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 119:9-16, Jeremiah 42:1-44:23; 2 Timothy 2:1-21, Proverbs 26:3-5)
Bible link:http://api.pastoralcareschool.org/twa/
Today's main passage:
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
2 Timothy 2:1-7Let'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.
My Listening
The topic I received today is: You need to raise up three generations of Christians just like Paul did! Four generations together!
Today's 2 Timothy 2:1-7 reminds me of three very important experiences since 1982:
1. You won't starve to death when you serve the Lord!
The photo above is a picture I took three years ago in Hong Kong when I had Time with Abba with my mother. Look at the "Life Bread" on the right and it had been the breakfast for our family since the 60's! Even now, my mother and sister are still having that as their breakfast!
2 Timothy 2:6-7:
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Today's 2 Timothy 2:1-7 reminds me of three very important experiences since 1982:
1. You won't starve to death when you serve the Lord!
The photo above is a picture I took three years ago in Hong Kong when I had Time with Abba with my mother. Look at the "Life Bread" on the right and it had been the breakfast for our family since the 60's! Even now, my mother and sister are still having that as their breakfast!
2 Timothy 2:6-7:
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
I still remember that night in April 1982 when I told my parents God called me to leave the post of Music Officer in the Music Office of Hong Kong Government to go to seminary, they were very unhappy. They went in their bedroom without a word. Then the next morning when I was sitting in the dining room ready for breakfast, my father went out of the bedroom and went straight to the dining table and hit the "Life Bread" with all his strength. He said loudly, "You want to become a priest, you do not even have bread to eat!"
Five years later when I finished my three years of Master of Divinity at Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, Wisconsin , USA, I was ordained as a deacon in September 1987. My father was so happen knowing that those who serve the Lord won't be starve to death!
2. Those who serve the Lord can't be entangled in civilian affairs
2 Timothy 2:3-5 was the two verses that freed me from being entangled by civilian affairs. I was having my daily devotion at night in a night in June 1982. Jesus showed me that I could not stay in the HK Government because when I was being raised to one more position and with more success, I would have turned back to my old path! That's how these two verses helped me to quit my job as Music Officer and joined Methodist College(a high school) to teach Music and English for two years!
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
3. You need to raise up three generations of Christians just like Paul did! Four generations together!
This year is the 31st year of my being ordained as an Anglican priest(32nd years as an Anglican deacon)! I become into an awareness the past few years clearly that Jesus commands all His servants to raise up at least three generations just like He did, and Peter, Paul, Timothy, Silas...raise up those disciples for Jesus who can teach others who can teach others...
Read 2 Timothy 2:1-2 and you understand:
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Paul's first generation was Timothy, Paul's second generation were those Timothy raised up who could teach other, {Paul's third generation were those being raised up by his second generation. Then, including Paul, four generations!
Jesus reminded me a minute ago that I am in a five generations family! Oh! I am so thankful and full of tears now!
The parents of my mom were first generation Christians. My grandparents of both my father and mother's side were Christians, then my parents raised me up, I raise up my two sons, Iggy raises up Zoe! Five generations together! Praise the Lord!
Jesus reminds you today that:
1. You won't starve to death when you serve the Lord
2. Those who serve the Lord can't be entangled in civilian affairs
3. You need to raise up three generations of Christians just like Paul did! Four generations together!
Dear Abba Father,
Help us to be willing and able to raise up three generations of Christians just like Paul did! Four generations together. 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 be willing and able to raise up three generations of Christians just like Paul did, with four generations together?
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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