Emmanuel330: WEEK 6 - New Light: Are You in Darkness Or in The Light? (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

Today's Reading: Matthew 4:12-17

**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.

Please click this link to Matthew 4:12-17

English(NIV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew 4&version=NIV
Chinese: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew 4&version=CUV

Bible Study

In last week's passage of Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus shows us how to get away from the attack of satan, his cunning scheme to pull out the light totally and pour down darkness. Today's passage tells us how Jesus went to Capernaum trying to help people to do the same thing as he just did. Let them see Him as the light as prophesied by Isaiah, in Isaiah 9:1-2 so that if they could follow Him they could be able to turn away from darkness and enter into His light, He is the Light. That's what repentance really is- to make an U-turn from walking deeper and deeper into darkness to the opposite direction towards the light and then into the Light, that is Jesus Himself.

It's all about a personal relationship with Jesus, the Light. You have Jesus as your Lord, you have the light shining on you and you are in great light. And, you can be able to bring light to those people in darkness.

Where are you recently? In darkness? Are your eyes being opened by the Holy Spirit to see Jesus each day so that you can follow the Light to bring light to this world and to extend God's Kingdom to this world?

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

The topic I received from Jesus today is :

New Light : Are you in darkness or in the light?

What I received from Jesus today is a very clear question but not easy to answer. Because most people in darkness do not know that they are in darkness. They just cannot see the things Jesus wants them to see but can be able to see those things satan wants them to see.

A month ago Michelle and I were in Capernaum. We walked into the synagogue where Jesus went weekly and walked around Jesus' home. People built a church on top of the place they thought was Jesus home. When I was there, I had a very special feeling. A feeling deep down in my soul trying to feel what it looked and felt like two thousand years ago when Jesus was there. You can see some pictures here in this blog of the synagogue, and you can see Jesus' home with just some stones surrounding His bedroom or sitting room and the church above.

Even when Jesus was there most of them missed the light. They saw a person but not the light. If you really have a daily intimate personal relationship with Jesus then you should be able to see the Light. And because you are so close to the light you can become a reflection of His light.

So, let Jesus asks you again, "Are you in darkness or in my Light?"

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for your coming to us so that we can see the Light and be in the Light. Lead us to be able to bring more people into repentance so that they can get away from darkness, and they see you and be with you into your light. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Photos I took in Capernaum:

Please click this link to worship with us -

English praise song - Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone (Chris Tomlin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I

Chinese praise song - 凡事都能做 Nothing Is Impossible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHsNICSwuzA&feature=related

Questions for group leaders

Topic:

New Light: Are you in darkness or in the light?

新亮光: 活在光中

Questions for group leaders

1. Why do you think lots of people are in darkness?

2. What is the way to take people out of darkness? How can Jesus' saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near" helps people to be in the light (v.17)?

3. Where are you recently, in darkness or in light?

4. How can today's passage help you? How can you become a reflection of the Light?

5. What is your highlight in today's session?