Do you want to be at home or far from home?

 Please click this link for the video version of today's blog :

 https://youtu.be/ynjNiSdfBAs?si=KlMG8gfnA4eETB5z

 Key passages: 

      Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20: 20-21

       "These are the laws you are to set before them: ..." Exodus 21:1

      

The topic I received today from Jesus is: Do you want to be at home or far from home?

Moses chose to approach where God was, to be at home with God! 

All the Israelites were so frightened to be close to God and they chose to be far away from God, from home! They did not want God to speak to them for they saw lots of destruction when someone approached God. 

Do you want to be at home or far from home? If you want to be at home, then you need to know who is the Lord of this home and what are the family rules for you to follow. That is your free will but it is a choice of eternal life or eternal death! I choose to be at home daily and hope that your choice is the same. 

Then, we can see from Exodus 20 and 21 of the Ten Commandments and the complicated rules and regulations. Who needs these complicated laws? Who needs rules and regulations? 

I remember in 2005 when I went to the annual AMiA Winter Conference, I met a US Marine Captain who happened to be having his holiday in that hotel. There were just the two of us in the jacuzzi, and we chatted. I asked him, "Is it true that the Staff Sergeant trained those new soldiers using all kinds of rude and crazy methods as described in the movies?" He said, "yes". And I asked, "Why?" He said, "We want to push every new soldier to their limits, crush their self and ego and push them to the bottom so that we can raise them up as a total obedient soldier." 

God has been using those complicated laws not to control people but as our family rules to protect, love and free people.  

       Dear Lord Jesus,

       Help me to choose to be at home daily with you that I can learn, practice and follow your family rules so that I can enjoy life and glorify your mighty name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Reflect on these questions:     

1. What inspiration have you received from today's catch and what have you heard from Jesus now?

      

    2.  What is your next step to be more closer to Jesus, to be holy - that is to do what Jesus wants you to do and not to do what Jesus wants you not to do?

    

    Family Corner:

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

    

    Time with Abba (Psalm 19:7-14, Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Proverbs 7:1-5)

    Please click this link for today's Time with Abba one year Bible four passages: http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/

     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.    

   For the Chinese version of this daily blog and video, please click this link (中文版請按此連結):

    https://timewithabbaprayinglisteningchinese.blogspot.com

     

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

     If you would like to follow my "Subject shifting Devotion Method" from the "Time with Abba, Praising Singing", you are welcome to follow the direction below and then go back to the top of this blog to read today's key passage and my listening and sharing:

        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 the Lord

      

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."

 My first blog "Devotion on Fire"  was written in English only  (July 17, 2009年7月17日至November 22, 2012年11月22日). Each day one chapter of Bible, from New Testament and then Old Testament. Completed in four months and three years:

http://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/07/blessings-from-rev-dr-john-stott.html

My second blog "Discipler 123"  was written in both Chinese and English (March 6,2011to December 31, 2016 ):

https://discipler123.blogspot.com/2011/02/day-1-choose-light-away-from-darkness.html

and "Time with Abba" blog and video (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2024): 

https://discipler123.blogspot.com/2017/01/1-2017.html