I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you

John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.

In the days after His ascension, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the believers. Our Lord is saying that we can invoke His name, because of our close relationship with Him, and that He does not need to pray to the Father anymore, because He is with the Father. The Father will respond to His children, because of the relationship established between the Son and His children. In other words, we have direct communication with God the Creator, as a Father to us.

Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you

John 16:23
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 

When our Lord Yshua was with His disciples, He provided everything they need. The provisions that people gave to Yshua would extend to his travelling companion-disciples. Also other people could come to see Him in person. But once He was ascended, He promised the people that they God the Father will provide for them. All they need to do is to ask in His name, the name of Yshua. Though Yshua has left the Earth, He has not abandoned His followers. In fact the greatest gift to His followers after He left, is the Holy Spirit himself.

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you

 Luke 24:49
 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem[i] until you are endued with power from on high.”

This statement applies to the early disciples between the time of our Lord Yshua's Resurrection and His Ascension. As soon as He Ascended, He is Glorified and the Holy Spirit has been given to humankind ever since. The rest is up to us to receive the Holy Spirit when we make Yshua our Lord and Saviour. We have full access to our Lord through the person of the Holy Spirit who lives in each one of us who calls Yshua, LORD.

Pray without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing

A commentary once described that the accurate way to think of what praying should be is that it is like breathing and blood flowing in our bodies. It is something that we are meant to do continuously, sometimes even without our conscious effort. The reality is that to many, praying is an activity that some may do regularly, while others do occasionally. It no doubts reflects our closeness to God. Praying should be our way of life. Something to be cautious about are sins - all of which hinder our praying life and drive us away from God even on the odd occasion. The commentary is correct, considering we have the Holy Spirit in us, and we have constant access to God.

If you take the left, then I will go to the right

Genesis 13:9
 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

The context of this is that Lot and Abraham were about to split up their camps because it got too crowded and difficult to share the limited resources. Abraham, being the uncle and elder and leader, had the right to choose the land for Himself first. However, Abraham chose to forgo his right and gave his nephew Lot the first choice of land. This rather unnatural decision is perhaps an indication of God's work in Abraham as Abraham began to built his faith and trusted that God is the ultimate provider. He recognised that wise decision means using more than his own intellect, but rather trusting God to provide the best for him.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

Revelation 1:17
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,[h] “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

When we truly come into an encounter with God, even if we are walking very closely with Him or otherwise, there may be no other response than to fall flat before Him. The moment we realise His Majesty and Awesomeness, falling in front of Him may be the most natural thing to do. The verse above continues that God laid His hand on John. This is the fatherly gesture of God with no hint of condemnation nor displeasure, quite the opposite really. How we all yearn for that experience even here on earth.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life

Matthew 6:25 
 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

God had told us to seek first His Kingdom. The other things that we need in life will be provided by Him. This is also a test of faith that many would not care to admit. However it is more than just a test. The motive is obvious, we cannot do many things at once. If we are called to do God's work, then to do it properly means we would not have time to do other things. Those other things are necessary for survival, which is why God will attend to them so that we can concentrate on the work He has assigned us.

You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us

John 17:21
That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

God calls us to have a deep relationship with Him. Jesus loves the people but He is the closest with His Father. We too must be inseparable with our Lord Yshua. Only through this relationship that we can withstand the trials and troubles in life. We will feel more secured and confident when we know that He is with us. We will also come out of trials to become a better person. A commentary said: "The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy".

Seek first the kingdom of God

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you

This may be one of the most important principles taught by our Lord Yshua. We are to put the Kingdom of God before all other cares in our lives. This is a broad principle because it covers everything in life. No question that it is important to make a living and care for other people or things. However the first and foremost is the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, if we get this priority right, God will assist us in other matters in life. The argument is that God takes care of all the little things in His creation and He will no doubt take care of the most important of all His creation - us.

By your patience possess your souls

Luke 21:19
By your patience possess your souls.

There is a distinction that we are spirit beings who live in a physical body and we possess a soul. The soul is the intellect, the mind, the emotions and feelings. The trouble is that these intellect, mind/thinking, emotions and feelings often takes first priority in us because we regard them as the truth. However they can be mistaken in thinking, emotions and so on. We know of a greater spiritual truth in Yshua and His revealed Word. Better that we take hold of the Word and let the Holy Spirit guide us. We can then use our intellect to check if things are consistent with the Word. Then developing patience, we can also put our emotions in check.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Who can be at the point of saying the above statement? The apostle Paul was one such individual, perhaps Job is another individual, and many more from Scriptures. These are mere mortals, and in many cases not too different to us. However, their deep knowledge and relationship with God ensures that they can stand their ground in the face of all sorts of calamities. Disasters may affect them, but their inner spirit being, which is who they really are, are secured deeply in God. The result is they have a confidence and peace that is beyond understanding of those who don't know the Lord.

So why do you worry about clothing?

Matthew 6: 26,28
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? .......
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

God takes care of all His creation including us. Scripture gives a very good example of how He takes care of the lilies and creatures to show that He will take even more care for us. This is something that we all need reminding if we get too caught up with the worries of this world.

He was parted from them and carried up into heaven

Luke 24:51
Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

There is nothing like the ascension of Christ. This happened in front of His followers after they had spent several weeks with Him following His resurrection. While the crucifixion was unexpected by His followers, His ascension would have been well expected. Our Lord has now returned to His glory and is awaiting us.

You may be partakers of the divine nature

2 Peter 1:4
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

It is true that God has blessed His children materially and spiritually, though that is not to say that everyone has received it. However the other gift is God's nature itself. As we come to know Him and have fellowship with Him, we are also supposed to grow in His likeness and nature. As with all gifts, after the giver has given, the receiver need also to actively receive it.

What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints

Ephesians 1:18
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

We are to understand God's calling in our lives. If we truly understand who we are in Christ, many of the self-inflicted problems would be solved. That leaves us with problems due to external circumstances. Like the previous post mentioned, we can turn these problems around to be a powerful story to tell others to show how God has worked in our lives. Then we will appreciate and understand what it means by "riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints".

The life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body

2 Corinthians 4:10
Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

There are many obstacles we face while on earth, some may be physical, others may be spiritual manifestation to thwart the works of God or the Kingdom. However Paul urges his readers to remember that despite all outward circumstances, we are not defeated. In fact, we can identify with the persecution of our Lord Yshua. Then His life will be manifested in us and will be a good witness to others.

I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men

Acts 24:16
I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Paul was in defense in the presence of Felix the Governor. His ministry would have no doubt caused offense to many. Yet his purpose was not to offend but sometimes we cannot please God and men at the same time. His actions are guided by his conscience as guided by the Holy Spirit. Wherever possible, he would not offend others and God. But where there is a difference, that Paul would choose not to offend God ahead of not offending others.

You will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:8
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse continues from talking about fruits (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love) that are developed once we are in the Lord. So when we have developed each of the virtues, we become aware of them. Of course the virtues itself does not always mean we are productive in the Kingdom. However they do indicate we become more and more equipped to serve in the Kingdom.

Add to your godliness, brotherly kindness

2 Peter 1:5-7
...add to your faith ...., to godliness brotherly kindness ...

As part of our spiritual development that starts from faith, it should lead to virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love. The brotherly kindness is the last stage just before love, and it is already very similar to it. We all know the theory that love is not an emotion but something we need to will it and committed to. There are people who are difficult to love by human standard. However it is still possible to be kind and eventually love in the way God loved us. Also keep in mind that God loves us though many of us seem like unlovable people. One commentator said "love is spontaneous, but must be maintained through discipline".

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness

2 Peter 1:5
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness

Goodness does not come automatically even for believers. The verse above requires us to add, which means a deliberate action is required to produce goodness. Where or how does the goodness comes from? By first having faith in Yshua, we get to know Him. We also know right and wrong from the Holy Spirit. After knowing, it requires conscious effort for us to do the right thing. Hence it is necessary to do our part, not for salvation, but in order to walk in God's ways.

Happy is he who keeps the law

Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

It is important for us to have a constant or regular communication with God. This includes prayer time and reading His Word. Revelations or visions may then come to us from God. Without these, our distance from God grows and quite soon we will have forgotten His ways, His statutes, laws and commandments which He repeated many times to the Israelites not to forget. The opposite result is that those who keeps the law, not by letter but by the spirit will be able to rejoice in Him.

Because you have kept My command to persevere

Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 

In following the Lord, the believers are faced with various kinds of persecution and are taught to persevere. There is none other persecution that will be more severe than those at the Last Days. So the Lord encourages even those during the Last Days to persevere, and that He will protect us. Until that time, His command to persevere should also be applied.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost

Luke 14:28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.

This verse is commonly used to encourage us to realise the cost of following Jesus. It can also be thought of in another way, that is the cost that Jesus Himself has paid. We can never pay as much as Jesus did. Although we may make various sacrifices, it is nothing compared to the sacrifices that He made. And the cost was fully paid for by the Lord, that is why we can have the confidence that the salvation He promised is justified.

and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

A lot of ideas is packed into this one verse of Scripture. Stand fast means to be consistent and continue. That which we are called to stand fast is the liberty or freedom that Jesus has won for us. He has released us from many bondages including those inflicted by ourselves, by others and by the Enemy. And once we are freed by Jesus, we are warned not to cause ourselves or others to fall into bondage again.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God

1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

The context of this verse is talking about suffering especially the ones that Christians have to go through. It is a false belief that Christians don't go through suffering. In another Scripture it says since our Lord suffers, then how could we think we will not suffer. One crucial point is that our sufferings are not necessarily punishments for our sins. When we go through unrighteous sufferings like Yshua, then we are called to rejoice, be glad, glorify God and are blessed to share the same kind of sufferings as our Lord.

Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:19
Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.

The Holy of Holies in the old tradition is supposed to be entered by the high priest only. But by the blood of Jesus we can now enter into the holiest. Like our attitude in praying we do this not by our own thinking but by being led by the Spirit.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit

Different people have got different ways of praying. It is not terribly nice to hear that our praying ways are wrong. But does God have a preferred way of praying? Like in most things spiritual, the Word of God is our best guide. And this verse says to pray in the Spirit, that is without our own thinking, but giving it over to the Holy Spirit.

Though it tarries, wait for it

Habakkuk 2:3
Though it tarries, wait for it

The context of this Scripture is about vision from God, which we should wait for. People do not see visions from God everyday, but by the grace of God, He gives visions to whom He chooses. In the meantime, believers are to go about their usual business, but at the same time be expectant of the vision. Our confidence are not to be placed on any spiritual experience, rather the confidence which is set on God Himself. So while we wait, it is not waiting to be spiritually charged up, but waiting because we have the trust in God whether He reveals anything today or tomorrow or the far future.

Thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest

Jeremiah 45:5
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not:for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord:but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. (KJV)

The Lord owns everything including our lives. When we accepted Yshua into our lives, we have given Him our lives, of so we think. As we still live on this earth, there may still be a tendency to hold things back. He challenges us to be really committed to Him by surrendering ourselves to Him. It is then that we can be truly useful to Him and He gives us our lives back to serve Him.

And seekest thou great things for thyself?

Jeremiah 45:5
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not:for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord:but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. (KJV)

Another passage says, seek first the Kingdom of God, and the rest shall be added unto you. Here, it is even sterner, in that seeking things for ourselves are pointless, for Good will bring an end to all material things. It is easy to forget these when we live in a material world, especially one which is enjoying peace.

Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest

Genesis 22:2
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (KJV)

This is the most famous passage in Scriptures used to illustrate faith. It is also easy to look at the surface of this story only and get the lesson on faith-the story about a father willingly. However when we read about Abraham's life up until that point, then we see that all the promises of God rests on this son. Abraham is giving up much more than just his own son.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

If we are followers of Yshua, then we are called to preach His Word. It is dangerous to measure success in ministry in the first place, let alone counting the number of spirits we have saved. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Our mission is to preach His Good News. And the way we do this is to encourage as well as to correct, and to do this with patience and correct teaching. This is to be done all the time, not just some time we set aside for this purpose.

Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven

Luke 10:20
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (KJV)

If we rejoice in the spiritual power we yield, then we may have missed the point. Similarly if we keep count of material success, even if it is counting the number of people we led to Christ or the size of our church, we have also missed the point. Every single spirit is important to God, like the Shepherd finding the lost one lamb out of a hundred. Salvation itself is the work of God. So what is our purpose? To bring the Good News to the unsaved and to disciple the saved. One commentary mentioned that Jesus never forced others, He usually begins His instructions with "If ....", not imposing on others with "You must ...."

For we are labourers together with God

1Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God:ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (KJV)

We are God's children, His chosen ones, His image, and we are also His tools here on Earth to fulfill His desire. And his desire is that all should come back to Him and that none shall perish.
Knowing this, as we work to serve God, the main thing that should occupy our minds is that we are working for Him. It is not about our agenda or about how our success in ministry can please God. Rather it is about accomplishing His tasks however mundane or not useful it may seem.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord

2 Cor3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)

The glory of the Lord cannot be fully understood by us at the moment. But there will be a time when we will behold the Lord's Glory and it will shine through us as if we are transparent. This is the promise of God and we will one day be made into His image, by the Holy Spirit.

Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me

John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (KJV)

Three disciples were with Jesus for about 3 years. Jesus had told them several times about His Divine nature and oneness with God. Yet none of them fully grasp this before the resurrection. Before we start criticising them, it is also useful for us to reflect on how well we actually know our Lord Yeshua. Some of us may have attended church for many years, or followed Him closely for many years. How well do we know what He is like, what He wants, what He dislikes and so on. Perhaps the more we know the real Him, the easier it is to follow Him.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (KJV)

The promises of God made to us are dependent on His ability and trustworthiness. On both counts, we can be sure that God is perfect. Hence there is no reason to doubt God's promises. The reason we may doubt is because the timing is slower than we think, and that we don't fully trust God enough because we don't know Him well enough,