True prosperity and success in God

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

 https://youtu.be/9IPWpZczS2I?si=xjQFM4rrRK4wEzjS

The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.          Genesis 39: 2-4

"We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams."                  Genesis 40:8

    

    The topic I received today from Jesus is:  True prosperity and success in God

Genesis 39 gives us some checking point whether God is with us:

1. You might experience prosperity, success and find favor in other people's eyes like Joseph. (vv. 1-6)

2. Prosperity, success and favor from other people might disappear suddenly and you will be tested like Joseph. Everything seems gone! (vv. 7-20)

3. If you pass the test like Joseph for you are with God all the time, then everything might come back again and you have a deeper level of experiencing Emmanuel. (vv. 21- 23)

Is God with you today? How are you today?

Now, Chapter 40 gives us another question from Jesus today:  

"What does prosperity and success in God means?" 

It does not mean that when you become a Christian, you are going to be successful, wealthy, and become top of the world... No, no, no! This chapter shows us what prosperity and success in God means even when you are being mistreated, misunderstood, innocent and being judged guilty and in jail and you have the qualities as below:

1. You do not ask "why me" and leave God.

2. You still have an intimate relationship with God or even a more intimate relationship with God during your sufferings.

3. You can receive the blessings from God and others can see it.

4. You can exercise the spiritual gifts you receive from the Holy Spirit to glorify God's name and help other people.

There will be lots of tests in our lives for us to understand the true prosperity and success in God. Let Joseph's example be a good guide to us that we can grow up to be a mature Christian and a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Help me to stand firm in you that nothing can separate me from your love and that I can enjoy everyday and exercise my spiritual gifts in all circumstances. 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 11:1-7, Genesis 39:1-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23; Proverbs 3:33-35)

    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