於2015-02-13發佈

改變的風 : 聖潔,和諧,豐收
"Winds of Change: Holiness, Harmony and Harvest" 
James Maloney  2015年2月12日

為你定的造訪日期

耶和華說:我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念,不是降災禍的意念,要叫你們末後有指望。』(耶利米書29:11)

耶利米書29:11這句常被採用的經文向我們顯示出神對我們的心意是要豐裕我們 – 祂的計劃是要將平安帶給我們,不是傷害。祂不因我們的苦難而喜悅,在祂的腦海中盤旋的是我們的幸福,不是我們的失敗。基督徒們之所以會如此鐘愛這經文是因為很欣慰地得知神的心意是要賜與我們對未來的盼望 – 平安的未來,不是降災禍的。

這經文是指出我們將有快樂的結局,從主而得的賞賜;這就是欽定版譯文所指的『末後的指望』。詩篇138是另個有名的類似經文(注2)。我們知道主會『成全關乎我的事』(經文第8節)。祂能力的右手將會拯救我們(注3)。

進一步來看,在約伯記14:13-16(注4)指出,有一個我們迫切等待著定了的日期,因之而改變可臨到。我們可能誤解這部分的經文,認為約伯是在等死。但這並不真是正確的。他是在等待著神聖造訪。僅管身處悲慘,他在此環境中尋求改變。他是在等待這所定造訪的日期得著復興。 

我要來向你們提出我們也都有個定了的日期。改變正臨到。你將會『聽見聲音』(撒下5:24)(注5)而知道『祂為我們定收割的節令,永存不廢』(耶利米書5:24)(注6)。我的重點是,我們在困境中仍能有復興 – 我們雖身陷於環境的束縛中卻是仍能夠豐裕的(注7)。當我們在等候辨明,釋放,即使在做工中仍能享有安息(出埃及記33:14)(注8)。這不意謂著我們就坐以靜待,守株待兔(注9),任憑著生命中的風把我們隨意帶往。它的涵義是即使身處於『艱難對待』當中(再次,參考約伯記14:14),我們仍有在信心中的安息(希伯來書4:9)(注10)。

   
     (圖片源自Wikipedia 

我們所處的情境也許不討人喜悅,但這對於帶來末後的指望則是必需的改變的季節將臨到我們。注意,我不是指身體上的疾病是從神而來的『試煉』- 這不是聖經裡所指的『榮耀的苦楚』(注11)。因版面的關系,此處我無法就這主題深入全面的探討,我所指的更深的論述是火中的神(注12)。但我在這篇文章所要表達的目的是關乎我們生命中所面臨的處境,每日生活中的艱辛。 

我相信會有改變的風帶領我們進入信心中的安息即使我們仍將需做工但讓我們因著壓力,麻煩,衝突,動盪,和緊張而耗損至極的情況則會相對的不存在。我不是指你的生活總是輕鬆容易(注13);我的意思是你的生活環境無法改變你。相反的,是神改變你。當你歷經生活中的種種,祂帶你進入到這平安和安息的境界中。這就是我於此處要探討的改變的風。

在我看來在教會歷史中每次的主要復興,都有三種『風』- 或是氣息 – 神的。我想這對我們個人生活也適用。第一個是聖潔的風。它始於潔淨的氣息。這風是和諧之風的前兆。現在破壞和諧的罪並非是如同前所未見般地深顯而出 – 這些自我抬舉就是聖經裡所講到如同我們所認知的『肉體的情欲』。

聖潔的風 會將我們從軟弱無力,自滿,以及是的,成為我們重擔的肉體的罪和妥協中震盪出來。這不是個使人舒適的風,但卻是讓我們為大事預備好所必需的,是天父所敲響的警鐘將我們喚回到起初的愛心。這風是股將枯葉從樹上吹落的強大力道,以及我們從現在的疲憊中得著改變。

但在風暴之後而來的是和煦的微風。這就是帶來平安的和諧之風 – 就是豐收之風的前兆。這和諧之風是在這兩股強大的聖潔和豐收之風間的管道。在這個風中,有重塑的時間 – 重建我們對主和他人的承諾 – 重新調整成為我們重擔的態度和思想模式。我們被放回祂的甜蜜和愛中,這是從主而來的喜樂,內在醫治,希望的恢復以及更新的異象。我們從過去的疲憊中改變過來,被賜與更新的力量來期待光明的未來。

   
   (圖片源自Wikimedia

這就帶領我們進入豐收之風 – 為你定的造訪日期 – 這股風是遠超過強風之力;它是股颶風!神會將過去在地上所吹過的風整合起來,倍增百倍,一次全部釋放出來!這是你末後的指望,然而,看似希奇的,這是股平安的颶風!

 為你定的平安日期

在這裡我們要來處理態度這方面的問題。雖然你在等待中變得很疲憊,不要放棄你的平安!這裡的圈套是:敵人試圖竊取你的和諧,產生懷疑的風暴,懼怕神百姓中的彼此爭戰。衝突。不要中了詭計!

耶穌正在如同平安的管家般分賜祂的平安(以賽亞書9:6-7)(注15)不像世人所賜的(約翰福音14:27)(注16)。因著主正分賜祂的平安給你,不論生命的暴風如何襲擊,神對你生命中的旨意將仍是完好無缺,絲毫無損。信心最大的體現就是超越風暴的能力 – 但也是穿越風暴的平安。這裡有個可默想的原則:平安是能力的別名,而在超越風暴的能力之前臨到的是風暴中的平安。

典型的例子,閱讀馬可福音4:35-41:當那天晚上,耶穌對門徒說:「我們渡到那邊去吧。」門徒離開眾人,耶穌仍在船上,他們就把他一同帶去;也有別的船和他同行。忽然起了暴風,波浪打入船內,甚至船要滿了水。耶穌在船尾上,枕著枕頭睡覺。門徒叫醒了他,說:「夫子!我們喪命,你不顧嗎?」耶穌醒了,斥責風,向海說:「住了吧!靜了吧!」風就止住,大大地平靜了。耶穌對他們說:「為甚麼膽怯?你們還沒有信心嗎?」他們就大大地懼怕,彼此說:「這到底是誰,連風和海也聽從他了。」

看,門徒錯失了平安的神蹟,如同耶穌所有的,在風暴當中安眠。相反的,他們只因著平息風暴的神蹟而印象深刻。你看,這兩種神蹟我們都需要,但重要的是知道我們可以學習在風暴中安眠!

   
    (圖片源自Pixabay)

好吧,讓我們來提出一個理論方面的問題。假如神選擇不照著我們所期待的方式救我們呢?現在,試著來了解我所說的,神確實應許會拯救我們,但祂並沒有說我們是被拯救越過風暴呢還是在風暴中得著拯救。那麼我們該怎麼辦?當生命中的事不如所計劃的發生時將會如何?

嗨,這裡是個鼓勵的信息 – 當我們接近所定的日期時也正經歷改變的風,不要錯失我所講的重點。不要用這篇小小文章來做為你不擁有和使用來掌控風暴的能力之藉口。我所說的是,有信任的果效,學習在風暴中安息:信心和穩定性。這些都是重要的。我們需要平衡,純正的教義將釋放和紀律區分出來。

我們大多數人提出這個問題:當你可以有能力的時候,誰願意來發掘平安呢?我一直在思考這問題,我敢肯定你也是。除了,當我們只有能力這方面的教導,我們無法在風暴中找到平安。你知道的,假設我們對每樣情況只用權柄說話,我們永遠也學不到什麼。這樣子來想,假如你真的要來經歷神那就試著讀讀那些你沒劃線的經文。細拉。

看看約瑟;12年了他問自己,應許在哪裡?十幾年來『從火中行過』(以賽亞書43:2)(注17)他對權柄順服,而不光是使用權柄。看看保羅在使徒行傳27:22的話 (注18)– 請注意,他們仍然遭遇船難。你知道嗎?即使彼得(參考路加福音22:31-32)(注19)- 主沒有阻止他經歷所經歷的,他被允許嘗到失敗。但注意神對撒旦的行動是設限的。

為你定的應許日期

希伯來書12:11(注20)提到經歷過信心的試煉,結出平安的果子,就是義。神應許要使平安延及,好像江河(以賽亞書66:12)(注21)。『公義的果效必是平安;公義的效驗必是平穩,直到永遠。』(以賽亞書32:17)當改變的風吹動,你將到達為你定的應許日期。你要如何保證呢?不要丟棄勇敢的心!(希伯來書10:35-36)(注22)事實上,這裡是一些在希伯來書的經文,參考看看:希伯來書4:14;6:12;10:23。(注23) 

  
   (圖片源自Wikimedia

主正在說:『我所應許你的每件事我在異夢,異象,預言中所說的,聖經中的應許,我將要開始讓它們成就。當我在你身上做工你身上的每件事都是為了要成就這應許日期的特定目的。』

因為這默示有一定的日期,快要應驗,並不虛謊。雖然遲延,還要等候;因為必然臨到,不再遲延。』(哈巴谷書2:3)

所以等待它。它來了!
 

注1:
希伯來書12:14 你們要追求與眾人和睦,並要追求聖潔(holiness);非聖潔沒有人能見主。
羅馬書12:16 要彼此同心(live in harmony with one another);不要志氣高大,倒要俯就卑微的人(人:或譯事)。不要自以為聰明。
林後13:11 還有末了的話:願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人;要受安慰;要同心合意(think in harmony);要彼此和睦。如此,仁愛和平的 神必常與你們同在。

注2:詩篇138:8 耶和華必成全關乎我的事;耶和華啊,你的慈愛永遠長存!求你不要離棄你手所造的。

注3:出埃及記15:6 耶和華啊,你的右手施展能力,顯出榮耀;耶和華啊,你的右手摔碎仇敵。
詩篇20:6 現在我知道耶和華救護他的受膏者,必從他的聖天上應允他,用右手的能力救護他。

注4:
約伯記14:13 惟願你把我藏在陰間,存於隱密處,等你的忿怒過去;願你為我定了日期,記念我。
14:14 人若死了豈能再活呢?我只要在我一切爭戰的日子,等我被釋放(或譯:改變)的時候來到。
14:15 你呼叫,我便回答;你手所做的,你必羨慕。
14:16 但如今你數點我的腳步,豈不窺察我的罪過嗎?
英文版:http://biblehub.com/job/14-13.htm (KJV)
『that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!』

注5:撒下5:24 你聽見桑樹梢上有腳步的聲音,就要急速前去,因為那時耶和華已經在你前頭去攻打非利士人的軍隊。
注6:耶利米書5:24 心內也不說:我們應當敬畏耶和華 - 我們的 神;他按時賜雨,就是秋雨春雨,又為我們定收割的節令,永存不廢。
注7:根據- 箴言11:25 好施捨的,必得豐裕(prosper);滋潤人的,必得滋潤。
注8:出埃及記33:14 耶和華說:「我必親自和你同去,使你得安息。」
注9:To kick back is to assume a relaxed position or attitude.
注10:希伯來書4:9 這樣看來,必另有一安息日的安息為 神的百姓存留。

注11:羅馬書8:18 我想,現在的苦楚(sufferings)若比起將來要顯於我們的榮耀(glory)就不足介意了
彼得前書4:13 倒要歡喜;因為你們是與基督一同受苦(sufferings),使你們在他榮耀(glory)顯現的時候,也可以歡喜快樂。

注12:出埃及記 3:2,耶和華的使者從荊棘裡火焰中向摩西顯現。摩西觀看,不料,荊棘被火燒著,卻沒有燒毀。
這裡KJV版本英文(以及別的版本)翻譯,『the Lord appeared unto him in the flame of fire

注13:“cakewalk” is “an easy accomplishment”.

注15:賽9:6-7,因有一嬰孩為我們而生;有一子賜給我們。政權必擔在他的肩頭上;他名稱為「奇妙策士、全能的 神、永在的父、和平的君」。他的政權與平安必加增無窮。他必在大衛的寶座上治理他的國,以公平公義使國堅定穩固,從今直到永遠。萬軍之耶和華的熱心必成就這事。

注16:約翰福音14:27 我留下平安給你們;我將我的平安賜給你們。我所賜的,不像世人所賜的。你們心裡不要憂愁,也不要膽怯。

注17:以賽亞書43:2 你從水中經過,我必與你同在;你蹚過江河,水必不漫過你;你從火中行過,必不被燒,火焰也不著在你身上。

注18:使徒行傳27:22 現在我還勸你們放心,你們的性命一個也不失喪,惟獨失喪這船。

注19:路加福音22:31-32 主又說:「西門!西門!撒但想要得著你們,好篩你們像篩麥子一樣;但我已經為你祈求,叫你不至於失了信心。你回頭以後,要堅固你的弟兄。」

注20:希伯來書12:11 凡管教的事,當時不覺得快樂,反覺得愁苦;後來卻為那經練過的人結出平安的果子,就是義。

注21:以賽亞書66:12 耶和華如此說:我要使平安延及她,好像江河,使列國的榮耀延及她,如同漲溢的河。你們要從中享受(原文是咂);你們必蒙抱在肋旁,搖弄在膝上。

注22:希伯來書10:35-36 所以,你們不可丟棄勇敢的心;存這樣的心必得大賞賜。你們必須忍耐,使你們行完了 神的旨意,就可以得著所應許的。

注23:希伯來書4:14 我們既然有一位已經升入高天尊榮的大祭司,就是 神的兒子耶穌,便當持定所承認的道。
希伯來書6:12 並且不懈怠,總要效法那些憑信心和忍耐承受應許的人。
希伯來書10:23 也要堅守我們所承認的指望,不至搖動,因為那應許我們的是信實的。



"Winds of Change: Holiness, Harmony and Harvest"
James Maloney, Argyle, TX

Your Appointed Time of Visitation

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11, KJV

The oft-quoted passage from Jeremiah 29:11 shows us that the Lord's intentions are to prosper us—His plans are to bring us peace, not hurt. He does not delight in our sufferings. Our well-being is on His mind, not our undoing. The reason this Scripture is so beloved by Christians is because it is comforting to know that the dealings of God are intended to give hope for the future—a future of peace, not evil.

This verse is saying we have a happy ending, a reward from the Lord; that is the "expected end" of the KJV translation. Psalm 138 is another famous passage on a similar theme. We know that the Lord will "perfect that which concerns [us]" (Verse 8). His right hand of strength will save us.

Further to this, we see in Job 14:13-16, that there is an appointed time that we are eagerly waiting for so that a change might come. We can misunderstand this portion of Scripture, assuming that Job was waiting for death. But that's not really accurate. He was waiting for a divine visitation. Despite his miserable condition, he was looking for a change in his circumstances. He was waiting for an appointed time of visitation to revive him.

I would like to submit to you that we also have an appointed time. A change is coming. You will "hear the sound" (2 Samuel 5:24) and know that, "He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest" (Jeremiah 5:24). My point is, we can still have revival in the midst of our difficulties—we can still be prospered in the midst of the bondage of our circumstances. While we are waiting for vindication, for release, there is still a rest (Exodus 33:14) even while we labor. It doesn't mean that we kick back and just let the winds of life push us wherever they may take us. But it means that even in the midst of "hard service" (again, Job 14:14), we have the rest of faith (Hebrews 4:9). (Photo via Wikipedia)

Our circumstances may be unpleasant, but they are necessary to bring about the expected end—the season of change that is coming upon us. Note, I am not talking about physical illness being a "test" from the Lord—that is not the Biblical basis for "glorified sufferings." I don't have the space here to go into this concept fully, and I refer you to Lord in the Fires for a deeper discourse. But for the purposes of this article, I am talking about the circumstances of life that we all face, the hardships of day-to-day living.

I believe there is a wind of change that brings us into a state of faith-rest—even though we will always have labors—where there is a relative absence of the stresses, hassles, conflicts, turmoil, and tension that wear us down to a nub. I'm not saying your life is always a cakewalk; I'm saying the circumstances of your life don't change you. Rather, it is the Lord who changes you. He brings you to a state of peace and rest even while you work through the symptoms of life. This is the wind of change I want to look at here.

It seems to me that in every major revival in church history, there were three "winds"—or breathings—of God. I think this applies to us on a personal level as well. The first is the wind of holiness. It starts with a breath of cleansing. This wind is the precursor to the wind of harmony. Now, the sins that disrupt harmony are not profound revelations you've never heard of before—these self-exaltations are what we know as "the lusts of the flesh" that the Bible talks about.

The wind of holiness shakes us from lethargy, complacency, and yes, the fleshy sins and compromises that weigh us down. This is not a comfortable wind, but it is necessary in getting us ready for great things, a wake-up call from the Father to draw us back to our first Love. This wind is a gale force blowing the dead leaves off the tree, and we are changed from the weariness of the present.

But after the windstorm comes the gentle breeze. This is the wind of harmony that brings peace—a precursor to the wind of harvest. The wind of harmony is a trough in between the two mighty winds of holiness and harvest. In this wind, there is a time of reshaping—reestablishing our commitments to the Lord and other—readjustments of our attitudes and thought patterns that weigh us down. We are drawn back into His sweetness and love—this is the joy of the Lord, inner healing, the restoration of hope and renewed vision. We are changed from the weariness of the past and given a renewed strength to look forward to our bright future. (Photo via Wikimedia)

Which brings us to the wind of harvest—your appointed time of visitation—and this wind is more than a gale force; it's a hurricane! God will combine all the winds that have previously been blowing on the earth, multiply it a hundred times, and give it you all at once. This is your expected end, and yet, as odd as it may seem, this is a hurricane of peace!
 

Your Appointed Time of Peace

Here we deal with attitudes. Though you may have grown weary in waiting, don't surrender your peace! There is a set up here: the enemy is trying to steal your harmony, producing storms of doubt, fear—wars among the people of God. Conflict. Don't fall for it!

Jesus is giving away His peace as the Steward of peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)—not as the world gives it (John 14:27). God's purposes are still intact for your life no matter what storm of life may come, because the Lord is giving away His peace to you. The greatest expression of faith manifested is power over the storms—but also peace through the storms. Here's a principle to meditate on: peace is power by another name, and peace in the storm comes before power over the storm.

Case in point, read Mark 4:35-41On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

See, the disciples missed out on the miracle of peace, as Jesus had it, sleeping in the midst of the storm. Rather, they were only impressed with the miracle of calming the storm itself. Look, we need both kinds of miracles, but it's important to know that we can learn to sleep in the storm! (Photo via Pixabay)

Okay, but let's ask a theoretical question. What if God chooses not to deliver us in the manner we're expecting? Now, understand me here, God does promise to deliver us, but He does not say whether we are delivered over the storm, or through the storm. So what do we do? What happens when life's issues don't work out as we planned?

Hey, this is an encouraging message—we are experiencing winds of change as we approach our appointed times, don't miss my point here. Don't use this little article as an excuse not to have and take power over the storm! What I'm saying is there are effects of trust, learning to rest in the midst of storms: confidence and stability. These are important too. We need balanced, sound doctrine that draws the distinction between deliverance and discipline.

Most of us ask the question, Who wants to discover peace when you can have power? I've thought this way, and I'm pretty sure so have you. Except, when we have just the power teaching, we can't find the peace in the storm. You know, if we just spoke authority over every single situation, we'd never learn anything. Think of it like this, if you really want to experience God try reading the verses you don't underline. Selah.

Look at Joseph; twelve years asking himself, Where is the promise? More than a decade spent "walking through the fires" (Isaiah 43:2). He submitted to authority, rather than just taking authority. Check out Paul's words in Acts 27:22—please note, they were still shipwrecked, you know? Even Peter (see Luke 22:31-32)—the Lord didn't stop him from going through the experience; he was allowed to fail. But note that God put a limit on satan's actions.

Your Appointed Time of Promise

Hebrews 12:11 says that after the trials of faith, the peaceable fruit of righteousness is yielded. God promises to extend peace like a river (Isaiah 66:12). "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever" (Isaiah 32:17). As the winds of change blow, you will reach your appointed time of promise. How can you ensure this? Don't cast away your confidence! (Hebrews 10:35-36). In fact, here's some passages from Hebrews; check them out: Hebrews 4:14; 6:12; 10:23. (Photo Wikimedia)

The Lord is saying, "Everything that I've promised you—that which I've spoken in dreams, visions, prophecies, promises in My Word, I am going to begin working them out. Everything I do for you in My dealings with you are for the distinct purpose to fulfill your time of promise."

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

So wait for it. It is coming!

James Maloney, President
Voice of the Dove Company International