Testimony…

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If you expect something in return, don’t give, love is not “moral kidnapping” – Jiang Peirong Jiang Peirong

Here, I would like to share some of our experiences of leading our family to serve society with a sense of mission. I believe that after reading this, you will feel that you can also start small like us. When you reach our age, you will find that you have accomplished so many meaningful things!

How can we serve the community together?

01. I and Wei Qiandu believe that it is better to teach them to fish than to teach them to fish. We like to equip and train people instead of just giving money.

02. Whether it’s parenting, managing staff, or serving as a mentor, we want to influence others by being an example to meet the needs of the middle and advanced stages of Maslow’s pyramid of needs.

When we went to Gansu in 2004 to support teaching, we sponsored a student named Ye Wen one-on-one through the “Thousands of Villages” program. On the left is a photo of us with Ye Wen, and on the right is Ye Wen sharing his experience of social service with me on stage during a lecture in Xi’an, when he rushed from Gansu on an overnight train.

If we had only been to relieve Ye Wen, we would have just sent some money and gifts. In this way, he feels that he is a good person, and Ye Wen will also appreciate us, but he may always ask us for help in the future. You may have heard that some sponsored children do not know how to be grateful after college. The sponsors were so angry that they even went to court to get them to pay their tuition.

When we help others with a trading heart, sooner or later we will be disappointed because no one is perfect and everyone will let us down. We can only overflow love if we are filled with love first, then our spouse and children, and finally the people around us. Whether it is to community security guards, school teachers, or mountain children, we give love and share happiness without conditions. Although the superficial actions are all the same, the meaning is completely different, and therefore the results are completely different.

We and Ye Wen have also changed from the roles of relief workers and relief recipients to relatives and friends. His position has also changed from a weak person to a strong person who has the ability to help others, realizing that ability is not used to bully people who are weaker than us, but to help them, because the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. What we want to give Yewen is not money, but dignity and hope.

03. We can also see another important principle from Ye Wen’s case – change is long, not a one-time. We are always greedy, overestimating what can be done in one year, but underestimating what can be done in 3 years. For our family, the tuition fee of more than 800 yuan a year is actually a very small number. We had the option to sponsor 10 children but knew we didn’t have the time and energy to reach and influence them consistently, so we invested our money in other charitable projects and then focused on impacting one student and one family in terms of tuition. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not be greedy when setting service goals, do not think about investing a lot of money or time at once, but start small and stick to it to become a great project.

We Chinese love big narratives, but few of us are willing to stick to one small thing. Since returning to China in 2003, we have insisted on doing small things in a low-key manner and maintaining a few relationships. So many of my books are published after writing 2,000 words a month. In the beginning, everyone around me would laugh at me for being silly, why not use my education and fame to do more things that are larger, more profitable, and more popular? Why not use some hype to make the book sell a little better and make yourself more famous? But it turns out that insisting on doing small things and doing big things with a bang and then disappearing, the former is far more effective than the latter, so don’t underestimate small goals and small things. When you stick with it for 10 years, this little thing becomes a great thing.

04. If one person does not go far, a family can go far. Similarly, if one family does not go far, several families can go far. I remember helping a begging family in Los Angeles when we were young. The black couple had 4 children, the baby was diapers and the family had no money to eat. When we went to see them at the motel, we took pity on the children and wanted to help the family. We gave them $50 to buy diapers and food for the week. The next day, while we were having dinner with friends, we saw this father begging at a nearby supermarket.

We went over to ask him how the $50 ran out so quickly and found that they had been hungry for a long time and didn’t know where their next meal would come from, so they went to eat a steak right away with $50, spending the entire week. We understand why the family has been reduced to such a lack of life skills. So we made an appointment with two other couples to help the family so that they could live independently. One couple helped them buy a very old car, another couple helped this husband find a job, and our couple rented an apartment for them, and helped him learn to manage money for Qian. If three families had helped this black couple alone, we would all be exhausted. A year later, they were not only able to live independently but also became our friends.

Now my eldest son, Kevin, is also helping homeless people with friends. What I found super interesting was that the friend who helped the black couple buy a car became very interested in homeless people. They created a real estate development company, developed an upscale apartment on a homeless street in downtown Los Angeles that no one wants to go to, and incidentally developed the surrounding supermarkets and shops. Because the location was close to nearby office buildings, house prices rose so much that all apartments quickly sold out at high prices. But when my friend developed the apartment, he set aside 1/4 for homeless families, so that they could receive life counseling and start over. By helping others, the project also made him a billionaire.

So don’t make service something you need to do away from your family, but something you do with your kids. If your spouse doesn’t have time to accompany you right now, you can go with other couples with children to live a plumbing life. You will find that helping other people’s children will make you more grateful, more considerate of your family, more responsible, more humble, and feel more meaningful in life.

In fact, pride and inferiority are two faces built on the self. Humility is a healthy form of selflessness, and serving others is the way to cultivate humility.

05. We believe that all people are equal, regardless of dignity or inferiority. As long as we have a humble heart, a willingness to learn from others, and a habit of reflection, we will grow. The recipient of help should not benefit us in vain, so he should be grateful to us and inferior to us. The biggest beneficiary of serving others is us, not others, and we grow in the process of serving others. Like the above case, who benefits the most in the end? Although this black family was helped, I think it was actually our 3 families who benefited the most.

06 . Only sound altruists have the confidence and security to make themselves smaller and smaller and make their children, their employees, and their service recipients stronger and stronger. If the original family leaves us some shadows or unhealed injuries during our growth, we need to raise the “child” in our hearts and heal those wounds.

We don’t want anyone to become dependent on us, but rather to be a springboard for someone else’s growth and success. We have accepted help from others, healed some of the wounds of childhood, got out of the limitations of our thinking, and learned to respect and treat ourselves kindly. I hope you can treat the supervision team as such a “second family” and as a base for your healthy growth and change. This process is very long, I hope everyone will not be in a hurry and continue to walk together.

So, don’t be stressed when discussing how to serve others. When you are capable, it is natural to find a way to serve others. Never force it, and don’t force it, otherwise, you will soon fall into resentment and self-pity, and the cup will soon be empty. Start by serving your family, neighbors, co-workers, your child’s teachers, other parents, and the community, and start with one person so you don’t run out of your time and energy.

07 . Our Chinese culture is particular about “human debt”, but I hope that everyone can pay attention to “love debt”. Human debt is to reward others, and there is an element of transaction in it, which can also become a kind of moral kidnapping. The debt of love is born of gratitude, an unconditional giving that gives us true freedom of mind. Giving is not for reward, but because we have been beneficiaries and are willing to pass on the benefits we receive gratuitously. If we can free ourselves from all kinds of unrealistic expectations and serve others unconditionally, we can truly enjoy the joy of service.

见证篇186.在全…

在全职太太与甜宠剧之外,女性往哪走?境界君

云南女校长张桂梅严厉批评学生当“全职太太”上了热搜。有媒体发现,英文网站上对全职太太的支持与反对各一半,中文世界里却是压倒性地高举职业女性。当家暴新闻戳破了甜宠剧里无小三、无误会、一宠到底的婚姻谎言,女性终于走上那条甩开男人、独自强大的路?

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近期,云南女校长张桂梅严厉批评学生当“全职太太”上了热搜,在离婚大潮汹涌、女性追求独立的社会大背景下,一石激起千层浪,引发了媒体和网络关于全职太太与职业女性的热议。

因为目睹农村对女性的歧视,张桂梅付出了极高的代价与心血,为失学的农村女孩创办了全国第一所全免费的女子高中。这种努力值得尊敬。在婚姻家庭领域有着十年服侍经历的何威牧师,在接受《境界》采访时坦言,追溯事情的前因后果,张校长的愤怒是可以理解的,但同时也要看到,把做全职太太视同自甘堕落的寄生虫生活,是女性走出农村被歧视的困境之后的倒退,这种观点过于刻板,传递出一种典型的偏见。

现实生活中每个女性处于不同的地域、文化及个人处境之下,“女强”真能防御男人的辜负与背叛?做全职太太还是职业女性这样简单二元对立的选择,就能解决女性普遍面对的婚姻、家庭、自我价值及成长的困境?这样的思考和探索对于男性同样有帮助。

当男人变娘、女人变强
《境界》:近来媒体上许多关于全职太太的讨论。《新京报》发现,反对全职太太的论述活跃丰富,支持全职太太的论述寥寥无几;对比英文网上对此支持与反对五五开的情形,中文世界压倒性地高举职业女性。你认为这种现象产生有怎样的社会文化背景?从信仰的角度,我们如何看待这样的讨论?

何威:我看过关于张桂梅校长以及华坪女子高中的报道,我个人深深理解她。在她的经历中,看到很多乡村女孩没有任何公平生活的权利——被剥夺了学习的机会,仅仅成为嫁人生子的工具。她一次次走进深山,把差点被嫁掉的女生“抢”回学校;为了让大山里的女孩们能上高中,她拖着病躯,像乞丐一样沿街募捐。她创办的女子高中不仅不收一分钱学费,还为特别贫困的女童家庭提供财务补助。学校连续十年高考综合上线率100%,1804个女孩在她的帮助下走出大山,进入大学,从此改写命运。她对女童的关心,以及对农村社会歧视女性的振臂呼喊,都让人感动。但她对全职太太的看法,如果放在更大的社会背景中看,却值得商榷。

中文世界在强调职业女性社会价值的同时,也在贬低家庭主妇的价值。所以,我特别理解张校长因学生特殊的状况,对女性地位痛心疾首。但她只看到罪恶所导致的现象,而没有看到罪恶的本质。

基督信仰将婚姻关系的破坏、丈夫对妻子的管辖,视为人类犯罪的直接后果。历史上,男性对女性的辖制是公开进行的,女性对男性温柔地操控与反噬也屡见不鲜。在过去的社会中,女性很难冲破社会分工的藩篱,而撒旦的诡计就是让两性的价值对立,持之以恒地矮化、消解、忽视多数女性委身的家庭劳动的价值;同时强调、高举甚至神化职业劳动的荣誉和价值,借以抬高男性。这种建立在谎言基础上的性别文化,让男女彼此竞争、分离、像经营公司一样去面对自己的婚姻。

现代社会让男女在构造上的差异得到极大的弥补,女性第一次可以昂首挺胸地离开男性,独立自主面对一切。张校长奋斗的动力,源自农村对女性的歧视。她想帮助女童的初心很好,但她不是回归到真理的层面,而是受女权主义的影响,激发并鼓励女性依靠自己的能力与男性竞争,发展到极端,反过来成了对全职太太的歧视。她把全职太太看成是一种“出走”之后的倒退。

其实,全职太太的讨论是个伪命题,我们讨论的本质在于:女性到底是谁以及婚姻究竟是什么?男人和女人的关系该怎样?我是谁、从哪里来、要往哪里去、为什么活着?上帝创造女人的目的,是因为看到亚当独居不好,需要一个配偶即“女人”来帮助他完成被造的使命。配偶,原文为“帮助者”,这是一个伟大而又充满恩典的身份。上帝没有用亚当的头骨造她,免得她高高在上;上帝也没有用亚当的脚骨造她,免得她被踩在脚下,上帝用亚当的肋骨造了女人,帮助这个男人能够站得挺拔。她让亚当的灵、魂、体都被深深吸引,并让两个人都被满足。

当女人想要“独立”离开身体,必然会受伤害,而当男人不愿呵护女人,这个肋骨会让他浑身不自在。男人和女人谁都不能独立,只能尽力去合一,完成上帝创造他们的使命。明白了这一点,我们就不会纠结在全职太太这样的伪命题上。

《境界》:无论社会上还是教会内,中国女性对男性的抱怨与愤怒似乎有升级之势,比如“当妈式择偶、保姆式妻子、守寡式婚姻、丧偶式育儿”。作为一个男性咨询师,你如何看待这样的女性情绪?

何威:心理学家武志红提到,中国社会的家庭整体形成一个巨婴系统,由一个缺位的父亲、一个焦虑的妈妈,然后再加一个充满问题的孩子构成。问题凸显为父亲的缺位——父亲不去负自己做为男性的责任,不去承担作为家庭的引导者、领袖的地位、权柄与义务,这导致男人不像男人、父亲不像父亲。男性逃避责任,让女性失去遮盖,没有安慰也没有保护,什么事都必须自己来。在这个过程中,女性变得越来越强大。但从创造的本源来看,她本来是帮助者的角色,什么都自己来的结果就会陷入抱怨、焦虑。

当母亲焦虑的时候,倒霉的其实是她的孩子。男孩一定会被这样的妈妈很严地控制,什么事情都不让他干,只要他成为一个乖孩子。加上父亲的缺位,他没有男性的榜样,于是下一代的男孩越来越失去男性特质,越来越不负责任,越来越弱。而女孩则看到很多母亲的闪光之处,她会想像母亲一样追求强大,长大以后不受男性欺负。这样发展下去,社会混乱失序,因为男人越来越娘,女人越来越强。

找到生命的痛点
《境界》:女性在婚姻中容易出现控制丈夫的倾向,有些女性做全职太太或者选择在家教育,表现出的控制性让孩子窒息。全职太太也可能控制,职业女性也可以不控制,女性如何从控制的欲望中走出来?

何威:这个问题比较深,我们简单来谈谈。女性喜欢控制,多半是内心有创伤未医治,她会没有安全感,没有归属感,内心有恐惧、慌张,情绪不稳定。这种心态让她想通过把事情控制在自己手里,按照自己的意思去做,带给自己安全感。今天很多有信仰的女性也陷在控制的罪里,可以说她们的信仰还停留在理性层面,没有进入实际生活。

比如很多妈妈对孩子的控制很难解决,她们需要更细致的服侍。我们会帮助她们梳理原生家庭,挖掘成长过程里出现的问题,帮她找到痛点,会发现伤害大多是因为缺乏爱,导致她里面的不安全感。然后需要把这些真实呈现在神面前,在神的话语里与神建立真实的关系,去解决与修复生命的破损。这才有可能从控制的习惯里走出来。

我们有一个四十天默想上帝话语的课程,让神的话从知识上的学习变成生命的经历,课程内容也必须和实际应用结合在一起,让她们真实触碰到生命里很深的问题。真理可以照亮人里面的光景,真正面对自己,清楚知道什么是老我,分辨里面的谎言,让生命改变过来。

《境界》:你是否发现婚姻中哪些是男性容易出的问题,哪些是女性容易出的问题?

何威:婚姻有些基本原理,比如丈夫需要尊重,妻子需要爱。当妻子感受不到丈夫的爱,就很容易抱怨、苦毒,冷战、指责或者刺激丈夫。男性容易出现的问题就是他无法理解妻子,无法呵护她,总认为很多事是妻子应该做的,这样会产生很多后续问题。

《境界》:这些让我想到如何认知情绪和情绪模式,似乎很多人在这方面普遍有障碍。

何威:的确是这样,我们在辅导中会帮助夫妻双方了解自己的原生家庭、情绪模式、系统和思维方式及信念系统。我们小时候普遍没有得到父母足够的爱与陪伴,情商没有得到过开发和培养。与西方文化不同,我们的文化不重视对情绪的了解。西方人对情绪种类的了解很丰富,基本能够识别100个左右,在中国,特别是北方男性,对情绪种类的识别能达到20个就不错了,这导致许多中国夫妻情感互动方面很荒凉。因为男性想表达也表达不出来,而女性又需要这种情感上的安慰和呵护,当丈夫无法给与,女性会难过、受伤,然后抱怨、指责。很多夫妻矛盾其实起源于情绪感受方面的问题没有解决,最后双方失去信任导致婚姻解体。

我辅导过一对信主的夫妻,丈夫是山东人,典型的大男子主义。弟兄在教会还有服侍,但作为丈夫,他从来都不表达对妻子的爱,他认为自己赚钱了,妻子应该知足。妻子要工作,还要带孩子,他回家也不帮忙做家务。妻子生病的时候,他不知道呵护,他认为妻子应该自己解决问题,不该抱怨他。开始的时候,妻子一直忍耐,实在无法承受就开始吵架。辅导的时候,我问妻子有没有告诉丈夫自己需要什么,她说没有,她只用抱怨、指责甚至漫骂的方式对待丈夫的问题。我问丈夫,你有没有在感受妻子不容易的时候去呵护一下她、拥抱一下,安慰安慰她的情感?他说没有,他没有从父母那里看到过,觉得这样很不男人。明白了之后,两个人都愿意改变。

甜宠的谎言,不是婚姻的见证
《境界》:现在女性影视剧中盛行一款甜宠剧,你如何看待其中呈现出的婚恋观?

何威:我为此写过一篇文章。甜宠剧没有触及婚姻的本质和意义,它仅仅满足了人最低层次的需要。上帝创造人有灵魂体三个层面,甜宠剧更多满足了“体”方面的需要。一个男孩和一个女孩彼此动心,很多时候是一种激素反应。实际上,你会发现很多男孩是在找妈妈,不是在找妻子,很多妻子不是在找丈夫,而是在找爸爸,这些其实都源于原生家庭的缺乏,因为缺乏,吸引力会加强,其实都在拿对方填空。

甜宠剧的套路基本就是无虐、无误会、无小三、一宠到底,男主宠女主,像爸爸宠女儿;女主溺男主,像妈妈爱儿子。现实中哪有这么不讲道理的宠溺,人性哪有这么没有底线的甜蜜?这种虚幻的幸福是谎言,让很多年轻人认为婚姻就应该这样,自己很喜欢,又能满足我的需要。当进入婚姻之后,激素反应一消退,双方马上就原形毕露了。

上帝设立婚姻,起初美好,但因始祖犯罪,男人变得要去管辖妻子,妻子恋慕丈夫,恋慕的原文是温柔地辖制,相当于要抢夺男人的权柄。婚姻结果不再是去完成神的使命和托付,而变成互相辖制、互相抢夺权柄,让自己变得更加自我的过程。当人重生得救,从咒诅里出来,婚姻才能恢复秩序,重获美好,两个人一起完成神的使命。

《境界》:从甜宠剧幻想中失望的女性,找到的自救出路就是女强,比如一些大女主剧里的女强观。

何威:现代社会女性在职场和男性竞争毫不示弱,因为很多工作更需要脑力而不是体力。女性取得了很多成就,因为上帝设立她的角色是帮助者,一定要有比男人优秀之处才能做好帮助者。但当女性意识过度抬头,就会导致和帮助者的身份发生矛盾。

现在这个社会变得如此混乱,首先不是女人的问题,而是男人的问题,因为男人是头,所以男人要悔改。做父亲的一定要成为称职的父亲。不管你结婚还是没有结婚,男人必须要成为一个男人,承担自己的责任。所以,我们在教会里提倡要鼓励弟兄,给弟兄更多的机会成长。第二,我们告诉姊妹要安静、温柔,要学会接受爱,被保护、被遮盖,不要太强了。

有人批评我们重男轻女。我说不是这样,我们并不歧视女性,反而认为女性太强而男性太弱了。男性有一个特点,当他没有得到尊重的时候,他很自卑,不敢承担责任。当姊妹越来越兴起,弟兄就越来越弱势。我们更多鼓励弟兄,花时间培训,让他们更多服侍,是为了让男性能站起来,为家庭、社会负起责任。

《境界》:在中国90后、00后的年轻一代中,认同同性恋、甚至双性恋的比例提高,他们还积极讨论不婚不育、开放式婚姻。这对教会有什么提醒?我们该如何应对?

何威:挑战已经存在,形势严峻超出我们的想象。比如00后,我女儿正好处于这一代,他们被世界的价值观冲击得更严重,他们通过网络吸取资讯的能力远远超过我们,很容易接受新思潮。当他们看到西方有的教会里出现了所谓同性恋牧师,就会很困惑。严格讲,中国教会走了一些弯路,比如我们更多进行神学培训,看重理论建造,不是重视信仰在生活细节上的落地。中国教会需要在真正的服侍方面,在生命的陪伴方面付上很大的代价。

现在社会新闻充斥着婚变、家庭暴力的内容,整个社会太缺少幸福婚姻的例子,包括教会都缺少见证。如果中国教会能够有更多婚姻里活泼的生命见证分享出来,是对中国社会莫大的祝福。

见证篇185.若期…

爱不是“道德绑架”

在此,想分享一些我们夫妇带领全家怀着使命感服务社会的经历。相信看了这些以后,你会觉得自己也能像我们一样从小事做起。当你们到了我们这个年龄时,就会发现自己成就了那么多有意义的事!

怎样一起服务社会呢?

01 .我跟为千都深信授之以鱼不如授之以渔。我们喜欢装备和训练别人,而不是光给钱。

02 .无论是养育孩子、管理员工,还是担任导师,我们都希望以做榜样来影响他人,唯有这样才能满足马斯洛需求金字塔中级和高级阶段的需要。

我们在 2004 年去甘肃支教时曾通过“千乡万才”计划一对一资助了一名叫叶文的学生。下图中的左边是我们跟叶文的合影,右边是一次在西安举办讲座时叶文跟我在台上分享社会服务的经历,当时他是坐过夜的火车从甘肃赶过去的。

要是我们当年只是救济叶文,仅仅寄点钱和礼物就可以了。这样既觉得自己是很好的人,叶文也会感激我们,但以后他可能一直会向我们开口求助。大家可能也听过有些接受赞助的孩子在大学毕业后却不懂得感恩。赞助者非常生气,甚至去跟学生打官司要学生还学费。

当我们怀着交易的心去帮助别人,迟早会失望,因为没有人是完美的,每个人都会让我们失望。我们只有先被爱填满,才能溢出爱来,然后浇灌配偶和孩子,最后是周围的人。无论是对小区保安、学校老师,还是山区孩子,我们付出爱和分享快乐时都不带条件。虽然表面行动都一样,但意义完全不同,因此结果也完全不同。

我们跟叶文也从救济者与被救济者的角色变成了亲人和朋友。他对自己的定位也从弱者变成了有能力帮助别人的强者,认识到能力不是用来欺压比我们弱的人,而是去帮助他们,因为能力越大责任越大。我们想要给叶文的不是金钱而是尊严和希望。

03 .我们从叶文的案例也能看到另一个重要原则——改变是漫长的,不是一次性的。我们总是很贪心,高估能在一年内完成的事,却低估了坚持3年才能完成的事。对我们家来讲,一年800多元的学费其实是很小的数字。我们当初可以选择赞助 10 个孩子,但知道没有时间和精力持续接触和影响他们,所以就把钱投在了其他慈善项目上,然后在学费方面就专心地影响一个学生、一个家庭。因此,建议你们设立服务目标时不要贪心,不要想一次就投入大笔钱或时间,而是从小事开始,坚持下来就能成为伟大的工程。

我们中国人喜欢宏大叙事,但很少有人愿意坚持做一件小事。自从2003年回到国内,我们一直坚持低调做小事,维持少数关系。我的那么多本书也都是每个月坚持写 2000 字后出版的。刚开始的时候,周围人都会笑我傻,为什么不利用我的学历和名气多做一些规模大一点、利益多一点、人气火热一点的事?为什么不多用一些炒作的手段让书更畅销一点,让自己更出名一点?但事实证明,坚持做小事与轰轰烈烈做大事然后消失,前者的效果要远远好过后者,所以千万不要小看小目标和小事。当你坚持 10 年,这件小事就成为伟大的事。

04 .一个人走不远,一家人才能走得远。同样,一个家庭走不远,几个家庭才能走得远。记得我们还没孩子的时候就开始在洛杉矶帮助一个乞讨家庭。这对黑人夫妇生了4个孩子,小婴儿已经没有尿布,全家也没钱吃饭了。我们去汽车旅馆看他们的时候很可怜那些孩子,就很想帮助这个家庭。我们给了他们 50 美金去买尿布还有那一周的食物。没想到隔天我们跟朋友吃饭时又看见这位父亲在附近的超市乞讨。

我们过去问他那 50 美元怎么这么快就用完了,发现他们因为饿了好久不知道下一顿饭从哪里来,于是有了 50 美元就马上去吃了一顿牛排,把一整个礼拜的费用全部花掉了。我们明白了为什么这个家庭会沦落到如此地步——缺乏生活技能。所以我们跟其他两对夫妇约定帮助这个家庭,使他们能够独立生活。有一对夫妇帮他们买了一部很旧的车,另外一对夫妇帮这个丈夫找到了工作,我们夫妇帮他们租了公寓,为千还帮这个丈夫学会管理钱。要是当初3个家庭单独帮助这对黑人夫妇,我们都会累倒。一年后,他们不仅能够独立生活了,还成了我们的朋友。

现在我的大儿子凯文也在跟朋友一起帮助流浪汉。让我觉得超级有意思的是,那个帮黑人夫妇买车的朋友对无家可归的流浪汉产生了巨大兴趣。他们创建了一家房地产开发公司,在洛杉矶市中心没人愿去的流浪汉街头开发了一栋高档公寓,也顺便开发了周围的超市和商店。因为这个地点离附近的写字楼很近,房价涨得很厉害,所有公寓很快以高价卖光了。但我这位朋友开发公寓的时候却留出 1/4 给流浪汉家庭,让他们有接受人生辅导和重新开始的机会。因为帮助他人,这个项目也让他成为亿万富翁。

所以不要让服务成为一件需要离开家人才能做的事,而是成为一件你跟孩子们一起做的事。要是配偶目前没时间陪你一起去,你可以跟别的夫妻结伴带着孩子去活出水管式的生活。你会发现帮助别人的孩子会让你更懂得感恩,更体谅家人,更有责任感,更谦卑,也感觉人生更有意义。

其实骄傲和自卑是建立在自我上面的两个面孔。谦卑是一种健康的忘我,服务他人是培养谦卑的方式。

05 .我们相信人人平等,不分尊卑。只要我们有一颗谦卑、乐意向别人学习的心,有反思的习惯,就会有所成长。接受帮助的对象不是因为从我们身上白白得到益处,所以就应该感激我们、低我们一等。服务他人最大的受益者是我们,不是别人,我们在服务他人的过程中得到成长。就像上面这个案例,到最后谁最受益?虽然这个黑人家庭得到了帮助,但我觉得最受益的其实是我们这 3 个家庭。

06 . 人格健全的利他主义者才有信心和安全感来让自己越来越渺小,让孩子、手下的员工、服务对象越来越强大。要是原生家庭在我们成长过程中给我们留下了一些阴影或没有治愈的伤害,我们就需要养育内心里的那个“孩子”,也需要治愈那些伤痛。

我们不愿意任何人对我们产生依赖,而愿意成为别人成长和成功的跳板。我们曾接受别人的帮助,治愈了童年的一些伤痛,走出了思维限制,学会尊重和善待自己。希望你能把督导团队当成这样的“第二家庭”,当成你健康成长和改变的基地。这个过程很漫长,希望大家不要着急,继续结伴走下去。

所以,你在讨论如何服务他人时千万不要有压力。你有足够能力了就会很自然地去寻找服务他人的道路。千万不要勉强,也不能勉强,不然你很快就会陷入怨恨和自怜,杯子很快就倒空了。你要从服务家人、邻居、同事、孩子的老师、其他家长和社区开始,从一个人开始,这样才不会耗尽自己的时间和精力。

07 . 我们中国人的文化讲究“人情债”,但我希望大家能够讲究“爱的债”。人情债出于回报别人,里面有交易的成分,也会成为一种道德绑架。爱的债则出于感恩,是无条件的付出,使我们得到真正的心灵自由。给予不是为了获得回报,而是因为我们曾是受益者,愿意把自己接收到的益处无偿地传递下去。要是我们能把自己从各种不实际的期待中解放出来,无条件地服务他人,就能真正享受服务的乐趣。

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Testimony…

 Listen for 6 min

Because of the pandemic, there are now many limbs who are unemployed. Some immediately face the danger of possible bankruptcy. Although some are not unemployed, the company has to cut wages significantly, which is also a big problem. The millions of college students graduating this year will obviously have a hard time finding jobs. In the face of these enormous challenges, human comfort is limited. We need strong faith, comfort, and help from God.

Many years ago, I went to my mother-in-law’s house for dinner, and the whole family talked and laughed at the dinner table, which was very warm. After the meal, my wife pulled me aside and said to me, “Tell you something, I was fired. I said, “Oh, I really didn’t see it just now. She replied, “Of course, we are believers.” I worked hard and got good grades, but.”

I took my wife by the hand and told her the truth: If God receives something, it means giving us better, so we should be thankful and praised.

Unemployment is actually just a small worry in life, and there are too many sufferings that exceed unemployment. God is in control of all this.

Scripture: “(Job) says, ‘I will return naked from my mother’s womb.’ He who rewards the Lord and receives the Lord, whose name is praiseworthy.” Job 1:21

Thank you for all things, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

No one likes to be fired, not even people who shout “The world is so big, I want to see it” all day long. Because this means that their efforts are despised, the value of life is not reflected, and even the discrimination of classmates and former colleagues is reminiscent. This is undoubtedly an unpleasant thing.

If you have been unemployed for a long time, it is even more irritating. For non-believers, there is no reverence, so many complaints begin. “Man’s foolishness pours out his word, and his heart complains about the Lord. Prov. 19:3

Christians walk in the workplace for the glory of God. Be faithful in all things, “serve willingly, as if serving the Lord, not like serving others.” Ephesians 6:7. The Lord will also give wisdom, patience, and love (often in teamwork) so that we can bear a good witness to the Lord in our offices, schools, and shops. Nevertheless, sometimes God will allow unemployment to come to us, even for extended periods of time, the kind that will affect our lives.

In this regard, Christians are inevitably troubled and weak, not because they do not have enough money or fear of ridicule, but because:

1. Not understanding what God’s will is in it. “When a man looks at the earth, he sees darkness and difficulty, and light becomes dim in the clouds. Isaiah 5:30b. It was clear that he wanted to make some achievements in this position so that people could see the glory and God, but he was fired first. Failure to see God’s will leads to undue questioning, “Doesn’t God love me?

2. My plans are broken, and I don’t know how to do it to glorify God. When to move up to what level, when to get married, when to buy a house or travel abroad, we all have our own plans, and life seems to be busy and methodical. But now it’s all suddenly broken. Don’t say that glorifying God is not easy to grow strong from weakness.

3. Inner peace and joy are negatively affected. When I was just unemployed, I also imagined that I could read more Bibles and go to church meetings more. Exercises and foreign language learning programs are also developed. However, as the time of unemployment prolonged, the heart became more and more restless and anxious.

This makes us even more frustrated when we are already confident of our confidence. The spiritual situation was a thousand miles away, and he even began to pray, “God, have mercy on me because I am in a difficult situation.” My eyes were shriveled with sorrow, and even my body and mind were restless. My life is consumed by sorrow, my years are wasted by sighs, my strength is decayed by my sins, and my bones are dry. Psalm 31:9-10

What is the truth behind the development from vague uneasiness to obvious anxiety and anxiety?

1. Our understanding of truth is still very vague. Although I have heard it, I do not know for sure that I truly believe that God is sovereign in all things. Know that not a single hair of ours will fall out if the Lord does not allow it. The Lord rules over all authority in heaven and on earth. Matthew 10:29, 28:18. Yes, God does not allow it, and you will certainly not be unemployed. Unemployment is also done by God’s goodwill. James 1:17

2) We have not truly surrendered sovereignty to God. Although we call Jesus Christ “my Lord,” we are really asking God to be our staff and support group. Reluctance to allow God to lead us on the way to the cross because the old self is full of fear of it. Matthew 16:24, Luke 14:33. This is why many Christians today are so close to the church.

3. Lack of preparation for the path of faith. The Bible says, “Whoever comes to God must believe in God and reward him for those who seek him.” “Hebrews 11:6. Our plans, efforts, and achievements sometimes prevent us from coming to God because we don’t want to let God’s hand shape us.

The path of true blessing is the way of following the Lord, and it must also be the way of a certain faith. That is since God has put us out of work, that unemployment must be good for our spiritual lives. If we are willing to endure and obey, we can be used by God as a blessing to others. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His will. Romans 8:28

4. We usually lack the habit of godly discipline. The apostles tell us, “Discipline the body is of little good, but godliness alone is beneficial in all things, because of the promise of this life and the life to come.” This statement is credible and very admirable. “1 Clocked 4:8-9

Letting someone who never usually exercises run 1,000 meters is indeed very difficult and painful. And a person who lacks the spiritual discipline to face the challenge of long-term unemployment is undoubtedly difficult. The so-called spiritual discipline is to consciously deal with the old self so that you can better equip yourself with God’s Word and draw closer to God. For example, stick to morning prayers, memorize scriptures and meditate daily, fast and pray, etc.

In this unpredictable era, almost any industry can rise or die within a generation, so unemployment is a problem that the present generation must face calmly. Even civil servants and senior executives of state-owned enterprises who think they are very secure are no exception because only the kingdom of God cannot be shaken. People’s positions are likely to shake before you retire, and you don’t see that civil servants also have to implement a cruel final elimination system?” Therefore, those who think they can stand firmly must be cautious so as not to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

The so-called “easy to know and difficult to do” is true for natural human nature.If we ourselves are unemployed, how can we rely on the Lord?The first is to acknowledge before the Lord that you need the Lord’s comfort and experience Jesus’ presence. Because apart from the Lord, each of us will immediately fall weakly. Not only unemployment, but also the pressure of the workplace, but also the need for the main strength. Not only the newly believing body but also the ministers who have been serving for many years. Paul says, “In my own heart I have determined that I will die, that we may not rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9

Develop a realistic plan. Motivate yourself by memorizing the efficiency booklet, waking up early every day to pray devotionals, sending resumes, going to interviews, exercising, learning foreign languages, attending church meetings, reading classic books, etc. And ask the members around you to supervise and pray for yourself.

Remember that we are committed to the church. People’s emotions are always prone to ups and downs, which is also a normal situation, especially when spiritual life is still young. We can go to church pastors more often. I can assure you that true pastors are more than willing to accompany you and help you.

If there is financial hardship due to long-term unemployment, you can also tell the church. Don’t forget that we are family. “Therefore, you should comfort one another and build one another, as you have always done. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

It is important to seek God’s personal leadership of us and incorporate a vision of God’s kingdom.

Don’t waste God’s opportunity for unemployment, always equip yourself for God’s glory and preparation for better service in the future. Read the Bible, memorize Scripture, and attend church services more than you do at work. Job lost everything he had when he was tried, but he did not complain or leave God, and God later gave him double blessings and, above all, true knowledge of God. Job 42. If we are obedient and truly fearful in our hearts, God will let us know Him better and receive many blessings. Matthew 6:33. If God plans to give us more beautiful jobs, who can stop it?

An unemployment test that tests real confidence scores. Students who have good results in the ground test will be valued by the teacher, and the requirements will be more stringent. If the grades are not satisfactory, you need to find out the shortcomings and grasp the review. As soon as the spiritual test comes out, the body that can say, “Thank the Lord, I am unemployed” should be more thankful and praised for God’s protection and guidance. Those whose faith is weak and uncertain need to let go of their burdens and truly surrender themselves to the loving embrace of Christ Jesus.

Follow the Savior in difficult circumstances.Behind unemployment is God’s goodwill.Do not look at the environment, but look only at Christ.

见证篇184.失业…

失业的背后有美意– 李浦旻

因为疫情的原因,现在失业的肢体很多。有些马上就得面对可能破产的危险。有些虽然没失业,但公司不得不大幅度减薪,这也是不小的困扰。今年毕业的几百万大学生找工作,显然会很艰难。面对这些巨大的挑战,人的安慰作用有限。我们需要坚定的信心,需要从神而来的安慰与帮助。

多年以前,到我岳母家吃晚饭,饭桌上全家谈笑风生,非常温馨。饭后,妻子把我拉到一边,对我说:“告诉你一件事,我被开除了。”我说:“哦,刚才倒真没看出来。”她回答:“那当然,我们是信主的。我工作蛮努力,成绩也很好,但是.”

我拉着妻子的手告诉她一个真理:神如果收去一样东西,就意味着要把更好的赐给我们,所以应当感恩与赞美。

失业其实只是人生中很小的忧患,有太多的苦难超过失业。神掌管着这一切。

经文:“(约伯)说:我赤身出于母胎,也必赤身归回。赏赐的是耶和华,收取的也是耶和华;耶和华的名是应当称颂的”。伯1:21

“凡事谢恩,因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。”帖前5:18

没有人喜欢被炒鱿鱼,即便是成天嚷着“天下那么大,我想去看看”的人。因为这意味自己的付出被藐视,人生的价值未能体现,甚至会联想到同学与前同事的歧视。这无疑是件令人不快的事情。

如果失业时间很长,就更加令人恼火。对不信主的人而言,本没有敬畏之心,于是开始许多的抱怨。“人的愚昧倾败他的道,他的心也抱怨耶和华。”箴19:3

基督徒在职场,为了神的荣耀而行。凡事忠心,“甘心侍奉,好像服侍主,不像服侍人。”弗6:7。主也必赐下智慧、忍耐与爱心(常体现在团队合作上),使我们能够在公司、学校、商店里为主作美好的见证。虽然如此,有时神会允许失业临到我们,甚至是较长时间的失业,就是会影响我们生活的那种。

对此,基督徒也难免有些困扰与软弱,倒不是因为钱不够用或怕别人讥笑,而是因为:

1、不明白神在其中的旨意是什么。“人若望地,只见黑暗艰难,光明在云中变为昏暗。”赛5:30b。明明自己想在这个岗位上做出番成就来,好使人看见归荣耀与神,结果自己却先被辞退了。看不清神的旨意,就会产生不应有的质疑:“神不是爱我的吗?神的看顾体现在什么地方呢?”

2、自己的计划被打破,不知如何行来荣耀神。什么年龄段晋升到什么级别,什么时候结婚,什么时候买房或出国旅游,我们原本都有自己的计划,生活似乎在繁忙中有条不紊地进行着。可是,如今突然全被打破了。不要说荣耀神,能从软弱中刚强起来就不容易。

3、内心的平安喜乐受到负面的影响。刚失业时,也曾设想可以多读圣经,多去参加教会聚会了。还制定了锻炼与外语学习的计划。可是,随着失业时间的延长,心中越来越烦躁焦虑。

这令原本对自己信心很有把握的我们更加沮丧。属灵光景可谓一退千里,甚至开始祷告说:“神啊,求你怜恤我,因为我在急难之中。我的眼睛因忧愁而干瘪,连我的身心也不安舒。我的生命为愁苦所消耗,我的年岁为叹息所旷废,我的力量因我的罪孽衰败,我的骨头也枯干。”诗31:9-10

从隐约的不安发展到明显的忧虑焦急,其背后的真相是什么呢?

1、我们对真理的认识还很模糊。虽然听过却并未确知真信神在所有的事上掌权。要知道主若不允许,我们的一根头发都不会掉下。主掌权天上地下所有的权柄。太10:29,28:18。是的,神不允许,你定然不会失业。失业也是出于神的美意。雅1:17

2、我们还没有真正地将主权交给神。虽然我们口中称耶稣基督为“我的主”,但事实上只是请神当我们的参谋与后援团。不愿让神带领我们走上十字架的道路,因为老我对此充满了恐惧。太16:24,路14:33。这也是如今许多基督徒对教会若即若离的原因。

3、对走上信心的道路缺乏准备。经上说:“人非有信,就不能得神的喜悦;因为到神面前来的人,必须信有神,且信他赏赐那寻求他的人。”来11:6。我们的计划、付出与成绩有时反而拦阻了自己来到神的面前,因为不愿意让神的手来雕琢我们。

真正蒙福的道路是跟随主的道路,也必然是一定信心的道路。就是说,神既然让我们失业,这失业就一定对我们的属灵生命有益处。如果我们愿意忍耐与顺服,就能被神使用成为别人的祝福。“我们晓得万事都互相效力,叫爱神的人得益处,就是按他旨意被召的人。”罗8:28

4、我们平时缺乏敬虔操练的习惯。使徒告诉我们:“操练身体,益处还少;惟独敬虔,凡事都有益处,因有今生和来生的应许。这话是可信的,是十分可佩服的。”提前4:8-9

让一个平时从不锻炼的人跑1000米,确实非常艰辛痛苦。而一个平素缺乏属灵操练的人面对长期失业的挑战,无疑也是难熬挣扎的。所谓的属灵操练,就是有意识地对付老我,让自己能更好地装备神的话语与更亲近神的行为。比如,坚持晨祷,每日背经文与默想,禁食祷告等。

在这个变幻莫测的时代,几乎任何行业都有可能在一代人之期限内兴起或消亡,所以,失业是当代人必须冷静面对的问题。即便是自以为十分稳妥的公务员与国企高层也不例外,因为只有神的国才是不能震动的。人的岗位都有可能在你退休前震动,君不见公务员也要实行残酷的末尾淘汰制吗?“所以,自己以为站得稳的,须要谨慎,免得跌倒。”林前10:12

所谓“知易行难”对天然人性来说真的。
如果我们自己失业了,该如何靠主面对呢?
首先是在主前承认自己需要主的安慰与经历主的同在。因为离开了主,我们每个人都会立刻软弱跌倒。不仅是失业,就是面对职场压力,也是需要主加力量。不仅是刚信主的肢体,就是服事有年的传道人也不例外。保罗说:“自己心里也断定是必死的,叫我们不靠自己,只靠叫死人复活的神。”林后1:9

制定切实可行的计划。不妨以记效率手册的方式来激励自己,每天固定时间早起祷告灵修,发简历,去参加面试,锻炼身体,学习外语,参加教会聚会,阅读经典书籍等。并请身边肢体来监督和为自己代祷。

记得我们是委身教会的。人的情绪总是容易高低起伏,这也属于正常光景,尤其是属灵生命尚幼小的阶段。我们可以多去找教会牧者谈心交流。我敢跟你保证,真正的牧者都非常愿意来陪伴你、帮助你。

如果因长期失业经济上发生困难,也可以告诉教会。不要忘记,我们是一家人。“所以,你们该彼此劝慰,互相建立,正如你们素常所行的。”帖前5:11

重要的是,要寻求神对我们个人的带领,并结合神国度的异象。

不要浪费神所赐的失业良机,总要为了神的荣耀与预备将来更美的服事好好装备自己。要比上班时更多地读经、背诵经文与多参加教会的服事。约伯受试炼时失去了一切所有,但他没有抱怨、更没有离开神,后来神就赐给他加倍的祝福和最重要的真认识神。伯42章。如果我们内心顺服、真心敬畏,神也会因此让我们更认识他,并得着许多的祝福。太6:33。神若计划给我们更美的工作岗位,又有谁能拦阻得了呢?

一场失业的考试,测试出真实的信心成绩。地上考试成绩好的学生,就被老师器重,要求会更加严格。成绩不理想的,需要找出不足之处,并抓紧复习。属灵的考试一出来,能说“感谢主,我失业了”的肢体要为神的保守与带领更深地感恩与赞美。信心软弱、彷徨不定的,则需要放下自我的重担,真正地投靠在基督耶稣爱的怀抱中。

艰难环境中,以信心跟随救主。
失业的背后有神的美意。
不看环境,只仰望基督。

每日活灵(309)…

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「莫想我来要废掉律法和先知。我来不是要废掉,乃是要成全。」【太5: 17

旧约律法的要求,在主耶稣身上得着完满的实现;旧约先知的豫言,在祂身上也得着完满的应验。同时旧约的律法和先知,只不过是字句和影儿,若没有主耶稣的到来,就仍有缺陷,还不够完全,所以祂来填满律法和先知,使之完全。

主来成全了律法和先知,说出丰满的基督乃是整个旧约的总和与实际。

我们虽不处在律法之下,乃在恩典之下,只是不可将我们的自由当作放纵情欲的机会,仍须遵守有关道德伦理方面的诫命。律法乃是将来美事的影儿,那形体却是基督,所以说主耶稣来到这世上,是使律法得着完满的成全。

今天神已经将那全备使人自由的律法放在我们里面,写在我们心上,也就是基督活在我们里面,带着恩膏在凡事上教训我们;我们遵祂而行,就是成全律法和先知。

新王主耶稣不是来废除摩西的律法,乃是来提高旧律法的标准。以杀人为例:旧律法吩咐我们不可杀人,对怒气却只字不题。人若杀了人,就会受到摩西律法的定罪。但不管你如何向人动怒,只要你没有杀人,就不会受到摩西律法的定罪。按着诸天之国的律法,我们不可向弟兄动怒。凡杀人的,难逃审判。但是我告诉你们,凡向弟兄动怒的,难逃审判。因此,诸天之国的律法比旧时代的律法严的多。另一个例证是关于奸淫的律法。旧律法禁止人犯奸淫,但新律法禁止人看妇女而有意贪恋她。因此,诸天之国律法的基本原则是,它比旧律法高。我们不是废掉旧律法,乃是补充旧律法,使律法更严。为这缘故,主耶稣说,祂来不是要废除律法,乃是要成全律法。奉主蒙恩! 阿们!   

每日活灵(308)…

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「因为凡遵守全律法的,只在一条上跌倒,他就是犯了众条。」【雅2:: 10

主的工人不但要在口头上教训别人,同时也要自己遵守律法,保罗曾说:『你要谨慎自己和自己的教训』。常见主的工人能说不能行,教训别人而不教训自己,这种现象乃是他们作工没有果效的最大原因。 

听道而不行道的人,听了几十年的道,在基督里仍为婴孩。因其只顾口头道理的教训,而不顾实际道德行为的人,是不值得我们信徒效法的。

保罗要我们明白,若真能靠行律法称义,单受割礼没有用,必须遵行全部律法才能称义。但世上没有一个人能遵行全部律法。守法难,犯法易;因守法需遵行全部的律法,犯法只需违背其中的一条,就是犯了众条了。

新约中的信徒是在基督里成全律法的要求,凡事让基督的生命从我们身上活出来,这就完全了基督的律法;所以遵守或不遵守外面的规条,都无关紧要,要紧的是作新造的人,得着新生命。受了割礼仍是旧造;只有借着信得以在基督里的人才成为新造,旧事已过,都变成新的了。

有些自认为所见高人一等又自大的传福音者,将圣经的道理教训划分成『高品』和『低品』两类,无形中鼓励其追随者重视所谓『高品』的道理,而鄙视『低品』的,以致冒犯了神而不自知。

我们绝不能以为我们只看重生命,而不顾道德行为。生命必须有生命的彰显;道德不过是从生命中彰显出来。因此,你若有最高的生命,必然会有最高的道德行为作这生命的表彰。因为国度的标准高于道德的标准,但国度的标准告诉我们,要爱我们的仇敌,为那逼迫我们的祷告,不要抗拒恶人。若有人打我们的右脸,连另一面也转给他。右脸是主在监察我,左脸是我站在主这一边监察我自己;灵命长进的途径,乃是欢喜着『阿们』主十字架的对付。

我们若被别人的手打臉,在挨打时心里不用冒火、或以牙还牙,但要心平气和仰望神。等候主为你申冤。这标准比道德的标准高得太多了!我们借着最高的生命、遵守最高的律法、並完成最高的标准。如今我们都活在基督里也成全最高的律法的要求了。奉主蒙恩 ! 阿们 !   

每日活灵(307)…

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「赞美神,得众民的喜爱。主将得救的人,天天加给他们。」【徒2: 47

父的赏赐,是我们信主的根源;子的保守,是我们能坚信到底的根基。人为何必须吃世上的食物,才能免去肉体的饥饿;照样,人也必须吃主这生命的粮,才能填飽灵命的渴慕。

救恩既非源于我们自己能攒得,因此我们可以放心把自己交托给主;弟兄姊妹们要传揚福音作神的工,也当在祷告中求神的指引,一切事工都要合乎神的旨意。

领人归主前有一个基本的工作,必须在神面前开口祷告。要先求告神的幇助,然后带领人认识主耶稣,也可用自己的见证来鼓励他人。

我们要明白,我们若在神面前没有负担事工的心,那么虽然有兴趣,但燃燒的热忱不可能持久,带领人的工作还是相当不乐观。我们总得在神面前有负担,然后才能在人面前作见证荣耀神。

我们若只会祈求神,而不会赞美神,就无法更多经历神的大能。弟兄姊妹们和睦的生活见证,是传福音得人的最佳出口。如果说教会是圆周,基督是圆心;教会惟有先活出向心的实际,主才会负责叫人受吸引而回归向心。所以教会传福音若没有果效,应当先省察教会向着基督的实际如何,而不该一直在那里责怪弟兄没传好信息。

教会是属得救的信徒建立而成的。但带领得救的人加入教会的,不是人的作為,乃是主基督。从外表看,我们为主作见证、传福音的人,把人帶领回来;但实际救赎人的工作,不是任何人所能作的,乃是主基督借着圣灵作的。

我们要先求告神,求主将得救的人天天加给我们,建立強大的教会。得人如得魚、神的作为不可测度。我们当赞美神,帶领人归主,廣传主的福音。撒种在我、收成归主耶稣奉主蒙恩! 阿们!   

每日活灵(306)…

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我又听见主的声音说:「我可以差遣谁呢?谁肯为我们去呢?」我说:“我在这里,请差遣我!”【赛6: 8

神在天庭宝座高耸入云之上,然而也放眼在人间;天上大君王以天为座位;地为脚凳。

神的天庭大殿满盖祂彩虹的衣裳,都是神的荣光云彩充满神的居所,不是人手能造成的屋宇圣殿,乃是在诸天之上涵盖浩瀚宇宙的居所。

我们尊崇耶和华,在祂的脚櫈前敬拜祂。唯独耶和华神被高举,人不过是一口气一声叹息的短暂客旅,竟试图自我吹嘘,彼此阿謏奉承,自大的行为岂非愚蠢到不可理喻的地步呢?

神就是我们世世代代永恒的居所、神抱养我们做儿女,我们渴慕亲历祂的圣洁荣耀、大而可畏、无处不在、无所不知,凡事都能、满是恩慈怜悯的同在。我们要和千万天使应和扬声歌唱,颂扬以色列的圣者,至高神的光辉荣耀。

神说:我可以差遣谁呢?谁肯为我们去呢?不是神没有旨意去传福音,不是神没有旨意去拯救人,乃是因为神没有得着人为祂使用。有许多人给虚荣占有了,有许多人给享受占有了,有许多人给家庭占有了,有许多人给安逸占有了,这些人只顾自己的事,对福音的传扬没有专心,对神的工作没有热忱。

还有很多世人不得救,不是神不要救,乃是我们还沒有和神同工;每一个弟兄姊妹,若是都愿意和神同工,神所救赎的人,就不是我们能计算的了。神的工作之所以不能快速进行,乃是因为神等侯我们被差遣。来完成神的工作。

基督徒所有的职业与事业,都是副业。惟有事奉主,是我们的正业。我们该以事奉主为我们生活的中心和目的。我们所以作职业或事业,不过是带手而作,藉以维持我们的生活,并供给主工作的需要。摩西的故事就给我们看见,他有一个心愿,要为神来拯救以色列人。虽然他到了八十岁的时候,才为神使用,但是他那一个心愿不是开始于八十岁的时候,乃是开始于四十岁的时候。过了四十年之久,神并没有忘记他的心愿,神还是去找着他,完成他的心愿。不单摩西一个人如此,撒母耳的故事也是如此。哈拿祈祷耶和华,许愿说,‘你若赐我一个儿子,我必使他终身归与耶和华。因为撒母耳的母亲向着神许了这个心愿,后来就得着了撒母耳,成功了神在那一个时代中的计划。神看见有人向着祂许心愿,神必祝福。神说福音要传揚到全世界各角落,我们应当回应的差遣,肯为主作工。奉主蒙恩! 阿们!