Recently on a return trip from camping over Labor Day, I was forced to spend several hours in an upscale hotel lobby after a vehicle breakdown. As I sit waiting on the needed parts to arrive so we could get the vehicle repaired, I watched the people coming and going in the lobby. While waiting I made an alarming discovery. People actually haggled over the hotel rate and surprisingly all got reduced rates. I am not unfamiliar with the negotiating concept and having a couple of decades in sales experience, I have haggled and been haggled far too many times. I just never even considered trying bartering for a room.
This discovery got me thinking; how many dollars have I left on the table all these years? Since 1983 I have been getting my own room from time to time, and having traveled quite a bit, have been in my share of hotel/motels. If I would have saved $5 - $10 dollars every time that comes out to a pretty large chunk of change over a twenty-seven year period. You wonder how many other people don’t know about this technique. Am I the only ignorant person who just asked for a room and either paid or moved on?
Then while pondering this financial travesty, YHWH spoke to my heart. “You don’t have because you haven’t asked.”
James 4:2 You lust for something and you do not have it; you kill and you envy and you are not able to obtain. You get involved in machalokot (divisions of dissensions) and fights. You do not have because you fail to daven (pray) with your request.
James 4:3 Or you make techinot (petitions) and you do not receive, because you ask wrongly, that on your ta'avot (lusts) you may spend what you receive. [TEHILLIM 18:41; 66:18]
WOW! So Ya’acob says exactly what YHWH spoke to me, we are doing without what YHWH wants us to have because we are not asking. Why wouldn’t we ask? What would keep us from asking YHWH for the things we need?
Scripture clearly states that whatever we ask, faith believing in His Name, He will provide. But maybe that’s the problem, we aren’t asking IN His Name. To ask in His Name, you will ask for what He desires. Maybe we are not so much willing to line up with His will before asking. Maybe we spend too much time asking for things we know aren’t really kosher or copacetic.
Then there is another possibility to consider; maybe we are too proud to humble ourselves and ask. We tend to be very self reliant and independent and most of us are raised under the “do it yourself” mentality. Personally, I probably fall under this category more that the first one listed above. I always tell myself that what I need is not near as important as what others need and I am somehow taking up YHWH’s time by burdening Him with my petty requests.
YHWH wants to baruch (bless) us, and He desires that we receive the things we need. Somehow, we His children, must get past these two hindrances and allow Him to be our Abba.
Psalms 66:17-20
(17) I called to Him with my mouth, And praise was in my tongue.
(18) If I have seen wickedness in my heart, יהוה would not hear.
(19) Truly, Elohim has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
(20) Blessed be Elohim, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His kindness from me!
Luke 11:9-13
(9) “And I say to you: ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.
(10) “For everyone asking receives, and he who is seeking finds, and to him who is knocking it shall be opened.
(11) “And what father among you whose son asks for bread shall give him a stone, or if he asks for a fish shall give him a snake instead of a fish,
(12) or if he asks for an egg shall give him a scorpion?
(13) “If you then, being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father from heaven give the Set-apart Spirit to those asking Him!”
So what can we ascertain from these passages? YHWH wants to give us what we need and ask for and He wants us to ask when we need Him. Sounds simple enough, right? If it is so simple, why do so many of us struggle to survive while lacking the basic things in life?
Consider a servant and how they live. A worthy servant under a righteous master doesn’t need anything. We as Bond Servants have a Tzadik (Righteous) Master, He wants us to be blessed and lack nothing.
I have known many people who have unfulfilled needs simply because they are too proud to ask someone for help. Living with the mindset that others should observe their needs and give to them so they don’t need to ask for help, keeps many from having what they need.
So they path to prosperity begins with a servant’s heart. Sounds kind of backwards from the ways of the world, doesn’t it? The world teaches us that we must take what we need or want. Never show your weak side, divide and conquer, plunder and ravage. YHWH says humble yourselves and seek His face, turn (teshuvah) from your wicked ways and He will hear us and provide.
So maybe it’s time I quit being too proud to ask and be bold in the power of His might. Maybe I should get in line with His Word and walk His halacha (path) so that I know I am not asking amiss. Then I can see His blessings in my home and in my life.
The thoughts and meditations of a Son of YHWH.
Showing posts with label Yahshua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yahshua. Show all posts
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Proper (Torah) Procedure for Handling Disputes
YHWH is a Set Apart (Qodash) Elohim. He will not and cannot be joined to sin. Sin is transgression (disobedience) of the Torah. Torah states clearly defined and easily understood instructions on how to treat each other and handle day to day situations. Having said that, we must take a closer look at the serious divisions and disputes among so-called Believers and how it affects other Believers.
I am not going to address specifics regarding any situation; I just want to address correct procedure (Torah) for these types of confrontations. In any dispute there can only be the following facts: Both parties are wrong, one party is wrong and the other is right or both are right and are misunderstanding each other. So how does Torah advise us to handle these situations?
Lev 19:16-18
(16) ‘Do not go slandering among your people. Do not stand against the blood of your neighbour. I am יהוה.
(17) ‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Reprove your neighbour, for certain, and bear no sin because of him.
(18) ‘Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people. And you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am יהוה.
Do not go spreading tales among the people (Hebrew am). This is clear that taking your “side” of a dispute to the Body without proper procedure should NEVER happen. Neither take a position or stance against the blood or life (Hebrew dom) of your neighbor or brother (Hebrew reya). When we take a position of defense of opposition towards a fellow Believer, we in essence stand against their life. This is a life or death situation and should NEVER be taken lightly.
Do not hate or make an enemy (Hebrew sane) against your brother or one who has stood with you in battle (Hebrew awkh) in your heart or inner man (Hebrew leb). So if you suddenly have a dispute with someone you have previously called a “brother” or close companion, either you were greatly deceived and didn’t allow the Ruach to give you proper discernment or you are in the wrong and have allowed evil to move into your heart. It is Scripture folks.
We can and should reprove or rebuke (Hebrew yakach) sin or missing the mark (Hebrew chet) in a fellow Believer. But we should never try to get even with or avenge (Hebrew naqam) ourselves against another Israelite. If someone in the family of YHWH has missed the mark and fallen short we should personally and privately address the issue giving them a chance to correct the sin. This never gives us the right to try and “get even” with another Israelite.
We should love or look out for (Hebrew ahab) our neighbor as we do ourselves. YHWH puts His stamp on these instructions by saying, Ani YHWH,” I am YHWH. When YHWH says this He is making sure you understand the severity of what He has just said, and how Who He is and who we are defines these instructions.
If we always handled these situations with proper prospective/fear (yarah) of YHWH, we wouldn’t see the cold and calculated assassination of our family members.
Proverbs 15:18
(18) An ish chemah (angry man) stirreth up madon (strife), but he that is slow to anger pacifies a quarrel.
A hot-headed, furious and angry (Hebrew chema) man stirs up or gets excited (Hebrew garah) about strife or contention (Hebrew madon), but he that is slow or patient (Hebrew arek) to anger or flaring of the nostrils (Hebrew af) settles or pacifies (Hebrew shaqat) strife or controversy (Hebrew reeb).
Quite an interesting contrast painted here by Shlomo. On one hand you have a loud, red faced, big mouthed person waving their arms, flaring their nostrils and yelling about how right they are and how wrong others are; on the other hand you have a quiet and patient person who prefers to put out fires rather than play with matches.
So as fruit inspectors (See Matthew 7:20), we can sit back and watch these dilemmas play out. We will know who was planted by the Rivers of Life by the fruit their tree bears. We also will know whose roots where evil by the fruit their tree bears. (See 1 Timothy 6:10). Isn’t amazing how often these types of contention between so-called “leaders” are centered on money and or possessions?
Pro 16:28
(28) A perverse/fraudulent ish (man) soweth madon (strife, dissension), and a whisperer separates close friends.
We can watch a person and know that someone who continuously seems to be in the middle of contentions is wicked and a fraud. Again I am not pointing fingers just quoting Scripture. A whisperer or a talebearer divides leaders or teachers.
Okay fellow fruit inspectors; let’s take a long hard look at these divisions. Who (if any) are handling these contentions with calm and patient demeanor, and who is waving their arms making accusations and telling tales? You decide. If both sides are acting improperly and violating Torah, both are wrong, they need to teshuvah. If one party continues to show the attributes of a perverse and fraudulent man, then we can determine who is at fault. YHWH is not about division within the Body; however, He is about division between the world and the Body. If it is clear that someone (be it one or both parties) is causing division by violating Torah, we should give them an opportunity to teshuvah and if they do not we separate ourselves from them. We cannot support, condone or follow (spiritually, monetarily or in any way) someone who is willfully violating Torah. The Body should freeze all support until these matters are resolved. YHWH will take care of the innocent and we should not support the guilty that have not repented.
When one chooses to set themselves up as a leader within the Body of Yahshua they are now subject to more scrutiny because of the position they have sought. You cannot call yourself a leader and not expect those following to watch how you handle yourself. Is not a Torah teacher bound by the same Torah they teach?
The first and fatal mistake many Believers make is when they put humans on a pedestal. If we would stop acting as if those who lead are infallible, we would not have the repercussions we are seeing when we find out they have fallen. Keep Yahshua the focus and follow others who are following Him and do not follow those who don’t follow Him.
Let’s agree that we should not judge that which we do not know, but we can and should judge Believers by their fruit. If their tree bears unrighteous fruit we should as a Body demand and expect teshuvah. Those who bear righteous fruit, regardless of false accusations, we should support and lift in prayer.
Shalom Aleichem and may the Body be Echad.
I am not going to address specifics regarding any situation; I just want to address correct procedure (Torah) for these types of confrontations. In any dispute there can only be the following facts: Both parties are wrong, one party is wrong and the other is right or both are right and are misunderstanding each other. So how does Torah advise us to handle these situations?
Lev 19:16-18
(16) ‘Do not go slandering among your people. Do not stand against the blood of your neighbour. I am יהוה.
(17) ‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Reprove your neighbour, for certain, and bear no sin because of him.
(18) ‘Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people. And you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am יהוה.
Do not go spreading tales among the people (Hebrew am). This is clear that taking your “side” of a dispute to the Body without proper procedure should NEVER happen. Neither take a position or stance against the blood or life (Hebrew dom) of your neighbor or brother (Hebrew reya). When we take a position of defense of opposition towards a fellow Believer, we in essence stand against their life. This is a life or death situation and should NEVER be taken lightly.
Do not hate or make an enemy (Hebrew sane) against your brother or one who has stood with you in battle (Hebrew awkh) in your heart or inner man (Hebrew leb). So if you suddenly have a dispute with someone you have previously called a “brother” or close companion, either you were greatly deceived and didn’t allow the Ruach to give you proper discernment or you are in the wrong and have allowed evil to move into your heart. It is Scripture folks.
We can and should reprove or rebuke (Hebrew yakach) sin or missing the mark (Hebrew chet) in a fellow Believer. But we should never try to get even with or avenge (Hebrew naqam) ourselves against another Israelite. If someone in the family of YHWH has missed the mark and fallen short we should personally and privately address the issue giving them a chance to correct the sin. This never gives us the right to try and “get even” with another Israelite.
We should love or look out for (Hebrew ahab) our neighbor as we do ourselves. YHWH puts His stamp on these instructions by saying, Ani YHWH,” I am YHWH. When YHWH says this He is making sure you understand the severity of what He has just said, and how Who He is and who we are defines these instructions.
If we always handled these situations with proper prospective/fear (yarah) of YHWH, we wouldn’t see the cold and calculated assassination of our family members.
Proverbs 15:18
(18) An ish chemah (angry man) stirreth up madon (strife), but he that is slow to anger pacifies a quarrel.
A hot-headed, furious and angry (Hebrew chema) man stirs up or gets excited (Hebrew garah) about strife or contention (Hebrew madon), but he that is slow or patient (Hebrew arek) to anger or flaring of the nostrils (Hebrew af) settles or pacifies (Hebrew shaqat) strife or controversy (Hebrew reeb).
Quite an interesting contrast painted here by Shlomo. On one hand you have a loud, red faced, big mouthed person waving their arms, flaring their nostrils and yelling about how right they are and how wrong others are; on the other hand you have a quiet and patient person who prefers to put out fires rather than play with matches.
So as fruit inspectors (See Matthew 7:20), we can sit back and watch these dilemmas play out. We will know who was planted by the Rivers of Life by the fruit their tree bears. We also will know whose roots where evil by the fruit their tree bears. (See 1 Timothy 6:10). Isn’t amazing how often these types of contention between so-called “leaders” are centered on money and or possessions?
Pro 16:28
(28) A perverse/fraudulent ish (man) soweth madon (strife, dissension), and a whisperer separates close friends.
We can watch a person and know that someone who continuously seems to be in the middle of contentions is wicked and a fraud. Again I am not pointing fingers just quoting Scripture. A whisperer or a talebearer divides leaders or teachers.
Okay fellow fruit inspectors; let’s take a long hard look at these divisions. Who (if any) are handling these contentions with calm and patient demeanor, and who is waving their arms making accusations and telling tales? You decide. If both sides are acting improperly and violating Torah, both are wrong, they need to teshuvah. If one party continues to show the attributes of a perverse and fraudulent man, then we can determine who is at fault. YHWH is not about division within the Body; however, He is about division between the world and the Body. If it is clear that someone (be it one or both parties) is causing division by violating Torah, we should give them an opportunity to teshuvah and if they do not we separate ourselves from them. We cannot support, condone or follow (spiritually, monetarily or in any way) someone who is willfully violating Torah. The Body should freeze all support until these matters are resolved. YHWH will take care of the innocent and we should not support the guilty that have not repented.
When one chooses to set themselves up as a leader within the Body of Yahshua they are now subject to more scrutiny because of the position they have sought. You cannot call yourself a leader and not expect those following to watch how you handle yourself. Is not a Torah teacher bound by the same Torah they teach?
The first and fatal mistake many Believers make is when they put humans on a pedestal. If we would stop acting as if those who lead are infallible, we would not have the repercussions we are seeing when we find out they have fallen. Keep Yahshua the focus and follow others who are following Him and do not follow those who don’t follow Him.
Let’s agree that we should not judge that which we do not know, but we can and should judge Believers by their fruit. If their tree bears unrighteous fruit we should as a Body demand and expect teshuvah. Those who bear righteous fruit, regardless of false accusations, we should support and lift in prayer.
Shalom Aleichem and may the Body be Echad.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Where Do Your Loyalties Lie?
This blog will not make me popular; in fact I may lose some friends over this one. I have had this spinning through my mind for quite some time and cannot put it off any longer.
I spent my childhood years during the peak of the Vietnam War. My dad did not fight in the war, so I had no personal connection. However, it did affect my life and was an integral part of my world. When I was in school we still recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. Love for your country and patriotism was still very evident. Later in my early teens, I was blessed to attend a private Christian school, where the only colors worn were red, white and blue (everyday). We recited the Pledge and raised the flag every school day.
I studied American history and loved the stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with the other heroes of our Nation. I also read the tall tales about Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill and many more great yarns. I spent many hours reading comic books and dreaming about being Superman, Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk. There was no shortage on heroes to emulate and I had a vivid imagination, so I wore all the hats.
Lately I have realized a horrific fact, as much as I love this country and the folklore that surrounds it, there is a truth that must be acknowledged. If we have an allegiance and we have heroes does it matter the source we draw these images from? If our Heavenly Father has a favored country what is it? Does the United States have some kind of leverage with YHWH and does He consider this Nation the “apple of His eye”?
What does it even matter if we are told stories from our youth that in fact may not be true? Do you know the difference between fact and fiction anymore? For example, George Washington didn’t really cut down a cherry tree and probably never said “I cannot tell a lie.” In fact that story isn’t verifiably true. Neither are the ones about Paul Revere, Davy Crockett, Johnny Appleseed Chapman and Daniel Boone. There may be elements of truth in some of these stories, but the truth mixed with lies creates a lie.
Have we become comfortable with telling our children lies? Does a world mixed with Harry Potter, Thomas Jefferson, Scooby Doo and Billy Graham really affect the lives of our youth? Can we continue to raise our sons and daughters to believe that the U.S. is God’s Nation? Where in Scriptures do you find this mindset to be acceptable? Can we continue to take verses like the following out of context?
Heb 13:17
(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1Pe 2:13-14
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the sake of YHWH: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Where do we draw the line, at what point do we put our allegiance back towards our Heavenly Father?
I submit to you that YHWH does have a favored country. There are heroes worthy of our admiration. The truth is out there waiting to be embraced and believed.
Fasten your seatbelts; I am going to take the rocky road now. Is it possible that most of the wars this Nation has fought had motives that were less than honorable? Should we continue to wave the flag and propound the godliness of a nation that is by and large ran by men who don’t know, fear or love YHWH? Not every man who has wore a uniform and fought had noble and righteous motives, so a blanket endorsement of all those who have fought seems a little extreme. Recently I read a comment that was circulating on the web and cringed. The comment was, “If you want to burn this flag, wrap yourself in it first.” Is this what we have become? Are we so patriotic that we condone someone dying if they burn the flag? You may not agree with me on this one but the flag of the United States isn’t technically my flag. I have been exiled here due to the sin we have committed that is keeping us from our Land Israel. I am so thankful and grateful for being in this country, but if we hadn’t sinned in the first place I wouldn’t be here. Check your Scriptures, the sin of the people led to the dispersion to the four corners of the earth. We were driven from His Land, Israel, when we turned our backs on Him. Where do we end up? When we return to Him and His Torah, YHWH returns us to Israel and the two sticks become one again.
I know that I have risked offending some of those who have fought or had relatives who fought for this country. If you are offended, you have misunderstood my message. We are here until YHWH calls us back and we should be good stewards and be righteous within our community. But stop and consider your allegiance. In this day and time, our nation is changing. When the laws of this land demand that we violate the Laws (Torah) of YHWH will we still fly the U.S. flag? The day is coming when we will have to choose, and as for me and my house we will serve YHWH.
I spent my childhood years during the peak of the Vietnam War. My dad did not fight in the war, so I had no personal connection. However, it did affect my life and was an integral part of my world. When I was in school we still recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. Love for your country and patriotism was still very evident. Later in my early teens, I was blessed to attend a private Christian school, where the only colors worn were red, white and blue (everyday). We recited the Pledge and raised the flag every school day.
I studied American history and loved the stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with the other heroes of our Nation. I also read the tall tales about Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill and many more great yarns. I spent many hours reading comic books and dreaming about being Superman, Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk. There was no shortage on heroes to emulate and I had a vivid imagination, so I wore all the hats.
Lately I have realized a horrific fact, as much as I love this country and the folklore that surrounds it, there is a truth that must be acknowledged. If we have an allegiance and we have heroes does it matter the source we draw these images from? If our Heavenly Father has a favored country what is it? Does the United States have some kind of leverage with YHWH and does He consider this Nation the “apple of His eye”?
What does it even matter if we are told stories from our youth that in fact may not be true? Do you know the difference between fact and fiction anymore? For example, George Washington didn’t really cut down a cherry tree and probably never said “I cannot tell a lie.” In fact that story isn’t verifiably true. Neither are the ones about Paul Revere, Davy Crockett, Johnny Appleseed Chapman and Daniel Boone. There may be elements of truth in some of these stories, but the truth mixed with lies creates a lie.
Have we become comfortable with telling our children lies? Does a world mixed with Harry Potter, Thomas Jefferson, Scooby Doo and Billy Graham really affect the lives of our youth? Can we continue to raise our sons and daughters to believe that the U.S. is God’s Nation? Where in Scriptures do you find this mindset to be acceptable? Can we continue to take verses like the following out of context?
Heb 13:17
(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1Pe 2:13-14
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the sake of YHWH: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Where do we draw the line, at what point do we put our allegiance back towards our Heavenly Father?
I submit to you that YHWH does have a favored country. There are heroes worthy of our admiration. The truth is out there waiting to be embraced and believed.
Fasten your seatbelts; I am going to take the rocky road now. Is it possible that most of the wars this Nation has fought had motives that were less than honorable? Should we continue to wave the flag and propound the godliness of a nation that is by and large ran by men who don’t know, fear or love YHWH? Not every man who has wore a uniform and fought had noble and righteous motives, so a blanket endorsement of all those who have fought seems a little extreme. Recently I read a comment that was circulating on the web and cringed. The comment was, “If you want to burn this flag, wrap yourself in it first.” Is this what we have become? Are we so patriotic that we condone someone dying if they burn the flag? You may not agree with me on this one but the flag of the United States isn’t technically my flag. I have been exiled here due to the sin we have committed that is keeping us from our Land Israel. I am so thankful and grateful for being in this country, but if we hadn’t sinned in the first place I wouldn’t be here. Check your Scriptures, the sin of the people led to the dispersion to the four corners of the earth. We were driven from His Land, Israel, when we turned our backs on Him. Where do we end up? When we return to Him and His Torah, YHWH returns us to Israel and the two sticks become one again.
I know that I have risked offending some of those who have fought or had relatives who fought for this country. If you are offended, you have misunderstood my message. We are here until YHWH calls us back and we should be good stewards and be righteous within our community. But stop and consider your allegiance. In this day and time, our nation is changing. When the laws of this land demand that we violate the Laws (Torah) of YHWH will we still fly the U.S. flag? The day is coming when we will have to choose, and as for me and my house we will serve YHWH.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ode to a spider while mowing the lawn
I mowed the lawn today
While mowing there’s not a lot you can say
Just sit on the mower
As your world spins around slower
And you watch the grass clippings soar away
Mowing gives you plenty of time to think
To ponder, take in and drink
Of the things that aren’t seen
In your daily routine
While starting to sweat and to stink
The first thing that caught my eye
As my mower and I flew by
Was a the web of a spider
Though the tree it did hide her
Her web was exactly head high
I am sure that the spider worked hard
At this great food catcher in our yard
But to mow all the grass
On my very next pass
The web I would have to discard
I wondered as the web blew away
How did my actions change her day?
Would she sit and mourn?
Would her Creator the spider scorn?
And if so what would she say?
If this spider were like a man
I am sure she wouldn’t understand
For in her little world
Catastrophe was hurled
And it must have been from YHWH’s Hand
She probably would start to complain
“Is my Creator trying to drive me insane?”
“Doesn’t He even know?
Without food I can’t grow
And my existence will certainly wane?”
She might have even been the kind
When troubles and trials she did find
Start blaming her neighbor
For the destruction of her labor
Even though he was nowhere to find
For you see what we can’t explain
Does certainly drive us insane
Since we don’t KNOW our Creator
We become a typical hater
And put on Him all of the blame
We can’t see the complete universe
So when things in “our world” turn for the worse
We feel we’ve been cheated
Our hopes have been depleted
So often we all start to curse
Maybe we need all to know
If the grass does continue to grow
The level of pain and loss
In our universe from the chaos
Would create problems above and below
So the issue we all must work through
Is our world and all that we do,
Is so little in the frame of it all
But still yet if any should fall
He would catch us…if only we knew
While mowing there’s not a lot you can say
Just sit on the mower
As your world spins around slower
And you watch the grass clippings soar away
Mowing gives you plenty of time to think
To ponder, take in and drink
Of the things that aren’t seen
In your daily routine
While starting to sweat and to stink
The first thing that caught my eye
As my mower and I flew by
Was a the web of a spider
Though the tree it did hide her
Her web was exactly head high
I am sure that the spider worked hard
At this great food catcher in our yard
But to mow all the grass
On my very next pass
The web I would have to discard
I wondered as the web blew away
How did my actions change her day?
Would she sit and mourn?
Would her Creator the spider scorn?
And if so what would she say?
If this spider were like a man
I am sure she wouldn’t understand
For in her little world
Catastrophe was hurled
And it must have been from YHWH’s Hand
She probably would start to complain
“Is my Creator trying to drive me insane?”
“Doesn’t He even know?
Without food I can’t grow
And my existence will certainly wane?”
She might have even been the kind
When troubles and trials she did find
Start blaming her neighbor
For the destruction of her labor
Even though he was nowhere to find
For you see what we can’t explain
Does certainly drive us insane
Since we don’t KNOW our Creator
We become a typical hater
And put on Him all of the blame
We can’t see the complete universe
So when things in “our world” turn for the worse
We feel we’ve been cheated
Our hopes have been depleted
So often we all start to curse
Maybe we need all to know
If the grass does continue to grow
The level of pain and loss
In our universe from the chaos
Would create problems above and below
So the issue we all must work through
Is our world and all that we do,
Is so little in the frame of it all
But still yet if any should fall
He would catch us…if only we knew
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Service and Repair
The repair and service industry is booming. Today’s products are built so shabbily that it seems things break within days of purchase. Because of this epidemic, service companies are constantly busy. Even though you would expect and hope that things would not break down so quickly, it is inevitable all things will eventually wear out.
YHWH’s Creation is under constant attack from the adversary. Ha satan would love to destroy everything that YHWH created and called good. Our enemy has two goals; destroy the good, while making pathetic imitations of good things to lead the ignorant astray. Way back in the Gan (Garden) Eden ha satan began doing these two things. In an effort to destroy the gan (garden) the adversary offered a cheap and pathetic imitation of something Adam and Chawah already had going for them. Humankind had developed a level of existence with YHWH that included regular visitations and leisurely walks. During this time Adam could commune with YHWH and allow Him to be daddy.
And they heard the kol (Voice/Sound) of YHWH Elohim walking in the gan in the cool of the day; and HaAdam and his isha hid from the presence of YHWH Elohim amongst the etz (tree) hagan (the garden).
(Gen 3:8)
I could elaborate on this verse quite extensively, but I will stay off the rabbit trails for now and focus on the point. This was a unique relationship Adam had going for himself. YHWH would manifest Himself in the Tree of the gan and walk and talk with Adam. Seems like too awesome of an experience to even consider messing up, right? Not so fast my friend. Why accept the perfect and beautiful when you can have a cheap and pathetic imitation. Knowledge can be yours, if the price is right. Just think instead of having the Source of Knowledge visiting you in a lovely gan while eating from the Tree of Life, you can throw it all away and choose your own knowledge. But wait, that’s not all; call now and ha satan will throw in death for absolutely free. Yes, you heard me; for no additional charge you will lose everlasting life and a personal connection to the Creator. This, my friend, is the trick of the adversary, destroy the Good and hand you a big bag of disappointment.
So every since that horrible day the world has been in a downward spiral. Rolling downhill like a snowball headed…you get the point. What the world needs now is repair sweet repair. Yes, we know the story of Yahshua and the work He performed on the Tree. We all realize that He ultimately put His foot on the serpent’s head and His Blood destroys the curse. That’s not the problem I am addressing today. Here’s the issue; people are coming to the Tree and embracing its redemptive power, but too many are walking away and not becoming repairers.
What exactly do I mean? Let’s look at the Word for a minute. Most of you have probably heard of letting the first usage of a word in Scripture define the word throughout Scripture, right? The word for repair is khawzaq in Hebrew. It means to seize or grab hold of, holding tightly, repair, strengthen, harden or encourage. The first time this word is used is in Beresheet (Genesis) chapter nineteen in the story of Lot and his family.
And while he loitered, the men took hold (khawzaq) of his hand, and his wifeʼs hand, and the hands of his two daughters, יהוה having compassion on him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.
(Gen 19:16)
So we can see here the definition is set and established. The messengers seized, grabbed a hold of; holding tightly, while encouraging, Lot. We literally see a standing in the breach here. The adversary is attacking the family of Abraham. Ha satan seeks to destroy Lot and his family by keeping them from fleeing the fires of judgment sent from YHWH to Sedom and Gomorrah. The men are pulling Lot from the flames. Does that sound familiar to you?
And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
(Jud 1:22-23)
Do you think it’s possible that Yehudah had this Torah portion in mind when he wrote these words? We are told to have compassion, make a difference, reach out stand in the breach and pull some out of the fire. Do you see our job now? This is what we are supposed to be doing after we have been filled with the Ruach ha Kadosh. We become khawzaqim (repairers) of the breach.
In Beresheet 41:56 Yoseph becomes a repairman by opening up the storehouses during a time of extreme famine. There, by the hands of Yoseph, lives were pulled from certain death. Yoseph seized the opportunity to be the ultimate in customer care, resolving the issue and restoring the lives to those who were staring death in the face.
Notice in Yehudah (Jude) 1:23 that we are to HATE the garment spotted by the flesh. We don’t hate those we are rescuing, no matter how filthy they have become. We only hate the filthy garment. Why, because you are not what you wear. What you wear may reflect what you are becoming but with YHWH’s mercy, you can change what you are wearing for a spotless, white robe.
When the children of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land that YHWH had led them to, YHWH told them to keep the commandments He had given them so they would khawzaq (repair, be strong) in the Land. Think about that for a minute. All they have to do is repair/restore YHWH’s commandments in the Land and this will give them strength. Sounds easy enough, right? Not so fast my friend. Behind door number two is a cheap and pathetic imitation that leads to death. Step right up and choose. Oy veh!!
In II Kings chapter twelve Yehoash instructs the cohen (priests) to repair the breaches in the House of YHWH. Where ever a breach was found, they were to khawzaq the breach (gap or leak). Today the House of YHWH needs to have the breaches repaired, but where are the Cohen? No one wants to stand in the gap and plug the leak.
The Book of NechemYah (Nehemiah) is FULL of khawzaqim. Chapter three of NechemYah lists all the men and the ways they repaired Yahrushalem (Jerusalem). Oh that men (and women) would rise up today and become khawzaqim! Each one of us has been given unique and individual skills that can be put into action, thus repairing and restoring YHWH’s Kingdom.
Scientists have speculated for some time the affect certain small and unnoticed things have on the world around us. It has been proposed that a butterfly can flap its wings in India and cause a storm to hit California. I am not a scientist neither do I play one on TV; so I cannot confirm or deny these things. What I can say is this, one sharp word, one ugly look, just one time passing by some needy individual can cause a Spiritual tsunami. We destroy things all the time, essentially becoming the tool of ha satan by doing small but wicked things. If we can see this principle, and you can see it today if you try, then why can’t we believe the opposite to be true?
One kind word spoken by the prompting of the Ruach can make a HUGE change in the universe. One kind deed unnoticed by most but appreciated by the needy, causes a bountiful blessing to be poured out on a dry and thirsty land. This, my family, is khawzaqim (repairers) at work. The only way we can affectively go about bringing a change to this wicked and evil world is by changing our vocation. We must see every day, every hour, every minute as an opportunity to stand in the gap. You may not realize it but the hungry, lost and down trodden are looking at you. They can see you have something different about you (at least I hope they can). They get frustrated and depressed when you walk right by them without reaching out to help.
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the Temple;
Who seeing Kefa and Yochanan about to go into the Temple asked an alms.
And Kefa, fastening his eyes upon him with Yochanan, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Kefa said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Yahshua HaMoshiach of Natzeret rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising Elohim.
And all the people saw him walking and praising Elohim:
(Act 3:2-9)
Kefa (Peter) and Yochanan (John) were heading to the Temple when they received the service call. They stopped for a moment and asked the broken man “Look at us!” Notice something here, they broken man was expecting to receive something. How many people did you walk right by today that were expecting to receive something? Did you not get the service call? Stop, repair and restore that broken person. Don’t be afraid, give them something IN the Name of Yahshua HaMoshiach; give them LIFE!
YHWH’s Creation is under constant attack from the adversary. Ha satan would love to destroy everything that YHWH created and called good. Our enemy has two goals; destroy the good, while making pathetic imitations of good things to lead the ignorant astray. Way back in the Gan (Garden) Eden ha satan began doing these two things. In an effort to destroy the gan (garden) the adversary offered a cheap and pathetic imitation of something Adam and Chawah already had going for them. Humankind had developed a level of existence with YHWH that included regular visitations and leisurely walks. During this time Adam could commune with YHWH and allow Him to be daddy.
And they heard the kol (Voice/Sound) of YHWH Elohim walking in the gan in the cool of the day; and HaAdam and his isha hid from the presence of YHWH Elohim amongst the etz (tree) hagan (the garden).
(Gen 3:8)
I could elaborate on this verse quite extensively, but I will stay off the rabbit trails for now and focus on the point. This was a unique relationship Adam had going for himself. YHWH would manifest Himself in the Tree of the gan and walk and talk with Adam. Seems like too awesome of an experience to even consider messing up, right? Not so fast my friend. Why accept the perfect and beautiful when you can have a cheap and pathetic imitation. Knowledge can be yours, if the price is right. Just think instead of having the Source of Knowledge visiting you in a lovely gan while eating from the Tree of Life, you can throw it all away and choose your own knowledge. But wait, that’s not all; call now and ha satan will throw in death for absolutely free. Yes, you heard me; for no additional charge you will lose everlasting life and a personal connection to the Creator. This, my friend, is the trick of the adversary, destroy the Good and hand you a big bag of disappointment.
So every since that horrible day the world has been in a downward spiral. Rolling downhill like a snowball headed…you get the point. What the world needs now is repair sweet repair. Yes, we know the story of Yahshua and the work He performed on the Tree. We all realize that He ultimately put His foot on the serpent’s head and His Blood destroys the curse. That’s not the problem I am addressing today. Here’s the issue; people are coming to the Tree and embracing its redemptive power, but too many are walking away and not becoming repairers.
What exactly do I mean? Let’s look at the Word for a minute. Most of you have probably heard of letting the first usage of a word in Scripture define the word throughout Scripture, right? The word for repair is khawzaq in Hebrew. It means to seize or grab hold of, holding tightly, repair, strengthen, harden or encourage. The first time this word is used is in Beresheet (Genesis) chapter nineteen in the story of Lot and his family.
And while he loitered, the men took hold (khawzaq) of his hand, and his wifeʼs hand, and the hands of his two daughters, יהוה having compassion on him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.
(Gen 19:16)
So we can see here the definition is set and established. The messengers seized, grabbed a hold of; holding tightly, while encouraging, Lot. We literally see a standing in the breach here. The adversary is attacking the family of Abraham. Ha satan seeks to destroy Lot and his family by keeping them from fleeing the fires of judgment sent from YHWH to Sedom and Gomorrah. The men are pulling Lot from the flames. Does that sound familiar to you?
And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
(Jud 1:22-23)
Do you think it’s possible that Yehudah had this Torah portion in mind when he wrote these words? We are told to have compassion, make a difference, reach out stand in the breach and pull some out of the fire. Do you see our job now? This is what we are supposed to be doing after we have been filled with the Ruach ha Kadosh. We become khawzaqim (repairers) of the breach.
In Beresheet 41:56 Yoseph becomes a repairman by opening up the storehouses during a time of extreme famine. There, by the hands of Yoseph, lives were pulled from certain death. Yoseph seized the opportunity to be the ultimate in customer care, resolving the issue and restoring the lives to those who were staring death in the face.
Notice in Yehudah (Jude) 1:23 that we are to HATE the garment spotted by the flesh. We don’t hate those we are rescuing, no matter how filthy they have become. We only hate the filthy garment. Why, because you are not what you wear. What you wear may reflect what you are becoming but with YHWH’s mercy, you can change what you are wearing for a spotless, white robe.
When the children of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land that YHWH had led them to, YHWH told them to keep the commandments He had given them so they would khawzaq (repair, be strong) in the Land. Think about that for a minute. All they have to do is repair/restore YHWH’s commandments in the Land and this will give them strength. Sounds easy enough, right? Not so fast my friend. Behind door number two is a cheap and pathetic imitation that leads to death. Step right up and choose. Oy veh!!
In II Kings chapter twelve Yehoash instructs the cohen (priests) to repair the breaches in the House of YHWH. Where ever a breach was found, they were to khawzaq the breach (gap or leak). Today the House of YHWH needs to have the breaches repaired, but where are the Cohen? No one wants to stand in the gap and plug the leak.
The Book of NechemYah (Nehemiah) is FULL of khawzaqim. Chapter three of NechemYah lists all the men and the ways they repaired Yahrushalem (Jerusalem). Oh that men (and women) would rise up today and become khawzaqim! Each one of us has been given unique and individual skills that can be put into action, thus repairing and restoring YHWH’s Kingdom.
Scientists have speculated for some time the affect certain small and unnoticed things have on the world around us. It has been proposed that a butterfly can flap its wings in India and cause a storm to hit California. I am not a scientist neither do I play one on TV; so I cannot confirm or deny these things. What I can say is this, one sharp word, one ugly look, just one time passing by some needy individual can cause a Spiritual tsunami. We destroy things all the time, essentially becoming the tool of ha satan by doing small but wicked things. If we can see this principle, and you can see it today if you try, then why can’t we believe the opposite to be true?
One kind word spoken by the prompting of the Ruach can make a HUGE change in the universe. One kind deed unnoticed by most but appreciated by the needy, causes a bountiful blessing to be poured out on a dry and thirsty land. This, my family, is khawzaqim (repairers) at work. The only way we can affectively go about bringing a change to this wicked and evil world is by changing our vocation. We must see every day, every hour, every minute as an opportunity to stand in the gap. You may not realize it but the hungry, lost and down trodden are looking at you. They can see you have something different about you (at least I hope they can). They get frustrated and depressed when you walk right by them without reaching out to help.
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the Temple;
Who seeing Kefa and Yochanan about to go into the Temple asked an alms.
And Kefa, fastening his eyes upon him with Yochanan, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Kefa said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Yahshua HaMoshiach of Natzeret rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising Elohim.
And all the people saw him walking and praising Elohim:
(Act 3:2-9)
Kefa (Peter) and Yochanan (John) were heading to the Temple when they received the service call. They stopped for a moment and asked the broken man “Look at us!” Notice something here, they broken man was expecting to receive something. How many people did you walk right by today that were expecting to receive something? Did you not get the service call? Stop, repair and restore that broken person. Don’t be afraid, give them something IN the Name of Yahshua HaMoshiach; give them LIFE!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I'm in You, You are in Me
We are a fragmented Body of believers. It has been a great concern of mine that we having to exist while being separated by distance. I greatly miss the fellowship and visitation with my family in YHWH. Sometimes because of this problem, I get separation anxiety. I can’t wait until the next opportunity to be with my brethren. All of this division is quite simply a curse.
“And YHWH shall scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other mighty ones, which neither you nor your fathers have known, wood and stone. “And among those nations you are to find no rest, nor have a resting place for the sole of your foot. But there YHWH shall give you a trembling heart, and failing eyes, and sorrow of being. “And your life shall be hanging in suspense before you, and you shall fear day and night, and not be certain of your life.
(Deu 28:64-66)
Our sin was what caused us to become scattered to the four corners of the Earth.
“I (YHWH) said, ‘I should blow them away, I should make the remembrance of them To cease from among men,
(Deu 32:26)
It was literally as if YHWH blew us to the North, South, East and West; just like it was feared would happen at Babylon.
And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens, and make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over all the face of the earth.”
(Gen 11:4)
To this day, because of our sin, we remain scattered abroad. This makes it very hard sometimes because we feel alone. Some Shabbats I look around the room at our three families (11 people) and wonder how much better it would be with 30 or dare I say 60 people. Then I realize there are single families and sometimes individual people meeting with YHWH every week.
So if the curse was to scatter Israel, then the baruch (blessing) must be to gather Israel. This gathering occurs when we return (shoob in Hebrew), and we return by the act of teshuvah (repentance). To repent one must make a 180 degree turn and walk away the other direction. There is no looking back in true repentance. If we are blessed by returning to the House of Israel, shouldn’t our Shepherd be the one leading us back?
And He (Yahshua) answering, said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Yisraʼĕl.”
(Mat 15:24)
Have you read the parable of “The Lost Sheep”? Evidently, we have been really confused when it comes to the work the Messiah came to do. We have been taught He came to “do away” with the law and teach us to love everybody. But Yahshua Himself clearly states His ministry was one of restoration NOT revolution! So after Yahshua ascended and left his talmidim (disciples) here, how was this restoration work to continue? Wouldn’t there be a need for a servant/Spirit to comfort and assist us?
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Ruach of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
(Joh 14:16-20)
So, Yahshua did say He would send us a Comforter, a Helper, a Servant if you will. Not in the sense that we are master, but this Ruach (Spirit) would have a Master. Is there a story in Torah that will point to this Spiritual Truth?
Abraham had a servant who was very important in his day to day functions.
And Aḇram said, “Master יהוה, what would You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliʽezer of Damascus?”
(Gen 15:2)
Here we see that the head servant or heir of the childless Abraham was Eli’ezer. In Hebrew Eli’ezer has a very thought provoking definition – “El of help” or “the help of El.” It would go without saying that the servant would do the work of the Father.
In Genesis chapter 24, this same bond servant is commissioned to do a very special job; he is sent to find a bride for the groom (the son). The help of El (Eli’ezer) travels out into the nations to where the family of Abraham still lived. They hadn’t crossed over (Hebrew) as Abraham had into YHWH’s land. This was a very important job given to a dedicated servant. So we see the servant’s job is: (1.) Go find a Bride for the Groom. (2.) Test all applicants to ensure they qualify. (3.) Purchase the Bride. (4.) Bring the Bride and preparing her as you return. These are the functions of the Ruach today. It seeks and saves the lost that pass the test (water test) by seeking. The Ruach delivers the earnest for the purchase of the Bride. The bond servant then brings the Bride back to her home and people preparing her as they go. Do you see these Spiritual applications?
For now, let’s focus on this Comforter or Ruach that Yahshua said the Father would send us. One (Echad) ruach, not multiple servants or spirits; one Spirit, one job, one purpose, to prepare one Bride. By having one Spirit this will allow singular focus and bring unity to the body. YHWH has always been about unity. Let’s look at some earthly examples YHWH gave us of unity among a large and diverse body.
When Israel came out of Mitzarim (Egypt) they were a large group of people, over a million strong. Each family had tasks and responsibilities they had to accomplish within their clan (family group). Each clan had tasks and responsibilities they had to fulfill within their tribe. Each tribe had tasks and responsibilities they had to perform within the Body of Israel. Just one member of one family of one clan of one tribe within the Nation not performing as needed throws a monkey wrench in the whole system. Talk about unity! This type of harmony builds confidence within each person; you feel needed and important, because you are. Each individual has singular vision within the working Body.
As intricate as the Nation of Israel was, the office of cohen was also intricate and detailed. Every cohen had a function and purpose. You were required to be at certain stations at specific times to perform important tasks. One cohen not cooperating as needed causes a breakdown in the system. But we see that the cohen kept unity and cohesiveness allowing YHWH to work through them as needed.
We could also look at the Battle of Yerikho or the YHWH ordained system of tithing, all of these are physical manifestations of a Spiritual principal at work. When a corporate body focuses on a singular purpose, putting all selfish motives aside, mighty and miraculous things are accomplished.
The key element to any of these things happening is the heart of the individual. Without the leb (heart) of an ebed (servant), no one is capable of working at this level. Attitude is everything!! The old saying is “too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” In other words, everyone wants to be boss and get the glory while sitting behind their tennis court sized desk and bossing the peons around. Somebody has to clean the toilets, mop the floor and take out the trash. Somebody has to be responsible and take the blame when things go wrong. That is the true definition of a leader – being a servant. When ALL of YHWH’s children get the heart of a servant, we will see change.
Abraham was a servant.
and (Abraham)said, “יהוה, if I have now found favour in Your eyes, please do not pass Your servant by.
(Gen 18:3)
What made Abraham a servant?
1. Abraham was willing to forsake everyone and all to follow his Elohim.
2. Abraham lived a life of shema-ing YHWH.
3. Abraham walked by emunah (faith) and not by his earthly sight.
4. Abraham made mistakes but quickly took the blame and teshuva.
So we see four key elements to being a servant of YHWH. Become Set Apart (Kodesh) to YHWH, hear and do what YHWH says, allow YHWH to be Master and just trust Him, while always having a heart for teshuvah. Because Abraham was YHWH’s servant others were blessed.
Gen 26:24 And YHWH appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the Elohim of your father Aḇraham. Do not fear, for I am with you, and shall bless you and increase your seed for My servant Aḇrahamʼs sake.”
David was a servant.
“And now, do it! For יהוה has spoken of Dawiḏ, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant Dawiḏ, I save My people Yisraʼĕl from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.ʼ ”
(2Sa 3:18)
What made David a servant?
1. David was willing to put all aspirations (even justified ones) aside and wait on YHWH.
2. David lived a life of shema-ing YHWH.
3. David walked by emunah.
4. David made mistakes but quickly took the blame and teshuva.
Here again we see the same four basic traits. Is this a coincidence? Check out Job, he was a servant of YHWH. All of these traits are essential to being a servant of YHWH. When does one become a servant of YHWH and no longer a slave to sin?
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But thanks to Elohim that you were servants of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of teaching to which you were entrusted. And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.
(Rom 6:16-18)
For do I now persuade men, or Elohim? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I should not be a servant of Messiah.
(Gal 1:10)
In Romans 1:1 Shaul calls himself a bond servant. What is a bond servant as opposed to a slave?
“These are the right-rulings which you are to set before them: “When you buy a Heḇrew servant, he serves six years, and in the seventh he goes out free, for naught. “If he comes in by himself, he goes out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. “If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children are her masterʼs, and he goes out by himself. “And if the servant truly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children, let me not go out free,ʼ then his master shall bring him before Elohim, and shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall serve him forever.
(Exo 21:1-6)
In the seventh year a Hebrew was to be set free. But if he chooses to be free, (free of his master) he leaves ALL that he acquired while in his masters house behind. However, the slave may CHOOSE to stay in his master’s house and become a bond servant. He now stays in the “house” for life and keeps what he acquired. He still serves his “Master” but he does so out of love now. Before he can become a bond servant there is a procedure that must be followed, “then his master shall bring him before Elohim, and shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall serve him forever.”
Keywords to look into here are door or doorpost, pierce, ear and awl. EVERYTHING YHWH does is for a reason; there are no coincidences in YHWH’s Kingdom.
Why the door or doorpost?
“I (Yahshua) am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture.
(Joh 10:9)
So the slave must come to the Door (Yahshua). Then the slave’s ear is pierced.
Why the ear pierced?
Throughout Scripture we see a pattern established, it is the principle of shema-ing.
H8085
שׁמע
shâma‛
BDB Definition:
1) to hear, listen to, obey (verb)
Hear, hearken, listen to in the Scriptures is shema. Shema is a VERB it means hear and do! We have a huge problem in the world today. Very few listen, even less hear and even far less do. We tend to question everything, why do I have to do this, why do you want me to, why, why, why. There is NO in shema. So to start shema-ing we need to have our ears opened. How do we get our ears opened? Go to the Door and let the awl pierce through your ear. You see the awl is a boring instrument. This is no nice ear piercing at Wally World. Your Master bores out your ear all the way through to the Door. Let that sink in a minute.
But why does the slave have to wait until the seventh year? Can’t a good slave prove they are worthy of becoming a bond servant sooner? YHWH works in cycles, and I am talking about cycles of seven. Six days you will work (slave) then on the seventh day you will cease from your labor. On the seventh day you can become a bond servant, this starts a new cycle and day eight becomes a new beginning our a new day one. There are seven Feasts or Festivals of YHWH a year. Then we cycle through and begin again.
When we choose to become a bond servant, we choose to lose. We lose “freedom” but what is it we become a servant to when we leave our Master? Do we really lose freedom or do we in reality become completely free by choosing Him? The law of the bond servant places the slave in the position of willful submission and puts the burden of responsibility on the Master. When the bond servant is hungry, who feeds him? When we are sick, who heals us? When we are in trouble, who rescues us? Submission as a bond servant takes the burden of responsibility off of us and places it upon our Master!! We must learn to submit to win.
So what am I getting at here? Why must we become bond servants and be nailed to the Door? If the awl goes through me into Him, I am now attached to Him. We are one! I am in Him and He is in me.
Ye are of Elohim, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
(1Jn 4:4)
He is in me, and my Master who lives in me is greater than he that is in this world.
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of Elohim which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of Elohim;
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his holy ones:
To whom Elohim would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Moshiach in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Moshiach Yahshua:
(Col 1:25-28)
The mystery has been hidden but if it has been hidden who is it hidden from? Not the Set Apart bond servants of YHWH. We know the secret and it is Yahshua (the Door) in us. This makes us perfect and is our only hope.
Okay, so stop a second and go read Ezekiel chapter 37. I’ll wait for you…
To save space and make this blog user friendly, I will not post Ezekiel 37 and trust that you read it through.
The Hand of YHWH was upon the prophet and carries him in the Ruach to a valley filled with bones. Nothing too deep yet, this is just a supernatural trip to a valley that has bones scattered all over. There are lots of bones and they are dry having all of the water baked out by the sun. So we can see bleached white bones, dry and lifeless, scattered and incapable of man putting them back together. YHWH asks, “Can these bones live?” and Ezekiel is no dummy for he says, “Oh YHWH Elohim, you know.” Notice he doesn’t really answer the question. YHWH tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, a little strange but okay. Ezekiel is to tell the bones to hear (shema) the Word of YHWH.
Now let me stop for a second. According to man’s definition what does a prophet do? We have always had the misconception that a prophet tells our future. To some extent Ezekiel does that by telling the bones that they will be reassembled, knit together and brought to life. However, the Scriptural function of a prophet is to call people to return (teshuvah) to YHWH. Go check me out. Yeshayahu (Isaiah), Yeremiah (Jeremiah), Yoel (Joel), Daniel and Jonah; isn’t that what they ALL did? So what do you think Ezekiel said to the bones? Was it, “I see a HUGE amount of money coming your way” or “Step on a crack break your momma’s back”? C’mon now. We all know that Ezekiel preached that the bones needed to return to YHWH and shema His Commandments.
As Ezekiel is preaching, there comes a noise (Kol in Hebrew which means voice or light), then a shaking (Ra’ash in Hebrew which means earthquake or rattling) then the bones came together. Everybody sing along… “Thigh bone connected to the shin bone, shin bone connected…” you get it. I want you to notice a couple of things. 1. The prophecy to return to YHWH brings the bones together and makes them a Body again. 2. Verse 11 clearly states these bones are the House of Israel. What has happened to these bones? They are dried up and there hope is lost. Dried up or they have no more water in them.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it (the Body) with the washing of water by the word,
(Eph 5:26)
The woman said to Him, “Master, You have no vessel, and the well is deep. From where, then, do You have living water? “Are You greater than our father Yaʽaqoḇ, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” Yahshua answered and said to her, “Everyone drinking of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water I give him shall certainly never thirst. And the water that I give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
(Joh 4:11-14)
Go to the Psalms and read all of the references to water. It is very clear that the Water the bones were lacking is mayim chayim (Living Water). Yahshua was that Water/Word made flesh and these bones or in dire need of a drink. Not only that but their expectancy or hope has been cut off or divided from them. WOW!! I hope you can see what this is saying.
The final step in this process is YHWH breathes on these bones and they receive life. Just being reassembled into a Body is not enough. This Body needs LIFE; One Ruach from YHWH giving back the Body Life.
Ezekiel chapter 37 is a picture of the Body of Messiah, the Bride being put back together and brought to Life by teshuvah to YHWH and shema-ing His Commandments while being full of His Ruach.
One more and final point; if we are one Body, one Bride in Yahshua and are being prepared to fight, what kind of fight is it?
Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies.
(Eph 6:12)
This Spiritual Body can only fight a Spiritual battle. When we try and fight a Spiritual battle with our physical things, we lose. We must be united to stand and fight against the wickedness of ha satan or we will never overcome. So that brings us back to the beginning (as you knew it would). How do we as Believers who are separated by physical barriers (time and distance) unite and fight?
YHWH knew we would end up scattered. He has every intention of bringing us back together physically to His Land. In the mean time, He created something that is mind blowing for His People. If you and I are one Body, if we are one in Him, it is through the One Spirit that we are united. So as I sit here in the sticks of Texas, I can become Spiritually united with ANY Believer who joins me in Him. Sounds simple but what do I mean? When we enter into Him together even while separated we are in a Spiritual plane that is real. This world and everything in and on it is just dirt and is temporary. He made it all and everything is connected through Him. But we have an element that makes us different, that is the Spirit which is really real and not just temporary. Everything I can see is not real and everything I cannot see is real. Yes, there was an element of truth to the movie the Matrix.
So how do I get into that Spiritual plane and join forces with the other parts of His Body? Well YHWH created that as well. Every day at the third hour and ninth hour of the day, we have a prayer time (approximately 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.) Yes this is Scriptural, in fact look at Yahshua on the Tree and what happened during these times. Also the talmidim (disciples) observed these prayer times. Secondly, we have a seventh day every week when we stop and enter into a time warp, if you please. It is a Spiritual place that YHWH created for His People. Thirdly we have a time every month when we go out and watch for the New Moon and thank YHWH for another month. Fourthly we have Set Apart Feast Days have been established by YHWH so that we can enter into this Place with Him.
So even if we are separated, whether it be a handle full or thousands of miles, when we go together to meet YHWH we unite in Him. At the moment we are together in Him, we are a functioning Body. What that means is if you have a need when you go to YHWH with your need, I can feel your need and intercede on your behalf. I am not declaring to have achieved this Spiritual state as of yet, but this doesn’t mean what I am saying isn’t true and achievable.
We are fighting a Spiritual battle, until we can learn to unite, just like the army in Ezekiel chapter 37, and fight together on a Spiritual level we cannot win. The Bride of Messiah must KEEP these appointed times designated by YHWH. These matters are Spiritual matters that we cannot completely fathom on a physical plane. When we have been brought by the Ruach to this point, we will no longer struggle so much with the physical separation that plagues us. Until we are brought together physically, it is imperative that the Body learn to exist on this Spiritual level so that we can be strong in the power of His might.
Shalom in YHWH.
“And YHWH shall scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other mighty ones, which neither you nor your fathers have known, wood and stone. “And among those nations you are to find no rest, nor have a resting place for the sole of your foot. But there YHWH shall give you a trembling heart, and failing eyes, and sorrow of being. “And your life shall be hanging in suspense before you, and you shall fear day and night, and not be certain of your life.
(Deu 28:64-66)
Our sin was what caused us to become scattered to the four corners of the Earth.
“I (YHWH) said, ‘I should blow them away, I should make the remembrance of them To cease from among men,
(Deu 32:26)
It was literally as if YHWH blew us to the North, South, East and West; just like it was feared would happen at Babylon.
And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens, and make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over all the face of the earth.”
(Gen 11:4)
To this day, because of our sin, we remain scattered abroad. This makes it very hard sometimes because we feel alone. Some Shabbats I look around the room at our three families (11 people) and wonder how much better it would be with 30 or dare I say 60 people. Then I realize there are single families and sometimes individual people meeting with YHWH every week.
So if the curse was to scatter Israel, then the baruch (blessing) must be to gather Israel. This gathering occurs when we return (shoob in Hebrew), and we return by the act of teshuvah (repentance). To repent one must make a 180 degree turn and walk away the other direction. There is no looking back in true repentance. If we are blessed by returning to the House of Israel, shouldn’t our Shepherd be the one leading us back?
And He (Yahshua) answering, said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Yisraʼĕl.”
(Mat 15:24)
Have you read the parable of “The Lost Sheep”? Evidently, we have been really confused when it comes to the work the Messiah came to do. We have been taught He came to “do away” with the law and teach us to love everybody. But Yahshua Himself clearly states His ministry was one of restoration NOT revolution! So after Yahshua ascended and left his talmidim (disciples) here, how was this restoration work to continue? Wouldn’t there be a need for a servant/Spirit to comfort and assist us?
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Ruach of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
(Joh 14:16-20)
So, Yahshua did say He would send us a Comforter, a Helper, a Servant if you will. Not in the sense that we are master, but this Ruach (Spirit) would have a Master. Is there a story in Torah that will point to this Spiritual Truth?
Abraham had a servant who was very important in his day to day functions.
And Aḇram said, “Master יהוה, what would You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliʽezer of Damascus?”
(Gen 15:2)
Here we see that the head servant or heir of the childless Abraham was Eli’ezer. In Hebrew Eli’ezer has a very thought provoking definition – “El of help” or “the help of El.” It would go without saying that the servant would do the work of the Father.
In Genesis chapter 24, this same bond servant is commissioned to do a very special job; he is sent to find a bride for the groom (the son). The help of El (Eli’ezer) travels out into the nations to where the family of Abraham still lived. They hadn’t crossed over (Hebrew) as Abraham had into YHWH’s land. This was a very important job given to a dedicated servant. So we see the servant’s job is: (1.) Go find a Bride for the Groom. (2.) Test all applicants to ensure they qualify. (3.) Purchase the Bride. (4.) Bring the Bride and preparing her as you return. These are the functions of the Ruach today. It seeks and saves the lost that pass the test (water test) by seeking. The Ruach delivers the earnest for the purchase of the Bride. The bond servant then brings the Bride back to her home and people preparing her as they go. Do you see these Spiritual applications?
For now, let’s focus on this Comforter or Ruach that Yahshua said the Father would send us. One (Echad) ruach, not multiple servants or spirits; one Spirit, one job, one purpose, to prepare one Bride. By having one Spirit this will allow singular focus and bring unity to the body. YHWH has always been about unity. Let’s look at some earthly examples YHWH gave us of unity among a large and diverse body.
When Israel came out of Mitzarim (Egypt) they were a large group of people, over a million strong. Each family had tasks and responsibilities they had to accomplish within their clan (family group). Each clan had tasks and responsibilities they had to fulfill within their tribe. Each tribe had tasks and responsibilities they had to perform within the Body of Israel. Just one member of one family of one clan of one tribe within the Nation not performing as needed throws a monkey wrench in the whole system. Talk about unity! This type of harmony builds confidence within each person; you feel needed and important, because you are. Each individual has singular vision within the working Body.
As intricate as the Nation of Israel was, the office of cohen was also intricate and detailed. Every cohen had a function and purpose. You were required to be at certain stations at specific times to perform important tasks. One cohen not cooperating as needed causes a breakdown in the system. But we see that the cohen kept unity and cohesiveness allowing YHWH to work through them as needed.
We could also look at the Battle of Yerikho or the YHWH ordained system of tithing, all of these are physical manifestations of a Spiritual principal at work. When a corporate body focuses on a singular purpose, putting all selfish motives aside, mighty and miraculous things are accomplished.
The key element to any of these things happening is the heart of the individual. Without the leb (heart) of an ebed (servant), no one is capable of working at this level. Attitude is everything!! The old saying is “too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” In other words, everyone wants to be boss and get the glory while sitting behind their tennis court sized desk and bossing the peons around. Somebody has to clean the toilets, mop the floor and take out the trash. Somebody has to be responsible and take the blame when things go wrong. That is the true definition of a leader – being a servant. When ALL of YHWH’s children get the heart of a servant, we will see change.
Abraham was a servant.
and (Abraham)said, “יהוה, if I have now found favour in Your eyes, please do not pass Your servant by.
(Gen 18:3)
What made Abraham a servant?
1. Abraham was willing to forsake everyone and all to follow his Elohim.
2. Abraham lived a life of shema-ing YHWH.
3. Abraham walked by emunah (faith) and not by his earthly sight.
4. Abraham made mistakes but quickly took the blame and teshuva.
So we see four key elements to being a servant of YHWH. Become Set Apart (Kodesh) to YHWH, hear and do what YHWH says, allow YHWH to be Master and just trust Him, while always having a heart for teshuvah. Because Abraham was YHWH’s servant others were blessed.
Gen 26:24 And YHWH appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the Elohim of your father Aḇraham. Do not fear, for I am with you, and shall bless you and increase your seed for My servant Aḇrahamʼs sake.”
David was a servant.
“And now, do it! For יהוה has spoken of Dawiḏ, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant Dawiḏ, I save My people Yisraʼĕl from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.ʼ ”
(2Sa 3:18)
What made David a servant?
1. David was willing to put all aspirations (even justified ones) aside and wait on YHWH.
2. David lived a life of shema-ing YHWH.
3. David walked by emunah.
4. David made mistakes but quickly took the blame and teshuva.
Here again we see the same four basic traits. Is this a coincidence? Check out Job, he was a servant of YHWH. All of these traits are essential to being a servant of YHWH. When does one become a servant of YHWH and no longer a slave to sin?
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But thanks to Elohim that you were servants of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of teaching to which you were entrusted. And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.
(Rom 6:16-18)
For do I now persuade men, or Elohim? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I should not be a servant of Messiah.
(Gal 1:10)
In Romans 1:1 Shaul calls himself a bond servant. What is a bond servant as opposed to a slave?
“These are the right-rulings which you are to set before them: “When you buy a Heḇrew servant, he serves six years, and in the seventh he goes out free, for naught. “If he comes in by himself, he goes out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. “If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children are her masterʼs, and he goes out by himself. “And if the servant truly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children, let me not go out free,ʼ then his master shall bring him before Elohim, and shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall serve him forever.
(Exo 21:1-6)
In the seventh year a Hebrew was to be set free. But if he chooses to be free, (free of his master) he leaves ALL that he acquired while in his masters house behind. However, the slave may CHOOSE to stay in his master’s house and become a bond servant. He now stays in the “house” for life and keeps what he acquired. He still serves his “Master” but he does so out of love now. Before he can become a bond servant there is a procedure that must be followed, “then his master shall bring him before Elohim, and shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall serve him forever.”
Keywords to look into here are door or doorpost, pierce, ear and awl. EVERYTHING YHWH does is for a reason; there are no coincidences in YHWH’s Kingdom.
Why the door or doorpost?
“I (Yahshua) am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture.
(Joh 10:9)
So the slave must come to the Door (Yahshua). Then the slave’s ear is pierced.
Why the ear pierced?
Throughout Scripture we see a pattern established, it is the principle of shema-ing.
H8085
שׁמע
shâma‛
BDB Definition:
1) to hear, listen to, obey (verb)
Hear, hearken, listen to in the Scriptures is shema. Shema is a VERB it means hear and do! We have a huge problem in the world today. Very few listen, even less hear and even far less do. We tend to question everything, why do I have to do this, why do you want me to, why, why, why. There is NO in shema. So to start shema-ing we need to have our ears opened. How do we get our ears opened? Go to the Door and let the awl pierce through your ear. You see the awl is a boring instrument. This is no nice ear piercing at Wally World. Your Master bores out your ear all the way through to the Door. Let that sink in a minute.
But why does the slave have to wait until the seventh year? Can’t a good slave prove they are worthy of becoming a bond servant sooner? YHWH works in cycles, and I am talking about cycles of seven. Six days you will work (slave) then on the seventh day you will cease from your labor. On the seventh day you can become a bond servant, this starts a new cycle and day eight becomes a new beginning our a new day one. There are seven Feasts or Festivals of YHWH a year. Then we cycle through and begin again.
When we choose to become a bond servant, we choose to lose. We lose “freedom” but what is it we become a servant to when we leave our Master? Do we really lose freedom or do we in reality become completely free by choosing Him? The law of the bond servant places the slave in the position of willful submission and puts the burden of responsibility on the Master. When the bond servant is hungry, who feeds him? When we are sick, who heals us? When we are in trouble, who rescues us? Submission as a bond servant takes the burden of responsibility off of us and places it upon our Master!! We must learn to submit to win.
So what am I getting at here? Why must we become bond servants and be nailed to the Door? If the awl goes through me into Him, I am now attached to Him. We are one! I am in Him and He is in me.
Ye are of Elohim, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
(1Jn 4:4)
He is in me, and my Master who lives in me is greater than he that is in this world.
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of Elohim which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of Elohim;
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his holy ones:
To whom Elohim would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Moshiach in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Moshiach Yahshua:
(Col 1:25-28)
The mystery has been hidden but if it has been hidden who is it hidden from? Not the Set Apart bond servants of YHWH. We know the secret and it is Yahshua (the Door) in us. This makes us perfect and is our only hope.
Okay, so stop a second and go read Ezekiel chapter 37. I’ll wait for you…
To save space and make this blog user friendly, I will not post Ezekiel 37 and trust that you read it through.
The Hand of YHWH was upon the prophet and carries him in the Ruach to a valley filled with bones. Nothing too deep yet, this is just a supernatural trip to a valley that has bones scattered all over. There are lots of bones and they are dry having all of the water baked out by the sun. So we can see bleached white bones, dry and lifeless, scattered and incapable of man putting them back together. YHWH asks, “Can these bones live?” and Ezekiel is no dummy for he says, “Oh YHWH Elohim, you know.” Notice he doesn’t really answer the question. YHWH tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, a little strange but okay. Ezekiel is to tell the bones to hear (shema) the Word of YHWH.
Now let me stop for a second. According to man’s definition what does a prophet do? We have always had the misconception that a prophet tells our future. To some extent Ezekiel does that by telling the bones that they will be reassembled, knit together and brought to life. However, the Scriptural function of a prophet is to call people to return (teshuvah) to YHWH. Go check me out. Yeshayahu (Isaiah), Yeremiah (Jeremiah), Yoel (Joel), Daniel and Jonah; isn’t that what they ALL did? So what do you think Ezekiel said to the bones? Was it, “I see a HUGE amount of money coming your way” or “Step on a crack break your momma’s back”? C’mon now. We all know that Ezekiel preached that the bones needed to return to YHWH and shema His Commandments.
As Ezekiel is preaching, there comes a noise (Kol in Hebrew which means voice or light), then a shaking (Ra’ash in Hebrew which means earthquake or rattling) then the bones came together. Everybody sing along… “Thigh bone connected to the shin bone, shin bone connected…” you get it. I want you to notice a couple of things. 1. The prophecy to return to YHWH brings the bones together and makes them a Body again. 2. Verse 11 clearly states these bones are the House of Israel. What has happened to these bones? They are dried up and there hope is lost. Dried up or they have no more water in them.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it (the Body) with the washing of water by the word,
(Eph 5:26)
The woman said to Him, “Master, You have no vessel, and the well is deep. From where, then, do You have living water? “Are You greater than our father Yaʽaqoḇ, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” Yahshua answered and said to her, “Everyone drinking of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water I give him shall certainly never thirst. And the water that I give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
(Joh 4:11-14)
Go to the Psalms and read all of the references to water. It is very clear that the Water the bones were lacking is mayim chayim (Living Water). Yahshua was that Water/Word made flesh and these bones or in dire need of a drink. Not only that but their expectancy or hope has been cut off or divided from them. WOW!! I hope you can see what this is saying.
The final step in this process is YHWH breathes on these bones and they receive life. Just being reassembled into a Body is not enough. This Body needs LIFE; One Ruach from YHWH giving back the Body Life.
Ezekiel chapter 37 is a picture of the Body of Messiah, the Bride being put back together and brought to Life by teshuvah to YHWH and shema-ing His Commandments while being full of His Ruach.
One more and final point; if we are one Body, one Bride in Yahshua and are being prepared to fight, what kind of fight is it?
Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies.
(Eph 6:12)
This Spiritual Body can only fight a Spiritual battle. When we try and fight a Spiritual battle with our physical things, we lose. We must be united to stand and fight against the wickedness of ha satan or we will never overcome. So that brings us back to the beginning (as you knew it would). How do we as Believers who are separated by physical barriers (time and distance) unite and fight?
YHWH knew we would end up scattered. He has every intention of bringing us back together physically to His Land. In the mean time, He created something that is mind blowing for His People. If you and I are one Body, if we are one in Him, it is through the One Spirit that we are united. So as I sit here in the sticks of Texas, I can become Spiritually united with ANY Believer who joins me in Him. Sounds simple but what do I mean? When we enter into Him together even while separated we are in a Spiritual plane that is real. This world and everything in and on it is just dirt and is temporary. He made it all and everything is connected through Him. But we have an element that makes us different, that is the Spirit which is really real and not just temporary. Everything I can see is not real and everything I cannot see is real. Yes, there was an element of truth to the movie the Matrix.
So how do I get into that Spiritual plane and join forces with the other parts of His Body? Well YHWH created that as well. Every day at the third hour and ninth hour of the day, we have a prayer time (approximately 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.) Yes this is Scriptural, in fact look at Yahshua on the Tree and what happened during these times. Also the talmidim (disciples) observed these prayer times. Secondly, we have a seventh day every week when we stop and enter into a time warp, if you please. It is a Spiritual place that YHWH created for His People. Thirdly we have a time every month when we go out and watch for the New Moon and thank YHWH for another month. Fourthly we have Set Apart Feast Days have been established by YHWH so that we can enter into this Place with Him.
So even if we are separated, whether it be a handle full or thousands of miles, when we go together to meet YHWH we unite in Him. At the moment we are together in Him, we are a functioning Body. What that means is if you have a need when you go to YHWH with your need, I can feel your need and intercede on your behalf. I am not declaring to have achieved this Spiritual state as of yet, but this doesn’t mean what I am saying isn’t true and achievable.
We are fighting a Spiritual battle, until we can learn to unite, just like the army in Ezekiel chapter 37, and fight together on a Spiritual level we cannot win. The Bride of Messiah must KEEP these appointed times designated by YHWH. These matters are Spiritual matters that we cannot completely fathom on a physical plane. When we have been brought by the Ruach to this point, we will no longer struggle so much with the physical separation that plagues us. Until we are brought together physically, it is imperative that the Body learn to exist on this Spiritual level so that we can be strong in the power of His might.
Shalom in YHWH.
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