He Who Loves Yeshua
(Jn21:15-25)
God is love (1Jn4:8).
He holds back nothing from those He loves (Rm8:32), and
Takes those whom He loves to the kingdom of the Son He loves (Col1:13).
Faith is loving Yeshua and
The life of this faith is loving those whom He loves.
Love is a characteristic unique to humans.
For their lovers, family, school, society, people and nation
They will break through their own limits to do great things.
While unlike angels men are weak beings,
They were made as objects of God’s love.
As such, the Bible illustrates human love as its backdrop (e.g. Song of Songs).
After Adam sinned and was banished from the Garden (Ge3:4-6),
God clothed him in a garment of skin (Ge3:21), foreshadowing
God’s longing to hold him in His arms again.
The exodus of Israel took place because of
God’s love for their ancestors (Dt4:37).
His demand from them was
To love their Lord God and keep His requirements, decrees, laws and commands (Ex20:6; Dt11:1).
So they loved the name Jehovah (Ps5:11), His laws (ps119:97, 113, 163),
Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God (Ps84:1; Is66:10) and
Their neighbors (Lev19:18).
However, since they abandoned their love for God,
The people worshiped idols (Is57:8; Jer11:15),
The priests gave sacrifices out of formality (Mal1:2), and
The Pharisees became hypocrites (Lk11:42).
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I am going to raise it in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-22),
He would reveal God’s love that sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind (1Jn4:10),
For He is the incarnate Word whom the Father loved since the beginning (Mt3:17; Jn3:35, 17:24).
He called the disciples to love them (Jn13:1) and
Gave them a new commandment:
Not to love one’s neighbor by not harming them (Rm13:10)
But to love each other as He loved them (Jn13:34-35, 15:12-13).
As He died, Yeshua said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Tearing His flesh revealed the Father’s love for all souls (Mk15:34; 1Jn4:10);
2) Judged the devil, the separator (1Jn3:8); and
3) Gave His life as a ransom for men (Mt20:28).
He resurrected and sat on the heavenly throne.
He rules with love in the kingdom where there is only love (Col1:13).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent pours out His love into the hearts of believers (Rm5:5) and
Lets them love His name Yeshua, the truth, the church and souls.
A disciple of Yeshua is he who
Loves Yeshua more than anyone else (Mt10:37) for
His sins that are more than others’ have been forgiven (Lk7:44-47).
Therefore, though he falls briefly, he surely turns back (Lk22:31-32), and
With the love of the Lord who loves sinners like him
He loves the Lord’s little souls who like him are foolish, wicked and still lost.
And he loves not just with his lips (1Jn4:21) but
Also sacrifices himself and carries out the love (Jn15:13).
As such, the world recognizes that he is a disciple of Yeshua (Jn13:34-35) and
He is loved by Yeshua and the Father (Jn14:21).
O Lord,
To Peter who made many mistakes, said foolish things and even disowned You,
You asked the one thing he could confidently answer, “Do you love me?”
Like him, one with many transgressions and sins
I can confidently say this day, “Lord, You know that I love You”…
I will feed Your lambs! Amen.
God is the Father (Php1:2).
In His blood He gives birth to children and
Through His death He confirms His love (Rm5:8).
Faith is knowing His love (Eph3:18) and
The life of this faith is loving the brothers for whom Yeshua died (1Co8:11-12), because loving God
Who is invisible must be revealed through loving brothers who are visible (1Jn4:20-21).
From one same father, receiving the same blood
Sharing the same meal, brothers share the same quality.
While there is the order of birth, there is no rank among them.
Although God made men as the object of His love
Adam, the ancestor of all men, was separated from it as he was deceived and sinned (Ge3:4-6).
As a result all men became children of the devil (Jn8:44; 1Jn3:12).
So began the tragedy of mankind: sibling conflict, hatred etc (Pr17:17).
Cain killed Abel (Ge4:3-9; 1Jn3:12), Esau tried to kill Jacob (Ge27:41) and
Joseph’s brothers conspired to kill him which
Ultimately paved the road to the slavery of Israel (Ge37:3-4).
In that midst, however, it came into Moses’ heart to visit his brothers (Ac7:23) and
The exodus of Israel was fulfilled.
Among God’s commandments given to the Israelites were
The commandments regarding loving their brothers
To not hate, not harm (Lev19:17-21),
Cancel their debts, giving to the poor, showing interest etc (Dt15:3-19, 22:1-4).
When witnessing one’s very own brother breaking the commandment, however,
He was to be the first to stone him to death (Dt13:6-10).
Ironically, the closest brothers became the object of one’s fear.
The sanctuary where the stone tablets were placed inside the ark
Reminded them of the Law, the spirit of slave to make them fear (Rm8:15).
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-21),
He would fulfill the greatest and the first commandment, that is,
To love God and to love brothers (Mt22:37-39).
In addition, He gave a new commandment to love, even one’s enemies (Mt5:43-46) for
He loved all men who had become enemies of God (Jn13:34-35, 15:12-14).
As He died, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk23:34), and
Also “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Loved the Father by offering up His life (Jn10:17-18);
2) Judged the devil the separator (1Jn3:8); and
3) Gave His life and loved all men (Mt20:28), fulfilling the greatest and the first commandment to love God and love men perfectly.
He resurrected and was taken up to the kingdom of love (Col1:13; Rev1:5).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Pours out into the hearts of believers the love of God (Rm5:5) and
Lets them know that they owe the heavenly Father the debt to love (Rm13:8-10).
A disciple is he who puts effort to
Pay back the debt to the brothers on earth (Mt25:26).
So he does not neglect them (Ge4:9; Lk10:25-37),
Rather forgives and does not hate them (Mt18:21-35; 1Co6:5-8; 1Jn2:9-11),
Takes pity and looks after them (Mt25:34-46),
Making sacrifice for them (1Jn2:16-18) for
God is the God of those who have brothers — in other words, “our Father” (Mt6:9).
O Lord,
We have shouted that we love the Lord,
Only to realize now that we have done so in vain!
Forgive this disobedient child who only gave a lip service.
From now ‘til arriving in the Father’s house
Let every moment be with the Father’s heart and
Let us all carry out this brotherly love (philadelophos). Father!
God is the Father.
For He gives His children the best (Mt7:11)
He gives His name as the eternal inheritance, and
Lets those who invest all for the inheritance of His name to serve Him forever (Rev22:3-4).
Faith is loving the Father, respecting and trusting Him and
The life of this faith is putting effort to make the inheritance of the Father’s name successful.
Even if times change and the world changes, one thing that does not change is
The heart of the father who wants to give the best to his children.
The businesses that are operated with sincerity and earnestness and
Passed down from father to child are successful.
The Bible contains the story of God giving children His name as inheritance.
Lucifer who coveted that name and challenged the throne (Is14:12-15) was
Cast down to Hades and destined to judgment for
Angels are only spirits made to minister the heirs of God (He1:14).
Although the people of Israel are the people of God who knew His name (Is52:6),
The inheritance they received was that of servants (Is54:17; Rm8:15)
For they received the name of God through angels who are servants (Ex3:2-6, 15; Hos12:3-5).
They feared Jehovah (Dt28:58; Ps99:3),
The name that only the prophets could call (1Sa12:19) and
The name that only the priests could draw near in
The sanctuary where the name was (1Ki8:16) with images of angels (Ex25:17-18; 2Ch3:7)
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Though the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19),
He would tear down the name Jehovah delivered by angels and
Give the name Yeshua brought by the Son (Jn5:43, 17:11, 26) for
It is the inheritance that neither angels nor Israel received
But only the children of God could receive (Jn1:12).
God who is the Word came as the Son (Jn1:1, 14) and
Gave glory to the Father’s name (Jn12:28).
As He died, He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Following the commandment died and gave the perfect and eternal glory to the Father (Jn10:18, 12:28; Php2:6-11);
2) Judged the devil the challenger (Is14:12-16; 1Jn3:8); and
3) Shed His redeeming blood for all men (Eph1:7).
He resurrected and sat on the heavenly throne where
Those who have written on their foreheads
The name of the Father and of the Son, that is, Yeshua, serve Him forever (Rev14:1, 22:3-4).
The Holy Spirit comes to those who received His name and became children (Jn1:12, 14:26) and
Lets them be bound up with the name Yeshua with love and devotion (Ge44:30) for
The Father’s name is my name and my name is the Father’s name.
A disciple is he who knows that
Receiving the name Yeshua is the greatest inheritance and that
In the Father’s name is infinite forgiveness, waiting and acknowledgement.
As an heir of God and co-heir with Christ
He is willing to share in His suffering to share in His glory (Rm8:16-17).
Thus, he invests his whole life for the success of the inheritance of the Father’s name:
For the expansion of the kingdom whose head is His name,
For the establishment of the church whose head is His name,
For the nurturing of souls who are children in His name and
Obeys whatever is commanded in His name (Mt28:19; Lk24:47; Jn14:14; Mk16:17-18).
O Lord,
Yeshua~
Father~
The invincible name,
The successful name
You gave as our inheritance
So we will surely succeed!
Support us until the end! Amen.
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He Who Sees the Glory of the Lord
(Lk2:1-20)
God is the Lord of glory.
Glory comes from Him and returns to him.
Into His glory He invites those who reveal His glory (Rev21:23-24).
Faith is seeing His glory and
The life of this faith is laying down one’s glory and revealing His glory.
Though it is difficult to explain what glory is,
It is what every man wants to possess.
It is enjoyed by the elected, the winner, and
Those who are above in their positions, power, knowledge, wealth etc.
People consider it an honor just to meet with such persons.
As an archangel, Satan wanted to be like God in heaven (Is14:12-14; Eze28:12-17) and
He was subsequently thrown into Hades until the great day of judgment (Jude1:6).
Deceived by him, Adam ate the forbidden fruit and sinned (Ge3:4-6), and thus
All men became slaves of the devil (2Pe2:19).
Israel was chosen as a people to display the glory of God (Is49:3), and
They saw the glory of God (Ps97:6):
They saw the Egyptian army being destroyed in the Red Sea (Ex14:4),
Manna in the desert every morning (Ex16:7), and
The fire and the clouds above the holy mountain (Ex24:16) as well as
The Tabernacle and the Temple (Ex40:34-35; 2Ch7:1-2).
The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of
The glory of the Lord (Ps26:8) and the name Jehovah (2Ch6:6).
The ark of the Lord was also there — the glory of Israel (1Sa4:22).
So even after losing their sovereignty and becoming captives,
They did kept their hope in the coming Messiah (Ps24:9) and
The restoration of the splendor of Israel (Na2:2).
However, Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-22),
He would reveal the glory of the Only Begotten Son (Jn1:14)
In the Father’s name Yeshua (Jn5:43)
For He is the Word in the beginning who had glory with the Father (Jn17:5).
As such, He performed many miraculous signs and
Healed those with various diseases (Mt15:31; Mk2:12).
Though the people wanted to make Him their king (Jn6:15) and
The disciples wanted to put up shelters for Him (Lk9:32-33),
He spoke of the day when the Son of Man would return in glory (Mt25:27-31).
As He died, He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Enduring shame, surrender and submission to the point of death, gave glory to the Father who alone never bows down, who in turn gave glory to the Son (Jn8:54; Php2:6-11);
2) Judged Satan who challenged the glory of God (1Jn3:8); and
3) With the blood of redemption delivered men from the slavery of the devil (Eph1:7).
He rose and sat on the heavenly throne and He is the glorious Lord (Jas2:1),
The Lamb who has eternal marks of His glorious submission (Rev5:6).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of glory (1Pe4:14) who
Lets the glory of Yeshua be known (Jn16:13).
A disciple made by the Spirit is
Honored to have
The precious blood of Yeshua, the name of Yeshua and the Spirit of glory in him.
Therefore, he gloriously accepts suffering, poverty, lowliness etc (Ac5:40-41; Rm8:16-18), and
When he sees his prayer answered or miracles, he sees the glory of the Lord.
He lets down his net, vanity and even his pride (Lk5:1-11), and
Fulfills the Lord’s work as glorious work for
He longs to have his lowly body transformed in that day
Into a glorious body like that of Christ and be brought into His glory (Php3:21).
O Lord,
Give us the eyes to catch a glimpse of the glory of the Lord!
Let us truly have the experience of letting go our nets so that
We could follow You until the end. Amen.
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He Who Is Always On the Watch
(2Sa22:2-3; Lk21:29-38)
God is omniscient.
He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps121:4).
He observes everyone on earth and examines them (Ps11:4), and
He seats on the thrones those who are always on the watch (Lk21:37).
Faith is being aware of Him and
The life of this faith is being always on the watch like a watchman.
The life of a watchman is staying awake.
Like the antennas of an insect, he has to be always on, always sensitive
Because if he gets drunk or falls asleep
He cannot stop intruders or enemies who could overtake at any time.
All men became slaves of the devil (2Pe2:19) and
Became foolish and senseless (Jer5:21) by
The surprise attack of the serpent who through Eve deceived Adam to sin (Ge3:4-6).
The people of faith are those whose spiritual antennas are always on.
Noah was warned by God about things not yet seen and
Built an ark and saved his family from the deluge (He11:7).
Moses heard the voice of God who called him (Ex3:4-8) and
Carried out the exodus of Israel.
When he had not known Jehovah yet, the young Samuel (1Sa3:1-18)
Heard the voice of God calling his name and
Prophesied the curse that would bring down the house of the priest Eli.
The Israelites who were surrounded by gentiles
Erected watchtowers around their city and placed watchmen so that
Taking turns they would guard it day and night (Neh7:3; Is21:8).
The temple where the name Jehovah (1Ki8:29) was
The reminder for the people of Israel that Jehovah was their high tower, their watchman
For the promised land of Canaan their inheritance.
As watchmen see things ahead, they are foreseers, prophets, and
Israel was a kingdom of prophets.
According to God’s promise to Abraham (Ge18:18),
When the LORD will return to Zion they would see with their own eyes (Is52:8).
As such, Simeon was awake in the spirit and waited for Him (Lk2:25-33) so
He saw Yeshua with his own eyes, the fulfillment of the prophecy.
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,”
Because through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-22),
In the Father’s name Yeshua (Jn5:43), He would become the high tower, the watchman (2Sa22:3)
For all men to see ahead the Father’s house in heaven.
He knew the hour of His death, Judas who would betray Him and
Those whom He had chosen (Jn13:1, 11, 18) for
He is the Word in the beginning, the God who foreknew (Jn1:1, 14; 1Pe1:20).
As He died, He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Fulfilled the Father’s will established before the creation (Jn10:17-18; Ac2:23; He1:2);
2) Judged the devil who confused all mankind (Ge3:4-6); and
3) With His redeeming blood raised to life the spirit of all men (Rm8:9; Eph1:7).
He resurrected and sat on the heavenly throne, the high tower from where
He sees with His eyes that are like blazing fire (Rev1:14, 2:18, 19:12).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Lets the souls purchased by the blood of Yeshua
Discern (1Co12:10), between the Spirit of truth and deceiving spirits (1Ti4:1-2; 1Jn4:6), and
Hear the footsteps of the coming Lord.
The disciples of Yeshua are watchmen.
To not be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life (Lk21:34-36), and
Become dull in their spiritual sensitivity,
They are always on the watch and pray (Mt26:41; Col4:2).
Although keeping their post alone on the watchtower can be lonely
They shout, “The Lord is coming soon!” and
Awaken souls by sounding the trumpet (Eze33:19) so
On the day the Lord appears a second time, they will see His face first.
O Lord,
Though we live in the world, let us not be entangled with the world (2Pe2:20-22).
Every minute, every second…
Let us be awake and let our spiritual sensitivity be at its height! Amen.
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Those Who Have Zeal
(Ps69:9; Jn2:13-22)
God is zealous.
He is zealous for His good works and
What He spoke in His zeal He accomplishes it (Eze5:13; Is9:7, 37:23).
Faith is admiring and longing for Him and
The life of this faith is with the zeal of God being zealous until the end.
Zeal allows people to focus so
Whether it is academics, business, work, athletics, arts etc
Those who have zeal until the end can succeed,
But those do not have zeal in everything they do, those who cool off along the way would
Only become dropouts.
During the creation the zeal of God was revealed through all things He created (Rm1:20).
Even though they will all be burned up one day, He made them all differently a whole variety of them.
In the Bible there are those who lived zealously according to the word of God and succeeded:
Noah who built the ark and saved his entire family from the judgment by deluge (He11:7),
Abraham who gave his only son whom he received at 100 (He11:17),
Jacob who grasped the blessing from the angel with whom he wrestled (Ge32:28).
During the exodus of Israel God mobilized 10 plagues and
It was according to the world that the zeal of the LORD would accomplish it (Ge15:13; Is9:7).
For the people whom He chose, Israel, were also extremely zealous,
The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread (Ex1:12).
God led them into the wildness and instructed them to build the sanctuary so
They would remember Him and be zealous for:
The name of God — Jehovah (1Ki19:14);
The covenant — He would be their God (Ge17:7);
The Law — they would keep it and observe it (Ex19:8, 24:7);
The meeting place with God — longed for it (Ex25:22; Ps102-134); and
Their seed — their flesh and blood to be distinguished (Ge22:17-18).
So when Yeshua came and said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,”
The Jews who had longed for and had great zeal for the Temple conspired to put Him to death.
However, it was through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-22),
Yeshua should accomplish the zeal of the Father (Is9:7; Eze5:13).
As such He preached and prayed with zeal (Lk22:43-44).
As He died, He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that:
1) His zeal that longed for the heavenly temple accomplished the zeal of the Father who loves mankind (Jn3:16);
2) Condemned the devil who changed his heart and left his proper position (1Jn3:8; Jude1:6); and
3) Poured out all His blood and water and redeemed all men (Jn19:34; 1Pe1:18-19).
After He resurrected and
Ascended to the throne in the heavenly temple, the New Jerusalem (Rev22:1),
The success of His zeal.
The Holy Spirit whom He sent comes
To those who believe His promise and zealously long for Him (Ac1:4-5, 15; 1Co15:6).
He lets them be all the more zealous with the zeal of God (2Co11:2) for:
1) The name of God — Yeshua (Mt28:19; Jn5:43, 17:11; Rev19:13);
2) The covenant — His return and the resurrection to life (Jn5:29, 14:1-3);
3) The truth — the duty to keep, defend and teach (Mt5:13; Rm10:2; 2Co11:4);
4) The temple — the church, worship, gathering, longing for the heavenly the temple (Mt18:20; 1Co3:16; 1Ti3:15; He9:23-24); and
5) Souls — having the zeal to save souls (Ac1:6; Tit2:14).
The distinctive characteristics of disciples of Yeshua is that
They are all zealous.
Even if they are persecuted they continue to preach (Ac4:18-20),
When speaking in tongues they do it like their tongues are set on fire (1Co14:18), and
With zeal they serve whatever the given work, given opportunity for
They long to not be found as lukewarm and be spat out in the last day (Rev2:4, 3:15-19),
Instead be able to enter the New Jerusalem to meet with the Lord (Ps42:1-2; Rev22:14).
O Lord,
We were once all zealous
Losing sleep, praying like crazy, looking for souls
Laying down without regret or fear…so fired up…
Our hearts ache for those days!
Let us go back to our first love, our first passion.
O Lord, let us be zealous! Amen.
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He Who Has Chosen the Narrow Gate
(Mt7:13-14)
God is the Lord of faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please Him (He11:6) and
For those who believe Him He opens the gates of heaven.
Those who seek to gain happiness
Through various gates such as college entrance, employment, immigration etc
Must compete all their life and strive to pass through
But in the end no one can pass through the gates of death.
While religions and philosophies focus on the journey as being important,
Faith is choosing the gate that leads to life, the final destination, and
The life of this faith is even if the way is narrow and difficult,
Without turning back finishing the way.
The way to life was cut off for all men (Ge3:24) for
Sin crouched at the door for all because of their ancestor Adam (Ge3:4-6, 4:7).
The Bible shows that it is only a few of faith who can enter life.
While all men were wiped out by water
Noah and his family, just eight of them, were saved by entering the door of the ark.
Moreover, on the night of Passover while all firstborns in the entire land of Egypt died
The Israelites who had the blood of lamb around their door frame lived (Ex12:23, 29).
Moreover, while many chariots and horsemen of Egypt drowned in the sea (Ex14:22-26),
The Israelites went through the sea on dry ground.
Yet among the 600,000 adults who passed through the gates of the Red Sea (Nu1:46)
Only Joshua and Caleb crossed the Jordan River for
They resented God because of the way in the wilderness (Nu14:1-30, 21:4-5).
The temple was the model of the itinerary of Israel:
The courtyard entrance —> the courtyard (the Levites);
The tabernacle entrance —> the Holy place (the priests); and
The veil —> the Most Holy Place (the high priest).
In other words, it was entering the holy dwelling of God (Ex15:13) and
Without the blood of animals no one could enter (He13:11).
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-22),
He would become the gate for the sheep (Jn10:7-9) and
The way to the Father’s house (Jn14:6).
However, only a few people will be saved (Mt19:23-24; Lk13:23) because
One must strive to enter through the narrow door, like struggling, entering a battle,
That is, entering life, the kingdom of God.
If not, it is the way that leads to destruction, hell (Mt7:13, 13:50; Lk13:28).
As He died the temple veil tore (Mt27:51) and He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Through His death broke through the gate of death and opened the gate to heaven (Php2:8; He10:19-20);
2) Judged the devil the ruler of death (He2:14); and
3) Sprinkled His redeeming blood on all mankind (Eph1:7; 1Pe1:18-19).
The tomb opened before the resurrected Christ (Mt28:2)
For no gate can keep Him out anymore (Jn20:19).
He is the Lamb on the heavenly throne (Rev5:9) who has
Marks of tearing His flesh and opening the heavenly gates.
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Lets the souls who have gained confidence through the blood of Yeshua
Enter the way opened through the veil, a new and living way (He10:19-20).
A disciple of Yeshua is he who
Has chosen the narrow gate well knowing its difficulty (Mt7:13-14).
He rejects the prosperity gospel which deceives souls and
Puts to death his earthly nature, greed etc which is idolatry (Col3:5).
Even if he has to lay down his own righteousness, will, dream, plan, treasures etc (Mk10:25),
He strives to enter through the opened doors of the church (Mt16:19; Rev3:8) and
Walks the narrow way towards heaven for
God is not pleased with many without faith (1Co10:1-12).
O Lord,
Let us all lay down all our heavy burdens at the cross and
Even if we have to walk the narrow way, the thorny path
Let not even one of us turn back.
When I the soul cross the Jordan, let the gates of heaven be open! Amen.
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He Who Always Gives Thanks
(Ps100; Col3:15-17)
God is good (Ps100:5, 136:1).
He shows His mercy (Ps136:2) and
He gives good things (Mt7:11; Jas1:17).
While religions deny this and consider man’s good work as righteousness,
Faith is receiving every good gift from the Father God and giving thanks.
The life of this faith is beginning with thanksgiving and ending with thanksgiving.
The greatest good is showing mercy to another.
Those who receive such good gift cherish and
Can never forget those who showed their generosity to them.
God created all things and filled this universe and
Let men rule over them and enjoy them (Ge1:28).
Accordingly, they developed and improved human culture and civilization.
However, they forgot to give thanks to God and rather became likely to resent because
Adam’s dissatisfaction with God’s command regarding the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil
That led him to be deceived by the devil’s temptation to be like God.
So he sinned and as a result he was driven out of the Garden (Ge3:4-6, 24).
When God sent Moses to the Israelites who had been suffering in their slavery and
Delivered them out of Egypt
They were saved from the death of firstborns by the blood of the Passover lamb (Ex12:21-30),
Passing through the gates of the Red Sea (Ex14:26-31).
So they praised and thanked God (Ex15:1-21).
Once arriving in the wildness, however, they began to grumble against God (Ex15:22-24) because of:
The bitter water, not having food (Ex16:2, 17:3), wanting to eat meat (Nu11:5),
Being led into Canaan (Nu14:1-2), the difficult way (Nu21:4-5).
God commanded them to build the sanctuary where the name Jehovah was
So that they would enter His gates with thanksgiving and serve Him there (Ps100),
Giving thank offerings (Lev7:11-12) for it reminded them of: The attribute of God — He is good (Ex29:46);
What He did (Ps136) — the creation, saving their firstborns on the Passover, passing through
the Red Sea, the wilderness, crushing their enemies, the land of Canaan as their inheritance,
His remembering them in their low estate, giving them food.
They were all thanksgiving for God’s looking after their flesh, their flesh and blood.
Yeshua appeared and said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-21),
He would show mercy in the name Yeshua
To not the flesh of Israel for generations but the souls of all men for ever
By giving the greatest thing, that is the only Son of God, His life (Mt20:28; Jn3:16).
As His flesh tore and He died, He said, “It is finished” (Mt27:51; Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) In His great distress gave thanks to the Father and finished His life, entering the gates of
heaven with the throne prepared for Him, eternally serving the Father (Ps50:14-15; Jnh2:7-9; He9:24);
2) Condemned the origin of resentment the devil (Is14:12-15; 1Jn3:8); and
3) Sprinkled the blood of the only Son on all mankind (He12:24).
He resurrected and ascended the throne in heaven from which His mercy flows to this day (Rev22:1).
He sent the greatest gift the Holy Spirit (Ac2:38) who
Lets believers know what has been freely given (1Co2:12):
God gave His only Son and in His blood is
Forgiveness, love, life, joy, peace, rest, healing, gifts, the right of His children, daily bread,
Kingdom of heaven, the thrones etc.
A disciple is he who always gives thanks (Col3:15-17),
Whether things are going well or not, whether in health or in sickness, whether he lives or dies.
So he considers all things as God’s mercy and goodness (2Th2:13-17),
Chosen by grace, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, knowing the truth,
Even for tests, disciplines, being humbled etc.
On that day when he leaves the gates of the world,
He longs to give thanks and with thanksgiving enter the heavenly gates where
There is only thanksgiving forever (Rev4:19, 11:17).
O Lord,
On this Thanksgiving Day of 2020,
We are especially grateful to be resolved to give thanks again.
Not because our prayers were answered or that we received some special gifts,
But because we have the only Son, His blood, which
We could never lose even if we lose everything else.
So we thank You and thank You, Yeshua!!
Amen.
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Yeshua My Sun and Shield
(Ps84:1-12)
God is the God of grace (Ps103:8).
Grace comes from Him and
To those whose walk is blameless, He gives every perfect gift (Ps84:11; Jas1:17).
Faith is giving thanks to Him and loving Him.
The life of this faith is following Him even through the valley of weeping for it is the pilgrimage for He
Surrounds with His grace as with a shield (Ps5:12).
To all living things on earth, the sun is not just a planet
But everything as it is a gracious creation.
It freely gives light and heat (Rm3:24),
It does not change like shifting shadows (Jas1:17), and
Without preferring the good or the evil, it shines on all (Mt5:45).
As such, there are many pagan religions that believe in the sun as their god,
While there is Judaism which believes in the One who created the sun (Ps74:16).
And then there is Christianity that believes in the sun of grace that is greater than the sun:
It is the faith that believes in Yeshua who surrounds with grace as
His blood shields (Ps5:12, 31:19).
The Bible contains the story of salvation through God’s protective shield:
By the ark Noah and his family were saved from the flood (Ge18:3);
By the blood of the lamb the Israelites were saved from the death of firstborns (Ex12:5-13); and
By the pillar of fire and the pillar of clouds, they survived the wilderness (Dt32:10; Ps121).
Even in the Law that they received from God His protection by grace was revealed:
The cities of refuge for those who killed unintentionally (Nu35:6-32);
The law that spared the life of those who took hold of the horns of the altar (1Ki1:50-53) for
The altar in the sanctuary had blood of animals with horns.
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-20),
He would save all those who run to Him (Jn8:2-10) for
He is the incarnate Word, the Only Begotten Son (Jn1:4, 14),
The sun of grace, the shield (Jn3:16) who
Came to die as a lamb to defend not Himself but the sinners (Is53:4-7).
As darkness filled the earth (Mt27:45),
He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), and died declaring that He:
1) Committed His spirit as the deep surrounded Him in Hades to the Father of grace to guide Him (Jnh2:2-8; Lk23:46);
2) Judged the devil the ungrateful one (Is14:12-15; 1Jn3:8); and
3) By grace sprinkled His redeeming blood on souls and shielded them (Eph1:7).
He resurrected and ascended to heaven and
Sat on the throne of grace (He4:16).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent came to those who
Believed in the name Yeshua and have their souls overlaid with His blood.
He lets them know the grace that the Lord freely gives (Ac2:38; 1Co2:12).
A disciple made by the Spirit is he who
Though sins by mistake, seeks refuge before the throne of His grace (He4:16; 1Jn2:1-2), thus
Turning away the pursue of sin, death and the devil (Rm8:1-2).
He forgives and covers those who sin against him (Mt18:21-22) and
Puts effort to gather in the name Yeshua, that is, the church (Mt18:20; He10:25).
Though he is hard pressed on every side, he is not crushed;
Though he is perplexed, he is not in despair;
Though he is persecuted, he is not abandoned;
Though he is struck down, he is not destroyed (2Co4:8-10) for
The blood of Yeshua is his shield.
O Lord,
Yeshua! You are my sun and shield!
Though You pour out to me every perfect gift,
Many times I thought You might have abandoned me because of my difficult circumstances.
If there is any problem, it is not You…it is me!
O Lord,
Let the fire of my first love burn my heart once again.
Let the tears of my first grace overflow again.
If this is the way You go, even if it is the valley of tears,
Let me finish the way until I can go to Your house! Amen.
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Those Who Do Not Fall Into Temptation
(Lk22:28-32)
God is faithful (1Co10:13).
He surely does what He speaks (Nu23:19) and
He seats on thrones (Lk22:30)
Those whose faith has been tested (2Co13:5).
Faith is knowing Him and trusting Him and
The life of this faith is in any adversity never resenting or despairing, and not falling into temptation.
For through tests God examines faith (Ex16:4),
When Abraham was tested to give his only son as a burnt offering (Ge22:1-2) and
He carried it out accordingly, proving His fear for God (Ge22:12)
Thus becoming the father of faith.
The people of Israel were God’s tried people for
He gave them commandment and statutes
To test whether they could keep them (Ex15:25-26).
The various signs shown in Egypt and in the wilderness (Ex16:4),
Leading them the way in the wilderness for 40 years (Dt8:2), and
Leaving behind the many tribes in Canaan (Jos1:4) were
All to test them to see what was in their hearts.
In the Most Holy Place Aaron’s budded staff was left by the ark
To rid of their constant grumbling against the LORD (Nu17:5).
In spite of this, however, among those who saw
The glory of God and the signs in Egypt and in the wilderness,
Only 2 entered the land of Canaan
While the rest fell in the wilderness and died for
They disobeyed and tested God 10 times (Nu14:22-29).
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-22),
He would become the tested stone laid in Zion according to the prophecy (Is28:16).
As such, even though He is the Son of God
When He was tested by the devil He defeated him by the written word (Mt4:1-11) and
To the disciples who had stood by Him in His trials
He promised to confer a kingdom and be seated on thrones to reign with Him (Lk22:28-30).
As He died, He said, “It is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Following the command died wretchedly and proved His faith to the Father (Jn10:17-18; He12:2);
2) Condemned the devil the tempter (Ge3:4-6; 1Jn3:8); and
3) By His redeeming blood shed by grace gave them another chance to stand on God’s testing ground (Eph1:7).
He resurrected and sat on the heavenly throne where
There is no more test (Rev21:4).
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Lets the souls saved by the blood of Yeshua know that
Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
An eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2Co4:17).
A disciple is he who
When tested in the flesh, by the family, financially or socially
Is troubled momentarily but rejoices greatly (Jas1:2) for
He knows Job’s perseverance and its result (Job7:8; Jas5:11) and
Faith’s suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and
Character hope (Rm5:3-4).
So when the Lord Jesus Christ appears
He longs to see the result in praise, glory and honor (1Pe1:7) and
Be kept from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world (Rev3:10).
For he will not be tested beyond what he can bear (1Co10:9-13) and
When he is tested God will provide a way out so he can endure it,
He is determined to persevere to the end
For he knows that to this day
The Lord prays from the right hand of God
For His beloved disciples so their faith will not fail (Lk22:32; Rm8:34).
O Lord,
Rather than trying to avoid tests
Let us face them and break through!
So that finally You will approve our faith
Putting the devil to shame.
O Lord,
After You test me
I will come out as gold (Job23:10)! Amen.