得勝的獎賞 The Overcomer’s Reward

經文: 「得勝的，我必將那隱藏的嗎哪賜給他，並賜給他一塊白石，石上寫著新名；除了那領受的以外，沒有人能認識。」（啟示錄二︰17）

我的心哪，在這場神聖的戰役中堅毅忍耐吧，因為凱旋的獎賞是大的。今天我們吃這天上的嗎哪，也就是以色列民在曠野漂流時上帝所賜與的糧食。         但還有一些更高層次的靈糧，是超越我們經驗的，存在耶穌裏，雖經過數千世代，卻從不朽壞。沒人見過它，它是藏在至聖所的約櫃內。信徒最高層次的生活，就是活在耶穌裏，活在上帝裏。藉著上帝的恩典，我們可以得勝，也可以得到屬靈的嗎哪，耶穌本身就是這隱藏的嗎哪，是我們一切的一切。祂幫助我們爭戰，賜我們勝利，而祂自己就成為我們的獎賞。主啊，幫助我克服一切障礙，為要追求到天上的靈糧──耶穌祂自己。

Scripture: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a New Name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it"(Revelation 2:17).

My heart, be thou stirred up to persevere in the holy war, for the reward of victory is great. Today we eat of heavenly food which falls about our camps; the food of the wilderness, the food which comes from heaven, the food which never fails the pilgrims to Canaan. But there is reserved for us in Christ Jesus a still higher degree of spiritual life and a food for it which, as yet, is hidden from our experience. In the golden pot which was laid up in the ark there was a portion of manna hidden away, which though kept for ages never grew stale. No one ever saw it; it was hid with the Ark of the Covenant, in the Holy of Holies. Even so, the highest life of the believer is hid with Christ, in God. We shall come to it soon. Being made victorious through the grace of our LORD Jesus, we shall eat of the King’s meat and feed upon royal dainties. We shall feed upon Jesus. He is our "hidden manna," as well as the manna of the wilderness. He is all in all to us in our highest, as well as in our lowest, estate. He helps us to fight, gives us the victory, and then is Himself our reward. LORD, help me to overcome.

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忘記並饒恕 Forget and Forgive

經文: 「你不要說，我要以惡報惡；要等候耶和華，祂必拯救你。」（箴言廿︰22）

當你怒氣填膺時，冷靜下來，不要太快想為自己伸冤報仇。若你的怒氣立即發作，口出惡言，實在不能成就上帝的榮耀，也是不智之舉。若能原諒他，不計較別人的誤會或頂撞，此乃高貴德行。若讓創傷盤據心頭，時刻處心積慮要復仇，只會在舊仇上添加新恨，如此冤冤相報何時了﹖最好就是忘記並且饒恕。         朋友，若你以為總需要有些行動，有點反應。那麼就照這經節所說的︰「等候耶和華，祂必拯救。」這建議不花你一分錢，卻大有益處。切莫心懷不平，安靜地等候耶和華，告訴祂你心裡受傷的感受，把別人惡毒的辱罵陳列在主前，讓上帝自己來處決，上帝自己要來挪開你的重擔，撫平你的傷痕。         此外，祂應許要拯救你，祂總會想出方法釋放你，雖然你我猜不出來，但祂必要成就。這總比你獨自生悶氣，或心中咒罵對方來得好。所以，別再生氣，將你的冤屈交給上帝來辦。

Scripture: [If They Repent- WStS– "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"(1 John 1:9)]"Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and He shall save thee"(Proverbs 20:22).

Be not in haste. Let anger cool down. Say nothing and do nothing to avenge yourself. You will be sure to act unwisely if you take up the cudgels and fight your own battles; and, certainly, you will not show the spirit of the LORD Jesus. It is nobler to forgive and let the offense pass. To let an injury rankle in your bosom and to meditate revenge is to keep old wounds open and to make new ones. Better forget and forgive. [If They Repent- WStS].         Peradventure, you say that you must do something or be a great loser; then do what this morning’s promise advises: "Wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee." This advice will not cost you money but is worth far more, Be calm and quiet. Wait upon the LORD; tell Him your grievance; spread Rabshakeh’s letter before the LORD, and this of itself will be an ease to your burdened mind. Besides, there is the promise "He shall save thee." God will find a way of deliverance for you. How He will do it neither you nor I can guess, but do it He will. If the LORD saves you, this will be a deal better than getting into petty quarrels and covering yourself with filth by wrestling with the unclean. Be no more angry. Leave your suit with the Judge of all.

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與上帝同行 It Becomes Mutual

經文: 「我要在他們中間居住，在他們中間來往；我要作他們的上帝，他們要作我的子民。」（哥林多後書六︰16）

彼此相屬是一種相互的關係與利益。上帝是祂百姓杯中的份，選民們也是上帝的產業；上帝在聖徒心中佔有極重要的份量，上帝也呼召祂的百姓，作祂特別的珍寶。對信徒而言，這應許是多麼令人安慰的寶礦！         這種快樂彼此相屬的關係，帶來彼此的關懷。上帝會想念著我們，信徒們也會思念著上帝。今天上帝正在為我行大事，我為上帝做了些什麼﹖我的思念要跟著祂，因祂思念著我。我們不能僅滿足於承認我該如此，而必須確定我確實是如此。         如此，我與上帝有緊密的契合，上帝住在我裏面，我也住在上帝裏面，祂與我同行談心，這是何等快樂的心靈契合！         願上帝賜恩，讓我能尊崇看待祂是我的上帝，偉大的主；我要信靠祂，服事祂，祂是居首位的主。喔，願我能用心靈、誠實來愛祂、敬拜祂、稱頌祂、順服祂！若我能做到這些，我將能找到天堂。主啊，幫助我，為了耶穌的緣故，幫助我明白是我的主，我的上帝！

Scripture: "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people"(2 Corinthians 6:16).

Here is a mutual interest. Each belongs to each. God is the portion of His people, and the chosen people are the portion of their God. The saints find in God their chief possession, and He reckons them to be His peculiar treasure. What a mine of comfort lies in this fact for each believer!         This happy condition of mutual interest leads to mutual consideration. God will always think of His own people, and they will always think of Him. This day my God will perform all things for me; what can I do for Him? My thoughts ought to run toward Him, for He thinketh upon me. Let me make sure that it is so and not be content with merely admitting that so it ought to be.         This, again, leads to mutual fellowship. God dwells in us, and we dwell in Him; He walks with us, and we walk with God. Happy communion this!         Oh, for grace to treat the LORD as my God: to trust Him and to serve Him, as His Godhead deserves! Oh, that I could love, worship, adore, and obey Jehovah in spirit and in truth! This is my heart’s desire. When I shall attain to it, I shall have found my heaven. LORD, help me! Be my God in helping me to know Thee as my God, for Jesus’ sake.

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鄭秀文’s sharing —- 不可思議之生命價值再思

親愛的弟兄姊妹：
 
*我只想和您分享一些不可思議的事情！
*真不可思議？
 
*「一張一百元正的鈔票在教會奉獻時是多麼大的面額，
*但在行街購物時卻是如此的細小？
*真不可思議？*
 
*兩小時在教會過就好長,
*但看一套好戲就好短？
*真不可思議？
 
*當禱告時要找一個字都好難，
*但與朋友傾談時卻口若懸河？
*真不可思議？*
 
*有人覺得讀一章聖經又難又悶，
*卻很容易地就看完百多頁的小說？
*真不可思議？
 
*人人都想在演唱會或在遊戲時坐在前排，
*但在教會他們無論如何都會坐後排？
*真不可思議？
 
*我們要教會預先兩三個星期通知活動，
*才能安放在自己的時間表裡，
*但我們只需用兩三分鐘就安排好參加其他的活動？
*真不可思議？*
 
*我們很困難才能從神學到真理與人分享，
*卻好容易就學到講閒話，
*甚至謠言滿天飛？*真不可思議？
 
*我們相信在報紙雜誌中講的每件事，
*卻懷疑聖經裡所記載的事蹟？
*真不可思議？
 
*人人都想上天堂，
*卻不願去了解和探索任何東西？
*真不可思議？
 
*我們常常將笑話從電郵傳來傳去，
*但! 當我們要將神的信息傳給別人時，
*卻一再考慮？
*真不可思議？
 
*你現在竟然能看到這信息，
*卻又願意傳給你所認識的每位朋友。
*假如你不這樣做， *你不? 璆u奪取自己得到 神祝福的機會，
* 同時也奪取別人被祝福的機會！
*可能在你朋友的生命中，
*正需要認識那位不可思議的神？
*真不可思議！！！

最不可思議的是, 這不可思議的神,
從未放棄過我們這些心硬得不可思議的人。」
 
 
我們都習慣迎合這個世界的價值觀，大部份人都欠缺活出自己的勇氣。
 
包括我，我叫鄭秀文，一位歌手及演員，今年三十五歲。我略有小成就，但我從來沒有活出真正的自己。我習慣活在一堆價值觀中。以為成就越大，自我存在的價值就越高。當我擁有很多人人渴求的東西，我卻發現我內心一無所有.[心，是空空的。我嘗試用更大的成就來補充，但招徠的空蕩感更大，更恐怖。
 
於是? A我決定暫停這場永無止境的追求，我放下一手建立十多年的事業，我毅然放下成功，我要看看我的生命還剩下什麼?
 
上帝用了接近一千天的時間，讓我徹底反省過去的生命。我看清了成功和金錢的真相，這些或許可以建築我的生活，但卻一點不能滿足我的‘生命‘。
 
生命應該有更高尚的價值，在上帝的話裡，我找到了明確的方向和定位。
 
「人子來，本是要服待人，不是要人來服待的。」在我未來的人生的道路上，我已有更重要的使命。我並不知道上帝會如何安排我生命的劇本，但我知道祂會帶領我一步一腳印。
 
這種內心的平安，是再多的金錢也買不到的。
回顧過去一千多天，上帝確實狼狼地修理了我，祂給予我這場放逐，無非要我找回自己的心。心跟上帝早已緊扣，我再也不害怕，再也不膽怯，我要活出真正的自己。
 
活出生命更高的價值，不要扭曲自己奉迎這個世界。這是我對上帝的承諾。」

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上帝完成事工 God Finished His Work

經文: 「耶和華必成全關乎我的事。」（詩篇一百卅八︰8）

        上帝在我們身上所開始的善工，必要繼續完成。上帝關心我們身上的每件事，那些現在看來似乎不錯，但還不夠完全的，上帝要繼續看顧保守，直到完成為止。這是何等大的安慰，因為我們的能力有限、不足。我深知我每天常會跌倒，若非上帝的幫助，我連現在有的，都無法保住。若上帝離開我，我過往的經驗，將歸與烏有，我也將一敗塗地。但上帝要繼續保守我，祂將使我的信心更堅定，愛心更擴大，人格更完美，生命更茁壯，因為祂說，祂開始的工作，必永不停止，否則就不是上帝做事的方法，也不榮耀祂的名。雖然我有人性的軟弱、世界的引誘，上帝仍然慈悲地在我心中作感動，在某種程度上而言，給我一種我能感受到的感動，然後按著祂的設計藍圖，繼續完工，不讓撒但攔阻我，以致陰謀得逞。
        我不懷疑上帝的應許，上帝必成全關乎我的事，我要永遠稱頌祂。上帝！讓我今天就能有些進步。

Scripture: "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me"(Psalm 138:8).

        He who has begun will carry on the work which is being wrought within my soul. The LORD is concerned about everything that concerns me. All that is now good, but not perfect, the LORD will watch over, preserve, and carry out to completion. This is a great comfort. I could not perfect the work of grace myself… If the LORD were to leave me, all my past experience would go for nothing, and I should perish from the way. But the LORD will continue to bless me. He will perfect my faith, my love, my character, my lifework. He will do this because He has begun a work in me. He gave me the concern I feel, and, in a measure, He has fulfilled my gracious aspirations, He never leaves a work unfinished; this would not be for His glory, nor would it be like Him. He knows how to accomplish His gracious design, and though my own [flesh] and the world and the devil all conspire to hinder Him, I do not doubt His promise. He will perfect that which concerneth me, and I will praise Him forever. LORD, let Thy gracious work make some advance this day!

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恩慈相待 Gracious Dealing

經文: 「耶和華你的上帝就必在你所做的一切事上賜福與你。」（申命記十五︰18）

        在以色列家為奴者，到了第七年豁免年，主人會讓他自由，重獲新生；若主人做得甘心樂意，因著他仁慈的作為上帝必賜福。這
條法律背後的精神，就是要百姓善待為奴做工者。我們必要謹記上帝是何等恩慈憐憫地對待我們，我們這些做上帝兒女的，也該用同等的恩慈憐憫寬待他人。若我們
壓迫那些服事我們的人，我們焉能期待上帝的賜福。

        這種寬大的心胸，仁慈的行為，是何等大的福份，上帝不但要在財物、精神上賜福給我們，祂更視我們為祂眼中的珍寶。祂可以讓我們
感覺到，我們被祂的愛包圍，庇蔭在祂特別的看顧下。如此，我在地上就預嚐天堂的快樂，上帝的賜福比財富更寶貴，祂使我們富有、樂觀、開朗。

Scripture: "And the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest"(Deuteronomy 15:18).

        An Israelitish master was to give his bondservant
liberty in due time, and when he left his service he was to start him
in life with a liberal portion. This was to be done heartily and
cheerfully, and then the LORD promised to bless the generous act. The
spirit of this precept, and, indeed, the whole law of Christ, binds us
to treat people well. We ought to remember how the LORD has dealt with
us, and that this renders it absolutely needful that we should deal
graciously with others. It becomes those to be generous who are the
children of a gracious God. How can we expect our great Master to bless
us in our business if we oppress those who serve us?

        What a benediction is here set before the liberal mind! To
be blessed in all that we do is to be blessed indeed. The LORD will
send us this partly in prosperity, partly in content of mind, and
partly in a sense of His favor, which is the best of all blessings. He
can make us feel that we are under His special care and are surrounded
by His peculiar love. This makes this earthly life a joyous prelude to
the life to come. God’s blessing is more than a fortune. It maketh rich
and addeth no sorrow therewith.

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遺澤後代 What to Leave Children

經文: 「行為純正的義人，他的子孫是有福的。」（箴言廿︰7）

        為家人操心掛念是人之常情，但若把這份精神多一點用在注意自己的言行品格上，就更加明智。倘若我們在上帝面前行為純正，所帶給子孫的祝福，遠勝留給他們萬貫家財；父親聖潔的生活，是子孫最豐富的遺產。
        正直人留給後代的典範，是一筆真實的財產，有多少偉人將他們的成功歸因於他們父母有好榜樣！
        這也是為子孫們留下口碑，好叫人因著父母的好名聲，就看重這些值得信賴之人的子孫們。也希望他們的子孫能持守家風，繼續光耀門楣。
        更重要的是，他們為孩子們的禱告，以及上帝所賜之福，使得孩子們，能出類拔萃。希望他們現在就蒙救恩，即便後來逝世，上帝也必垂聽禱告，拯救其後代。
        我們行為純正的表率，或許正是上帝用來拯救我們兒女的方法。若孩子們在父母的生活中，看到信仰的實踐，或許就因為這樣吸引他們認識了耶穌。主啊，願這些話成就在我的家人身上。Scripture: "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him"(Proverbs 20:7).

        Anxiety about our family is natural, but we shall be wise if we turn it into care about our own character. If we walk before the LORD in integrity, we shall do more to bless our descendants than if we bequeathed them large estates. A father’s holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.

        The upright man leaves his heirs his example, and this in itself will be a mine of true wealth. How many men may trace their success in life to the example of their parents!

        He leaves them also his repute. Men think better of us as the sons of a man who could be trusted, the successors of a tradesman of excellent repute. Oh, that all young men were anxious to keep up the family name!

        Above all, he leaves his children his prayers and the blessing of a prayer-hearing God, and these make our offspring to be favored among the sons of men. God will save them even after we are dead. Oh, that they might be saved at once!

        Our integrity may be God’s means of saving our sons and daughters. If they see the truth of our religion proved by our lives, it may be that they will believe in Jesus for themselves. LORD, fulfill this word to my household!

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蒙福的條件 Condition of Blessing

經文: 「萬軍之耶和華說：你們要將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫，使我家有糧，以此試試我，是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與你們，甚至無處可容。」（瑪拉基書三︰10）

很多人讀了這段經文，欲支取這應許，卻沒注意到附帶的條件。除非我們盡了我們的本份，又何能求上帝打開天上的窗戶。若基督徒都獻上該歸給上帝的，上帝在各樣聖工上絕不會讓我們匱乏。         很多人貧窮，因為他們偷取上帝的；許多教會沒有聖靈的同在，因為他們虧待傳道人；若我們未按時分糧給我們的傳道人，沒有盡上養生之責，又怎能怪他們服事不忠？若聖工因我們的奉獻不足，而受到虧損，焉能寄望福音廣傳興旺？         來吧！朋友們，我們近來為上帝做些什麼﹖我們對救世主是否吝嗇小器？千萬不可！讓我們獻上十分之一，資助聖工，幫助窮人，以此試試上帝，是否為我們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與我們。

 

Scripture: "Bring ye all of the tithes into the Storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine House, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it"(Malachi 3:10).

Many read and plead this promise without noticing the condition upon which the blessing is promised. We cannot expect heaven to be opened or blessing poured out unless we pay our dues unto the LORD our God and to His cause. There would be no lack of funds for holy purposes if all professing Christians paid their fair share.         Many are poor because they rob God. Many churches, also, miss the visitation of the Spirit because they starve their ministries. If there is no temporal meat for God’s servants, we need not wonder if their ministry has been little food in it for our souls. When missions pine for means and the work of the LORD is hindered by an empty treasury, how can we look for a large amount of soul-prosperity?         Come, come! What have I given of late? Have I been mean to my God? Have I stinted my Savior? This will never do. Let me give my LORD Jesus His tithe by helping the poor and aiding His work, and then l shall prove His power to bless me on a large scale.

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無懼死亡 No Fear of Death

經文: 「聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！得勝的，必不受第二次死的害。」（啟示錄二︰11）

除非耶穌突然降臨世上，否則世人都要經歷第一次的死，即肉體的死。但我們無需懼怕，隨時準備心，坦然接受死亡，因為耶穌已經藉著死亡這通道，將原本卑賤的身體，改變成榮耀的形狀。         我們所當怕的，不是第一次的死，那只不過是靈魂與軀殼的分離；第二次的死，才是我們懼怕的，因那是靈魂與永生上帝永遠的隔離，那才是真正的死，永遠失去平安、喜樂、快樂和希望。若沒有上帝的同在，一切都完了，永死是最糟、最可怕的結局。         現在，我們若蒙上帝保守，打完今生美好的仗，我們將無懼死亡和地獄，第二次的死便與我們無干，因為我們將得著不褪色的生命冠冕。這多激勵我們的心！為了避免第二次的死，那永生的福份，值得我們一生去努力追求！         主啊！給我們信心，助我們克服一切障礙，賜下恩典保守我們脫離一切罪惡的捆綁，和撒但的攻擊與黑暗的權勢。

 

Scripture: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death"(Revelation 2:11).

The first death we must endure unless the LORD should suddenly come to His temple. For this let us abide in readiness, awaiting it without fear, since Jesus has transformed death from a dreary cavern into a passage leading to glory.         The thing to be feared is not the first but the second death, not the parting of the soul from the body but the final separation of the entire man from God. This is death indeed. This death kills all peace, joy, happiness, hope. When God is gone, all is gone. Such a death is far worse than ceasing to be: it is existence without the life which makes existence worth the having.         Now, if by God’s grace we fight on to the end and conquer in the glorious war, no second death can lay its chill finger upon us. We shall have no fear of death and hell, for we shall receive a crown of life which fadeth not away. How this nerves us for the fight! Eternal life is worth a life’s battle. To escape the hurt of the second death is a thing worth struggling for throughout a lifetime.         LORD, give us faith so that we may overcome, and then grant us grace to remain unharmed though sin and Satan dog our heels!

 

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救拔之力 Power to Raise

經文: 「耶和華開了瞎子的眼睛，耶和華扶起被壓下的人。耶和華喜愛義人。」（詩篇一百四十六︰8）

我們覺得被迫屈服低頭嗎﹖讓我們在上帝面前重申祂的應許。這是祂的應許，祂做事的方式，祂喜歡救拔那些受壓的人。現在你可曾有罪惡感，或靈性低潮、受罪縈繞轄制你？在這樣情況下，這就是耶穌的工作，祂要救拔你，把你帶到安息之地。喔，主啊，為慈悲的緣故，我讚美祢！         你是否到了走頭無路、山窮水盡的地步？別憂愁，上帝要來安慰你，這是何等大的恩典，三位一體的真神竟成為你的安慰者，祂要把你的事當做祂的事來關心並處理。         有些人潦到至一個地步，只有耶穌能幫助他，耶穌不但「能」幫助，而且「肯」幫助。祂樂見我們健康、快樂、充滿希望。耶穌從前曾助你渡過各樣難關，祂今天依然要幫助你到底。你雖被困受壓在谷底，但上帝必救拔，使你高昇，那些平日嘲笑你的，今日也要抱愧蒙羞而逃。         這是多麼大的尊榮，偉大的主竟救拔我們！所以，即使行過死蔭幽谷，是值得的，因為這樣才能經歷上帝救拔的大能。

 

Scripture: "The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down"(Psalm l46:8).

Am I bowed down? Then let me urge this word of grace before the LORD. It is His way, His custom, His promise, His delight, to raise up them that are bowed down. Is it a sense of sin and a consequent depression of spirit which distresses me? Then the work of Jesus is, in this case, made and provided to raise me up into rest. O LORD, raise me, for Thy mercy’s sake!         Is it a sad bereavement or a great fall in circumstances? Here again the Comforter has undertaken to console. What a mercy for us that one Person of the sacred Trinity should become the Comforter! This work will be well done since such a glorious One has made it His peculiar care.         Some are so bowed down that only Jesus can loose them from their infirmity, but He can, and He will, do it. He can raise us up to health, to hope, to happiness. He has often done so under former trials, and He is the same Savior and will repeat His deeds of lovingkindness. We who are today bowed down and sorrowful shalt yet be set on high, and those who now mock at us shall be greatly ashamed. What an honor to be raised up by the LORD! It is worthwhile to be bowed down that we may experience His upraising power.

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