Time with Abba, Singing Praising 親親爸父，唱詩歌頌 : DAY 363 - Repent, Baptize, Receive (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

Friday, May 17, 2013

DAY 363 - Repent, Baptize, Receive (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

**Please pray for Leslie, a 11 years old who got virus to his heart and lung since last Friday. Nearly die last week, still at ICU of Vancouver Children Hospital. Ignatius will drive me to Vancouver Children's Hospital to pray for Leslie right after I arrive in the airport today around 2p.m.

Today's Reading: Acts 2:37-41

** If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from my Devotion on Fire blog:

http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html .

To use this simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link:

Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.

Please click this link to read Acts 2:37-41

English(ESV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts 2&version=ESV
Chinese: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts 2&version=CUV

Bible Study

After Peter's preaching, the first Evangelistic meeting, people were cut to the heart and they asked Peter what they needed to do. Peter said they needed to do only two things: repent and to be baptized. Then they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

N.T. Wright says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._T._Wright):

What we are witnessing, in this passage, is the beginning of the Christian theme called 'salvation'. It isn't simply about 'going to heaven', though of course it includes the promise, not only of heaven after death but, beyond that, of resurrection into God's new creation. 'Salvation' is therefore pointing towards a very concrete and particular reality in the future...

We should expect signs of that future to appear in the present. And, whenever we are in a mess, of whatever sort and for whatever reason, we should remember this: we are 'turn-back-and-be-rescued' people. We are 'repent-and-be-batized' people. We have the right, the birthright, to cash in that promise at any place and any time.

No wonder 3,000 people signed up that very day.

Salvation and going to heaven is at present, not until you die. That's how John the Baptist and Jesus says as their first message: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

The only thing we need to do is to repent, to be baptized means not only the act baptism but also our sins are forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus and we enter into the kingdom of heaven, His Kingdom. Then we will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be in the Kingdom doing Kingdom ministries.

What have you got from Jesus today?

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

What I heard from Jesus today is: Repent, baptize, receive

What I got from Jesus today is a very simple pattern for us to live out. Yes, we only need to be baptized only one time. But, we need a regular repentance so that we can stay in His Kingdom. Sins pull us away from the Kingdom of heaven and into the darkness. That's why so many people are in discouragement, depression, burn-out and unable to do anything.

This is not a complicated message, it is simple. If you are away from His Kingdom, then you repent, away from the worldly kingdom, the kingdom of darkness and wickedness and re-enter into His Kingdom of light and power. And, you will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to willingly, joyfully and powerfully doing His Kingdom ministry.

What I have experienced the past eight days is exactly what it says here in this passage. I have seen so many people receiving and exercising the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing and freedom to so many people. Jesus used me two days ago to bring healing and freedom to a couple and we become good friends although we only met for ten hours. Can you believe that? Yes, that's how Kingdom authority can be.

You only need to baptize once. But, we have to repeat these three steps many, many times in our lives. We repent, our sins are forgiven and we are being cleansed, and we will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be able to do His Kingdom ministry.

Remember, everything starts with repentance! Do you have anything to repent today? Do you know what are those things you need to repent? I don't think you know because this is the job of the Holy Spirit. You need to ask the Holy Spirit each day to reveal those things so that you know what to repent.

Dear Holy Spirit,

Come and shine on us that we are able to see those things we need to repent. Lead us to be willing to repent so that our sins are forgiven and we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus that you will come and fill us. Come Holy Spirit come. We so long to receive the gifts from you so that we are able to do Kingdom ministry. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Photos I took yesterday(May 16 Thur.) in Rev. Nicky Gumbel's home. It was a powerful and meaning time that we prayed for each others. I was freshly anointed by the laying on of hands by Nicky, Pippa, Phlip Jones, Claudia Jones and Paul Sorenson.