2. Manna issue 97 - Spiritual Health: The Word of God 靈命健全：神的話語
Daniel Liew—Portsmouth, UK 英國樸茨茅斯
THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL FOOD 靈糧的重要性
There is an old adage: "You are what you eat."
The food we consume becomes a part of us
as our body breaks it down and extracts the nutrients it needs
to fuel and repair itself.
If we only eat junk food, our body will lack the essential nourishment needed
to develop and be healthy.
Conversely, a wide-ranging and balanced diet
will make our body healthier, stronger, and less prone to sickness.
Therefore, the food we eat directly impacts our physical health.
An elder once commented that eating more of what God has made
(fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, meat, and so on)
and less of what man has made
(heavily processed foods with added salt, sugar, and additives)
is the foundation of good health.
俗話說：“人如其食”。
我們攝取的食物，成為自已身體的一部分，
它會分解並提取所需營養素，
以補充能量和修復自身。
如果我們只吃垃圾食品，我們的身體就會缺乏需要的基本營養，
來發育及維持健康。
相反的，若有豐富均衡的飲食，
會使我們的身體更健康，更強壯，更不容易生病。
因此，我們所吃的食物會直接影響自已身體的健康。
有一位長者曾說過，多吃神創造的食物
（水果，蔬菜，新鮮魚類、肉類等等），
少吃人造食物
（添加了鹽，糖和添加劑重度加工的食品），
就是良好健康的基礎。
While physical food is important,
our spiritual life also needs the right kind of nutrition to grow and thrive.
If we are what we eat,
then we need to be mindful of what we feed our heart and soul.
To be spiritually healthy,
we need food that edifies our spiritual life.
雖然物質食物很重要，
我們屬靈生命也需要適當種類的營養才能成長和壯大。
如果我們吃什麼東西，就是長成什麼樣子，
那我們需要留意自已用什麼來餵養心靈。
為了保持屬靈健康，
我們需要能夠造就自已靈命的食物。
Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone 人不可單靠食物
"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger,
and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know,
that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone;
but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."
(Deut 8:3)
“3他苦煉你，任你飢餓，
將你和你列祖所不認識的嗎哪賜給你吃，
使你知道，人活著不是單靠食物，
乃是靠耶和華口裡所出的一切話。”
（申 8：3）
While the Israelites wandered in the wilderness,
they were humbled and allowed to hunger to learn an important lesson.
God knew their physical needs and provided manna from heaven as sustenance.
However, they had to obey God's instructions regarding when and how much to gather,
how long they could keep it, and how to prepare for the Sabbath
(Ex 16:4–5, 19–26).
They had to have faith and trust in God's commands to survive.
When they obeyed, they witnessed how God blessed them with manna daily.
Though not sumptuous, they always had something to eat,
which was no small miracle in the wilderness.
God's grace was sufficient for them
(2 Cor 12:9).
They could live because of every word that proceeded from the mouth of the Lord.
This is how God taught them the importance of obeying His word and commandments;
we must also understand this lesson.
以色列人在曠野流浪時，
他們很謙卑，並以飢餓從而學到一個重要的教訓。
神知道他們肉體的需要，並從天上賜下嗎哪作為糧食。
然而，他們必須遵守神的指示，
包括何時，如何採集，
可以保存多久，及如何為安息日做準備
（出 16：4-5，19-26）。
他們必須有信心，信靠神的誡命才能生存。
當他們順服時，他們見證神如何以每天嗎哪賜給他們。
雖然不豐盛，但他們總有食物可吃，
在曠野這可是不小的神蹟。
神的恩典夠他們所用
（林後 12：9）。
他們能夠存活，是因著耶和華口裡所出的一切話。
這就是神如何教導他們遵守祂話語與誡命的重要性；
我們也必須明白這個教導。
God is the source of all life.
His words are spirit and life
(Jn 6:63).
His word brought the universe into existence
(Heb 11:3; Ps 33:6).
When God said, "Let there be light," there was light
(Gen 1:3).
Every stage of creation was wrought by His word,
giving us the life and the world we have today.
This same God is the One who speaks to us from heaven through the Scriptures
(Heb 12:25),
so we need to hear and obey.
When we can trust and obey by faith,
we will see how God provides us with our daily bread.
神是一切生命的源頭。
祂的話語就是靈，就是生命
（約 6：63）。
祂的話語創造了宇宙
（來 11：3；詩 33：6）。
當神說“要有光”時，就有了光
（創 1：3）。
創世的每個階段都來自於祂話語的成就，
賦予我們今日擁有的生命和世界。
這位神也就是透過聖經從天上向我們說話的神
（來 12：25），
所以我們需要聽從和順服。
當我們能夠因信依靠順服時，
我們就會明白神如何給我們預備日用的飲食。
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim 3:16–17)
16聖經都是神所默示的（或作：凡神所默示的聖經），
於教訓、督責、使人歸正、
教導人學義都是有益的，
17叫屬神的人得以完全，
預備行各樣的善事。
（提後 3：16-17）
We believe the Holy Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is inspired by God
and is the only scriptural truth and standard for Christian living.
God's word provides the principles we should live by
and helps us cultivate the lifestyle and virtues His people should possess.
Through God's word, the man of God may be complete and capable of doing "good works."
These good works are not just general niceties.
We are taught God's righteousness
so we can live a life pleasing to God and beneficial to those around us.
These good works reflect the One who is good: God Himself
(Mk 10:18).
Thus, the Bible is the spiritual food we require to support our spiritual growth to glorify God.
我們相信，聖經包括舊約和新約，是神所默示的，
是基督徒生活唯一的聖經真理和準則。
神的話語賦予了我們應該遵循生活的原則，
並幫助我們培養祂子民應有的生活方式和美德。
透過神的話語，屬神的人可以完全，並且有能力行“善事”。
這些善事並非只是一般的禮節。
我們被教導神的公義，
使我們能夠活著蒙神喜悅的生活，並造福我們周圍的人。
這些善事反應了獨一神是良善的：神本身
（可 10：18）。
因此，聖經是我們所需的靈糧，幫助我們靈命成長，榮耀神。
Psalm 1 gives us further insight: 詩篇第一篇給我們更深的洞察：
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
(Ps 1:1–3)
有福的人，
不從惡人的計謀，
不站罪人的道路，
不坐褻慢人的座位，
惟喜愛耶和華的律法，
晝夜思想，
這人便為有福。
他要像一棵樹，
栽在溪水旁，
按時候結果子，
葉子也不枯乾，
凡他所做的盡都順利。
（詩 1：1-3）
When we are physically hungry, our body is compelled to seek food.
But we must endeavor to desire the right kind of food.
It is a choice:
do I grab unhealthy junk food,
or do I get a proper, nutritious meal?
Psalm 1 presents us with a similar choice.
當我們感到肉體飢餓時，自已身體會被迫尋找食物。
但我們必須努力渴想正確的食物。
這就是一個選擇：
到底我所吃的是不健康的垃圾食品，
還是要吃一頓合宜營養均衡的正餐？
詩篇第一篇也給我們提出了類似的選擇。
We could choose to feed ourselves the thinking and concepts of the ungodly,
the sinners, and the scornful (proud),
which would lead us to exhibit the corresponding behavior.
The advent of the internet and technological advances mean
that we live in an age with myriad information and media
at our fingertips through multiple devices.
These can be useful tools for work and education, among other things.
However, such tools
also allow us to encounter many incorrect and unbiblical thoughts, behaviors, and trends
that can negatively influence us.
Hence, we observe the decline of morality and the increase of social problems
that plague our society
—abuse, violence and vengeance, sexual immorality, broken families, and so on.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us
to keep our heart with all diligence,
for out of it spring the issues of life.
Our thoughts, speech, and behavior towards others and in different situations come from the heart.
If we constantly feed ourselves with the worldly doctrines of men,
we run the risk of being spiritually unhealthy.
We become desensitized to sin
as certain concepts and behaviors become more socially acceptable or normalized,
and we end up being unable to discern what is pleasing and correct before God.
我們可以選擇讓自己沉溺於不敬虔，罪人和傲慢之人的想法和觀念，
那會導致我們表現出相應的行為。
網路出現和科技進步代表著，
我們生活在一個大量資訊媒體的時代，
可經各種設備由指尖輕鬆獲取。
這些可成為工作，教育等諸多方面的有用工具。
然而，這些工具，
也讓我們接觸許多不正確，不合聖經的思想，行為和趨勢，
這些都會給我們有負面的影響。
因此，我們觀察到道德的下滑和社會問題的增多，
這些問題困擾著我們的社會
—虐待，暴力和報復，淫亂，家庭破碎等等。
箴言 4 章 23 節告訴我們，
23你要保守你心，勝過保守一切（或譯：你要切切保守你心），
因為一生的果效是由心發出。
我們對別人及在不同情境的想法，言語和行為，都發自內心。
如果我們一直用人類世俗的教義來餵養自己，
我們就冒著可能的風險會失去靈命健康。
隨著某些觀念和行為越來越被社會接受或規範化，
我們對罪失去敏感，
最終我們在神面前不能分辨什麼是蒙喜悅的，正確的。
As God's people, we realize this is not a healthy choice.
Since we desire to be blessed,
we ought to delight in and meditate on the law of the Lord day and night.
Then we shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
We will constantly be full of spiritual vitality
—nourished and able to bring forth fruit in its season and prosperous in whatever we do.
The question is, how does the word of God
nourish and promote the spiritual growth and prosperity we seek?
作為神的子民，我們會明白這不是一個健康的選擇。
既然我們盼望蒙福，
就應該晝夜喜樂默想耶和華的律法。
這樣，我們就能像一棵栽在溪水旁的樹。
我們將不斷充滿屬靈的活力，
—得到滋養，能按時結果子，凡事順利昌盛。
問題是，神的話語是如何，
滋養並促進我們所追求的屬靈成長和旺盛呢？
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MEALS AND DIGESTION 規律飲食與消化的重要性
To find "delight" is to find pleasure or enjoyment in something.
The term "law" can be understood as the Torah, in part or the whole,
but it can also be an all-encompassing term for God's commandments, instructions, and teachings.
Consuming more knowledge of God's word brings us joy
because we learn more about His heart for His people,
what He has done and will do for His people,
and His expectations of and hopes for His people.
Such knowledge is good because it allows us to discern between right and wrong,
what is pleasing and not pleasing, in God's sight.
尋得“喜悅”就是從某事中找到快樂或享受。
“律法”一詞可以理解為妥拉的部分或全部，
但它也可以指包含全部神誡命，指示和教導的詞語。
多了解神的話語會帶給我們喜樂，
因為我們更了解祂對祂子民的心意，
還有祂為自已子民做過以及將要做的事，
以及祂對自已子民的期待和盼望。
這樣的知識是美好的，因為它使我們能夠分辨是非，
在神的眼中什麼事是蒙神喜悅，什麼事是蒙神不悅的。
Psalm 1:3 teaches us to meditate on the word day and night.
This encouragement gives us a couple of points to reflect on:
詩篇 1 篇 3 節教導我們要晝夜思想神的話語。\
這句話勸勵我們一些值得反思的要點：
Make Sure You Eat 請記得吃飯
We need to provide ourselves with daily opportunities to receive God's word.
我們需要每天給自己有機會接受神的話語。
[A]s newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
(1 Pet 2:2)
你們這才生的嬰孩，就要愛慕那純淨的靈奶，叫你們因此漸長。
（彼前 2：2）
Peter encourages us to be like newborn babes, desiring the pure milk of God's word.
Babies get hungry quickly and need to be fed regularly.
We must cultivate this hunger and desire for God's word.
Just as regular meals are beneficial physically,
receiving God's word regularly is essential for our continued spiritual growth.
彼得鼓勵我們要像新生的嬰兒一樣，渴慕神聖言純淨的靈奶。
嬰兒很容易餓，需要定期餵食。
我們必須培養這種對神聖言的飢渴和渴望。
正如規律的飲食有益於身體健康一樣，
規律領受神話語對我們持續的靈性成長也很重要。
First and foremost, we should arrange our time and affairs
to allow us to observe the Sabbath day and attend church services and activities.
God loves us so much that He integrated a weekly opportunity into our lives
to gather unencumbered, to listen to and reflect on His word.
首先，我們應該好好安排自己的時間和事務，
讓我們能夠遵守安息日，並參加教會聚會和活動。
神很愛我們，祂每週整合一個機會融入我們的生命中，
可以無拘無束聚在一起，聆聽和反思祂的話語。
Secondly, we should spend a little time with God's word daily.
Life can be busy at times,
so we must make a conscious effort to set aside time
until it becomes second nature to us.
We can ringfence a slot in our schedule to read the Bible or church publications,
for example, over breakfast, during lunch break, or before bed.
We can use our daily commute
or when we do chores to listen to a sermon.
Technology has made it easier for us to access these opportunities.
其次，我們應該每天花一點時間研讀神的話語。
生活有時會很忙碌，
所以我們必須下意識努力留出時間，
直到它成為我們的第二天性。
我們可以在自已的日程表中限定一段時間，來閱讀聖經或教會刊物，
例如，在早餐時間，午休時間或睡前。
我們可以利用自已每天通勤，
或做家務時候聆聽講道。
科技已讓我們更容易獲得這些機會。
Thirdly, we can earmark a time to do more in-depth study, alone or with others.
This requires more time and effort but is very beneficial.
第三，我們可以指定一些時間進行深入的學習，無論是獨自或與他人一起學習。
這需要更多的時間和精力，但非常有益處。
Make Sure You Digest 請記得好好消化
Digestion is how our body obtains nutrients from food.
Spiritually, it is equivalent to understanding and then applying the word.
Meditating
—or reflecting
—on God's word is the process
by which we digest it to nourish and maintain our spiritual life and grow.
In Psalm 1, the Psalmist mentions meditation in the sense of talking to oneself while pondering.
Ordinarily, someone talking to himself may be a cause for concern.
However, in this case, it is a good thing to do,
as we are speaking the word of God to ourselves.
消化是我們身體如何從食物獲取營養的方式。
從屬靈角度來說，它相當於理解及應用神的話語。
思想
─或反省，
─思考神的話語，是一個過程，
讓我們消化聖經來滋養維持自已的靈命並成長。
在詩篇第一篇，詩人提到思想，是指沉思時自我對話。
通常，自我對話可能是有人感到擔憂。
然而，在此情況下，這樣做是件好事，
因為我們正以神的話語勉勵自己。
Such meditation can benefit us in a few ways.
When we speak God's word to ourselves:
這樣思考能讓我們在某些方面受益。
當我們自已思想神的話語：
We try to understand God's words to be educated in righteousness.
We reflect on how we can apply God's word in our life.
We compare our current behavior with the behavior God desires
and consider how to bridge the gap between the two.
Those who meditate are sometimes called "ruminants,"
as the meditative process is akin to the ruminative digestion process of animals
such as cows and sheep.
Since grass is difficult to digest,
ruminants will regurgitate the partially digested grass
and "chew the cud" before re-swallowing it.
Various bacteria and digestive juices further break down the processed mixture
so it can be fully digested.
This digestive process continues throughout the day
and employs four stomach chambers to extract the nutrients required.
我們想要理解神的話語，以受教學習公義。
我們反思自已要如何在生活中實踐神的話語。
我們要比較自己現在的行為與神所期望的行為，
並思考如何彌補兩者之間的差距。
那些會思想的人有時被稱為“反芻動物”，
因為思考的過程就像動物反芻消化的過程，
像牛羊一樣。
由於草難以消化，
反芻動物會反芻部分已消化的草，
並且再吞嚥之前會“反芻一下”。
各種細菌和消化液會進一步分解這些處理過的混合物，
使其能夠完全被消化。
這種消化過程會持續一整天，
並利用四副胃腔提取所需的營養。
When it comes to the word of God,
we may not immediately understand what we receive.
It can take time, prayer, reflection, reading other passages,
and hearing others' sharing before we understand.
We may have a basic understanding now and obtain a more in-depth understanding in the future.
That is the beauty of God's word
—the layers of understanding and edification we gain over time.
Some foods are easier to digest, while some take longer,
so the benefit from the food will come sooner or later.
Similarly, when we read the Bible,
sometimes we connect with what we read quickly and can see the application.
Other times, we may not fully understand the meaning and relevance to us
or be able to apply the teaching immediately.
We do not need to worry or become frustrated
because we think we are not getting anything from reading the Bible.
Psalm 1 tells us that regularly spending time with God's word
is like being a tree planted by the rivers of water.
We have constant access to the water and nutrients critical to sustaining us,
allowing us to bear fruit in season.
若談到神的話語，
我們可能無法立即明白自已所領受的。
這可能需要一些時間，禱告，反省，並讀取其他經，
以及在我們理解之前，聆聽別人的分享。
我們現在可能有一些基本的了解，將來會獲得更深入的理解。
這就是神話語的美妙之處，
—隨著時間的推移，我們會獲得不同層次的理解與造就。
有些食物很容易消化，而有些則需要更長的時間，
所以食物的益處遲早會出現。
同樣的，當我們閱讀聖經時，
有時我們很快就能連結自已所讀內容，且可看到應用的方式。
有時，我們可能無法完全理解其意義及與我們自身的相關性，
或無法立即實行教導。
我們不必擔憂或沮喪，
因為認為自己不會從閱讀聖經時，得到任何收穫。
詩篇第一篇告訴我們，時常花時間親近神的話語，
就像一棵樹栽在溪水旁。
我們能夠持續取得維持生命所必需的水和養分，
讓我們按時結出果實。
One possible meaning is
that God's word will lead to natural growth as we continue to delight in and meditate on it.
Another possibility is that, in time,
the meaning or teaching will become apparent,
and as we put it into practice,
we will grow and bear the fruit God desires.
We must appreciate that learning and applying God's word
is a lifelong process that we must couple with prayer;
this is spiritual cultivation.
It is the process by which we are refined and prepared for the day when Jesus comes again.
Not that we are earning our salvation,
but we are more certain of it because we are living according to our faith.
有一種可能的解釋，
當我們持續以神話語為樂並思想它時，神的話語會帶領我們自然成長。
另一種解釋是，時間一到，
其意義或教導會逐漸明顯，
當我們實行神的話語，
我們就會成長，結出神想要的果子。
我們必須明白，學習運用神的話語
是一種終生的過程，我們必須結合禱告；
這是靈修。
在這個過程中，我們會受精煉，並為耶穌再來的那日做好準備。
這並不是說我們靠自己的努力獲得救恩，
而是因為我們照自己的信仰活著，所以自已變得更確定得拯救。
GROWTH THROUGH APPLICATION 實踐促進成長
Evidently, the word of God should be intertwined with our everyday life.
Constant consideration of God's word guides us to see from God's perspective
so we can make choices pleasing to Him.
Knowledge of God's word is a blessing,
but greater blessings and joy are found in application.
顯然，神的話語應該與我們的日常生活緊密相連。
不斷思考神的話語，會引導我們從神的角度看待事情，
這樣我們就能做出蒙神喜悅的選擇。
了解神的話語本就是一種祝福，
但更大的祝福和喜樂在於實踐。
James exhorts us to be doers of the word and not hearers only
(Jas 1:22).
It is easy to "talk the talk"
when it comes to how we should think, speak, and act as a godly person.
However, if we do not "walk the walk" by applying the teachings we know,
then our theoretical knowledge does not manifest its true value
—allowing us to be blessed in what we do
(Jas 1:25).
雅各勸誡我們要行道，不要單單聽道，
（雅 1：22）。
我們很容易“光說不練”，
當談到我們應該如何思考，說話和行事，像一個敬虔人。
然而，如果我們無法“言行一致”，實行自已知道的教導，
那麼我們的理論知識就無法展現其真正的價值
─讓我們在自已所行的事上蒙福
（雅 1：25）。
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
(Jas 1:23–24)
23因為聽道而不行道的，
就像人對著鏡子看自己本來的面目，
24看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。
（雅 1：23-24）
James likens hearing the word to looking into a mirror.
Mirrors show us our true likeness
—every gray hair, spot, and wrinkle is reflected.
We cannot deny what we see because it is the reality of who we are.
Receiving God's word shows us our true self.
If we are obedient to God's word,
we can be thankful for what we see because this is the image a child of God should have.
We are encouraged to continue doing these good things and more.
However, we often feel ashamed of what God shows us.
We see our true selves: we lack love and patience for others;
we struggle to forgive; we are proud; we are lazy;
we are lacking in our role as a husband, wife, parent, or child;
we have bad habits that affect our lifestyle.
God has spoken, and we have heard.
Our conscience is pricked with guilt.
We resolve to do better and promise God we will change and grow.
雅各比喻聆聽神話語就像照鏡子。
鏡子顯現我們真實的自己，
—每一根白髮，每一處斑點和每一道皺紋都清晰反射出來。
我們無法否認，自已所見的事情，因為那就是我們真實的自我。
領受神的話語，讓我們看見真實的自我。
如果我們順服神的話語，
我們就會為已所見而感恩，因為這是神兒女該有的形象。
我們受鼓勵繼續行這些善事，甚至更多。
然而，我們常常因神向我們展現的事而感到羞愧。
我們看到真實的自我：我們缺乏對他人的愛心和耐心；
我們很難原諒；我們驕傲；我們懶惰；
我們未盡自已的職責，作為丈夫，妻子，父母或兒女；
我們有壞習慣會影響著自已的生活方式。
神已經說話了，而我們也聽到了。
我們的良心因內疚而感到不安。
我們決心做得更好，並向神承諾自已會改變和成長。
As genuine as these thoughts are at the time,
sometimes we suffer the "walk away effect."
After looking in the mirror,
we turn and go away, immediately forgetting what kind of person we were shown to be.
We identified what aspects of ourselves needed to change or improve.
However, the prior remorse and resolve gradually disappear
as we leave the chapel,
the fellowship ends, or we put the Bible or church publication down.
We forget what we saw and may even replace it with an idealized or false self-image:
I am a kind, gentle, and loving person;
I am a great spouse;
I know the teachings of the Bible, so I must be fine.
We deceive ourselves into thinking we are spiritually good
because we know the "right answer" when it comes to faith.
However, without "walking the walk,"
we are not tackling the issues and changing for the better.
Instead, we become complacent, lax, and self-indulgent in our life of faith.
The worst-case scenario would be that we reject what God shows us,
essentially calling God a liar
(1 Jn 1:10).
儘管這些想法當時聽起來很真誠，
有時我們會陷入“走開效應”影響。
照完鏡子後，
我們轉身離開，立刻就忘了自己看起來是一個什麼樣的人。
我們知道自己哪些方面需要改變或改進。
然而，隨著我們離開會堂，
團契結束，或是我們放下聖經或教會刊物，
先前的懊悔和決心逐漸消失。
我們忘記所見之事，甚至可能用一種理想化或虛假的自我形象取而代之：
我是一個善良，溫柔，充滿愛心的人；
我是一位很棒的配偶；
我都了解聖經的教導，所以我一定很好。
我們欺騙自己，認為自己的靈性很好，
因為我們知道討論信仰時的“正確答案”。
然而，如果無法“付諸行動”，
我們就沒有去解決問題，也沒有變得更好。
相反的，我們在信仰生活中變得自滿，懈怠，自我放縱。
最壞的情況就是我們會拒絕神向我們顯明的事情，
這其實就是在說神是騙子。
（約壹 1：10）
In His love, God lifts the mirror for us to see ourselves.
He presents us with the opportunity to uncover what we need to work on
and the chance to change.
When these moments come,
we need to respond like those on the Day of Pentecost
who were cut to the heart by Peter's words,
asking what they should do to remedy the situation
(Acts 2:37).
When Peter gave them the answer,
those who gladly received his word affirmed their belief through action,
and three thousand were baptized that day.
Likewise, when God sends someone to us who speaks the truth in love
(Eph 4:15),
we need to humbly reflect and come before God in prayer,
repenting of our errors and asking for help to address those issues.
因著祂的愛，神為我們打開鏡子，讓我們看清自己。
祂讓我們有機會發現自已需要改進的地方，
並有機會改變。
當這些時刻到來時，
我們需要像五旬節那天那些人的回應，
他們受彼得的話語深深觸動，
詢問他們該作什麼事來補救這種情況
（徒 2：37）。
當彼得回答他們時，
那些欣然接受祂話語的人用行動證實自已的信仰，
那天就有三千人受洗。
同樣，當神派遣某人到我們這裡用愛心說誠實話
（弗 4：15），
我們需要謙卑反省，並到神面前禱告，
悔改自已的錯誤，並尋求幫助來解決這些問題。
MEDITATE, DEDICATE, GROW 思想，堅持，成長
Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example to the believers
in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity
(1 Tim 4:12).
These are all manifestations of God's word and teachings in his life.
保羅鼓勵提摩太要作信徒的榜樣，
在言語，行為，愛心，信心和清潔上，
（提前 4：12）。
這些都是神的話語及教導在他生命中展現出來。
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them,
that your progress may be evident to all.
(1 Tim 4:15)
15這些事你要殷勤去做，並要在此專心，
使眾人看出你的長進來。
（提前 4：15）
He instructs Timothy to meditate on these things
and to immerse himself in doing them.
The resulting transformation, accomplished through obedience to God's word,
will be seen by all.
This way, he can save himself and those who hear his encouragement
(1 Tim 4:16).
他指導提摩太要思想這些事情，
並且自已全心投入那些事。
透過順服神話語而實現的轉變，
將被大家看到。
這樣，他就能拯救自己，也能拯救那些聽他勸勉的人。
（提前 4：16）
If we desire to progress in our faith,
we must take the words of Paul as personal encouragement.
We need to organize and make time to receive and meditate on the word of God.
We need to dedicate ourselves to practicing what we have learned.
When we commit ourselves to these two actions,
we and others will naturally see the growth the Lord intended.
如果我們渴望在信仰上進步，
就必須視保羅的話語作個人的勉勵。
我們需要好好安排，花時間領受和思想神的話語。
我們需要全心投入自已所學的教導。
當我們致力於執行這兩種行動時，
我們和別人自然會看到主所想要的成長。
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep;
for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
(Rom 13:11)
11再者，你們曉得現今就是該趁早睡醒的時候；
因為我們得救，現今比初信的時候更近了。
（羅 13：11）
If we have not started already,
it is time to take control of our spiritual diet and feast
on the spiritual food that God has provided us.
Let us be constantly nourished and strengthened in our spiritual life
to grow into healthier and more mature believers.
如果我們還沒開始，
現在就是時候來掌控自已的屬靈飲食和饗宴，
來享用神給我們預備的靈糧。
讓我們的靈命可以不斷得到滋養和堅固，
從而成長為更健康，更成熟的信徒。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)