Month: May 2026

Prepare for Deception: Strengthening Faith in Troubling Times

Prepare for Deception: Strengthening Faith in Troubling Times

Deception is afoot! Ready your body, mind, and soul for what is coming. Are we in the last days? It sure feels like it. I know people will say, it has been like this from the beginning. They aren’t wrong, so why would this be different? Simply, it is different by the sheer number of differing events all coalescing at once. The big one being aliens. I don’t believe in aliens, let me make that clear. Not in the sense that they come from a galaxy far, far away. I do however believe in created beings, other than human. The Word calls them angels and demons, as well as a hybrid race known as nephilim.

How does one prepare for such a thing? One prepares by immersing themselves in the Word of God. Let me draw a parallel here with Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” The word baptize simply means to immerse, or saturate. Read that meaning into Matthew 28. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, immersing them in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Immerse them in the Word of God.

Maybe you are unaware of what is going on with aliens and the impending deception. Here is a link to an article carried by MSN from the Daily Mail, “Religious leaders told ‘prepare now’ for UFO disclosure to unleash Bible-changing revelations.” The only revelation we need to prepare for is the one already written in Scripture. Prepare yourself by immersing yourself in the Word (ALL OF IT) so that you are not deceived. Yahoshua warns in Matthew 24:4 “. . . ‘See to it that no one deceives you.'” What is coming upon the earth is going to shake the very foundation of your faith. Yahoshua continues in verse nine. “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will k*** you, and you will be h*ted by all nations because of My name.” This is Yahoshua (Jesus) telling His followers about things coming to those who bear His name, that being Yahoshua.

As you try to hold out your faith it will be tested. Many will look at you and say, ‘there is no hope for you.’ Family and friends may turn on you. Are you prepared for that? It may even come from those within your church. Jeremiah writes, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Stand by the way and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘we will not walk in it.”” Paul also writes a warning in line with the idea of holding fast to Scripture and the Ways of Elohim. Colossians 2:8; “See to it that no one takes you captive through mans philosophy and empty deception. According to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Messiah.”

David the writer of Psalm 3 shares a heart felt declaration. Written while his very own flesh and blood attempted to rip the Kingdom from him. David flees the city in order to avoid his son Absalom. This is what he pens. “Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no deliverance for him in God.'” “Selah.” (Psalm 3:1-2) Here David cries out in distress, his adversaries have increased, even from his own home. He is feeling the weight of their accusations and curses, ‘there is no deliverance for him in God.’ David pauses here with the word ‘Selah.’ The Hebrew word doesn’t translate and the meaning is debated among learned men. Some say it is simply a marker for musical interludes. Others will say it is a reflection point of praise, or of deep introspection. A pause where the writer and the reader reflect on life and their relationship with Elohim.

If it is a simple musical interlude one could still hold the idea that it is a place of either praise or reflection. Just listen now to music whether spiritual or secular and a musical interlude occurs. Where does your heart or mind go if you are a true music lover? It will be drawn to reflection of either joy or sorrow or mystery depending on the lyric. In this Psalm of David I would say that this “Selah,” denotes one of sorrowful reflection, “where did I go wrong?” And “Help me Adonai!” An acceptance of here I am and I need Your help Yahweh! Feeling alone and defeated, yet, he doesn’t stay in that place and neither should we.

“But You, Yahweh, are a shield about me. My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to Yahweh with my voice, and He answered me from His Holy Mountain.” “Selah.” (Psalm 3:3-4) Where does our salvation come from? Our salvation comes from Yahweh! Remind yourself of that when things look bleak, when it seems the world is against you, if family or friends turn on you. Your salvation is found in Messiah Yahoshua and not in anyone or anything else. Stand in that promise, Selah!

The world is in a weird place right now. Many wrapped up in the news are finding themselves in anxiety, worry, doubt and fear. It is easy to do. Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, volcanoes, famine, riots, and deadly viruses, to name a few things raging at the moment. Of course then there is one’s own life, bills, gas prices, sickness, brokenness, feelings of being alone, abandoned, forsaken even. The love of many has grown cold, people are different. What is one to do? How does one gain shalom (peace)?

I will close this one out with the last four verses of Psalm 3. In the midst of any struggle remind yourself that Salvation belongs to Yahweh and He gives freely to those who call on His name and choose to walk according to His ways. Psalm 3:5-8 “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for Yahweh sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Yahweh; save me, O my Elohim! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to Yahweh; Your blessing be upon Your people!” “Selah.”

Selah,
You are loved,
cj

The One Story: God’s Covenant and Instructions

The One Story: God’s Covenant and Instructions

It’s one book, not two or sixty-six, it is a three act play in which the beginning is also the end. It’s one continuous story of redemption, of hope, pointing to a time to come that goes beyond anything we could ever imagine. It’s a love story, it’s an adventure novel, it’s a history book, it’s a prophetic look into the future. It is a collection of writing by many authors but inspired by the same Spirit. It should be read as if it was written to you and your family from your dad. Because, every word of it, was inspired by your Heavenly Father. It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. It is intended to equip you so that you can be competent in all that the Father has for you.

That page that is found between Malachi and Matthew that says, “New Testament”, rip it out. It has done more harm to the body of Messiah than any other page in your Bible. Not because there isn’t a new or renewed covenant. Because of the separation it has caused the church from Elohim’s people and the covenant. It has put up a dividing line on both sides. There is one God, one story, and one people, one covenant and one way to enter in.

The law of sin and death, death for sin, has been done away with for those who are in Messiah. It is not a license to sin but rather the removal of a sacrifice for sin. Since by one mans death and resurrection the debt of sin has been paid. Repentance, however, has always been and still is a returning to God’s ways. A return to the Fathers instruction. The door remains the same Yahoshua, the Word made flesh is that door. Obedience to the Word, obedience to Yahoshua, is obedience to the Father.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Messiah Yahoshua were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4

What is sin? Sin as defined by the Apostle John is violation of the Torah. We read in 1 John 3:4 exactly what sin is: “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Again as we have discussed in previous posts the word law is better translated Torah or instruction. Thus lawlessness is being without Torah or without the instruction of God. If this wasn’t enough what does John go on to say in this passage?

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.“

The word righteousness means; ‘The things commanded by God to be obeyed by man.’ Whoever practices obedience then is righteous and those who do not are without instruction. They are practicing lawlessness. The very thing Yahoshua accused the Pharisees of doing when He said, “you are of your father the devil.” Why? Because they had added to and taken away from the instructions of God. They were putting on the appearance of walking in Torah but it was a show as they were more concerned with their own ways than that of God’s. Indeed they were practicing lawlessness and therefore were of the devil.

So one must ask themselves, “what exactly am I practicing?” If repentance is turning from sin and sin is the breaking of Torah. Then one turns from breaking Torah to following it. This is repentance. It is not legalism to be obedient, to seek out those things God delights in and do them. That label is given by hypocrites who in the same breath will say one should obey God. In the end when Yahoshua is separating His people from those that are not he will say to many, “Depart from Me, I never knew you. You who practice lawlessness.”

What are you practicing? How are you reading? Who are you following? Who are you listening to? These are important questions that only you can answer. And you need to answer them because if you call yourself a believer but are following the traditions of man over the instruction of God . . . things will not end well. Are you walking the Way of the Rabbi?

You are loved,
cj

The Rabbi’s Way: Embracing God’s Promises

The Rabbi’s Way: Embracing God’s Promises

The Way of the Rabbi. It begins with a promise and a declaration: “I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Do you believe it? Does it inspire your life, what you do, think and say?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 . . .
“Hear, Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! And you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Are you operating under the promise as a living declaration? As an Ambassador of God’s Kingdom, representing, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done”? Do you know who brings this promise? It is the Holy Spirit, the Helper that Yahoshua promised. Yahoshua is the fulfillment of the promises of Yahweh.

Unfortunately, humanity has a way of complicating things. Nothing can ever be easy. Yet, throughout Scripture we find a simplicity. Difficult yes, but why? It is a made difficult by humans. By man made traditions and processes and instruction, and influence, and choice. It is what the writer of Ecclesiastes was getting at when he penned these words in the 29 verse of chapter 7. “Behold I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Device, also schemes, adding to or taking away from those things commanded by God to be observed by men, The very definition of righteousness. So what did Elohim intend from the beginning?

Genesis 1:26-31 . . .
26 Then Elohim said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 

27 So Elohim created man in His own image,
    in the image of Elohim He created him;
    male and female He created them.

28 And Elohim blessed them. And Elohim said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And Elohim said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And Elohim saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

What are the takeaways?
– Made in the image of God, after His likeness
– To have dominion
– To be fruitful
– To subdue creation
– To tend to creation, caretakers, gardeners
– To walk with Him
He saw all this and it was very good! And what did humans do?

Genesis 3:1-13 . . .
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that Adonai Elohim had made. He said to the woman, “Did Elohim actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but Elohim said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For Elohim knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the sound of Adonai Elohim walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh among the trees of the garden. 9 But Yahweh called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then Yahweh said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

What are the takeaways?
– Gave attention to satan
– Questioned God
– Wanted more, coveted
– Hid from God
– Tried to cover their shame
– Blamed others for their poor choice
He saw this and was grieved. From this point He sets in motion the story of redemption.

Fast forward to the present day and you have modern Pharisee’s, the church. They say and do a lot of good but they deny Torah. They believe in a lawless Jesus, a Greek infused Jesus. A Jesus who has done away with obedience to God and called it legalism and replaced it with hyper-grace. They have give up, “It is too difficult, no one can keep the commandments that is why Jesus had to come!” Yet, they will say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is why I use the name Yahoshua. What is the #1 curse-word, slur, slogan . . . exclamation point? Isaiah and Ezekiel write about God protecting His name and I believe that is also the name of the Son. I don’t want any part of the Greco-Roman lawless (Torahless) Jesus. So what do we know?

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 . . .
13 Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear Yahweh, and keep His commandments; this is what being human is all about. 14 For Yahweh will bring to judgment everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad.
Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear Yahweh, and keep His commandments; this is what being human is all about.

What are the takeaways?
– Narrow is the way to life and few find it (Matthew 7:13-14)
– Imitate Messiah (1 Corinthians 11:1)
– Yahoshua is the Way, the Truth, the Life (John 14:6)
– Yahoshua is the Word made Flesh (John 1:14)
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. What is Truth? God’s Word is Truth. The interconnectedness of all of this is beyond coincidence. So what did Yahoshua say?

Matthew 5:17-20 . . .
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What are the takeaways?
– Obey me (Jeremiah 7:23; John 14:23)
– Keep My commandments (John 14:15) “If you love Me, you WILL keep My commandments.”
– Tell others everything He has taught you (Matthew 28:18-20)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We are to do this until He returns. So what will it be like in the end?

Micah 4:1-4 . . .
“But in the end-of-days it will come about that the mountain of Adonai’s house will be established as the most important mountain. It will be regarded more highly than the other hills, and peoples will stream there. 2 Many Gentiles will go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of Adonai, to the house of the God of Israel! He will teach us about His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For out of Zion will go forth Torah, the word of Adonai from Jerusalem. 3 He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for many nations far away. Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades and their spears into pruning-knives; nations will not raise swords at each other, and they will no longer learn war. 4 Instead, each person will sit under his vine and fig tree, with no one to upset him, for the mouth of Adonai Elohim has spoken.”

What are the takeaways?
– Sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) Funny today being called a goat is good and a sheep is bad. Yet in the end you will want to be numbered with the sheep and not the goats.
– Your Kingdom come Your will be done (Matthew 6:10) It is Adonai’s prayer, we are to pray for His Kingdom here and now. We are to live under and in its authority, while living as strangers and aliens in our current age.
– Feast Days (Zechariah 14:17-19) In the Millennium if we don’t keep the Feast of Tabernacles we will be cursed. Also, there is coming an event that Yahweh says will be so great we will forget the first Passover. This tells me until that happens we should be honoring the Passover we know today.
– New Heavens and Earth (Revelation 21:11) Since we haven’t seen the New Heavens and the New Earth, if we are to take Yahoshua at His word, “not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Torah“.

How can a wretch like me possibly make it?
“I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13)

This is the end of the matter as John writes in Revelation 14:12 “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of Elohim AND their faith in Yahoshua.”

You are loved,
cj