SCRIPTURE:
Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (Mark 9:5)

Observations:
I asked myself what was Peter's response to Jesus meeting up with Moses and Elijah?
1. Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.'
2. Let us put up three shelters- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.

Interpretation:
I asked myself the significance of Peter saying, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here?'
Of all the things Peter could have said after his, James, and John's encounter with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, Peter said, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here" but this statement is very significant because first of all Jesus is addressed as Rabbi which also means teacher or one who you learn from. Peter knew he, James, and John were disciples of the Rabbi to learn from Him and take part in His activities which now consisted of meeting with Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration. To Peter this activity was good for him, James, and John to be there. Peter spoke on behalf of the other two disciples when he used, 'us to be here'

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life here. I need to see Jesus as my Rabbi now and forever more as Peter and the other disciples saw him. That means I need to learn from Jesus daily.

How Gospel Gives Me Testimony Regarding R.A.B.B.I:
Yesterday, as Oakland International Fellowship, Pastor Ed shared a sermon from Acts 17:10-13 about how everyone can be a theologian and it is not limited to just a pastor, priest, etc. Pastor Ed also exhorted us not to just spend 5 - 15 minutes a day reading the Word but meditating and studying it often. That sermon touched home to me because though I have never thought of myself as a theologian, I have always loved to study Scriptures and share the insights Jesus teaches me because Jesus is the best Rabbi that I can ever have and learn from His Rabbinical Book of Teachings and then share it with others. Another name for what I like to call  'His Rabbinical Book of Teachings', is called the Bible or Word of God. When Jesus teaches me from His Word it is God teaching me from His Word because I believe Jesus is God based on Scripture.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:1-5, NIV)

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." (John 1:14-18, NIV)

This is exciting to know that I can learn from a Rabbi who is God. Wow! It is not just me learning but I am reminded of the Bible lesson from children's Sunday School about Samuel listening and thinking Eli was calling him but it was actually God calling Him. God was Samuel's teacher/Rabbi. I was glad to help Heather, Mei Ooi, Yijen, Magda, and others with children's Sunday School.

I am excited to know that I can be serving this same perfect Rabbi who teaches me and makes me realize what a sinner that I am who is in need of grace and mercy that can only come from Him.

As I have read through the Bible in 33 days, I have seen the price my Rabbi has paid for me on the cross of Calvary to redeem me and give me new life by shedding His precious cleansing blood. All my sins were cast upon Jesus who became my scapegoat so that I could be cleansed of sin and be seen as pure by God because Christ's righteousness is imputed to me. This is so exciting to know!

I love Jewish holidays because they remind me of what Jesus, my perfect Rabbi did for me. When I celebrate Rosh Hosannah (New Year) or Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), it is because of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the atonement for my sin by nailing it to the cross where His body was crucified for me. Jesus went to the cross so I can be delivered. If Jesus, my perfect Rabbi remained dead then there would be no need for Christianity but I am excited to know that His resurrection from the dead gives followers of Jesus hope now and later. Jesus is the God of the Living as revealed by His encounter with Moses and Elijah and His encounter with at least 500 others who saw Him after He came back to life.

I want to learn from the perfect Rabbi everyday by meditating and studying His Word knowing it is by His loving grace and mercy that He has saved me and given me new life. Jesus loves me so much that Jesus became my Savior paying the price I could not pay. Jesus is not only my Savior but my Lord. He is the Master and creator of me. He is the One that I owe all my allegiance too. The world too owes it's allegiance to the Creator of the Universe.

You and I can keep living our lives without experiencing what Jesus, the perfect Rabbi did and we will continue to live in bondage to sin and death or we can turn to the Rabbi and experience the abundant life He offers for only in Christ can I be saved. You too can be saved in Christ and find abundant living. Yes, you can!

Jesus said, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:9-11, NIV)

Jesus is my perfect Rabbi who is my God and Good Shepherd. He can be yours too! Yes, He can!

I ask you now dear friend, why follow a Rabbi years later?
Dear friend, years, days, centuries, minutes, seconds don't make a difference when it comes to following the perfect Rabbi. This Rabbi still lives and is worthy of our praise and worship. This Rabbi is worthy of our complete allegiance and all our loyalty. This Rabbi was willing to sacrifice His own life for you and me and went ahead with the sacrifice but the Good News is this Rabbi did not die for ever. This Rabbi is living and is God Himself. This Rabbi is known to His followers as Yeshua (One who Saves) or Christ (the Messiah) or Jesus (the anointed One) or Immanuel (God With Us). I am so excited to share with you about Jesus Christ.

Friend, Jesus Christ is living and He is the God of the Universe and wants to be Your God. Yes, He came as God-incarnate into this world for 3 years and allowed His life to be sacrificed so we can be freed of our bondage and captivity to sin when we take the antidote He offers which is His precious blood. You and I need it friend.

God in His holiness cannot allow us into Heaven unless we are covered in the precious Blood of the Lamb of God. Jesus loves you so much and wants to always be Your Rabbi even now because He is living and has given us His Word to follow for basic instructions before leaving earth or B.I.B.L.E. You can live for Jesus and know you will not be living for nothing. Jesus has a plan for your life and you can experience it.

Whether you celebrate Rosh Hasannah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Purim, and any other Jewish festival, they are all fulfilled in Christ. As a follower of Christ, I can celebrate Jewish holidays because they remind me of where I could have been and where Jesus took me too and where Jesus will take me to. My life is in Christ and your life to can be in Christ.

You will never be disappointed by the perfect Rabbi because He is also the perfect theologian that you can learn from and experience just as the Bereans experienced in Berea.

Friend, Jesus loves you so much and you can come as you are to His presence knowing in Him you will have Eternal life and there is the Resurrection of the dead even if the Sadduces of that day did not believe in it.

You can come as you are and experience the love of Christ. You can hold on to so many things but when you hold on to Jesus, you are holding on to hope.

You can follow the perfect Rabbi because He is the Lord and Savior of the world. All who come to Him will be saved and redeemed. This is what He offers. His transforming grace is not just for a life after we die but for the here and now. We are justified by His grace but it is this same grace that will sanctify us here on earth and there will come a day we will experience glorification by His grace. It is because of the pontification of Christ for our sake by His grace. But we have to receive and believe in the perfect Rabbi who is God. It is Jesus Christ my friend and He is for you and me friend now and always.

Jesus, the perfect Rabbi made claims that no one else ever made. Jesus knew He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him so Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me!" (John 14:6)

May you experience the love of the perfect Rabbi knowing Redeemer Always Brings Beautiful Inspiration!

"Redeemer Always Brings Beautiful Inspiration!"/(R.A.B.B.I)/"Why follow a R.A.B.B.I years later?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, you are my perfect Rabbi who came as God-incarnate to be the teacher of the things of God. You lived here on earth and died for my sin to ransom me by your blood but you did not remain in the tomb but 3 days later rose back to life to give Eternal Life to all those who turn to you and ask to be saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and being my God. Thank you that you will teach me of things I have never known because all knowledge belongs to you and in your timing you reveal all things to me and all who follow you. Thanks so much Jesus. I thank you that your revelation comes to us from your Word and any other revelations that we claim to receive have to be tested with Your Word. Thank you that Your Word has the final authority, my Rabbi, my Messiah, my Lord, my Yeshua Hamaschiah, my Savior! Jesus you are all to me. Thank you for your abundant grace that justifies and sanctifies me. Thanks for being willing to die for my sin and coming back to life to save me giving me Your Word, the Bible from Genesis to Revelation to govern my life. I love you Jesus and need you always. Help me Jesus and save me by Your power. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit you promise your followers to guide and lead into all truth. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

You don't have to be locked away anymore for Christ is here to free you and give you peace to LIVE out your actions.

How do you look at GODISNOWHERE?

One of my pastors, Pastor Hugo SHARED this example one Sunday at the RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:

If you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no peace.

But  as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.

Yes, friend God is aLIVE and wants to bring a transformation in your life through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and LIVE with us.

Yes, friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE & LIVING GRACE.

When we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive us and RESTORE us to Him and we will find peace in Him.

^"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, NIV)

Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.

"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Come to Jesus as you are and pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior. He will transform your life around! Praise the Lord! You don't have to have all the answers! You can come as you are!

If you want to be a soldier in the Lord's army, you can become it right now. Now is the time of Salvation! You do not have to wait but can pray this prayer and give your life to Christ to serve Him daily! There is no draft but coming to Christ is voluntary. He loves you so much and wants you to come to Him! He will take care of you, guiding you and leading you!

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me so much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me. You became the Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled yourself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. You died on the cross so that I can be covered in your blood and cleansed by your blood as I acknowledge that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being my pathway. So, Jesus I confess all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried to get into Heaven when you already provided the means and the Way. Thank you for all that you have done for me. "The cross is the place, a wonderful place where accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus, it is at the cross where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us were nailed at the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the cross you died for our sins and at the cross you gave your life for us." I thank you for that and thank you for coming back to life to save us. Thank you Jesus for being there for me! Thank you for loving me. I love you Jesus! Please take me as I am and make my life into something that you will be proud of. I surrender my life to you and need your help to live for you. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me and I can never repay you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me Jesus please. I thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen!