Devotion on Thursday, 10Oct13
Acts 10: 36-38
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
The Message of the Kingdom of God
- its essence can be found in Peter's words to the household of Cornelius in Acts chapter 10.
- the message about the Kingdom of God is called "the Word" by Peter. It was the Word which God sent to the children. (see Acts 10: 36)
In Acts 10:42 Peter's message about the Kingdom of God is simply this,
" And He (Yeshua of Nazareth) commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead."
In the next verse, Peter explains the way into the Kingdom. This explanation is part of the "Word".
Acts 10: 43
To Him (Yeshua), all the prophets witness that, through His name (Yeshua), whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
It was while these very words were spoken that the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard The Word.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us preach the same Word - the message about the Kingdom of God.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Gentiles who bear the Name of YHWH
Devotion, after lunch on Monday, 05Aug13, 2.45 pm.
Acts 15:17, quoting Amos 9:11,12, tells us that all Gentiles who bear the Name of YHWH will seek YHWH.
This is a new covenant, whereby Gentiles can bear the Name of YHWH. Notice the significance of the word, "Gentiles". Yes, it says Gentiles. It refers to those peoples whose males are uncircumcised, who have traditionally been disqualified from God's nation of Israel.
The time has come, when these Gentiles can bear the Name of YHWH. These are the Gentiles who seek YHWH.
Acts 15: 1, 5 records that some of the Pharisee sect have insisted that the believing Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia must be converted and become Jews according the Mosaic tradition.
Acts 15:1
“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Acts 15: 5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
After much dispute, finally Peter rose up to address the disciples in Acts 15: 7-11, using his first-hand experience at Cornelius' household at Caesarea to explain why there is no need for these Gentiles to become Jews by undergoing circumcision and to obey all the Torah of Moses.
“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
Yes, today, the Spirit of God is given by baptism in the Name of the Master Yeshua the Anointed One of God. Through the kindness of the Master Yeshua, we are saved, in the same manner as those Gentiles in the household of Cornelius.
Our hearts are purified by faith.
Acts 15:17, quoting Amos 9:11,12, tells us that all Gentiles who bear the Name of YHWH will seek YHWH.
This is a new covenant, whereby Gentiles can bear the Name of YHWH. Notice the significance of the word, "Gentiles". Yes, it says Gentiles. It refers to those peoples whose males are uncircumcised, who have traditionally been disqualified from God's nation of Israel.
The time has come, when these Gentiles can bear the Name of YHWH. These are the Gentiles who seek YHWH.
Acts 15: 1, 5 records that some of the Pharisee sect have insisted that the believing Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia must be converted and become Jews according the Mosaic tradition.
Acts 15:1
“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Acts 15: 5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
After much dispute, finally Peter rose up to address the disciples in Acts 15: 7-11, using his first-hand experience at Cornelius' household at Caesarea to explain why there is no need for these Gentiles to become Jews by undergoing circumcision and to obey all the Torah of Moses.
“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
Yes, today, the Spirit of God is given by baptism in the Name of the Master Yeshua the Anointed One of God. Through the kindness of the Master Yeshua, we are saved, in the same manner as those Gentiles in the household of Cornelius.
Our hearts are purified by faith.
The Last Words of David
Devotion on Thursday, 25Jul13
2 Samuel 23:5
Although my house is not so with God,
Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant,
Ordered in all things,
and secure.
Compare with 1 Chronicles 17:4,9, 10 (The word of YHWH came to the prophet Nathan)
4 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.
9 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 10 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that YHWH will build you a house.
From these verses, today we can learn that the covenant of YHWH with David is an everlasting covenant. Yes, YHWH will build David a house.
2 Samuel 23:5
Although my house is not so with God,
Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant,
Ordered in all things,
and secure.
Compare with 1 Chronicles 17:4,9, 10 (The word of YHWH came to the prophet Nathan)
4 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in.
9 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 10 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that YHWH will build you a house.
From these verses, today we can learn that the covenant of YHWH with David is an everlasting covenant. Yes, YHWH will build David a house.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Judah - the tribe chosen by YHWH
Devotion on 24Jul13
Reading Psalm 78: 67-72
Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which He loved.
And He built His sanctuary like the heights,
Like the earth which He has established forever.
He also chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds;
From following the ewes that had young He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews chapter 7 teaches us that the promised Messiah comes from the tribe of Judah to establish an eternal priesthood that replaces the existing Levitical priesthood.
Hebrews 7: 11-17 NKJV
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.” (From Psalm 110:4)
Reading Psalm 78: 67-72
Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which He loved.
And He built His sanctuary like the heights,
Like the earth which He has established forever.
He also chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds;
From following the ewes that had young He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews chapter 7 teaches us that the promised Messiah comes from the tribe of Judah to establish an eternal priesthood that replaces the existing Levitical priesthood.
Hebrews 7: 11-17 NKJV
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.” (From Psalm 110:4)
Men, not God. Flesh, not Spirit
Devotion on Wed 24Jul13
Reading Isaiah 31:3 NKJV
Now the Egyptians are men
and not God,
And their horses are flesh
and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out His hand,
Both he who helps will fall,
And he who is helped will fall down;
They all will perish together.
The contrast between the flesh and the spirit is explained by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. For example,
Galatians 5:16-25 NKJV
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Reading Isaiah 31:3 NKJV
Now the Egyptians are men
and not God,
And their horses are flesh
and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out His hand,
Both he who helps will fall,
And he who is helped will fall down;
They all will perish together.
The contrast between the flesh and the spirit is explained by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. For example,
Galatians 5:16-25 NKJV
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Whose God do you trust?
Lunch-time devotion: Monday, 01Jul13
Reading Psalm 146 from my little Gideons New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs, Revised Berkeley Version.
verses 3,4
Do not put your trust in princes,
nor in a son of man,
- in whom there is no help.
His spirit departs,
he returns to his earth,
- in that very day his plans perish.
In contrast, verses 5 - 9 tells us:
verse 5
Happy is he who puts his trust in the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in YHWH his God.
This God, YHWH is the God of Jacob,
- who made heavens and earth
- who keeps truth forever
- who executes justice for the oppressed
- who feeds the hungry and
- who frees the prisoners.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us be careful, not to put our trust in earthly princes, in sons of mere man, as powerful and influential as they may seem, for in the very day they die, their plans perish with them.
Instead, let us put our trust in YHWH, the God of Jacob. Let us put our hope in Him alone.
Reading Psalm 146 from my little Gideons New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs, Revised Berkeley Version.
verses 3,4
Do not put your trust in princes,
nor in a son of man,
- in whom there is no help.
His spirit departs,
he returns to his earth,
- in that very day his plans perish.
In contrast, verses 5 - 9 tells us:
verse 5
Happy is he who puts his trust in the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in YHWH his God.
This God, YHWH is the God of Jacob,
- who made heavens and earth
- who keeps truth forever
- who executes justice for the oppressed
- who feeds the hungry and
- who frees the prisoners.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us be careful, not to put our trust in earthly princes, in sons of mere man, as powerful and influential as they may seem, for in the very day they die, their plans perish with them.
Instead, let us put our trust in YHWH, the God of Jacob. Let us put our hope in Him alone.
What does "under the Law" mean?
I asked this brief question on Thursday, 27Jun13 during devotion.
Galatians 4: 4,5 NIV
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
The verses above states that our Master Yeshua the Messiah was born under the Law to redeem those who are under the Law - that we may receive adoption as sons.
What does being under the Law actually mean? Does "sonship" mean we are no more "under the Law"? Does it mean we are no longer under obligation to keep the commandments of the Torah (Law)?
Further on, in Galatians 4:7, the Apostle states that, after receiving the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, we are no longer a slave, but instead have become a son.
Young's Literal Translation puts it across very effectively, using the original sentence structure:
Galatians 4: 4-7 YLT
4 and when the fulness of time did come, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law,
5 that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive;
6 and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, `Abba, Father!'
7 so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.
Towards the latter part of chapter 4, beginning from verse 21, the Apostle appeals to those desire to be "under the Law" to consider the typological meaning of Ishmael, born of the maid servant (slave), in contrast to Isaace, born of the free woman, Sarah, born by the promise of God, concluding in verse 31:
Galatians 4: 4,5 NIV
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
The verses above states that our Master Yeshua the Messiah was born under the Law to redeem those who are under the Law - that we may receive adoption as sons.
What does being under the Law actually mean? Does "sonship" mean we are no more "under the Law"? Does it mean we are no longer under obligation to keep the commandments of the Torah (Law)?
Further on, in Galatians 4:7, the Apostle states that, after receiving the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, we are no longer a slave, but instead have become a son.
Young's Literal Translation puts it across very effectively, using the original sentence structure:
Galatians 4: 4-7 YLT
4 and when the fulness of time did come, God sent forth His Son, come of a woman, come under law,
5 that those under law he may redeem, that the adoption of sons we may receive;
6 and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, `Abba, Father!'
7 so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.
Towards the latter part of chapter 4, beginning from verse 21, the Apostle appeals to those desire to be "under the Law" to consider the typological meaning of Ishmael, born of the maid servant (slave), in contrast to Isaace, born of the free woman, Sarah, born by the promise of God, concluding in verse 31:
"then, brethren, we are not a maid-servant's children, but the free-woman's"
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