THE FATHER'S BLESSINGS

God wants fathers to pass on his blessing to his children

4 ways fathers can practically bless our children

1. see life through God's eyes

-Jacob is reminding his son of his fruit is cos of his past trials

   -this is the reality of life.... not a bed of roses

-Jacob remained steady cos of the mighty hand of God

-the boy is a good Archer cos of his father's strength

-when we are weak and tired, God is our strength

-Joseph saw life through God's perspective

   -his brother plot to kill him, but Joseph bears no anger but see it as God's plan!

-continue to trust in God in tough times!

-we can be fruitful in the mist of trial!

2. live out the reality of God in our life

-guide our children 

we only can influence people by action!

people see and not hear

-me then we

-one person breakthrough with God will also draw others around into God's breakthrough

3. speak words of affirmation

God the Father affirmed Jesus

God the Father affirmed Jesus again

say affirming words to our children!

speak words tht build others up is a blessing

-We can choose and decide on the words to speak

-affirmation is a blessing

we do what we can and let God do what we can't

4. set our heart on eternity

-Joseph already own everything... Jacob is setting Joseph's heart on eternity

   -that Joseph will set his heart on God the heavenly father

a father's blessing is powerful

BEING PERSONAL WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

-the Holy Spirit helps us and be with us

-the Holy Spirit will be with us whatever we are going through

-Jesus cannot be present physically with the disciples

   -and He said do not be afraid cos the Holy Spirit will be with them

-overcomer doesn't loose his peace and joy

   -able to go through sufferings and hardship without losing our peace and joy

   -not about always being the winner

there's a difference between knowing and experiential

not knowing the holy spirit through someone else.. but knowing Him personally

how to experience the Holy Spirit personally

1. be filled with the Holy Spirit

it's the same as the Holy Spirit.. it's not how much we are being prayed for, but how much the Holy Spirit in us have in control and influence over our life

-when we have the awareness, we will be more cautious on our actions cos we are cautious to not grieve the Holy Spirit

-if we are not aware of the Holy Spirit, what we can do is ask Him to come...He will be more than happy to come and touch us

believe and experience, both are equally important

-the king showed no respect to the Word of God

-when we show disrespect to the Word of God, we are putting a defense against God speaking to us

we don't remember what we eat few days ago, we don't rmb what was preached in church

   -however, we still eat cos it sustain us... the same, attending church sustain our spiritual growth

when theres no awareness, there's no influence and there will be no change in our life

2. experience Him personally

Jesus does not shows favoritism.. but it's John felt Jesus' love

Jesus loves all the same

-without experience with the Holy Spirit, everything is just a theory

   -our hearts and minds have to be constantly touched by the holy Spirit

boldness is when they go through sufferings and persecution

CHRIST'S INTERRUPTION

Jesus interrupt individuals cos they were heading in the wrong way

1. Jesus walked with them

-if we want to follow Jesus, we need to learn to be a walker... -Jesus walked where ever he went

-there are 3 seasons of life..

   -soaring season --- everything is good

   -running season --- busy with careers.. ppl cheers for runners! there are supporters!

   -walking season --- nobody cheers for walkers

-Jesus is more concern with our heart! our walk with God...

   -is our heart strong to overcome temptations

dont just have a walk, but a walk with Jesus

2. Jesus gave them what they needed and not what they wanted

-when we are facing challenges, its hard for us to see Jesus cos we are too focused on the challenge

-to Cleopas, Jesus looks like a stranger

they are talking to Jesus abt Jesus

-they call Jesus a prophet instead a messiah

-when we go through dark times, we may think tt God is not as powerful

the ppl once have hope, but they were losing their hope

-what we need is more important is not what we want

-sometimes, what we want is not good for us

3. Jesus revealed Himself through the word

-Jesus first suffer then enter into glory

-God will send blessings in disguise of bad times

   -when we are in the dark, we wont see the good

-Jesus will nv force into anyone

-Jesus will only come only when He is invited

their eyes were open and realized that they were to talking to Jesus

5. Jesus restored their hearts and purpose

-something happened when they stayed on with Jesus

-for 11km, they walked hopelessly and now they realized that Jesus is always with them

things that we see it as old and useless, it can be of good use