Will You Be Made Whole?

If you are keeping the appointed times then going through John 5 will bring you right to where Yeshua is, and what He is doing during this season we find ourselves in. May 22, 2021 on our Julian calendar is the 49^th day of the counting of the Omer, leading up to Pentecost.  It is the Sabbath that a man 38 years lame was made not only to walk, but whole.

John 5:1  After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

            Several things to take note of here, this was “a feast of the Jews” which is an inaccurate assessment as the book of Leviticus clearly states that these are the “Feast of the Lord” (YHVH). Much as it is erroneous for us to say it is the land of the Jews or Israel as YHVH clearly stakes claim to the land being His and that they would be sojourners with him, in other places it states they would possess the land. (Lev. 25:23; Lev. 20:24)  Having possession and having ownership are not synonymous.
To confirm this is the feast of Shavuot we only need to back up to the previous feast mentioned as the Feast of YHVH happen in sequential order at appointed times during the year.

            Notice, he is heading to Jerusalem for the feast because as it is written all males were to appear three times a year in the place that YHVH shall make his name to abide. (Exo 23:17)

Which further confirms which feast this is as Shavuot is a pilgrimage feast. Must be kept in a specific place.

John 5:4  For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

            There are two things here that are important to take note of, the first being, the angel operated at a certain time and a certain place.  Those who came to receive their healing like Naaman had they been at the wrong pool wouldn’t have received their healing, and as the man understood 38 years in waiting that had he not been there at the right time he also would not receive his healing.  I submit to you that God has not changed and still operates on his watch, as for the place, it is still important to be there if you can, but the Spirit of God is not bound, but operates freely as the living waters of the Spirit of God resides within us.  The gift given on this very day after Yeshua’s ascension, was the fulfillment of the promise given to the people of God, so that we could do the greater works we were called too.   This is why Yeshua said it was expedient that He goes, for if He didn’t go away the Comforter wouldn’t come to us. (John 16:7)

The next point we need to take heed to and understand is the message Yeshua had to this man who was bowed down for 38 years.

John 5:6  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

There are some of us who for many years have been afflicted with some sort of infirmity.  No matter the time there was one thing that was clear this man was looking for answers.  Had he not been he wouldn’t show up year after year seeking his healing. But Yeshua asked him an important question. Will he be made whole?  He didn’t simply ask him if he would be healed from his infirmity, he cut straight to the heart of what was needed.  The man needed more than to be relieved of his infirmity and many of us find ourselves in the same predicament.  Thus, the question encompassed the whole individual not simply the physical state that we can see.  However, notice the response of the man to this question.

John 5:7  The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

            The man was so focused on the one avenue by which God could have healed him, that he completely ignored the context of the question.  Yeshua didn’t say anything about healing nor about putting him in any water.  The man was simply asked, will you be made whole.  It includes healing, but goes so much deeper as we will see as we continue reading.  Many of us are seeking external resources for a matter that God wants to bring a complete fixing too.  Our ailment is a symptomatic evidence of a deeper issue, and what Yeshua was offering this man was far greater than what that water could have done for him had he been first in.  Yeshua offered him wholeness and he responded back to him with excuses. 

Joh 5:8  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

            Yeshua revealed to him in that moment that He was the living waters, and that which he sought from the Angel was available to him from the direct source.  Notice there are three things the man is instructed to do,

Rise – this word is the greek word egeiro (G1453) which means to waken.  Many of us have been in a stupor and could be because we have been bowed over like this man for some years for similar reasons or another, but the first instruction was to wake up.  We cannot afford to stay asleep drifting through life waiting for someone to take us to a certain place at a certain time to receive our healing.  We must rise.

Take up thy bed – we have gotten too comfortable in the place we are at.  We can allow ourselves to get comfortable in our weakness rather than challenge ourselves to move forward.  Stagnation only robs us of valuable time, we must continue to press forward in this life otherwise we will find ourselves 38 years in waiting for someone to carry us to a place, that God wants to heal us where we are. 

Walk – finally we must live, 38 years of not walking one thing is clear circulation has to take place.  This man has been in a sitting position, at rest for far too long and it was time for him to come out of retirement and be about his fathers business.  We too find ourselves in that same predicament, and it is past time for the blood to flow through the entire body of Yeshua so that the many lost sheep that He is after can come into this cellular network and continue the necessary blood flow.

The final scripture we will tackle is the root cause of this man’s disease, and the remedy to prevent him from falling into the same trap.

John 5:14  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The key to being whole, and remaining that way is to “sin no more”.  This was the reason the man was in a 38 year season of being unable to walk.  Sin can make you stagnate especially if you are living in it, and while we don’t know exactly what this man’s sin was, it is clear that even in his sickly condition was still an issue.  We can be suffering from an ailment, yet, while we are searching for sources of healing we can find ourselves still in that state because we are living in sin.  Yeshua showed this man how he got in the state he was in, and after extending him healing holds him accountable for what will happen should he return to that state.  The blessing of God giving the curses is that the curses are so severe that it should have the affect of keeping one from sin.  This is the same thing with our children, we institute penalty, and reveal harsh responses to their sin as a means to keep them from it.  The punishment is never intended to break us, but to bring us back to our Creator.  The enemy uses it to break us, to plague us, but YHVH uses it to bring us back into the fold.  Like this man we have been made whole, the circulation is being breathed back into our bodies, and it is time for it to be, because the season this man was loosed was in time for the harvest.  Harvest time requires all hands on deck and your feet must be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace that is so desperately needed in the days we are living in.  We are called to be salt and light, and today, is the day to let that light shine ever so brightly as we see the world grow ever so dim. 

The Reysh

In this third episode we tackle the second letter in the first word of the Hebrew Bible and discover how it provides another missing piece of what the Messiah would do and gets us closer to understanding our role in God’s master plan for man. You won’t want to miss the meaning of the Reysh.

Previous Episode: The Beit

The Beit

The second episode of the Creation Week Chronicles gives you revelation about the first character, of the first word in the Hebrew Bible that we have come to know and love. Discover the beautiful revelation of “the Beit” and how it being the first character in the Bible is significant concerning you.

Previous Episode: In The Beginning

Next Episode: The Reysh

He Proclaimed the Name

            While the world is closed from a Coronavirus with a 0.26% kill rate, Tanzania is enjoying life with mouth’s open, why?  Because their President proclaimed the Name.  While we were in limbo for months, apparently waiting for a “miracle” vaccine, the country that is supposed to be known for our faith is the country with the “highest” case rate.  Meanwhile, as far back as April the President of Tanzania, Dr. Magufuli, who has a chemistry background understood that the “blood of Jesus” could kill any virus chose to proclaim the name, and as the scripture hath said, he who puts his trust in HIM shall NOT be put to shame! 

If we truly believe what we preach why didn’t we declare the same?  The country that has gone worldwide with the gospel has been shut down by Corona, as we see the day approaching we should be fellowshiping all the more, yet we are doing the opposite. Like Tanzania we had crusades of fasting and prayer, calls went out from the White House, and on most corners if not all where steeple buildings could be found, yet the virus “got” worse, at least according to the news.  In three days President Magufuli got an answer, and for the past 9 months people have been living their lives without the tyranny of threats to shut down businesses, economies, or reopen with the threat that you will have to be a prisoner within your own quarters if you don’t wear a mask or take a vaccine. 

There are those who have activated faith, and those who have dormant faith.  Since faith is an action word, the proof of which we are is always in the action or inaction. Those who fear God, and those who fear viruses.  Those who proclaim the name that is ABOVE every name, and those who proclaim the name of Corona.  Covid-19 is like any giant that Israel had to slay back in the day, it has a kryptonite and that kryptonite is Christ, the blood of Yeshua that in that name viruses die, sickness must flee, and death has no sting.  As long as Tanzania continues to stand on the name with REAL power, YESHUA (JESUS) they will have a secure future, because they put their trust in the God of Israel, meanwhile the land of Israel is on pause waiting for a “miracle” pharmaceutical. 

            I am here to tell you that the God of Israel is shining His light in Tanzania and I am a witness.  While the church is distracted by power politics the enemy is gaining unnecessary ground that is conquerable if we seek not after that which is of the flesh, but that which is of the spirit.  Tanzania is proof that this virus was conquerable we just had to trust in the RIGHT name.

When We Open Our Mouths

There are a lot of words in the midst of the mouth coverings that is taking place. Largely because we are also in the voting season where many people are trying to plead their own particular case. In the midst of the shouting something that stood out to me as I was reading Proverbs this morning, and it was a message to Lemuel, which most authors agree is Solomon, and was a message from his mother Bathsheba. It was clearly sound wisdom concerning how he should govern the kingdom that he would inherit as she was telling him what the position of a a king should be. I bring this up right now because as we are positioning for putting someone in office the wisdom is sound and so very pertinent today for us to consider. Why is it important to know who these words apply to? Because instructions in the bible have a direction and it is important to know to whom God is speaking, because it is to whom He is speaking that He will hold them accountable for their actions either in line or against His written word, and the leading of His Spirit.

There are two important verses that I would like to highlight, and as readers who are NOT in nor applying for the position of President it is important to note who is speaking to the soon to be King and current Prince so that you know where too she who was not in a position of authority stood, and likewise where we should stand, as the word then is applicable now.

Pro 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Pro 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

So it is very clear that in verse 8 those who we are to open our mouth’s for, and it is for those who are appointed to destruction. This applies clearly to the life in the womb as they are mute and unable to speak to save their own lives. Secondly, however, and in the wake of many of us who are quick to speak on behalf of the mouth of the dumb we equally have to appoint one who will judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and the needy. So let’s be clear the majority of people who find themselves waiting in an abortion clinic to murder their babies (and yes I say murder, I will not sugar coat truth, and if you are pro-choice reading this I hope you let that thought sink in) are not those who are rich or attempting to remove an inconvenience from their lives. Many fall under the poor and needy disposition. While we are addressing the importance of saving their lives we also need to be equally concerned about providing resources that first address unwanted pregnancies before they occur through education, and secondly address viable alternatives for young people who find themselves in a position where their choice may result in them being homeless, without support, and without an opportunity to continue education so that they can either keep the child and care for them, or a safe way to address adoption as an option for those who realize they are not in a position to keep them.

For many mothers fear of their child being abused in adopted homes or foster care is a problem and finding placement for black babies or minority children is not always available. Let me be abundantly clear I am pro-life with only one exception and that being when its life for life. Meaning, if a mother’s life is at risk it is her right to either lay it down for her child or save her life at the risk of her child. Being pro-life I am also being called in this passage of scripture to judge righteously in the cause of the poor and needy. Therefore, we are instructed to be sensitive and concerned about both the life that is appointed to destruction and the person in need or who is poor who find themselves in the valley of decision.

While it is easy for those of us who don’t find ourselves in the myriad of circumstances those who are less fortunate are in to bring them to positions where they may in some cases be forced to have an abortion, the reality is we have to judge righteously and have viable alternatives for those who find themselves in this position. We have to understand the mind of the person who find themselves between this rock and hard place, along with legislation that makes abortion pills illegal, and abortion itself illegal. If we do not address the perceived need, we only feed and fuel the black market suppliers. More importantly we find ourselves not opening our mouths to judge righteously on behalf of the poor and needy.

A Revelation Concerning the Everlasting Covenant

Counting with God: Day 41 – Count it all JOY!

  

          In this season of life we are all experiencing something that uniquely draws us together.  This experience has unified us all whether black or white, rich or poor, no one is exempt from this uncertain path that we find ourselves walking.  While everyone’s experience is uniquely impacted in a different way but the feelings fear, sadness, bewilderment, and anger are emotions many of us can say we have shared.  Where the masses of the people in just about every nation under heaven have been subdued by the powers of the government and government sanctions that have bound us.  Nevertheless, we can allow this experience to bring us closer to the Most High, which is the reason why I believe YHVH has allowed it, or we can choose to turn to mankind for our salvation, which is the plan of haSatan.  Nevertheless, the book of James reminds us that we will have persecution, tribulation, trials, and temptations in this life.  In 1918 it was the Spanish flu, in 2020 it’s Corona, regardless of the name or whatever it is our faith should remain unshaken or unwaivered because we know that all things (which include this thing) work together for good for those of us who know God and are called according to His purpose.  (Rom 8:28)

            Death is a reality that the majority of us are going to experience.  Based on scripture I only read of two who have escaped it, but the reality of death should not stop us from living, in fact it should compel us to seize the moment since once its gone, its gone.  Should we expedite the process, NEVER, but we should be able to find joy in the midst of this temptation, knowing that the trying of our faith produces patience.  James doesn’t stop there but starts there as you continue to read what patience will produce in this progressive direction that moves us into a position that the Most High can use us mightily.  In this time of faith building let us let go of those things that really were minor in the whole scheme of things and hold fast to those things that build up our inner man.  Out of this experience we will love harder, as though tomorrow will not come, work harder as if what we do today can determine the quality of our tomorrow, and we will live harder, as if life was a wet rag and there is no dryer to dry it, and therefore we will wring out every ounce of life today has to bring.  Because in the end what is most important is that we used our hands to glorify the Most High, our mind we have opened up to fulfill his will, and our Soul has already been bought with the blood of Ye’shua such that we know where we will go if it all ended today. 

            We are either constantly being built into a holy habitation for our King, or we will be the other man James cautions against who is like the wind tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, double minded and unstable.  Our faith is sure, steady, and in this ever-changing world it is a rock in which we can depend on.  As we wait, let the word of God become alive in you, breathing life in you.  In our ever evolving winds of change put your hands in the unchanging hand of God, knowing that He will deliver you, in life as well as in the shadow of death. 

Counting With God Day 31

As I am now in the 31st day of the count to Pentecost, I am overwhelmed with the wisdom of the Most High. Everywhere around us we are being bombarded with our invisible enemies residue, yet the silent truth that should be shouted from the roof tops is the amount of people who have overcome this disease.  To watch the news you would think we were losing this battle, but the numbers indicate that even from the beginning we have been winning.  We are not hearing the overwhelming testimony of the majority of people who fought corona and won. In our digital age where we can track everybody’s steps we are not hearing the voice of the majority, uncovering how they crossed over and we have to ask ourselves why?  Rather than building on the wisdom from our past everyone is being told to put his or her hope on something that has been and still is experimental that is yet to come. 

The most unprecedented act that I can see is not Corona, as pandemics have occurred all the way back to biblical times.  What was supposed to be a two-week break has turned into a two-month nightmare that has led to more and more uncertainty, conjuring up more questions than answers.  In the wake of all this lapse of time yet we still have no data.  We can say worldwide 98% of those who have gotten this virus has gotten over it with mild or no symptoms but yet, not enough data.   Perhaps we are not asking the right questions, or the right people the right questions. 

President Trump rightly termed this thing “the invisible enemy” and I would like to build on that premise because here is where we are losing out on a monumental opportunity to see this thing turn around.  If we were facing a country for instance would we build our countries morale by focusing on the number of casualties?  Please don’t get me wrong, I am in no way minimizing the value of the lives of those who have died from or been impacted by this disease, but what I am saying is those of us who are still alive have to have a greater value in life itself then awaiting a vaccine that may or may not work, and furthermore won’t be available until next year, and lets be real clear, many people are uncomfortable taking.  This being the case we know that our past way of handling those who died at war was to honor them, memorialize them, but put our focus on our victories, not on our defeats. 

Being that pandemics are not new lets talk about that for a minute.  Before the world of vaccines we had pandemics and like this one they too suffered losses, but amazingly those who seemed to weather it was able to do so by changing the terrain from within their bodies until that which threatened them from without had passed on.  In the bible you had those who had leprosy, there was no man-made elixir that cured it, there were men of God who obeyed the voice of God in directing those who were sick to do simple things to be healed.  (2 Kings 5) 

We should never get away from the simplicity that is in Christ.  Diseases like Rickets it wasn’t cured by pumping toxins into the blood stream, but it was a vitamin deficiency that caused it, and thus adding what the body needed that it was lacking cured it.  What I am saying is let’s not skip over some obvious options.  Let’s love humanity enough to at least consider solutions that we know won’t hurt us, before we move towards the more drastic treatments that we can’t predict its benefits or its detriments.

The part of all this that overwhelms me with the wisdom of the Most High is that the very things that I see in my world today was written in His word thousands of years ago.  He is speaking if we will not be afraid of anyone or anything but Him.  This disease has a name, and His name is above even it.  If we will take the time to count our blessings, open our eyes and our ears to His word and his voice we will see how He is carrying us through this. 

We DO NOT have to be afraid of the terror by night nor of the noisome pestilence that walketh in darkness. (Psa. 91) I realize that darkness can be intimidating, not having data, knowledge, or understanding in a situation like this is scary, but we have something much greater than data, we have the Teacher living and moving inside of us, this Teacher understands all and knows all, and if we will listen to Him he will direct us when and where to go, what, and how to do what we need to do.  In this time of counting don’t forget where your help comes from.  I can tell you I have probably made a thousand mistakes that could have made me vulnerable to this virus from the moment I knew it was in my area, but I know the ONE who keeps me, directs me, and order my steps.  If we know Him we can walk in darkness, and shine forth His light. 

Let us not stop searching for truth, nor give up on the simple wisdom of God.  Let us look at this as a time to prepare ourselves as good soldiers spirit, soul, and body for the battle ahead, because even the invisible enemy must bow to the Ever Present Most High YHVH!!   

Counting with God: Day 15 What It Is All For?

The purpose of holiness and living a life for God is so that we will one day dwell with him.  The work of Messiah was to bring us to the Father, his sinless life, his brutal crucifixion, and his gut wrenching death was essential for him to take back the keys of death and hell for us, and to ascend to the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us.  In our count we must get to a place where we are pursuing God for what we are here for, and have an even bigger desire to be forever with Him. 

            When we see the truth of what life without him looks like we should be ready to run to the one whom we can taste and see His goodness.  This is the beauty of the Messiah’s willingness to endure the cross and despise the shame knowing that he loved us so much that he would die that we might have life through him.  How many of us are willing to do that, no not for our children, but for our friends?  Without Christ we can’t see or understand a kingdom like that.  We are in our flesh tit for tat people, not turn the other cheek people.  He had to love us first because we really don’t know how to love without His example the way God loves us. 

            In the end, the goal of this life lesson of love is to one day find ourselves on that Holy Hill of God where we shall forever be with him.  As a believer all else we do in this life is preparation and determination for what our eternity will look and feel like. 

Psa 15:1  A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psa 15:2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psa 15:3  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Psa 15:4  In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

Psa 15:5  He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Counting with God: Day 12: Yah’s Perfect Government

In the wake of the exposition of so many mistakes we see governments worldwide making in regards to this pandemic, it brings me back to the wisdom of God’s word concerning government.  While everyone is doing what they think will work the reality is even with past pandemics and those who predicted something on this magnitude to repeat it is clear that no one was ready for what is unfolding before us, but God.  While for some it would be easy to try to blame President Trump for it, but we haven’t been ready long before his administration and the possibility, or should I say probability of something on this magnitude occurring was always a matter of when not if. 

The bible says that for nations that have chosen to ignore the laws of the land that there would be judgments that would allow for the land to receive its necessary rest. (Lev 25: Lev 26:34) Nevertheless, what’s most important to me in the wake of this catastrophe are the words that were used repeatedly to describe the hour we are living in and that is “Be Not Deceived”.  (2 Thess 2) So many people are glued to their preferred network putting their trust in these broadcasters and the propaganda that is being perpetrated that truth is assumed instead of being investigated.  People are allowed to shoot down an individuals character and provide absolutely no evidence of error, or we willingly will ignore sound evidence once a label of right wing, left wing, racist, sexist, or homophobic, is stamped on an individual and cut ourselves off from information that just might save our lives. 

I think of the example we have in scripture concerning Balaam who was ready to curse the children of Israel to the point where he was beating his ass. (Num. 22:21-30)  Yet scripture is clear that had he not listened to that ass he would be dead.  Today, that example is something we can learn from, turning away from the wrong ass just might cost you your life.  Let’s not abandon or ignore things that are questionable and should be addressed that are standing before us.  Let us not be so swept away in the requirements of this pandemic that we totally abandon all reason, we don’t want to be reconditioned or programmed to just embrace things being set before us as though the giver of any of it has no agenda, because in most cases they do.  Therefore as we count to Pentecost let us give account of the information we receive, let us make sure we understand what is being presented, and most importantly let us place it through the scrutiny of scripture and see where it measures with end time events.  Because it is in the light of these events that the scripture is most replete concerning, having an understanding and being not deceived. 

Let us also pray for justice for those in the penal system, while justice must be served and those who are a menace to society restrained we also know that there are those serving time who are not necessarily guilty though they were found so.  We also know however, that they are human and deserve to be treated as such regardless of their reason for being imprisoned. We must remember our scripture reveals that Yeshua was in jail at one point, Paul, and many other disciples of Yeshua, and therefore they are examples that not all who are found guilty of an offence are.  Nevertheless, we also have those who are reformed in jail who have been guilty of a crime but who have indeed given their lives to the Lord.  In any case no one should be treated as less than human and in the wake of this virus let’s remember to lift up the captives, pray for the safety of all who are in a vulnerable state whether it be behind bars or in a womb.

Also pray for the exposure of those involved in sex trafficking, this is a horrible crime against humanity and all involved in capturing, and forcing children into this lifestyle should be exposed and justice should be served.

Psa 20:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Psa 20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
Psa 20:3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
Psa 20:4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
Psa 20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
Psa 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psa 20:8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Psa 20:9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.