【由内至外】

sky5107

由内至外

我们众人既然敞着脸得以看见主的荣光，好像从镜子里返照，就变成主的形状，荣上加荣，如同从主的灵变成的（哥林多后书3:18）   

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，你是否思考过这个事实：人是由上帝所造的、惟一用穿衣服遮盖身体的受造物，其他所有的受造物都是自身长出皮、毛、鳞或其他皮质来遮盖自己，它们的衣服都是由自身生出。

很多人都没有注意到这一点，然而在创世之初，人也是不用穿衣服的，人是按照上帝的形象而造。如果你看以西结8:2 （我观看，见有形象彷彿火的形状，从祂腰以下的形状有火、从祂腰以上有光辉的形状，彷彿光耀的精金）就会看到，这节描述从上帝的腰以上和腰以下是以火为衣，火是由上帝之内至外彰显祂的荣耀。

当第一个人，亚当被造时，也是如此。上帝的荣光由亚当的身内至身外，覆满他的身体。这就是为何，亚当在起初没有赤身露体的意识（创世纪2:25 当时夫妻二人赤身露体，并不羞耻），直到他后来犯了罪（创世纪3:11 耶和华说：“谁告诉你赤身露体呢？莫非你吃了我吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子么？），上帝的荣光离开了他（创世纪3:7 他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子为自己编作裙子）。

亚当失去上帝的荣光为衣盖的那天，对整个人类来说是一个悲惨的日子。然而今天我想让你知道，我们不会永远失去荣光的衣盖，上帝的话语说，我们能够再得回来（约翰一书3:2 亲爱的弟兄阿，我们现在是 神的儿女，将来如何还未显明。但我们知道主若显现，我们必要像祂，因为必得见祂的真体）。  

你看，当你信靠主耶稣的宝血而得以重生时，上帝的荣光会再次居住在你里面（约翰福音14:23 耶稣回答说：”人若爱我，就必遵守我的道，我父也必爱他，并且我们要到他那里去，与他同住”）。可能现在上帝的荣光隐蔽起来了，但是请相信我，当你爱主耶稣并且完完全全服从祂时，祂的荣光必定在你里面，因为上帝永远不会撒谎！

圣经说，当你定睛主耶稣，就是研读祂的话语并与祂有亲密的关系时，就会更新你的意念，使你懂得你在基督里怎样做好一名基督徒，那么你就会效法主耶稣的形象，由内至外地改变自己。当你学会听从主耶稣的声音时，你里面的荣光将显明于外，并且逐渐地，你就会彻底地改变。

基督里亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，不要每天早晨盯着你的衣橱看穿哪件衣服漂亮，你要将更多的时间定睛在主耶稣和祂的话语上，你要让主耶稣的荣光亲自覆盖你的身体。一旦祂的荣光照亮了你，那么无论你穿什么样的衣服都会是美丽的。赞美上帝，阿们！

研经：诗篇8

8:1 耶和华我们的主阿，你的名在全地何其美，你将你的荣耀彰显于天。  

8:2 你因敌人的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。  

8:3 我观看你指头所造的天、并你所陈设的月亮星宿，  

8:4 便说：“人算甚么，你竟顾念他；世人算甚么，你竟眷顾他。  

8:5 你叫他比天使微小一点，并赐他荣耀尊贵为冠冕。  

8:6-8 你派他管理你手所造的，使万物，就是一切的牛羊、田野的兽、空中的鸟、海里的鱼，凡经行海道的都服在他的脚下。”  

8:9 耶和华我们的主阿，你的名在全地何其美。  

Inside Out

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the SPIRIT.

(2 Corinthians 3:18)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Have you ever thought about the fact that man is the only creature GOD created who has to wear clothing to cover himself? All the other creatures grow their own coverings. Some grow fur, some feathers, others scales, or leathery hide. But all are clothed from the inside out!

Most people don't realize it, but in the beginning, man was clothed that way too. He was made in the image of GOD. And, if you'll look in Ezekiel 8: (I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be HIS waist down HE was like fire, and from there up HIS appearance was as bright as glowing metal.), you'll find that GOD is clothed in fire from the loins up and from the loins down. That fire is HIS glory emanating outward from HIS inner-most being.

When man was first created, he was like that too. He was covered with the very glory of GOD. It radiated from his inner being outward. That's why he had no sense of nakedness (Gen. 2: 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.) until after he sinned (Gen. 3: 11 And GOD said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”) and the glory departed from him (Gen. 3: 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked).

It was a tragic day when man lost that glorious covering. But I want you to know something today. It's not lost forever. The WORD of GOD says we can gain it back (1 Jn. 3: 2 Dear friends, now we are children of GOD, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when CHRIST appears, we shall be like HIM, for we shall see HIM as HE is.).

You see, when you put your faith in the blood of JESUS and were born again, the glory of GOD once again took up residence in you (John 14:23 JESUS replied, "Anyone who loves ME will obey MY teaching. MY FATHER will love them, and WE will come to them and make OUR home with them). It may be well hidden right now, but believe me, it's there in you when you love and obey JESUS. GOD will never lie!

And the Bible says that as you gaze into the LORD's face by studying the WORD and fellowship with HIM, as you renew your mind to understand who you are in CHRIST, you'll be changed into HIS image on the outside as well. As you learn to hear HIS voice and obey it, you'll start giving outward expression of the glory within you. Little by little, you'll be turned inside out!

My dear Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST, instead of simply staring into your closet every morning, spend some time gazing at JESUS and beholding HIS WORD. Let HIM clothe you in HIS radiant presence. Once HIS glory starts shining through, anything you wear will look beautiful on you. Praise GOD, Amen!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Psalm 8

A psalm of David.

1 Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

2 Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

5 You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honour.

6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

7 all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

8 the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

sky5107

上帝在你的生命中彰显祂的大能

耶和华的眼目遍察全地，要显大能帮助向祂心存诚实的人（历代志下16:9）

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，法利赛人的心令主耶稣倍感悲伤，因为他们的心刚硬又麻木。如果你读马可福音3章，就会看到我所讲的（3:1-6耶稣又进了会堂，在那里有一个人枯干了一只手。众人窥探耶稣在安息日医治不医治，意思是要控告耶稣。耶稣对那枯干一只手的人说：“起来，站在当中。”又问众人说：“在安息日行善行恶、救命害命，哪样是可以的呢？”他们都不作声。耶稣怒目周围看他们，忧愁他们的心刚硬，就对那人说：“伸出手来。”他把手一伸，手就复了原。法利赛人出去同希律一党的人商议，怎样可以除灭耶稣）。

上帝就在他们中间，法利赛人和其他众人都应该清楚地认识到这一点。因为他们知道圣经的前前后后，主耶稣符合每一个写明的弥赛亚预言。可是他们迟钝麻木的心使他们瞎了眼睛，认不出主耶稣就是弥赛亚。

不仅如此，就是身边的人有实在的需求时，法利赛人也是用刚硬的心来对待。

同样的事情，时至今日仍然在发生。

再次思考那些法利赛人所做的：

1. 批评上帝忠心的侍奉者

2. 维护自己的宗教传统，而不是完完全全服从并热爱上帝的话语。

3. 担心自己的利益，却不关心身边人的安危。

你曾经是否认识任何一个符合以上描述的基督徒？你肯定认识。事实上，我们中每个基督徒都曾经在生命中的某个时候作出这类事情。

我们每个人在不同程度上，都成了犯法利赛人同样错误的牺牲品。我们在行事和言语上都在做法利赛人所做的，让我们里面的上帝柔和温暖的爱，渐渐地冷淡了。

我知道这是真的，因为如果不是真的的话，我们肯定会看到上帝在我们中间行极大的神迹奇事，也会看到福音复兴在世界的每个角落。

行神迹奇事、福音复兴，这都是上帝渴望发生的事情。上帝渴望倾泻祂的灵，以超凡大能和丰盛来浇灌祂忠心的儿女。但是，当我们发展悖逆的石头心时，就是在阻止上帝。

今天，如果你渴望圣灵倾泻在你的生命中，并彰显祂的大能，那么你就要省察自己的心。如果你发现你的内心，对上帝的话语有任何违背和冷漠的地方，那么你就要悔改，祈求上帝改变你。求上帝赐给你良善、充满爱又服从的心，使祂在你的生命中能够彰显祂的大能。

在此，我们夫妻感谢上帝，我们主耶稣基督的父，赐给我们美好的一天，也赐给我们你们这些忠心于主的弟兄姊妹们。

（以上所写的，你们可以用来建造耶稣基督的国度）

Toshow HIMSELF strong on your behalf

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and frothroughout the whole earth, to show HIMSELF strong on behalf of those whoseheart is loyal to HIM . . . . . . . (2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Pharisees had a heart condition thatgrieved JESUS. Their hearts were hard and insensitive. If you'll look in Mark3, you'll see what I'm talking about.  (.. . . 1JESUS went into the synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand wasthere. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse JESUS, so theywatched HIM closely to see if HE would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 JESUS said tothe man with the shrivelled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then JESUSasked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to savelife or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 HE looked around at them in angerand, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch outyour hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Thenthe Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might killJESUS.)

GOD was right there in their midst and they(Pharisees), of all people, should have realized it. They knew the Scripturesbackward and forward, and JESUS fit every messianic prophecy written there. Butthe insensitivity of their hearts literally blinded them to who HE was.

The hearts of the Pharisees were alsohardened to the needs of the people around them.

That very same thing is still happeningtoday.

Just think again about what those Phariseeswere doing. They were:

1. Criticizing the faithful ministers ofGOD.

2. Protecting their religious traditionsinstead of obeying and loving the WORD of GOD.

3. Worrying about their own welfare ratherthan that of those around them.

Have you ever known any believers who fitthat description? Sure you have! In fact, every one of us has done those thingsat some time in our lives.

Every one of us, to one degree or another,has fallen prey to the same mistake the Pharisees did. We've gotten so caughtup in doing and saying all the "right" things that we've let thetender warmth of GOD's love inside us grow cold.

I know that's true because if it weren't,we'd be seeing tremendous movement of GOD among us. We'd be seeing revival onevery corner.

That's what GOD longs to do. GOD longs topour out HIS SPIRIT in supernatural power and abundance through HIS Faithfulchildren. But we've developed a disobeying stone heart condition that's holdingHIM back.

Today if you desire an outpouring of theHOLY SPIRIT in your life and the manifestation of HIS power in you, check thecondition of your heart. If you find any disobeying hardness towards the WORDof GOD there, repent and ask GOD to change you. Ask HIM to give you the kind oflovingly obedient heart that will allow HIM to show HIMSELF strong on yourbehalf.

We give thanks to GOD, the FATHER of ourLORD JESUS CHRIST, for this day and for you, faithful brothers and sisters.

(What is written above is granted toindividuals for use in building the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST only)

From Victor n Esther - "My lifejourney with Jesus"

sky5107

祷告的影响

不住地祷告、凡事谢恩，因为这是 神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意（帖撒罗尼迦前书5:17-18）

  

祷告是与天父关系亲密的命脉，但是基督徒们经常怀疑祷告的力量和效力。不要犹豫，将你的疑问陈明上帝，并且钻研圣经获取答案，从这位可靠的灵命导师那里寻求忠告。祷告非常重要，不容忽视。

如果我不祷告，上帝的计划就会失败吗？上帝当然不屈从于基督徒，更不依靠他们的祷告。然而，当我们把时间投入在祷告上时，就使我们参与到上帝对我们的生命和世界的计划运作中。其实，上帝的运作根本不需要我们，所以祷告使我们能够与上帝一同劳作，这是上帝赐予我们的特权。

难道我的祷告（或没有祷告）会影响上帝的运作吗？我相信圣经已经显明了问题的答案：既肯定又否定，视情况而定。“否定”的情况：有时上帝的旨意已定，祂掌管并确定了最好的路线。就如旧约中，上帝经常预言祂将要做的事，然后祂会一一实现。

另一种“肯定”的情况：“你们得不着，是因为你们不求”（雅各书4:2）。有些美好的事情被上帝暂时阻止进行，直到我们向祂伸出祷告之手才能得到。但是，因为上帝是一位慈爱的天父，所以有时我们还没想到向祂恳求，祂也将祝福浇灌我们。

基督徒的祷告具有巨大的影响，尤其对他们本身的信心和生命。你是否懂得，能够跪在全能之父-宇宙创造者的跟前，并知道祂会垂听和回应你的祷告，这是一个多么了不起的特权！上帝喜爱善待那些服从祂的儿女，并回应他们的祷告。

The Impact of Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5: 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is GOD’s will for you in CHRIST JESUS.

Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the FATHER. But Christians often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don’t hesitate to take your queries to the LORD, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.

Will GOD’s plans fail if I don’t pray? GOD is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with HIM involves us in the work that HE is doing in our lives and in the world, but HE will carry on without us. Labouring alongside the LORD is our privilege.

Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact GOD’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when GOD’s purpose is set. HE is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the LORD often prophesied what HE would do and then brought those events to pass.

In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that HE holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because GOD is a loving FATHER, HE also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.

Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful FATHER the CREATOR of the universe and know that HE listens and will respond? GOD loves to be good to HIS obedient children and answer their prayers.  

sky5107

当我们忽视上帝

人若知道行善却不去行，这就是他的罪了（雅各书4:17）

  

你是否曾感觉被人忽视？其实每个人都渴望被爱、被认同、被关注，但是可能一个朋友或亲近的人对你或你所讲的表现出没什么兴趣，那么这样的态度和作法是有伤害的，会造成负面情绪。

然而，与对人表现出漠不关心相比，更糟糕的就是忽视上帝，可是我们所有人却都这样做了。当我们明知是上帝的命令却不服从，这就是在忽视上帝。例如，当我们在被逼无奈的情况下受到了试探，撒了一个我们看来是说得过去的无恶意谎言，可是一旦谎言出口，我们就是在忽视上帝。同样的道理，也适用于我们意识到上帝的带领却不跟从。除非我们训练自己多投入时间来研读上帝的话语和祷告，否则我们就是再一次地忽视祂。

忽视上帝的后果就是痛苦。因为忽视上帝会令上帝很伤心，祂是我们的天父，祂渴望与每一个儿女都能更加亲密。不但如此，就是我们，也错失了拥有最好生命的机会。因为与上帝相连，就像是插头插入了生命之源；而忽视上帝，就意味着我们失去了祂对我们最美好的祝福，进而也使我们失去了机会来实现祂创造我们的目的，就是荣耀祂。请记住：最终我们要对自己的行为负责。

你要选择怎样生活，是专注全能上帝所讲的，还是活在你自己的原则之下？你有意识地选择，将关系到你是否与主耶稣同行。如果你调整自己的灵专注聆听上帝的话语，并训练自己服从上帝，那么你将会幸福地拥有与上帝最为亲密的关系。

When We Ignore GOD

James 4: 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Have you ever felt ignored? Everyone longs for love, acceptance, and attention, but perhaps a friend or close relative has shown little interest in you or what you have to say. Such treatment is hurtful and can lead to feelings of inadequacy.

There’s something even worse, though, than displaying no concern for others: disregarding GOD. Yet all of us have done this. One way we disregard Him is by failing to obey when we know HIS instructions. For example, if we are feeling cornered, we can be tempted to justify a white lie, but once falsehood has left our lips, we’ve ignored the LORD. The same principle holds true when we sense His leading but do not follow. And unless we discipline ourselves to spend time with our FATHER in HIS WORD and in prayer, we are neglecting HIM again.

The consequences are painful. For one thing, neglect grieves GOD because He is our heavenly FATHER, who desires closeness with each of HIS children. We also miss out on the best for our lives. Since connection with the LORD is like being “plugged into” the source of life, ignoring HIM will mean missing out on HIS best for us. And then we short change ourselves out of fulfilling the purpose for which HE created us—glorifying HIM. And remember, we eventually will be held accountable for our actions.

How are you choosing to live—do you heed what the Almighty says, or are you living with your own set of standards? Your conscious choices affect your walk with JESUS. If you tune your spirit to listen and discipline yourself to obey, you will enjoy great intimacy with the LORD.