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
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 shine on you that you are able to discover your sins and be willing to repent:
“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.”
“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, Time with Abba (Psalm 97:7-12, Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Proverbs 22:15)
Bible link:http://api.pastoralcareschool.org/twa/
Today's main passages:
17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:17
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:10-14
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:10-14
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passages we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him.
My Listening
I received a very challenging topic today from Jesus" Live in eternity, God's co-workers; Live in the world, withholding your affection"
Today's passages point us to two different lives:
1. The life of King Solomon
King Solomon had all the glory, wealth and wisdom but he dared to say, "I hate life!"
Is it not his life is what everyone envy and want to have?
Why Solomon had everything and still not satisfied?
2. The life of Paul
Paul's life was full of sufferings and hardships. But, he knew that he was God's co-worker and so he did not withhold his affection to other people like those Corinthians he was talking to. He says, "known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything."
Why Paul had nothing but he could be satisfied knowing that he had everything?
I think King Solomon got the answer and it is in Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
"Eternity" is eternal life! It is a life which can be connected and have relationship with God eternally!
With this eternal connection and relationship, Paul can listen to and understand the plan of God for his life; King Solomon knew this but he insisted to walk in his own way. At first he had that kind of connection and relationship with God, but in later time he was away from God and His commands, and then says, "I hate life!" This is a very serious depression and if King Solomon could have that serious depression, do you think you can get away from it?
Yes, of course you can get away from that kind of depression!
Do not walk in Solomon's path to live in this world withholding your affection to other people, a path full of dissatisfaction !
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help us to walk in Paul's path to live in eternity as God's co-worker, a path full of joy and satisfaction. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Help us to walk in Paul's path to live in eternity as God's co-worker, a path full of joy and satisfaction. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Reflect on these questions:
1. What kind of inspiration and invitation have you received from today's message ?
2. What is your next step to walk in Paul's path to live in eternity as God's co-worker, a path full of joy and satisfaction?
Family Corner:
Find an opportunity to share with your family the importance of today's message.
Praise and Thanksgiving
Let's give thanks for God with us. Let us praise Him:
10,000 Reasons
To know, learn and practice this method of Time with Abba, please click this link: https://www.pastoralcareschool.org
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Time with Abba, Depression Out:
Break.Build: 破.立 Break.Build:
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Since January 1, 2016 Richmond Emmanuel Church has non stop Morning Prayer Monday through Friday 6:00am to 7:30am, 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!
Please find wonderful pictures of our TWA at Richmond Emmanuel Church:
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:
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