Watch out! Sins can devour you and your family like fire!

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

 https://youtu.be/b-pQUk4wDV4?si=wVwcDmVkn8635kZd

All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son." So his father wept for him.           Genesis 37: 35

About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!"

                              Genesis 38: 24

    

    The topic I received today from Jesus is:  Watch out! Sins can devour you and your family like fire!

I feel so strongly that our Heavenly Father weeps! He weeps when He sees his sons and daughters act just like in Jacob's time - hating each other, being jealous of others' success, plotting to kill, throwing away those with whom they once worked together and trusted each other to a killing field, stripping them naked in any possible way! Oh, I feel the sadness in our Heavenly Father's heart and He weeps! 

If you see those things happen, can you pray for those bitter souls? Can you help at least start with yourself to appreciate, to listen, to support, to love, to build and to transform by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can see the smile of our Heavenly Father? Why step in the trap of Satan the Deceiver whose purpose is to dismantle, divide, destroy and to conquer?

Joseph was young and sweet. Yes, he might have pride but that should not be the reason for his brothers to kill him! He has the gift of prophecy through dreams, being a 'funny young guy' full of transparency. Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." John Stott explains the meaning of "pure in heart" as "a quality to be transparent before God and his people".  I have seen quite a number of God's faithful servants receiving similar mistreatment from other Christian leaders without any reason and it is so sad and painful!

Now, we come to a more painful situation in Genesis 38! 

      Among all the brothers of Joseph who wanted to kill him first and then sold him later to the Ishmaelites, Judah was the only one named in chapter 37. It seems that he was the one to whom the other brothers listened. What I see in chapter 38 is the tragic consequence of sin into which Judah led his family. God put to death two of Judah's elder sons because they were wicked and then his 'dirty' affair with his daughter-in-law to make her pregnant and then wanted to burned her to death. He and his family was in a mess and that's the consequence of sin.

    Watch out! Sins can devour you and your family like fire!

     

      Dear Holy Spirit,

     Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 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 10:16-18, Genesis 37:1-38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Proverbs 3:27-32)

    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