Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 1 月【雙語園地】神祝福你的原因

【雙語園地】神祝福你的原因

Written by J.B. Lim

 

神祝福你的原因
作者： J.B. Lim 翻譯：以恩

你可曾想過，在你人生中接受過的最大祝福，是你為自己辛苦計劃籌謀所得到的，或是那些神在老早就為你預備好，在你未曾要求就給你的？我不知道你怎樣想，但是對我而言，我人生中最大的祝福都不是出於我的計劃或努力而得到的。因為那些都是從神來的禮物。例如：我的雙親、我的妻子、我的兒子、我的家庭、我的朋友們、我所得到的機會、我的救恩、在天上的一席之地、罪得到赦免等等，沒有一樣是靠自己的努力去得到的。藉著這些奇妙的禮物，神向我彰顯祂的憐憫與恩慈。

為何我會如此說呢？因為在〈申命記〉第四章32-34節裡，摩西提醒以色列人，神在他們的生命中所行的那些大而可畏的事，那些不是因為他們努力，而是單純從神大愛的手裡所接受的禮物。在第35節裡，摩西指出神給這些禮物的原因："這是顯給你看，要使你知道唯有耶和華祂是神，除祂以外，再無別神"。


換句話說，不管何時神允許在你的生命裡有好的事情發生，都是為了一個特別的原因：為使你知道、信靠，相信唯有祂是神。就像一個男孩子充滿熱情地追求一個女孩一樣，上帝恩待我們，賜給我們禮物，為了愛而接近我們，希望讓我們知道祂的心意，並且希望成為我們回應的唯一對象。

這讓我想起〈創世記〉裡的一幕，當雅各要和十幾年不見的哥哥以掃見面時，他準備了許多禮物給以掃，希望能軟化以掃的心，讓他知道自己想要與他和好的心意。

同樣的，神用許多禮物祝福你，也是希望你的心能在神面前軟化下來，因而記得祂在你生命裡的重要。所有從神來的禮物都像是麵包屑，是為了帶領我們去認識那送禮物的人。

讚美神，"從祂豐滿的恩典裡，我們都領受了，而且恩上加恩"（約1:16）。但願我們不漠視這些從神來的恩惠，經常記得這些禮物是從哪裡來，以及祂送我們禮物的原因："這是顯給你看，要使你知道唯有耶和華祂是神，除祂以外，再無別神"。

 

 

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The Reason God Blesses You
Written by  J.B. Lim

When you think about the biggest blessings you have received in life, were the things you worked hard for and planned for yourself? Or rather were the things that God did and planned long before you ever asked for them or thought about them? I don't know about you, but for me, the greatest blessings I've ever known were things that I didn't plan for myself or work hard to achieve. Rather, they were gifts of God's grace. "Things" like my parents, my wife, my son, my family, my friends, opportunities that fell into my lap, my salvation, a place in heaven, forgiveness for my sins -- none of these were the work of my own hand. Somehow God in His mercy and grace let me receive these amazing gifts.

Why do I mention this? It's because in Deuteronomy 4:32-34 Moses reminds the Israelites of the "great and awesome deeds" (v34) that God did in their lives, things which they did not work hard for but simply received from God's loving hand. Then in verse 35 Moses tells them the reason why God gave those gifts: "that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other".

In other words, whenever God does or allows anything good in your life, He does it for a specific reason: that you would know Him, trust Him, and believe that He alone is God. Much like a guy romantically pursuing a girl, God serves us, gives us gifts and reaches out to us because He loves us, wants us to know His heart for us, and wants to be the One we reach for in return.

It reminds me of a scene in Genesis where Jacob, estranged from his brother Esau, decides that before he meets Esau face to face for the first time in decades, he would send ahead gift after gift to soften Esau's heart, to let Esau know Jacob's desire to be reconciled to him.

In a similar way, the reason why God blesses you with gift after gift and grace upon grace is because God wants your heart to be soft toward Him, that you would never forget who He is in your life. All of the gifts we have received from God are like breadcrumbs leading us to the Giver.

Praise God. "From the fullness of God's grace we have all received one blessing after another" (John 1:16). May we never take that grace for granted. May we always remember where that grace came from and why it came: it came from God so that you and I would know Him, have a relationship with Him and share Him with others.

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

• 喜樂的心乃是良藥；憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

• 然而，我要因耶和華歡欣，因救我的　神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

• 要常常喜樂，不住的禱告，凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

• 主啊，你本為良善，樂意饒恕人，有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

• 你不要說：“我要以惡報惡”；要等候耶和華，他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

• 你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

• 你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

• 你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄，我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

• 敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨；尊榮以前，必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

• 敬畏耶和華心存謙卑，就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

• 凡事不可結黨，不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀；只要存心謙卑，各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

• 但他賜更多的恩典，所以經上說：神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

• 驕傲來，羞恥也來；謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

• 驕傲只啟爭競；聽勸言的，卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

• 驕傲在敗壞以先；狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

• 但他賜更多的恩典，所以經上說：神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

• 愚妄人怒氣全發；智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

• 並且你們要為我的名，被眾人恨惡，惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

• 不但如此，就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

• 我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

• 你們也當忍耐，堅固你們的心，因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

• 回答柔和，使怒消退；言語暴戾，觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

• 溫柔的人有福了，因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

• 用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人；或者　神給他們悔改的心，可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

• 只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾；這在　神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

• 不要為作惡的心懷不平，也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

• 心中安靜是肉體的生命；嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

• 在何處有嫉妒、紛爭，就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

• 當止住怒氣，離棄忿怒；不要心懷不平，以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

• 好生氣的人，不可與他結交；暴怒的人，不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

• 愚妄人怒氣全發；智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

• 生氣卻不要犯罪．不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

• 我親愛的弟兄們，這是你們所知道的，但你們各人要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒，因為人的怒氣並不成就　神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

• 謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

• 民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒．這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

• 你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

• 主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

• 凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

• 我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們．我所賜的、不像世人所賜的．你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

• 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

• 因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

• 義人多有苦難，但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

• 神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助！詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

• 耶和華本為善，在患難的日子為人的保障，並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

• 為義受逼迫的人有福了，因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

• 不但如此，就是在患難中，也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

• 我想現在的苦楚，若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀，就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

• 因為你們蒙恩，不但得以信服基督，並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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