"Draw me; we will run after Thee." - Song of Songs 1:4
Our spiritual energy in following Christ springs from more than inward impulse, even by the indwelling Spirit. It results rather from some power drawing us to Him as the Spirit makes Him more real and precious to us through the Word. Far beyond our experience, we are given new revelations of the beauty and majesty of our Lord, and as a consequence are pulled by an irresistible longing to approach ever closer to Him.
Notice the effect that such a devoted following of Christ has upon others. It is I who am drawn, but is we who run after Him. In other words, there is something contagious and inspiring about a Christ-dominated life. What a privilege to be so drawn by His love that we influence others to run after the Lord in pursuit of their own closer walk with Him!
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Song of Songs 1
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
It Is Weight That Counts
"If any man buildeth on the foundation of gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire." - 1 Corinthians 3:12
It is weight that counts. Wood, hay, stubble are cheap, light, perishable. Gold, silver, precious stones are costly, weighty, eternal. Here is the key to Paul's meaning. God looks not only at the work done but at the material used, and readily distinguishes the solid from the superficial worker. The heavy metals, the gold of the divine character and glory, the silver of His redemptive work: these are the materials He prizes. Not merely what we preach, but what we are, weighs with God: not 'Where is the need most evident? What ideas and resources have I got? How much can I do?' but 'Where is God moving? What is there of Christ there? What is the mind of the Spirit in this?' When our work has that character we can be sure it will survive.
A Table In the Wilderness (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3
It is weight that counts. Wood, hay, stubble are cheap, light, perishable. Gold, silver, precious stones are costly, weighty, eternal. Here is the key to Paul's meaning. God looks not only at the work done but at the material used, and readily distinguishes the solid from the superficial worker. The heavy metals, the gold of the divine character and glory, the silver of His redemptive work: these are the materials He prizes. Not merely what we preach, but what we are, weighs with God: not 'Where is the need most evident? What ideas and resources have I got? How much can I do?' but 'Where is God moving? What is there of Christ there? What is the mind of the Spirit in this?' When our work has that character we can be sure it will survive.
A Table In the Wilderness (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3
Monday, February 12, 2007
Brotherly Love
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God." - 1 John 4:7
The life within the children of God is so rich that it is possible for them to love all their brothers and sisters in Christ. Such love is the spontaneous fruit of God's Holy Spirit. There is no difference between loving one brother and loving them all, for the same love is shown to the one as to the many. He is loved just because he is a brother, because they are brethren. The number of persons has no bearing here, for the love expressed is 'of God.' Brotherly love is love of all the brethren.
Let us be careful lest we do things that violate that love. Do not allow your brotherly love to desert you because of wounds received, for this will have sorry consequences. God has put many brothers and sisters in our way, here and now, to be the targets of love. These give us the opportunity to realize in costly, concrete terms our love toward God. Never boast of your love to God; just learn to show love to the brethren.
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 1 John 4
The life within the children of God is so rich that it is possible for them to love all their brothers and sisters in Christ. Such love is the spontaneous fruit of God's Holy Spirit. There is no difference between loving one brother and loving them all, for the same love is shown to the one as to the many. He is loved just because he is a brother, because they are brethren. The number of persons has no bearing here, for the love expressed is 'of God.' Brotherly love is love of all the brethren.
Let us be careful lest we do things that violate that love. Do not allow your brotherly love to desert you because of wounds received, for this will have sorry consequences. God has put many brothers and sisters in our way, here and now, to be the targets of love. These give us the opportunity to realize in costly, concrete terms our love toward God. Never boast of your love to God; just learn to show love to the brethren.
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 1 John 4
Monday, February 05, 2007
Christ's Loyal Band
"David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam, … and there were with him about four hundred men. " - 1 Samuel 22:1
The cave represented the answer to a spiritual need. Saul had the office of king and a great following. His was all the machinery of government, and God in sovereignty recognized him, but you will not find God with Saul. It is David who is under the Spirit's anointing, and he must go with God into the wilderness. So the cave became his headquarters. To it there found their way a band of those who were weary of existing conditions, and he became their captain. They came to Adullam in desperation, because their need was met nowhere else.
David is a type of the Lord Jesus in His present rejection. Even today, multitudes are on their way to His retreat. They crave for the reality to be found where the Spirit rules. They come to Him and He owns them as His loyal band. It is a lonely way. It is always lonely to stand against the man-made system. But that nucleus, gathered to the Lord Jesus in this day of His rejection, will be very dear to Him when He comes to the throne.
A Table In the Wilderness (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 1 Samuel 22
The cave represented the answer to a spiritual need. Saul had the office of king and a great following. His was all the machinery of government, and God in sovereignty recognized him, but you will not find God with Saul. It is David who is under the Spirit's anointing, and he must go with God into the wilderness. So the cave became his headquarters. To it there found their way a band of those who were weary of existing conditions, and he became their captain. They came to Adullam in desperation, because their need was met nowhere else.
David is a type of the Lord Jesus in His present rejection. Even today, multitudes are on their way to His retreat. They crave for the reality to be found where the Spirit rules. They come to Him and He owns them as His loyal band. It is a lonely way. It is always lonely to stand against the man-made system. But that nucleus, gathered to the Lord Jesus in this day of His rejection, will be very dear to Him when He comes to the throne.
A Table In the Wilderness (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 1 Samuel 22
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