經文: 「他們唱新歌，說：祢配拿書卷，配揭開七印；因為祢曾被殺，用自己的血從各族、各方、各民、各國中買了人來，叫他們歸於上帝。」— [聖經·啟示錄 5章9節]

        羔羊之歌告訴我們，被贖之人要從各族各方被選出來。聖經已被譯成多國文字，還有更多的新約或重要書卷已譯成他國文字，這顯示為了要讓福音廣傳，讓更多人認識耶穌，宣教的工作是何等艱辛困苦！ 

        我們且來思想全地的宣教工作，耶穌來到世界不僅單為我們的罪而已，祂是為全人類的罪被釘十字架，祂願萬人得救，不願一人沉淪。祂做完祂的部份，其餘領人歸主的部份，祂就交給基督徒去完成。教導人明白救恩，引領人歸向耶穌的工作，其重要意義及神聖使命，不亞於耶穌被釘十字架這部份。 

        在羔羊之歌中，我們發現兩項真理-寶座上的羔羊已把救恩帶給全地的各族各民；同時祂也交付被贖的子民工作，就是藉著聖靈要將福音傳遍到地極。喔！宣教的工作是何等榮耀！那傳福音的腳蹤又是何等佳美！ 

        這道理只有在我們看到真實景象時，我們才明白，羔羊寶座前有數不清的各國各族之民，穿著白袍，手拿棕樹枝，在寶座前唱新歌：救恩歸於坐寶座的羔羊！ 

        願聖靈將宣教工作的神聖與重要性，深刻又清晰地印在我們心版上，正如耶穌無怨無悔地為世人死在十字架上，我們蒙拯救的人，亦當毫無保留地將自己當作活祭獻上，殷勤尋找失喪的靈魂，引領他們加入羔羊寶座前的歌唱行列！

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 12月12日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

[圖片版權屬「耶穌超乎萬名之名-JESUS Name of All Name」所有，在此僅供分享福音用途。]

『The Lamb and Missionary Work』

Scripture: “And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,” — [Revelation 5:9]

        The Song of the Lamb tells us that the redeemed shall come from all the different tribes and nations of the whole earth. The many languages into which the Bible has been translated, and the still greater number into which the New Testament or portions of the Bible have been translated, gives us some idea of how strenuous work by missionaries in many lands is making known Christ and His Gospel.

        Think for a little while of the extent of blessed work done by missionaries all over the earth! Christ came as a propitiation, not for our sins alone, but for the sins of the whole world, and to complete the great work of the redemption of mankind. When He had accomplished His share of the work, He entrusted the rest of the work to His people, trusting them to take the message of redemption to all parts of the world. As holy and divine as was Christ’s part, as an indispensable beginning, so equally holy is the second part of the work-to bring souls everywhere to know of and accept this great salvation.

        In the Song of the Lamb we find this twofold truth-the Lamb upon the Throne has brought salvation to all the nations and tribes of the earth and to the Church of the Lamb has been entrusted the distribution of the salvation by the power of the Holy Spirit. Unspeakably glorious is the task of the Missionary!

        We shall only be able to understand this aright when we have seen the great multitude which no man can number, out of every nation, and of all tribes and peoples, and tongues, standing before the Throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, with palms in their hands; and they cry, saying: “Salvation unto our God which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb.”

        May the Holy Spirit imprint deeply in our hearts the wonder of missionary work! Just as the Lamb of God gave Himself to die, that He might send the glad tidings to all, let us so offer ourselves wholly and without reserve to live and to die that souls may be led to join in the Song of the Lamb before the Throne of God.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 12 December 」

經文: 「我們應當離開基督道理的開端，竭力進到完全的地步……信靠上帝。」— [聖經·希伯來書 6章1節]

        耶穌曾說過一個寓言，有個人把房子蓋在沙土上，結果一下雨，房子被雨水沖走；還有個人把房子蓋在磐石上，儘管風雨來到，卻屹立不動搖。顯然這兩種不同根基的房子，帶來截然不同的結果，也代表了兩種不同的生命。 

        保羅將他信仰的根基，奠立在上帝公義救贖的真理上，所以他說「我們又藉著祂，因信得進入現在所站的恩典中，並且歡歡喜喜盼望上帝的榮耀。」(羅馬書 5章2節) 這對迷途的罪人而言，是永不動搖的磐石，是永遠得救的根基。 

        以耶穌磐石為根基的房子，是怎樣的情形呢？在羅馬書五章12-18節中，保羅指出因救恩而得的平安，只不過是信仰的開端，他繼續指出亞當犯罪，我們的命運是死亡，連那不與亞當一起犯罪的，也在死的權勢下；同樣，我們與第二個亞當（耶穌）憑信同死同復活，更要蒙受極大的恩典，讓耶穌在我們生命中做王，這才叫有根基的生活。 

        在第六章他闡釋得更清楚，「我們若在祂死的形狀上與祂聯合，也要在祂復活的形狀上與祂聯合。因為知道我們的舊人，和祂同釘十字架，使罪身滅絕，叫我們不再作罪的奴僕。……這樣你們向罪也當看自己是死的。向上帝在基督耶穌裏，卻當看自己是活的。」(羅馬書 六5-11)

藉著與耶穌同死同復活的經驗，我們脫離罪的轄制，同時藉著聖靈，耶穌完全釋放我們不再作罪的奴僕，而把在基督裡的新生命，建立在救贖的根基上。弟兄姐妹們，羅馬書第六章只是淺談因信稱義的道理，我們需要更加進深地真正經歷福音的奧祕，在實際生活中切實經歷何謂與耶穌同釘十字架，何謂與耶穌同復活，如此才能真正過著靈裡聖潔、喜樂的生活。

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 11月17日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

Scripture: “Let us press on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” — [Hebrews 6:1]

        The parable of the difference between the foundations and the effect on the houses built on them will teach us important lessons about the two kinds of life. St. Paul lays the foundation of the house of God in the doctrine of Justification by faith in Jesus Christ. That is the one sure immovable ground upon which a lost sinner finds his eternal salvation (Rom. v. 2).

        What is the house built upon this foundation ? Read Romans v. 12-18. There the apostle points out that Justification and peace with God are not everything, they are only the beginning. Then he goes on to show that as in Adam we died, so in the second Adam, Christ, we receive the abundance of grace whereby we may live through Jesus Christ. That is the life built on the foundation. He points out in chapter vi. how in Christ we have died unto sin: we are baptized into His death; and as we are united to Him by the likeness of His death we shall be united by the likeness of His resurrection. If we have died with Christ, we may be sure we really are dead to sin, but alive unto God in Jesus our Lord.

        It is union with the crucified and risen Christ that sets us free from the power of sin, and through the Spirit, Christ Jesus releases us wholly from the power of sin. This life in Christ is the edifice that must be built upon the foundation of Justification.

How little is Romans vi. grasped or appropriated. We are ever ready to lay the foundation and be content with that. Nay, Child of God, our experience must be deeper. We must experience that Christ is our life, that we are crucified with Him, and in Him, and in Him are dead and risen again. That only will enable us to live a holy, godly life in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 17 November 」

經文: 「因為上帝的國不在乎吃喝，只在乎公義、和平，並聖靈中的喜樂。」(聖經·羅馬書 14章17節)「但願使人有盼望的上帝，因信，將諸般的喜樂平安充滿你們的心，使你們藉著聖靈的能力，大有盼望。」(聖經·羅馬書 15章13節)

        有位基督徒對我這樣說過：「我總是以為，如果我有了宗教信仰，似乎就不可能再做屬世的工作，因為這兩種似乎是迥然不同的事。但是，我似乎是看見了一個人揹著沈重的沙袋在開採他的葡萄園，可是自從遇見上帝，每天從早到晚都充滿了喜樂；那背上沈重的負擔不見了，與主同在的喜樂成為工作中的力量。」這是個有著特殊意義的功課。許多基督徒不明白上帝所賜的喜樂，可以成為我們工作時的喜樂。即使是個奴僕，若他心中充滿基督的愛，也能見證這因信所帶來的喜樂。 

        請看本文的兩節經文，上帝要藉著聖靈賜給我們平安喜樂。我們可曾好好思想過這是何等大的恩典？對許多人來說，他們一想到聖靈，就想到聖靈的責備、擔憂等沈重嚴肅的事情，或者是太神聖、高不可攀的一面。其實這些都是無知、不正確的想法，因為上帝要賞賜給祂兒女的，絕不是自責、愁苦的日子，而是喜樂、平安的日子。 

要切記加拉太書五章22-23節，並仔細聆聽聖靈指著耶穌基督為我們所預備的美好果子：要結出仁愛、喜樂、和平的果子。「你們雖然沒有見過祂，卻是愛祂，如今雖不得看見，卻因信祂就有說不出來，滿有榮光的大喜樂！」(彼得前書 一8) 謙卑誠懇地切切祈求，堅定地相信聖靈會引領你進入主裏的平安與喜樂。

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 10月30日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

[圖片版權屬「基督教論壇報」所有，在此僅供分享福音用途。]

『 Joy in God 』

Scripture: “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” — (Romans 14:17) “Now may the God of hope make you full of joy and peace through faith, so that all hope may be yours in the power of the Holy Spirit.” — (Romans 15:13)

        A Christian man said to me, shortly after his conversion: “I always thought that if I became religious it would be impossible for me to do my worldly business. The two things seemed so contrary. I seemed to be a man trying to dig a vineyard with a bag of sand on his shoulders. But when I found the Lord, I was so filled with joy that I could do my work cheerfully from morning till night. The bag of sand was gone; the joy of the Lord was my strength for all my work.”

        Truly a significant lesson. Many Christians do not understand that the joy of the Lord will keep them and fit them for their work. Even slaves, when filled with the love of Christ, could testify to the happiness that He gave.

        Read the two texts at the heading of this chapter, and see how the kingdom of God is pure joy and peace through the Holy Spirit, and how God will “fill us with all joy and peace in believing,” “through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Then try to realize that the Holy Spirit will give this joy and peace of Christ in our hearts. To many the thought of the Holy Spirit is a matter of grief and self-reproach, of desire and disappointment, of something too high and holy for them. What a foolish thought, that the great gift of the Father, meant to keep us in the joy and peace of Christ, should be a matter of self-reproach and care!

Remember Galatians 5:22-23, and listen attentively to the voice of the Spirit each day as He points to Jesus Christ, who offers you this wonderful fruit: “My Love, My Joy, My Peace.” “On whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8) Pray in all humility to the Holy Spirit, believing firmly that He will lead you into the joy of the Lord.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 30 October 」

經文: 「你們不能同我一起儆醒片時麼？」— [聖經·馬太福音 26章40b節]

        先前我們已提到禱告默想的重要，有人說我願意禱告，但我只能撥十分鐘，很好，若這是你所能撥出的僅有時間，試著就在這十分鐘內好好禱告默想。大部份人應該可以撥出多於十分鐘的時間，若你能持之以恆，每天都固定地來做靈修，其實也很可觀，時間也自然找得出來。 

        身為基督徒怎麼可能每天撥不出十五分鐘，或半個鐘頭與上帝對話談心？若有朋友來訪，或我們必須參加一個重要會議，或是我們喜歡做的事，或對我們有利的事，我們總是找得到時間做。 

        而我們的天父，這位偉大的上帝，祂不但有恩於我們，而且祂渴望我們與祂談話，且樂意將祂的恩典能力賞賜給我們，而我們卻說沒空，甚至上帝的僕人明知花時間與上帝同在，領受祂的恩典與能力，是種殊榮與特權，卻總為工作所絆，幾乎找不到時間做這件重要的事。讓我們等候上帝，以領受寶座而來的能力。 

親愛的弟兄姐妺們，切莫對上帝說：「對不起，我太忙，沒空與祢談話。」求聖靈教導我們明白：最重要、最蒙福、最有益的時刻，就是每天單獨與「上帝有約」的這段時間。耶穌在世為人的時候，也是常常退居山上禱告，藉著祈禱得能力，更何況我們，因此我們當向耶穌禱告，求聖靈將這真理銘刻在我們心頭上。就像我們需要呼吸、吃飯那樣，讀經禱告與上帝溝通，是靈命成長不可或缺的部份。其他什麼事都可以暫時擱著不做，但「與上帝談話溝通」應該是我們「優先次序」上擺在第一位的，是首要之務，如此我們才能在各樣事上，對上帝毫無保留地絕對順服。

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 10月13日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

[圖片版權屬「國際讀經會」所有，在此僅供分享福音用途。]

『 Time 』

Scripture: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” — [Matthew 26:40b]

        One who wishes to pray as we have indicated in our previous meditations, might say: “I think I could do all that in ten minutes’ time.” Very well; if ten minutes is all the time that you can give, see what you can do in that time. Most people can spare more time. If they will only persevere from day to day, with their hearts set oh prayer, time will come of its own accord.

Is it possible that Christians can say that they cannot afford to spend a quarter or half an hour alone with God and His Word? When a friend comes to see us, or we have to attend an important meeting, or there is anything to our advantage or pleasure, we find time easily enough.

        And God, the great God, who has a right to us and who in His wondrous love longs for us to spend time with Him, that He may communicate to us His power and grace-we find no time for fellowship with Him. Even God’s own servants, who might consider it their special privilege to be much with Him in prayer to receive the fulness of power-even His servants are so occupied with their own work that they find little time for that which is all-important—waiting on God to receive power from on high.

Dear child of God, let us never say, “I have no time for God.” Let the Holy Spirit teach us that the most important, the most blessed, the most profitable time of the whole day is the time we spend alone with God. Pray to the Lord Jesus, who in His earthly life experienced the need of prayer, pray to the Holy Spirit, who will impress upon us this divine truth. As indispensable to me as the bread I eat, and the air I breathe, is communion with God through His Word and prayer. Whatever else is left undone, God has the first and chief right to my time. Then only will my surrender to God’s will be full and unreserved.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 13 October 」

經文: 「要互相代求。」— [聖經·雅各書 5章16節錄]

        代禱的功效與價值是無法估計，而且也是禱告內容不可或缺的一部份，這使我們的愛心更擴大，對上帝的信心也更增長，知道祂大能的手能行大事，能將祝福與救恩帶給眾人。讓我們徹底瞭解這個屬靈的功課：禱告不只為我們自己而已，禱告主要是為別人，讓我們先開始為周圍的親人朋友禱告，讓我們成為他們的助力，而非他們的阻力；我們為他們祈求上帝賜下智慧，愛心，不自私，多替他人著想，好讓他們屬靈生命，在見識與愛心上多而又多。 

        為所有朋友禱告，以及那些平常我們所接觸的人代求，求上帝讓我們有一顆心，願為他們的靈魂守望代禱；為基督徒禱告，特別是那些負有重責的牧師傳道人代禱。 

        為那些尚未成為基督徒的慕道友代禱，把那些上帝放在你心中的朋友名字列成一個清單，時時為他們靈魂的得救禱告。你是屬於基督的，上帝需要你在禱告中，把這些親朋好友帶到上帝面前，為他們提名代禱。聖靈會激勵提醒你常常為他們儆醒禱告，並為那些貧窮，被人忽略的弱勢族群代禱。 

        為異教徒禱告，為所有的宣教工作禱告；切切盡心地為這些牧者，傳教士代禱，也要為宣教地區的人民有顆柔軟的心來代禱。 

你認為這些都很花費時間嗎？只要想想藉著禱告可以幫助這些人靈魂回轉，不就非常值得？因此我們要常常仰望聖靈，求祂進一步帶領你進入更深一層的禱告生活。假如你覺得早晨時間太趕，無法從容地涵蓋這些禱告內容，可以在白天任何時間撥空來做這些事情。我們要有這樣的理念 :「我被拯救是為了服事上帝。」因著我們有著「榮神益人」的生活目標，我們一心希望有更多人分享上帝救恩與福份，因此我們必會感受到為人服務的大喜樂。

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 10月12日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

『 Intercession 』

Scripture: “Pray one for another.” — [James 5:16]

        There is much value in intercession, and it is an indispensable part of prayer. It strengthens our love and faith in what God can do, and is a means of bringing blessing and salvation to others. Let us learn the lesson thoroughly: Prayer should not be for ourselves alone, but chiefly for others. Let us begin by praying for those who are near and dear to us, those with whom we live, that we may be of help to them and not a hindrance. Pray for divine wisdom, for thoughtfulness for others, for kindliness, for self-sacrifice on their behalf.

        Pray for all your friends, and all with whom you come into contact. Pray that you may watch in prayer for their souls. Pray for all Christians, especially for ministers and those in responsible positions.

        Pray for those who do not yet know the Lord as their Saviour. Make a list of the names of those whom God has laid upon your heart, and pray for their conversion. You belong to Christ; He needs you to bring to Him in prayer the souls of those around you. The Holy Spirit will strengthen you to an active love in watching for souls. Pray, too, for all poor and neglected ones.

        Pray for the heathen, and for all mission work. Use a mission calendar, with daily subjects of prayer, and bear on your heart before God the missionaries, evangelists, teachers, and believers among the heathen.

Do you think this will take too much time ? Just think what an inconceivable blessing it is to help souls through your prayers; and look to the Holy Spirit for further guidance. If this takes too much time in your morning watch, then take some time later in the day. Cultivate the feeling: “I am saved to serve.” You will taste the great joy of knowing that you are living even as Jesus Christ lived on earth-to make God’s love known to others.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 12 October 」

經文: 「因為真受割禮的，乃是我們這以上帝的靈敬拜，在基督耶穌裏誇口，不靠著肉體的。」— [聖經·腓立比書 3章3節]

        以上的經文可以作為我們禱告的開始，我們求聖靈來引導，來激發我們禱告的靈，然後再進入禱告。 

        首先，我們感謝天父賜給我們各樣的福份，我們承認我們的軟弱無助，我們信賴上帝的愛與眷顧，我們安靜等候在祂的面前，直到心中滿有祂同在的確據，知道祂看到我們，也聽到我們的祈求，然後我們再求祂的恩典保守我們在祂的愛中，因為離了祂我們就不能做什麼。我們仰望祂，尊主為大，知道我們的生命氣息，動作存留都在乎祂，祂是眾光之父，一切生命的源頭，我們將自己完全交託在祂廣闊無邊的大愛裏，且享受祂同在的甘甜。 

        最後，我們在求聖靈引導之餘，我們繼續求聖靈強化我們的信心，讓三位一體的真神，能將各樣的能力與恩賜賞賜給我們，並按著我們所需要的，豐豐足足藉著運行在我們裏面的大能大力，供應我們一切需用的。 

我們要了解的是：進入靈內事奉主。必須榮耀耶穌基督，不可為肉體誇口。是的，在我裏面毫無良善可言，惟有依靠耶穌，並藉著裏面聖靈的幫助得以成全。讓我們花時間思想這節經文，細細咀嚼，以瞭解其真意。假如我們能常在上帝面前默念聖靈的果子，並求上帝賞賜這些聖德給我們，我們的信心就會逐日加增。若我們完全將自己交託給天父，我們就可憑信心大膽地接受聖靈在我們心中的運行動工，知道上帝必親自成全祂的善工在我們身上。

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 10月11日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

『 Worship GOD in Spirit 』

Scripture: “We are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” — [Philippians 3:3]

        The foregoing remarks serve as preparatory to the prayer itself. We have come to the Father with the prayer for the Holy Spirit. We have invoked the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Now we begin to pray.

        First, we pray to God the Father, thanking Him for all the blessings of this life. We acknowledge our entire dependence and impotence, and express our trust in His love and care for us. We wait before Him until we have the assurance that He sees and hears us. Then we direct our prayer to the Lord Jesus, and ask for grace to abide in Him always, for without Him we can do nothing. We look to Him as our Lord, our Preserver, our Life, and give ourselves into His keeping for the day. We give utterance to our faith in His infinite love, and the reality of His presence with us.

        Lastly, we pray to the Holy Spirit. We have already prayed to Him for guidance. We now ask Him to strengthen us in the faith, that what we have asked of the Father and the Son may be truly wrought in us. He is the Dispenser of the power and gifts of the Father and of the Lord Jesus; all the grace we need must be the result of the working of the Spirit within us.

Our text says: “We serve God in the Spirit, we glory in the Lord Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” We have no power to do the thing that is good. We count on the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to work within us. Let us take time to think and meditate on these things. It will help to strengthen our faith if we repeat the text of Gal. v. 22, asking God to grant these fruits in our lives. As we surrender ourselves wholly, we shall have boldness by faith to accept the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 11 October 」

經文: 「我們也信，所以也說話。」— [聖經·哥林多後書 4章13b節]

        你知道為什麼要大家背誦聖靈的果子嗎？因為這樣可以提醒我們，常常反省自己有否擁有這幾樣聖德，我們對聖靈的恩賜，要有一顆切慕渴求的心，厚賜予眾人的上帝，才會大大賞賜。現在讓我們思想最後兩個聖靈的果子：信實與節制。 

        門徒問耶穌：「為何有些邪靈趕不走？」耶穌回答：「有些鬼，若不禁食禱告就不出來。」他們的信心不夠堅定，他們禱告的時候，也不夠火熱，自我犧牲的誠意不夠，禱告若人聽了都不能感動，又如何能上達天庭？這兒我們看到信心與節制的結合。 

        信心是聖靈的果子，引導人單單地仰賴耶穌；信心相信上帝的話，緊緊地抓住上帝的應許，安靜等候上帝要照著祂所答應的，用大能大力成就一切祂所答應的，基督徒每天的生活，都是一個信心的生活。 

        再來思想「節制」這個果子，這原是指在飲食上，或吃或喝都極有節制所引申出來的涵意；就是在言語上很謹慎，有分寸，在行為上與人互動時，也不以自我為中心，處處為人著想。「除去私慾，一心過聖潔公義有節制的生活」，應是基督徒生活的座右銘，如此才能在與世人交往時，知道如何拒絕誘惑，節制有度；並且與上帝有親密的交通，行公義的事，以合乎上帝的心意。 

        信心與節制都是聖靈的果子，當我們求聖靈教導我們怎樣禱告時，我們心門就被打開，上帝就將這兩樣聖靈的果子植入我們心田，使我們行事為人，滿有上帝的形象。 

將這經文藏記在心，讓聖靈的感動常在你心中引導你，每天帶領你更親近天父，使你內在的人結出信心與節制的果子，讓別人看出你的行事為人，是屬上帝的子民。

—《 神 的 心 意 》
[每日靈修 10月10日]
作者：慕安德烈
編輯：榮華興

[圖片版權屬「自由教會」所有，在此僅供分享福音用途。]

『 The Spirit of Faith 』

Scripture: “Having the same spirit of faith, we also believe.” — [2 Corinthians 4:13b]

        Do you begin to realize why it is so important to commit to memory the text, Gal. v. 22 ? It will strengthen the desire in our hearts to have and to hold the fruits of the Spirit within us. Our expectation of the blessing God will give will be enlarged. Let us pause a while on the two last fruits of the Spirit-Faith and Temperance.

        When the disciples asked the Lord: “Why could we not cast out the evil spirit?” – His reply was: “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Their faith was not powerful enough, and even if they had prayed, they had not the zeal and self-sacrifice needed for prevailing prayer. Here we see the union of faith and temperance.

        Faith is a fruit of the Spirit and leads the seeking soul to depend on God alone. Faith believes God’s Word, and clings to Him, and waits in perfect trust that His power will work within us all that He has promised. The whole life of the Christian each day is a faith life.

        Let us now think of Temperance. This refers in the first place to eating and drinking, and leads us to restraint, carefulness, and unselfishness in our conversation, our desires, in all our intercourse with one another. Our motto should be: “Forsaking all worldly desires, to live righteously and godly and temperately in all things.” Temperate in all our dealings with the world and its temptations. Righteous in the doing of God’s will. Devout in the close communion with God Himself.

        Faith and temperance are both fruits of the Spirit. When we ask the Spirit to teach us to pray, we open our hearts towards Him that He may grant us the fruits of the Spirit, faith and temperance, to influence our daily lives in our intercourse with God and man.

Learn this text by heart, and let the promptings of the Spirit in your heart each day lead you to the Father, that He may grant the fruits of the Spirit in your inner life, which will be seen in all your actions.

— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 10 October 」