Labourers in God's Harvest

Friday 31Dec2021

In today's New Testament reading, Matthew chapters 9 tells of our Lord going from place to place teaching in synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing the sick. We read that the Lord was moved with compasssion when he saw that they were like sheep without shepherd. He told his disciples that there were few labourers to work in a plentiful harvest, and he asked them to pray to "the Lord of Harvest" to send forth labourers.

Matthew 9:35 - 38  KJV  King James Version

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Most probably the disciples did not know that the labourers would be chosen from among them. Immediately after the above account in Matthew 9, the first verse of Matthew 10 tells us that the Lord Iesus chose twelve disciples and gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal the sick. He sent them out to preach the kingdom of heaven to the "lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:5 - 7).

Matthew 10:1  KJV 

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

The following are the disciples whom Iesus called (Matthew 10:2 - 4 KJV):

• Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother
• James ben Zebedee, and John his brother
• Phillip, and Bartholomew
• Thomas, and Matthew the publican
• James ben Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus Thaddaeus
• Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus Anointed, like the unsuspecting disciples who were told to pray that God would send out labourers into the harvest, God may call us to be His labourers too. Let us pray that God will show us what he has sent us to do in his harvest field.

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27 KJV)

From Potiphar to Prison to Pharaoh

Thursday 30Dec2021

Genesis chapters 39 to 41 in today's Old Testament readings tells of Joseph's journey from being sold to Pharaoh's officer Potiphar, to being appointed as overseer over Potiphar's household, to being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and imprisoned by Potiphar, and subsequently to his successful and impressive interpretation of Pharaoh's disturbing dream resulting in his appointment by Pharaoh as ruler over all the land of Egypt, being given Pharaoh's very own signet ring.

Indeed, Joseph has impressed and won the favour of everyone he served with his wisdom and trustworthiness, from Potiphar, to the prison captain, to Pharaoh himself.

Genesis 39:1 - 4  NWB  Noah Webster Bible
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt: and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down thither.
2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man: and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Genesis 41:41 - 44  NWB
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had: and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

A few noteworthy verses are found in the passage above. Genesis 41:40 says that Pharaoh gave Joseph so much authority over the kingdom that "only in the throne will I be greater than thou". Pharaoh gave Joseph the name "Zaphnath-paaneah" (Gen 41:43 NWB) and verse 42 tells us that Pharaoh even took off his own signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand!

With such absolute power, it is no wonder that wherever Zaphnath-paaneah went in Pharaoh's second chariot, the people were ordered to "Bow the knee!" before him. (Gen 41:43 NWB).

This reminds us that our Lord Iesus was likewise anointed by God to rule over heaven and earth, in a manner similar to Joseph (Zaphnath-paaneah) being appointed by Pharaoh to rule over the land of Egypt. In Matthew 28:18, our Lord told the disciples after his resurrection, "All power is given to me in heaven and upon earth".

Indeed, the Lord Iesus is given such a high position that Philippians chapter 2 tells us that God has highly exalted him and has given him a name that is higher than every other name. And just as Genesis 41:43 tells us that every one was to bow the knee before Zaphnath-paaneah, Philippians 2:10 says that every knee shall bow at the name of Iesus. In fact, the name of Iesus is far higher over and above the name of Zaphnath-paaneah because those who bow the knee at the name of Iesus include all things in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth.

Philippians 2:11 goes on to state that every tongue shall confess that Iesus the Anointed is Lord, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

Philippians 2:9 - 11  NWB
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us also bow our knees at the Name of our Lord Iesus who has been Anointed and Highly Exalted by God to rule over every thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Let us confess that Iesus is Lord and give glory to God our Father in Heaven.

I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End

Tuesday 28Dec2021

In today's New Testament reading, I come across two passages containing the words of God Almighty saying, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end".

In Revelation chapter 21, these words are attributed to the one "who was seated on the throne" (Rev 21:5 - 8).

Revelation 21:5 - 8  ESV  English Standard Version

5And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
7The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
8But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

Later in Revelation chapter 22, similar words, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" are conveyed by the angel who was speaking to the Apostle John, and these words are attributed to one who is "coming soon" and who will "repay each one for what he has done", clearly referring to the rewards and punishments from God Almighty described earlier in Rev 21:5 - 8 above.

Revelation 22:12 - 15  ESV

12“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.

Following this, the angel who was speaking to John conveyed the words of our Lord Iesus in Rev 22:16, describing himself as "the root and the descendant of David" and "the bright morning star".

Revelation 22:16  ESV

16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Over the past seven years, I have written short notes on the worship of God who sits on the throne, and distinguishing the titles given to God from those given to the Lord Iesus in various chapters of the book of Revelation. See links given below.

• Worship Him who sits on the Throne, August 2014
• Titles of God vs Titles of Iesous, November 2020

The woman who sits on a scarlet beast

Monday 27Dec2021

Today's New Testament reading of Revelation chapters 15 to 19 is taken from the English Standard Version.

After the account in Revelation chapter sixteen of the outpouring of seven bowls of God's wrath, chapter seventeen tells us that one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls invited the Apostle John to see "the judgment of the great prostitute" (Rev 17:1, 2 ESV)

John was taken by the Spirit into a wilderness where he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast with seven head and ten horns. (Rev 17:3 - 5 ESV)

Revelation 17:3 - 5  ESV  English Standard Version
3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.”

Who is this great prostitute? Who is this woman who sits on a scarlet beast?

Revelation 17:5 above tells us that she is Babylon. Further on in verse 18, the angel explained to John that she is "the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth."

Revelation 17:18  ESV
18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.

Later in Revelation 18:3, we read,

. . . all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.

This prophecy brings to mind that we are living in these last days where a single powerful and abominable authority (the great city of Babylon) is in the process of dominating all other authorities and governments on earth.

In Revelation 18:4 - 5, the Apostle John heard a voice from heaven telling him,

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us watch and pray that we do not fall into the abominations and sexual immorality of Babylon, the woman on a scarlet beast.

Keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Iesus

Sunday 2021.12.26

In my New Testament reading today, I came across a verse in Revelation chapter fourteen telling us about the "patience of the saints". This patience involves keeping the commandments of God and the faith of our Lord Iesus.

Revelation 14:12 KJV King James Version Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

After that, the Apostle John heard a voice from heaven telling him to write:

Revelation 14:13b KJV Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us strive to keep the faith of our Lord Iesus. Let us live in obedience to the Lord, that we may also die in Lord and rest from all our labours.

The world passes away, he who does the will of God abides forever

Thursday 2021.12.23

From today's readings, 1 John chapter 2 tells us not to love the world, for the the world and its lust passes away, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15 - 17  KJV  King James Version
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
    If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world,
    the lust of the flesh,
    and the lust of the eyes,
    and the pride of life,
    is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
    but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us beware of falling in love with the things of this passing world. Instead, let us strive to do the will of God our Father in Heaven that we may abide forever.

Let us draw near to the Throne of Grace

Monday 2021.12.20

From my reading of the New Testament today, Hebrews chapter 4 reminds us that our Lord Iesou the Son of God is our High Priest who was tempted "in all points" (WEB) as we are, yet without sin.

As such, we are urged in the next verse, we can draw near to God, to His throne of grace, for help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14 - 16  WEB  World English Bible
14 Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us draw near to the throne of God, at Whose right hand our Lord Iesou, our High Priest, is seated. Let us find help in time of our need.

Four Benedictions

Saturday 2021.12.18

Today's Passages:
Genesis 19:1 - 23:20 ASV (134 verses)
2 Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18 GNB (47 verses)
1 Timothy 1:1 - 3:16 GNB (51 verses)

This afternoon in my New Testament reading, I came across four benedictions written by the Apostle in Second Thessalonians. The first one is found in chapter 2 with the remaining three in chapter 3 of the epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 17 GNB Good News Bible

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you always to do and say what is good.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 GNB

May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God's love and the endurance that is given by Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 GNB

May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:18 GNB

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesou Anointed, let us learn to bless one another with such benedictions.

Oak trees at Shechem and Hebron

Friday 2021.12.17

In Genesis chapters 12, 13 and 18 from my Old Testament reading today, I came across instances where oak trees (in some versions terebinth trees) are mentioned, particularly in two places: Shechem and Hebron.

Genesis chapter 12 gives an account of Abram, Sarai and Lot leaving their hometown of Haran and going to the land of Canaan at the LORD's command. In Canaan, they came to the "oak of Moreh" (literally the Teacher Oak) in the town of Shechem where Abraham built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 12:4 - 6 ESV English Standard Version
4So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.

Later, in Genesis chapter 13 we read that after Lot separated from Abram and settled in the region of Sodom, Abram moved to Hebron where he settled by the "oaks of Mamre". Again, he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 13:18 ESV
So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 18 tells us that one day the LORD appeared to Abram by the oaks of Mamre as Abram was sitting at the door of his tent.

Genesis 18:1 - 2 ESV
And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth . . .

Firstborn over creation, Firstborn from the dead

Thursday 2021.12.16

In Colossians chapter 1, from my New Testament reading today, I am reminded of a detailed description of the Anointed One by the Apostle. Our Lord Iesou is described as the "firstborn" in at least three ways:

1. He is firstborn over all creation (verse 15)
2. He is before all things (verse 17), and
3. He is firstborn from among the dead (verse 18)

Colossians 1:15 - 20 NIV New International Version

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us remember that our Lord is the firstborn of all creation, that he existed before all things, and that in the assembly he is the firstborn from the dead, having been raised by God on the Third day and be seated at the right hand of God in Heaven.

In pursuit of charity

Sunday 2021.11.28

In my New Testament reading today, I came across 1 Corinthians 14:1 which tells us to pursue charity (Gr agape, Godly love) and desire spiritual gifts in our lives.

This verse brings to mind the situation of a runner in a long marathon race, pursuing his goal of reaching the finishing line ahead of others, while he desires water from drinking stations along the route.

1 Corinthians 14:1 KJV King James Version
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts . . .

"Follow after", the KJV says. Let us follow after charity, the Love of God. Let us pursue charity like a marathon runner pursuing his prize at the finishing line. And along the way let us desire gifts of the Holy Spirit to equip us for our pursuit.

Not all things are expedient, Not all things build up

Saturday 2021.11.27

Shabbat Shalom

Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us keep the Fourth Commandment by resting from all our work until sunset this evening.

This morning in my New Testament reading, I came across verse 23 in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, telling us that sometimes the things that we think are right for us to do may not be helpful to our fellow believers around us. "Not all things are expedient, . . . not all things build up", the Apostle writes.

1 Corinthians 10:23 WEB World English Bible
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.

In the next verse, the Apostle enjoins us to seek our neighbour's good rather than our own.

1 Corinthians 10:24 WEB
Let no one seek his own,
but each one his neighbor`s good.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us strive to seek one another's good. Let us refrain from doing things that mislead, stumble or discourage our fellow believers around us, even if our knowledge and reasoning tell us that those things are "lawful" to do. Let us remember that all things may be lawful but not all are helpful.

One God, we in Him, One Lord, we by him

Friday 2021.11.26

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 26:1 - 29:30 NIV (117 verses)
1 Corinthians 7:1 - 9:27 KJV (80 verses)

In this morning's NT reading, First Corinthians chapter 8, verses 5 and 6, the Apostle wrote that to us there is only one God, who is the Father of all creation, and "we in Him", and one Lord Iesus His Anointed, through whom all things are created, and "we by him".

1 Corinthians 8:5 - 6 KJV King James Version

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

The expressions "we in him" and "we by him", referring to one God and one Lord respectively, is translated in a less ambiguous way in the New International Version as "for whom we live" and "through whom we live":

1 Corinthians 8:5 - 6 KJV King James Version

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus the Anointed One, let us remember that we have only One God our Father from whom we came and for whom we live our lives. And let us remember that we have only one Lord Iesus the Anointed, through whom we came and through whom we live.

Seek the LORD and His strength, Seek His presence continually

Monday 2021.11.22

This morning while reading First Chronicles chapter 16, I am reminded to seek God and to remember all His wonderful works in all circumstances.

1 Chronicles 16:11 - 12  ASV  American Standard Version

Seek ye Jehovah and his strength;
---- Seek his face evermore.
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done,
---- His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us continually seek God and His strength. Let us seek His presence. And let us remember all the marvellous works He has done in our lives.

The Law of the Spirit of Life

Sunday 2021.11.21

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 10:1 - 12:40 GNB (101 verses)
Romans 6:1 - 8:39 NKJV (87 verses)

About eighteen years ago, in March 2003, I wrote and delivered a sermon entitled, "The Three Spiritual Laws" to the Chinese Methodist Church in Kampar, the town where I worked and stayed. This sermon is based on the teachings about the Law of God, the Law of Sin and the Law of the Spirit written by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, chapters 7 and 8, linked below:

• The Three Spiritual Laws

This morning I pondered over the Law of the Spirit of Life as explained in Romans 8:1 - 6, and it occurred to me that this Law of the Spirit involves three steps.

First step: the Spirit dwells in our bodies

Romans 8:9 - 10 KJV says,"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."
It is also written in 1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
Similarly in 1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Second step: the Spirit directs our lives

Romans 8:13 - 14 KJV says,"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Likewise, Galatians 5:25 KJV tells us, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Third step: the Spirit delivers us from death

In Romans 8:10 - 11 KJV we read, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to direct our lives and to deliver us from death to life.

A confession of faith

Tuesday 2021.11.16

Today in my New Testament reading, I have read chapters 22 to 24 of the Acts of the Apostles.

In Acts chapter 24, we read about the Apostle Paul making his defence before Governor Felix in the city of Caesarea in the presence of his Jewish accusers from Jerusalem. In verses 14 to 16, the Apostle confesses his faith in the following manner:

Acts 24:14 - 16 ASV American Standard Version

But this I confess unto thee,
that after the Way which they call a sect,
-- so serve I the God of our fathers,
believing all things which are according to the law,
-- and which are written in the prophets;
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,
-- that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Herein I also exercise myself
-- to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us likewise confess our faith in God our Father to anyone who asks of us, that according to the writings of the Law and the Prophets, we serve the God of Our Fathers, that our hope is in God and that we look forward to the day of Resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Let us live our lives with a clear conscience, with no offence toward God and Man.

A description of God

Sunday 2021.11.14

This morning I read chapters 17 to 19 of the Acts of Apostles in the New Testament.

In Acts chapter 17, the Apostle Paul described his God to a gathering of philosophers of the Areopagus in the city of Athens, as follows:

Acts 17:24 - 31 NIV New International Version
‘The God who made the world and everything in it
is the Lord of heaven and earth and
does not live in temples built by human hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.
Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
“For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.”

‘Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.’

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus the Anointed One, let us remember that we are the offspring of our God who created the heaven and the earth and everything in it - God who does not live in temples nor resemble any image of gold or silver made by human hands.

Let us seek Him and reach out for Him. He is not far from us.

Let us hold fast to our faith and hope in God Almighty who has set a day to judge the world by Iesus his Anointed One whom he has raised from the dead and made to be seated at His right hand.

Ezra was skilled in the Law of Moses

Sunday 2021.11.14

During the reign of King Artaxerxes 1 of Persia, the scribe Ezra ben Seraiah was granted permission by the king to return to his homeland Judah, to the city of Jerusalem with a group of priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants to restore the worship of God Almighty according to the Law of Yehovah.

King Artaxerxes 1 decreed in a letter given to Ezra that Ezra be given silver and gold to make freewill offerings to his God in the Temple in Jerusalem.

In Ezra chapter 7 verses 1 to 5, a genealogy Ezra ben Seraiah is recorded tracing his ancestors all the way back to Aaron the first priest of Israel.

Ezra 7:1 - 5 RSV Revised Standard Version

1Now after this, in the reign of Ar-ta-xerx'es king of Persia,
Ezra the son of Serai'ah,
son of Azari'ah,
son of Hilki'ah,
2son of Shallum,
son of Zadok,
son of Ahi'tub,
3son of Amari'ah,
son of Azari'ah,
son of Mera'ioth,
4son of Zerahi'ah,
son of Uzzi,
son of Bukki,
5son of Abishu'a,
son of Phin'ehas,
son of Elea'zar,
son of Aaron the chief priest —

Verse 6 in the same chapter tells us that Ezra the scribe was skilled in the Law of Moses, that the hand of God was with him, causing King Artaxerxes to grant him all that he asked for. In verse 10, we read that Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of Yehovah, to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances to the children of Israel.

Ezra 7:6 RSV

6this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses which the LORD the God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

10For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Finally, after leaving Babylon on the 1st day 1st month, in the 7th year of the reign of King Artaxerxes, Ezra and his contingent of priests, Levites, and temple servants came to Jerusalem on the 1st day 5th month . The journey had taken them altogether four months. (Ezra 7:9).

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us follow the example of Ezra ben Seraiah to study the Law of Yehovah, to do it and to teach it to one another.

What must I "DO" to get salvation?

Saturday 2021.11.13

Shabbat Shalom.

On this Sabbath Day, in the New Testament, I read chapters 14 to 16 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts chapter 16 contains an account of the baptism of the jail-keeper at Philippi after Paul and Silas were set free from the city jail by the hand of God Almighty through an earthquake.

From the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist, people have been called to show their repentance from sin and their faith in God by going through baptism, in those days typically in the waters of a river. This practice of baptism (or mikveh in Hebrew) is described by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:21 as ". . . not the washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good conscience".

One can say that baptism is something one must do outwardly to make a promise to God from a good conscience inwardly. In other words, baptism is an outward demonstration of inward repentance from sin.

In Acts chapter 16 we read, similarly, in the account of the Philippian jail-keeper who asked Paul and Silas, "What must I do to get salvation?", the jail-keeper was baptised immediately after he put his faith in the Lord Iesus (Acts 15:30 - 34).

Acts 16:30 - 34 BBE Bible in Basic English

30 And took them out and said, Sirs, what have I to do to get salvation?
31 And they said, Have faith in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will have salvation.
32 And they gave the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And that same hour of the night, he took them, and when he had given attention to their wounds, he and all his family had baptism straight away.
34 And he took them into his house and gave them food, and he was full of joy, having faith in God with all his family.

From the above passage, we learn that there were three things that the jail-keeper had in his life on the day of his salvation:

1. he had faith in the Lord Iesus (v 31)
2. he had baptism (v 33)
3. he had fulness of joy (v34)

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us likewise hold fast to these three things that we have in our lives: we have faith in our Lord Iesus, we have gone through the waters of baptism, and we now have the fulness of joy that comes from the Spirit of God.

Through this Iesus, forgiveness of sins is announced

Friday 2021.11.12

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us finish all our tasks for the week, tie up all loose ends, and prepare to enter into Sabbath Rest when the Seventh Day begins at sunset this evening.

In my reading of the New Testament this afternoon, I read chapters 12 and 13 of the Acts of the Apostles.

In Acts chapter 13, the Apostle Paul, on his First Missionary Journey, spoke to a Jewish congregation in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia on a Sabbath day, saying in verses 38 and 39:

Acts 13:38 - 39 WNT Weymouth New Testament

"Understand therefore, brethren, that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is announced to you;
and in Him every believer is absolved from all offences, from which you could not be absolved under the Law of Moses.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us remind ourselves that through Iesus we have forgiveness of sins. Let us keep in our hearts that in Him we are absolved from all offences. Let us therefore strive to live an upright life, holy and acceptable to God our Father and our Lord Iesus the Anointed One.

Tabitha, get up

Wednesday 2021.11.10

This afternoon, in my Old Testament reading, I read chapters 3 to 6 of the Book of Daniel. In the New Testament, I read chapters 8 and 9 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts chapter 9 tells of a disciple in the city of Joppa, a sister whose Aramaic name was Tabitha. In Greek, her name was called Dorcas. Both Tabitha and Dorcas means "gazelle", a type of antelope. The dorcas gazelle is smaller than the mountain gazelle, standing only about two feet tall at shoulder height.

In Acts chapter 9 verse 36, we read that Dorcas was very kind. She was always doing good and helping the poor.

Acts 9:36 NIV New International Version
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.

One day, Dorcas fell ill and died. The other disciples called for the Apostle Peter to come over from a nearby town called Lydda. Subsequently, Peter came to Joppa, entered the room where Dorcas' body was laid, knelt down and prayed to God. He then turned to the dead woman and said, "Tabitha, get up" (Acts 9:40).

Dorcas opened her eyes. She was alive again.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, let us do good and help the poor like Dorcas did all her life.

He must remain in heaven until the time comes

Monday 2021.11.08

In my New Testament reading today, I read chapters 3 to 5 of the Acts of the Apostles.

In Acts chapter 3 verses 13 and 21, Peter stated two undeniable facts about Iesus the Anointed One in his message to the people of Jerusalem who had gathered in Solomon's Porch in great amazement after seeing the crippled beggar of Beautiful Gate standing together with the apostles, completely healed.

The first fact is that the God of their ancestors has given glory to Iesus the Anointed One, whom Peter referred to as God's Servant, "His Servant Iesus".

The second fact is that, after his resurrection and ascension, Iesus the Anointed One must remain in heaven until the end of times when all creation will be renewed.

Acts 3:13 GNB Good News Bible

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has given divine glory to his Servant Jesus. . . .

Acts 3:21 GNB

He must remain in heaven until the time comes for all things to be made new, as God announced through his holy prophets who lived long ago.

Brothers and Sisters, let us hold fast to these two facts about our Lord Iesus: that God Almighty has glorified His Servant Iesus, and that Iesus must remain in heaven until the times of renewal.

Do not eat or drink for three days: night or day

Sunday 2021.11.07

This morning I read the first four chapters of the Book of Esther and two chapters from the Acts of the Apostles.

In Esther chapter 2, we read that Hadassah was an orphan girl who lost her parents when she was small. She was brought up by her cousin Mordecai ben Jair ben Shimei ben Kish of the tribe of Benjamin.

Hadassah was also called Esther.

When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Mordecai and Esther were taken captive to Babylon, and after it was conquered by the Persians, they lived in the citadel of Susa during the reign of King Xerxes.

Subsequently, Esther was chosen by King Xerxes to replace the deposed Queen Vashti. At last, the poor Jewish orphan girl Hadassah has risen to become Queen Esther of the Persian Empire. It must have been a dream come true.

One day, the dream turned into a nightmare.

An evil nobleman called Haman son of Hamedatha was offended by Mordecai's refusal to kneel and bow to him at the King's gate. Haman convinced the King to issue an edict on the First Month 13th day (one day before Passover of the Jews) to all provinces in the empire that all Jews, young and old, men, women, and children, must be killed on the Twelfth month 13th day. That year was the Twelfth Year of the reign of King Xerxes.

Mordecai desperately urged Queen Esther to appeal to King Xerxes to withdraw this evil edict. However, King Xerxes has not summoned Queen Esther to see him for the past thirty days and by law, anyone who appeared in the presence of the King without his order would be executed if the King was not pleased.

Queen Esther was in great danger.

If she sought an audience with the King, she might die. If she didn't, all the Jews in exile in the empire would die. In Esther chapter four verse fifteen, we read:

Esther 4:15 - 16 NIV New International Version

15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:
16‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One. Let us put our trust in God Almighty just like Queen Esther did. If necessary, let us fast and pray when facing difficult, and even dangerous circumstances.

I am the True Vine, My Father is the Gardener

Friday 2021.11.05 14:13 hrs GMT+8

In my New Testament reading this afternoon, I read chapters 15 to 17 of the Gospel of John.

John chapter 15 reminds me of a sad encounter eleven years ago, back in April 2010, seeing two little girls visiting their mother's grave at the Hokkien Cemetery in Sungei Jelok Kajang, Selangor. Later that evening, while attending an anniversary dinner of my university Christian Fellowship, I was awakened to some new observations from the words of our Lord Iesus to his disciples in John 15:1 - 17. This led me to write a long devotional article in my blog a few days later.

Part of my devotional post, written on Mon 05Apr2010, is reproduced below. The link to the complete post can be found at the bottom of the page.

John 15:1 - 17 CEV Contemporary English Version
"Jesus said to his disciples:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you.

Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.

Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.

I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am. Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. And you are my friends, if you obey me. Servants don't know what their master is doing, and so I don't speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.

You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. So I command you to love each other. "

I have read this passage many times before but that evening I noticed, for the first time, that in the midst of our Lord Jesus' commands to his disciples to abide in him and to obey him, there were at least three references to the Father. Once at the beginning, several times in the middle and once more at the end of the passage.

At the beginning of the passage, I read that our heavenly Father is our Gardener. God is our Father who cuts away fruitless branches from the vine and trims the fruitful ones so that the fruitful disciples will bear even more fruit. Every Christian who abides in the commands of our Lord Jesus remains as part of this vine in this garden.

And those of us who bear fruits in Christ will be pruned, trimmed and tended to by our Father in heaven, so that we will bear even more fruits. However, we must beware of the pitfall of living fruitless lives should we depart from obeying Christ in our lives - our Father will cut such people away from his kingdom!

Then about halfway through the passage, I realised that our heavenly Father is our Guide. The Lord Jesus told his disciples that their fruitfulness in life was to glorify his Father (rather than to glorify Jesus himself). He went on to tell them twice that he his love for the disciples was guided by his Father's love: first by saying that he loved them just as his Father has loved him, and again by saying that he would keep loving them if they obeyed him just as his Father keeps loving him because he had obeyed his Father.

Indeed, it is clear that our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, the only begotten Son of God looked to his Father in heaven as his guide in his love for his disciples and in his obedience to his Father. This is the same God who is our heavenly Father today, who is our guide as we obey the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And finally, at the end of the passage, I saw that our Father in heaven is our Giver. The Lord Jesus told his disciples that he had chosen them and had sent them out to produce fruit in life that will endure. And then his Father will give them whatever they ask for in Jesus' name. This is the joy that all who follow and obey the Lord Jesus Christ can have everyday of their lives: the joy of being chosen, of being sent out to live fruitful lives and the joy of receiving from our heavenly Father whatever we ask in the name of Christ.

The full text of my original blog-post is linked below:

• Motherless Children, Fatherless Christians

Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise

Friday 2021.11.05

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week again. It is Preparation Day. Let us tie up all loose ends, finish all our tasks for the week and prepare to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin at sunset this evening.

In my Old Testament reading today, I read the entire book of Lamentations, from chapter 1 to chapter 5.

In the midst of all the sad verses lamenting the fall and destruction of Jerusalem, the writer of the Book of Lamentations held on to his hope and trust in the unfailing love of Yehovah. In chapter 3 verses 22 and 23, we read that the love and mercy of Yehovah is "fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise".

Lamentations 3:22 - 27 GNB Good News Bible

22The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
23Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
24The LORD is all I have, and so I put my hope in him.
25The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him,
26So it is best for us to wait in patience — to wait for him to save us —
27And it is best to learn this patience in our youth.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. Let us hold on to our trust in the unfailing love and mercy of the LORD. In times of trouble, let us wait in patience for Him to save us.

Boaz, the father of Obed by Ruth

Thursday 2021.11.04

This morning I read through the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament while in the New Testament, I read chapters 13 and 14 of the Gospel of John.

It is noteworthy that while Bo'az agreed to marry Ruth after her husband Chillion ben Elimelech had died in the land of Moab, "to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren" (Ruth 4:10), the Book of Ruth ends with a brief genealogy showing the lineage of descendants of Perez down to David, with Obed listed as the descendant of Boaz, the son borne to Boaz by Ruth, rather than the descendant of Chillion his nominal father.

Ruth 4:18 - 22 RSV Revised Standard Version

Now these are the descendants of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,
Hezron of Ram,
Ram of Ammin'adab,
Ammin'adab of Nahshon,
Nahshon of Salmon,
Salmon of Bo'az,
Bo'az of Obed,
Obed of Jesse,
and Jesse of David.

It is also significant that a similar and more complete genealogy is recorded in chapter 1 of the Gospel according to Matthew, beginning with the generation of Abraham and going down the lineage all the way to Joseph the husband of Mary, the mother of Iesus the Anointed One:

Matthew 1:1 - 16 RSV Revised Standard Version

1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
and Isaac the father of Jacob,
and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
and Perez the father of Hezron,
and Hezron the father of Ram,
4and Ram the father of Ammin'adab,
and Ammin'adab the father of Nahshon,
and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5and Salmon the father of Bo'az by Rahab,
and Bo'az the father of Obed by Ruth,
and Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri'ah,
7and Solomon the father of Rehobo'am,
and Rehobo'am the father of Abi'jah,
and Abi'jah the father of Asa,
8and Asa the father of Jehosh'aphat,
and Jehosh'aphat the father of Joram,
and Joram the father of Uzzi'ah,
9and Uzzi'ah the father of Jotham,
and Jotham the father of Ahaz,
and Ahaz the father of Hezeki'ah,
10and Hezeki'ah the father of Manas'seh,
and Manas'seh the father of Amos,
and Amos the father of Josi'ah,
11and Josi'ah the father of Jechoni'ah
and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12And after the deportation to Babylon:
Jechoni'ah was the father of She-al'ti-el,
and She-al'ti-el the father of Zerub'babel,
13and Zerub'babel the father of Abi'ud,
and Abi'ud the father of Eli'akim,
and Eli'akim the father of Azor,
14and Azor the father of Zadok,
and Zadok the father of Achim,
and Achim the father of Eli'ud,
15and Eli'ud the father of Elea'zar,
and Elea'zar the father of Matthan,
and Matthan the father of Jacob,
16and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary,
of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

One may say that the whole purpose of the narrative of the Moabitess Ruth, returning to the land of Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi, is to show that Ruth was predestined to become the great-grandmother of King David, God's chosen king, from whom the Messiah will come.

It also shows the sovereign hand of the LORD Yehovah in preparing for the arrival of King David to rule over Israel, and eventually for the Messiah, the Seed of David to be the Anointed One, the chosen eternal High Priest and King over the Kingdom of God Almighty.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, today let us ponder over the earthly genealogy of our Lord Iesus. Let us remember our Lord as the promised Seed of King David, chosen and anointed by God Almighty to be our eternal High Priest and King over the everlasting Kingdom of God Almighty.

Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of Yehovah

Wednesday 03Nov2021, UPDATED: Wednesday 05Jan2022

In the New Testament today, I read John chapters 11 and 12.

John 12:13 tells of the people welcoming our Lord Iesus into Jerusalem with the exclamation, "Hosanna", a Greek word which some scholars believe is a combination of the Hebrew words “yasha” (to save or deliver) and “anna” (please, I beseech).

We can see this meaning reflected in Psalm 118:25,26, a prophecy that was eventually fulfilled in John 12:13,

John 12:12 - 13 KJV King James Version

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 118:25 - 26 KJV

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Bearing in mind that the Greek expression "Hosanna" is equivalent to the Hebrew "yasha anna" or "save, I beseech thee" (Psalm 118:25), a more detailed account of our Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem is given in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 21:

Matthew 21:8 - 11  KJV  King James Version

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

The words, "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Hosanna in the highest" in verse 9 is rendered more clearly by the Weymouth New Testament as,

"God save the Son of David!"
and
"God in the highest Heavens save Him!" respectively.

In other words, "Hosanna" was a prayer to God for our Lord Iesus the Anointed to be saved from his enemies.

When we understand that Hosanna means "Save, I beseech Thee", we begin to understand, somewhat profoundly, that "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Matthew 21:9 KJV) is not a cry to the Lord Iesus. Instead, it was a cry in prayer to God, beseeching Him to save the Son of David!

Furthermore, the meaning of the expression of praise, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD" becomes much more meaningful if we recognise that the word translated "LORD" refers to the Name of God, YeHoVaH, from the tetragrammation Yod-He-Vav-He.

Thus when our Lord Iesus was entering Jerusalem triumphantly that day, the people were exclaiming, "Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of YeHoVaH". In other words, the people recognised that Iesus came to them in the Name of his God.

Brothers and Sisters in Iesus the Anointed One, let us ponder over the meaning of these words of prayer "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Hosanna in the highest", and the words of praise, "Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the LORD".

Let us likewise call upon our God to save us, "yasha anna". In our own words, "Save us, we beseech Thee" and bless the Anointed Lord Iesus, "Blessed is he who comes to us in the Name of Yehovah".

I tell the world only what I have heard from Him

Monday 2021.11.01

This afternoon I read the Gospel of John chapters 7 and 8 in the New Testament.

John chapters 7 and 8 records the account of our Lord's visit to Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) where the Jewish leaders questioned him about his authority.

The following verses record our Lord's replies to their critical questions:

John 7:16 GNB Good News Bible

Jesus answered, “What I teach is not my own teaching, but it comes from God, who sent me.

John 8:23 GNB

Jesus answered, “You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world.

John 8:25 - 27 GNB

25“Who are you?” they asked him. Jesus answered, “What I have told you from the very beginning. 26I have much to say about you, much to condemn you for. The one who sent me, however, is truthful, and I tell the world only what I have heard from him.” 27They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father.

John 8:42 GNB

Jesus said to them, “If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us ponder over these words of our Lord and remind ourselves that our Lord Iesus came from God above, that he did not come to this world on his own authority but was instead sent by God, and that his teachings came from God who sent him.

Work for food that endures to eternal life

Sunday 2021.10.31

In my New Testament reading today, I read chapters 5 and 6 of the Gospel according to John.

In John chapter 6 verses 27 to 29, our Lord Iesus told the crowds of people who came to him for more food after he had fed 5,000 of them with five loaves and two fish on the previous day, not to work for food that perishes but instead for food that brings about eternal life. When the people asked him what kind of work this is, Iesus replied, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent".

John 6:27 - 29 NRSV New Revised Standard Version

27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ 28Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ 29Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’

Further on in verses 47 to 51, our Lord told the Jews who were murmuring against him that he is the living bread that came down from heaven, and that whoever believes in him has eternal life.

John 6:47 - 51 NRSV

47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

Over the last nine years, I have written my observations about the words of our Lord Iesus in John chapter 6 in my devotional blog, links below:

• The Heavenly Man (2010)
• The Heavenly Man (2012)
• Words of Life (2017)
• Iesus, ascending to where he was before (2019)

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus the Anointed One, let us work for food that endures to eternal life. Let us hold fast to our belief in our Lord Iesus, the Living Bread from Heaven, whom God has sent.

In the Beginning was the Word

Friday 2021.10.29

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us make preparations to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin after sunset this evening.

In the New Testament today, I began reading the Gospel according to John, covering the first two chapters.

The Gospel of John begins with a detailed description of the origin, advent, and purpose of the Word of God. The first eighteen verses of chapter one tells us at least eight things about the Word of God.

(1) The Word was with God in the beginning.

John 1:1 - 2 ASV American Standard Version

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.

(2) All things were created through the Word.

John 1:3 ASV

3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

(3) Life and Light was in the Word

John 1:4 - 5 ASV

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

(4) The Word came into the world but the world did not recognise him. His own people rejected him.

John 1:9 - 11 ASV

9 There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

(5) Whoever received him by believing on his name was given the right to become children of God.

John 1:12 - 13 ASV

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(6) The Word came into this world physically, "in the flesh".

John 1:14 ASV

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

(7) John the Baptist bore witness of the Word and the Grace and Truth of God that came by the Word.

John 1:15 - 17 ASV

15 John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.
16 For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

(8) The Word was in the bosom of God the Father, was the Only Begotten Son of God, and had declared God to us.

John 1:18 ASV

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

They rested according to the Commandment

Thursday 2021.10.28

In the New Testament today, I finished reading the last three chapters of the Gospel of Luke from the King James Version.

Luke chapter 23 verses 54 to 56 tells us that, after the crucifixion and burial of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One, it was approaching sunset of Preparation Day (the Sixth Day) and the Sabbath was drawing near. Having looked at how the body of our Lord was laid in the tomb prepared by Joseph of Arimathea, the women who followed Iesus returned home, prepared spices and ointments and rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 23:54 - 56 KJV

54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, tomorrow will be Preparation Day, the Sixth Day of the Week. Like the women who followed Iesus in Luke chapter 23, let us prepare to rest on the sabbath according to the Fourth Commandment after sunset tomorrow.

Job lost all he had in one day

Wednesday 2021.10.27

Today in my Old Testament reading I read began reading the Book of Job, covering the first five chapters.

Job chapter 1 tells us that Job was a wealthy man. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she-asses, and very many servants.

All these were taken away from Job in one day.

Verses 20 to 22 tells of Job's well known response to his great loss:

Job 1:20 - 22 RSV Revised Standard Version
Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Job was a patient man. In the Epistle General of James, a reference is made about the steadfastness of Job in chapter 5 verse 11, how his steadfastness brought forth the purpose of God in his life:

James 5:11 RSV Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Brothers and Sisters in Iesus the Anointed One. Let us learn from the example of Job, to remain patient and steadfast in times of great loss and adversity.

Three things, and four

Tuesday 2021.10.26

This afternoon I read through Proverbs 28 to 31 for my Old Testament reading using the New International Version.

Proverbs chapter 30 is written by Agur ben Jakeh. It contains a set of utterances meant to be read in the hearing of Uthiel. Among the most notable words of wisdom in this chapter are classifications of things in life that come in sets of four, namely

1. Four things that never say enough v.15 - 16
2. Four things too amazing to understand v.18 - 19
3. Four things that make the earth tremble v.21 - 23
4. Four things small but exremely wise v.24 - 28, and
5. Four things that are stately in stride v.29 - 31

Proverbs 30:15 - 16 NIV

‘There are three things that are never satisfied,
four that never say, “Enough!”:
---- the grave
---- and the barren womb;
---- land, which is never satisfied with water,
---- and fire, which never says, “Enough!”

Proverbs 30:18 - 19 NIV

There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:
---- the way of an eagle in the sky,
---- the way of a snake on a rock,
---- the way of a ship on the high seas,
---- and the way of a man with a young woman.

Proverbs 30:21 - 23 NIV

Under three things the earth trembles,
under four it cannot bear up:
---- a servant who becomes king,
---- a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,
---- a contemptible woman who gets married,
---- and a servant who displaces her mistress.

Proverbs 30:24 - 28 NIV

Four things on earth are small,
---- yet they are extremely wise:
ants are creatures of little strength,
---- yet they store up their food in the summer;
hyraxes are creatures of little power,
---- yet they make their home in the crags;
locusts have no king,
---- yet they advance together in ranks;
a lizard can be caught with the hand,
---- yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

Proverbs 30:29 - 31 NIV

There are three things that are stately in their stride,
four that move with stately bearing:
---- a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;
---- a strutting cock,
---- a he-goat,
---- and a king secure against revolt.

Why did the master praise the dishonest steward?

Monday 2021.10.25 15:33 hrs

Today, for my New Testament reading, I read through chapters 16 and 17 of the Gospel of Luke

Luke 16:1 - 12 records the Parable of the Dishonest Steward (or Dishonest Manager), a parable that I had for many years found rather puzzling, even disturbing, because of two things mentioned in it.

Firstly, in verse 8 our Lord tells us in this parable that the Master praised his dishonest manager for "doing such a shrewd thing". Why would the Master praise his employee after getting cheated by him?

Secondly, in verse 9, our Lord tells his followers to "make friends for yourselves with worldly wealth, so that when it gives out, you will be welcomed in the eternal home". What friends do we make with our worldly wealth? Who are these friends who will welcome us in eternity?

Luke 16:1 - 12 GNB

1Jesus said to his disciples, “There was once a rich man who had a servant who managed his property. The rich man was told that the manager was wasting his master's money, 2so he called him in and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Hand in a complete account of your handling of my property, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3The servant said to himself, ‘My master is going to dismiss me from my job. What shall I do? I am not strong enough to dig ditches, and I am ashamed to beg. 4Now I know what I will do! Then when my job is gone, I shall have friends who will welcome me in their homes.’

5“So he called in all the people who were in debt to his master. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6‘100 barrels of olive oil,’ he answered. ‘Here is your account,’ the manager told him; ‘sit down and write fifty.’ 7Then he asked another one, ‘And you — how much do you owe?’ ‘A thousand sacks of wheat,’ he answered. ‘Here is your account,’ the manager told him; ‘write 800.’

8“As a result the master of this dishonest manager praised him for doing such a shrewd thing; because the people of this world are much more shrewd in handling their affairs than the people who belong to the light.”

9And Jesus went on to say, “And so I tell you: make friends for yourselves with worldly wealth, so that when it gives out, you will be welcomed in the eternal home. 10Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. 11If, then, you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth? 12And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what belongs to you?

Eight years ago in September 2013, after pondering over this passage, I came to two conclusions about the parable which I discussed in detail in a devotional blog post, linked below:

• One Parable, Two Lessons

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Sunday 2021.10.24

On this First Day of the Biblical Week, I read Proverbs 22 to 24 from the Old Testament using the New King James Version.

Proverbs 23 contains a poetic passage about the perils of being addicted to wine. It concludes with the statement, "When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?", a poignant reminder of the endless whirlpool into which a drunkard descends.

Proverbs 23:29 - 35 NKJV
Who has woe?
---- Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
---- Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
---- Who has redness of eyes?

Those who linger long at the wine,
---- Those who go in search of mixed wine.

Do not look on the wine when it is red,
---- When it sparkles in the cup,
---- When it swirls around smoothly;

At the last it bites like a serpent,
---- And stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
---- And your heart will utter perverse things.

Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
---- Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
“They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
---- They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.

When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

Build up treasure in heaven, Keep your lamps burning

Saturday 2021.10.23

Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us keep the Fourth Commandment by resting from all our work until sunset this evening.

This morning from the New Testament, I read Luke chapters 12 and 13 using J.N.Darby's Translation.

Luke chapter 12 carries an account of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One teaching the people to build up an everlasting treasure in heaven by giving alms. Immediately after saying this, our Lord goes on to remind his followers to keep their lamps burning and watch for the Lord's return.

Luke 12:29 - 37 JND J N Darby's Translation
29 And *ye*, seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, and be not in anxiety;
30 for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that ye have need of these things;
31 but seek his kingdom, and all these things shall be added to you.
32 Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell what ye possess and give alms; make to yourselves purses which do not grow old, a treasure which does not fail in the heavens, where thief does not draw near nor moth destroy.
34 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
35 Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;
36 and *ye* like men who wait their own lord whenever he may leave the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.
37 Blessed are those bondmen whom the lord on coming shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that he will gird himself and make them recline at table, and coming up will serve them.

The above passage brought up one question in my thoughts,
"Is building up treasure in heaven (giving alms) part and parcel of watching and waiting for the return of our Lord Iesus? Do we keep our lamps burning by continually giving to the poor and needy?"

These are questions I ponder over on this day of Shabbat.

The Lord Iesus was filled with the Holy Spirit

Friday 2021.10.22

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us finish all our tasks for the week and prepare to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin at sunset this evening.

This afternoon my New Testament reading covered chapters 10 and 11 of the Gospel of Luke from the RBV.

Luke chapter 10 verse 21 records the account of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One praising God for revealing His Kingdom to simple, uneducated people, whom he referred to as "babes", and hiding it from those who think of themselves as "learned and intelligent".

Luke 10:21 RBV

"At that time Iesus exulted in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have concealed this from the learned and intelligent and have revealed it to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was pleasing in Your presence. . . ."

Note that verse 21 above begins by saying that our Lord Iesus "exulted in the Holy Spirit" when he uttered his praise to God, the Lord of heaven and earth. This reminds me of two earlier instances in the Gospel of Luke where our Lord was described as being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The first is in Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit descended upon our Lord in the form of a dove just after he was baptised by John the Baptist. The second instance is in the following chapter, in Luke 4:1, where our Lord was filled with the Holy Spirit when he returned from his baptism at the Jordan River, and was guided by the Spirit as he proceeded to the desert for 40 days of fasting.

Luke 3:21 - 22 RBV Revised Berkeley Version

When all the people were being baptised, Iesus too was baptized and, while he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down on him, in bodily shape like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son; in you I am well pleased!"

Luke 4:1 RBV

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Iesus returned from the Jordan River and for 40 days was guided in the desert by the Spirit, . . .

After the death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Iesus to the right hand of His Father, the apostle Peter spoke the following words when preaching the Gospel to the household of Cornelius the Centurion at Caesarea:

Acts 10: 37-38 KJV

You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, are you filled and guided by the Holy Spirit? Let us be always filled with the Holy Spirit. Like our Lord Iesus, let us exult in the Holy Spirit and give praise to God our Father in Heaven. Like the Anointed One, let us be guided by the Spirit of God in all we do.

Post Script:
Twelve years ago, in April 2009, I wrote a short devotion on this passage in Acts chapter 10, entitled, "An Act of God":

• An Act of God

He who guards his lips guards his life

Thursday 2021.10.21

For my Old Testament reading this afternoon, I read through Proverbs 13 to 15 using the NIV.

Proverbs 13 verse 3 carries a reminder for us to guard our speech, to be careful with what we say, for rash words can bring us into ruin.

Proverbs 13:3 NIV

He who guards his lips guards his life
---- but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

I am also reminded of the teaching of the Apostle James in chapter 3 of his Epistle General about the tongue being "a world of evil" among the parts of our body, setting our life on fire.

James 3:3 - 6 NIV

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Brothers and Sisters, let us guard our speech. Let us restrain our lips. Let us bridle our tongues.

Two precious gems

Wednesday 2021.10.20

This afternoon I read Proverbs 10 to 12 for my Old Testament reading. In the New Testament, I read chapters 6 and 7 of the Gospel of Luke

Proverbs chapter 10 contains two gems of advice which have been precious to me since my university days more than forty years ago. They are found in verses 19 and 26

Proverbs 10:19 NKJV

In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking
---- but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:26 NKJV

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes
---- so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Taken together, these two gems of advice teaches us to talk less and work more, to refrain from careless chatter and to devote ourselves to diligent work.

Yehovah created Me first of all

Tuesday 2021.10.19

For my OT reading this afternoon, I read through Proverbs chapters 7 to 9 from the Good News Bible.

Proverbs chapter 8 contains a long passage where the Wisdom of God is personified, describing herself in the first person. I was surprised by verses 22 and 23 in particular which says Wisdom was created by Yehovah in the very beginning before the world began.

This made me wonder whether the Wisdom of God described here is identical to the Word of God described in John 1:1 - 2, "In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God" (GNB).

Proverbs 8:12 - 31 GNB
12 I am Wisdom, and I have insight;
---- I have knowledge and sound judgement.
13 To honour the LORD is to hate evil;
---- I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words.
14 I make plans and carry them out.
---- I have understanding, and I am strong.
15 I help kings to govern
---- and rulers to make good laws.
16 Every ruler on earth governs with my help,
---- officials and nobles alike.
17 I love those who love me;
---- whoever looks for me can find me.
18 I have riches and honour to give,
---- prosperity and success.
19 What you get from me is better than the finest gold,
---- better than the purest silver.
20 I walk the way of righteousness;
---- I follow the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth to those who love me,
---- filling their houses with treasures.
22 “The LORD created me first of all,
---- the first of his works, long ago.
23 I was made in the very beginning,
---- at the first, before the world began.
24 I was born before the oceans,
---- when there were no springs of water.
25 I was born before the mountains,
---- before the hills were set in place,
26 before God made the earth and its fields
---- or even the first handful of soil.
27 I was there when he set the sky in place,
---- when he stretched the horizon across the ocean,
28---- when he placed the clouds in the sky,
when he opened the springs of the ocean
29---- and ordered the waters of the sea to rise no further than he said.
I was there when he laid the earth's foundations.
30---- I was beside him like an architect,
I was his daily source of joy,
---- always happy in his presence —
31 happy with the world
---- and pleased with the human race.

Mary kept all these in her heart

Monday 2021.10.18

Today in the NT, I read Luke chapters 2 and 3.

Luke chapter 2 tells us of the events surrounding the birth of our Lord Iesus in Bethlehem of Judea and of his visits to Jerusalem in his childhood years. In particular, the chapter mentions two instances when Mary kept in her heart certain things that she heard: first from the shepherds who came to see the new born baby Iesus in the manger in Bethlehem, and second from Iesus himself when he was twelve years old when he stayed back to debate with learned men at the temple of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:15 - 19 KJV
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:46 - 51 KJV
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

I wrote three devotional blogposts on "What Mary kept in her heart" eleven years ago in January 2010, links below:

• What Mary Kept in Her Heart Part One
• What Mary Kept in Her Heart Part Two
• What Mary Kept in Her Heart Part Three