安息日下午 · 11月15日
记忆经文：
“要记念那些引导你们、传讲上帝之道的人；要效法他们的信心，思想他们为人处世的结局。”（希伯来书 13:7，和合本）
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” KJV — Hebrews 13:7
使徒在希伯来书12章1-2节中高举基督为教会的伟大元首，教会应当仰望祂，寻求祂的领导。祂希望教会能从第十一章所提到的那些信心英雄的经历中受益，这些英雄在第十二章第一节被称为“如同云彩般的见证人”。但祂也忠实地警醒教会，不要以偶像崇拜的心态效法他们，也不要接受任何人作为教会的领袖或基督徒生活的榜样，祂用这三个字警告我们：“要仰望耶稣。”保罗说：“我们既有这许多见证人，如同云彩围绕着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在神宝座的右边。” T25 183.2
“The apostle exalts Christ as the great head of the church, and the only one to whom she should look for leadership, in Hebrews 12:1, 2. He would have the church benefited by the experiences of the heroes of faith, mentioned in the eleventh chapter, called in the first verse of the twelfth a cloud of witnesses. But he faithfully guards the church against looking back to them with a spirit of idolatry, or accepting any man as their leader or pattern of the Christian life, in these three words: “Looking unto Jesus.” Paul says: ‘Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’” - Testimony for the Church, No. 25, page 183.2
星期日 · 11月16日
忠心
阅读民数记 13:6, 30-32 和约书亚记 14:6, 14。迦勒是谁？他在以色列人中的地位如何？
Read Numbers 13:6, 30–32 and Joshua 14:6, 14. Who was Caleb? What was his place among the people of Israel?
“迦勒对上帝的信心赐予他勇气；这使他不惧怕世人，甚至不惧怕强大的巨人，亚衲族的子孙，使他能够勇敢无畏地捍卫正义。每一位基督十字架的真正战士，都必须从同一位至高无上的天军统帅那里获得力量和勇气，去克服那些看似无法逾越的障碍……我们现在需要像迦勒一样的人……他们用勇敢的言语发出强有力的呼吁，支持立即采取行动。——《教会证言》卷五，378-383页（1885年）。”《教会证言》117.4
“It was Caleb's faith in God that gave him courage; that kept him from the fear of man, even the mighty giants, the sons of Anak, and enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly in defense of the right. From the same exalted source, the mighty General of the armies of heaven, every true soldier of the cross of Christ must receive strength and courage to overcome obstacles that often seem insurmountable.... We want Calebs now ... who with courageous words will make a strong report in favor of immediate action.—Testimonies for the Church 5:378-383 (1885).” -Colporteur Ministry, page 117.4
迦勒愿意直言不讳，即使大多数探子都持完全不同的意见，以色列人也威胁要处死他，这说明了迦勒怎样的品格？参见民数记 14:6-10, 21-25；26:65；32:12。
What does it say about Caleb that he was willing to speak his mind even though the majority of the spies had a completely different opinion, and the people of Israel threatened him with death? See Num. 14:6–10, 21–25; Num. 26:65; Num. 32:12.
“百姓因失望和绝望而感到绝望。一声痛苦的哀嚎响起，混杂在混乱的低语声中。迦勒明白了形势，他勇敢地捍卫上帝的话语，竭尽全力抵制那些不忠同伴的邪恶影响。百姓一时安静下来，聆听他关于那片美好土地的充满希望和勇气的话语。他没有否定之前所说的话：城墙高耸，迦南人强大。但上帝已经应许将那地赐给以色列。“让我们立刻上去占领那地吧，”迦勒恳求道，“因为我们完全有能力战胜它。” PP 388.3
“百姓在叛乱中曾呼喊：‘但愿我们死在这旷野！’如今，他们的祷告必蒙应允。耶和华宣告：‘你们怎样向我所说的，我必照样待你们；你们的尸首必倒在这旷野，凡被数点的，从二十岁以上的，都必如此……至于你们的婴孩，就是你们所说的要被掳掠的，我必领他们进去，使他们得着你们所藐视的地。’论到迦勒，耶和华说：‘我的仆人迦勒，因他另有心志，专心跟从我，我必领他进入他所去过的地；他的后裔必承受那地为业。’正如探子走了四十天，以色列的军队也必在旷野漂流四十年。”（PP 391.2）
“The people were desperate in their disappointment and despair. A wail of agony arose and mingled with the confused murmur of voices. Caleb comprehended the situation, and, bold to stand in defense of the word of God, he did all in his power to counteract the evil influence of his unfaithful associates. For an instant the people were stilled to listen to his words of hope and courage respecting the goodly land. He did not contradict what had already been said; the walls were high and the Canaanites strong. But God had promised the land to Israel. ‘Let us go up at once and possess it,” urged Caleb; “for we are well able to overcome it.’” - Patriarchs and Prophets, page 388.3
“In their rebellion the people had exclaimed, “Would God we had died in this wilderness!” Now this prayer was to be granted. The Lord declared: “As ye have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness, and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward.... But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.” And of Caleb He said, “My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed Me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” As the spies had spent forty days in their journey, so the hosts of Israel were to wander in the wilderness forty years.” - Patriarchs and Prophets, page 391.2
11月17日星期一
给我这片丘陵地带
阅读约书亚记 14:6-14，民数记 14:24，民数记 32:12，申命记 1:36 和路加福音 6:45。你会如何描述迦勒和约书亚的态度？完全跟随主意味着什么？
Read Joshua 14:6–14, Numbers 14:24, Numbers 32:12, Deuteronomy 1:36, and Luke 6:45. How would you describe Caleb and Joshua’s attitude? What does it mean to follow the Lord fully?
在分配土地之前，迦勒带着他支派的首领，提出一项特别的主张。除了约书亚之外，迦勒是以色列人中最年长的人。在探子中，只有迦勒和约书亚带回了关于应许之地的好消息，鼓励百姓奉耶和华的名上去占领那地。迦勒提醒约书亚，这是他忠心的奖赏，是先前所立的应许：“你脚所踏之地必归你和你的子孙永远为业，因为你专心跟从耶和华。”因此，他请求将希伯仑赐给他为业。这里曾是亚伯拉罕、以撒和雅各多年的家园；他们也葬于此地的麦比拉洞。希伯仑是令人畏惧的亚衲族人的居所，他们凶猛的面容令探子们胆战心惊，也因此摧毁了以色列全族的勇气。迦勒倚靠神的力量，最终选择了希伯仑作为他的产业。（PP 511.4）
“他说：‘看哪，自从耶和华对摩西说这话以来，这四十五年，耶和华照样保全了我的生命……现在，我今天已经八十五岁了。我今天的力量仍和摩西打发我去的那日一样；那时我怎样有力量，现在仍是怎样，无论是争战、是出入，我的力量都一样。现在求你把耶和华那日所应许的这山地给我，因为你那日也听见那里有亚衲人，而且城邑又大又坚固；只要耶和华与我同在，我必能照着耶和华所说的，把他们赶出去。’这项请求得到了犹大支派首领们的支持。基列伯自己正是这个支派被选派出来分配土地的人，因此他选择让这些首领与他一同提出这项要求，好使他的行为看起来不像是为了自己的私利而滥用权柄。”（《先祖与先知》512.1）
“他的请求立刻被准许。征服这个巨人据点，交给谁也不能比交给他更合适了。‘约书亚为耶孚尼的儿子迦勒祝福，将希伯仑给他为产业’，‘因为他专心跟从耶和华—以色列的神’。迦勒如今的信心，正如当年他以正面见证反驳探子恶报时一样。他曾相信上帝的应许——祂必使祂的百姓得着迦南地，因此他在这点上完全跟从了耶和华。他与百姓一同忍受旷野长久的漂流，分担犯罪者的失望与重担；然而他对此没有一句抱怨，反而颂扬上帝的怜悯——当他的弟兄们被剪除时，上帝在旷野保存了他的生命。在旷野漂流所有的艰难、危险与瘟疫之中，以及进入迦南后多年争战的日子里，耶和华一直保守他；如今年逾八十，他的精力依旧不衰。他并没有为自己求一块已经征服的土地，而是求那块探子们认为最不可能攻下的地方。借着上帝的帮助，他要从那些曾使以色列人信心动摇的巨人手中夺取这坚固的山寨。促使迦勒提出此要求的，并不是对荣耀或升迁的渴望；这位勇敢的老战士渴望为百姓树立一个能荣耀上帝的榜样，并鼓励各支派彻底征服那片他们祖先认为无法攻取的土地。”（《先祖与先知》512.2）
“迦勒得到了他四十年来一直渴望的产业，并且，他信靠上帝与他同在，便将亚衲的三个儿子赶走了。他为自己和家人夺取了产业之后，他的热忱丝毫未减；他没有安于现状享受产业，而是继续为国家和上帝的荣耀而征战四方。”（PP 513.1）
“Before the distribution of the land had been entered upon, Caleb, accompanied by the heads of his tribe, came forward with a special claim. Except Joshua, Caleb was now the oldest man in Israel. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones among the spies who had brought a good report of the Land of Promise, encouraging the people to go up and possess it in the name of the Lord. Caleb now reminded Joshua of the promise then made, as the reward of his faithfulness: “The land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord.” He therefore presented a request that Hebron be given him for a possession. Here had been for many years the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and here, in the cave of Machpelah, they were buried. Hebron was the seat of the dreaded Anakim, whose formidable appearance had so terrified the spies, and through them destroyed the courage of all Israel. This, above all others, was the place which Caleb, trusting in the strength of God, chose for his inheritance. - Patriarchs and Prophets, page 511.4
“‘Behold, the Lord hath kept me alive,’ he said, ‘these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses: ... and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day: for thou heardest in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.’ This request was supported by the chief men of Judah. Caleb himself being the one appointed from this tribe to apportion the land, he had chosen to unite these men with him in presenting his claim, that there might be no appearance of having employed his authority for selfish advantage. - Patriarchs and Prophets, page 512.1
“His claim was immediately granted. To none could the conquest of this giant stronghold be more safely entrusted. “Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance,” “because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” Caleb’s faith now was just what it was when his testimony had contradicted the evil report of the spies. He had believed God’s promise that He would put His people in possession of Canaan, and in this he had followed the Lord fully. He had endured with his people the long wandering in the wilderness, thus sharing the disappointments and burdens of the guilty; yet he made no complaint of this, but exalted the mercy of God that had preserved him in the wilderness when his brethren were cut off. Amid all the hardships, perils, and plagues of the desert wanderings, and during the years of warfare since entering Canaan, the Lord had preserved him; and now at upwards of fourscore his vigor was unabated. He did not ask for himself a land already conquered, but the place which above all others the spies had thought it impossible to subdue. By the help of God he would wrest his stronghold from the very giants whose power had staggered the faith of Israel. It was no desire for honor or aggrandizement that prompted Caleb’s request. The brave old warrior was desirous of giving to the people an example that would honor God, and encourage the tribes fully to subdue the land which their fathers had deemed unconquerable. - Patriarchs and Prophets, page 512.2
“Caleb obtained the inheritance upon which his heart had been set for forty years, and, trusting in God to be with him, he “drove thence the three sons of Anak.” Having thus secured a possession for himself and his house, his zeal did not abate; he did not settle down to enjoy his inheritance, but pushed on to further conquests for the benefit of the nation and the glory of God.” - Patriarchs and Prophets, page 513.1
11月18日星期二
榜样的力量
阅读约书亚记 15:16-19、士师记 1:13 和士师记 3:7-11。这个故事告诉你榜样的力量是什么？迦勒的态度是如何在年轻一代身上体现出来的？
Read Joshua 15:16–19, Judges 1:13, and Judges 3:7–11. What does this story tell you about the power of example? How is Caleb’s attitude being reproduced in the younger generation?
“迦勒对上帝的信心赐予他勇气；这使他不惧怕世人，甚至不惧怕强大的巨人，不惧怕亚衲族的子孙，使他能够勇敢无畏地捍卫正义。同样，每一位基督十字架的真正战士，都必须从那至高无上的源头——天军的统帅——那里获得力量和勇气，去克服那些看似无法逾越的障碍。上帝的律法已然失效；那些想要尽自己本分的人，必须时刻准备好说出上帝赐予他们的话语，而不是说出怀疑、沮丧和绝望的话语。” 5T 378.3
“在这样的时刻，我们绝不能心存一丝不信的念头，也不能说出一句不信的话，更不能鼓励任何自私自利的行为。上哥伦比亚河大会和北太平洋大会都犯过这样的错误；在那里，我们多少体会到了摩西、亚伦、迦勒和约书亚所经历的悲伤、痛苦和沮丧。我们试图扭转这种局面，但这却付出了巨大的艰辛努力，也让我们承受了极大的焦虑和精神折磨。这些大会的改革工作才刚刚开始。克服多年来的不信、不信任和猜疑，需要时间。撒但之所以在这些大会中成功地实现了他的计划，很大程度上是因为他找到了可以利用的人作为他的代理人。（《证言》5T 379.1）
“看在基督和真理的份上……不要让你们的大会留下如此烂摊子，以至于你们的继任者无法收拾残局。人们对这项事工的理解狭隘而片面；自私自利的行为得到了鼓励，世俗之风也未受到谴责。我呼吁你们竭尽全力，消除你们给这次大会带来的错误模式，弥补你们玩忽职守造成的惨痛后果，从而为下一位工人预备好田地。否则，愿上帝怜悯你们的继任者。” 5T 379.2
“It was Caleb's faith in God that gave him courage; that kept him from the fear of man, even the mighty giants, the sons of Anak, and enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly in defense of the right. From the same exalted source, the mighty General of the armies of heaven, every true soldier of the cross of Christ must receive strength and courage to overcome obstacles that often seem insurmountable. The law of God is made void; and those who would do their duty must be ever ready to speak the words that God gives them, and not the words of doubt, discouragement, and despair.” Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, page 378.3
“At such a time as this we must not harbor a thought nor breathe a word of unbelief, nor encourage an act of self-serving. This has been done in the Upper Columbia and North Pacific Conferences; and while there we felt in some measure the sorrow, mortification, and discouragement that Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, experienced. We tried to set the current flowing in an opposite direction; but it was at the cost of much severe labor and great anxiety and distress of mind. And the work of reform in these conferences has but just commenced. It is the work of time to overcome the unbelief, distrust, and suspicion of years. Satan has been to a great extent successful in carrying out his purposes in these conferences because he has found persons whom he could use as his agents. Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, page 379.1
“For Christ's sake and the truth's sake…do not leave the work in your conference in such a shape that it will be impossible for the one that succeeds you to set things in order. The people have received narrow and limited views of the work; selfishness has been encouraged, and worldliness has been unrebuked. I call upon you to do all in your power to efface the wrong mold you have given to this conference, to remedy the sad effects of your neglect of duty, and thus to prepare the field for another laborer. Unless you do this, may God pity the workman who shall follow you.” Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, page 379.2
11月19日星期三
谦逊的英雄
阅读约书亚记 19:49-51。以色列的伟大领袖分配土地，却最后才得到他的产业，这一事实意味着什么？
Read Joshua 19:49–51. What are the implications of the fact that the great leader of Israel who apportioned the land receives his inheritance last?
“懦夫和叛逆者在旷野中灭亡，但义人探子却吃了以实各的葡萄。各人按着自己的信心领受了果实。不信的人眼见他们的恐惧应验了。尽管上帝应许，他们却宣称自己不可能承受迦南地，而他们也确实没有得到。但那些信靠上帝的人，不着眼于即将遇到的困难，而是仰望全能帮助者的力量，进入了那美好的土地。正是凭着信心，古代的贤士‘征服了列国，……脱离了刀剑，软弱变为刚强，争战显出英勇，打退了外邦的军队。’（希伯来书 11:33-34）‘使我们胜过世界的，就是我们的信心。’（约翰一书 5:4）PP 513.2
“‘他们分完了地，各支派都分到了产业。’约书亚提出他的要求。他和迦勒一样，都得到了特别的产业应许；然而他并没有要求广阔的省份，而只要求一座城。‘他们把那座城给了他，……他就建造了那城，住在其中。’那城名叫亭拿西拉，意思是‘剩下的地’——这见证了这位征服者高尚的品格和无私的精神，他没有第一个占有战利品，而是推迟了自己的索取，直到他最卑微的百姓都得到了满足。”（诗篇515.1）
“The cowards and rebels had perished in the wilderness, but the righteous spies ate of the grapes of Eshcol. To each was given according to his faith. The unbelieving had seen their fears fulfilled. Notwithstanding God’s promise, they had declared that it was impossible to inherit Canaan, and they did not possess it. But those who trusted in God, looking not so much to the difficulties to be encountered as to the strength of their Almighty Helper, entered the goodly land. It was through faith that the ancient worthies ‘subdued kingdoms, ... escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.’ Hebrews 11:33, 34. ‘This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’” 1 John 5:4. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 513.2
“‘When they had made an end of dividing the land,’ and all the tribes had been allotted their inheritance. Joshua presented his claim. To him, as to Caleb, a special promise of inheritance had been given; yet he asked for no extensive province, but only a single city. ‘They gave him the city which he asked, ... and he built the city, and dwelt therein.’ The name given to the city was Timnath-serah, “the portion that remains”—a standing testimony to the noble character and unselfish spirit of the conqueror, who, instead of being the first to appropriate the spoils of conquest, deferred his claim until the humblest of his people had been served.” Patriarchs and Prophets, page 515.1
11月20日，星期四
沉思带来的改变
默想信仰英雄的生平事迹对我们的灵性成长至关重要。 同时，我们最终的榜样是耶稣基督——祂的生平和教导。专注于耶稣的生平如何改变我们？参见希伯来书12:1-2；哥林多后书3:18。
Contemplating the life example of great heroes of faith is essential for our spiritual growth. At the same time, our ultimate example is Jesus Christ—His life and teachings. How does focusing on the life of Jesus change us? See Heb. 12:1, 2; 2 Cor. 3:18.
“如果那些没有开明良知约束、心中没有敬畏上帝的异教徒，都愿意忍受匮乏和训练的苦行，为了区区一顶易腐的花环和众人的掌声，就放弃一切使人软弱的享乐；那么，那些怀着永生和上天的喜悦，奔跑在基督赛程上的人，岂不更应该甘愿放弃那些败坏道德、削弱智力、使人理智屈服于动物欲望和情欲的有害刺激和放纵吗？（《信条4》34.2）
“世上无数人都在见证这场人生之战，这场基督徒的属灵争战。不仅如此，宇宙之王和无数天上的天使也在观看这场竞赛；他们焦急地注视着谁能最终得胜，赢得那永不衰残的荣耀冠冕。上帝和天上的天使们极其关注那些投身于基督徒属灵争战的人的舍己、牺牲和艰苦努力。每个人所得到的奖赏，都将与他在这场伟大争战中所展现的坚持不懈和忠诚热忱成正比。”（《信实录》4:34）
“If heathen men, who were not controlled by enlightened conscience, who had not the fear of God before them, would submit to deprivation and the discipline of training, denying themselves of every weakening indulgence merely for a wreath of perishable substance and the applause of the multitude, how much more should they who are running the Christian race in the hope of immortality and the approval of High Heaven, be willing to deny themselves unhealthy stimulants and indulgences, which degrade the morals, enfeeble the intellect, and bring the higher powers into subjection to the animal appetites and passions. Testimonies for the Church, volume 4, page 34.2
“Multitudes in the world are witnessing this game of life, the Christian warfare. And this is not all. The Monarch of the universe and the myriads of heavenly angels are spectators of this race; they are anxiously watching to see who will be successful overcomers and win the crown of glory that fadeth not away. With intense interest God and heavenly angels mark the self-denial, the self-sacrifice, and the agonizing efforts of those who engage to run the Christian race. The reward given to every man will be in accordance with the persevering energy and faithful earnestness with which he performs his part in the great contest.” Testimonies for the Church, volume 4, page 34.3
阅读罗马书 12:1-2。在我们的生活中，哪两种做法会为了相互冲突的目的而运作？我们如何才能确定自己给正确的做法留出了空间？
Read Romans 12:1, 2. What two processes work for conflicting purposes in our lives? How can we be sure that we give room to the right one?
使徒保罗指出这些献祭，以此说明基督的追随者应当成为怎样的人。他说：“所以弟兄们，我以神的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的；你们如此事奉乃是理所当然的。”（罗马书 12:1）我们应当献身事奉神，并且应当竭力使献祭尽可能完美。神不会悦纳我们所能献上的最好的。那些全心爱神的人，会渴望献上生命中最美好的事奉，并且会不断努力使自己的一切能力都与那些能帮助他们遵行神旨意的律法相协调。（PP 352.3）
“The apostle Paul points to these sacrifices as an illustration of what the followers of Christ are to become. He says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1. We are to give ourselves to the service of God, and we should seek to make the offering as nearly perfect as possible. God will not be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer. Those who love Him with all the heart, will desire to give Him the best service of the life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will.” Patriarchs and Prophets, page 352.3
11月21日，星期五
进一步思考
“我们既有这许多见证人，如同云彩围绕着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程。”[希伯来书 12:1] 2SAT 285.1
这里所说的“重担”指的是我们顺从自身天性而养成的恶习和恶行。谁是见证人呢？他们就是前一章中提到的那些人，那些勇敢面对人生道路上的种种苦难和困难，并奉主的名，成功地抵挡邪恶势力的人。他们得到了扶持和力量，主用祂的手紧紧地扶持着他们。2SAT 285.2
“还有其他的见证人。我们周围的人都在密切关注着我们，看看我们这些自称信仰真理的人是如何行事的。无论何时何地，我们都必须尽可能地在世人面前彰显真理。2SAT 285.3
“现在，让我们放下一切重担。”让我们摆脱自身的邪恶倾向。“让我们放下一切重担，以及那容易缠累我们的罪，让我们以忍耐的心奔跑那摆在我们面前的赛程。”我们不能停滞不前。我们必须前进，前进，再前进。2SAT 285.4
“仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。”感谢主，祂既是我们信心的创始成终者。“祂因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在神宝座的右边。”[希伯来书 12:2] 2SAT 285.5
“你们每个人面前都有喜乐和十字架。你们或许觉得十字架难以承受，但请记住，喜乐就在你们面前。即使心中有一丝阴霾，也不必觉得上帝离弃了你们。拿起圣经，翻到诗篇，读一读我们应当如何时时赞美主。“我要时时称颂耶和华，赞美他的话必常在我口中。”（诗篇34:1）上帝满有怜悯。祂所要的，只是你们敞开心扉，让祂进入你们的心，洁净你们的心灵。”（2SAT 285.6）
“‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” [Hebrews 12:1]. Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 285.1
“The weights that are here referred to are the evil habits and practices we have formed by following our own natural dispositions. Who are the witnesses? They are those spoken of in the previous chapter, those who have breasted the evils and difficulties in their way, and who in the name of the Lord have braced themselves successfully against the opposing forces of evil. They were sustained and strengthened, and the Lord held them by His hand. Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 285.2
“There are other witnesses. All about us are those who are watching us closely, to see how we who profess a belief in the truth conduct ourselves. At all times and in all places, so far as possible, we must magnify the truth before the world. Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 285.3
“Now “let us lay aside every weight.” Let us divorce ourselves from our own evil dispositions. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” We are not to stand still. We must advance, advance, and still advance. Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 285.4
“‘Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Thank the Lord that He is both the Author and also the Finisher of our faith. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” [Hebrews 12:2]. Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 285.5
“There is a joy and a cross set before each one of you. You may think the cross is hard to bear, but remember that there is a joy before you. You need not feel, if a little cloud passes before your mind, that God has forsaken you. Take your Bible, turn right to the Psalm, and read of how we are to praise the Lord at all times. “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth” [Psalm 34:1]. God is full of mercy. All He wants for you is that you will open the door of your heart and let Him come in and sanctify your heart and your mind.” Sermons and Talks, volume 2, page 285.6