Special Sharing - Dr. J.I. Packer's Most Difficult Struggle to Faithfulness? (Please click here for English podcast)

Silence

1.   Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence

2.   Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace and feel His presence. Exhale your worries.

Praise and Thanksgiving

1.   Think through your day, all the times that made you smile

2.   Thank God for all those moments, and for all those people

3.   Open your heart to praise the Lord

      The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
         the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.

                                     Psalm 29:10

Confession and Repentance (Subjective Shifting Devotion Method http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html)

1.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in you:

     “Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

2.  Through the Holy Spirit, examine yourself for a short silence and then pray:

     "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sin to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gift to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

The Word (Matthew 25:21)

English(ESV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+25&version=ESV

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 

                                        Matthew 25:21

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage 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

    My Listening

         Today I have a special gift to you!
         This afternoon a group of Anglican Network in Canada and Anglican Mission in Canada clergy gathered together to celebrate Dr. J.I. Packer's 90th birthday(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._I._Packer). We had a wonderful and blessed time!
         The most blessed moment for me is Dr. Packer's answer to my two questions:
         I said, "Dr. Packer, I took my son Ignatius to visit Dr. John Stott in July 2009(http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/07/blessings-from-rev-dr-john-stott.html). Uncle John told us that he could conclude his life with just one word and that is: Christlikeness. What is your one word to conclude your life Dr. Packer?"
         Dr. Packer answered, "Well, John really has a good word that I agree. When I think of this I want to use the word "faithfulness"."
         Then I asked, "Dr. Packer, what was the most difficult struggle in your life that you could not live out faithfulness?"
        Dr. Packer answered, "Well, Silas, I would say it is after breakfast till evening each day that I struggle with whether God's presence with me."
        Wow! I received a big gift today! Hope it is also a big gift to you!
        Dr. Packer who is one of the world most renowned theologians frankly told us that his most difficult struggle not to be faithful to God is not some kind of crisis in his life or any kind of hardship that he could not bear. But, a daily struggle to stay with God and to experience the daily presence of God. Without that presence, he cannot be faithful!
         So simple, true, profound and important!
         I pray that the big gift I received from Dr. Packer is also a big gift for you today!  

    Dear Lord Jesus,
    We give thanks to you for your humble and faithful servant Dr. J.I. Packer. We ask you to bless him and his family and that he can be a true model for us to follow to become faithful disciples of you daily.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.