Time with Abba, Singing Praising 親親爸父，唱詩歌頌 : DAY 597 - The Signs of A True Apostle (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

Monday, January 6, 2014

DAY 597 - The Signs of A True Apostle (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

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Confirmation from John Stott in 2009:
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Subject Shifting Devotion Method(Inspired by John Stott in 1991: http://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html

Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:11-18

** 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 2 Corinthians 12:11-18

English(ESV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Corinthians 12&version=ESV

Chinese: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=歌林多後書 12&version=CUV

Bible Study

Paul has been accused of not having 'recommendation' and not having quality of an apostle. Here in this passage, Paul clearly tells the Corinthians the signs of a true apostle are not those they have been thinking of. They are just being misled by the false teachers to wrong signs.

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

What sort of 'recommendation', then, ought Pual to offer, and ought they to recognize? The answer is simple: the recommendation of the 'signs of an apostle'. These sign as are not showy teaching styles, social status, and the kind of prestige that the rival teachers were striving for. They are the results of the preaching and living of the gospel of Jesus: the signs, wonders and powers that are seen when the Holy spirit is truly at work. They should have given him this 'recommendation' themselves, since they knew that these things happened when he was with them at the beginning. ..

Whatever a humble, wise and godly Christian leader does, he or she can be certain of angry letters, abuse and personal attacks. That is how it has been from the beginning. We must not ignore the armoury of tricks that the satan has at his disposal.(2.11)
At the proper way of handling such attacks is neither to respond in kind nor to protect oneself by erecting a wall of process, and has responded to attack with patient argument, biblical exposition, explanation of circumstances, direct personal appeal, and a fair amount of humour and irony.

N.T. Wright. Paul for Everyone:2 Corinthians. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p.136-137.

Do you recognize those signs in your leaders lives? Do you have those signs in your life? Are you one of those people who like to criticize, attack and abuse your leaders?

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: The signs of a true apostle

What I got from Jesus today is an examination of our attitude to our leaders and also a check-up of ourselves.

Are you looking at the wrong perspective to your leaders so that you alway feel they are not true apostles, disciples of Christ? Can you see those signs, wonders and miracles exercise through the lives of your leaders or you are just looking for a style you approve of?

Do you allow the Holy Spirit to work through your obedience so that signs, wonders and miracles can happen in your life too?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help us to truly love our leaders so that they are being prayed for each day and supported as always. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Happy New Year!

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