Category: Devotional

On Wings of Eagles

Matthew 27:22: Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Matthew 27:23: And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Matthew 27:24: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Matthew 27:25: Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Those chilling words of retribution uttered nearly two thousand years ago still reverberate through history till this day. The Jews have been paying the price since. These chosen people of God have been scattered, persecuted and millions perished under the hands of Hitler during World War 2.

Many Christians think God has replaced the nation of Israel with the Church.

Replacement Theology

This is fallacious logic if you read the Bible and take God seriously and literally. However, for Christians who do not take the Bible literally and reject all the promises God made to the children of Israel, they will proudly maintain their stance that they are now the chosen people of God in place of the nation of Israel. They fail to see the nation of Israel is not the Church and the Church is not the earthly nation of Israel.

The Church is not given laws to govern any land in any geographical location on earth and to mete out punishments to transgressors while the nation of Israel has been given laws to observe and to mete out punishment, including capital punishment on transgressors of God’s law for the land in which they were given to reside.

While the Jews were being scattered and persecuted down through the ages for their rejection of their Messiah, the Lord did not forget them. Nearly seventy years ago, Israel had finally become a nation again. The Jews eventually returned home to the land the God of yesteryears promised their forefathers.

The journey for these Jews returning to their own homeland had been difficult and perilous at times. One remarkable group of Jews returning from Yemen had been nothing short of being miraculous. Without divine intervention, this would not have been made possible.

On Wings of Eagles

This operation to airlift the Jews trapped in Yemen years ago echoes what Jehovah God did for the children of Israel when they left Egypt to the promised land. They were brought out of Egypt on eagles’ wings.

Exodus 19:4: Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

This time however, they were brought out of Yemen on metal wings of eagles. Such a feat would be repeated in the future when the Jews have to flee for their lives in Israel from the Satan during the times of Jacob’s trouble.

Revelation 12:14: And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

This future operation is once again called wings of eagle.

The Lord will never break His promises with the children of Israel. Such promises have been littered in the sacred pages of the Old Covenant and only a fool will fail to see and imagine God has forsaken His chosen ancient people.

Deuteronomy 30:3: That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

Deuteronomy 30:4: If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

Isaiah 11:12: And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Isaiah 43:5: Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isaiah 54:7: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Isaiah 54:15: Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

Isaiah 56:8: The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

Isaiah 60:4: Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

Isaiah 60:9: Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

Isaiah 60:10: And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

Jeremiah 29:14: And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 31:8: Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

Jeremiah 31:10: Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

Jeremiah 32:37: Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

Ezekiel 34:13: And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

Ezekiel 36:24: For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

Ezekiel 37:21: And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

Zephaniah 3:20: At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 10:10: I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Labanon; and place shall not be found for them.

How may will still want to mock God and stand with Satan to accuse God for failing to keep His promises? If God can not keep His promises, He will cease to be God.

Bible believing Christians will take heed to the apostle Paul’s admonition and explanation concerning the nation of Israel during the Church Age.

Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 11:26: And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Romans 11:27: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Don’t for a moment think the Church has replaced the nation of Israel unless you are a Bible critic and a Bible manipulator happily remaining in your own conceits!


Are Secrets Really Secret?

The recent Panama Papers leaked have brought down some important people in this world. Iceland’s Prime Minister has resigned. The Chief of Austrian Bank is another latest casualty. The bloodletting is far from over.

Panama Papers Global Overview

Why the Panama Papers Mossack Fonseca Leaks Really Matters

Tax authorities in many countries are investigating information from the leaked papers. Those who have done fishy business are scrambling for cover.

It is scary to have your secrets exposed, privacy bared and stand naked before the public to be examined. Some may take delight in such spectacle to watch people fall. While some of these people exposed here may very well be deserving of such disgrace, it is another thing to rejoice in evil.

Proverb 24:17: Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Proverb 24:18: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

When you watch in glee your enemies or those people you don’t like get exposed, be prepared for the day decreed from above where everyone would have a chance to stand exposed for all deeds done in this life to be judged.

Romans 2:16: In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

You think we can keep secrets forever? The thought of having to be judged by the Lord is much scarier than this Mossack Fonseca affair.

Luke 8:17: For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Mark 4:22: For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

So be sober and walk in humility. None of us shall be exempted from the day of reckoning.

Acts 17:31: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Matthew 12:36: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Romans 14:12: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

1 Peter 4:5: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Ecclesiastes 12:14: For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Are you prepared for that day?


Chinese Jews Returning to Israel

Chinese Jews are returning to their own homeland in Israel. Jews have been living in China for over a thousand years. The largest concentration of Jewish community is in Kaifeng, China. Incidentally, Kaifeng is the capital city during the Song dynasty where the legendary Iron-Face Judge, Justice Bao served as Magistrate known for honesty and integrity.

The Jews in Kaifeng at its peak numbered as many as 5000 during the Ming Dynasty between 14th and 17th century. Some Chinese Jews had attained high ranks in the Chinese civil service. Unfortunately, despite the success of some Chinese Jews, the Jewish community declined and by mid 19th century, their Jewish way of life nearly faded away.

However, these modern descendants of the Chinese Jews still carried on with their Jewish practice passed down from their forefathers through word of mouth. Now there is an awakening of the Jewish roots in these Chinese Jews. So some of them are returning to Israel.

Read more about the Return of the Chinese Jews.

Watch the video on the Return of the Chinese Jews to Israel.

Who put this desire in their hearts to want to return to Israel to reconnect with their Jewish heritage? It might be quite pointless a hundred years ago to return to Israel where Israel was still not a State and the Jews were still scattered throughout the world. It is different today. The State of Israel has come into existence on 14 May 1948. Thousands and thousands of Jews have returned to their ancestral homeland. Likewise the Jews in China today.

If you think this is a fascinating historical event, a far more remarkable event will take place in the future. When the Lord has properly and conclusively dealt with the children of Israel during the times of Jacob’s trouble and after they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah, not only more Jews will return to their own homeland in Israel, the Gentile nations will assist in the repatriation of the Jews and even submit to them.

Isaiah 49:19-23
For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

The Gentiles in the future shall look up to the Jews for they will know that God is will Israel. They certainly want to know and learn from the God of Israel, the God of the whole world during the Kingdom Age.

Zechariah 8:20-23
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

Regarding the return of the Chinese Jews, and other Jews alike, it is the Lord’s faithfulness in preserving them. The Lord has a covenant with them since time immemorial.

Isaiah 59:21: As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Jeremiah 33:20-26
Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me. Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them. Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

Psalms 89:28: My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

Psalms 89:34: My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

Leviticus 26:42-46
Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD. These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.

The Lord has repeatedly proclaimed He will not break His covenant with the children of Israel. So the return of the Jews to Israel may look marvelous in our eyes today but it is the Lord’s doing to prepare the Jews to confront their Messiah in the future.

Meanwhile, the Jews are still blinded and as such, they do persecute Christians from time to time just like the days during the time of the apostles’ ministry. Notwithstanding, our attitude towards the Jews has to be in alignment with God’s decreed will.

Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 11:28: As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

Christians better wake up to the idea that the Church is not here to replace the nation of Israel. Israel shall be converted in the future to fulfill God’s promises to them.

Exodus 19:6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 28:13: And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

What else do you expect when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth to restore the Kingdom to Israel that the disciples so enquired?

Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

When the Lord Jesus Christ reigns from Jerusalem, will Israel not be the head of the nations on earth?

Like it or not, when the Lord finally sits on the throne of David on earth, Israel shall be the head of nations in this world.

Don’t be arrogant to insist that the Church has replaced the nation of Israel. This will never happen, no, nor ever shall be. Amen!


Fantastic Trip

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7)

These questions were asked by God and Job had no answer. None of us would be able to answer anyway.

With technology in our days, perhaps we can have a little glimpse of God’s wondrous creation right now.

A brother sent me this file.

Ever wonder what it is like to look at planet earth from far away heaven? Or look into the deepest innermost recess of a creature?

You may want to take this fantastic trip into God’s wondrous creation of the universe. Simply download the file below and enjoy.

Fantastic Trip

Psalms 8
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)


An Atheist’s View on Pursuit of Happiness

Sorrows and pains are often part and parcel for many people living in this fallen sin cursed world. People respond differently to adversity.

Some take trials and tribulations in their stride and emerge stronger while others collapse and end in tragedy.

The recent death of a young man at his training camp who was depressed due to troubles in the family is a reminder of the frailty in this life.

NS Recruit Dies Three Days After Enlistment

While we observed such tragedies and adversities people face in their daily lives, the observation made by Dr. Lee Wei Ling is noteworthy.

She observed her colleagues having come to terms with their mentally challenged child and how their faith in the Christian God helped them overcome adversity in lives.

She remarked how as an atheist she might cope with misfortunes and her emotional response would depend on how she views her situation. She talked about being stoic philosophically might help overcome adversity in life.

She then questioned whether it was wise to consider the American’s ideal of pursuit of happiness as an inalienable right. As an Adj Professor and Senior Advisor to the National Neuroscience Institute, she must have seen countless cases of misfortunes in humanity. Hence she commented that sometimes it was not easy to be happy.

She is right!

Job 5:7: Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Job 14:1: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

She saw many truths in this life and there was no answer to the many problems man has to face. She also realized that wealth on its own won’t bring happiness and as such, she won’t use Chinese New Year greetings “Gong Xi Fa Cai” because she understood this meant to wish that person to gain great wealth. She commented that accumulating wealth is an endless pursuit in self-gratification with no meaningful purpose in life.

She is spot on again!

Psalms 62:10: Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Proverb 23:5: Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Proverb 27:24: For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

Below are her closing thoughts.

Happiness, in whatever form one sees it, becomes more elusive the harder one tries to pursue it. That’s why my personal aim is much more realistic: All I ask for is calmness and contentment. These at least are partially within my control.

I don’t believe pursuing happiness is an effective way to achieve happiness. By behaving well, and by helping our fellow humans negotiate the obstacles that are part of life are more effective ways to become happy. Doing so will make the people around us happy as well. There is nothing profound in this, but sometimes simple solutions can achieve what complex thought cannot.

She is right on the money again!

Proverb 11:25: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

1 Timothy 6:6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Sometimes, an atheist talks more sense than any superficial Christian on the street.

Isn’t it ironical that sometimes, atheist could be practising Christian in philosophy and outlook in life while Christians could be practising atheist in their manner of life?

What Dr. Lee probably wasn’t aware of is that her philosophy with regard to overcoming adversity has a biblical basis.

The Bible warns against the madness in meaningless pursuit of wealth.

Ecclesiastes 5:10: He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Luke 12:15: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

The Bible commands Christians to practise self-denial.

1 Timothy 6:17: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

The Bible exhorts Christians to be content.

Philippians 4:11: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Timothy 6:8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Hebrews 13:5: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The Bible teaches Christians to live by faith and trust in the Lord.

Romans 12:12: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Proverb 16:20: He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

So now you might wonder why some Christians are always unhappy! They fail to heed scriptural admonition.

John 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Proverb 3:13: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverb 14:21: He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Hence, the pursuit of happiness seen through the lens of this atheist is more insightful than average Christians who seldom read the scriptures and apply scriptural truths in their lives

Here is the article More to Life than the Pursuit of Happiness

My desire for Dr. Lee is to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ who alone can give her true inner peace.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)


President Ronald Reagan Believed The King James Bible

While the Devil is busy attacking the King James Bible with his false teachers and Christians are confused by their equally confused and brainwashed leaders, the Lord raised up some one in high places to believe His written words.

Unlike the almost conversion response by king Agrippa, former President Ronald Reagan believed the Holy Bible.

Acts 26:27: King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Acts 26:28: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Listen to what the former President Ronald Reagan had to say about the King James Bible.

Ronald Reagan on the King James Bible

He couldn’t have said it better, especially as a man in the highest office in the greatest nation on earth. The USA used to be great but not anymore.

Proverb 21:1: The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Proverbs 8:15: By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.