Monday, October 25, 2010

愛的天使

心,常流淚,不知為什麼?淚,滴成泉,不見何處流。我知道,淚是心的歌聲,思念的嘆息,流往彩虹橋,愛的那一邊。淚是愛的天使,為心而醒,為心而眠,帶向彩虹橋,心的真一面。

心等待著愛,愛在尋找心。心與愛的結合如天堂。一顆一顆的心,渴望著愛,等待著天使,白日望遠方,黑夜點燭光。心的哭泣,只有愛聽到。愛的安慰,在心旁
竊語。心雖閉眼卻無眠,只盼被愛輕喚醒。

喚醒的心,流淚的心,有信的嫩芽,是愛的結晶。閃爍的淚,水晶的淚,是信的滋潤,有愛的陽光。

愛的早霞喚醒睡眠在心的天使,信的綠葉是他的翅翼,飛翔到藍天,彩虹的另一邊,回到太陽的懷抱,結合在天堂。

Saturday, October 23, 2010

愛耶穌?

請問,我們愛的是耶穌,還是愛祂所代表的榮耀與聖潔? 如果耶穌沒那麼完美,祂要做的事失敗了,我們還愛祂嗎? 祂給我們的愛是無條件的,但是我們對祂的愛是不是有條件? 我們真的,真的! 為什麼愛耶穌?

如果愛耶穌,是不是想見祂? 如果最愛耶穌,是不是最想聽到祂?  如果只愛耶穌,是不是只想尋找祂? 我們是不是隨時地想念著祂?只要想到祂,是不是眼睛就濕濕,鼻子就酸酸?

但是有些人,聽了多一點有關耶穌的形容,耶穌的亮光,就覺得無聊,感到厭煩,好像沒什麼收穫,想說這與我們現在要面對的實際生活與問題的解決有什麼關係呢? 耶穌是誰,祂做了什麼事,都已經知道了,為什麼還要一再而再的提? 而更重要的是要學到一些"有用的"道理與分享來運用在現實生活上,這才是紮實的信仰生活。是不是?

這種信仰是愛耶穌的表現嗎?

如果可能與耶穌一起拍照,看照片的時候我們先找的會是誰?

耶穌是生命的糧 (是耶穌受鞭打的身體與傷口流出的血,不是祂的教訓)。我們吃飯多久要一次? 為什麼要天天吃,一天要吃好幾次? 因為我們不吃就飢餓。如果不覺隨時都對耶穌的飢渴,那祂還算是我們生命的糧嗎? 如果不是吃喝生命,那我們天天飢渴的是什麼? 吃的喝的靈糧是什麼?

James

流血的訊息

"有一個女人、患了十二年的血漏、在好些醫生手裏、受了許多的苦.又花盡了他所有的、一點也不見好、病勢反倒更重了。他聽見耶穌的事、就從後頭來、雜在眾人中間、摸耶穌的衣裳。" 馬可 5:25-27

女人(耶穌的新婦)代表教會。十二是神的管制而教會就是祂在世上的權威。她漏血了十二年形容著教會的軟弱,因為生命流失,沒有影響力。流血代表處在罪裏的控告與綑綁。她花了所有的錢,受了無數的苦,還是醫不好。這象徵教會的訓言與肢體的遵守,要靠克服罪而得聖潔,但是終究還是無能為力。
 
律法指定,漏血的女人不乾淨,帶罪,不能靠近別人。守律法的教會為了維護神的誡命,維持神的聖潔,絕對反對還在骯髒時靠近耶穌。他們堅持神的聖潔不可冒犯,連一點污穢都不能容忍。按照這樣的遵守,雖然他們相信耶穌是美好的,也想親近祂,但是因為自己有罪,嚴謹的要守律法,只有遠遠的遙望。雖然痛苦無力,他們卻將這忍受與順服當為美德,竭力進步,安慰在此。

不只是這樣,堅守律法的人與教會也不准別人帶罪靠近耶穌,而是教訓靠近耶穌前先要除罪,除罪之後才能進祂的安息。像這女人的不守律法,帶著不乾淨的肉身擠在人群中要去碰觸耶穌是極不尊重,也是極為"放縱"的行為。這樣的認知看不到女人的決志是堅信的表達,而只有耶穌證實她的信,稱她為女兒,說 "
安心、妳的信救了妳" 女人得醫治,進安息,不是因為她無罪或有順服,而是因為她聽見耶穌醫治了罪人,摸了長大痲瘋的人,也自己做了違反律法的事情,她就相信,帶罪的肉體可以親近主。

圍繞著耶穌的人群眾多,大部份是男人。柔弱懷病的女人要擠到耶穌身邊是非常不容易的,特別是她也知道她在違背律法,說不定有人會認識她,而責備她,硬把她拖走。律法是屬世的習性,雖然遵守難,理念不難,甚至是求好的自然趨勢,不需深入思考。沒有人會說律法的
遵守不好。但是信剛好是律法的相反,不是靠自己的遵守,而是靠耶穌的遵守稱義。律法就像根深蒂固的訓導,人群有如別人的不認同,常讓我們的信心搖動,不確定福音就是那麼的美好,那麼的簡單。信的高難度不在真理,而是在接受,因為魔鬼竭力在阻擋真福音的傳楊。
阻擋信心的
信息比阻擋遵守的多的多。雖然常把"信"在口中,但是卻由行的意念而失去。所以我們屬靈的爭戰是要全心放在建立與耶穌合一的信心,好比這女人的堅心往前,不把她的信心離開耶穌。神說,"所以我們務必竭力進入那安息、免得有人學那不信從的樣子跌倒了。" 希伯來書 4:11如果把信建立在律法的遵守,那麼這信已經離開恩典,而與猶太教沒有兩樣,加上耶穌只是一個點綴。這樣的理念是要求合作性 (有了恩典要再加上自己的努力與順服),並且是自己的順服越多越好。但是這是完全不符合福音的真理,惟獨恩典才是我們的依靠: "因為那進入安息的、乃是歇了自己的工(遵守律法的心態)。。。" 希伯來書 4:10。

聖經上的第一次常有很深的意義。摩西(律法)的第一個奇蹟顯示在埃及(舊約),他把清水變為血。摩西帶來律法,為了是要定人的罪(血)。雖然他把人民帶出埃及的綑綁(世界),律法不能帶人進入迦南地的安息,而只有死在曠野,不管如何遵守。跟隨摩西雖然得救,但是出不了罪的控告(曠野),只有跟隨約書亞(耶穌)才能進入真理與恩典實際安息。女人如不追求耶穌,而只在遠方敬佩,渴望,她還是會繼續流血(被罪挾持),不得醫治(made whole, 完全),沒有安息。

耶穌(恩典)的第一個奇蹟顯示在婚禮(新約),祂把清水變為酒。耶穌來世就如祂的婚事,要尋
祂至愛的新婦,就是你我,祂的肢體,信徒的集合(Ecclesia in Greek),教會的定義。清水本是耶穌的聖潔,但因代替我們在十字架上受懲罰,祂流的鮮血由愛的完全付出釀成恩典的美酒,賜給我們喝,赦免我們的罪而稱義,得永生。女人因相信(喝下)耶穌的恩典,從律法的綑綁釋放出來,一心追求耶穌,終於得到醫治,不再流血(被罪挾持)。她這樣的信才是真正討耶穌的喜悅。

一個信徒,一個教會,是要繼續流血,靠自己的遵守得痊癒呢?還是不看自己屬世的肉體敗壞,相信耶穌只有為罪人犧牲,唯有罪人才能親近祂,就在流血犯罪的時候最需要耶穌,最有允許與權利觸摸祂? 而不是等著我們乾淨時祂才願意接納祝福我們,稱為祂的兒女,祂的新婦? 完美的人,完美的教會,並不表示得聖。教訓,追求自我聖潔,以為,認為遵守聖潔,敬拜的不是耶穌,而是自我的神。Amen

James

什麼是基督教?/ What is Christianity?

什麼是基督教?耶穌基督。沒有多,沒有少。祂是恩典。祂是真理。還有什麼可以加上恩典與真理?沒有!也沒有可以拿走的。如果我們是耶穌的肢體,耶穌完全在我們心裡,我們就有恩典和真理在內滋潤我們的信,結屬靈的好果子,沒有多出來,也沒少什麼。

律法完成在耶穌裡,不能在我們。因它是死亡的執事,死亡的毒鉤是罪,罪的力量是律法 (心態)。把律法加在恩典有如毒藥滴在新酒,將律法分開由自己的遵守有如喝那殺信心的毒藥。

讓我們定睛仰望耶穌,祂是我們信心的創始與成終。祂是 alpha 與 omega。他值得我們的盡心,盡性,盡意,盡力,尋找祂,仰望祂,深愛祂。Amen


What is Christianity? Jesus Christ. Nothing more, nothing less. He is grace. He is truth. What more can one add to grace and truth? Nothing; neither can one take away from it. If we are bodies of Christ, and our hearts are filled with Him, we also have grace and truth in us that is the source of our faith and good works, nothing more to add, and nothing to take away.
Law is fulfilled in Christ, and not possible in us. For it is the ministry of death, the sting of death is sin, and strength of sin is law (mentality). Adding law to grace is like dripping poison to new wine; and separating law unto us is drinking poison that kills faith.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, for He is the alpha and the omega, and He deserves 100% of our heart, soul, mind and strength in finding and beholding Him. Amen

James

Thursday, October 21, 2010

前十代的應許

神的思念是多麼的深奧,他的話語含著一層層的甜美,祂的心充滿著愛: 我們生命的糧食。愛不需要思考,只要吃。但是在我們的思考,才更深的發覺神的心是多麼的豐盛,為我們擺設了不停的筵席,祂的愛如蜂房滴蜜,使尋求祂的,依靠祂的,永不飢渴。

以下屬亮光。這不是我看到的,但是我感謝從多人的追尋神的話語,看到祂的心射出的一絲光芒,讓我的心再一次感受到溫暖的愛,活在主話語中所隱藏著的應許和保證。

從亞當之後到挪亞總共有十代。這十代,代表著完全,意味著這前十代的人有著神完美計劃的應許。名字在聖經裏常有重要的意義,而在這十個人的名字的結合,傳著神不變的心意,祂賜予我們的福音。早在世界的開始,耶穌就願意以祂的死拯救我們。神看到地是"空虛混沌,淵面黑暗",
我們與天分開的生命我們還未認識神的心。祂就帶給我們光,永恆的盼望。


我們經由以下十的人名字的意義,(some from the root word) 就可以拼出人的命運和神的拯救。


1. 亞 當 (人, man)

2. 塞 特 (指定, appointed)

3. 以 挪 士 (會死的, mortal)

4. 該 南 (憂傷, sorrow)

5. 瑪 勒 列 (祝福的神, blessed God)

6. 雅 列 (會降下, shall come down)


7. 以 諾 (教導, teaching)

8. 瑪 土 撒 拉 (他的死會帶來, his death shall bring)

9. 拉 麥 (在絕望的, the despairing)


10.挪 亞 (安息或安慰, rest or comfort)

合起來如下:
"人(是被)指定會死的憂傷; (但是)祝福的神(將)會降下,教導(我們)祂的死會帶給在絕望的(人)安息。" (Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.)
我們讀聖經為了是什麼?最重要的和第一的目的,就是要看到耶穌。我們找到耶穌就是找到愛,找到真理,找到生命。我們不是找到了還要在思考,而是從思考中找到。看到了耶穌就是我們的靈糧,加強我們的信,滋潤我們的靈魂,讓我們的心得安息,身得醫治。

剛好安息就是在挪亞,恩典也第一次在他被提起 (創世紀 6:8)。挪亞以釘子與木頭造成方舟,象徵著耶穌基督在十字架上,代替我們受罪的懲罰,而在祂裡面的必不受審判的狂風暴雨。Amen

James

Friday, October 15, 2010

Amazing Grace (beautiful voice)

Dear...

Thank you so much for forwarding this clip. I could never pass up an opportunity to enjoy a performance of "Amazing Grace." That it is sang by Il Divo in the Coliseum makes it just that much more grand and moving. The spirit of the LORD and love of Jesus Christ flows out of the music like living water quenching our thirsty souls, and the wayward hearts find deep rest in the grace of our savior...the amazing grace of love that lives in His open wounds and forgiveness purchased with His precious blood. Alleluia Adonai, to you our love never cease. Amen.

Friday, October 8, 2010

鏡子裡的信徒

我 們 眾 人 既 然 敞 著 臉 、 得 以 看 見 主 的 榮 光 (耶穌) 、 好 像 從 鏡 子 裡 返 照 、 就 變 成 主 的 形 狀 、 榮 上 加 榮 (從榮成榮) 、 如 同 從 主 的 靈 變 成 的 。" 歌林多後書 3:18



我們是基督徒,不是猶太教徒。雖然信的是同樣的神,看得是同樣的舊約聖經,但是信仰的差別卻是相反,處處顛倒,格格不入。為什麼?當然是因為耶穌基督。猶太教徒不信耶穌是救主,他們還在等代著彌賽亞,恩典在他們心中還未成形,不懂因不信耶穌拯救了他們。

猶太教徒的信是建立在律法上,摩西的帕子還遮著他們的眼,蒙著他們的心。為什麼?因為他們在經節裡看不到耶穌。這帕子只有在基督裡才被廢去,但是猶太教徒在查經的鏡子只有看到自己,看到罪,如何克服,多加遵守。這不能怪他們,因為他們只有那屬死的職事(律法)。

如果基督徒的信仰在外表榮耀耶穌,而心態與猶太教徒一樣,鏡子看到的,心裏省察的,都是自己的罪,自己的不順服,摩西的帕子是不是還蒙著?如果看聖經的目的是學習遵守而讓自己更加聖潔為了榮耀主,請問耶穌的榮光在那裡?認罪帶我們到耶穌,但是耶穌不是要又帶我們回到自己的罪,而是來到神的面前稱義,因為耶穌的寶血遮蓋了罪。

如今我們已經有那更榮光的屬靈職事(恩典)稱我們為義,但為何還是緊抓著那已廢去的而時時看罪呢?這樣的信仰不是把耶穌放在心中,而還是把自己當為中心。以色列人金牛不是拜別的神,只是他們不見真神的代表(那時摩西),沒有完全信靠等待,就以自己行為()稱義(金)為代替品(牛),以為這樣是討神喜悅的敬拜。今天如果沒有定睛尋找,注視信的代表(耶穌,我們的大祭師),沒有完全的信靠及等待恩典的感動,與聖靈的改造,心中的金牛也會重造,閃爍的虛榮 (pride) 其實是不信的羞恥。

而 "
" 這個字很有趣; 希伯來文 "maccekah" 除了鎔金屬形成樣子之外,還有灌出或喝,和蓋住的帕子(veil) 等等意思,跟信都有關係。吃喝另外再講,但是這帕子的意義就是如果我們把重心放在自己的行為(不管任何理由),我們的眼,我們的心,和更重要的 -- 我們的信就如被虛榮的帕子蒙住,以為在討神的喜悅,但是只有拒絕祂在心門之外,救主的血淚無處流,也無處留。

所以在我們的靈修,查經與敬拜,耶穌與恩典絕對要是主題。可是在多少的講義與查經,耶穌只是裝飾品,好像既然都公認祂是救主,就不必再提,反而更重要的是要怎麼樣對付罪才是實際的信仰生活。恩典更是少之又少的被舉起和頌陽,好像甚怕多講一點會被濫用為犯罪的執照,不信恩典的彰顯是罪的滅亡。聖經是一面鏡子,把我們的心態清楚的顯現出來。如果像猶太教徒以律法的態度讀經,我們看到的只是自己與他人的罪,死亡的面。但是一心尋找耶穌,他必讓我們看到,而鏡子中的榮光與生命,靠著恩典,都屬我們為有,而返照在黑暗之世!只是我們信不信? Amen

James

Thursday, October 7, 2010

亮光的榮耀 / Glory of revelation

"將 事 隱 祕 、 乃  神 的 榮 耀 . 將 事 察 清 (尋找)、 乃 君 王 的 榮 耀 。" 箴 言 25:2


"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter." Proverbs 25:2


"不 像 摩 西 將 帕 子 蒙 在 臉 上 、 叫 以 色 列 人 不 能 定 睛 看 到 那 將 廢 者 的 結 局 .但 他 們 的 心 地 剛 硬 . 直 到 今 日 誦 讀 舊 約 的 時 候 、 這 帕 子 還 沒 有 揭 去 . 這 帕 子 在 基 督 裡 已 經 廢 去 了 。然 而 直 到 今 日 、 每 逢 誦 讀 摩 西 書 的 時 候 、 帕 子 還 在 他 們 心 上 。 但 他 們 的 心 幾 時 歸 向 主 、 帕 子 就 幾 時 除 去 了 。主 就 是 那 靈 、 主 的 靈 在 那 裡 、 那 裡 就 得 以 自 由 。我 們 眾 人 既 然 敞 著 臉 、 得 以 看 見 主 的 榮 光 (耶穌) 、 好 像 從 鏡 子 裡 返 照 、 就 變 成 主 的 形 狀 、 榮 上 加 榮 (從榮成榮) 、 如 同 從 主 的 靈 變 成 的 。" 歌林多後書 3:18


"And are not like Moses, who put a veil on his face, so that the children of Israel might not see clearly to the end of the present order of things: But their minds were made hard: for to this very day at the reading of the old testament the same veil is still unlifted; though it is taken away in Christ. But to this day, at the reading of the law of Moses, a veil is over their heart. But when it is turned to the Lord, the veil will be taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there the heart is free. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord (Jesus), are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD." 2 Corinthians 3:18


"於 是 從 摩 西 和 眾 先 知 起 、 凡 經 上 所 指 著 自 己 (耶穌)的 話 、 都 給 他 們 講 解 明 白 了 。" 路加 24:27


"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Jesus)." Luke 24:27 


從神的第一句話,"
要有光 ," 耶穌就顯明了。這是我的"亮光"。


亮光是不是真理? 不一定,要看有沒有耶穌。但是真理雖然寫在知識的文字上,真理更是活在恩典的亮光中,因耶穌就是真理,就是恩典 (約翰 1:17)。主的榮耀有如黃金與鑽石,祂不輕易露在土上,而是深深埋在地中。在聖經裏,神的心是隱藏在話語的深層,祂的榮光更是顯現在比喻,
言和歷史故事與人物裏。表面的讀經可得知識,但如要知主的心,祂的榮耀 (這都是指耶穌),我們("君王", 啟示錄1:6, 5:10, English version) 必須在經節之間的隱密處挖掘尋找祂,以信的鏡子和讓恩典的靈在我們心中點著亮光。如要心中火熱 ,就揭起已經被廢去的帕子 (律法心態),在經文中親密的看到和認識耶穌(路加 24:32),而不只是要學如何遵守誡命。這樣,耶穌的榮光就無形的顯示在我們的為人,因在我們敞著臉的尋求,榮光已經進到心中,改造我們從榮成榮。Amen


Why is it that gold and diamond are not found on the surface ground? Neither is deeper truth of the gospel and beauty of Christ revealed in the literal reading of the word. One must dig down to see His full glory and be touched by the reward of mystery God had hidden in and between His words. The Bible is filled with symbolism to teach, declare and prophesy. God can appear to us and erase all doubt, but chose to reveal Himself in the Bible only to those who look for Him by faith and grace.

But many only want to hang their faith on the strict gospel truth plain as day, and dismiss the rich subtlety of finding Jesus Christ and His heart throughout the scriptures in the form of personal revelation (亮光). If one bases his or her belief only in literal interpretation of verses, sadly the lovely manifestation of Christ become absent from the reading (especially in the Old Testament) where He needs to be the object of our spiritual desires and quest. In as much truth is written in the word, it more so lives in our hearts through seeing and experiencing Jesus personally by way of revelation. Often we say to search for the will and heart of God in our Bible studies, but forget that only the hidden needs to be searched out.

Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter." From the first words of God, "Let there be light!" Jesus was revealed; but the literalists scoff at such a liberal interpretation as frivolous and far-fetched individual interpretation, and not of the Truth (真理). To the contrary! when truth is preached to us or superficially read, it is only knowledge we received; but by the finding of grace and Jesus in each word, phrase, chapter and story does it live warmly in our hearts, and come alive in our faith! Only by the searching with the heart, and not just the mind, does the holy spirit reveal to us fully the truth like nuggets of gold and precious diamonds, through faith that Jesus lives in the good book as on the road to Emmaus, although we are blind to His physical presence, He burns in our hearts! All this is possible only if we believe in the utmost importance of such personal revelations, sought only in the spirit of grace, and shared in the spirit of love with one another.

The rest God so wants us to have is hidden in the "secret place of the most high," (Psalms 91:1). Why is a "secret place?" So that it is not easily found, but only the faithful is allowed to enter. Such faith must have a strong foundation or we waiver like weeds in the wind, and easily fall back to our own reliance such as the Israelite believing the report of giants in the land of milk and honey that kept them from entering the land of rest. When we have the faith in spite of circumstances, that is our rest in this world. And what is that secret to great faith? It is to see the grace in all that God has done, and not just the knowledge of it; for to see grace is believing that Jesus Christ is both the arm and heart of God who had already accomplished the redemption for our rest. To not see Jesus on the cross in every aspect of our spiritual nourishment is to fall back on our own will and ability as overcomers. The Israelite knew of that promise and came to the Jordan river, seeing Canaan, but still failed to cross. This is similar to many believers having received Christ as their savior but still not entering the rest He promised. Knowledge of God's will lead them to the cusp of rest, their belief in God's will instilled the desire, but the lack of grace revelation failed to inspire faith in God to overcome the giants (sin), already surrendering in their minds, and in thinking that they need to deal with such a challenge made them coward before the Devil's lie like so many tiny grasshoppers.

Under the leadership of Moses, the people see law and obedience as the way to God's blessing and to enter rest. Although they were blessed and provided for in the wilderness, it was never because of obedience but grace. Until the law was given on Mount Sinai, the entire journey from Egypt was pure grace. The fact that Moses could not enter Canaan but had to die in the wilderness should remind us that obedience to law can never lead us into spiritual rest. Only when Joshua (Jesus) becomes our leader (focus) can we enter Canaan. Therefore, the secret of entering God's rest in our Bible study is not with a mind to learn obedience, but to know Jesus Christ more and more, and see His grace and love spilled across the many pages that is God's love letter to us. It is not an easy thing to do, entering this rest, for it goes counter to our worldly understanding of fairness and responsibility. Instead, by simply beholding the glory of Jesus Christ, we are transformed from glory to glory (His glory to conceal and our glory to search), and effortlessly entering into the secret place of the most high. Paul said, "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." In this he is not telling us to be more obedient, but striving to turn from earned (through obedience) righteousness over to imputed (in faith) righteousness by the blood of the lamb.

Jesus himself said,"...He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" From Mathew 13:34-43, He tells the disciples of the hidden things in the parables, which was told not to clarify but to confound those with unbelief and pride. If one is not willing to search deep into the word -- not for knowledge, but the living heart of Jesus -- he will be confused like Nicodemus and those in Jesus' home country where he did little miracles because of their unbelief. In the same way, if we read the Bible without the perspective of grace, we become full of knowledge like the Pharisees and Scribes, but with little revelation. When we don't see Jesus in every scripture alone or linked, we are like them, blinded by pride, unbelieving by knowledge.

Unlike any book written by man, the Bible is not one for learning -- though it is full of wisdom and principle. First and foremost, the Bible is a living, breathing, document of God's spirit and grace. If we come to it to learn of ourselves and of God's way, we have a road map but no light, and continue to lose our ways as we have done since the Garden of Eden. Instead, the Bible contains the tree of life that is Jesus Christ, the fruits of which are for us to eat and digest (read and meditate), and the purpose to take us back to our father's bosom (return to Eden, His pleasure), and not to remain in knowledge of good and evil (learning of law and obedience righteousness). All has been accomplish on our behalf by Jesus Christ, and such is our part -- to enjoy Jesus Christ, and immerse in His glory found shining from deep revelation; we then become the precious gemstones on the breastplate of our high priest, reflecting His light and love for all the lost to see. Amen

James