Are you a blessing to others?

 7 Jan 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One


Readings:

Genesis 18

Genesis 19

Matthew 6


The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). 


Are you a blessing to others?


God tells Abraham, “And you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). Literally the statement is an imperative; the Lord commands Abraham to be a blessing. Truly, Abraham turns out to be a blessing to Lot. His nephew had “pitched his tent even as far as Sodom” (Genesis 13:12), and later moved into the wicked city. His compromise led to moral failure demonstrated by offering his daughters to wicked men (Genesis 19:8). Thankfully the Lord honors the prayers of Abraham, which led to Lot’s deliverance (Genesis 19:29). We should also cultivate a vital relationship with the Lord. Jesus says, “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6). 


Employment Point: Intercede for others privately and watch God bless you openly.

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Reflections

Indeed Abraham had grown and interceded for the people in Sodom as he knew that his nephew Lot was there. Him speaking to the Lord also helped the Lord to remember Lot when he wants to destroy the whole place because of how much evil there was in the country. Even though the devotion mentioned that Lot failed morally by offering his daughter to the men who wants to get to the foreigners that are staying with him, I felt at the very least, he tried to protect them from harm by not letting them to sleep in the square, which could be disastrous. I felt if he didn’t bother and left them there, it would be an even greater sin against the Lord.


My CG leader had also encouraged me to keep praying, not just for myself but also for others. So I have tried to build a routine for prayers and to pray immediately whenever I receive a prayer request, instead of saying I will pray. Because life and work can suddenly get busy and it can be forgotten. I too felt an additional weighing to keep praying for others.


It’s a good thing that we are also starting a mini prayer & praise for our CG starting this year. Looking forward to it!

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Intimate with Jesus

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

January 07


Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip?” —John 14:9


Jesus’s words to Philip weren’t said with criticism, or even with surprise. They were an invitation: Jesus wanted Philip to embrace a more intimate relationship with him.


Before Pentecost, the disciples knew Jesus as someone who gave them power to conquer demons and start a revival (Luke 10:18–20). The intimacy they felt with him was wonderful. But there was a much closer intimacy to come. Jesus said, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Friendship—true friendship—is rare on earth. It involves two people identifying with each other in thought and heart and spirit. Friendship with Jesus is the whole point of spiritual discipline, yet it is often the last thing we actually seek. We receive his blessings and know his word, but do we know him?


Jesus said, “It is for your good that I am going away” (16:7). He went so that he could lead his friends to ever greater heights and purposes. It is a joy to Jesus when we follow, when we move toward closer intimacy with him. The result is always abundance: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (15:5).


When we are intimate with Jesus, we are never lonely, never need sympathy. We can give tirelessly, pouring ourselves out. The impression we leave behind is never of ourselves, only of the strong, calm sanity of our Lord, a sign that our souls have been entirely satisfied by him.


Genesis 18-19; Matthew 6:1-18


WISDOM FROM OSWALD

Am I getting nobler, better, more helpful, more humble, as I get older? Am I exhibiting the life that men take knowledge of as having been with Jesus, or am I getting more self-assertive, more deliberately determined to have my own way? It is a great thing to tell yourself the truth.

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Reflections

I would want to think that I have an intimate relationship with Jesus. That I will leave behind a legacy that speaks of the love of God, a woman who walks by faith and has led a life giving glory to God. 


What would people say of me at my memorial service? Would they think of me as one who walked faithfully? I say memorial service and not a funeral or a wake because I pledge my brain and my whole body for donation to medical research after my death. Rather than just waste it by cremation, may as well contribute my last service to mankind, hopefully it can help improve studies on dementia and general health. The body is nothing but dust and to dust it will return. It holds no extra meaning other than that, for we all know where we all will be going.


I’m still a work-in-progress, not yet perfect in His eyes. Else I would have been upgraded to heaven status. There’s still more to learn, to give, to receive and to refresh. 


Friends with Jesus is meant to be a long term thing. We are not meant to be a passing cloud or being there for a season. We are meant to know Him so that we are prepared to have a life together with Him in eternal life. To learn how to live a life like a God’s child. 

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