0514 享受逆境的習慣
…使耶穌的生也顯明在我們身上。《哥林多後書4:10》
我們必須養成敬虔的習慣來表達神的恩典在我們身上所做的一切，這不僅是從地獄中被拯救的問題，而是被拯救以便於「耶穌的生也顯明在我們身上」的問題；正是逆境讓我們在必死的肉體中展現他的生命。我的生活是否展現了神兒子的馨香本質，或只是展現我離開祂時「我自己」的基本惱怒？唯一讓我能夠享受逆境的，就是急切渴望讓神兒子的生命在我身上顯明出來的強烈感。無論事情可能有多困難，我都必須說：「主，我很高興在這件事上順服你。」立刻，神的兒子就會移到我生命的最前面，並會在我身上彰顯榮耀祂的事。
你們一定不可爭論。當你順服神之光的那一刻，祂的兒子就會透過你在你的逆境中發光；但如果你與神辯論，你就會使祂的聖靈擔憂（見以弗所書 4:30）。你必須保持自己在適當的狀態，讓神兒子的生命在你身上顯明出來，如果你給自憐留地步，你就無法保持健康。我們的處境是神用來展示祂的兒子是多麼完美和超常純潔的媒介。
發現一種彰顯神兒子的新方式應該讓我們因新的興奮而心跳加速。選擇逆境是一回事，而透過神的至高無上主權安排我們的環境進入逆境，那又是另一回事。如果神把你置於逆境中，祂也足以「使你們一切所需用的都充足」（腓立比書4:19）。
保持你的靈魂處於適當地習慣於彰顯神兒子的生命。永遠不要活在過去經歷的記憶中，但要讓神的話語在你心裡是總是活生生且起作用的。
來自章伯斯的智慧
讀書永遠不可能讀太多，但要時刻記住你為什麼要讀。要記住，「需要接受、認識和依靠聖靈」是最重要的。《蒙神悅納》
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