The power of prayering and listening!

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

 https://youtu.be/T6B7k856-MY?si=mUGQ3hx-Q2fd5lpq

 Key passages: 

      When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.          Exodus 17: 12-13

       Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."   Exodus 19: 3-6

      

The topic I received today from Jesus is: The power of praying and listening!

Now, in Chapter 17 we come to a classic example of the power of praying!

The Lord reminded me of how Aaron and Hur who lifted up Moses' hands so that Moses could pray, even though Moses was so tired! The Lord reminded me of how many people have been lifting up God's servants hands so that we can have the strength and spirit to pray and not discouraged and depressed!

How wonderful and blessed we are to know the power of prayers and how powerful our ministries can be if we really exercise our gift to pray as often as we can. How sad it is for so many Christians who do not think that to pray is the most important ministry and spiritual weapon! 

      Now in Exodus 19 we can see that there are so many Christians including top leaders who still do not believe that we as children of God are able to listen to what God says and can have a personal intimate relationship with God. They think that it happened only in the Old Testament and New Testament times and that now we are just learning God's Words and can have all kinds of un-Biblical ways to interpret the Bible. How sad!

       The command from our Lord Jesus Christ for me to write this blog started July 2009 is just one of numerous examples all around the world of how God wants to tell His people that it is not difficult to listen to the Lord and how important it is to establish a daily intimate relationship with God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

       Do you believe that I really have words from the Lord to you through this blog just like Moses had? Do you believe that your constant effort of reading the Bible one or a few chapters a day can help and lead you just like how God carried Moses on eagles' wings to bring you to the Lord? Do you believe in the power of prayers through my blog? 

        If you do, then you will be able to enjoy life fully and have a purpose to live fully, for you are able to obey God fully and keep His covenant. What is required for you to do are two things just as those in Moses' time as in this chapter:

1.   

       Consecrate yourselves and prepare yourselves for the Lord a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (v. 6).

2.    

       Dear Lord Jesus,

       Thank you for carring me on eagles' wings and bringing me to you. Help me to be able to consecrate myself daily and to follow exactly what you command me. 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 19:1-6, Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Proverbs 6:27-35)

    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