Wednesday, February 28, 2018

DAY 9 - New Lifestyle: "Being" , Not "Doing" (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. Exhale your worries.


Praise and Thanksgiving

1.   Think through your week, 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

           But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
               let them ever sing for joy,
           and spread your protection over them,
               that those who love your name may exult in you.
                                                 Psalm 5:11

Confession and repentance

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


Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
                                                                      Matthew 5:1-12



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"



My Listening
       
     With a new job, people usually have a new lifestyle. I still remember in the early 80's when I got a new job in the Hong Kong Government. I had moved on from working as a high school teacher, and I had a new lifestyle. Almost everyday I was in suit and tie with a fashionable briefcase. Going to expensive restaurants was a given. At that time, I thought that should be the new lifestyle I was going to enjoy. Later I found out that I was wrong. That is not the lifestyle Jesus wanted me to live.    Here in today's passage, we come to the famous 'Sermon on the Mount', which runs through chapters five to seven.  Jesus describes to His disciples a different lifestyle: a counter-cultural lifestyle. It is important for us to realize that this new lifestyle is not about us trying harder. You can't do it because you can never have the willpower or strength to live like that.     It is not the "doing" but the "being". When we repent and return to God's Kingdom we can be with Jesus, and enjoy being with Jesus daily more and more. It is this "being" with Jesus that leads us to have a change of lifestyle according to what Jesus says in the Beatitudes and later expounds in the whole Sermon on the Mount. It's not about trying to do every single thing that Jesus describes in the Beatitudes. Instead, it is through "being" with him that causes our hearts to align with his, which develops our character and actions.      There are so many Christians, including Christian leaders, who do things for Jesus but do not spend enough time being with Jesus.  A life of simply doing things for Jesus leads to burn-out and eventually quitting. A life of being with Jesus results in working with Jesus for his kingdom. I was one of those burnt-out leaders but it was only by God's grace that I got through that darkness.     This passage and the coming chapters are all about a lifestyle of Christlikeness. It is all about how you can be with Jesus and your willingness to follow Him as your Lord and King. With that daily intimate personal relationship with Jesus, you and other people will soon find out that the Beatitude is talking about you. You become more like Jesus and people can see more of Jesus in you. Dear Lord Jesus,Help us to understand that the Beatitudes is all about the fruit of being with you and not a result of doing things for you. Lead us to be with you more that we can live out this lifestyle naturally to be more like you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 
Reflect on these questions:
1. Read Matthew 5: 1-12 again now. What are those 'blessings' that you think you are having them now? What are those 'blessings' that you are trying very hard but still can't have those right now? What are those 'blessings' that you think you can never have? Why?2. What do you think is the secret for you to have them all? 3. How can your being with Jesus each day help you to live those 'blessings' out? Have you experienced that kind of changing of lifestyle because of your new relationship with Jesus and your willingness to be with Jesus everyday? 4. Do you have any new plan today to be with Jesus so that the Beatitudes is a way to describe your new lifestyle?  Family Corner:1. In your family, do you spend more time doing things for your family? Or, do you spend more time doing things with your family? How has that affected your relationships?2. When does your family spend time being with Jesus together? How could you begin practices of being with Jesus together?
Praise and ThanksgivingLet's give thanks for God with us. Let us praise Him:10,000 Reasonshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E    Be with you    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGQpm3i3mXw     40 Days Break.Build daily devotion:     http://www.breakbuild.blogspot.ca/If you have an Android cel. please click this site to download an app. to listen in a users' friendly way:Discipler123: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.rec.appBreak.Build: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.bb.appWelcome to use my first blog: Read one chapter of Bible a day     http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/day-1-i-am-blind.html      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E     40 Days Break.Build daily devotion:     http://www.breakbuild.blogspot.ca/If you have an Android cel. please click this site to download an app. to listen in a users' friendly way:Discipler123: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.rec.appBreak.Build: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideal.bb.appWelcome to use my first blog: Read one chapter of Bible a day     http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/day-1-i-am-blind.html Today is our  DAY 59 in 2018 non stop Morning Prayer Monday through Friday 6:00am to 7:30am Thursday night 8pm to 9:30pm, Saturday 8am to 9:45am, Sunday 7:00am to 8:25amThe offering of our First Fruit every morning have changed lots of things: unity, lifestyle, character …and many more!     Also, we started to have a weekly Thursday TWA at 8p.m. two months ago, a weekly Friday TWA for moms with child care last Friday and a weekly TWA led by Pastoral Care School leader at 7p.m. four years ago.     Please find wonderful pictures of our TWA at Richmond Emmanuel Church:Daily copying the Bible and small groups praying in front of Janelle's wonderful painting "Story of God's salvation"     Ram horns sounding daily to welcome the presence of our might God and to open our souls to prepare receiving His message:     Three generations TWA worship:     Daily communion after TWA:     Parents praying with their daughter: (Rev. Ignatius Ng, Anna Ng and Zoe Glory Ng)     Mom's TWA:

第九天 - 新生活模式:神同在,不是得個做 (請按此處收聼廣東話 )



安靜
1.  停下來. 靜一靜
2.  等候主. 深呼吸經歷主之平安. 呼出你的憂慮

讚美及感恩
1.  思想你上星期使你開心歡笑的時刻
2.  為那些時刻及有關的人感恩
3.  敞開心懷讚美主

             凡 投 靠 你 的 , 願 他 們 喜 樂 , 時 常 歡 呼 , 因 為 你 護 庇 他 們 ; 又 願 那 愛 你    名 的 人 都 靠 你 歡 欣 。                                                    詩篇 5:11 

認罪悔改  
1.  求聖靈在你生命中工作
      "親愛的聖靈, 求你光照我心靈的深處, 使我看見我的罪, 我和主耶穌的阻隔,
        求主幫助, 奉主耶穌基督名求。阿們。

2. 透過聖靈的工作, 安靜一刻, 省察自己, 之後祈禱:
     「親愛的主耶穌,感謝你為我的罪釘死在十字架上,我願意在你面前承認我的罪(凡聖靈光照到的,請逐一說出),求你用你的寶血赦免我的罪,我願意打開心門讓你作我的救主,求你救贖我,我願意一生跟隨你讓你作我生命的主,求你帶領我。聖靈,求你充滿我,使我得著恩賜及力量去事奉主、見證主。奉主耶穌基督名求,阿們。」


聆聽主話

聆聽主話


耶 穌 看 見 這 許 多 的 人 , 就 上 了 山 , 既 已 坐 下 , 門 徒 到 他 跟 前 來 ,
 他 就 開 口 教 訓 他 們 , 說 :
 虛 心 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 天 國 是 他 們 的 。
 哀 慟 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 他 們 必 得 安 慰 。
 溫 柔 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 他 們 必 承 受 地 土 。
 飢 渴 慕 義 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 他 們 必 得 飽 足 。
 憐 恤 人 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 他 們 必 蒙 憐 恤 。
 清 心 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 他 們 必 得 見 神 。
 使 人 和 睦 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 他 們 必 稱 為 神 的 兒 子 。
 為 義 受 逼 迫 的 人 有 福 了 ! 因 為 天 國 是 他 們 的 。
 人 若 因 我 辱 罵 你 們 , 逼 迫 你 們 , 捏 造 各 樣 壞 話 毀 謗 你 們 , 你 們 就 有 福 了 !
 應 當 歡 喜 快 樂 , 因 為 你 們 在 天 上 的 賞 賜 是 大 的 。 在 你 們 以 前 的 先 知 , 人 也 是 這 樣 逼 迫 他 們 。

                                                                                                        馬太福音 5: 1-12

現在讓你有一段安靜的時間, 給聖靈一個空間, 讓主耶穌可能以藉着你剛才讀過的經文, 對你說話:


我的聆聽
一份新工作通常會帶來一個新的生活模式。我記得八十年代初我得政府聘任,自己認為身份不同了,需要一個新的生活模式,出入西裝骨骨,高級餐廳。那時我認為那就是我每天享受的新開始。之後我發覺我錯了,那不是主耶穌要我的生活模式。

今天我們來到聖經著名的"登山寶訓"之開始,由馬太福音五章至七章。耶穌告訴門徒一個不同的生活模式: 一個與文化相反生活模式。我們需要明白這生活模式不是叫我們更盡力去嘗試,因為用你自己的意志及能力根本無可能做到。

這不是得個做字的問題,而是是否能與神同在的關係。當我們悔改回轉進入神的國度我們可以愈來愈享受每天與主同在的關係。就是這與主同在使我們的生活模式有所改變。這正是主耶穌在今天我們讀的八福及整個"登山寳訓"所說的, 不是要我們做足八福的要求,而是透過與主同在,他使我們生活模式與他的生活模式愈來愈接近, 從而培育我們的品格與行為。

這世界有太多的基督徒,包括基督徒領袖為主做很多事工,但卻沒有足夠的時間與主同在。為耶穌得個做字結果是耗盡,最後是放棄。一個與主同在的生命的結果是會在主的國度事工中有份,與主同工。我曾經是其中一個耗盡的牧師,靠着主的恩典才能渡過那黑暗的時候。

今日的經文及以後我們讀的三章書全是有關活像基督。有關你如何能與主同在及願意以主耶穌為你的主及你的王。因着你每天與主的親蜜關係,你及你週遭的人終會有一天發覺八福是你的生活模式。你會愈來愈像耶穌,而愈來愈多的人能在你生命中見到耶穌。

親愛的主耶穌,
求你幫助我們能明白八福是我們與你同在的果子而不是為你做事的結果。帶領我們能更多與你在一起使我們能更自然的活出這八福作為我們的新生活模式,以致我們能更像你奉主耶穌基督名求,阿們。

省察問題
1. 請再讀馬太5:1-12。那些是你現在有的福? 那些是你己盡力但仍沒有的福?那些是你想你不會有的福?為何?

2.  你能有齊八福的秘訣是甚麼?

3. 你每天與主在一起會如何幫助你活出八福?你曾否經歷你生活模式的改變是因為你願意每天與主在一起?

4.  你今天有沒有能與主每天在一起的新計劃, 以致八福是在形容你自己?

家庭角落
1. 你習慣為家庭成員做事,抑或與家庭成員一起做事?你的習慣如果影響你們的關係?

2. 你家庭有沒有一起與主同在的習慣?你如何幫助他們有一個開始呢?

感恩讚美
讓我們為神同在感恩讚美主:
10,000 Reasons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

       永遠敬拜 (Be with You)
       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdlFWURyedg

      Be with you

四十天的"破. 立"靈修:

如果你有 Android cel. 請按此處上載程式,可直接一按收聽最近之十次廣播:
    
    歡迎你使用三年三個月讀完新舊約聖經blog: 


     Today is our  DAY 59  in 2018 non stop Morning Prayer Monday through Friday 6:00am to 7:30am Thursday night 8pm to 9:30pm, Saturday 8am to 9:45am, Sunday 7:00am to 8:25am

The offering of our First Fruit every morning have changed lots of things: unity, lifestyle, character …and many more!

     Also, we started to have a weekly Thursday TWA at 8p.m. two months ago, a weekly Friday TWA for moms with child care last Friday and a weekly TWA led by Pastoral Care School leader at 7p.m. four years ago. 
    
Please find wonderful pictures of our TWA at Richmond Emmanuel Church:
    
      Daily copying the Bible and small groups praying in front of Janelle's wonderful painting "Story of God's salvation"



     Ram horns sounding daily to welcome the presence of our might God and to open our souls to prepare receiving His message:





     Three generations TWA worship:


     Daily communion after TWA:


     Parents praying with their daughter: (Rev. Ignatius Ng, Anna Ng and Zoe Glory Ng)




神救拔我們脱離困苦,因他的慈愛永遠長存!

  今日博客的錄影: https://youtu.be/mJzJ68RMGjs?si=J86RPWDWMzRVf7b8 Nicky Gumbel  牧師今日靈修博客: https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?e=590b90010b&u=60...