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經文：「我也將萬事當作有損的，因我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。」（腓3:8) 要產生光必須先消耗能量，光體損耗相當的能源以後才會有光照出來。所以就像蠟燭若不先燃燒，就不能發出光亮。同樣，我們若不先有犧牲，就不能於人有益。 燃燒就像是人生中的苦難；而信徒必須先經苦難，然後才能有益於人。可是我們看見痛苦，卻是常常選擇逃避；因為我們認為：當年輕力壯又才智敏銳，正是做大事業並能被神大用的狀態。而當我們孤單、生病、苦難、失業的時候，就沒有甚麼長處也不足以被神重用。 其實並非如此；我們在苦難中若能存心忍耐並順服，必有遠超過所能想像的更大也更有果效的事奉。--譯自晚思 Evening Thoughts 今日所受的痛苦，將是明日的榮耀。雖然許多人是只要榮耀，不要十架；只要發光，不要燃燒。但是且容我告訴你，十架正是冠冕的先鋒，沒有十架就沒有冠冕。 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "I even reckon all things as pure loss because of the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:8; Weymouth). Shining is always costly. Light comes only at the cost of that which produces it. An unlit candle does no shining. Burning must come before shining. We cannot be of great use to others without cost to ourselves. Burning suggests suffering. We shrink from pain. We are apt to feel that we are doing the greatest good in the world when we are strong, and able for active duty, and when the heart and hands are full of kindly service. When we are called aside and can only suffer; when we are sick; when we are consumed with pain; when all our activities have been dropped, we feel that we are no longer of use, that we are not doing anything. But, if we are patient and submissive, it is almost certain that we are a greater blessing to the world in our time of suffering and pain than we were in the days when we thought we were doing the most of our work. We are burning now, and shining because we are burning. --Evening Thoughts "The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today." Many want the glory without the cross, the shining without the burning, but crucifixion comes before coronation. ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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