Month: February 2021

Believing in the Son of God

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we had been meditating scripture
by time sequence over last 25 mths
over three Old Testament phases:
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets

Continuing into the New Testament,
the gospel of John is a gospel apart.
Matthew, Mark and Luke despite
their different view-points, describe
many same events in Jesus’ life.
But John presents unique material
to prove to his readers that Jesus
is God in the flesh, born to die
as the sacrifice for human sin.
Seven miraculous signs and
seven “I am” declarations are cited
to show that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing
we may have life in His name.

We will meditate John gospel over
3 weekends on following 6 divisions:
Jn 1-2: Coming of the Son of God
Jn 3-5: Compassion of Son of God
Jn 6-8: Claims by the Son of God
Jn 9-12: Conflict with Son of God
Jn 13-17: Comfort from Son of God
Jn 18-21: Crucificion of Son of God
O Jesus, because You’re God’s Son,
we can fully trust what You say.
And by trusting You, we can gain
an open mind to understand God’s
message and fulfil His purpose for
our lives. In Jesus’ precious name.

Knowing God thru His Names.

The purpose of the book of Joshua
is to give the history of Israel’s
conquest of the promised land.
This week we understand God
better thru His revelation of Himself
of various names, mostly related to
His ability to meet needs of people.
On Monday, we learn from Joshua 2
that He is Supreme God in heaven.
On Tuesday, we learn from
Joshua 3 that He is the Living God.
On Wed we learn from Joshua 3
that He is the Lord of All the Earth.
On Thursday, we learn Joshua 22
that He is the Mighty One.
On Friday, we learn Joshua 24
that He is the Holy God.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

The Holy God Elohim Kedoshim

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognised the Jordan River
which forms a natural barrier may
become a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank – an act
misunderstood by the tribes west
of Jordan. Civil war nearly breaks
out before the real motives behind
the altar are revealed. The book
closes with Joshua’s farewell
address in which he gives the
people an ultimatum: Choose you
this day whom you will serve.

Hallowed be Elohim Kedoshim:
Choose for yourself this day whom
you will serve, whether the gods
which your fathers served that
were on other side of the River,
or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land you dwell. But
as for me and my house we will
serve the Lord… (Joshua 24:15).
Joshua said to the people: He is
a Holy God (Elohim Kedoshim);
he is a jealous God. He will not
forgive your rebellion and your sins;
if you forsake the Lord and serve
foreign gods. He will turn and bring
disaster on you and make an end of
you, after He has been good to you.
But the people said to Joshua: No!
We will serve the Lord (Jos 24:19-21)

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, You dwell
in high and holy place, yet You also
dwell with those who are contrite
and of a humble heart. We thank
You, the Holy One, that You made
a way through Jesus Christ to
allow us into Your presence. And
grateful though You are holy, You
desire our heart & want to share
intimate relationship with us. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedosim, I know You
want me to be holy as You are holy.
But I have fallen short in the past,
I fall short of it in the present,
and will fall short of it in the future.
In my finiteness I sin far too often.
My sins of commission and sins
of omission offend Your beauty
and purity. Forgive me for the
worry, doubt, anger and lack of
love in my heart at times. And
cleanse me in Your holiness. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, I ask You
to show me favour and patience
even as I strive each day to
be more of a reflection of You
than I have been in the past.
Make my heart holy like Yours.
Speak to me before I think of wrong
thoughts or make wrong choices.
Intervene in my life and empower me
to live in holiness each day. Amen.

Then  Holy God Elohim Kedoshim

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognised the Jordan River
which forms a natural barrier may
become a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank – an act
misunderstood by the tribes west
of Jordan. Civil war nearly breaks
out before the real motives behind
the altar are revealed. The book
closes with Joshua’s farewell
address in which he gives the
people an ultimatum: Choose you
this day whom you will serve.

Hallowed be Elohim Kedoshim:
Choose for yourself this day whom
you will serve, whether the gods
which your fathers served that
were on other side of the River,
or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land you dwell. But
as for me and my house we will
serve the Lord… (Joshua 24:15).
Joshua said to the people: He is
a Holy God (Elohim Kedoshim);
he is a jealous God. He will not
forgive your rebellion and your sins;
if you forsake the Lord and serve
foreign gods. He will turn and bring
disaster on you and make an end of
you, after He has been good to you.
But the people said to Joshua: No!
We will serve the Lord (Jos 24:19-21)

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, You dwell
in high and holy place, yet You also
dwell with those who are contrite
and of a humble heart. We thank
You, the Holy One, that You made
a way through Jesus Christ to
allow us into Your presence. And
grateful though You are holy, You
desire our heart & want to share
intimate relationship with us. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedosim, I know You
want me to be holy as You are holy.
But I have fallen short in the past,
I fall short of it in the present,
and will fall short of it in the future.
In my finiteness I sin far too often.
My sins of commission and sins
of omission offend Your beauty
and purity. Forgive me for the
worry, doubt, anger and lack of
love in my heart at times. And
cleanse me in Your holiness. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, I ask You
to show me favour and patience
even as I strive each day to
be more of a reflection of You
than I have been in the past.
Make my heart holy like Yours.
Speak to me before I think of wrong
thoughts or make wrong choices.
Intervene in my life and empower me
to live in holiness each day. Amen.

The Holy God Elohim Kedoshim

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognised the Jordan River
which forms a natural barrier may
become a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank – an act
misunderstood by the tribes west
of Jordan. Civil war nearly breaks
out before the real motives behind
the altar are revealed. The book
closes with Joshua’s farewell
address in which he gives the
people an ultimatum: Choose you
this day whom you will serve.

Hallowed be Elohim Kedoshim:
Choose for yourself this day whom
you will serve, whether the gods
which your fathers served that
were on other side of the River,
or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land you dwell. But
as for me and my house we will
serve the Lord… (Joshua 24:15).
Joshua said to the people: He is
a Holy God (Elohim Kedoshim);
he is a jealous God. He will not
forgive your rebellion and your sins;
if you forsake the Lord and serve
foreign gods. He will turn and bring
disaster on you and make an end of
you, after He has been good to you.
But the people said to Joshua: No!
We will serve the Lord (Jos 24:19-21)

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, You dwell
in high and holy place, yet You also
dwell with those who are contrite
and of a humble heart. We thank
You, the Holy One, that You made
a way through Jesus Christ to
allow us into Your presence. And
grateful though You are holy, You
desire our heart & want to share
intimate relationship with us. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedosim, I know You
want me to be holy as You are holy.
But I have fallen short in the past,
I fall short of it in the present,
and will fall short of it in the future.
In my finiteness I sin far too often.
My sins of commission and sins
of omission offend Your beauty
and purity. Forgive me for the
worry, doubt, anger and lack of
love in my heart at times. And
cleanse me in Your holiness. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, I ask You
to show me favour and patience
even as I strive each day to
be more of a reflection of You
than I have been in the past.
Make my heart holy like Yours.
Speak to me before I think of wrong
thoughts or make wrong choices.
Intervene in my life and empower me
to live in holiness each day. Amen.

The Holy God Elohim Kedoshim

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognised the Jordan River
which forms a natural barrier may
become a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank – an act
misunderstood by the tribes west
of Jordan. Civil war nearly breaks
out before the real motives behind
the altar are revealed. The book
closes with Joshua’s farewell
address in which he gives the
people an ultimatum: Choose you
this day whom you will serve.

Hallowed be Elohim Kedoshim:
Choose for yourself this day whom
you will serve, whether the gods
which your fathers served that
were on other side of the River,
or the gods of the Amorites,
in whose land you dwell. But
as for me and my house we will
serve the Lord… (Joshua 24:15).
Joshua said to the people: He is
a Holy God (Elohim Kedoshim);
he is a jealous God. He will not
forgive your rebellion and your sins;
if you forsake the Lord and serve
foreign gods. He will turn and bring
disaster on you and make an end of
you, after He has been good to you.
But the people said to Joshua: No!
We will serve the Lord (Jos 24:19-21)

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, You dwell
in high and holy place, yet You also
dwell with those who are contrite
and of a humble heart. We thank
You, the Holy One, that You made
a way through Jesus Christ to
allow us into Your presence. And
grateful though You are holy, You
desire our heart & want to share
intimate relationship with us. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedosim, I know You
want me to be holy as You are holy.
But I have fallen short in the past,
I fall short of it in the present,
and will fall short of it in the future.
In my finiteness I sin far too often.
My sins of commission and sins
of omission offend Your beauty
and purity. Forgive me for the
worry, doubt, anger and lack of
love in my heart at times. And
cleanse me in Your holiness. Amen.

Lord Elohim Kedoshim, I ask You
to show me favour and patience
even as I strive each day to
be more of a reflection of You
than I have been in the past.
Make my heart holy like Yours.
Speak to me before I think of wrong
thoughts or make wrong choices.
Intervene in my life and empower me
to live in holiness each day. Amen.

The Mighty One, God, the Lord (Feb 4)

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognised that the Jordan
River (which forms a natural barrier
between the tribes) may one day
form a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank – an act
misunderstood by the tribes west
of Jordan. Civil war nearly breaks
out before the real motives behind
the altar are revealed.

Praise be to El Elohim Jehovah:
Then Reuben, Gad and the half-
tribe of Manasseh replied to
the heads of the clans of Israel:
The Mighty One, God, the Lord!
(El Elohim Jehovah) He knows,
and may Israel itself knows.
If it was rebellion, or if in an
unfaithful act against the Lord do
not save us this day (Josh 22:21-22)
For the Lord has made the Jordan
a border between you and us,
you children of Reuben and Gad…
Let us…built… an altar… that it may
be a witness between you and us…
that we may perform the service
of the Lord… that your descendants
may not say to our descendants…
you have no part in the Lord (v25-27)

El Elohim Jehovah, You are the Mighty One. You are our mighty
God, the Lord. We thank You that
in Your great power and might,
You also remain as Jehovah, the
relational God. You can accomplish
Your plans without me but thank
You for giving me a role in Your
plans anyway because You love me.
I humbly bow before You to honour
Your rightful place in my life. Amen.

Lord El Elohim Jehovah pardon
my iniquities for they are many.
I confess that I have not always
honoured You as the Mighty,
powerful and strong One over all.
Too often I place my own wants
and desires above seeking what
You want and desire in & thru me.
Forgive me for boxing You in rather
than acknowledging that You are
the Lord God. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Lord El Elohim Jehovah, teach us
to love like You; and teach us to
walk in Your strength and might
thru the power of the Holy Spirit.
From time to time we may be hit
by health, finance or relationship challenge but You Lord are mighty.
And we ask You to intervene in our
heart and mind when situations
arise so that we can manifest Your might and power in our lives. Amen.

The Lord of All The Earth (Feb 3)

The Jews are poised within view of
the land promised to their ancestors
and denied their unbelieving
parents. The task seems impossible:
a turbulent river; foreign terrain
to cross; mighty walled cities to
conquer. So God begins to prepare
His people for the days of warfare
just ahead. He reminds Joshua that
careful attention to His Word brings
blessing and success. Spies are
sent to survey Jericho, the first
obstacle in the land. The priests
bearing the ark of covenant lead the
people across the rampaging Jordan.

Praise the Lord of All The Earth:
(Joshua): See the ark of the
covenant of the Lord of all the
Earth (Jehovah Adon Kol Ha-Arets)
will go into the Jordon ahead of you.
Now then choose 12 men from the
tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
As soon as the priests who carry
the ark of the Lord, the Lord of
All The Earth (Jehovah Adon Kol
Ha-Arets) set foot in the Jordan,
its waters flowing downstream
will be cut off and stand up
in a heap (Joshua 3:11-13).

Jehovah Adon Kol Ha-Arets,
Praise You Lord for Your ability to
subdue all that’s in Your creation.
You are the great and awesome
God who still does mighty acts
on behalf of Your people. And
it’s comforting to know that
nothing is too difficult for You or
removed from Your control. And
in You we can find peace. Amen.

Lord, the Lord of All the Earth,
sometimes it can be really
difficult to see how You will
make a way where there seems
to be no way. Like the Israelites
despite receiving instructions
to walk thro Jordan into the
promised land, we sometimes
doubt You and forget that You
are in control of the situation.
Help us Lord remember the earth
is under Your command. Amen.

Lord, we ask for special grace
that we might keep our eyes
on Christ and not on the waves.
As Peter sank when he looked
down, I ask I’ll not sink but that
my eyes stay on You. I pray that
You will help me do whatever
You Lord ask me to do so that
I can witness Your miraculous
interventions in my life. Amen.

The Living God Elohim Yahim

The Jews are poised within view of
the land promised to their ancestors
and denied their unbelieving
parents. The task seems impossible:
a turbulent river; foreign terrain
to cross; mighty walled cities to
conquer. So God begins to prepare
His people for the days of warfare
just ahead. He reminds Joshua that
careful attention to His Word brings
blessing and success. Spies are
sent to survey Jericho, the first
obstacle in the land. The priests
bearing the ark of covenant lead the
people across the rampaging Jordan.

All Praise be to the Living God:            So Joshua said to the children                of Israel: Come here and hear                the words of the Lord your God:       And Joshua said: This is how
you will know that the living God
(Elohim Chayim) is among you
and that He will certainly drive
out the Canaanites, Hittites,
Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites,
Amorites and the Jebusites.
Behold, the ark of the covenant
of the Lord is crossing before
you into the Jordan (Jos 3:10-11).

Lord Elohim Chayim, we praise You
for Your powerful life-giving name.
Thank You for being active and
engaged in our everyday life.
You are not a God who is distant
and not keen in what happens to me.
Just as You helped the Israelites,
You Lord are alive and moving in
the situations of our lives as well.
Thank You for Your loving care. Amen

Lord Elohim Chayim, reveal Your
ways to me and show me Your path.
Give me discernment to see
Your work behind the scenes
when I do not see Your hand.
And Lord please go before me,
as You did with the Israelites,
to drive out the enemies and
help me to settle into the destiny
You have for me. In Jesus’ name.

Lord Elohim Chayim, You are
the source of my life; for every
breath that I take comes from You.
Forgive me for the times I don’t seem
to value the life You have given me.
Forgive me for making poor eating
choices or not sleeping enough or
not making effort to do exercises.
For You are the living God and You
are involved in all that I do. Amen.

Supreme God In Heaven (Feb 1)

Moses has died and Joshua is
appointed by God to take the reins
of leadership. The people are poised
within view of the land promised
to their ancestors and denied their
unbelieving parents. The task seems
impossible: a turbulent river to ford;
foreign terrain to cross; mighty walled
cities to conquer. So God begins
to prepare His people for the days
of warfare just ahead. He reminds
Joshua that careful attention to
His Word brings blessing & success.
Spies are sent to survey Jericho,
the first obstacle in the land. The
priests bearing the ark of covenant
lead the people across the rampaging
Jordan. The stage is set for conquest.

Praise be Supreme God In Heaven:
Rahab: We have heard how the
Lord made a dry path for you
through the Red Sea. And we
know what you did to the two
Amorite kings east of the Jordan
River, whose people u completely
destroyed. No one has the
courage to fight after hearing
such things. For the Lord your
God is supreme God in heaven
Elohim Bashamayim (Jos 2:10-11)

Lord Elohim Bashamayim,
who sits in heaven above,
You are truly ruler over all.
Power and might are in Your hand.
You alone can go before us to
open doors we could not open
on our own, and lead in a path we
could not have created on our own.
Be gracious Lord towards us as we
lift up our eyes & look to You. Amen

Lord Elohim Bashamayim, Your
word says: This is the victory
that overcomes, even my faith,
because You are God in heaven.
Forgive my little faith when it
comes to living out the victory
You have gained through Christ.
Have mercy when I doubt You
and show me grace as You
pardon my sins against You. Amen.

Lord Elohim Bashamayim, lift up
Your mighty arm and open Your
outstretched hand in my life
that I may experience Your power.
Clarify Your will so that I can
walk in the blessing of Your way
and bless others in the process.
Grant me Your favour because
nothing can stand in the way
when Your hand is upon me. Amen.