Bible Verses
Rom. 6:13 ...present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your members as weapons of righteousness to God. (19) ...For just as you presented your members as slaves to uncleanness and lawlessness unto lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness unto sanctification.
Words of Ministry
If we read God's Word carefully, we will find that God only gives spiritual life and light to one kind of people. Who are these people? They are the ones who have an aspiration to be used by God. The same is true in the case of spiritual power. No spiritual power is outward. All spiritual power comes as a result of man's aspiration for God and his consecration to God. Genuine power is based on man's heart toward God and his love for God. In the Old Testament Samson was very powerful. His enemy, the Philistines, did not know the source of his power; through Delilah they found out that his strength was with his hair. Once his hair was cut, he lost his power (Judg. 16:15-17). What was his hair? It was the hair of a Nazarite. A Nazarite is one who is fully consecrated to God. All genuine spiritual power comes from one's consecration to God. If a person is not thorough with his consecration, he is still crippled and powerless. But if a person has a thorough consecration before the Lord, he will become powerful. No matter how seeking we have been, we must always remember that power comes from consecration.
Suppose God puts His hand on a sister, and she struggles with the Lord for a long time without yielding to Him. Although she is willing to pray with others, her condition is not healthy because she has not satisfied God's demand. No matter how much she tries to help others, she cannot have a breakthrough. One day when God's love constrains her, she decides tearfully to yield to God. Once she answers God's demand, the help she renders to others will begin to touch others. This is why we say that power comes from consecration. The more consecration we have, the more power God will give to us.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, Collected Works, vol. 37, pp. 178-179. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Heading Up of Christ Needing Our Growth in His Life
Bible Verses
Eph 4:15 But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ, (16) Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.
Words of Ministry
Many Christians are talking about the church, but in their talk the word “church” has become meaningless. In the book of Ephesians, however, the church means a great deal. But if you do not know what it is to be headed up in Christ, you cannot know what the church is.
It is important to see that the heading up in the church is a matter in life [Christ’s life]. If we try to be headed up without growing in life, we shall fall into organization. The proper heading up is the growing of life. The more you grow in life, the more life you will have, the more heading up there will be, and the more you will be rescued from the heap of collapse. No human hand or organization can accomplish this. No human effort can help the heading up in the church life. I cannot help you, and you cannot help me. The only thing that avails is the growth in life. Oh, we need to grow and help others to grow! We need to minister the supply of life to one another to help one another grow. The heading up in the church life is altogether dependent upon the growth in life.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp. 79. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Eph 4:15 But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ, (16) Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.
Words of Ministry
Many Christians are talking about the church, but in their talk the word “church” has become meaningless. In the book of Ephesians, however, the church means a great deal. But if you do not know what it is to be headed up in Christ, you cannot know what the church is.
It is important to see that the heading up in the church is a matter in life [Christ’s life]. If we try to be headed up without growing in life, we shall fall into organization. The proper heading up is the growing of life. The more you grow in life, the more life you will have, the more heading up there will be, and the more you will be rescued from the heap of collapse. No human hand or organization can accomplish this. No human effort can help the heading up in the church life. I cannot help you, and you cannot help me. The only thing that avails is the growth in life. Oh, we need to grow and help others to grow! We need to minister the supply of life to one another to help one another grow. The heading up in the church life is altogether dependent upon the growth in life.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp. 79. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Extraordinary Grace Needed to Shed His Blood
Bible Verses
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of offenses, according to the riches of His grace,
Heb 9:22 ...and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Words of Ministry
According to our concept, it would be easy for God to forgive us because He is sovereign and almighty. However, it was not that easy. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins... Now we need to see how it was possible for God to obtain such a sinless and all-inclusive blood. Obtaining such a blood was vastly more difficult than creating the universe. In order to create the universe, God simply had to speak (Gen. 1:3). But redemption could not take place in this way.
Consider how the Redeemer, the Lord Jesus, was conceived. There was the need for the Holy Spirit to contact the virgin Mary. We cannot say how the Holy Spirit conceived the Redeemer within the womb of the virgin. For this, the riches of God's grace were required. Eventually, after working as a carpenter, He came forth to begin His ministry. Although He was concerned for sinners, they opposed Him, persecuted Him, and plotted to kill Him. Betrayed by one of His Apostles, He was arrested. He was tried. Then He was nailed to the cross and hung there for six hours. Then He was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven to receive repentance and forgiveness. What grace was needed for all this! Because of the riches of God's grace, we are able to repent and receive forgiveness of sins. How limitless and immeasurable is God's grace!
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp. 59-60. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of offenses, according to the riches of His grace,
Heb 9:22 ...and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Words of Ministry
According to our concept, it would be easy for God to forgive us because He is sovereign and almighty. However, it was not that easy. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins... Now we need to see how it was possible for God to obtain such a sinless and all-inclusive blood. Obtaining such a blood was vastly more difficult than creating the universe. In order to create the universe, God simply had to speak (Gen. 1:3). But redemption could not take place in this way.
Consider how the Redeemer, the Lord Jesus, was conceived. There was the need for the Holy Spirit to contact the virgin Mary. We cannot say how the Holy Spirit conceived the Redeemer within the womb of the virgin. For this, the riches of God's grace were required. Eventually, after working as a carpenter, He came forth to begin His ministry. Although He was concerned for sinners, they opposed Him, persecuted Him, and plotted to kill Him. Betrayed by one of His Apostles, He was arrested. He was tried. Then He was nailed to the cross and hung there for six hours. Then He was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven to receive repentance and forgiveness. What grace was needed for all this! Because of the riches of God's grace, we are able to repent and receive forgiveness of sins. How limitless and immeasurable is God's grace!
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp. 59-60. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
安息是從奉獻得來的
聖經經節
腓四6：應當一無罣慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求，帶著感謝，將你們所要的告訴神﹔7：神那超越人所能理解的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保衛你們的心懷意念。
馬太十一29：我心裡柔和謙卑，因此你們要負我的軛，且要跟我學，你們魂裡就必得安息。
職事的話
第一使你得著安息的，就是要將你所有的事，所有的要求都告訴神。你的工作，你的需要，你所碰著的困難，你都可以告訴主。對主說，『主，我把這些一起都託在你的手裏。』你一碰著這一切的事，你就是藉著禱告﹑祈求和感謝，把牠們交給神，神的平安就要保守你的心懷意念。保守，是神所作的，你所作的，就是藉著禱告﹑祈求和感謝，將你所要的告訴神。你一有事情，就得交託給神。你一交託，神的平安立刻就保守你。甚麼時候你交託給神，甚麼時候神的平安就來。這樣，我們就可以一天到晚都不受外界的影響，無論有多大的難處，無論有多少的事情，都有神的平安在你裏面一直保守你的心。
第一個條件是信心，第二個條件是順服。神讓許多事情臨到你身上，你如果拒絕神所要你得著的，你如果看不中神的旨意，你如果還有另外的要求，你裏面就沒有安息。我們要知道，安息是從奉獻得來的。有難處臨到你身上的時候，你如果能學主的樣式，負主的軛，你雖然不能隨著你自己的意思去行，你雖然覺得苦痛，但是你必定有安息。你如果對主說，『主﹐你無論要我作甚麼，我都肯，』你就必定得著安息。如果你不肯，如果你要揀選自己的道路，如果你要揀選自己的生活，如果你有自己的盼望，你就要失去安息。我們所有的不滿意，我們所有的欲望，都是叫我們失去安息的。你如果對主說，『主，你所給我的一切都是好的，我願意走你的路，我要你的旨意，我願意把我的盼望都放在一邊，』這樣，安息就要充滿你的心。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集“一般的信息”(卷一)，第154至155頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
腓四6：應當一無罣慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求，帶著感謝，將你們所要的告訴神﹔7：神那超越人所能理解的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保衛你們的心懷意念。
馬太十一29：我心裡柔和謙卑，因此你們要負我的軛，且要跟我學，你們魂裡就必得安息。
職事的話
第一使你得著安息的，就是要將你所有的事，所有的要求都告訴神。你的工作，你的需要，你所碰著的困難，你都可以告訴主。對主說，『主，我把這些一起都託在你的手裏。』你一碰著這一切的事，你就是藉著禱告﹑祈求和感謝，把牠們交給神，神的平安就要保守你的心懷意念。保守，是神所作的，你所作的，就是藉著禱告﹑祈求和感謝，將你所要的告訴神。你一有事情，就得交託給神。你一交託，神的平安立刻就保守你。甚麼時候你交託給神，甚麼時候神的平安就來。這樣，我們就可以一天到晚都不受外界的影響，無論有多大的難處，無論有多少的事情，都有神的平安在你裏面一直保守你的心。
第一個條件是信心，第二個條件是順服。神讓許多事情臨到你身上，你如果拒絕神所要你得著的，你如果看不中神的旨意，你如果還有另外的要求，你裏面就沒有安息。我們要知道，安息是從奉獻得來的。有難處臨到你身上的時候，你如果能學主的樣式，負主的軛，你雖然不能隨著你自己的意思去行，你雖然覺得苦痛，但是你必定有安息。你如果對主說，『主﹐你無論要我作甚麼，我都肯，』你就必定得著安息。如果你不肯，如果你要揀選自己的道路，如果你要揀選自己的生活，如果你有自己的盼望，你就要失去安息。我們所有的不滿意，我們所有的欲望，都是叫我們失去安息的。你如果對主說，『主，你所給我的一切都是好的，我願意走你的路，我要你的旨意，我願意把我的盼望都放在一邊，』這樣，安息就要充滿你的心。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集“一般的信息”(卷一)，第154至155頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
得救在於歸回安息
聖經經節
以賽亞三十15：主耶和華以色列的聖者如此說﹐你們得救在於歸回安息﹔你們得力在於平靜信靠﹔你們竟自不肯。
羅馬八6：因為心思置於肉體，就是死；心思置於靈，乃是生命平安。
職事的話
弟兄姊妹，在我們的生活中有一個失敗，就是外面一忙，裏面也就覺得亂了。許多時候，外面還沒有忙， 裏面卻早已亂了。因為裏面亂了的緣故，就沒有能力應付外面的事情。我們要知道，安息就是我們生活的力量，平靜安穩就是我們生活的力量。沒有一個容易受刺激的人在神面前是有能力的，沒有一個思慮煩擾的人在神面前是有能力的。我們必須記得，我們的能力是在乎裏面平靜安穩。
在每一個旋風裏面，都有一個中心。雖然外面的風旋轉得很快，但是在中心那一點是非常平靜的。這一種中心穩定的生活，就是我們的力量。外面的事情好像狂風亂吹，但是在我們的裏面是最安靜的。『你們得力在乎平靜安穩。』你千萬不要因為外面的事情一多，你的思想就亂了。你看海，在牠的表面不知道有多大的變動，浪可以打得很高，風可以吹得很大，但是海的深處一點都不動，平靜得很。我們基督徒的生活，就是要有裏面的平靜安穩。我們不能盼望事情不忙，我們卻能盼望在事情百忙之中，我們的裏面仍然是十分安靜的。事情可以再多一些，但是在我們的裏面是平靜安穩的。我們所要得著的平安，乃是裏面的平安。如果裏面是平安的，你就不會失敗了。
我們的主是從來不受外面的影響的。當船上風浪頂大的時候，我們的主在睡覺。門徒喊叫說，『我們喪命喇﹗』他們為甚麼這樣喊呢﹖因為他們裏面沒有安息。但是我們的主不為所動。(太八23-27。)當那些人拿著兵器來捉拿主耶穌的時候，祂卻出來問他們說，『你們找誰﹖』他們回答說，『找拿撒勒人耶穌。』主耶穌說，『我就是。』他們聽見這一句話，就退後倒在地上。捉拿人的反而被被捉拿的嚇倒了。(約十八2-6。) 哦﹗永遠可稱頌的主，祂從來不被外面的所搖動，祂只憑著裏面的來生活。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集“一般的信息”(卷一)，第151至153頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
以賽亞三十15：主耶和華以色列的聖者如此說﹐你們得救在於歸回安息﹔你們得力在於平靜信靠﹔你們竟自不肯。
羅馬八6：因為心思置於肉體，就是死；心思置於靈，乃是生命平安。
職事的話
弟兄姊妹，在我們的生活中有一個失敗，就是外面一忙，裏面也就覺得亂了。許多時候，外面還沒有忙， 裏面卻早已亂了。因為裏面亂了的緣故，就沒有能力應付外面的事情。我們要知道，安息就是我們生活的力量，平靜安穩就是我們生活的力量。沒有一個容易受刺激的人在神面前是有能力的，沒有一個思慮煩擾的人在神面前是有能力的。我們必須記得，我們的能力是在乎裏面平靜安穩。
在每一個旋風裏面，都有一個中心。雖然外面的風旋轉得很快，但是在中心那一點是非常平靜的。這一種中心穩定的生活，就是我們的力量。外面的事情好像狂風亂吹，但是在我們的裏面是最安靜的。『你們得力在乎平靜安穩。』你千萬不要因為外面的事情一多，你的思想就亂了。你看海，在牠的表面不知道有多大的變動，浪可以打得很高，風可以吹得很大，但是海的深處一點都不動，平靜得很。我們基督徒的生活，就是要有裏面的平靜安穩。我們不能盼望事情不忙，我們卻能盼望在事情百忙之中，我們的裏面仍然是十分安靜的。事情可以再多一些，但是在我們的裏面是平靜安穩的。我們所要得著的平安，乃是裏面的平安。如果裏面是平安的，你就不會失敗了。
我們的主是從來不受外面的影響的。當船上風浪頂大的時候，我們的主在睡覺。門徒喊叫說，『我們喪命喇﹗』他們為甚麼這樣喊呢﹖因為他們裏面沒有安息。但是我們的主不為所動。(太八23-27。)當那些人拿著兵器來捉拿主耶穌的時候，祂卻出來問他們說，『你們找誰﹖』他們回答說，『找拿撒勒人耶穌。』主耶穌說，『我就是。』他們聽見這一句話，就退後倒在地上。捉拿人的反而被被捉拿的嚇倒了。(約十八2-6。) 哦﹗永遠可稱頌的主，祂從來不被外面的所搖動，祂只憑著裏面的來生活。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集“一般的信息”(卷一)，第151至153頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
Sunday, November 28, 2010
外面忙碌﹐裏面安息
聖經經節
路加十41：主回答她說，馬大，馬大，你為許多的事思慮煩擾；42：但是不可少的只有一件，馬利亞已經選擇那美好的分，是不能從她奪去的。
馬太十一29：我心裡柔和謙卑，因此你們要負我的軛，且要跟我學，你們魂裡就必得安息。
職事的話
那麼，我們怎麼能過一個平靜安穩的生活呢﹖我們看主怎麼說。祂並沒有說不要去作工，祂也沒有說一個人半天去作世事，半天專心於屬靈的事。祂並沒有對馬大說，你作許多的事是不對的。馬大可以作許多的事，但是主題醒馬大，千萬不要讓這些事進到她的裏面去，叫她思慮煩擾。主耶穌不是說她作得太多了，主耶穌乃是說她想得太多了﹔主耶穌不是說她辦事情辦得太多了，主耶穌乃是說她的罣慮太多了。事情可以從早起一直作到晚上，但是你不要一天到晚在那裏思慮煩擾。有許多人外面的事情並不忙，但是他裏面卻忙得很。有的人為了五天以後所要作的事，已經先忙了五夜。
弟兄姊妹，基督徒的生活就是這樣。我們應當殷勤作工，不可懶惰。外面勤勞作事是該的，外面忙不要緊，但是裏面是要安靜的，裏面只有一件東西 — 基督。這就是主耶穌在這裏所給我們看見的。主在這裏要求我們一件事，就是要我們在任何的環境中，都不被環境摸著。身體可以勞碌，可以作許多事情，但是裏面只有一件東西，裏面一點都不放鬆。外面可以很忙，但是裏面一直是與神交通著的。感謝神，這裏不只有馬大，這裏還有馬利亞。馬利亞已經揀選了那上好的福分，就是與主交通。主要馬大在裏面的安息上學她的妹妹，不是在辦事情上學她的妹妹。外面儘可以作馬大，但是裏面要學馬利亞，裏面完全是與主聯合的﹔外面雖然很忙，但是裏面是與神交通的，裏面是安靜的。這是一個最寶貴的經歷。
我們每一個人都可以有這一種的生活。這一種生活不是在我們的身體上，這一種生活不是在我們的感覺裏，這一種生活是在我們裏面的深處。我們的深處一直與主有交通，一直活在主的面前，有一個平靜安穩的生活。我們千萬要記得，神沒有叫我們懶惰不作事情。主是要祂自己住在我們的裏面之後，叫我們能受得住外面的忙碌。你從清早一直忙到夜晚，無論多麼忙，總沒有一個人能叫你失去裏面的平安，總沒有一件事能奪去你裏面的安息。忙在外頭忙，裏面是安靜的。在你的裏面只有一個人，就是基督。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集“一般的信息”(卷一)，第147至149頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
路加十41：主回答她說，馬大，馬大，你為許多的事思慮煩擾；42：但是不可少的只有一件，馬利亞已經選擇那美好的分，是不能從她奪去的。
馬太十一29：我心裡柔和謙卑，因此你們要負我的軛，且要跟我學，你們魂裡就必得安息。
職事的話
那麼，我們怎麼能過一個平靜安穩的生活呢﹖我們看主怎麼說。祂並沒有說不要去作工，祂也沒有說一個人半天去作世事，半天專心於屬靈的事。祂並沒有對馬大說，你作許多的事是不對的。馬大可以作許多的事，但是主題醒馬大，千萬不要讓這些事進到她的裏面去，叫她思慮煩擾。主耶穌不是說她作得太多了，主耶穌乃是說她想得太多了﹔主耶穌不是說她辦事情辦得太多了，主耶穌乃是說她的罣慮太多了。事情可以從早起一直作到晚上，但是你不要一天到晚在那裏思慮煩擾。有許多人外面的事情並不忙，但是他裏面卻忙得很。有的人為了五天以後所要作的事，已經先忙了五夜。
弟兄姊妹，基督徒的生活就是這樣。我們應當殷勤作工，不可懶惰。外面勤勞作事是該的，外面忙不要緊，但是裏面是要安靜的，裏面只有一件東西 — 基督。這就是主耶穌在這裏所給我們看見的。主在這裏要求我們一件事，就是要我們在任何的環境中，都不被環境摸著。身體可以勞碌，可以作許多事情，但是裏面只有一件東西，裏面一點都不放鬆。外面可以很忙，但是裏面一直是與神交通著的。感謝神，這裏不只有馬大，這裏還有馬利亞。馬利亞已經揀選了那上好的福分，就是與主交通。主要馬大在裏面的安息上學她的妹妹，不是在辦事情上學她的妹妹。外面儘可以作馬大，但是裏面要學馬利亞，裏面完全是與主聯合的﹔外面雖然很忙，但是裏面是與神交通的，裏面是安靜的。這是一個最寶貴的經歷。
我們每一個人都可以有這一種的生活。這一種生活不是在我們的身體上，這一種生活不是在我們的感覺裏，這一種生活是在我們裏面的深處。我們的深處一直與主有交通，一直活在主的面前，有一個平靜安穩的生活。我們千萬要記得，神沒有叫我們懶惰不作事情。主是要祂自己住在我們的裏面之後，叫我們能受得住外面的忙碌。你從清早一直忙到夜晚，無論多麼忙，總沒有一個人能叫你失去裏面的平安，總沒有一件事能奪去你裏面的安息。忙在外頭忙，裏面是安靜的。在你的裏面只有一個人，就是基督。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集“一般的信息”(卷一)，第147至149頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
He Chose Us for His Purpose
Bible Verses
Eph 1:4 Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him in love,
2 Thes 2:13 But we ought to thank God always concerning you... because God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the
truth,
Words of Ministry
God's choosing is His first blessing bestowed upon us; it is the first item of God's well-speaking concerning the church. God's choosing is His selection. From among numberless people, He has selected us. Verse 4 says that God chose us before the foundation of the world. This was in eternity past. God chose us according to His infinite foresight before He created us.
God's selection was not made in time, but in eternity. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us. Among millions of people, He foresaw us before we were even born and selected us before the foundation of the world. The expression, before the foundation of the world, implies the entire universe, not only the earth. This indicates that the universe was founded for man's existence to fulfill God's eternal purpose. Without such a universe, it would be impossible for man to exist. Man's existence is for the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. Thus, man is the focal point of God's eternal purpose. The universe was founded so that man could exist to fulfill God's eternal purpose.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp.20-21. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Eph 1:4 Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him in love,
2 Thes 2:13 But we ought to thank God always concerning you... because God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the
truth,
Words of Ministry
God's choosing is His first blessing bestowed upon us; it is the first item of God's well-speaking concerning the church. God's choosing is His selection. From among numberless people, He has selected us. Verse 4 says that God chose us before the foundation of the world. This was in eternity past. God chose us according to His infinite foresight before He created us.
God's selection was not made in time, but in eternity. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us. Among millions of people, He foresaw us before we were even born and selected us before the foundation of the world. The expression, before the foundation of the world, implies the entire universe, not only the earth. This indicates that the universe was founded for man's existence to fulfill God's eternal purpose. Without such a universe, it would be impossible for man to exist. Man's existence is for the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. Thus, man is the focal point of God's eternal purpose. The universe was founded so that man could exist to fulfill God's eternal purpose.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp.20-21. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Growth Is the Decrease of Self
Bible Verses
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the practices of the body, you will live.
Words of Ministry
We have mentioned the positive aspect of spiritual progress, which is the increase of the element of God in us. Now let us look at the negative aspect of spiritual progress. Spiritual progress on the negative side is the shedding of certain things from us, that is, from our inner being. As soon as something is shed from us, we have spiritual progress. When something that usurps God's place is shed from us, we have spiritual progress.
Many Christians are delivered from the pleasures of sin as soon as they are saved. Yet it is not enough to be free from sin alone. Spiritual progress is being free from everything that usurps the place of God. Brothers and sisters, we must not only be clean but also pure; we should not be occupied by anything other than God. Whenever God's work removes something from us other than God, we have spiritual progress. If nothing has been cast off from us for a month or a year, we have had no progress during that month or year. Brothers and sisters, spiritual progress on the positive side means the increase of the element of God, and on the negative side,
it means the decrease of ourselves.
A Christian who makes great progress is one who decreases daily. Today he may see that vanity has no place in him, and he decreases. Two days later, he may see that pride has no place in him, and he decreases some more. After the fifth day, he may see that gossip has no place in him, and he decreases still more. After seven days, he may see that his impatience should not have any place in him, and he will decrease some more. Some people find it very difficult to remove the love of money from themselves. Others find it very difficult to remove their temper. Still others find it very difficult to remove their lethargy. Some things can only be dropped a little at a time. They may need ten years before they are completely dropped. This dropping is a kind of dying. Dying to money means dropping money; dying to temper means dropping our temper. On the positive side, spiritual progress means the increase of God's element within us. On the negative side, it means the dropping of many things from within us little by little.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 143-144. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the practices of the body, you will live.
Words of Ministry
We have mentioned the positive aspect of spiritual progress, which is the increase of the element of God in us. Now let us look at the negative aspect of spiritual progress. Spiritual progress on the negative side is the shedding of certain things from us, that is, from our inner being. As soon as something is shed from us, we have spiritual progress. When something that usurps God's place is shed from us, we have spiritual progress.
Many Christians are delivered from the pleasures of sin as soon as they are saved. Yet it is not enough to be free from sin alone. Spiritual progress is being free from everything that usurps the place of God. Brothers and sisters, we must not only be clean but also pure; we should not be occupied by anything other than God. Whenever God's work removes something from us other than God, we have spiritual progress. If nothing has been cast off from us for a month or a year, we have had no progress during that month or year. Brothers and sisters, spiritual progress on the positive side means the increase of the element of God, and on the negative side,
it means the decrease of ourselves.
A Christian who makes great progress is one who decreases daily. Today he may see that vanity has no place in him, and he decreases. Two days later, he may see that pride has no place in him, and he decreases some more. After the fifth day, he may see that gossip has no place in him, and he decreases still more. After seven days, he may see that his impatience should not have any place in him, and he will decrease some more. Some people find it very difficult to remove the love of money from themselves. Others find it very difficult to remove their temper. Still others find it very difficult to remove their lethargy. Some things can only be dropped a little at a time. They may need ten years before they are completely dropped. This dropping is a kind of dying. Dying to money means dropping money; dying to temper means dropping our temper. On the positive side, spiritual progress means the increase of God's element within us. On the negative side, it means the dropping of many things from within us little by little.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 143-144. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Experience of Being Fallen
Bible Verses
Rom 9:23 In order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He had before prepared unto glory,
2 Tim 2:21 If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work
Words of Ministry
In the beginning when God created man, He made man His vessel. The eternal purpose of God is to enter into man, to mingle Himself with man so that man may be full of Him. The failure of Adam and Eve was that they did not allow God to fulfill this purpose. On the contrary, they were alienated from God. What does it mean to be alienated from God? It means that man does not yield the proper place within himself to God. It means certain things within have occupied a person's being. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God's command did not occupy them; rather, they were occupied with how the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was good for food, how it was pleasing to the eyes, and how it enabled man to have wisdom. These usurped the place of God in them. As a result they fell.
We should ask ourselves what our condition today is. From the day we were saved until now, how many things, events, and people are still occupying us and depriving God of His rightful place? We need to consider ourselves. Dear brothers and sisters, if God's Spirit opens our eyes a little from within, we will immediately see that many items within our whole being are occupying the place that belongs to God alone.
A brother once said that man's heart is like sticky gum; it sticks to anything that comes across its way, whether it is clothing or a table. Sometimes we are stuck to an easy life, and at other times, we are attached to personal ambition. Once we are attached to something, we cannot love God properly anymore. We attach ourselves not only to what we have, but also to what we do not have. We can become attached to our difficulty, imagination, or vainglory. No matter what our heart is attached to, as long as there is one thing usurping God's place in us, we have fallen. Whenever God's place in us is usurped, we become fallen people. A person may have been saved for ten years. During the first five years he may have done well, but during the next five years there was something in his heart usurping the place of God, and he became fallen. Although he continued to come to meetings, pray, and serve God, inwardly he has fallen. Brothers and sisters, God's goal is for man to become His vessel. As long as we are occupied by something other than God, and as long as we do not yield the proper place to God, we are fallen.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 141-142.
Rom 9:23 In order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He had before prepared unto glory,
2 Tim 2:21 If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the master, prepared unto every good work
Words of Ministry
In the beginning when God created man, He made man His vessel. The eternal purpose of God is to enter into man, to mingle Himself with man so that man may be full of Him. The failure of Adam and Eve was that they did not allow God to fulfill this purpose. On the contrary, they were alienated from God. What does it mean to be alienated from God? It means that man does not yield the proper place within himself to God. It means certain things within have occupied a person's being. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God's command did not occupy them; rather, they were occupied with how the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was good for food, how it was pleasing to the eyes, and how it enabled man to have wisdom. These usurped the place of God in them. As a result they fell.
We should ask ourselves what our condition today is. From the day we were saved until now, how many things, events, and people are still occupying us and depriving God of His rightful place? We need to consider ourselves. Dear brothers and sisters, if God's Spirit opens our eyes a little from within, we will immediately see that many items within our whole being are occupying the place that belongs to God alone.
A brother once said that man's heart is like sticky gum; it sticks to anything that comes across its way, whether it is clothing or a table. Sometimes we are stuck to an easy life, and at other times, we are attached to personal ambition. Once we are attached to something, we cannot love God properly anymore. We attach ourselves not only to what we have, but also to what we do not have. We can become attached to our difficulty, imagination, or vainglory. No matter what our heart is attached to, as long as there is one thing usurping God's place in us, we have fallen. Whenever God's place in us is usurped, we become fallen people. A person may have been saved for ten years. During the first five years he may have done well, but during the next five years there was something in his heart usurping the place of God, and he became fallen. Although he continued to come to meetings, pray, and serve God, inwardly he has fallen. Brothers and sisters, God's goal is for man to become His vessel. As long as we are occupied by something other than God, and as long as we do not yield the proper place to God, we are fallen.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 141-142.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Becoming the word of God
Bible Verses
2 Cor. 4:8 We are pressed on every side but not constricted; unable to find a way out but not utterly without a way out; (9) Persecuted but not abandoned; cast down but not destroyed; (10) Always bearing about in the body the putting to death of Jesus that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (12) So then death operates in us, but life in you.
Words of Ministry
The question is: Who are we? Do we preach something that is far away from us in another world, or is it a fact that is present in us? Do we speak directly from a passage of the Scripture, or do we first touch a spiritual reality and then
confirm it with a passage from the Scripture? We have to realize that there is a great difference between these two things. In conveying God's word, it is not a question of how much we can say with our mouth but how much constitution is in our life. Are we merely preaching an objective doctrine, or are we speaking something because we have first acquired the subjective experience of it? Many people can only preach objective doctrines; however, objective doctrines will not produce any effect in others. If, in addition to speaking God's word, we have become the very word ourselves, others will receive help from us.
When God's word comes to us, it must be tested. When a potter paints a picture on porcelain-ware, it must pass through fire before the picture becomes non-erasable by hand. Many have doctrines that are erasable by hand. But if God is gracious to us and if He works in us and does some burning work in us through the environment and through revelation, the result will be something firm and permanent. God may do this once, ten times, dozens of times, and even a few hundred times. One day the words will become words that have passed through the fire; they will be wrought into us. Then our person will become the word. The discipline and revelation of the Holy Spirit will sear a word into a person one, ten, or even a hundred times. In the end, the person will become the word. When others see him, they will not say that this person is capable of speaking the word; they will say that this person is the word itself. He will become the seed of God, and God will be able to propagate such a word. Otherwise, the word will merely be passed on from head to head, and the church will become more and more superficial, lifeless, and void of spiritual reality. The question then is whether or not we can be the seed of God. If God sows us, what will grow up? If the only fruit we bear for others is a greater understanding of doctrine, without any touch of the Lord's life, what we have will be very poor.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 127-128.
2 Cor. 4:8 We are pressed on every side but not constricted; unable to find a way out but not utterly without a way out; (9) Persecuted but not abandoned; cast down but not destroyed; (10) Always bearing about in the body the putting to death of Jesus that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (12) So then death operates in us, but life in you.
Words of Ministry
The question is: Who are we? Do we preach something that is far away from us in another world, or is it a fact that is present in us? Do we speak directly from a passage of the Scripture, or do we first touch a spiritual reality and then
confirm it with a passage from the Scripture? We have to realize that there is a great difference between these two things. In conveying God's word, it is not a question of how much we can say with our mouth but how much constitution is in our life. Are we merely preaching an objective doctrine, or are we speaking something because we have first acquired the subjective experience of it? Many people can only preach objective doctrines; however, objective doctrines will not produce any effect in others. If, in addition to speaking God's word, we have become the very word ourselves, others will receive help from us.
When God's word comes to us, it must be tested. When a potter paints a picture on porcelain-ware, it must pass through fire before the picture becomes non-erasable by hand. Many have doctrines that are erasable by hand. But if God is gracious to us and if He works in us and does some burning work in us through the environment and through revelation, the result will be something firm and permanent. God may do this once, ten times, dozens of times, and even a few hundred times. One day the words will become words that have passed through the fire; they will be wrought into us. Then our person will become the word. The discipline and revelation of the Holy Spirit will sear a word into a person one, ten, or even a hundred times. In the end, the person will become the word. When others see him, they will not say that this person is capable of speaking the word; they will say that this person is the word itself. He will become the seed of God, and God will be able to propagate such a word. Otherwise, the word will merely be passed on from head to head, and the church will become more and more superficial, lifeless, and void of spiritual reality. The question then is whether or not we can be the seed of God. If God sows us, what will grow up? If the only fruit we bear for others is a greater understanding of doctrine, without any touch of the Lord's life, what we have will be very poor.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 127-128.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Believers’ Being Seeds of God
Bible Verses
Matt. 13:38 And the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom...
1 Thes. 2:8 Yearning in this way over you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us.
Words of Ministry
Suppose someone invites us to go to preach the gospel. If we have zeal and are for the gospel, we would surely be very willing to go. But we have to realize that it is not enough just to have someone speak the word and preach the gospel. God has to sow us, the person, as a seed among them. Do we see this? God is sowing us; we are the seed that is being sown. God works through His own words within man. When we preach the word to others, we are sowing the word of God into them, and we expect to have a harvest. But if we only see the seed as the words of God, and not as people, we cannot work for God. If we only care for the words we preach and if we presume that as long as we are right in our fundamental belief and pure in our biblical exegesis, we can go forth to sow, we are wrong. God's work often suffers loss because the seed in our hand is merely objective truths. These truths have not brought about a subjective change in our being yet; they have not made us sons of the kingdom yet.
The great question is what kind of person are we? God's seed is not just words but also us as people. The good seed is not just the word of the kingdom; it is people, that is, the sons of the kingdom. I would like to ask how many of us can be God's seed? What a pity that most of our seeds are objective; we lack subjective seeds! Brothers and sisters, whether or not we can be seeds of God is a big question. The Lord has no intention of sending out a group of evangelists or a group of people to teach the Bible. His intention is that some become seeds. The Lord wants to sow those who are His as seeds. If the Lord sows us as seeds, what will be the result of this sowing? Whatever a man sows, he will reap. Those to whom we render some help often become like us. Putting it the other way around, our reaping proves what we sow; it proves the kind of people we are.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp.126-127. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Matt. 13:38 And the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom...
1 Thes. 2:8 Yearning in this way over you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us.
Words of Ministry
Suppose someone invites us to go to preach the gospel. If we have zeal and are for the gospel, we would surely be very willing to go. But we have to realize that it is not enough just to have someone speak the word and preach the gospel. God has to sow us, the person, as a seed among them. Do we see this? God is sowing us; we are the seed that is being sown. God works through His own words within man. When we preach the word to others, we are sowing the word of God into them, and we expect to have a harvest. But if we only see the seed as the words of God, and not as people, we cannot work for God. If we only care for the words we preach and if we presume that as long as we are right in our fundamental belief and pure in our biblical exegesis, we can go forth to sow, we are wrong. God's work often suffers loss because the seed in our hand is merely objective truths. These truths have not brought about a subjective change in our being yet; they have not made us sons of the kingdom yet.
The great question is what kind of person are we? God's seed is not just words but also us as people. The good seed is not just the word of the kingdom; it is people, that is, the sons of the kingdom. I would like to ask how many of us can be God's seed? What a pity that most of our seeds are objective; we lack subjective seeds! Brothers and sisters, whether or not we can be seeds of God is a big question. The Lord has no intention of sending out a group of evangelists or a group of people to teach the Bible. His intention is that some become seeds. The Lord wants to sow those who are His as seeds. If the Lord sows us as seeds, what will be the result of this sowing? Whatever a man sows, he will reap. Those to whom we render some help often become like us. Putting it the other way around, our reaping proves what we sow; it proves the kind of people we are.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp.126-127. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Forgetting Past Victories: The Examples of Jericho and Ai
Bible Verses
Phil. 3:12 Not that I have already obtained or am already perfected, but I pursue, if even I may lay hold of that for which I also have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (13) Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before.
Words of Ministry
The victory at Jericho can never be applied to Ai. Although Ai is very small and Jericho, which is huge, has been taken, if we attack Ai by applying our past experience, we will fail. This means we cannot apply our past victory to tackle
our spiritual difficulties today. The past has become history, and new power is needed to deal with new spiritual difficulties. God puts new difficulties before us in order to make us sense new needs. We must never expect to have a once-for-all victory. Our eyes must be opened before God, and we must realize that the only way to have a continual filling is to have the continual working of the cross. Unless the Holy Spirit continues His work in us, we cannot continue to overcome. When any trial confronts us or any difficulty is placed before us, no past history or experience will do any good; we need new strength to go on.
Let us bear in mind that everything ordered by the Lord in our circumstances is intended to create a need in us and make us realize that we cannot overcome by past experience. Past victories remain unchanged, but trying to overcome new
difficulties by means of past victories never works. Many people look at their past victories and wonder why they cannot overcome now. Brothers and sisters, we have to realize that God does not want us to have yesterday's manna. With each new difficulty there comes a new need which we have never realized before. Brothers and sisters, we cannot go on without new knowledge of the Lord and a new vision of Him. Whenever He brings us to our end and whenever we find ourselves crying, “I cannot make it!”, our progress has begun. Then God is able to easily create a desire for Him in us.
Thank God that everything we have is the result of His work; even the heart that seeks after Him comes from Him. If it were up to us, I wonder how long we would have to wait before we would seek after Him? Of course, there is a condition: we must be conscious of our weakness and inability as well as the hindrance and pride of the flesh. If we persist in our self-reliance, presume that we are already rich, and do not forget our Jericho victory, it will be impossible for God to give us a seeking heart even if He wants to. If we cannot forget our past victory, we will never make any progress. If we think that we can overcome with our first experience, we have been defeated already. Past victory can never be our present strength. We should remember that God gives difficulties to us in order to dig more deeply in us so that
He can fill us more with Himself.
(c) Living Stream Ministry. Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 135-136. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Phil. 3:12 Not that I have already obtained or am already perfected, but I pursue, if even I may lay hold of that for which I also have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (13) Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before.
Words of Ministry
The victory at Jericho can never be applied to Ai. Although Ai is very small and Jericho, which is huge, has been taken, if we attack Ai by applying our past experience, we will fail. This means we cannot apply our past victory to tackle
our spiritual difficulties today. The past has become history, and new power is needed to deal with new spiritual difficulties. God puts new difficulties before us in order to make us sense new needs. We must never expect to have a once-for-all victory. Our eyes must be opened before God, and we must realize that the only way to have a continual filling is to have the continual working of the cross. Unless the Holy Spirit continues His work in us, we cannot continue to overcome. When any trial confronts us or any difficulty is placed before us, no past history or experience will do any good; we need new strength to go on.
Let us bear in mind that everything ordered by the Lord in our circumstances is intended to create a need in us and make us realize that we cannot overcome by past experience. Past victories remain unchanged, but trying to overcome new
difficulties by means of past victories never works. Many people look at their past victories and wonder why they cannot overcome now. Brothers and sisters, we have to realize that God does not want us to have yesterday's manna. With each new difficulty there comes a new need which we have never realized before. Brothers and sisters, we cannot go on without new knowledge of the Lord and a new vision of Him. Whenever He brings us to our end and whenever we find ourselves crying, “I cannot make it!”, our progress has begun. Then God is able to easily create a desire for Him in us.
Thank God that everything we have is the result of His work; even the heart that seeks after Him comes from Him. If it were up to us, I wonder how long we would have to wait before we would seek after Him? Of course, there is a condition: we must be conscious of our weakness and inability as well as the hindrance and pride of the flesh. If we persist in our self-reliance, presume that we are already rich, and do not forget our Jericho victory, it will be impossible for God to give us a seeking heart even if He wants to. If we cannot forget our past victory, we will never make any progress. If we think that we can overcome with our first experience, we have been defeated already. Past victory can never be our present strength. We should remember that God gives difficulties to us in order to dig more deeply in us so that
He can fill us more with Himself.
(c) Living Stream Ministry. Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 135-136. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
帳棚的生活
聖經經節
創世記十二7：耶和華向亞伯蘭顯現，說，我要把這地賜給你的後裔。亞伯蘭就在那裡為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。8：從那裡他又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚…
約壹二15：不要愛世界，和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了；16：因為凡世界上的事，就是肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾、並今生的驕傲，都不是出於父，乃是出於世界。17：這世界和其上的情慾，正在過去；惟獨實行神旨意的，永遠長存。
職事的話
【亞伯拉罕從那裡又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚。】並不是他出來的時候沒有帳棚，可是神不題起帳棚；等到他有了祭壇之後，神的話纔給我們看見帳棚。甚麼叫作帳棚？帳棚的意思是流動的，是不札根的。神要藉著祭壇來對付你自己，神要藉著帳棚來對付屬乎你的東西。亞伯拉罕有祭壇，他把他的一切都給了神，那麼是不是從今以後亞伯拉罕連身上的衣服都沒有了？不，亞伯拉罕還有牛，還有羊，還有許多東西。但是，亞伯拉罕是住在帳棚裡的人。換句話說，祭壇所餘剩的東西，只能保留在帳棚裡。這是一個原則，就是你所有的東西都得放在祭壇上，但是還有餘剩的東西，是留下給你用的，那一個東西並不是你所有的，乃是在帳棚裡的。許多東西一奉獻給神，神就拿去，神就不留給你。但是有的東西擺在祭壇上，神還留給你用。
亞伯拉罕的生活一直是祭壇的生活，到有一天，他連獨生的兒子都擺在祭壇上了，神怎麼作？神沒有把以撒收去。是的，你擺在祭壇上的，的的確確神收去；神不能讓你為自己活著，神不能讓你憑著自己的喜好活著，神不能讓你憑著自己的能力活著。祭壇是把你所有的收光。但是，擺在祭壇上的東西，神不一定都把牠燒了。有許多東西，像以撒那樣，雖然你擺在壇上，但是神再把那一個給你。不過，在你手裡的這些東西，你不能再以為是你的；這些東西，你只能放在帳棚裡。
有人要問說，『如果我將我一切所有的都給神，是不是說我應當把所有的東西都賣掉？是不是說我所有的錢都得拿出來散光了？如果我奉獻給神，那麼我家裡只能有多少把椅子，有多少張桌子？我只能留下幾套衣裳？』有的人的確為著這些問題在那裡作難。我們要記得，我們有兩種生活，一種是在神面前的生活，一種是在世界裡的生活。在神的面前，我們所有的的確都在祭壇上；但是，在世界裡活著，許多物質的東西還是需要的。我們活在這裡，還得有衣、食、住。我如果不需要牠，我就可以捨棄牠。我可以用這些東西，但不能被這些東西摸著。這些東西可以在我手裡，也可以不在我手裡；可以加添，也可以減少。這就是帳棚的生活。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第120至122頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
創世記十二7：耶和華向亞伯蘭顯現，說，我要把這地賜給你的後裔。亞伯蘭就在那裡為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。8：從那裡他又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚…
約壹二15：不要愛世界，和世界上的事。人若愛世界，愛父的心就不在他裡面了；16：因為凡世界上的事，就是肉體的情慾、眼目的情慾、並今生的驕傲，都不是出於父，乃是出於世界。17：這世界和其上的情慾，正在過去；惟獨實行神旨意的，永遠長存。
職事的話
【亞伯拉罕從那裡又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚。】並不是他出來的時候沒有帳棚，可是神不題起帳棚；等到他有了祭壇之後，神的話纔給我們看見帳棚。甚麼叫作帳棚？帳棚的意思是流動的，是不札根的。神要藉著祭壇來對付你自己，神要藉著帳棚來對付屬乎你的東西。亞伯拉罕有祭壇，他把他的一切都給了神，那麼是不是從今以後亞伯拉罕連身上的衣服都沒有了？不，亞伯拉罕還有牛，還有羊，還有許多東西。但是，亞伯拉罕是住在帳棚裡的人。換句話說，祭壇所餘剩的東西，只能保留在帳棚裡。這是一個原則，就是你所有的東西都得放在祭壇上，但是還有餘剩的東西，是留下給你用的，那一個東西並不是你所有的，乃是在帳棚裡的。許多東西一奉獻給神，神就拿去，神就不留給你。但是有的東西擺在祭壇上，神還留給你用。
亞伯拉罕的生活一直是祭壇的生活，到有一天，他連獨生的兒子都擺在祭壇上了，神怎麼作？神沒有把以撒收去。是的，你擺在祭壇上的，的的確確神收去；神不能讓你為自己活著，神不能讓你憑著自己的喜好活著，神不能讓你憑著自己的能力活著。祭壇是把你所有的收光。但是，擺在祭壇上的東西，神不一定都把牠燒了。有許多東西，像以撒那樣，雖然你擺在壇上，但是神再把那一個給你。不過，在你手裡的這些東西，你不能再以為是你的；這些東西，你只能放在帳棚裡。
有人要問說，『如果我將我一切所有的都給神，是不是說我應當把所有的東西都賣掉？是不是說我所有的錢都得拿出來散光了？如果我奉獻給神，那麼我家裡只能有多少把椅子，有多少張桌子？我只能留下幾套衣裳？』有的人的確為著這些問題在那裡作難。我們要記得，我們有兩種生活，一種是在神面前的生活，一種是在世界裡的生活。在神的面前，我們所有的的確都在祭壇上；但是，在世界裡活著，許多物質的東西還是需要的。我們活在這裡，還得有衣、食、住。我如果不需要牠，我就可以捨棄牠。我可以用這些東西，但不能被這些東西摸著。這些東西可以在我手裡，也可以不在我手裡；可以加添，也可以減少。這就是帳棚的生活。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第120至122頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
神的顯現帶進完全的奉獻（二）
聖經經節
羅馬十二1：所以弟兄們，我藉著神的憐恤勸你們，將身體獻上，當作聖別並討神喜悅的活祭，這是你們合理的事奉。
林後五14：原來基督的愛困迫我們，因我們斷定：一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了；15：並且祂替眾人死，是叫那些活著的人，不再向自己活，乃向那替他們死而復活者活。
職事的話
神向亞伯拉罕顯現，亞伯拉罕就築了一座壇。這裡的壇不是獻贖罪祭的壇，這裡的壇乃是獻燔祭的壇。贖罪祭是為著我自己贖罪，燔祭是將我自己奉獻給神。這裡的祭壇不是指著主耶穌怎樣替我們死說的，乃是指著我們怎樣將自已奉獻給神說的。這裡的祭壇，就是羅馬十二章那一類的祭壇。神的慈悲豫備了主耶穌替我們死，神的慈悲豫備了十字架將我們和基督一同釘死，神的慈悲豫備了十字架對付了魔鬼，神的慈悲豫備了生命活在我們裡面，神的慈悲也要將我們帶到榮耀裡去。是因為神諸般的慈悲【憐憫】，所以，你要將你自己當作活祭獻給神。
獻燔祭有一件事是很有意思的，就是你如果是有力量的人，你可以獻一隻牛作祭；你如果沒有力量獻牛，就可以獻上一隻羊；你如果沒有力量獻羊，就可以獻上斑鳩或雛鴿。（利一 3，10，14。）但是，不論你獻牛、獻羊，或者獻斑鳩、雛鴿，總要把全隻獻上。你不能獻上半隻牛或者半隻羊。神所要的都是整個的，神不要一半的奉獻，神不要不完全的奉獻。
燔祭放在壇上作甚麼用呢？是要把牠完全燒了。人以為奉獻給神就是為神作這個作那個，但是神的要求乃是焚燒。神不是要一隻牛去為祂耕地，神乃是要這隻牛放在壇上燒了。神不是要我們的工作，神乃是要我們這個人，要我們把整個人都獻上，為著祂燒了。祭壇的意思不是作工，乃是為神活著；祭壇的意思不是忙碌，乃是為神活著。所有的活動不能代替祭壇，所有的工作不能代替祭壇。我完全為神活著，這纔是祭壇的生活。新約裡的祭，就是羅馬十二章所說的將身體獻上當作活祭，不是像舊約裡那樣燒一次就完了。我們是天天在祭壇上燒，而又是活的。是一直活的，又是一直燒的，這是新約裡的祭。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第118至120頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
羅馬十二1：所以弟兄們，我藉著神的憐恤勸你們，將身體獻上，當作聖別並討神喜悅的活祭，這是你們合理的事奉。
林後五14：原來基督的愛困迫我們，因我們斷定：一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了；15：並且祂替眾人死，是叫那些活著的人，不再向自己活，乃向那替他們死而復活者活。
職事的話
神向亞伯拉罕顯現，亞伯拉罕就築了一座壇。這裡的壇不是獻贖罪祭的壇，這裡的壇乃是獻燔祭的壇。贖罪祭是為著我自己贖罪，燔祭是將我自己奉獻給神。這裡的祭壇不是指著主耶穌怎樣替我們死說的，乃是指著我們怎樣將自已奉獻給神說的。這裡的祭壇，就是羅馬十二章那一類的祭壇。神的慈悲豫備了主耶穌替我們死，神的慈悲豫備了十字架將我們和基督一同釘死，神的慈悲豫備了十字架對付了魔鬼，神的慈悲豫備了生命活在我們裡面，神的慈悲也要將我們帶到榮耀裡去。是因為神諸般的慈悲【憐憫】，所以，你要將你自己當作活祭獻給神。
獻燔祭有一件事是很有意思的，就是你如果是有力量的人，你可以獻一隻牛作祭；你如果沒有力量獻牛，就可以獻上一隻羊；你如果沒有力量獻羊，就可以獻上斑鳩或雛鴿。（利一 3，10，14。）但是，不論你獻牛、獻羊，或者獻斑鳩、雛鴿，總要把全隻獻上。你不能獻上半隻牛或者半隻羊。神所要的都是整個的，神不要一半的奉獻，神不要不完全的奉獻。
燔祭放在壇上作甚麼用呢？是要把牠完全燒了。人以為奉獻給神就是為神作這個作那個，但是神的要求乃是焚燒。神不是要一隻牛去為祂耕地，神乃是要這隻牛放在壇上燒了。神不是要我們的工作，神乃是要我們這個人，要我們把整個人都獻上，為著祂燒了。祭壇的意思不是作工，乃是為神活著；祭壇的意思不是忙碌，乃是為神活著。所有的活動不能代替祭壇，所有的工作不能代替祭壇。我完全為神活著，這纔是祭壇的生活。新約裡的祭，就是羅馬十二章所說的將身體獻上當作活祭，不是像舊約裡那樣燒一次就完了。我們是天天在祭壇上燒，而又是活的。是一直活的，又是一直燒的，這是新約裡的祭。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第118至120頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
神的顯現帶進完全的奉獻（一）
聖經經節
創世記十二7：耶和華向亞伯蘭顯現，說，我要把這地賜給你的後裔。亞伯蘭就在那裡為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。8：從那裡他又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚；…他在那裡又為耶和華築了一座壇，並且呼求耶和華的名。
羅馬十四8：我們若活著，是向主活；若死了，是向主死。所以我們或活或死，總是主的人。
職事的話
創世記十二章七節給我們看見，祭壇是根據於神的顯現，沒有神的顯現，就沒有祭壇。誰也不能將他自己奉獻給神，而他是沒有遇見神的；誰也不能把一切都擺在祭壇上，而是沒有神的顯現的。奉獻不是由於人的勸勉，不是由於人的催促，乃是由於神的顯現。如果神沒有向人顯現，那就沒有一個人是能自動把他所有的都擺在祭壇上的，沒有一個人是能自動把自己奉獻給神的。人即使盼望將他自己奉獻給神，但是事實上人憑著自己沒有一點東西可以奉獻給神，就像有的人所說的：『我要將我的心奉獻給主，我的人卻不去。』人這一邊不能到主那一邊去。如果有一天，我們遇見主，那一個遇見，就自然而然產生奉獻。只要你遇見神一下，只要你看見神一下，你就不是你自己的。神是遇見不得的！人一遇見神，人就沒有方法為自己活著。
我們要知道，奉獻的能力是從神的顯現來的，是從神的啟示來的。口裡講奉獻的人，不一定都是奉獻的人；教訓人奉獻的人，不一定都是奉獻的人；明白奉獻道理的人，也不一定都是奉獻的人。只有看見神的人，他纔真是奉獻的人。亞伯拉罕遇見了神，就在那裡為耶和華築了一座壇。保羅在【往大馬色的】路上遇見了主耶穌，就說，『主阿，我當作甚麼？』 （徒二二10。）所以，生命的轉機不是因為我們自己如何定規；生命的轉機不是我們要為神作這一個，要為神作那一個；生命的轉機是因為我們看見了神。遇見神的結局，就是叫你完全掉一個頭，你不能再繼續走你從前的路。神給我看見了祂自己，我就得著了能力，捨去我的自己；神給我看見了祂自己，我就沒有辦法，不得不棄絕自己。神的顯現叫你活不了，神的顯現叫你不能為自己活。神的顯現裡面有無窮無盡的能力，那一個顯現把你一生的道路都改變了。基督徒為神活著的能力是在乎看見神！哦，不是我要立志事奉神就能事奉神，不是我要築祭壇就能築祭壇，乃是要有神的顯現。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第117至118頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
創世記十二7：耶和華向亞伯蘭顯現，說，我要把這地賜給你的後裔。亞伯蘭就在那裡為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。8：從那裡他又遷到伯特利東邊的山，支搭帳棚；…他在那裡又為耶和華築了一座壇，並且呼求耶和華的名。
羅馬十四8：我們若活著，是向主活；若死了，是向主死。所以我們或活或死，總是主的人。
職事的話
創世記十二章七節給我們看見，祭壇是根據於神的顯現，沒有神的顯現，就沒有祭壇。誰也不能將他自己奉獻給神，而他是沒有遇見神的；誰也不能把一切都擺在祭壇上，而是沒有神的顯現的。奉獻不是由於人的勸勉，不是由於人的催促，乃是由於神的顯現。如果神沒有向人顯現，那就沒有一個人是能自動把他所有的都擺在祭壇上的，沒有一個人是能自動把自己奉獻給神的。人即使盼望將他自己奉獻給神，但是事實上人憑著自己沒有一點東西可以奉獻給神，就像有的人所說的：『我要將我的心奉獻給主，我的人卻不去。』人這一邊不能到主那一邊去。如果有一天，我們遇見主，那一個遇見，就自然而然產生奉獻。只要你遇見神一下，只要你看見神一下，你就不是你自己的。神是遇見不得的！人一遇見神，人就沒有方法為自己活著。
我們要知道，奉獻的能力是從神的顯現來的，是從神的啟示來的。口裡講奉獻的人，不一定都是奉獻的人；教訓人奉獻的人，不一定都是奉獻的人；明白奉獻道理的人，也不一定都是奉獻的人。只有看見神的人，他纔真是奉獻的人。亞伯拉罕遇見了神，就在那裡為耶和華築了一座壇。保羅在【往大馬色的】路上遇見了主耶穌，就說，『主阿，我當作甚麼？』 （徒二二10。）所以，生命的轉機不是因為我們自己如何定規；生命的轉機不是我們要為神作這一個，要為神作那一個；生命的轉機是因為我們看見了神。遇見神的結局，就是叫你完全掉一個頭，你不能再繼續走你從前的路。神給我看見了祂自己，我就得著了能力，捨去我的自己；神給我看見了祂自己，我就沒有辦法，不得不棄絕自己。神的顯現叫你活不了，神的顯現叫你不能為自己活。神的顯現裡面有無窮無盡的能力，那一個顯現把你一生的道路都改變了。基督徒為神活著的能力是在乎看見神！哦，不是我要立志事奉神就能事奉神，不是我要築祭壇就能築祭壇，乃是要有神的顯現。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第117至118頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
Monday, October 18, 2010
Peace from Committing All to God
Bible Verses
Phil 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses every man's understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Words of Ministry
The first thing that enables us to have peace is to bring all our matters and requests to God. Our work, our need, and the difficulties we encounter should all be committed to the Lord. We should say to the Lord, “Lord, I commit all these things to Your hand.” We can commit to the Lord whatever we encounter through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, and the peace of God will keep our heart and mind. God will keep us. All we need to do is make our request known through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. As soon as we encounter any matter, we have to commit that matter to God immediately. Once we have made such a commitment, God's peace keeps us. Whenever we make our commitment to God, His peace will come. As a result, we will be free from outside influence all the time. Regardless of how great the difficulty or how numerous the activities, the peace of God in us will guard our hearts.
The first condition is faith, and the second condition is obedience. God allows many things to come upon us. If we reject what God wants for us, if we do not accept His will, or if we have other desires, we will lose our rest within. We should realize that rest comes from consecration. Therefore, when any difficulty arises, we need to take His yoke and learn from Him. Although we may not be able to act according to our own wish and may have to suffer, we will have rest. We will have rest if we say to the Lord, “Lord, whatever You want me to do, I am willing.” However, if we are not willing to obey, if we choose our own pathway or our own way of life, or if we cherish our own desire, we will lose the rest. All of our personal desires and dissatisfactions will deprive us of our peace within. Peace will fill our heart when we say to the Lord, “Lord, everything that You give me is the best. I am willing to take Your way, choose Your will, and set aside my own wish.”
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 119. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Phil 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses every man's understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Words of Ministry
The first thing that enables us to have peace is to bring all our matters and requests to God. Our work, our need, and the difficulties we encounter should all be committed to the Lord. We should say to the Lord, “Lord, I commit all these things to Your hand.” We can commit to the Lord whatever we encounter through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, and the peace of God will keep our heart and mind. God will keep us. All we need to do is make our request known through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. As soon as we encounter any matter, we have to commit that matter to God immediately. Once we have made such a commitment, God's peace keeps us. Whenever we make our commitment to God, His peace will come. As a result, we will be free from outside influence all the time. Regardless of how great the difficulty or how numerous the activities, the peace of God in us will guard our hearts.
The first condition is faith, and the second condition is obedience. God allows many things to come upon us. If we reject what God wants for us, if we do not accept His will, or if we have other desires, we will lose our rest within. We should realize that rest comes from consecration. Therefore, when any difficulty arises, we need to take His yoke and learn from Him. Although we may not be able to act according to our own wish and may have to suffer, we will have rest. We will have rest if we say to the Lord, “Lord, whatever You want me to do, I am willing.” However, if we are not willing to obey, if we choose our own pathway or our own way of life, or if we cherish our own desire, we will lose the rest. All of our personal desires and dissatisfactions will deprive us of our peace within. Peace will fill our heart when we say to the Lord, “Lord, everything that You give me is the best. I am willing to take Your way, choose Your will, and set aside my own wish.”
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 119. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Being Saved in Rest
Bible Verses
Isa 30:15 For thus says the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you will be saved; In quietness and in trust will be your strength; But you were not willing,
Rom 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.
Words of Ministry
Brothers and sisters, the one failure in our life is inward disturbance whenever we have outward activities. Many times, even before outward activities come, we are already disturbed within, and this disturbance deprives us of the strength to deal with outward activities. We should know that the strength of our living comes from rest, quietness, and trust. Anyone who is easily irritated cannot have strength before God; the same is true for anyone who is disturbed in heart. We should remember that our strength depends upon inner quietness and trust.
There is an eye in every hurricane. Although the wind turns furiously around the eye, the eye itself is very quiet. Our strength lies in a life that revolves around a stable center. Outward activities may be blowing like furious winds, yet within we can be most peaceful. “In quietness and in trust will be your strength.” Our thoughts must not be disturbed because of the multitude of outward activities. Consider the sea. Although there are high waves, strong winds, and the surface of the sea may be in great turmoil, the depths of the sea have no movement at all; everything is very peaceful below. The life of a Christian should be characterized by quietness and trust. We cannot expect to be idle, but we can expect peace and quietness in the midst of a busy daily life. There can be much activity outwardly, yet there is peace and quietness inwardly. The peace that we seek is inner peace. When there is inner peace, we will not fail.
Our Lord was never affected by the outward circumstances. When a storm raged, the Lord was fast asleep, but the disciples cried, “We are perishing!” Why did they cry? They had no rest. But the Lord remained unaffected (Matt. 8:23-27). When the band of soldiers and officers came to arrest Him, He asked them, “Whom do you seek?“ They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said to them, “I am.” When they heard this, they drew back and fell to the ground. Those who tried to make an arrest were scared by the One they sought to arrest (John 18:2-6). Oh, the Lord deserves our continuous praise. He was never moved by outward events but lived according to His inner being.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible
and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages,
Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 117-118.
Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Isa 30:15 For thus says the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you will be saved; In quietness and in trust will be your strength; But you were not willing,
Rom 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.
Words of Ministry
Brothers and sisters, the one failure in our life is inward disturbance whenever we have outward activities. Many times, even before outward activities come, we are already disturbed within, and this disturbance deprives us of the strength to deal with outward activities. We should know that the strength of our living comes from rest, quietness, and trust. Anyone who is easily irritated cannot have strength before God; the same is true for anyone who is disturbed in heart. We should remember that our strength depends upon inner quietness and trust.
There is an eye in every hurricane. Although the wind turns furiously around the eye, the eye itself is very quiet. Our strength lies in a life that revolves around a stable center. Outward activities may be blowing like furious winds, yet within we can be most peaceful. “In quietness and in trust will be your strength.” Our thoughts must not be disturbed because of the multitude of outward activities. Consider the sea. Although there are high waves, strong winds, and the surface of the sea may be in great turmoil, the depths of the sea have no movement at all; everything is very peaceful below. The life of a Christian should be characterized by quietness and trust. We cannot expect to be idle, but we can expect peace and quietness in the midst of a busy daily life. There can be much activity outwardly, yet there is peace and quietness inwardly. The peace that we seek is inner peace. When there is inner peace, we will not fail.
Our Lord was never affected by the outward circumstances. When a storm raged, the Lord was fast asleep, but the disciples cried, “We are perishing!” Why did they cry? They had no rest. But the Lord remained unaffected (Matt. 8:23-27). When the band of soldiers and officers came to arrest Him, He asked them, “Whom do you seek?“ They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said to them, “I am.” When they heard this, they drew back and fell to the ground. Those who tried to make an arrest were scared by the One they sought to arrest (John 18:2-6). Oh, the Lord deserves our continuous praise. He was never moved by outward events but lived according to His inner being.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible
and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages,
Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 117-118.
Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Entering and Staying in the Holy of Holies
Bible Verses
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness for entering the Holy of Holies in the blood of Jesus,
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Words of Ministry
The tabernacle in the Old Testament was divided into the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Within the Holy of Holies was the ark in which God dwelt. In the Holy Place, there was the showbread, the golden lampstand, and the golden censer. In the outer court, there was the altar and the laver. Between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place, there was a separating veil; between the Holy Place and the outer court, a curtain. Only the priests and the Levites could enter into the outer court, and only the priests could go into the Holy Place. Finally, only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year with the blood.
In the New Testament, God speaks through His servant declaring that we are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). The Christian life is likened to God's tabernacle or temple. The outer court was very busy indeed; thousands of Israelites made their offering there, and many Levites spent their days slaying thousands of oxen and sheep. While there were many in the outer court from morning to evening, there was no one in the Holy of Holies. It might have been noisy in the outer court, but the Holy of Holies remained serene and quiet; it might have been very busy in the outer court, but the Holy of Holies was not affected at all. This is the life of a Christian. We may be in contact with thousands of people, but inwardly we should remain undisturbed. Although we may be busy outwardly, we can be undisturbed in spirit and have uninterrupted fellowship with the Lord inwardly. This is what it means to have peace and rest in our human spirit.
Christians should live in a state of continuous prayer. This is not a matter of praying ten minutes or half an hour, or a brief prayer in the morning which ceases as we go to work. As we live before the Lord, we must maintain our fellowship with Him even though we are outwardly busy. We should have a regular time for prayer and Bible reading, but apart from this time, our inner life should continue to have fellowship with the Lord. Therefore, if we live a life of peace and rest in the Holy of Holies, external things cannot touch us; neither can the environment shake us. When we live in the Holy of Holies, we will see that God saturates everything; we will have an intimate and uninterrupted fellowship with God which no outside forces can sever.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 116-117. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness for entering the Holy of Holies in the blood of Jesus,
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Words of Ministry
The tabernacle in the Old Testament was divided into the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Within the Holy of Holies was the ark in which God dwelt. In the Holy Place, there was the showbread, the golden lampstand, and the golden censer. In the outer court, there was the altar and the laver. Between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place, there was a separating veil; between the Holy Place and the outer court, a curtain. Only the priests and the Levites could enter into the outer court, and only the priests could go into the Holy Place. Finally, only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year with the blood.
In the New Testament, God speaks through His servant declaring that we are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). The Christian life is likened to God's tabernacle or temple. The outer court was very busy indeed; thousands of Israelites made their offering there, and many Levites spent their days slaying thousands of oxen and sheep. While there were many in the outer court from morning to evening, there was no one in the Holy of Holies. It might have been noisy in the outer court, but the Holy of Holies remained serene and quiet; it might have been very busy in the outer court, but the Holy of Holies was not affected at all. This is the life of a Christian. We may be in contact with thousands of people, but inwardly we should remain undisturbed. Although we may be busy outwardly, we can be undisturbed in spirit and have uninterrupted fellowship with the Lord inwardly. This is what it means to have peace and rest in our human spirit.
Christians should live in a state of continuous prayer. This is not a matter of praying ten minutes or half an hour, or a brief prayer in the morning which ceases as we go to work. As we live before the Lord, we must maintain our fellowship with Him even though we are outwardly busy. We should have a regular time for prayer and Bible reading, but apart from this time, our inner life should continue to have fellowship with the Lord. Therefore, if we live a life of peace and rest in the Holy of Holies, external things cannot touch us; neither can the environment shake us. When we live in the Holy of Holies, we will see that God saturates everything; we will have an intimate and uninterrupted fellowship with God which no outside forces can sever.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 116-117. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Busy Outwardly, Resting Inwardly
Bible Verses
Luke 10: 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 But there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Words of Ministry
How can we live a peaceful and unperturbed life? Let us see what the Lord said. He did not say that one should not work, nor did He say that one should spend half of his time working and the other half dealing with spiritual things. He did not say to Martha that it was wrong to do many things, but He reminded Martha not to let these things enter into her and disturb her. The Lord Jesus did not say that she had done too much; He said that she had considered too much. He did not say that she had taken up too many tasks; He said that she had taken up too many worries. You may work from morning until evening, but you should not be disturbed by it. Many people do not have much to do outwardly, yet they are very busy inwardly. Some people have already spent five sleepless nights worrying about work that needs to be done five days from now.
Brothers and sisters, this is the Christian life. We should work and not be lazy. It is necessary to work and to be occupied, but we should be at peace within. There should only be one thing within us -- Christ. The Lord asks only one thing of us -- that we remain untouched by whatever circumstance we are in. Although we may be busy outwardly, we should maintain our fellowship with God. Thank God that there was not only a Martha but also a Mary. Mary chose the best portion -- fellowship with the Lord. The Lord wanted Martha to learn the way of inward rest from her sister, not the way of work. It is all right for us to be a Martha outwardly, but inwardly we should be like Mary, who was in complete union with the Lord. Although outwardly we can be very busy, inwardly we should fellowship with God and be at rest. This is a most precious experience.
Every one of us can live this kind of life, which is not in the physical realm or in our feeling but in the depth of our being. Then we will be in constant fellowship with the Lord, living a peaceful and serene life in His presence. We must remember that God has not asked us to be lazy and do nothing. Rather, the Lord wants us to shoulder outward activities on the strength of His indwelling. Although we may be busy from morning until evening, no person or thing should deprive us of our inner peace and rest. We should be busy outwardly but peaceful inwardly. Within us there should be only one person -- Christ.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 114-115. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Luke 10: 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 But there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Words of Ministry
How can we live a peaceful and unperturbed life? Let us see what the Lord said. He did not say that one should not work, nor did He say that one should spend half of his time working and the other half dealing with spiritual things. He did not say to Martha that it was wrong to do many things, but He reminded Martha not to let these things enter into her and disturb her. The Lord Jesus did not say that she had done too much; He said that she had considered too much. He did not say that she had taken up too many tasks; He said that she had taken up too many worries. You may work from morning until evening, but you should not be disturbed by it. Many people do not have much to do outwardly, yet they are very busy inwardly. Some people have already spent five sleepless nights worrying about work that needs to be done five days from now.
Brothers and sisters, this is the Christian life. We should work and not be lazy. It is necessary to work and to be occupied, but we should be at peace within. There should only be one thing within us -- Christ. The Lord asks only one thing of us -- that we remain untouched by whatever circumstance we are in. Although we may be busy outwardly, we should maintain our fellowship with God. Thank God that there was not only a Martha but also a Mary. Mary chose the best portion -- fellowship with the Lord. The Lord wanted Martha to learn the way of inward rest from her sister, not the way of work. It is all right for us to be a Martha outwardly, but inwardly we should be like Mary, who was in complete union with the Lord. Although outwardly we can be very busy, inwardly we should fellowship with God and be at rest. This is a most precious experience.
Every one of us can live this kind of life, which is not in the physical realm or in our feeling but in the depth of our being. Then we will be in constant fellowship with the Lord, living a peaceful and serene life in His presence. We must remember that God has not asked us to be lazy and do nothing. Rather, the Lord wants us to shoulder outward activities on the strength of His indwelling. Although we may be busy from morning until evening, no person or thing should deprive us of our inner peace and rest. We should be busy outwardly but peaceful inwardly. Within us there should be only one person -- Christ.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 114-115. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
There Is Need of One Thing
Bible Verses
Luke 10:38 Now as they went, He entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her home. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and was listening to His word. (40) But Martha was being drawn about with much serving, and she came up to Him and said, Lord, does it not matter to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to do her
part with me. (41) But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; (42) But there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Words of Ministry
One day as our Lord came to a certain village, a sister named Martha received Him into her home. She loved our Lord and wanted to do many things for Him in order to please Him. She did this and that; she prepared this thing and that thing. She did many things, but then she became disturbed. Not only was she disturbed, she also worried about many things, and her mind was troubled. Martha, like those who are ill at ease, sought to blame others by going to the Lord and saying, “Lord, does it not matter to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to do her part with me.” But the Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Oh, the Lord said that only one thing is needed! Martha did many things, but the Lord said that there was need of only one thing. We plan one thing after another and do one thing after another. It seems that we have planned many things and done much, yet there is need of only one thing! There are not many needful things; there is only one thing which is needful!
Brothers and sisters, what is the one thing that is needful? It is nothing other than Christ Himself -- this is what Mary chose. We can have this needful thing only by sitting quietly before the Lord as Mary did. Every Christian should work, and it is wrong if anyone does not work. The Bible tells us that the man who will not work should not eat (2 Thes. 3:10). We should work diligently. However, we often find no rest within when we work; we may even feel that we have forgotten the Lord. Sometimes we are so busy from morning till evening that we do not find time for prayer or Bible reading before the Lord. When we labor, do some spiritual work, or give assistance to a brother or sister, our motive is for the Lord, yet eventually we become distracted; our heart is disturbed. The problem is that there are too many things that cause us to forget the Lord and let Him go. Let us listen to the Lord, who is telling us that only one thing is needful! This very thing is to have rest in the Lord and to be content in Him.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 113-114. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Luke 10:38 Now as they went, He entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her home. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and was listening to His word. (40) But Martha was being drawn about with much serving, and she came up to Him and said, Lord, does it not matter to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to do her
part with me. (41) But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; (42) But there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Words of Ministry
One day as our Lord came to a certain village, a sister named Martha received Him into her home. She loved our Lord and wanted to do many things for Him in order to please Him. She did this and that; she prepared this thing and that thing. She did many things, but then she became disturbed. Not only was she disturbed, she also worried about many things, and her mind was troubled. Martha, like those who are ill at ease, sought to blame others by going to the Lord and saying, “Lord, does it not matter to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to do her part with me.” But the Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but there is need of one thing, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Oh, the Lord said that only one thing is needed! Martha did many things, but the Lord said that there was need of only one thing. We plan one thing after another and do one thing after another. It seems that we have planned many things and done much, yet there is need of only one thing! There are not many needful things; there is only one thing which is needful!
Brothers and sisters, what is the one thing that is needful? It is nothing other than Christ Himself -- this is what Mary chose. We can have this needful thing only by sitting quietly before the Lord as Mary did. Every Christian should work, and it is wrong if anyone does not work. The Bible tells us that the man who will not work should not eat (2 Thes. 3:10). We should work diligently. However, we often find no rest within when we work; we may even feel that we have forgotten the Lord. Sometimes we are so busy from morning till evening that we do not find time for prayer or Bible reading before the Lord. When we labor, do some spiritual work, or give assistance to a brother or sister, our motive is for the Lord, yet eventually we become distracted; our heart is disturbed. The problem is that there are too many things that cause us to forget the Lord and let Him go. Let us listen to the Lord, who is telling us that only one thing is needful! This very thing is to have rest in the Lord and to be content in Him.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 113-114. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
The Reward of Being A Seeker
Bible Verses
John 20:15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? She, supposing that He was the gardener, said to Him, Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away. (16) Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni! (which means Teacher). (18) Mary the Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, I have seen the Lord, and that He had said these things to her.
Words of Ministry
If we want to see something more of the Lord, we must have more fellowship with Him. Mary's seeing the Lord was the best morning watch [devotional]. In this morning watch, she met the Lord and the Lord met her; she prayed to the Lord and the Lord spoke to her; she fellowshipped with the Lord and the Lord gave His word and His revelation to her.
In this chapter it is quite evident that there are three kinds of disciples. The first kind is represented by Mary, the second by Peter and John, and the third by the lazy ones. The lazy disciples had no revelation or discovery of the Lord's resurrection. Peter and John had the discovery and the revelation but not the experience. Mary had the discovery, the revelation, and the experience. What is shown in this record is also true of Christians today.
This record reveals the accomplished fact of Christ's resurrection, but the discovery of His resurrection still requires our seeking, and the experience of His resurrection demands even further seeking. We must first seek the Lord before we can discover His resurrection, and we must seek the Lord even more before we can experience His resurrection.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 543-544. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 20:15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? She, supposing that He was the gardener, said to Him, Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away. (16) Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni! (which means Teacher). (18) Mary the Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, I have seen the Lord, and that He had said these things to her.
Words of Ministry
If we want to see something more of the Lord, we must have more fellowship with Him. Mary's seeing the Lord was the best morning watch [devotional]. In this morning watch, she met the Lord and the Lord met her; she prayed to the Lord and the Lord spoke to her; she fellowshipped with the Lord and the Lord gave His word and His revelation to her.
In this chapter it is quite evident that there are three kinds of disciples. The first kind is represented by Mary, the second by Peter and John, and the third by the lazy ones. The lazy disciples had no revelation or discovery of the Lord's resurrection. Peter and John had the discovery and the revelation but not the experience. Mary had the discovery, the revelation, and the experience. What is shown in this record is also true of Christians today.
This record reveals the accomplished fact of Christ's resurrection, but the discovery of His resurrection still requires our seeking, and the experience of His resurrection demands even further seeking. We must first seek the Lord before we can discover His resurrection, and we must seek the Lord even more before we can experience His resurrection.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 543-544. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
The Lord’s Triumph over Death
Bible Verses
John 20:6 Then Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beheld the linen cloths lying there (7) And the handkerchief which had been over His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in one place apart.
Words of Ministry
I believe that at a certain point the Lord might have said to death, “Death, your time is over. Now I shall rise up, walk out of your domain, remove the wrappings from off My body, put everything in a good order, and leave it in the tomb as a testimony that I have raised Myself up from among the dead.” Then the Lord might have said good-bye to death and walked away. The Lord was not in a rush. He did not run excitedly away from the tomb like a kidnap victim who hurriedly flees after he has been released. No, the Lord was at peace and very much at ease.
He might simply have taken a good look at death, finding that it was powerless to do anything with Him. Although death tried its best to retain Him, this was impossible. Being very much at ease, the Lord removed the wrappings, folded the handkerchief, and put them in a good order. Death watched Him as He easily did this. He was unafraid and nothing threatened Him. He might have said, “Death, I have finished My mission. You can do nothing with Me, and I am not afraid of you. Now is the time for Me to walk out of your domain. I am not in a hurry. I could stay here for another day if I wanted to, but now it's time to leave.” This was the true situation when the Lord rose from the dead.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 537. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 20:6 Then Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beheld the linen cloths lying there (7) And the handkerchief which had been over His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in one place apart.
Words of Ministry
I believe that at a certain point the Lord might have said to death, “Death, your time is over. Now I shall rise up, walk out of your domain, remove the wrappings from off My body, put everything in a good order, and leave it in the tomb as a testimony that I have raised Myself up from among the dead.” Then the Lord might have said good-bye to death and walked away. The Lord was not in a rush. He did not run excitedly away from the tomb like a kidnap victim who hurriedly flees after he has been released. No, the Lord was at peace and very much at ease.
He might simply have taken a good look at death, finding that it was powerless to do anything with Him. Although death tried its best to retain Him, this was impossible. Being very much at ease, the Lord removed the wrappings, folded the handkerchief, and put them in a good order. Death watched Him as He easily did this. He was unafraid and nothing threatened Him. He might have said, “Death, I have finished My mission. You can do nothing with Me, and I am not afraid of you. Now is the time for Me to walk out of your domain. I am not in a hurry. I could stay here for another day if I wanted to, but now it's time to leave.” This was the true situation when the Lord rose from the dead.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 537. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Life-Imparting Being More Wonderful Than Redemption
Bible Verses
John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Rom 5:10 For if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled,
Words of Ministry
The life-imparting aspect of the Lord's death is even more wonderful than the redemptive aspect. Redemption is excellent, marvelous, and wonderful, and it seems that nothing can surpass it. But life-imparting exceeds redemption. Suppose a sinner comes to the Lord and believes on Him as the Lamb of God who died on the cross for his sins, shedding His blood for his sins. The blood even forms a fountain in which he can be cleansed... Although he is washed, he is still dead [in his spirit], like a corpse in a mortuary. He is now deadly clean, being a dead person who had been washed by the blood. By this we see that it is not enough to be cleansed by the blood. We must also be living.
If we are redeemed without being reborn, our condition is still poor. God's purpose is that redemption be followed by the imparting of life. Redemption is for this, preparing the way for us to receive the divine life. The water must follow the blood. The blood is for redemption, forming a fountain in which we may be cleansed, and the water is for regeneration, forming a fountain of living water from which we may drink at any time. Outwardly we have been washed and inwardly we have been filled with this divine life. Now we are living as well as clean, and we all can shout, “Hallelujah! I have been redeemed and I have been born again!”
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 526. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Rom 5:10 For if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled,
Words of Ministry
The life-imparting aspect of the Lord's death is even more wonderful than the redemptive aspect. Redemption is excellent, marvelous, and wonderful, and it seems that nothing can surpass it. But life-imparting exceeds redemption. Suppose a sinner comes to the Lord and believes on Him as the Lamb of God who died on the cross for his sins, shedding His blood for his sins. The blood even forms a fountain in which he can be cleansed... Although he is washed, he is still dead [in his spirit], like a corpse in a mortuary. He is now deadly clean, being a dead person who had been washed by the blood. By this we see that it is not enough to be cleansed by the blood. We must also be living.
If we are redeemed without being reborn, our condition is still poor. God's purpose is that redemption be followed by the imparting of life. Redemption is for this, preparing the way for us to receive the divine life. The water must follow the blood. The blood is for redemption, forming a fountain in which we may be cleansed, and the water is for regeneration, forming a fountain of living water from which we may drink at any time. Outwardly we have been washed and inwardly we have been filled with this divine life. Now we are living as well as clean, and we all can shout, “Hallelujah! I have been redeemed and I have been born again!”
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 526. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, October 04, 2010
看見我們是葡萄樹的枝子
聖經經節
約翰十五1：我是真葡萄樹，我父是栽培的人。
4：你們要住在我裡面，我也住在你們裡面。枝子若不住在葡萄樹上，自己就不能結果子，你們若不住在我裡面，也是這樣。5：我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子；住在我裡面的，我也住在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能作甚麼。
職事的話
真正的住有賴於清楚的異象，清楚的看見：你是枝子。一旦你看見自己是枝子，你就很難離開葡萄樹，你會想要留在葡萄樹裏。這留就是住。…我們需要禱告：『主阿，給我清楚看見我是一根枝子。』我相信有一天主會給你看見。你會看見你是一根枝子；並且說，『讚美主，我是一根枝子。』這樣，你就會住在祂裏面。
只要你住在祂裏面，祂就住在你裏面。祂住在我們裏面，有賴於我們住在祂裏面。我們的住是祂住的條件；而祂住在我們裏面，卻不是我們住在祂裏面的條件。在祂來說，沒有甚麼是帶有條件的；但在我們來說，由於我們刻變時翻，所以需要有條件。我們若不住在祂裏面，祂就無法住在我們裏面。雖然祂不改變，我們卻是多變。我們可能今天住在祂裏面，明天就離開了祂。所以，祂住在我們裏面有賴於我們住在祂裏面。
【這關係到我們每日對主同在的經歷和享受。雖然我們知道，我們一旦接受了祂，祂就永遠不離開我們。】
(c) Living Steam Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自李常受著〝約翰福音生命讀經〞，第452至453頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
約翰十五1：我是真葡萄樹，我父是栽培的人。
4：你們要住在我裡面，我也住在你們裡面。枝子若不住在葡萄樹上，自己就不能結果子，你們若不住在我裡面，也是這樣。5：我是葡萄樹，你們是枝子；住在我裡面的，我也住在他裡面，這人就多結果子；因為離了我，你們就不能作甚麼。
職事的話
真正的住有賴於清楚的異象，清楚的看見：你是枝子。一旦你看見自己是枝子，你就很難離開葡萄樹，你會想要留在葡萄樹裏。這留就是住。…我們需要禱告：『主阿，給我清楚看見我是一根枝子。』我相信有一天主會給你看見。你會看見你是一根枝子；並且說，『讚美主，我是一根枝子。』這樣，你就會住在祂裏面。
只要你住在祂裏面，祂就住在你裏面。祂住在我們裏面，有賴於我們住在祂裏面。我們的住是祂住的條件；而祂住在我們裏面，卻不是我們住在祂裏面的條件。在祂來說，沒有甚麼是帶有條件的；但在我們來說，由於我們刻變時翻，所以需要有條件。我們若不住在祂裏面，祂就無法住在我們裏面。雖然祂不改變，我們卻是多變。我們可能今天住在祂裏面，明天就離開了祂。所以，祂住在我們裏面有賴於我們住在祂裏面。
【這關係到我們每日對主同在的經歷和享受。雖然我們知道，我們一旦接受了祂，祂就永遠不離開我們。】
(c) Living Steam Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自李常受著〝約翰福音生命讀經〞，第452至453頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
用我們所『有』的來建造
聖經經節
林前十四26：弟兄們，這卻怎麼樣？每逢你們聚在一起的時候，各人或有詩歌，或有教訓，或有啟示，或有方言，或有繙出來的話，凡事都當為建造。
歌羅西三16：當用各樣的智慧，讓基督的話豐豐富富的住在你們裡面，用詩章、頌辭、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感歌頌神。
職事的話
在教會裡有兩個難處，一個難處就是沒有的自以為有。…根本神在他裡面沒有說話，神在他裡面沒有作工，他裡面是空洞的，但是，他就是喜歡發表，喜歡說話。這就叫教會得不著造就。另一個難處就是有的人不肯隨從聖靈的引導。有許多弟兄姊妹，主在他身上已經說話，可是他一直在那裡等候，壓制自己不說話，這就叫教會該得著供應而沒有得著。總之，你如果覺得裡面是空的，你就不應當說話；你如果知道你有，你就應當供應教會。聖靈要藉著你所有的將生命流通到聚會裡，叫神的兒女能摸著生命。神把祂的話放在你心裡，你在辦事情的時候是這一句話，你走在路上又是這一句話，你看見神對你說了話。你要知道，你的那一句話不是為著你個人的，那一句話乃是為著教會的。你『有』的時候，你就應該把你所有的供應教會。
在舊約造會幕的時候，他們是把金子、銀子拿來奉獻給神。我們今天也是這樣，把我們所有的拿來奉獻給神；有的人有啟示，有的人有教訓，有的人有詩歌，大家都拿來。
我們要在平日多與神來往，多仰望神在我們身上作工，叫我們有，然後用我們所有的來供應教會。我們要記得，神在聚會裡引導你，乃是因為你已經有詩歌，你已經有啟示，你有東西可以分給人。因為你平日有學習、有積蓄，所以你能在聚會裡有引導、有供應。你所能分給教會的，不是你忽然想起的，不是你自己覺得有意思的，而是你平日所有的，是神在這些日子中所給你的。你用你所『有』的供應教會，教會就得著造就，弟兄姊妹就得著幫助。大家把這些擺出來，這就是活的，這就是豐富的。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第93至95頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
林前十四26：弟兄們，這卻怎麼樣？每逢你們聚在一起的時候，各人或有詩歌，或有教訓，或有啟示，或有方言，或有繙出來的話，凡事都當為建造。
歌羅西三16：當用各樣的智慧，讓基督的話豐豐富富的住在你們裡面，用詩章、頌辭、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感歌頌神。
職事的話
在教會裡有兩個難處，一個難處就是沒有的自以為有。…根本神在他裡面沒有說話，神在他裡面沒有作工，他裡面是空洞的，但是，他就是喜歡發表，喜歡說話。這就叫教會得不著造就。另一個難處就是有的人不肯隨從聖靈的引導。有許多弟兄姊妹，主在他身上已經說話，可是他一直在那裡等候，壓制自己不說話，這就叫教會該得著供應而沒有得著。總之，你如果覺得裡面是空的，你就不應當說話；你如果知道你有，你就應當供應教會。聖靈要藉著你所有的將生命流通到聚會裡，叫神的兒女能摸著生命。神把祂的話放在你心裡，你在辦事情的時候是這一句話，你走在路上又是這一句話，你看見神對你說了話。你要知道，你的那一句話不是為著你個人的，那一句話乃是為著教會的。你『有』的時候，你就應該把你所有的供應教會。
在舊約造會幕的時候，他們是把金子、銀子拿來奉獻給神。我們今天也是這樣，把我們所有的拿來奉獻給神；有的人有啟示，有的人有教訓，有的人有詩歌，大家都拿來。
我們要在平日多與神來往，多仰望神在我們身上作工，叫我們有，然後用我們所有的來供應教會。我們要記得，神在聚會裡引導你，乃是因為你已經有詩歌，你已經有啟示，你有東西可以分給人。因為你平日有學習、有積蓄，所以你能在聚會裡有引導、有供應。你所能分給教會的，不是你忽然想起的，不是你自己覺得有意思的，而是你平日所有的，是神在這些日子中所給你的。你用你所『有』的供應教會，教會就得著造就，弟兄姊妹就得著幫助。大家把這些擺出來，這就是活的，這就是豐富的。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一），第93至95頁。以上著述均由水流職事站發行，職事站位於美國加州安那翰。
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
禱告直到負擔卸去
聖經經節
路加十八1：耶穌又對他們講一個比喻，是要人常常禱告，不可灰心…
歌羅西四2：你們要堅定持續的禱告，在此儆醒感恩。
職事的話
所以，要盡禱告的職事，我們就得在神面前有禱告的負擔。我們要認識一件事：負擔是禱告的祕訣。人如果在裡面沒有覺得有一個負擔，要為著這件事禱告，他就禱告不成功。在禱告聚會中，有的弟兄，有的姊妹，題起許多的事要禱告；但是，你裡面如果沒有被摸著，就不能禱告。所以，每一個弟兄姊妹來到禱告聚會中，總得有禱告的負擔，纔能有禱告。同時不只要注意你自己有沒有負擔，你還得注意聚會中別的弟兄姊妹的負擔。
比方：有一位姊妹受她丈夫的難為，另外有一位弟兄生病。在禱告聚會中，有一位弟兄在那裡求神拯救那位姊妹的丈夫，接著另一位弟兄又在那裡求神醫治那位弟兄的病，另有一位弟兄卻記念著另外一件事。這樣的禱告，就是各禱告各的，沒有照著三次禱告的原則，沒有把一件事禱告透了，再禱告第二件。我們在禱告聚會中，總要留意一個禱告的負擔卸去了沒有。如果大家為著那一個姊妹禱告的負擔卸去了，那麼就可以為著那位生病的弟兄禱告。如果為著第一件事情禱告的負擔還沒有卸去，就不能跳到第二、第三件事情上去禱告。
如果整個聚會對於那件事的負擔還沒有卸去，你就不能憑著個人的感覺把別的禱告塞進去。總要摸整個聚會中的靈，總要進入整個聚會的感覺裡去。有的事也許一次禱告就成，有的事也許兩次禱告纔成，有的事也許要三次、五次的禱告，負擔纔卸去。不管次數多少，總是要把負擔卸去了，禱告纔停止。三次禱告的原則沒有別的，就是禱告到負擔卸去了纔了。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第 87至88頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
路加十八1：耶穌又對他們講一個比喻，是要人常常禱告，不可灰心…
歌羅西四2：你們要堅定持續的禱告，在此儆醒感恩。
職事的話
所以，要盡禱告的職事，我們就得在神面前有禱告的負擔。我們要認識一件事：負擔是禱告的祕訣。人如果在裡面沒有覺得有一個負擔，要為著這件事禱告，他就禱告不成功。在禱告聚會中，有的弟兄，有的姊妹，題起許多的事要禱告；但是，你裡面如果沒有被摸著，就不能禱告。所以，每一個弟兄姊妹來到禱告聚會中，總得有禱告的負擔，纔能有禱告。同時不只要注意你自己有沒有負擔，你還得注意聚會中別的弟兄姊妹的負擔。
比方：有一位姊妹受她丈夫的難為，另外有一位弟兄生病。在禱告聚會中，有一位弟兄在那裡求神拯救那位姊妹的丈夫，接著另一位弟兄又在那裡求神醫治那位弟兄的病，另有一位弟兄卻記念著另外一件事。這樣的禱告，就是各禱告各的，沒有照著三次禱告的原則，沒有把一件事禱告透了，再禱告第二件。我們在禱告聚會中，總要留意一個禱告的負擔卸去了沒有。如果大家為著那一個姊妹禱告的負擔卸去了，那麼就可以為著那位生病的弟兄禱告。如果為著第一件事情禱告的負擔還沒有卸去，就不能跳到第二、第三件事情上去禱告。
如果整個聚會對於那件事的負擔還沒有卸去，你就不能憑著個人的感覺把別的禱告塞進去。總要摸整個聚會中的靈，總要進入整個聚會的感覺裡去。有的事也許一次禱告就成，有的事也許兩次禱告纔成，有的事也許要三次、五次的禱告，負擔纔卸去。不管次數多少，總是要把負擔卸去了，禱告纔停止。三次禱告的原則沒有別的，就是禱告到負擔卸去了纔了。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第 87至88頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
Thursday, September 23, 2010
神居所的建造
聖經經節
約翰十四23：耶穌回答說，人若愛我，就必遵守我的話，我父也必愛他，並且我們要到他那裡去，同他安排住處。
以弗所二22：你們也在祂裡面同被建造，成為神在靈裡的居所。
職事的話
三一神同信徒安排祂的住處，乃是為著建造祂的居所。每當你甘甜的覺得你在主的同在中，並且主極其豐滿的住在你裏面，那時你也覺得你愛所有的信徒。按照你當時的領悟，你與任何信徒都沒有問題，你也可以隨時赦免每位弟兄姊妹的過錯。這是甚麼？這就是為著神的建造切望與信徒是一。每當你與主有這樣的情形，你就切望與眾聖徒相調，不會想要單獨。
今天神在地上人間居所的建造，完全根據這個經歷。也許有兩位弟兄彼此有問題，有甚麼辦法可以解決？不容易。有一天，他們二人都開始愛主，並且對祂有深切甘甜的珍賞。主給他們誡命，他們也接受了。他們立刻都在主的同在中，問題就過去了。這就是主在我們中間作神聖建造工作的方法。這不是組織、規條或外面教導的事，這完全是愛主、經歷祂顯現、並經歷祂同住的事。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自李常受著〝約翰福音生命讀經〞第433頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
約翰十四23：耶穌回答說，人若愛我，就必遵守我的話，我父也必愛他，並且我們要到他那裡去，同他安排住處。
以弗所二22：你們也在祂裡面同被建造，成為神在靈裡的居所。
職事的話
三一神同信徒安排祂的住處，乃是為著建造祂的居所。每當你甘甜的覺得你在主的同在中，並且主極其豐滿的住在你裏面，那時你也覺得你愛所有的信徒。按照你當時的領悟，你與任何信徒都沒有問題，你也可以隨時赦免每位弟兄姊妹的過錯。這是甚麼？這就是為著神的建造切望與信徒是一。每當你與主有這樣的情形，你就切望與眾聖徒相調，不會想要單獨。
今天神在地上人間居所的建造，完全根據這個經歷。也許有兩位弟兄彼此有問題，有甚麼辦法可以解決？不容易。有一天，他們二人都開始愛主，並且對祂有深切甘甜的珍賞。主給他們誡命，他們也接受了。他們立刻都在主的同在中，問題就過去了。這就是主在我們中間作神聖建造工作的方法。這不是組織、規條或外面教導的事，這完全是愛主、經歷祂顯現、並經歷祂同住的事。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自李常受著〝約翰福音生命讀經〞第433頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What Is the Cross?
Bible Verses
2 Cor. 1:4 Who comforts us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort those who are in every affliction through the comforting with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (5) For even as the sufferings of the Christ abound unto us, so through the Christ our comfort also abounds.
Words of Ministry
The cross is not turning one's feelings toward others; it is not turning one's feelings inward or suppressing one's feelings. The cross is a matter of joyful acceptance; it is for a person to thank God saying, “The path that God has chosen for me is all good. I can be glad, I can give thanks, and I have no problems because I receive from God's hand the cross that He has given me.” The cross forgives; it does not pity itself, and it is not passive. The only feeling the cross gives us is a feeling of thanksgiving to the Lord. The cross is a matter of having a soft heart before God. Whatever God wishes, let it be so. It is a matter of knowing that God
is great and that God is also love.
The real bearing of the cross will only result in others' respect; it will not seek man's pity. Whenever one seeks man's pity and whenever one seeks man's comfort, that is only wine mingled with gall and not the cross.
Our Lord refused wine mingled with gall for the simple reason that He did not need man's help. He did not need man's help because He already had God's joy in Him. The cross means rejoicing within and being able to praise God within. Therefore, a cross-bearer can comfort others [2 Cor. 1:14]. A person such as Paul is one who can comfort other people because no difficulty can touch him. We have seen that Paul and Silas could pray and sing hymns to praise God in their affliction in Philippi (Acts 16:25). These two men needed no wine mingled with gall; they were men who were really crucified on the cross. Stephen could still ask God to forgive the people when he was being stoned (Acts 7:59-60). He did not feel any pain for himself; he needed no wine mingled with gall. He was really a crucified person. The cross means that no matter what pain or difficulty befalls you, you are not touched by it; on the contrary, you can still praise God. If you are always considering how heavy or difficult a matter is, there is no cross.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp.100-101. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
2 Cor. 1:4 Who comforts us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort those who are in every affliction through the comforting with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (5) For even as the sufferings of the Christ abound unto us, so through the Christ our comfort also abounds.
Words of Ministry
The cross is not turning one's feelings toward others; it is not turning one's feelings inward or suppressing one's feelings. The cross is a matter of joyful acceptance; it is for a person to thank God saying, “The path that God has chosen for me is all good. I can be glad, I can give thanks, and I have no problems because I receive from God's hand the cross that He has given me.” The cross forgives; it does not pity itself, and it is not passive. The only feeling the cross gives us is a feeling of thanksgiving to the Lord. The cross is a matter of having a soft heart before God. Whatever God wishes, let it be so. It is a matter of knowing that God
is great and that God is also love.
The real bearing of the cross will only result in others' respect; it will not seek man's pity. Whenever one seeks man's pity and whenever one seeks man's comfort, that is only wine mingled with gall and not the cross.
Our Lord refused wine mingled with gall for the simple reason that He did not need man's help. He did not need man's help because He already had God's joy in Him. The cross means rejoicing within and being able to praise God within. Therefore, a cross-bearer can comfort others [2 Cor. 1:14]. A person such as Paul is one who can comfort other people because no difficulty can touch him. We have seen that Paul and Silas could pray and sing hymns to praise God in their affliction in Philippi (Acts 16:25). These two men needed no wine mingled with gall; they were men who were really crucified on the cross. Stephen could still ask God to forgive the people when he was being stoned (Acts 7:59-60). He did not feel any pain for himself; he needed no wine mingled with gall. He was really a crucified person. The cross means that no matter what pain or difficulty befalls you, you are not touched by it; on the contrary, you can still praise God. If you are always considering how heavy or difficult a matter is, there is no cross.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp.100-101. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Eternal Life Is Knowing God
Bible Verses
John 17:2 Even as You have given Him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. (3) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ.
Words of Ministry
When I was young, I was told that eternal life was just a blessing in the future. Eternal life is divine life with a special function—to know God and Christ. Every life has its function. The function of a dog's life is barking, the function of a bird's life is flying... The function of the divine life is to know God. God and Christ are divine. To know the divine Person we need the divine life, Since the
believers are born with the divine life, they know God and Christ.
Hebrews 8:11 says that there is no need to teach any New Testament believers to know God. Why? Because every New Testament believer knows God. New Testament believers have the divine life, and the divine life is the life that knows God. We do not need to teach a dog to bark, because the dog's life has the barking function. Likewise, since we have the divine life, we do not need to be taught to know God, for the function of the divine life is to know God and Christ. Oh, that I may know Christ! We all may know Christ because we have the divine life, the life whose function is to know God and Christ.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 467-468. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 17:2 Even as You have given Him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. (3) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ.
Words of Ministry
When I was young, I was told that eternal life was just a blessing in the future. Eternal life is divine life with a special function—to know God and Christ. Every life has its function. The function of a dog's life is barking, the function of a bird's life is flying... The function of the divine life is to know God. God and Christ are divine. To know the divine Person we need the divine life, Since the
believers are born with the divine life, they know God and Christ.
Hebrews 8:11 says that there is no need to teach any New Testament believers to know God. Why? Because every New Testament believer knows God. New Testament believers have the divine life, and the divine life is the life that knows God. We do not need to teach a dog to bark, because the dog's life has the barking function. Likewise, since we have the divine life, we do not need to be taught to know God, for the function of the divine life is to know God and Christ. Oh, that I may know Christ! We all may know Christ because we have the divine life, the life whose function is to know God and Christ.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 467-468. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
幫助說閒話的人禱告
聖經經節
林前一10：弟兄們，我藉我們主耶穌基督的名，懇求你們都說一樣的話，你們中間也不可有分裂，只要在一樣的心思和一樣的意見裡，彼此和諧。
以弗所四29：敗壞的話一句都不可出口，只要按需要說建造人的好話，好將恩典供給聽見的人。
職事的話
教會的生命也像個人的生命一樣，個人的生命能因閒話而漏掉，教會的生命也能因閒話而漏掉。我們因著生命是一個，就要一心一意；能一心一意，就能說同樣的話，而不說閒話了。所以，要對付閒話，就得先對付心。
你不只要對付你自己的口，也要對付別人的口。甚麼人喜歡說閒話，喜歡說長道短，喜歡播弄是非，你就要幫助他。有的人到你那裏就是要說許多的閒話，你就不給他起頭。你可以對他說，『弟兄，我們禱告。』你不讓他說閒話，你帶著他禱告，或者彼此背聖經節，你把他引到正當的路上去。更直一點可以說，『弟兄，我們要學習說造就人的話，閒話還是不說的好。』
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第76至77頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
林前一10：弟兄們，我藉我們主耶穌基督的名，懇求你們都說一樣的話，你們中間也不可有分裂，只要在一樣的心思和一樣的意見裡，彼此和諧。
以弗所四29：敗壞的話一句都不可出口，只要按需要說建造人的好話，好將恩典供給聽見的人。
職事的話
教會的生命也像個人的生命一樣，個人的生命能因閒話而漏掉，教會的生命也能因閒話而漏掉。我們因著生命是一個，就要一心一意；能一心一意，就能說同樣的話，而不說閒話了。所以，要對付閒話，就得先對付心。
你不只要對付你自己的口，也要對付別人的口。甚麼人喜歡說閒話，喜歡說長道短，喜歡播弄是非，你就要幫助他。有的人到你那裏就是要說許多的閒話，你就不給他起頭。你可以對他說，『弟兄，我們禱告。』你不讓他說閒話，你帶著他禱告，或者彼此背聖經節，你把他引到正當的路上去。更直一點可以說，『弟兄，我們要學習說造就人的話，閒話還是不說的好。』
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第76至77頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
蒙拯救脫離發癢的耳朵
聖經經節
雅各三9：我們用舌頭頌讚那為主為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照著神樣式受造的人。10：頌讚和咒詛從同一個口裡出來，我的弟兄們，這是不應當的。11：泉源從同一個眼裡能湧出甜水和苦水麼？
提後四3：…耳朵發癢…4：並且轉耳離棄真理，偏向虛構無稽之事。
職事的話
如果一個泉源不能發出兩種的水，那麼一個口裏也不能說出兩種的話來。一個泉源只能發出一種水，一個口也只能說出一種話。對於閒話，我們在主面前要專一的對付。因為這一個漏洞如果不塞住，不應當進來的那一邊一直倒進來，不應當流出去的這一邊一直流出去，這個虧損是無法計算的。所以總得把這一個漏洞塞住。我們要求主說，『主，對付我的口，叫我因著你的恩典能蒙保守。』
但是，我們如果要作一個塞漏洞的人，就要求神先拯救我們脫離好奇的心，學習敬畏神。許多基督徒有好奇的心，他喜歡聽新奇的，甚至污穢的故事，他的耳朵像垃圾箱一樣，各種各樣的東西都能彀進去。我們如果蒙拯救，脫離這一個，就能少犯許多罪，也能幫助弟兄姊妹少犯許多罪。我們如果耳朵不發癢，不給人有說閒話的機會，我們就能在神面前保守自己的口不漏掉生命，同時也能幫助別人塞住漏洞。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第76至77頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
雅各三9：我們用舌頭頌讚那為主為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照著神樣式受造的人。10：頌讚和咒詛從同一個口裡出來，我的弟兄們，這是不應當的。11：泉源從同一個眼裡能湧出甜水和苦水麼？
提後四3：…耳朵發癢…4：並且轉耳離棄真理，偏向虛構無稽之事。
職事的話
如果一個泉源不能發出兩種的水，那麼一個口裏也不能說出兩種的話來。一個泉源只能發出一種水，一個口也只能說出一種話。對於閒話，我們在主面前要專一的對付。因為這一個漏洞如果不塞住，不應當進來的那一邊一直倒進來，不應當流出去的這一邊一直流出去，這個虧損是無法計算的。所以總得把這一個漏洞塞住。我們要求主說，『主，對付我的口，叫我因著你的恩典能蒙保守。』
但是，我們如果要作一個塞漏洞的人，就要求神先拯救我們脫離好奇的心，學習敬畏神。許多基督徒有好奇的心，他喜歡聽新奇的，甚至污穢的故事，他的耳朵像垃圾箱一樣，各種各樣的東西都能彀進去。我們如果蒙拯救，脫離這一個，就能少犯許多罪，也能幫助弟兄姊妹少犯許多罪。我們如果耳朵不發癢，不給人有說閒話的機會，我們就能在神面前保守自己的口不漏掉生命，同時也能幫助別人塞住漏洞。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第76至77頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
Monday, September 13, 2010
勿因閒話漏掉生命(二)
聖經經節
箴言十五4：安慰人的舌是生命樹﹔乖謬人的嘴使靈憂傷。
馬太十二34：毒蛇之種，你們既是惡的，怎能說出善來？因為心裡所充滿的，口裡就說出來。
職事的話
溫良，就是不發熱，就是緩和、適度。人說話多了，舌頭就發熱﹔舌頭熱了，就沒有生命樹。乃是溫良的舌是生命樹。溫良的舌頭，是不急躁的舌頭，不糊塗的舌頭，不多話的舌頭。這樣的舌頭，纔能像生命樹一樣。一個喜歡說閒話的基督徒，從他身上就聞不到基督的味道。喜歡說閒話的人，是不能有生命供應的人。閒話是一個大漏洞，閒話要把你的生命漏掉了。
閒話是生命的漏洞，那怎麼辦呢？我們要守住口，就先要對付心。主說，『因為心裏所充滿的，口裏就說出來。』（太十二34。）是心裏有這樣東西，口裏纔說出來。你心裏有這樣東西，你口裏遲早要說兩句。在這裏不說，到那裏要說﹔在這一家不說，到那一家要說。心裏所充滿的，口裏就說出來。所以你在神面前要學習不說閒話，就要從心裏對付起。你的心如果不對付，你的口永遠對付不好。因為心裏充滿了各種各樣的東西，然後口裏纔有這許多東西說出來。所以我們千萬不要說，我這一個人是有口無心的。從主耶穌所說的話看來，沒有這件事。有口就有這一個心。是因為你的心這樣，所以口纔這樣。所以要對付閒話，就必須先對付心。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第75至76頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
箴言十五4：安慰人的舌是生命樹﹔乖謬人的嘴使靈憂傷。
馬太十二34：毒蛇之種，你們既是惡的，怎能說出善來？因為心裡所充滿的，口裡就說出來。
職事的話
溫良，就是不發熱，就是緩和、適度。人說話多了，舌頭就發熱﹔舌頭熱了，就沒有生命樹。乃是溫良的舌是生命樹。溫良的舌頭，是不急躁的舌頭，不糊塗的舌頭，不多話的舌頭。這樣的舌頭，纔能像生命樹一樣。一個喜歡說閒話的基督徒，從他身上就聞不到基督的味道。喜歡說閒話的人，是不能有生命供應的人。閒話是一個大漏洞，閒話要把你的生命漏掉了。
閒話是生命的漏洞，那怎麼辦呢？我們要守住口，就先要對付心。主說，『因為心裏所充滿的，口裏就說出來。』（太十二34。）是心裏有這樣東西，口裏纔說出來。你心裏有這樣東西，你口裏遲早要說兩句。在這裏不說，到那裏要說﹔在這一家不說，到那一家要說。心裏所充滿的，口裏就說出來。所以你在神面前要學習不說閒話，就要從心裏對付起。你的心如果不對付，你的口永遠對付不好。因為心裏充滿了各種各樣的東西，然後口裏纔有這許多東西說出來。所以我們千萬不要說，我這一個人是有口無心的。從主耶穌所說的話看來，沒有這件事。有口就有這一個心。是因為你的心這樣，所以口纔這樣。所以要對付閒話，就必須先對付心。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第75至76頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
勿因閒話漏掉生命(一)
聖經經節
箴言十三3： 謹守口的﹐得保己命；大張嘴的﹐必致敗壞。
馬太十二36：我還告訴你們，人所說的每句閒話，在審判的日子，都必須供出來。37：因為要憑你的話，稱你為義；也要憑你的話，定你有罪。
職事的話
所羅門寫箴言寫到這一句話的時候，他到底是指著肉身的生命說的，還是指著屬靈的生命說的，我們不敢肯定。我們在這裏是取牠的原則來看屬靈的事。這句話給我們看見一件事，就是一個追求主的人，一個得著生命同時也要用生命來供應教會的人，必須謹慎言語。言語一不謹慎，生命就要漏掉。有的人在神手裏為甚麼沒有多大用處？因為他把生命漏掉了。你在他身上只摸著死亡，摸不著生命，就是因為他從言語裏面把生命漏掉了。所以，我們在主面前要守住自己的口，並且要嚴嚴的守住。許多的故事能告訴我們，沒有一件東西叫我們的生命漏掉像閒話那樣厲害。這不是說罪比閒話更好，這是說除了罪之外，最叫我們的生命消失的，就是我們的閒話。
馬太十二章三十六節是不是說凡人所說的污穢的話？不是。是不是說凡人所說的毀謗的話？不是。是不是說凡人所說的惡言？不是。這裏是說，凡人所說的『閒話。』閒話，就是多餘的話、不相干的話、不必說的話、播弄是非的話。我們要看見，不只說毀謗的話是嚴重的，就是隨便說話也是嚴重的；閒話得罪了人，就是沒有方法賠償的。你能去向人認罪，你也能對人說把自己的話收回﹐但是聲音已經到了別人裏面是不能收回的。偷人的東西能賠償，但是閒話得罪了人沒有方法賠償。這一個罪要擺在神面前。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第74至75頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
箴言十三3： 謹守口的﹐得保己命；大張嘴的﹐必致敗壞。
馬太十二36：我還告訴你們，人所說的每句閒話，在審判的日子，都必須供出來。37：因為要憑你的話，稱你為義；也要憑你的話，定你有罪。
職事的話
所羅門寫箴言寫到這一句話的時候，他到底是指著肉身的生命說的，還是指著屬靈的生命說的，我們不敢肯定。我們在這裏是取牠的原則來看屬靈的事。這句話給我們看見一件事，就是一個追求主的人，一個得著生命同時也要用生命來供應教會的人，必須謹慎言語。言語一不謹慎，生命就要漏掉。有的人在神手裏為甚麼沒有多大用處？因為他把生命漏掉了。你在他身上只摸著死亡，摸不著生命，就是因為他從言語裏面把生命漏掉了。所以，我們在主面前要守住自己的口，並且要嚴嚴的守住。許多的故事能告訴我們，沒有一件東西叫我們的生命漏掉像閒話那樣厲害。這不是說罪比閒話更好，這是說除了罪之外，最叫我們的生命消失的，就是我們的閒話。
馬太十二章三十六節是不是說凡人所說的污穢的話？不是。是不是說凡人所說的毀謗的話？不是。是不是說凡人所說的惡言？不是。這裏是說，凡人所說的『閒話。』閒話，就是多餘的話、不相干的話、不必說的話、播弄是非的話。我們要看見，不只說毀謗的話是嚴重的，就是隨便說話也是嚴重的；閒話得罪了人，就是沒有方法賠償的。你能去向人認罪，你也能對人說把自己的話收回﹐但是聲音已經到了別人裏面是不能收回的。偷人的東西能賠償，但是閒話得罪了人沒有方法賠償。這一個罪要擺在神面前。
(c) Living Stream Ministry。經文取自聖經恢復本，闡釋部份取自倪柝聲文集〝一般的信息〞（卷一）第74至75頁。以上著述均由美國加州安那翰市水流職事站出版。
Thursday, September 09, 2010
God’s Appearing Causes Total Consecration (2)
Bible Verses
Rom. 12:1 I exhort you therefore, brothers, through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constrains us because we have judged this, that One died for all, therefore all died; (15) And He died for all that those who live may no longer live to themselves but to Him who died for them and has been raised.
Words of Ministry (Part 2 of 2)
God appeared to Abraham, and Abraham built an altar. This altar was not for a sin offering but for a burnt offering. A sin offering is for redemption, while a burnt offering is an offering of ourselves to God. The altar here does not refer to the Lord Jesus' vicarious death for us; it refers to the consecration of ourselves to God. It was the kind of altar spoken of in Romans 12:1. The mercy of God caused the Lord Jesus to die for us. The mercy of God provided the cross on which we died with Him and on which the devil was dealt with. By the mercy of God we have His life within, and by His mercy, He will bring us into glory. It is on the ground of His mercies [compassions] that God beseeches us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him.
In connection with the burnt offering, we should note that a person of ample resources may have offered a bullock, one with less resources may have offered a sheep, and one whose means were even more limited may have offered a turtledove or pigeon (Lev. 1:3, 10, 14). But whether one offered a bullock, a sheep, or a turtledove or pigeon, the offerer had to offer up the whole. One could not offer half a bullock or half a sheep. God wants everything whole; He does not want a half offering. He cannot accept anything less than utter consecration.
For what purpose was the burnt offering placed on the altar? It was to be wholly burned. Many of us think that we offer ourselves to God to do this or that for Him, whereas what He wants of us is a burning. He does not need a bullock to plow the field for Him; He wants the bullock to be burned on the altar. God is not after our work, but ourselves. He wants us to offer ourselves to Him and be burned for Him. The altar does not signify doing something for God but living for God. The altar does not mean having busy activities but having a living for God. No activity or work can replace the altar. The altar is a life that is totally for God. Unlike the sacrifice of the Old Testament, which was utterly burned in one act, the sacrifice of the New Testament, as depicted in Romans 12, is the presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice. Daily we are consumed on the altar, yet daily we are living; we are ever living, yet ever consumed. This is the sacrifice of the New Testament.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 90-92 Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Rom. 12:1 I exhort you therefore, brothers, through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constrains us because we have judged this, that One died for all, therefore all died; (15) And He died for all that those who live may no longer live to themselves but to Him who died for them and has been raised.
Words of Ministry (Part 2 of 2)
God appeared to Abraham, and Abraham built an altar. This altar was not for a sin offering but for a burnt offering. A sin offering is for redemption, while a burnt offering is an offering of ourselves to God. The altar here does not refer to the Lord Jesus' vicarious death for us; it refers to the consecration of ourselves to God. It was the kind of altar spoken of in Romans 12:1. The mercy of God caused the Lord Jesus to die for us. The mercy of God provided the cross on which we died with Him and on which the devil was dealt with. By the mercy of God we have His life within, and by His mercy, He will bring us into glory. It is on the ground of His mercies [compassions] that God beseeches us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him.
In connection with the burnt offering, we should note that a person of ample resources may have offered a bullock, one with less resources may have offered a sheep, and one whose means were even more limited may have offered a turtledove or pigeon (Lev. 1:3, 10, 14). But whether one offered a bullock, a sheep, or a turtledove or pigeon, the offerer had to offer up the whole. One could not offer half a bullock or half a sheep. God wants everything whole; He does not want a half offering. He cannot accept anything less than utter consecration.
For what purpose was the burnt offering placed on the altar? It was to be wholly burned. Many of us think that we offer ourselves to God to do this or that for Him, whereas what He wants of us is a burning. He does not need a bullock to plow the field for Him; He wants the bullock to be burned on the altar. God is not after our work, but ourselves. He wants us to offer ourselves to Him and be burned for Him. The altar does not signify doing something for God but living for God. The altar does not mean having busy activities but having a living for God. No activity or work can replace the altar. The altar is a life that is totally for God. Unlike the sacrifice of the Old Testament, which was utterly burned in one act, the sacrifice of the New Testament, as depicted in Romans 12, is the presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice. Daily we are consumed on the altar, yet daily we are living; we are ever living, yet ever consumed. This is the sacrifice of the New Testament.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 90-92 Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
God’s Appearing Causes Total Consecration (1)
Bible Verses
Gen. 12:7 And Jehovah appeared to Abram and said, To your seed I will give this land. And there he built an altar to Jehovah who had appeared to him. (8) And he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent...and there he built an altar to Jehovah and called upon the name of Jehovah.
Rom. 14:8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord, and whether we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore whether we live or we die, we are the Lord's.
Words of Ministry (Part 1 of 2)
In this verse [Gen. 12:7] we see that the altar is based on God's appearance. Where there is no divine appearance, there is no altar. No one can offer himself to God unless he has first met God. Unless God has appeared to a man, he cannot offer his all to God. Consecration is not the result of man's exhortation or persuasion but of God's revelation. No one can voluntarily offer up all he has on the altar if God has not first appeared to him. By nature, no one can offer himself to God. Even when a man does want to offer himself to God, he finds that he really has nothing to offer. Some have said, “I want to give my heart to the Lord, but my heart will not agree.” Man cannot come over to God's side. However, when man meets God, consecration takes place spontaneously in his life. If you catch sight of God just once and touch God just once, you are no longer your own. God is Someone who cannot be touched lightly! Once a man touches God, he can no longer live for himself.
We need to realize that the power to offer oneself to God comes through His appearance; it comes from His revelation. Those who talk about consecration are not necessarily consecrated themselves. Not everyone who preaches consecration or understands the doctrine of consecration is a consecrated person. Only those who have seen God are consecrated persons. God appeared to Abraham, and the immediate issue was that Abraham built an altar to God. The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, and Paul immediately asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). A turning point in our spiritual life does not come through our decision to do something for God; it does not come as a result of our resolving to do this or that for God. It comes when we see Him. When we meet God, a radical change takes place in our life. We can no longer do what we did in the past. When we meet God Himself, we have the power to deny ourselves. The matter of denying one's self ceases to be optional when we have met God. His appearance makes a person unable to go on by himself; it forces him to not live by himself anymore. God's appearance brings with it inexhaustible power. Such an appearance will alter the whole course of a person's life. For a Christian, the power to live for God is based on his vision of God. Oh! It is not our decision to serve the Lord that enables us to serve Him. It is not our will to build an altar that produces an altar. An altar is built when God comes to a man.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 89-90 Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Gen. 12:7 And Jehovah appeared to Abram and said, To your seed I will give this land. And there he built an altar to Jehovah who had appeared to him. (8) And he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent...and there he built an altar to Jehovah and called upon the name of Jehovah.
Rom. 14:8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord, and whether we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore whether we live or we die, we are the Lord's.
Words of Ministry (Part 1 of 2)
In this verse [Gen. 12:7] we see that the altar is based on God's appearance. Where there is no divine appearance, there is no altar. No one can offer himself to God unless he has first met God. Unless God has appeared to a man, he cannot offer his all to God. Consecration is not the result of man's exhortation or persuasion but of God's revelation. No one can voluntarily offer up all he has on the altar if God has not first appeared to him. By nature, no one can offer himself to God. Even when a man does want to offer himself to God, he finds that he really has nothing to offer. Some have said, “I want to give my heart to the Lord, but my heart will not agree.” Man cannot come over to God's side. However, when man meets God, consecration takes place spontaneously in his life. If you catch sight of God just once and touch God just once, you are no longer your own. God is Someone who cannot be touched lightly! Once a man touches God, he can no longer live for himself.
We need to realize that the power to offer oneself to God comes through His appearance; it comes from His revelation. Those who talk about consecration are not necessarily consecrated themselves. Not everyone who preaches consecration or understands the doctrine of consecration is a consecrated person. Only those who have seen God are consecrated persons. God appeared to Abraham, and the immediate issue was that Abraham built an altar to God. The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, and Paul immediately asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). A turning point in our spiritual life does not come through our decision to do something for God; it does not come as a result of our resolving to do this or that for God. It comes when we see Him. When we meet God, a radical change takes place in our life. We can no longer do what we did in the past. When we meet God Himself, we have the power to deny ourselves. The matter of denying one's self ceases to be optional when we have met God. His appearance makes a person unable to go on by himself; it forces him to not live by himself anymore. God's appearance brings with it inexhaustible power. Such an appearance will alter the whole course of a person's life. For a Christian, the power to live for God is based on his vision of God. Oh! It is not our decision to serve the Lord that enables us to serve Him. It is not our will to build an altar that produces an altar. An altar is built when God comes to a man.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 89-90 Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Heart and Light
Bible Verses
Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
2 Cor 3:16 But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Words of Ministry
These passages all speak of the heart and light. Let us consider the relationship between the heart and light.
Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Seeing is related to light. If you can see, there must be light. Without light, it is impossible to see. This verse also says, “They shall see God.” God is light. Therefore, to see God is to see light. The condition for seeing light is having a pure heart; those who are pure in heart can see light. Matthew 6:21-23 says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” This verse again mentions the relationship between the heart and light. Whenever your heart follows earthly treasure, your eye cannot be single; you are in darkness and cannot see light.
Second Corinthians 3:16 says, “But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” What is a veil? A veil blocks a person from seeing. Any time your heart turns to the Lord and is proper, the veil in you will be removed and there will be light. Psalm 73:1 declares, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” This is the subject. Then the psalmist said that for a time his eyes were on the prosperity and success of the wicked, and he almost slipped. Yet he did not fall because his heart was still somewhat pure. He did not understand until he entered into the sanctuary of God. He said that before he saw the light he was like a beast, irrational and ignorant. But when he entered into the sanctuary of God, he saw; then he said, “Whom do I have in heaven but You? And besides You there is nothing I desire on earth” (v. 25). This is the experience of one who sees light after being in extreme darkness. He had not fallen into total darkness because his heart was still somewhat pure. Hence, there was still an opportunity for him to receive God's grace and to receive light.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 73-74. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
2 Cor 3:16 But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Words of Ministry
These passages all speak of the heart and light. Let us consider the relationship between the heart and light.
Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Seeing is related to light. If you can see, there must be light. Without light, it is impossible to see. This verse also says, “They shall see God.” God is light. Therefore, to see God is to see light. The condition for seeing light is having a pure heart; those who are pure in heart can see light. Matthew 6:21-23 says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” This verse again mentions the relationship between the heart and light. Whenever your heart follows earthly treasure, your eye cannot be single; you are in darkness and cannot see light.
Second Corinthians 3:16 says, “But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” What is a veil? A veil blocks a person from seeing. Any time your heart turns to the Lord and is proper, the veil in you will be removed and there will be light. Psalm 73:1 declares, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” This is the subject. Then the psalmist said that for a time his eyes were on the prosperity and success of the wicked, and he almost slipped. Yet he did not fall because his heart was still somewhat pure. He did not understand until he entered into the sanctuary of God. He said that before he saw the light he was like a beast, irrational and ignorant. But when he entered into the sanctuary of God, he saw; then he said, “Whom do I have in heaven but You? And besides You there is nothing I desire on earth” (v. 25). This is the experience of one who sees light after being in extreme darkness. He had not fallen into total darkness because his heart was still somewhat pure. Hence, there was still an opportunity for him to receive God's grace and to receive light.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 73-74. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Being revived every morning
The 9 basic principles of morning revival:
1) The unique center of morning revival is Christ.
2) The highest purpose of morning revival is mutual satisfaction.
3) The outstanding characteristic of morning revival is love.
4) The most critical experience of morning revival is life.
5) The most crucial exercise of morning revival is the spirit.
6) The necessary ingredient in our practice of morning revival is our opening through speaking (calling, confessing, praising, thanking, etc).
7) The long term key of our practice of morning revival is simplicity.
8) The ultimate goal of morning revival is our living.
9) The enabling factor of morning revival is grace.
1) The unique center of morning revival is Christ.
2) The highest purpose of morning revival is mutual satisfaction.
3) The outstanding characteristic of morning revival is love.
4) The most critical experience of morning revival is life.
5) The most crucial exercise of morning revival is the spirit.
6) The necessary ingredient in our practice of morning revival is our opening through speaking (calling, confessing, praising, thanking, etc).
7) The long term key of our practice of morning revival is simplicity.
8) The ultimate goal of morning revival is our living.
9) The enabling factor of morning revival is grace.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Digesting the Word
Bible Verses
John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Eph 6:17 And receive the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which Spirit is the word of God, (18) By means of all prayer and petition, praying at every time in spirit...
Words of Ministry
Many Christians have stored up much of the Word [through reading and studying] but have digested very little of it. Now is the time for them to digest the Word each day a little at a time. We need to pray with and over the Word sentence by sentence, clause by clause, phrase by phrase, and even word by word, digesting what we read. If we pray over the words that we read, the spiritual nourishment will come forth, and we shall be nourished and strengthened in the spirit.
While the Lord is moving, acting, motivating, and energizing within us, what shall we do? Should we keep our mouths closed? No, we shall certainly feel impelled to utter something. We shall surely express what we feel within. This is spiritual prayer, prayer in the spirit. The spiritual prayer expresses the moving of Christ within us. Christ in, through, and as the Word is moving, acting, motivating, and energizing within us. When this happens, we cannot be silent... We become the mouthpiece for the Lord to utter what is within us at that very moment. Then, whatever we ask, it is not only we who are praying but also He who is praying in
our praying.
If we abide in the Lord, keep ourselves always in contact and in fellowship with the Lord, and let the Lord with His word live, move, motivate, and energize within us, we would be unable to keep our mouths shut. What we speak will be a real prayer in the spirit.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 413-416. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Eph 6:17 And receive the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which Spirit is the word of God, (18) By means of all prayer and petition, praying at every time in spirit...
Words of Ministry
Many Christians have stored up much of the Word [through reading and studying] but have digested very little of it. Now is the time for them to digest the Word each day a little at a time. We need to pray with and over the Word sentence by sentence, clause by clause, phrase by phrase, and even word by word, digesting what we read. If we pray over the words that we read, the spiritual nourishment will come forth, and we shall be nourished and strengthened in the spirit.
While the Lord is moving, acting, motivating, and energizing within us, what shall we do? Should we keep our mouths closed? No, we shall certainly feel impelled to utter something. We shall surely express what we feel within. This is spiritual prayer, prayer in the spirit. The spiritual prayer expresses the moving of Christ within us. Christ in, through, and as the Word is moving, acting, motivating, and energizing within us. When this happens, we cannot be silent... We become the mouthpiece for the Lord to utter what is within us at that very moment. Then, whatever we ask, it is not only we who are praying but also He who is praying in
our praying.
If we abide in the Lord, keep ourselves always in contact and in fellowship with the Lord, and let the Lord with His word live, move, motivate, and energize within us, we would be unable to keep our mouths shut. What we speak will be a real prayer in the spirit.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 413-416. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Building Up with What We “Have”
Bible Verses
1 Cor 14:26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.
Words of Ministry
There are two difficulties in the church. First, those who do not “have” think that they “have.” ...God has never said anything to him or worked in him. He has nothing within him, yet he likes to talk, and he likes to express himself. When this happens, the church is not built up. Second, some people are unwilling to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord may have spoken to a brother or a sister, yet he or she waits and holds back from speaking. In this way the church is deprived of the supply it deserves. If you find that you are empty inside, you should keep silent. If you know that you “have” something, you should supply the church. The Holy Spirit dispenses life to the meeting through what you have, making it possible for God's children to touch life. God may put a word within you; the same word may be in you while you are at work and while you are walking on the street. You realize that God has spoken to you. You should realize that this word is not for you alone but also for the church. When you “have” something, you should supply the church with what you have.
At the time the tabernacle was built in the Old Testament times, the people dedicated their gold and silver to God. The same is true with us today. We should give what we have. Some have a revelation, some have a teaching, and some have a hymn. Let everyone bring what he has.
In our daily walk, we should have constant communion with God and look to Him for His work in us, so that we will “have” something and be able to supply the church with what we have. We should remember that God guides us in the meeting according to what we already have--a hymn or a revelation. We must first have something that we can share with others. Since we have learned and accumulated something during our daily walk, we can be guided in the meetings and render a supply to others. What we give to the church should not be something that we come up with on the spur of the moment or something that is according to our own good idea but something we have in our daily life, that is, something God has given us during our daily life. If we supply the church with what we have, the church will be built up, and the brothers and sisters will receive help. If everyone supplies the church with what they have, the result will be living and rich.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 69-71. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
1 Cor 14:26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.
Words of Ministry
There are two difficulties in the church. First, those who do not “have” think that they “have.” ...God has never said anything to him or worked in him. He has nothing within him, yet he likes to talk, and he likes to express himself. When this happens, the church is not built up. Second, some people are unwilling to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord may have spoken to a brother or a sister, yet he or she waits and holds back from speaking. In this way the church is deprived of the supply it deserves. If you find that you are empty inside, you should keep silent. If you know that you “have” something, you should supply the church. The Holy Spirit dispenses life to the meeting through what you have, making it possible for God's children to touch life. God may put a word within you; the same word may be in you while you are at work and while you are walking on the street. You realize that God has spoken to you. You should realize that this word is not for you alone but also for the church. When you “have” something, you should supply the church with what you have.
At the time the tabernacle was built in the Old Testament times, the people dedicated their gold and silver to God. The same is true with us today. We should give what we have. Some have a revelation, some have a teaching, and some have a hymn. Let everyone bring what he has.
In our daily walk, we should have constant communion with God and look to Him for His work in us, so that we will “have” something and be able to supply the church with what we have. We should remember that God guides us in the meeting according to what we already have--a hymn or a revelation. We must first have something that we can share with others. Since we have learned and accumulated something during our daily walk, we can be guided in the meetings and render a supply to others. What we give to the church should not be something that we come up with on the spur of the moment or something that is according to our own good idea but something we have in our daily life, that is, something God has given us during our daily life. If we supply the church with what we have, the church will be built up, and the brothers and sisters will receive help. If everyone supplies the church with what they have, the result will be living and rich.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 69-71. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Proper Care for the Meetings
Bible Verses
1 Cor. 14:26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all
things be done for building up. (29) And as to prophets, two or three should speak, and the others discern. (30) But if something is revealed to another sitting by, the first should be silent. (31) For you can all prophesy one by one that all may learn and all may be encouraged. (32) And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; (33) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Words of Ministry
First Corinthians 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit guides us by means of what we have, while verses 27 to 33 tell us that the guidance of the Holy Spirit is also in accord with the circumstances. For instance, the evening meeting in the church ends at nine o'clock. The Holy Spirit will not guide you to stand up and give a long talk when it is nearly nine; He will make you realize that time is running out and that you should not call a long hymn or talk too much. While you supply the church with what you have, you must also learn the lesson that “the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.” If you have something, you can bring it to the meeting, but you must consider what others have.
In the meeting there may be more than twenty brothers and each one may have a hymn; you also have a hymn. When you realize that two or three have called their hymns, you no longer need to call yours. There is no need for each of the twenty or more brothers to call a hymn; if this happens, the singing will go on until midnight. This is contrary to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to do all things becomingly and in order (1 Cor. 14:40). What we have qualifies us to supply others, while the circumstances teach us to be guided by the Spirit. In our meetings we should observe the principle of “two or three” (1 Cor. 14:29). The Spirit will not guide us to supply what we do not have, nor will He contradict the principle of “two or three.” If we have something before the Lord, we can be guided to stand up and speak. However, if other brothers have received the same thing, we should hold our peace.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 68-69. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
1 Cor. 14:26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all
things be done for building up. (29) And as to prophets, two or three should speak, and the others discern. (30) But if something is revealed to another sitting by, the first should be silent. (31) For you can all prophesy one by one that all may learn and all may be encouraged. (32) And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; (33) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Words of Ministry
First Corinthians 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit guides us by means of what we have, while verses 27 to 33 tell us that the guidance of the Holy Spirit is also in accord with the circumstances. For instance, the evening meeting in the church ends at nine o'clock. The Holy Spirit will not guide you to stand up and give a long talk when it is nearly nine; He will make you realize that time is running out and that you should not call a long hymn or talk too much. While you supply the church with what you have, you must also learn the lesson that “the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.” If you have something, you can bring it to the meeting, but you must consider what others have.
In the meeting there may be more than twenty brothers and each one may have a hymn; you also have a hymn. When you realize that two or three have called their hymns, you no longer need to call yours. There is no need for each of the twenty or more brothers to call a hymn; if this happens, the singing will go on until midnight. This is contrary to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to do all things becomingly and in order (1 Cor. 14:40). What we have qualifies us to supply others, while the circumstances teach us to be guided by the Spirit. In our meetings we should observe the principle of “two or three” (1 Cor. 14:29). The Spirit will not guide us to supply what we do not have, nor will He contradict the principle of “two or three.” If we have something before the Lord, we can be guided to stand up and speak. However, if other brothers have received the same thing, we should hold our peace.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 68-69. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Each One Has
Bible Verses
1 Cor. 14:24 But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or unlearned person enters, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all; (25) The secrets of his heart become
manifest; and so falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that indeed God is among you. (26) What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Words of Ministry
First Corinthians 14 teaches us how we should meet. Verse 26 means that when we meet, some will have a hymn, some will have a teaching, some will have a revelation, some will speak in tongues, and some will have interpretation of tongues. Everyone builds up the church with what they have. The question of supply at the meeting is not settled at the time of the meeting but in our own house. What we have at home will be what we have at the meeting. What we do not have at home we will not have at the meeting. The “has” in this verse is not the result of personal preference, personal thought, or sudden emotional impulse. What a person receives as he exercises daily before God is what he “has”; they are the things that are constituted in the spirit. This spiritual accumulation is what we have, and it is what we can use to supply the need of the church in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Hence, those who have a hymn should supply the church with a hymn. Those who have a revelation should supply the church with a revelation. Those with a teaching should supply the church with a teaching. Every one supplies the need in the church with what he has, not with what he does not have. Whatever you have is what you can minister to the church. For instance, you may have a hymn that you want to sing; it keeps coming to you, and you cannot help it. This means there is music in your heart; there is a hymn in your heart. This is your hymn. You do not come to the meeting and look for a hymn. Rather, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you supply the hymn you “have” for the edification of the church. There may be a few words which have become very precious to you during the past few days. These are your words. Similarly, you may have a revelation or a teaching; you just supply the church with what you have. Brothers and sisters, what has the Lord done or said to you these days?
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 67-68. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
1 Cor. 14:24 But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or unlearned person enters, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all; (25) The secrets of his heart become
manifest; and so falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that indeed God is among you. (26) What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Words of Ministry
First Corinthians 14 teaches us how we should meet. Verse 26 means that when we meet, some will have a hymn, some will have a teaching, some will have a revelation, some will speak in tongues, and some will have interpretation of tongues. Everyone builds up the church with what they have. The question of supply at the meeting is not settled at the time of the meeting but in our own house. What we have at home will be what we have at the meeting. What we do not have at home we will not have at the meeting. The “has” in this verse is not the result of personal preference, personal thought, or sudden emotional impulse. What a person receives as he exercises daily before God is what he “has”; they are the things that are constituted in the spirit. This spiritual accumulation is what we have, and it is what we can use to supply the need of the church in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Hence, those who have a hymn should supply the church with a hymn. Those who have a revelation should supply the church with a revelation. Those with a teaching should supply the church with a teaching. Every one supplies the need in the church with what he has, not with what he does not have. Whatever you have is what you can minister to the church. For instance, you may have a hymn that you want to sing; it keeps coming to you, and you cannot help it. This means there is music in your heart; there is a hymn in your heart. This is your hymn. You do not come to the meeting and look for a hymn. Rather, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you supply the hymn you “have” for the edification of the church. There may be a few words which have become very precious to you during the past few days. These are your words. Similarly, you may have a revelation or a teaching; you just supply the church with what you have. Brothers and sisters, what has the Lord done or said to you these days?
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 67-68. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Praying Together in One Accord
Bible Verses
Matt. 18:19 Again, truly I say to you that if two of you are in harmony on earth concerning any matter for which they ask, it will be done for them from My Father who is in the heavens.
Acts 1:14 These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer...
Words of Ministry
We have to note the difference between personal prayers and prayers in the prayer meeting. When we are praying by ourselves, we only have to take care of our personal burden. But in the prayer meeting, we have to take care of the burden of the meeting, and we must not care for our personal burden alone. Therefore, in the prayer meeting, we have to learn to sense the feeling of the meeting. Some matters only require one prayer; there is no need to pray anymore for them because the meeting has no more burden for it. But some matters require more than one prayer; they need to be prayed about over and over again. If a burden is not released, we should not pray for another matter. We can only change the subject when the burden is released. Only then can we pick up another burden from the Lord to pray.
In the prayer meeting, we have to learn that when one prays for a matter, the second, third, fourth, and fifth person should also pray for the same matter. Even if one person can pray by himself or five persons can pray by themselves, when they come together, they may not be able to pray in one accord. The prayer of one accord is something that one learns. One person may know how to pray by himself, and five persons may know how to pray by themselves. But when they come together, they still need to learn a new kind of prayer; they need to learn to pray in one accord. Our prayer in the meeting is something that is learned; it is not something that we know how to do right from the beginning.
If two persons pray in one accord, God will answer this prayer (Matt. 18:19). This is not a small thing. We have to enter into others' feelings and know what the prayer of the church is. We have to learn to feel whether or not a prayer burden has been released. If we do this, we will know how to fulfill the ministry of prayer in the meeting.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 65-66. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Matt. 18:19 Again, truly I say to you that if two of you are in harmony on earth concerning any matter for which they ask, it will be done for them from My Father who is in the heavens.
Acts 1:14 These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer...
Words of Ministry
We have to note the difference between personal prayers and prayers in the prayer meeting. When we are praying by ourselves, we only have to take care of our personal burden. But in the prayer meeting, we have to take care of the burden of the meeting, and we must not care for our personal burden alone. Therefore, in the prayer meeting, we have to learn to sense the feeling of the meeting. Some matters only require one prayer; there is no need to pray anymore for them because the meeting has no more burden for it. But some matters require more than one prayer; they need to be prayed about over and over again. If a burden is not released, we should not pray for another matter. We can only change the subject when the burden is released. Only then can we pick up another burden from the Lord to pray.
In the prayer meeting, we have to learn that when one prays for a matter, the second, third, fourth, and fifth person should also pray for the same matter. Even if one person can pray by himself or five persons can pray by themselves, when they come together, they may not be able to pray in one accord. The prayer of one accord is something that one learns. One person may know how to pray by himself, and five persons may know how to pray by themselves. But when they come together, they still need to learn a new kind of prayer; they need to learn to pray in one accord. Our prayer in the meeting is something that is learned; it is not something that we know how to do right from the beginning.
If two persons pray in one accord, God will answer this prayer (Matt. 18:19). This is not a small thing. We have to enter into others' feelings and know what the prayer of the church is. We have to learn to feel whether or not a prayer burden has been released. If we do this, we will know how to fulfill the ministry of prayer in the meeting.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 65-66. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Riches Coming from Enlightenment
Bible Verses
Eph. 3:8 To me, less than the least of all saints, was this grace given to announce to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ as the gospel (9) And to enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is, which throughout the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things.
Eph 2:7 That He might display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Words of Ministry
Riches come from enlightenment. When the light shines, we become rich. However, when we are enlightened, we do not have a feeling of increase but one of stripping. Once the light comes, all the former things are shattered, and what we originally had is torn down. It is true that when we are under the light, we have some increase before God. But on our side, we do not feel anything. What goes on before the Lord is one thing, and what goes on in our feeling is another thing. God may give us something once, twice, or three times. If we feel that we have increased, it proves that we have not seen anything. If we truly see something, we will feel as if we are newly saved and just starting out on our journey. It does not mean that we were not saved before this time; it means that in our feeling, we feel as if we were not saved. We feel empty and feel as if we never had a beginning. Hence, those who are rich feel that they have nothing under the light.
Our God is a rich God. He does not wish to see His children being in poverty. His works are not works of wood, grass, and stubble. The vessels He uses are not vessels of dishonor. He is a rich God, and His vessels are rich vessels. God's riches are deep and profound; they are such that “there is no room for it” (Mal. 3:10). His grace is always such that there is not room enough to receive it! His works in us are always such that there is not room enough to receive them. God does not work in a stingy way. He is not weak or miserly. This rich God can make us rich people. He is always giving us more and more. Every time He gives us something, we feel as if we are receiving it for the first time. This may sound strange, yet this is a fact. May the Lord be merciful to us, so that we truly see something before Him and so that we truly have the light. The proud ones are the foolish ones, and they are always poor ones. May the Lord empty us so that we can enter into His riches.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, p. 62. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Eph. 3:8 To me, less than the least of all saints, was this grace given to announce to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ as the gospel (9) And to enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is, which throughout the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things.
Eph 2:7 That He might display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Words of Ministry
Riches come from enlightenment. When the light shines, we become rich. However, when we are enlightened, we do not have a feeling of increase but one of stripping. Once the light comes, all the former things are shattered, and what we originally had is torn down. It is true that when we are under the light, we have some increase before God. But on our side, we do not feel anything. What goes on before the Lord is one thing, and what goes on in our feeling is another thing. God may give us something once, twice, or three times. If we feel that we have increased, it proves that we have not seen anything. If we truly see something, we will feel as if we are newly saved and just starting out on our journey. It does not mean that we were not saved before this time; it means that in our feeling, we feel as if we were not saved. We feel empty and feel as if we never had a beginning. Hence, those who are rich feel that they have nothing under the light.
Our God is a rich God. He does not wish to see His children being in poverty. His works are not works of wood, grass, and stubble. The vessels He uses are not vessels of dishonor. He is a rich God, and His vessels are rich vessels. God's riches are deep and profound; they are such that “there is no room for it” (Mal. 3:10). His grace is always such that there is not room enough to receive it! His works in us are always such that there is not room enough to receive them. God does not work in a stingy way. He is not weak or miserly. This rich God can make us rich people. He is always giving us more and more. Every time He gives us something, we feel as if we are receiving it for the first time. This may sound strange, yet this is a fact. May the Lord be merciful to us, so that we truly see something before Him and so that we truly have the light. The proud ones are the foolish ones, and they are always poor ones. May the Lord empty us so that we can enter into His riches.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, p. 62. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
The Blessing of Knowing Our Poverty (2)
Bible Verses
Matt .5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.
James 4:6 But He gives greater grace; therefore it says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Rev .3:17 Because you say, I am wealthy and have become rich and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
Words of Ministry
(Part 2 of 2)
Poverty is not a hindrance if it does not come with pride. But nothing can be done about poverty when it is in a proud person. Poverty is not the problem. Being like Laodicea is a problem because Laodicea was poor and proud yet thought that she was rich. In the spiritual realm, it is hard to find a person who is poor but not proud. On the contrary, it is often the rich ones who are not proud. It is a pity that many of God's children go around in circles and never advance. The sole reason that they suffer loss is because they think that they have something.
Did she [the church in Laodicea] have something? Yes, but what she had was of no benefit to her. If she really had something, she should have rejoiced, yet she was wretched and miserable. She did not behave as if she had anything. Her wretchedness and misery tell others that she was poor.
Poverty is always linked to blindness. Those who are spiritually poor are always blind. The blind ones always think that they are rich. Those who have not seen the cross think that they know the cross. Those who have not seen the kingdom think that they know the kingdom. Those who have not seen the Body of Christ think that they know the church. All those who think that they have something are poor. Whenever we truly see something, we will not dare to boast that we are rich. Whenever our eyes are opened, we will see that we are naked. Only the foolish ones boast of what they have. A Laodicean is poor, but does not see his own poverty. This is a warning to us.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 58-60. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Matt .5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.
James 4:6 But He gives greater grace; therefore it says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Rev .3:17 Because you say, I am wealthy and have become rich and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
Words of Ministry
(Part 2 of 2)
Poverty is not a hindrance if it does not come with pride. But nothing can be done about poverty when it is in a proud person. Poverty is not the problem. Being like Laodicea is a problem because Laodicea was poor and proud yet thought that she was rich. In the spiritual realm, it is hard to find a person who is poor but not proud. On the contrary, it is often the rich ones who are not proud. It is a pity that many of God's children go around in circles and never advance. The sole reason that they suffer loss is because they think that they have something.
Did she [the church in Laodicea] have something? Yes, but what she had was of no benefit to her. If she really had something, she should have rejoiced, yet she was wretched and miserable. She did not behave as if she had anything. Her wretchedness and misery tell others that she was poor.
Poverty is always linked to blindness. Those who are spiritually poor are always blind. The blind ones always think that they are rich. Those who have not seen the cross think that they know the cross. Those who have not seen the kingdom think that they know the kingdom. Those who have not seen the Body of Christ think that they know the church. All those who think that they have something are poor. Whenever we truly see something, we will not dare to boast that we are rich. Whenever our eyes are opened, we will see that we are naked. Only the foolish ones boast of what they have. A Laodicean is poor, but does not see his own poverty. This is a warning to us.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 58-60. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, August 02, 2010
The Blessing of Knowing Our Poverty (1)
Bible Verses
Rev. 3:14 And to the messenger of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God: (17) Because you say, I am wealthy and have become rich and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, (18) I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire that you may be rich, and white garments that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness may not be manifested, and eyesalve to anoint your eyes that you may see. (19) As many as I love I rebuke and discipline; be zealous therefore and repent.
Words of Ministry
(Part 1 of 2)
Among God's children, there is a problem of a Laodicean attitude and a Laodicean heart. A man who thinks that he is rich but, in reality, is poor has a Laodicean attitude and a Laodicean heart.
In spiritual matters, the matter of having or not having is easy to resolve, but the matter of being poor or being rich is not as easy to resolve. Those who have nothing can easily see God, but those who have a little do not easily see God. Many people have nothing before God, and they often meet God. The worst kind of people are those who have a little; they understand a little of this and a little of that. But do they really know? Do they really understand? No. They speak a great deal, but they have not moved a single inch or advanced a single step. They are poor ones indeed.
The biggest problem with poverty is that a man will not easily admit that he is poor. Those who have nothing readily admit that they have nothing. If they have something, they say so, and if they do not have something, they also say so. This is very simple and clear. But poverty is something relative. In spiritual matters, God can deal with those who have nothing. Those who are poor, however, are hindered by the little that they possess. They think that they have something, and they become proud and self-sufficient.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 57-58. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Rev. 3:14 And to the messenger of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God: (17) Because you say, I am wealthy and have become rich and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, (18) I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire that you may be rich, and white garments that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness may not be manifested, and eyesalve to anoint your eyes that you may see. (19) As many as I love I rebuke and discipline; be zealous therefore and repent.
Words of Ministry
(Part 1 of 2)
Among God's children, there is a problem of a Laodicean attitude and a Laodicean heart. A man who thinks that he is rich but, in reality, is poor has a Laodicean attitude and a Laodicean heart.
In spiritual matters, the matter of having or not having is easy to resolve, but the matter of being poor or being rich is not as easy to resolve. Those who have nothing can easily see God, but those who have a little do not easily see God. Many people have nothing before God, and they often meet God. The worst kind of people are those who have a little; they understand a little of this and a little of that. But do they really know? Do they really understand? No. They speak a great deal, but they have not moved a single inch or advanced a single step. They are poor ones indeed.
The biggest problem with poverty is that a man will not easily admit that he is poor. Those who have nothing readily admit that they have nothing. If they have something, they say so, and if they do not have something, they also say so. This is very simple and clear. But poverty is something relative. In spiritual matters, God can deal with those who have nothing. Those who are poor, however, are hindered by the little that they possess. They think that they have something, and they become proud and self-sufficient.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 57-58. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Not Leaking Life through Idle Words (2)
Bible Verses
Prov. 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it is a breaking of the spirit.
Matt. 12:34 Offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Words of Ministry (Part 2 of 2)
To be wholesome is to be temperate, mild, and moderate. When a man speaks too much, his tongue becomes hot, and when his tongue is hot, the tree of life is gone. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. A wholesome tongue is a tongue that is not quick, foolish, or excessive. Such a tongue is like a tree of life. One cannot smell the flavor of Christ in a Christian who loves idle words. Those who love idle words cannot supply life to others. Idle words are a big hole which leak away one's life.
Idle words leak away life. What then should we do? In order to keep our mouth, we must first deal with our heart. The Lord says, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). When the heart has something, the mouth speaks it out. If we have something in our heart, sooner or later, it will come out of our mouth. If we do not speak it here, we will speak it elsewhere. If we do not speak it in this house, we will speak it in another house. Whatever is in the heart, the mouth will speak out. Therefore, in order to learn before the Lord to stop our idle words, we must start by dealing with our heart. If we do not deal with our heart, our mouth can never be dealt with properly. It is the heart that is first filled with all kinds of things before the mouth speaks of them. Never think that a word can be said in a heartless way. The Lord's Word shows us that there is not such a thing. As long as there is a word, there is a heart for it. Because there is a heart for something, the mouth speaks. Hence, in order to deal with idle words, we
must first deal with the heart.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 54-55. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Prov. 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it is a breaking of the spirit.
Matt. 12:34 Offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Words of Ministry (Part 2 of 2)
To be wholesome is to be temperate, mild, and moderate. When a man speaks too much, his tongue becomes hot, and when his tongue is hot, the tree of life is gone. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. A wholesome tongue is a tongue that is not quick, foolish, or excessive. Such a tongue is like a tree of life. One cannot smell the flavor of Christ in a Christian who loves idle words. Those who love idle words cannot supply life to others. Idle words are a big hole which leak away one's life.
Idle words leak away life. What then should we do? In order to keep our mouth, we must first deal with our heart. The Lord says, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). When the heart has something, the mouth speaks it out. If we have something in our heart, sooner or later, it will come out of our mouth. If we do not speak it here, we will speak it elsewhere. If we do not speak it in this house, we will speak it in another house. Whatever is in the heart, the mouth will speak out. Therefore, in order to learn before the Lord to stop our idle words, we must start by dealing with our heart. If we do not deal with our heart, our mouth can never be dealt with properly. It is the heart that is first filled with all kinds of things before the mouth speaks of them. Never think that a word can be said in a heartless way. The Lord's Word shows us that there is not such a thing. As long as there is a word, there is a heart for it. Because there is a heart for something, the mouth speaks. Hence, in order to deal with idle words, we
must first deal with the heart.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 54-55. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Not Leaking Life through Idle Words (1)
Bible Verses
Prov 13:3 He who guards his mouth keeps his soul, But he who opens wide his lips will have destruction.
Matt 12:36 And I say to you that every idle word which men shall speak, they will render an account concerning it in the day of judgment. (37) For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.
Words of Ministry(Part 1 of 2)
We are not sure whether Solomon was referring to physical life or spiritual life when he wrote this proverb [above]. But let us consider spiritual things based on this principle. A seeker of the Lord, who has life and wishes to supply the church with life, must be careful with his words. If we are not careful with our words, life will leak away. Why are some people not very useful in the hand of the Lord? They are not useful because life has leaked away. One only touches death in them; one does not touch any life in them because the life has leaked away through their words. Therefore, we have to guard our mouth, even keeping a close watch on it. Many stories testify that nothing leaks away life as much as idle words. This does not mean that sin is better than idle words. However, it does mean that next to sin the most debilitating thing for our life is our idle words.
Does Matthew 12:35 say “every filthy word“? No. Does it say “every blasphemous word“? No. Does it say “every evil word“? No. It says “every idle word.” Idle words are redundant words, incongruous words, unnecessary words, and gossiping words. We have to realize that not only are blasphemous words serious but loose words are also serious. It is a serious thing to speak idle words as well as filthy words. If we offend anyone through idle words, there is no way to make a recompense for this. We can confess to others, and we can retract our words, but the sound has reached others' ears, and we cannot take it back. It is possible to make a recompense if we have stolen from others. But it is impossible to make a recompense if we have offended others with idle words. This sin will have to go before the Lord.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 53-54. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Prov 13:3 He who guards his mouth keeps his soul, But he who opens wide his lips will have destruction.
Matt 12:36 And I say to you that every idle word which men shall speak, they will render an account concerning it in the day of judgment. (37) For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.
Words of Ministry(Part 1 of 2)
We are not sure whether Solomon was referring to physical life or spiritual life when he wrote this proverb [above]. But let us consider spiritual things based on this principle. A seeker of the Lord, who has life and wishes to supply the church with life, must be careful with his words. If we are not careful with our words, life will leak away. Why are some people not very useful in the hand of the Lord? They are not useful because life has leaked away. One only touches death in them; one does not touch any life in them because the life has leaked away through their words. Therefore, we have to guard our mouth, even keeping a close watch on it. Many stories testify that nothing leaks away life as much as idle words. This does not mean that sin is better than idle words. However, it does mean that next to sin the most debilitating thing for our life is our idle words.
Does Matthew 12:35 say “every filthy word“? No. Does it say “every blasphemous word“? No. Does it say “every evil word“? No. It says “every idle word.” Idle words are redundant words, incongruous words, unnecessary words, and gossiping words. We have to realize that not only are blasphemous words serious but loose words are also serious. It is a serious thing to speak idle words as well as filthy words. If we offend anyone through idle words, there is no way to make a recompense for this. We can confess to others, and we can retract our words, but the sound has reached others' ears, and we cannot take it back. It is possible to make a recompense if we have stolen from others. But it is impossible to make a recompense if we have offended others with idle words. This sin will have to go before the Lord.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 53-54. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, July 26, 2010
A Lover of Christ
Bible Verses
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him. (23) Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make an abode with him.
Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Words of Ministry
To believe in Him [Jesus Christ] is to receive Him, and to love Him is to enjoy Him. We all have believed in Him. This means that we all have received Him. But the problem today is whether we love Him or not. Although you have received the Lord Jesus and He is now within you, you may not love Him. We need to be a lover of the Lord Jesus all day long.
His presence is always related to our love toward Him. The more we love Him, the more we enjoy His presence. What is His presence? It is simply the enjoyment of Himself. As long as we have His presence, we enjoy Him. The more we love Him, the more we shall have His presence. The more we are in His presence, the more we shall enjoy all that He is to us. We only need to love Him. Knowing means nothing; only loving counts. How we all need to love Him! I have been loving Him for fifty years and today I feel that He is more lovable than ever. No one is as lovely as He is. Song of Songs says that He is altogether lovely (5:16).
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 383. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him. (23) Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make an abode with him.
Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Words of Ministry
To believe in Him [Jesus Christ] is to receive Him, and to love Him is to enjoy Him. We all have believed in Him. This means that we all have received Him. But the problem today is whether we love Him or not. Although you have received the Lord Jesus and He is now within you, you may not love Him. We need to be a lover of the Lord Jesus all day long.
His presence is always related to our love toward Him. The more we love Him, the more we enjoy His presence. What is His presence? It is simply the enjoyment of Himself. As long as we have His presence, we enjoy Him. The more we love Him, the more we shall have His presence. The more we are in His presence, the more we shall enjoy all that He is to us. We only need to love Him. Knowing means nothing; only loving counts. How we all need to love Him! I have been loving Him for fifty years and today I feel that He is more lovable than ever. No one is as lovely as He is. Song of Songs says that He is altogether lovely (5:16).
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-Study of John, pp. 383. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Not Being Able to Please God
Bible Verses
Rom. 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace. (7) Because the mind set on the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, for neither can it be. (8) And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Phil. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh,
Words of Ministry
The man who minds the flesh is the natural man, the original man, the man who is according to his natural birth. This man is not subject to the law of God, neither can he be. Yet the Word of God tells us not only that the fleshly man sins but also that the fleshly man attempts to do good, because verse 8 says, “And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” This obviously indicates that the man of flesh attempts to please God. No matter how hard he may try, in the end he still cannot please God. Regardless of how man serves God through his flesh, the result is always the same -- he cannot please God. His offering, like that of Cain, can never be accepted by God. Only one offering is acceptable to God: our cross and our death. This is like the fat -- a sweet-smelling offering before God.
Therefore, our greatest service to God is not how much we can do for Him or how much we can accomplish for Him but how much we can die. But this is not acceptable to many self-righteous men. Man often measures everything by his own work, thinking that if he can have fruit, if he can help others repent and believe in the Lord, he can bring all these offerings to God. But we should know one thing: We cannot serve God according to our work. Man's greatest offering to God is to be on the altar, which is death. Was there ever an offering accepted by God which did not pass through the altar? Was there ever an offering that passed through the altar and still lived? All offerings to God must go through death.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 47-48. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
Rom. 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace. (7) Because the mind set on the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, for neither can it be. (8) And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Phil. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh,
Words of Ministry
The man who minds the flesh is the natural man, the original man, the man who is according to his natural birth. This man is not subject to the law of God, neither can he be. Yet the Word of God tells us not only that the fleshly man sins but also that the fleshly man attempts to do good, because verse 8 says, “And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” This obviously indicates that the man of flesh attempts to please God. No matter how hard he may try, in the end he still cannot please God. Regardless of how man serves God through his flesh, the result is always the same -- he cannot please God. His offering, like that of Cain, can never be accepted by God. Only one offering is acceptable to God: our cross and our death. This is like the fat -- a sweet-smelling offering before God.
Therefore, our greatest service to God is not how much we can do for Him or how much we can accomplish for Him but how much we can die. But this is not acceptable to many self-righteous men. Man often measures everything by his own work, thinking that if he can have fruit, if he can help others repent and believe in the Lord, he can bring all these offerings to God. But we should know one thing: We cannot serve God according to our work. Man's greatest offering to God is to be on the altar, which is death. Was there ever an offering accepted by God which did not pass through the altar? Was there ever an offering that passed through the altar and still lived? All offerings to God must go through death.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, General Messages, Vol. 37, in The Collected Works of Watchman Nee, pp. 47-48. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA.
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