Category: Coffee with Jesus

These are morning devotionals, get your day started right motivation and inspiration.

Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, and the Christian Call to Be Set Apart

Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, and the Christian Call to Be Set Apart

In one of my letter conversations that I had with two Mormon Missionaries I mentioned the story of the gourd. It was inspired by a telling of a personal antidote from a speaker at a conference that I attended. The speaker was an African missionary, and he told a story of his first trip to America. It was in October and the celebration of Halloween was in full swing. Coincidentally, it was also October this time around when I had the honor of hearing him speak.

On his missionary journey here to the Americas he was speaking at various churches and conferences. Informing the western church of what was happening in the African church. On his first trip ever to America, specifically the United States, he was traveling with the host pastor of the conference. They went to visit a few of the folks who were unable to get to church for various reasons.

At several of the stops there was Halloween decor on the outside of the home, including carved pumpkins, otherwise known as Jack-O-Lanterns. The missionary didn’t say anything, keeping quiet about the pumpkins and Halloween decor. It was when they arrived at the pastors house and the missionary saw pumpkins on pastor’s doorstep that the missionary finally succumbed to his emotions.

His countenance shown in his face, that of a man of sorrow. The pastor asked him what was the matter? To which the missionary said, “I cannot believe that Christians in America, would light the gourd. The pastor brushed it off as though the missionary just didn’t understand American culture and that this tradition was simply harmless fun.

I didn’t have full context when I heard this story. In fact had you asked me of my opinion on Halloween before walking in to hear the missionary I probably would have sounded like the host pastor. But something struck me hearing the missionary recount the story. That year I told my family we weren’t going to carve the pumpkins that we had already purchased. We didn’t and I haven’t since.

As I studied more on the subject I discovered the source of the missionaries grief. And I understood the severity of appearances. Psalm 1 is as good of place as any (there are plenty to turn to) to capture the essence of what the missionary and now I feel.

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the Instruction of Yahweh, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. 4 Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For Yahweh guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

The ties of the gourd to witchcraft, witchdoctors, and secret society are numerous. Here’s just a snapshot. These examples come from the History Channel, and the Encyclopedia Brittanica websites.

Concerning the missionary and his grief over the lighted gourd I found this information particularly enlightening. While a “lighted gourd tax” is not a continent-wide anthropological term, the missionary was likely describing a localized practice from regions and countries of West Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Cameroon) or the Congo Basin. If my memory serves me here it is my recollection that he was indeed from the Congo; but I am not exactly sure.

  • The Spiritual “Tax” (Tribute): In many historical contexts, certain powerful secret societies (like the Ekpe or Leopard Societies in West Africa) or corrupt spiritual practitioners operated as shadow governments, this included witchdoctors who were considered spiritual leaders.
  • The Tribute: They demanded regular tributes of food, livestock, or goods from villages. If a village or household refused to pay, they were threatened with curses, illnesses, or physical raids by the society’s masked enforcers.
  • The Gourd as a Receipt: Dried gourds (calabashes) were widely used as containers for sacred medicine, charms, or shrines. These were specifically used in witchcraft, occult practices, and by witchdoctors. When a family or village paid their required tribute, the witchdoctor would often leave a designated charm or marked item at the entrance of the compound.
  • A traditional oil lamp: Hollowed-out gourds were frequently used as primitive lanterns or oil lamps. Placing a lit gourd lamp outside a dwelling served as a visible, night-time receipt showing the compound was under the “protection” of the witchdoctor and should not be harassed.

Now knowing this information wouldn’t change much of a western christian’s mind. Especially one who enjoys the spirit of Halloween. The argument could be made that this is a cultural expression separate from western culture all together. But do most ‘christians’ know the origins of the pumpkin, also known as a Jack-O-Lantern? Again, the following examples are taken from the History Channel and the Encyclopedia Brittanica websites.

Halloween’s Jack-O-Lantern

  • The tradition of the jack-o’-lantern comes from an Irish folktale about a mischievous man named “Stingy Jack” and ancient Celtic harvest customs.
  • Trickster’s Fate: According to Irish folklore, Stingy Jack tricked the Devil multiple times. When Jack died, God refused him entry into heaven, and the Devil—keeping his promise not to claim Jack’s soul—turned him away from hell as well.
  • The Wandering Ember: The Devil sent Jack into the dark night with only a burning coal for light. Jack placed the coal inside a hollowed-out turnip and has been condemned to roam the Earth ever since, becoming known as “Jack of the Lantern”
  • Samhain Festival: The custom is tied to the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead is blurred.
  • Moving to America: During the 1840s Great Potato Famine, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the tradition to North America.
  • Why Pumpkins: Immigrants discovered that American pumpkins were much larger, softer, and easier to carve than turnips. The carved pumpkin quickly evolved into a staple decoration of modern Halloween. Even taking on the name Jack-O-Lantern.

With all the other aspects of Halloween, the idea that westernized christianity is ok it baffles me. Although, I also see its allure since for most of my life I also celebrated it. However, once the veil was removed from my eyes there was no way I could justify my compromising belief. My hypocritical belief to be more specific. Since then my love for Yahoshua has only grown with a desire to live for Him.

As Yahoshua said, “The greatest commandment is this: To love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” To share any part of that with anything remotely evil, pagan, or of the occult, is unthinkable. Still, Yahoshua didn’t stop there He continued, “And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. And all the Torah and Prophets hang on these two.”

How can I say that I love God and participate in a man made tradition. Even more, one that is so intertwined with evil it can’t separated which leads to compromise. Moreover, how can I say I love my neighbor while causing they to stumble. Living in a place of compromise does not show compassion to the lost. No, if anything it sets up a lifestyle of compromise that makes it easier to turn to worldly tradition than to God’s Instruction.

Part of living in Covenant with Elohim is abstaining from evil, shunning it really. God does not play around. Is He patient? Yes! Is He forgiving? Absolutely! Is He unchanging? You better believe it! Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Yahoshua Messiah, is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh, He is the Living Torah, the Manifestation of God’s Instruction. And Yahoshua says:

21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

That word lawlessness, is to say, ‘without Torah. So to be clear, Yahoshua says, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who are without Torah.” Which brings us back to Psalm 1.

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the Instruction of Yahweh, and on His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. 4 Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For Yahweh guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

It is time to come back to the Feasts of God and turn from the traditions of man, including all of mans pagan rooted holidays.

Keep Reading: Samhain, Halloween and the Church: Testing Tradition by Scripture

You are loved, cj

The Remnant, the Narrow Way, and the New Covenant in Messiah

The Remnant, the Narrow Way, and the New Covenant in Messiah

“On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark” (Genesis 7:13)

What does a remnant look like? To answer that we first need to know what the word remnant means. According to Dictionary.com it is: a remaining, usually small part, quantity, number, or the like . . . a surviving trace or vestige, as of a former era. In the narrative of Noah and the Ark a remnant was eight people. Along with pairs of animals of every kind, seven pairs of clean and one pair of unclean. A remnant is very small.

What did Noah have that the other people did not? Was it Noah alone that secured his family? The narrative indicates that it was Noah and that because of Noah his family was also saved. So then was the remnant one?

“So Yahweh said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ BUT Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.” Genesis 6:7-8

Yahoshua said, “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37). To be fair in this reference He was speaking primarily of preparedness. However, one cannot help but wonder if also there isn’t a deeper meaning being revealed between the lines. Yahoshua, is our Ark of Salvation. It is through Him that we find Favor in the eyes of the Father. Not of our own works but simply through the work of the Messiah. Much like Noah’s family. It was Noah who found favor in the eye’s of Yahweh, and it was Noah’s family that chose to listen. They chose obedience in following their father.

For a hundred years Noah and his family built the Ark and the people scoffed. Had they listened, would they have been counted in the remnant? Had they chosen to fear Yahweh and turn from their wickedness, would they have been counted worthy of the remnant? I only ask the question, I do not have an answer given the absolute corruption of the time. Much like Sodom and Gomorrah, was Lot righteous or was it because of Abraham that Lot and his family were spared? And in that, it wasn’t all of Lot’s family for his son’s-in-law scoffed at him and he fled with only his wife and two daughters. Lot’s wife didn’t even make it because she turned back.

Yahoshua, is revealed not only as the Anointed One, but as the Son of Elohim. His obedience even to death on a tree. Paul writes to the Philippians, “And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a tree.” Of which I remind you, was not deserved, but rather He exchanged His life, His righteousness, His favor for our life, our sins, our condemnation.

Even still, it seems that only a remnant will be saved, because only a remnant chooses obedience. But some will quote Pauls letter to the Romans. They will point out it isn’t by works but by grace. Let’s look at the passage so many like to point to . . .

“I ask, then, has God rejected His people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3“Adonai, they have killed Your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:1-6)

Yahweh says, “I have kept for Myself . . .” He is the author and finisher of faith, but does that remove us and our decisions from the equation? Absolutely NOT! We are still faced with a choice to follow or not to follow. We are still faced with the fork in the road, in one direction there is a wide easy road with many a traveler on it. And in the other direction, a narrow path, with only a few travelers. You see there is still a choice, obedience or not, walking in the spirit or walking in the flesh.

The choice Lot’s wife made to disobey the instruction of fleeing Sodom, she turned back and was turned to a pillar of salt. She chose disobedience. Even Noah’s son who made it on the Ark was later cursed. He wasn’t honoring, he wasn’t obedient. He chose dishonor and suffered for it not only Ham but his descendants. “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” (Genesis 9:25)

The remnant which is small is based on obedience to the instructions of Elohim. As Paul writes to the Romans of broken branches and grafted in branches it is those who choose to walk in the kindness of Elohim; which is to say, to walk in covenant. Everything is by covenant, hence the term New Covenant. Which is only new in the sense that it is now written on our hearts and on our minds. And we are given a helper, the Holy Spirit, to help us walk it out. To guid us on the narrow road.

“17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 

21For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. 22Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:17-23)

What then does it mean to walk in His kindness? To not be proud, but fear? How often is it written, “the Fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom”? Job which is believed by some to predate all of scripture, meaning that it was written even before Moses records Elohim’s Torah. His instruction to His people, of which, as we just read, we are grafted into as gentile believers, or re-grafted in as natural branches by faith. Faith being active, for more on that read this post here: Understanding Faith: Beyond Belief and Action. (Note: Some Rabbinic traditions attribute Job to Moses.)

Regardless of when it was written or who wrote it, it is an ancient writing. A writing in which the author attributes Job to saying, “Behold, the fear of Adonai, that is wisdom and to turn away from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28) Turning from evil is a choice, fearing Elohim, is also a choice and it is required.

It is required of the remnant of Israel and it is required of those who would choose to be grafted into Israel. There is only one covenant and it is made with Israel, for Israel, and the only way to become a part of it is to join with Israel. The New Covenant remnant. It is no longer a nation, as we define a nation today it is a people of God that choose Yahweh’s instruction, fear, reverence, and the turning from the wickedness of this present age.

There is a second exodus spoken of in Scripture when Elohim will gather His people, both the natural branches that walk in His kindness by Faith, and those foreigners, gentile believers. Who by Faith choose to honor the Father by living in the fruit of the Spirit and not the acts of the flesh.

Will you choose the remnant? Will you choose the narrow way? Will you choose to enter the new covenant? These are the questions only you can answer, choose wisely, as eternity, your eternity and perhaps by implication, the eternity of your family depends on it.

You are loved,

cj

Samhain, Halloween and the Church: Testing Tradition by Scripture

Samhain, Halloween and the Church: Testing Tradition by Scripture

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, since you know that we will be judged more severely.” James 3:1

There are so many ‘teachers’ out there today it is hard to believe that this verse even exists. Then again, perhaps that’s why the verse is there in the first place, to warn us. Who are you listening to? Who are you allowing to influence your understanding of Scripture? According to James that circle should be very, very, small. In my writing to you it isn’t my goal to teach you but to encourage you, to encourage you to search the Scriptures daily to see whether or not what you are being taught is true. To be Berean, and to meditate on the Word, in order to absorb it into every fiber of your being.

Acts 17:11 “Now the people here in Berea were of nobler character than the ones in Thessalonica; they early welcomed the message, checking the Tanakh (Scriptures) every day to see if the things Paul was saying were true.”

Psalm 1:1-3 “How blessed are those who reject the advice of the wicked, don’t stand on the way of sinners or sit where scoffers sit! Their delight is in Adonai’s Instruction; on His Torah they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams – they bear their fruit in season, their leaves never wither, everything they do succeeds.”

We are on the doorstep of a once prominent Catholic/Christian holiday called All Saints Day. It was established to celebrate and acknowledge saints and martyrs. Originally, it was a festival decreed by the Pope back in 609AD but in the month of May. Later through various Papal decrees it was moved to the Celtic day of Samhain October 31-November 1st in order to Christianize a pagan holiday. Samhain, in pagan tradition and belief is the time of year the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest and therefore marks the crossing of souls into the afterlife. 

Sounds like a good idea right? Honoring saints and martyrs of Christendom, while attempting to convert pagans by co-opting their holiday. But tradition and reason aside what does the Bible say, you know, Scripture, the Torah, the Tanakh, and what have the writers of the new Testament have to say? The answer may surprise many because many ‘Teachers’ teach that you can redeem pagan things and practices. 

Unfortunately, there is no evidence of this found in Scripture. Actually, the opposite is true. Those who follow Yahweh are called to separate themselves from the worldly culture or  pagan practices and influences that surround them. Lest they fall into the temptation of practicing such things. John in his writing of Revelation says, “Come out of her my people.” Speaking of Mystery Babylon, but why? He explains; “She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.” What happens if we ignore the warning? “so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” Revelation 18 goes into greater detail, detail you should understand.

We are called to avoid evil. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

Deuteronomy 12:30 – “be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” This is in reference to assimilating into or allowing pagan influences into the practice of Worshiping Yahweh. 

Deuteronomy 18:9 – “When you enter the land the Adonai your Elohim is giving you, do not imitate the detestable customs of those nations.” 

I am not sure how much clearer things can be spelled out. God is not honored by His people when they practice any culture other than the one He gave them. Does this mean we cannot have or celebrate culture? Absolutely not! However, it does call us to question motive and tradition. We are called to be separate from not unmistakably conformed to worldly practices and traditions. 

What about harvest festivals? Well, traditionally in Scripture there already are Feasts, in which we are called, to a celebration of the harvest. In fact there are Feasts within Scripture to honor the death and resurrection of our Messiah Yahoshua. It is not Easter, but Passover. The ultimate martyr and victor over sin and death. His resurrection was on First Fruits, which is celebrated and marked by a priest waving a sheaf of the first barley harvest. Pentecost, the day we remember the giving of the Holy Spirit, also lines up with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

Why does the church try so hard to manipulate God’s instruction for its own traditions? We cannot make things clean or unclean of ourselves of which God Himself has already declared to be true. If you are planning or perhaps already have started your celebration of Halloween or All-Saints-Day, it is my desire that you look into Scripture for your answer. Not the tradition of man, even that of the Pope. Be careful, be diligent, be purposeful, in your walk with Elohim. You cannot be a follower of Yahoshua (Jesus) and not obey His instruction. Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh. 

When coming out of mans tradition and an assimilation into pagan culture one can find it challenging. Especially, when the church you attend is throwing a harvest festival with non-scary costumes of Hollywood, and folklore demigods. A prayer request I came across on a prayer platform read: “I want to stop with the horror and Halloween stuff and I’m having a very hard time doing so. My 12-year-old niece is the same. It’s my fault.” This request grabbed my heart. For so long I was part of that culture of compromise and now that my eyes have been open I see the snare set by the enemy so many willingly walk into and then find it hard to get out.

When stepping out of pagan culture whether you are there intentionally or not is difficult at best. In 2 Chronicles 30 there is a history lesson to be learned. Hezekiah, the King of Judah, was a man who sought God and His ways. He realized that they should have been celebrating the Passover and so he sent out a decree to the tribes of Israel saying:

“O people of Israel, return to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to Yahweh Elohim of their fathers, so that He made them a desolation, as you see. 8 Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to Yahweh and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever, and serve Yahweh your God, that His fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to Yahweh, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away His face from you, if you return to Him.” 

But the people for the most part were stuck in their ways. The response to King Hezekiah’s decree was one of doubt and ridicule, in fact it says that most of the people laughed. 2 Chronicles 30:10 says: “So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them.” The church is the same today. Pastors will teach compromise in the spirit of outreach. But that is never prescribed as an avenue of outreach. But what is, is unity, one heart, one mind and the people desired what was being blessed. Besides the ‘Pastor’ of the church will ridicule you, even laugh at you for wanting to honor God the way He instructed us through His Word. The way Yahoshua taught. Not mans traditions but the Fathers instructions. 

There is so much more I could write and perhaps I will write on this but unfortunately most have already stopped reading at this point. Our attention spans have grown short and few desire to read. Rather choosing to be entertained by two minute videos on TicToc that mainly rot one’s brain. 

Wake up Church! Time is ticking away, you are not promised tomorrow so live for Messiah today!  “Come out of her My People!”

Keep reading: Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns, and the Christian Call to Be Set Apart

You are loved,

cj 

He Will Never Fail You: Trust, Obedience, and Psalm 118 Hope

He Will Never Fail You: Trust, Obedience, and Psalm 118 Hope

He will never fail you or abandon you. He, is God, and His promises are true.

Give thanks to Adonai, for He is good, for His grace endures forever.
Now let Israel say, “His grace endures forever.”
Now let the house of Aaron say, “His grace endures forever.”
Now let those who fear Adonai say, “His grace endures forever.”

From my being hemmed in I called on Yah; He answered and gave me more room.
With Adonai on my side, I fear nothing – what can human beings do to me?
With Adonai on my side as my help, I will look with triumph at those who hate me.

It is better to take refuge in Adonai than to trust in human beings;
better to take refuge in Adonai than to put one’s trust in princes.

The nations all surrounded me; in the name of Adonai I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side in the name of Adonai I cut them down.
They surrounded me like bees but were extinguished [as quickly] as fire in thorns;
in the name of Adonai I cut them down.

You pushed me hard to make me fall, but Adonai helped me.
Yah is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:1-14

As the world steps more and more into uncertainty let me remind us; those of us who call on the name of Yahoshua Messiah (Jesus), who seek the Father by way of His Son; we CAN rest in His promise that He will never fail us or abandon us. Psalm 118 is a great reminder of this and it begins by reminding us that we need to GIVE THANKS to Adonai, for HE IS GOOD, for HIS GRACE ENDURES FOREVER.

This understanding goes back, way – way back. We see it present through out Genesis and throughout the succession of leadership. Moses said to Joshua, “Be strong, be bold, for you are going with this people into the land Adonai promised to their ancestors He would give them. You will be the one causing them to inherit it. But Adonai – it is He who will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you, so don’t be afraid or downhearted.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8

This is the message many Christians love to repeat, and it is true. However, each time this promise is given there is a reminder, just as Elohim tells Joshua; “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will neither fail you nor abandon you. Be strong, be bold; for you will cause this people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers I would give them. Only be strong and very bold in taking care TO FOLLOW ALL THE TORAH (Instruction) which Moses My servant ordered you to follow; do not turn from it either to the right or the left; then you will succeed wherever you go. Yes, keep this book of the Instruction (Torah) on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed. Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold?’ So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your Elohim is with you wherever you go.” So He tells you and i.

Psalm 118 continues:
The sound of rejoicing and victory
is heard in the tents of the righteous:
“Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!
Adonai’s right hand is raised in triumph!
Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!”

I will not die; no, I will live and proclaim the great deeds of Yah!
Yah disciplined me severely, but did not hand me over to death.

Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter them and thank Yah.
This is the gate of Adonai; the righteous can enter it.
I am thanking You because You answered me; You became my Salvation.

The very rock that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone!
This has come from Adonai, and in our eyes it is amazing.
This is the day Adonai has made, a day for us to rejoice and be glad.
Psalm 118:15-24

A few things to point out here as this Psalm is so rich in content. Joshua son of Nun, was originally named Hoshea, that was his birth name. Names have meaning and significance throughout Scripture and cultures for that matter. Hoshea, means ‘Salvation’. When Hoshea’s name was changed it was changed to Yahoshua, meaning, YAH is Salvation. This is significant in that it is the story of redemption told in a single name. Man cannot save themselves, we need a savior. Yah is our salvation. This name of course would come back into play, as Yahoshua son of Nun led the Israelites into the promised land so Yahoshua the Son of Elohim, leads His people into the Kingdom.

Righteous or righteousness as defined by Scripture means; one who is obedient to the instruction of Elohim. Another way to say it, ‘those things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man’. This didn’t change under the new covenant as the new covenant is simply the ‘old’ covenant written on our hearts. It is written there by the Holy Spirit, through the finishing work of Yahoshua, Yah’s Salvation, the Word made flesh as John writes in his gospel recording.

Yahoshua does not diminish the responsibility for obedience. He made several references to the ongoing need to walk according to the commands of Elohim. Matthew records Messiah saying: “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah (Instructions of Elohim) or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to bring to fullness. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a dot or a stroke will pass from the Torah – not until everything that must happen has happened. So whoever disobeys the least of these commandments and teaches others to do will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

Yahoshua Messiah also said:

“But why do you call Me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and not do the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

“If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.  I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever.  That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

Remember that Yahoshua is the WORD made flesh, He is the Torah, He is the written instruction and He is commanding us to obey. Not without help, He is providing the Holy Spirit who not only writes the instruction on our hearts but also enables us to live obedient lives IF we listen, for He doesn’t force obedience, He encourages it. Even more of His own He demands it.

Some say it is too hard to keep the commands of Elohim. Yet, we read in His word that His Word is not too cumbersome. Who is telling the truth, man or God? There is only one right answer, “Let God be true, even if every man is a liar.” Psalm 118 concludes:

Please, Adonai! Save us! Please, Adonai! Rescue us!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai. We bless you from the house of Adonai.

Adonai is God, and He gives us light. Join the pilgrim festival with branches all the way to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I thank You. You are my God; I exalt You.
Give thanks to Adonai; for He is good, for His grace endures forever.
Psalm 118:25-29

The writer of Hebrews records this in the thirteenth chapter beginning with verse five; “Keep your lives from the love of money; and be satisfied with what you have; for God Himself has said, ‘I will never fail you or abandon you.’ Therefore, we say with confidence, ‘Adonai is my HELPER; I will NOT be afraid – what can a human being do to me?'”

By God’s grace He has made away for salvation through His Son Yahoshua. Yah is Salvation, for all those who call upon the Name of Adonai Yahoshua Messiah. The very Word made flesh, who like the finger of Elohim, wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone, so too He writes the Commandments of God on our hearts. Who then shall we fear? We trust only in the God of Heaven, by faith in Messiah Yahoshua, guided by the Holy Spirit – the promised HELPER.

Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Yahoshua, than to trust and obey.

You are loved,
cj

The Transformative Power of Music: Healing Through Frequency

The Transformative Power of Music: Healing Through Frequency

Most people who know me, know that I love music. Once, I was out to dinner and the conversation was on music. I was asked, “What about you?” I responded, “I just like live music.” To clarify, it is music of all sorts. It could be a guy on the corner playing a one string guitar, I would stop and listen. If someone is doing what they love and making music to entertain others, I appreciate it. I appreciate them and I show it by stopping and listening and if they are asking I give them money.

I recently stumbled upon a young composer named Jacob Collier . . . a brilliant musical mind, almost too brilliant, really. I was watching one of his teaching sessions from Australia and this quote from him hit me. So, I thought I would pass it on here with a note. He said, “As a teacher, as a performer, as a parent, you are only as powerful as you make other people feel.” It reminded me of the golden rule. “Do unto others what you would have them do to you.” Or “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These principles are what make a person successful. Life is about relationships, be relational, be intentional, love always, forgive often.

I don’t know about power or making people feel powerful, but forgiven, loved, hopeful, encouraged. These are right and good. Music, is a powerful influencer. Frequencies, are known to heal and harm. Now I don’t know enough about it to tell you anything specific or matter-a-fact. But, different frequencies have been used scientifically to influence the mind and body. Researchers at MIT and the National Institute of Health have articles on the subject if the idea intrigues you beyond what I have to say here.

As well, people have been influenced by the music they listen to throughout time. Young David, would play the harp before King Saul when he was being tormented and it would sooth his spirit. 1 Samuel 16:22-23 – “Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.’ And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.”

Some believe that music is a form of spell casting, or that it can be used in such away. Jacob Collier, mentioned above said that when he was a kid he would watch his mother conduct the orchestra and that it looked like she was casting a spell. He was referring to her hand gestures and the way her body moved as she conducted. He described it as ‘mesmerizing’. Music is a powerful tool.

It is often depicted as a choir of angels appearing to the shepherds in the field to tell them that Yahoshua (Jesus) was born. The actual reference in Luke 2:13-14 says: “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!‘” The word ‘lego’ being translated here as ‘saying‘ according to Strongs G3004 means exactly that, ‘say, speak, call, tell’. It is the same word legō that is used in Revelation 4:8 which tells of the angels around the Throne of God. “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is Adonai Elohim Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

There are plenty of musicians who incorporate the spoken word into musical rhythms. So I don’t say this to detract from the idea of music but perhaps to more focus on the frequency than how the words of a melody are presented. One thing that fascinated me about Jacob Collier is his ability to create melody with the voices of people who had no idea he was going to do such a thing. At a jazz festival, he got the audience involved with just their voices, no knowledge before hand, no script, he just simply gave them the example. He gave out different parts to sections of the audience and then by simply gesturing to them he created a melodic sound so captivating the people were left in awe. That is the power of music, melody, and frequency.

It is said that Satan, aka Lucifer, was the choir director or orchestra conductor in heaven before his fall. Whether or not this true there isn’t definitive proof. However, in Ezekiel 28 there is perhaps a hint. A hint great enough to create the theory. Ezekiel is directed by Elohim to write a lament for the king of Tyre. Ezekiel 28:11-15 says:

“Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what Yahweh Elohim says: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, the workmanship of your timbrels and of your pipes were prepared in you in the day that you were created, prepared on the day of your creation. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways—until wickedness was found in you.”

Timbrels: Translated from a Hebrew word (toph) typically meaning a hand drum, tambourine, or percussive instrument.
Pipes: Translated from a less clear Hebrew word (neqeb) that some scholars and historic translations interpret as flutes, wind instruments, or hollow cavities meant for sound.

Understanding now both the beauty Lucifer is described with and the potential ability to conduct music, one can see how great the potential for pride there was. Look at the music industry today, the pride, and the superficial emphasis on beauty. There are very few ‘ugly’ frontmen in the music industry. Obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I am not saying they don’t exist but they are far and few between. Forest Frank, not too long ago ruffled a few feathers when he refused to attend an award show and receive an award for his music. Essentially saying, he didn’t want the credit for his music but rather that the glory should go to God alone. Needless to say that was not a popular opinion amongst his peers.

Music is powerful, it is seducing in its appeal, it draws the heart and the mind. If the theory of Satan/Lucifer is true and he was the director/conductor of music we can certainly see how it was possible to draw a third of the angels with him. A third is not a small number. If someone is polling at 33% they are considered a threat in politics. There had to be some sort of influence being wielded about to garner 33% allegiance from his fellow angels. Strong enough to cause them to join his rebellion. Imagine that if you will and then consider what influence music has over you.

As I stated in the beginning, I love music. I enjoy listening to live music. I will go out of my way to support musicians. Especially, if I know them and if their music lightens my mood. I often play soft jazz in the background at work. I call it my serenity music in the midst of chaos. I certainly notice when it isn’t playing and there is a higher level of stress in the work place. So perhaps I am simply writing to myself, to caution myself to the power of music, to its influential powers, and hypnotic potential. As they say, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’

So, I am constantly asking Adonai to fill me with His melody. To place His song in my heart and mind and lips. As the Psalmist says 48:1-5:

I waited patiently for Adonai;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in Adonai.

4 How blessed is the man who has made Adonai his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
5 Many, O Adonai my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.

May our hearts cry, be that Adonai Elohim fill us with His song, His music, His lyric, His melody, His frequency, that we would not be influenced by the worlds music but by His alone. May we seek to love our neighbors, to do for others what we would have them do for us. To seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness. To live out the example set out for us in Messiah. Above all, to love Elohim with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Singing unto Him all the praise and honor due His Name.

You are loved,
cj

Walking the Ancient Paths: Preparing Your Lamp for His Coming

Walking the Ancient Paths: Preparing Your Lamp for His Coming

Do you have enough oil in your lamp? Gas prices are on the rise because the supply is down. War has caused a blockade resulting in shortages in available oil. The world is in turmoil and has been in a tumultuous state for some time. Does this mean we are near the end, is the world at a tipping point? Surely it has been like this before. History reveals wars and famines and great natural calamity. What makes this time different? Try having this conversation with a non-believer or a general skeptic and you will find them saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

Peter writes this very thing. In 2 Peter 3:3-4 he writes; “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.‘” Are we living in the time of scoffers? Haven’t scoffers always been around?

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says it best; “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Does this mean that time is just one giant loop with no end? John who writes Revelation tells us there is coming a time of great struggle and calamity, the likes of which have never been seen before. A world wide catastrophic sequence of events. How does one prepare for such a time? Do you have enough oil to see you through the darkest time in history?

Luckily, the oil being talked about here isn’t found in the ground, it isn’t suffering from shortages, nor effected by blockades. War will not defeat it nor skeptics denials hinder it. The oil is available in abundance for everyone but few seek the source. Many claim to seek the source but they don’t want the commitment so they say it with their mouths but their hearts are far from. Yahoshua said, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matthew 15:8-9)

The passage Yahoshua is drawing from is Isaiah 29:13 – “And YHWH said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, while their hearts are far from Me, and their fear of Me is a commandment taught by men.” Where is the disconnect? Why the contempt for the Way of Yahoshua, who we are told to imitate. This would include keeping the Sabbaths as He did, the Feasts of YHWH as He did, the Commandments and Statutes of the Father . . . as He did.

Jeremiah prophesied of a time such as this when he recorded the words of YHWH. “This is what YHWH says, “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Still even after YHWH says this He tells us the response of the people. “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’” How is it that the modern church has lost its discernment for the ways of Elohim? How have they fallen so far into their own traditions of men? Why do they cry out every Sunday, “We will not walk in it!?

YHWH continues speaking through Jeremiah, “I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’” Currently as I write this we are in the midst of the Fall Feasts, Yom Teruah has passed and Yom Kippur is a few days away. The Trumpets called us to attention, reflection and repentance, the atonement for our sins IS conditional upon our repentance and acceptance of the promise of forgiveness and new life in Messiah. IF we live as He lived. Not in our own strength or perfection or righteousness but through the power of the Holy Spirit who causes us to walk out the Covenant with Elohim the Father. Yet still as YHWH spoke through Jeremiah, “But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

We who follow the ancient paths are not earning our salvation by keeping the Commands of Elohim. We are not earning but responding in love to the Creator of all things, “Yes, and Amen, to Your Ways, by Your grace, You have made away for us. Help us to walk the ancient paths that we might honor You, Adonai our King.”

It is time to wake up, it is time to hear the trumpets call, to go and buy oil for your lamps. For the groom is approaching and it is time for the bride to make herself ready. Do not ignore the call and find yourself unprepared.

“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him. ’Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. ’But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves. ’And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Adonai, Adonai, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:6-13

You are loved,
cj

Understanding Rosh Hashanah: A Guide to Yom Teruah

Understanding Rosh Hashanah: A Guide to Yom Teruah

Today on the modern Jewish calendar marks, Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish new year. They have incorporated it into Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. It is the only Biblical Feast that does not have a known day or hour as it is marked by the sighting of the first sliver of the moon or the waxing crescent. Teruah, in Hebrew means to cry-out, Shout loudly, and sound the trumpet. It is a call to attention! The fall Feast days have arrived and it begins with a call to attention, and a focus on repentance until the day of atonement, Yom Kippur, now 10 days away. Modern Judaism has removed the waiting and marked a generally close proximity start to Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah, or Head of the Year. They call it the new year even though quite clearly the Torah calls this Feast Yom Teruah, and places it in the seventh month. Pesach, or Passover, is in Nisan which is the first month of the year according to Torah. They still use it to call in a time of reflection to begin the (spiritual) new year with repentance but obedience is found in the little things. And it is easy, if one isn’t paying attention to lose sight of the little things and thereby missing the entire thing altogether.

In my daily reading of Scripture I am in 1 Samuel. In chapter eight verses six through nine the people ask for a king and Elohim responds to their request by telling Samuel, “But when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us,’ their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to YHWH. And YHWH said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their King. Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to their voice; but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”

When I began waking up to Torah and to Faith in Yahoshua as well as obedience to the commandments of Elohim. As Revelation 14:12 says: “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yahoshua (Jesus).” I started by reading and reading and reading the Torah. What is the history being told. When you understand its history and the arch of faith the people of Israel were on you can better understand that the modern church is essentially on this same arch. We have brushed aside the commands of God for the traditions of men. We have demanded our own way and by so doing have rejected God, the one who has brought us out of spiritual bondage.

And even still we are unhappy. Look at the rest of the lesson found in 1 Samuel. Just a few chapters later, ten verse twenty-seven we read: “But some worthless men said, ‘How can this man save us?’ So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.” God gave them the king they demanded and still they were not happy. Are we not often of the same mind. We pray and pray for answers, and when the answer is given we are still unhappy with the answer.

God has told us in His Word when the Feasts are and what they are meant to accomplish. Yet, modern Judaism has changed their meanings and essentially the timing. The modern church has thrown them out entirely for man made traditions of Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth and coming to dwell with us. Which is the very celebration of the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles, the last of the Fall Feasts. They have chosen Easter over Passover discarding the very meal they claim to take in remembrance of Him.

Both of these are marks of a rebellious spirit of which we are warned of in Scripture multiple times. Daniel 7:25 says; “He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.” ‘He’ who Daniel is referring to is the lawless one, the Anti-Messiah or Anti-Christ. The coming of the lawless one, as we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 is marked by, well lawlessness, which is to say without Torah.

“The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.” What is the TRUTH, God’s Word is Truth. John 17:17 – “Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth – Your Word is TRUTH.” These are the words Yahoshua prayed before being hung on a tree. And wickedness which they delight are the very acts committed outside of Torah.

Here is the stated instruction for the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah in Leviticus 23:23-25 – “YHWH Adonai also said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts. You must not do any regular work, but you are to present a food offering to YHWH.’” Later in Numbers 29:1-6 we read:

“On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets. As a pleasing aroma to YHWH, you are to present a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven male lambs. Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. They are a pleasing aroma, a food offering to YHWH.”

There are other references throughout the Tenakh of Yom Teruah or the Feast of Trumpets as well. Ezra 3:1-6 and Nehemiah 8:1-12 and a poetic reference in Psalm 81:3. There is also a coming significance to the Feast of Trumpets. Just as Adonai fulfilled the Spring Feasts through the Death and Resurrection of our Messiah Yahoshua, so the Fall Feasts will mark His coming again. This time not as suffering servant but as Adonai and King!

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“For Adonai Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Messiah will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Adonai in the air. And so we will always be with Adonai.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-53
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.“

These are not Jewish Feasts, these are Biblical Feasts, they are indeed Elohim’s Feasts and they are for both the Israelite and the foreigner who dwells among them. Those who call on the name of Yahoshua are grafted into the root and that roots foundation is Elohim’s Word which taken in its entirety is not an unbearable yoke but freedom from sin and death.

Take up the Word of Truth and discover all that it has for you in keeping the Feasts of Elohim.

You are loved,
cj

Historical Events Modern Application: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

Historical Events Modern Application: Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

One of my favorite historical events in Scripture is the ‘Battle of Jericho‘. It has always sparked interest into the idea of what it truly means to follow the instruction of God. Joshua, was instructed to lead Israel into battle against the city of Jericho. However, the military tactic employed seems a bit suspect. Joshua 6 is where we read the instructions for battle. Circle the city once a day for six days then on the seventh day circle it seven times. At which point instruct the priests to blow the trumpets, the people to shout, and in this there will be victory? I am no military expert but this doesn’t seem like a winning strategy. Often there are historical accounts that leave humanity scratching their heads. This is one of them. What I think is often missed by many, due to the arbitrary barriers set up to make our Bibles more easily navigable, is what preceded the instruction we read in Joshua 6.

Obedience or disobedience is the trigger. At the end of Joshua 5. Israel had just crossed the Jordan River and were healing from circumcision. They were now also preparing to battle Jericho. “One day, when Joshua was there by Jericho, he raised his eyes and looked; and in front of him stood a man with his drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went over to him and asked him, ‘Are you on our side or on the side of our enemies?’ ‘No,’ he replied, ‘but I am the commander of Adonai’s army; I have come just now.‘” Here is an interaction with an intriguing question. Joshua asks, “Are you on our side or on the side of our enemies?”

Depending on your translation the response from the Commander of Yah’s Army is; ‘Neither’, ‘No’, ‘Nay’, or ‘Truly’. The word being translated is the Hebrew word לֹא – lôʼ – or לֹה lôh; an easy pronunciation is ‘low’. In Hebrew, Aramaic and other poetic languages, word order changes the definition, causing meaning to alter. Sometimes slightly and other times dramatically. In this instance if we look at the variables there are a few defining words that are being overlooked. Those words being, otherwise, whether, and nought. Each of these possibilities relay a message to the question at hand, which is or was, “Are you on our side or on the side of our enemies?” The word I find most fascinating is nought.

His response, “Nought, but I am the commander of Adonai’s army . . .” This is easily glanced over because the chapter comes to a close and in our trained minds we close the chapter and enter the next. Connect, yes, but separate, new thoughts enter and because the poetic nature of the original language is lost we lose the deeper meaning. Even if it is subtly there in the shadows. Nought, from early English, means nothing, a zero sum. However, it is also, whether or otherwise. In this defining moment the Commander of God’s Army is there to instruct and now the variable ‘IF’ comes into play.

Somewhere along the way the modern church has taken walking in obedience to works. And in that definition has labeled work as bad, grace as good, and if obedience is work, then disobedience must by reason mean grace. Can you imagine what would have happen if Joshua had the same modern understanding to God’s instruction? Joshua would have went back to the people of Israel and said, “Ok, the plan is we do nothing because obedience is work and works are bad, so we will be disobedient because disobedience is grace.” Yikes, Jericho doesn’t fall and Israel continues to wander the desert.

You see Nought, Otherwise, Whether; these words tell a story. If you will obey Adonai, you will defeat the enemy and will enter the promise land. The Commander wasn’t say, “No, I am neither here for you nor them.” He was saying in a poetic way which Joshua, a Hebrew would have understood, “If you obey, than I have been commanded to fight for you, but if not than I have been commanded to standby.” Neither for or against but an observer.

Let’s draw on another story which occurs after Jericho has fallen. Joshua is obedient, relays the instruction of Adonai to the people. The people follow the instruction. The Commander of Elohim’s Army, deployed his troops, the walls of Jericho come crumbling down. Israel is victorious. However, one Israelite, Achan, of the tribe of Judah, disobey’s the fullness of the command. He takes from the bounty Adonai said not to. Now when the Israelites go up against Ai they are pushed back and defeated. What happen? Adonai tells Joshua this in the 7th Chapter . . .

“But Adonai said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions. This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies.“

Clearly, we see what is at stake when it comes to being obedient to the commandments of God and remaining in covenant with Him. The importance is not lost in the New Covenant found in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and later quoted in Hebrews. What has changed is the punishment for disobedience. What was the punishment Achan suffered? Well, after he confesses his sin Achan is put to death.

“So Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to Adonai, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me. “It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.’”

Today under the New Covenant, we are no longer under the penalty of sin if we are in Messiah Yahoshua. Instead we are under the Covenant of Grace. Our penalty is paid, but this doesn’t render the Covenant void, by NO MEANS! Rather, by grace we have been saved to walk in the covenant, the commands, ordinances and statutes of Adonai without the fear of death, when we brake His commandments. You see, when we sin, we confess and are forgiven under the new covenant but under the old covenant confession did not lead to a commuting of the death sentence as we read in the account of Achan.

“So Joshua sent messengers who ran to the tent, and there it all was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. They took the things from inside the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, and spread them out before Adonai.Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor. “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today Adonai will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies. And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So Adonai turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.”

Praise be to Adonai that through Yahoshua Messiah we have the forgiveness of sin. Not that we are free to live in sin. But that we walk in freedom, knowing that if we sin trying to walk out obedience, we remain under grace. We only need to repent from our sin, and return to Gods way, return to His instruction, His Torah.

Don’t listen to me but the Word. My hope is that my letters lead you to study the Word not man. Put down the commentary, the latest book by your favorite preacher/teacher and get into the Word. Learn languages, not that you have to become bilingual or multilingual but study its grammar, structure, meanings, to discover the poetic nature of Gods writings so that you can grow in understanding. “Knowing that ALL of Scripture is profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” As Paul writes to Timothy. And know that “every good work”, IS obedience to Gods instruction.

As Joshua challenged Israel so I also challenge you today: “Now, therefore, fear Yahweh and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve Adonai. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve Yahweh, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve Adonai!”

To make this challenge modern and fitting for today I say: Now, therefore, love Adonai our Heavenly Father and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served and the traditions of men, and serve Adonai. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve God by obeying His Word, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of the land you now dwell or the traditions of man regardless of there basis. As for me and my house, we will serve Adonai, observing all that Yahoshua has taught including keeping the commands of the Father as Revelation 14:12 says: “Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yahoshua.”

You are loved,
cj

Understanding the Moral Debate: Abortion and its Implications

Understanding the Moral Debate: Abortion and its Implications

“What is the meaning of life?” “To be or not to be? That is the question.” “There is a time for every purpose under heaven.” “Live in the moment, walk humbly, work hard.” “Vanity, all is vanity.”

I subscribed to a streaming service the other day. It prides itself on wholesome, family entertainment. I caved, after seeing a particular trailer for a film that I could only find on their streaming platform. The film was called, Amazing Grace. From Google, “The film tells the true story of British politician William Wilberforce. He led a long fight to end the slave trade in the 18th century. It also features the hymn’s writer, former slave trader John Newton.”

After watching the movie, Amazing Grace, I was moved to learn more about William Wilberforce. I found a Biography on William Wilberforce, written by Stephen Tomkins. I am only a few pages in and I read this paragraph.

“Robert and his wife Elizabeth had three children besides William – all daughters – but only one of the girls, Sarah, survived infancy, and William himself was a weak, sickly child, small and with poor eyesight. In later life he often reflected with gratitude that if he had been born in what he was pleased to call ‘less civilized times’, his parents would not have taken the trouble to keep him alive.”

I was struck by the last line, “his parents would not have taken the trouble to keep him alive.” My mind immediately went to Massachusetts new abortion law eliminating any gestational limits. Not to single out a single state as it isn’t limited to just Massachusetts. In fact, they simply joined a growing list of states to take this step securing the right to abortion up to birth. The states Massachusetts joins, Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.).

What are the reasons for abortion that some find being a “good argument”? In my readings on it, it appears to be mainly, quality of life. Here is an exert from U.S. Abortions Rights by State, at Britannica.com. “Induced abortions can be performed for various reasons, including to preserve the mother’s physical or mental well-being, in cases of rape or incest, to prevent the birth of a child with serious abnormalities, or for social or economic reasons. When abortions are performed to preserve the mother’s well-being or in cases of rape or incest, they are often considered therapeutic.”

Some will call me deceptive for not highlighting the word serious when talking about abnormalities. Well, my reasoning is quite simple, serious is undefined, what constitutes serious for one individual may not for another. Therefore, serious is added to quiet dissension, and for no other reason.

Imagine if William Wilberforce’s parents lived in a society such as ours, in such moral decay. What would have been his outcome? I find it striking that Stephen Tomkins points out that William thought it a good thing that he wasn’t born in ‘less civilized times’, or his parents might have chosen not to keep him alive. It sounds barbaric and yet here we are in 2026, modern medical advancements beyond imagination when William Wilberforce was born, August 24, 1759.

How many William’s never saw the light of day because of convenience, or quality of life? How many medical breakthroughs lost, cultural revolutionary leaders missing, quality of life enhancements never realized, because of ‘therapeutic’ reasons? No one can answer those questions. No one dares try.

“What is the meaning of life?” “To be or not to be? That is the question.” “There is a time for every purpose under heaven.” “Live in the moment, walk humbly, work hard.” “Vanity, all is vanity.”

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Messiah. 1 Peter 1:17-19

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of Adonai. 1 Peter 2:1-3

The word says, metaphorically, that we are knit together by God in our mother’s womb. Using this metaphor, when we as a society choose abortion, are we not also ripping the knitting needles out of the hand of the Creator?

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

You are loved,
cj

Understanding God’s Covenant: Written on Our Hearts

Understanding God’s Covenant: Written on Our Hearts

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31

There are many meme’s and TicToc posts that will tell you to “fear not”. They will claim that “fear not”, is quoted 365 times in Scripture. And although this is a great comfort to many and there is some truth behind its sentiment, the reality remains, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” As found in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10.

Now before you jump on me saying that these are not the same thing, I know, but I want to draw a line of comparison. The Church has gone from reverent fear of God, to a flippant cursory reading and understanding of His Word. Which has lead to misunderstandings and false teachings of what God calls His followers to.

Let’s dive into Hebrews 10 where we will discover both, security–fear not, and fear– the beginning of wisdom. Hebrews 10 opens up as a commentary on Psalm 40:6-8. There is a lot that is being said here. It begins talking about the Law, ‘Torah’, being only a shadow of things to come and not the very form of things. The writer says, this “can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.” The shadow is not the fullness. Where the yearly sacrifice stated in the Law brought a covering for sin. The fullness of what was to come in Messiah, was the exchange our sin for His righteousness.

Which brings to light the importance of Passover and why holding to all of the Feasts, as memorial stones, is so important. We see the permanence of Messiahs offering and the victory won for those who are found in Him.

Now continuing in Hebrews 10 what is the conclusion drawn by the author on the significance of Messiah’s offering over the yearly sacrifice? “Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?” The writer now draws directly on Psalm 40; “Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for Me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the Book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O God.'” Interestingly the author leaves off the last line of verse eight, “Your Law is within My heart.” Which is done on purpose as the author will shortly bring this idea home.

We who are in Messiah Yahoshua (Jesus), can rest in knowing that our sins have been exchanged for the righteousness of the Son of God, once and for all. “But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until his enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” No longer are we bound by the early restrictions of a brick and mortar temple and beholden to priests to offer sacrifice. We now can come boldly to the throne of grace having written on our hearts the Law of God. His Holy Instruction, the Torah.

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will amen with them after those days, says YHWH: I will put My Torah upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them,’ He then says, ‘And their sins and their lawless (Torahless) deeds I will remember no more.‘” Here the author of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31.

Honest question if the Torah is done away with, why then would He write it on our hearts? When in true understanding we see that what is done away with by the blood of Messiah is the law of sin and its conclusion, death. Not the need to walk in obedience of the Fathers instruction. In Messiah, we are not free to sin or to walk according to our own desires, but to walk according to what has been written on our hearts.

We have a new boldness in Messiah on how we ought to walk and conduct ourselves, in love and kindness, and in obedience to the Fathers instruction found in the very scrolls, that the author of Hebrews is quoting.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Yahoshua, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a Great Priest (Yahoshua) over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good works. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25

To what are we encouraging one another on to? It is in the conduct of those set apart for good works. Are we to make the sacrifice of Messiah to no effect by living as the world? The author of Hebrews says NO! “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”

You have been called to holiness, you have been called to return to Gods instruction. We are no longer bound by sin unto death by the blood of Messiah but we are still bound by a covenant that is written on our hearts and on our minds. It beckons us onward towards the throne of grace. In the presence of the saints who encourage us to keep the faith, to keep the promises, to keep the instruction. “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yahoshua.” Revelation 14:12.

“Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Do you honestly believe that we insult the Spirit of Grace by seeking to honor the covenant written on our hearts? The very covenant God said, “I WILL put MY TORAH upon their HEARTS, and on their MIND I WILL write them.”

“For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘YHWH will judge His people.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30-31

I encourage you to read God’s Word daily, make it a practice to know Him and His instruction. Desire to know that covenant has He or wants to write on your heart and on your mind. Seek Him, seek truth.

You are loved,
cj