0514 享受逆境的习惯
…使耶稣的生也显明在我们身上。《哥林多后书4:10》
我们必须养成敬虔的习惯来表达神的恩典在我们身上所做的一切，这不仅是从地狱中被拯救的问题，而是被拯救以便于「耶稣的生也显明在我们身上」的问题；正是逆境让我们在必死的肉体中展现他的生命。我的生活是否展现了神儿子的馨香本质，或只是展现我离开祂时「我自己」的基本恼怒？唯一让我能够享受逆境的，就是急切渴望让神儿子的生命在我身上显明出来的强烈感。无论事情可能有多困难，我都必须说：「主，我很高兴在这件事上顺服你。」立刻，神的儿子就会移到我生命的最前面，并会在我身上彰显荣耀祂的事。
你们一定不可争论。当你顺服神之光的那一刻，祂的儿子就会透过你在你的逆境中发光；但如果你与神辩论，你就会使祂的圣灵担忧（见以弗所书 4:30）。你必须保持自己在适当的状态，让神儿子的生命在你身上显明出来，如果你给自怜留地步，你就无法保持健康。我们的处境是神用来展示祂的儿子是多么完美和超常纯洁的媒介。
发现一种彰显神儿子的新方式应该让我们因新的兴奋而心跳加速。选择逆境是一回事，而透过神的至高无上主权安排我们的环境进入逆境，那又是另一回事。如果神把你置于逆境中，祂也足以「使你们一切所需用的都充足」（腓立比书4:19）。
保持你的灵魂处于适当地习惯于彰显神儿子的生命。永远不要活在过去经历的记忆中，但要让神的话语在你心里是总是活生生且起作用的。
来自章伯斯的智慧
读书永远不可能读太多，但要时刻记住你为什么要读。要记住，「需要接受、认识和依靠圣灵」是最重要的。《蒙神悦纳》
0514 The Habit of Enjoying Adversity
…that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. —2 Corinthians 4:10
We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is.
Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
It is impossible to read too much, but always keep before you why you read. Remember that “the need to receive, recognize, and rely on the Holy Spirit” is before all else. Approved Unto God, 11 L