God gave a credit card to Abram!
Please click this link for the video version of today's blog :
https://youtu.be/J3fbiOTplN0?si=sn_DTV2S8C8roIZZ
Please click this link for today's Time with Abba one year Bible four passages: http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/
So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Genesis 13:3-4
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14: 20
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15: 6
Well, let's listen to today's many stories and you will understand why.
First, we have another important story from Genesis 13.
Some people say life is a circle game. You go round and round but never can go to the destination. Is life a circle game to you?
The reality is, life is a circle game when we do not listen to God where should we go and where He wants us to go. Or, when we go to the place He leads us and then we lose faith on Him and go on our own way until we return to the starting point and start again.
Today's Genesis 13 shows us how Abram demonstrated this "circle game" mentality of human beings from Genesis 12 to 13. Abram listened and went to the destination Canaan right away, but something happened so that he seems losing faith. Because of just one sentence there: "At that time the Canaanites were in the land." When troubles, troublesome people and worries happened, he went to the place of Bethel on the west and Ai on the east(12:8), Negev(12:9), Egypt(12:10), Negev(13:1), the place between Bethel and Ai(13:3) and then at last Canaan again(13:12).
How sad! Why? I think it is so easy to lose our faith or be scared of all the challenges facing us so that we end up playing a circle game! Stop playing it now and start your faith journey! Be still, have faith and stand firm!
What a big contrast of the first 2/3 of Genesis 14 and the last 1/3!
The key words in the first 2/3 of Genesis 14 are "war", "against", "rebelled", "allied", "defeated", "conquered", "battle", "seized", "attack". If our lives focus on these things, then we would never be at peace and would not have a blessed life.
The key words in the last 1/3 of Genesis 14 is totally different: brought out, blessed, giving one tenth of everything(tithing), accept nothing from you, give, share!
I wonder what lifestyle have you chosen and what are you going to choose if you see some new light today.
Now, the credit card story.
One day many years ago, our elder son Ignatius called out loudly upstair, "Dad, can I use your credit card to buy books for my group members?" ( Iggy had been "on fire" after he read a book called "Crazy Love" about how to give all you can give to show your love, so that they can respond to the love of Jesus.) So, I gave him my credit card and I trusted him every time he used my credit card. No question at all; use what you need.
Indeed, Abram had a brand new trustworthy relationship with God. God promised him to be his shield and he would be his very great reward(v. 1), he was going to have a son of his own (v.4), to take possession of the land that he was in (v.6) , the big sign of a miracle (v. 8- 18) and another covenant!
We as human beings are always so worried of money issues and all kinds of things that may not be in our control. So how does that sound that God is going to give you a 'credit card' and that He trusts you on that to use it in a "righteous"(v.6) way? How do you feel now? Do you know that you already have that card if Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord of life? You are secure. Don't let insecurity take away your peace!
Do not be afraid, my son,
I am your shield,
your very great reward. Genesis 15: 1
Wow, thank you Lord! Thank you for your assurance!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Open my eyes that I can be able to see if I am going to play this circle game again. Help me to enter into this faith journey and go to where you tell me to. Open my life that I can be able to tithe, give, share and bless. . 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.
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:
Silence
1. Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence
Praise and Thanksgiving
1. Think through your day, all the times that made you smile
Confession and Repentance (Subjective Shifting Devotion Method)
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
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
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