More work, more closer to God
Please click this link for the video version of today's blog :
https://youtu.be/bX7gkVkWKiI?si=JJ7zYUkl6jfjiu7i
Silence
Today's Time with Abba: Psalm 28:1-9, Leviticus 7:28-9:6; Mark 3:31-4:25; Proverbs 10:5
Please click this link for today's Time with Abba one year Bible: http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/
Key passages:
"Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for your ordination will last seven days. What has been done today was commanded by the Lord to make atonement for you. You must stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded." So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses. Leviticus 8:33-36
Then Moses said, "This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you." Leviticus 9: 6
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 to Jesus as you listen to Him.
The topic I received today from Jesus is: More work, more closer to God
Staying and sleeping in the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days to complete the whole ordination process. Many people may think that it's a kind of wasting time.
"We have more important work to do! Bishop, you want me to have a seven days of retreat before my ordination? No way!"
Then I said, "No, no, it's not a seven days retreat in a hotel in Whistler but you need to get a sleeping bag and sleep in front of the sanctuary of Richmond Emmanuel before your ordination. Thus says the Lord!" Then, the candidate for ordination may say, "Ha, I say no and good bye!"
I do hope you get my point and what I received from Jesus today from this chapter. The phenomenon that I am aware of is that the more work a pastor needs to do, the less time he or she would be with God. Yes, lots of time in preparing sermons, visitation, administration, teaching...but less and less personal time with God in daily devotion, prayers and other relational building time with God. That's why many great spiritual leaders have a two to three hours personal prayer time right after getting up from bed early in the morning.
Wasting time, too busy, too tired? Well, the more work you do for God, the more closer you need to be with Him!
Now, as we go to Leviticus 9, we learn that since the time of Adam and Eve to nowadays, it is so simple to receive blessings from the Lord, the requirement is simple, just one word - Obedience!
And yet it has been so difficult in the whole history of mankind! It is so difficult to obey God!
See how blessed and powerful the scene was when Moses, Aaron and all people did as commanded by God for that eight days of preparation for the first historical ordination. God's glory and fire appeared to all people, and they all shouted for joy and fell facedown to worship God.
Do you know what to obey and are you willing to obey?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me to be close to you as much as possible so that we enjoy your presence and glory through our obedience. 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. 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): 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:
Silence1. Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence
Praise and Thanksgiving1. Think through your day, all the times that made you smile
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
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.
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
Comments
Post a Comment