And the God of Israel will be your rear guard

Isaiah 52:12
For you shall not go out with haste,
Nor go by flight;
For the Lord will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.


The Lord has and will prepare us before we go out on His Mission. Our past will always be with us, but He knows all about us and have forgiven us when we accept Him. That is why He gives us the assurance, but that only works when we have faith in Him, including that we are truly forgiven by Him. Then as we go out in His timing, and according to His will and direction, as guided by the Holy Spirit. He will be our "rear guard". Is there anything more comforting than knowing that God is watching our back? That is the best assurance that anyone can ever have.

All my springs are in you

Psalm 87:7
Both the singers and the players on instruments say, “All my springs are in you.”

God does not mend or patches our virtues. When we accepted Him as Lord, He gives us a new set of virtues, He transforms us. Our new man is supposed to replace the old man, not trying to fix the old man. But as we still live in a sinful world, with the old body, we need to let the new man in us take over. With this new man, our dependence on self is gone as we now learn to depend on God. The virtues would not be something that we develop, but will be the virtues of Yshua embedded in us. It does not force us or control us, so we must learn to yield to the new virtues.

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more

John 6:66
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Yshua's teachings are pretty high and hard to follow. If the Old Testament teachings seem hard, Yshua's teachings are even harder and goes against our natural inclinations. Where the Old Testament says "an eye for an eye", the New Testament says "when someone slaps you on one cheek, turn and give him the other cheek to slap". Many who have heard His teachings turned away, despite the miracles they witnessed. Truly this needs supernatural help, from the Holy Spirit, to keep us on track. A commentator advised that when God's instructions clashes with our own will or desires, don't spend time debating or contemplating at all. Doing so will make us think of our rights and our interests, eventually leading us down a path opposite and away from God.

unless you are converted...., you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven

Matthew 18:3
and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

When we are first converted, most of us come to the Throne of God as little children, in submission of our will, even in if that is just temporary. We must keep being converted in the sense of working out our salvation. Everyday may bring new and different battles. There will always be temptations trying to draw us into acting opposite to God's will. So we continue to submit our self will and be led by the Spirit of God.

“If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord

Jeremiah 4:1
“If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord, “Return to Me;
And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved.


We either choose to do God's will or to rebel against Him. This battle of the will is not between us and God. It is a battle fought by our own will, against our own will. There is no postponing. Every battle lost is a danger to  us. Every battle won, puts us a little closer to God.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another

1 John 1:17
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Whatever the sin is, big or small, it is untouchable to the Holy God. God hates sin, so as we learn to walk with Him, we too should hate sin. It is more than just doing wrong or morally below standard. It also has something to do with our relationship with God, whether we obey and follow Him, or if we ignore Him. This is something the Holy Spirit can point out to us as we walk with God. So this means at the time of becoming a Christian, we may still not fully understand what sin is, but it is the beginning of a journey of being led by the Spirit.

And they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Merry Christmas!

This is the reason that we celebrate Christmas - that our Lord God, became flesh, and came to this world, with the aim to save us. It is worth contemplating something that we cannot fully appreciate, that is the Most High Holy God, would choose to become something as dirty and untrustworthy as us humans. He did this knowing that it is the only way to save humanity whom He loved. Just as He came into the world to reveal Himself, now we must let Him come into us and live with us, as our Lord.

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God

Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Our new life in Christ is hidden, perhaps from people or even ourselves. This hidden, is not that people cannot see the Christ in us, but perhaps they do not understand the change or why we are living the new way. To live according to the Spirit, we first need to be in tune with Yshua. Only then when we are in constant communion with Him, we know His will, and know what He wants. Then being in that state of mind and spirit, it may come natural to follow Christ.

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

There is nothing really in us worthy of boasting about when we belong to Yshua. On the other hand there is everything to boast about Yshua, the living God, who emptied Himself for us. Then in our everyday living on earth, knowing who we are compared to who He is and what He has done for us, the choice is simply to choose between living our sinful lives, or identifying ourselves with Him, by forgoing sinful pleasures. It is natural for us to crave for pleasures if He is not the main focus of our lives.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

In various evangelism and preaching, we may be led to believe that it is our decision to come to Christ and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Although it may not be the preachers' intention to do so, sometimes we believe it is because of our faith that leads to our salvation. This can be deceptive, because firstly, salvation is done by Yshua only through the cross. Secondly it is not our decision, but God who chooses and draws us near Him. Our response can be appreciation, gratefulness, love, and so on. We have nothing to boast at all about our belief or faith that is saving us.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God

1 Corinthian 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

There were many miracles accompanying the ministry of Yshua on Earth. There have been miracles before and after His time on earth. There are also personal experiences people have had with God throughout the ages. When it comes to knowing God, the Scriptures has been clear - we have to really know God by the Word and the Spirit. Experiences with God are not the foundation with which to base our faith. There will be times of need, and the experiences are not there, so our relationship based on knowing God will ensure we keep focus on Him.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself

John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.

Drawing people to ourselves and ultimately focussing on Christ, because we need to point them to Christ and not to ourselves. Our Lord died and rose again, because there is no other way for salvation for us. As painful as it was for Him, being grateful and appreciative for what He went through accomplishes nothing and that was not His goal. His sacrifice paid the justly price for our sins, so that we can be claimed back by God. To lead others to Christ then, they must understand first the reason for the Cross, and later followed by the submission at the foot of the Cross.

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth

Matthew 10:34
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

This is a direct statement that cuts to the real matter. It is not something many people expect Jesus to say. However, like His other teachings, Jesus speaks on the things that are helpful but not necessarily popular. The sword may be used to indicate a stern separation between His standard and those opposing to Him. There is a standard, moral or right and wrong according to God. One example of this is to abandon our sinful and lustful living, and instead sacrifice those desires. Whether it is unpopular by world standards or not, the Way of Yshua is the only right way and it involves deliberate action to follow it.

To those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

This is an often rememebered verse, used mostly when bad things happen and beyond our control. This helps believers take solace that God is in full control and that no matter how bad the situation is, God will make things better for us. It is useful to also read the last part of the verse which is "to those who are called according to His purpose". So this applies even more so to those who are involved in doing God's will, following God's command to do something. It is not a verse that covers things we do for ourselves, or circumstances that affect us due to the evils around us. Yes, God does heal and mend sometimes, but perhaps this verse should be used as an encouragement to do God's will and to live "according to His purpose". For when doing so, then we are operating in God's sovereign will and God's will always work out for His good.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

There are things concerning God, including the gospel, that cannot be understood by sheer intellect. God has to open our eyes for us to understand these. God does not hide these things to withhold salvation from people. Yet, God's process is that we should ask Him first, then our eyes will be opened to many truths that are spiritual and real. After salvation, the Holy Spirit keep assisting us in this understanding of more revelations.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:13,18
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Praying, watching and persevering as we continue to live life on earth. Our God has given us all the necessary armor to stand, defend and offense. The things that we come against are not the natural and physical but rather the spiritual. Besides coming externally, the spiritual enemy also attack us internally in causing us to embrace the things which we know are wrong, yet difficult to stop doing. It is more than a psychological battle, or using will power. The tools to overcome this is the armor of God which has been explained in Scriptures.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,... God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

To win others over to Christ, it is often said that we have to live by example. This is true and people will see the way we life and that there is something attractive about it. Then the time comes when they will ask what makes the difference and we will need to be prepared for the answers. In order to be prepared, we need to be able to explain our faith, who we believe in, the focus of our faith who is Yshua Ha Masiach. Therefore it is also an exercise for us to go through the Word everyday, meditating on it, asking God for revelations.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

The God of Israel is the God of peace, shalom. He is not one who deliberately brings trouble. It is said that He does allow trouble to come to us for many reasons, such as testing, building character. Trouble also comes spiritually, turning into natural troubles because of our disobedience. People may blame God for the troubles brought on by their own sinful dealings but that results nowhere. On the other hand, those who repent, and those who also fully trust God, wherever the trouble comes from, then they will get God's gift of peace to them.

That men always ought to pray and not lose heart

Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 

It is easy to lose heart when going through difficulties or when prayer seem to have gone unanswered after a very long time. When it seemed that God is not listening or not caring, people lose their trust in God that He will do good for them. God has His divine reasons and many times we don't get what we want. In Scriptures, God has promised some things to some people but not all things to all people. Nevertheless, we should keep praying and not lose heart, in case we may lose our faith.

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one

John 17:22
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one

Personality is a mark of our inner spiritual man. It is that which is exposed outside reflection the person deep inside. When we are at one with God, Jesus is an example of this, our personality would be a reflection of the personality of God. Such a person would think of themselves, not as individuals, but as one in unity with God. This transformation will happen when we surrender to the Holy Spirit and be guided by Him.

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 

Denying oneself is to deny our individuality. God created us with our individuality and we are all different yet special to Him. However our fallen nature has turned our individuality into a tool of rebellion. When we insist on doing things according to our ways, it is being individual and also it is rebelling against God. Instead, we are suppose to yield our individuality to God and choose His ways. Only then can we begin a spiritual life and walk with God.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman

Galatians 4:22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

We need to sacrifice the natural to gain spiritual. It is not because God designed it this way so that the natural has to be sacrificed to gain the spiritual. The natural itself is created by God. However, when sin entered the world, it has taken hold of the natural. Without sacrificing the natural sinful nature, we will continue to have a divided life. The natural life will continue to resist the life led by the Holy Spirit. The result of this is internal turmoil. So unless we discipline and sacrifice our life of sin, it will ruin our entire personal life with God.

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires

Galatians 5:24
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Crucifying the flesh is giving up on the things that are sinful. Why does it have to be crucifying the flesh, which seems to be so dramatic? The reason is that sin itself is potently destructive. We cannot simply say we will give it up because we are much weaker and sin is much stronger. It needs great effort to be able to really remove the sins from our life and not fall into the trap again. So it is exactly right to say we need to crucify our desires and passion.

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified

Hebrews 10:14
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

God had only to sacrifice His Son once and that has atoned for the sins of humanity. But the individual still need to come into personal relationship with Him. It is not our feeling sorry that creates repentance and leading to salvation. It is all done at the Cross. Once we realize what Christ has done, this leads us to repentance and restored relationship with God our Father in Heaven.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Sorrow at the old life and old self is the beginning of the journey of realisation of our sins. Then knowing that there is nothing we can do, but Yshua has done everything, will lead us to Him. This is repentance, where knowing that we have sinned, we try to change to the other way.  Also we cannot do this on our own. The Holy Spirit need to help us in this.

I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth

Genesis 9:13
I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 

God creates the rainbow as an everlasting covenant relationship with man, promising never again to destroy man with water as in the flood in Noah's time. God has already formed and established the relationship through Christ Jesus - Yshua. The sign is for all generations to accept. God does not need to keep showing Himself in all generations. He requires faith from us to believe in Him based on what He has done. So let us look at the many signs, including the rainbow and be reminded of God's promises.

You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word

Genesis 41:40
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”


Pharaoh had given the command that Joseph be ruler / administrator over all of Egypt. This follows Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. The predictions had not occurred yet, but for reasons not stated, Pharaoh was totally convinced of Joseph's interpretation of the dream. The Egyptians are spiritual people in those times, and it could be that Pharaoh sensed the truth in Joseph's statements spiritually. From Joseph's point of view, his life of righteousness has finally been rewarded.

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God

Revelation 2:7
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

It may be difficult to hear for those who are undergoing trials and temptations that we need them to grow. The things that we do not struggle for does not produce improvement in ourselves including our spiritual level. Our Lord Yshua has taught us to overcome and told us to be of good cheer. He is the ultimate overcomer, and will not let us face more than we can bear. So every step, we must overcome.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words

1 Corinthians 2:4
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human[b] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

Our preaching of the gospel to others need to come from our own knowing that the gospel is real. This is not just knowledge but a deep knowing of the reality. We can only do that when we sincerely believe of its truth and is living it out in our lives. Then human wisdom and presentation of the words itself is secondary because the power of God would take centre-stage when we preach from our own beliefs.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected

Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 

We have heard about the process of sanctification which we are suppose to go through when we belong to Christ and we mature. Sanctification itself is not the end goal, perhaps it can be thought of as a guide as to how we are walking with God - whether we are maturing or drifting. The end goal then, as always has been, is to be back in a relationship with God. It is about truly recognizing God as our Father and being restored to Him.