The experience of Jacob

Being Broken Pt 5

Do not expect that by one touch your whole living will be changed and that you will be totally transformed. No, with Jacob, the touch occurred in chapter thirty-two, but the maturity, the ripening, was not fully manifested until chapter forty-seven. From chapter twenty-six through chapter thirty-two, there were many failures, mistakes, and wrong doings. After being touched by God, in chapter thirty-three apparently he had not changed very much, but actually, in life, he had had a great change. Prior to chapter thirty-two, Jacob was natural, never having been touched by the Lord. But after chapter thirty-two, whatever he did, he did with a limp. From then on, the impression he gave to people was quite different. When he bowed down to Esau, he was still natural, but his limp testified to the Lord's touching. Have you ever realized that as Jacob walked toward Esau and bowed down to him, he was limping? Esau did not see a whole Jacob, but a crippled one. Here we see that while there was no change in his living, a change had occurred in his life. It was not the outward living that was touched by the Lord; it was the inward, natural strength that was touched by Him. The sinew of Jacob's thigh had been touched.

Few Christians realize the crucial significance of Jacob's experience in this portion of the Word. Most devote their attention to dealing with outward sin, wrong doings, and worldliness, never thinking that their natural life, natural strength, must be touched. But the Lord is not only concerned with changing our outward living; He desires even more to touch our natural life. Whether or not you exchange words with your wife, if your natural life has not been touched, you are still natural. In the eyes of God, there is not much difference between losing your temper with your wife or controlling it. If you lose your temper, you are you, and if you control your temper, you are still you. But once Jacob had been touched, though outwardly he was the same as before, inwardly his natural life had been dealt with. Humanly speaking, of course, I like to see the brothers and sisters change their attitudes towards their spouses. But deep within, if their inward being remains the same, I do not appreciate this outward change. When you behave badly, it is difficult for the Lord to work Himself into you. But when you are good, it is the same. In fact, it may be more difficult for the Lord to work Himself into you because you are so good. It is not a matter of outward change or improvement; it is a matter of inward touching. Your inward sinew, your inward natural strength, must be touched by the Lord. We all need this touch.

As we follow Jacob, we may be touched again and again, for with us the touch may not be once for all. After we wrestle for a while, we shall have the deep conviction that we have been touched. The Lord always touches us at a certain crucial spot. Whenever He touches a particular part, we are lame and can no longer be the same in our inward being. From then on, we limp and are no longer whole.

Bible Devotions with UW

Long Distance God



As I write this, I want to Thank God for giving us this truth.
It comforts me to know that God can reach out to others miles away, continents away or even just few neighbourhoods away.

There are many things that are beyond our control. But we need not despair.
Our God is not only a God who is nearby but also a God of far away.

The Bible says it like this in

verse 24: Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.

This is something that gives hope and comfort. and not to be afraid of. That God can see in secret places and there is nothing hidden from his eyes.
The Devil cannot hide a person in need from the eyes of God! No powers of darkness, neither there is such a place that can hide a person from God!
No evil being, No Amulets nor deities can shield God's eye! Nothing in this world has the power to hide anything from God. Not even the dwelling place of Satan.

God may not move neither answer those who ridicule or mock Him but He certainly move for those who believe in Him.
We can take comfort that we need not rely on sight but by Faith for sure God moves on our behalf!

When the centurion who had a sick servant approach Jesus, Noticed that Jesus did not go to the vicinity of the sick servant? (Matthew 8)
The centurion came to Jesus and Jesus sent his healing from far.

Remember in the book of Acts 19:

11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

Again God demonstrated that He is the God of far away through the miracles of handkerchiefs and aprons being brought to another place and gave salvation to those in need.

If you have friends overseas or someone you know who is far away or just away from you even though nearby, take comfort that you can affect the person's life (for his wellbeing) in prayer to our Father in Heaven who sees all and is near and far and fills the entire creation with his presence.


God Bless.

Amen UW that really spoke to my current circumstances

Wah 80 pages liao.

Anyways guys. More help in prayer. It's like ever since I went on tumblr the floodgates of need opened.

I have a friend who's my junior. Her family is really broken. She lives with her dad. He loves her but he's very sickly. Sole breadwinner. Got his back hurt recently. He's blue collar job so very detrimental to him.

She's the one who maintains the house/cook/ect because only two of them living together. 13-14 years old only man.

Her mom.... got problems. Deeeep problems. Same for her uncle. Dad and grandma only sane people in the house.

Please pray that her dad's health to improve, if not total healing. Amen for total healing.

And please pray for her also. Pray for Jesus to to reveal Himself to her one way or another. Although she had some Christian studies and a Bible, it's not enough. I don't think she has put her faith in Jesus yet.

Thanks everyone.

This post has been edited by Sophiera: Jan 5 2015, 09:31 PM

What sickness her dad is going through? Retired?

Asthma/ezcema. Sampai masuk hospital many many many times. I think doctor also kenal them de. Now he has back injuries.

p.s she's from New Zealand so no way I can give material help.

This post has been edited by Sophiera: Jan 5 2015, 09:40 PM

i see. Yeah limited help since so far.

Something tells me when you're a little bit more older from now, you should help the Church by joining Prayer Ministry.

The Methodist Church needs young blood for revolution.

Aaah now I feel so shy

I'm in the period where I'm not sure how long I'll be in Malaysia. If not here, then I need to go look for another Methodist in Netherlands.

We'll see where Jesus leads. I totally never expect that I'll be posting prayers here.

This is a divine burden, not given to everyone. God chose you for prayer, so.....think about it. It's a privilege really.
For example, for me I don't have such burden to pray like yours but I have the burden to teach and lead believers to God.

You may want to start little steps first, make it simple and small for now but later build up to be a real prayer warrior.

I know a lady in her old age, interceding not just for people but for continents and countries! Against the princes of this dark world. NOW that really takes years of experience. She's on the level where she pray to God and she testify to us, at times she will not let God go until God speaks to her.

That is really deep for me.

Ok... support in prayer.

In the name of JESUS, i speak new mindset. Focus not on problem, but on GOD's Omnipotent and omnipresence.

John 10:10 (b) (AMP) ... I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

O_O

Wah
I am speechless mang. Learned something new today also. Prayer specialist? I thought everyone should pray like that

D-definitely will start small first. I still don't really know what's going on, let alone jump straight into the deep end.

P.S What is the definition of a Divine Burden? Feels like, a hero on a quest.

This post has been edited by Sophiera: Jan 5 2015, 11:03 PM

The Holy Spirit enables and gives each believer different gifting, yours could be prayer.

Yes every Christian should pray it is mandatory but really not every Christian knows how to pray or have the interest to pray.

Intercessors are specialize prayer specialist. It's a gift. They can spend hours in prayer. They're like a leader in prayer. When they pray in groups or for the congregation, sometime the way they pray move the heart of the people.

Divine burden is like something stirred in your heart, that you will not rest neither feel at rest until you do it. Just like your need to pray for your friends in tumblr.

Perhaps JESUS leads you to this church in netherlands ?

http://jongenvrij.nl/

I can't read the page it's in dutch OTL

Divine burden.

This sounds just like some of my responsibilities I know what to do, but have not done so. Too many distractions, and too little faith in hand.

And I hated suffering, especially if its meant for me, for the straight path is sometimes too long.

Too many unanswered questions, too little time, and too vague.

I am close to believe that I am destined for nothing but sadness, so that others may learn from example. And if that is the truth, I once told myself that I did not mind dying in sadness, as long it gets to warn others.

Should I die in tears, may other tears be wiped from the faces of the faithful and the worthy.

This post has been edited by Deadlocks: Jan 6 2015, 12:28 AM

I believe, what is sanctioned in suffering for Christians, (as permitted by Father God) are persecution from people, being mocked and ridiculed for our faith.

Other than that, you are not to carry that burden alone but to commit everything in prayer to God (including your weaknesses) so that, there's opportunity for you to experience God's grace (favour) and power.

This is the meaning when Jesus said in

Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

The end result is rest because you gave God the opportunity to deliver you or your situation.


Christian Life is really about partnership with God.

You may want to seriously consider letting go of your fears and doubt and start trusting in Faith that God is real and serious with your life.

I don't consider myself special or anything like that but if Father God does answers me, He can answer you.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Jan 6 2015, 12:39 AM

Lol. That, UW, is exactly where I do not understand.

I was never more in tune with my spirituality compared to those I've heard, because I have a bad habit.

I am terribly impatient, and I cannot outgrow it. While I still have the faith to believe, there is always a certain limit of silence I can only bear, and I am impatient for anything that is good that will change.

God is real, but I begin to lose interest in the dialogue, and ignorance is swift for me.

And I am impatient for all meaning, unless I can start to see.

This post has been edited by Deadlocks: Jan 6 2015, 12:38 AM

Hey Bro, So am I.

I'm no different from most people.

I have terrible habits too, like fits of anger at times but you know what?

How is it that God is still graceful to me and still answers my prayer despite of my weakness?

Thing is, I've repented of my thoughts about God. My wrong view of who God is, is what is stopping God's grace. In other words I had the wrong type of believe or Faith about God if you will.

I used to think that God is still angry at me and I'm held under judgement until I get all my act sorted out. But that's far from the truth.

That's why I encourage you to take 1 day at a time, read the Bible, discover the truth for yourself, of who God is. When you repent of your view of who God is, when you have the right type of believe or Faith if you will.....your life will change. You will start seeing God.

The Bible says...It is the goodness of God that lead us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

Not the wrath of God as most people would like to believe.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Jan 6 2015, 01:47 AM