行事都与从前不同了。信徒真是换了生命，这个奇妙拯救，惟有神作得到。因为神是生命的根源，世上活物的生命，人的生命都是神所赐的。神再一次给人的生命，不是受造的生命，是神自己的生命，是造物者的生命，是不死的生命，是不能犯罪的生命，这个永远的生命能藉着信徒的生活流露出来。

　　有多少信徒，从前是苦恼的，如今是喜乐的；从前是暴躁的，如今是温良的；从前是黑暗的，如今是光明的；从前是贪爱罪中之乐，如今是以神为乐。从前和如今迥然不同了！这个不同，不是律法管制的，不是教育改良的，不是良心指示的，是生命中所呈现出来的美丽；不是雕刻的，不是铸造的，是自然生长的；是基督的生命藉着我们活出来的。

　　「当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来；祂又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活，一同坐在天上，要将祂极丰富的恩典，就是祂在基督耶稣里向我们所施的恩慈，显明给后来的世代看。」（弗二5至7）

《荒漠甘泉》7月8日

　　“他们必如鹰展翅上腾。”（赛40章31节）

　　相传有一个寓言，说鸟类最初被造的时候，是没有翅膀的。神将翅膀造好了放在它们面前，对它们说：“来，戴起这些翅膀来。”

　　那时的鸟类也有丰美的羽毛和悦耳的歌喉；它们能唱悠扬的乐歌，它们的羽毛能在日光下放光，只是它们不能翱翔空中。神吩咐它们戴起翅膀来的时候，它们起初还不大愿意，但是不久就服从了，用嘴尖啄起翅膀来，安在肩头上。

　　起初，肩头上的担子似乎很重，背着也很费力，但是不一会，它们将翅膀展开，觉察了利用翅膀的方法，于是就能高飞空中——啊，重担变成了翅膀！

　　读者，这是一个比喻，我们就是那些无翅的小鸟，我们的工作和职务是神替我们预备带领我们向天的翅翼。我们也顶会望着我们面前的重担畏缩；但是只要我们一挑起那担子来，它们便会变成我们的翅膀，藉着它们我们便能飞向神去。

　　如果我们高高兴兴地用爱心负起一切重担来，我告诉你，没有一件重担不能变成我们的福祉。神原命定我们的工作来做我们的帮助的。