This Friday evening as the sunset, I stood a couple of hundred yards from the banks of Navarro Mills Lake shore with 8 other Torah observant, believing adults and prayed as we welcomed in Shabbat. As I began to lead us in prayer it suddenly seemed we were in a vacuum with YHWH. All time seemed to cease and it was as if the crickets, locusts, birds and frogs were praying with us. The Presence of YHWH was so real and heavy, I didn’t even realize what I was saying, I just knew He was there and we were in Him. I knew what His Word really meant when it said:
“For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in their midst.”
(Mat 18:20) ISR
For where two or three are gathered as a Chavurah and are a Kehillah in my name [Moshiach], there I am in the midst of them.
(Mat 18:20) OJB
I was always taught this verse was telling us to go to church and don’t worry if there only a couple people there, God will meet with you. Well, I am not saying it cannot be applied to that, it just doesn’t mean that alone! What happen to us was we gathered in His Name (Yahshua), because His Name does matter, and He honored our commitment to keep His Command regarding Shabbat by being with us. If you have never been in His Presence, let me fill you in. I wanted to fall on my face! At that moment, I knew the fear (yarah) of YHWH. He was All Powerful, Mighty, Merciful, Loving and Consuming in that moment.
Why has the world rejected this precious visitation and settled for the three ring circus of churches? The entire disco beat music programs, Oscar nominated speakers, Olympic qualifying shouters/dancers could never compare to one small second of His Presence. And when you get visited by Him, you don’t have the nerve to show off in front of Him. All you want is to bask in Him and usually on your face.
Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Yahshua every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Yahshua Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father.
(Php 2:9-11) ISR
Every knee shall bow at His Name. His Name is His mark of distinction, it is His reputation, it is His very Presence. When He shows up, you cannot stand in pride and arrogance before Him. When He is there you cannot put on a show or and act to draw attention to yourself. He is everything and His Presence demands your attention.
Nothing in the whole world compares to a real visitation from our King. If you have never really been in His Presence you don’t realize that His visitation is not driven by your emotions. All of your crying, shouting, laughing and dancing does not bring Him to you. He comes when you follow His instructions. It takes unity, submission and proper approach. Get these three things right and He will be there. When He arrives you might find yourself crying, shouting, laughing and dancing but that is because He is so awesome and we are so insignificant without Him.
The thoughts and meditations of a Son of YHWH.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
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.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
YHWH sends Light
Today as we studied the Parashat Balak, YHWH revealed in His Word this Truth. When Bala'am went to the third place Balak took him, so he could curse Israel, YHWH's Ruach moved upon Bala'am. Then Bala'am precedes to bless Israel for the third time.
Our Bible dictionary, Torah, tells us the first time that the Ruach of Elohim moved something special happen.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters. And Elohim said, Let there be light: and there was light.
(Gen 1:2-3)
Did you catch that? When the Ruach of YHWH moved the next thing that came was Light. His Presence moving is a precursor to Light.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
(Psa 119:105)
His Spirit moves then He sends His Light.
In Psalms 29:3 His voice moves upon everything then YHWH blesses His people.
When the Ruach of YHWH fell on Bala'am the first thing out of Bala'am's mouth is "How lovely are the tents
How lovely are thy tents, O Yaakov, and thy tabernacles, O Yisrael!
(Num 24:5)
Bala'am saw the camp of Israel as YHWH saw them, lovely. YHWH wants us to see His Bride the way He sees us. Lovely.
Stop seeing with an evil eye. Look at YHWH's people and know that He loves us. He has provided and will continue to provide for us. Water from a Rock, shoes for our feet, food from the heavens and a Shabbat to rest.
Soon and very soon, we will come together. YHWH will be our cloud and our fire. He will be Yireh YHWH and we will be His People.
Friday, June 18, 2010
My Dad
Roy Leman Cagle (my dad) was the third child of seven. His dad was a Pentecostal preacher turned used car salesman who loved talking and joking around. Dad's mom was a hard working dedicated woman who loved God and supported her husband.
My dad started smoking when he was young and had surgery on his lungs in his early twenties. Sadly that didn't slow down his smoking and he smoked until the day he died. Dad had the reputation of a daredevil and he showed no fear in taking risks. Ultimately, his adventurous spirit led to his death. He was always on the verge of being kicked out of school due to his orneriness.
My memories of dad are mostly centered around his sense of humor and his work ethics. Dad was always joking around with me and my brother and loved to make us laugh. Most times dad was working at least 2-3 jobs. We were probably poor by most peoples standards but I didn't realize it because I was happy. My mom got to stay at home and take care of us because dad worked so hard. Dad was an auto mechanic, a tow truck driver, 18 wheeler driver and worked in a salvage yard. He was nothing but bones, grit, muscle, caffeine and nicotine.
As I have grown older I have learned to appreciate the good things dad taught me.
1. Hard work is a man's lot. Stay busy and keep moving
2. Don't take yourself too serious. Learn to laugh and smile.
3. No fear. Do not be afraid, but if you are stay calm and don't show fear.
4. Enjoy everyday and live life to it's fullest.
5. Allow your wife the freedom to do what she needs to do without getting in her business.
The last day I ever spent with my dad he was trying to make us boys happy. We had just returned from a long vacation in Missouri visiting relatives. Dad had stayed in Avondale this time so we hadn't seen him for a while. My brother and I begged him to take us swimming so he promised to do that the next day. The next day was the typical Arizona scorcher and dad kept his word and took us out for a swim. We ended up at an irrigation canal in Phoenix and the water was swift and sorta cool. Dad took one too many risks and as a result drowned that hot summer day, I was eleven and my brother was fourteen. I still miss him and will never forget looking into his eyes right before he went down the last time.
My Heavenly Father was watching over us boys that day. We had our neighbor friend with us, so three young boys could have drowned as well that day. Thank you YHWH for your mercy.
The last lesson dad taught me was to remember that today could be your last day. The words you just spoke could be your last words.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Looks Like I Will Be Committed
I have been at my current job for almost three years. It has been a blessing to be able to deliver hot meals to the disabled and shut-in senior citizens. There are many lessons I have learned while dealing with these clients. One of the hardest parts is getting attached to someone who inevitably passes away. I have had the misfortune of seeing death, but the joy I bring to them is worth the pain I sometimes feel.
One of the lessons that really hit home is what I want to share today. The services we provide are funded by the U.S. government, so the client doesn't have to pay for these benefits. However, we do accept donations and some clients are faithful to pay even when I can see it is difficult. Here is what I have learned:
1. The client who never donates always gripes and complains.
2. The client who donates seems to appreciate the food and always takes an interest in the process.
So after noticing this I begin to contemplate why this would be true. The simple answer would be what we invest in we take interest in as well. What goes through my mind when I ponder this is the Words of my Master:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Mat 6:21)
Yahshua was speaking about putting value in the proper things when He spoke these Words. The Words He spoke would have been in His native tongue, so let's look at their Hebrew meaning.
The word heart is leb in Hebrew, it is spelled lamed bet. The lamed in ancient Hebrew was a picture of a shepherd's staff, while the bet was a picture of a tent. Combining these two letters, the word means "authority inside". The consciousness of man is seen as coming from deep inside the chest, the heart. Thirst as an Inside desire for water.
The word treasure is awtsar and translates as storehouse or cellar.
So what we can see is Yahshua is saying, "You will surrender authority to what you have invested." Those who invest in the meal program have a commitment. Commitment makes you appreciate the benefits.
Now days marriages last about as long as high school relationships. WHY? What makes someone walk away from those they have professed to love? NO INVESTMENT!
I have twenty three years invested in my marriage. Let me tell you, if I didn't love my wife (and I do, with all my heart), I would not walk away from my investment. After twenty three years she knows what I like and what I don't like. She knows what makes me happy and how to brighten my day. Is there any logical reason I would try and develop this commitment with someone new? Not only that, I have twenty three years of hard work and bread winning invested. That makes me appreciate everything she does for me. It's a great program and I whole heartedly support its continuance.
Now think about your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Do you appreciate Him? If not maybe it's because you don't have an investment. Have you laid up treasures in His Kingdom? When you do it will cause your opinion of His "program" to change.
Those who murmur and complain have NO investment. Putting something into the "program" will change your whole attitude concerning the "benefits" you are receiving.
As a man I must remember these things so that I may be the example my family needs. How will my family ever understand Scriptural principles if I don't put them into action? YHWH help me lead my family and invest in the "programs" you have given me so I will appreciate your "benefits."
One of the lessons that really hit home is what I want to share today. The services we provide are funded by the U.S. government, so the client doesn't have to pay for these benefits. However, we do accept donations and some clients are faithful to pay even when I can see it is difficult. Here is what I have learned:
1. The client who never donates always gripes and complains.
2. The client who donates seems to appreciate the food and always takes an interest in the process.
So after noticing this I begin to contemplate why this would be true. The simple answer would be what we invest in we take interest in as well. What goes through my mind when I ponder this is the Words of my Master:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Mat 6:21)
Yahshua was speaking about putting value in the proper things when He spoke these Words. The Words He spoke would have been in His native tongue, so let's look at their Hebrew meaning.
The word heart is leb in Hebrew, it is spelled lamed bet. The lamed in ancient Hebrew was a picture of a shepherd's staff, while the bet was a picture of a tent. Combining these two letters, the word means "authority inside". The consciousness of man is seen as coming from deep inside the chest, the heart. Thirst as an Inside desire for water.
The word treasure is awtsar and translates as storehouse or cellar.
So what we can see is Yahshua is saying, "You will surrender authority to what you have invested." Those who invest in the meal program have a commitment. Commitment makes you appreciate the benefits.
Now days marriages last about as long as high school relationships. WHY? What makes someone walk away from those they have professed to love? NO INVESTMENT!
I have twenty three years invested in my marriage. Let me tell you, if I didn't love my wife (and I do, with all my heart), I would not walk away from my investment. After twenty three years she knows what I like and what I don't like. She knows what makes me happy and how to brighten my day. Is there any logical reason I would try and develop this commitment with someone new? Not only that, I have twenty three years of hard work and bread winning invested. That makes me appreciate everything she does for me. It's a great program and I whole heartedly support its continuance.
Now think about your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Do you appreciate Him? If not maybe it's because you don't have an investment. Have you laid up treasures in His Kingdom? When you do it will cause your opinion of His "program" to change.
Those who murmur and complain have NO investment. Putting something into the "program" will change your whole attitude concerning the "benefits" you are receiving.
As a man I must remember these things so that I may be the example my family needs. How will my family ever understand Scriptural principles if I don't put them into action? YHWH help me lead my family and invest in the "programs" you have given me so I will appreciate your "benefits."
Monday, June 7, 2010
Why Am I Here, Do I Have a Purpose?
The world has spiraled downward into a mass of confused people who seek to fulfill fleshly desires. Mankind has a purpose. Everything YHWH created has a plan or purpose. Until man has defined and accepted that call, he or she can never be content.
Hebrew scholars teach that everything YHWH created, was created to help mankind fulfill His purpose, and man's purpose is to fear (yirah) YHWH and keep/guard (shomer) His Torah. We know this is true since Shlomo (Solomon) said:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind!
So if everything, every tree, flower, cloud, bird, deer, river etc. etc., was created to help us complete His purpose, why do we have such a hard time figuring out that purpose?
Man has written thousands of books defining what we are "here for." The Purpose Driven Life became a best seller and still didn't give the right answer. We have seminars and self-help groups, psychologist and physiatrist, counselors and pastors all giving the WRONG answer.
It really is this simple; fear YHWH and keep His commandments. When we do that we are then qualified to be like everything else YHWH created and help others find their purpose.
Trees and hills, rocks and birds don't get to decide. They were created without the ability to choose. The trees in my front yard are praising YHWH right now because that's what they were made to do. They want to help me find "my purpose in life." The birds in my trees sing praises to YHWH just to help show me what I was created to do. If I ignore them and choose NOT to fulfill my purpose, I insult His creation by not letting them do their job.
Once I have learned to yirah (fear) YHWH and I am shomer (guarding) His Torah, I have chosen to be a light to the Nations. I then become part of a city set on a hill that shines as a beacon to others so they too can find their purpose.
YHWH help me to know your secret (sod).
Psalms 25:14
(14) The secret of YHWH is with those who fear (yirah) Him, And He makes His covenant (Torah) known to them.
Find out the reason you were put here today and start helping others also find this secret.
Sirach 34:11-15
(11) When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.
(12) I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.
(13) The spirit of those that fear YHWH shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.
(14) Whoso feareth YHWH shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
(15) Blessed is the soul of him that feareth YHWH: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?
Sirach 40:26-27
(26) Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of YHWH is above them both: there is no want in the fear of YHWH, and it needeth not to seek help.
(27) The fear of YHWH is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
Proverbs 14:2
(2) He who walks in his straightness fears יהוה, But he whose ways are crooked despises Him.
Proverbs 14:27
(27) The fear of יהוה is a fountain of life, To turn away from the snares of death.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear/Yirah of YHWH. Fear/Yirah shocks our ego/nephesh, breaking the natural thickness of the heart, that thickness or selfishness that prevents one from being truly receptive and perceptive to reality outside oneself in general and the Divine Essence of all reality in particular.
Hebrew scholars teach that everything YHWH created, was created to help mankind fulfill His purpose, and man's purpose is to fear (yirah) YHWH and keep/guard (shomer) His Torah. We know this is true since Shlomo (Solomon) said:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind!
So if everything, every tree, flower, cloud, bird, deer, river etc. etc., was created to help us complete His purpose, why do we have such a hard time figuring out that purpose?
Man has written thousands of books defining what we are "here for." The Purpose Driven Life became a best seller and still didn't give the right answer. We have seminars and self-help groups, psychologist and physiatrist, counselors and pastors all giving the WRONG answer.
It really is this simple; fear YHWH and keep His commandments. When we do that we are then qualified to be like everything else YHWH created and help others find their purpose.
Trees and hills, rocks and birds don't get to decide. They were created without the ability to choose. The trees in my front yard are praising YHWH right now because that's what they were made to do. They want to help me find "my purpose in life." The birds in my trees sing praises to YHWH just to help show me what I was created to do. If I ignore them and choose NOT to fulfill my purpose, I insult His creation by not letting them do their job.
Once I have learned to yirah (fear) YHWH and I am shomer (guarding) His Torah, I have chosen to be a light to the Nations. I then become part of a city set on a hill that shines as a beacon to others so they too can find their purpose.
YHWH help me to know your secret (sod).
Psalms 25:14
(14) The secret of YHWH is with those who fear (yirah) Him, And He makes His covenant (Torah) known to them.
Find out the reason you were put here today and start helping others also find this secret.
Sirach 34:11-15
(11) When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.
(12) I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.
(13) The spirit of those that fear YHWH shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.
(14) Whoso feareth YHWH shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.
(15) Blessed is the soul of him that feareth YHWH: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?
Sirach 40:26-27
(26) Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of YHWH is above them both: there is no want in the fear of YHWH, and it needeth not to seek help.
(27) The fear of YHWH is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
Proverbs 14:2
(2) He who walks in his straightness fears יהוה, But he whose ways are crooked despises Him.
Proverbs 14:27
(27) The fear of יהוה is a fountain of life, To turn away from the snares of death.
The beginning of wisdom is the fear/Yirah of YHWH. Fear/Yirah shocks our ego/nephesh, breaking the natural thickness of the heart, that thickness or selfishness that prevents one from being truly receptive and perceptive to reality outside oneself in general and the Divine Essence of all reality in particular.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)