8月5日──被聖經改變 To be changed by Bible

讀　　經：路加福音8章4-15節
(New living translation)

4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:
5“A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.
6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture.
7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.
8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant.
10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’
11“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word.
12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved.
13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.
14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

4 當許多人聚集、又有人從各城裡出來見耶穌的時候，耶穌就用比喻說：

5 有一個撒種的出去撒種。撒的時候，有落在路旁的，被人踐踏，天上的飛鳥又來吃盡了。

6 有落在磐石上的，一出來就枯乾了，因為得不著滋潤。

7 有落在荊棘裡的，荊棘一同生長，把他擠住了。
8 又有落在好土裡的，生長起來，結實百倍。耶穌說了這些話，就大聲說：有耳可聽的，就應當聽！

9 門徒問耶穌說：這比喻是甚麼意思呢？

10 他說：神國的奧祕只叫你們知道；至於別人，就用比喻，叫他們看也看不見，聽也聽不明。
11 這比喻乃是這樣：種子就是神的道。
12 那些在路旁的，就是人聽了道，隨後魔鬼來，從他們心裡把道奪去，恐怕他們信了得救 .
13 那些在磐石上的，就是人聽道，歡喜領受，但心中沒有根，不過暫時相信，及至遇見試煉就退後了。
14 那落在荊棘裡的，就是人聽了道，走開以後，被今生的思慮、錢財、宴樂擠住了，便結不出成熟的子粒來。
15 那落在好土裡的，就是人聽了道，持守在誠實善良的心裡，並且忍耐著結實。

金　　句：「上帝的道是活潑的，是有功效的。」（希伯來書4章12節）

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

有個孩子住在孤兒院裡，但是他不喜歡這個地方，活得痛苦不堪。他十分的叛逆、過著痛苦的生活，最後他從孤兒院逃走了。在逃走時他還帶著一本保姆送給他的聖經。

There was a child living in the orphanage, but he did not like this place, where he lived bitterly and was almost unable to withstand. He was extremely rebellious, and led with painful life. Finally he ran away from the orphanage. In the time of fleeing, he also took the Bible which was given by nan.

幾年之後，這個年輕人回到了當初離開的地方，並告訴那裡的人，在離開孤兒院之後他開始讀聖經。他說：「現在我願意接受耶穌。」聽到的人都非常驚訝。

After several years, this young man returned to the place where initially left, and told person there, "After leaving the orphanage he began to read Bible".  He said , "Now I am willing to accept Jesus." People hearing what he said were all extremely surprised.

聖經真是一本奇妙的書！一位心靈受了創傷、悲苦不堪的年輕人讀了它，上帝的聖靈就透過這本聖經，讓他明白自己需要上帝的救贖。

Bible was really a marvelous book! A young man whose heart was hurt and sorrowful read it once, then Holy spirit through Bible, let him understand that he needed God's salvation.

聖經所提供的，正是我們的世界所需要的。人們需要聖經中帶來安慰、希望、潔淨和喜樂的話語，並從中發現基督拯救的佳音。

Bible provides, is precisely what our world needs. People need comfort, hope, pure and the pleasant words from Bible, and find good news of Christ's salvation.

並不是每一個讀上帝話語的人都會回歸基督，耶穌在撒種的比喻中明白地指出這一點（路加福音8章4∼15節）。我們要播種上帝話語的種子，但我們無法決定誰會接受它，我們的職責是撒下種子。

Not everyone who reads God's words will be able to return Christ, Jesus in parable of sowing clearly points it out. (Luke 8 4:15). We want to sow seeds of God's words, but we are unable to decide who will accept it. Our responsibility is to sow the seeds.

或許你一直想找個好的見證，作為傳福音的工具，卻沒有想到上帝的話語就是你所尋找的。何不送一本聖經給你想向他傳福音的人？看看會發生什麼事，他們將會被聖經所改變。
　

Perhaps you always want looking for a good testimony to be a tool for preaching the gospel. However, having not thought of God's words is exactly what you seek. Why not give a Bible for whom you want to preach the gospel? Look what it would happen. They will be changed by Bible.

世上最偉大的書就是聖經，
其中的話語真實且激勵人心，
有人曾以輕蔑的態度讀它，
卻發現自己生命得到改變和更新。

The greatest book in the world is Bible,
Words in it are real and inspirational,

Someone once read it by the despite manner,

But find his life is changed and renewed.

上帝的話語是箭，從不曾錯失它的目標。

God's words are an arrow, never once miss its goal.