Give me oil in my lamp to keep me burning!

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

 https://youtu.be/Ju_fka3Fy_A?si=OXqOyfP1Nlbe0-0h

 Key passages: 

      See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.   Exodus 25: 40

       Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.    Exodus 26:30

       Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.         Exodus 27: 20

      

The topic I received today from Jesus is: Give me oil in my lamp to keep me burning!

      God commanded Moses to make everything according to the pattern and plan he shown Moses on the mountain. Do you think Moses had a whole pack of notebooks and write it down just like a secretary writing down detailed legal document for a court case? How could someone have that kind of memory to write down what he heard in such a detailed way and especially after a long time? It must be the continuous reminding and talking to Moses all through those period of time. It must be that daily intimate relationship with God and the real presence of God with Moses that this could happen!

       Well, what Jesus told me today is very simple - it's never easy to listen and obey! This is a test, an exercise for the Israelites to learn and practice how to listen and obey. Don't worry, this won't come to you unless you have that covenantal relationship with God. If you have that daily intimate relationship with God and you got something from the Lord recently, do you have the courage to do it? Do you have the courage to ask other people to do it? 

     When we read Exodus chapter 27 about the oil and lamps, we need to understand that liturgically speaking, the burning of candles and lamps in a church means the presence of God there and the presence of God in the lives of His people. God reminded the Israelites that when they kept the lambs burning with light then they needed to know that God is there with them. 

      After all, what I learn from my mentor, Rev. Dr. Paul Ng is that the oil to have our lamp burning is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit gives us to experience the real presence of God in our lives!

      Now, what I heard from Jesus  are two questions and one invitation:

    The two questions - 1. Is God present in your church?   

                                     2. Is God present in your life?

     The invitation - Make sure you have enough oil to keep your lamp burning so that people can see Jesus' presence in you.

     

      Jesus also reminds me one of my favourite hymn "Give me oil in My Lamp":

       Give me oil in my lamp to keep me burning;

       Give me oil in my lamp, I pray;

       Give me oil in my lamp to keep me burning,

       Keep me burning till the break of day.

       Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, Sing hosanna to the King of kings!

       Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, Sing hosanna to the King!

       Dear Lord Jesus,                                                                                                                                         Help me to learn and practice listen and obey to you and you alone daily and that I can have enough oil to keep my lamp burning 24 hours a day.  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 21:8-13, Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Proverbs 8:1-11)

    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