Jealousy destroys families! We need family-tie!

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

 https://youtu.be/Bc9nSb4SrNg?si=ILXQOw4L7OWwILzj

 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die!"   Genesis 30:1

"You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me."    Genesis 31:6-7

    

    The topic I received today from Jesus is: Jealousy destroys families! We need family-tie!

      When I read Genesis chapter 30 today, I saw a can of worms being opened up with the label "JEALOUSY". And those horrible 'worms' are:

       1.  Give me what I want or I die (v.1)

       2. Anger (v. 2).  

       3. Have great struggle even with his own sister (v. 8)

       4. To win at all cost (v. 8)

       5. Broken family relationships (v. 9 - 24)

       6. Deceiving within own family (v. 25 - 43)

       See how jealousy destroyed Jacob's family from this chapter and in later many chapters.  Jealousy destroys and kills!

     When I was reading Genesis 31, Jesus reminded me of a TV drama series "Family-tie"(with Michael J. Fox playing as the son) which I used to watch in the 80's. It was quite a good TV series giving people a good and warm feeling of how important it is for a family to tie up in good relationship. But here in Genesis 31 was full of lies, fear, cheating, insecure and everything which broke family-tie, especially in the blessed family of Jacob. Very sad!

       Whenever we have God's presence as a tie between two parties, then there is hope and future. We really need a Godly family-tie!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help us to be joyful for the success of other people but not to be jealous so that we won't be eaten by those 'worms'. Also, Lord Jesus, lead us to invite your presence daily so that we can enjoy a Godly family-tie and not live in family-lies. 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. 

    

    Time with Abba (Psalm 9:7-12, Genesis 30:1-31:16; Matthew 10:1-25; Proverbs 3:13-15)

    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