I am here, my child, do not be afraid!

 That night the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." Genesis 26:24

    

    The topic I received today from Jesus is: I am here, my child, do not be afraid!

     Fear, frightened, hopeless, purposeless...how many more words I can find to describe our state of mind when we face those conditions which we cannot control. 

      Jesus reviewed to me quite a number of possibilities that we may step into the trap of "fear":

    1. Following our father's weakness - It seems that Isaac was better than his father Abram. When a similar famine came, he could listen and obey and stay but his father went down to Egypt without listening at all. Isaac didn't step into the first trap but could not avoid the second one. The same condition happened and he told others that Rebecca was her sister just like what Abram did.

     

    2. Discouraged by continuous failure - How discouraging it was when every time Isaac dug a well, he lost it to the herdsmen of Gerar. Lots of time when bad things happen again and again, we might not be able to think of God's promise to bless us but to ask, "Why? Why? Why me!"

     3. Even with God's continuous blessings and confirmation, we are still afraid - See how many times God showed up and confirmed His promise and blessings. But, when bad times come, our memory seems to be erased! How sad! How little faith!

    Jesus is saying to you now, "Do not be afraid for I am with you and I will bless you!" Without our daily intimate time with Abba, how can you live daily in this relational promise?!

     Yes, the promises as in today's Psalm 8 that God cares for us and will crown us with glory and honor, and Proverb 3:9-10 that if we honour God with our wealth and our first fruits, He will honour us with everything overflowing!  

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for your daily presence so that I will not be afraid anymore. Help me to help more people to enter into this daily intimate relationship with you to experience everything overflowing. 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. 

    

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

 https://youtu.be/nI_U5909_zk?si=sfORrXZWpL_6Dx6s

    Time with Abba (Psalm 8:1-9, Genesis 26:17-27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Proverbs 3:9-10)

    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