How To Understand the Will of YHVH: The Plurality of YHVH – A Unified One

One of the most attractive things to see is a man in uniform. Personally, I have come to realize that it’s not the uniform that I am attracted to, but the union that is attractive. The ability for all of them to come together as One, being many. Such a refreshing contrast from the division we see in the body of Christ today. Years ago I wrote an article called the Original WWW.  Many of us are familiar with the term trinity. It is a word we use to explain how our God being one is still plural, yet one. As I shared with you in the above analogy this is what Yahushah was attempting to explain to His disciples concerning God. He and His father are One. If you have seen him, then you have seen the Father. (John 10:30; John 14:9-10) What is he saying exactly? He is saying that since he only does that which please the Father just as those who do the will of His father are the same as his mother, brother, and sister that they are in perfect harmony. (Matt. 12:50) As members of a band, as an orchestra in symphony, as soldiers in the service and yet like those examples every member being one band or one orchestra, or one army have different instruments they play or different positions they hold, but to complete one unified purpose. If we understand the role of each then we not only understand the triune nature of God, but also our role as husbands, wives, children, or as men and women.

Which is where the www comes in understanding that each member in God has a specific function. The Father wills it, the Son words it, and the Holy Spirit does the work. You will find this pattern consistently through scripture. The Father doesn’t do the will of the Son, the Holy Spirit doesn’t do the speaking, but the working. In fact it wasn’t until the Holy Spirit descended upon the Messiah that he began to do the miracles he did. The water into wine, the healings, the multiplication of loaves and the raising of the dead, all of these things take place after the baptism and the Holy Spirit descending upon him.

 

Why is this important to you? Families don’t function the way they should because we fail to reflect the image of the one who we belong to. We want the Father to do the will of the son, the mother to be the word of the son, and the Holy Spirit to have limited movement or range because it makes us uncomfortable when we can’t control the work He is called to do in our lives. A lack of order in the natural creates a lack of understanding of the Spiritual. Yahushah followed His father’s script and if we are going to be successful and walk in the plurality that Yahushah describes we have to do what he did, follow the script. He couldn’t marry someone because that was not in the script for him. He did what was in the script, and whatever we are doing if we are saying it is for God, we need to make sure that it is in the script for us. Operating outside of the script, and outside of His spirit no matter how good it sounds or looks can lead you outside the will of the Almighty. That is not a place you want to be found when it is all said and done.  Thus, understanding the plurality of God as described in Genesis when Elohim said “let us make man…” (Gen. 1:26) has to do with God being a unified one, is this what we are endeavoring to do in our homes and our lives? Can a mother do things a father can do, this is not the question we ought to be asking, the question is should she? I can tell you no father can do what a mother can do, nor should he be expected to. If we make it our business to do what a man can do who will fulfill our role? Who will be the voice of femininity? If what we did had no value then why would God have created us? He could have stopped with Adam. Eve was God’s decision, and she was created for Adam’s good. The lack of appreciation for the work of the wife, and mother has lead to increase in auto-immune diseases, the increase in obesity, the increase of children being insecure in who they are and who they were intended to become because of the detours our absence creates.   It opens the home to rape, incest, abuse, confusion, plain and simple the enemy. There are multiple ways the enemy can bind the strong man, but the bottom line is once you take him out the house the devil can do his work. A woman having to do the job of a man because a man is absent leads to unnecessary stress on both the parent and the child. Are there exceptions, yes, but exceptions are not the rule. In scripture we see the exceptions, Deborah was an exception, but you can count on one hand how many exceptions there were. But when the exception becomes the rule you create a paradox in society that offsets the balance and creates an atmosphere of chaos. I think we can all agree that we see the chaos in our midst. Let us however, endeavor to be that unified one speaking the same as our Father, and having the same mind, because we are fulfilling the same will, that is, the will of our Father.

I did a series on Matt 10:16 focusing on the characteristics of a serpent that we as believers should apply to our lives.  Isn’t it interesting God didn’t say be ye as wise as Solomon, yet though he was given wisdom unlike any other man.  Think about it, we are in the situation as humans that we are in because a serpent was able to deceive Eve.  We need to tap into the wisdom of a serpent from a heavenly perspective, so that we would be able to defeat the enemy of our lives with the wisdom that God has made available in the earth.  I am making it available as an e-book. This e-book will show you:

1. How the characteristics of a serpent can translate into wisdom for a believer and how we should walk in that wisdom.
2. How to understand how Spiritual principles can be extracted from getting a natural understanding of how God created the serpent.
3. Often times we don’t get what we need in our walk with Christ because we don’t hask the right questions.  The right questions in how we study can make a tremendous difference in its benefit for us.  It is insightful in that it will ask questions at the end of each chapter so that you can reflect on them and gauge if you are using this wisdom in your life.

The e-book is currently in pre-production, but you can fill out the form below to let me know that you are interested in reserving a copy.  The cost will be $5.00.  I am making e-books to save on cost of printing.  If you would prefer a hard copy please let me know as you submit me your contact information, if enough people are interested in a hard copy I will provide print on demand, but the cost will more than likely be more than $5.00.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Hard Copy

Comment(required)

Submit

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How to Acquire the Peaceable Life

In the wake of another shooting here in Louisiana where three officers were murdered, I would like to share my thoughts from the scripture as a citizen of Louisiana. As a citizen of color, I have just watched the press release from our officials, and was impressed with one particular speaker who hit the nail on the head concerning the issue we have in this nation. He made it clear the issue is not the ability to carry a gun, but the heart. I have heard people on both sides of the issue from black lives matter and blue lives matter, but what I am not hearing is how we can all live our lives in peace.  Which is clearly the agenda of both sides.  Yet scripture gives us instructions on how to obtain that.

 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Ti 2:1-2)

 

I don’t know why there are people who believe that prayer is either doing nothing or being passive, but prayer is the most important weapon we can use in this hour. Before one of the greatest warriors went to battle and won victoriously he sought YHVH in prayer. This man even in the face of unjust threat of death by the King of Israel, didn’t pursue the death of the King. Not because of his respect for King Saul, but because of his respect for the Giver of the authority the King possessed. He didn’t just talk to God, but waited on God to give him the answer necessary to proceed.  This man’s name was David, and he would become King of Israel, and it was said of him that he was a man after God’s own heart.  (1 Sam. 13:14)  I perceive this is not just because he respected authority, but the reason he respected authority.  He respected the authority of the Almighty and that is what God is looking for.  Our love for Him. Jesus when questioned by Pilate stated he wouldn’t have no power except it was given to him from above. (John 19:11)  Once again recognizing that even in the face of an unjust system that the authority of that system comes from above, and as Messiah makes clear in that same context that no unjust deed on earth goes unpunished or unnoticed from our heavenly Father.  Thus, He tells us vengeance is His, and He will repay. (Rom 12:19)

No injustice on earth goes unchecked by the Almighty!

Realizing the severity of the punishment when He begin to repay should produce in us the same Spirit that was in Christ on the cross or Stephen who was being stoned.  In one word “prayer”.  It takes more strength to pray for someone who is doing you wrong or who you perceive is doing you wrong then to retaliate.  To hate them that hate you is as easy as it is to love those who love you.

This scripture in 1 Timothy is setting in place that order is important. Notice who these “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks” are to be made for first, “all men” and then specifically, “kings, all that are in authority”.

Is it possible that we are seeing the intensity we are seeing because we stop praying for those who are in authority?  Because we are exhorted to give our supplications (requests), prayer, intercession, and thanks for “all in authority” so that “we” might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  That word all doesn’t stop at just praying for the President, or for your own personal pick in congress, but requires we pray for those who we voted for and those who we didn’t vote for.  This includes our military and our police.   If we don’t do this, what you think the outcome will be? Turn on your news, we are seeing the product of neglecting to follow this exhortation.

Finally, there came a time where David did take out the authority of the world, we see this in him taking out Goliath, but under the authority only of YHVH could he be victorious. We don’t get to pick and choose who is taken out, this is only within the hand of the Almighty and based on His timing. King Saul was told to wipe out all of the people of the Amalekites, this included the King of that land. However, this was only based on the Lord’s clear instructions. Which is why it is so vitally important that we have the Spirit of YHVH operating within us. How do we know what we are seeing before our eyes is not of YHVH? God didn’t send his people on suicide missions.  When the children of Israel obeyed YHVH they didn’t lose their battle. Their victory was clear, and their loss of minimal if at all.  The only time the children of Israel lost a battle is when they went without the permission of YHVH. Without the Spirit of YHVH we will find ourselves outside of the will of God, and in opposition to Him. This is a dangerous place to be, yet where unfortunately many of our people are finding ourselves.

Let’s direct our anger against injustice, cry out for righteous rulers. Pray that the heart of the king will submit to the Almighty so that they will rule the land in justice, mercy, and right rulings. Pray for husbands and Fathers, local, state, regional, and national leaders, ministers, and our young men who will one day fill these positions of leadership. Our greatest strength will be in our submission to the will and word of the Almighty. Outside of this we are in danger, and we cannot fulfill His will without knowing what it is and who He is.

 

There are some principles in scripture that we as a nation better began to understand.  While we may pattern our military wisdom from studying the playbook of Alexander the Great.  The serpent was who our Messiah told us to turn to for wisdom as believers.  In this hour believers who don’t understand what Yahushah (Jesus) meant by this will be completely shaken by the world and the battle to come.  Isn’t it interesting God didn’t say be ye as wise as Solomon, though he was given wisdom unlike any other man.  Think about it, we are in the situation as humans that we are in because a serpent was able to deceive Eve.  We need to tap into the wisdom of a serpent from a heavenly perspective, so that we would be able to defeat the enemy of our lives with the wisdom that God has made available in the earth.  I will be sharing what I received from my study in my e-book. This e-book will show you:

1. How the characteristics of a serpent can translate into wisdom for a believer and how we should walk in that wisdom.
2. How to extract Spiritual principles from  understanding the natural character traits of how God created the serpent.
3. Often times we don’t get what we need in our walk with Christ because we don’t ask the right questions.  The right questions in how we study can make a tremendous difference in its benefit for us.  It is insightful in that it will ask questions at the end of each chapter so that you can reflect on them and gauge if you are using this wisdom in your life.

The e-book is currently in pre-production, but you can fill out the form below to let me know that you are interested in reserving a copy.  The cost will be $5.00.  I am making e-books to save on the cost of printing.  If you would prefer a hard copy please let me know as you submit me your contact information, if enough people are interested in a hard copy I will provide print on demand, but the cost will be more.

Name(required)

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Hard Copy Wanted

Comment(required)

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Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

I’ve heard this question asked by many people. Usually from those trying to explain the nonexistence of God, which usually sounds something like, “if there was a God why would he allow bad things to happen to good people?”   Or by others trying to understand why they lost a loved one unexpectedly. The question is indelibly, why me? Well, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts from what I received from scripture. First and foremost, there are NO good people. So the question is a misnomer because we ask it comparing people to ourselves. Jesus, the greatest or “goodest” man who ever walked the face of the earth stated there was none that was good. (Matt. 19:17)   However, even if I consider the question from the standpoint of comparing ourselves among ourselves, in which scripture also has something to say about that, then this is the approach that I would share it from. (2 Cor. 10:12)

God’s ways are so far greater than our ways that even from the aerial view of a plan tens of thousands of feet in the sky we still can’t imagine the love God has for us. There are two passages of scripture in particular that the Holy Spirit dropped in my spirit concerning this.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Isa 55:8-10 

 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pe 3:9

 

Now concerning the first passage of scripture, remember the plane analogy I just shared. From an airplane the earth looks like a multi-textured quilt interwoven in various patterns, and it appears so small that you can see States from an oval window at once. Now imagine God sees way more than we can see from an oval window in a plane, which means that while we are like one speck of dust compared to the multitude of people everywhere from His view, we look at our pain, our circumstances and we isolate ourselves from the world. Forgetting the second passage of scripture I shared, which is that God is longsuffering for a reason. That reason is he desires that none shall perish. He even cares about that man who went into the Emmanuel AME  ministry and murdered those people in Charleston, and watched as they prayed then killed them with no remorse afterwards.  Before you get angry at me for making that statement, just keep reading.   Why would he allow this person to live and so many innocent people to die? Well, because God sees our eternal welfare as being more important than our temporal state of being. Read Acts 7, here we see Stephen sharing the truth with his own people, just giving them a history lesson of the faithfulness of God and the unfaithfulness of God’s people. After he shares this profound truth with them they didn’t rejoice and thank him for this revelation, but stoned him. God would allow a man who is doing His work, and according to the passage itself full of the Holy Spirit to be stoned to death. He didn’t allow him to escape it, didn’t raise him from the dead, but rather brought him to his heavenly place to enter into the glory set before him. From our perspective it would seem that the just thing might have been for God to strike down those wicked people for murdering him, but if he did that what would be the eternal state of those who died? We know that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. This means the end result for such a person in this position would be eternity in the lake which burns with fire. As important as this life is, it is temporal, no matter how we exit it, the point is we will exit it. Whether we suffer for our sake or righteousness sake we will not live forever in these bodies.

 

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Knowing where you will go when you exit this body and being able to rejoice that our name is written in the lamb’s book of life it is the security that we as believers should have that helps us keep a heavenly perspective when we are faced with hellish circumstances. I don’t weep for believers who meet their Maker, they have gone home as Paul puts it.

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2Co 5:8

One might say then if that is the case then why don’t we just end it all, before someone takes our life, or at least then I can choose how I exit? Because your life is very important, like Paul you have a mission and your heavenly reward is based on you completing it. Eternal life is a free gift that we receive but don’t confuse the perks of position with the benefits available with it. There are rewards for living a dedicated life to Christ, not in quitting life. In fact scripture makes it clear that quitting is not an option that reaps reward, no matter how hard things get.

 

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luk 9:62

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev 21:8

Those who give up on life fall under the category of the fearful, and faithless. If we are living for ourselves and consider our lives to be our own, instead of being that which is bought with a price then we fall under that category. Some days we can feel like it takes way more courage to live than to end it all.  Your life is valuable and even if not to anyone but Christ, then live for Him. He gave up this life so that you could have eternal life, that is why there is no greater love than His. Indeed bad things do happen to innocent people, and isn’t it awesome that we serve a God that knows that intimately.

I did a series on Matt 10:16 focusing on the characteristics of a serpent that we as believers should apply to our lives.  Isn’t it interesting God didn’t say be ye as wise as Solomon, yet though he was given wisdom unlike any other man.  Think about it, we are in the situation as humans that we are in because a serpent was able to deceive Eve.  We need to tap into the wisdom of a serpent from a heavenly perspective, so that we would be able to defeat the enemy of our lives with the wisdom that God has made available in the earth.  I am making it available as an e-book. This e-book will show you:

1. How the characteristics of a serpent can translate into wisdom for a believer and how we should walk in that wisdom.
2. How to understand how Spiritual principles can be extracted from getting a natural understanding of how God created the serpent.
3. Often times we don’t get what we need in our walk with Christ because we don’t hask the right questions.  The right questions in how we study can make a tremendous difference in its benefit for us.  It is insightful in that it will ask questions at the end of each chapter so that you can reflect on them and gauge if you are using this wisdom in your life.

The e-book is currently in pre-production, but you can fill out the form below to let me know that you are interested in reserving a copy.  The cost will be $5.00.  I am making e-books to save on cost of printing.  If you would prefer a hard copy please let me know as you submit me your contact information, if enough people are interested in a hard copy I will provide print on demand, but the cost will more than likely be more than $5.00.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Hard Copy

Comment(required)

Submit

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Take A Selfie?

I was going down my Facebook wall when I saw a profound photo visual of someone taking a selfie and attached to the photo was a scripture. To be exact 2 Timothy 3:1-4 and it was such an accurate scripture to convey the times we are living in. This got me to thinking am I taking a selfie, spiritually speaking?

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2Co 13:5)

 

When I saw that photo and started writing this article this scripture came to mind. Because the bottom line is 2 Timothy deals with what we will see in the world, but 2 Cor. 13:5 deals with what we will see in us. What image are we reflecting and more importantly what is the condition of our heart? Do we know if Yeshua is in us, and if so how do we know? The part of us that can’t be seen through the lens of your smart phone, the part that the selfie stick can’t extend itself far enough to zoom in on. The part where no angle on the outside can possibly cast a shadow on, but it is the part that Yah sees in us. It’s the part that he is addressing when he is dealing with the religious leaders who should have known better.

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (Mat 15:16-20)

 

It’s the thoughts we think on long enough rather than cast aside that cause the problem. Because the thing is if you don’t cast it aside you begin to marinate on it, and as it begins to coat the inside of your heart, it eventually finds it’s way into the hot spot of your mouth and the next thing you know you’re speaking what you were thinking. Rather than casting that thought aside you are now allowing it to make and shape you and your actions. If Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha Maschiach) is not in you, rest assured that there is something taking residents in you and all it takes is the right circumstances to bring it out. Even marinated meat can’t be eaten until a fire is kindled. Trust me as sure as the circumstances of the disciples hands not being washed according to their traditions was just enough fire for the religious leaders of Yeshua’s day to grab hold to, there is a circumstance that will bring out what is in you, if it is in you.

Don’t sleep on the fruit of the Spirit

We ought to be abounding in the fruit of the spirit. Our inner man should be like a fragrant garden that reflects the beauty and fragrance of the Almighty. If it isn’t what is it that we are holding on to that is becoming rottenness in our bones? What toxic thoughts are we holding in rather than allowing it to pass through the dross of our waste disposal? Too many of us are swalling bones with the meat of God’s word and allowing it to be the primary source of our nutrition. Wake up my friends this is not the time to be caught sleeping. This is the time to be vigilant for our adversary is using our ammunition against us, we must clean out even the residue of demonic artillery and arm ourselves with the Rock of Ages. For we have been given weapons to deal with the enemies arsenal, but we have been lazy in using it. Don’t let the enemy confiscate your joy, don’t let him rob you of your peace. Do what ever you can not to let the love of the Lord wax cold in your hearts. Persevere through the trials of life, let gentleness be your knife, and kindness your shield of defense. Allow your faith to be the bomb that opens every door to your destiny and allow your longsuffering to be the bow that the arrow of Love rests upon. It is in you to love those who hate you, speak every manner of evil against you, and despitefully use you, because our God is love and He resides in us. Know which battles to fight with might and which ones must be fought by His Spirit. Become intimately aware of the Spirit of God’s voice and the only way you will know if Christ is in you is to take a selfie, examine yourself. Allow the lens of His word to take a shot of your heart, and if he doesn’t like what He sees He is well able to fix all imperfections. So have you taken your selfie today?

There Will Be Blood

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Heb 12:4)

In this hour more than our feelings will be hurt in this battle against unrighteousness. The true believers are going to have to stand in the face of danger just as our Messiah had to, the prophet’s of old, the multitude of unnamed, as well as named Martyr’s in our own not so distant past. We too will have to decide whether or not we are going to enter the battle, suffer with our Lord, or cower under pressure as Peter did. What we have counted as persecution, name calling, slandering, accusing, will pale in comparison to what it will cost to stand in this hour. Rachel of Columbine High School understood that cost when she said she would not renounce Christ as her Savior. How many of us would have the same response? How many of us know in our hearts we would betray Yehoshua to save ourselves? How many of us in that moment of temptation would in our first reaction, and second chance back down from embracing our Bridegroom? Oh yes, there will be blood. Will you choose to die once or twice?

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev 2:11)

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev 20:6)

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev 20:14)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)

Friends we do not want to be apart of that second death that is surely coming, and for many it is right at the door. Like Peter, many of us would easily answer I would never deny you Lord, and we would even tell the Lord that, but the question is when you are put to the test, how would you fair? It’s easier to say what you will and won’t do when the chopping block isn’t behind the door you are assigned to.

Live Dead

                 The Apostle Paul had some great advice for the mental preparation we will need to have for the coming reality.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (Rom 6:8)

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Rom 6:11-13)

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Co 5:14-17)

The more we identify with Messiah the less compelled we will be to try to save our own lives.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Mat 10:38-39)

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18)

We better make sure that the response to our lives is the same as Paul’s was,

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Php 1:21)

In this hour you will be tested, but thankfully we have the textbook with all the right answers, and if we follow the script then all will be well. Because in the pages of reality our Lord did have victory over death but not by circumventing it but passing through it.   That’s right the hero in this story dies, but He is not dead. He is not raised from the dead because then that would make him subject to death again, but was resurrected from the dead no longer subject to death, in fact taking the keys of death and hell.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18)

Let that sink into your brain for just a moment, death has no victory over us, because the hero in the real world has victory over death. So Beloved, why is your heart troubled, and why are you afraid? Why isn’t the peace of Yah resting in you, when you know the end of the book. I’ll tell you why. Because we are not living dead.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (Joh 14:1)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Joh 14:27)

We have not offered our bodies as a living sacrifice, we are not dieing daily and the greatest preparation for the coming test of faith is living our lives reckoning ourselves dead. Dead to the lusts of this flesh, the deceitfulness of riches, and desire for other things. Being that good and fertile soil that yields hundred fold returns because we have sold our riches for the pearl of great price. (Rom. 12:1-2; Matt. 13:46; Matt. 13:18-23)

What will you esteem more in your life? Everyday you prepare for death in how you live, how you love, and how you walk. Is your heart failing you for fear of the things that are to come or are you praising Yah because you know that His redemption draws near? Are you boldly preaching the Gospel to every creature, and some as though snatching them out the fire knowing that your obedience to Christ command can be the difference for someone between eternity with Yah or eternity in hell? (Jud 1:23) If not ask yourself the question, why am I not resisting unto blood? What doth hinder me? Do I still count my life as dear to me, or reckon myself as dead in Christ? The boldness of Apostle Paul, or even John the Baptist to speak the truth in the face of threat of harm to oneself comes only when you have surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Died to your own selfish desires and embraced the will of the Almighty.

There is an eternal destination for everyone and if Messiah, Yehoshua is not on the throne of our heart’s then someone else is. We are preparing for eternity every day. Someone is King in your heart, and if that King isn’t the King of Kings then that King whoever he maybe will be dethroned, because every knee will bow and every tongue will confess when the King of Glory appears. And at that time, there will be blood, even to the bridle.

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Rev 14:19-20)

The Benefits of Wilderness Living

The Benefits of Wilderness Living

For this week of Hanukkah I am focusing my bible reading to a book that contains a rich history of an event that is spoken of by the prophet Daniel as well as Yahushah (Jesus) in the gospel’s but has been taken out of most of our bibles. This book wouldn’t be one of the books that we would ordinarily read if we were one of those who read through the entire bible every year because it has been erased from the collection, much like revisionist history. Nevertheless, praise be to Yah it is possible to get this book and this book is essential to read to get a full picture of what our future has in store. Those who do not know their past will be unprepared to handle their future when the beginning occurs again in the end.

The world then was not much different than the world today you had people in power who had their own belief concerning how things should be. Those who opposed the laws of the land in favor of the laws of their God were strongly encouraged to change their position, at the point of death. Like Alexander the Great they would attempt to win the people over with bait (fishers) but those who would buck against the tide would be forced to change even to the point of death (hunters). This is the circumstances around the time of the Maccabees. A remnant of people who would rather die then forsake the laws of their God rose up against the powers that be during their day. Chapter after chapter heralds their victory over armies mightier than their own with them having that which caused them to be a majority, YHWH. Reading the book of Maccabees is like reading the story of David’s victory over the Philistines or the myriad of battles that he conquered as this family of men rise up to fight against the powers that be which would dishonor their God and the laws that He gave.

Reading the book of Maccabees makes me think just how out of touch we are and fallen we are as believers in this nation. We fight to preserve a pagan holiday that has absolutely no connection to the birth of our Savior, nor represents a lawful feast that he mandated we celebrate. Yet, forsake and ignore the feasts that he kept as well as the one’s he commanded us to keep. (Lev. 23) We position ourselves to save a holiday that his word has already condemned as that which we were instructed not to learn. (Jer. 10:1-5) Those who keep such rituals and ignore the Holy Day’s that the Father has set apart have already been deceived, they are like those willing Jews during the days of the Maccabees who gave up their laws and commandments to keep the feasts of the wicked government of their day. They have already forsaken their God to serve the idols of wood (Christmas trees) and stone.

I am currently on 2 Maccabees chapter 5 and it is recounting 1 Maccabees how this family of priests as well as those who held true to the word of God were forced into the wilderness, living in the mountains after the manner of beasts and eating herbs. This reminded me of all the shadow pictures that Yah has given us in His word of this “wilderness” experience that His people were sent or driven to starting in Genesis. We take Lot who lived in a place very similar to the place we live in today in the U.S. all the conveniences of worldly living at the expense of eternity. Where was he driven too? The wilderness. The book of 2 Peter 2:7-8 tells us that this righteous man vexed his righteous soul staying there day after day. Yet we know that even with him being displeased with the circumstances he would rather stay in the filth and try to work within it (politicking) rather than separate from it to live keeping the laws of his God. We know this because the Angel’s had to drag him out and even when he got out he was begging to enter into another city that was in much the same condition. Then we look at John the Baptist in the New Testament who was forced to live in the wilderness because of his miraculous birth he was thought to be the prophesied Messiah. This caused him to be hunted by those who were in power. Yet we see such a purity in his ministry coming from fasting from the things of the world and being raised separate from the filth.

Those of us who are returning to the word of God and understanding the level of holiness Yah expects of his children are beginning to see the sewer our world has become. Our eyes are beginning to open to the truth behind the deceptive marketing that romanticizes living any sort of lifestyle we please. We are recognizing that there is a high cost to following the imaginations of our wickedly deceitful hearts. (Jer. 17:9) Coming to grips with the truth has painfully revealed the stinking residue that resides on our garments that were supposed to be without spot. For those who have already made a commitment to follow Yahushah this commitment will be challenged. The wilderness is the challenge to us, will we be willing to give up without looking back at the conveniences of Sodom and Egypt to pursue the purity and holiness that can only be found in Messiah or will we be like Lot’s wife or the children of Israel who even though we have been brought out will continue to look back with longing?

The Feast of Dedication means to me a time to present myself before the Father desiring to be made clean on his altar. A time to not just reflect on the beauty of the sacrifice Yahushah made for me but to desire to want to keep His word with passion and zeal. A zeal of course according to knowledge and therefore it is a time to return to understanding his laws, statutes, judgments, and precepts. Understanding not because I have to, but because I want to, because like the Maccabees I would rather die keeping my Savior’s words then live without them.

…And She Made Herself Ready

 

 

We are in the final hour and just as the bridegroom is preparing a place for us, we are being prepared for him. In this hour we cannot afford to be ignorant of God’s word and his expectations for us. As spoken by Hosea ignorance of the law is not an acceptable excuse and make no mistake our ignorance comes at a great cost. This mode of thinking is what keeps bringing me back to the parable of the Ten Virgins. These women are our examples for understanding what the King expects and if you would bear with me I would like to highlight a few scriptures from this parable in particular to build a case that should be of utmost concern to those of us who consider ourselves Believers. Chapter 25 of the book of Matthew opens up with this parable.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Mat 25:1

 

Notice that all of them were virgins and all of them had their lamps. Now when we read Psalms 119:105 we are told that God’s word is a lamp unto our feet, and light to our path. Thus we can conclude that all of these virgins had their word with them.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Mat 25:2

Nevertheless, even though all of them had the word which was a lamp to their feet, some of them still lacked something because Yahushah considers five of them to be wise, and the other five to be foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:Mat 25:3

We’ve got to keep reading the story to find out what was amiss, and when we do we discover what the foolish virgins lacked. So as this story builds to an interesting climax we must assess the meat of the information provided so far. We understand that these were all virgins, Believers, they all understood the time they were living in because they knew why they were leaving and they understood the importance of having their lamps (the word). Having the word and being in the same proximity of the wise virgins tells us that they understood the times they were living in and knew that the bridegroom would soon be coming. Can we identify with this? How many of us know by the things that we see going on in our world that the King is coming? We know that we are living in the last days just as they understood that in this parable, yet even with that knowledge how many of know within ourselves there is something that we are lacking? I am reminded of the question that the disciples had when the Messiah revealed to them that one of them would betray him. Every one of them asked if it was them, and Yahushah had to put their mind at ease. (Matt. 26:22) These in other words are your bandwagon Christians, they follow the crowd in the event that there is some truth to all that they have read, but it’s not based on their own personal relationship. This will become more clear as we continue to read.

Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Those who were considered wise they did something the foolish didn’t do. They took oil in their vessels. Thus their word was with them (we already established the word was the lamp unto their feet. Establishing where they stood at that time). The wise however, had something more, they had oil inside their vessel. The oil is necessary to sanctify the vessel because it prepares the altar (know ye not your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Co. 3:16) which if it is for the Lord is required to be most holy (set apart). Exodus 40:10. Thus take note that whoever these five foolish virgins are they didn’t know this otherwise they would have been prepared, since the word for “vessel” means to be such.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Mat 25:5

Notice they all slept, but when you have prepared your vessel with oil you can sleep without worry.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Mat 25:6-7

Notice it was in the middle of the night that the cry was made, after the light had gone out and half of the night was spent a cry was made to meet the bridegroom. They all got up and beautified themselves, but like the seven sons of sceva, all ten had the word, but five of them didn’t have the oil (Spirit/anointing). Interesting correlation concerning the sons of Sceva and the five foolish is both were given the same response, I know ye not. (Acts 19:14-17)

This wording appears in another place with one of the most haunting scriptures because it has the same semblance as the current text, the clear understanding that like the ten virgins these people who will be saying “Lord, Lord…” had an understanding that they were the called, the bride, but met with a startling revelation when judgment came that mirrored the response these five foolish virgins received, for the opposite reason.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mat 7:21-23

We know from Matt. 7:21 that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” like these virgins who would proceed to come later knocking “let me in”, will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Let me paint the picture, even those virgins who prophesy in His name, cast out devils in his name, and does many wonderful works, will make it because they chose not to keep His word. They won’t make it. That is the lesson of Matt. 7:21-22, however, the conundrum is this that Matt. 25 reveals that those who have the word (law) but have not His Spirit in their vessels they will receive the same response when they try to come in, “depart from me, ye that work iniquity”. Thus I would say that scripture is making a pretty compelling plea that having both of these components are necessary ingredients to entering in as His bride.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Mat 25:8-12

In the end analysis what we must be careful of is how we define or determine those who have His Spirit in them and those who do not. In fact, the important thing is not to consider it at all, the word can speak quite well for itself, I mean it is by the Word of God that we were convicted, as Paul would say it was not by our wisdom that our faith stands but in the power of God. (1 Co. 2:5) I would say it is up to each and every one of us to be fully persuaded of whatever stand we take so that when we come before the Almighty we will hear “enter into my rest” rather than hear “I never knew you”. I encourage you to study to show yourself approved, not to your pastor, your family, or your friends, doing it for show won’t help you, but rather study to show yourself approved unto God the one who can determine your eternal home. The one who will determine how close or how far away you will live from His presence. Make up in your mind now how close you want to live to your Bridegroom. Whether you want to be Vashti sent away to a land far away (where you will have to come into the city to receive healing – Rev. 22:2) or like Esther having access to the King (live in the city where there will be no more sorrow, nor crying, nor pain – Rev. 21:4). The greatest lesson we take from the five wise virgins is that she has made herself ready for the coming of the bridegroom and it is my prayer for my readers as well as myself that we will be found with oil in our vessels in that midnight hour when that battle cry is sounded. (Rev. 19:7)

The Test of Esau

These are my notes from Yom Kippur, (Day of Atonement).  I pray that what the Father showed me this year will bless you as they have me this year as I close off the Last Great Day in Atlanta, GA with my family.  I hope that all have experienced the love and growth of the Father this Feast Season and I look forward to what he will be revealing as we wait with hopeful anticipation for the new season to come.

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The Spirit of Esau is like the Spirit of Adam and Eve, when we desire the things we see more than the things we can’t see we will put the thing that leads to life as a lower priority to our flesh. The beauty of Yom Kippur is that it tests your true loyalty. Do you follow Yahushah because he feeds you, blessed you or do you follow Yahushah because you love him. There were many who only flocked to Yahushah because He fed them. (John 6:26) Moses understood and passed this test on two occasions. (Exo. 24:18; Exo. 34:28) This test has been given over and over again and those who passed became vessels of honor, while those who failed became vessels of dishonor. We mustn’t think that we will escape this test, but rather this test is built into the Feast days that we keep.

There is nothing we give to the Lord that can compare to what we receive back from him.  Therefore there is nothing we have that can be compared to the rewards of eternity.

(Mat 19:29) And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

This year, more important to me than fasting from food is fasting from the things that have become an intimate part of my life though it sustains no true intimacy. Thus, Facebook, the internet, all the things that distract me from focusing on him was cut out.

In the life of Jacob we also discover that deception also leads us in a direction away from the home we all desire to inhabit. We don’t want to be selfish, only concerned about me, I, and my. In Jacob’s quest for the right thing he went about obtaining it in all the wrong ways, because at the time he was focused on self. Yom Kippur is a time where we reach out to our brother Esau as Jacob did on his return back to his Father’s house.^{(Gen. 32:13-15; Gen. 33:10-11)} We willingly offer a token of our physical possessions as a peace offering extending to those outside of the covenant of God an opportunity to enter into the family of the Living King. For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal.^{(2 Co. 4:18)}

Yahushah’s response to the temptor was based on what was written, “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Mat 4:3-4)

The test of Esau is a challenge that prepares you for one day, and that day is Yom Kippur. Whereas Moses had 40 days and 40 nights doubled and Yahushah had forty days also in the wilderness food and water both denied to them as they pressed in to the Almighty and eschewed evil they are our example.

We see in the story of Jacob that twice food was used as a catalyst for deception. First with his brother Esau pottage was used to extract the birthright, and again with Isaac food was used as part of the deception to extract the blessing. (Gen. 25:30-34; Gen. 27)

In Messiah’s example we see that the enemy doesn’t just stop at testing us with hunger, but he offers us something else if food doesn’t get us, he offers us the world.  Be not deceived Satan has wisdom, its just that his wisdom is corrupt. (Matt. 10:16)

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. “(Mat 4:8-9)

All too often we prioritize our flesh and the desires of it above the Spiritual food our body needs. The cares of this life usually has a front row seat in our ongoing movie while the matters of our Creator seem to find themselves in a, if it is convenient for me, moment in our lives. In other cases he only becomes center stage when we have grown weary of failing at solving our own crisis, and need him to fix our issues for us. But Yom Kippur serves as a rehearsal that tests our loyalty irrespective of what our physical condition may be. I must admit some days I fail this test as the cares of this life begin to eat away at me, and rather than give them over to Yah I find myself holding on, when letting go would give me much greater relief.

I am not sure whether or not this could be called an article or just my notes from my study, but I pray that all who are willing to press in to the end of this written conversation will be equipped to see the areas of Esau that reside in your lives and make the right choice when they come.

Guard your heart

I am not sure if I even have the vocabulary to articulate all the evil things that I have seen in the past few weeks. Such ugliness and hatred that I am not sure if a vocabulary exist that could encompass its depth, much less likely to discover a way to do so without allowing the stench from it to infect me. I know only the Messiah is keeping me as my eyes are being opened to see the things that I see. Yet, I know these things must come to pass because they are written in scripture. Yahushah told us that the servant is not greater than the Master, if they persecuted him they will persecute us also. (John 15:20) Nevertheless, I must watch and pray as difficult as it may be as I uncover stories old and new of such atrocities, yet remain mindful that Yahushah says “vengeance is his and he shall repay”. (Rom. 12:19)

As I am watching these things unfold in the world scripture does provide me comfort. I don’t know how anyone can make it in this life without Christ. Because let’s face reality the world system we live in operates under a strange definition of justice that is far from being color blind, rather it is color struck, and the reality is there is a double standard, but the bottom line is irrespective of that we must put our trust in the Creator. Remembering that it really has less to do with color than it does the adversary knows who we are. Like Joseph we must know that our Father has a great love for us, but we will need to repent of our pride if we are to be restored. He has covered us with a coat of many colors and has sent us out into the world to spread forth his light, and as scripture says what communion has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14) To hate someone because of the color of their skin is to hate someone without cause, therefore the only conclusion one can gather is there is a deeper force at work, a hidden truth that children of darkness want to keep from coming to the children of light. However, praise be to God that this truth is not only coming to light but that it is dispelling the ugliness of hatred and bigotry through the pure and undefiled blood of the Lamb of God.

As great of a temptation as it may be to go all vigilante we must remember who we are in this play called life and to whom we belong. We are the offspring of Joseph and as the suffering servant it is not for us to take matters into our own hands, but to remain steadfast in the power of His might knowing that we shall reap in due season, but we can’t afford to faint right now. (Gal. 6:9) We can’t afford to allow the circumstances that surround us to cause us to lose our cool.

Our God is the master of getting his children out of impossible situations. This is not to turn from our faith or on truth, but rather to persevere recognizing that some things are allowed to happen to get our attention. Many of us are blind and distracted because rather than putting our trust in Yah we have placed it in the hands of Government or religious institutions. However, we aren’t going to make it unless we return to him + none other. No other subsidies, plan B’s, or side deals, we are going to have to trust Yah if we plan on making it through to the final stretch. We can’t afford to be side tracked; the enemy would have us dividing over politics, religion “so called”, race, and sex when none of those are the issue. What is an issue is that the powers of darkness are overwhelming the power of light because those who have had the light of the Gospel lit within them to proclaim the truth have backed up, held their peace, and shut their mouths and in essence by our lack of response we have hid our light under a bushel and magnified the darkness by our unwillingness or ignorance.

As far as I am concerned I don’t see a difference between the spirit behind the KKK or ISIS, because it is the same spirit of death that operates in both seeking to annihilate a people for self motivated reasons whether it is hiding behind a pagan religious system or a belief that color gives you some sort of class structure that categorizes you as a god. Regardless both are based on a misguided faith that elevates self at the expense of others. However, the teachings of Christ are not so. We are admonished by scripture to love others as ourselves. (Matt. 22:39)

Yet the answer regardless of the case is plain and simple, and found in scripture, guard your heart with all diligence Saints, for out of it flows the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23) Be informed about what is going on, but never forget who our confidence and trust is to depend on. Allow the ugliness to do what it is supposed to do for you as a believer become compassionate so that your prayers won’t be limited to just us four and no more, allow it to widen your circle to recognize that there are needs other than your own. While we don’t want to be partakers of the evil that is taking place, we do not want to be ignorant of it either. We are called to be wise as the serpent, yet harmless as the dove. (Matt. 10:16) Know your adversary, yet be led by the Spirit of your God and expect him to deliver you whether in life or through death.

The Peaceable Life

 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.(1Ti 2:1-2)

 

                We today are suffering as a matter of ignoring this very vital piece of advice given to us in the book of Timothy. Whether the Klu Klux Klan’s men here or the ISIS (your foreign KKK) leaders abroad terror is destined to come where we have failed to follow the instructions of Yah. Yah knew what man left to himself would lead to. Men at war produces restlessness at home, when there is no peace at home then everyone in that area suffers.

                Where the true Elohim is not embraced, no true peace can occur, since the peace he leaves with us, is not as the world gives peace but only that peace which comes from Yahushah the one who died for us has given. Yahushah gives us the reassurance that regardless of what is going on in the world if we have his peace that we need not be afraid nor should our heart be troubled. (John 14:27) Unless we address the terrorists that are running rampant in our nation we will not be in a position to address the same issues taking place over there. As scripture puts it we need to first get the mote out of our own eye, so that we can see clearly to get the beam out of our brother’s eye. (Matt. 7:3-5) I know we don’t like to hear it and many think that this subject creates division, but we can’t expect change to occur in any nation unless we deal with reality, not simply sweep it under the rug.

                There is a time to pray, but after we pray what are we doing with the answer that Yah gives us? To pray without a consideration of obeying the answer that comes produces confusion not direction. It is important we understand what we see written here in Timothy and women let’s not get sensitive over the issue because it has nothing to do with men being more valuable to God or anything else. It has everything to do with the fact that wars are not started by women, unrest in a nation doesn’t start with us, we are just the bystanders who are infected by it. If we were the catalyst both scripture and what we see in our world today would not consist of women and children being spared in war while men being killed but rather women, children, and men being killed. Granted there were nations so wicked that Yah instructed the children of Israel to wipe out men, women, children and animals. (Deut. 7:2) One can only imagine how far away from Yah a nation will have to be in order for him to require such a thing. In those nations there was nothing redeemable about anyone or any creature there, it was as it was before Noah got on the ark. Wickedness had to reach an all time high, point of no return for such an instruction to be given.

                When Adam is at peace, Eve is secure. When we have righteous leadership then a nation is exalted, but when wickedness reigns it is a reproach to any people. (Prov . 14:34) A nation experiencing unrest is a clear sign of a nation that has departed from Yah. The bible tells us that Yah will make our enemies our footstool, if our enemies are having victory over us it is a clear sign that we have lost favor with the Father. (Psa. 110:1; Deut. 28:7; Deut. 28:25) Now is the time to begin fervently praying for all men everywhere, husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, kings, rulers, ministers, and the like. Pray that they will have ears to hear and eyes to see the very clear signs that the heavenly Father is revealing in this hour so that we can once again obtain the peaceable life in all godliness and honesty we once had the opportunity to enjoy.