15. Manna issue 90 - God’s Reminders During The Pandemic 疫情期間神的提醒
Editor’s note:
Because of government lockdowns and self-imposed isolation,
there may be periods when we are unable to gather at church to worship,
to fellowship with brethren, and conduct our ministry to God in the usual ways.
Not only this, our livelihoods, education, family dynamics, and mental health
could have been impacted by the confluence of these circumstances.
So, as we adapt to life in the COVID era,
we could be forgiven for letting our routines and Christian living standards slip.
However, God’s expectations of us never change,
even in the day of trouble.
The following sharings reveal how God continues to guide, teach, rebuke, and encourage our members worldwide
to remain faithful during this unprecedented time.
編者註：
由於政府封城，以及個人自我隔離，
就會有些時期，我們無法聚集在會堂聚會，
不能與弟兄姐妹一起團契，並以平常的方式事奉神。
不僅如此，我們的生計、教育、家庭互動，和心理健康
可能會受到各種情況同時發生的衝擊。
因此，隨著我們適應新冠時代的生活時，
我們就會原諒自已使日常生活和基督徒的生活標準下滑。
然而，神對我們的期望從未改變，
即使是處在困難的日子裡。
在這個前所未有的時期，以下的分享，顯明了神如何繼續引導、教訓、督責、
並鼓勵我們的全球信徒，能保持信心。
HONOR THE SABBATH 看重安息日
Mei Rong Lin—Port Elizabeth, South Africa 南非伊莉莎白港 Mei Rong Lin
In the name of Jesus, I share a testimony.
奉主耶穌聖名作見證。
During the evening of Friday, March 27, 2020,
I was at home participating in a family Sabbath service,
watching a pre-recorded online sermon.
However, I was not reverent
—I was doing other things as I listened,
and not paying full attention to the sermon.
I was also sitting very casually, with my right leg resting on another chair.
I did not settle myself to observe the Sabbath day and receive the word of God.
I felt that my actions were acceptable
because the only other people in the house were my family.
I did not realize that God was next to me.
2020 年 3 月 27 日星期五晚上，
我在家參加安息日家庭聚會，
觀看預先錄好的網路講道。
然而，我並不虔誠，
—我一邊聽，卻一邊做其他事情，
並沒有全神貫注聽講道。
我也坐得很放鬆隨意，把右腿放在另一張椅子上。
我並沒有定下心，好好遵守安息日，並領受神的話語。
我覺得自已的行為是可以接受的，
因為屋裡只有我的家人。
我沒有想到神就在我身邊。
The sermon ended, and we were about to kneel to pray when, suddenly,
I started to feel a sharp pain in my right foot.
I had to steady myself with one hand on the chair and the other on the wall.
My family saw what happened and rushed over, supporting me as I knelt.
講道結束，我們正要跪下禱告，突然，
我開始感覺到右腳有劇烈疼痛。
我不得不用一隻手撐在椅子上，用另一隻手抵住牆上，來穩住自己。
我的家人看到發生了什麼事，衝了過來，在我跪下時扶著我。
After the prayer ended, the pain got progressively worse.
At that time, I carefully examined myself.
I had fallen short of God’s requirements that evening,
and God disciplined me to remind me.
Even when my family tried to treat the pain by applying ointments, none of them helped.
My foot hurt even more!
祈禱結束後，疼痛逐漸加重。
那時，我就仔細省查自己。
那天晚上，我沒有達到神的要求，
神就管教我，提醒我。
即使是我的家人，都試圖通過塗抹藥膏來治療疼痛，一切的辨法都沒有幫助。
我的腳變得更痛了！
I knew I owed the Lord a debt for my misbehavior.
My family said that if the pain was caused by my conduct failing to meet God’s standard,
we should pray to the Lord for His mercy.
我知道自已因為行為不當，對主有所欠缺。
家人就說，若此疼痛是起因於我的行為不符合神的標準，
那就應該祈求神的憐憫。
During the prayer, I asked God:
“If what happened was because I had fallen short of Your expectations of me
during the evening Sabbath service,
then please manifest a miracle to help me understand this.
Let the pain in my foot be healed before daybreak.”
在禱告中，我問神：
“如果現在發生的事情，是因為晚上安息日禮拜時，
我虧欠了你對我的期待，
那麼請施行奇蹟，幫助我明白這一點。
讓我腳上的疼痛，在天亮之前好起來。”
When the prayer concluded, my family had to help me up.
I was sure that I would not be able to sleep because of the pain.
I felt so cold that I was shivering the whole night;
I could not find a comfortable position for my foot.
禱告結束後，家人不得不幫助我。
我確定，自已因為疼痛而無法入睡。
我感覺很冷，整晚都在發抖；
我找不到舒適的位置，好好安置我的腳。
Gradually, I fell asleep,
and when I woke up, I realized that dawn had broken.
My family came to check on how I was feeling.
Thanks be to our wonderful Savior!
The surface of my foot was no longer painful,
and I felt much more comfortable.
I could walk by myself,
and my foot only hurt if I pressed on it with my hand.
As the day passed, it got better, and by afternoon, the pain had gone.
漸漸地，我睡著了，
當我醒過來的時候，意識到已經天亮了。
家人來檢查我覺得怎麼樣。
感謝我們奇妙的救主！
我的腳面已經不再疼痛，
我感覺舒服多了。
我可以自己走路，
只有我用手去按腳，它才會痛，。
一天過去了，它好起來了，到了下午，疼痛就消失了。
From this experience, I understood that God was warning me.
When we have to keep the Sabbath in our own homes in these unusual times,
we still need to worship with a reverent heart
and listen to God’s word wholeheartedly.
從這次經歷中，我明白神在警告我。
在此不尋常的時期，當我們不得不在自己家中守安息日的時候，
我們還是要懷著恭敬的心敬拜神，
專心聽講神的話語。
May all glory be unto our wonderful Savior! 願一切榮耀歸予我們奇妙的救主！
Hallelujah! Amen! 哈利路亞！阿們！
REMAIN WATCHFUL 保持警醒
Justin Leung—Sunderland, UK 英國桑德蘭 Justin Leung
At the start of 2020,
I was not worried about the news of a novel coronavirus detected in China,
halfway across the world from the United Kingdom (UK).
It seemed so far away and had minimal impact on my life.
I figured that it would soon fizzle out.
However, the coronavirus soon became a global pandemic,
reaching the UK's shores in February 2020.
Within a short period,
it wreaked havoc on the way we live our lives.
2020年初，
我不在乎中國出現新型冠狀病毒的新聞，
因為與英國（UK）隔半個地球。
它似乎很遙遠，對我的生活影響微乎其微。
我以為它很快就會消失了。
然而，新冠病毒很快成為全球疫情，
於2020 年 2 月傳播到英國領土。
很短的時間內，
它給我們過生活方式造成了嚴重的破壞。
By then, it had become apparent that
this pandemic was one of the signs of the end of the age
(Mt 24:7).
Many sermons and discussions centered on this topic,
helping us recognize the spiritual significance of the pandemic.
那個時候，事情已經很明顯了，
這種疫情是末世的跡象之一
（太 24：7）。
有許多講道和討論，都圍繞這個主題上，
幫助我們認清這種疫情的屬靈含意。
Like many countries, the UK responded to this threat to human life
by restricting social interactions and imposing a national lockdown on March 23, 2020.
At the start of the lockdown,
I was resolved to take active steps to get my spiritual life in order.
I planned to invest more time in prayer and Bible reading,
and deepen my knowledge of our Ten Articles of Faith.
就像其他許多國家一樣，英國對這種威脅人類生命的回應，
就是在 2020 年 3 月 23 日，通過限制社交互動，並實施全國封城。
在封城開始之時，
我決心採取積極的措施，來使自已的屬靈生活井然有序。
我打算花更多的時間，在禱告和讀經上，
來加深我對十大信條的了解。
However, as time went on and the government extended the lockdown,
my focus started to shift to secular matters.
Hobbies and housework, which I usually did not have time for,
became my main focus.
I repainted the rooms that had previously been painted in awful colors,
tidied the messiest areas in the house, and started some garden projects.
Working on these things brought me happiness
and distraction from the outside world and its chaos.
然而，隨著時間的推移，政府延長了封城期，
我的注意力開始轉向世俗的事務。
我平時沒時間做的愛好和家務事，
成為我的主要焦點。
我重新粉刷了以前被漆成可怕顏色的房間，
整理了房子裡最髒亂的地方，開始了一些園藝項目。
做這些事情帶給我一些快樂，
以及隔絕外界混亂的干擾。
But this focus shift started to numb the firm spiritual conviction
I had at the start of the lockdown.
This is the danger of worldly trends and pastimes.
Even housework and gardening, which seem so innocent,
can distract us and take up our time.
Thank God, through an online sermon, I was reminded not to forget God,
especially when our physical circumstances are blessed,
and our lives are comfortable
(Deut 8:11–14).
I came to realize that my schedule was so packed with pursuing my own comfort
that I had very little time for God.
I had to change my focus.
但這種專注力的轉移，開始麻木了我一開始封城時，具有的堅定屬靈意志。
這就是世俗潮流和消遣的可怕。
就連看似純樸的家務事和園藝工作，
會分散我們的注意力，並佔用我們的時間。
感謝神，通過網路講道，提醒了我不要忘記神，
尤其是當我們的物質狀態得到祝福，
而且生活過得很舒適的時候
（申 8：11-14）。
我開始意識到，自已的日程安排，是如此排滿了追求自己的舒適，
而我幾乎沒有時間陪伴神。
我不得不改變我的注意力。
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Mt 6:19–21)
19不要為自己積儹財寶在地上；地上有蟲子咬，能銹壞，也有賊挖窟窿來偷。
20只要積儹財寶在天上；天上沒有蟲子咬，不能銹壞，也沒有賊挖窟窿來偷。
21因為你的財寶在那裡，你的心也在那裡。
(太 6：19-21)
Our actions are outward expressions of the contents of our hearts
(Prov 4:23; Mt 12:35),
whether they are for God or the world.
So, my question for reflection is, have we spent our time in lockdown wisely?
Sometimes our hearts deceive us,
and we think that the second coming of the Lord is far away.
As a result, we are not vigilant and muddle-headedly journey through our life of faith.
But the 2020-22 theme for the True Jesus Church in the UK,
set by our general assembly (UKGA), is very apt:
Discern the Time and Be Watchful
(Lk 12:35–56; Mt 24:42).
Through COVID-19, God reminds us that the end is near,
and our merciful Father is giving us time to prepare for this eventuality.
Therefore, let us use our time wisely, putting spiritual well-being before material comfort,
and show our Lord where our priorities and heart lie
(Mt 6:33).
我們的行動，是自已內心想法的外在表現
（箴 4：23；太 12：35），
無論他們偏向神，還是偏向世界。
所以，我要反省的問題是，自已於封城時，有好好利用時間？
有時我們的內心會欺騙自已，
我們認為主的再臨還是很遙遠的事。
結果，我們在信仰生活旅程中，沒有保持警醒，而且糊里糊塗。
但是英國真耶穌教會，
由英國總會（UKGA）訂下 2020-22 年的主題，就非常的貼切：
辨別時機並保持警醒
（路 12：35-56；太 24：42）。
通過新冠病毒，神提醒我們末日已近，
我們慈愛的天父，正在給我們時間來為這種可能發生的事情做準備。
因此，讓我們好好的善用自已的時間，將靈命健全的重要性置於物質享受之上，
向我們的主展現自已的優先選擇，和內心焦點會放在哪裡
（太 6：33）。
GIVE WHAT IS OWED TO THE MASTER 償還積欠主人的債務
Tarintim Durasip—Guong, Sabah, Malaysia 馬來西亞沙巴 Tarintim Durasip
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I testify.
My name is Tarintim Durasip, and I live in Guong, Sabah.
I am sixty-five years old.
I would like to share a vision I received during the current COVID-19 pandemic
—a dream that engraved a message into my heart.
奉主耶穌基督的名作見證。
我的名字是 Tarintim Durasip，我住在沙巴的 Guong。
我今年六十五歲。
我想分享目前新冠病毒疫情期間，見到的異象
—一個在我心中刻下訊息的異夢。
On March 16, 2020, the Malaysian government announced a nationwide movement control order (MCO)
to contain the coronavirus spread.
2020 年 3 月 16 日，馬來西亞政府宣佈全國移動管制令 (MCO)
以限制新冠病毒的傳播。
A student spiritual convocation was originally scheduled
to take place in the church at Guong, from March 14 to 17.
When the danger of spreading COVID-19 became serious,
the Sabah General Assembly advised us to postpone this convocation.
However, the church had already made all the necessary preparations for this event,
including purchasing meat for catering.
After some discussion, Guong church members and church board decided
that the meat would be sold to the church members to avoid waste.
After this was done, there was still a surplus of meat remaining.
The church board evaluated the price of this meat
and entrusted it to Brother Sijan, my son-in-law.
Since he and my daughter, Sulinda, live with me,
we stored the meat in our freezer at home
so that any church member who wanted to purchase more could come directly to us.
原本學生靈恩會的時程已經排定，
將於 3 月 14 日至 17 日，於 Guong 教堂舉行。
當新冠病毒傳播的危險性，變得嚴重之時，
沙巴總會建議我們延後這次靈恩會。
然而，教會已經為了這次活動，做好了一切必要的準備，
包括購買伙食的肉類食材。
幾經討論之後，Guong 教會信徒和職務會決定，
要把肉類食材賣給教會信徒，以避免浪費。
賣完之後，還是肉品剩下來。
教會職務會評估了這種肉品的價格，
並託付給我的女婿 Sijan 弟兄處理。
因為他和我的女兒蘇琳達和我住在一起，
我們把肉品放在家中的冰箱裡，
這樣若有任何想購買更多的教會信徒，都可以直接來找我們。
The Vision of an Angel 天使的異象
On the night of April 15, I dreamed that someone
—presumably, an angel
—came into our house.
He said to me, “You have a debt,
and you must pay what you owe.”
4 月 15 日晚上，我夢見有個人，
—看起來像是天使，
—來到我們的家。
他對我說：“你有欠債，
必須償還你所欠的債。”
I asked him, “What do I owe?”
我問他，"我欠了什麼？"
He answered, “The price is all that you have in the freezer.”
He pointed the freezer containing the meat from the church.
他回答說：“你所欠的債，就是冰箱裡所有的東西。”
他指著裝有教會帶回肉類的冰箱。
I became extremely afraid.
I asked him,
“How much should we pay?”
He told me the amount in Ringgit (Malaysian currency).
I became anxious because it was not a small amount.
At this point, I woke up.
我變得非常害怕。
就問他，
“我們要付多少錢？”
他告訴我馬幣的金額（馬來西亞貨幣）。
一聽到我就很焦慮，因為這不是一筆小數目。
正在這時，我就醒了。
First thing in the morning,
I asked Sulinda the cost of the meat in our freezer.
After telling her about my dream,
we discovered that the meat's price matched exactly the amount of tithe
she owed the Lord since the start of MCO
—and she had not yet offered it.
早上的第一件事，
我問蘇琳達，冰箱裡肉品的價格。
再告訴她我的異夢之後，
我們發現肉品的價格，正好吻合十分之一的金額，
自從移動管制令開始以來，她就積欠了神
—她還沒有奉獻。
I told my family that we need to continue to give our tithes and Sabbath offerings as usual.
I also shared the vision and message with my son,
Deacon Maleakhi, who passed this on to the church members.
Many members were moved and committed themselves to continue offering and tithing,
as best they could, during this difficult period.
我告訴家人，我們需要像平常一樣，繼續奉獻什一捐和安息日奉獻。
我還與兒子分享了這個異象和訊息，
Maleakhi 瑪拉基執事 (印尼語 Malachi 拼音)，他就把這個訊息，傳給教會信徒。
許多信徒很感動，並承諾在這個困難時期，自已要盡已所能，繼續奉獻，並維持什一捐。
Conclusion 結論
Since the MCO came into effect,
many people have found themselves in financial straits.
This includes some of our church members
whose livelihoods and incomes have been affected by the restrictions.
However, God oversees all aspects of our lives.
During hard times, such as this MCO period,
we should not neglect or delay our offerings to God.
I hope that everybody will endeavor to collect their offerings
and place them into the hands of God soon.
May all glory, praise, and honor be to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
自從全國移動管制令 (MCO)開始生效以來，
許多人發現自己陷入了財務困境。
這包括了我們一些教會信徒，
他們的生計與收入因為管制命令而受影響。
然而，神會監察我們生活的各個方面。
在困難的時期候，例如這種執行全國移動管制令 MCO 的時期，
我們不該忽略，或是延後了我們給神的奉獻。
我希望，每個人都努力收取自已的奉獻，
並儘快將它們交到神的手中。
願一切榮耀、讚美和尊榮都歸予我們的主耶穌基督。
阿們。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
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