God is so gracious, you need to be gracious too!

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

 https://youtu.be/8VhBrqj7Fu8?si=L7oWFV6ARxP7wWW5 

 "For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need."       Genesis 33: 10 - 11

The sons of Jacob came upon the dead bodies and looted the city where their sister had been defiled. They seized their flocks and hers and donkeys and everything else of theirs in the city and out in the fields.   Genesis 34: 27-28

    

    The topic I received today from Jesus is: 

     God is so gracious, you need to be gracious too!

Satan's main task is to deceive, divide and conquer. See how two brothers, Esau and Jacob being deceived, divided and conquered by control, hatred, anger and fear. See how Jacob expressed his deep feeling of "to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorable." 

See how Genesis 34 tells us the slaughtering of a whole city, killing all men and seized all women and belongings. A true "killing field" because of hatred and unforgiving!

 I feel a deep relief that I can "receive" and accept all those I may not be able to do that for various reasons. I feel a deep relief that I can see those people I don't want to see any more for they have hurt me deeply. I choose to "receive"! 

Do you have someone in your life that you can not forgive? That you do not want to see? 

Ask Jesus to help you to forgive and receive, that is the only way!

If you cannot forgive and receive, you might like a sleeping volcano suddenly become a living volcano similar to Jacobs sons to make that place like a "killing field" when the volcano inside Jacob's sons erupted killing all the men of the whole city! 

I have seen too many similar "killings" in families and churches and everywhere. Why? Why human beings choose to kill and destroy instead of to forgive and receive, to love and build! 

Dear Lord Jesus,

You have been so gracious to all of us and we feel it so strong today of your gracious love. Help us to be able to receive those whom we are not able to forgive and receive that the Deceiver's plan to change us into a living volcano will be completely destroyed. In Jesus name we 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 10:1-10, Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Proverbs 3:19-20)

    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):

   

 F   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