Studying Scripture with Pastor David Higa at CCEP

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. -Matthew 6:17-18 Fasting is a spiritual practice oftentimes overlooked in our day. Perhaps it is because we are not commanded to fast in the New Testament. Then the disciples of John [t...

Judges 6: Gideon's Fleece

Judges 6: Gideon's Fleece

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. [Rev 6:1-2] The Real and the Counterfeit are revealed in these verses. They identify Christ and Antichrist, respectiv...

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. [Rev 6:1-2] The Real and the Counterfeit are revealed in these verses. They identify Christ and Antichrist, respectiv...

Genesis 25-26 "Abraham's Death"

Genesis 25-26 "Abraham's Death"

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [Matthew 6:4] The word pray [proseuchomai]; Strongs; is progressive. Starting with the noun, euche, which is a prayer to God that also includes making a vow, the word expands to the verb euchomai, a special term desc...

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [Matthew 6:4] The word pray [proseuchomai]; Strongs; is progressive. Starting with the noun, euche, which is a prayer to God that also includes making a vow, the word expands to the verb euchomai, a special term desc...

Judges 3-5: Deborah

Judges 3-5: Deborah

But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.[Rev 5:5] The scene is heaven. All eyes are upon the Throne; all attention is upon the One who sits on the Throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in a...

But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.[Rev 5:5] The scene is heaven. All eyes are upon the Throne; all attention is upon the One who sits on the Throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in a...

Genesis 23-24: A Bride for Isaac

Genesis 23-24: A Bride for Isaac

That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. [Matthew 6:4] Charity in the Bible in the original Greek is agape. The newer Bibles translate agape to love. The word, agape, was coined for the New Testament and describes a unique supernatural love from God. Charity is therefore a good translation because it identifies this unique kind...

That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. [Matthew 6:4] Charity in the Bible in the original Greek is agape. The newer Bibles translate agape to love. The word, agape, was coined for the New Testament and describes a unique supernatural love from God. Charity is therefore a good translation because it identifies this unique kind...

Judges 1-2: Death of Joshua

Judges 1-2: Death of Joshua

Around the throne were twenty four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. [Rev 4:4] The key word in Rev 4-5 is throne, used 15 times in these chapters. The scene After these things is heaven, and the focus is the Throne. All eyes [and worship] are upon Him Who sits on the Throne and unto the Lamb. Chapter 4...

Around the throne were twenty four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. [Rev 4:4] The key word in Rev 4-5 is throne, used 15 times in these chapters. The scene After these things is heaven, and the focus is the Throne. All eyes [and worship] are upon Him Who sits on the Throne and unto the Lamb. Chapter 4...

Genesis 21-22: Isaac and Ishmael

Genesis 21-22: Isaac and Ishmael

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. [Matthew 5:48] This verse drives home the point: There is a vast difference between the Letter of the Law and its Intent. The critical factor is Grace. Only Grace can move one in the direction of Intent. It is only by Grace! The thing about Grace is that oftentimes the most religious people misunderstand it. The Pharisees we...

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. [Matthew 5:48] This verse drives home the point: There is a vast difference between the Letter of the Law and its Intent. The critical factor is Grace. Only Grace can move one in the direction of Intent. It is only by Grace! The thing about Grace is that oftentimes the most religious people misunderstand it. The Pharisees we...