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bible study devotion

Feast of Tabernacle: devotion

Devotion

photo of a river

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for soft, responsive, and receptive hearts to hear You speak to us. We pray for the transformation of our hearts and minds, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting

Jesus left Judea and came to Galilee because the Jewish religious rulers were plotting to harm Him. The Israelites were celebrating the feast of Tabernacles for 8 days. This feast commemorates the 40 years of wilderness wandering. The highlight of the feast was the water ceremony on the last day.

John 7:37-39

Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.

Reflection

The priest performed the water ceremony on the last day of the feast of Tabernacle. The priest will take water from the pool of Siloam with a golden pitcher, walk around the altar 7 times, and pour the water on the altar. Just when the priest was pouring out the water, Jesus declared in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Who ever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The Holy Spirit is symbolically represented by living water. Jesus is symbolized by the rock. The water ceremony was a profound way to remember the story in Exodus 17:6. “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” 

Application

The promise of salvation is a universal promise. If you come to Jesus and receive Him as your Lord and Saviour, you will be saved, and the Holy Spirit will enter into you. To be saved, one must accept Jesus’ invitation with a positive response and believe in Him. The joy of the Holy Spirit will overflow from within you to others. 

Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Prayer

Dear God, we believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the Holy One of Israel. Thank You for salvation, justification, sanctification and eternal life. Thank You for mercy and grace, in Jesus name, we pray. Amen. 

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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bible study devotion

Woman of Samaria: Devotion:

Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com

devotion

picture of.a lady rowing a boat
Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for soft, responsive, and receptive hearts to hear You speak to us. We pray for the transformation of our hearts and minds, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting

Jesus left Judea and came to Galilee because the Jewish religious rulers were plotting to harm Him. The Israelites were celebrating the feast of Tabernacles for 8 days. This feast commemorates the 40 years of wilderness wandering. The highlight of the feast was the water ceremony on the last day.

John 7:37-39

37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.

Reflection

On the last day of the feast, the priest will perform the water ceremony. in the temple The priest will take water from the pool of Siloam with a golden pitcher, walk around the altar 7 times, and pour the water on the altar. Just when the priest was pouring out the water, Jesus declared in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Who ever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” The Holy Spirit is symbolically represented by living water. Jesus is symbolized by the rock. The water ceremony was a profound way to remember the story in Exodus 17:6. “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” 

Application

The promise of salvation is a universal promise. If you come to Jesus and receive Him as your Lord and Saviour, you will be saved and you will be filled by the Holy Spirit. The prerequisite for salvation is responding to Jesus’ invitation positively and believing by faith. The joy of the Holy Spirit will overflow from within you to others. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11;28

Prayer

Dear God, we believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the Holy One of Israel. Thank You for salvation, justification, sanctification and eternal life. Thank You for mercy and grace, in Jesus name, we pray. Amen. 

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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bible study devotion

Wise and foolish people: devotion

Devotion

Matthew 7:24-29

24 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. 25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.

Reflection

There are two kinds of people and two types of houses. Wise people who build their houses with Jesus as the foundation will be able to withstand the onslaught of trials and persecution. Foolish people who build their houses with sand as the foundation will be washed away by the floods, storms, and natural disasters of life. When the multitude heard these sayings, they were amazed because Jesus taught with authority, unlike the Pharisees and scribes. 

Application

Praying is asking, seeking, and knocking on God. The Greek verbs, ask, seek, and knock are in the present, active, and imperative tense. This is a continuous action i.e. go on asking, go on seeking, and go on knocking. Prayer involves persistence, perseverance, and determination. 

We must avoid hypocritical, judgmental, and self-righteous attitudes. We must be able to spot and discern false teachers by inspecting their fruits. Do they have the fruit of the Holy Spirit i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Galatians 5:22-23?

We must build the foundation of our faith in Christ the solid rock through faith and obedience. 

As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus taught with the authority of the Godhead. Jesus is the Word of God, who became flesh and lived with us. He is the Son of God and Son of Man, fully divine and fully human.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your teaching on judging, spiritual discernment, relationship, and wisdom. Help us to build our faith with Jesus as our foundation to withstand the storms of life. Help us to go on asking, seeking, and knocking on You in prayer with persistence, perseverance, faith, and determination, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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bible study devotion

Devotion: false prophets

Devotion

Setting

In Matthew 7:12- 14, Jesus gave us the golden rule: do to others what you want others to do to us and be kind to others if you want others to be kind to us. Jesus explained that He is the only way to God and the gate to salvation. After this, He warned us against false prophets.

Matthew 7:15-20

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.

Reflection

Jesus warned us to watch out for false prophets who peddle false doctrines to lead people astray. They masquerade as sheep in wolf’s clothing to deceive people with heretic teachings. They misused the gospel for personal enrichment and financial gains. False prophets were plentiful in the first-century world and even today.

We can detect false teachers by inspecting their fruits. A good tree produces good fruit. A bad tree produces bad fruit. Examine every teacher for the fruit of the spirits. Genuine teachers will have the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

Application

This passage is very relevant to us today because there are so many false teachers today masquerading as sheep among wolves. 

Do not believe everything you hear or read. Countercheck everything you hear or read with the scriptures. Learn the Bible and be biblically literate. This is the best safeguard against heresy. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for the revelation of truth. We pray for the nourishment and strengthening of our souls. We pray for maturity in faith, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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devotion

Devotion: Do not give pearls to dogs

Devotion

Cofee on a table

do not give pearls to dogs

Matthew 7:6-11

Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 

Reflection

We must not give valuable things to people who do not appreciate them. For example, if we give flowers to monkeys, they will trample on them and tear them to pieces in no time. This is a call for spiritual discernment and wisdom. Sharing the gospel with people who ridicule and blaspheme God is like throwing pearls to dogs. 

Prayer is asking, seeking, and knocking on closed doors. 

Prayer is to ask until God gives, seek until God reveals, and knock until God opens the door. We must pray consistently, continuously, patiently, persistently, with perseverance, determination, and faith. We must not allow obstacles to deter, discourage, or hinder us from praying.

Prayer is like children asking their father for the things they need. In prayer, we go to our heavenly Father and ask Him for things that we need. God will give us good things when we pray according to His will. His answer may be yes, no, or wait, but it will always be the best.

Application

If we who are sinful know how to give good things to our children when they ask, how much more will God give us when we ask?

God is just a prayer away. Pray with faith, conviction, persistence, and perseverance. Do not give up if the answer does not come. God hears every word you pray. God may say yes, no, or wait but His answer is always the best. He is never late, or early, but always on time. Sometimes you may even have to fast and pray.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for divine enablement to pray with faith and conviction. Help us to overcome the fear of man through prayer. We pray for the gift of evangelism, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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devotion

Do not judge: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

photo of an open bible
open bible

Setting

Matthew 7 is a continuation of Jesus’ sermon on the Mount where Jesus taught on judging others, spiritual discernment, relationship, and wisdom.

Matthew 7:1-5

1 Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? 4 Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First,  remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Reflection

We cannot judge other people because we are sinners under God’s judgment, Romans 3:22. If we judge we are like pots calling kettles black. We cannot judge others righteously because we are not righteous. Judging others will only bring judgment to ourselves because God will judge us.

Jesus asked two rhetorical questions. These are questions to emphasize a point and do not require any answers.

Why are we so fast to see a speck of sawdust in other people’s eye but could not see the log of wood in our own eyes?   How are we going to remove the speck of sawdust in other people’s eye when our vision is blocked by a log in our own eyes? 

Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.”

Application

There are practical instructions to obey and apply.

Do not be a hypocrite. Remove the log in your own eye first before attempting to remove the speck of sawdust in other people’s eyes. Examine yourself first. Are you perfect? Are you qualified to judge? 

Confess, repent, and ask God to forgive your sins. Claim the promise of 1 John 1:9.

Do not take the law into your own hands. Let God be the judge, instead of judging others. Forgive others as God has forgiven you. Do not take vengeance on others. Let God deal with it.

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us not to be judgmental and self-righteous. Thank You for reminding us that we are sinners under Your judgment. Thank You for redemption, reconciliation, justification, sanctification, salvation and eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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devotion

Binding of Isaac: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

box set

Setting

The Hebrew word for the binding of Isaac is Akedah. This was God’s ultimate test for Abraham. After waiting patiently for 25 years, God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice! Abraham passed the test with flying colors. 

God called Abraham by name and told him to take Isaac his only son, whom he loved, and go to Mount Moriah. The name Moriah has a beautiful meaning in Hebrew – it signifies being handpicked by God. Moriah was mentioned only twice in the Bible, and this was the first mention. 

With Isaac carrying the wood, Abraham took a journey to Mount Moriah. The wood on Isaac’s back was a foreshadow of the cross behind Jesus’ back. 

Genesis 22:9-14

9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11 Yahweh’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now, I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place “Yahweh Will Provide”. As it is said to this day, “On Yahweh’s mountain, it will be provided.” 

Reflection

The angel of the LORD called out Abraham’s name twice and stopped him from stabbing his son. Scholars believed that this Angel of the Lord was a Christophany of the pre-incarnate Christ.

Abraham passed the test with flying colors. He obeyed the God’s command. God provided a sacrificial ram trapped in the bush, just at the right moment. After sacrificing the ram as a burnt offering, Abraham called the place, Jehovah Jireh, which means, God will provide, in Hebrews.

God promised Abraham posterity as numerous as the stars of the heaven and the sand on the seashore. The whole world will be blessed by Abraham’s ultimate descendant Jesus Christ.

Application

Abraham is a type of God the Father. Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. 

Ancient Mount Moriah is present day Calvary.

At the same place two thousand years ago, God provided His only Son to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. 

Whoever believes in Christ shall not perish but have eternal life, John 3:16.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross 2000 years ago?

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross 2000 years ago to save us from sin. Thank You for salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Thank you for sanctification and eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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devotion

Exorcism: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

book cover

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You because You are worthy to be praised. You are Holy and righteous, perfect and pure. We listen to You in humility and obedience, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting

Jesus taught in a synagogue on the Sabbath in Capernaum. Synagogue in Greek means a place of gathering. After the destruction of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, the exilic Jews built synagogues in Babylon as gathering places to meet and practice Judaism.  After the exile, the Jews continued to build synagogues throughout Israel. The elements of a synagogue service include prayer, worship, and teaching from the Old Testament.

Mark 1:21-28

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘’Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘’What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority, He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.’’ 

Mark 1:21-28

Commentary

Jesus taught, preached, and exorcised a demoniac man in the synagogue on a Sabbath day.

Sabbath is between sundown on Friday and sundown on Saturday.  The Jews were not allowed to do any work during the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath because He healed the sick and exorcised demons on the Sabbath.

A demonized man manifested when Jesus taught with authority. 

The demon knew Jesus of Nazareth by name and called Him the Holy One of God. It trembled with fear at the sight of Jesus because He was God.

Jesus commanded the demon to come out of the man and when it didso, the man had a convulsion.

The people were amazed and immediately His fame spread throughout Galilee. Note the word ‘’immediately’’.

Application

The demon knew Jesus’ identity and called Him Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy One of God.

The demon was terrified at the sight of Jesus because He was God. 

Jesus taught with authority because He was, and is God. He did not have to study the Bible because He is the author of the Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16.

2 Timothy 3:16, Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a glimpse of Jesus preaching, teaching, and exorcising a demonized man in a synagogue in Galilee 2000 years ago. Thank You for the testimony of Mark, a disciple of Peter, a cousin of Barnabas, and a missionary worker, who gave us this fast-paced book. Thank You for the blessings You give us, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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The resurrection and the life: devotion

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Dr. Andrew C S Koh

3 D book cover

Setting

After healing the centurion’s servant, Jesus came to the city of Naim and raised a widow’s only son back to life. This miracle is unique to Luke.  In the canonical gospels, Jesus raised three people from the dead, the son of the widow of Naim,  the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus of Bethany. 

Luke 7:11-17

11 Soon afterward, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. 12 Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.”14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15 He who was dead sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” 17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

Luke 7:11-17

Commentary

Ancient Naim is located 2 miles southwest of Mount Tabor in the Galilee region. When Jesus reached the city gate of Naim, He encountered a funeral procession of the only son of a widow. In the patriarchal society of first-century Israel, once a woman was married, she belonged to her husband. A widow could not go back to her father’s house for support. Without a son to support her, this widow would be destitute.

Jesus had compassion for her and comforted her. He touched the coffin and commanded the dead man to rise up. To the amazement of everyone, the dead man stood up and began to talk. Everyone trembled and glorified God, acknowledging that Jesus was a prophet and that God had visited them. Zacharias prophesied this in Luke 1:68. Words spread like wildfire throughout Jordan and all the surrounding region.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.

Luke 1:68

Application

Jesus had compassion for the widow of Naim. Jesus has compassion on you too. He is the God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 3-4.

Jesus is more than a prophet. He is God’s incarnate who came to earth in the form of a man. He is fully God and yet fully man. He is the second Person of the Trinity.

Jesus raised the dead man to life by speaking the words. He had authority over death and have the keys to death and hades, Revelation 1:18 

Jesus has the words of eternal life. He is the resurrection and the life, John 11:25. God’s word has the power to give life. Today, you can speak the word of God to other people to bless them.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 3:4

and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

Revelation 1:18

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.

John 11:25

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to us, who is the resurrection and the life. Thank You that whoever believes in Jesus will never die. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross to wash away our sins and give us eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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Faith: devotion

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Prayer:

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

3 D book cover

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done for us in our lives. We acknowledge that You are the creator of the universe and God of the Bible. Thank You for speaking to us through the inspired, infallible, and inerrant words of the Holy Scripture, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting

A centurion is a Roman soldier who had 100 soldiers under his command. In the first-century world, masters treat their servants like a piece of furniture. They were not obligated to treat their servants with kindness. However, this centurion was very kind to his servant when he was on the verge of dying. Even though he was a Gentile, he loved the Jews and helped them build a synagogue. He sent Jewish elders to beg Jesus to come to his house and heal his servant. 

Luke 7:6-10

6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7 Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you but say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

Luke 7:6-10

Commentary

As Jesus was approaching the centurion’s house, the centurion had a sudden change of heart. He realized that he was not worthy to receive Jesus into his home. He sent his friends to Jesus asking him not to come to his house but to pray for healing from a distance. 

His faith was incredible and amazing. He recognized Jesus’ authority. He knew that His word was as good as His presence. He believed that Jesus could cure his servant from a distance. 

Jesus was amazed at the faith of the centurion. Even the Jews did not have such great faith. The centurion’s friends returned to the centurion’s house to find the servant recovered! Jesus was omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He healed the centurion’s servant through a private miracle from a distance. The public was not privy to the miracle. Only Jesus, the apostles, the centurion, his family, and his friends knew about the miracle. 

Application

Faith moves mountains. Even a mustard seed faith is enough to start a miracle. How big is your faith? Do you pray with faith? Jesus will mountains for you if you pray with faith according to His will. 

Faith is to know that you will get what you hoped for even when your physical eyes cannot see it coming. 

You cannot please God if you do not have faith, Hebrews 11:6.

Faith is your third pair of eyes. Walk by faith with your spiritual eyes, 2 Corinthians 5:7. 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen

Hebrews 11:1

Without faith, it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:16

for we walk by faith, not by sight

2 Corinthians 5:7

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lesson on faith. Help us to walk by faith and not by sight. Open our spiritual eyes of faith to see into the spiritual dimension. Increase our faith. Help us with our unbelief, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Dr ANDREW C S KOH