The blessings and tests to being a servant of God

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

https://youtu.be/ww6XrtFHiF0?si=Zs_whuFiffJT7nbt

    Time with Abba (Psalm 6:4-10, Genesis 20:1-22:24; Matthew 7:15-29; Proverbs 2:16-22)

    Please click this link for today's Time with Abba one year Bible four passages: http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/

    

    Today's main passages:

    Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, for the Lord had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.                                                          Genesis 20: 17-18

                                             

   Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."                 Genesis 21: 6

    "Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."               Genesis 22:12

                             

    Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passages we have just read. Offer this time to Jesus as you listen to Him.    

    My Listening

    The topic I received today from Jesus is: The blessings and tests to being a servant of God

You really need to read Genesis 20-22 first to understand what I am going to say in the following paragraphs.

See how wonderful it was that Abraham and Sarah were in God's protection. Lots of time we may not be able to get away from crisis, sickness or even disaster. If we are willing to be with God, we are in God's protection. 

In Abimelech's miraculous healing to him and his family, God bless those who bless His faithful servants, but He will punish those who hurt His faithful servants!

And, if you are God's faithful servants, you will experience impossible become possible! 

Abraham had Isaac when he was a hundred years old! The laugh here in chapter 21 was quite different from what Sarah had in chapter 17. There in chapter 17  Sarah was like, "Ha, ha! Really, I can have a son next year? Ha, ha! No way!" Then in chapter 21 was like, "Wow! Great! Wonderful! It really happened! Thank you Lord! Ha, ha, ha..."

But, we being God's children and servants have to go through many tests so that we can really become a real listen and obey servant of God! 

Today I clearly hear two challenges from Jesus to you and me:

1. What have you withheld from me?

2. Into my provision through total obedience!

The first question is like a radar or a MRI test deep down in my heart to search through all those things I have withheld from God. The most difficult and imminent is that what if God wants to take away my loved one like He told Abraham that He wanted to take away his only son Isaac! What if it is Michelle, Ignatius, Anna, Zoe, Athanasius, Chalene, my mom, my sister, my brother, me, works, ministries...? 

Will I say "YES" to God if He wants me to let go?!

The second question is like a hint and clue to answer the first question that only through total obedience can we be uplifted into God's provision! That's why so many people have not really experienced God's wonderful provision because we fear to lose what we have and do not know to fear God!!!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Please open my eyes to see all those things which I withhold and must be willing to let go. Strengthen me so that I will be lifted up by you into your provision. 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):

   

 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