Fight Only your Battles

“After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” He said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.” Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him.” (Genesis‬ ‭22:1-3‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

God told Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son of promise.

There is a reason why God did not ask Sarah do it. He knew that she would not be able to.

After being ridiculed for decades for being barren, she finally had her only son after much patience, perseverance, and probably tears.

Asking Sarah to sacrifice her son as an offering is akin to driving her insane and probably suicide. There is no mention of Abraham telling Sarah about God’s instruction.

Abraham probably left home with a heavy heart, just kissing Sarah goodbye and telling her that he was going out with Isaac to spend some time together. We don’t know exactly what he told her, but it is probably not, “Dear, I am bringing our son now to be offered as a burnt offering because God said so.”

God saw Abraham’s heart and knew that he would be able to pass the test.

“No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

When God tests a person, it is not because He does not know the outcome. He wants to teach us something through the test, enabling us to grow closer to Him and know Him better.

In the case of Abraham’s test, we are taught that someone restrained Abraham from sacrificing his son, but at the cross, no one restrained God from sacrifice Jesus, His only begotten Son. There was no substitute. Jesus had to bleed and die so that we would be saved.

If you are married, your marriage is also a partnership. Your spouse has a unique set of gifts, anointings, and a calling that is different from yours. God will use you for what you are good at (what He designed you for), and He will use your spouse for what he/she is good at. This way, your family unit will benefit from both sets of graces.

As a married person, your role is not to do everything, as God will delegate tasks to you and your spouse. Trust that He knows what He is doing.

Abraham’s test was designed by God for Abraham, not Sarah. Fight only your battles.

If you have an urge to do everything yourself, it is time to release that control into God’s hands. He wants you to enjoy a level of restfulness that comes from each person doing what he/she has the grace and capacity to do. The Holy Spirit will lead you!

Learn how to flow with God’s appointed time and ways, to do the right thing at the right time. In “God’s Appointed Time”, you will discover how to experience restful increase and unceasing fruitfulness through tapping on the Grace that this available to you in every time and season of life: https://bit.ly/god-appointed-time

Speak Shalom Even in the Face of Death

“The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came around, as Elisha had said to her. When the child was grown, one day he went out to his father to the reapers. He said to his father, “My head! My head!” He said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died. She went up and laid him on the man of God’s bed, and shut the door on him, and went out. She called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.” He said, “Why would you want go to him today? It is not a new moon or a Sabbath.” She said, “It’s alright.” Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward! Don’t slow down for me, unless I ask you to.” So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite. Please run now to meet her, and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with your child?’” She answered, “It is well.” When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me, and has not told me.” Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” Then he said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don’t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don’t answer him again. Then lay my staff on the child’s face.” The child’s mother said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose, and followed her.” (2 Kings‬ ‭4:17-30‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

The Shunammite woman didn’t declare that her son was dead.

Even when she saw something as traumatizing as her son dying in her arms, she restrained from confessing death.

In the Hebrew, when asked by her husband and Gehazi, her replies were both just one word: “Shalom”.

She declared completeness and wholeness—this includes peace, health and prosperity.

Why didn’t she tell anyone that her son had died (not even to Elisha)? It was because she still had faith that Elisha could raise him back to life.

She kept the faith and confessed shalom, even when her heart was broken and her mind and emotions must have been in shock.

Faith plus persistence pays off. The Shunammite woman was consistent in consenting for Yahweh to make “shalom” a reality in her son’s life.

She eventually received her son, whom Elisha raised back to life through the power of God.

“He called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite!” So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, “Take up your son.” Then she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; then she picked up her son, and went out.” (2 Kings‬ ‭4:36-37‬ ‭WEB‬‬)

When death is staring at you in the face, can you still declare “shalom” to that situation? If God can even raise the dead, then there is nothing impossible for Him.

Speak life and believe that God can reverse the death and bring in restoration of life. Today, you don’t need a prophet like Elisha before miracles can manifest. Every born-again believer has the authority in Jesus’ name to speak by faith and see miracles happen. However, many do not know this because they aren’t familiar with the Scriptures and what it says about their inheritance and birthright in Christ.

It’s no wonder that my favorite greeting or declaration of blessing is simply “shalom”. It is a wonderful, all-encompassing blessing of life. Speak shalom over your body, your family, your livelihood, your ministry, and your life today!

A prophet that is greater than Elisha has come, and His name is Jesus! See God’s Grace and love for you in the 37 recorded miracles of Jesus Christ and be equipped with revelational knowledge to receive many miracles in your life: https://www.miltongoh.net/store/p21/messiahs-miracles-the-power-of-having-faith-in-jesus-christ-milton-goh.html

【念念不離慈】
Every Thought Of Benevolence Counts

他是我第一位來自中國的客人，住在較偏遠地區。為了能與我視訊，還特別跑到朋友的家，因為他說那裡的網路比較靠譜。

視訊當天，他穿著一件長袖有領上衣，把頭髮梳得整整齊齊，年輕帥氣的他說能與我見面特別開心。

那已是兩個月前的事情了。

前兩天，他發了一封電郵給我：

「季謙老師好！

目前我在XX城市，閑賦中，剛朋友打電話讓去她們公司上班，算是比較大的酒類經銷商，上市企業。一直糾結中，不知要不要去，還望季謙老師給予幫助！」

•

我瀏覽了客人說的酒行網店，哇，又是茅台，又是五糧液，果真勁道十足～

我的回覆：

「因為八字諮詢是一次性服務，因此一般過後不會再回覆相關問題。

但看了您這則電郵，想提醒您，我們都不該從事菸酒行業，這些都是對眾生有害的物品。我客人當中從事這些行業的，問題很多，嚴重的還影響到家人。

再大的誘惑都應秉持慈念，不做傷害自己，更不做傷害眾生的事，才是真慈。

XX城市本就不旺您，再做這樣的行業，就是雪上加霜了。拒絕也是一大善，未來必有大福報，會遇到更好的工作機會和貴人指引。

聰明的人，明明白白，也根本無需糾結了。

我以前是當空姐的，那時對戒律不熟。後來辭職的其中一個原因，也是因為不想再調酒倒酒給乘客了。

不因短慮而失敗，是男人應有的智慧。」

考驗這東西，過不了就是禍，過得了，就是福。

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He was my first client from China, and lived in a relatively remote area. He specially went to his friend’s house to get on the Zoom video call with me because he said the internet connectivity would be better.

On the day of the video call, he wore a long-sleeved shirt, and combed a neat hair. A good-looking young man, he said he was very delighted to meet me.

That was more than 2 months ago.

2 days ago, he sent me an email:

"Teacher Ji Qian, Good Day!

Currently I am at XX city, not holding any job. I just received a phone call from a friend asking me to work in her company. The company is a relatively large distributor of liquor that is listed on the stock market. I am in a dilemma whether to accept the offer, and hope Teacher Ji Qian to help me out!"

I visited the web store of the liquor distributor my client mentioned, and wow, they also sell Maotai and Five Grain Liquor, strong spirits indeed.

My reply:

"As the Bazi consultation is a one-time service, I usually do not reply to related queries after the consultation.

However, after reading your email, I would like to remind you that we should not be involved in any alcohol or cigarettes related activities as these bring great harm to sentient beings. There are some among my clients who are in such trades, and they are saddled with many problems, with the severe ones even affecting their families.

However big the material temptation may be, you ought to uphold compassionate thoughts, not to harm yourself, and definitely not do anything that harms other beings. This is then true benevolence.

XX city is not favourable to you, and being in this trade will be adding oil to fire. To say no to this job offer is a huge meritorious act in itself, and will attract great fortune in the future, with better work opportunities and benefactors to guide your way.

A smart person possesses perfect clarity, and there is no need for any dilemma.

I used to work as a flight attendant and during that time, I was not fully aware of the precepts. I resigned from the job subsequently, and one of the reasons was that I did not want to serve alcohol or make cocktails for the passengers anymore.

One necessary wisdom a man should possess is to avoid failure due to short sightedness."

When it comes to tests of life, if you cannot cross them, they become your misfortunes. But if you can surmount them, there will always be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow waiting for you, and just for you.

Edit: A few people are wondering why the Thoroughbred and Mustang are saddled while the Tennessee Walker isn't. This was done on purpose so as not to add any extra points of speed on the TW. I was aiming to test what the difference was between the slowest horse available against the fastest horse for curiosities sake.

Disclaimer - All testing was done in story mode. Unfortunately, horses in online are speed capped in free roam!

Rockstar hasn't released any patch notes in regards to horse speed adjustments at the time of making this video so we can only assume speed is more or less the same for online and story mode.

Allen Iverson scored enough points to catch Shaquille O'Neal but not enough for the Philadelphia 76ers to catch the Charlotte Hornets.

Iverson scored 39 points to take over the league scoring lead from O'Neal but the Hornets found the range in overtime and dealt the 76ers a 117-110 loss that dumped them into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Elden Campbell scored seven of his 18 points in overtime for the Hornets, who blew a 21-point first-half lead and needed a reverse dunk by Eddie Jones off an airball by Chucky Brown to force the extra session with 2.9 seconds left in regulation.

"We missed our free throws in the fourth quarter (5-of-9) and missed a big box-out at the end to win the game," Philadelphia coach Larry Brown said. "We talked about boxing out during the timeout. Eddie Jones was incredible for them."

"That was luck. I saw the ball was short," said Jones, who scored 28 points and did a credible job on Iverson.

Iverson had given the 76ers a 100-98 lead with a 3-pointer with 6.8 seconds to go. But he scored only four points in overtime, missing 21-of-35 shots and 7-of-16 free throws overall, as his play resembled the wild offensive game he displayed as a rookie.

"The kid is awesome," Hornets interim coach Paul Silas said. "They ran plays and set great picks for him and he made us pay."

"In overtime, they made some shots and we missed some," Iverson said. "We just didn't execute like we'd like to."

Nevertheless, Iverson is averaging 26.61 points while O'Neal, the superstar center of the Los Angeles Lakers, is at 26.47. On Wednesday, Iverson's 76ers host the Detroit Pistons and O'Neal's Lakers entertain Portland.

If the Sixers (27-22) win, they will be no lower than seventh in the East. They could finish sixth if Milwaukee (28-21) loses at New Jersey or as low as eighth if they lose and New York (26-23) defeats Miami.

"Seventh or eighth means we are still in the playoffs," said Sixers center Matt Geiger, who had 22 points and 13 rebounds but was saddled by foul trouble in trying to defend Campbell in overtime. "We played well enough to get in. ... We will just have to get started tonight with playoff basketball. It is upon us."

David Wesley had 19 points and 10 assists, Bobby Phills scored 17 points and Eldridge Recasner added 16 for Charlotte, which was eliminated from the playoff race Monday but bounced back to beat Philadelphia for the first time in three meetings this season. The Hornets scored the most points against the 76ers this season after combining for only 136 in the first two games.

"We know we're a playoff team," said Jones, who was acquired in a mid-season trade. "We may not be in the playoffs, but we know we're a playoff team."

After a 4-11 start that led to the resignation of coach Dave Cowens, Charlotte (25-24) has gone 21-13 under Silas and visits Boston on Wednesday.

"It's an important game," Silas said. "We're going to do all we can to win it. It would be nice to finish the season on a winning note."

Campbell opened the overtime scoring with a free throw to give the Hornets the lead for good and Wesley drilled a 3-pointer. Philadelphia's Aaron McKie made a jumper but Campbell responded with a nine-footer for a 106-102 lead with 2:59 to go.

Iverson made two free throws but Campbell hit another jumper. McKie's basket cut the deficit to 108-106 with 1:56 left before Phills, Campbell and Jones scored in a 38-second span to seal it at 114-106 with 43 seconds to play.

"We went to Elden a lot late in the game trying to foul Geiger out," Silas said. "He made several big shots in the overtime."

Chucky Brown scored 14 points and Campbell grabbed 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who shot 47 percent (39-of-83) from the field and made 32-of-39 free throws. Campbell and Wesley made six steals each and Jones added five and four blocks.

Rookie Larry Hughes scored 13 points and McKie and Eric Snow added 12 apiece for the Sixers, who shot 45 percent (42-of-94) and held a 48-44 rebounding edge. George Lynch grabbed eight rebounds and Snow handed out eight assists.

The Hornets shot 57 percent (12-of-21) and held the Sixers to just 27 percent (6-of-22) in the first quarter, opening a 36-16 lead. Jones scored 12 points in the period and his dunk gave Charlotte its largest lead at 49-28 with 4:09 left in the second quarter.

The Sixers closed to 58-42 at halftime and Iverson and Geiger scored nine points each in the third quarter to help cut the deficit to 77-74. Hughes' three-point play gave Philadelphia an 80-79 lead with 10:08 left in the fourth quarter.

"If we could have guven the energy we gave in the second half in the beginning of the game, we could have won this game," Brown said. "We can't expect to play this way during the playoffs."

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- With a strong finish, the Philadelphia 76ers matched the best start in franchise history.

Allen Iverson and Theo Ratliff powered a third-quarter charge and the 76ers remained unbeaten by controlling the second half in a 107-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. At 8-0, the Sixers are the NBA's lone undefeated team. They tied the start of the 1979-80 squad, which featured Julius
Erving, Andrew Toney, Darryl Dawkins and current assistant coach Maurice Cheeks and reached the NBA Finals.

"It should mean a lot to them. I'm proud of my team," Sixers coach Larry Brown said. "I'm proud of the fact that we've had some injuries and we had a lot of guys step up and play well. We've played unselfishly, but it's eight games and we have to keep that in mind."

Philadelphia hosts Miami on Friday with a chance to break the club mark. The NBA record for best start is 15-0, shared by the 1949-50 Washington Capitols and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.

"Everybody wants to be the first team that knocks us off," said Iverson. "Everybody wants to be that team. It's going to be tough. We have to really dig in and sneak some wins out of other teams' houses. For right know, I'm just living for the moment and I just hope it continues. I'm glad I'm a part of it."

Iverson scored 22 points, seven during an 18-0 surge that turned a five-point deficit into a 70-57 lead midway through the third period.

The Cavaliers missed eight straight shots during that stretch and Ratliff was a big reason. Saddled by foul trouble in the first half, the 6-10 center had three of his six blocks during the run. Ratliff also scored 15 points.

"He did a good job offensively but just his presence underneath caused them to miss some easy shots and get some 24-second violations," Brown said. "But he's always been that for us.
That's why we need him out on the court. We can't afford for him to get fouls and only play seven minutes in the first half. That's one of the reasons why we had a problem defending in the
first half."

"I was just doing the same old thing that I try to do every time I step out on the court -- to be that intimidating factor as far as when guys try to get easy shots and easy layups," Ratliff
said. "I let them know it's not going to be that easy.

Philadelphia got a big offensive boost from George Lynch, who scored a season-high 23 points and kept his team in the game in the first half. The defensive-minded forward had not scored
more than 10 points in a game this season.

"I like him to do the dirty work," Brown joked. "How many rebounds did he get? Just one defensive rebound so I have something to talk to him about. He did a lot of great things."

"I knew he was going to say that," Lynch said. "I had (Robert) `Tractor' Traylor on me. He's about 300 pounds to my 230 so he's gonna win that battle the majority of the time. ... The
team needed me to score some points the way we were going. I had the hot hand, some open looks and I was able to take advantage of them. I've had those looks all season, it's just I
was making the shots tonight."

Eric Snow contributed 13 and seven assists for Philadelphia, which was outshot and outrebounded but scored 29 points off 22 turnovers by Cleveland.

Former Sixer Clarence Weatherspoon scored 24 points, Robert Traylor added a career-high 17 and Zydrunas Ilgauskas 16 for the Cavaliers (6-2). The frontcourt trio thrived while Ratliff was
on the bench with foul trouble but got little help from the perimeter players.

"We let them dictate the play to us," Weatherspoon said. "We never got into a rhythm. They came after us and we just didn't match it. It's hard to come back on a team that has so many
scorers and plays a good half-court defense."

The Cavs have lost their last six meetings with the Sixers.

Cleveland came in an even bigger surprise than Philadelphia, winning six of its first seven games despite having no player averaging more than 14 points or nine rebounds per game. The
Cavs opened the third period with consecutive baskets for a 57-52 lead before the Sixers took control.

Iverson, who has yet to score 30 points in a game this season, made a jumper and layup around a 3-pointer by Lynch, giving Philadelphia the lead for good at 59-57 with 9:39 left.

After a block by Ratliff, Snow set up Ratliff for a dunk and hit a shot. Iverson snaked his way for a three-point play and Snow made two free throws for a 68-57 lead.

Ratliff blocked two more shots and Iverson found Lynch for a dunk that capped the outburst. Iverson scored nine points in the quarter, which ended with Philadelphia holding an 81-71 lead.