阮琼珠
英国圣公会在福建宁德创立的“圣教妇幼医院”(永生医院)
十月二十五日
经文:爱你们是为真理的缘故,这真理存在我们里面,也必永远与我们同在。(约翰二书2)
神的真理一旦进入人心且使整个人都顺服真理之后,便再也没有人间或阴间的任何权势再能将其逐出。我们不以真道为客,而以它为一家之主——这是基督徒所必需的态度,若不能这样相信,他就不是基督徒。当圣灵打开、运用并固封神的话时,因而得知福音大能、感到圣灵大力的人,就是把他们打得粉碎,也不能把救恩的福音从他们夺去。真理与我们永远同在的应许中包含着无数的恩典,这将成为我们生活的给养、死时的安慰、复活的诗歌、永恒的荣耀。这是基督徒的特权,没有它我们的信心就毫无价值。我们在某一些真理上已经长成了,且把它们撇在背后,因为它们只是初学者的课程;但我们不能这样看待神的真理,因为那既是婴儿甜美的乳汁,从深层来看,那也是成人的肥甘。我们都是罪人,这一真理叫我们痛苦烦恼,因此使我们谦卑并警醒;但是,凡相信主耶稣就必得救这一更令人称颂的真理,却常与我们同在而成为我们的盼望和喜乐。经验非但不能使我们放松来自恩典的各种教义,反而把我们更加牢牢地与恩道连结起来;现在我们信仰的根基和动机变得比以往更加强固、旺盛,而且我们也有理由期待这是长长久久的,直到死时依然用双臂紧紧地抱着救主。
既然晓得真理的爱永远与我们同在,我们就当运用我们的爱。我们仁爱、恻隐之心不当限于小圈子,且要与凡蒙恩被选的人交心。我们所接受的真理有时搀杂了很多错误;让我们攻击错误的同时仍旧爱弟兄,且要按着我们在主里所得真理的分量来爱弟兄;总之,最要紧的是让我们彼此相爱,传扬真理。
十月二十五日
经文: 她……来到田间,在收割的人身后拾取麦穗,她恰巧到了以利米勤本族的人波阿斯那块田里。(路得记二:3)
她恰巧……一切似乎纯属意外,但却是出于上帝的安排!路得带着她婆婆的祝福,在她婆婆的上帝看顾之下,做着谦卑却崇高的工作,供应人的上帝引导着她的每一脚步。她并不知道在这些麦捆之间,自己将觅得一位丈夫,这位丈夫会使她成为这辽阔田原的共同拥有者。她,一位可怜的异乡女子,将成为伟大弥赛亚的祖先。上帝对信靠祂的人是非常仁慈的,祂也常以意外的祝福教他们感到惊讶。我们不知明日将有何事临到我们,但是上帝不会留下好处不赐给我们。有信心的基督徒并不相信机会,因为在每一事中,他们能都看到上帝的手。今日看来无关紧要的事可以引发一些极重要的事,倘若今晚我们在默想的田园中徘徊,偶而来到某处,我们的亲人可能就在该地向我们启祂自己,这是何等大的福气啊!圣灵啊,引我到祂眼前!带我寻找祂羊群的足迹,因为那足迹可能会引导我到祂所居住的青草地,耶稣不在的世界是何等凄凉,我们不能没有太阳月亮,更不能没有祂!但是在祂显现的荣耀之中,所有事物都变为圣洁美丽!让我们今晚在祈祷中等待,直至我们来到属于耶稣的田园,等待祂向我们彰显祂自己。
Evening, October 25
Scripture: “She gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”(Ruth 2:3)
Her hap was. Yes, it seemed nothing but an accident, but how divinely was it overruled! Ruth had gone forth with her mother's blessing, under the care of her mother's God, to humble but honourable toil, and the providence of God was guiding her every step. Little did she know that amid the sheaves she would find a husband, that he should make her the joint owner of all those broad acres, and that she a poor foreigner should become one of the progenitors of the great Messiah. God is very good to those who trust in him, and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings. Little do we know what may happen to us to-morrow, but this sweet fact may cheer us, that no good thing shall be withheld. Chance is banished from the faith of Christians, for they see the hand of God in everything. The trivial events of to-day or to-morrow may involve consequences of the highest importance. O Lord, deal as graciously with thy servants as thou didst with Ruth.How blessed would it be, if, in wandering in the field of meditation to-night, our hap should be to light upon the place where our next Kinsman will reveal himself to us! O Spirit of God, guide us to him. We would sooner glean in his field than bear away the whole harvest from any other. O for the footsteps of his flock, which may conduct us to the green pastures where he dwells! This is a weary world when Jesus is away-we could better do without sun and moon that without him-but how divinely fair all things become in the glory of his presence! Our souls know the virtue which dwells in Jesus, and can never be content without him. We will wait in prayer this night until our hap shall be to light on a part of the field belonging to Jesus wherein he will manifest himself to us.
《竭诚为主》10月25日 永远的破碎
“向什么样的人,我就作什么样的人。无论如何总要救些人。”林前 9:22
一个基督徒工人要学会如何在卑贱的事中成为属神的高尚之人。千万不要用这个藉口--如果我在其他地方就好了!所有属神的人都是平凡人,只是因神所给予他们的内容而成为特别。除非我们在心智和情感上都有了正确的内容,否则我们会对神毫无用处。我们不是选择作神的工人。许多人刻意地选择作神的工人,但在他们里面没有神全能的恩典,也没有他大能的话语。保罗的整个心、思想和灵魂都被耶稣基督降世的伟大使命所吸引,他从没有忘记这件事。我们也要自己面对这个中心的事实--耶稣基督并他钉十字架。
“我已经拣选了你。”要在你的信条里牢记这伟大的话语。不是你得到了神,而是他得到了你。在这所学校里,神在做工,他改变人,他打碎人,他模造人,按照他所拣选的去做。我们不知道他为什么做这个,他只是为了一个唯一的目的--就是他可以说,这是属于我的男人,这是属于我的女人。我们要在神的手里,好让他把人栽种在磐石上,就像栽种我们一样。
不要自己选择去做一个工人,但是当神呼召你时,如果你左推右搪,就有祸了。他会在你身上做些事情,是呼召你以前所未做过的;他会对付你,不像对其他人那样。让他按他的方式做吧。
October 25 The Eternal Crush Of Things
“I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22
A Christian worker has to learn how to be God's noble man or woman amid a crowd of ignoble things. Never make this plea – If only I were somewhere else! All God's men are ordinary men made extraordinary by the matter He has given them. Unless we have the right matter in our minds intellectually and in our hearts affectionately, we will be hustled out of usefulness to God. We are not workers for God by choice. Many people deliberately choose to be workers, but they have no matter in them of God's almighty grace, no matter of His mighty word. Paul's whole heart and mind and soul were taken up with the great matter of what Jesus Christ came to do, he never lost sight of that one thing. We have to face ourselves with the one central fact – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
“I have chosen you.” Keep that note of greatness in your creed. It is not that you have got God but that He has got you. Here, in this College, God is at work, bending, breaking, moulding, doing just as He chooses. Why He is doing it, we do not know; He is doing it for one purpose only – that He may be able to say, This is My man, My woman. We have to be in God's hand so that He can plant men on the Rock as He has planted us.
Never choose to be a worker, but when God has put His call on you, woe be to you if you turn to the right hand or to the left. He will do with you what He never did with you before the call came; He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.
十月二十五日 信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
神居首位
经文: 「你们要先求祂的国和祂的义,这些东西都要加给你们了。」(马太福音6︰33)
看看创世记开宗明义是怎么说的︰“起初神……。”你的生活也当如此,以神为开始,为起首。首先也是最重要的,要全心全意追求神的国,将那作为你的归属之处,并要寻求神的义,将那作为你生命的品格。至于其它的东西,不用你操心多虑,主祂自己自然而然地会赏赐。生活和属灵上一切的所需“都要加给你们了”。
这是多么宝贵的应许!食物、衣服、家庭,诸如此类,当你寻求祂时,神就承诺要加给你了。你关心祂的事工,同样,祂也关心你的。如果你想要纸和绳子,在你买其他更重要的东西时,这些(作为包装)就附带给你了;同样,我们所需一切地上之物也会随神的国一起附带奉送给我们。承受救恩的人不会饿死,以神的公义为灵魂外袍的人,神不会让他们在世上衣不蔽体。远离那些无谓的挂虑。要将你的整个心思都放在寻求主上面。贪婪就是贫穷,挂虑就是困苦:信靠神是产业,有神的形象就是天国的继业。主啊,我寻求祢,求祢让我寻见。
God First, Then Extras
Scripture: "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
See how the Bible opens: "In the beginning God." Let your life open in the same way. Seek with your whole soul, first and foremost, the kingdom of God, as the place of your citizenship, and His righteousness as the character of your life. As for the rest, it will come from the LORD Himself without your being anxious concerning it. All that is needful for this life and godliness "shall be added unto you."
What a promise this is! Food, raiment, home, and so forth, God undertakes to add to you while you seek Him. You mind His business, and He will mind yours. If you want paper and string, you get them given in when you buy more important goods; and just so all that we need of earthly things we shall have thrown in with the kingdom. He who is an heir of salvation shall not die of starvation; and he who clothes his soul with the righteousness of God cannot be left of the LORD with a naked body. Away with carping care. Set all your mind upon seeking the LORD. Covetousness is poverty, and anxiety is misery: trust in God is an estate, and likeness of God is a heavenly inheritance. LORD, I seek Thee; be found of me.
十月二十五日
你要往远方去,到千里以外,你不用买最详细的地图,不用把一路上的地方都先知道完全记住;你买了车票,衹要不坐错了火车,一点不费自己的力量和思想。你一路上衹管看著美丽的风景,和朋友谈心,吃吃睡睡,不知不觉就到了目的地,因为路已经修好了,司机知道路。
我们也应当天天这样安息在主的里面,行走人生的道路,不自己背负重担。主呼召我们进入祂里面享受安息,不要自己枉费力量,不但在得救的问题上是完全倚靠主,就在我们每日的生活中,也当天天过倚靠交托的生活。
我们安息在神的大能中的时候,没有忧虑、没有惧怕、没有惊恐,没有疑惑,没有重担,相反的:有喜乐、有平安、有温暖、有光明。在不好的方面一样也没有,在好的方面一样也不缺少,脸上透露著天上的光彩,过著超然的生活。
我们的心灵既然轻松,更进一步我们要在认识基督上有长进,在灵程上有长进,在生命上有长进,这就是神的救恩在世界中所要我们享受的。不是要等到将来才得救,乃是现在相信,现在就得救;不是要等到将来才得福气,乃是现在就得福气;不是将来才进入安息,乃是现在就进入安息。但今天若得不著神的救恩,这人在将来能否得著救恩,也怕有问题。神的一切恩典,在世界中就有可信的证据,使我们得著享受。「神是为我们施行诸般救恩的神。」(诗六十八20)
「应当『一』无挂虑,衹要『凡』事藉着祷告、祈求和感谢,将你们所要的告诉神。神所赐出人意外的平安,必在基督耶稣里,保守你们的心怀意念。」(腓四6至7)
《荒漠甘泉》10月25日
“向来你们没有奉我的名求什么,如今你们求就必得着,叫你们的喜乐可以满足。”(约16:24)
当美国在南北内战时期,有一人的独生子加入联邦方面的军队作战,父亲是银行家,他虽同意儿子投军,但父子分离,他心中终觉得黯然自伤。
他开始对年轻的军人发生深挚的关怀,每当看到穿军服的人,他的心就因为想到自己的儿子而要跳出胸膛。他神不守舍,疏忽业务,把钱财用去照顾回乡的残废军人。他的亲友从旁规劝,说他不应该荒废事业,不该为军人花费那么多的心思,他听了劝谏,于是决心改变方针。
当他如此决定之后,有一天,有个士兵走进银行来,军服破烂不堪,脸上和手上都有医疗过的伤痕。
那可怜的士兵手忙脚乱地想从口袋里掏出什么东西来,银行家看见了,猜知他的目的,就对他说:
“孩子,今天我实在忙不过来,没有办法接待你。你应该到你们的司令部去;那儿有军官会照顾你。”
那个士兵仍旧站着不动,好象不大明白对他说的话。仍旧在口袋里摸索,不久掏出一张肮脏的字条,上面有几行铅笔字,他把这张污秽的字条放在银行家的面前,上面写的是:
“亲爱的父亲:这是我的战友之一,他在上次战役中负伤,进过医院,请你接待他象接待我一样。查理。”
银行家顿时打消了原来准备采取漠视态度的决定,他把那孩子带到豪华的家里,让他住在他儿子查理的房间,用餐时坐在查理的位置,留住他直到饮食休息和爱护使他恢复了健康,然后再送他到前方为国效命。
“你必看见我所行的事。”(出6:1)
貝素珍
Dorothy Jean Bidlake
在甘肅宣教,為搶救災民而犧牲自己年輕生命的美國女宣教士。
1899 — 1929
Dorothy Jean Bidlake
Suzhen Bei , 贝素珍
American female missionary who sacrificed her youth to serve famine victims in Gansu.
十月二十六日
你们盼望多得,所得的却少;你们收到家中,我就吹去。这是为什么呢?因为我的殿荒凉,你们各人却顾自己的房屋。这是万军之耶和华说的。(哈该书1:9)
吝啬的人不肯为教会、传道人和宣教事业多奉献,认为是省钱的妙算,其实他们做梦也没有想到这样做会致使他们贫穷。他们借口说必须照应自己一家人的用度,他们却忘了:忽略神的家便是破坏自己家的捷径。我们的神在护理之工上自有办法,使我们的事业出乎意料地昌盛起来,或使我们的计划成为幻泡虚影,;祂的手一挥就可以使我们的船顺流而行,或者使它在贫困、破产之中搁了浅。圣经的教训我们说:神使慷慨的人富足,却把贫困留给贪婪的人。我曾作了一番广泛的观察,发现我所认识的最热心捐钱的人都是最快乐,而且也都是一些凡事顺利的人。我曾看到慷慨施予的人得到了梦想不到的财富;我也常看到一些鄙吝的人,虽然百般努力想靠着节俭发财,但却变得日渐衰落。人们常把越来越多的钱财托付一位好管家,神也是这样;祂以满载的车辆赐给那以升斗奉献的人。神所要的十分之一,在分别为圣的人看来并不算多,因为一切财富他都不看作是自己的,所以他甘心奉献给神。自私的人首先看顾自己的家,而虔敬的人却首先寻求神的国和祂的义;最终自私致损,虔敬却大有收获。我们对神大方宽宏必须有信心,祂的确值得我们这样做;我们所能作的,只不过是感激祂的洪恩大爱罢了。我们实在是亏欠祂,这一点感激之心又算得什么呢?
十月二十六日
经文: 江河都往海里流、海却不满。江河从何处流,仍归还何处。(传道书一:7)
每一件事物都在移动,时间永不休止。地球是滚动的球,伟大的太阳也只不过是颗星球,顺从地围绕着某一更大天体的轨体运转。浪潮使海水移动,风搅扰着大洋,磨擦力损耗磐石,处处皆有变化,处处皆有死亡。人生下来也是走向死亡,每件事物都是匆忙的、烦恼的、焦虑的。永不改变之耶稣的朋友啊,想一想你拥有不变的继承权,这是何等可喜啊!你的福海永远满溢,因为上帝亲自将喜乐、永流的河注入其中。我们在天那边寻求居住之城,而我们也永不致失望。今晚摆在我们面前的经文是要教我们感恩。海洋之父是一位伟大的接受者,更是一位慷慨的施予者。河流所带给他的,他以云和雨还给大地。只接受无回馈的人是与宇宙不和谐的。能付出意味着为我们自己撒下种子。好管家愿意为主拿出他的所有,主也将把更多的托付给他。你是否按照收取的利益报答祂?给你的是如此多,而你的果子是什么?自私就是罪恶。倘若海洋不拿出宝藏──水,人类就要灭亡了。上帝禁止我们当中有任何一人守着只为自己而活的吝啬的、毁灭性的政策。耶稣不为取悦自己而活。在祂之中有各样的丰富,我们也都从祂领受这一切丰满(参阅约一:16)
Evening, October 26
Scripture: “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.”(Ecclesiastes 1:7)
Everything sublunary is on the move, time knows nothing of rest. The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun himself a star obediently fulfilling its course around some greater luminary. Tides move the sea, winds stir the airy ocean, friction wears the rock: change and death rule everywhere. The sea is not a miser's storehouse for a wealth of waters, for as by one force the waters flow into it, by another they are lifted from it. Men are born but to die: everything is hurry, worry, and vexation of spirit. Friend of the unchanging Jesus, what a joy it is to reflect upon thy changeless heritage; thy sea of bliss which will be for ever full, since God himself shall pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We seek an abiding city beyond the skies, and we shall not be disappointed. The passage before us may well teach us gratitude. Father Ocean is a great receiver, but he is a generous distributor. What the rivers bring him he returns to the earth in the form of clouds and rain. That man is out of joint with the universe who takes all but makes no return. To give to others is but sowing seed for ourselves. He who is so good a steward as to be willing to use his substance for his Lord, shall be entrusted with more. Friend of Jesus, art thou rendering to him according to the benefit received? Much has been given thee, what is thy fruit? Hast thou done all? Canst thou not do more? To be selfish is to be wicked. Suppose the ocean gave up none of its watery treasure, it would bring ruin upon our race. God forbid that any of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of living unto ourselves. Jesus pleased not himself. All fulness dwells in him, but of his fulness have all we received. O for Jesus’ spirit, that henceforth we may live not unto ourselves!
《竭诚为主》10月26日 宣教士是什么?
“父怎样差遣了我,我也照样差遣你们。”约 20:21
宣教士是被耶稣所差遣的人,正如耶稣被神差遣一样。最重要的不是人的需要,而是耶稣的命令。激励我们为神工作的根源是在后面,而不是在前面。今日的趋势是将激励放在前面,把每一件事带到我们面前,使其达到我们对胜利的看法。在新约里面,激励是放在我们后头,就是主耶稣。目标是向他真诚,实现他的事业。
一定不可以忽视个人对主耶稣和他的观点的忠诚。在宣教事业中,很大的危险是神的呼召被人的需要逐渐削弱,以致人的同情心绝对地压倒了被耶稣差遣的意义。需要是如此巨大,环境是如此令人困惑,以致我们心思里的所有力量都动摇和失败。我们忘记了在所有宣教事业背后最大的原因首先不是人的高尚,不是人的教育,也不是满足他们的需要;居首位的和最重要的是耶稣基督的命令--“所以,你们要去,使万民作我的门徒。”(太28:19)
当回过头来看属神的男女的生平,趋向说--“他们有何等奇妙机敏的智慧!他们如此完全地明白神的旨意!”其实这机敏的心思乃是神的心思,根本不是人的智慧。我们本当信任神的属天指引的时候,我们却信任人的智慧;神藉着小孩子一样的人来引导我们,他们是“愚拙”而完全信靠神的智慧和他超自然才能的人。
祈祷◆主啊,求你今天在我的祷告、敬拜和工作中,以你的灵重新膏抹我,以致在一切事情上,你都可以得居优越的位置。
October 26 What Is A Missionary?
“As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” John 20:21
A missionary is one sent by Jesus Christ as He was sent by God. The great dominant note is not the needs of men, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in work for God is behind, not before. The tendency to-day is to put the inspiration ahead, to sweep everything in front of us and bring it all out to our conception of success. In the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, the Lord Jesus. The ideal is to be true to Him, to carry out His enterprises.
Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and His point of view is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary enterprise the great danger is that God's call is effaced by the needs of the people until human sympathy absolutely overwhelms the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, the conditions so perplexing, that every power of mind falters and fails. We forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary enterprise is not first the elevation of the people, nor the education of the people, nor their needs; but first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
When looking back on the lives of men and women of God the tendency is to say – What wonderfully astute wisdom they had! How perfectly they understood all God wanted! The astute mind behind is the Mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust God's wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God.
十月二十六日信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
为我们之故
经文:「只是为选民,那日子必减少了。」(马太福音24︰22)
主为了祂的选民,未施行许多的审判,并减少那患难的日子。在大灾难当中,天火要吞灭世人,但为了选民的缘故,神稍微浇熄火的威势。所以,神为了耶稣之故拯救祂的选民,同时,也为了祂选民的缘故,让人存留余种。
因此,加在圣徒身上的是何等的尊荣!他们又当何等殷勤地靠着主发挥他们的影响力!神要垂听他们为罪人的代求,也要因着他们所付出的代价,拯救他们所代祷的对象。祂要施恩给信徒,好让他们成为未信之人的祝福。有许多罪人还活着,实在是因为他的亲戚朋友中,有神所看重的信徒为他付上流泪的代祷。
我们可曾好好使用神给我们的祷告权柄?我们是否尽上本份,好好地为我们的国家、其他国家、为这个世代祷告?在灾荒战祸,哀鸿遍野的时刻,我们可曾挺身出来,作个代祷勇士,恳求主将这日子缩短?我们是否为着四处泛滥的不信、过犯和放荡,在神面前忧心恳切地祷告?我们是否切切地求主耶稣,缩短这罪恶掌权的日子,让祂自己荣耀的显现赶快临到?让我们双膝跪下,恳切祷告,直到主基督这颗明星再现。
Because of Us
Scripture: "For the elect's sake those days be shortened" (Matthew 24:22).
For the sake of His elect the LORD withholds many judgments and shortens others. In great tribulations the fire would devour all were it not that out of regard to His elect the LORD damps the flame. Thus, while He saves His elect for the sake of Jesus, He also preserves the race for the sake of His chosen.
What an honor is thus put upon saints! How diligently they ought to use their influence with their LORD! He will hear their prayers for sinners and bless their efforts for their salvation. He blesses believers that they may be a blessing to those who are in unbelief. Many a sinner lives because of the prayers of a mother, or wife, or daughter to whom the LORD has respect.
Have we used aright the singular power with which the LORD entrusts us? Do we pray for our country, for other lands, and for the age? Do we, in times of war, famine, pestilence, stand out as intercessors, pleading that the days may be shortened? Do we lament before God the outbursts of infidelity, error, and licentiousness? Do we beseech our LORD Jesus to shorten the reign of sin by hastening His own glorious appearing? Let us get to our knees and never rest till Christ appeareth.
十月二十六日
新约上记载了两个从坟墓中复活出来的;一个是拉撒路,一个是主耶稣。拉撒路从坟墓中出来的时候,手脚裹著布,脸上包著手巾。主耶稣复活出来的时候,细麻布和裹头巾没有被带出来,是放在那里,细麻布在身体的地方,裹头巾在头的地方,主耶稣没有带著身上的布出来,这是拉撒路的复活与主的不同之点。拉撒路是肉体复活,仍是肉体,主耶稣的复活是肉体改变成了灵体,所以主耶稣从坟墓中出来和拉撒路从坟墓中出来,在裹身的布上看出不同了。
主耶稣的复活是初熟的果子,我们将来的复活是效法基督的复活,不是效法拉撒路的复活,拉撒路复活了,又死了;基督复活了,升上了高天。
但基督从死复活之后,乃是在人形体中显现,还未在荣耀中显现,将来信徒复活,所复活的身体,与基督在世上复活所显出的身体仍不相同,圣徒要和基督一同显现在荣耀里,和基督荣耀的形体相似。
主耶稣到如今还未显现,祂要等候,等候和我们一同显现在荣耀中,一同登上荣耀的宝座。
今天祂仍是和我们一同受苦的时候:我们饥饿就是祂饥饿,我们赤身就是祂赤身,我们下监就是祂下监;我们受逼迫就是祂受逼迫。虽然祂先进到神面前,却不先进入荣耀中,祂等候我们和祂一同显现在荣耀中。
「祂显现的时候,你们也要与祂一同显现在荣耀里。」(西三4)「就是我们这有圣灵初结果子的,也是自己心里叹息,等候得著儿子的名分,乃是我们的身体得赎。」(罗八23)
《荒漠甘泉》10月26日
“他就独自上山去祷告。到了晚上,只有他一人在那里。”(太14:23)
主耶稣在世为人的时候,常喜欢独自与神亲近。我们都知道与人交接是一件多么费力的事情!主耶稣也知道,所以他需要机会去恢复他的能力。他在世上为人,所以他有人的疲乏。
主既如此,何况我们呢?我们岂不更需要单独与父神亲近么?如果有什么人能例外——不需要与神单独亲近——的话,这人定规是主耶稣。如今主既不能一直工作,毫不安息,那么,就没有人能了。
但愿每一个神的仆人看见这个功课的重要!但愿神的教会知道怎样训练信徒夺取。 乐莫丁(Lamertine)在一本书上告诉我们在他花园里有一处极隐密的地方,他的母亲每天必到那里去安静一小时;这地方是从来没有人会进去打扰的。亲爱的读者!也许你要说:你没有这样安静的地方。不要紧,主耶稣说,进入你的内屋!在那里我们必会听见神秘的音乐。——选
信徒啊,你当学习单独与主亲近!经上记着说:“没有人的时候,就把这一切的道讲给门徒听。”(可4:34)。你不要稀奇;你自己也可以这样经历的。如果你要明白,你只消把众人散开。让他们一个一个出去,直等到只剩下你和主…
这时候,你每一个思想会变成 “神和我!神和我!”神和你会非常接近——接近得好似在这无涯的宇宙中,除了他的心和你的心在跳动以外,没有别的东西了。哦,信徒啊,学习这个!学习退避群众!学习内心的安静!学习歌唱 “神和我!神和我”!不让一个人来插入你和天使的摔跤!——马得胜
十月二十七日
可信的话。(提摩太后书2:11)
保罗有四次提到“可信的话”。头一处是在提摩太前书1章15节:“基督耶稣降世,为要拯救罪人。这话是可信的,是十分可佩服的。在罪人中我是个罪魁。”第二次是在提摩太前书4章8,9节:“惟独敬虔,凡事都有益处,因有今生和来生的应许。这话是可信的,是十分可接受的。”(英文为acceptation,和合本译为佩服)第三处是在提摩太后书2章11,12节:“有可信的话说……我们若能和祂受苦(英文为suffer,和合本译为忍耐),也必和祂一同作王。”第四处是在提多书3章8节:“这话是可信的。我也愿你把这些事切切实实地讲明,使那些已信神的人留心作正经事业。”我们可以找出它们之间的关系。第一处在神白白的恩典中为我们立定了永恒救恩的根基,使我们看到伟大救主的使命;第二处教我们看到得救的双重福分——上泉与下泉的福——现今与永恒的祝福;第三处显明了蒙召选民的责任之一,即神命定我们靠着祂的应许与基督同受苦难,这应许就是:“我们若能和祂受苦,也必和祂一同作王”;最后一处为基督徒定下了服务的方针,叫我们殷勤行善。因此我们得救的根源乃在于白白的恩典;其次得救的恩典乃在于今世的生命和来世的生命;另外两处说的是我们也要与基督一同受苦,一同服侍,多结圣灵的果子。我们应当把这些可信的话珍藏在心里,让它们作我们生活的指导、安慰和教训。外邦人的使徒曾证明它们是可信的,它们现在仍然可信,绝不会有一句落空;它们是十分可佩服的(或可接受的),让我们现在就接受,并且证明它们是可信的。愿这几处可信的话常写在我们房屋的四角。
十月二十七日
经文: 我们都像不洁净的人。(以赛亚书六十四:6)
信徒是新造的人,他属于圣洁的族类、特殊的百姓。上帝的灵在他里面,使他在各方面远离属血气的人。虽然如此,基督徒仍然受他本性的不完全所缠累,这情形将继续下去,直至他属世生命的尽头。罪的黑爪在我们最美的外袍上留下污秽的痕迹。自私弄污了我们的眼泪,不信窜改了我们的信心。若不接受耶稣,我们一向所作的好事只是徒增我们的罪恶,我们自以为最纯净的时候,在上帝的眼中,仍是不洁的。当祂控告天使为愚笨时,祂一定也会控告我们比天使更愚笨。欲上达天庭也欲与天体的诗歌竞争的歌声,其中掺杂了人类的不和谐。能够移动上帝膀臂之祈祷也是伤痕累累之祈祷。它所以能移动上帝的膀臂乃因那无罪、伟大之中保的介入,除去隐藏在我们恳求中的罪。基督徒在世上即使能拥有像最精制的金子般的信心或最高度纯净的圣洁,其中仍含有许多渣滓,必须经过火炼。每晚当我们站在镜子前面时,我们所见的是一名罪人。我们必须承认:“我们都像不洁净的人,所有的义都像污秽的衣服。”祂完全的公义是何等无价之礼物!即使目前,罪虽然仍然在我们里面,但其权势已被破坏了。它不能再掌权,是一条断了脊的蛇。我们虽与它有尖锐的冲突,但事实上它是个已被征服的敌人。
Evening, October 27
Scripture: “We are all as an unclean thing.”(Isaiah 64:6)
The believer is a new creature, he belongs to a holy generation and a peculiar people-the Spirit of God is in him, and in all respects he is far removed from the natural man; but for all that the Christian is a sinner still. He is so from the imperfection of his nature, and will continue so to the end of his earthly life. The black fingers of sin leave smuts upon our fairest robes. Sin mars our repentance, ere the great Potter has finished it, upon the wheel. Selfishness defiles our tears, and unbelief tampers with our faith. The best thing we ever did apart from the merit of Jesus only swelled the number of our sins; for when we have been most pure in our own sight, yet, like the heavens, we are not pure in God's sight; and as he charged his angels with folly, much more must he charge us with it, even in our most angelic frames of mind. The song which thrills to heaven, and seeks to emulate seraphic strains, hath human discords in it. The prayer which moves the arm of God is still a bruised and battered prayer, and only moves that arm because the sinless One, the great Mediator, has stepped in to take away the sin of our supplication. The most golden faith or the purest degree of sanctification to which a Christian ever attained on earth, has still so much alloy in it as to be only worthy of the flames, in itself considered. Every night we look in the glass we see a sinner, and had need confess, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Oh, how precious the blood of Christ to such hearts as ours! How priceless a gift is his perfect righteousness! And how bright the hope of perfect holiness hereafter! Even now, though sin dwells in us, its power is broken. It has no dominion; it is a broken-backed snake; we are in bitter conflict with it, but it is with a vanquished foe that we have to deal. Yet a little while and we shall enter victoriously into the city where nothing defileth.
《竭诚为主》10月27日 宣教之方
所以你们要去,使万民作我的门徒。(太二十八19)
耶稣基督不是说:“去拯救灵魂。”(灵魂的得救,是神超然的工作。)他乃是说:“去,使万民作我的门徒。”除非你自己先作门徒,否则无法叫人作门徒。昔日门徒第一次奉差遣出去,因为污鬼也服了他们,欢乐而回。耶稣就说:“不要因工作成功而欢欣;快乐最大的秘诀,是与我保持正确的关系。”宣教士最要紧的是对神的呼召效忠,知道他唯一的目标是使人作主的门徒。有时对灵魂的热切,不是由神而来,而是出于想人家跟从自己的观点。
宣教士的挑战,并不是人难以得救;不是退后的人难以回转;也不是人的冷漠、毫不动心;而是他与主耶稣基督的关系。“你们信我能作这事吗?”我们的主不断问这个问题,每遇一事,主都会这样问。我们唯一的大挑战是--我认识我的复活主吗?我认识他内居的灵的大能吗?我是否因着对主耶稣话语的完全信靠,以致在神眼中成为智慧的,而在世界看来却是愚拙?还是我抛弃了那超然的地位,也就是神对宣教士唯一的呼召--对主耶稣基督无限的信赖?我若用其他任何方法,就脱离了主所定下的方法了,主说:“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了,所以你们要去……”
祈祷◆噢,主啊,吸引我靠近你;愿我以你自己为荣,因为你将我这样的一个罪人,变成你有用的仆人。
October 27 The Method Of Missions
“Go ye therefore, and teach (disciple) all nations.” Matthew 28:19
Jesus Christ did not say – Go and save souls (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but – “Go and teach,” i.e., disciple, “all nations,” and you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples came back from their first mission they were filled with joy because the devils were subject to them, and Jesus said – Don't rejoice in successful service; the great secret of joy is that you are rightly related to Me. The great essential of the missionary is that he remains true to the call of God, and realizes that his one purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. There is a passion for souls that does not spring from God, but from the desire to make converts to our point of view.
The challenge to the missionary does not come on the line that people are difficult to get saved, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, that there is a wadge of callous indifference; but along the line of his own personal relationship to Jesus Christ. “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” Our Lord puts that question steadily, it faces us in every individual case we meet. The one great challenge is – Do I know my Risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God's sight, and foolish enough according to the world, to bank on what Jesus Christ has said, or am I abandoning the great supernatural position, which is the only call for a missionary, viz., boundless confidence in Christ Jesus? If I take up
十月二十七日信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
服事神、祂的面与名
经文: 「祂的仆人都要侍奉祂,也要见祂的面。祂的名字必写在他们的额上。」(启示录22︰3,4)
在荣耀之地,这三种上好的福份都将属于我们。
“祂的仆人都要侍奉祂。”再也没有其他主人会来压迫我们,没有其他事工来烦扰我们。我们可以毫不困倦、毫无差错、永远地侍奉耶稣。这就是信徒所向往的天堂乐境: 在一切的事上服侍主基督,并以能够被祂当作祂的仆人为我们灵魂永远的高尚盼望。
“也要见祂的面。”这使得我们的服侍充满喜乐:的确,这是在当下对事工的奖赏。我们都要认识主,因我们要见祂的面。主最忠心的仆人能祈求的最大恩惠就是得见耶稣的面。摩西不是说︰”求祢让我看到祢的面。”
”祂的名字必写在他们的额上。”他们凝视他们的主直到祂的宝名印在他们的额头上。祂承认他们,他们也承认祂。恩典隐秘的记号由内及外在世人面前公开坦露这一美好关系,且以这亲笔签名为证。
喔,主啊,让我们在地上初尝这三种福分的滋味,好使我们在祢极乐的居所完全拥有它们。
His Service, Face, Name
Scripture: "His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their forehead" (Revelation 22:3-4).
Three choice blessings will be ours in the glory land.
"His servants shall serve him." No other lords shall oppress us, no other service shall distress us. We shall serve Jesus always, perfectly, without weariness, and without error. This is heaven to a saint: in all things to serve the LORD Christ and to be owned by Him as His servant is our soul's high ambition for eternity.
"And they shall see his face." This makes the service delightful: indeed, it is the present reward of service. We shall know our LORD, for we shall see Him as He is. To see the face of Jesus is the utmost favor that the most faithful servant of the LORD can ask. What more could Moses ask than- "Let me see thy face?"
"And his name shall be in their foreheads." They gaze upon their LORD till His name is photographed upon their brows. They are acknowledged by Him, and they acknowledge Him. The secret mark of inward grace develops into the public sign-manual of confessed relationship.
O LORD, give us these three things in their beginnings here that we may possess them in their fullness in Thine own abode of bliss!
十月二十七日
主耶稣的宝血,从抹在我们身上的时候起,就永远有赦罪的功效,不但赦免了已往所犯的大罪小罪、明罪暗罪,将来的一切罪也都赦免了。因为主的血就是赦罪的记号,有基督宝血的印记的,就定为永远被赦罪的,所以基督的宝血是我们永远得救的根基。
有人不明白,以为未信耶稣的时候所犯罪的,神可以因主的宝血赦免了,若再犯罪,就要自己承当,所以他整天战惊,惧怕灭亡。还有人以为信耶稣罪蒙赦免,若再犯了罪还须再抹主的宝血,象律法下的以色列人,犯了罪就到祭司那里献祭赎罪,又犯了罪就再到祭司那里献祭赎罪。主耶稣衹一次在各各他钉了十字架,祂流血的功效,可供给一切仰望祂的人赎罪。不论是在祂以前仰望祂的人,或是在祂以后信靠祂的人;因祂一次流血,就成了永远赎罪的根源。
神不看我们是不是有罪,神衹看我们是不是有血,有血的就永不定罪。以色列人出埃及的时候,神以血为拯救的记号,祂不管以色列人的长子是好是坏,衹要门上有血,祂就不杀。埃及人的长子,祂也不管是坏是好,衹要门上无血,祂就要杀。
有人以为这样讲,人就可以自由去犯罪,似乎放任了信徒,就不敢讲基督宝血是永远有赦罪的能力;若是不讲,好叫人有惧怕的心而不敢犯罪;好象他比神更聪明,比神更有见识,其实他是把神的恩典打了折扣,是缩小了基督宝血的功用。他是中了魔鬼的诡计。叫人成圣的不是刑罚,乃是恩典。亚当没有因刑罚而不犯罪,这些已经有罪的后裔,更不能因刑罚而不犯罪。
惟有恩典却能领人悔改。
「因为祂一次献祭,便叫那得以成圣的人永远完全。」(来十14)
《荒漠甘泉》10月27日
“你的波浪洪涛漫过我身。”(诗42:7)
信徒啊,让我们在主所安放我们的地位上好好站住,尽我们所能的作去。神常喜欢给我们一些试炼,因为神希望我们经过剧烈的争斗以后,能发育得更加强壮。生长在风雨之下,曾受风雨击打的树木,往往比生长在退隐的山谷下,从未受过风雨摧残的树木,扎根更深。人生也是这样。伟大的人物都是生长在艰苦中的。——选
用於 《静夜亮光》十月二十八日
十月二十八日
我从世界中拣选了你们。(约翰福音15:19)
这实在是神分别出来的恩典,和有辨的赏识,因为有些人特别蒙祂所爱。我们因神的拣选便可坦然无惧。当你的心最沉重、最消沉的时候,你将发现这是一瓶最浓郁的兴奋剂。那些质疑这恩典教义、或是弃而不顾的人,便得不到以实各谷最丰美的葡萄,也吃不到 神在圣山上用满髓的肥甘和澄清的陈酒所摆设的筵席;基烈的乳香比起它来也算不得什么。如果约拿单手杖上的蜜一经触摸就能使人眼目明亮,那么这蜜更能开启你的心喜爱并得知神国的奥秘。吃吧!不要怕吃得过度,要靠这珍肴美味过活,不要怕它太过精致可口。王宴席上的食物不会伤害祂所请来的任何一个宾客。要渴慕你的心得到扩展,好使你能更多明了 神永恒、持久、分别的爱。当你已经攀登上拣选的高山,便可停留在它的姊妹山——恩典之约。那约是护卫我们的伟大磐石,是我们的保障,这约令我们确信基督耶稣乃是心灵战栗之人的安息之处。
“祂的誓、祂的约、祂的血,
在汹涌的洪流中仍扶持我;
即使世上一切依靠尽失效,
这仍是我的力量,我的投靠。”
当耶稣要把我带到荣耀里,当父应许把我赐给祂受过千辛万苦的儿子作为永远的奖赏时,我的心哪!除非神不是信实的,或者耶稣不是可靠的,不然你总是稳妥而安全的。当大卫在约柜前踊跃跳舞时,他告诉米甲说那是因神拣选他的缘故。我的灵魂啊,你也当在神的恩典面前赞美歌唱并为心中的喜乐欢呼雀跃!
十月二十八日
经文: 祂的头像至精的金子。祂的头发厚密累垂,黑如乌鸦。(雅歌五:11)
要拿别的事物来和耶稣作比较几乎是不可能的,但是这位新妇却用她能想到的最美词藻来形容她的良人。我们能从耶稣的头来了解祂的神性,因为“上帝是基督的头”(林前十一:3)。最纯的金子是最令人信服的比喻,即使如此,用以形容主耶稣仍然相去甚远,因为祂的珍贵、纯洁、可爱与荣耀是无限的。耶稣不是一粒金沙,而是一颗巨大金球,是无价之宝,非天上地下之价值能胜过,被造之物不过是铁是泥,他们也像草木、禾秸般会逝去。造物主的永恒之头永远发出光辉。祂是无限圣洁、全然神圣的。厚密累垂的头发描述了祂人性的活力。我们的至爱者乃人中之人。祂勇猛如狮子、劳苦如公牛、快速如飞鹰。在祂身上可以找到可见和不可见之美,虽然祂曾被人藐视、被人厌弃。现在,祂却以无敌的尊严永远为王。黑发表年青健壮、朝气蓬勃,因为祂有少年时光耀如清晨的甘露。人会因年迈而衰弱,祂即永远为祭司。人来去无定,祂却永坐宝座为上帝。祂的国永无止境。今晚让我们来朝见敬仰祂。天使凝视祂,蒙祂救赎的子民更应定睛在祂身上。何处能找到像祂这般心爱的人呢?耶稣啊,吸引我,我必快跑跟随。
Evening, October 28
Scripture: “His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.”(Song of Solomon 5:11)
Comparisons all fail to set forth the Lord Jesus, but the spouse uses the best within her reach. By the head of Jesus we may understand his deity, “for the head of Christ is God” and then the ingot of purest gold is the best conceivable metaphor, but all too poor to describe one so precious, so pure, so dear, so glorious. Jesus is not a grain of gold, but a vast globe of it, a priceless mass of treasure such as earth and heaven cannot excel. The creatures are mere iron and clay, they all shall perish like wood, hay, and stubble, but the ever living Head of the creation of God shall shine on for ever and ever. In him is no mixture, nor smallest taint of alloy. He is for ever infinitely holy and altogether divine. The bushy locks depict his manly vigour. There is nothing effeminate in our Beloved. He is the manliest of men. Bold as a lion, laborious as an ox, swift as an eagle. Every conceivable and inconceivable beauty is to be found in him, though once he was despised and rejected of men.“His head the finest gold;With secret sweet perfume,His curled locks hang all as blackAs any raven's plume.”The glory of his head is not shorn away, he is eternally crowned with peerless majesty. The black hair indicates youthful freshness, for Jesus has the dew of his youth upon him. Others grow languid with age, but he is for ever a Priest as was Melchizedek; others come and go, but he abides as God upon his throne, world without end. We will behold him to-night and adore him. Angels are gazing upon him-his redeemed must not turn away their eyes from him. Where else is there such a Beloved? O for an hour's fellowship with him! Away, ye intruding cares! Jesus draws me, and I run after him.
《竭诚为主》10月28日 因信称义
因为我们作仇敌的时候,且藉着神儿子的死,得与神和好,既已和好,就更要因他的生得救了。(罗五10)
我不是因我的信得救,我是因着信,知道自己得救。悔改不能救我;悔改只表示我体会神在基督耶稣里所成就的。危险的是把重点放在果效,而不放在原因上。因为我顺服,所以与神和好--我的成圣。不!我与神和好,是因为在一切以先,基督死了。当我转向神,凭信心接纳神所启示我--耶稣基督救赎的大能--就立时进入与神和好的境地;又凭着神恩典超然的神迹,我立在称义的地位上。这不是因为我认罪,不是因为我悔改,而是因为主耶稣所成就的。神的灵带来一道透彻的光芒,于是我知道自己得救了,虽然我不知道这到底怎样发生的。
神的救赎并不建基于人的逻辑,乃建基于耶稣的舍身。我们得以重生,是因为主的救赎。有罪的人可以成为新造的人,不是由于他们悔改,不是由于他们相信,乃是由于神在主耶稣里奇妙的工作,这是一切经历之首。称义成圣的稳固保障,是神自己。我们不必去做什么,因为一切已在救赎中作成了。神奇妙的作为使超然的成为自然,我们可以认识主耶稣已成就的--“成了”。
祈祷◆主啊,因着在你这位众光之父里,“没有改变,也没有转动的影儿”,我便欢喜快乐。愿你使我能辨别你的统治和管理。
October 28 Justification By Faith
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10
I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing. It is not repentance that saves me, repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus. The danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead of on the cause. It is my obedience that puts me right with God, my consecration. Never! I am put right with God because prior to all, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God; and by the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings it with a breaking, all-over light, and I know, though I do not know how, that I am saved.
The salvation of God does not stand on human logic, it stands on the sacrificial Death of Jesus. We can be born again because of the Atonement of Our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creatures, not by their repentance or their belief, but by the marvellous work of God in Christ Jesus which is prior to all experience. The impregnable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We have not to work out these things ourselves; they have been worked out by the Atonement. The supernatural becomes natural by the miracle of God; there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done – “It is finished.”
十月二十八日信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
无知的罪
经文: 「他们就必蒙赦免,因为这是错误。」(民数记15︰25)
因为我们的无知,我们并不完全知晓我们无知所犯下的罪。然而我们可以确定,无论是有意或出于疏忽,这样的罪很多。我们可能正在全心全意地为神做某项事工,而那完全不是出于神的命令,并且祂也永远不会悦纳那事。
我们无知所犯下的每一个错,神都知道。这也让我们警醒,因为站在审判台前时,祂要审问我们手中的一切罪;但另一方面,在这件事上,信心也带给我们安慰,因为主必定将我们所看不见的污点完全抹去。祂所看见的这些罪,祂必将它们抛之脑后,不再记念。
我们最大的安慰,就是耶稣基督——真正的祭司——已为以色列子孙的所有会众赎罪。这样的赎罪确保所有隐而未现的罪得到赦免。祂的宝血已将我们的众罪洗清洁。无论我们是否知晓已犯这罪,无论我们是否曾为这罪哀伤流泪,神已经看到这罪,基督已为它付上赎价,圣灵见证这罪已蒙赦免,因此我们已经有了三重的平安。
喔,天父啊!我要赞美祢那超凡的智慧,因祢不仅洞察我的软弱过失,更预备了救恩,在我还不知道自己是罪人时,就把我从罪恶过犯中拯救出来。我感谢祢!
Sins of Ignorance
And it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance. (Numbers 15:25)
Because of our ignorance we are not fully aware of our sins of ignorance. Yet we may be sure they are many, in the form both of commission and omission. We may be doing in all sincerity, as a service to God, that which He has never commanded and can never accept.
The Lord knows these sins of ignorance every one. This may well alarm us, since in justice He will require these trespasses at our hand; but on the other hand, faith spies comfort in this fact, for the Lord will see to it that stains unseen by us shall yet be washed away. He sees the sin that He may cease to see it by casting it behind His back.
Our great comfort is that Jesus, the true priest, has made atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel. That atonement secures the pardon of unknown sins. His precious blood cleanses us from all sin. Whether our eyes have seen it and wept over it or not, God has seen it, Christ has atoned for it, the Spirit bears witness to the pardon of it, and so we have a threefold peace.
O my Father, I praise Thy divine knowledge, which not only perceives my iniquities but provides an atonement which delivers me from the guilt of them, even before I know that I am guilty.
十月二十八日
寒暑表一样的信徒,专门随著环境的寒暖而改变。环境暖一点,他就喜乐;环境冷一点,他就忧愁。你看见他喜乐了,你就知道他有了好事;你看他忧愁,你就知道他又有事不如心了。天天变来变去,喜忧无常。别人无心作了一件事,他就有心的接受了,感觉真敏锐。
你既然象寒暑表那样有灵敏的感觉,就当进入神温暖的翅膀下,享受祂的平安和喜乐,让祂来安慰你灵敏的心,利用你的灵敏在基督里长进。
神欢喜人在祂的事上灵敏。以马忤斯的两个门徒,一面走一面谈,主来到他们旁边,把救恩从圣经中给他们讲解,主责备他们信的太迟钝了;他们一路上听主讲话,却不能分辨是主的声音,耳朵太迟钝了;主进到他们的家中,他们仍不知道是主和他们同席,眼睛太迟钝了。
你既是有灵敏的心,这是主所喜欢的,但你所灵敏的事,却是主所不喜欢的。你若在主里有了长进,享受过神丰盛的慈爱,你就不再随著环境而转移了;环境好,赞美主;环境不好,也赞美主;环境好,使你得益处;环境不好,更使你得益处。
更进一步,世界的好,不叫你喜乐;世界的苦,不叫你忧愁;甜与苦成了一样的,因为你自己里面改变了,你不再象寒暑表一样。你象一条有生命的鱼,能逆潮流而上,因为你心中有不受世界摇动的平安。
「所以我们既得了不能震动的国,就当感恩,照神所喜悦的,用虔诚敬畏的心事奉神。」(来十二28)
《荒漠甘泉》10月28日
“然而神既有丰富的怜悯,因他爱我们的大爱,当我们死在过犯中的时候,便叫我们与基督一同活过来…他又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活,一同坐在天上。”(弗2:4-6) “与基督耶稣一同坐在天上”——安安静静地坐着——是我们的权力,是我们的本分。但是有几个人真有这样的经历呢?而且很少人相信这样扰攘的世界上,会在日常生活中能够静静地坐在天上的可能呢?
我们也许会想:恐怕在主日,或者灵程猛进的时候,偶然能有这样的经历;如果每天随时都坐在天上,是不可能的事罢!但是我告诉你:主日能,周末也能,天天都能! 一个安静的灵,对于外面的活动是非常有帮助的;反言之,没有一件东西,比灵里的焦急挂虑,更妨碍属灵的能力和成功。
一位属灵的信徒有一次告诉我们,“知道怎样信靠,怎样安静,就是得到了一切。”这句话是非常有意思的。我们如果知道这个,我们工作的方法就会大大改变了。我们不会再不息在挣扎了;我们会安安静静坐在主面前,让圣灵去替我们完成我们所希望的。我们也许看不见,感不到,圣灵在替我们工作,但是我们应当相信:他一直在很出力地替我们作啊!我们只要把我们的灵安静下来好了。在静的力量中,象一片随波逐流的叶子那样的浮游。——司密斯
我们应当在任何环境中学习享受神的平安。
用於 《静夜亮光》十月二十九日
1801 — 1861
裨治文
Elijah Coleman Bridgman
美國第一位來華宣教士,為美國公理會海外傳道會(美部會)
1801 — 1861
Elijah Coleman Bridgman
Bi Zhiwen , 裨治文
First American missionary to China.
十月二十九日
你们祷告要这样说:我们在天上的父……(马太福音6:9)
神子民的灵魂所发出的真正祷告都应当这样开头:“我们…的父。”我们若不说“我要起来,到我父亲那里去”,我们的祷告是不会蒙悦纳的。孩童般的灵很快就能使我们明白“在天上”的父是多么威严。因此献上我们虔诚的崇拜说“尊你的名为圣”。从小孩子口中咿呀的“阿爸,父!”到成长为基路伯的样式呼喊“圣哉!圣哉!圣哉!”喜悦的敬拜与热诚宣道的灵仅一步之遥,因为子女敬畏爱戴父神所以祷告说:“愿你的国降临。愿你的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上。”。接下来,便由衷透露出我们依赖神的心:“我们日用的饮食,今日赐给我们。”当靠着圣灵得到进一步的光照时,我们就知道自己不单依靠神,而且也感到自己有罪,因此祈求神的怜悯:“免我们的债,如同我们免了人的债。”蒙神赦免之后,便得了基督赐予我们的义,知道已被神所悦纳,便谦卑地求神保守:“不叫我们遇见试探。”真正得了赦免的人,便渴望不敢再犯罪;得称为义的人便渴望成圣。“免我们的债”是称义;“不叫我们遇见试探,救我们脱离凶恶“,便是从消极与积极两个方面得以成圣。这一切之后便是得胜的颂赞:“国度、权柄、荣耀,全是你的,直到永远。阿们。”我们欢乐,因为我们的王以恩典和护理之工掌管一切,从河水之源到地极,他的国度没有止境。因此,这一简短的祷告典范引领着我们的灵魂,使我们期初感到自己是神的后嗣,末了表明要跟随掌王权的主。主啊,求你教我们这样祷告。
十月二十九日
经文: 只是他们的眼睛迷糊了,不认识祂。(路加福音二十四:16)
门徒应该认识耶稣,他们经常听到祂的声音,也经常凝视那受伤的脸,你是否也应如此?最近,你没有见到耶稣。你到祂的桌前,但是没有遇见祂。今晚,你可能正处于深深的困扰中,虽然祂简单地说:“是我,不要怕。”而你却不能分办那就是祂。我们的眼睛迷糊了,看不见祂。我们认识祂的声音,也看过祂的脸,甚至还将头靠在祂的胸上。虽然基督就在我们身旁,我们说:“啊,但愿我能知道去何处寻找祂!”我们应该认识基督,因为圣经反映了祂的形像。然而,我们打开圣经却无法一瞥我们所心爱的耶稣。耶稣在圣言的百合花中等待,我们穿梭百合花丛,却见不到祂。祂行走于经文的空地上与祂的百性相交,如同在清凉的日子天父与亚当相交一般。你现在在圣经的园中,虽然祂总是在那里,但是你见不到祂。为什么?这要归咎于我们的光景就如同当日门徒的情形一样,不信。显然他们当时并没有期待会见到耶稣,所以他们也就不认识祂。在属灵的事上,在许多时候我们所得到的只是我们所期望的。单靠信心,就能使我们得见耶稣。“主啊,开启我的眼睛,使我见到救主与我同在。”但愿这也能成为你的祈祷。要见到祂是蒙福的事,但是能凝视祂则是福中之福。对于寻找祂的人,祂是慈爱的。对于寻见祂的人,祂是宝贵的,超过一切所能想像的。
Evening, October 29
Scripture: “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”(Luke 24:16)
The disciples ought to have known Jesus, they had heard his voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is wonderful they did not discover him. Yet is it not so with you also? You have not seen Jesus lately. You have been to his table, and you have not met him there. You are in a dark trouble this evening, and though he plainly says, “It is I, be not afraid,” yet you cannot discern him. Alas! our eyes are holden. We know his voice; we have looked into his face; we have leaned our head upon his bosom, and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying “O that I knew where I might find him!” We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect his image, and yet how possible it is for us to open that precious book and have no glimpse of the Wellbeloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus feedeth among the lilies of the word, and you walk among those lilies, and yet you behold him not. He is accustomed to walk through the glades of Scripture, and to commune with his people, as the Father did with Adam in the cool of the day, and yet you are in the garden of Scripture, but cannot see him, though he is always there. And why do we not see him? It must be ascribed in our case, as in the disciples’, to unbelief. They evidently did not expect to see Jesus, and therefore they did not know him. To a great extent in spiritual things we get what we expect of the Lord. Faith alone can bring us to see Jesus. Make it your prayer, “Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may see my Saviour present with me.” It is a blessed thing to want to see him; but oh! it is better far to gaze upon him. To those who seek him he is kind; but to those who find him, beyond expression is he dear!
《竭诚为主》10月29日 替代
神使那无罪的,替我们成为罪,好叫我们在他里面成为神的义。(林后五21)
现代人以为耶稣为我们的罪死,是因为他同情我们。但新约的观点却不然,他并非因同情而背负我们的罪,他乃是因为与我们认同。神使他成为罪。他的死,叫我们得以除罪;而他的死,是顺服他父的旨意,而不是出于对我们的同情。我们蒙神悦纳,不是因为顺服,或答应放弃什么东西,乃是因为基督的死,除此别无他法。我们说耶稣基督来,是彰显神为父的地位,和他的恩慈;但新约却说:他来是担当世人的罪。他彰显父神,只是向那些认他为救主的人。主从来没有向世人说他自己就是彰显父神的那一位,他只说自己是绊脚石(约十五22-24)。约翰福音十四章第9节是对门徒说的。
新约从没有说基督为我死,所以我就免罚了。新约的教训是“他为万人死”(不是代替了我死),而我在他的死上与他合一,就从罪中得着释放,并承受了他的义。新约所教导的代替是有双重的意义:“神使那无罪的,替我们成为罪,好叫我们在他里面成为神的义。”除非我决意让基督成形在我里面,否则,基督就不是“替”我死了。
祈祷◆主啊,为着再次感受到与你之间有着喜乐的相交,我赞美你。愿你将平静的思想和坚定的决心赐给我。让我毫无怀疑和毫不偏斜地属于你。
October 29 Substitution
“He hath made Him to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of God. . .” 2 Corinthians 5:21
The modern view of the death of Jesus is that He died for our sins out of sympathy. The New Testament view is that He bore our sin not by sympathy, but by identification. He was made to be sin. Our sins are removed because of the death of Jesus, and the explanation of His death is His obedience to His Father, not His sympathy with us. We are acceptable with God not because we have obeyed, or because we have promised to give up things, but because of the death of Christ, and in no other way. We say that Jesus Christ came to reveal the Fatherhood of God, the loving-kindness of God; the New Testament says He came to bear away the sin of the world. The revelation of His Father is to those to whom He has been introduced as Saviour. Jesus Christ never spoke of Himself to the world as one Who revealed the Father, but as a stumbling block (see John 15:22- 24). John 14:9 was spoken to His disciples.
That Christ died for me, therefore I go scot free, is never taught in the New Testament. What is taught in the New Testament is that “He died for all” (not – He died my death), and that by identification with His death I can be freed from sin, and have imparted to me His very righteousness. The substitution taught in the New Testament is twofold: “He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” It is not Christ for me unless I am determined to have Christ formed in me.
用於 《竭诚为主》10月29日
十月二十九日信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
分别出来
经文: 「我要将我的百姓和你的百姓分别出来;明天必有这神迹。」(出埃及记8︰23)
神的百姓和法老王的百姓都住在埃及,他们生活的起居似乎无差异,但他们之间却有不同,并且主让这个差别显而易见。有一件事必将发生在所有人身上,并且在属世界的民和耶和华的选民间会有非常大的差别。
这会发生在审判之时,在那时神是祂圣徒们的避难所。我们很明显地看到,不信主者仍停留在咒诅中,而神的百姓一旦认罪悔改,就蒙祝福。从那时起,他们就成为一个特殊的族群,接受新的磨练,也同时享受新的祝福。从那以后,他们的家免受各种严重灾祸,而埃及人的家却饱受玷污和折磨。神选民的家免受蝗虫的污染、虱蝇的叮咬、谎言的败坏和憎恨的折磨;而这些会吞噬属世之民的家。
受考验的信徒们,放胆前行吧,虽然你有难处,但神会拯救你脱离那寄生在世人心里和家中的最险恶之祸患。神已经将我们从世人中分别出来,你当留心在灵性、品格、交友、目标等各方面,都要保守这个分别。
Maintain the Difference
Scripture: "And I will put a division between My people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be" (Exodus 8:23).
Pharaoh has a people, and the LORD has a people. These may dwell together and seem to fare alike, but there is a division between them, and the LORD will make it apparent. Not forever shall one event happen alike to all, but there shall be great difference between the men of the world and the people of Jehovah's choice.
This may happen in the time of judgments, when the LORD becomes the sanctuary of His saints. It is very conspicuous in the conversion of believers when their sin is put away, while unbelievers remain under condemnation. From that moment they become a distinct race, come under a new discipline, and enjoy new blessings. Their homes, henceforth, are free from the grievous swarms of evils which defile and torment the Egyptians. They are kept from the pollution of lust, the bite of care, the corruption of falsehood, and the cruel torment of hatred, which devour many families.
Rest assured, tried believer, that though you have your troubles you are saved from swarms of worse ones, which infest the homes and hearts of the servants of the world's prince. The LORD has put a division; see to it that you keep up the division in Spirit, aim, character, and company.
十月二十九日
有一个作面包的人很枯瘦,人问他说:「你为甚么这样瘦?」他说:「因为生意太忙,吃不好饭,睡不好觉。」这作面包的衹是卖给别人吃,自己却吃不下去。
今天有多少作面包的传道人,整天预备灵粮给别人吃,自己的灵性却枯竭了。传道人不当单作一个为人作面包的人,衹叫别人吃,自己却不吃。保罗知道在这事上小心,他说:「我是攻克己身,叫身服我;恐怕我传福音给别人,自己反被弃绝了。」(林前九27)
基督工人所最怕而且最容易有的现象,就是衹知忙工作而忘记了自己的灵性,整个的时间都摆在工作里面,甚至没有时间单独亲近神,与神相交。工作是要紧,不忠心是工人最大的罪;然而工人的灵性更要紧,没有美好的灵性,如何能有美好的工作呢?没有健全的灵力,如何能作重大的工作呢?
常看见有工人失败得很大,当初他奉献的时候是那么叫人喜爱,灵性好、信心好、爱心好、恩赐多,但工作的日期久了,在许多事上显出了缺欠,别人也看出来他不如从前了。就是因为他忽略了自己的灵性问题,成了单作面包的传道人,天天在外忙教会的事,在家还要帮助妻子作饭看孩子,却不注重自己的灵性,这样怎能不失败呢?
不但在传道人的事工中是这样,凡愿意在神面前长进的圣徒,都离不开与神相交的正路。
「我们撇下神的道,去管理设备,原是不合宜的。……但我们要专心以祈祷传道为事。」(徒六2至4)
《荒漠甘泉》10月29日
“他必坐下如炼净银子的。”(玛3:3)
我们的父要我们完全圣洁,象他自己圣洁一样。他知道炉火的价值。我们都知道金属越贵重,化炼越费力——它们必须经过烈火,因为烈火能叫它们熔化;只有在熔化的时候,才能把掺杂在里面的杂质分别出来;也只有在熔化的时候,才能把它们造成新的模型。老练的化炼师是一直坐在坩埚旁边,从不走开的,他惟恐热度一高就会叫金属受损。他把最后的渣滓从面上撇去;一看见自己的脸从其上反照出来,他就立刻把炉火熄灭。——斐尔逊
十月三十日
我要一心称谢耶和华。(诗篇9:1)
祷告蒙了应允必继而发出赞美。地上感激之云雾的升腾,乃是因为天上仁爱的太阳温暖了大地。神曾恩待过你吗?曾侧耳倾听你的祈求吗?那么你当在活着的时候赞美祂。甚愿成熟的果子落在供给它养分的肥土上。要歌颂祂,因祂答应你的祷告、满足你的心愿。神以恩怜待你,你却默不作声,就是犯了忘恩负义的罪,这种卑鄙的行径,正像九个得痊愈的麻风病人一样,他们并不回来感谢医治他们的主。忘记赞美神就等于我们不愿自己蒙福,因为赞美和祷告一样,是促进我们灵命成长的一个很重要的方法。它能挪去我们的重担,鼓舞我们的盼望,加增我们的信心;它是增进健康且激发活力的运动,能加快信徒跳动的脉搏,使其为主的工作奋发起来。为我们所蒙的恩称颂神,同时也能使我们的同道获益:“谦卑人听见就要喜乐。”别人若是在相同的情形之中,必因我们说“你们和我当称耶和华为大,一同高举祂的名;我曾寻求耶和华,祂就应允我”而得安慰;软弱的心灵必得振奋,颓丧的圣徒必因听到我们的“拯救之歌”大得振奋。当我们以诗章、颂词和灵歌彼此对唱的时候,他们的疑惑和惧怕必受责备。当他们听到我们称扬祂的圣名时,他们也必说:“要歌颂耶和华的作为。”赞美是基督徒的天职。天使并不祷告,但他们却昼夜不停地赞美;被赎的人,穿着白衣,手里拿着棕枝,必永不疲倦地唱新歌说:“曾被杀的羔羊是配得权柄丰富、智慧、能力、尊贵、荣耀、颂赞的。”
十月三十日
经文: 你这住在园中的,同伴都要听你的声音。求你使我也得听见。(雅歌八:13)
耶稣清楚地记得客西马尼园。虽然已离开了那园,现在住在祂教会的园内,但祂还是记得在那里,祂向那些蒙福的人群启示祂自己。祂爱的声音比天上的琴声更美。其中有深厚的爱之旋律,超越人间一切乐音。地上成万之众与天上百万大军陶醉于其和谐声音之中。啊,但愿我能分享他们的喜乐!无疑地,在地上的那些人中,有人是贫穷的,有人缠绵病塌,也有人濒临死亡。但是我乐于与他们同挨饿、与他们同受苦、甚至与他们同死,只要能听到祢的声音,我都愿意。主啊,我曾经常常听到祢的声音,但是我使祢的灵忧伤。求祢的怜悯回到我的身旁,且对我说:“我是你的拯救。”没有其他声音能满足我心。我恳求,让我听到祢的声音。我不知道祢将对我说什么,我不敢作任何要求。哦,我所爱的,让我听见祢说话,即使是斥责之语,我也要为此称谢祢。或许清洁我迟钝之耳需要动手术,我将受皮肉之苦,但是,不论代价为何,我不会因为要付代价改变这一愿望,我要听见祢的声音。求祢开启我的耳朵,使祢宝贵的音符响彻我的耳际。不要再让我继续耳聋以致听不到祢的呼召。主啊,求祢今晚垂允我的愿望,虽然我不配,但是我属祢。祢已开启我的眼睛使我得见祢,以致拯救了我。主啊,开启我的耳朵使我得听见祢的声音。
Evening, October 30
Scripture: “Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.”(Song of Solomon 8:13)
My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although he has left that garden, he now dwells in the garden of his church: there he unbosoms himself to those who keep his blessed company. That voice of love with which he speaks to his beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Ten of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, “I am thy salvation.” No other voice can content me; I know thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to thy calls. To-night, Lord, grant thine unworthy one his desire, for I am thine, and thou hast bought me with thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open thou mine ear. I have read thy heart, now let me hear thy lips.
《竭诚为主》10月30日 信
人非有信,就不能得神的喜悦。(来十一6)
反常理的信心,是宗教狂热;反信心的常理,是理性主义。信心的生活却将二者调和成正确的关系。常理不是信心,信心也非常理。二者代表了自然与超然的关系,直觉与启示的关系。耶稣基督所说的一切话,非从常理,乃从启示,在常理无效之际,他的话依然有效。信心必须受试验,然后这信心才真实。“我们知道万事都互相效力”,这样,无论什么事发生,神的炼金术总能把理想的信心变作实际。信心必须从个人开始,神整个计划就是使理想的信心,在他儿女身上实现。
日常生活中每一细节,都在启示神,叫我们可以在实际经历中,证实我们所信的。信心是一项极主动的原则,总把主耶稣放在首位--“主啊,你这样说过(太六33),看来全不合理,但我要依你的话去做。”若要把头脑的信心变成个人产业,便时常都要经历争战,不是偶尔经历。神放我们在某一环境中,是要教育我们的信心;因为信心的本性是使目标成真。在我们认识耶稣之前,神只是一个抽象的概念,我们无法对祂有信心;但一旦听见耶稣说:“人看见了我,就看见了父。”我们就有了实际的东西,信心就毫无止境。信心就是透过耶稣基督之灵的能力,全人与神建立正确的关系。
祈祷◆但如今,“神啊,求你坚固我的手”--主啊,请在这一刻,到我这里来,以你自己来充满我,那么,我便不会再有未满足的渴求。
October 30 Faith
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Faith in antagonism to common sense is fanaticism, and common sense in antagonism to faith is rationalism. The life of faith brings the two into a right relation. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual; of impulse and inspiration. Nothing Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, it is revelation sense, and it reaches the shores where common sense fails. Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. “We know that all things work together for good,” then no matter what happens, the alchemy of God's providence transfigures the ideal faith into actual reality. Faith always works on the personal line, the whole purpose of God being to see that the ideal faith is made real in His children.
For every detail of the common-sense life, there is a revelation fact of God whereby we can prove in practical experience what we believe God to be. Faith is a tremendously active principle which always puts Jesus Christ first – Lord, Thou hast said so and so (e.g., Matthew 6:33), it looks mad, but I am going to venture on Thy word. To turn head faith into a personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make its object real. Until we know Jesus, God is a mere abstraction, we can not have faith in Him; but immediately we hear Jesus say – “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father,” we have something that is real, and faith is boundless. Faith is the whole man rightly related to God by the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
十月三十日信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
完全的洁净
经文: 「我必用清水洒在你们身上,你们就洁净了。我要洁净你们,使你们脱离一切的污秽,弃掉一切的偶像。」(以西结书36︰25)
这是多么令人欢欣雀跃的金句!那位用耶稣的宝血洁净了我们的,也要用圣灵的水来洁净我们。神说︰“你们就洁净了。”祂既这么说,也必这么做。主啊,我们常常觉得自己污秽不堪,也为此哀痛,幸好有祢的恩言保证,祢要洁净我们;求主在我们身上加速祢的圣工。
祂要将我们从最败坏的罪中拯救出来。祂要炼净我们的灵魂,让一切的卑情下品离我们远去再不回来——除掉我们不信的恶习,将心中的骄傲自私、邪情私欲挪开,不再让撒但有机会借着我们羞辱主的圣名。
祂也要让我们弃掉一切的偶像,无论是金雕还是陶俑:我们各种不洁净的贪恋,和我们对某些事物的过分喜爱——即使这些事物本身并没什么不好不对。这些被我们偶像化的事物,不是它被除掉,就是我们要远离它。
神亲口说祂要洁净我们,因此,我们大可放心地站在祂的信实话语上,大胆地期待祂承诺的兑现。洁净是一个祝福的约定,这个约定确切信实并在一切的事上有效。
Thorough Cleansing
Scripture: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you" (Ezekiel 36:25).
What an exceeding joy is this! He who has purified us with the blood of Jesus will also cleanse us by the water of the Holy Spirit. God hath said it, and so it must be, "Ye shall be clean." LORD, we feel and mourn our uncleanness, and it is cheering to be assured by Thine own mouth that we shall be clean. Oh, that Thou wouldst make a speedy work of it!
He will deliver us from our worst sins. The uprisings of unbelief and the deceitful lusts which war against the soul, the vile thoughts of pride, and the suggestions of Satan to blaspheme the sacred name- all these shall be so purged away as never to return.
He will also cleanse us from all our idols, whether of gold or of clay: our impure loves and our excessive love of that which in itself is pure. That which we have idolized shall either be broken from us or we shall be broken off from it.
It is God who speaks of what He Himself will do. Therefore is this word established and sure, and we may boldly look for that which it guarantees to us. Cleansing is a covenant blessing, and the covenant is ordered in all things and sure.
十月三十日
我们在神面前祷告,要甚么就可以求甚么,不要为神出主意,告诉神怎样办法,因为神自有办法,不用我们教导神。
有一次,一位传道人要到一个棚户住宅区去传福音;他在几天之前就为此事祷告神,并且求神赐给一个好天气,可以使听的人多。可是那天到了,从早晨起来就下雨,传道人心中不高兴:「主不听我的祷告。」他因为早就约定了时间,不管雨大雨小,人多人少总是要去的。那知道他一进门,那家的主人说:「感谢神!今天下大雨,作小生意的人都不出去了!」那天聚会的人数比往日都多。主听了传道人的祷告,却不是照他的方法成就的,因为神有更好的办法。
有时教会中有了需要,有人就祷告说:求神感动有钱的人奉献他们的钱财。这个祷告中有错误。有缺少向神要是对的,但指定了叫神怎样作是不对的,神能赐给钱财,但不一定要籍有钱的人奉献。
保罗要到罗马去,盼望神给他一个平坦的道路,他说:「在祷告之间,常常恳求,或者照神的旨意,终能得平坦的道路往你们那里去。」(罗一10)保罗要去罗马传福音的祷告是对的,至于道路怎样走就是神的事,他心里所想望的是平坦的道路,但神所赐给的道路是极不平坦的,他去罗马的时候,是作囚犯被押解去的;并且在海中遭遇了极大的风浪,船几乎沉没,人几乎淹死。为甚么神不听他的祷告,神有祂的美旨,神要藉保罗拯救同船的人,并要拯救岛上的人。若没有这次的大危险,船上和海岛上的人是不会悔改相信主的。
「因神的愚拙总比人智慧;神的软弱总比人强壮。」(林前一25)
《荒漠甘泉》10月30日
“…存心忍耐,奔……。”(来12:1)。
“…存心忍耐,奔……”是一件非常困难的事情。“奔”的时候,常是缺乏“忍耐”的时候;因为“奔”的时候,常是急急想达到目的的时候。我们平常说起“忍耐”立刻就联想到“静止”——一幕天使守护病榻的图画。然而我以为静止的忍耐,并不是最难做到的忍耐。
我相信有一种忍耐,更难做到——就是那同时能 “奔”的忍耐。固然,在悲伤的时候不动,在不幸的时候不言,需要极大的忍耐;可是我知道一件事,需要更大的忍耐:就是在袭击之下继续工作——心中负着重压,仍不停止前 “奔”;灵里深感痛苦,仍然勉力尽职。这才是基督的忍耐!
许多时候,神要我们学习忍耐,不是在床上,乃是在街上。神要我们埋葬我们的悲哀,不是在寂静中,乃是在活动中——在贸易中,在工场中,在交际的时候,在帮助别人的时候。没有一种埋葬比这种埋葬更难;可是这就是所谓“…存心忍耐,奔……”
哦,人子啊,这就是你的忍耐!这就是又等又奔的忍耐!虽然你没有一刻不背负着极大的忧伤,可是我们看见你仍在迦拿变水为酒,在野地变饼济众。人们都向你求云中的虹;我要向你求更大的:求你叫我作一条云中的虹——一条叫别人喜乐的虹!——马得胜
十月卅一日
使我里面重新有正直的灵。(诗篇51:l0)
背道的人只要还有一点生命的火花,当他在恢复时必然发出呻吟的声音,然而所得享的恩典与重生得救之时并无不同。得救之时我们需要悔改;如今需要恢复我们定要悔改。我们想要有信心,首先要来的基督面前;
如今只有凭借得救的恩典才能把我们带到耶稣面前。我们需要至高者发句话,一句从慈爱者口中发出的言语,来终止我们的惧怕;此后不久,我们便认识到自己已陷入罪,即刻需要神的话。一个人若不像起初那样感到圣灵大能的真实彰显,就不会更新,因为这样的作为仍是伟大的工作,而血肉之躯也像当初一样行事为人。
基督徒啊,愿你个人的软弱成为你热切求神帮助的动力。要记得,当大卫感到自己无能无力的时候,他并没有袖手旁观,闭口不言,而是赶快到施恩座前说:“使我里面重新有正直的灵。”你是无助的,你什么也不能做,切不要因为这样的教义就让自己沉睡不醒,却要以此当作鞭策我们的动力,驱使我们以极大的热切求助于以色列大能的帮助者。愿你蒙恩求告神,正像你为自己求生命一样说:“神啊!使我里面重新有正直的灵。”诚心求告神的人,神必用他的诚实来完成这件工作。要勤于祷告、多多仰靠神的话语,治死那使主远离你的情欲,留心将来不使罪再起来。主自有祂指明的道路,你要坐在路边,好在祂经过的时候,准备就绪。要坚守所有那些蒙福的训诲,使你所享之恩得到滋养不止衰亡。既知道一切能力都从祂而出,就不可停止呼求:“使我里面重新有正直的灵。”
十月三十一日
经文: 我曾在旷野干旱之地认识你。(何西阿书十三:5)
主啊,在我堕落的岁月里,祢已认识我,就在那时,祢就为自己拣选了我。当我仍然可厌自嫌时,祢已接纳我作祢的孩子,并且满足我的要求。为此白白的、充足的、丰盛的恩典,我要称颂祢的名。但是从那时开始,虽然我仍然是祢心爱的人,我的属灵生命却常行于旷野之中。祢曾以爱和恩典之泉倾注我心,使我欢欣,使我多结果实。当我外在环境恶劣,在沙漠中徘徊流荡时,祢甜蜜的同在安慰了我。困难的时刻,人把我遗忘,祢却明白我灵之逆境,因为苦难不能使祢爱的光辉黯淡。最最仁慈的主啊,当我处于困境之中时,我要因祢向我所显的信实夸耀祢。任何时刻,我若忘记祢而自大时,愿我能哀伤。我亏欠祢的温柔与大爱。我的心哪,在你光景最低落时,耶稣尚且承认你,现在,你发旺兴盛,更要确定你是耶稣自己和祂道路中的一份子。切勿因为你在世事上的成就而高举自己,甚至耻于承认真理和你曾经有份的教会。跟随耶稣到旷野中,当迫害之焰变炽时,与祂一同背负十字架。在你穷困羞耻之时,祂救了祢的灵魂。切勿背叛祂,切勿以祂为耻。当你对至爱的主有羞耻之念头时,应当对自己感到羞耻!
Evening, October 31
Scripture: “I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.”(Hosea 13:5)
Yes, Lord, thou didst indeed know me in my fallen state, and thou didst even then choose me for thyself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, thou didst receive me as thy child, and thou didst satisfy my craving wants. Blessed for ever be thy name for this free, rich, abounding mercy. Since then, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but thou hast owned me still as thy beloved, and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me, and make me fruitful. Yea, when my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have wandered in a land of drought, thy sweet presence has solaced me. Men have not known me when scorn has awaited me, but thou hast known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the lustre of thy love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify thee for all thy faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I deplore that I should at any time have forgotten thee and been exalted in heart, when I have owed all to thy gentleness and love. Have mercy upon thy servant in this thing!My soul, if Jesus thus acknowledged thee in thy low estate, be sure that thou own both himself and his cause now that thou art in thy prosperity. Be not lifted up by thy worldly successes so as to be ashamed of the truth or of the poor church with which thou hast been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness: bear the cross with him when the heat of persecution grows hot. He owned thee, O my soul, in thy poverty and shame-never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of him. O for more shame at the thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaveth to thee.“I'll turn to thee in days of light,As well as nights of care,Thou brightest amid all that's bright!Thou fairest of the fair!”
《竭诚为主》10月31日 信心的辨识
你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种(太十七20)
我们往往认为神会因我们的信心报答我们。初时可能是这样,但其实我们不能藉信心赚取什么。信心使我们与神的关系正确,以致神有机会作工。你若是圣徒,神往往要把你的经验底板抽去,好使你直接与他接触。神要你明白,这是信心的生命,而不是情感化地享受他祝福的生命。你早期的信心生命是狭窄的、紧张的,环绕着一小撮光明的经历,满了阳光与甜蜜,可是其中信心的成份,与常理的成份差不多同等。后来神把可见的祝福挪开,教你行信心的路,你如今在他手上更有价值,远超那些感觉喜乐、满有激动见证的日子。
信心必须经过试验。信心真正的考验,不是在于我们觉得难以信靠神,而是在于我们对神的性情必须有清楚的认识。信心的实现,必须经过一连串个别孤立的考验。不要把信心的试验与一般生活的操练混为一谈。许多我们成为信心的考验,不过是活在地上无法避免的事情。圣经中的信心,是在一切违反神自己的事上,还持定信神--“不管神怎样做,我必定忠于神的本性。”“他虽然杀我,我仍要信靠他。”--这是圣经中信心的最高表现。
祈祷◆主啊,今天早上,一堆微小但实际的事情挤进我的思想,我将它们直接带到你的面前。你以智慧说:“住了吧!静了吧!”愿我们那接受你吩咐的生命,承认你的平静是何等美好。
October 31 Discernment Of Faith
“Faith as a grain of mustard seed. . .” Matthew 17:20
We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, it may be so in the initial stages; but we do not earn anything by faith, faith brings us into right relationship with God and gives God His opportunity. God has frequently to knock the bottom board out of your experience if you are a saint in order to get you into contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of sentimental enjoyment of His blessings. Your earlier life of faith was narrow and intense, settled around a little sun-spot of experience that had as much of sense as of faith in it, full of light and sweetness; then God withdrew His conscious blessings in order to teach you to walk by faith. You are worth far more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight and thrilling testimony.
Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of unsyllabled isolation. Never confound the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him – I will remain true to God's character whatever He may do. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” – this is the most sublime utterance of faith in the whole of the Bible.
用於 《信心的支票簿》10月31日
十月三十一日信心的支票簿 Faith's check book
我必不致于死
经文: 「我必不至死,仍要存活,并要传扬耶和华的作为。」(诗篇118:17)
多么好的信心!毫无疑问,这是基于一个应许,是诗人在心里听到的低声应许,诗人紧抓着这应许,并享用它。我有否像大卫那样?我是不是因为仇敌的搅扰而沮丧?那些敌对我的人多势众,我是否觉得势孤力单?我是否被不信打倒并要死在绝望中——一个被打败的、丧失尊严的人?我的仇敌是否开始为我修建坟墓?
如何?我要向耳边低语的恐惧屈服,放弃争战,并不再抱任何希望吗?远非如此。在我里面尚有生命:“我必不至死。”力量会回来并移走我的软弱:“我仍要存活。”主活着,因此我也会活着。同时,我也要开口,“传扬耶和华的作为”。不错,我会述说现今的愁烦,将它作为主我神奇妙信实和大爱的又一力证。那些欢欢喜喜急着要为我量身定制棺材的人们最好等一等,“耶和华虽严严地惩治我,却未曾将我交于死亡。”荣耀归于祂的名直到万代!我必不至死,直到我的工作完成。若非神愿意,就不会有墓穴将我埋葬。
Immortal Till Work Done
Scripture: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD" (Psalm 118:17).
A fair assurance this! It was no doubt based upon a promise, inwardly whispered in the psalmist's heart, which he seized upon and enjoyed. Is my case like that of David? Am I depressed because the enemy affronts me? Are there multitudes against me and few on my side? Does unbelief bid me lie down and die in despair- a defeated, dishonored man? Do my enemies begin to dig my grave?
What then? Shall I yield to the whisper of fear, and give up the battle, and with it give up all hope? Far from it. There is life in me yet: "I shall not die." Vigor will return and remove my weakness: "I shall live." The LORD lives, and I shall live also. My mouth shall again be opened: "I shall declare the works of Jehovah." Yes, and I shall speak of the present trouble as another instance of the wonder-working faithfulness and love of the LORD my God. Those who would gladly measure me for my coffin had better wait a bit, for "the LORD hath chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto death." Glory be to His name forever! I am immortal till my work is done. Till the LORD wills it, no vault can close upon me.
十月三十一日
外面苦难的压力愈大,向里面退回的愈深;外面的光景放松了,反而失了里面的享受。所以神常藉着患难使我们得著内里的进深。神常允许一根刺扎在祂所爱者的身上。
但没有神同在的人,外面的患难愈大,心里的痛苦愈大;外面的光景放松了,心里就轻松了。他们的外面和里面成为正比,在基督里长进的人却成为反比。二者的不同,就显明了神的真实,显明了在我们的心中有神同在,显明了我们有神的生命,显明了我们有圣灵的居住。当试验的时候,就与世人分别出来了。
不信的人讥诮说:你们的神在那里呢?当患难来到的时候,他们要看见神就在我们心中,确实是有神与我们同在的。
主耶稣在世界的时候,常将神给世人看见,不但藉着祂的神迹奇事,叫人因祂看见神,更是藉着祂的与众不同,叫人看见神;当祂要钉十字架的时候,祂一言不响,态度何等从容;必须要祂说话的时候,祂的话是何等适宜,何等有力量;祂挂在十字架上的时候,祂的话语更是何等的可贵,处处显明祂的里面与世人不同,叫人看出祂比有神同在的人还高,看出祂就是神。所以百夫长看见一切所成就的事,就说:「这真是神的儿子!」(太廿七54)百夫长曾经镇压过多少犯人,从来没看见一个人象主耶稣的。百夫长没有叫犯人惧怕,他倒因犯人而惧怕。
「在你国中有一人,他里头有圣神的灵,你父在世的日子,这人心中光明,又有聪明智慧,好象神的智慧。」(但五11)
《荒漠甘泉》10月31日
“况且我们的软弱有圣灵帮助,我们本不晓得当怎样祷告,只是圣灵用亲自说不出来的叹息;替我们祷告。鉴察人心的,晓得圣灵的意思。因为圣灵照着神的旨意替圣徒祈求。”(罗8:26-27)
这是祷告的奥秘——是言语不能解释,神学不能说明的奥秘;可是最无知的信徒也能知道,虽然他也许不能明白。
哦,多少重担,我们背是背着,可是不明白!多少声音,我们听是听见,可是不领会!无论如何,我们知道他们是宝座上面的回声,是父神的耳语。许多时候,我们所听见的,并不是诗歌,乃是叹惜;我们所背着的,并不是翅膀,乃是重担。但是这是一个有福的重担,一个带着赞美和欢乐的叹息——一个“说不出来的叹息。”有时候,我们自己也表白不出来,我们自己也不明白,只知道圣灵在我们里面祷告他所明白的。
所以我们只要把我们心中所充满的重压,悲哀,一起倾倒出来,因为我们知道他听,他爱,他明白,他接受;并且他将我们祷告中一切不完全的,愚昧的,错误的,分别出来;将其余的,和大祭司的香一同献在宝座面前;我们的祷告,靠着这位大祭司的名,得蒙垂听,悦纳,答应。——宣信 与神交通,不一定需要一直向神说话,或者一直听神说话的;有一种无声的交通,比言语更甘甜。小孩子尽可以整天坐在妈妈身边,虽然两个人都不说话,两个人都很忙碌——一个忙着玩耍,一个忙着做事——可是他们两人中间却保持着极完美的交通。他知道她在那里,她知道他在那里。照样,信徒和主也可以这样保持静默的爱和交通;我们一方面尽可以顶忙碌地作日常的琐事,一方面应当知道我们所作的每一件事,是否都曾得到主的同意和祝福。
当我们的重担太复杂,不能用言语表达出来的时候,或者太神秘,不能明白的时候,让我们倒在主的怀中,把我们说不出来的悲哀痛苦哭出来!——选