安息日下午 1月3日
Memory Text:
“我深信，那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。”（腓立比书 1:6）
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: KJV — Philippians 1:6
在上帝眼中，要做一个基督徒，你绝不可自夸，而要赞美上帝和祂的良善。切勿夸耀自己的利益和成就，而要夸耀上帝的恩典。切勿试图推销自己的事业，而要始终致力于传扬上帝的福音。切勿祈求指引，让你知道该做什么、该去哪里才能使你的事业和利益兴旺发达，而应祈求上帝帮助你去做那件最能服侍祂的事，或去往那最能服侍祂的地方，求祂引领你、教导你如何推进祂的国度。唯有如此，你才会发现自己永远不会犯错！任何其他的动机都会把你带到上帝不愿你去的地方，在那里，你将不得不独自背负重担。
因此，当你将神的国度作为你最关心的事时，你必会发现自己身处正确的地点，在正确的时间做正确的事，并收获神最丰盛的祝福。那时，你可以确信，祂必会为你开路，带你到你该去的地方，即便祂必须把你从井里拉出来，吩咐以实玛利人把你带到埃及，让你在波提乏的府邸服侍。祂甚至可能要先把你关进监狱，才让你与
法老一同坐在王位上。或者，祂可能让你逃离埃及，在何烈山周围放羊。祂可能在埃及人追赶你的时候，带你到红海边。
祂可能带你到沙漠，那里既没有水也没有食物。狮子和熊可能会来抢夺你的羊羔，歌利亚可能会来杀害你的人民，国王可能会把你扔进烈火熊熊的窑里，或狮子坑里。
To be a Christian in God’s sight you must never praise yourself, but praise God and His goodness. Never boast of your own interests and achievements but boast of God’s. Never try to promote your business but always try to promote God’s. Never pray for light to know what to do, and where to go in order that your business, your interests prosper, but rather pray for light that God help you do the thing or go to the place where you would best serve His cause, that He lead you and teach you how to advance His kingdom. Then, and then only, will you find that you never go wrong! Any motive other than this will take you where God does not want you, and where you will have to carry your own burden independent of Him.
When you therefore make the Kingdom of God your chief interest, then you will most surely find yourself in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing and reaping God’s richest blessing. You can then rest assured that He will open the way and take you where you need to be even if He has to lift you out of the well, and to tell the Ishmaelites to carry you into Egypt and to put you working in Potiphar’s house. He may even have to take you into prison before He seats you with
Pharaoh on the throne. Or He may cause you to run away from Egypt and have you keep sheep around Mt. Horeb. He may bring you against the Red Sea while the Egyptians are pursuing you. He may bring you into the desert where there is neither water nor food. The lion and the bear may come to take your lambs, Goliath to kill your people, and the king may cast you in the fiery furnace, or in the lions’ den.
1月4日，星期日
福音团契
阅读腓立比书1:3-8。保罗感恩的是什么？他给了腓立比人哪些安慰？为什么这些安慰如此重要？
Read Philippians 1:3–8. What is Paul thankful for? What reassurances does he give the Philippians, and why is that important?
保罗在写给腓立比人的书信中说：“耶稣基督的仆人保罗和提摩太，写信给在腓立比的众圣徒，就是那些在耶稣基督里的信徒，以及监督和执事。愿恩惠、平安从我们的父神和主耶稣基督归与你们！我每逢想念你们，就感谢我的神。我每逢为你们众人祈求的时候，总是欢欢喜喜地祈求，愿你们从头一天直到如今，在福音上与我同工。我深信那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。”【腓立比书 1:1-6】13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 38
让我们都效法这种精神。使徒保罗为腓立比人归信基督而心存感激，在祝福他们之后，他表达了自己的关切：“我每逢想念你们，就感谢我的神；每次祷告祈求的时候，总是欢欢喜喜的。”[第3、4节] 这应当是牧者对待新近归信基督的教会的态度；这应当也是教会在善行和基督般的品格上的态度，好让为他们辛勤劳作的牧者能够欢欢喜喜地为他们向神祈求。13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 39
使徒保罗认为，鉴于他们信仰的真诚，我们有理由相信，那在他们里面动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。他们时刻盼望基督的日子。这正是我们的工作。我们要用文字和言语去鼓励那些新近归信的教会。保罗和提摩太与那些新近归信的基督徒之间，充满了和谐、基督徒的团契和亲密的联系。对他们来说，能够继续那为他们所动工的善工，是一件令人振奋的事。“我为你们众人这样想，是理所当然的，因为我心里有你们。无论是在我被捆绑的时候，还是在为福音辩护、证实福音的时候，你们都一同领受了我的恩典。”[第7节] 他用自己内心的深切关怀，将那些新近归信的人紧紧地捆绑在一起。13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 40
“主今天早上要我们在这里学习温柔和怜悯的功课。保罗说：‘神可以作证，我多么想念你们，如同在基督耶稣里一样。’我所祷告的，就是要你们的爱心在知识和各样见识上多而又多。”[第8、9节] 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 41
“我们应当认真思考这段话。我们应当在理解上帝对我们的要求方面，不断增长智慧和领悟力。我们应当成为热忱好学的信徒，不甘于现状，而要追求更高尚、更圣洁的境界。虽然保罗称赞了这些弟兄，但也敦促他们要继续进步，不要满足于现状。他们必须在爱心上恒心增长，在知识和各样的判断力上不断长进。13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 42
“那么，愿你们心中发出赞美和感恩，使你们的影响力蒙福，使你们自己的心得力，在神里面喜乐。你们的言语或善或恶，都承载着神的恩典。愿神帮助我们与祂同工，当你们谦卑祷告地寻求启迪他人时，你们必藏在基督里。神的使者必在你们努力拯救的心灵上留下祝福的印记。” 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 43
“In Paul’s epistle to the Philippians he says, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Jesus Christ which are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons, Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 1:1-6.] 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 38
“Let us all make this spirit ours. The apostle feels grateful that the Philippians have become converts to the faith, and after giving them his benediction, he expresses his interest, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request with joy.” [Verses 3, 4.] This should be the attitude of the ministers to the churches newly come to the faith; and this should be the attitude of the churches in good works and Christlike character, that the ministers who have labored for them may be able to make request to God for them with joy. 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 39
“The apostle sees reason, because of the sincerity of their faith, to have confidence that He which has begun a good work in them will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. They were keeping the day of Christ constantly in view. This is to be our work. By pen and voice we are to encourage the churches newly come to the faith. There was harmony, a Christian fellowship, a tender union between Paul and Timotheus for those newly converted Christians. To them the prospect was cheering that they would continue on the good work begun for them. “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart: inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.” [Verse 7.] He binds up his newly converted with his own heart’s affections. 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 40
“The Lord would have us here this morning learn our lesson of tenderness and compassion. ‘For God is my record,” said Paul, “how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.” [Verses 8, 9.] 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 41
“We are to consider this statement. We are to make increase in an intelligent and better understanding of that which God requires of us. We are to be earnest, interested learners, not keeping on a low level, but rising to a high and holy atmosphere. Although these brethren are commended by Paul, they are urged to make still further progress, and not be satisfied with their present attainments. They must perseveringly increase in love, and abound in knowledge and in all judgment. 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 42
“Then let praise and thanksgiving come forth from your hearts, that your influence may be blessed, that your own hearts may be strengthened and made to rejoice in God. Your words are freighted with good or with evil. God help us to be colaborers with Him, and when you humbly and prayerfully seek to enlighten others, you will be hid in Christ. And the angels of God will make blessed impressions on the hearts you try to save.” 13LtMs, Ms 151, 1898, par. 43
1月5日，星期一
保罗的祷告请求
阅读腓立比书1:9-11中保罗的祷告。这段祷告的重点是什么？他提出了哪些重要的请求？它告诉我们关于祷告的哪些信息？
Read Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9–11. What is its focus, and what big requests does he make? What does it tell you about prayer?
生命所在之处，必有成长和结果；但除非我们在恩典中成长，否则我们的灵性就会萎靡不振、病弱无力、毫无果实。唯有成长，结出果实，我们才能实现神对我们的旨意。基督说：‘你们多结果子，我父就因此得荣耀。’（约翰福音 15:8）为了结出丰硕的果实，我们必须充分利用我们所拥有的特权。我们必须利用每一个赐予我们获得力量的机会。”（1901年6月12日，《神学评论》，第2段）
“每个人都蒙赐予纯洁高尚的品格，以及它所蕴含的一切美好潜能。然而，许多人却并不渴望拥有这样的品格。他们不愿舍弃恶行，以求得善行。美好的机遇近在咫尺，他们却忽略了那些能使他们与神和谐相处的祝福。他们与那位一心为他们谋求益处的神背道而驰。他们如同枯枝，与葡萄树没有活泼的联结，无法成长。”（1901年6月12日，《圣言》第3段）
“神圣的成长计划之一是传递。基督徒要藉着坚固他人而得力量。“滋润人的，也必得滋润”（箴言 11:25）。这不仅仅是一个应许，更是一条神圣的律法，是神所设立的律法，祂藉此使仁爱的泉源如同深渊之水，不断循环往复，最终流回其源头。遵行这条律法，便是灵性成长的秘诀。”（《圣经研究》，1901年6月12日，第4段）
“藉着那位为我们舍命的主，我们就能得胜有余。如果我们凭着信心来到神面前，祂必接纳我们，赐给我们力量，使我们攀登至完全。如果我们谨慎言行，不做任何羞辱那位信靠我们的主的事；如果我们把握每一个机会，我们就能在基督里成长为完全的男女。神已赐给我们极其伟大而宝贵的应许，使我们能够做到这一点。”（《圣经》1901年6月12日，第6段）
“基督徒们，基督在我们身上彰显了吗？我们是否竭尽全力去获得一个不易衰弱的身体，一个超越自我、洞察一切行为因果的头脑，一个能够与难题搏斗并战胜它们的头脑，一个能够坚定抵挡邪恶、捍卫正义的意志？我们是否在舍己？我们是否在基督里成长，成为完全的基督徒，预备好像十字架的精兵一样忍受苦难？”（《圣经》1901年6月12日，第8段）
“Where there is life, there will be growth and fruit-bearing; but unless we grow in grace, our spirituality will be dwarfed, sickly, fruitless. It is only by growing, by bearing fruit, that we can fulfill God’s purpose for us. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). In order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges. We must use every opportunity granted us for obtaining strength. ST June 12, 1901, par. 2
“A pure, noble character, with all its grand possibilities, has been provided for every human being. But there are many who have not an earnest longing for such a character. They are not willing to part with the evil that they may have the good. Great opportunities are placed within their reach. But they neglect to grasp the blessings that would place them in harmony with God. They work at cross-purposes with the One who is seeking their good. They are dead branches, having no living union with the Vine. They cannot grow. ST June 12, 1901, par. 3
“One of the divine plans for growth is impartation. The Christian is to gain strength by strengthening others. “He that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Proverbs 11:25). This is not merely a promise; it is a divine law, a law by which God designs that the streams of benevolence, like the waters of the great deep, shall be kept in constant circulation, continually flowing back to their source. In the fulfilling of this law is the secret of spiritual growth.” ST June 12, 1901, par. 4
“It is possible for us to be more than conquerors thru Him who gave His life for us. If we come to God in faith, He will receive us and give us strength to climb upward to perfection. If we watch every word and action, that we may do nothing to dishonor the One who has trusted us, if we improve every opportunity granted us, we shall grow into the full stature of men and women in Christ. Exceeding great and precious promises have been given us that we may do this.” ST June 12, 1901, par. 6
“Christians, is Christ revealed in us? Are we doing all in our power to gain a body that is not easily enfeebled, a mind that looks beyond self to the cause and effect of every movement, that can wrestle with hard problems and conquer them, a will that is firm to resist evil and defend the right? Are we crucifying self? Are we growing up into the full stature of men and women in Christ, preparing to endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross?” ST June 12, 1901, par. 8
1月6日，星期二
属灵辨别力的应用
阅读腓立比书1:12-18。保罗如何看待他的监禁？尽管身处那样的境地，我们能从他的态度中学到什么？
Read Philippians 1:12–18. How did Paul view his imprisonment? What lessons can we learn from his attitude, despite the circumstances he found himself in?
保罗的经历给我们带来了一个教训，因为它揭示了上帝的行事方式。主能使我们从看似挫败和失败的境况中得胜。我们很容易忘记上帝，只关注看得见的事物，而忽略了凭着信心的眼睛去看待看不见的事物。当不幸或灾难来临时，我们很容易指责上帝疏忽或残忍。如果祂认为应该终止我们在某些方面的贡献，我们就会哀恸，却不去思考上帝这样做或许是为了我们的益处。我们需要明白，管教是祂伟大计划的一部分，基督徒在苦难的鞭笞下，有时反而能为上帝做更多的事情，甚至比积极服事时更有意义。”（AA 481.1）
保罗以基督为榜样，引导腓立比人认识基督徒的生活。基督“本有神的形像，不以自己与神同等为强夺的；反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式；既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上。”（AA 481.2）
“所以，我亲爱的弟兄们，”他继续说道，“你们既是常顺服的，不但我在你们那里的时候，就是我如今不在你们那里的时候，更是顺服的，就当恐惧战兢地作成你们得救的工夫。因为你们立志行事，都是神在你们心里运行，为要成就他的美意。凡事都不要发怨言，起争论，使你们无可指摘，诚实无伪，在这弯曲悖谬的世代作神无瑕疵的儿女。你们显在这世代中，好像明光照耀，将生命的道表明出来，叫我在基督的日子可以夸耀，我没有空跑，也没有徒劳。”（AA 481.3）
“这些话记录下来是为了帮助每一个努力奋斗的灵魂。保罗树立了完美的标准，并指明了如何才能达到完美。他说：‘你们要努力成就自己的救恩，因为是神在你们里面动工。’”（AA 482.1）
“There is a lesson for us in this experience of Paul's, for it reveals God's way of working. The Lord can bring victory out of that which may seem to us discomfiture and defeat. We are in danger of forgetting God, of looking at the things which are seen, instead of beholding by the eye of faith the things which are unseen. When misfortune or calamity comes, we are ready to charge God with neglect or cruelty. If He sees fit to cut off our usefulness in some line, we mourn, not stopping to think that thus God may be working for our good. We need to learn that chastisement is a part of His great plan and that under the rod of affliction the Christian may sometimes do more for the Master than when engaged in active service.” AA 481.1
“As their example in the Christian life, Paul pointed the Philippians to Christ, who, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in a fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” AA 481.2
“‘Wherefore, my beloved,’ he continued, ‘as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.’ AA 481.3
“These words were recorded for the help of every striving soul. Paul holds up the standard of perfection and shows how it may be reached. “Work out your own salvation,” he says, “for it is God which worketh in you.” AA 482.1
1月7日，星期三
福音的果实
阅读歌罗西书1:3-8。保罗感谢神哪三件事？
Read Colossians 1:3–8. What three things does Paul thank God for?
“你会发现这封信的语气并非抱怨，而是对上帝的感恩和赞美。这封信是写给‘歌罗西的圣徒，就是在基督里有忠心的弟兄们’的。愿恩惠、平安从我们的父神和主耶稣基督归与你们！我们感谢我们主耶稣基督的父神，常常为你们祷告，因为我们听见了你们在基督耶稣里的信心，和你们对众圣徒的爱心，是因那为你们存在天上的盼望，这盼望你们从前在福音真理的道上已经听见了。”（歌罗西书 1:2-5）15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 2
“这里列举了我们应当始终心怀感恩、培养对上帝的爱，并在为圣徒献上的每一次祈祷中表达这份爱的最重要原因。这意味着我们应当时刻铭记福音的教诲，这真理来到我们中间，是为了软化、驯服并融化我们的心，使我们变得温柔，用言语表明我们心中拥有那因爱而生、净化灵魂的信仰。15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 3
“‘这福音传到你们那里，正如传到普天下一样；并且结果子，正如在你们中间一样，自从你们听见福音，真知道神的恩典以来，就一直在你们中间结出果实。正如你们从我们亲爱的同工以巴弗那里所学的，他为你们作了基督忠心的执事，也把你们在圣灵里的爱心告诉我们。’”第6-8节。15LtMs，Ms 88，1900，第4段
“这是主期望每个人都结出的果实：对基督的爱；基督对祂所拯救的灵魂所表达的这份爱，我们也必须珍视并体现在我们的生活和品格中。如此，我们便不会有任何抱怨、指责和批评。表达不满会伤害每一个说出令人沮丧话语的人。我们有太多值得我们关注的，那些令人振奋、鼓舞和振奋人心的事。15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 5
“使徒因那些真正认识神恩典的人，因着圣灵的爱而产生的美好见证而受到鼓舞；这信心是真实的。它如同好的酵，正如福音的真理，当带着它宝贵的恩典被人领受时，总是会产生奇妙的效果。15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 6
“人人若能敞开心灵的窗户，仰望天国，紧闭心灵的窗户，就能成就何等奇妙的见证！因为尘世的污秽和垃圾会透过这些窗户飘入人心，玷污主为每一位信徒预备的属灵经历！我们有幸得以默想一切属天的事物，并以信心的眼光去看待它们。” 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 7
“‘You will see that the tenor of this letter is not marked with complaining but with thankfulness and praise to God. This letter is addressed “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be with you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” Colossians 1:2-5. 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 2
“Here is presented the greatest reasons why we should always be full of gratitude, cultivating love for God and always expressing that love in every prayer offered for the saints. This means that we should be ever mindful of the words of the gospel, the truth which has come to us to soften, to subdue, and melt our hearts into tenderness, giving evidence in words that we have that faith in our hearts that works by love and purifies the soul. 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 3
“‘Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” Verses 6-8. 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 4
“This is the fruit the Lord expected everyone to bear, a love for Christ; and the same love that Christ has expressed for the souls He came to save we must all cherish and express in our lives and in our characters. Then we shall not have any murmuring, any faultfinding, any criticism. The expression of dissatisfaction hurts every soul who speaks disheartening words. We have so much to dwell upon that is cheering, encouraging, uplifting. 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 5
“The apostle was encouraged by the good report, born of the love in the Spirit of those who knew the grace of God in truth; the faith was a genuine article. It worked like the good leaven as the truth of the gospel always works when received with all its precious grace into the heart. 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 6
“What a testimony every one can bear if he will only open the windows of the soul heavenward and close fast the windows of the soul earthward—windows through which are wafted into the heart the earthly dust and rubbish which mar the experience that the Lord designs every believer in Christ to have! We are privileged to contemplate all heavenly things and to behold them with the eye of faith.” 15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 7
1月8日，星期四
祷告的力量
阅读歌罗西书1:9-12。你在保罗的祷告中发现了哪些具体的请求？
Read Colossians 1:9–12. What specific requests do you find in Paul’s prayer?
“让我们思考那些保证我们能成为上帝儿女的应许。让我们研读保罗为歌罗西弟兄们所作的祷告。他写道：‘因此，我们自从听见你们的消息以来，就不断地为你们祷告，求神使你们满有属灵的智慧悟性，得以明白他的旨意，好叫你们行事为人对得起主，凡事蒙他喜悦，在一切善事上结果子，渐渐多知道神，照着他荣耀的大能大力，得以在各方面都刚强起来，欢欢喜喜地忍耐宽容。’”（歌罗西书 1:9-11）17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 21
“这篇祷告多么圆满！我们所蒙受的祝福无穷无尽。我们或许会‘充满对祂旨意的认识’。[第9节] 如果保罗的弟兄们无法得到神所应允的祷告，圣灵就不会感动他为他们作这篇祷告。既然如此，我们就知道，当神的子民需要更清楚地明白祂的旨意时，祂的旨意就会向他们显明。17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 22
保罗写信给以弗所教会说：“因此，我向我们主耶稣基督的父屈膝，（天上地上的各家都是从他得名），求他按着他荣耀的丰富，藉着他的灵，叫你们内心刚强起来，使基督因你们的信住在你们心里，使你们的爱心有根有基，能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱是何等长阔高深，并知道这爱是过于人所能测度的，便叫神一切的丰盛充满了你们。神能照着运行在我们里面的大能，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。愿荣耀归于他在教会中，并在基督耶稣里，直到世世代代，永无穷尽。”【以弗所书 3:14-21】17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 23
“这里展现了基督徒生活的各种可能性。如今的教会与此标准相差何等之远！纷争、不和、自以为是、自我高举——一切都以自我为中心——这一切都在那些自称是谦卑温柔的耶稣的追随者身上显露无疑。我们何时才能醒悟？我们何时才能达到基督的期望？” 17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 24
“Let us consider the promises assuring us that we may become sons and daughters of God. Let us study Paul’s prayer for his Colossian brethren. “For this cause we also,” he wrote, “since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” [Colossians 1:9-11.] 17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 21
“How complete this prayer is! There is no limit to the blessings that it is our privilege to receive. We may be “filled with the knowledge of His will.” [Verse 9.] The Holy Ghost would never have inspired Paul to offer this prayer in behalf of his brethren, if it had not been possible for them to receive an answer from God in accordance with the request. Since this is so, we know that God’s will is manifested to His people as they need a clearer understanding of His will. 17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 22
“To the church at Ephesus Paul wrote: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” [Ephesians 3:14-21.] 17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 23
“Here are brought to view the possibilities of the Christian life. How far short of reaching this standard falls the church of today! Strife, discord, pride of opinion, self-exaltation—self, self, self—all this is manifest in those who claim to be followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. When shall we awake? When shall we meet the expectations of Christ?” 17LtMs, Lt 179, 1902, par. 24
1月9日，星期五
进一步思考
“我们岂不应当与基督和保罗的祷告合而为一，在如此神圣的团契中，使我们的经历充满爱的宝贵言语、真诚的礼貌和基督徒的谦恭，‘结满义的果子，就是藉着耶稣基督而来的，使荣耀和赞美归于神’吗？”（SW 1903年6月18日，第10段）
“保罗和他的同伴们即将乘坐的船只启航，弟兄们急忙登船。然而，使徒保罗本人却选择走陆路，从特罗亚到亚朔，与同伴们会合。这使他有短暂的时间默想和祷告。他认真思考着即将前往耶路撒冷的种种困难和危险，当地教会对他的态度和事工的看法，以及其他地区教会的状况和福音事工的进展，并利用这段特别的机会寻求神的力量和指引。”（AA 391.4）
“在你的密室里祷告，在你日常劳作中，让你的心常常向着神。以诺就是这样与神同行。这些默默的祷告如同珍贵的香，升腾到恩典的宝座前。凡心如此倚靠神的人，撒旦都无法胜过他。SC 98.3
“无论何时何地，向神祈求都是合适的。没有什么能阻止我们以恳切的祷告之心敞开心扉。即使在熙熙攘攘的街头，即使在忙碌的商务场合，我们也可以向神祈求，恳求神的指引，就像尼希米在亚达薛西王面前祈求一样。无论身处何地，我们都可以找到与神相交的角落。我们应当时刻敞开心扉，邀请耶稣来到我们心中，成为我们灵魂的属天客人。”（《圣经注释》99.1）
“Shall we not unite with the prayer of Christ and the prayer of Paul, and, in such holy companionship, make our experience rich in precious words of love and true courtesy and Christian politeness, ‘being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God’?” SW June 18, 1903, par. 10
“The ship on which Paul and his companions were to continue their journey, was about to sail, and the brethren hastened on board. The apostle himself, however, chose to take the nearer route by land between Troas and Assos, meeting his companions at the latter city. This gave him a short season for meditation and prayer. The difficulties and dangers connected with his coming visit to Jerusalem, the attitude of the church there toward him and his work, as well as the condition of the churches and the interests of the gospel work in other fields, were subjects of earnest, anxious thought, and he took advantage of this special opportunity to seek God for strength and guidance.” AA 391.4
“Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan cannot overcome him whose heart is thus stayed upon God. SC 98.3
“There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul.” SC 99.1