The power of blessings!

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

  https://youtu.be/yHdbh056vvw?si=iV0Qw4BgVVqTxkPh

When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. Joseph said to him, "o, my father, this one is the first-born; put your right hand on his head."           Genesis 48: 17-18

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.                Genesis 49: 33

The topic I received today from Jesus is:  The power of blessings!

What is the big deal for Jacob putting his right hand to Ephraim or Manasseh? Well, it really is a big deal. Because the last blessing of a father was considered to be real and it would happen. That's why Jacob cheated Esau for his father's blessing. And even near his last breath, Jacob demonstrated a prophetic gift that he knew what he was doing and that Ephraim would later become greater than his elder brother.

What has this to do with you? Lots, if you really want to understand! Because nowadays Christians do not believe in the power of blessings. It is not superstitious but so real. 

I received this way of refueling at least thirty years ago and whenever I have an opportunity to meet with some anointed Christians leaders I would ask them to bless me by laying on of hands. You don't believe and you never know how much you missed. If you believe and practice, then you will know what I mean.

Yes, a blessing is very important and powerful!

Now, Genesis 49. How blessed Jacob was to have a good death! How beautiful and powerful it was that he exercised his gift of prophecy he received from God when he was young to his very old age even to the last hour! How moving it was that he learned the power and his duty to bless his sons just as his father Isaac did to him and Esau. 

Nowadays people tends more to cursing rather than blessing. God gives us our breath, our lives, our everything so that we can bless others. It is so difficult to "finishing well". As in recent research, only 20% of pastors can finish well. Many pastors quit before they retire or have all kinds of problems making them unable to finish well. Today's chapter is a good classic example of what "finishing well" should be: to be able to use your gift to bless others to your last breath! Wow! How wonderful! 

 Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain(prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4: 10). Lord Jesus, help me to follow Jacob's example to use my gift to bless others even at my last hour and that I can enjoy a life of finishing well. 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 16:1-6, Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Proverbs 4:20-27)

    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):

    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