Friday, November 11, 2022

Come HOME!

 




Please click this link for the video version:  

https://youtu.be/N79A_7vcvzA


Nicky Gumbel's Bible in one year today:

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.   Sing a song to praise God (you are welcome to use "Father, I adore you" which I have been singing every morning for the past 20 years or your own choice to praise God)

          Father, I adore You, lay my life before You, how I love You.
          Jesus, I adore You, lay my life before You, how I love You.
          Spirit, I adore You, lay my life before You, how I love You.
      

Confession and Repentance (Subjective Shifting Devotion Method https://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/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 and having Jesus as my Lord. 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 sins 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 gifts to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

3.  John Stott's daily prayer of Christlikeness (Christopher J.H. Wright, Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017, 13)

(Please click this link to see how God used John Stott to change my life:https://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/07/

           "Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.

             Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.

             Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."


    
    The link to today's Time with Abba passages:   http://api.pastoralcareschool.org/twa/
    Time with Abba passages: (Psalm 119:161-168, Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Proverbs 27:13)

    Today's key passage: 

      And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


      Hebrews 10:24-25

     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 to Jesus as you listen to him.    

    My Listening
    The topic I received today from Jesus isNot giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing!

    One of the major damages to the church of this world in the midst of this pandemic is lots of Christians do not want to go back to church for in-person service or other church activities. Lots of Christians have adapted a habit or lifestyle to see each others through online events. According to some statistics, quite a number of churches all over the world has lost 30% of their members or more. It is so sad!

    This is what today's Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us.

    "Not giving up meeting together" in the midst of this pandemic means we cannot stop on joining our church's in-person worship and other ministries. And, do not make that a habit of not meeting anymore!

     But, the reality is, many people have started to give up on meeting together for their church's worship and other events, what can we do?

     Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds and teaches us that we need to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and to try our best to encourage those who give up on church to "come HOME" so that when Christ comes back or we complete our mission on earth we can face Jesus Christ because we have been doing a good job of being a good steward to love God and people!


     Dear Lord Jesus,
    Help us to  try our best to encourage those who give up on church to "come HOME" that we can be able to do a good job of being a good steward to love God and people. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
      
     Reflect on these questions:

     1. What inspiration have you received from today's catch?
      
      2.  What is your next step?

      Family Corner:
     Find an opportunity to share with your family the importance of today's message. 

     

     To know, learn and practice the method of Time with Abba, please click this link: https://www.pastoralcareschool.org

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大能的勇士啊,耶和華與你同在!

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