Author: cj

Servant of Yahoshua (Jesus); i have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of the church. Although i failed her, in many ways, it is my desire to waken her from her slumber. The same slumber in which i served. my life verse, which i will mention often, Micah 6:8 "Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly... author, “Staying the Journey, the narrow road” published December 2019 a bit outdated in regards to some theological understandings but the core is still solid.

By Faith Abraham

Perfect religion is action, not emblems, idols or merely attendance.

By grace Abraham was chosen. Through faith Abraham believed.

Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is Elohim. . . . By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ He considered that Elohim was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

The inconvenient truth of Scripture, “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:14-17 says: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Prior to this James says: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. . . . For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (2:8, 13)

The overwhelming number of examples in Scripture point to the inconvenient truth of working out our salvation and that even with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). No, i am not saying we are saved by those works but as Abraham shows it is by our faith we are driven to action. Faith is not stagnant. We must live it.

In so doing we will, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
We will love our neighbor as ourselves.
We will esteem others higher than ourselves.
We will become servants of all.
We will live by faith.
For by faith we say to this mountain move . . . Live as if Messiah is returning today.
Tell others.
Love.

Knowledge is not sufficient. This next point will be a controversial statement and although wholly true, there is a yeah but . . . However, within the context of living our faith, belief itself is not sufficient; For even the demons believe and tremble. James 2:18-19 “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that Elohim is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and tremble.”

When life becomes difficult whether by ones own actions or through events outside of ones control, how an individual responds will reveal their faith and whether they believe what the Word teaches. May we all live not by sight but by Faith in Yahoshua, the author and perfecter of our faith.

You are loved,
cj

From the back, the church lady clapped

“And when He (Yahoshua) drew near and saw the city, (Jerusalem) He wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” Luke 19:41-42

Yahoshua, knowing the future fate of Jerusalem, wept for He knew what was to come of not only the city but those who dwelt within its walls. As we look out at humanity and those living without the knowledge or hope of the Savior we too should weep. Our hearts should break also for the faithful who have made poor decisions, struggled or stumbled. (Good Intentions) Yet, unfortunately the church is the first to pick up stones, to cast judgment, and to condemn. This should not be so.

The writer to the Romans points out in the twelfth chapter (16-21), “Live in harmony with with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of Elohim, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says YHWH.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Taking joy in another’s misery is not at all how Yahoshua lived. He wept over Jerusalem and their apathy. He knew their hearts. Elohim knows the heart; there is nothing hid from Him. We need to trust His judgment whether we see it or not and not weary ourselves. What we should be worried about is Matthew 25:31-46. The final judgment of Elohim where Yahoshua will separate the sheep and the goats, not the worlds definition of these two terms but Elohim’s. The world has inverted these two, they say it is bad to be a sheep and good to be a goat yet we are told here in Matthew the opposite. To the sheep He will say, “‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Adonai, when did we see you hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.’” The goats will ask the same question but the answer they are given is that they did none of these to the least.

We must have the heart of Yahoshua, not the heart of Jonah. We must live from a place of forgiveness and compassion. The key to forgiveness is forgiving. We are instructed in Adon’s prayer, “and forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” He expounds on this just a few verses later (Matthew 6:12, 14-15), “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” It is from a heart of forgiveness that i try to live. It certainly isn’t easy, and i require constant reminders and patience in prayer to do so but it is my hearts desire to live in a place of forgiveness. It is foundational. And it is i believe wrapped up in the final statement of Yahoshua during His sermon on the mount.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rains fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

Storms are nothing new to me, mostly of my own doing, even if stirred by others looking for lightning to strike me dead. If we do what was taught, then on the day when the trials or testing come, we can be confident our response will show a foundation built on the rock of Yahoshua. The other option, the sand of self-will and worldly wisdom, only leads to a total collapse. Our hearts are revealed in this matter as well when we look at the plight of others, even if the plight is self inflicted. The sting of the cheers is hurtful and heartbreaking. May our hearts align with Yahoshua, may we weep, and may we pray, and may we build upon the ROCK.

From the back, the church lady clapped.

You are loved,
cj

Highlight Reel

If you spend any amount of time on social media you have seen a parody video. Basically, an edited video, where they take a bunch of clips and make up funny speeches or even songs. i don’t have regular cable or satellite TV so to get my sports updates i watch a YouTube channel that edits the games, splicing up the game to just highlights and a two-three hour game becomes a 15 minute highlight reel. They are enjoyable to watch and more often than not i don’t know who won the game until i watch it. The only problem is that i will be listening to the color man tell a story and just when he is about to finish the clip ends and the video is on to the next play.

For example, i was watching a baseball game and the announcer said as the clip began, “tying run to the plate”, now mind you if you weren’t paying attention one would assume that this was the tying run at the plate. However, looking at the scoreboard there was nobody on base and the team up to bat was down by 2. So this wasn’t the tying run. The edit would have you believing otherwise if you weren’t truly paying attention.

This is how many people who go to church every week, live out their faith. They get clips of the Bible, a verse here and there, and then string together highlights that just don’t tell the whole story. Maybe its enough to get by, “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15) i am not writing to question one’s salvation, but to challenge the walk. You see the whole of Elohim’s word is important. The Will of the Father, is to know the Son, but even the demons know and tremble. James writes, “You believe that Elohim is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19)

In Yahoshua’s High Priestly Prayer we are given a glimpse of His heart for the children of Elohim, both His chosen people, and those who are grafted in by believing in the Son. Read all of John 17 on your own at some point, now even as to not miss a detail, here i am only highlighting a few spots . . . In the end you will know the final score but you will miss smaller details that get us there.

He begins; “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true El, and Yahoshua Messiah whom you have sent.”

1. Yahoshua glorifies the Father.
2. The Father gives to the Son.
3. Yahoshua gives eternal life.
4. Eternal life = that one know’s the only true GOD and His Son Yahoshua.

“Now they know that everything that You have given me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that you sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All mine are Yours, and Yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.”

1. Everything is from the Father.
2. Believing in Yahoshua is believing in the Father.
3. Yahoshua pray’s for His own.
4. His own (the Church) glorifies the Son, in turn the Son glorifies the Father, we therefore glorify the Father through the Son.

“That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in US, so that the world may believe that You have sent me . . . I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the WORLD may know that You sent me and loved them even as You loved Me . . . I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

1. The Father and the Son are one.
2. Yahoshua desires that we be one with Him.
3. Yahoshua glorified the Father by doing His will.
4. We glorify the Son by doing His will which is the same will as the Father.

Do you know Yahoshua? Do you know the Father? We can know the Father, through the Son. We can glorify the Father by glorifying the Son. What does it look like to be in the will of the Father? To live for and in the Son. Yahoshua is the Word of our Father Elohim made flesh, the WHOLE of His Word.

We are called to be set apart from the world. A chosen people, set on a hill, that introduces the lost to Yahoshua, the Son of Elohim. We are in the world, we are not to be of the world. May we glorify Yahoshua, as He glorified the Father.

You are loved,
cj

The letter and the spirit

Early in the morning hours a husband is speeding along a highway at 102 miles an hour. His reason? His wife is moments away from giving birth. At some point along the way local police get involved and without knowing anything other than the speed of the vehicle, begin to pursue. The man frantically calls 911 and informs dispatch of his and his wife’s situation. Soon after the relay is made to the officers, they begin to escort the man and his wife. Upon arrival to the hospital, the wife gives birth and the officers write a speeding ticket. The man shows up to court, the judge hears the case, and dismisses the charges. (You can read an actual account here.)

There is without a doubt a written law, however, behind the written law there is the spirit of the law beyond what is written. The man in the story above broke the written law. Yet, the spirit of the law was not intended to impede or impose undue hardship upon society. The judge acted in the spirit of the law when he dismissed the charges. Yahoshua, in His sermon on the mount explains this principle. He begins:

“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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV)

He is laying out the written law. He is showing it’s importance and He is giving a weight to begin. It has importance, warning, and measure, with outcome. In many instances the spirit of the law is actually more harsh than the written law itself, for example.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘you shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool?’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV)

And:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)

These are just two examples of the spirit of the law being even more harsh or exact than the written law. Which gives greater need for forgiveness as i am sure we are all already guilty of at least one of these two examples. Yet there are other examples of the spirit of the law being not as hard to keep, the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath Day . . .” Is the example i will use here. When questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples were picking and eating grain on the Sabbath, Yahoshua responded, “Have you not read . . .” After going on a bit Yahoshua finishes by saying, “For the Son of Man is Adon of the Sabbath.” Later, He references untethering a donkey, or getting an ox out of a ditch on the Sabbath. It wasn’t the letter of the law that was insignificant but it was the fact that it did not exist to burden us but rather to give us rest. It wasn’t meant to hinder us but to encourage us.

In fact all the law and all the prophets exist to encourage us. The law is not a burden. When we keep the commandments of YWHW we become better. Love Elohim, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second, love your neighbor as yourself. These complete the whole. The spirit of the Law has always been and will always be honoring YWHW. Micah writes:

“With what shall I come before YWHW, bow myself before the high Elohim? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Is YWHW pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my being? He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does YWHW require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” Micah 6:6-8 (HS)

We do not earn our salvation by keeping the commandments of YWHW, we honor Him through it. We do not work our way to heaven, we walk with Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. When we fall He is there to help us up. In Yahoshua is the perfect law of liberty, and as we call Him Adonai, we need to honor Him by doing as He did and as He taught. There is coming a time when we will either hear, “Well done . . .” Or “Depart from me . . .” And not just those that reject the name of Yahoshua but also those who call Him Adonai.

“But why do you call me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who is coming to Me, and is hearing My Words and is doing them, I shall show you whom he is like: . . .” Luke 6:46- (HS)

Oh that we would come to know the fullness of Elohim, through His Son Yahoshua. That our faith and understanding, would be, an ever increasing and deepening matter of our heart and mind.

You are loved,
cj

Kingdom, Power, and Glory

We have come to the final lines of what modern Christianity credits to Adonai’s Prayer; “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” This line however isn’t found in the oldest and most authoritative manuscripts of Matthew’s Gospel. It is found first in the margins of some manuscripts which later crept into the text. Known in theological circles as a Doxology. Defined by Webster: “a usually liturgical expression of praise to God.” So, what do we do with it?

First, lets focus on the words, “For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” we have come full circle really. This expression of praise points back to the opening, “Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” It certainly does not take away from or change the meaning of the prayer itself. It simply bookends the prayer. But is it wrong?

The idea that we should not add to or take away from Scripture is a real dilemma here. We first have to look at history, try to understand all the facts, and look deep into the intention. Ask the question, does it mean to change what Yahoshua was teaching? The simple answer is, no, it does not. Also, many if not all Bibles today have in the footnotes some mention of this not being in the majority text. So facts, as they are found, are not being hidden.

Here is my takeaway from this: In the grand scheme of things, whether one uses it or not isn’t right or wrong. If one wishes to be a purist in that they believe this was intended as a model or form for prayer, than it should not be used. However, if one takes the understanding that this teaching on prayer was intended as a pattern, than adding to without changing its meaning or substance, is certainly within acceptable limits. i look at this two ways personally, overtime my idea of Yahoshua’s teaching here has evolved from a simple pattern for prayer, to a leveled understanding that it is both, and. Therefore, i use it and i don’t depending on how i am using it. If reciting it from Scripture i have come to leave it out, perhaps making mention depending on the setting. And if in personal prayer, i tend to use it to bring my focus and attention from what i desire to surrendering to the Will of Elohim the Father.

The point of this prayer and the reason Yahoshua taught it in such away i think is revealed in His Prayer found in John 17. Specifically, the ending verses 24-26; “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent Me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” It was Yahoshua’s mission to reveal the heart of the Father, YHWH, to all of creation. In so doing, He separated Himself, a model of complete submission.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Mashiah Yahoshua, who, though He was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Elohim a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore Elohim has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Yahoshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Yahoshua ha’Mashiah is Adon, to the glory of Elohim the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Ultimately, my hope is that you will take Adonai’s Prayer and make it a regular part of your prayer life. Whether you pray it word for word, or you paraphrase it in a way that doesn’t change it’s context or meaning, allow Yahoshua’s teaching to direct your thoughts and prayers in a way that reflects the heart of the Father.

You are loved,
cj

But deliver us from evil

From the fall of man in the garden, creation has groaned for deliverance and redemption. “And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Since this moment in history humanity has only gotten farther from YHWH. “And YHWH saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) It was after this that Elohim flooded the earth. Yet, humanity still fallen, continued its slide. “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.” (Genesis 11:4) Notice the pronouns, us, ourselves, we . . . Which go back to the garden; “And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You shall certainly not die. For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

Life since has not changed, as King Solomon writes, “What has been is what shall be, what has been done is what shall be done, and there is none new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) This brings us to the story of deliverance and redemption. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah we have redemption for sin and deliverance from the judgment coming to this present age. This line in Adonai’s prayer, “but deliver us from evil,” has also been translated, “but deliver us from the wicked one.” Some translation say, the evil one, or the devil, all of which certainly capture the intent. We are to look for and seek for our deliverance through YHWH.

Ephesians 2:1-9 says: “And you were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest. But YHWH, who is rich in compassion, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sin, made us alive together with Mashiah – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavens in Mashiah Yahoshua, in order to show in the coming ages the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Mashiah Yahoshua. For by grace you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast.”

In a world that indulges in forbidden fruit, that seeks its own, where personal truth trumps the Truth of Elohim, we must seek for deliverance through our deliverer, Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. The devil is prowling around, just looking to devour us, we must stand strong, and endure. As i wrote last time, put on the full armor of Elohim.

“Because of this, take up the complete armor of Elohim, so that you have power to withstand in the wicked day, and having done all to stand. Stand, then, having girded your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you shall have power to quench all the burning arrows of the wicked one. Take also the helmet of deliverance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of YWHW, praying at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:13-18

May we honestly seek and pray, “deliver us from evil,” in an increasingly evil world.

You are loved,
cj

And lead us not into temptation

Matthew 6:9-13

Back in 2017 Pope Francis approved a change to the Lord’s Prayer, to be made in the liturgical book which contains guiding texts for mass in the Roman Catholic Church. This specific line, “lead us not into temptation,” was changed to, “do not let us fall into temptation.” His reasoning, the Pope told Italian TV, “It is not a good translation because it speaks of a God who induces temptation. I am the one who falls. It’s not him pushing me into temptation to then see how I have fallen.”

Although, i would agree that Elohim doesn’t tempt us; as James indicates, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by Elohim,’ for Elohim cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.’” (James 1:13) He certainly allows for it. We can look at many instances of Scripture in which temptation was allowed, Job sticks out immediately, as does the temptation of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah in the wilderness. In Luke we read, “And Yahoshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.” (Luke 4:1-2)

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and Elohim is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

How did Yahoshua deal with the temptations in the wilderness? He answered with the Word of Elohim.

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4–Deuteronomy 8:3)

“It is written, ‘You shall worship Adonai your Elohim, and Him only shall you serve.’” (Luke 4:8–Deuteronomy 6:13)

“It is said, You shall not put Yahweh your Elohim to the test.’” (Luke 4:12–Deuteronomy6:16)

Here are the takeaways from Yahoshua’s wilderness temptations: He was filled with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Paul writes to the Romans in chapter 7 about this very struggle. We must be mindful to put on the full armor of Elohim. Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about this in detail but let me highlight two parts.

First, verses 11-12, Paul writes, “Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over the present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This battle we are facing is a spiritual one and we need to have the Holy Spirit in order to fight.

Second, verse 18, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” The best way to fight is in prayer, constant prayer, praying at all times, “Pray without ceasing,” as we are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. These are the takeaways, we must walk in the Spirit, we must put on the full armor of Elohim, and we must pray without ceasing! It reminds me of Micah 6:8 Act justly, sounds like walking with the spirit, love mercy, sounds a lot like pieces of the armor; and walk humbly with Elohim, looks a lot like praying without ceasing, a whole lot of conversation.

Finally, as Paul wrote to the Philippians; “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because ha’Mashiah Yahoshua has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Elohim in ha’Mashiah Yahoshua.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Press on . . .

You are loved,
cj

As we forgive our debtors

“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” Matthew 6:14-15

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our sins from us.” (Psalm 103:12) It is a wonderful promise to be forgiven in such away that our sin is removed as far as the east is from the west. We love the idea that Elohim forgives in such away. Oh to have our sins blotted out. “Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.” (Psalm 51:1) Everyone wants to be forgiven, but many do not like to forgive. We desire that our sins be not remembered, but we hold grudges, make lists, remembering the wrongs others have committed. Some would say it is human nature. True, our nature since the garden has been in opposition of our Creator. We are by nature sinners and because of that nature we must desire mercy. Both to receive mercy from the Father and to grant mercy to each other.

This is easier said than done.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:23-27

As in this parable, the servant desired mercy, begged for it. The king showing mercy forgave the man his debt. We plead for forgiveness from the Father through Yahoshua. We need it because the debt is too great, we will never be able to pay it, only by the grace, and mercy of our Adonai Yahoshua ha’Mashiah do we have forgiveness. This is a fact. And we are instructed to forgive and as Yahoshua teaches His disciples to pray He sets in the foundation a reminder, “As we forgive our debtors.” By our nature we need the reminders, as the parable illustrates, it continues:

“But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.” Matthew 18:28-30

This is our nature. We love forgiveness but find it hard to forgive. But by the empowering of the Spirit of Elohim, it would be impossible. Have you seen the internet lately? What we need in this world is more grace and mercy. Yahoshua, continues with the parable:

“When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.” Matthew 18:31-34

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Mashiah, Elohim forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

The importance of forgiveness from a health standpoint goes without saying. Study after study shows the impact forgiveness has on the heart, and the mind. It is a healthy choice to forgive. But that isn’t the most important reason to forgive, it is in fact most important in forgiveness. As Yahoshua concludes the parable:

“So also My Heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35

One might ask how many times are we to forgive someone? Peter asked the same thing. In fact the parable i just used above comes directly after Yahoshua answers Peter’s question. Adonai tells Peter, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” The point, a lot. Even when it hurts.

“And they were stoning Stephen as he was calling and saying, ‘Adonai Yahoshua, receive my spirit.’ And kneeling down he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Adonai, do not hold this sin against them.’ And having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as Adonai forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

You are loved,
cj

And forgive us our sin

“If we say that we have no sin, we are misleading ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

There are many, self proclaimed, good people, in the world. Many who believe they do no wrong or at least wrong that needs forgiveness. However, the Apostle John, thought it so important that he repeats himself on the matter of sin in just a few verses.

“If we say that we have no sin, we are misleading ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is trustworthy and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

Now, the most famous or most used verse when talking about sin is probably Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Elohim.” The point, there is no one good. Again from Romans 3:10-12 which reiterates Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20 “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks Elohim. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Paul writes to the Ephesians, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3

We all need forgiveness. “When you pray, say, “Our Father . . . Forgive us/me our/my sin . . .”

“But Elohim, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sin, made us alive together with Mashiah—by grace you have been saved…” Ephesians 2:4-5

John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 1 Corinthians 5:21 “Elohim made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of Elohim, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in ha’Mashiah Yahoshua for good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Here in this instance of Adonai’s prayer He is teaching His disciples to pray. They are following Yahoshua, they are sitting at His feet and receiving instruction. As John the Baptist declared on the waterfront, repent and be baptized. After John’s arrest Yahoshua continued, “Now after John was arrested, Yahoshua came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of Elohim, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Elohim is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mark 1:14-15) For those first coming to Adonai repentance is key. Not that repentance isn’t necessary for the current follower but the emphasis is on the forgiveness because one assumes that the follower of Yahoshua know’s we cannot continue in sin therefore repentance is assumed. Although a good reminder is never a bad idea. Here in this instance Yahoshua isn’t stressing it as He instructs on prayer as His point was on seeking forgiveness from the Father.

Psalm 51 where David seeks forgiveness for his sin he writes, “Have mercy on me, O Elohim, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so you are right in Your verdict and justified when You judge’ . . . Create in me a pure heart, O Elohim, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ . . . Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, so that sinners will turn back to You.” Psalm 51:1-4, 10, 13

From forgiveness comes gratitude, “‘Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.’ Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ . . . Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’” Luke 7:47-48, 50

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

The first step in forgiveness is recognizing that you have sin. Forgiveness is available to everyone yet sadly many will never seek it because of their pride, or stubbornness. May we seek for forgiveness.

You are loved,
cj

Give us this day our daily bread

“And the tempter came and said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of Elohim, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But He answered, ‘It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of Elohim.’”’” Matthew 4:3-4

“And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of Yahweh” Deuteronomy 8:3

In order to truly understand this line, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we need to grasp wholly these two passages above. Was Yahoshua speaking of bread or word? Perhaps both. The miracle of the manna from heaven is where we will find our answer, Exodus 16.

“They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin,” (A side note that i find interesting is the location in which the miracle of the bread of heaven is done, a valley called, the Wilderness of Sin or Desert of Sin. And it is brought about as a sign for Israel’s lack of faith and grumbling.) “Which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of YHWH in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3

Ever heard of the term, hangry? Its definition, hunger that makes one angry or upset, thus the word, hangry. i think it is safe to say that the Israelites were hangry in the Wilderness of Sin. How good is our Elohim? In response to their grumbling He tells Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” Exodus 16:4-5

Isn’t it amazing that the word of Elohim to Moses was that He was sending bread for the people, each day, a day’s portion with exception of the 6th day where a double portion was given so that they had enough for the Sabbath day?! And, that this was being done to test them on whether or not they would walk in His law or not?! Both physical bread, manna and spiritual bread, the Word. i don’t think it is a stretch that every day we should seek our daily need of manna and the Word. Gives us this day, our daily bread, physical and spiritual.

In our present day i believe it is becoming more and more important that we seek our daily spiritual bread through His Word. For there is coming a time, soon, that there will be a famine in the world and it will drive people to fall from Adonai, to deny Yahoshua, we are warned of famines and when we think of famines we instantly think of food. And we hear of things happening around the world to our food supply on a daily bases, let us remember Elohim is faithful, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Yet, this is not what is pressing my spirit in the moment as i have been praying about this post.

Amos 8:11-12 “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares Adon YHWH, ‘when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of Yahweh. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of Yahweh, BUT THEY SHALL NOT FIND IT.’”

Life is not about possessions, it isn’t about fame or fortune, it is about taking up our cross daily and following our Adonai, Yahoshua ha’Mashiah, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1-4, 14a

“Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of Elohim is He who comes from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to Him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:32-35

O Father, may we hunger and thirst after Yahoshua ha’Mashiah our Adonai and King; Give us this day our daily bread.

You are loved,
cj