DAY 12 - I Do Not Want to Stay in Darkness

Today’s Reading: John 12

(Please read John 12: 1 – 50 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

Please click the links below to John 12:
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012&version=NIV
Message: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012&version=MSG

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12: 46

I just prayed for a pastor who has been in darkness these few weeks. How can we as pastors and leaders stay in darkness for day, months or even years. How can that be? Just sometimes ago I was in the same situation of darkness and Jesus sent a great cloud of His disciples to pray for me and gave me confirmations that I was in the right path and just needed to stay on course. When I was overcome by darkness, sometimes Jesus would say, “Hold, until reinforcement!”. And other times, He would say, “Have courage, charge!”

“At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.” John 12: 16

I do hope and pray that I can have the faith to understand and realize God’s work in His good time. I know that it needs lots of sacrifices just like what Mary did or like what Jesus said of the dying of the wheat.

Dear Lord Jesus, I don’t want to stay in darkness again! Help me to be always with you that I can be in the Light and never go back to darkness again. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

DAY 11 - Trust Me

Today’s Reading: John 11

**If you read Day 10 before 2p.m. yesterday, please read Day 10 again for I have made two major amendments after I published the original one. It is so amazing that Jesus had two important conversations to me yesterday that I needed to change what I wrote accordingly.

(Please read John 11: 1 – 57 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)


Please click the links below to John 11:
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011&version=MSG
Message: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011&version=MSG

Mary and Martha were supposed to be Jesus best friends but when the storm came they did not trust Jesus. That’s why “Jesus wept.” John 11: 35


Without trust, even Jesus had a heart-breaking weeping! I can’t recall how many times I wept for not being trusted!


Trust is so simple but also so difficult. Without trust, we cannot do anything. And that’s the main area that the Deceiver has been working on all churches, clergy, leaders and people. Pull the trust away, then everything falls.


Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40


John is using the no. 7 “see” which I stated in Day 1(Please read Day 1):
7. Optano(You will see greater things than these, John 1: 50, 51) – To allow one’s self to be seen. Matthew 5: 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.


Yes, we hide ourselves in order to not be seen and so that we can not be able to see what God wants us to see. And the ridiculous thing is we think that we can hide ourselves from God. We think we rather trust other people or source! TRUST ME! Have you heard what Jesus just told you?


When Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus, he asked the people standing around to take off Lazarus’ grave clothes and let him go. In fact, without trust, people wrapping other people with layers and layers of grave clothes. Jesus told me today that my job is to help more people to be able to see what they are really doing and stop doing those discouraging and grave clothes wrapping business. Our job is to be a channel like John the Baptist to point people to Jesus. They received salvation from Him and we take of f their grave clothes and let them be set free!


Dear Lord Jesus, Stop me from wrapping grave clothes onto others. Let me receive your anointing that I can be able to trust you and take away other's grave clothes. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

DAY 10 - To be with a Shepherd or a Thief

Today’s Reading: John 10

(Please read John 10: 1 – 42 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)


Please click the links below to John 10:


NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010&version=NIV
Message: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010&version=NIV

Jesus gave me a vision when I was reading John 10 this morning: I see myself wake up in the morning and go to the sheep pen. Jesus stands there and He is the gate. I see myself going through Him for He is the gate into the sheep pen waiting in expectation for His lead that day.

In fact, I have not been going through Him each day but through other gates like: works, computer, entertainments… Many times, many days I allow myself to be stolen by various thieves like entering into other gates but not Jesus. Listening to others voices but not Jesus. That’s why Daily Devotion is so important, especially early in the morning. Only by this daily relationship with Jesus can we experience the love of our Good Shepherd, to be protected by Him, can be able to listen to Him and follow Him that whole day.

Jesus also told me His sheep won't listen to my voice if I don't go through Him daily. It is only through the daily relationship with him that I can get the daily relationship with His people - his sheep.

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his won, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger..." John 10: 3 - 5

Jesus told me that the key words in John 10: 3 - 5 of "opens the gate for him", "listen to his(the appointed and annointed shepherd)voice", "He calls his own sheep by name and lead them out", "he goes on ahead of them", "his sheep follow him because they know his voice" and "they will never follow a stranger" need relationship. And relationship needs time and willingness to build.

The Lord also draw me to three important passages in the Bible concerning with the similar role of being an appointed and annointed shepherd of God: Numbers 27: 15-23, Isaiah 63: 11 and Ezekiel 34: 1-24.

It is impossible for me to know all the names of the people of the 16 churches that He entrusts me to lead. As a matter of fact I am not able to call each of my parishioners' name since we have grown beyond 400 Sunday attendance now. I feel that the Lord asks me to do a new thing that I can pray for each one of those who would like me to pray for them daily. I am inviting you to give me your photo(or e-mail - bishopsilasng@gmail.com ), write your name and the name of your church at the back of the photo or somewhere in your e-mail. I will also have an invitation to the brothers and sisters of my parish - Richmond Emmanuel Church tomorrow inviting all of them to do the same thing. By doing so I can begin a new phase of relationship building and can be able to know and pray for each one of those who would like me to pray for.

Please mail your photo to:

Bishop-Elect Silas Ng

Richmond Emmanuel Church

7451 Elmbridge Way

Richmond, BC V6X 1B8

Canada

Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me to go through you daily as the Gate that I can have a more intimate relationship with you and others and that I can be a faithful shepherd appointed and anointed by you. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

DAY 9 - We are a Display of God

Today’s Reading: John 9

(Please read John 9: 1 – 41 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)


Please click the links below to John 9:
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&version=NIV
Message: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&version=MSG

“But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” John 9: 3

The reason for quite a number of people not believing in Jesus is because some of their relatives and friends or just one relative /friend display a life that is contrary to what a Christian should be. There were times when I shared my faith with some people they said, “When I see what my friend has been doing, I do not want to be a Christian.”

We are a display of God! Jesus opened a blind man’s eyes that the work of God be displayed. Jesus turns darkness into light, bitterness into sweetness, discouragement into encouragement, weak into strong and blindness into sight. But, the display of the darkness and bitterness of our life can turn someone away from Jesus. Do we understand that we are a display of God!

Jesus told me this morning that what I think, say and do is a display of God. Be careful!


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thanks for your warning today that I am a display of you. I know that lots of time I am blind and weak. Help me to see and be strong that the work of you might be displayed in my life. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

DAY 8 - Jesus Didn't Go Home

Today’s Reading: John 8

(Please read John 8: 1 – 59 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)
Please click the links below to John 8:

NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208&version=NIV
The Message: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208&version=MSG

“They each went to his own home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.” John 7: 53 – 8: 1

Everybody went back to their own home but Jesus went elsewhere. Why? I never do that except I was away for a trip. Was Jesus home in Mount of Olives? No and Yes. His earthly home was not but His heavenly home was where He could enjoy the intimate relationship with His Heavenly Father. There he could be strengthened again after all the oppositions and discouragements described in John 7. Then He was able to go back to the temple for the “second round” to teach again!

Most of the time when I met with obstacles and discouragements, I did not know this secret method but was eaten up by those discouragements and pulled into darkness or a pause mode.

Jesus told me this morning that I need to go to my Mount of Olives more often like what He did. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8: 12

“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire…” John 8: 43 – 44

Where our Father is, our home is. Let’s go home daily to meet our Father as Jesus does.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead me home to enjoy the intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father daily. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Day 7 - The Right Time

Today’s Reading: John 7

(Please read John 7: 1 – 52 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

Please clik link to John 7(NIV version): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=NIV

Jesus told me this morning at 6:50a.m., “Do you know the right time for doing my Kingdom Work?” Oh, so often in my life I missed a lot of doing His Kingdom work in the right time, His right time! When Jesus said run, I slow down. When Jesus said slow down, I run. When Jesus said stop, I go. When Jesus said go, I stop…

When all brothers of Jesus pushed him to go to Judea to become a public figure, he said, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right… for me the right time has not yet come.”

Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me to know your right time for me to do your Kingdom work and give me the wisdom and courage to do it whey the right time comes. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Link for 40 days/ 24 hours Prayer Campaign list (Update August 26, 2009)

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbI_guJWaO4DZGRnYjNqZzRfMTZkeDQyZHBjeg&hl=en

Day 6 - No Time With Jesus

Today’s Reading: John 6

(Please read John 6: 1 – 71 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

Please click link to John 6(NIV version): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206&version=NIV

As I was reading John 6 this morning, I was thrilled to know the reason why Jesus calls me to write this 1,189 days of Daily Devotion. It is not only to encourage more Christians to have daily devotion but to make sure I have daily devotion. Can you believe that I, as an ordained priest for 20 years and a Bishop-Elect, do not have daily devotion? Yes, lots of time in the past twenty years I told Jesus, “Sorry, I am too busy. I have no time to be with you.”

I suffered a lot by not staying with Jesus, especially in having some devotions but not daily devotion. Stephen Covey in his ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ says, “the effort needed to break or establish habits to the great amount of energy initially needed by a rocket to overcome the earth’s gravitational pull. Once out of the earth’s atmosphere, however, the rocket glides with small amounts of energy.” I am so sorry that the Lord has to use this kind of method in order to push me to the orbit.

Jesus could feed 5000 men (total perhaps 20,000 plus women and children)in one miracle and He can feed anyone of us in any difficult condition. The thing I need to do is to be certain that He is the Bread of Life and not other things. Only by coming to Jesus (v.35), listening to Jesus (v.45) and seeing Jesus (v.40),can I be able to eat His flesh and drink His blood. I need to spend more time with Jesus!

At the end of my devotion, Jesus told me, “My son, this 1,189 days of Daily Devotion is for you that you can be a blessing to many who are willing to come to me, listen to me and see me.”


Dear Lord Jesus,
Help me to be able to spend more time with you. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Day 5 - Do what Jesus does

Today’s Reading: John 5

(Please read John 5: 1 – 47 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

Please click link to John 5(NIV version): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%205&version=NIV

Jesus told me, when I was reading John 5, that what He wants me to do is what the Father wants Him to do. “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.” John 5: 19 – 20

Come to Jesus(v. 40), listen to Jesus through His Word(v. 37) and see Jesus(v. 37) are the three relational tasks I need to do daily so that I can do what Jesus does.


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for reminding me that I need to do what you does. Help me to come to you daily, listen to your word daily and see you daily. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Link for 40 days/ 24 hours Prayer Campaign list (Update August 24, 2009)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbI_guJWaO4DZGRnYjNqZzRfMTVjazY3a2YycQ&hl=en

Day 4 - Stay with Jesus

Today’s Reading: John 4

(Please read John 4: 1 – 54 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

Jesus told me that I need to stay closer to Him and spend more time with Him, especially in reading His Word. I felt quite sad when I heard a few people told me that my blog is too long and they have no time to read!

Actually my sharing is not so long but to read a chapter of Bible daily may be too long. Lots of people do not understand the need for the living water to be healthy and not die of thirst. Only staying with Jesus daily can quench our thirst!

As Neil Cole in his “Cultivating a Life for God” says, “The power…lies in the unleashing of God’s word into the lives of people. The Lord made it clear that the word of God is the seed of new life. Jesus says, “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance(Luke 8: 11, 15).”


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving me your living water. Help me to stay with you more, to read your Word more that I can receive your living water to quench my thirst. And I can be able to ask more people to come to see you and stay with you just like the Samaritan woman. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.


Link for 40 days/ 24 hours Prayer Campaign list (Update August 22, 2009)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbI_guJWaO4DZGRnYjNqZzRfMTRmZHFndjMzZA&hl=en

DAY 3 - Jesus the Light

Today’s Reading: John 3

(Please read John 3: 1 – 36 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

As I am having my Daily Devotion reading John 3, Jesus reminds me of a scene happened yesterday. A very bright young man came to me after a funeral and asked, “How can you prove there is a God?” The answer I gave him led to a conversation with him for quite a long time. And I hope and pray that he is reading this blog now.

This young man’s question is similar to the question Nicodemus had for Jesus. They both needed a rational answer but what they really need is a “relational” answer. I told this young man, “Do you need to prove she is your grandmother?” No, he has been in the relationship for so many years that he does not need for a DNA test.

Jesus led me to look up the word in Greek of “born again” and I found out that it means “giving birth from above”. Jesus leads me to read Colossians 3:12 -2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” The word “above” is the same Greek word as in John 3 of “again”.

“Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil…whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.” John 3: 19 – 21

Jesus challenged me whether I am in the Light or in darkness, whether I can see that He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world or I am seeing all those earthly things. Am I blind or can I see Jesus and have a daily intimate relationship with Him!

Dear Lord Jesus Christ,
Open my eyes that I can be able to see you as the Lamb of God, my Savior and Lord of life. And that I am able to live each day in you, in the Light. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Link for 40 days/ 24 hours Prayer Campaign list (Update August 22, 2009)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbI_guJWaO4DZGRnYjNqZzRfMTNkZGpiYm1nYw&hl=en

Day 2 - Jesus the Best

Today’s Reading: John 2

(Please read John 2: 1 – 25 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from this blog.)

Jesus told me that He always wants to save the best for us but that we as human beings always want to save the best for ourselves. I need to receive His cleansing of my heart just like his cleansing of the temple. I need to “see" Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world that I can be able to see my sins, to repent and to ask for the blood of the Lamb of God to cleanse me. (please read my Day 1 of the seven “sees” in Greek)

The best that Jesus can give us is “Salvation”, “Conversion” and “Transformation”. When we are being transformed to become like Christ, then we can be able to give our best to Jesus so that we can receive the best from Jesus.

Only Jesus can change water to wine, sinners to saints. Only Jesus can bring the best.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for always saving the best for me! Open my heart to receive your blood to cleanse. Open my eyes to see you are the best and that only in you can I receive the best. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

40 Days/24 hours Prayer Campaign(Update August 21, 2009)

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbI_guJWaO4DZGRnYjNqZzRfMTFnMzZmd3doaA&hl=en

Day 1 - I am Blind

Today's Reading: John 1

(Please read John 1: 1 - 51 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my "Count Down 5" from this blog)

It is painful to hear Jesus told me that I am blind. It is also a blessing for me to understand that I am blind. I need Jesus daily to open my eyes to see - to be able to see and focus my eyes to what John the Baptist saw in John 1: 29, 36:

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

It was a moving and stunning moment as I started to read John 1 to prepare writing this “Day 1” spiritual journal. The Lord opens my eyes to see three things:
1. Light
The word “light” appears seven time in John 1 and that is from John 1: 4 to John 1: 9. I should not be a blind person but lots of time I am blind because I am in darkness. I can be able to see only if there is light. The more light there is, the more clearer I can see. Sometime you even can see the dust floating all around your room when bright sun light comes in.

2. Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world
I need the “light” to see and focus my eyes and life on Jesus. Jesus is the light(John 1: 9). I need Jesus to be able to see Jesus! I look upon so many things but rarely to Jesus daily. By this wrong “seeing”, I am blind and live in darkness and yet I do not know. Only if I can “see” Jesus daily that I am able to invite Jesus to take away my sin and that I can see the things Jesus wants me to see.

3. See
When I was receiving and meditating the messages above, I was about to write this journal. I thought I understood what the Lord told me. But Jesus said, “Wait, not enough. Count how many “see” in John 1.” Then I counted and said, “Lord, there are 20 words of “see”.” He then said, “Go and find out how many words of “see” in Greek of those 20 “see”.”
I found seven and here they are:
1/ Blepo(John saw Jesus, John 1: 29) – To see with physical eyes

2/ Theaomai(We have seen his glory, John 1: 32, 38) – to view attentively and contemplate as in a Greek’s public show.

3/ Ide(Behold; Look, John 1: 29, 36, 47) – As an utterance of one who wishes that something should not be neglected by another..

4/ Horao(No one has ever seen God; I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God, John 1: 18, 34) – To see with the mind, spiritual eye. This is the only Greek word for hearing!

5/ Eidon(Come and you will see, John 1: 39 two times, 46, 47, 48, 50) – To see, to know, to perceive and to visit.

6/ Emblepo(Jesus looked at him, John 1: 36, 42, 43) – To turn one’s eyes on.

7. Optano(You will see greater things than these, John 1: 50, 51) – To allow one’s self to be seen. Matthew 5: 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Dear Lord Jesus,
I give thanks to you for this time to be with you and see you. Help me to be pure in heart. To be transparent before you and other people that I can see you and those things you prepare for me to see. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Count Down "1" - To be vulnerable

Tomorrow is the first day for me to launch my 1,189 days of Daily Devotion. The purpose of this daily post is for sharing my daily encounter of "seeing" Jesus. Allow myself to be vulnerable so that you know my heart and know me more. Rev. Jen Morgan, Rector of Christ the Redeemer - Pender Harbour, gives us an important sharing of how she "sees" my blog in an e-mail she wrote to me last week and I got her permission to put it here:

I appreciate your care and support, and as you become our new Bishop I know that this will continue and grow. It is good to simply be asked how things are going and to know that you are available to share concerns and prayer requests. I know that as you are vulnerable with us, we can respond in the same way and share what is truly going on in our congregations.

Jesus wants me to be "VULNERABLE" so that more brothers and sisters of ACiC/AI can respond in the same way and share what is truly going on in our congregations.

I am not going to do some complicated things here in my blog. Very simple:

1. One chapter a day - Starts with John, then Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts...to finish reading the New Testament. And then from Genesis to Malachi to finish reading the Old Testament. Why one chapter and not a few verses? We need more Word of God daily to be more healthy.

2. One brief record of my "seeing" Jesus - What I have heard from Jesus Christ our Lord through that chapter as in the way of how we write our Spiritual Journal. I hope by doing this can encourage more people to write their own Spiritual Journal.

3. One prayer - As a way to give thanks to the Lord for what He has told me and to ask for the annointing of the Holy Spirit that I can be a "listen and obey" disciple of Christ.

"See" you tomorrow!

Count Down "2" - Are you called to fast for 40 days

I just called Lucy to ask for permission to copy and paste her e-mail. Please do not underestimate her e-mail for that might be many people's "listen but not obey" status and a final call from our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are called to join me, my wife Michelle, Rev. John Cox and Lucy to fast for 40 days(one main meal a day, lunch or dinner. You may drink water, milk or chocolate milk)please send an e-mail to me silasng@shaw.ca or bishopsilasng@gmail.com . We will start in two days time - August 20, 2009 till September 28.

If you have not joined our 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign please do so by giving me an e-mail stating the day and time you pray. Please click the link below for the update link. We still have around 70 empty spaces.

Link for the name list of 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbI_guJWaO4DZGRnYjNqZzRfMTBmaHhtZDZkaw&hl=en


----- Original Message -----
From: Lucy Yeung
To: Silas Ng
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 10:30 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Please join me to pray

Dear Silas,
Once again "Thank YOU".
I was totally amazed when I read your blog this morning! I was actually "laughing". This is my story...You first told me about the 40 days fasting at our last house group, Aug 8. My immediate reaction was "Wow! 40 days fasting, that's a lot!" A part of me were saying I SHOULD participate, but then, I was thinking....I will be extremely busy for the next couple of months. I have three business trips lined up & that's awfully hard to fast when you are constantly meeting with clients & salesmen. I will do it next time.... BUT how can I say NO now?! I have to listen & OBEY. THANK YOU Silas, thank you for your sharing.

In Christ,
Lucy.

Count Down "3" - Listen but not obey

It not easy to be able to listen to the Lord Jesus Christ and it would be even more difficult to obey. Listen and not obey always happens to a Christian's life and we really need to learn "Listen and obey"!

To prepare you heart for the launching of my 1,189 days of "Daily Devotion on Fire" and the "40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign" I would like to share with an important experience of how I listen but not obey!

About two months ago when I received the call to write the "Daily Devotion on Fire" and to launch the "40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign" I also recieved a call to fast for 40 days beginning on the same day of that two events - August 20, 2009. As I thought my mom, mother-in-law, sister and brother will come over from Hong Kong to LA for my Consecration on Sept. 9, 2009, I decided not to respond to the Lord's call for the 40 days fasting. My rationale was that God might understand my situation that I need to have some feast with my family instead of fasting when I am with them. But then I received Rev. John Cox, one of the Rector of our ACiC churches. And the Lord used his e-mail to call me once again to fast on that 40 days. Please read John's message(I have got John's permission for me to share):


Hello Silas,

I hope you had a great trip to England - am sure you did reading your blog and your meeting with John Stott.

We will read your letter in Jericho Road when I get back from my first two-week holiday in a very long time.... These past twelve years have been grueling and my prayer is/has been that the Lord will redeem it all..... I believe He is doing that.

Just wanted to let you know that I have been sensing for some time a prompting to enter an extended fast for breakthrough in Port Alberni and a deeper release of spiritual gifting in my own life.... When I read your call to prayer for forty days it took a while to sink in... but I am going to enter a forty day fast to coincide with what you have called for.... We will also be encouraging members of Jericho Road to participate however they are able and also to prayer walk through the entire community. For the past two months we have held 'soaking prayer' times for four hours every Thursday evening between 5pm and 9pm..... and will continue to do so (about 8-10 people attend for some time regularly). The purpose being to encourage one another to give the Holy Spirit room and time to soak us into obedience, joyful relationship and servanthood within the context of worship.

Thanks to John that through him the Lord has once again teaches me of what does it mean by "Listen but not obey". So, I am going to fast for 40 days beginning this Thursday 20 August, 2009. The way I fast is usually to skip one main meal every day(lunch or dinner). And, Sunday is not a day of fasting. I would like to invite all those who read this e-mail and receive the same call to fast for 40 days for ACiC/AI beginning on August 20, 2009. Many of our ACiC priests and leaders ask me about my vision when I become a bishop. The only thing I can say is what I heard from the Lord:

1. Have daily devotion. You may let me be your mentor to follow my 1,189 days of "Daily Devotion on Fire" beginning on August 20, 2009 or use your own way of daily devotion.

2. Join our 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign beginning on August, 2009. If you have not signed up please click the link below to see the update list and give me an e-mail of which slot you would like to participate. We have 88 spaces left.

3. To fast for 40 days starting August 20, 2009. Please give me an e-mail bishopsilasng@email.com so that I know how many will be fasting. One main meal a day and Sunday is not a day for fasting. That will be from August 20, 2009 to Sept. 28, 2009.

I think after this three "listen and obey" action the Lord will tell us more about the vision of ACiC/AI. His Word, Pray and Fast first then all "these" things will be given to you.

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Attachment: 40 Days 24 hours Prayer Campaign (Update Aug 18, 2009)

Another powerful testimony! From Elise To

Well, it's good to publish two new posts on my birthday.

I would like to share with you two e-mails sent by Elise to me with her permission. By the way, I got Lucy's permission(the post two days ago) to share her exxperience with you too.

Many people prayed for Elise over a period of three months time all around the world when Elise had an accident and was in coma for more than a month in Athen last November. I flew to Athen to be with Kit, Elise, her parents and sister for eight days. The experience of seeing how God led and healed Elise is beyond words can express. Elise still needs two to three surgery and her surgery last Thursday was cancelled. This is her testimony of how the Lord led her to see things in a different way that she would not be "captured" by the Spirit of Discouragement. Please read her two e-mails as follows:

Dear Bishop-Elect Silas, Hi!
Today I got another call from the VGH again... she said that there are way too many emergencies in the hospital therefore my Friday surgery will be cancelled again. Starting next week, my surgeon will be on vacation and returning in September... therefore my surgery MAY resume by September. This morning when I got that phone call, I was very disappointed and even "sniff" ... later on, combining my deep thinking and devotion, I learned something. This morning when I felt blue, I looked at it from my selfish standpoint. Later, I understood that there are many people on the world and God's grace is on every human being i.e. God bless me and everyone else who needs medical treatment. He has His plan and timing for every step. It rings a bell in my brain - in Nov08 in Athens, I needed urgent attention from the hospital too. Therefore, at this time, when other neighbors need help (taking surgery), I gladly pass my spot to them and I pray for them. Now I understand more! This is Love =) Thanks for your time and prayers!!! Thank you very much!!!

Love and Emmanuel,
Elise


Dear Silas, Hahaha! I love that!

I wanted to call you Silas directly 'coz it's dearer =) Please go ahead to use my experience in your blog. Your blog is cool! ;o)
You know, I think I am experiencing God and His teaching way more than what I had before the accident. The bad accident is a life-changing event. God's plan is always considerate and amazing; I learn that me(and others) have to open our eyes and heart to see God's purpose. Hee hee!

Love & peace,
Elise


Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:40:34 -0700From: silasng@shaw.caSubject: Re: Surgery postponementTo: kit_elise@hotmail.com
Hi Elise,

Please call me the name that the two of you have been calling for so many, many years: Silas.
No more Bishop-elect Silas la!

Good to know you have seen so much! Can I copy and paste your experience on my blog when I share how God opened my eyes a week ago on a similar experience?

God is good, all the time!

Love in Christ,
Silas

Count Down "5" - Subject Shifting Devotion Method

This method is for those who do not know how to have their daily devotion or those who are still seeking for a better way of having their daily devotion.


I wrote this method in 1998 and has been used as a suggested daily devotion method in our church - Richmond Emmanuel Church (http://www.emmanuelvoice.org/). It is also the way I have been using since 1998 as my own way of having daily spiritual devotion.


It all started with a lunch with Rev. Dr. John Stott in 1991. After he listened to my sharing of quite a number of unhappy things in my ministry he said, "Silas, I suggest you to shift your subject." I said, "Oh, John, sorry! You must be bored to hear all these." He said, "No, not that kind of shift. You know, for half an hour you talked about so many struggles using "I" as the subject. In English, a sentense has a subject, a verb and an object. If you make a shift and use "God" as the subject and "I" as the object, I don't think you would have so much problems."



From that day on, I am on a "subject shifting" journey and a total new way of "seeing" things. I wrote the Subject Shifting Devotion Method in 1998 and since then many people has been using that as their devotion method.


John Stott has this line in his new book(the last book he wrote, Through the Bible Through the Year. Oxford: Candle Books, 2006)he gave me as a gift three weeks ago in his home in London:

Page 14

The Creator's Initiative Genesis 1:1

The first four words of the Bible("In the beginning God")...God is the subject of nearly every verb.


Please click to the link below for the method:

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Attachment: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf

Count Down "6" - A powerful testimony from Lucy Yeung

I am so moved to read Lucy's e-mail about the joy of having her daily devotion. She, like many Christians, had no devotion for a long time and was encouraged by me during one of my Couples' group's gathering three months ago. I do hope and pray that you can have the same joy and strength as she has when you start your daily devotion. I mean really daily!

Also, I would like to invite you to have a 40 days fasting starting August 20(You don't need to fast on Sundays)with me and some others. There are a number of people receiving the same message to fast and pray for ACiC during the 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign period.

Here is Lucy's e-mail:

Lucy sent you a message.Subject: Thank you!"

Dear Silas, thank you for your encouragemnt that I have started my daily devotion a coupe of months ago. Ever since I have started my daily devotion, amazing things have been happening to my life. I am looking forward, counting down to share your spiritual journey in your blog. Since I have met you last Saturday, your face keeps popping on my mind. I know I need to do something more than praying for you. I have decided to fast & pray for you every Tuesday for the next month. It will be a big challenge for me!In Christ, Lucy."

Count Down "7"

The 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign and the 1,189 days of Daily Devotion On Fire is on a count down to "7". In seven days time I am going to launch this two important ministries.

If you have not joined our Prayer Campaign please click the link below to participate:

I've shared a document with you:List_of_40_Days_24_hours_Prayer[1].pdfhttp://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B7I_guJWaO4DOGJhODlmNDItMmUxZC00MWQ1LThiOTktMzQ2MjMyYWZhYjA2&hl=enIt's not an attachment -- it's stored online at Google Docs. To open this document, just click the link above.

Count Down "10"

Well, we are going to start the count down to the 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign and the Devotion On Fire - 1,189 daily devotions.

Please read my "love letter" to all 16 ACiC/AI churches as below:

Dear brothers and sisters,

May the peace of the Risen Christ be always with you!

It is a month time from today that I will be consecrated as your bishop. I would like to write this “Love” letter to you asking for your prayers and support.

When I asked the Lord Jesus Christ what He wants me to do when I become a bishop, he gives me this verse:

“We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” Acts 6:4

And He also gives me three words:

1. Connecting
2. Relationship
3. Unity

It is in Acts 6:4 and the three “Key” words that I invite all of you to join me for two important journeys:

A 40 days/24 hours Prayer Campaign (August 20 to September 28).
Each participant use one hour a week to pray for the ministry of ACiC/AI and my new ministry as the bishop.

A 1,189 days of daily devotion reading the whole Bible.
In my recent study on the reality of the percentage of Christians having daily devotion, all findings are less than 10%. It is in this painful fact that I am going to devote myself to write a message each day in my blog (http://bishopsilas.blogspot.com) to encourage more brothers and sisters to have daily devotion and to finish reading the whole Bible in 1,189 days. One chapter each day and there are 1,189 chapters in the Bible.

Both journeys will start on August 20, 2009, twenty days before my consecration.

We have 16 churches and maybe the best I can do is to come to your church once a year. That is not enough to build up trust and relationship. I do pray and hope that by praying and having daily devotion together we can be connected to a closer relationship that we can extend His Kingdom in unity.

In Christ,

Silas