Category: Journey Devotional

Becoming a Person of Virtue: A Journey of Change

Becoming a Person of Virtue: A Journey of Change
Daily writing prompt
Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.
View all responses

i want to be a man of virtue.
– Moral excellence, goodness, righteousness.
To conform my life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. To this end i will seek to achieve the virtue of knowing my weaknesses.

I haven’t always lived up to this virtuous standard. In fact, some might say the very opposite is true. Is it in my head? Perhaps. Some might say I need deliverance, from my thoughts, attitudes and false beliefs. This is probably true. However, as I continue to learn and grow, one thing stands out, it is never too late to change. Some people may never change their opinion of you, or me as this is about me, so be it. Their thoughts towards me (you) should not stifle us from reaching towards our goal. How the majority of people remember you can change today, with a change of heart. Like the book by Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol.”

Two verses I want to share here. The first is Micah 6:8. “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Yahweh require of you? It is to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim!” The idea of being or becoming a man or person of virtue begins here. Belief is more than knowing but doing. Scripture says, the demons believe and tremble, so if belief was all that was required they’d be in. No, belief requires action. It calls us to act justly. To love mercy. To walk humbly.

In the Christmas Carol, Scrooge, has spent his entire adult life acting unjustly, being merciless, and walking in arrogance. Charles Dickens walks his character first through his past. He does this to show that at one point he was a different person. Growing bitter, yes, but there was hope. The scene then changes to the now and he shows his character who he has become. This realization is difficult to take in at first. But necessary if one is going to change. Aton Chekhov, was a Russian play write. He wrote, “Man will only become better when you make him see what he is like.”

In the final attempt to change the heart of old Scrooge he is shown the future. It is the natural end of who he had become to that point. However, as Scrooge asks over and over, “these are only things that may come to pass?” He wanted another chance, he wanted to change, and he did. After the night was over he awoke a new man. One of justice, mercy, and humility. He became a man of virtue.

I was not visited by three ghosts but I have had the scales removed from my eyes. What was revealed was not who I ever wanted to be. Acting unjustly, without mercy, and in arrogance, “I am right and I will prove it!” If not for my hope in the gospel I would be lost. You see I believe in who many call Jesus, I prefer His Hebrew name, Yahoshua (Yeshua). It is in believing that I find strength for a new day, an evolving me. One who still has time to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my Elohim.

To this end i know that there will be struggles and weaknesses revealed. That’s okay because i also now have the resolve to correct them. To seek advice from others and lean on them in times of struggle. It isn’t that i have to walk alone or even to have all the answers. Not knowing something isn’t a sign of weakness, however, pretending to know is. Failing, isn’t weakness, but giving up is. Therefore, i will continue to endeavor, to conform my life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. i will seek to achieve the virtue of knowing my weaknesses.

The second verse in two parts Philippians 3:12-14 and 15-16. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect. Yet, I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do! Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize of Elohim’s heavenly calling in Messiah Yahoshua.”

We are a work in progress. There will be good days and there will be bad ones. You cannot get hung up on either. Celebrate the victories, yes, but don’t dwell there. Be frustrated at the bad ones, yes, but don’t dwell there. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move forward. Life isn’t a sprint, its a marathon, steady the legs and press on.

Let me conclude with this from Philippians 3:15-16. “All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, Elohim (God) will reveal this to you as well. Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.” So what do I hope people will say about me? That my belief in Yahoshua, guides my thoughts and actions. That I am a man of virtue. That I do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Elohim. This is the way of the Rabbi.

You are loved,
cj

Yahoshua’s Challenge: Unity in Torah for Believers

Yahoshua’s Challenge: Unity in Torah for Believers

Luke 7:23 – Yahoshua said, “Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.” The word for ‘fall away’ is, skandalizō it is often translated, “offended by”. A deep dive into the definition reveals these facts. 1. It is a word that describes a stumbling block. 2. It is a word that describes an enticement to sin. 3. It is a word that describes one who becomes irritated at a thing it once found desirable. Yahoshua uses the term in a specific context. He was speaking to John’s disciples. In this context, we can see that ‘fall away’ is a better translation.

Why would Yahoshua be concerned that people would ‘Fall Away’ on account of Him? For this we need to understand what the people of Israel were expecting. In the Gospel of John 12:34 we get a clue. “The crowd answered, ‘We have learned from the Torah that the Messiah remains forever. how is it that You say the Son of Man has to be ‘lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?‘” Their understanding was for the Messiah to come and rule in Jerusalem as King, reclaiming the Kingdom of Israel. Instead, Yahoshua went to the Temple and overturned the money tables.

Another aspect of the idea of falling away on account of Him, is perhaps, His direct challenge to the Pharisees. Yahoshua often challenged them calling them a brood of vipers, or white washed tombs. He did however, encourage His followers and the people in general to listen to them. For they sat in the seat of Moses. When they would teach in the Synagogue they would read from the Torah. It was this instruction they were told to listen to and obey. “Do as they say, not as they do.”

However, for us today I believe this carries a whole new meaning. One in which many fall away from observing Torah and reading the Tanakh. They twist Paul’s writings and minimize Yahoshua’s words, “IF you love Me, you WILL obey My commandments.” Christian’s today separate themselves from Israel as if the Kingdom of Elohim is divided. When in reality throughout the Scripture we read that the two people will become one. Ultimately, that one people will live with Yahoshua as King and we will observe the Torah.

John writes, “And everyone who has this hope in him continues purifying himself, since Elohim is pure. Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah – indeed, sin is violation of the Torah. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in Him. So no one who remains united with Him continues sinning. Everyone who does continue sinning has neither seen Him nor known Him.” 1 John 3:3-6

Paul writes something similar, to the followers of the Way, residing in Philippi, regarding this pursuit of purification. “It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal – no, I keep pursing it in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it; but one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize offered by Elohim’s upward calling in the Messiah Yahoshua. Therefore, as many of us as aer mature, let us keep paying attention to this; and if you are differently minded about anythings, Elohim will also reveal this to you. Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached.” (Philippians 3:12-16)

This idea of progressing towards the goal is lost on modern Christians as they take Paul’s words and twist them. They also will point to the council in Jerusalem and their letter to the gentiles. A closer examination of that text will reveal that the council understood this pursuit. Paul captures in this letter to the Philippians, that it is ongoing. For reference let’s look at what the Jerusalem council said.

“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Acts 15:19-21

Why such a short list? We hear Jame’s heart in the matter, “that we do not trouble those who are turning.” This was a step in the right direction. Let’s encourage them and not over burden them. Why? James continues, “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him.” You see they expected that these new converts to the Way would hear Moses taught. Where? “Since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Not only did they expect them to hear the words of Moses taught. They also expected it to be done in the synagogues on the Sabbath. They knew that if they were genuine converts to the Way, they would continue to pursue their faith. And so they did!

There is not one instruction for the Gentile and one instruction for Israel. They weren’t to segregate. They were to merge and become one body of faith in Yahoshua Messiah. Israel isn’t to assimilate into the cultures around them. Why? Because they were outside of Torah. If gentiles come to faith in Messiah, they must eventually disassociate from pagan practices around them. Otherwise, they will have no part in the Kingdom. For the government of the Kingdom is Torah. Perhaps I will explore this more in future posts, stay tuned.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Finding Joy in the Moment: A Guide to Mindful Living

Finding Joy in the Moment: A Guide to Mindful Living

I have spent a good portion of my life living for tomorrow. Hoping that tomorrow will be brighter. Singing, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun! Just thinkin’ about tomorrow, clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow ’til there’s none! When I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely. I just stick out my chin and grin and say: ‘Oh! The sun’ll come out tomorrow so ya gotta hang on ’til tomorrow come what may!’ Tomorrow, tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You’re always a day away!” (TOMORROW – Lyrics from Annie – C. Strouse/M. Charnin) Sadly, this is still true at times. It’s hard not to think about tomorrow. What will it bring, how will one get by never-mind survive?

In that time I have preached a number of messages on “Don’t worry about tomorrow!” With a scripture to match, Matthew 6:34. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” Is hoping for, or planning for a better tomorrow bad? Not necessarily, only when it becomes the crux of who you are. Not only is the passage found in Matthew great advice it is medically proven. Those that live a life of worry don’t have to worry long because their lives are usually shortened. Stress, can reduce the quality of life, cause heart problems and countless other medical challenges.

I am not saying throw caution to the wind, by no means. What I am trying to say is live in the moments of life. Don’t judge a book by its cover, open it up and read it. Don’t judge a plate by its appearance, take a bite. (Although, it’s probably a good idea to judge a plate by its smell. Don’t eat garbage.) When life is hard. Take a breath. Listen. Listen to the birds, and the leaves rustling in the wind. Listen to the dog barking and listen to the people laughter in the distance. Life, is happening around you, embrace it. Step into it.

I have started to embrace the moments. I try to be present in every conversation. What is the other person saying? How are they saying it and why are they saying it? Listening to what they are saying is key to living in the moment. This creates a different problem, living in the past. Often we are so wrapped up in ourselves that when someone is speaking our thoughts are on our response. We are not truly listening if we are preparing our response. Nor rushing to tell someone of our own like experience, minimizing theirs. It’s hard to do. You hear someone tell a story, it reminds you of a personal experience, and you want to share. What’s wrong with that? Well, nothing really, if you do it having listened first. We don’t do much listening anymore. Everyone wants to talk, but no one listens.

We live in the past, we worry about tomorrow, we are dying in the present. What does Yahoshua teach? Well, in that same passage of Scripture from earlier, He says this: “But seek first the kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” The instruction is easy to hear, easy to celebrate, easy to repeat, hard to live. What does it even mean to seek first the kingdom? In Adonai’s prayer He teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come.” His kingdom, living in the moment, is about living in the Kingdom. Luke 17:21 says: “…Because, you see, the Kingdom of Elohim is among you.”

We are the light of the world as we live in the kingdom. We have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Live in the moment. Love others. Sing for joy. Live at peace. Practice patience. Be kind. Be good. Be faithful. Be gentle. Have self-control. If you are in a gray period of life, know that just above the clouds the sun is shining. And if you are living in a dark place? Love harder. Sing louder. Choose shalom. Have patience. Be kinder. Be the good. Remain faithful. Be gentler. Pray for self-control.

I promise you, you don’t have to wait until tomorrow for the Kingdom of Elohim is among you. This is the way of the Rabbi.

You are loved,
cj

Cultural Relevance vs. Biblical Accuracy in Modern Churches

Cultural Relevance vs. Biblical Accuracy in Modern Churches

It seems the more I look at the church today the more I come to realize one glaring point. The modern church here in the west is more concerned about cultural relevance than Biblical accuracy. If it were not so you could talk about Feast Days, Sabbath observance, and eating clean, without being ostracized. Unfortunately, it is true and anyone speaking of these things let alone observing them is immediately labeled, legalistic. As if to say a blatant disregard for the mosaic covenant is absolutely necessary for salvation.

We are heading into the “Holiday Season,” with its twinkle lights and mistletoe. It is a beautiful time of the year. It is marked by family gatherings, office parties, carolers, and holiday parades. The more society buys into the holiday magic, the more the church embraces the culture. I was listening to a ‘Christian’ radio station the other day and the DJ was all in on the holidays. It seems every year the decorations go up earlier. Halloween, begins in September. Hallmark no longer has the monopoly on Christmas in July and folks are setting up their trees November 1st. Thanksgiving? Sandwiched somewhere in there but mostly used to mark ‘Black Friday.’ A relatively new holiday masquerading as a day of discounts and bargains while revealing greed and selfishness.

The problem I see is that the church is more concerned about being cultured than they are about being Biblical. As I mentioned above even Christian radio is all in on culture. Want to decorate early? Go ahead! Want to have a Holy Ghost House, to counter the Haunted House? Go ahead! Want to brake out that elf on shelf in November? Go ahead! Don’t want to bake a turkey for Thanksgiving? Serve a ham instead! Are we really capable of justifying this blatant disregard for Yahweh’s word?

The argument is that the mosaic covenant is part of the Old Testament and we are living in the New. Really? What does that mean, exactly? Can you explain what repentance is necessary if the instruction of Yahweh is put away? Can you explain what it means to be lawless, from a biblical context? Are you prepared to explain the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness? What is the New covenant and how does it differ from the Old?

For too long now the church has ignored the appointed times of Yahweh, for its own traditions. It was this very act that got Israel labeled as an adulterous. It was their high places they set up. Their disregard of the Sabbath. Their lack of attention to the Feast Days. Their man made traditions in place of walking humbly with Yahweh. These things were the reason for their exile and subsequent scattering to the nations. Yet the church feels as though now, somehow, this doesn’t matter to Yahweh? Even though the Bible declares these things will be forever observed.

In fact, in the millennium. If the men do not come to Jerusalem for Sukkot, no rain will fall on their crops. Is Yahweh, messing with us? Is He forgetful of His own Word? No! And cursed is the man who says so. I have grown weary with the church. I have grown weary with my own soul. The battle inside me is a warring of the flesh and the spirit. My flesh wants to put up the tree, slice the ham, and do whatever my heart desires on the Sabbath.

The question is, do I want to worship Elohim? If so, I must do it in the spirit and in truth. I cannot lean on my own understanding but by every word of Elohim, live. If I love Him, I will obey His commandments. If I want to live in truth I must live in His word, for His word is Truth. Therefore, I honor the Sabbath day because Yahoshua honored the Sabbath day. I honor the Feast Days, because Yahoshua honored the Feast Days. I eat clean because Yahoshua ate clean. I do these things because Paul writes, imitate me as I imitate Messiah.

Over 80 times in the book of Acts the Apostles are recorded as honoring the Sabbath Day. Paul records his desire to be in Jerusalem for the Feast Days. Besides these things the Word says to honor them. It declares to the Israelite’s, “If you turn from doing your own pleasure on My Sabbath Day. If you call the Sabbath a delight . . . I will cause you to ride on the heights.” The Word declares that there is one instruction for the native and the foreigner.

Are we being called into lawlessness, and unrighteousness? No, by no means is this true. We are being called into instruction and into righteousness. Righteousness, those things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man. We are being called into the Way of the Rabbi. So then what is one to do? Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with Elohim. Put away mans traditions, and worship Elohim in Spirit and in Truth. Observe His Sabbaths and His Feast Days and Walk with Him.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Navigating Deception in the Age of AI

Navigating Deception in the Age of AI

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares Yahweh Elohim, “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.” Amos 8:11

We are living in a time when wisdom and discernment are lacking. AI technology is advancing at such a rapid rate. The internet is now flooded with AI video’s nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Unfortunately, a large swath of the population are being fooled into thinking they are real. It doesn’t stop there with advancement in Photoshop and AI people are posting fake social media posts. These posts appear to be real and from a famous person. When in fact it was designed in the basement of someone’s parent’s home or an office of government propaganda. People see the fake post, believe it, and re-post it. This distorts the truth, confuses the masses, and adds fuel to the fire of division.

AI has also entered academia and the professional worlds. Students are using it to write their papers and those seeking work are using it to create resumes. There isn’t a part of society it hasn’t infiltrated. To be transparent even i rely on AI to generate the cover photos for my posts. To say AI is entirely useless, or evil even, only makes one look a fool. However, one revealing fact of AI, it is robbing humanity of its creativity. Which is what makes humanity unique from all other life on earth. Well, besides the fact that we are created in the image of Elohim that is.

The AI phenomena is also making many a pastor lazy. One thing missing in our pulpits and society is a genuine desire to learn from Scripture. Rather, folks are content listening to regurgitated messages that tickle the ears but never challenge the heart. Because of this AI generated sermons are on the surge and they aren’t always biblical. Unfortunately, due to a lack of desire folks are not studying the Word on their own. Which lends to a persons inability to discern whether what they are being taught is true. It sounds good, so then it must be true, right? Wrong.

Deception is all around us and it is up to us to seek out what is true. Either, that or we will be swept away by it. The coming great deception, will fool many even those who may think they are prepared for it. Let’s examine a few passages of Scripture to make this point more clear.

Matthew 24:4 – Here Yahoshua warns the hearer not to be deceived. Don’t be led astray. Many will come in His name but we aren’t to listen to them or follow them. Who are those we aren’t to follow? Those that come in name only, they claim the name but not the lifestyle.

Mark 4 – The majority of this chapter is on parables with one underlying commonality, pay attention. The sower sows the seed. Some of the seed lands on good soil others in the rocks and on the path. It is up to the hearer to be good soil. Study, seek truth, become aware of Yahoshua’s lifestyle so that you can imitate Him. Many are called but few choose to be a part of the chosen.

Luke 8:18 – Living the light of Messiah. For if we do not seek truth, even what we think we might have or know, will be taken. There is coming a day of deception and it is upon us to know which voice to listen to. Which is of the Holy Spirit and which is of the desires of the flesh.

2 Thessalonians 2 – This chapter is entirely on not being deceived. Don’t fall for the lies of the enemy. He is coming, he will be lawless (without Torah) and he will lead many astray. In order to be a part of the remnant you must be aware and ready. Having enough oil in your lamp to get through the night.

The devil isn’t busting on the scene, the red-caped villain, the world thinks him to be. He won’t have the horns or the tail, but he will have charisma. He will come with promises of everything you dreamed of success and happiness. He will come with temptations of the heart and mind, like that of the fruit in the garden. It will be pleasing to the eye and your stomach will crave it. He will come, in fact he is already here and he is deceiving many. He has whispered in the ear of the believer that it is okay to partake in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – “Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion. So that they may believe what is false. In order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Many believe this warning is for the unchurched, but it is not. It is a warning even to those who claim to be a member of the church. What is the description, ‘they took pleasure in unrighteousness.’ This is the Greek root word adikia, which is wickedness. Alternatively, it’s opposite is dikaiosynē. Both are descriptive of how one might treat the law of Elohim. One is seeking the Truth, what is Truth? Elohim’s Word is truth.

The interesting thing about the word dikaiosynē, is its definition. Simply, “Things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man.” So if we are being unrighteous, we are ‘Not doing the things commanded by Elohim. Can this be said of the modern Church? Well, do they observe the Sabbath? The Sabbath is commanded by Elohim. Do they observe the Feast Days? The Feast Days are commanded by Elohim. The debate comes down to what is Truth?

John 17:17 – “Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your Word is Truth.” So if His Word is Truth the question becomes am i being obedient? Think about what Yahoshua said. Matthew 15:8-9 – “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.” Are we living in deception and can that be classified as unrighteousness? It certainly can if we know what we are doing is wrong. James 4:17. – “So then, anyone who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it is committing a sin.”

Deception is coming, great deception is coming, are you ready? Or are you already living in deception? The man of sin that is coming on the scene will be lawless (Torahless). What law will he be without? The law of Elohim. Which is the Torah, that is to say the instruction of Elohim. The things commanded by Elohim to be obeyed by man. i also lean towards best practice, and being open to correction. The quest is to live righteously. To that end, what is my motivation? It is to live a life pleasing to Elohim. What then is my part?

As Micah 6:8 says, “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly WITH Elohim.” He is walking in His Word, therefore, i want to walk in His Word. So every day the question i ask myself is, ‘How can i do better?’ Why? Because, i want to honor the words of my Messiah as He prayed for me. “I have given them Your Word, and the world hated them. Because they do not belong to the world — just as I myself do not belong to the world. I don’t ask You to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. On their behalf I am setting myself apart for holiness. So that they too may be set apart for holiness by means of the Truth.” John 17:14-19

His WORD is TRUTH,
This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Embrace Your Inner Child: The Joy of Being a Kid at Heart

Embrace Your Inner Child: The Joy of Being a Kid at Heart
Daily writing prompt
What does it mean to be a kid at heart?
View all responses

I use to be a story teller. I could spin a yarn with the best of them. Woven with bloated experiences peppered with drama and excitement. They would keep the hearer on the edge of their seat with anticipation. The next minute, they’d bring tear-filled laughter. I could hush a crowd. You could hear a pin drop. I could whip the emotions into a teary heart felt response. Most of the time my stories began, “Once, when I was eight.”

There is something about youthful stories that capture the attention of people. Whether it is a shared experience of like manner or living vicariously through the story-teller. Everyone, has something about their childhood they can see or hear in others. We all have moments when we think, “if I had only done this or that when I was younger.” Just fill in the blank, you know it’s true.

Even in the worst of circumstances kids are full of hope and faith. They see the good, they hope for the best. Sure, they can be greedy, and selfish, all on their own. Inner traits that all humans have, yet still their innocence always brings them to hope and faith. They can, if fostered well, exhibit both compassion and kindness. They can forgive easily and move on as if nothing happened. Their love is unconditional, until they learn conditional traits.

Yahoshua on occasion used the idea of children to teach others how to live. In Matthew we have two passages that highlight this idea. Let’s look at two such instances found in Matthew 18:3-4 and Matthew 19:13-15. Let’s start with Matthew 19. Here the scene is one we are all familiar with. You are around friends and you are having a discussion. Suddenly, the kids begin to interrupt the conversation whether by intention or just youthful exuberance. You or someone becomes annoyed and tells them to go and play someplace else, or to quiet down. In this instance people were bringing the kids to Yahoshua and upsetting the disciples hearing of their teacher.

“Then children were brought to Him that He might pray for them. The disciples rebuked the people. Yahoshua said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And He prayed for the children before departing.”

What was Yahoshua trying to say here? Simply, that we must have the heart of a child. They are hungry to learn and grow. I don’t mean classroom learning, although some kids thrive there. The learning I am talking about is life learning. Watching and learning, listening and learning, then exhibiting the behaviors learned. They are like sponges. We can see this by another analogy He uses in Matthew 9:17. “Neither is new wine put into old wine-skins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wine-skins, and so both are preserved.” The idea here was simply the need for a willing heart. To receive this deeper fuller understanding of the instructions of Elohim.

This lifestyle of Yahoshua wasn’t predicated on the letter of the law but the spirit behind it. As Micah 6:8 describes. “He has told you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you? You must do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your Elohim.” In short, act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. This was the point of the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder. 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.” This word for angry can also be translated as ‘hates.’ Anyone hating his brother, or fellow man, is liable as unto murder.

This lifestyle understanding of the instruction of Elohim was new wine and needed a fresh perspective. This is why Yahoshua desired so much that we the hearers of His word approach it with childlike faith. Which brings us to Matthew 18:3-4. Here, Yahoshua is asked about the greatest in the Kingdom. Isn’t like humanity to always want to know or to see or to be the greatest? Paul eludes to this when he talks about being content in all situations and circumstances. Let’s look at Yahoshua’s response.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

What was it that Yahoshua was saying? He was simply saying, that like a child is dependent upon his mother and father, we too should be dependent. This is the way of the Rabbi. We should receive instruction from the Father like sponges. We should walk in humbleness, in hope, and in faith. We should be quick to forgive others. We should be playful and inquisitive. We should desire the fellowship of family. We should love Yahweh our Elohim with all our heart, soul and strength. If we love Him, we will obey Him. We will seek to be pleasing to Him. Like a kid trying to make his mom breakfast on mother’s day, we should seek ways to serve Him. Even if we don’t know everything or have all the skills, simply find a place to serve. Serve others, love your neighbor as yourself.

“And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with Elohim. Through our Adonai Yahoshua Messiah. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of Elohim. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings. Knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character. Moreover, character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame. Because Elohim’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Avoiding Deception: The Call to Biblical Truth

Avoiding Deception: The Call to Biblical Truth

Confused? So am i. In Matthew 24:4 Yahoshua warns, “See that no one leads you astray.” In other words, do not be deceived. We are told throughout Scripture to be weary of those who profess to know truth but speak falsehoods. They lie and they scheme to lead others away from the truth. That in the last days wolves will creep into the Ekklesia and deceive many, even the elect if possible.

This morning a popular pastor and teacher warned of this saying. “We are going to pray together against deception. We hope that people will choose to read their Bibles instead of getting their theology from TikTok. A lot of people who build their theology on TikTok are going to be very disappointed someday.” He went on to say that we need to take on the whole counsel of Scripture. That if your church doesn’t teach the whole Bible, flee from that church! He said, “Let us pray that you, me, and anyone else out there being deceived would comeback to Biblical truth. Stop listening to people, that includes me, start judging everything by the Bible.” He also said that this is the age of the gentile. That yes Jews can be saved, by coming into the fullness of Messiah.

All of this sounds great! Until, you begin to recognize that the modern church or Westernized Church has this belief. The modern church says: “Become like the gentile to be saved!” When Elohim calls the gentile to be like Israel.” The pastor went on to say that he would be speaking at a particular church “this Sunday.” Whose Sabbath is this Sunday’s? If we are taking the whole counsel of Elohim it isn’t YHWH’s or Yahoshua’s. This is the greatest deception facing the church today! The Sabbath is the sign of the covenant. It is the wedding ring! This is what separates us outwardly. Not that teaching can’t happen on Sunday. Certainly it can as we see Paul teaching on the 1st day of the week. The concern becomes the blatant disregard for the 7th Day Sabbath. Especially when warning about deception and false teaching.

The pastor used Romans 11:11 to make his point. It states: “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.” Which is really ironic since it calls us to live like the Hebrews. We should be living to make the natural branches jealous, stirring a desire to return to Elohim within them. “But 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, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if Elohim did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.” Romans 11:17-21.

This is where the whole counsel of Elohim becomes more than just word play. Where taking in the fullness of a passage is far more important than taking one verse out of context. Then twisting it to fit what makes you comfortable. Exactly as Peter warns. “And count the patience of Adonai as salvation. Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. So as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand. Which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand. Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people [Torahless people]. Thereby, losing your own stability. But Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Adonai and Savior Yahoshua Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:15-17.

Most of what he said was actually good advice. Put on the full armor of Elohim. Don’t believe everything you hear even from your pastor. Test the teaching against Scripture. Does it line up with what Elohim has already said? Remember, He is the same and His Word endures forever. Now after saying all of this he says here are the devils tactics.

First, he will get you to doubt what you have believed. True. Yet the Holy Spirit will also correct us if we are wrong. Philippians 3:15 gives us insight. “Let those of us who are mature think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, Elohim will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Sounds a lot like being challenged on our beliefs to me. So what we need is discernment. To know the voice of Elohim. So what is the test that we are listening to the True Voice of Elohim? “Truly, truly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

How do we know that we are entering in through the narrow way? This same idea is presented time and time again. Paul says it this way, “Imitate me as I also imitate Messiah.” Yahoshua says, “If you love Me, YOU WILL keep My commandments.” Later in the same chapter He says, “If anyone loves Me, HE WILL keep My word. For this My Father will love him. We will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever DOES NOT love Me DOES NOT KEEP My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” John 14:15 & 23-24. Yahoshua is the Word made Flesh, that Word is Torah! Elohim’s Words to His chosen people of which we get to be apart by way of Yahoshua. As Romans 11 says again, “grafted in” to the branch, Israel.

Second, the pastor goes on to warn of Satan’s attacks. To which i have no quarrels. He will attack us and he knows the Word of Elohim well. He is a master craftsman of manipulation who twists scripture better than anyone or anything could ever hope to do. So it is important to know how did Yahoshua confront Satan in the wilderness. While He was being tempted at the start of His ministry. He confronted him with the very Word of Elohim. “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD of Elohim.” Do you know His Word personally, or only know of it through man? Do you read it and meditate on it so that it becomes written on your heart and mind? Want to know what voice you are listening to? Study the word!

Hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah, again i say SHEMA!

“Thus says YHWH! ‘Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon My salvation will come. My righteousness will be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast. Who KEEPS THE SABBATH, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.’ Let not the foreigner who has JOINED himself to YHWH say, ‘YHWH will surely separate me from His people.'” Later, he writes: –– “And the foreigners who join themselves to YHWH, to minister to Him, to love the name of YHWH, and to be His servants, everyone who KEEPS THE SABBATH and does not profane it, and holds fast My covenant–– these I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:1-3 & 6-7.

“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of YHWH honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly, then you shall take delight in YHWH, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of YHWH has spoken.” Isaiah 58:13-14.

The devil loves it when we ignore the word of Elohim for our traditions and our religions. He loves it when we call on a hollow name because we don’t know the one who has it. He loves our speeches of adornment with no actionable practices. He loves that we have fallen for the lies and the twisting and the deceptions. He loves the unlearned teachers or the overly prideful ones. He loves the lazy pew warmers who lap up the same soured milk Sunday after Sunday.

“Depart from me, you who practice Torahlessness, for I never knew you.” Psalm 6:8 & Matthew 7:23

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices Torahlessness; sin is Torahlessness.” 1 John 3:4

“Hot indignation has take hold of me because of the wicked, who forsake your Torah.” Psalm 119:53

“Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. I remember Your Name in the night, O YHWH. I keep Your Torah. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept Your precepts.” Psalm 119:54-56

“I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7 Interestingly, the Torah is also known as ‘The Way, The Path, Instruction.’ It is known as Truth, ‘Your Word is Truth.’ It is known as the Life, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone. But, by every Word of Elohim.’ His Word is a light to our path, this journey of life, it is the Way of the Rabbi. If you don’t want to be lead astray than you must know the Truth through the Truth. You must know the Word by knowing the Word. You must start now because time is drawing short and the return of our Messiah is approaching.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Navigating Belonging: My Journey with Faith and Identity

Navigating Belonging: My Journey with Faith and Identity
Daily writing prompt
Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.
View all responses

I feel out of place pretty much everywhere I go. The reality is I don’t know how to fit in! What does it look like? I try to be me no matter what is going on. Some would say that is boring and predictable, maybe. Yet, still, it is where I am most comfortable. Do I have my moments, surely I do. And, I regret them every single time. I try to learn from those experiences and hopefully not repeat them again. However, with all that, what really makes me feel out of place is my heartbeat.

I have a growing desire to live for Yahoshua, as He lived. Recently, I sat down with a couple of Mormon Missionaries. They had shown up at my door one evening that I was feeling particularly vulnerable for someone to talk to. This doesn’t happen often as I am a hermit by nature. A dwelling in the cleft of a rock or a tiny home in Alaska. All I would need is some food, a wood burning stove, some books and a typewriter. Leave me alone and GET OFF MY LAWN! Regardless, I invited them back to discuss faith and life.

Which they of course gladly accepted, although they pushed for it more than I offered. When they arrived I felt guilty as my intention was to put the smack down on their faith. You see, admittedly, at times I feel superior in knowledge. At other times I feel as if I know nothing at all. This is a big reason for feeling out of place everywhere I go. In the end, after they arrived and were seated, I confessed to them my previous intention. I gave them the history of my life. I then asked them where they were from and we parted ways with the idea of further communication via email.

The following is the my latest response to them regarding a question of differences. I am sharing it here to express my feelings of being out of place. Even in my journey of faith, I feel homeless. Even still I hope that this will inspire you to read, research, and explore. The idea of what is to walk, the way of the Rabbi.

Greetings Friends.
To the question of differences between the 7th Day Adventists and Hebrew Roots. i must before i dive into this answer state that i am neither but somewhere in-between. 7th Day as well as most of modern Christianity, separate Elohim’s laws into categories. Whether it be the Moral Law, Ceremonial Law, or the Civil Law. However, they differ from modern Christianity. They hold that all 10 commandments, which fall under the category of Moral Law, are to be observed. Whereas modern Christianity moves the observance of the 7th Day Sabbath to the Lord’s Day, 8th Day Sabbath, Head of the Week – Head of the Church, however, one might define their rebellion. 

7th Day’ers also adhere to the dietary law, some in fact, hearkening back to Genesis and being vegetarians. However this is where the separation begins with the Hebrew Roots movement. The idea being found throughout scripture that the law applies to both the Hebrew and the foreigner living among them. In Romans it says that the Gentile is grafted into Israel. The Covenants made with Israel are “Forever.” Therefore, one simply concludes that the gentile is to learn the way of the Hebrew. This of course in a nutshell, isn’t wrong in its understanding but begins to vary in its application. 

The moniker i choose to go by is Messianic, however this too is problematic at best. The original followers of Yahoshua were of course Talmidim, which is where we today get Disciples, they were students. The classification given to them early on was, “Followers of the Way.” Simply, based on the very words of Yahoshua, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Of course we read in Acts that eventually they became known as Christians. Which if broken down means, little Christs. Why? Because they emulated or imitated Yahoshua so closely in an attempt to shame them, Christian, was thrown around like a slur. 

But i am sure you don’t need a history lesson. The ultimate desire of the Hebrew Roots movement is to be like those early Christians. These Christians so closely imitated Yahoshua that they were called, little Christ (in the Greek of course). Where i differ with the Hebrew Roots movement is they have gone back to Rabbinic tradition and well. If we are being intellectually honest, Yahoshua had a BIG problem with mans rabbinic tradition. They used it to supersede the Torah and the Prophets. Which is what Yahoshua kept pointing out to the Pharisees and the Scribes. This of course ruffled feathers. Do you like to be called wrong on something you have believed to be true for your entire life? Perhaps not even to any fault of your own but simply what you have been taught? This is what Paul struggled with and even writes about in his letters.

You see this is where i was and if i am being honest still am. As i learn more every day. i believed that i had it all figured out. i also thought the way that i was taught was superior to others. We had the lock on truth. When in reality we were guilty of exactly the same thing the Scribes and the Pharisees were guilty of . . . mans tradition over the very WORD of YHWH. What are we called to do? How are we called to do it? How can we do some of these things given we are not in the Holy Land? What is important? What is useless? 

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes, “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear Elohim and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For Elohim will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) Micah writes, “He has shown you oh man what is good and what does Adonai require of you. To do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” (Micah 6:8) Paul tells Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16) When Paul wrote those words somewhere around 66 AD (CE) the “New” Testament had not been compiled. Paul was referring to the Tanakh. He was saying all the information you need to teach the followers of the Way is this . . . the Torah and Tanakh. This scripture everyone loves to quote, but fail to recognize the implication. Just before this Paul writes, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahoshua.”

Do you hear what Paul was saying? All we need to know is found in the Torah, and the Prophets. Do i love the writings of the Apostles? Of course, I do! They are explanations of how to live out this lifestyle. Known to them as “The Way” this is the way to life. Do i believe they were inspired by Elohim to write them, without a doubt. Do i thing they thought their writings would one day supersede those of the Tanakh? Heaven forbid! Without question they did not hold this view. In every letter they quote from the pages of the Torah and from the Prophets. This is where the Way is found. Not in man, not in his traditions (not that all of mans traditions are bad only when held in place of or above the WORD of Elohim). 

Satan has been creeping in since the garden, attempting to lead men astray, even as recorded in 3 Nephi; “Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this–Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and vain things of the world.” (3 Nephi 6:15). If truth never changes, and Elohim is Truth, and if the Word points to the Torah and the Prophets; If John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of Elohim!” And John writes, “The WORD became flesh. . .” should we not then be more concerned with this Truth over anything else man has produced even if led by Elohim to write? Since, He cannot contradict Himself. Rather, in the light of the Tanakh, read the Apostles and other writings from inspired men, even my own? 

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them. . .

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Yahoshua: The Biblical Model for Living Faithfully

Yahoshua: The Biblical Model for Living Faithfully

If Yahoshua did it, and Paul says, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah,” what then? What is the excuse to do anything else? The idiom, “May you walk in the dust of your Rabbi.” Means to become like him, that you emulate him, in every way. May you be so close to him that he rubs off on you.

Yahoshua kept the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:1-8)
“At this time Yahoshua went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they questioned Yahoshua. “Look, why do Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” From here most skip the full answer and focus only on Yahoshua’s final statement. “For the Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath.” I chose this particular instance of Yahoshua’s Sabbath keeping for a few reasons.

First, what seems to get ignored, is that the accusation was against Yahoshua’s disciples, and not Yahoshua Himself. Second, as He responded to Satan in the wilderness so He responded to the Pharisees. “Have you not read?” Is basically the same as “It is written.” The Pharisees should have known better than to put man’s tradition over Scripture. Here Yahoshua gives two examples from the Scriptures.

Yahoshua, which remember means, Yah’s Salvation or Yah is Salvation. Here at the end of this exchange He quotes from Hosea which the name means, ‘deliverer’. “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of Elohim rather than burnt offerings.” He says, “Had you known the meaning of this Scripture you would not have condemned the guiltless.” All this relates around the idea that Yahoshua, the Living Word of Elohim was with them. And the Pharisees were to wrapped up in their oral tradition to see the Words popping of the parchment.

Yahoshua’s final statement now makes much more sense in light of the context and cultural significance. “For the Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath.” It is not Him assuming the role of the Sabbath Day. It is not Him profaning the Sabbath Day. For had He done so He would not have been sinless and therefore unable to make atonement for sin. It was simply another declaration of His authority, His position, and His command of Scripture. It was not a license to break the Sabbath. It was not a license to go against the Words written by Moses and the Prophets. He wasn’t placing Himself over the Word, He IS THE WORD made flesh, as John describes.

Yahoshua kept the Feast Days.
“Halfway through the Feast of Booths, Yahoshua went up to the temple and started to teach.  Astonished, the Jewish leaders asked, ‘He’s never been taught! How has he mastered the Torah?’” (John 7:14-15).
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Yahoshua was coming to Jerusalem.” (John 12:12).
Here we see in John that Yahoshua clearly partook in the Feasts. There is even mention of Him being present for the Festival of Dedication. Which commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple or as we know it today, Hanukkah.
“Three times a year every male among you must appear before the presence of Adonai your Elohim. In the location He will select. At the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.” (Deuteronomy 16:16).
Elohim, is clear about the celebration of His Feast Days. In fact had Yahoshua not celebrated them He would have been in opposition to the Word of Elohim. But, that is impossible because, He is the Word made flesh and He was sinless. Don’t you want to celebrate what Yahoshua celebrated?

Yahoshua forgave.
A recent global broadcast of a memorial service highlighted an important fact. It mentioned that Yahoshua forgave those who put Him to death. “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Forgiveness is the most difficult calling. In some instances it seems unfathomable to do so. Yet, our Messiah, who was beaten beyond recognition, while breathing His last, did so. There is nothing that equals the torture of Messiah. “Father, forgive them.” I read these words and ask myself, would I be able to do the same?

Yahoshua kept the Commandments. (Matthew 5:17-20)
“Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not even a yud will disappear from the Torah. A stroke will stay as well. — Not until everything that must happen has happened. Anyone who disobeys the least of these commandments will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. This includes those who teach others to do so. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Your righteousness must be far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and Pharisees. Only then will you certainly enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”

First, let’s talk about the word here, fulfill. The word has also been translated as complete. Both are poor choices. Even in the Strong’s Concordance which is popular among western Christians for defining words has the full definition.

G4137 πληρόω – to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally.
to fulfill, i.e. to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfillment –

Second, the idea of being more righteous than the teachers of Torah and Pharisees. The Scribes and the Pharisees that Yahoshua is referring to were more concerned about the oral traditions. They were self-righteous within their traditions. Yahoshua’s entire ministry was pointing out the right way to live out the commandments of Elohim. He did not slack in any of them. In fact, He brought clearer understanding to them. He said, “If you love Me, you will keep my commands“. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, He is the walking Torah scroll. Don’t you want to love Him in a way He recognizes?

Yahoshua is the Word made flesh.
“In the beginning was the Word,
    and the Word was with Elohim,
and the Word was Elohim.
    He was with Elohim in the beginning.”
(John 1:1-2)

“The Word became flesh
    and made His home among us.
We have seen his glory,
    glory like that of a Father’s only Son,
        full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)

The Word, what was the Word being referenced here by John? Well, when it was written there was not a collection of books known as the ‘New Testament.’ Therefore, we can conclude that the Word being referred to is the Torah, perhaps even the Tanakh. That is Genesis to Deuteronomy, or through Malachi. If Yahoshua is the Word who came ‘to cause Elohim’s Word to be obeyed as it should be.’ Shouldn’t we want to live in obedience to the Word?

Yahoshua is Yah’s Salvation.
Yahoshua, quoting Isaiah in Matthew says, “‘These people honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far away from Me. Their worship of Me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’” How can we say we know someone while using a name that has been poorly transliterated. Poorly, I say, because it is through the Greek and has been altered with the introduction of the letter ‘J’. Just say the name Jesus and then say the name Yahoshua. Do they even sound the same? We’re not talking about the name William and Bill, we are talking about Yah’s Salvation. The Fathers name within the Son’s name proclaiming Salvation to all who call on Him!

Moving on, when the angel Gabriel came to Joseph, he didn’t say name the boy Jesus. He actually said, name the boy Yahoshua. To really get the significance here we need to go back further. Moses, by Elohim’s instruction, appointed Joshua as his successor. However, Joshua wasn’t always Joshua, his name was Hoshea, which means, salvation. If you didn’t already know, names in the Scriptures are important. They have meaning, and purpose, and help drive the narrative of Elohim’s story.

Moses, changes Hoshea to Yahoshua, (Numbers 13:16) or in English, Joshua, which means YAH is SALVATION. Joshua was going to lead Israel into the promise land but it was through YAH (Yahweh). The true meaning of the name Jesus is simply Salvation, like the name Hoshea. Some good pastors and teachers who study have added to the meaning of Jesus, God-Saves or God is Salvation. It’s at least a step in the right direction but why the change? Compromise? We know the real name and its meaning is glorious. Yahoshua, the only begotten Son of Elohim, came to reconcile us to the Father. Through His blood, we are brought into the promise land. Yah truly is salvation. “I and My Father are ONE.” (John 10:30). Wouldn’t you want to call your best friend by their actual name? Shouldn’t we consider calling the Savior of the World by His given name?

Let’s wrap it up.
Simply put we can say we love Yahoshua. We can say we love the Father. We can say we want the Holy Spirit. However, as Yahoshua said, “These people honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me.” He said this because there needs to be genuine heart change. There needs to be sincerity. There needs to be a dying to ourselves and a putting on of the new self. “If you love Me . . .” Let us walk in the dust of the Rabbi.

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

From Milk to Solid Food: Deepening Your Faith

From Milk to Solid Food: Deepening Your Faith

“Always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the Truth.” Is this what i have become? Heaven forbid! But i can’t help but wonder. At what point does someone put down the spoon for the fork? As Paul writes, “I gave you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. But you aren’t ready for it now either!” This is a rebuke of the Corinthians who claimed themselves to be followers of the Way.

When I train new employees, I start them with the basics. I don’t overwhelm them with every detail of the job. In fact some aspects of the job are better learned by doing. Simply putting into practice what is desired or expected is often the best teacher. Trial and error. When I served in the military it was the same way. They trained us a little at a time. They didn’t start us off on a twenty-mile road march in full gear. They started us on a two-mile road march with empty rucksacks. They built us up gradually. Over time, we reached a significant milestone. At the end of training, we handled twenty miles in full gear. Had they left us in sneakers and empty rucks throughout our training, we would not have been prepared. We wouldn’t have been ready in the end.

This is what the Modern Christian Church has done. They look at one verse and say, “see this is all we need to do.” When in reality the message of the whole Word of Elohim is learn and grow, learn and grow. For example, many point to Acts and say look the Jerusalem council said, “XYZ”. Specifically:
“Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to Elohim. But we should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols. They should also abstain from sexual immorality. Additionally, they should avoid what has been strangled and from blood.” This is where they will stop. However, it continues as to why. “For from ancient generations, Moses has had those in every city who proclaim him. He is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” Can you see it, they were saying here is the basics. This will get you started. Now, learn and grow, by hearing the Word proclaimed in the synagogue every Sabbath.

Two take away items here. First, the Word, we need it in order to grow. Second, every Sabbath, it was the appointed time. Today, we have access to the Word every where we go on our phones. We don’t need to wait until the Sabbath to hear it read to us. Yet still, we are to gather and as we can read throughout Acts specifically, they gathered on the Sabbath.

In training, whether it is a new employee or a soldier, the goal is to replicate yourself. In making disciples as we are commanded to do the goal is the same. “Therefore, go and make people from all nations into disciples. Immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). Teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.” Do you see the charge before us? It isn’t to sit stagnant in a pew collecting dust like the Bible on the coffee table. We are to be about His work. Work isn’t a bad word. It is a command.

Paul admonishes us to be like him as he imitates Messiah. “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” To walk like the Teacher. This is the Way of the Rabbi. The very idea of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, is answering the call to obey. “If you love Me, obey My commandments.” Yahoshua, also ask, “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do what I command?”

In learning and growing as a disciple we take ground, gain knowledge and wisdom. We don’t stop there we are to examine ourselves and continue to learn and grow. We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. “My dear friends, you have always obeyed when I was with you. It is even more important to obey now. You must do this even when I am away from you. Keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling. For Elohim is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases Him.” In this same letter to the Philippians Paul writes this challenge.

“It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal. No, I keep pursuing it. This in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead. I keep pursuing the goal. In order to win the prize offered by Elohim’s upward calling in the Messiah Yahoshua. Therefore, as many of us as are mature, let us keep paying attention to this. And if you are differently minded about anything, Elohim will also reveal this to you. Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached. Brothers, join in imitating me. Also, pay attention to those who live according to the pattern we have set for you.”

Will you continue to sip the cup of milk? Or will you take up the fork and knife and cut into the steak? Isaiah said, “To whom will He teach knowledge, and to whom will He explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast. For it is precept upon precept, line upon line, truth upon truth, here a little there a little.” (Isaiah 28:9-10) – Today, and this week, ask yourself, what does this mean? It is time to take hold of the calling, of which you have been called, in Messiah Yahoshua.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj