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經文：「我...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） 現在正是五穀成熟的時期，農夫們唱著歡樂的凱歌，把農作物儲藏在倉庫裡。但是，我們不妨想想：如果不是先有一粒麥子死在地裡，怎麼能結出這麼多的子粒呢？而屬靈的事情也是如此；我們自己的舊生命如果不死，怎麼能活出基督的新生命呢？ 所以，讓我們不再顧念自己的安樂和幸福；要將自己的舊生命完全釘死在基督的十字架上；並且不只將犯罪的慾望和習慣釘死，就連天然本性中一切無罪與美好的也一起釘死。因為如果我們要多結果子，就必須先被埋在黑暗和孤寂中。 親愛的讀者，恐怕你會和我一樣；當聽到這個訊息，心裡會感到失望。但是請記得：主竟然看上了我們，要我們與祂一同受苦，對我們來說這豈不是非常尊榮的事嗎？並且，我們所遭遇的一切，無非要把我們造成合乎主用的器皿；而「痛苦生豐富，死亡生生命」這就是神國的定律。 --譯自靜默的時刻 In the Hour of Silence 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Phil. 3:8). This is the happy season of ripening cornfields, of the merry song of the reapers, of the secured and garnered grain. But let me hearken to the sermon of the field. This is its solemn word to me. You must die in order to live. You must refuse to consult your own case and well-being. You must be crucified, not only in desires and habits which are sinful, but in many more which appear innocent and right. If you would save others, you cannot save yourself. If you would bear much fruit, you must be buried in darkness and solitude. My heart fails me as I listen. But, when Jesus asks it, let me tell myself that it is my high dignity to enter into the fellowship of His sufferings; and thus I am in the best of company. And let me tell myself again that it is all meant to make me a vessel meet for His use. His own Calvary has blossomed into fertility; and so shall mine. Plenty out of pain, life out of death: is it not the law of the Kingdom? --In the Hour of Silence Do we call it dying when the bud bursts into flower? --Selected ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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