種下好種子並活在神的大能中
作者：Bill & Marsha Burns
日期：2021年5月2日
中譯：耶心
來源：AP.Media
栽種種子（Marsha Burns）
在下一個豐收尋求播種的智慧。這是一個重要的時刻，在接下來的幾個月中，善良和慷慨的種子將產生一個通常的「更大」的收成。重要的是，你應該以覺得自己配得的尊重和善良對待他人，要正直。
地還存留的時候，稼穡、寒暑、冬夏、晝夜就永不停息了。（創8:22）
似乎幾乎每年這個時候，神都會給我關於播種的提示-播種將會帶來豐收的種子。
不要自欺，神是輕慢不得的。人種的是什麼，收的也是什麼。（加6:7）
我相信，當我們播種的種子紮根，成長和成熟時，我們需要考慮要獲得的是什麼樣的豐收。
又說：神的國，如同人把種撒在地上。黑夜睡覺，白日起來，這種就發芽漸長，那人卻不曉得如何這樣。地生五穀是出於自然的：先發苗，後長穗，再後穗上結成飽滿的子粒。穀既熟了，就用鐮刀去割，因為收成的時候到了。（可4:26-29）
我們每個人都必須決定撒什麼樣的種子以帶來我們想要的收穫。我們必須從果子開始……聖靈的果子：
聖靈所結的果子，就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制。這樣的事，沒有律法禁止。（加5:22-23）
光明所結的果子就是一切良善、公義、誠實。（弗5:9）
為了使我們收穫聖靈的果實，我們必須播下善良，公義和真理的種子，實際上是讓這些屬性成為我們自己的一部分。這些種子是我們在生活中做出的選擇，因為我們根據聖靈的運行而不是肉體的工作，對生命的境遇和人們做出適當的反應。
情慾的事都是顯而易見的，就如姦淫、汙穢、邪蕩、拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、嫉妒、醉酒、荒宴等類，我從前告訴你們，現在又告訴你們，行這樣事的人必不能承受 神的國。（加5:19-21）
如果我們想讓肉體長大並產生自己的收成，我們所要做的就是不道德，控制和剝削他人，醉酒，嫉妒，生氣，可恨，自私，播種不和諧等等。
我們想要什麼？
提升！
我們總是有機會在精神上向更高的方向前進，但我們需要通過尋求和親近神來播下渴望的種子。
你們親近神，神就必親近你們。有罪的人哪，要潔淨你們的手；心懷二意的人哪，要清潔你們的心。（雅4:8）
無疑，這將使我們獲得祂智慧和啓示，這是與祂保持親密關係的結果。
興盛的種子
親愛的兄弟啊，我願你凡事興盛，身體健壯，正如你的靈魂興盛一樣。（約三1:2）
身體健康取決於靈魂的興盛。要使心靈，思想，情感和意志興盛，就必須與基督合而為一，像祂一樣思考和表達感情，並按照祂的意願去做。
你怎樣差我到世上，我也照樣差他們到世上。我為他們的緣故，自己分別為聖，叫他們也因真理成聖。我不但為這些人祈求，也為那些因他們的話信我的人祈求，使他們都合而為一。正如你父在我裡面，我在你裡面，使他們也在我們裡面，叫世人可以信你差了我來。你所賜給我的榮耀，我已賜給他們，使他們合而為一，像我們合而為一。我在他們裡面，你在我裡面，使他們完完全全地合而為一，叫世人知道你差了我來，也知道你愛他們如同愛我一樣。（約17:18-23）
興盛、恩惠與祝福
你們要給人，就必有給你們的，並且用十足的升鬥，連搖帶按、上尖下流地倒在你們懷裡；因為你們用什麼量器量給人，也必用什麼量器量給你們。（路6:38）
少種的少收，多種的多收，這話是真的。（林後9:6）
這不一定意味著數量，而是質量……慷慨地，無私地，高興地給予。
各人要隨本心所酌定的，不要作難，不要勉強，因為捐得樂意的人是神所喜愛的。（林後9:7）
更好的關係
你們願意人怎樣待你們，你們也要怎樣待人。（路6:31）
要擁有朋友，你必須成為朋友。我們要記住這一點—播種者已經出去播種了！
撒的時候，有落在路旁的，飛鳥來吃盡了；有落在土淺石頭地上的，土既不深，發苗最快，日頭出來一曬，因為沒有根，就枯乾了；有落在荊棘裡的，荊棘長起來，把它擠住了，就不結實；又有落在好土裡的，就發生長大，結實有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的。」又說：「有耳可聽的，就應當聽。（可4:4-9）
撒種之人所撒的，就是道。那撒在路旁的，就是人聽了道，撒但立刻來，把撒在他心裡的道奪了去；那撒在石頭地上的，就是人聽了道，立刻歡喜領受，但他心裡沒有根，不過是暫時的，及至為道遭了患難，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了；還有那撒在荊棘裡的，就是人聽了道，後來有世上的思慮、錢財的迷惑，和別樣的私慾，進來把道擠住了，就不能結實；那撒在好地上的，就是人聽道，又領受，並且結實，有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的。（可4:14-20）
讓我們多播些好種子，在新的季節裡收穫豐碩的果實！
活在神的大能裡（Bill Burns）
問題：你是否活在神的大能裡，有沒有可能活在神超自然的力量和大能裡？
神的旨意是要他的子民按著聖經的話，活在祂的能力裡。
並且照明你們心中的眼睛，使你們知道他的恩召有何等指望，他在聖徒中得的基業有何等豐盛的榮耀；並知道他向我們這信的人所顯的能力是何等浩大。（弗1:18-19）
神能照著運行在我們心裡的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。（弗3:20）
我還有末了的話：你們要靠著主，倚賴他的大能大力，作剛強的人。（弗6:10）
我兒啊，你要在基督耶穌的恩典上剛強起來。（提後2:1）
我豈沒有吩咐你嗎？你當剛強壯膽！不要懼怕，也不要驚惶，因為你無論往哪裡去，耶和華你的 神必與你同在。（書1:9）
聖經證明，神的旨意是叫我們活在祂的能力和能力裡，並且勇敢。要有決心！
我們的軟弱該怎麼辦呢？
他對我說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱、淩辱、急難、逼迫、困苦為可喜樂的，因我什麼時候軟弱，什麼時候就剛強了。（林後12:9-10）
當我認識到自己的軟弱時，我就可以祈求和領受神的力量！
我又何必再說呢？若要一一細說，基甸、巴拉、參孫、耶弗他、大衛、撒母耳和眾先知的事，時候就不夠了。他們因著信，制伏了敵國，行了公義，得了應許，堵了獅子的口，滅了烈火的猛勢，脫了刀劍的鋒刃，軟弱變為剛強，爭戰顯出勇敢，打退外邦的全軍。（來11:32-34）
我的肉體和我的心腸衰殘，但神是我心裡的力量，又是我的福分，直到永遠。（詩73:26）
神對我們的心意使祂的能力和力量成為可能，而我們的信心使我們能夠活在神的能力和力量裡。
並知道他向我們這信的人所顯的能力是何等浩大（弗1:19）
要有勇氣
天使對約書亞說：「要剛強壯膽。」使徒保羅說：「要壯膽。你若倚靠耶和華，倚靠他的力量和能力，就必勇敢無畏，不再懼怕。
因為 神賜給我們不是膽怯的心，乃是剛強、仁愛、謹守的心。（提後1:7）
耶和華是我的力量，是我的盾牌，我心裡倚靠他，就得幫助；所以我心中歡樂，我必用詩歌頌讚他。（詩28:7）
在啓示錄21:8中，「膽怯」和放任不信的危險被放大了：惟有膽怯的、不信的、可憎的、殺人的、淫亂的、行邪術的、拜偶像的和一切說謊話的，他們的份就在燒著硫磺的火湖裡，這是第二次的死。
該如何去做
1、相信神的話，這是祂給你的旨意。
我兒，你要聽受我的言語，就必延年益壽。（箴4:10）
2、建立信心
他到底怎麼說呢？他說：「這道離你不遠，正在你口裡，在你心裡。」就是我們所傳信主的道。（羅10:8）
這就是我們所宣揚的信心。
第17節說到：「可見通道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。」
默想這些話語！
3、宣告祂的旨意和話語
耶穌回答說：你們當信服神。我實在告訴你們：無論何人對這座山說：‘你挪開此地，投在海裡！’他若心裡不疑惑，只信他所說的必成，就必給他成了。所以我告訴你們：凡你們禱告祈求的，無論是什麼，只要信是得著的，就必得著。（可11:22-24）
你定意要作何事，必然給你成就；亮光也必照耀你的路。（伯22:28）
大衛的宣告
耶和華啊，你是我的燈，耶和華必照明我的黑暗。我藉著你衝入敵軍，藉著我的 神跳過牆垣。至於神，他的道是完全的；耶和華的話，是煉淨的。凡投靠他的，他便作他們的盾牌。除了耶和華，誰是神呢？除了我們的神，誰是磐石呢？神是我堅固的保障，他引導完全人行他的路。（撒下22:29-33）
我的宣告
⋯你們要靠著主，倚賴他的大能大力，作剛強的人。（弗6:10）
我的靈、魂和身體都很強壯！我在主裡有能力，他的能力勝過我的軟弱。
底線：根據羅馬書8:11，聖靈會使我們凡人的身體復活或「復活」。祂的精神力量將使我們充滿活力，增加我們的物質生活，使我們強大。
底線：根據羅馬書8:11，聖靈會加快或「賜予生命」到我們的肉體上。他的聖靈的能力將使我們精力充沛，以加增我們的物質生命並使我們強壯。
"Planting Good Seeds and Living in God's Power"
Bill and Marsha Burns
May 2，2021
Planting Seeds by Marsha Burns
Ask for wisdom in sowing seeds for the next harvest. This is a significant time when the seeds of kindness and generosity will produce an usual, "greater than" harvest in the months to come. It is important that you treat others with the same respect and kindness as you believe you deserve. Be righteous.
"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8:22)
It seems that almost every year at this time, God gives me a heads-up about planting—sowing seeds that will bring a good harvest.
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
I believe that we need to think about the kind of harvest we want to gather in as the seeds we sow take root and grow and mature.
"And He said, 'The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.'" (Mark 4:26-29)
We each have to determine what seeds we need to sow to produce the harvest we desire. We must begin with fruit...the fruit of the Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth." (Ephesians 5:9)
In order for us to reap the fruit of the Spirit, we have to sow the seeds of goodness, righteousness and truth—actually allow those attributes to become part of who we are. Those seeds are the choices we make in our lives as we respond to life's circumstances and people appropriately—according to the movements of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh.
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)
If we want flesh to grow up and produce its own harvest, all we have to do is be immoral, control and exploit others, get drunk, be jealous, angry, hateful, selfish, sow discord, etc.
What do we want?
Elevation!
We always have opportunities to move higher spiritually, but we need to sow seeds of desire by seeking and drawing near to God.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8)
This will undoubtedly lead to receiving His wisdom and revelation, the fruit of being in close relationship with Him.
Seeds of Prosperity
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:2)
Good health depends on the prosperity of the soul. To be prosperous of soul—mind, emotions, will—is to be one with Christ, thinking and expressing feelings as He does, and doing as He wills. (Photo via Unsplash)
"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." (John 17:18-23)
Prosperity, Favor and Blessings
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38)
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6)
This doesn't necessarily mean quantity, but rather quality...giving with a generous heart, unselfishly, gladly.
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Better Relationships
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." (Luke 6:31)
To have a friend, you must be a friend. We need to remember this—the sower went out to sow!
"'And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.' And He said to them, 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear!'" (Mark 4:4-9)
"The sower sows the Word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the Word is sown. When they hear, satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts.
"These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the Word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the Word's sake, immediately they stumble.
"Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the Word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.
"But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:14-20)
Let's sow good seeds in abundance that will yield a bountiful and fruitful harvest in the season to come!
Living in God's Power by Bill Burns
Question: Are you living in God's power, and is it possible to live in the supernatural strength and power of God?
It is God's will for His people to live in His power and strength according to the Scriptures.
"...The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." (Ephesians 1:18-19)
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20)
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10)
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
The Scriptures prove that it is God's will for us to live in His power and strength and to be courageous. Be resolute! (Photo via Snappy Goat)
What About Our Weakness?
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
When I recognize my weakness, then I can ask for and receive God's strength!
"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." (Hebrews 11:32-34)
"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)
God's will for us makes His power and strength possible, and it is our faith that makes it possible to live in God's power and strength.
"...What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power." (Ephesians 1:19)
Have Courage
The angel said to Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage." And the apostle Paul said, "Be brave. Be strong." When you trust in the Lord and live in His strength and power, you will become brave and courageous, and fear will not abide in you.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)
The danger of being "cowardly" and allowing unbelief is amplified in Revelation 21:8: "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
What to Do
1. Believe God's Word. It is His will for you.
"Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many." (Proverbs 4:10)
2. Establish faith.
"But what does it say? 'The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart...'" (Romans 10:8)
That is the Word of faith that we preach.
Verse 17 says: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
Meditate on the Word!
3. Declare His will and Word.
"So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'" (Mark 11:22-24)
"You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways." (Job 22:28)
David's Declaration
"For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect." (2 Samuel 22:29-33)
My Declaration
"...Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10)
I am strong in spirit, soul and body! I am strong in the Lord, and His strength is over my weakness.
Bottom Line: According to Romans 8:11, the Holy Spirit will quicken or "give life" to our mortal bodies. His spiritual power will invigorate us to increase our physical life and make us strong.
