DAY 32 - New Master: Jesus First (Please go to FaceBook(silastyng) to watch my video of this blog)

            

Silence

1.   Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence

2.   Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace. 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.   Open your heart to praise the Lord

           But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
               let them ever sing for joy,
           and spread your protection over them,
               that those who love your name may exult in you.
                                                 Psalm 5:11

Confession and repentance

1.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in you:

     “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. 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 sin 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 gift to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

The Word

      Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

                                                              Matthew 8:18-22

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

My Listening

     If you want to change a better job in another company, what are those things you would like to have in this new company? Better prospect, better salary, better benefits and better security, right?

     What Jesus told the teacher of the law was none of that. Your boss has no place to lay his head, what about you? Would you still want to apply? 

     See how one of Jesus disciples gave a reason not to follow Jesus. He needed to go and bury his father. That should be a first priority duty for a son to do in Jewish tradition. But, the fact is, did his father die already? No! He was making an excuse!

     We can have all kinds of excuses not following Jesus. We could have all kinds of reasons not having a daily intimate relationship with Jesus, not offering our tithing, not participate in any small group, not willing to serve and more NO, NO, NO.

     But, if Jesus is really your Lord and King, how can you keep on making excuses? Impossible, right? So, when we keep on making excuses saying NO, NO and NO, what kind of relationship do you have with Jesus?  

      What I got from Jesus today is a test to see whether Jesus really is our Lord and King.

     First, we do not follow Jesus because of personal gain.

     Second, making excuses means our relationship with Jesus got a big problem.

     You have a new master and His name is Jesus. Jesus should be your first priority. Jesus first is your everything! 

Dear Lord Jesus,

      Lead us to be willing to follow you as our master and that we won't make any excuse not following you.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  

Reflect on these questions:

1. Have you seen people following Jesus because of personal gain? Can you give some examples? What's wrong with that?

2. Do you have any excuse recently not to follow Jesus? Do you have any excuse not to do something Jesus wants you to do? Do you have any excuse not to stop something Jesus wants you to stop?

3. Ask yourself frankly, is Jesus really your new Master, Lord? Is He really your first priority? Why YES or why NO? 

Family Corner:

1. Get an opportunity to share with your family members why Jesus is your first priority or your problems to have Jesus as your first priority. Then, let them share their stories.  

2. Discuss what is the next step you guys need to take to have Jesus first. 

    Praise and Thanksgiving

10,000 Reasons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E