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「我....將萬事當作有損的，因我以認識我主基督耶穌為至寶。」（聖經腓立比書三章 8 節）
現在正是農作物成熟的時期，農夫唱著歡樂的凱歌，把農產物收成在倉庫裡。但是，讓我們想一想：如果不是有一粒麥子先死在地裡的話，怎麼能結出這麼多的子粒來呢？屬靈的事情也是這樣。我們自己的生命如果不死，怎麼能活出基督的生命來呢？
所以，讓我們不再顧念我們自己的安樂和幸福。我們必須將自己的生命完全釘死在基督的十字架上 ── 不但將犯罪的慾望和習慣釘死，連天然生命中一切無罪的、美好的，也該一起釘死。
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，恐怕你一定會像我一樣 ── 一聽到這個消息，心中會感到非常失望但是讓我們記著：主竟看上了我們，要我們與祂一同受苦，在我們這豈不是一件極頂榮幸的事嗎？並且，一切所遭遇的，無非要把我們造成合乎主用的器皿。痛苦生豐富，死亡變生命 ── 這是神國中的定律。 ── 譯自靜默的時候（In the Hour of Silence）
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“I count all thing but loose 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 ease 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
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