Time with Abba, Singing Praising 親親爸父，唱詩歌頌 : DAY 603 - I Am. Are You? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

Monday, January 13, 2014

DAY 603 - I Am. Are You? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

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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: Galatians 1:18-24

** 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:

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Please click this link to read Galatians 1:18-24

English(ESV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians 1&version=ESV

Chinese: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=加拉太書 1&version=CUV

Bible Study

In the last passage, Paul challenges the Galatians who are those who got it all wrong. He says that it was he before he became an apostle of Jesus. He got it all wrong but after that three years in Arabia he got it right. Not only right, also he is being chosen by Jesus personally as His apostle. He has the courage to tell the whole story not fearing of anybody's attack.

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

We could summarize what Paul is saying in this paragraph as: 'I AM. ARE YOU?' The trouble-maker in Galatia have been putting it about that he's simply a pawn of the Judaea Christians, especially the apostles. They have suggested that he's just a junior member of the Christian team of wandering preachers. What's more, he's not even a very reliable one! He's twisted the message he was given by the 'senior' apostles, distorting it to make it easier for non-Jews to swallow. So (these trouble-makers have said) listen to us instead. We're the ones who know what the Judaea apostles, the senior folk, the people who actually knew Jesus himself, are thinking. Take it from us.
Paul replies with a detailed description of his first visit to Jerusalem following his conversion. The point of the whole story is to declare the one word: INDEPENDENT. He didn't go and sit at the feet of Peter, James and John, the Big Three of the Judaea apostles…They hadn't commissioned him to be a sub-apostle under their leadership. He was … independent.
We still have people who try to claim that they, or their system, possess supreme authority, and that anyone who professes independence should come back into line…
It is some comfort to know that these problems were endemic in Christianity from the beginning. But it is more important still, in recognizing the problem, to know how to go about tackling it. If Paul is to be our guide, the first rule seems to be: tell the story clearly.

N.T. Wright. Paul for Everyone:Galatians and Thessalonians. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p.10-11, 12-13.

How are you going to tackle with similar situation if you are being challenged by other Christian leaders that you are distorting the authentic message of the Gospel? Do you have the courage to tell your own story? If you are those who like to challenge your leaders of their message, do you have an open mind to listen to their stories? Do you have the acceptance to receive what Jesus wants you to accept?

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: I am. Are you?

What I got from Jesus today is an encouragement for us not to be afraid when being challenged but be courageous to tell our stories. I was being asked by some new Christians last Saturday during our New Believers Class, "How many Israelites believe in Jesus now?" I told them that I do not know the answer but I think not many. I searched Wikipedia later, the most populated Jews countries in the world are Israel and United States. There are 14 millions Jews worldwide and there are now 6 millions Jews in Israel and 5.5 millions Jews in United States, but there are only "In 2008, reported to have between 6,000 and 15,000 members in Israel and 250,000 in the United States." Which means around 2% Messianic Jews in Israel and 5% in United States.

Can you see that? Do you know what Paul means in today's passage? If not for Paul, how would it looks like now? If not for Paul, do you think you have a chance to know Jesus, repent and receive Jesus as your Saviour, Lord and King?

Why not give Paul a chance? Why not give those leaders you disagree with a chance? I will. Will you?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Lead us to give a chance to those we disagree with that they may be a Paul delivering your message helping people to have true transformation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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